Review of The Angel of Second Street Blog Tour by Barbara Tifft Blakey

 

 

About the Book

Book: The Angel of Second Street

Author: Barbara Tifft Blakey

Genre: Christian Fiction/Romance/Historical Fiction

Release date: May 1, 2025

How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?

When life is weighed down by challenges, pillars of enduring hope and love are always waiting to be discovered.

Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury thanks to her aunt and uncle. Although Second Street—where women of ill repute ply their wares—is off limits to respectable citizens, her heart of compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo in Eureka. Ida tries to keep secret her forbidden compassion, but someone is watching and will use it against her.

When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady who has been seen on Second Street in the company of a Chinese woman. But how could such a kindhearted, lovely young woman be anything but good? But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where and why she has gone.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

5 Stars

The Angel of Second Street wasn't what I expected; it was much more, with its secrets, historical events, and forbidden love. The vivid descriptions of Eureka and San Francisco, CA, in 1884, had quite a diverse group of characters. The author does a wonderful job describing the darker side of Chinese Immigration and Second Street's "working women" while showing the Christian aspects of faith, love, grace, and forgiveness.

I enjoyed Ida and Blaine's love for each other despite all the challenges they faced. Their holding on to their faith and their desire to help the less fortunate were encouraging and inspiring. The story had me drawn in not long after I started reading and held my interest until the end. There were lots of surprises and twists, but everything wrapped up nicely in the end.

I received a complimentary copy from the author through Net Galley; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

Barbara Tifft Blakey lives in the Pacific Northwest on five wooded acres with Terry, her husband of forty-plus years. She is best known for her award-winning, literature-inspired, language arts program, Total Language Plus, which she created over twenty years ago, and is used by thousands of homeschoolers. Barbara teaches Sunday school and enjoys speaking on various topics to Christian women’s groups. She and her husband have four grown children and five grandchildren. She enjoys camping at the ocean and is an avid soccer fan. During the day-light challenged winter months, she reads, crochets, bakes, and plots her next novel.

 

 

More from Barbara

As the birthplace of my mother, Eureka, California holds a special charm for me intensified by my grandmother’s stories of the area. Every visit I’ve made has encouraged me to dig deeper, to learn more, to experience this small, coastal town’s magnetism.

Its history includes the Wiyot’s massacre on Indian Island which can be viewed from the harbor and the expulsion of the Chinese population from Humboldt County. Carson’s Mansion is the most photographed Victorian dwelling in California, and possibly the United States, built to keep the lumber baron’s loggers employed during a downturn in the timber industry. Because of the numerous brothels, an entire section of Second Street located in the heart of the community was deemed out of bounds for children.

Both hero and heroine in Angel of Second Street are fictional, but my cast of characters includes real-life people such as Reverend Huntington, David Kendall, and Wei Lum and real historical businesses such as Wells Drug Store and Kitty Farris’s Joy Emporium.

I first wrote a version of this story more than a decade ago, but who can argue with God’s timing? Events that happened over 150 years ago feel current in today’s political climate where fear tactics dominate debates and spur regrettable actions. I didn’t set out to make a political statement, only to tell an engaging, thought-provoking love story, but in the midst of relating historical events, a deeper truth emerged as relevant today as it was in the mid 1800s.

I pray you’ll journey with Ida and Blaine through the turmoil of their times and be enriched to face the trials of today with renewed hope.

                    Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 29

Pens Pages & Pulses, May 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 31

Texas Book-aholic, June 1

Stories By Gina, June 2 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 4

Simple Harvest Reads, June 5 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, June 6

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, June 6

Holly’s Book Corner, June 7

Pause for Tales, June 8

Cover Lover Book Review, June 9

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, June 9

Devoted To Hope, June 10

Bizwings Book Blog, June 11

                  Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Barabara is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54231

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Review of New Release- Cocoa's Cranky Halloween by Thomas Nelson

 

This silly interactive story features a grumpy dog who is not thrilled about Halloween: costumes, surprises, and chocolate. Yuck! Follow the directions to help Cocoa find the perfect doggy treat and avoid tricks in this funny board book.

Cocoa’s Cranky Halloween is perfect for

• active toddlers and preschoolers who will love participating in the story;
• embracing the fun of silly costumes this fall season;
• fans of Press Here, Grumpy Monkey, and There’s a Witch in Your Book;
• reading aloud and laughing along at story time and bedtime; and
• a fun Halloween treat to enjoy year after year.

With a shiny cover, zany minimalist art by Beth Hughes, and a treat bag full of humor and doggy antics, this delightful Halloween book for 2-to-6-year-olds will capture your littlest readers’ imaginations as they celebrate the silly-not-spooky side of Halloween.

https://www.amazon.com/Cocoas-Cranky-Halloween-Cocoa/dp/1400251222

My Review

Cocoa's Cranky Halloween is a well-made board book with sturdy, washable pages. Ages 2-6.
The illustrations are large and colorful, capturing a young child's attention, and the accompanying text is written in short, easy-to-understand sentences.

Some book pages have directions to choose something or perform a simple task, making those pages interactive and fun. It's a book that a child will want to hear more than once.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Review of New Release- Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep

 

In 1889 England, Eva Inman finds herself overwhelmed with responsibility. Haunted by guilt over her parents' deaths, Eva struggles to care for her blind sister and manage her family's crumbling estate. With the threat of overdue taxes looming, Eva's situation grows dire until an ancient silver ring is unearthed on her property. Despite local superstitions warning against disturbing the supposedly cursed acres, Eva's need for funds forces her to consider the potential of more buried relics. She turns to Bram Webb, a Cambridge professor of Roman antiquities, for help—only to be reminded of a past she would rather forget.

Bram Webb is under immense pressure to find proof of a legendary Christian Roman settlement in an attempt to conceal his uncle's deteriorating memory from the Trinity College disciplinary board and save both of their jobs. When Eva steps into Bram's office, old sparks fly, rekindling memories that are both fond and painful. The excavation is fraught with challenges from the start, and as Eva and Bram work together with time running out, they must confront their pasts, face the growing attraction between them, and decide whether their love is strong enough to overcome the buried truths that threaten to tear them apart.

Award-winning author Michelle Griep transports you to Victorian-era England with a gripping romance.

To Order on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764242571

My Review

Of Silver and Secrets transported me to 1889 England. Eva, the owner of Inman Manor, along with her blind sister, Penny, gets re-acquainted with Eva's childhood friend, Bram, and his quirky and forgetful uncle. Bram is in charge of the archeological dig site on Inman Manor. The story has a lot of intrigue, suspense, villains, twists, and turns. I love stories that include archaeological sites, so this was a plus.

The author combines historical details and fiction woven at its finest. The story is filled with moments of sadness, fear, faith, and extreme joy, as I turned the pages, not knowing what to expect next. A twist in the story brought me to tears, while the ending was inspirational, filled with faith, and a beautiful romance.

I read the book in one sitting and hated for it to end. It left a lasting impression on me. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via Net Galley; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Review of Lion of Judah Blog Tour by Henry O. Arnold

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Lion of Judah by Henry O. Arnold, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Lion of Judah
Series: The Song of Prophets and Kings #5
Author: Henry O. Arnold
Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Genre: Biblical/Historical Fiction

The new king is crowned in triumph…
But his pride proves to be a fatal flaw…
And from out of his own house calamity falls upon him 

Once a shepherd, a captain, and a fugitive, David is now king. He left behind the dangers of life on the run and embraced the comforts of living in the palace. No longer known as the “giant-slayer,” but as the “lion of Judah,” King David enjoys the popularity and prosperity brought on by his victories. 

But peace in the nation of Israel has a double-edged sword. David’s pride subverts his judgment, and his desires overwhelm his heart leading him down a dark pathway. The king will go to any lengths to cover up his crimes, but disaster falls upon the House of David bringing this broken and contrite king to cry out to Yahweh for mercy.  

Lion of Judah continues the tale of triumph and tragedy, deepest love and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | WhiteFire Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

My Review

I enjoyed reading the story of King Saul, King David, and part of King Solomon's reign. The author did an excellent job of mixing the Biblical accounts with fiction. His descriptions of the events and places made me feel as though I was there watching everything unfold.

King David was filled with too much pride, which led him to give in to his desires. Instead of repenting and asking for forgiveness, he tried to cover it up, which worsened things. Reading his story, I felt lots of emotion. There is a lot of heartbreak within his story from those surrounding him as things got worse. King David's strengths, along with his flaws, were shown throughout the story.

There was a theme of friendship, a richness to some parts of the story, and other parts where betrayal and ruthlessness took over. They were depicted well.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

More In This Series

     

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About the Author

Mr. Henry O. Arnold's career as an actor/author spans over five decades with multiple stage and film credits. He has recorded over one hundred audiobooks and is the author of the Urban Chronicles suspense series and the multi-volume biblical/historical fiction series entitled The Song of Prophets and Kings (available in all formats wherever books are sold). When not writing, he can be found hiking on a trail somewhere in the world. He and his lovely wife Kay have two beautiful daughters, married to two handsome men, with three above-average grandchildren.

Connect with Henry by visiting henryoarnold.com to follow him on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Lion of Judah & $20 Amazon Gift Card plus a print copy of The Mercy Seat, also by Henry O. Arnold!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 2, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 9, 2025. Winners 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Review of Texas Divided Blog Tour by Sherry Shindelar

 

About the Book

Book: Texas Divided

Author: Sherry Shindelar

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: March 25, 2025

He thought he was rescuing her from the Comanche. Now the Civil War soldier must prove he isn’t the villain she thinks he is.

Driven by the looming expectation of becoming a suffocatingly proper lady, Morning Fawn is determined to escape the confines of her uncle’s plantation and return to her adoptive Comanche tribe. But with each failed attempt, her hopes dwindle, and she wonders if she’ll ever find her way back home or if that world is forever lost to her.

Devon Reynolds, disillusioned by the price of affluence and the horrors of war, leaves his privileged life to join the Texas Rangers and later the cavalry. In the military service, he finds purpose . . . until he loses his wife during childbirth while he is away. In an attempt to redeem himself, he takes one last fateful mission to rescue Morning Fawn from the Comanche. But the results force him to question the righteousness of his actions and the cause he serves.
​
When Devon returns to Texas as a Yankee spy, his path crosses with Morning Fawn once more. Determined to save her from the prison of her uncle’s house and to recover Texas from the Confederacy, Devon is drawn to her fierce spirit and unwavering resolve. But can two wounded souls, each fighting their own battles, find solace and love amidst the chaos of war?

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

Texas Divided has well-researched historical details that enrich the story and bring it to life. Vivid descriptions of the activities during the Civil War are woven throughout.

The characters are well-developed, with lots of layers and surprises that caught my attention from the beginning. The love story had its ups and downs, complicated by the war and Morning Fawn's reluctance to conform to her uncle's demands. Her life story is heartbreaking but inspiring because of her courage and determination to make her own decisions.

The story is about the redemption of both main characters, forgiveness, and their belief in God, to not give up when things seemed hopeless. This must-read will keep you guessing how it will end.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

Originally from Tennessee, Sherry loves to take her readers into the past. She is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West. When she is not busy writing, she is an English professor working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is an award-winning writer: 2023 Genesis finalist, Maggie finalist, and Crown finalist. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of thirty-eight years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren.

 

 

 

More from Sherry

The Cotton Road

I loved the opportunity to tie the Texas frontier and the Civil War together in Texas Divided, the second book in my Lone Star Redemption series.

I have been an avid student of the Civil War for a couple decades. However, until I started researching for Texas Divided, I had no clue that the Yankees ever invaded Texas. But they did in November 1863. Why? It was because of cotton. By 1863, the Federal blockade of the Confederate coastline was fairly secure, and Texas became the golden gateway for funding the Confederacy.

Cotton from Arkansas, western Louisiana, and east Texas traveled the Cotton Road. This dusty trail ran from the railroad terminus in Alleyton, TX (about seventy miles west of Houston) by way of King’s Ranch near Corpus Christi to Brownsville and across the Rio Grande to Matamoros, Mexico, the largest cotton market in the world during the war. In regards to commercial activity, it rivaled pre-war New Orleans or Baltimore.

A young teamster wrote that from the watchtower at King’s Ranch, the main stop on the way to Matamoros, he could see hundreds of wagons on the road at one time, a long train of dust rising up as they traveled toward Brownsville and the Rio Grande.

At some points the trail was almost a mile wide due to traffic, and more than one hundred miles of it was desert with no water. Puffs of cotton clung to the sagebrush and cacti along the way and lingered for years after the war.

When the cotton reached Matamoros, it was loaded onto steamboats and/or wagons owned by Mexicans and transported to the mouth of the Rio Grande at the Gulf of Mexico. International ships from Britain, France, and other countries hovered there, sometimes hundreds at a time, waiting to fill their hulls with cotton. And the Yankees couldn’t stop them. If a Federal ship fired on a British, French, Mexican, or ship of another nationality, it could have been considered an act of war.

By 1863, cotton, which had sold for .10 cents a pound in 1860, now sold for as much as $1.89 a pound, and one bale averaged 450 – 500 pounds. The money made on the sale of cotton was the financial bloodline of the Confederacy. For example, in just one week in August, twenty thousand pounds of gunpowder arrived in Brownsville, purchased with proceeds from the sale of cotton.

That’s why the Federal Army invaded Brownsville in early November 1863. Their mission was to stop or at least seriously hinder the cotton trade. Doing so could save lives on the battlefield and perhaps bring an earlier end to the war.

The Yankees reached the city without any resistance. However, they found a meager one hundred and fifty bales on the Texas side of the river and could only gaze at the more than ten thousand bales stacked along the Mexican wharves. The Rebs had moved or destroyed everything of value.

The invasion lasted for several months and forced the Confederates to improvise and find new trails for the cotton shipments, hauling the loads via San Antonio to Eagle Pass and Laredo. Unfortunately, the Yankees only netted a hundred or so bales here and there.

Cotton continued to reign until the war efforts in the East bled the Confederacy dry. But for those few months at the end of 1863, hopes were high, especially amongst the two regiments of Texas cavalry fighting for the Union, Texans who abhorred the Confederacy and who had left Texas to avoid being forced into the Reb army. These men returned with the Federal troops in November 1863 to restore Texas to the Union and wreak havoc on the Cotton Road.

Lieutenant Devon Reynolds is one of these Texans, loyal to the Union, and determined to do his part to rescue Texas from the grip of the Confederacy. Except in his case, he trades his Yankee uniform for that of a Confederate and dons an eye patch, operating as a spy and saboteur. But his life becomes complicated and his mission uncertain when he runs into Morning Fawn, the woman he kidnapped from the Comanche eighteen months before. As far as she’s concerned, he ruined her life by sentencing her to her uncle’s plantation. Can he complete the mission and right the wrong? Texas Divided is a story of redemption, faithfulness, and perseverance. The characters come to an end of themselves and discover that God can make a way where there was no way.

              Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 20

Texas Book-aholic, May 21

Blossoms and Blessings, May 22 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, May 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 24

Artistic Nobody, May 25 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 26

lakesidelivingsite, May 27

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 28

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 29 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 30

Holly’s Book Corner, May 31

Stories By Gina, June 1 (Author Interview)

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, June 1

Bizwings Book Blog, June 2

                Giveaway

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

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54224

Review of New Release: Missing in Texas-Lone Star Defenders Book 2 by Virginia Vaughn

 

Can she crack a decade-old cold case before the murderer silences her?

The moment FBI agent Christy Williams arrives in Mercy, Texas, determined to solve her friend’s disappearance twelve years ago, she becomes a killer’s number one target. Ignoring the threats on her life, she partners with Deputy Mike Tyner, the cousin of one of the chief suspects…and the last person to see her friend alive. As they work to investigate this cold case together, it becomes clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the past hidden. With time running out, can Mike keep Christy alive long enough to find justice for her friend…before a murderer strikes again?

From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.

Lone Star Defenders

Book 1: Dangerous Christmas Investigation
Book 2: Missing in Texas

To Order on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DFQDHCCN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award winning author Virginia Vaughan lives by the motto ‘It’s not hoarding if its books’. Always the kid with her nose stuck in a book, becoming a multi-published author hasn’t stopped Virginia from continuing to grow her own collection of favorite reads. Her family has refused to help her move anymore because of the sheer number boxes of books, but she’s no quitter. She’ll keep buying books and, the next time she moves, hire a moving van.

If you love stories where romance intersects danger and faith, subscribe to Virginia’s email list at https://bit.ly/3NYqzTl and be the first to know when a new story arrives.

My review

5 Star

Missing in Texas is a nonstop action and suspense thriller with wonderful characters and a terrific storyline. Christy, an FBI agent, goes to the town of Mercy to open a cold case and investigate along with a local police officer, Mike. Soon after Christy arrives, her life is threatened, and Mike finds himself in a compromising situation.

The evidence has many twists and turns, and the obvious suspect becomes questionable. Nothing seems to be as it appears. I loved the strength and determination of the main characters and the subtly woven parts of faith throughout. It will have you guessing until the end. I read it in one sitting, as I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Julie

New Release-To Kiss a Knight by Grace Hitchcock

When everything is going right, something must go wrong.

Vivienne Poppy's plans are working out quite well. She's run away from her family and the prospect of a horrid marriage of convenience and plans to spend her time writing under her pseudonym, Lady Larkby. Until she discovers the old Larkby title is not as dead as she thought.


Yeoman of the Guard and recently knighted Sir Sebastian Larkby is stunned to discover a Lady Larkby that he does not remember marrying. Suddenly Vivienne is left with a relinquish her pen name, expose her true identity, and break Sebastian's dying grandmother's heart—or feign marriage to Sebastian to keep the title and fulfill the old woman's wishes.


This witty novel from award-winning author Grace Hitchcock is filled with scandal, mishap, and just the right amount of romance.

Purchase your Copy

MY REVIEW

To Kiss a Knight had everything I love in a historical romance. Vivienne and Bash's wit and playfulness had me laughing many times throughout the story. The building romance was portrayed in a way that made it swoon-worthy, and there was tension due to many circumstances.

Mrs. Larby, Bash's grandmother, was so fun. I loved her attempt to push Vivienne and Bash into displaying their affection for each other, even if it wasn't so. There were a lot of prayers said, and scriptural passages included, which made the story even more endearing. Describing the countryside and the Larby Castle brought the story to life. The adventures, lingering secrets, and Bash's courage and enduring qualities made him likable, despite the secrets.

I read the book in one sitting until early morning. Be sure to schedule enough time, because you won't be able to put it down. It is such an intriguing story taking you back to the days of knighthood. I was still reflecting back on the story after I turned the last page. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Blog & Review Tour of The Shop Down the Lane by Leslie Gould

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Shop Down the Lane by Leslie Gould, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Shop Down the Lane
Series: Letters from Lancaster County
Author: Leslie Gould
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Genre: Amish Romance

Leslie Gould delights in this sweet and humorous Amish romance reminiscent of The Shop Around the Corner and You've Got Mail. 

Lois Yoder has always found solace in the quiet life of Paradise, Pennsylvania, where she manages a gift shop that reflects her Amish community's simple values. Her tranquil world is upended when Moses Lantz, a former Amishman turned Mennonite and the man who broke her heart, buys the shop with ambitious plans to transform it into a tourist hub--a move that Lois fiercely opposes. 

Seeking a distraction, Lois joins a bird watchers' circle letter under an alias. But unknown to her, Moses does the same at the urging of a friend. While their correspondence blossoms into a tender romance, the enmity between Lois and Moses in real life only intensifies. Can they overcome their animosity and embrace the love they've found through their letters, or will their stubborn hearts keep them apart forever? 

This heartwarming Amish romance includes themes of bird watching, correspondence by letters, enemies to lovers, and family secrets for readers of Beverly Lewis, Wanda E. Brunstetter, and Shelley Shepard Gray.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Bethany House | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

My Thoughts

The Shop Down the Lane is an inspiring Amish story. Lois Jane Yoder, an Amish clerk at Paradise Found, enjoys her job and the upstairs apartment. Her life swiftly changes when the shop's owners decide to sell it. Lois finds she has to face someone from her past.

The storyline is filled with uncertainty, secrets, lies, mistrust, second chances, and love. I could feel God's love and influence coming through the pages. The main characters, Lois and Moses, have many layers that evolve throughout the story. I enjoyed following both of them as their past and future collided.

The story was mysterious, with some twists that added tension. I enjoyed the birding references, which added another level of interest. The sweet romance didn't come without complications, and the ending wrapped up everything nicely.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Also Available

   

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About the Author

Leslie Gould is a Christy Award-winning and #1 bestselling author of more than 48 novels, including four Lancaster County Amish series. She holds a bachelor's degree in history and an MFA in creative writing. She enjoys church history, research trips, and hiking in the Pacific Northwest. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon, and have four adult children and two grandchildren.

Connect with Leslie by visiting lesliegould.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of The Shop Down the Lane!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 13, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 20, 2025. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Review of Ruth's Amish Words of Faith by Tracy Fredrychowski

 

Can Ruth Yoder's deep devotion to God and her determination to use the power of her words for healing bring hope and comfort in this inspiring story about an unlikely friendship and a life-changing journey?This heartwarming tale follows Ruth Yoder, an Amish woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she is diagnosed with breast cancer. In the midst of her struggle, she meets Wilma Nettles, a young English school teacher facing the same daunting challenge. Though they come from different worlds, their shared trials forge a bond filled with laughter, love, and an unlikely friendship. Both women will walk a journey of their own. One will walk in faith, the other in fear.

Determined to embrace a summer of healing, Ruth and Wilma decide to take an adventurous car trip to Pinecraft, Florida. Their journey takes them from the quiet, picturesque Amish communities of Pennsylvania to the sunny, vibrant Amish vacation village in Sarasota. Along the way, they find joy in the simplest moments, share stories that bring tears and laughter, and lean on each other for strength and comfort.

Through the laughter and the tears, Ruth's unwavering faith inspires Wilma, and Wilma's vivacious spirit brings light to Ruth's sheltered lifestyle. Their journey together becomes a testament to the healing power of friendship and faith, with Iona also finding clarity about her feelings for Seth Trenton amidst their adventures.

Can this faith-filled woman find the courage to share her heart with her new English friend and pursue healing even when the world tells her there’s no hope?

Ruth’s Amish Words of Faith is the inspirational seventh book in The Amish Women of Lawrence County series of women's fiction novels. If you like spiritual explorations, real-life challenges of emotional bravery, and basking in God's light, then you'll adore Tracy Fredrychowski's exploration of hope.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DB9N9KLB

My Review

This book is like no other Amish novel I've read. The author has put Ruth Yoder, an Amish woman, and Wilma Nettles, an English woman, together for a friendship. Surprisingly, they go on a road trip to Florida together, and it is about to change their lives forever.

The characters are compassionate and understanding, coping with the same circumstances. The story will have you cheering them on, laughing with them, and then crying. It runs the gamut of emotions. Ruth and Wilma have many layers, and you will wonder what will be uncovered next. This story is one of her best and will keep you thinking about it long after you turn the last page. I couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting.

The ending wraps everything up nicely, but not without surprises. This is a wonderful, uplifting, inspiring story filled with faith and God's love.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Julie

Blog Tour of Lizzie's Little Mouse by Anne Blackburne

 

About the Book

 

Book: Lizzie’s Little Mouse (The Heart of the Amish Series Book Eight)

Author: Anne Blackburne

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release date: April, 2025

Lizzie Has Dreams That Won’t Be Deterred

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Ever since attending a wedding in Louisiana, Lizzie Miller has been fascinated by French baked goods. With permission of her parents and bishop, she did a two-year internship in a French bakery in New Orleans. When a local Amish bakery became available, she bought it and opened her own French inspired bakery.

But now someone wants her out of business. During her grand opening, a strange man accosts her, then a brick is tossed through her window wrapped in a note telling her to leave. Someone breaks into her apartment above the bakery, and her cat chases the intruder out.

With the help of her friends, Lizzie will get to the bottom of why someone wishes her to fail. And at the same time, she’ll realize that sometimes dreams can be fulfilled with what—or who—was always close at hand, just waiting to be noticed.

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

This is the first book I've read by this author. I enjoyed the character of Lizzie, who is so independent, caring, and quite determined. She was motivated to succeed despite the threats to close her new bakery.

There is humor, danger, mystery, and an unexpected budding romance. The author did an excellent job of weaving some historical and mystery aspects into the story, keeping me engaged. I like stories with cats, so Little Mouse was a great addition. Made me laugh.

It's an exciting story with lots of twists and great characters with flaws and strengths. I gasped when I read some parts, laughed through others, and thought a lot about "who did it" until the end. It's not your normal Amish story—much more.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

Anne Blackburne lives and works in Southeast Ohio as a newspaper editor and writer. She is the mother of five grown children, has one wonderful grandchild, and a spoiled poodle named Millie. For fun, when she isn’t working on Amish romance or sweet mysteries, Anne directs and acts in community theater productions and writes and directs original plays. She also enjoys reading, kayaking, swimming, searching for beach glass, and just sitting with a cup of coffee looking at large bodies of water. Her idea of the perfect vacation is cruising and seeing amazing new places with people she loves.

 

 

More from Anne

I’m so excited that once again, the amazing bloggers who work with Celebrate Lit are going to do a blog tour for my brand new book in Barbour’s “Heart of the Amish” series, “Lizzie’s Little Mouse”!

Lizzie’s story is available now to readers in print and online wherever fine books are sold, and I feel so blessed to have the help of the Celebrate Lit folks in launching this wonderful story.

If you read either of my previous two books in the series, “Ruth’s Gingersnap Surprise” and “Mary’s Calico Hope”, you’ll remember Elizabeth Miller, their sassy friend with the darling Haflinger pony named Goldie who gave Mary a ride one morning before church services. Elizabeth, or Lizzie, was also mentioned in Ruth’s story as one of the lucky recipients of a kitten from their elderly friend, Lydia’s, cat’s final litter.

Lizzie’s cat is a gray kitty she named Petit Souris, which is French for Little Mouse. Why Little Mouse? Because as a tiny kitten, the darling reminded Lizzie of a mouse!

And why the French name? Well, our heroine is not your typical Amish miss. After attending a wedding in New Orleans as a teen and tasting the amazing baked goods for which the city is renowned, Lizzie began dreaming of opening her very own New Orleans style French bakery – in Ohio’s Amish country!

She loves everything to do with New Orleans, and learned to speak their dialect of French while doing an internship in a bakery there when she was 18. Upon returning home she went to work at the local bakery to learn more about the business, and to save up for her dreams.

As the story opens, we find that Lizzie’s dream has come true! It’s opening day of The Plain Beignet, Lizzie’s bakery in Willow Creek, Ohio. Everyone comes out to wish her well, including friends you’ll recognize from my first two books!

But when something unexpected and frightening happens during the grand opening, it becomes apparent that not everyone is as happy as Lizzie and her friends about her success.

Along with some help from her pals, and her best friend Jane’s handsome big brother, John, Lizzie will get to the bottom of the mystery of who wants to put her out of business, and why!

They discover, among other things, that Lizzie’s bakery was the site of a murder a hundred years before! What could this historic crime have to do with Lizzie’s current problems?

As she, John and their friends search for clues, Lizzie will discover that there’s more baking than her latest batch of beignets!

Could it be romance?

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Lizzie’s story! This book is my third in Barbour Publishing’s series, “The Heart of the Amish”. Look for other great reads in the series from authors Mindy Steele and Lisa Jones Baker.

I’m currently writing my fourth book in the series, which will feature a young woman you’ve met in all my other stories, Jane Bontrager.

Just like her friends, Jane received a kitten from their friend, Lydia; a little brown tabby. Her story, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer”, is due out in early winter 2026. .

I hope you’re having as much fun reading about these remarkable young women – and their kitties! – as I’m having writing about them. Thanks for being part of our journey!

As for me and mine, we are all well and enjoying spring in southeast Ohio. In other words, enjoying the sunshine, but carrying a sweater and an umbrella, just in case!

God bless you and yours!

Joyfully,

Anne Blackburne

                 Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, April 30

lakesidelivingsite, April 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 1

Carla’s Book Crush, May 1

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 2

Vicky Sluiter, May 2

Simple Harvest Reads, May 3 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Texas Book-aholic, May 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 5

Holly’s Book Corner, May 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 6

Stories By Gina, May 7 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 7

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 9

For Him and My Family, May 10

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 10

Bizwings Book Blog, May 11

Lily’s Corner, May 12

Little Homeschool on the prairie, May 12

She Lives to Read, May 13

Cover Lover Book Review, May 13

               Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Anne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon eGift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54209