Review of If I Were You by Lynn Austin

---

About Lynn Austin

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Hope College and Southern Connecticut State University to work as a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.

From bestselling and eight-time Christy Award–winning author Lynn Austin comes a remarkable novel of sisterhood and self-discovery set against the backdrop of WWII.

1950. In the wake of the war, Audrey Clarkson leaves her manor house in England for a fresh start in America with her young son. As a widowed war bride, Audrey needs the support of her American in-laws, whom she has never met. But she arrives to find that her longtime friend Eve Dawson has been impersonating her for the past four years. Unraveling this deception will force Audrey and Eve’s secrets—and the complicated history of their friendship—to the surface.

1940. Eve and Audrey have been as different as two friends can be since the day they met at Wellingford Hall, where Eve’s mother served as a lady’s maid for Audrey’s mother. As young women, those differences become a polarizing force . . . until a greater threat—Nazi invasion—reunites them. With London facing relentless bombardment, Audrey and Eve join the fight as ambulance drivers, battling constant danger together. An American stationed in England brings dreams of a brighter future for Audrey, and the collapse of the class system gives Eve hope for a future with Audrey’s brother. But in the wake of devastating loss, both women must make life-altering decisions that will set in motion a web of lies and push them both to the breaking point long after the last bomb has fallen.

This sweeping story transports readers to one of the most challenging eras of history to explore the deep, abiding power of faith and friendship to overcome more than we ever thought possible.

 Purchase on Amazon



MY REVIEW


Eve, a scullery maid to a wealthy family in England and Audrey, a member of the family become close friends even though Audrey's mother forbids it. When the war breaks out they decide to enlist together. It's worse than they could have ever imagined.

Mistakes are made by both women. Eve compounds hers by sinful behavior. She has turned away from God but believes she is being punished and God has rejected her.  Can she obtain forgiveness?

The story is full of betrayal, guilt, and deception. Friends drift apart worried that their relationship of being more like sisters, will never be the same. Lives are shattered, but can they be saved?

The relationships are very real and the backdrop of the war was very well researched. It is one of the best historical novels I've read this year. The story evoked many emotions as I lived through the characters in the book. I had tears in my eyes at one moment and laughed at Eve's behavior the next.

The author's writing style was easy to read and I can't wait for the next novel to come out. Highly recommended and one of my favorite authors.

I won this book in a giveaway on Goodreads and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Kentucky Bride Blog Tour & Giveaway by Caryl McAdoo

About the Book

Book:  Kentucky Bride
Author: Caryl McAdoo
Genre:  Historical Christian Romance
Release Date: June 9, 2020

A Country Divided…And so is her heart.

Some might say you can’t be too fussy when almost every unattached young man is off fighting for Southern freedom, but that shouldn’t mean a rebel’s daughter has any business with a Union soldier. Forbidden love never created greater battles than Gigi’s unexpected love for a Union soldier.

A dashing Rebel Soldier. The daughter of a Federal Soldier. How will they overcome the odds and a war to be together? Find out in this twist on Romeo and Juliet.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory and her best-selling stories—over fifty published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen to YouTube. 

Sharing four children and eighteen grand sugars with Ron, her high-school-sweetheart-husband of over fifty years, she lives in the woods south of Clarksville, the seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoo's wait expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl

It thrilled me to be a part of the North and South Collection series, thirty-seven titles by seventeen authors project headed up by Christine Sterling Bortner. One reason is that my husband and co-writer has always been a Civil War buff, and the other because it’s such a huge undertaking. I’m actually writing two titles, Kentucky in 1861 and Nevada in 1865.

The stories are broken up by the years (1861-1865) and then the years divided into the states or territories (37 in all) as to when its most major event happened. So, if a reader stays with the series, one releases every other week, they will enjoy a chronological overview of the Civil War.

This story, Kentucky Bride is set near Bowling Green where the Confederates first set up their area headquarters. Twenty-thousand men descended on the city of seven hundred. Nearby, General Hindman with fifteen hundred men that included the 8^th Cavalry Regiment from Texas, a group of Texas Rangers who’d joined the effort. Of course, I had to have a Texan as a hero! 😊

My heroine is eighteen-year-old Gardenia Gladiola Garland who helps her grandfather in the family business as her papa, brother, and uncle were gone. They’d joined the Union Army several weeks before. She hates the flowery name her mother pinned on her almost as much as the war and insists on being called Gigi.

My Texas Ranger hero, Ephraim Edward Kerns is sent to meet a supply wagon and it surprises to find such a lovely young woman mule skinning. He ties his horse to the back of the wagon and takes over for her, falling in love with her intelligence, beauty, and determination practically at first sight.

This Texas author hopes readers will love these two young ones, and I’m always “Praying my story gives God glory!”

My Review

Set in 1861, Bowling Green, Kentucky, the storyline was kept in character with the Civil War and the hard times surrounding it.

Due to her grandfather becoming ill on the trip running supplies to the confederates, Gardenia Gladiola meets Ephraim Kerns who is a Texas Ranger. There is a sweet romance blooming, but can it sustain even during wartime and through her mother's disapproval?

A heart-warming story of trust, faith, hope, and courage.
I received a copy of the book from the author and voluntarily choose to review it.

                              

                             Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, July 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 10

Inklings and notions, July 11

For Him and My Family, July 12

Novels Corner, July 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 13

For the Love of Literature, July 14

Pause for Tales, July 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 15

Older & Smarter?, July 16

She Lives To Read, July 17

deb’s Book Review, July 18

Bizwings Blog, July 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 19

Betti Mace, July 20

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 20

KarenSueHadley, July 21

Artistic Nobody, July 22 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Connie’s History Classroom, July 23

To celebrate her tour, Caryl 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/fe19/kentucky-bride-celebration-tour-giveaway

Welcome Author, Diane Yates Q & A

Diane Yates writes inspirational romantic fiction and nonfiction. Her Fate Series, published by Forget Me Not Romances an imprint of Winged Publications, begins with Melissa's Fate and continues with Impossible Fate. The third book in the series will release in the near future.

Diane is the author of two biography/memoirs, Pathways of the Heart and All That Matters, published by W&B Publishers.

She has served two terms as President of Ozarks Writers League and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writer's Guild, Boonslick Creative Writers, and Clean Fiction Writers.

She teaches writing workshops and has spoken at various organizations. She and her husband, Rick, work in youth and adult ministries in their church, where she writes plays and skits as well as Sunday School curriculum and Bible studies. She has three children and eight grandchildren who are the crown of her life. 

Check out her website at www.dianeyates.com for her schedule and contact information.

Author Links

Website 

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Blog 

Amazon author page

Amazon link for Melissa’s Fate

Amazon link for Pathways of the Heart.

Amazon link for All That Matters


Q & A
Tell me about yourself. What got you started writing?

My English eighth-grade teacher tried to persuade me to take my writing more seriously. Even until my adult years, whenever I would see her, she’d want to know if I’d written a book yet. I started the first creative writing club in my junior high school and worked on my high school newspaper.

After marrying and raising three children, I finally wrote my first novel in my early forties. While my mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, napped in the afternoon, I rested in front of my personal computer and lived in the imaginary world of my characters. I felt empowered because I was the one creating their destinies; finally, something of which I was in complete control!  

How did you come up with your book ideas? What inspired you?

 My husband and I went to Israel last October and were forever touched by the Jewish culture and people for the most part who haven’t embraced Jesus as the Messiah. Impossible Fate is the second book of the Fate Series which is about the Drake Family. The first book takes place in the nineties in New York City and Connecticut, so I knew I wanted to continue the series with a member of the family who has grown up in that time. Enter David Drake, the precocious, caring second-grader sitting on the school bus on 9/11. 

When it stopped to pick up the new girl, she climbed aboard and sat next to David. The next thing I knew, she was Jewish! They grew up together with her parents forbidding them to be together, but God had other plans. It appeared there was no world where the two of them could exist together, but God can make a way when there seems to be no way.

What was the most difficult part of writing this book? How did you overcome this difficulty?

Since I’m not Jewish, I had a lot to learn about the belief and passion Aliyah’s family had for God and their religion. Her parents objected to Aliyah’s relationship with David, but they loved their daughter. I had to see things from their point of view and empathize with what they were feeling. 

Who is your favorite character from the novel? What about them makes them your favorite?

This is a difficult question. My first answer is Aliyah because she speaks her mind. She’s adventuress and at the same time obedient, with the only exception being her love for David. And then there’s David—he’s bright, caring, devoted to God and knows what he wants.   

Do your characters (or message) ever seem to have a life of their own or an agenda?

Yes. Many times, I have an outline or a plan for my characters, and the next thing I know, they are doing something different because of who they are and how they interact with one another. This particular book has a subtle message of not being unequally yoked. 

 How has writing this book impacted you personally?

There is a fire burning within me for the people of Israel, and indeed all people who need to know Jesus.  

How many books do you currently have published? What genres?

I have four books in print. The first two are true stories about a spunky young lady, named Clella. She is the daughter of a judge who falls in love with and marries the son of schoolteacher two months before the Great Depression in the Missouri Ozarks. It’s easy to walk down the aisle and say I do. It’s much harder to live happily ever after. Couples often make mistakes that affect the whole family, but no mother could do more for her husband and children. The family names haven’t been changed in these true stories. She was my mother and I am her seventh child.  

Melissa’s Fate is my first fiction novel. Phil Drake will do anything to save the little girl he didn’t know about, but will he ever forgive Beth? With Phil and Beth at odds, it will take a miracle from God to save Melissa’s Fate.    

What is your favorite thing about writing? Your least favorite?

 I love to create, dream, research, and use personal experiences to influence fictional ones. In my mind, I see my characters, their actions, mannerisms, and inflections. I picture the settings and scenes. Sometimes, when I put it on paper, it doesn’t turn out quite the same.  

What authors in your genres inspire you most?

The first answer would have to be Janet Oke, but I love reading Karen Kingsbury and Francine Rivers. Recently I’ve found some new authors, at least to me, such as Kimberly Grist, Christy LaShea, and Robin Densmore Fuson. 

What would you tell a beginning author that wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

Remember Proverbs 3:5-6. I believe the desire you have to be a published author was put there by God. Whatever He has called you to do, He will give you the ability to do it. You can do it, not by your will but by His might. I know this because you can do all things through Christ. 

As the Drake family story continues, David Drake falls in love with his childhood best friend, Aliyah Zimmerman, but theirs is an impossible love.

They seek to find ways to be together, although her parents forbid their friendship. In middle school, their hearts are shattered when Mr. Zimmerman moves Aliyah and the family to the other side of the world. David and Aliyah lose all connection until college, but by then David is dating someone else.

Is their love still strong? Can David bridge the gap between his Christianity and Aliyah’s Jewish faith in time to save their relationship and prevent her impending marriage or is theirs an impossible fate?

 Purchase

Welcome Christian Author, Stephanie Guerrero Q & A

Stephanie Guerrero has a passion both for living real-life adventures and for the power of writing a redemptive story. She specializes in adventure romance! When not writing, she enjoys hiking, travel, exploring, research, and all things chocolate. Christ is her inspiration in all things. Her husband and four children make "living the adventure" a joy.

On the side, she is co-founder of Sister 2 Sister Women's Ministries and has actively ministered to children or students for 30 years. A member of ACFW and a former educator of middle school reading & writing, she loves to continue to hear from her readers!

Follow her blog today!

https://shadesoftheorient.wordpress.com/

   Tell me about yourself. What got you started writing?

           I have always been an avid reader of Christian fiction and graduated with an education degree specializing in reading, but… When my husband and I got pregnant with our first child, he supported my decision to invest in being a stay-at-home mom. Best decision I’ve made, but my overactive mind needed more than playtime in the baby/toddler years.

          I woke up one day with an idea to start writing my own book. I promised myself I would finish and submit it whether I ever got published or not. Many other things took priority, so it took several years, but I finished it!

     How did you come up with your book idea? What inspired you?

        Promise of Gold was inspired by my great-grandfather who died during the Spanish Flu Epidemic after carrying the workload for all the farm families around his own. At age 37, he left behind seven children. My grandmother was the baby and nearly buried with him since she contracted the Spanish flu as well. This book uses the names of many of my relatives alive during the time period. 

    What was the most difficult part of writing this book? How did you overcome this difficulty?

         When my publisher asked for a book set in the Roaring Twenties, I was excited, anticipating a lively, exciting time. However, in my research, I discovered the root of the “carefree” lifestyles. Between WWI, mumps, measles, polio, and finally the Spanish Flu killing nearly 100,000,000, yes, you read correctly… the Flu ALONE (without the wars or other illnesses) killed nearly 1/5 of the global population. The lifespan of most individuals was 35-45 years! SO MUCH SORROW, that the U.S. developed an attitude of “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you may die!”

          It was difficult to study, but now I see it prepared me for the challenges of today. And there were great times as well… King Tut’s tomb discovery among them! I LOVE Promise of Gold because it showcases the hope!

    Who is your favorite character from the novel? What about them makes them your favorite?

          I LOVE the character of Lillie-Mae because no matter how many times life knocks her down, she just gets back up and chooses to let God grow and lead her. She changes a lot.

         But I have to say that Web Dudley… the hero is truly my inspiration. He NEVER changes! He’s rock steady, always chooses right. He has one major moment when things get to him, and he can be a bit thick in understanding when God is trying to get his attention, (so can I); yet he always does chooses the right path.

      Do your characters (or message) ever seem to have a life of their own or agenda?

         Very much! Though in life I am a fairly organized, detailed person, I LOVE writing by the seat of my pants. It helps characters come to life and change the direction of the story in ways that surprise even me!

    How has writing this book impacted you personally?

          I’ve learned to endure… I’ve learned to look at setbacks as challenges, to have compassion for those less fortunate around me.

     How many books do you currently have published? What genres?

                Currently, I have ten books published with four more coming out in the next 6 months. 

              I’ve written: Historical, Contemporary, Suspense, intrigue, royal romances, billionaire romance, westerns, and more! 

Be watching for:

The Highlander’s Prize- 15^th century historical set in Scotland

Taken By Surprise- A 1900 historical suspense in The Old West

Nutcraker Cottage- A Christmas contemporary set in Colorado

    What is your favorite thing about writing? Your least favorite?
I
                   I get excited when the characters come to life, and I always put some sort of twist just for fun.

What authors in your genre inspire you most?

           Linda Windsor is an amazing author for Irish historical, but she writes great contemporary humor as well.

          Dee Henderson for suspense and personality details

What would you tell a beginning author who wants to publish but doesn’t believe he/she has enough talent?

      Putting your writing out there for critique is like having someone tell you that your precious baby is ugly! It’s okay!

      Some of my favorite authors have been rejected by publishers even after they were published authors of dozens of books. Sometimes, it just takes the right publisher. Don’t be afraid to ask another author for helpful suggestions. Even the toughest ones can make you a better writer, but keep in mind… what one critic hates, another loves. Grow, Learn, Write. The biggest tip…JUST KEEP WRITING!

Thank you for allowing me to share today!

Thanks, Stephanie for sharing with everyone!

All that glitters is not gold’ in the Roaring Twenties, or is it…?

This romantic suspense swirls with glamor and intrigue in a world gone wild.

Amidst discoveries of a pharaoh’s untold riches and a mad rush to develop atomic weapons, Mae Simmons simply longs for someone to see beyond appearances to her heart. Neglected by family, society, and especially the fellas… she feels invisible!

Yet Webster Dudley, captain of the baseball team and heir to Dudley Industries is different. Mae catches his eye. Claiming her in front of his whole social set, he bestows his coveted gold class ring on the social outcast. Too soon, the War to End All Wars rips him far away into the world of industrial espionage, leaving Mae with nothing but his ring and golden promises.

Then her physicist father is murdered for his Atomic designs. 

Forced to enter the silence of protective custody, Mae is invisible again. Can Web see past appearances once more? Time is running out to discover where the promise of gold truly lies.

Purchase

Welcome Christian Author, Debbie Lynne Costello Spotlight & Giveaway

Debbie Lynne Costello 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. She has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children's Director. She loves the Lord and hopes people will be uplifted and inspired by her writing.

Debbie Lynne has shown and raised Shetland Sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys litters now and then. In their spare time, she and her husband take pleasure in camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.

Amazon Profile

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter

Amnesia can numb your pain…

…. unless it gets you killed.

A freak earthquake upends Olivia’s world, while two men claim her love. When her memory begins to return in bits and pieces, Olivia discovers embezzlement. With danger lurking all around her, she must continue the charade of amnesia. But will time run out on her before she uncovers the truth?

Purchase

MY REVIEW

Shattered Memories kept me engaged from the first chapter. The author's descriptions of the city of Charleston after the quake and how the citizens handled the aftermath made me feel as though I was experiencing it with them. The historical aspect of the story made it come alive.

I loved the character of Olivia and her courage to hang on to hope even though the amnesia clouded her judgment. Andrew was compassionate and loving in spite of feeling the love of his life drifting away from him. There were a lot of tense moments between them which created anticipation of what would happen next and kept the suspense going.

Lloyd, on the other hand, was cunning, underhanded, and went to no end to get what he wanted. The perfect villain.

There are beautiful lessons in God's love entwined throughout the pages of the story that make the reader stop and ponder over them. The unfolding love story weaved within the pages in spite of a lot of deceptions, brings forth a wonderful ending that wraps up nicely.

I received the book as a gift and voluntarily choose to review it.




Giveaway

The author is giving away one copy of the winner's choice of her novels/novellas. Print or ebook.  If "Sword of Forgiveness"  is chosen, there is an audio copy available for the giveaway. 


The winner will be chosen from the comments to this post through Random.org.  

Welcome Christian Author, Kathy Ide

Kathy Ide is the author of Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors, Editing Secrets of Best-Selling Authors, and the Capitalization Dictionary and the editor/compiler of the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series.

She’s a professional freelance editor and writers’ conference director. 

She owns Christian Editor Network, parent company to The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network, Christian Editor Connection, The PEN Institute, and PENCON, which she founded.

For more, visit KathyIde.com.



Social media links:
Facebook
Kathy Ide, Author/Editor
Twitter
Twitter Handle: @KathyIde
Instagram
Pinterest 
LinkedIn 
Goodreads 
BookBub 
Amazon Author Page

Successful writers spend a lot more time editing than they do writing. They know that first drafts need extensive revisions to ensure their stories or messages come across clearly and effectively.


In this book, you’ll find a wealth of suggestions from best-selling authors who have studied editing techniques and implemented them in their books, which have touched the hearts and lives of readers around the world.


If you’re an aspiring, beginning, or intermediate writer, this book will help you polish your manuscript and get it ready for publication. If you’re an established author, these tips can help you edit other writers’ manuscripts, either in a critique group setting or as an editorial freelancer.


 Purchase

Fiction Lover’s Devotionals

21 Days of Grace

Christians have long loved devotionals, but today’s Christians are also developing a strong love for fiction. They want to read stories about characters they can relate to, who experience situations similar to their own, and learn from those examples how to live out their faith. For them, life lessons are more easily absorbed this way.

21 Days of Grace fits all of these needs. It is a collection of engaging, inspirational short fiction stories written by new, intermediate, and well-known authors including Angela Hunt, Deborah Rainey, Cindy Woodsmall, Cecil Murphey, Robin Bayne, and more.


Like Jesus’ parables, these stories deal with important life issues in a subtle, unpressured manner. And, as Jesus did, the authors follow up with life applications based on the stories, suggesting how the inherent lessons can be applied to the reader’s daily life.

Purchase

21 Days of Joy
Oh, the joys—and struggles—of motherhood!

21 Days of Joy honors mothers of all varieties. Biological moms. Adoptive moms. Stepmothers. Grandmothers. Godmothers. “Second moms.” Even men who “mother” children when circumstances put them in that position.
Whether you are a mother, have one, or know one, these heartwarming fictional stories will touch your soul and help you see that you are not alone. The work you’re doing will have an impact for eternity. And those rewards will make the trials all worthwhile.

God knows every sacrifice you make for the children He has brought into your life. So take a few moments out of your busy schedule to read this book, and get a glimpse of your daily routine from a divine perspective.

Purchase

21 Days of Love

Love can be found in many treasured relationships: boyfriend-girlfriend, husband-wife, parent-child … with a special friend, teacher, or pet … in the kindness of a stranger. We even have a national holiday to celebrate love.
The greatest love ever known is God’s abundant love for us, His children. And He often demonstrates that perfect love through imperfect people.

These stories represent all kinds of love. Woven through each story is the sustaining hand of our loving heavenly Father. On Valentine’s Day—and every day—whether your life is chocolates and flowers or loneliness and pain … let these stories fill your heart with hope, peace, and most important, love.

Purchase

21 Days of Christmas

Christmas is more than just a holiday. It is a time to recapture the joy and wonder of God’s greatest gift: His Son, Jesus.


21 Days of Christmas will warm your heart with stories about giving, loving, and family. These engaging tales celebrate the hope and joy that make this blessed season unique. At the end of each story, you’ll find an insightful message that will help you discover anew the true meaning of this special time of year. 

So grab a cup of hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick, curl up in your favorite chair beside a picture window overlooking a serene spot, and savor the true meaning of Christmas through these inspirational and encouraging stories.

Purchase