Book Tour & Giveaway: An Engagement of Sorts by Alene Wecker

Synopsis

Much to her mother’s dismay, spirited Anne Fletcher spent her youth seeking her father’s approval by hunting and riding. More comfortable in breeches than ball gowns, Anne sees the freedoms she once enjoyed slowly taken from her in the name of fashioning her into an eligible young lady. When her parents try to force her into marriage, Anne makes a desperate attempt to salvage her last vestige of independence. If she is to marry, she will do so on her own terms.

Anne strikes a deal: if she cannot secure a man for herself, she will agree to marry the husband her parents approved. She soon finds herself in the last place she would ever choose—that stifling parade of etiquette, the London Season. Anne’s plan is in motion. Now all she needs is a man willing to masquerade as her fiancé.

 About the Author

 

Alene Wecker writes because her favorite authors—Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer—haven’t published anything new in ages! Alene graduated from Brigham Young University with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance, though she rarely uses her degree. She likes to tell herself her education comes in handy as she describes debutantes who, like herself, are frequently forced to display their mediocre skills at the piano-forte. When she’s not writing or mothering her six children, she is usually reading, or can sometimes be found singing with Utah Symphony/Utah Opera. She also enjoys traveling and learning new languages. Some of her favorite haunts include: Berlin, Brașov, Bucharest, Budapest, London, Maui, New York City, Oahu, Paris, Rome, San Diego, Vancouver, and Venice. 

 

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter 

 

Giveaway

 

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Review: The Sheriff's Christmas Twins by Karen Kirst

 

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Holiday Baby Blessings  

Convinced that Allison Ashworth deserves better, Sheriff Shane Timmons has always tried to remain aloof around his childhood companion. But with Allison in Gatlinburg for the holidays, insisting on caring for two motherless babies, Shane feels obliged to help her. How can he keep his distance when she and the children are quickly becoming the family he never dared to wish for? 

As a girl, Allison was drawn to the wary yet handsome Shane, who never seemed to look her way. But in spending time with him and two sweet babies, she might yet find a chink in the confirmed bachelor's armor. Every shared moment gives Allison hope that this Christmas, her dreams of motherhood—and a life with Shane—may finally be coming true.

My Review

I can't believe how Allison gave Shane so many chances after his constant rebuffings- both in their youth and now as reunited adults. He is a tough nut to crack, I'll give him that. And she is endlessly patient with him, seeing into his heart what he can't even see for himself- or refuses to. Over the course of her stay in Gatlinburg, she has plenty of mishaps but also endears herself to the community, and she can see herself staying there with the children- if only Shane can get it together and figure out that he deserves to have her in his life! I enjoyed Shane's friendship with the characters from previous books and how they encouraged him to turn to God and develop his own faith.

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.

Check out all the books in the Smoky Mountain Matches series . . .

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Lost and Found Faith by Laurel Blount

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Lost and Found Faith by Laurel Blount, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: Lost and Found Faith
Author: Laurel Blount
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: August 24, 2021
Genre: Christian, Contemporary Romance 

A terrible tragedy nearly broke him. Can love put him back together again? 

Widowed history teacher Neil Hamilton has lost his way—at work, with people and even with his faith. But Neil's shut-down existence is disrupted when a small toddler and his would-be foster mother, vibrantly pretty Maggie Byrne, come crashing into Neil's yard and his life. Can this absentminded teacher find himself again…and take a chance on love, too? 

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope. 

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

 

 EXCERPT

 

People had hurt this woman, Neil realized, and she still bore the scars, no matter how well she
covered them up with cookies and smiles. “Did something like that happen to you?”
 

He sensed her reluctance to answer his question. “Almost. If it hadn’t been for Ruby—” Maggie
paused and swallowed. “It almost happened to me. And I knew other kids in the foster-care
system who weren’t as blessed as I was. Their stories didn’t end well. How could they? If you
shut your heart off, if you can’t love people because you’re terrified of getting hurt again, what
kind of life is that?”
 

He could have told her. He knew exactly what kind of life that was. But she didn’t seem to
expect an answer so he didn’t offer one.
 

“I won’t let that happen to Oliver,” she said fiercely, “but I’m going to need your help. And who
knows? Maybe it’ll help you, too....”
 

That was his cue. Time to refuse politely, to back away from this, and retreat into the closed-off
lifestyle that kept him reasonable functional.
 

He suddenly recalled that moment when Oliver had run to him instead of to her—and how he’d
wished he could help her.
 

Well, now he could. She needed him. Nobody had needed him for a very long time.
“All right,” he heard himself saying. “I’ll try. Just tell me what I’m supposed to do.”

ALSO AVAILABLE

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Award-winning author Laurel Blount writes inspirational romances full of grit and grace—with characters who’ll walk right off the page and into your heart! She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals.

A enthusiastic multi-tasker, Laurel writes for both Berkley/Penguin Random House and Love Inspired/Harlequin. She’s the recipient of ACFW’s Carol Award, The New England Reader’s Choice Award and GRW’s Maggie Award. She’s represented by Jessica Alvarez of Bookends Literary Agency. 

Lost and Found Faith is Laurel’s sixth book—and five more stories are in the works! Stay tuned!

CONNECT WITH LAUREL: Website | Facebook | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive an embroidered dishtowel with Maggie’s favorite saying “The kitchen is the heart of the home” and a $25 Amazon 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 August 23, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 30, 2021. 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.

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Night Watch by Susan Sleeman

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Night Watch by Susan Sleeman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: Night Watch
Series: Night Hawk Security #5
Author: Susan Sleeman
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: August 2021
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense 

Everything points to suicide or accidental death… 

Underwater crime scene investigator, Kennedy Walker is shocked when her mother dies and the police rule her death a suicide or an accidental overdose. Her scientist-mother was on the verge of a scientific breakthrough, and Kennedy knows her mother would never end her life, but the detective won’t listen. Kennedy moves back to her hometown and commits to finding her mother’s killer and finishing her work. 

And she must prove them wrong. 

Kennedy digs deeper, garnering the killer’s focus, and he puts her in his cross-hairs. She can’t give up on such an important project, so she swallows down her unease over the tumultuous breakup with Erik Byrd in college and hires Nighthawk Security, not only to protect her, but to help find her mother’s killer. It takes only one look for both of them to know their feelings for each other haven’t gone away. With so many people counting on her to complete the project, giving in to old feelings is a distraction neither she or Erik can afford, and they both need to keep watch. Especially in the darkest hours of the night, when the killer comes out to play. 

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

 

 

EXCERPT 

Erik planted his feet in a stubborn stance Kennedy recognized. “I’ve had a chance to think it over, and I won’t let you stay here. It’s too dangerous. You can stay at my condo. Much safer.”

She flashed her gaze up to his. “Not going to happen. I’ve started carrying since I met you, and I’ll be fine here.”

“Carrying?” He eyed her. “What prompted that?”

“My job. I see the bad things that can happen.” She had to fight off a shudder to keep from raising his concerns even more and maybe from letting her worry ramp back up too.

He kept his focus pinned to her. “You didn’t have your gun tonight.”

“It was here in my purse.” She held up her hands. “I know. I know. Fat lot of good it did me down here. But when I went upstairs, I didn’t think… I didn’t plan to fall asleep. I know better now, and I’ll be extra sure I have my gun with me at all times.”

“I still don’t like you being on your own here. I checked things out when I went to help Sierra. No security cameras. Zero. So even more of a reason not to stay here. And if you’re worried you’ll have to put up with me at my condo, don’t be. I’ll bunk with one of my brothers, and you can have my place all to yourself.”

She shook her head more vehemently than needed, and she didn’t like that either. She was over him, right? She shouldn’t let seeing him again impact her so much. She swallowed to level her emotions. “I can’t put you out of your place. Not on top of the protection and investigative services you’re providing.”

He took in a long breath, and she waited for it to whoosh out, but he let the air out in slow frustration. “What do you think protection services are?”

“I don’t…well… I didn’t really think about it.”

“Then let me tell you. One of us will be with you twenty-four/seven until this guy is caught. Except at the condo. Security for our building is top-notch, so you should be fine on your own there.”

“But I—we can’t.” She gestured between them and lowered her voice so Sierra couldn’t hear. “Can’t be together that much.”

“Why not?”

“Our history. It’s bound to be uncomfortable.”

Another breath, this one held before blowing out in hurricane force. “A little discomfort is worth it to make sure you’re safe.” 

 

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Susan Sleeman is the bestselling author of over fifty novels with more than one million books sold. She writes romantic suspense novels that are clean with inspiring messages of faith . Readers love her series for the well-drawn characters and edge-of-your-seat action. She graduated from the FBI and local police citizen academies, so her research is spot-on and her characters are real.

In addition to writing, Susan also hosts TheSuspenseZone.com. She has lived in nine states but now calls Oregon home. Her husband is a retired church music director, and they have two beautiful daughters, two terrific sons-in-law, and two adorable grandsons. To learn more about Susan’s books sign up for her monthly email that includes exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and other goodies.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive the first four ebooks in the Nighthawk Security series!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 24, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 31, 2021. 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.