The Accidental Guardian Blog Tour and Giveaway

Title: The Accidental Guardian
Series: High Sierra Sweethearts, Book 1
Author: Mary Connealy
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Genre: Historical Romance / Western
+To Read: Goodreads 

She's the Only Witness to a Wagon Train Attack. Keeping Her Safe, Though, Means His World Is about to be Turned Upside Down.

When Trace Riley finds the smoldering ruins of a small wagon train, he recognizes an attack by the same group who left him as sole survivor years ago. Living off the wilderness since then, he's finally carved out a home and started a herd--while serving as a self-appointed guardian of the trail. He'd hoped the days of driving off dangerous men were over, but the latest attack shows otherwise.

Deborah Harkness saved her younger sister and two toddlers during the attack, and now finds herself at the mercy of her rescuer. Trace becomes an accidental guardian when he offers the only shelter for miles around and agrees to take them in until they can safely continue their journey. His simple bachelor existence never anticipated kids and women in the picture and their arrival is unsettling--yet enticing.

Trace and Deborah find themselves drawing ever closer as they work together to bring justice to the trail and help the group survive the winter--but every day closer to spring means a day closer to leaving the mountains forever.


PURCHASE A COPY*

Amazon l ChristianBook l Book Depository l Itunes

**The next book in the series, THE RELUCTANT WARRIOR 

will be released later this year in October, 2018!**

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

CONNECT WITH MARY: website,  facebook,  twitter,  instagram

You can also find Mary at these sites: Seekerville and Petticoats & Pistols

 Photo courtesy of  Ginger Murray Photography

My Thoughts:

This is a great first book to a new series. There aren't as many laugh out loud moments that I have come to know in a Mary Connealy novel. I love books with kids in them and there is an adorable little girl in the book who assists in creating some cute moments. 

Trace Riley is a perfect hero, and the cast of characters that Ms. Connealy adds to the story round it out well.

My Bottom Line:

This latest book by Mary Connealy is a sweet and lighthearted read. It sets up the next book in the series perfectly. The characters are real and engaging. I found myself thinking about them long after I closed the book.

(1) Winner will win: 

The Cimarron Legacy by Mary Connealy (all 3 print books)

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy (print)

(US/Canada Mailing Addresses Only) Full terms & conditions noted on Rafflecopter form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

    

     For the full tour schedule for more giveaway entries, head to JustRead's Launch Page HERE (or click on the Tour Banner above).      



Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

First Line Friday - Love's Silver Lining

It's FRIDAY!!!! Yay!!! I've really been looking forward to the weekend and some time to just be and enjoy a good book. How about you?

My dear friend, Julie Lessman has a new book releasing on Saturday, May 19th so I thought I'd feature her upcoming release for First Line Friday.

About the book:

She tampers with his life.
He tampers with her heart.
Love tampers with them both.
Desperate to escape an arranged marriage to a womanizer, twenty-two-year-old Maggie Mullaney flees New York for Virginia City, Nevada with her Aunt Liberty, two spunky suffragists intent on bettering the life of women. Fresh out of nursing school, Maggie hopes to devote herself to serving others rather than just one man, a goal quickly affirmed when she encounters Blaze Donovan, a womanizing cowboy who both riles and rouses her pulse. But when Aunt Liberty’s parent’s house burns down, she and Maggie are coerced into staying at the ranch of Liberty’s ex-husband, Finn McShane, who just happens to be the uncle of the cocky cowboy Maggie had hoped to avoid.
If there’s one thing twenty-nine-year-old Blaze Donovan can’t abide, it’s respectable women who spout piety and prayer, so when he butts heads with perky Maggie Mullaney at St. Mary Louise Hospital, he wants to stay as far away from her as he possibly can. Unfortunately, she now lives in the bedroom next to his in his uncle’s ranch house, a revolting development that sends Blaze to The Ponderosa Saloon more than usual. But when Maggie interferes in Blaze’s life by converting his favorite “disrespectable” girl, Blaze is determined to make her pay. Only problem is—the price HE has to pay may be a little too steep for his heart.

Amazon || Barnes and Noble || Audible || 

First Line:

Virginia City, Nevada, May 1885

Sweet chorus of angels --- pinch me! Palms to the windowsill, twenty-two-year-old Maggie Mullaney leaned out the back window of St. Mary Louise Hospital's hallway, drinking in the heady scent of freedom and pine.

What's your first line? Leave it in the comments and then go to Hoarding Books for more first line fun.

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I Read Before I Started Blogging

Today's Top Ten Tuesday is books you disliked/hated but are glad you read even for bragging rights.  I can't think of one book that would fit that category so, in true rebel style I looked at Broke and the Bookish's list and found a topic I've not done, books I read before I started blogging.

 In the late 80's I stopped reading Danielle Steel novels because they were pretty much identical, and there wasn't much on the Inspirational fiction scene that I could find so Frank Peretti and Oprah's Book Club kept me in books until more and more Inspirational fiction found its way to my local bookstore or library.

What books did you read before you started blogging? I'd love to hear about them, tell me in the comments.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

 

                                                   

Lone Witness (Atlanta Justice, #2) by Rachel Dylan - Reviewed

Title: Lone Witness
Author: Rachel Dylan
Publisher: Bethany House
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

When prosecutor Sophie Dawson is the lone witness to a gang-related double homicide, her world is turned upside down. Private security guard Cooper Knight is hired to protect Sophie from the gang, but she's more concerned about prosecuting her latest case than the threat to her life. Sophie wants to stand for what's right, but can Cooper keep her safe?

Amazon || Barnes and Noble || Christian Book || Itunes ||

About Rachel:

Rachel Dylan writes Christian fiction including inspirational romantic suspense for Love Inspired Suspense and the Windy Ridge Legal Thriller series. Rachel has practiced law for almost a decade and enjoys weaving together legal and suspenseful stories. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids--two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. You can find Rachel at www.racheldylan.com.

My Thoughts:

Out of the two books in this series this is my favorite so far. Ms. Dylan really showed more of the inner workings of being a lawyer, and the court process. I got a bird's eye view of Sophie more in this book. 

The inspirational thread is not overwhelming but is definitely there. Both Sophie and Cooper are struggling with faith. Ms. Dylan shows the struggle and does not shy away from it.

My Bottom Line:

From beginning to end this book is suspenseful, intriguing, with twists and turns that kept me guessing literally up to the last page. I loved seeing the inner workings of life as a prosecutor and the day to day life of trial inside and outside of the courtroom. 

I highly recommend this book!

The Story Peddler by Lindsay Franklin - Review Plus Giveaway

Title: The Story Peddler
Series: The Weaver Trilogy, Book 1

Author: Lindsay A. Franklin

Publisher: Enclave Publishing

Release Date: May 1, 2018

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Link*: Goodreads 

Selling stories is a deadly business
Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.
During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too.

TO PURCHASE A COPY*

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lindsay A. Franklin is a best-selling author, award-winning editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. She lives in her native San Diego with her scruffy-looking nerf-herder of a husband, their precious geeklings, three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats), and a stuffed wombat with his own Instagram following.

CONNECT WITH AUTHOR:  Website | Facebook | Twitter  | Google+  | Instagram

My Thoughts:

I am a huge fan of debut novels, and Lindsay Franklin's novel, The Story Peddler does not disappoint.
From the time I met Tanwen I entered a world of enchantment and charm.

Could you imagine meeting a storyteller who crafts a story so real that a tangible object is created right before your eyes. Ms. Franklin does just that in the pages of her new novel. She whisked me
away to the land of Tir where rebels, treason, and adventure took me hostage. I found myself completely captivated by the story, along with all of the vibrant characters and creatures. Fluff-hoppers and harried hedge-nibblers, are just two of the creatures I met.

My Bottom Line:

Fantasy is not my go to genre. I was drawn to this story by the cover and the title reminded me of a story I read to my daughters when they were young. With that said this is one of my most favorite of the fantasy novels I have read. Ms. Franklin's world building, character creation, along with creatures reminded me of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I was completely and utterly captivated by the story and I did not want to leave Tir. This book will remain on my bookshelf for my grandchildren to enjoy. I highly recommend it! 

GIVEAWAY

Signed print copy of The Story Peddler

Custom Story Peddler candle from Novelly Yours

Set of five Story Peddler art prints

Custom bookmark

A Story Peddler map print

A fun fluffhopper sticker

Little Women writing gloves from Storiarts

(US Mailing Addresses Only) Full terms & conditions noted on Rafflecopter form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Head over to the tour landing page to see the full schedule
JustRead Publicity Tour Landing Page

Just Commonly

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

First Line Friday - Mother's Day Edition

Well we've made it to Friday, now it's just smooth sailing until Monday happens again. Today the First Line Friday gang at Hoarding Books are doing a Mother's Day edition featuring books with a mother theme. I thought what better way to honor mothers than posting the first line from Havah, the story of Eve, written by Tosca Lee.

About the book:

A single decison has the power to unravel mankind.
Created, not born.
The world's first woman, without flaw, until one fateful choice. Now all humanity must pay for the mistake.
From paradise to exile, from immortality to the death of Adam, experience the dawn of mankind through the eyes of Eve -- the woman first known as Havah.

Tosca Lee has a special for her book Havah for Mother's Day. You can find out about it here.

First Line:

A whisper in my ear: Wake! 

Blue. A sea awash with nothing but a drifting bit of down, carried on an invisible current. I closed my eyes. 

Light illuminated the thin tissues of my eyelids.

What book's first line reminds you of Mother's Day? Let me know in the comments and then go over to the Hoarding Books Blog to see their first line and all the other participants first lines.

I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend celebrating your Mom, and being celebrated whether you're a mom of a fur baby, a cool aunt to a niece or nephew, or a mom to little humans.

Things I Never Told You by Beth K. Vogt - Reviewed

About the book:

Title: Things I Never Told You
Author: Beth K. Vogt
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Genre: Christian Contemporary Fiction

It's been ten years since Payton Thatcher's twin sister died in an accident, leaving the entire family to cope in whatever ways they could. No longer half of a pair, Payton reinvents herself as a partner in a successful party-planning business and is doing just fine--as long as she manages to hold her memories and her family at arm's length.
But with her middle sister Jillian's engagement, Payton's party-planning skills are called into action. Which means working alongside her opinionated oldest sister, Johanna, who always seems ready for a fight. They can only hope that a wedding might be just the occasion to heal the resentment and jealousy that divides them . . . until a frightening diagnosis threatens Jillian's plans and her future. As old wounds are reopened and the family faces the possibility of another tragedy, the Thatchers must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart.

Amazon || Barnes and Noble || Audible || 

About Beth K. Vogt:

God’s best is often found behind the doors marked “Never.”

So many times I approached life with with a virtual roll of yellow duct tape emblazoned with the word NEVER. Over and over again I sealed off certain opportunities.

I would never marry a doctor or anyone in the military.

I would never have children.

I would never write fiction.

And don’t you know God stripped off the duct tape and walked me through each of those NEVER doors?

Have you ever marked a door NEVER … only to discover his best waited where you said you’d never go?

Following God through that door doesn’t mean we’re on “easy street,”‘even though we’re where he wants us to be.

My Thoughts:

Beth K. Vogt’s new release The Things I Never Told You is reminiscent of Jodi Picoult. So, if you are a fan of Jodi Picoult then you will love this book!

I don’t have sisters except for the close friends I’ve chosen as sisters, however, I raised three girls and have seen the dynamics of sisters for thirty years. They can’t stand each other one minute, love each other the next, won't talk to each other, but bottom line they are each other’s best friend and secret keepers. 

Ms. Vogt shows the true push and pull between sisters. In addition to showing people and relationships are like individual pieces of a mirror alone yet when formed together make a beautiful colorful mandala like one you’d see in a kaleidoscope.

Each of the sisters are complex, dealing with real life situations that could happen to anyone of us. The supporting cast of characters complete the family dynamic. The story moves along at a nice pace revealing bits and pieces of the plot that keeps you guessing until the last page.

My Bottom Line:

This book is about relationships, tragedy, pain, and forgiveness not only of others but of self. The story just grabbed me from the beginning and I became completely immersed into the lives and stories of the characters. There were moments that made me think, when I wanted to throw the book against the wall, cry, and yes laugh. 

Things I Never Told You has everything that makes women’s fiction readable and engaging. 

Highly recommended!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.