Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Review: Not Over You by Heather B. Moore



My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

He left her behind. She's spent years ignoring him. But some things can never be forgotten.

Knox Prosper knows he can never go back in time and correct his mistakes, so he has to find a way to move forward, and start a new life. Become a better man, and a father, if only for his young daughter. His regrets have taught him to simplify and to focus on what’s real and important. Returning to his hometown to ride in the rodeo gives him a chance to spend time with his daughter and to continue mending bridges with the rest of his family. But what he doesn’t expect is to run into Jana Harris—the first woman he loved—the woman who faded from his life years before because Knox continued to mess up one thing after another. Someone as good and as sweet as Jana is the last person he deserves. Hope is dangerous. And hope can break his heart once again. Yet Jana might be the one person with the power to redeem his past once and for all.


My Review

I'm not a fan of the bad boy type, but am always up for a good redemption story. Knox plays the part of the cheating ex-husband in the first book, but by the second book he had started to make amends to his family, so it was gratifying to see the rest of his journey to becoming a better man. The author did a great job of making his transformation genuine and sincere, while still staying true to his personality. Knox has so many regrets, but the one person he feels wronged by is Jana. I loved their reconciliation and the revealing of unknown secrets that caused the rift between them so many years before. I think I would have struggled with being as forgiving as Jana, and I admired her compassion and understanding, without trying to excuse or justify. They have a strong chemistry which quickly reignited their romantic relationship, and they are easy together, able to be their true selves. Small-town gossip, strained family relationships, and trust come into play to challenge their happiness, and I was rooting for them to stay strong and find solutions to their challenges together. A wonderful addition to the Prosperity Ranch series! This book can easily be read on its own but I recommend reading the series in order if you can to better understand the background between Knox and his family.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)



USA Today bestselling author Heather B. Moore welcomes you to Prosperity Ranch



About the Author

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty publications. Her historical novels and thrillers are written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah. Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.

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Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Not a Fine Gentleman by Donna Hatch #NFGPrism

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Not a Fine Gentleman
(Rogue Hearts, #5)
By Donna Hatch

Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 448 Pages
June 18, 2020 by Mirror Lake Press LLC

Lady Margaret secretly yearns for love, but fate has exchanged wedded bliss for a lie. When she is caught hovering over her cheating husband’s dead body, she is instantly doomed to hang for his murder. Without hope for justice, Margaret flees into the night alone.
 
A cynical Bow Street Constable, Connor Jackson, vows to bring the fugitive Lady Margaret to face the law—but, he doesn’t expect sparks to fly between them. Could the strong yet tender lady truly be a killer? 
 
As more suspects—and even more condemning evidence—surface, the less certain Connor is of his duty. He must choose between his growing feelings for Lady Margaret and the demands of justice. Will the truth tear them apart or set them free to find love?

(Affiliate link included.)

Excerpt

Jackson’s lips parted, drawing her attention. So close. All she had to do was move her head a few inches and they would touch. Oh, to be kissed again. She’d once loved kissing. How long had it been? A very deep, very feminine part of her ached for that sweet contact, the feeling of being wanted. Desired. Cherished. In a way that Hennessy never had made her feel.

A fantasy.

Jackson’s breathing changed and he shifted her in his arms. His gaze lowered to her lips. Tension crackled between them and her lips tingled. 

“Are you afraid I’ll take advantage of you, Margaret?” he whispered. “Or are you afraid I won’t?”

His question thinned whatever spell he’d wrapped around her. “Don’t you dare. As I said, I’m fully capable of warding off unwanted advances.”

“How are you at warding off wanted advances?” As his lips moved the words, they fed her craving for his kiss. 

She turned her head away. “I wouldn’t know.”

He chuckled again, the lout. Oh, this would be a very long journey!

 

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to an Amazon affiliate link.)

About the Author


Multi-award-winning author of more than twenty best-selling Regency Historical Romances, Donna Hatch is a hopeful romantic and an adventurer at heart. Each book she writes is filled with wit and heart and plenty of swoon-worthy romance. Donna sings, plays the harp, and loves to ballroom dance. Her family, including six children and two cats, recently left their native Arizona for the Pacific coast of the US. No matter where they live, she and her husband of over twenty years are proof that there truly is a happily ever after.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


- One winner will receive ebooks of the first four books in the Rogue Hearts series, The Stranger She Married, The Guise of a Gentleman, A Perfect Secret and The Suspect's Daughter
- Four winners will each receive an ebook of the first book in the Rogue Hearts series, The Stranger She Married
- Open internationally
- Ends July 1, 2020

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Monday, June 22, 2020

Review & Giveaway: The Whispered Dance of Bees by Carol Warburton


My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

Had fate and nature not conspired, Alyce Redgrave would have been a child of wealth and privilege. But the night of her birth was shadowed by an eerie Devils Moon and her christening day marred by a fierce hailstorm—ill omens that led the superstitious peasants to seek Alyce's life. Desperate to save her infant daughter, Alyce's mother flees with her baby, finding shelter and goodwill at the isolated farm of strangers . . .

There, Alyce's life is filled with secrets, unanswered questions, and a sense of foreboding. Her worst fears are realized when she narrowly escapes the clutches of a murderer by fleeing into the forest. Fate steps in once more to change the course of her life when Alyce is found and taken in by Elspeth, a wise woman with the uncanny ability to commune with nature. Trained by Elspeth in the art of healing, Alyce remains haunted by the puzzle of her past until she discovers her mother's lost pendant. With the help of this object and the aid of the enchanting William Pascoe, Alyce finally holds the key to who she once was and who she will become.

My Review

The title of this book had me intrigued and I found the story and writing to be just as intriguing. It's a unique story that takes place in an earlier era than I'm used to reading- early 1700's England, and the ambiance was steeped in mystery and mystical beliefs, while still being grounded in a realistic environment. There is a strong theme of motherhood and the family we choose to have as we draw close to certain people in our lives. The pace begins slowly but is steady as we journey with Alyce through the events that take her life on unexpected paths and the women who help her develop as a person. I enjoyed the sweet romance between Alyce and William, and would have loved more between them. Overall this was a standout book that delved into a culture and period that I find fascinating and I'm glad I read it. Recommend to fans of historical fiction and women's fiction that is lighter on the romance.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Sunday, June 21, 2020

Review, Special Offer & Giveaway: Living Scriptures Streaming





I was so excited to learn that Living Scriptures is available as a streaming app where viewers can access over 2500 films and 500 documentaries! I remember watching the Animated Scripture Stories when I was a child and enjoying the messages and music. I'm glad that I can share them with my daughters now, and have plenty of family-friendly and gospel-oriented content to watch with them. Our older model TV recently broke and we upgraded to a Roku TV, which has been quite a learning experience! It has been so easy to add Living Scriptures to our list of streaming apps. It's also available on several others like Apple TV, AndroidTV, Chromecast, Amazon FireTV. You can also watch on mobile devices such as iPad, iPhone, Anroid, and Kindle Fire. And of course you can always access it online on your desktop or laptop computer.


A show that my 13 year old daughter absolutely loves is Studio C, a sketch comedy show similar to SNL, but clean, clever, goofy, fun, and perfect for all ages. I'm pretty impressed with the variety of talent they exhibit, and while they can get loud at times, my daughter is literally laughing out loud and it's a joy to watch her enjoying it so much. She and her friends even have fun re-enacting some of the skits!


There are so many shows and movies available and I already have a long watchlist. Much of it is family and general Christian content, and there is also plenty of content more specifically for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.



To access the special offer of your first month FREE,
click the image above or go to http://bit.ly/3doesvi


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Book Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Healing Their Hearts by Cleopatra Margot

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Healing Their Hearts
(Faith to Love, #6)
By Cleopatra Margot

Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 302  Pages
June 21, 2020

After spring's many trials, Knox County Sheriff Liam McKay is ready for a season of restoration. He needs time to grieve the loss of his grandmother and work on becoming a better husband and father. Liam learned the hard way that life is fragile, and he doesn't want to miss out on any precious moments.

Emma McKay loves her role as a wife and mother. After she lost her parents, the McKay family became her saving grace. Being married to a police officer brings both challenges and adventures into her life, though, and when something hits on a more personal level, will her past be brought into the light?

Officer Mark MacLaughlin is motivated by two things: his family and his job. Add a beautiful stranger to the mix, and Mark can't help but want to get to know her better. But when he takes on fatherhood for a three-year-old girl, he has to learn how to blur the lines between his personal and professional life too.

Evangeline Taylor was on the way to confront her past, until her plans came to a grinding halt. Now injured and stranded in a tiny Nebraska town, Eva's heart opens up. The town, the people, and maybe one handsome police officer in particular help her to heal...but will they be enough to make her stay?

(Affiliate link included.)

Excerpt

With his back pressed snug up against the wall in the narrow hallway, Mark knocked on the door. “Lainee? I need you to respond to me. I won’t hurt you, I promise. My name is Mark. Remember me? Can you say something for me?”

The three-year-old remained silent. Mark tipped his head back against the ramshackle wall and sent up a silent prayer. So far, he wasn’t getting anywhere, and they’d arrived on the scene well over an hour ago.

A neighbor had reported that Steve was being belligerent, and Brenda had been spotted with a fresh purchase of booze. Though both had denied it, the last straw had been drawn, and that was the end of it.

Sweat trickled down his back because the house had no AC, and he was beginning to wonder if the child was even in her room like Steve and Brenda had insisted upon.

“510 to 512.” Braeden’s voice rang through the earpiece Mark wore. “The parents are in separate patrol cars and we’re about to head to the station. Any luck?”

Mark pressed his button and said quietly, “Not yet. I’m working on it.”

Braeden must’ve decided he didn’t need more info, because he didn’t say anything further. Mark rapped on the door again.

“Lainee, can you hear me?”

This time, Mark heard muffled crying. He swallowed past his strong distaste for Steve and Brenda Olson, then eased to his feet. The only option now was to open the door and pray to God he didn’t scare her.

Mark’s heart about broke when he stepped into the room, even though he’d seen it before. Filled with just a beat up bed and a couple tattered toys, this ill-kempt room wasn’t the place for a little girl to grow up.

Lainee was sitting in the corner, and Mark crossed and knelt a couple feet from her. “You’re safe now, okay? Can you come with me? I’ve got an apple down in my car, if you want some.”

Distrusting blue eyes met his. “Gone?”

The fact that she, at only three years of age, had to ask that about her own parents made Mark’s blood heat. “Yes. They’re gone. You’re safe now.”

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to an Amazon affiliate link.)

About the Author


Cleopatra Margot resides with her family and their golden retriever in small town, rural Nebraska. Inspiration for her novels comes from both real life + fictional characters and storylines in her brain. The town of Believe is based on her own hometown, but with embellishments. She and her two younger siblings are homeschooled, and enjoy traveling with their parents and the dog. When she’s not writing, Cleopatra enjoys Bible journaling, time with family and friends, playing cards, being outside (when it’s not subfreezing temps), laughing, singing, and enjoying life.


Blitz Giveaway


1 winner will receive an ebook of The Floods Came by Cleoptatra Margot
Ends June 25, 2020

 
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Saturday, June 20, 2020

Blog Tour Grand Finale & Giveaway: Where the Road Bends by David Rawlings #WRBPrism

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Author Interview

What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?

I write all of my novels so that once the back cover is closed and the final page is turned, that is the start of something: a conversation, a thought process, a prayer. It’s my hope that a reader will finish Where the Road Bends and think about where they are on the road of life, and where they’re going from here.

I would also love them to fall in love with outback Australia like we all have down here. It truly is a wonder of creation. 


"This is a great story that really takes the reader on more than a journey in self-discovery. Told in third (3rd) person; the POV switches from Lincoln, Eliza, Bree, to Andy.

I honestly couldn’t put it down; I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen to them."


"I give this book 5 out of 5 stars, for the vivid Australia life descriptions, the great array of characters, and for teaching some honest life lessons that we all need to hear. . . . I think that David Rawlins’s style of writing leans toward realism, and in real life, we do not know always get to know the outcome of something. We are just along for the journey."

Splashes of Joy - Review

"This is a very interesting book, with interesting characters. . . . This is my third book by David Rawlings, and each one gets better. He has a unique way of telling a story, and you just want to come back for more with each book. This is such an enjoyable read that anyone will have fun reading it. I highly recommend Where the Road Bends!!"


The four mortarboard tassels flicked away the past and ushered in the future as they arced in the afternoon sun. The circle of friendship that withstood four hard years started its inevitable loosening; the glue that bonded their foursome eased away as the cheers across the quad died away. The clock started a lifetime of mesmeric ticking, a time for potential to become performance.

The first hand thrust the caught cap onto a head of bouncing red curls. Bree Carter choked back tears as she flicked the tassel from her eyes. “I can’t believe it’s all over.”

Andy Summers grabbed his mortarboard and spun it between his fingers, his lithe forearm muscles rippling as the billowing gown’s sleeves fell away. “This moment has been so far away for years and now that it’s here, it doesn’t seem real.”


"Where the Road Bends is an intriguing tale of four close college friends who, upon graduation, promised to reunite in Australia in 15 years, whether or not they keep in close contact. . . . The characters were portrayed well and the situations fairly well described. The concept was a very sound one."


With the gloss of their fifteen-year reunion fading, the buzz of excitement settled into the sharp ache of anxiety. One set of American thumbs twiddled on the cold gray table in the interview room of a police station parked in the red dust of the tiny town nestled in the heart of Australia. Fingernails of a second tourist beat an impatient tattoo, while another set of American nails was already halfway chewed away.

The ordeal started long before the police car ride back into civilization, the unexpected bookend to a reunion that had started days earlier. Their story—which they each thought to be unbelievable—turned out to be a variation of someone else’s. Except one, which went unspoken. That someone else should have been sitting in the empty chair, but the police had found no trace at all, save for a neat stack of rocks at their campsite.
 
Uplifting Reads - Review

"I loved the descriptions and lessons about Australia and the culture, sort of crushing some of the stereotypes that we have here in America. I learned some new things! . . . it got me thinking and reflecting on my own life since college, the path that I am on currently, and how that matches up with what my expectations had been back then. I guess it was kind of happening anyway, as it periodically does. But this book brought it back to the forefront again. . . . This was an interesting way to get you to reflect on your life and how something bigger is guiding you along the way."


"I thought it was an intriguing storyline . . . It makes a reader reflect on their own circumstances, and how they could grow as an individual. . . . Overall it was a fun story to read. The characters all had things they needed to learn from and grow from. . . I think Rawlings fans will enjoy the story."


"I enjoyed the journey that this book has taken me on. I think it's because of the life's lessons that this book has to offer and it certainly does make us think about some of the passages that were in this book. . . . The setting of Australia was so well described that I was able to picture myself in the story. . . . I certainly recommend this book. I did finish the book in one day. I didn't want to put it down."


"I thoroughly enjoyed the writing of this story. They way David Rawlings writes his contemporary fiction and how it's easy to relate to the characters . . . I enjoyed the journey in their personal lives and the spiritual journey as well. Definitely a good read and would recommend it!"

Remembrancy - Review

"Rawlings paints a vivid picture of the Australian outback that transports you to the ruggedness the land both beautiful and deadly.

He also poses the question of how we respond to the unexpected and unforeseen bends in the road in our lives. Do we adapt? Do we stall? Do we run and hope our problems don’t catch us? How we respond to life when it goes off rails is the mark of where our foundation of beliefs lies, and without a compass, we are often lost."

JoJo's Corner - Review

"What a fantastic book!! The author did a fabulous job of drawing me right into the story and getting me really invested in the lives of the characters. If you are looking for a great escape read, I highly recommend this one!!"


Andy’s heart pounded in his chest and his ears. A tremor rippled through him, his limbs buzzing. He’d failed the first challenge, but he still hadn’t called for help. I will deal with this myself and not give you the satisfaction. He could do this—all he had to do was chase away the goanna. He surveyed the area. A fallen limb rested against the trunk. That would do.

With an annoyed headshake, his attacker lumbered away with its strange, swaying gait. Halfway to the bushes it turned and headed straight for Andy’s backpack, nosed it open, and rummaged inside.


"Where the Road Bends is an intriguing and enjoyable novel that shows us we all have the ability to change. If you look at your life and find you’re not where you want to be or you’re not happy, take the bend in the road that leads to where you want to be."

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Eddie brushed past him. “Are you hungry, mate? Let’s grab some tucker, hey?”

Andy furrowed his brow. “Tucker?”

Eddie’s voice echoed from deep within the trailer. “Tucker. Food. We might have some spiders or bugs you can eat.”

Andy froze. He was starving, but there was no way he would be forced into that. He reached for the softened shape of the remaining Mars bar in his pocket. He hoped he wouldn’t have to make it last.

Eddie emerged from the trailer, his pearly white grin beamed through the fading afternoon light. “I thought so. I’m only winding you up because your mate said you’d be up for anything.”

Paper Ink & Lizard - Spotlight


In the middle of the path a long, black snake coiled back on itself. It appeared to be gathering energy to strike. At her.

Bree flushed cold in the heat as she froze. “Eddie?” Three more long syllables.

The snake eyed her from the path, the sun rippling from its dark-brown scales. Its head eased back into its body.

The foliage parted. “Don’t. Move.” Eddie stepped off the path and inched around the snake, his eyes not deviating from the threat. The snake sensed his movement and jerked back.

Eddie stepped in front of Bree and placed an arm across her, his voice flat. “I want you to take a step back. Slowly. He doesn’t like sudden movements.”

Wishful Endings - Spotlight

Pause for Tales - Spotlight

Hallie Reads - Review

"Like he does in his previous books, Rawlings uses this story of friends to deliver valuable insight and thought-provoking sentiments. While I do wish the characters had been a little more fleshed out, Where the Road Bends does prove to be an interesting story—especially given its atmospheric setting!"

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...

Where the Road Bends
By David Rawlings
Christian Fiction
Hardcover, Audiobook & ebook, 304 Pages
June 2, 2020 by Thomas Nelson

Fifteen years after college graduation, four friends reconnect to keep a long-ago promise and go on a trip of a lifetime in the Australian Outback.

Eliza needs to disconnect from her high-powered fashion job to consider the CEO position she’s just been offered. Lincoln hopes to rekindle a past relationship and escape from another one. Bree looks forward to a fun getaway from home and her deeply buried disappointments. Andy wants to disappear from the mess he’s made of his life—possibly forever.

Dropped at a campsite in the middle of nowhere, the friends quickly discover they aren’t the same people they once were, and they begin to confront hard truths about one another—and themselves. Then a bizarre storm sweeps across their camp, scattering them across the desert. Wondering if they are part of some strange escape game, each of the friends meets a guide to help them find exactly what they need: purpose, healing, courage, and redemption.

But they’ve already traveled far down the road of life and course-correcting to become the people they were meant to be won’t be easy.

(Affiliate links included.)

About the Author


David Rawlings is an Australian author, and a sports-mad father of three who loves humor and a clever turn of phrase. Over a 25-year career he has put words on the page to put food on the table, developing from sports journalism and copywriting to corporate communication. Now in fiction, he entices readers to look deeper into life with stories that combine the everyday with a sense of the speculative, addressing the fundamental questions we all face.


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a print copy of The Camera Never Lies by David Rawlings (US only)

Ends June 24, 2020

ENTER HERE
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