Dust by Eva Marie Everson ~ Book Review

May 5, 2021

ABOUT THE BOOK

Author: Eva Marie Everson

Genre: Christian Fiction

Release Date: March 23, 2021

Publisher: Firefly Southern Fiction

Can an ordinary life leave an extraordinary legacy? In 1976, when nineteen-year-old Allison Middleton accepts a proposal of marriage from Westley Houser, she eagerly accepts, having no idea the secret Westley carries--a secret that will change Allison's life forever. But Allison rises to the challenge of raising Westley's toddling daughter as though she were her own. Over the course of their lifetime together, Allison, Westley, and Michelle form the strong bond of family. As Allison struggles with infertility and finding her way during a time of great change for women, others--some she knows and others whom she never meets--brush and weave against the fabric of her life, leaving her with more questions than answers. From teen bride to grandmother, Allison's life chronicles the ups and downs of an ordinary woman's life to examine the value of what we all leave behind.

MY THOUGHTS

I hate when I have to write a review on a book that was not my favorite. This was definitely not a book meant for me but I know that it may be for you. This was my first book by this author. I have heard great things about her so this won't be the last book I read by her. I am definitely giving her books a chance this particular one was just not my "cup of tea". I think a big part is that I could not connect to the characters at all. The story is mainly told from Allison's view point. The marriage between Allison and Westley starts out to me as a disaster. After all he is being dishonest with her right from the beginning. Now I completely understand that this is a realistic viewpoint and one we should see in stories to get that redeeming arch. In that respect the author did a great job at making the storyline believable.

Here is where I have issues with the story. This again is supposed to be a Christian Fiction story and there was barely anything that referenced God as a redeeming God. There were many opportunities to bring this up. Yes, there were slight references to the title of the book regarding Genesis 3:19 and also references to youth group and church but this could have been such a powerful book to bring forth a true arch of redemption, hope and strength that we can only gather from God. I also had a HUGE issue with the way that the bedroom scenes are handled. I found that although they are closed door they may have been a bit too racy even in mentioning them.

Maybe I am too much of a conservative christian and for that I will never apologize so for me this book missed the mark. For me this book should not be considered Christian Fiction but rather Women's Fiction. Overall I think the author did a great job at writing a believable story. The beauty of reading is that not one size fits all so I hope you enjoy this book should you choose to read it.

My Rating: 2 Stars/ It was ok

I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eva Marie Everson is a best-selling, multiple award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction. She is the president of Word Weavers International and the director of Florida Christian Writers Conference and North Georgia Christian Writers Conference. She enjoys teaching and speaking at writers events across the US as well as coaching new writers via her company, Pen In Hand, Inc.

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Providence by Jennifer Sienes ~ Book Review + Giveaway

May 4, 2021

About the Book

Book: Providence
Author: Jennifer Sienes

Series: Apple Hill, Book 3
Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction
Release Date: April 13, 2021

How can she forgive a man she isn’t sure she ever knew?

Melissa Bainbridge doesn’t have time to grieve. She has three kids to feed, bills stacked high enough to crush her, and guilt–oh so much guilt.

When her husband’s death is ruled a suicide, her financial stability and identity die with the man she now wonders if she ever knew. How could he choose to leave them like this? How could she have lived with him for 15 years and not known of his fragile mental health?

A journey of discovery reveals more questions than answers until Melissa finally faces her fears and tries to understand the mind of the man she thought she knew and never did.

The journey from despair to hope leads Melissa beyond grief and into the light of forgiveness in Providence.

Click here to get your copy! (Also Available through Kindle Unlimited)

My Thoughts

This is my first book by this author and the first one from this series. This is the third and final book of the series. It read as a stand alone for me as I was not lost while reading it. For me this was definitely not a feel-good story. It deals with the very difficult subject of suicide. I will say the author has an ability to write a story with such a hard subject with total grace. The book takes the characters through a range of emotions but through it all they discover God's love, grace and forgiveness. You experience this story from different viewpoints so you get different perspectives as you are reading. Despite the emotional parts of the book, this is a story of hope.

Overall I thought the author did a phenomenal job at tackling this story, even more so as I read that this a story that is near and dear to her heart. This is a story that was "birthed" (for lack of a better) word from her brothers death. You can tell that she has poured her soul and feelings into this story.

My Rating: 4 Stars/ Excellent Writing

Reviewers Note: This story deals with suicide so if this is a trigger please be aware as you are reading but know that it is full of hope and will touch your heart.

I received this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education, but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing–and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies–two in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.

More from Jennifer

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a novelist. In my naïve mind, it was a romantic endeavor that would take little effort on my part. Growing up, I wrote stories my sisters raved over, and later, stories my kids raved over. I don’t have to tell you, they were an easy audience to please. Still, life happened somewhere in the midst of it all, and I gave up that childish endeavor and became a teacher instead. It might not have been my absolute dream job, but it was second-best, and I figured the pay would be much better.

It wasn’t until years later, when my husband encouraged me to step away from teaching for a year to try my hand at writing. I was thrilled. A whole year to explore my potential as a novelist. The only problem was, I didn’t know what to write about. Over the next several months, I spent more time working in the yard and repainting the interior of the house then I did at my computer. That blank screen was just too daunting.

Then I lost my childhood hero and best friend to suicide. Michael was my Almost-Irish-Twin. I say almost, because I was born three weeks too late to make it official. He and I spent most of our childhood attached at the hip. I don’t know if I hung out with Mike because I was a tomboy, or if I was a tomboy because I hung out with Mike. I taught him the alphabet and how to tie his shoes (it’s true—most girls do advance faster than boys) and he taught me how to catch frogs and fish.

We got into all kinds of escapades together, which I’m sure caused Mom more than a few gray hairs. Mike was a prankster. He had the idea we should pepper his bedroom carpet so Mom would sneeze every time she vacuumed. Our house backed up to a cattle ranch, and he found a bucket and stool and talked me into milking the cows with him. The only problem was, they were steer. He even shared the box of chocolate Ex-Lax with me that he found in our parents’ medicine cabinet. Fortunately for me, his idea of sharing was, “One for you; two for me.” Mom couldn’t get us to the hospital fast enough to have our stomachs pumped.

I was asked by my sister-in-law to speak at Mike’s funeral. I looked out into a church filled with his family and friends. He was a member of Biker’s for Christ, and there were more than a few members dressed in leather. He’d been on a mission trip to Thailand only a couple years before, and he taught others how to evangelize. It was our childhood antics I shared with the attendees, because I wanted them to know the hilarious, loving, prankster that Mike was before his mind had been taken over with bipolar disorder. And when I stepped away from the podium, I clearly heard the Lord whisper to my heart, “This is your story.”

To this day, I still have the Bible he gave me—the first one I ever owned—with an inscription in it to encourage me to not give up during my own season of heartache. He was there through my daughter’s near-fatal accident and resultant coma and traumatic brain injury. He was there when my first husband of almost 23 years walked out for reasons that made no sense. He was there to remind me that God loved me, even when it felt like my life was falling apart—especially when it felt like it was falling apart.

It was exceedingly difficult to lose my big brother, but it was made even more difficult when a woman in my Bible study told me he was going to hell. “Suicide is the unforgivable sin, you know,” she said as I sat with nine other ladies around a friend’s kitchen table. She was misinformed. The only unforgivable sin is the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31). But I wondered how many other people were misinformed, as well.

Although Providence is Book 3 in my Apple Hill series, I actually wrote it first. The first draft was dark and gloomy, because that’s how I was feeling while grieving the loss of Mike. But as my faith has grown, so has the hope I have in Jesus Christ. I know that God doesn’t waste even one of our tears. When we suffer a loss, it’s His plan and purpose to use it for our good and His glory. I rewrote the novel twice before it spoke that truth loud and clear.

Providence is a story inspired by my brother’s death. And although it is not about Mike, I instilled the character of Trevor with woodworking talent, just like Mike had. The children are not my niece and nephews, but their descriptions and ages, at the time of Mike’s death, were inspired by them. My prayer is that everyone who reads this book will feel the hope and joy we have in our Lord, even when our circumstances tell us different.

Blog Stops

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 3
lakesidelivingsite, May 3
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 4
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 5
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 6
Reviewingbooksplusmore, May 6
Texas Book-aholic, May 7
Inklings and notions, May 8
For Him and My Family, May 9
Mary Hake, May 9
deb’s Book Review, May 10
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 11
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 12
Rebecca Tews, May 13
Genesis 5020, May 13
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 14
Sodbuster Living, May 15
Reflections From My Bookshelves, May 15
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card & a copy of the book!!

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/10b62/providence-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham ~ Book Review + Giveaway

May 3, 2021

About the Book

Book: Hope Between the Pages
Series: Doors to the Past
Author: Pepper Basham
Genre: Christian Historical
Release Date: April, 2021

Uncover the Story Behind a One-Hundred-Year-Old Love Letter

Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.

Clara Blackwell helps her mother manage a struggling one-hundred-year old family bookshop in Asheville, North Carolina, but the discovery of a forgotten letter opens a mystery of a long-lost romance and undiscovered inheritance which could save its future. Forced to step outside of her predictable world, Clara embarks on an adventure with only the name Oliver as a hint of the man’s identity in her great-great-grandmother’s letter. From the nearby grand estate of the Vanderbilts, to a hamlet in Derbyshire, England, Clara seeks to uncover truth about family and love that may lead to her own unexpected romance.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

Wow, wow, wow!! You know when you finish a book and it leaves you in a state of just wow... yeah that's how that book was. And I use that word because I don't know quite how to describe my state of feeling. This book was everything I needed I didn't know I wanted. Let's start with the setting. I don't know if you follow Pepper Basham on her Instagram (you totally should) but she captures the Biltmore Estate quite beautifully in her photographs. Makes it truly magical. I have never been even though I only live 3 hours away but after reading this book it went up on the ranks of my bucket list. She brings that magic to this book. I could picture the library that Sadie works in and the grounds as she walks in them, oh and Blackwell's Bookshop, gosh who wouldn't love a bookshop like that!!

This is a dual time line story, so there are different sets of characters in each time period. Pepper Basham has a gift with characters. She made them so realistic, I felt like I was right there with them experiencing everything with them. Both Sadie and Clara are the perfect bookish friends, kindred spirits to be exact and you will definitely cheer them on and live through their journey and find their own story. They storyline itself is dreamy and definitely SWOON-WORTHY!! Goodness is the book swoony!! But with that there is also a little mystery, love and hope. There are tears you will shed, so keep the tissues handy. But there are moments that you will sigh that dreamy sigh we all get when reading a good book. Oh and that's not all... the author has interweaved faith throughout this book in such a way that its subtle but beautiful. As a Christian you can tell it is there and flows with the story quite well. By that I mean that it wasn't something that was forced or had to be written in. It was very realistic in its placement of it.

I don't want to ruin the book for you by telling you too many details because this is definitely one of those books that cannot be missed. Pepper Basham has outdone herself with this one! Go use the link above and grab it now! I promise, you will love it!

My Rating: 5 Stars/ Absolutely LOVED it!!

Swoon Worthy Level: 💗💗💗💗💗💗 (infinite hearts) I mean Oliver and Max are just dreamy!!

Favorite Musings/Quotes: (There are so many lines that we could be here forever but these two are some of my favorites)

"I wasn't looking for romance." I slipped my hands into his as we stared at the room. "That was never in my plans, but then you came, and I feel as though I've belonged with you from before our first conversation."

"You are like an excellent book. I just knew. I didn't nee to read the ending or even the next chapter. I didn't require all the answers to have the future sorted. My heart knew I belonged with you, and that was enough."

I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell’s Crossroads and Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

More from Pepper

Books are a uniquely portable magic – Stephen King

Appalachia is known for having a high illiteracy rate. A place of beautiful scenery and rugged landscapes, the people of the mountains developed stories through oral storytelling much more than “book learning”. As a young girl growing up in this world, I loved hearing my granny share tales from up to five generations ago, filling in the narrative gaps between a birth date and a death date on a tombstone – giving flesh and breath to the stone-etched names.

It’s no surprise then, with a heart cultivated from rich oral stories, I fell in love with reading. Books became that “portable magic” that took me places my little Appalachian community couldn’t provide. I fell in love with the Boxcar Children and Nancy Drew. Wept through the end of Bridge to Terabithia and Old Yeller. Traveled to the plains with Sarah Plain and Tall and fell in love with horses with The Black Stallion. But when I was in seventh grade, I read my very first “British” novel, The Secret Garden. In that one introduction, my world expanded into mysterious English manor houses and British classics. Before long, I’d consumed Jane Eyre, Austen’s classics, some Dickens, Dracula, Frankenstein…and the list goes on! And then…I found Tolkien and Lewis – and the ‘real’ world swelled into OTHER worlds.

I’m grateful for true stories of book-loving pioneers traveling into the world of Appalachia to provide books and literacy training to “my people”, because I know some of those books made their way to my tiny elementary school library…and not only brought me the chance to discover stories, but to write them too!

Isn’t it amazing how books can do that?

In Hope Between the Pages, I wanted to bring the same awe and discovery I felt as a child (and continue to feel as an adult reader) to the story of two people whose words had seemed small. Stories stretched their worlds, but the stories also gave them wonderful imaginations and positive perspectives. It’s still amazing to me that ink-and-paper words can make such a lasting impact on hearts and minds. They can lead us to dream, teach us new things, encourage our hearts, help us to think outside the box, swell our imaginations, broaden our horizons, and encourage our hope.

Books are not a replacement for real adventures and relationships, but they certainly provide a beautiful “door” into other lives and worlds that we may never have a chance to experience in real life. Sadie, my historical heroine, and Clara, my contemporary heroine, both have kept close to home but traveled greatly through books…and BOTH are given the opportunity to reach beyond the bindings to discover real-life adventures. I’d like to think that their love for stories helped them have the courage to step away from the page and into their own tales even more prepared than they would have been without stories.

What are some of your favorite books you read as a child? Did any of them influence you to become a more avid reader?

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, April 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 24

Reflections From My Bookshelves, April 24

Worthy2Read, April 24

Texas Book-aholic, April 25

Reviewingbooksplusmore, April 25

Christian Bookaholic, April 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 25

She Lives To Read, April 26

Books and Everyday Life, April 26

For the Love of Literature, April 26

For Him and My Family, April 26

Wishful Endings, April 27

Bigreadersite, April 27

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, April 27

deb’s Book Review, April 27

Inklings and notions, April 28

Connect in Fiction, April 28

Writing from the Heart Land, April 28

Blogging With Carol, April 28

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 29

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 29

Life of Literature, April 29

Pick a good book, April 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 30

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 30

Betti Mace, April 30

Kathleen’s Blog, April 30

lakesidelivingsite, May 1

Connie’s History Classroom, May 1

Fiction Book Lover, May 1

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 1

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 2

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 2

Godly Book Reviews, May 2

Mary Hake, May 2

Older & Smarter?, May 3

Genesis 5020, May 3

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 4

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads , May 4

Blossoms and Blessings, May 4

sodbusterLiving, May 4

Splashes of Joy, May 5

Where Faith and Books Meet , May 5

Simple Harvest Reads, May 5 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Through the Fire Blogs, May 5

Pause for Tales, May 6

To Everything There Is A Season, May 6

Remembrancy, May 6

Lights in a Dark World, May 6

Live.Love.Read., May 7

Karen Sue Hadley, May 7

Amanda Tero, blog, May 7

The Write Escape, May 7

Giveaway

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

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/10b27/hope-between-the-pages-celebration-tour-giveaway

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The Secret of the 14th Room by Rebecca Hemlock ~ Book Review + Giveaway

May 2, 2021

About the Book

Book: The Secret of the 14th Room
Author: Rebecca Hemlock
Publisher: Bluecap Publishing
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: March 16th

Memories can be a killer.

When Levi Corbin returns to Granton, Tennessee after the death of his beloved grandmother, it sets off a chain of events he’d rather have avoided. Claiming his inheritance should have been a piece of cake, but a cousin appears, threatening to steal it all.

Even worse (and better, too), he’s falling for the girl he just met and now must team up with her to try to stop his cousin. Their quest for his inheritance uncovers secrets frozen in time—and one might just be the answer to save his grandmother’s home.

Things go from worse to completely out of hand when a freak fire threatens it all. Add to that a nosy old woman and a battered runaway, and Levi can’t help but wonder what is going on!

As circumstances rekindle his faith and new love spurs him onward, Levi races against time and odds to save Grandma’s house from certain destruction, but the result might just mean saving himself as well.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

This is my second book by Rebecca Hemlock and I must say she has such a great knack for writing believable and intriguing characters. This book follows cousins Levi and Silas who have been at each others throats since they were younger. Grandma sets out to make it right by stating in her will that they must get along in order to get anything. Here is where the problem lies as these two people have held resentment for so long that only God can be the one to intervene between them to transform their lives and forgive each other.

There is a mystery to the story as well which makes the suspense part so good and captivating to read. I will say there is a little romance sprinkled in but to me it wasn't the focus of the book. Overall I thought this was a good read and I would recommend it if you enjoy suspense and mystery stories.

My Rating: 3.5 Stars/I liked it!

I received this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Rebecca lives in Eastern Kentucky with her husband and children. She absolutely loves mysteries. Rebecca has been writing stories for many years and enjoys reading, painting and spending time with her family. Her favorite times to write are early in the morning when the sun is coming up and at sunset. She has worked as a freelance journalist for 4 years and is a member of Sisters in Crime and American Christian Fiction Writers. Rebecca has earned a degree in English and an Appalachian Studies certificate in Creative Writing.

More from Rebecca

Looking for new ideas is my favorite part of writing because it comes with talking to interesting people and exploring antique shops all over the country.

This book not only captures my love for American history and riveting romantic suspense, but it also captures how old wounds of the heart can be healed.

Levi Corbin in The Secret of the 14th Room learns this the hard way after carrying his broken heart for most of his adult life. He has to discover the real meaning of family and family pride. Levi must face the past so that he can move on to a brighter future.

Granton, Tennessee, is a town I hope you fall in love with, just as I did when I created it. There are so many delightful characters, some with a dark secret or two. This story has been brewing for a while, and I am glad that I finally have the opportunity to share it with you.