Shelter in the Storm Blog & Review Tour by Laurel Blount

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Shelter in the Storm by Laurel Blount, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Shelter in the Storm 

Series: Johns Mill Amish Romance #1 

Author: Laurel Blount 

Publisher: Berkley Books 

Release Date: May 25, 2021 

Genre: Christian Contemporary/Amish Romance 

In this moving Amish romance, two broken hearts find hope in each other after a terrible loss.

Unspeakable tragedy strikes the Amish hamlet of Johns Mill when an unstable Englischer opens fire in the Hochstedler's General Store. In the aftermath, and under the media's spotlight, Joseph Hochstedler struggles to hold his shattered family together, drawing unexpected comfort from a faithful childhood friend. 

Born with a serious heart defect, optimist Naomi Schrock has always longed to live a life of service. She rolls up her sleeves, determined to help Joseph cope with this terrible crisis. But dare she hope that his friendship will finally deepen into love? 

As the media's obsession with the Hochstedler shooting escalates, Joseph and Naomi find themselves caught between tradition and compromise, lingering sorrows and uncertain hopes. And in the end, two people who've already lost far too much must find the courage to trust their hearts one last time.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub

My Review

Shelter in the Storm is an exciting and emotional read. I was engaged with the characters from the beginning, especially Naomi. Even with her past trials, she went through, she is a compassionate woman holding tight to her faith.

The story is about two Amish people trying to get over tragedy and continue on with a forgiving heart even though tragedy strikes again.

I loved the way the author provided a good picture of Amish life and realize they aren't much different emotionally. They struggle with some of the same issues we do. It's an inspirational story steeped in faith and second chances.

I received a complimentary copy of the book and a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

ALSO AVAILABLE

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carol award-winning author Laurel Blount writes captivating romances full of grit and grace—with characters who’ll walk right off the page and into your heart. She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals. Connect with her at www.laurelblountbooks.com

CONNECT WITH LAUREL: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive an Amish Meets Amazon prize package including a silver Shelter in the Storm bookmark, a hand-knitted dishcloth, a package of Amish church mints, and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. The full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 24, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 31, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

New Release- Louis' Legacy (The Watchmaker's Series Book 2)

 The Watchmaker's Series- Transcending Time & Louis' Legacy

Christian Historical Fiction/Inspirational/Romance

Book 1 Description- 99c or FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Watchmaker, Bastian Andros, carries on the family tradition in Gem City, Illinois in the year 1955. His shop, Transcending Time, located in the historic district of a town steeped in history, is known by locals and tourists alike.

Bastian, a man rich in his faith and chosen by God to fulfill the purpose of using a special oil on timepieces when prompted by the Holy Spirit, now comes to the end of his days.

Bastian’s life has not always been easy and there are secrets hidden in his past that will change lives forever. As they come to light, will hearts finally be healed or become bitter?

Will Bastian’s son, Louis, follow the calling and continue his father’s legacy?

Purchase on Amazon

Book 2 Description- $1.99 or FREE on Kindle Unlimited

After the passing of Bastian, Louis continues to work at the shop. With the addition of his cousin, Alfred, and sister, Victoria, it has been kept a family business. But times are changing for all of them.

A fire that takes away something close to Louis and changes Millie’s life forever, sends them all to their knees praying for a resolution.

A new romance, a mystery that all of them try to help their customer solve, and a long-distance relationship that has everyone saddened are just a few of the hardships the trio face.

Will the New Year bring renewed relationships and answers to prayers? Only God knows.

Purchase on Amazon

Set of Two Books for $2.98

Purchase on Amazon

About the Author

J.E. Grace was born in California but relocated to Missouri in 2000 and now calls the Midwest her home.  She writes in the Christian fiction inspirational, mystery, clean & wholesome romance, and suspense genres.

She is the author of the Pacific Cove Series, Houses of Mystery Series, and The Watchmaker's Series.

You can connect with her at:

Amazon Profile

Twitter

Goodreads

Bookbub

Facebook

At Lighthouse Point Blog Tour & Giveaway by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

About the Book

 

Book:  At Lighthouse Point

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: May 4, 2021

Blaine Grayson returns to Three Sisters Island with a grand plan–to take Camp Kicking Moose to the next level. Her dream starts to unravel when she discovers Moose Manor’s kitchen has been badly remodeled by her sister, Cam, who doesn’t know how to cook. Added to that blow is the cold shoulder given by her best friend, Artie Lotosky, now a doctor to the unbridged Maine islands.

As old wounds are opened, Blaine starts to wonder if she made a mistake by coming home. Little by little, she must let go of one dream to discover a new one, opening her heart to a purpose and a future she had never imagined.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected. With more than one million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the bestselling author of more than 30 works, ranging from novels to non-fiction books to children’s books. Currently, she lives with her very big family in the East Bay.

 

More from Suzanne

10 Curious Facts about Lighthouses

 

People love lighthouses. There’s just something special about those sturdy sentinels with their beacons of light, patiently sweeping the water, their mournful and haunting wail of a foghorn. Longfollow’s poem, The Lighthouse, written in 1850, captured the allure so well:

And as the evening darkens, lo! how bright,
Through the deep purple of the twilight air,
Beams forth the sudden radiance of its light,
With strange, unearthly splendor in the glare!

“Unearthly splendor.” Wow, doesn’t that hit the nail on the head? A lighthouse, to me, represents a spiritual truth: Someone’s watching out for us, looking out for the dangers ahead, and always glad to welcome us home.

Here are 10 facts about lighthouses that you might not know:

 

• THE FIRST KNOWN LIGHTHOUSE was Egypt’s Pharos of Alexandria, Egypt, built in the third century B.C. The lighthouse was made from a fire on a platform to warn sailors of the port’s entrance. This lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

 

• THE OLDEST EXISTING LIGHTHOUSE IN THE WORLD is considered to be La Coruna in Spain that dates from ca. 20 B.C. A Roman lighthouse is located on the Cliffs of Dover in the UK that was constructed in 40 A.D.

 

• THE UNITED STATES IS HOME to more lighthouses than any other country.

 

• THE FIRST LIGHTHOUSE IN AMERICA was at Boston on Little Brewster Island (1716). The first keeper was George Worthylake who, sadly, was drowned, along with his wife and daughter, when returning to the island in 1718.

 

• THE TALLEST LIGHTHOUSE is on Cape Hatteras, NC. Built in 1872, it reached 196 feet tall.

 

• THE FIRST WEST COAST LIGHTHOUSE was built on Alcatraz Island in 1854.

 

• DAYMARKS are the painted colors and patterns (diamonds, spirals and stripes) on lighthouse towers to distinguish them from each other.

 

• LIGHTHOUSE KEEPING was one of the first U.S. government jobs available to women, as far back as the 19th century. Most obtained their position when their husband died or became incapacitated.

 

• THE RANGE OF THE LIGHTHOUSE LIGHT produces a light seen 25 miles at sea.

 

• ABOUT 700 LIGHTHOUSES are still in active use in the United States.

 

As I wrote the third book in the ‘Three Sisters island’ series, I just had to give that little charred lighthouse its day in the sun. It had patiently played a role in the first two books, waiting for its turn on center stage. Not only did its setting provide a very unexpected “WHAT? How did that happen?” conclusion to the series, it even stole the headline! The undisputed title: At Lighthouse Point.

 

Do you have a favorite lighthouse? If so, please add your picture in the comments below. Don’t forget to include its location.

 

Thanks for reading! Stay well, stay home, and read.

Suzanne

My Review

Another great read about life on Three Sisters Island. To complicate things, Paul's father, absent for years due to an alcoholism addiction, shows up for a visit. It's a mystery as to why now.

The story is full of growth, faith, trust in the Lord, and a time to repairing relationships.

The author's descriptions of Three Sisters Island and the surrounding area painted a lovely picture of an unspoiled community. The characters in the book are down-to-earth with strengths and weaknesses affected by circumstances and love. I can't wait to read the next one.

I received a complimentary copy for the author and voluntarily choose to review it.

                               Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, May 11

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 11

Wishful Endings, May 11

The Avid Reader, May 12

Just Writing, May 12

The Write Escape, May 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 12

By The Book, May 13

HappyWhenReading, May 13

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, May 13

Texas Book-aholic, May 13

Inklings and notions, May 14

Cultivating Us, May 14

Blogging With Carol, May 14

Batya’s Bits , May 14

Betti Mace, May 15

Bizwings Blog, May 15

Southern Gal Loves to Read, May 15

For Him and My Family, May 15

deb’s Book Review, May 16

Jeanette’s Thoughts , May 16

HookMeInABook, May 16

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 16

Connie’s History Classroom, May 17

Lighthouse-Academy, May 17

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, May 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 18

Godly Book Reviews, May 18

Daysong Reflections, May 18

Mary Hake, May 18

Artistic Nobody, May 19 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 19

EmpowerMoms, May 19

SusanLovesBooks, May 19

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 20

Older & Smarter?, May 20

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 20

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 21

Simple Harvest Reads, May 21 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Splashes of Joy, May 21

Blossoms and Blessings, May 21

Through the Fire Blogs, May 22

Vicky Sluiter, May 22

Pause for Tales, May 22

Moments, May 22

She Lives To Read, May 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 23

Labor Not in Vain, May 23

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 24

Life, Love, Writing, May 24

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 24

Remembrancy, May 24

                                 Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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

Enter Giveaway

Book Blitz for Let's Talk-Going to the Zoo by Lisa Jacovsky

 

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Let's Talk! Going to the Zoo

By Lisa Jacovsky

Children's Picture Book

Hardcover & ebook, 15 Pages

April 14, 2021

Harper and Emma are two best friends who first met at the pool in the summer. Emma has Autism which affects her speech, but she does not let it slow her down. She has a different way to communicate. Harper learned about Autism and how to communicate with her new best friend. Now the girls are getting ready to go to the zoo for the first time. What animals do you think they will see?

While enjoying the animals Emma becomes excited and flaps her hands, making noises. A group of children come over and begin to point and stare. What do you think Harper does when she sees this group being not nice to her friend? Come find out when you read the next book in the Lets Talk! Series.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Bookshop | Book Depository

Excerpt


About the Author


Lisa Jacovsky currently is a Doctoral Level student at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is excited for the possibilities having her Doctoral degree will bring her. She has been in the field of ABA since 2014 where she began her career working with adults in residential group homes. She moved onto working with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2018 and is currently working in Early Intervention. It is her experience with children that inspired her to finally fulfill her dream of writing a book. Lisa began writing short stories when she was seven years old. Writing is a passion for her and one of the many things she enjoys. Lisa lives in New Jersey where she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and working on the next stories of the Rascal Cat brothers silly shenanigans.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Blitz Giveaway


One winner will receive a signed print copy of Let's Talk! Going to the Zoo and 15 stickers (five of two different illustrations and five of the cover)

Ends May 8, 2021

ENTER HERE

Sword of Trust Blog Tour & Giveaway by Debbie Lynne Costello

 

 

About the Book

 

Book:  Sword of Trust

Author: Debbie Lynne Costello

Genre: Christian Fiction Romance Medieval

Release date: March 15, 2021

 

Deirdre Mackenzie has spent her life hiding from her father and hating the English. However, when she is caught stealing from an English laird, his unexpected kindness begins to melt away her hatred and strums lonely heartstrings longing for love.  Bryce Warwick can’t believe the boy his men caught is actually a young woman. After several attempts to lure the truth from her, he determines she is as deceitful as his late fiancée who nearly cost him his life. But the woman is the least of his worries with the turbulence brought on by threats of another border war and by King Richard’s distrust of the nobles. With the boundary in unrest, Bryce entertains a Scottish chieftain unaware it is Deirdre’s father, seeking peace for his people. Fearful that her father will discover she is alive, Deirdre steals Bryce’s signet ring, hoping a missive from the laird will keep her father away. But when the ring is used instead for treason, she realizes too late she’s been betrayed and Bryce will hang for the crime. With old wounds that need to heal and adversaries who could end their chances at true love, both must learn to trust in a way they never knew possible.

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

This is my first Medieval period read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was drawn into the story right away. The characters are engaging and the storyline brings forth a wonderful combination of English and Scottish tradition. Some of the characters were uplifting and had a strong Christian faith, while others are lead by darkness.

I loved the charm of the time period and the vivid details of their surroundings. An unusual union between two people who had to learn a valuable lesson of trust and forgiveness before love could blossom.

Highly recommended. A charming and well-written story that will leave you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't put it down.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

 

Debbie Lynne Costello is the author of Sword of Forgiveness, Amazon’s #1 seller for Historical Christian Romance. She has enjoyed writing stories since she was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina with their 4 horses, 3 dogs, a miniature donkey, and 6 peking ducks.

 

More from Debbie Lynne

It is my desire as an author to draw my readers into my story so they feel invested in the hero and heroine and part of their journey, whether it is set in 19^th Century Charleston, South Carolina or 14^th Century Northumberland, England. One of the ways I love to do this is with professions, hobbies, and cooking. In Sword of Trust my heroine, Deirdre has become quite proficient with a bow and arrow. She’s had plenty of practice and is driven to be the best, perhaps to prove to herself because she is a lass in lad’s clothing. The longbow was a popular weapon in the Middle Ages and was used in battle in The Hundred Years’ War. But the bow was not just a weapon of war, the bow was also a weapon for food. And Deirdre loves to hunt with a flat bow. In her excitement she runs into a wee bit of trouble with the king. Some trivia for you: Because of its elasticity, the yew tree was used in making the longbow. Even after firearms were introduced the longbow continued to be used for battles. And due to its popularity, by the end of the sixteenth century, mature yew trees were nearly extinct in Northern Europe.

 

Unfortunately, I can’t really give you instructions on bow making or lessons on how to shoot accurately. Instead, I’m going to share a recipe for the medieval treat, gyngerbrede. In Sword of Trust, Bryce gets his cook to make gyngerbrede. He fills a bag with them and takes them north to the Scottish borderland to hand out to the children. Sweets have been loved for thousands of years. Today we know that sugar is bad for us. Regardless of that, we still crave the empty calories. Some things never change. Here is a wee bit of fun trivia for you. During the first century in some countries, sugar was only used for medicinal purposes and thought to heal many ailments.

 

Gyngerbrede

Ingredients

1 loaf of wheat bread, grounded into breadcrumbs

1 cup of honey

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp black pepper

 

Preparation

In a medium to large pan, bring your honey to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the foam that collects on the top and sides. Add your cinnamon, ginger, and pepper. Stir well. When your spices are mixed in the honey begin adding your bread crumbs one cup at a time. Mix well and then knead it thoroughly. You can divide your dough up into quarters to make it easier to work with and roll out. Cut them into 1” squares. Dust the squares with a mixture of one part cinnamon and two parts sandalwood.

                              Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, April 23

Britt Reads Fiction, April 23

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, April 24

Connect in Fiction, April 25

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 26

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 27

Connie’s History Classroom, April 28

Bizwings Blog, April 28

deb’s Book Review, April 29

Simple Harvest Reads , April 29(Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, April 30

Betti Mace, May 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 1

Texas Book-aholic, May 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 3

The Book Chic Blog, May 3

Pause for Tales, May 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 5

Mary Hake, May 5

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 6

                                 Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Debbie is giving away the grand prize of a smartwatch!!

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

Enter Giveaway

New Release- Transcending Time (The Watchmaker's Series Book 1) by J.E.Grace

 

Transcending Time (The  Watchmaker's Series Book 1)

Christian Fiction/Historical/Inspirational

Published: April 14, 2021

Available FREE on KU or 99c special pricing!

Watchmaker, Bastian Andros, carries on the family tradition in Gem City, Illinois in the year 1955. His shop, Transcending Time, located in the historic district of a town steeped in history, is known by locals and tourists alike.

Bastian, a man rich in his faith and chosen by God to fulfill the purpose of using a special oil on timepieces when prompted by the Holy Spirit, now comes to the end of his days.

Bastian’s life has not always been easy and there are secrets hidden in his past that will change lives forever. As they come to light, will hearts finally be healed or become bitter?

Will Bastian’s son, Louis, follow the calling and continue his father’s legacy?

Purchase on Amazon

  

J.E. Grace resides in the Midwest and retired from a career in real estate in 2012 to pursue her writing. Her interests include poetry, painting in traditional oils/pastels, digital art, and photography. Her work can be viewed on Society 6, and Zazzle. She runs Bizwings Blog where she showcases other Christian and/or clean and wholesome writers.

Her writing has spiritual overtones due to deep roots in her faith. She writes in the Christian inspirational and mystery/suspense genres.

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads

Bookbub

Twitter

Facebook

Review of Death And A Crocodile by Lisa E. Betz

 

Award-Winning Author Lisa Betz Pens Debut Novel

Publisher- Crosslink Publishing

“Everything I love in historical fiction―a feisty heroine, a fascinating setting, and mysterious goings-on. Betz’s story is an intriguing journey into ancient Rome, with a character facing challenges similar to our own.” --Tracy Higley, historical fiction author of The Incense Road

Reading, PA– Award-winning author and professional writer Lisa Betz spins a fast-paced, humorous mystery set in ancient Rome in her debut historical novel, Death and a Crocodile, the first in a new series, now available from CrossLink Publishing.

Betz, a former engineer turned writer who runs the popular blog, Live Intentionally, and manages a community of writers at Almost an Author, weaves together eccentric characters, historical details, and an unrepentant, sausage-snatching cat to keep readers guessing.

“When I first began to dabble with writing, I thought I wanted to write middle-grade fiction,” says Betz. “It was only recently that I decided to attempt writing a historical mystery. I would have never guessed five or ten years ago that I would enjoy writing a mystery series with a snarky female lead.”

In Death and a Crocodile, Betz takes readers inside Rome, 47 AD, shortly after the time of Christ. At this time in history, sensible women don’t investigate murders, but Livia might not have a choice. When Livia’s father dies under suspicious circumstances, she sets out to find the killer before her innocent brother is convicted of murder. She may be an amateur when it comes to hunting dangerous criminals, but she’s determined, intelligent, and not afraid to break a convention or two in pursuit of the truth. Livia and her spunky maidservant, Roxana, pound the ancient Roman pavements in search of the killer, with the help of a reluctant lawyer, a lovelorn merchant, and a handful of loyal servants.

Livia’s also adopted a radical new faith that encourages her to believe a woman and a handful of servants can solve a murder. Can she uncover the culprit before powerful men realize what she’s up to and force her to stop? Or will her snooping land her in deadly peril?

While writing, Betz drew inspiration from her 35 years of leading Bible studies and hopes to both entertain and encourage her readers through her books. She started her writing journey more than 25 years ago, when she was looking for something new and creative to try while raising small children. A class in creative writing sparked her interest, but she never dreamed that class would be the first step to a career as a novelist.

“Books can bring light by showing us things we didn’t know before or clarifying what used to be confusing,” says Betz. “Books can expand our universe in many ways, taking us into the lives of people in different cultures, different lands, different times, different societies. Books are powerful because they can change lives.”

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa E. Betz worked as an engineer, substitute teacher, and play director before becoming an award-winning mystery writer. She draws inspiration from thirty-five years of leading Bible studies to create fast-paced mysteries set in the first-century world of the early church.

Lisa brings her analytic mind, quirky humor, and creative soul/unconventional mindset to all she writes. She is passionate about inspiring others (real and fictional) to become their best selves, living with intention, authenticity, and purpose.

In addition to historical novels, she has written humor articles, over seventy drama sketches, one full-length play, and a short non-fiction book. Her first mystery novel was a finalist in the ACFW Genesis contest and Death and a Crocodile received the gold medal in the mystery/suspense category from the Illumination Book Awards.

She serves as Managing Editor of Almost an Author, a website by and for writers, where she also writes a monthly column called “The Intentional Writer.” She enjoys speaking to groups large and small on topics related to Roman history, writing, intentional living, and faith. When not writing, or speaking, she can be found volunteering at The Village Library of Morgantown or experimenting with ancient Roman cooking.

She resides in Pennsylvania with her husband of thirty-plus years and a rambunctious cat named Scallywag who may be the inspiration for the unrepentant, sausage-snatching Nemesis.

For more information on Lisa, visit www.lisabetz.com

MY REVIEW

Death and a Crocodile is a breath of fresh air compared to most historical fiction I have read. The author was able to take the Roman culture, a feisty heroine with a newfound love for Christ, and the courage to investigate the death of her father and combine it into a riveting who-done-it. I couldn't put it down and was hooked from the beginning.

The story is filled with mystery and intrigue that kept me continuously guessing. Livias' maid, Roxanna, was quirky with a sense of humor which Livia found amusing. The addition of Roxanna's cat, Nemesis, and his thievery kept me entertained.

I enjoyed following Livia's Christian beliefs and how she practiced kindness in spite of having to hide her faith most of the time. The ending wrapped up everything nicely and I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed reading about Biblical times mixed with outstanding characters who possess courage and conviction.

I received a copy of the book from the author and willingly choose to review it. All opinions are my own.