Blog Tour ~ When Mountains Wept by Kendy Pearson ~ 11/15/2024

Welcome to the Blog Tour for When the Mountains Wept by Kendy Pearson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: When the Mountains Wept
Series: West Virginia: Born of Rebellion's Storm #1
Author: Kendy Pearson
Publisher: Pear Blossom Books
Release Date: April 8, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

CAPTIVATING CIVIL WAR FICTION INSPIRED BY HISTORICAL EVENTS 

Amid talk of war, Augusta Dabney tends her younger siblings and dying father. But when hatred sparks tragedy, peace is but a shattered memory. Heartbroken and desperate, Augusta searches for a way to protect all she holds dear. 

Defying family and friends, Dr. James Hill declines a prestigious commission in the Confederate Army to join the Union cause as a Regimental Surgeon. When the Dabney farm becomes a crossroads of colliding forces, Major Hill commandeers their barn for a hospital. 

He is running from his legacy, seeking penance for his past. 

She is desperate to preserve hers, at any cost. 

As a wise, former slave nurtures James’s battered faith, cynicism crumbles, and James discovers grace and belonging with Augusta and her family unlike any he’s ever known, even as he must face the horrors of war and the evil it breeds. 

But when James comes face to face with his past, secrets unravel until deception ends in disaster, leaving Augusta with only one option. 

And it is unthinkable.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Books2Read | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in This Series

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About the Author

Kendy Pearson is a veteran high school teacher and an accomplished musician. She is also a worship leader, Bluegrass fiddler, and Civil War reenactment enthusiast. When she discovers a pocket of American history omitted from the schoolbooks, she enjoys digging in and turning that pocket inside out. Her novels lead fictitious characters through real historical events and settings; engaging with period personalities—and she always includes a romantic thread to warm the heart. Every story is a journey through tragedy, secrets, regrets, and God's undeniable grace. Kendy is an eight-time award-winning author and enjoys public speaking and teaching writing workshops. She also relishes ice cream, snowy days, fireplaces, and maple trees. Kendy is the mother of four grown children and lives with her sweet hubby and two amusing miniature dachshunds.

Connect with Kendy by visiting kendypearson.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive signed copies of When the Mountains Wept and When Heaven Thunders, a character named after you in book 3, In Tempest Winds, and a signed copy of that book once it releases!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 11, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 18, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 11/11/2024

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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Hello and HAPPY Monday.

I missed last week's HHM post.  Time just got away from me!  It is Saturday night as I'm sitting down to start typing this post.  I figured while I have time and have it on my mind, I better get it underway.

I want to wish a HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY to all those who served in the Armed Forces including my Dad!  Thank you all so much for your service :)

Now, here's to the week ahead!

The weather outside is:

It was unseasonably warm a few days this past week.  As is typical in PA, I had to put my car's heater on in the morning and A/C on in the afternoon.

This coming week looks more November-ish.  Look at that 27F on Tuesday night.  I'm going to have to start going out to my car early to defrost the windows!  I'm definitely not ready or looking forward to that...

On today's to-do list:

On Monday's to-do list is Laken's room.  She's off school and I'm off work for Veteran's Day, so I told her I'd help her clean.  Of course, that will be AFTER we sleep in :)

Happening this week:

I've started my regular work schedule of M-W-F from 10am until 5pm.  So far, I'm loving it!  I'm learning my new job and my co-workers are wonderful!  That is always an important aspect to any job.  And being that I'm only working part-time, I feel like I still have time to get my homemaking accomplished even though I'm still working on getting into a routine.

I signed up for a Christmas Vendor/Craft Show with Kaylee as my sidekick.  I'll be working in my "spare" time to get things made and ready by December 14th. 

Also, Thursday is my Mom's birthday so we'll be celebrating!

Currently reading:

I'm going to be starting to read "Better Watch Out" by Natalie Walters for a book club that will be meeting on November 21st.  It is described as "a suspense that happens at Christmas-time".  I'm looking forward to diving in!

Listening to:

His goodness and mercy will follow us all of our days.  Enjoy!

Watching:

Not really anything this week except for the election on Tuesday evening into the wee hours of the morning.

In the Kitchen:

We had a Veteran's Dinner Saturday at Church for the Veterans of our community.  We had a great turn out!  Food and desserts were prepared by the ladies.

Other than that, I made a few quick suppers this week.  I really want to be more intentional about my time in the kitchen this week.  I might make an Oatmeal Cake on Monday.  Yummmm....

In the Craft Basket:

I'm currently working on crocheting Christmas Ornaments.  Kaylee is going to paint a few paintings to add to the mix if she gets time.  Here are a few pictures of our last show :

It was a very small area to try to lay out all the items but we managed :)  If you think of any items that you think I should add to my table, please let me know in the comments.

Picture(s) from the Camera

Prayer Requests

~Laken has been quite sick this past week.  She is perking up now but she missed the whole week of school.  I'd appreciate your prayers that she is well and good to go back to school on Tuesday.

~Thanks that Kaylee and Shawn traveled to Wisconsin for a wedding and that they made it safely home Saturday.

~As always, prayers for the safety and well-being of all school/college kids.  (continued)

~Our Country, our Leaders.  (continued)

Bible Verse

"Surely goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord [i]forever."  Psalm 23:6 (NASB)

Have a great week!

Colletta

Blog Tour ~ An Ode to Poison by Lisa E. Betz ~ 11/8/2024

Welcome to the Blog Tour for An Ode to Poison by Lisa E. Betz, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: An Ode to Poison
Series: Livia Aemilia Mysteries #3
Author: Lisa E. Betz
Publisher: Breakthrough Christian Publishing
Release Date: October 21, 2024
Genre: Historical Mystery

What do death by poison, a ruthless senator, and a poetry party have in common? 

They combine to draw Livia Aemilia into her most dangerous investigation yet. She must risk setting foot in the house of her worst enemy, Senator Tiberius Gracchus, to investigate the death of his wife. (Don’t worry, she has a plan.) 

The victim’s sister is convinced Gracchus is the killer. If so, proving his guilt in Rome’s law courts could put a stop to his nefarious threats forever. 

Livia is sure this investigation is God’s plan to protect her family from their malicious enemy. And maybe it will finally convince her husband Avitus that God is real. 

The more Livia and Avitus dig, the more it looks like they will finally bring Gracchus to justice. Until another victim is poisoned, and everything they think they know is turned upside down. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

More Books in This Series

 

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About the Author

Lisa E. Betz is an engineer-turned-mystery-writer, entertaining speaker, and speaking coach. She inspires others to become their best selves, living with authenticity, and purpose, and she infuses her novels with quirky characters who thrive on solving tricky problems. Her Livia Aemilia Mysteries, set in first-century Rome, have won several awards, including the Golden Scroll Novel of the Year (2021). She and her husband reside outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Scallywag, their rambunctious cat—the inspiration for Nemesis, resident mischief maker in her novels. Lisa directs church dramas, hikes the beautiful Pennsylvania woods, eats too much chocolate, and spoils her grandsons.

Connect with Lisa by visiting lisaebetz.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed set of all 3 Livia Aemilia Mysteries in paperback!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 4, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 11, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

November 2024 ~ TBR

In October 2024, I finished 8 out of the 12 books I had planned.  Not as many as I wanted but still pretty good as far as I'm concerned.  Here's what I hope to read in November:  

And there it is.  My November TBR list.  8 books in all.  

Have you read any of these books or are any on your future TBR pile/list?  Let me know in the comments!

Book Tour and Giveaway ~ Terminal Danger by Jerusha Agen ~ 11/1/2024

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Terminal Danger by Jerusha Agen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Terminal Danger
Series: Guardians Unleashed #5
Author: Jerusha Agen
Publisher: SDG Words, LLC
Release Date: October 24, 2024
Genre: Christian romantic suspense

This woman and her K-9 are being hunted.  

Exactly as she planned. 

When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured. 

Callum Ross, an FBI agent who specializes in catching serial criminals, is about to resign. But not until he finds one last culprit, the killer behind a famous twenty-year-old crime Callum vowed to solve. 

Despite the FBI agent’s uncanny understanding of her psyche, Phoenix refuses to be distracted from her goal. When the serial killer turns into the cat instead of the mouse, Phoenix thinks she’s ready. But will she need the God she rejected to achieve the justice she’s given her life to obtain?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy Directly From the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in This Series

     

My Thoughts:

Review to come!

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About the Author

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies.

Connect with Jerusha by visiting jerushaagen.com to find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting stories, follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of Terminal Danger, a Terminal Danger mug, $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, Terminal Danger magnet, plus more swag!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 28, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 4, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Book Review ~ Where I Belong by Rose Fresquez ~ 10/30/2024

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Blurb:

There are several reasons I shouldn’t be nannying for the grumpy single dad.

Jason Sterling’s dazzling looks could turn heads, but his grumpy attitude just as easily freezes you in your tracks. Our first encounter? A disaster. He blamed me and my TV show for wrecking his family, and my interview turned into a shouting match. Needless to say, I didn't get the job on his TV network and vowed we’d never cross paths again.

When I take a temporary position through my mom’s nanny agency, guess who's my new boss? None other than Jason Sterling himself. I decide to quit, but I made a promise to his mother when she hired me. So when Jason shows up with a proposal—to work together for the sake of his kids—I reluctantly agree.
Then I move into his house—living under the same roof doesn't make things easier. We clash on nearly everything, yet despite my best efforts, the undeniable chemistry between us becomes impossible to ignore.

As our daily lives intertwine, I start to see a different side of Jason—a playful, loving, and protective father whose genuine affection for his children pulls at my heartstrings. Before I know it, Jason and I are inseparable, I fight his battles and he fights mine. We are not that much different after all. I'm falling helplessly in love with him, his children, and the charming small town that’s embraced me.
But my time with him is running out, and leaving suddenly feels all wrong. Falling for my enemy might be reckless, but loving him? It feels like coming home— where I belong.

My Thoughts:

****

"Where I Belong" was a great nanny/enemies-to-more read.

The beginning of the book was filled with misunderstandings and turmoil that made the main characters really dislike each other.  Imagine Jason's surprise when Valentina ended up being the nanny that his mother hired especially in a city as big as New York!

It was so much fun getting to know Jason's children as well as Valentina's large extended family.  Each character was well written and lovable in their own way.

I really enjoyed the community that the author created in Meadowbrook and look forward to returning there again for more books in the series. 

This was a sweet, clean Christian romance with a few steamy kisses in just the right moderation.

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 10/28/2024

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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Hello and HAPPY Monday.

I can't believe October has slipped away so quickly!  I'm just getting some time to sit down and write this post this evening.  It seems like this month has been full of bookishness only, so I wanted to make sure to get a Happy Homemaker Monday written this week.

I'll be participating in my first ever craft show as a vendor this Saturday so I've been busy preparing for that as well as reading away.  I don't think I'm going to create anything else for the show this week.  I'll be spending my spare time collecting everything I need to take with me.  Wish me luck!  

Here's to the week ahead!

The weather outside is:

It was a beautiful fall week and it looks like it will be another one this week!

On today's to-do list:

Today was a fairly low key day around the house.

Happening this week:

I work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at my part time job.  I'm really enjoying it so far.  I'm particularly enjoying the long weekends :)  Tomorrow (Tuesday), I have 1st Aid training and later in November I'll have CPR training.

The evenings will be spent prepping for the Fall Vendor Show and reading books that I've signed up to read for reviews.

I am NOT looking forward to changing the clocks this weekend :(  It is already getting dark earlier than I like and it will be even earlier next week.  Oh well.  What's a person to do?

Currently reading:

I started "Terminal Danger" by Jerusha Agen last evening.  I've only read 3 chapters so far but it looks very promising!  I'll be reading while watching the Steelers game tonight as I'm scheduled to post the review on Friday.

Listening to:

I have found a Friend in Jesus.  Have you?  Enjoy!

Watching:

I'm getting behind on the new season of TV already!  Some of the shows I'll be watching are:

The Summit

NCIS Origins

Matlock

Tracker

Irrational

Are there any that I haven't listed that you think are a "must watch"?

In the Kitchen:

I haven't made anything new in the past few weeks.  I'm trying to get in a routine that allows me time (and energy) to create in the kitchen.

In the Craft Basket:

I doubt I'll be starting anything new this week from the craft basket.  I'll take a small project along Saturday to work on while at the craft show.  I still am hoping to get the Stashghan 2024 completed this year but I'm not going to stress over it.  It might have to become Stashghan 2025!  I'll take it one day and one project at a time.

Picture(s) from the Camera

I actually didn't get any pictures last week.  I'll try to do better this week :)

Prayer Requests

~Continued prayers for Laken as she has a full workload this school year.

~As always, prayers for the safety and well-being of all school/college kids.  (continued)

~Our Country, our Leaders and the Election coming in November.  (continued)

Bible Verse

"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."  James 4:14 (NASB)

Have a great week!

Colletta

Book Review ~ The Gentleman's Confession by Anneka R. Walker ~ 10/25/2024

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Title:   The Gentleman's Confession by Anneka R. Walker

Series:  Matchmaking Mamas Book #3

Pages:  288

Date Published:  October 22, 2024

Publisher:  Shadow Mountain

Stars:  *****

Blurb:

Brookeside, England, 1822

Jemma Fielding has always considered herself an independent woman, but to honor her beloved grandmother’s dying wish, she makes a promise that she will marry and fall in love. To fulfill her promise, she turns to the Matchmaking Mamas Society for assistance and is paired with the charming Mr. Bentley. Though he is everything Jemma could hope for in a match, she is clueless about how to win his heart. Desperate to make a good impression, she seeks guidance from her dearest friend, Miles Jackson, a humble rector with a talent for understanding matters of the heart.

However, Miles’s secret affection for Jemma has spanned years, and teaching her to love someone else threatens to betray his own heart. Trapped by his own selfless nature, Miles fears he will never be more than a humble rector in her eyes.

Even as he gives Jemma lessons in love, Miles grapples with the challenge of convincing her that Mr. Bentley may be a perfect gentleman but he is not the perfect match for her. Will Miles’s advice in romance jeopardize their years of friendship, or will it reveal the attraction that has quietly blossomed between them, proving that this time, the Matchmaking Mamas may have made a mistake? Miles must decide if

My Thoughts:

This novel was so much fun to read!  Well worth the ***** rating!

I haven't read a Regency Romance in quite some time but "The Gentleman's Confession" by Anneka R. Walker reminded me why they are a favorite genre of mine.

I absolutely adored Miles and Jemma together.  They started with what both believed was a mutual best friend situation.  The journey the author took them on was full of ups and down and emotional roller coasters.  The angst that both main characters were feeling was so heartrendingly sweet.  I couldn't stop reading as I wanted so very badly to find out how Miles and Jemma would come together in the end.  I knew it would be very satisfying!  Sigh!

The book was so well-written that I was completely caught up in the story and forgot that I was reading words.  Instead I saw the story in my head.  It was a total escape to another time and place.  To me this is the highest compliment I could give :)

"The Gentleman's Confession" is the third book in the Matchmaking Mamas series but can very easily be ready as a stand-alone.  I would love to go back and read the first two books of the series and get to know more about the "Rebels" friend group.

This was a sweet, clean read.

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.