Review: A Cowboy Christmas by Linda Goodnight, Ruth Logan Herne

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Second chances at love

A duet of Christmas cowboy romances 

 

Rancher Caleb Girard never thought he deserved Kristen Andrews. But when his ailing foster father brings her home as his nurse, Christmas blessings could surprise them all in Snowbound Christmas. 

 

After a tragic loss, Ty Carrington tries to hide from the world on his Idaho ranch...until Jessica Lambert and her adorable daughter sneak into his life and his heart in Falling for the Christmas Cowboy.

My Review

I love Christmas stories and will read them any time of year! This is a great duo of stories and I enjoyed the warm spirit of the season in them. They both had great plots and characters, and while the romantic tension wasn't as strong as I usually like, I still appreciated the gentle sweetness of the connection between the leading couples. I enjoy the writing style of both these authors and recommend this book to fans of inspirational holiday stories for a quick and pleasant read.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Blog Tour, Author Interview & Giveaway: Catching Hope by Kathy Cassel

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Catching Hope by Kathy Cassel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: Catching Hope 

Author: Kathy Cassel 

Publisher: Haven Point Publishing 

Release Date: March 22, 2022 

Genre: Teens/YA, Christian 

Catching Hope: A pursuit fraught with danger. 

Newly adopted Lexi Michaels is taking her first real vacation as she, twin brother Levi, adoptive brother Chad, and new cousin Jen head to Haiti where their dad, a pediatrician, will be volunteering in an island clinic. But who is the man who displays such hatred for the Michaels when they arrive at their resort? Is an attempted burglary as random as it appears? Will Jen ever accept the newcomers to the family? When the four teens set out to explore Haiti’s sights and history on their own, an unexpected encounter and natural disaster plunge them into adventure and danger. With their very survival at stake, can the four teens work together, or will Lexi’s dream of a “forever family” end in tragedy? 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub

 

 

 

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KATHY CASSEL 

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a mom of eight--two by birth, one by marriage, and five by adoption—and grandma to six. I love sharing adventures with them whether it’s scuba diving a shipwreck, traveling to a new place, or simply hanging out at the beach together.

What do you do besides writing?

I learned to scuba dive and ride a motorcycle to better relate to character I’ve been creating in my mind for quite a while. So now I love to spend time on my cycle (I switched to a three wheel Can Am Ryker recently to make it safer for the little ones) or scuba diving. I also deliver parcels for the Post Office to support my hobbies.

What was your favorite part of researching for this book?

This story takes place in Haiti, and I traveled to Haiti several times while in the process of adopting twins from an Orphanage in Port au Prince. I spent time online looking up some of the places in Haiti because things changed a lot after the earthquake in 2010. Some of the places in the book are fictional and some are real.

Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters? Do you like to find visual inspiration for your characters before or during your writing process?

I often have a picture in my mind of what the characters look like, but there isn’t always someone in real life they resemble or it may be someone from years ago.

What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book?

I actually work better with it quiet, which my teens find very strange.

What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book?

There is always hope. No matter what happened in the past, never give up on hope. God already knows about the past “junk” in our lives, and he still has a perfect plan for us.

What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?

My third YA novel just released, and now I’m taking a short break from YA to work on an underwater crime scene novel. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

Kathy Cassel is the author of eleven books for Christian preteens and girls and three Young Adult Fiction books.

Kathy grew up in northern Indiana, lived on three different continents while her husband was in the USAF, and now lives in the Florida Panhandle. She and her husband have eight children, five of whom are adopted, three from Haiti and two from the United States. They also have six grandchildren. Kathy’s favorite activities are those that involve traveling and adventures that include her children and grandchildren. In order to better relate to the characters in her stories, Kathy has done things such as whitewater rafting, certify in scuba diving, and get her motorcycle endorsement. She draws the line at sky diving. 

CONNECT WITH KATHY: Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(2) winners will receive a $25 BAM card gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 21, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 28, 2022. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Review: An Alleged Rogue by Sian Ann Bessey

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Lord Adam Dunsbourne is a tyrant. At least, that’s what everyone says. The tales are shocking: accounts of a man who gambled away the family fortune and keeps his younger sister, Emily, captive in their home at Dunsbourne Manor. So when Adam and his sister make an unexpected appearance at a dinner party, the scandalized whispers cannot be contained. New to the town, Phoebe Hadford hears the condemning rumors and determines to do all she can to help the baron’s oppressed sister. Upon entering Dunsbourne Manor, however, she quickly discovers that all is not what she has been led to believe.

Adam, unsure of whether he can trust the intentions of his beautiful neighbor, is quickly drawn in by Phoebe’s genuine nature. But even as Adam and Phoebe’s connection deepens, a dangerous enemy from Adam’s past reemerges. For years, Adam has hunted for the man who betrayed him, not realizing he had only to wait. His foe has returned, and this time, he will threaten everything Adam cherishes most—including the woman he loves.

My Review

I felt so bad for Adam and his sister, to be suffering from malicious rumors, and not even being aware of the reason! I admired Phoebe's open-mindedness about Adam once she meets him and judging him accurately on actual evidence of his behavior and his relationship with his sister, rather than the gossip surrounding them. Phoebe and Emily's friendship is genuine and I enjoyed their interactions as much as Phoebe and Adam's. The romance develops gently and there wasn't much tension between them as it was was found more in the plot with the villain. We have several scenes from the villain's perspective which I am always in two minds about- it's not my favorite way of seeing that part of the story, although it can prove an effective method. The anticipation builds as the villain gets more arrogant and desperate, and Adam becomes more determined to bring him down. An exciting and dangerous climax brings the story full circle and I was glad to see Adam find closure.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Georgian Gentlemen series . . .

Book Tour & Giveaway: Hannah: Mother of a Prophet by H.B. Moore

Synopsis

Journey back in time to the dusty roads of Shiloh and witness anew the story of Hannah and her son, Samuel. 

Hannah is no longer a young woman. In the twilight of her life, she holds her memories close to her heart. Above all, she treasures the miracle of conceiving Samuel after years of barrenness and the promise she made to the Lord to release her child to the high priest Eli’s care to train and serve in the temple. But Samuel’s story does not end at the gates of the temple and neither does his family’s enduring legacy of faith, patience, and deliverance. In this richly detailed and sweeping fictional account of Samuel’s life as a prophet in the making, discover how his mother, Hannah, made impossible decisions guided by her deep and abiding love of God.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

COVER REVEAL! The Epic Story of RJ and York by Susan May Warren

Synopsis

All ex-spy York Newgate wants is to propose—and marry—the woman of his dreams. And he’ll do it at the fancy restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. But his plans go awry when his wanna-be spy girlfriend spots an international killer. Suddenly he must choose between saving his country and saving his happy ending.

RJ Marshall isn’t quite ready to settle down, is she? She is tired of sitting behind a desk, analyzing problems for the international think-tank, the Caleb Group. What she’d like is some real-live, Sydney Bristow style action. So when she spots criminal mastermind Alan Martin on the loose and possibly wreaking havoc she’s hot on his tail…

And in over her head.

Suddenly, York must not only apprehend Martin, but keep Ruby Jane safe from her own dangerous antics. But what if she can handle herself…

And he’s the one in big trouble?

It’s an epic adventure across Europe, from France to Italy, to Germany and even Russia in this riveting, fun, romantic, enthralling trilogy about true love, honor, and the cost of, well, saving the world.



 

Blog Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: Impending Strike by Sami A. Abrams and Lynette Eason

 

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for Impending Strike by Sami A. Abrams and Lynette Eason, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: Impending Strike 
Series: Elite Guardians Collection #2
Author: Sami A. Abrams and Lynette Eason
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: June 28, 2022
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Protecting him just might cost her everything… 

Elite Guardian Charlie Lee knows that there is no future with the woman he loves—fellow Guardian Lizzie Tremaine. And, he gets it—as a single mom, Lizzie has to protect her daughter. But more than anything, he wants the chance to prove himself. 

Then, the unthinkable happens—while working undercover, Charlie is seriously injured…and his memory of the past four years is lost. Could it be the fresh start that he didn’t realize he longed for? 

Despite a friendship that’s turned flirtatious at times, Lizzie Tremaine has held Charlie at arms’ length. She’s lost all the men she’s ever loved, and is unwilling to risk her heart again. Still, she’s glad to keep an eye on him—as his bodyguard—and while she’s at it, help him put the pieces of his past together, including discovering who attacked him, and why. 

But Charlie seems to have forgotten their agreed-upon professional distance—and suddenly, all the rules are off the table. She’s seeing a side of Charlie she could possibly let into her heart. Problem is, the closer he gets to uncovering his memories, the closer he gets to trouble. 

It’s her heart…or his life. What will protecting Charlie cost her? 

Another edge-of-your-seat Elite Guardians thriller!

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

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EXCERPT

Lizzie struggled to maintain control against the long grass and uneven ground. She swerved to miss a fence and struck a rut, sending the car airborne, and they flipped upside down. She screamed just before the hood crashed into the ground and glass shattered around her. The jolt forced her body forward, the seat belt stopping her forward motion and whipping her back against the seat. The vehicle teetered and creaked and came to rest at an odd upside-down angle.

The seat belt cut into her shoulder, and her arms dangled from her inverted position. Blood whooshed in her ears. She blinked and then blinked again while her mind scrambled to put the pieces together.

The hiss of the engine pulled her from the depths of confusion. An accident. The tail she’d picked up at the warehouse. Oh, no—Charlie.

A groan escaped her lips as she twisted to look at him.

Blood trickled from a gash on his forehead. Or was it the same cut from before that had reopened? The man had more bruises than Lizzie dared to count and added more every day. She stretched over and searched for a pulse. The strong thump against her fingers sent a wave of relief coursing through her.

What if the person decided to make sure he’d succeeded in killing her and Charlie?

She had to get him out of here.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

Sami A. Abrams grew up hating to read. It wasn't until her 30s that she found authors who captured her attention. Now, most evenings you can find her engrossed in a romantic suspense novel. In her opinion, a crime plus a little romance is the recipe for a great story. Sami lives in Northern California, but she will always be a Kansas girl at heart. She has a love of sports, family, and travel. However, a cabin at Lake Tahoe writing her next story is definitely at the top of her list. Visit her at http://www.samiaabrams.com.

CONNECT WITH SAMI: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Life Flight and the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com. 

CONNECT WITH LYNETTE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Impending Strike and a $25 Amazon gift card!

 

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 20, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 27, 2022. Winner 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 the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Review: To Tame a Cowboy by Jody Hedlund

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Brody McQuaid is a broken man, and he knows it. While his body survived the war, his soul did not. Besides loving his little niece, his only other sense of purpose comes from saving the wild horses that roam South Park. Ranchers in the area have taken to killing the horses, which are competing with their cattle to feed on the open grass.

Savannah Marshall is a veterinarian on her family's Colorado ranch. She longs to keep her father happy following the tragic death of her older brother, including marrying a man of his choosing. But days before her wedding, she gets cold feet and disappears to South Park. As she learns more about the destruction of the horses, she joins Brody in an attempt to save the wild creatures. But when Savannah's family and the resentments of the area cattlemen catch up with them both, Brody and Savannah will have to tame their fears if they've any hope to let love run free.

My Review

This was such a fun series to read and this last book was my favorite! Wounded heroes experiencing PTS tug at my heart and I love reading about their healing process. Brody and Savannah have an impact on each other for good, and Brody's family encourage their connection when they see the changes in him just from her presence. The plot with the wild horses was interesting as Brody and Savannah grow closer and develop amazing chemistry- great romantic tension as they struggle to work out what their futures hold in store. I appreciated the depth to the characters and the way the author skillfully allowed me to connect with their emotions. I can't wait for the next book!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Colorado Cowboys series . . .