First Line Friday ~ Succession by Brett Armstrong

October 23, 2020

Happy Friday!!!

I hope everyone one had a lovely week! We just spent our afternoon at the park and it was lovely. Although the weather is not as cool as I'd like it to be for this time of year it was nice to get out of the house and have the kids burn some energy! It's another First Line Friday hosted by Hoarding Books and today my first line comes from Succession by Brett Armstrong.

My First Line:

"I have a bad feeling about this, Father." Meredoch felt a scowl contorting his face.

Now it's your turn! Grab the book closest to you and leave the first line in the comments!

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Secret Beach Boyfriend by Kari Trumbo ~ Tour + Giveaway

October 22, 2020

About the Book

Book: Secret Beach Boyfriend

Series: Merriweather Island, Book 3
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 29 , 2020

Author: Kari Trumbo

She met Rafe on the beach when she was just five and it seemed like fate tied them together. When a chance encounter returns him to the islands twenty years later, Annie finds her beach friend has grown up and now needs her help.

Damaged and scarred from a past that still hasn’t healed, Annie needs help of her own. True to character, Rafe comes up with a perfect solution, but a temporary island romance does not fit into his agenda at all.

Will an offer to be her secret boyfriend give her heart a second chance? How can it turn into something more and prove there’s power in prayer and that love can triumph over a painful past?

He was Annie’s hero long ago, but can the man he has become save her now?

Secret Beach Boyfriend is the third “Merriweather book” in a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Island Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

This was a sweet read. It was my first book by Kari Trumbo and it did not disappoint. This is book 3 on the Merriweather Island but just like the others can be read as a stand alone novel as the previous characters do not make any appearances which was a bit sad and disappointing for me but that's just my preference. I enjoy "seeing" the characters in a story when I am reading a series.

In this story we meet Annie who is a local to the island. She believes all marriages are a fairytale. She carries this hurt placed there by her father who abandoned her when she was younger. Because of this she feels like love and marriage is not something that can truly happen and she doesn't want it to happen to her. She associates it with hurt and that is not something she wants any part of. Rafe returns to Merriweather to help his parents believe in love once again and rekindle what they once had. In order to achieve this Rafe comes up with a crazy plan to do just that and enlists the help of Annie.

The author did a great job at tackling a bit of the subject of mental health with Rafe's mom. She struggles with OCD and its the cause of the strife between her husband. Definitely a bit different than the other books I have read from the series but equally as good.

My Rating: 3 Stars/ Liked it

(I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit Tours. I was not required to leave a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

About the Author

Kari Trumbo is a bestselling author of Christian historical and contemporary romance novels. Her books are known for characters who feel real, settings you could move to, and faith woven between the pages. She makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband of over twenty years, two daughters, two sons, and never enough time.

More from Kari

Have you ever hunted for seashells on the beach?

This sweet story actually starts twenty years before the moment you open the front cover. Years before, on a solitary beach, a little boy comforts a girl he finds crying by offering to help her find seashells. He doesn’t know why she’s crying, just that he can help. Even though he knows his mother will be angry with him.

You see, Rafe (that’s the little boy) has a mother who has minor OCD and doesn’t let him go on the beach. But when Annie (that’s the little girl) is obviously heartbroken, he can’t leave her sitting there and not do anything. At that moment, a hero is born.

It’s the little things that make a hero. That moment in time when he made a choice to put Annie above his own discomfort created a past for them both, an anchor they could both look back on. It was pivotal enough for them both that they remembered it years later. Rafe, because he hid the shells and cherished the one time he got to collect them. Annie, because she was going through something no child of five should have to. His kindness was a glimmer of hope.

Fast forward twenty years and these two meet again, but don’t realize right away they are the people they’ve been thinking about on-and-off for most of their lives. Interestingly enough, that part of my story is true. I had a friend I met at a local beach when I was too young to recall names or anything else of great significance other than the feeling that it was the best day ever. She made me her best buddy for the day, and that stuck with me.

When I think of this story beyond the printed page, where Annie and Rafe live on in my mind, I have to wonder if shells will continue to be a theme in their lives.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 22

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 22

Texas Book-aholic, October 23

Stories By Gina, October 23

Captive Dreams Window, October 23

Inklings and notions, October 24

CarpeDiem, October 24

For Him and My Family, October 25

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, October 25

Older & Smarter?, October 26

21st Century Keeper at Home, October 26

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 27

deb’s Book Review, October 27

Connect in Fiction, October 28

lakesidelivingsite, October 28

Artistic Nobody, October 29 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Godly Book Reviews, October 29

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 30

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, October 30

Livin’ Lit, October 30

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 31

Life, love, writing, October 31

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 1

Batya’s Bits, November 1

Daysong Reflections, November 2

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 2

Blossoms and Blessings, November 3

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, November 3

Simple Harvest Reads, November 4 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Splashes of Joy, November 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kari is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 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/102a8/secret-beach-boyfriend-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Something Borrowed: Christmas Wedding Collection

October 20, 2020

ABOUT THE BOOK

SOMETHING BORROWED

Author: Jaycee Weaver, Toni Shiloh, Andrea Boyd, Mikal Dawn & Teresa Tysinger

Genre: Christian Romance, Holiday Fiction

Release Date: October 20, 2020

Pages: 600 (Print)

Old friends, new loves, and a borrowed tiara.

Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver — Hanady's planning her dream wedding, but her injured best friend Keenan isn't the groom. If she can't see she's marrying the wrong guy soon, his leg won't be the only thing broken.

All the Moore by Toni Shiloh — Leilah Anderson has been living behind the screen to hide her disability, then she meets Reggie Moore face-to-face. Can their relationship survive the truth and distance between them?

A Holly, Bolly Christmas by Mikal Dawn — A dream wedding venue at Christmas? Sign Chahna Kapoor up. Even if her fiancé doesn’t know it…

Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger — When not-so-merry mishaps threaten wedding planner Cate Forsyth's holiday wedding and reputation, will her own happily ever after with sweetheart Noah Bennett melt away?

A Promise So Sweet by Andrea Boyd — Lydia Osborn hasn't heard from her ex in ten years, so imagine her surprise when he shows up proposing marriage. Tis the season for love?

MY THOUGHTS

Want to get in the Christmas holiday spirit?! Then this collection of stories is for you! I loved reading these. It was like reading one big story as these authors wrote the characters with such fluidity that at times I thought I was reading one novel instead of 5 different novellas. They really did an outstanding job.

The stories follow five friends in pursuit of love and marriage even when they believe that will not be happening for them or when it comes in the most of unexpected ways. Each of these authors have crafted these very different characters that are very relatable and each of them go through different things that have them truly look at themselves through God's eyes.

This was my first time reading some of these authors but it definitely won't be my last. I have read from Teresa Tysinger before and can I just say, the girl knows how to write a swoon worthy male character!! If you love sweet romances and Christmas you can't go wrong with this collection! Go grab a cup of hot chocolate or coffee, a warm blanket and curl up with this book!!

My Rating: 4 Stars/ Really enjoyed it!

(I received a copy of this book from the authors. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

Affiliate Links

AMAZON | GOODREADS

Available free through Kindle Unlimited

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Toni Shiloh ~ Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness. To find out more about her books visit: http://tonishiloh.com/

Jaycee Weaver ~ A Nevada native and New Mexico transplant, Jaycee is also a wife and mother of 3. She enjoys reading, writing, singing, photography, & all things kitchen and crafty. She considers herself a recovering perfectionist, and is grateful for the grace of God that covers a multitude of eclectic hot messiness. To find out more about her books visit:

http://www.jayceeweaver.com

Mikal Dawn ~ Mikal Dawn is an inspirational romance author, wedding enthusiast and proud military wife. By day she works for an international sports ministry, and by night she mutters to imaginary friends, performs sketchy Google searches, and procrastinates (like any good writer!). When she isn’t writing about faith, fun, and forever, she is obsessively scouring Pinterest (with coffee in hand, of course!) for wedding ideas for her characters.

Born and raised just outside of Vancouver, Canada, Mikal has lived throughout the southern and Midwest United States, currently residing in Oklahoma (and hoping it's their last move!) with her husband, two of her three kids, and one ferocious feline.

https://mikaldawn.com

Andrea Boyd ~Andrea Boyd has always been a dreamer. Once her most awesome job of raising her wonderful children was over, she decided to take up the challenge of putting these dreams into words and sharing them with the rest of the world. Besides writing, she loves spending time with her family, quilting, going to car shows, and driving around in her 1968 Barracuda convertible. Andrea lives with her husband, Tommy, and at least a couple of cats in York County, SC.

http://www.andreaboyd11.wix.com/author

Teresa Tysinger ~I am a wife and mother transplanted from North Carolina now living in North Texas. When not working as a communications/graphic design professional, I write charming southern romances inspired by grace. I am a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Religious Communicators’ Council, and the Association for Women in Communications. I’m blessed to have spent over a decade telling stories of faith through written word.

Now to the important stuff… I love Jesus, coffee, caramel, and stories with happy endings!

http://teresatysinger.com/

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Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant

October 19, 2020

About the Book

THE KEY TO LOVE

Author: Becky St. Amant

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 13, 2020

Pages: 336

The only thing Bri Duval loves more than baking petit fours is romance. So much so, she's created her own version of the famous Parisian lovelock wall at her bakery in Story, Kansas. She never expects it to go viral--or for Trek Magazine to send travel writer Gerard Fortier to feature the bakery. He's definitely handsome, but Bri has been holding out for a love story like the one her parents had, and that certainly will not include the love-scorned-and-therefore-love-scorning Gerard.

Just when it seems Bri's bakery is poised for unprecedented success, a series of events threaten not just her business but the pedestal she's kept her parents on all these years. Maybe Gerard is right about romance. Or maybe Bri's recipe just needs to be tweaked.

Novelist Betsy St. Amant invites you to experience this sweet story of how love doesn't always look the way we expect--and maybe that's a good thing.

My Thoughts

Oh this book is so great! The perfect little romance story. A forewarning about reading this book... make sure you have some baked goods around because reading this will definitely have you craving macarons, petit-fours actually anything sweet!

The story is set in the cutest little fictional town in Kansas. I love small town stories and this one doesn't disappoint. The people we encounter in this town are comical and quirky. Right away we meet Bri who has followed after her mom's passion of baking. She also has this interesting outlook on love. She wants a love like her parents had and she believes it was a fairytale kind of love. She is definitely a hopeless romantic. We also meet her pseudo aunts and business owners of the bakery Agnes and Mabel. They are the only connection that Bri has to her mother who passed away when she was younger. They were some of my favorite characters. They are truly a hoot. They are called the "love angels" by the townsfolk because they like to matchmake people in the town. Their number one challenge is trying to find a match for Bri.

Of course we meet Gerard who is a journalist from Chicago and is the complete opposite of Bri. He absolutely hates romance and all the aspects of it. He is sarcastic and oh so very dreamy!! Despite his sarcastic personality he definitely is swoon worthy! He comes to town on an assignment to write about the bakery. The banter between him and Bri is exceptional!! The love/hate relationship that they have is hilarious and I am all for it. Despite his outward, rough personality he wants to help Bri realize that there is more to just the little town and the bakery that her whole life has revolved in.

At times Bri grated on my nerves when it came to the bakery and the selling of it. I thought she was a bit selfish in regards to Agnes and Mabel and not seeing that they were older and needed to be done with the bakery so they could enjoy retirement. But I also recognize that they were giving her time to realize things on her own. I loved that there was an epilogue telling us just a little bit more of how life ended up with them since I didn't want to leave this little town. I really enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

My Rating: 4 Stars/ Really Enjoyed It

Favorite Musings/Quotes:

"It's easy to love when life is shiny and looks its best - its a lot harder when its covered in tomato sauce and pull-ups."

"Her prince had finally come - on the same night she discovered love didn't exist."

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

Affiliate Links

GOODREADS| AMAZON| CHRISTIANBOOK

About the Author

Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of fifteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her hubby, two total opposite young daughters, a collection of coffee mugs, and an impressive stash of Pickle Chips. Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored in Christ. When she's not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white-chocolate mocha (nonfat, no whip!). She blogs frequently at www.ibelieve.com, a devotional site for women. Visit her at http://www.betsystamant.com

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First Line Friday ~ Secret Beach Boyfriend

October 16, 2020

Happy Friday!!

So glad the weekend is finally here! I hope everyone has an amazing one. It's another First Line Friday hosted by Hoarding Books. Today my first line is coming from Secret Beach Boyfriend by Kari Trumbo.

My First Line

"Annie Roman squinted into the bright setting sun at the ferry chugging into the dock."

Now it's your turn! Grab the book closest to you

and drop the first line in the comments!

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Marry Me For Real, Cowboy by Valerie Comer + Giveway

About the Book

Book: Marry Me for Real, Cowboy

Series: Cavanaugh Cowboys Romance, Book 1

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 8, 2020

Author: Valerie Comer

Adam Cavanagh’s rodeo championship tastes like dirt after a competitor’s critical injury, but going home to his family’s Montana ranch isn’t much of an improvement. If not even the coveted trophy earns his stepfather’s respect, what will it take?

Riley Dunning’s quick thinking is all that’s keeping her body, soul, and principles together, but demanding a kiss from a hunky cowboy to deter the weirdo following her might be taking things too far… especially when the cowboy comes up with a risky plan that might offer them both stability. If it doesn’t backfire completely.

Will a fake engagement give Adam and Riley the leg up they each need, or will the cost to their hearts be too high? Because neither believes the other will want to marry them… for real.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

This was my first book by Valerie and it won't be my last! This was a very sweet romance and a fun read. You really can't go wrong with the fake marriage trope and this was perfectly done. This is the start of this series so we meet a good amount of the characters that will be in future books which is nice because it definitely makes you come back for more.

In this story we meet Adam and Riley. These two characters are definitely in need of each other without realizing it right away. Both Adam and Riley have somewhat similar backgrounds. Their families are definitely not the warm fuzzy type. Adam has animosity towards his stepfather and step siblings which made the story quite interesting. Riley is running from something at home and will not open up to Adam about it. Although their relationship is very frustrating at times it is sweet.

I want to know more about why his mom married Declan! And why they don't have a great relationship. It bothered me throughout the story that there wasn't much information on this so I am hoping that throughout the rest of the books we find out why she married him and why they behave they way they do! Definitely a lot to find out about this family in the upcoming books and I am looking forward to it!

My Rating: 4 Stars/ Really enjoyed it!

(I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit Tours. I was not asked to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

About the Author

Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She writes engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith into her green clean romances.

Valerie’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary Christian romance. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.

More from Valerie

Oh, cowboys…

Four years after I began publishing farm romances, I added my first cowboy romance series to the lineup. “It’s not that different,” I told myself and anyone who would listen. “Ranches are almost the same as farms. A few more horses, a few less random other animals!”

Ah, but cowboys are deemed more attractive than farmers! Maybe it’s their uniform. You know, a Stetson. Plaid snap-front shirts under denim jackets. Well-worn jeans. Cowboy boots. That combo looks better on a book cover than the stereotypical farmer in a straw hat, overalls, and rubber boots!

Whether focusing on cowboys, farmers, or gardeners, all of my green clean romances feature engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith. Are the characters perfect Christians? Nope. No more than you and I are. There’s always room to grow.

In Marry Me for Real, Cowboy, the first story in my new Cavanagh Cowboys Romance, Adam decides a fiancée is just what he needs to impress his stepfather. Not that Adam wants to get married any time soon, but surely it won’t come to that! But… how long do you think it will take for him to realize that he’s living a lie and not trusting God to handle his future? What will his path be to resolve his lack of faith as well as move forward both in romance and in his relationship with his stepdad? You may have to read Marry Me for Real, Cowboy and find out!

— Valerie Comer

Blog Stops

Lighthouse academy, October 6

Fiction Full of Faith, October 6

Texas Book-aholic, October 7

deb’s Book Review, October 7

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 8

Genesis 5020, October 8

For Him and My Family, October 9

The Book Chic Blog, October 9

Inklings and notions, October 10

Joanne Markey, October 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 11

Simple Harvest Reads, October 11 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 12

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 13

Mypreciousbits, October 13

Artistic Nobody, October 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Vicky Sluiter, October 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 16

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 17

Blossoms and Blessings, October 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 18

Britt Reads Fiction, October 18

Splashes of Joy, October 19

Book Love, October 19 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Valerie is giving away the grand prize package of a complete paperback set of all six books in the Saddle Springs Romance series!!

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/101db/marry-me-for-real-cowboy-celebration-tour-giveaway

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The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren Takeover Tour + Giveway

October 14, 2020

The Price of Valor JustRead Takeover Tour

Welcome to the Takeover Tour for The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Price of Valor

Series: Global Search and Rescue #3

Author: Susan May Warren

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 6, 2020

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romantic Suspense

A high-octane mix of love and adventure

Kidnapped by rebels while serving as a humanitarian aid worker in Chechnya, Signe Kincaid has spent the past decade secreting out valuable information about Russian assets in the US to her CIA handler. Fearing for her daughter after being discovered as an operative, Signe sends her to former Navy SEAL Hamilton Jones for safekeeping. Signe is ready to give her life for her country, and she can hardly expect Ham to rescue her after breaking his heart over and over.

Hamilton Jones has never forgotten the only woman he loved--and he can't believe after all these years she's shown up alive. But can he forgive her for her secrets? And, when Ham discovers the reason Signe has kept her distance, he must choose between love for her and love for the nation he has vowed to protect.

Will he save the many? Or the few? And what is the price of valor?

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.

She is also the founder of MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive all 3 Global Search and Rescue books plus a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card!

The Price of Valor JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on these tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 12, 2020 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 19, 2020. 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.

For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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