More Than Words Can Say

“Maybe the Big Man was doing more than laughing it up with the seraphim, after all.”

About the Book

After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free. No family entanglements. No disappointing those around him. Just the quiet bachelor existence he’s always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away when the baker of his favorite breakfast bun is railroaded by the city council. Despite not wanting to get involved, he can’t turn a blind eye to her predicament . . . or her adorable dimples.

Abigail Kemp needs a man’s name on her bakery’s deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution . . . if it involves a man she can control. That person definitely isn’t the stoic lumberman who oozes silent confidence whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can’t even control her pulse when she’s around him.
When vows are spoken, Abigail’s troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. Can she put ever more trust in Zach without losing her dreams of independence?

My Thoughts

You know a book is going to be good when it starts out with this:

“At the word benefits, images jumped immediately to Zach’s mind. Vivid images. Of bedsheets and unpinned hair…
‘To start with, you can have all the sticky buns you like free of charge. For life.’
Breakfast. She was talking about breakfast.”

For those of you new to Karen’s writing, you might be a little concerned it’s not a clean read, but I assure you it is! What I most liked about this story is how Karen twines love and passion into a marriage of convenience turned real in a way that is completely clean while maintaining the romantic tension needed to pull a reader in.

Another I loved about More Than Words Can Say is having a heroine who looks more like me. No, I’m not blonde, but I am fluffy. Like Abigail I wonder how a man ever finds me beautiful and struggle to see it in myself.

Karen always writes faith themes with characters who need to grow in different ways. In this book she brings out God’s sense of humor. While His serious side is on display as well, I think God’s humor is often overlooked in our efforts to be pious, but if we’re created in His image, than He has to have it too, right?

Overall, I’d recommend this story for those who enjoy western historicals. But, unlike so may westerns, there’s not a cowboy, which is a pleasant change, as much as I love cowboys.

“Helping a woman make biscuits should not make a fellow this happy. But when the woman was the fellow’s wife, and she smiled at him as if he were the noblest hero of her acquaintance -well, it couldn’t be helped.”

I received a complementary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance to give the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at http://www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Rocky Mountain Heroes – Series Review

On tour with Just Reads!

In this series by Mindy Obenhaus we meet the Stephens men and their loves. I have enjoyed the first three books in the series and hope we get to read the Jude and Daniel’s stories as well.

Mindy takes us back to Ouray, Colorado, a setting I haven’t visited much in fiction, but I want to visit in real life thanks to vivid descriptions of the area. I think a Jeep tour might be a bit scary, but I would love to do a trail ride! (Lily would very much disagree with me.)

With believable characters, I could find something to relate to in all of the stories. While there are several characters to track between the family and the town, I felt like it fit right with the story, bringing me into town life.

If you’d like to see my thoughts on the individual stories, please click here.

I received a copy of this series from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all opinions are my own.

This Courageous Journey – Celebrate Lit – Giveaway

This courageous journey FB banner copy

About the Book

This Courageous Journey

Book Title: This Courageous Journey

Author: Misty Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: October 9, 2018

As the fifth daughter in a family of nine children, Noelle Grant has spent her life working to be unique. Her love of stories helps define her goal—to be known around the country as one of the top news correspondents of her time. And what better way to uncover sensational stories than to travel through the mountain wilderness to visit the brother she hasn’t seen in years? The trip comes together perfectly as she plans to journey with family friends who will be settling in the same area. Her first inkling that things may not be as perfect as planned comes in the form of the mountain man they hire as their guide for the final leg of the journey.

When Daniel Abrams agrees to guide the small group of easterners along his usual journey northward to the Canadian mountains, his gut tells him he’s making the wrong decision. But if he doesn’t take them, who will? The man in charge refuses to consider turning back. As they start out, Daniel can’t help but notice the woman traveling under the care of her friends. Though she appears too genteel to last long in these mountains, she soon reveals a strength that draws him more than he should allow.

As the dangers of this wilderness become more than the group bargained for, Noelle is faced with the choice to delay her journey northward or proceed alone with the man she’s come to trust against all reason. She never imagines her decision will place her—and the man she loves—in a situation more hazardous than any story her imagination could conjure.

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My Review

At first, I felt that another guide falling-in-love-with-his-guidee troupe is a little over done. HOWEVER, as the story developed Misty brought other unique aspects to this troupe providing opportunities not just for the hero to save the day, but also the heroine. While at times you could predict the next turn, I still found myself turning the pages wondering how the story would arrive.

Noelle is a heroine who enjoys her femininity, but also rises to the occasion; she has a tough backbone, but isn’t rough. The journal entries provide a glimpse into her thoughts where she shows honest reluctance at some of the new experiences while also showing a willingness to encounter new experiences with an open mind. Faith wraps her life, but, as many of us do, in the trying to get through everyday she loses track of that faith until God orchestrates a reminder. Without going into spoilers – I’m thankful that I haven’t had to go through the same reminder situations, though!

Daniel is your typical guide-type hero, but at the same time does an admirable job of not trying to bulling Noelle into thinking his way; he lets her make her own decisions, but at times to both of their detriment.

Overall an enjoyable read, even if a bit predictable.

I was provided a copy of this book for the tour. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Misty

Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Guest Post from Misty

Ever Been Struck by Lightning?

One of the fun things about being a writer is the crazy topics I get to research. Without giving away too much of the story, part of my research for This Courageous Journey included uncovering what happens when lightning strikes a person. It turns out anything can happen!

Surprisingly, about nine out of ten people struck by lightning live to tell their story. Each person’s experience seems to be different—some are knocked unconscious, while others are horribly aware of everything happening. One person who was struck said it seemed as if time slowed to a crawl and a white haze surrounded him like a bubble, as excruciating pain shot through him.

People usually try to determine the path the lightning traveled through them, based on where burn marks appear on both skin and clothing, but sometimes that can be difficult if jewelry or coins were touching the body. Survivors might suffer a variety of short- and long-term effects, including—but not limited to—cardiac arrest, confusion, seizures, dizziness, muscle aches, deafness, headaches, memory deficits, distractibility, personality changes, and chronic pain, among others. That may sound like an awful list, but it does beat the alternative!

As I considered the possible effects of a lightning strike when I was writing This Courageous Journey, I was reminded once again how magnificent God’s creation is. Both the incredible power contained in one streak of lightning, and the beautiful inner workings of the bodies He created for us. As the Psalmist said, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made!”

Blog Stops

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 11

Among the Reads, October 11

Singing Librarian Books, October 11

The Power of Words, October 12

Multifarious, October 12

Maureen’s Musings, October 12

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 13

Real World Bible Study, October 13

Splashes of JoyOctober 14

Artistic Nobody, October 14 (Spotlight)

Joy of ReadingOctober 15

Mary Hake, October 15

Janices book reviews, October 15

Kat’s Corner Books, October 16

Livin Lit, October 16

KarenSueHadleyOctober 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool aacademy, October 17

Remembrancy, October 18

Carpe Diem, October 18

Pause for Tales, October 19

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 19

Bigreadersite, October 19

A Baker’s Perspective, October 20

Blossoms and Blessings, October 20

Bibliophile Reviews, October 20

Christian Author, J.E. Grace, October 21

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 21

Wishful Endings, October 22

Simple Harvest Reads, October 22 (Guest post Mindy Houng)

Inspiration Clothesline, October 23

proud to be an autism mom, October 23

Texas Book-aholicOctober 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 24

Giveaway

amazon gift card 50

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d4cf/this-courageous-journey-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

Imperfect Promises – Celebrate Lit – Giveaway

Imperfect Promises FB Banner copy

About the Book

nei5 Imperfect Promises

Book Title: Imperfect Promises

Author: Elizabeth Noyes

Genre: Action, Suspense, Romance

Release date: August, 2018

Award-winning romantic suspense author, Elizabeth Noyes raises the bar in this stunning conclusion of The Imperfect Series!

Former Special Forces operative, Jonas Cameron, traded his past and his service for his family back in Idaho and the ranch he loves. But ghosts have a disturbing way of not staying where you leave them.

Shea Townsend is on her way to becoming a chef extraordinaire until her father’s illness pulls her from culinary school and back to Montana to care for him. After his death, disinherited and alone, she sets out to make a new life for herself, one which may or may not include the too-alpha, too-sexy Jonas Cameron.

Jonas learns of a homegrown terrorist threat against him and his family at the same time a mysterious stalker sets his sights on Shea. Determined to neutralize both dangers, Jonas calls on old friends for help and draws upon his own very specialized skill set to end the menaces to Shea and himself.

As the danger escalates, secrets are revealed and the truth emerges in a deadly cat and mouse game with Shea caught in the middle.

Fast-paced action. Heart-pounding adventure. This is not your ordinary romantic suspense story!

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review

This was my first novel by Elizabeth Noyes, but it won’t be my last!

This is a military style romance, but occurs after Jonas is out of the military. I liked that aspect because it had some of the action without getting overwhelming. It also gave me a glimpse into a solider struggling to adapt back to civilian life. While I know there are several types of this kind of story, I always appreciate a new viewpoint with a well written story that gives me some understanding into another’s perspective. But, I also got frustrated with Jonas for not talking to Shae – while I get he can’t reveal anything classified, he could still just talk about struggling with nightmares and coping with the transition back. I know it’s super difficult, especially for guys, but part of committing to a life together is sharing those dark places.

I liked Shae’s passion for the diner. Often waitresses or diner cooks are typed in fiction as restless or not content with their job, so it was a nice change. I also admired her for taking time to reconnect with her brothers and finish school (that’s not too much of a spoiler). Although the story gets a bit jumpy towards the end, I like that Elizabeth put the time passing in to allow healing in both characters as frequently the timeline is condensed in fiction for the sake of the story (and sometimes seems forced).

Overall, I read in mostly one sitting and it kept me turning pages, not cleaning my house like I should, and put the others in the series on my TBR pile. I hope you enjoy!

I received a copy of this book for this blog tour. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Elizabeth Noyes

Elizabeth Noyes—professional writer, aspiring author, dedicated dreamer—lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband and best friend, Paul, who listens tirelessly while she regales him with all the tales in her head of damaged, but very human characters clamoring to be heard.

A native of the Deep South, she claims to still “speak the language,” even after traveling around the world for most of her adult life. Recently retired from a career as a professional business writer and editor, she now fills her days editing, critiquing, reading, playing with the grandkids, learning more about Social Media than she ever wanted, and putting her stories into words to share with others.

Guest Post from Elizabeth Noyes

The Imperfect Tie Between Characters, Themes, and Titles

I love reading across all genres. If it’s well- written, I’m an easy catch. What I don’t like is when fictional characters are portrayed as model-worthy with perfect looks, perfect physiques, and perfect personalities. Yuk! I’ve never met a perfect person.

To quote Mark Twain, “The only difference between reality and fiction is that fiction needs to be credible.”

I want characters with the same flaws as you and me—judgmental, short-tempered, guilt-ridden, egotistical, defiant, withdrawn, too-skinny, compassionate, couch potatoes, foolish, silly, serious, low self-esteem, arrogant, hurt, guilty, deceiving, generous… in other words, real people. These are character traits I relate to, and they come alive on the pages, giving hope that we can also learn from our mistakes and grow into something better.

The characters in the Imperfect Series let themselves and others down. They struggle with life issues, make poor decisions, grieve over mistakes, and then pick themselves up and go on.

In Imperfect Wings, guilt and low self esteem plague TJ, while her male counterpart, Garrett, struggles with anger issues. In Imperfect Trust, yeah, trust was a problem for both Lucy and Wade. With Imperfect Bonds, Cassidy fights for her sister’s forgiveness as she deals with feelings of inadequacy … both of which carry over into her relationship with Derek. In Imperfect Lies—yep, another obvious theme. Lies from the past come back to haunt Mallory and James.

In the final book of the series, Imperfect Promises, the main male character, Jonas, is by a nature a control freak. He suffers from guilt over a perceived failure when at his deepest core he is a protector and perfectionist. Shea, the female protagonist, rose from the ashes of a devastating childhood to forge a new life for herself. Both discover that promises made to themselves and to others can’t always be kept. Despite best intentions, life sometimes gets in the way.

Blog Stops

Godly Book Reviews, September 27

Bigreadersite, September 27

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 28

A Baker’s Perspective, September 28

Multifarious, September 29

Real World Bible Study, September 29

Because I said so – adventures in Parenting, September 30

Simple Harvest Reads, October 1

Kat’s Corner Books, October 2

Carpe Diem, October 2

Maureen’s Musings, October 3

Margaret Kazmierczak, October 3

Jennifer Sienes: Where Crisis & Christ Collide, October 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 5

Blogging With Carol, October 6

All-of-a-kind Mom, October 7

proud to be an autism mom, October 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 8

Bibliophile Reviews, October 9

Texas Book-aholic, October 10

Janices book reviews, October 10

Giveaway

amazon gift card 50

To celebrate her tour, Elizabeth is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d296/imperfect-promises-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

Christmas with the Cowboy – JustRead – Giveaway

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Welcome to the JustRead Publicity Tour’s BLOG TOUR for Christmas with the Cowboy by Tina Radcliffe.

ABOUT THE BOOK

9781335509796Title: Christmas with the Cowboy
Series: Big Heart Ranch, Book 3
Author: Tina Radcliffe
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: September 18, 2018

Home for the holidays
A second chance at love on Big Heart Ranch

Former Navy SEAL Zach Norman has been avoiding his ranching roots—and the woman he couldn’t have. Back to visit his brother’s widow, Emma Maxwell Norman, and her adorable toddler twins, the bah-humbug cowboy is roped into helping prepare the ranch for the holidays. Working side by side, can Emma and Zach overcome their troubled past…and receive the greatest Christmas gift of all—love?

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | iTunes | Book Depository | BAM! | Book Bub

MY REVIEW

Zach has finally come home! Or so Emma believes. I enjoyed this sweet Christmas read, emphasis on CHRISTMAS. It’s filled with all Christmas all the time with Emma slowly but surely converting the Christmas crumudgeon, and two little cuties help!

One thing I like about this story of a sister-brother -in-law falling in love story is that Zach respected Emma’s and Steve’s relationship- he never tried to convince Emma otherwise at some time in the past and Emma truly loved Steve; her feelings for Zach didn’t morph until in this story. That is something that this troupe in general often annoys me – the whole “I had feelings for you, but I married your brother anyways for whatever reason.” Tina did no that which made me like the characters and connect more. I also respected Zach and admired him even, for choosing to remove himself from the situation. While I don’t agree with avoiding his family, I get it.

The secondary characters are also great. This is the first book in the series I’ve read and I didn’t feel like I missed anything, but I’m definitely going to catch up!

I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tina March 2018 2Originally from Western, N.Y., Tina Radcliffe left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency (a branch of the NSA) stationed in Augsburg, Germany and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N. Her move to Colorado led to a career as a library cataloger. A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tinamanages Seekerville, 13 author blog which is starting its tenth year. Seekerville is a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers award winner.

Tina is a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, a 2012 ACFW Carol Award finalist, a 2014 ACFW Mentor of the Year finalist, a 2014 Golden Quill finalist and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner. In 2016 Safe in the Fireman’s Arms was a Holt Medallion Merit Award finalist and a Detroit Bookseller’s Best finalist and a NERFA finalist. She has won first place in over twenty RWA chapter affiliated contests in her career. Tina is also a short story writer and has sold over twenty short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. She currently resides in Arizona where she writes fun, heartwarming romance.

TO CONNECT WITH TINA: website, facebook, twitter, pinterest,instagram, Book Bub

Tina also have a great newsletter filled with fun facts and great giveaways for her newsletter subscribers. Sign up for her newsletter HERE.


GIVEAWAY

christmaswiththecowboy_Blog_GiveTina has graciously offered (1) winner an awesome Christmas with the Cowboy prize pack that includes:

  • An autographed copy of Christmas with the Cowboy
  • LED Christmas Bulb Necklace
  • $50 Amazon gift card.

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Complete prize open to US mailing addresses only. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE


TOUR SCHEDULE

(All stops expected to post by 11:00 AM EST)

Launch Page @JustReadTours
Launch Page @JustCommonly

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.