What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson ~ Book Review

July 5, 2023

About the Book

Book: What Happens Next

Author: Christina Suzann Nelson

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: January 17, 2023

Popular podcaster and ex-reporter Faith Byrne has made a name for herself telling stories of greatness after tragedy--but her real life does not mirror the stories she tells. When she's asked to spotlight her childhood best friend's missing-person case on her podcast, she uncovers desperate secrets and must face the truth before she can move forward.

My Thoughts

WOW... this book had be enthralled from the very first page. It was like a Dateline Cold Case show but in book form. Let's see if I can tell you about this book without giving it away...

First of all this is my very first book by this author and I was completely impressed. The characters are so real and believable. They can truly be your next door neighbors type of familiarity. The story is being told in three different perspectives but you can follow easily and not get lost. We see the story through Faith, Dora and Heather.

Faith is a middle aged woman who is recently divorced and trying to cope with her daughters being shared with their father. She is a mystery podcaster and out of the blue she hears from her friend's sister to see if she can help solve and shed more light into Heather's disappearance to bring closure to the mom.

Dora has been living in a standstill since her daughter went missing and she has definitely let life pass her on by. She has become somewhat bitter at God and her family. My heart ached for her. I just could not imagine going through what she has gone through.

Heather brings us to the past throughout the story and we catch glimpses of the 80's. She was spunky and quite the character. I really enjoyed getting to know what that summer was like for her.

The author truly makes you second guess yourself and work in trying to figure out who might be connected to Heather's disappearance. I have to admit I had a few guesses but none were correct. It was a bittersweet story but definitely a page turner. The faith thread was light but it was there and very different for each character.

Overall I thought this was a great story. Definitely one of those that will keep you up because you want to find out what really happens!! I can't wait to see what this author writes next!

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

Christina Suzann Nelson is an inspirational speaker and the award-winning author of If We Make It Home, Swimming in the Deep End, and More Than We Remember. The Way It Should Be releases February 2, 2021.She writes and speaks about hope after dysfunction. Christina is over the top about her passion for faith, family, fiction, and foster care. When she’s not writing, she’s working with the Every Child initiative, chasing escaped steers, reading, breathing in the sweet smell of her horse, hiking with her dog, or enjoying her just-as-crazy family.

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Colter Sons Series by Karen Baney ~ Book Spotlights

Colter Sons series JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for the first three books of the Colter Sons series by Karen Baney, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Books

Title: The Reluctant Cattleman
Series: Colter Sons #1
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: August 19, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A Love at First Sight Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Coming of age story set in Prescott, Arizona in 1887.

As Sam Colter takes on more responsibilities at the family ranch, he believes he is a disappointment to his father. He feels like the misfit of the family. When a journalist shows up to interview his mother, secrets from the past threaten his fledging sense of security. Can he overcome his fear and doubts to accept his role as a cattleman and rancher? Will he allow himself to love the woman who turned his life upside down?

Ellie Mae Thatcher moves to Prescott to start her career as a writer. When she misleads the Colters about her identity, she hurts the man she is falling in love with. Can she win back his trust and his heart?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Title: The Roaming Adventurer
Series: Colter Sons #2
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: October 21, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A Shotgun Wedding, Main Character Disguise Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Set in Prescott, Arizona Territory in 1890 – 1891.

Boisterous Boone Colter settled into his career as a surveyor when his older brother approached him to survey a route for a new railroad. When Boone hires Jack Bennett, he never expected to be forced to choose between his desire for independence and protecting Jack. Will he rise to the occasion? Can he find a way to strike a balance?

Jaclyn “Jack” Bennett spent the last six years apprenticing as an assistant surveyor under her father. When her father asks her to give up her dreams, settle down, and get married, Jaclyn disguises herself as a man and flees to Prescott, Arizona. Except she never thought through how her choice would destroy the lives of those around her. Will she find a way to reconcile broken relationships?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Title: The Railroad Magnate
Series: Colter Sons #3
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: December 2, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A Love at First Sight Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Set in Prescott, Arizona Territory in 1891 – 1893.

James Colter was a successful entrepreneur and businessman in the railroad industry. As he watches his younger brothers marry and start their families, his loneliness deepens. He has everything, except the one thing he longs for the most: a wife and family of his own. When he dances with the daughter of an older friend, was it love at first sight, or will he put his personal dream on hold again to pursue his professional aspirations?

Keri Glassman wants to follow in her parents’ footsteps. She dreams of becoming a contract attorney. When a handsome suitor invites her on a train ride, the course of her life is rewritten. Like her mother, she wants it all, a career, a loving husband, and a family. Can she find her own way or will her desire to please her parents threaten to destroy her hope for a lasting love?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in This Series

Excerpts

Book 1: When Sam Meets Ellie Mae (Sam Colter’s Point of View)

Sam Colter and his mother were on the front porch of their ranch house when they saw his younger
brother, Boone, riding fast toward the house.

“Incoming female rider,” my brother Boone announced.

“Are we expecting anyone?” Mama asked.

I shook my head. E. M. Thatcher, a journalist, was the only person we were expecting. Not some woman.

My heart raced a little faster than normal. The only women who visited the ranch were close friends or
relatives.

As she came into view, I noticed her sandy colored hair, which was pulled back into a knot just below the
base of her straw wide-brimmed hat. I couldn’t see her eyes yet, as the shadow of her hat hid them. Her
lips were full, which was something I never noticed about anyone. It perplexed me why I might think
about it then.

Mama asked me to help her, so I did.

When the stranger put her hands on my shoulders, I held her waist and helped her down. The smile on
her lips stole my breath away. Her nutmeg eyes sparkled with life.

As I eased her to the ground, I noticed everything about her. She smelled like the rain after a monsoon
storm, sweet and beckoning. Her fair skin looked smooth. The sunlight streaked her sandy hair with
honey gold. She was the most gorgeous woman in Arizona.

I wasn’t sure how long I stood there holding her. Shoot, she was holding onto my shoulders for just as
long, and I really liked it.

Book 2: Boone Colter introduces himself to the readers

I could tell you my name, but growing up at my house, I thought it was almost a curse word.

If Mama said my name, Boone, with her hands raised in the air and let them fall to her side, I knew I

pressed her to the point of frustration that day.

If Mama said “Boone” with a low growl like a snarling dog going after a jackrabbit for its supper, the next

words outta her mouth were something like: wait until my father gets home. It was an odd thing to say.

We lived on a ranch, and he was always within earshot of a rifle.

If Mama said my name and wrung her hands at the same time as her eyebrows scrunched together, she

just witnessed me do something highly risky that probably caused her heart to lodge up in her throat.

Like the time I jumped outta the hay loft hanging onto a rope that wasn’t properly secured to anything. I

should have busted up something. I had more lives than a cat.

Book 3: Boone Colter introduces himself to the readers

I could tell you my name, but growing up at my house, I thought it was almost a curse word.

If Mama said my name, Boone, with her hands raised in the air and let them fall to her side, I knew I pressed her to the point of frustration that day.

If Mama said “Boone” with a low growl like a snarling dog going after a jackrabbit for its supper, the next words outta her mouth were something like: wait until my father gets home. It was an odd thing to say.

We lived on a ranch, and he was always within earshot of a rifle.

If Mama said my name and wrung her hands at the same time as her eyebrows scrunched together, she just witnessed me do something highly risky that probably caused her heart to lodge up in her throat.

Like the time I jumped outta the hay loft hanging onto a rope that

About the Author

Karen Baney

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona in the late 1990s, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Connect with Karen by visiting karenbaney.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each win all 6 books in the Colter Sons series (winner picks paperback or ebook)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 3, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 10, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

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The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck ~ Book Review

June 29, 2023

About the Book

Book: The Best Summer of Our Lives

Author: Rachel Hauck

Genre: Christian Romance

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: June 27, 2023

Twenty years ago, the summer of '77 was supposed to be the best summer of Summer Wilde's life. She and her best friends, Spring, Autumn, and Snow--the Four Seasons--had big plans.

But those plans never had a chance. After a teenage prank gone awry, the Seasons found themselves on a bus to Tumbleweed, "Nowhere," Oklahoma, to spend eight weeks as camp counselors. All four of them arrived with hidden secrets and buried fears, and the events that unfolded in those two months forever altered their friendships, their lives, and their futures.

Now, thirtysomething, Summer is at a crossroads. When her latest girl band leaves her in a motel outside Tulsa, she is forced to face the shadows of her past. Returning to the place where everything changed, she soon learns Tumbleweed is more than a town she never wanted to see again. It's a place for healing, for reconciling the past with the present, and for finally listening to love's voice.

My Thoughts

The Best Summer of Our Lives is quite different than the other books I have read by Rachel Hauck. Although this is also a dual timeline like the previous books I have read by her, this one is told in multiple point of views which at first turned me off because when authors do this sometimes it gets confusing but I will say that she did a great job at making it easy to read and not get lost.

The story follows these four best friends (named after the seasons) as they are sent to a camp out of state to do some community service. While this was not their plan for their summer before entering college, they are still determined to have the best summer of their lives. I don't want to give too much away from the story but let's just say that their plans did not go as they expected and life completely changed for them that summer.

I must admit at the beginning of the story I was unsure where Ms. Hauck was going with the story. The characters, especially Summer grated on my nerves. I just thought she was a bit selfish but as we see the progression of the story and her character I must say I was laughing, cheering and getting teary with these characters and the change they go through. This book definitely has tons of character development so know that starting the book. There are also a lot of jumps between the POV of the characters but the chapters are clearly labeled and you won't get confused. I didn't have any issue following the story. The story also remains mainly in the past as you get to know these girls so at times it does feel like you are reading a young adult novel which again I didn't mind.

Ms. Hauck did make me wait for that faith element and boy when it shows up it definitely shows up and left me in a state of thought. Here is what I left with after this book: There is a season for everything. Some seasons are easy and fun, some are raw and leave you wondering where did God go?, other seasons He is telling you exactly what to do and you choose to follow another path but throughout all of that HE is always there no matter what. He doesn't leave you despite of what your season looks like. He will be there when we finally decide to call on Him.

There was some romance but it was light which fit the storyline as this was more about the girls lives and I just wanted to note that there are mentions and happenings of premarital sex but keep in mind that this happened before the characters were believers so don't let it deter you from reading the book. We are all sinners saved by grace.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend you grab it especially if you enjoy this author and enjoy reading "coming to faith" stories.

I received a copy of 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

New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida.

A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, and Career Achievement Award, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, was made into an original Hallmark movie.

The Wedding Dress has been optioned for film by Brain Power Studio

She loves to hear from readers. She also loves to encourage new writers and is a retired member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Executive Board.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism, Rachel is an avid OSU football fan. She hopes to one day stand on the sidelines in the Shoe with Ryan Day.

Visit her web site to find out more and click on the icons to follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

www.rachelhauck.com

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God, I Feel Sad by Michelle Nietert & Tama Fortner

June 26, 2023

About the Book

Book: God, I Feel Sad

Author: Michelle Nietert & Tama Fortner

Publisher: Zonderkidz

Release Date: April 1, 2023

Kids have big feelings, but none of their feelings are too big for God. In this picture book from licensed counselor Michelle Nietert and Tama Fortner, young readers will explore what it means to feel their sadness and discover how to manage their emotions in a healthy way.

Sad is a feeling that can be hard, but if we listen to it, we can learn things about ourselves. In God, I Feel Sad, kids discover that it’s okay to be sad and that God is in all things, including sadness. With simple, accessible text, sad becomes an emotion that kids don’t need to avoid and instead something they can use to grow closer to God. The bright, emotive art by Nomar Perez will draw kids in, and a note in the back provides tips and techniques parents and caregivers can use to help young children process their feelings in a beneficial way.

God, I Feel Sad teaches kids ages 4 to 8 how to:

Identify the feeling of sadness
See signs of sadness in others
Recognize things that can make them feel sad
Embrace sadness without letting it overwhelm them
Talk to God about their feelings

My Thoughts

This is such a great book to have around. This is perfect for those kiddos that have BIG feelings of sadness and not sure what to do with it. There are many books out there about feelings for kids but not very many that direct those feelings to God. As a parent and former teacher I appreciated that this let kids know that it’s okay to have those feelings and it’s okay to cry, get upset and all the things but always remembering that God is always there no matter how we are feeling and we bring those feelings to him. He always shows himself in the midst of our sadness.

I definitely recommend this one if you are a parent of younger kiddos or a teacher that allows Christian books in the classroom.

Thanks @zonderkidz for sending the book for review! All views expressed are completely my own.

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Dedicated To The One I Love by Beth K. Vogt ~ Book Review

June 19, 2023

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Dedicated to the One I Love by Beth K. Vogt, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Dedicated to the One I Love
Author: Beth K. Vogt
Publisher: White Glove
Release Date: June 20, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance

She doesn’t believe in love anymore. He doesn’t either.

They’re perfect for each other.

Beloved romance novelist Kylie Franklin walked away from her pen-name career as bestselling and award-winning Veronica Hollins the day her husband died. Her loyal readers are eager for the final book in her sensational series. But Kylie’s given up on love, both fictional and in real life. Behind her back, Kylie’s agent contrives a way to get her writing again.

Joe Edwards has made a name for himself with his popular military suspense novels under the pen name Tate Merrick. Yet he can’t quite break onto the bestseller list. What his books need, his publisher suggests, is some romance. Joe flat refuses. However, his publisher is determined and hires Veronica Hollins to save the day—and his career.

Veronica and Tate quickly realize they’re Kylie and Joe, good friends who connected online via a popular word game and their mutual love of trivia. Surely they can wrangle their alter egos into this literary collaboration. But as the deadline looms, their differences threaten the romance developing off the page.

From a Christy Award-winning author comes this charming mash-up of hidden identities, literary tug of war, and falling in love when you least expect it.

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

My Thoughts

If you are looking for a cute sweet rom com then this is the book for you! I absolutely enjoyed this book and the characters were fantastic. This is definitely an enemies to more trope and it was oh so good. We meet Kylie right away who is an author that has lost her husband and she is struggling with a bit of grief but pushing herself out of it to write her next book. I really enjoyed how her character developed throughout the story and I think my favorite part was her group of close friends that were there to support her in every aspect of life. Truly she was a believable and relatable character.

The same can be said for our leading gentleman Joe Edwards. We find that him and Kylie have previously "met" online as themselves not as their pen names. So when they meet in real life that is when the story truly takes flight! I mean their in person meet was perfect. Plenty of comedic drama for me. I mean their journey together was perfect. Their arguments, misunderstandings and the egos that had to be dealt with just absolutely perfection and the ending gah!! Absolutely swoony!!

Overall I thought this was the perfect read to start out my summer! The faith thread was gentle and light so I would definitely consider a clean Christian romance. If you are looking for a fun, light read this is the book you must grab... also if you don't already follow this author make sure you do! Her instagram is absolutely amazing I really enjoy her encouraging words and her posts with her husbands are of my favorite parts of my week!

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

About the Author

Beth K. Vogt

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s authored 15 novels and novellas, both contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Beth is a Christy Award winner, an ACFW Carol Award winner, and a  RITA® finalist. Her newest contemporary romance novel, Dedicated to the One I Love, releases June 20, 2023. Her novel Things I Never Told You, book one in her Thatcher Sisters Series by Tyndale House Publishers, won the 2019 AWSA Golden Scroll Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people.

Connect with Beth by visiting bethvogt.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Etsy Gift Card, a print copy of Dedicated to the One I Love, a box of typewriter themed gift note cards, Novel Teas Book Lover Teas, and a 24 oz insulated Tervis Floral Tumbler!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 19, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 26, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Dedicated to the One I Love JustRead Blog Tour

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Julie Elias "The Dreamer" Album Review

June 16, 2023

I like to listen to music while I’m doing chores and definitely in the car. My mood and activity definitely determines the type of music I listen to but I typically stay within the parameters of clean or Christian music.

I was sent The Dreamer by Julia Elias for review. She definitely had a different range of styles in her music. Her song styling range from country, pop, 80’s and worship just to make a few. If you are a specific style of music kind of person this may not be the album for you but if you like to listen to different types of music this may be right up your alley.

🎉GIVEAWAY🎉

Check out this link for a giveaway of the album and t-shirt!

https://www.blessedfreebies.com/the-dreamer-from-julie-elias-giveaway.html

Of course to purchase the album go right here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Lnpowf

Thanks @frontgatem and @julieeliasmusic for letting me review this album!

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Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley ~ Book Review

June 9, 2023

About the Book

Book: Counter Attack

Author: Patricia Bradley

Genre: Christian Fiction Suspense

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: May 16, 2023

A brand new heart-stopping series from a USA Today bestselling author

No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer strikes again--this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer's calling card--a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it--cannot be ignored.

Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can't believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can't help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promises he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it's too late.

My Thoughts

Counter Attack is the newest by Patricia Bradley. It centers around heroine Alexis Stone and of course the love interest Nathan Landry. I really enjoyed the characters. They were relatable. This was a love renewed as these characters had known each other in the past and due to a crime that Alexis is investigating, Nathan somehow kind of is snowballed into it.

There were ups and downs to this story. I was definitely intrigued by the summary of this story. I am all about suspense novels that will leave me at the edge of my seat. Counter Attack had these moments. The first few chapters had me captivated and I wanted to know what happened so I did finish the story but I knew who the villain was immediately so that was a bummer for me. While there are insinuations to other characters being the possible villain it was just too easy to figure out who it was.

I felt like the way they ended was somewhat anti-climatic. This being the first book in the series it just didn't leave me with a small cliffhanger. It honestly felt like a stand alone novel.

I will say that this author did a great job at weaving in God into the storyline and fully relying on Him. The theme I took away from it is that our plans are not necessarily the plans He has for us. Alexis had all these lofty plans on what she wanted to accomplish but she had not fully given those desires and voiced them to God.

Overall it was just okay for me. This will not deter me from reading more of her books since I do love suspense novels. If you enjoy this genre then I recommend you give this a try. You may absolutely love it!

My Rating: 3 Stars/ It was okay, liked it.

I received a copy of 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

Patricia Bradley is a Romantic Suspense Selah winner, Carol and Daphne du Maurier finalist and the winner of an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. Three anthologies that included her stories debuted on the USA Today Best Seller List.

She and her two cats call Northeast Mississippi home--the South is also where she sets most of her books. Her romantic suspense novels include the Logan Point series, the Memphis Cold Case Novels, and the Natchez Trace Park Rangers. She now hard at work on the second book in her new Pearl River series set in the Cumberland Plateau area above Chattanooga.

Writing workshops include American Christian Fiction Writers, the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference, the KenTen and Scrivener retreats where she was the keynote, Memphis American Christian Fiction Writer group, and the Bartlett Christian Writers group. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.

I love connecting with readers on my blog every Tuesday where I have a Mystery Question for them to solve: www.patriciabradleyauthor.com/blog
Twitter: @ptbradley1
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ptbradley/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptbradley1/

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