Thursday, December 20, 2018

CHRISTMAS DVD BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY!



Christmas Break-In:

Today was supposed to be one of the best days ever for nine-year-old Izzy Rush. But now, on the last day of class before Christmas break, she has been left alone at school. To make matters worse, the biggest blizzard this town has ever seen is blowing and snowing full force. Which is why three bumbling crooks on the lam decide to take shelter in the seemingly empty school. When Izzy discovers that the criminals are holding her friend Ray, the school custodian, she decides it’s up to her to save the day. But what can a nine-year-old girl do? You’d be surprised!  

Christmas Break-In Trailer (downloadable)

Christmas Break-In Screener
Password: CBIKOAN


To purchase at Amazon go here.

Christmas Apron:
The children in Millie’s family can’t wait for Grandma to arrive with her special Christmas apron. According to tradition, each grandchild will write down the gift he or she wants most in the world, and then slip that wish into the apron’s pocket. Then, on Christmas morning, those wished-for gifts will be magically waiting under the tree. But then eleven-year-old Millie overhears her parents: the family can’t afford gifts for all the little ones. She pictures the disappointment on her siblings’ faces: nothing to open on Christmas morning. Is Millie willing to sacrifice her own whole-soul wish so that someone else’s can come true? Full of tender emotion and delightful surprise, this story reminds us of the miracles that unfold when we think of others before ourselves.

Christmas Apron Trailer  (downloadable)

Christmas Apron Screener

Password: SeagullApronCovenant
To purchase at Amazon go here.


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Thursday, December 13, 2018

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: From Ash and Stone by Julie Daines


ABOUT THE BOOK

Lady Margaret Grey of Hartfell wants for nothing. The daughter of a knight, she has a loving family, wealth, and even a secret romance with the blacksmith's son. But all that is torn from her one fateful night when her home is attacked and her family killed. She is left with nothing but bitterness, an unwavering mistrust of men, and a strange and mysterious curse that allows her to feel the thoughts of anyone who touches her.

Now, after six years away, Margaret is returning home for one reason: revenge. She hopes that by avenging her family's deaths, she will somehow be freed from her curse. But it won't be easy. the identities of the raiders are still unknown, she has little left to her name, and traveling alone in the Northumbrian hills during the border wars is dangerous. Matters are further complicated by handsome Angus Robson, a Scotsman whose charm threatens to distract her from her plans. But the raiders are closer than she knows, and Margaret soon realizes that what she believed to be a curse may be the key to finding those she seeks. One touch will reveal the truth.

REVIEW

Daines has presented the reader with an interesting sort of tale in this book.  While the majority of the book revolves around a young lady out for revenge for the murder of her family, the author adds just a touch of fantasy to the story that adds an intriguing layer of depth.  Margaret is full of anger and hate after having her family murdered and her life ripped away from her.  The addition of a curse that forces her to avoid touching people makes things more difficult.  She prefers not to be able to feel the thoughts of those around her, especially when a nasty headache inevitably results.  But in her quest to find those responsible for her families' deaths she discovers an unexpected benefit to her curse.  But falling in love with a Scotsman isn't in her plans and so she resists Angus Robson's charms, especially once she learns of his family troubles.  But will her search for revenge rob her of that which is of most worth in her life? Or will she find a way to be rid of her curse forever.  This story is certainly an intriguing one what with the curse that leads Margaret to understand others thoughts.  That would be challenging for sure.  Margaret and Angus make for interesting characters as they both wrestle with their feelings for each other at the same time they are trying to deal with their family problems and the obstacles standing between them. 

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*Dec. 14th: https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/


 

Thursday, December 6, 2018

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Wager for a Wife by Karen Tuft


ABOUT THE BOOK

William Barlow's life has been forever altered: his estranged father is dead, and William has inherited the title of Viscount Farleigh. Along with the title comes a neglected estate, an enormous amount of gambling debt, and one astounding acquisition that will turn William's world upside down . . .
It is her first London Season, and Lady Louisa Hargreaves could not be more pleased. She has attracted the attention of the Earl of Kerridge, and the two are on the cusp of an official betrothal.

That is, until she learns of a generations-old family debt: her grandfather gambled her hand in marriage and lost, and now Louisa must pay the price. She will marry not the earl but a man she just met, who has taken her freedom in one fell swoop. Even as she struggles to understand the handsome and aloof man she is to wed, Louisa is irresistibly drawn to him—and he to her. But she soon realizes he is harboring secrets, and as her wedding day approaches, she must discover what her future husband is hiding before she makes the gravest mistake of her life.

REVIEW

Karen Tuft has written another charming regency romance that has some depth to it. As a prequel to The Earl's Betrothal it was fun to read about previously known characters, Louisa and William.  As the author explains in her author's note, she just felt like the two characters deserved their own story, and I have to agree.  The romance between the two doesn't start off real well though, since William shows up just as Louisa is about to get engaged to someone else.  And Louisa isn't happy that her grandfather gambled away her hand in marriage.  There is attraction their as the two start to get to know each other, but Louisa is frustrated with William's aloofness.  As the day for their marriage approaches, neither one is sure they can go through with it.  A thoughtful story about the damage that one person's actions can do and the hope and love required to heal it.

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*Dec. 7th: https://brightlystreet.com/, https://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://www.kindleandme.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/


 

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Glorious Truths About Mary, Mother of Jesus by Susan Easton Black


ABOUT THE BOOK

Throughout the world, millions of devout followers of Christ look to the Virgin Mary as a sacred figure, a woman to be revered and worshiped. While Latter-day Saints do not worship this chosen vessel of the Lord, we do esteem Mary as one of the most influential people in history. Her faithfulness changed the course of the world, but even so, much detail of her life remains unknown to most. In Glorious Truths about Mary, Mother of Jesus, readers are invited to join distinguished LDS scholar Susan Easton Black on a journey of discovery spanning the life and legacy of this unparalleled faith-filled giant. Discover, through scriptural and historical sources, the compelling look at how Mary, mother of Jesus, has been characterized over the centuries and the true story and lasting influence she has had—this woman whose incomparable example continues to guide and inspire religious women today.

REVIEW

Coming soon!

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE



Thursday, November 15, 2018

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: The Truth about Miss Ashbourne by Joanna Barker

9781524407520

ABOUT THE BOOK

Governess Juliana Ashbourne has dreams reaching far beyond the confines of her current position, hoping to someday establish her own school for girls. When she inherits a fortune from her late grandfather, she is shocked to learn that “someday” may soon be within reach. However, there is one condition: she must spend a month at the estate of Havenfield—with the very family who disowned her mother. Intent on securing the money she needs to start her school, Juliana accepts the invitation, vowing to guard her heart against those who shunned her all her life.

But Havenfield is far from what she expects. She discovers a grandmother seeking forgiveness, a cold and disapproving aunt, and a painfully shy cousin. And then there is Mr. William Rowley. Though the heir to the estate is a merciless tease, Juliana finds in him a friend and confidant—and perhaps something more. As she struggles to make sense of her new place in the world, her stubborn independence clashes with a yearning to belong and the even more confusing desires of her heart.


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Thursday, November 8, 2018

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: The Gem Thief by Sian Ann Bessey


ABOUT THE BOOK

Gracie Miller is a small-town girl who has landed her dream job in New York City. As jewelry designer for one of the most prestigious jewelers in the world, she completed a particularly stunning piece, a custom setting for a large pink diamond. But when her billionaire client Mrs. Katsaros comes to repair a minor issue with the setting, Gracie is horrified to realize it is not the ring she created. Someone has forged her design, and the priceless diamond is gone.

Mrs. Katsaros has no desire to bring media attention to the jewelry heist, so she recruits her nephew, Quinn, and his FBI agent friend, Steve, to do some sleuthing off the record. When they discover that the missing ring is just one of many forgeries in the widow's collection, they look to Gracie for help. They need her to act the part of Quinn's fiancée. From the lights of New York to the shimmering islands of the Mediterranean, Gracie is swept into a thrilling hunt. But amid the search for the elusive thief, she and Quinn find themselves increasingly distracted by their growing feelings for each other. What neither realizes is how close the danger lies and how serious the vendetta is—because, apparently, it is worth killing for.

REVIEW

My life has been so crazy lately that I haven't had time to finish this book.  But I've enjoyed what I've read so far.  Bessey has a knack for creating sympathetic characters along with interesting plotlines.

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*Nov. 9th: http://www.iamareader.com/, https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, https://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/


Monday, October 29, 2018

UPCOMING FILM SPOTLIGHT: THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN 2: FIRE OF FAITH


FILM SYNOPSIS: 
TOSOH2-1-Family Waving.jpgTHE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN 2: FIRE OF FAITH continues the epic true saga of Elder John H. Groberg's missionary adventures in Tonga as depicted in the eponymous Disney-distributed hit film of 2001. Whereas the original movie detailed Elder Groberg's first mission to Tonga in the 1950's as a 19 year-old bachelor, the sequel tells the inspiring true story of his return to Tonga in the 1960's with his wife and five young daughters to serve as President of the Tonga-Fiji Mission.
TOSOH2-4-4.jpg
 Shortly after arriving in Tonga, John's wife, Jean, becomes pregnant with their sixth child, a boy who is born with a serious illness that threatens to end his tiny young life. In fact, the boy is born too weak to be evacuated to another country with medical care sufficient to properly diagnose and treat him. 

TOSOH2-5-6.jpg With their child's life on the line, John and Jean face the ultimate trial of their faith only to find themselves enfolded in the love and prayers of thousands of Tongans of various religions who unite in a nationwide fast for the health of their little boy. Barriers of inter-religious strife are broken down as all unite in hopes of a miracle that will save the Groberg baby boy's life, as well as that of the son of a non-Mormon Tongan minister who has been beaten within inches of death for religious reasons.
Director's message:
When I made the first "Other Side of Heaven" movie 17 years ago, I never imagined it would spawn an Academy Award winning actor's career, nor that it would be distributed in DVD by Walt Disney Home Entertainment.  Neither did I imagine that, all these years later, it would spawn an ambitious sequel.

Like the original film, this new movie tells the true story of Elder John H. Groberg's missionary adventures in Tonga, only this time he is returning with his wife, Jean, and their five young daughters.  His second mission proves just as dramatic and transformative as his first, as does the second  film depicting that mission.  Thanks in advance for watching!
TRAILER
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Thursday, October 11, 2018

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: The Lady of Astoria Abbey by Anita Stansfield


ABOUT THE BOOK

Bess leads a quiet life, intent on easing the burdens of her widowed father. She acts as maid, cook, and assistant in his medical practice—but she is wearied by the thankless work and her father's lack of kindness. And then a miracle happens. Lady Agatha Buxton of Astoria Abbey is seeking a physician for her ailing son, Hugh, and, sensing that Bess is trapped in her situation, offers the young woman a position as nurse. Despite Bess's father's objections, she accepts—and her life is forever changed.

Bess and Hugh enjoy an immediate bond of friendship, which quickly blossoms into love. Despite his dire prognosis, the couple makes the bittersweet decision to wed, embracing what little time they have. Their tender union ushers in a season of both joy and heartbreak, and Bess discovers greater meaning in life than she'd ever imagined. As she's confronted with the sorrow of living without Hugh, Bess finds herself at a crossroads—will she have the courage to trust her heart and allow herself to love again?

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*Oct. 12th: https://brightlystreet.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/


 

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

REGENCY ROMANCE: Promises and Primroses by Josi S. Kilpack


ABOUT THE BOOK

Lord Elliott Mayfield has done his best to take care of his family, first his siblings and now his nieces and nephews. Unfortunately, he sees this new generation moving in the same direction of bad matches and scandalous relationships as the last. In hopes to change their course, he establishes a "marriage campaign" to motivate them to improve themselves through making respectable matches. With his heart in the right place, what could possibly go wrong?

Peter, Elliott's eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young daughters, he simply needs a governess, not a wife. Julia Hollingsworth certainly has the credentials and the experience, but is altogether too young and pretty for such a job. So why can't he stop thinking about her?

Julia loves working as a governess, despite the objections of her mother, Amelia. And as it turns out, Amelia has a lot to say about the Mayfield men—none of it good. But Julia dismisses the rumors of ruined reputations and instead concentrates on helping Peter with his children and his fledgling business in canine husbandry. His kindness and gentleness is endearing—and increasingly attractive.
But Amelia, whose heart was broken thirty years ago by none other than Elliott Mayfield, is determined to prevent any relationship from blooming either between Peter and Julia—or between herself and Elliott.

Hearts and history collide as both couples must face their pasts and decide if risking it all is worth the promise of new love and a new future.

REVIEW

Josi Kilpack has a gift for writing books with a lot of heart.  In this story of 'promises and primroses', the two main characters have no intention of falling in love when they meet.  Peter Mayfield just needs a governess for his two daughters.  And Julia desperately wants a chance to make her own decisions about her future.  When they meet at a job interview, Peter is surprised by the attraction he feels to Julia.  As a result he doesn't hire her.  But after his other options don't work out, he seeks her out of necessity.  When Peter discovers that Julia happens to share his passion for dogs, his attraction to her continues to grow.  But as things continue to develop between them, circumstances beyond their control impact their changing feelings.  Peter's Uncle Elliott has come up with a scheme to fix his families' reputation and it involves encouraging his nieces and nephews to marry well and rewarding them accordingly.  Peter wants nothing to do with it, but his Uncle is determined to see his Peter happily remarried regardless.  In addition, it turns out that Julia's mother and Peter's uncle used to court thirty years ago, and Julia's mother, Amelia, still maintains bitter feelings about it.  Amelia has no intention of allowing her daughter to work for, let alone fall in love with a Mayfield.  With Uncle Elliott's and Amelia's interference getting in the way, will Peter and Julia find a way to make their relationship work?  I enjoyed this book immensely.  The book read easily as all Kilpack's books do.  And her characters, even when doing unlikable things, still manage to be sympathetic and believable.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

BLOG TOUR: Creating Your Forever Family by Rachel A. Sullivan


ABOUT THE BOOK

It has been decades since the family proclamation was first presented to members of the Church by President Gordon B. Hinckley. But despite the passage of time, the counsel provided in the family proclamation is ever more vital in these tumultuous last days. Creating Your Forever Family is an indispensable resource, providing practical application of the nine principles outlined in the family proclamation. Featuring counsel from Church leaders and stories of these principles in action, this book offers ways to incorporate these values into everyday life, from interview questions designed to help kids open up to the game night ideas to fun family dinner conversation starters. Families will be strengthened as each member gets involved in the discussions and applications. Now is the time to fortify families and truly embrace the principles of this great proclamation.

REVIEW

Coming Soon!

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*Sept. 21st: http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Long Journey Home by Sarah M. Eden


ABOUT THE BOOK

From Sarah M. Eden, the USA Today Bestselling author of the Longing for Home series, LONG JOURNEY HOME is a new romance novel set in the beloved world of Hope Springs.


Widowed by war, Maura O’Connor has raised her son alone under the weight of poverty in the unforgiving slums of New York City. That harsh and difficult life has taken a toll on them both. Desperate to save her son from the misery around them, she moves them both to the tiny western town of Hope Springs, where her late husband’s family lives, hoping that the decade of silence between them does not mean she and Aidan will be rejected outright. Her son needs family, and she would endure anything to see him happy.


Ryan Callaghan has worked the land belonging to the late Granny Claire for years, dreaming of one day claiming it as his own. Living in his brother’s home affords him no freedom, no stability, no joy. The arrangement is even harder on his mother, whose health is quickly deteriorating. A risky investment in the land has finally begun to pay off, and he is at last in a position to secure a better future for them both. When use of the home is, without warning, offered to a newly arrived widow and her son, that future is entirely uncertain.


Both Maura and Ryan desperately need the Claire farm, for their own futures as well as those of the loved ones who depend on them. Neither can remain in Hope Springs without the house and land, but only one can claim it in the end.
 
LONGING FOR HOME SERIES

Longing for Home
Hope Springs
My Dearest Love
Love Remains
Long Journey Home

REVIEW

Sarah Eden's Hope Springs series is one of those series that pulls you in and never lets you go.  You can't help wanting to visit again and again.  In this addition to the series, Maura O'Connor discovers that her failing health threatens to leave her son an orphan.  Her desperation leads her out west in search of her dead husband's family.  But she's uncertain of her welcome, not having heard from them in years.  She's stunned to be offered a home to stay in while she figures things out.  But she isn't expecting to be contending for use of the home with Ryan Callaghan who has worked the land around the house hoping to eventually own the place himself.  But as the two get to know each other, feelings start interfering with their efforts to build their own futures.  Eden has once again created a tender story of struggle and despair mixed with hope and love and family.  A wonderful addition to the series.

SARAH'S LINKS


Sarah M. Eden on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahMEden/

TOUR SCHEDULE

Sept 14: Getting Your Read On / Literary Time Out / Singing Librarian Books

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