Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Horses, Hounds & Happily Ever After

On Tour with Prism Book Tours
 
Welcome to the Cover Reveal for
Horses, Hounds & Happily Ever After

Coming May 2022 . . .

Horses, Hounds & Happily Ever After
By Various Authors
Historical Romance, Romantic Comedy
May 3, 2022 by Carpe Vitam Press

Escape with over 20 Historical Romance stories with all the feels!

✔ Horses, animals and love, oh my!
✔ Happily ever afters

This sweet rom-com collection contains over 20 original historical romance novellas from best-selling authors.

All proceeds benefit animal rescue All Seated In A Barn

Don’t miss this limited edition box set, featuring some of your favorite authors, is both heartwarming and inspiring.

(Affiliate links included.)
 
The Contributing Authors


Tour Giveaway


Four winners will receive a $25 Amazon gift card

Ends November 20, 2021

 
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Sunday, November 14, 2021

Review: A Magical Victorian Christmas by Michele Ashman Bell


My rating: 3 stars / I liked it



Synopsis

A new tradition. A season of miracles. And a decision that will change everything.In 1866, Clara Rose lives a quiet life in her hometown of York, until one day a mysterious Christmas tree appears in the town square. Clara is sure something wonderful is about to happen. The town blacksmith’s nephew, Erik Bauer, is new to town, and his ready smile, love of laughter, and handsome face charms her. Just when things couldn’t be more perfect, the most important man in town, Lord-Lieutenant Bradford, takes an interest in Clara and states his intentions of marrying her. Clara’s once simple life becomes very complicated. As Christmas time approaches, a decision must be made. Does she marry Bradford to secure her future, or go against her father’s wishes and marry the man who speaks to her heart?

My Review

I just love stories with a Christmastime setting! The cozy feeling, the traditions, and the spirit of cheer makes them a pleasure to read. This one had a slower pace than I prefer, but I was curious if Clara would grow a spine and overcome the oppression of her situation. The story picked up about halfway through and I grew more interested in the ways that the community rebelled in order to celebrate the holiday. As much as I tried to connect with the characters, I wasn't impressed with Clara or her father as they dealt with the scandal that changed the course of their lives. I wasn't feeling the romance, but I enjoyed the townspeople and was invested enough to finish the 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.


Saturday, November 13, 2021

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Right Here Waiting by Michelle Sass Aleckson, Susan May Warren

Right Here Waiting JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Right Here Waiting by Michelle Sass Aleckson presented by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Right Here Waiting

Title: Right Here Waiting
Series: Deep Haven Collection #6
Author: Michelle Sass Aleckson presented by Susan May Warren
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: November 9, 2021
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

She doesn’t belong in his world—but she’s determined to try.

Sled dog musher and outdoor adventurer Nick Dahlquist doesn’t mean to be a loner—he just feels at home in the woods, with his dogs, and online in his vlogging world, where he’s amassed nearly a million viewers. But he’s just a simple guy, with simple goals—care for his dogs, teach people how to survive the cold, and run the Iditarod. Unfortunately, life turns cold when his lead dog is injured, and he’s low on funds. Good thing he has LadyJHawk to chat with. She’s become an online friend he can turn to, and he’s starting to need her more than he’d like to admit. But the last thing he wants is for some random woman to show up on his doorstep… 

Chopper pilot and Texas gal Jae Lynn Washington has been following Nick’s DogQuest videos and Get Lost in the Woods vlogs since she inherited her deceased boyfriend’s military working dog. Three years later, his online friendship has made her wonder if he could be more than a friend. What if she moved to Deep Haven? Would that be considered stalking, even if she got a bonafide job on the Crisis Response Team? 

When Jae shows up in Deep Haven—and on Nick’s doorstep—he’s not at all the man she met online. And when Nick is tapped to train the team, he’s pretty sure petite, summer-loving Jae won’t last a moment in the brutal cold—a fear he pours out to LadyJHawk. As their training takes a personal turn, their chilly start begins to thaw. But what will happen if he discovers that Jae and LadyJHawk are one and the same? 

When a blizzard strikes, and the CRT is called out into the storm, more than just their relationship is at risk… 

Cozy up to this delightful twist on You’ve Got Mail set in the snowy escape of Deep Haven. 

 
EXCERPT
 
The winding dirt road climbed farther up the forested incline while the late morning sun played hide and seek with the clouds and tree branches overhead. Stark white birch branches waved high above the hood of Jae’s Subaru while stately evergreens stood tall and resolute on the hillside.

Absolutely gorgeous.

Jae checked the navigation on her panel with a glance. Nick’s vlog, Get Lost in the Woods, wasn’t too far off. It certainly wouldn’t be hard to do out here.

Everything surrounding her sang of fresh air and beauty—the perfect place to start a new adventure.

Jae’s phone rang through the Bluetooth speaker, interrupting her reverie.

“Hey, Daddy.”

“How’s my Sugar-Blossom doing?” Her father’s Texas twang came through the speaker loud and clear. “Did ya make it to Minnesoooota yet?”

She laughed at his awful attempt at the Minnesotan accent. She could picture him standing on her grandparents’ front porch, leaning against the post and sipping a dark Italian roast coffee out of an enamel mug. His gray-streaked brown hair would be hidden beneath his favorite black Stetson, his plaid shirt tucked neatly into his Levi’s and his cowboy boots caked with dust and dirt.

“I made it in last night.”

“And how is it? Did you meet Ronnie and Cole?”

“Yeah, they were great. Just like you said.”

“I tell ya, those two got more guts than you could hang on a fence. I’m glad they can watch over you.”

“Daddy, I can take care of myself. I don’t need watchin’.” And there went her own non-twangy accent she’d worked so hard to cultivate. She rolled her eyes at her own slip. “So, how’s Omma?”

“Your mama is just fine. Happens to be right here next to me making me the most blessed man in the great state of Texas. Mimi and Pap are in town picking up a few things.” His voice became muffled. “What’s that? … Yeah. … I’ll ask her.”

“Daddy?”

“Darlin’, your mama wants to know if you’ll be down here for Thanksgiving.”

“I wish I could, but I won’t have any vacation time yet. I’ll see what I can do to get down there before you go back overseas.”

“Maybe Christmas we can fly up there. Sure do miss ya, darlin’.”

“I miss you too, Daddy. I think you’ll like it up here if you come visit. Lots of forest and hills. And Lake Superior is incredible.” A glance out her driver’s side window showed a break in the trees. The sapphire lake horizon stretched wide, as far as she could see.

“Doesn’t it get mighty cold up there? I’m still surprised you’re trading the blue Texas skies for the frozen tundra.”

“The cold isn’t too bad.” When she didn’t think about it. Yes, she’d had to don her sweatshirt and bathrobe as well as her thickest socks before she could fall asleep last night, but the headquarters building was so big. Surely once she found a small, cozy apartment, she’d be fine. Besides, though people might try to treat her like one because of her size, she was no delicate flower. “Texas was okay for a while, but…I need to find my own place, Daddy. And I think this is it.”

“I get you have to find your place, but did you have to sell everything? You could’ve kept your furniture in storage or paid rent on your apartment another month or two until you were certain it would work. Or taken a leave of absence instead of quittin’ your job.”

Jae remembered Nick’s video he’d posted the day she was offered the Deep Haven job, his direct gaze coming through her screen as he’d pointed to the camera and spoken. “If you’re going to do something in life, don’t do it halfway. Give it everything. Don’t leave yourself an escape. Burn the ships and move on with the conviction that your only way through is to move forward.”

She’d heard that and she’d known. She had to do this.

“No, Daddy. I needed to burn the ships. Go all in. I’m gonna make this work.” She had to.

His deep sigh came through loud and clear. “Well, good thing you’re Texas tough. I’m sure wherever you go, you will light up a room and bring the sunshine like you always do.” A slurp sounded through her car’s speakers. “So what’s on your agenda today, Jae Hawk?”

“I’m on my way to meet someone.” Her arms relaxed now that Daddy had moved on to a different subject.

“Who are ya fixin’ to meet?”

“Nick Dahlquist. You remember, the one I told you about? The guy who does those videos.”

“You mean that guy you’re always goin’ on and on about? The one with the dogs?”

“Now, Daddy, before you start—”

“Are you sure you should be meetin’ up with him? You don’t know him from Adam. Is Seymour with you?”

“Daddy, I’m fine. And I do know Nick. Just because we’ve never met face to face doesn’t mean I don’t know him. Besides, he really helped me with Seymour. You know how hard it was when I first got him.”

“I don’t know, Sugar. This Nick could be slicker than a boiled onion. It’s easy to be somethin’ you ain’t online.”

“I can handle myself. I made it through boot camp and six years in the Army. I can handle this.”

“I know, but—”

“And I’m just going to meet him and see if he’ll board Seymour. It’s not a big deal. Ronnie said he was a great guy. He’s Peter’s cousin.”

“Who’s Peter?”

“Ronnie’s boyfriend.”

“Oh. Well, if Ronnie knows him, maybe he’s okay. But you be careful, now, ya hear? Don’t set your heart too much on something until you know for sure. I’d hate to see you get hurt again.”


© Sunrise Media Group
 
 

ALSO AVAILABLE


ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Susan May Warren Michelle Sass Aleckson

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | FacebookInstagram | Twitter

After growing upon both the east and west coasts, Michelle Sass Aleckson now lives the country life in central Minnesota with her own hero and their four kids. She loves rocking out to 80’s music on a Saturday night, playing Balderdash with the fam, and getting lost in good stories. Especially stories that shine grace. And if you’re wondering, yes, Sass is her maiden name. Visit her at www.michellealeckson.com.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 

Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills. 


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card + 3 Right Here Waiting ebooks (one ebook for the winner and two to give to friends)!

Right Here Waiting JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 9, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 16, 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


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

JustRead Publicity Tours 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.






Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Book Tour & Review: Love and Lavender by Josi Kilpack

 
My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing



Synopsis


Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, she was sent away as a child and, knowing her disability means a marriage is unlikely, she devoted herself to scholarship and education.

Now working as a teacher in an elite private girls' school, she is content with the way her story has unfolded. When her uncle Elliott Mayfield presents her with the prospect of a substantial inheritance if she marries, Hazel is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for her money? Besides, she loves her freedom as a professional, respected woman. When she hears rumors of the school possibly being sold, however, she knows she must consider all her options.

Duncan Penhale has a brilliant mind and thrives on order and process. He does not expect to marry because he likes his solitary life, shared only with his beloved cat. When Elliott Mayfield, his guardian's brother, presents him with an inheritance if he marries a woman of social standing, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, with the inheritance, he could purchase the building in which he works and run his own firm. It would take an impressive and intellectual woman to understand and love him, quirks and all.

Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, receive their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But when Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must live together as husband and wife for one year before receiving their inheritances, Hazel and Duncan reluctantly agree. Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?

My Review

I loved the contrast of personalities between Hazel and Duncan. Their strengths and weaknesses complement and compensate each other in a lovely balance. The progression of their relationship also changed them both in good ways, and the improvement only increased the attachment and affection they share. It was fascinating to see the world, especially a different era, through Duncan's perspective, with what today's world would diagnose as on the autism spectrum. Hazel recognizes what is different about him, but also what is unique and extraordinary. A sweet and gentle love story that captured my interest and then my heart. I had tears as I read the final pages. Highly recommend!

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 previous books in the Mayfield Family Romance series . . .


About the Author

Josi S. Kilpack has written more than thirty novels, a cookbook, and several novellas. She is a four-time Whitney award winner, including Best Novel 2015 for "Lord Fenton's Folly, and has been a Utah Best of State winner for Fiction. Josi loves to bake, sleep, eat, read, travel, and watch TV--none of which she gets to do as much as she would like. She writes contemporary fiction under the pen name Jessica Pack.

Josi has four children and lives in Northern Utah. 
 



Special Book Giveaway celebrating A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Regina is celebrating the end of her American Wonders Collection series
with a huge giveaway! Check out her note, series, and giveaway below.

Note from the Author

I’m so excited for the conclusion of my American Wonders series! I have always loved the wonder and majesty of our national parks, in part because my father introduced me to them. He would have been tickled with A View Most Glorious, set on Mt. Rainier, because that was his mountain. We hiked or camped on it nearly every weekend when I was growing up, and I live 45 minutes from the gates of the national park today. In celebration of the release of this third volume, I’m delighted to offer this prize pack, with each of the books in the series in paperback, a collection of nine vintage-style postcards from the parks featured (the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Mt. Rainier), and a poster that speaks to the heart of the story: The best view comes after the hardest climb. May all your views be glorious!

—Regina

A View Most Glorious
(American Wonders Collection #3)
By Regina Scott
Christian Historical Romance
Paperback, E-book & Audiobook, 368 Pages
October 5, 2021 by Revell

Reluctant socialite Coraline Baxter longs to live a life of significance and leave her mark on the world. When her local suffragette group asks her to climb Mount Rainier to raise awareness of their cause, she jumps at the chance, even though she has absolutely no climbing experience. If she can do it, any woman can do it. And after her mother issues an ultimatum--that Cora marry the man of her mother's choosing if she is not successful--Cora must do it. But she can't do it alone.

Noted mountain guide Nathan Hardee initially refuses to help Cora, but has a change of heart when he sees what is at stake. He knows enough about the man Cora's mother has chosen to know that the headstrong young woman should have nothing to do with him, much less marry him.

Climbing Rainier will require all of Cora's fortitude and will lead her and Nathan to rediscover their faith in God and humanity. These two loners make unlikely partners in righting a wrong and may just discover that only together is the view most glorious.

(Affiliate links included)

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to Amazon affiliate links)

About the Author


Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn’t sell her first novel until she learned a bit more about writing. Since her first book was published, her stories have traveled the globe, with translations in many languages, including Dutch, German, Italian, and Portuguese. She now has had published more than fifty works of warm, witty historical romance. Regina Scott and her husband of more than 30 years reside in the Puget Sound area of Washington State on the way to Mt. Rainier. She has dressed as a Regency dandy, learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, and sailed on a tall ship, all in the name of research, of course. Learn more about her at her website.
 

Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive print copies of all three books in the American Wonders Collection, a collection of nine vintage-style postcards from the parks featured (the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Mt. Rainier), and a poster that speaks to the heart of the story: The best view comes after the hardest climb. (US only)

Ends November 19, 2021

 
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Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Picture Imperfect by Alyssa Roat & Hope Bolinger

Picture Imperfect JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Picture Imperfect by Alyssa Roat & Hope Bolinger, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Picture Imperfect
Title: Picture Imperfect
Series: Roseville Romances #1
Author: Alyssa Roat & Hope Bolinger
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: November 5, 2021
Genre: Christian, Contemporary Romance 

Can a struggling career woman and a procrastinating artist save a beloved nonprofit? 

Aspiring novelist Caroline Penn expected a promotion, not a picture book assignment. But when her employer, the non-profit Helping Hope, runs into financial trouble, this book might be the solution. With the company struggling to stay afloat, she and the illustrator will need to collaborate on a strict deadline—no problem for a workaholic like Caroline, right? 

Andy Jackson, a “starving” artist, pays the bills by taking on graphic design gigs, but his perfectionism gets in the way. If only he could focus on a project for once, perhaps he could achieve his dream to make art for children for a living. 

When the two are thrust together to create a book, Caroline can’t seem to write for children, and Andy can’t meet a deadline to save his life. As time ticks down to release day, the two must face their pasts and insecurities. If they can avoid strangling one another for long enough, they may just bring to the table what the other is missing. 

 If not, the fate of their careers—and a beloved nonprofit—hangs in the balance. 

 
EXCERPT

Maisie appeared to absorb his words for a moment. Then she nodded and her face lit up again. “Feeling daunted?”

“You could say that.” He chuckled.

“I’ll tell you someone else who was hesitant about a big task before him.” She gestured to the Moses mural. “Imagine standing in front of that Red Sea. Or in front of Pharaoh telling him to let the Israelites go. No wonder he came up with a thousand excuses as to why he wasn’t up for the task.”

And yet, all those things still happened. The Red Sea parted, and the Israelites were freed.

Hope lit a beacon in his chest. 
 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Hope Bolinger Alyssa Roat

Hope Bolinger is the author of 12 books, including the award-winning Blaze trilogy. She has worked in the industry as an agent, done acquisitions and editorial roles for publishers, and has also worked for magazines, newspapers, and online publications such as Crosswalk.com. Her articles and other publications can be seen by millions yearly, and she has 1100 bylines to her name. When she isn't battling deadlines, she loves to hike in Ohio's national parks and pet her high-maintenance cat Twix. Find out more about her at https://www.hopebolinger.com.

CONNECT WITH HOPE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

Alyssa Roat has worked in a wide variety of roles within the publishing industry as an agent, editor, writer, and marketer. She is the publicity manager at Mountain Brook Ink and Mountain Brook Fire, a former associate literary agent at Cyle Young Literary Elite, an editor with Sherpa Editing Services, and a freelance writer with 200+ bylines in local, national, and international publications. She is the author of The Wraithwood Trilogy and the co-author with Hope Bolinger of the YA superhero chat fiction romances Dear Hero and Dear Henchman. Her name is a pun, which means you can learn more about her at www.alyssawrote.com or on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook as @alyssawrote. 

CONNECT WITH ALYSSA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Perfectly Arranged OR a $20 Amazon gift card (winner's choice)!

Picture Imperfect JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 8, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 15, 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


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

JustRead Publicity Tours 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.