Review: Threads of Grace by Kelly Long

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

About the Book

Grace’s beauty almost cost her everything. This new start is all she has left.

When Grace Beiler was only a girl, she was married off to an older Amish man in order to save her family’s farm. Years later, she finds herself newly widowed and a mother to a young son. She has finally fled her sad past and plans to settle into a quiet life in Pennsylvania.

As soon as she arrives, she captures the attention of Seth Wyse, the most eligible bachelor in Pine Creek. Seth is candid about his feelings for her, and for her son Abel, but Grace is determined to protect her heart. Her determination falters when her brother-in-law reveals the troubling contents of her late husband’s will.

Seth offers Grace his hand in marriage, and thus a means of escape. But despite his having saved her from another loveless marriage, Grace is slow to trust her new husband. And as the months wear on, Seth wonders if he has made a mistake. But God is quietly at work in their hearts, and Seth and Grace soon discover that threads of grace bind them together in a tapestry rich in hope and love.

My Review

This is a sweet story told from many perspectives. The main characters are Grace and Seth, but the author often switches suddenly to five or six others. It's not a writing style I enjoy, but it did bring more attention to the secondary cast. The abuse Grace suffered from her first husband was heartbreaking, and she had quite a bit of healing to do. The villain of her brother-in-law was creepy and provided the impetus for her to marry Seth before she was ready. I felt unsatisfied that the will was such an issue and the bother-in-law had plans to work around it, but then the actions never came to fruition and the resolution of his plot line was tied up too neatly and quickly to seem realistic. I enjoyed Seth's personality the most, and how patient and encouraging he was with Grace. She had a whole new support system with her sister, friend Alice from her hometown, and new extended family members. Grace also spends time trying to befriend an angry young woman but I was confused when nothing really came of it. Grace's son Abel is autistic and it was interesting to see how he interacted with the community and they with him.

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.

Patch of Heaven series

 

 

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Misgivings by Anne Gibson

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Misgivings by Anne Gibson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Misgivings
Author: Anne Gibson
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: September 2, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Desperate to avoid the turmoil that now engulfs her, Dee would do anything for a chance to turn back time. Wracked with regret and paralyzed by fear, she is forced to hide halfway across the world, all in a bid to safeguard the one person she holds most dear. If only she could undo the past and prevent this disastrous situation from ever unfolding. 

After waiting five long years, Luke thought he was finally making progress in his relationship with Dee. But just as she begins to open up and trust him, she suddenly vanishes, leaving him bewildered and determined to uncover the truth behind her sudden disappearance.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

Luke smiled, still unable to believe that the woman he loved finally surrendered to the Lord. For five years he prayed and finally God answered his prayers. With Dee complete in Christ he loved her even more.

“I just thought it would be easier.” Dee broke into his thoughts. “God took so much pain and fear away when I was in the mountains. I thought it would last. But here, with Dylan...” she sighed, frustrated with how afraid she had become.

“The Bible doesn’t promise that it will get easier. In fact, quite often it gets harder.”

Dee’s eyes grew large. “But why? If God loves us...”

Luke cut off that thought. “It’s because there is a war between good and bad. You made a huge decision and the enemy hates you for choosing the right side. Quite often the enemy tries to make life harder in order to scare you away from your initial decision.”

“Then why do people remain Christians?”

“Because life is hard either way. It’s just much harder without Christ.”

  

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About the Author

Award-winning author Anne Gibson is blessed to call the stunning Canadian Rockies home. When she isn't penning her stories, she relishes time in nature—hiking, paddling, and basking in the sun at the beach alongside her family and beloved furball. A true romantic at heart, Anne often finds herself curled up with an engaging book, dreaming up her own captivating love stories.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Misgivings as well as a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 3, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 10, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN 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!

Review: Blind Dates, Bridesmaids and Other Disasters by Aspen Hadley

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

  

 

Cedar Fort print book

Cedar Fort e-book

About the Book

On the surface, Rachel Stevens's life looks perfect. 

One great job, two awesome roommates, and a supportive family. But when her roommate Hannah announces her engagement, Rachel sees eternal singleness and innumerable cats in her future. When the bride-to-be issues a challenge--go on six blind dates and before the "I do's" --Rachel isn't convinced her imagined future is that bad in comparison. The dates are predictably horrible and the situation further complicated by the return of James, Rachel's first, long-lost love. James says he is over her . . . but is Rachel over him?

My Review

This was a fun read! Rachel has a series of incredibly ridiculous blind dates, all witnessed by her former fiancé. I was anxious for the first half of the book for her to connect with James in a deeper way, but the focus was on her attempts to find someone else, which were admittedly full of humor. The pace and depth of the book increased as Rachel and James confront their lingering romantic feelings for each other, exploring regrets, forgiveness, and if a second chance is possible. I enjoy this author's writing style and look forward to reading more!

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.

A Valentine's Day Return by Brenda Minton

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

About the Book

They thought love was in their past…
But could it be their future?

After completing rehab, Mark Rivers returns to his hometown to make amends with his ex-wife, Kylie, and their daughter. But he doesn’t expect to stick around beyond seeking her forgiveness. So when helping Kylie run her coffee shop after a health crisis draws them closer together, Mark is forced to decide—a career in Nashville or a second chance with the family he thought he’d lost forever…

My Review

I was so excited to read a Valentine's themed book, and doesn't this cover look sweet? The main characters Mark and Kylie have some rough history, and I wonder if it was touched on in the previous book (which I haven't read). The bad choices Mark made over the years of their marriage while under the influence of alcohol are rehashed repeatedly, as well as his angst and regret over them. Kylie's struggle to trust him despite her forgiveness is also repetitious and progress is very slow as their thoughts about the situation they are now in continue to waffle back and forth, which led to my losing interest. They are both devoted to the adorable Junie who is portrayed a few years more mature than the kindergarten age she is, I think she speaks and behaves more like a second grader. This story of redemption and hard-won forgiveness will be enjoyed by others but it was a miss for me.

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.

Sunset Ridge series

 

 

Review: A Heart Devoted by Nichole Van

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

About the Book

Living happily ever after should be easy. After all, Tristan and Isolde Gilbert, the new Duke and Duchess of Kendall, have overcome obstacles, confessed their love, married, and are eager to sail off into the sunset of their glorious future. But, of course, life rarely offers smooth sailing. After their honeymoon tour, an unexpected return to London sends the new couple reeling.

Tristan struggles to balance his new Isolde-loving self with his former role as the autocratic Duke of Kendall. Upstart relatives and scurrilous accusations complicate his efforts to find a purpose and settle into his altered standing within the ton. Worse, the still-scandalous Isolde—who never expected to be at the center of Polite Society—now finds she has to navigate meetings with the Queen, dodge vile rumors, and fend off the jealous attacks of other aristocratic ladies.

For Tristan and Isolde, falling in love was simple. But merging two disparate former lives into one proves more fraught. Can the newlyweds find a way to remain both true to themselves and one another in their new life together?

My Review

What's better than an epilogue? An epilogue novella!!! The story of Tristan and Isolde continues as the unlikely lovers must return to London to prove they are alive, prevent the dukedom's next-in-line and his scheming wife from staging a coup of the household, battle defamatory gossip with a round of social activities, and figure out what Tristan will do with his time now that he's not pursuing a leading role in politics. They both feel conflicted as their time together dwindles, and bowing to the whims of Society doesn't settle well with Isolde. She does her best to be the duchess others expect of her, but I was relieved when Tristan and Isolde choose to be true to themselves and their special (ahem, passionate) relationship with each other. It's a treat to read for fans of the series, and I highly recommend each book, best enjoyed in order.

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.

The Penn-Leiths of Thistle Muir series

 

 

Review: Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

About the Book

His mission.
His team.

Captain Dean Watters keeps his mission and his team in the forefront of his laser-like focus. So when hackers threaten both his mission and his team, Dean's Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Ten military super-secure computers are missing—which if opened, would give America's enemies a blueprint of U.S. military intelligence. Failing to stop the hackers isn’t an option.

Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. She's also a target. Her expertise in quantum cryptology makes her an unwitting pawn in the hackers' deadly game. They're coming for her, and Dean and his team must stop them.

Before the team can get to Zahrah, she disappears. Now Dean must race to rescue her and stop the hackers from unleashing terror on millions across the globe. But to do so, Dean will be forced to crack open the steel box around his heart—a move that might come at the highest cost.

My Review

I knew that when I was in the mood for a suspenseful book that Ronie Kendig would not disappoint. In a very dangerous part of Afghanistan, Dean is running military missions while Zahrah is doing mission work of another kind- education. Some of the military speak was over my head, but I was able to understand enough to get the gist of the politics that were going on behind the scenes. Zahrah has strong faith that she is doing God's will, even when horrible things happen. Dean is more skeptical, but is profoundly impacted by Zahrah. The book begins with Dean being released from captivity, and then the story backpedals to previous months, so it's not a spoiler to share that their experiences there were more grim than I anticipated, and I would have appreciated a trigger warning for rape. I think this book was published before trigger warnings became popular in reviews and even book descriptions from the author or publisher. Although the scene and Dean's memories of a different rape were not explicit, they were descriptive enough to turn my stomach and make me regret reading the book. I totally get that it is a reality of war and not inappropriate for the author to include in the story for authenticity, but I avoid books that I anticipate will include the content for my own mental wellness.

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.

The Quiet Professionals series

 

 

Review: The House that Love Built by Beth Wiseman

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

About the Book

Brooke has only loved one man, her late husband. Owen’s rebuilding after a painful divorce. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love? 

 

In the charming town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising two young children on her own, supporting them by running the family hardware store. The last thing on her mind is falling in love. But she’s intrigued when a stranger moves to town and buys the old Hadley mansion. She’s always heard that house holds a secret — maybe even a treasure — and she can’t wait to see inside. When she meets the new owner and they spend time together, she can’t deny the attraction. Could God be giving her another chance at happiness? Or is she betraying her late husband’s memory by even thinking that way? 

 

Owen Saunders bought the Hadley place to spite his cheating ex-wife. She’d always wanted to restore an old house in Smithville. Now he’s going to do it without her. But if anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart. Then he meets Brooke and her kids and finds himself tempted by love. Can he bring himself to trust a woman again? Throw an eccentric uncle into the mix, along with the town’s teenage troublemaker, and even a finicky cat — and one thing becomes clear: God is bringing them all together for a reason.

My Review

This is a wonderful story about community, found family, growth and forgiveness. I appreciated that Brooke and Owen began as friends, encouraging each other and offering a listening ear, hug, or company for a movie night. They both have some trauma and betrayal they are working through, and the focus was more on their emotional relationship, without much emphasis on chemistry or attraction. I loved the storyline with Hunter, the troubled teen who needed love, second chances, and distance from his abusive parents. The story began slowly, and the layers the author hinted at also unfolded slowly enough that I almost gave up. Thankfully I kept reading because as the pace increased my engagement with the story did as well. The mysterious hidden bunker in Owen's house with the sad story that accompanied it came full circle and the ending was very satisfying.

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, Interview & Giveaway: The Resurrection Project by Tanya Sparks Belvin

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Resurrection Project by Tanya Sparks Belvin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Resurrection Project
Series: The Resurrection Project Series #1
Author: Tanya Sparks Belvin
Publisher: Tonya Belvin Publishing
Release Date: September 11, 2023
Genre: Christian Futuristic, Medical Mystery

In 2034, medical student Ellen McCarthy took an internship at the mysterious Grindland Institute to fulfill a graduation requirement. But what at first seems like a boring job supervising children soon has her tangled in questions about the Institute’s Resurrection Project. Meanwhile, ER nurse Mamie Simpson is grieving the loss of her daughter, Lainey, and hoping against hope that a new scientific breakthrough will provide a miracle for her and her husband. When Ellen and Mamie's paths eventually cross, both will have to take steps of faith and courage they didn’t think possible to help save the life of a special little girl.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon (ebook/audio) | Amazon (print) | Barnes & Noble

 

Interview with Author Tanya Sparks Belvin

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I retired from teaching after 32 years. Because I was in special education, I had to be certified in language arts and math, but language arts was my favorite subject. I had the most fun reading as I set up my personal classroom library. I encouraged my students to find books that they felt their peers would enjoy reading, and I continually read and promoted middle school literature that I hoped would excite and inspire them.

In addition to teaching, my husband and I have raised three wonderful children, and we have also been blessed with seven beautiful grandchildren.

Currently, I lead Bible studies in my neighborhood and church, and I'm an active choir member.

I also play in a neighborhood Bunco group and participate in two book clubs.

What do you do besides writing?

When I retired from teaching, I began taking care of my grandchildren. I also tried to expand my cooking skills by watching the Food Channel and challenging myself to copy some of the recipes. My ultimate goal is to do an online cooking class with my grandchildren, called "Mimi's Cooking Show." However, it appears that my grandchildren would rather consume my goodies rather than help prepare them. That's fine with me.
 

What was your favorite part of researching for this book?

I have heard others ridicule authors who claim that their writing stemmed from a dream. Well, that's exactly what happened to me at least five years before I began writing The Resurrection Project. I truly believe I was divinely directed to share this message of the sanctity of life. When I originally wrote the book in 2015, there was a prediction of a worldwide pandemic in 2020 changing the trajectory of our medical system as we knew it. After initially meeting with some agents, each one said it wasn't ready to be published, so I put it on a closet shelf and forgot about it. Then, in 2023, God told me to take it down and try again. When I reread the prediction, I was dumbfounded. I am not a prophet, but God can do anything.

As I wrote this book, I was challenged to delve into the subjects of patient care, cryogenics, genetically modified foods, etc. I enjoyed researching and adding creativity in developing this futuristic setting.

How do you find visual inspiration for your characters? Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters?

All readers put their individual images to characters within a story. That's what I do as a writer. My initial dream had L2 sitting on a bench, swinging her legs back and forth, with her shoulder-length brown hair swaying from side to side. God started me with that character, and I developed the rest. None of the other character descriptions in the book are based on anyone I know.
 

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

As you read The Resurrection Project, you will find music mentioned throughout. That is from my real life. My mother was a music teacher and choir director. Music filled my home, and I have carried it with me all my life. I am a singer. My oldest son is a praise and worship leader at his church. My middle son is a band director at a local middle school. I have Christian radio playing at home and in my car wherever I go.
 

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

The message I believe God wants me to share is that He is our Sovereign God. Like the people in Genesis working together to create a tower to the heavens, a great majority of people today think they knew more than our Creator. In an effort to meet the medical needs of one group, they choose to take the lives of others deemed less important or even, as in the case of unborn babies, not even considered viable humans.

In the fall of 2023, I watched the movie, Sound of Freedom. It was one of the most uncomfortable films I have ever viewed and, honestly, I wanted to leave within the first few minutes. Seeing children being abducted and trafficked took me well out of my comfort zone. As I contemplated what to do, God told me to stay and finish watching. When the film concluded, I had to take a few minutes before I could stand to leave. I kept asking God why I needed to see this. At that moment, I realized that the message of that movie was also the sanctity of life. Just like the children in The Resurrection Project, the children in the film were not being seen as precious children of God with a purpose and a future to expand His kingdom. Their importance was being measured by how they could be used by others. I knew that I needed to give all the proceeds from the sales of my book to support the Tim Tebow Foundation for rescuing missing and exploited children.

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

I have just recently published the sequel to The Resurrection Project, Rescuing the Remnant. I hope that readers will enjoy the continuation of this "God Story."

 

More Books in This Series

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About the Author

Tanya Sparks Belvin is a retired middle school teacher, with thirty-two years of experience. Her passion is serving the Lord, reading, writing, and entertaining her seven grandchildren. Tanya, her husband, Ron, and her mother, Tommie Moton, enjoy lakeside living in Denver, North Carolina. Tanya and Ron have three adult children. The Resurrection Project is her debut novel.

Connect with Tanya by visiting tanyasparksbelvin.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Resurrection Project and its sequel, Rescuing the Remnant, as well as a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 20, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 27, 2025. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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