Review & Giveaway: Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Daughters of Northern Shores
(Blackbird Mountain #2)
By Joanne Bischof
Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
March 12th 2019 by Thomas Nelson

“The Norgaard brothers and their families will steal your heart.” —Catherine West, author of Where Hope Begins

Heartache and regret, boldness and sacrifice. What will restoration cost the beloved Norgaard family?

Aven Norgaard understands courage. Orphaned within an Irish workhouse, then widowed at just nineteen, she voyaged to America where she was wooed and wed by Thor Norgaard, a Deaf man in rural Appalachia. That the Lord saw her along the winding journey and that Aven now carries Thor’s child are blessings beyond measure. Yet while Thor holds her heart, it is his younger brother and rival who haunts her memories. Haakon—whose selfish choices shattered her trust in him.

Having fled the farm after trying to take Aven as his own, Haakon sails on the North Atlantic ice trade where his soul is plagued with regrets that distance cannot heal. Not even the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s pursued can ease the torment. When the winds bear him home after four years away, Haakon finds the family on the brink of tragedy. A decades-old feud with the neighboring farm has wrenched them into the fiercest confrontation on Blackbird Mountain since the Civil War. Haakon’s cunning and strength hold the power to seal many fates, including Thor’s which is already at stake through a grave illness brought to him as the first prick of warfare.

Now Haakon faces the hardest choice of his life. One that shapes a battlefield where pride must be broken enough to be restored, and where a prodigal son may finally know the healing peace of surrender and the boundless gift of forgiveness. And when it comes to the woman he left behind in Norway, he just might discover that while his heart belongs to a daughter of the north, she’s been awaiting him on shores more distant than the land he’s fighting for.

From Christy Award–winning author Joanne Bischof comes Daughters of Northern Shores: the highly anticipated sequel to her moving novel Sons of Blackbird Mountain.

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My Review

5 stars / It was amazing

I was so happy to return to Blackbird Mountain and the haven where Thor and Aven share such a tender and devoted love. Life isn't perfect there- it's full of peril with the Sorrels threatening trouble again and a mysterious sickness weakening Thor. I was glad that the story alternated to Haaken's point of view as well, seeing his journey of redemption as his regrets compel him to return home after four years to make amends. The writing is beautiful and evocative, not flowery, but gently and subtly painting a picture of the setting, relationships, and growing tension as the Norgaard's prepare again to fight for everything they hold dear. I loved seeing their family grow with the birth of Aven's first child and Haaken's unforgettable love. Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and sweet romance!

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

Other Books in the Series

Sons of Blackbird Mountain
(Blackbird Mountain #1)
By Joanne Bischof
Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 339 Pages
July 3rd 2018 by Thomas Nelson

From the bestselling award-winning author of The Lady and the Lionheart

“Beloved author Joanne Bischof doesn’t disappoint with her latest beautifully written, heartrending tale . . . a quick favorite for historical romance readers.” —Elizabeth Byler Younts, author of The Solace of Water

A Tale of Family, Brotherhood, and the Healing Power of Love

After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of Nineteenth-Century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.

But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.

As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?

A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.

Praise for Sons of Blackbird Mountain:

"Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a quiet gem of a historical romance. Refreshingly real and honest in its depiction of flawed but lovable individuals, it introduces characters readers will want to meet again." - CBA Market

". . . the novel provides an interesting glimpse of the time period and some complex social issues among neighbors in an area still recovering from the Civil War." - Historical Novels Review

"VERDICT Christy- and Carol Award-winning author Bischof (The Lady and the Lionheart) creates endearing characters and a heartwarming story line in this unforgettable novel about the power of family, love, and the true meaning of home. Fans of Kristy Cambron, Julie Klassen, and Susan Meissner will love this one." - Library Journal

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About the Author

Picture courtesy of https://joannebischof.com.

Joanne Bischof is an ACFW Carol Award and ECPA Christy Award-winning author. She writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the heartstrings. She was honored to receive the San Diego Christian Writers Guild Novel of the Year Award in 2014 and in 2015 was named Author of the Year by the Mount Hermon conference. Joanne’s 2016 novel, The Lady and the Lionheart, received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from RT Book Reviews, among other critical acclaim. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her three children.

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Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a print copy of DAUGHTERS OF NORTHERN SHORES and a Thomas Nelson/Zondervan custom tote bag (book and bag shown are examples, not actual prize)

US only

Ends March 20, 2019

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Book Tour & Giveaway: Enduring Promises of the Heart by Valerie Loveless

About the Book

Genre: Adult, New Adult, Historical, Romance  
Publisher: Cedar Fort  
Publication date: February 8, 2019

“What if I told you there is a way that we could all be happy? That if I were to propose to you, your father couldn’t deny us?” 

“What is it, John? Tell me!” 

Just then the basket hit the water and the sea began to stream in through the spaces between the reeds. This was the end. 

The year is 1887, and the small community of Pleasant View is abuzz over Penelope Pottifer’s serialized romances in the local paper. Since the release of the first volume, the thrilling story has captured the hearts and minds of the entire town— and several towns over! Each successive edition of the Pleasant View Gazette spins a breathtaking tale of kidnappers, pirates, and forbidden love.

Between volumes, however, Pleasant View resident Mary Clarence, the story’s toughest critic, hears a rumor that Penelope Pottifer is not, in fact, the author’s real name. Determined to uncover the mystery, Mary drags her friend Elizabeth Black into a hunt for the elusive author’s true identity. But fiction and reality seem to entwine when along the way, Mary and Liz discover unexpected truths, exciting adventures, and dramatic romances of their own.

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About the Author

Valerie has a love for stories with happy endings and bright comedy. A native to the California high desert, she now considers Utah her home where she lives with her husband, three children and two chihuahuas. Growing up in a family of seven kids, Valerie learned to embrace her unique creativity and way of looking at the world and hopes it will enrich other's lives. In 2015 she published two children's books, Singing Not So Sweetly and Anabelle Loves Babies. She believes writing is the ultimate end-all for creative pursuits because there are no limits to what you can create. A picture may say a thousand words but a novel is usually around seventy-thousand.

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE

Giveaway

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

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Tour Schedule

March 5  

Heidi Reads... 

March 6  

Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen  

March 7  

Stephanie's Life of Determinations 

March 8  

Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic 

March 11  

Bookworm Lisa 

Reading Is My SuperPower 

March 12  

Blooming with Books 

Kat’s Corner Books 

March 13  

Emily Yager 

March 14  

Singing Librarian Books 

March 15  

Paulette's Papers

#RomanceIsInTheAir - Author Taylor Hart & Giveaway

 

   

Movie Star Romances Billionaire Collection by Taylor Hart 

Enjoy the tough and tender ride of 3 Movie Stars and their journey to love. All of these movie stars are the kind of heroes the world craves and the kind of men that need a good woman to come home to. This collection is by best-selling author, Taylor Hart!  

Her Hollywood Fake Fiance 

Grant Kent, movie star extraordinaire, doesn't like the fact he has to have a fake 'media' relationship with his co-star to keep his movie producer's happy. And he really doesn't like the fact his brothers' give him grief about it. So when he's asked to help out at an acting camp for inner city kids, he jumps at the chance to do something real. Too bad the woman in charge tells him outright she thinks he's a hack. 

The talented Jewel Olympia only wants to help inner city kids by giving them an opportunity to learn acting skills. When she's notified the week before Christmas that the P.I. she's hired to track down her birth mother has a solid lead on her whereabouts, she decides it's time to finally meet the woman that abandoned her in a hospital emergency room twenty-five years ago. Too bad an amazing looking movie star keeps bugging her to go on a date--bug off, she's unavailable. 

But when her parents show up on her doorstep asking where she's going, she tries to distract them with Grant's star power to avoid hurting their feelings. When he blurts out he's her fiance, everything gets derailed and she finds herself on a jet to Jackson--this is not her life! 

When a simple trip turns into a media frenzy, they're left with a choice--trust in Christmas angels or lose everything.  

The Masquerading Groom 

When Sterling Pennington, movie star/billionaire extraordinaire, gets stuck with a paid date at a masquerade party…he’s not happy. Too bad his agent doesn’t want the press to think he’s lonely after the pretend break up with his latest co-star. The arrangement makes him feel like a loser, until he sees the woman in the sequined dress. 

Sayla Jones made it clear she would only take this date if the egocentric movie star knew he got three hours before she turned into a pumpkin. That’s all. She never imagined she might actually connect with him, or that he would kiss her. Good thing she slapped him for good measure. 

Sterling never expected to see Sayla again, and he really wasn’t expecting to find her at the hospital. The next thing he knows, he’s taking her home and spending the next four days cooking, listening to Neil diamond on a record player, and putting braids in her hair. His feelings intensify when he finds himself admitting out loud, she even looks cute while drooling in her sleep. What’s happening to him? 

When Sayla confesses she believes they are too different to make it work, Sterling is faced with a choice—fight for her or live alone in the world of masks forever.  

The Love Potion Groom 

B.C. Knight, A-List movie star, just wants to put up a front and get through his court-mandated stint in rehab then get back to L.A. The last thing he wants is to meet a beautiful, grief-stricken woman who sees right through him and makes him reconsider the direction of his life. When he takes a chance and kisses her, it’s like finding the role he’s been searching for all of his life. Too bad she slaps him! 

Kira Moonwater's life turns upside down when her Nana, the woman who raised her and taught her to follow her dreams, unexpectedly passes away. The only thing on her mind is trying to pick up the pieces of her life and decide if her 'saving the world' boyfriend is going to be part of her future. 

She tries to keep a professional distance in her new job at the posh 'movie star' rehab facility but it's harder than she expected. When she follows B.C. to a secret 'hot spring' grotto, both of their masks start to fall away and she discovers B.C. is much more than just a movie star. 

    

  

One of the best/believable movie star books I've read. Real life with real issues and emotions. I could see a little of myself in them. Such a fun escape. 

Taylor Hart is one of my favorites! I love how these characters met, how their courtship went and how they could "see" each other. So sweet. 

This is a quick and easy read. I enjoyed the overall idea-it’s sort of a fairy tale type story where the uber rich and famous guy falls for the down on her luck, average girl.   

 

   

Author Taylor Hart 

Taylor Hart is a best-selling author of contemporary romance, sweet romance, and light suspense romance novels. Her acclaimed Last Play Romance and Bachelor Billionaire Romance Series will leave you wishing for more strong heroines and swoon-worthy men. A little about Taylor, she has always been drawn to a good love triangle, hot chocolate and long conversations with new friends. Writing has always been a passion that has consumed her daydreams and forced her to sit in a trance for long hours, completely obsessed with people that don't really exist. Taylor would have been a country star if she could have carried a tune--maybe in the next life.

  

 

  

   

Giveaway Details $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 3/25/19 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from Clean Wholesome Romance and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  

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Author Interview & Giveaway: Grace & Lavender by Heather Norman Smith

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Grace & Lavender by Heather Norman Smith, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Grace & Lavender  
Author: Heather Norman Smith  
Publisher: Ambassador International  
Genre: Contemporary Fiction  
Release Date: March 1, 2019

Recently retired Colleen Hill is always busy, constantly on a quest to make life more interesting.

When the ladies’ group at her church partners with the local children’s home, Colleen jumps in as usual, volunteering to share her passion for cooking with a troubled teenager named Grace. But Colleen must balance the new project with her pursuit of becoming a contestant on a television game show, along with all the other ideas her brain continually spins out.

Colleen’s daughter Melody is quite different. She lives a calm, simple life and is content with who she is. That is, until an unexpected opportunity to work with Grace, too, pushes her to reevaluate life and dare to take on bigger dreams. The path starts with a newly-found interest in soap-making and leads her to responsibilities she didn’t even know she wanted, including helping Grace understand the meaning of her name.  

Grace & Lavender is a book for all audiences—a heart-warming story that reminds us to seek God’s purpose for our lives.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository
 

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 Interview with Author Heather Norman Smith

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m married and I have three children, ages 11, 8, and 6. We’ve been licensed as a foster family for a few months now, but we are still waiting on our first placement. Our home is in the Piedmont of North Carolina. We have two cats and two dogs. Along with writing novels, I enjoy writing children’s stories and devotions. I love to sing about Jesus, and I drink an alarming amount of black coffee and Diet Dr. Pepper. I like birds. I spend way too much time on social media. I’m a preacher’s kid, and my dad has been my pastor all my life, and at the same church since I was two-years-old.

What do you do besides writing?

Along with being a wife and mom, I work as a Business Analyst in the Information Technology field. I’m currently working as a contractor at a financial institution. Also, my husband is our Youth Pastor (in addition to his public job), so helping him in ministry occupies some of my time.

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 like to let the reader come up with their own image in their imaginations. But I do find pictures on the internet sometimes, to help with describing a character. In my mind, Colleen bears a slight resemblance to Paula Deen, which is referenced in the book. And Grace resembles Disney Channel actress Jenna Ortega.

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

I don’t really listen to music while I write, unless you count the intro songs for the television shows my kids are watching while I’m trying to write.

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

That God has a purpose and a plan for your life, and He is faithful to reveal it when you seek Him.

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

My second book titled “Where I Was Planted” will be released later this year. I don’t have an exact date yet. It’s set in the Great Smoky Mountains and is told from the first-person perspective of a ten-year-old boy.

I’m still finding my niche as a writer, but I expect most of what you see from me down the road will continue to fall into the sub-genre of Southern Fiction.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Norman Smith aims to entertain and encourage, while illuminating the redemptive love of God through her writing. Along with Christian Fiction, she writes devotions and children’s books. She also enjoys writing songs and singing about Jesus.

Heather is proud to be a life-long North Carolinian and hopes to present the beauty of the Tar Heel State in her writing. Her home is just outside Winston-Salem, NC, where she lives with one husband, two daughters, one son, two cats, and two dogs. Heather loves words and does not enjoy math, except when it comes to counting blessings.  

CONNECT WITH HEATHER : Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter
 

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will win a print copy of Grace & Lavender (US only)

(4) winners will receive an ebook copy of Grace & Lavender (open internationally)

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 4, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm March 11, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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

Review & Giveaway: A Tip of the Cap by Rebecca Connolly

About the Book

Series: The London League  
Genre: Adult, Regency, Romance  
Publisher: Phase Publishing  
Publication date: February 1, 2019

With Cap in hand... 

Malcolm Colerain, Earl of Montgomery, needs a wife. He has four children, a peerage, and a demanding secret occupation as a member of the London League; all of which give him a fulfilling life, so a proper marriage of convenience is all he seeks. But when he meets Elizabeth Owens, things begin to change. Distance becomes difficult, convenience becomes rather inconvenient, and his exciting life as a spy turns on its head.

…Love comes to call... 

Beth Owens seizes the chance to marry the handsome and striking Earl of Montgomery, marriage of convenience or not. Her heart is his for the taking, and she is determined that he eventually will. But the more she learns about her husband, the more he puzzles her. He has secrets, she is well aware, but just how many and how deeply do they run? And when she finds a few secrets of her own, will they ever have a chance at love?

GOODREADS | AMAZON

 

Review

5 stars / It was amazing

I loved the complicated dynamics of Malcolm and Beth as they yearn for each other and struggle with their feelings. Malcolm is especially angst-ridden as he still grieves for his first wife and finds himself falling for Beth. She is perfect for him and his children, and she is patient as she works to discover the hidden layers of Malcolm. His secret life as an agent provides him an escape and distraction from his familial circumstances and often runs when Beth gets too close. I liked seeing the other members of the League call him on it and encourage him to focus on his most important priorities. It was gratifying when Malcolm and Beth finally overcome the issues and allow themselves to fully enjoy their relationship. Of course, danger is always looming for the London League and a dramatic revelation of the treasonous suspect brings an exciting climax to the plot. Another fabulous addition to the series, I'm hoping that Rook's story will be next!

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

The Books in the Series

About the Author

Rebecca Connolly writes romances, both period and contemporary, because she absolutely loves a good love story. She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She started writing them down in elementary school and has never looked back. She currently lives in the Midwest, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

Giveaway

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

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Tour Schedule

March 4  

Heidi Reads...  

Kindle and Me 

March 5  

Pause for Tales  

Leaf’s Reviews 

March 6  

Emily Yager  

Blooming with Books 

March 7  

Locks, Hooks and Books  

Reading Is My SuperPower 

March 8 

Mindy Houng, Reviewer  

Paulette's Papers  

Singing Librarian Books

Review: Tomorrow's First Light by Naomi Rawlings

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Marrying a stranger to keep the woman's siblings out of an orphanage is one thing, but when more children than expected pour out of the stagecoach, what’s a man to do?

Nervous about meeting her fiancé for the first time, Ellie Spritzer’s lifelong hope of finding love is about to end—or rather, begin. She never imagined her quest for love would take her to the other side of the country with all eight of her siblings in tow, but after her mother dies unexpectedly, what choice does she have? At least the man she’s been writing for the past year is still willing to marry her and take in her siblings… or so she thinks until she arrives in the dusty town of Twin Rivers, Texas.

Growing up an orphan, Sam Owens never had a place to call home or a family to love. So if his wife-to-be needs to bring three of her siblings with her, he has no complaints about having a ready-made family. But his mail-order-bride doesn’t arrive with three. She arrives with eight.

Sam can’t make himself turn away children in need. But as a beginning rancher, he doesn’t have the resources to care for so many people. When sinister forces threaten the things Sam and Ellie both hold dear, can they figure out how to keep their fledgling family together, or will they lose the very things they cherish most?

My Review

I'm excited for this new series set in the West from author Naomi Rawlings! It's loosely connected to her Eagle Harbor series, but follows Ellie and her siblings on their new venture to Texas. I admired Ellie for her determination to keep the family together, and Sam is patient and accepting of them all. I enjoyed their sweet relationship, even if it grew slowly because of all their chores and the children preventing them from spending quality time together. The dispute over Sam's ranch land brought tension and a real sense of anxiety to the plot, especially when it became apparent that corruption was at the root of the problems. Sam has a strong group of friends ready and willing to support him, once he figures he can't do it on his own... almost too late. Some scenes were told from the perspective of Daniel, the young sheriff, and I'm looking forward to the coming books telling the stories of Sam's friends.

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