Guardian Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Guardian

Author: Cathy McCrumb

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: February 20, 2024

The Recorder’s fate has been sealed, but the Consortium is not the only enemy.

Labeled an aberration by the Consortium, the Recorder is not yet free. Time is running out as an engineered bioweapon wreaks havoc on friend and foe alike.

Stopping both the biological agent and the people who created it is no easy task, especially since the Recorder and her friends are trapped on a research station infested with behemoth insects. Without Consortium technology, the probability of neutralizing the threat falls to nothing. In order to save her allies, the Recorder must activate a drone, but her success might destroy any hope for freedom, a future, and a name.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Cathy McCrumb graduated from Biola University with a degree in English Literature and a love for stories. She and her husband, whom she met while writing letters to soldiers, have five children and currently live within the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. While writing is one of her favorite things to do, she also enjoys reading, long hikes and long naps, gluten-free brownies and raspberries, and crocheting while watching science fiction movies with friends and family.

 

 

 

More from Cathy

Someone asked me recently why I wrote Guardian.  My answer was that the whole Children of the Consortium trilogy is my love song to people who feel left out.

In the first novel, the Recorder—a young woman with no name, no family, and no friends—doesn’t see her life as valuable. As she discovers friendship and love, however, she realizes that every person in the system is unique, and this by definition must include her, too.

How often do we doubt our own value and that of the people around us? In a world that prioritizes youth, beauty, health, and success, many people are on the outside, looking in. I suspect that deep down, a lot of us wrestle with who we are and how we fall short of this external measuring tape.

The truth, however, is very, very different from the lie of worthlessness. While we have names (and don’t usually encounter two-meter insects, for which I am extremely thankful), we frequently forget that as humans, even though we are fallen, we are made in God’s image. Furthermore, as Christians, we have been both called and adopted.

Zephaniah 3:17 says that the Lord is with us. He takes “great delight” in us and rejoices over us. What an amazing, beautiful, and comforting image. The One who formed the stars, who breathed life into every human on the planet rejoices over YOU.

My prayer is that you find hope and joy in the midst of darkness, whether or not you find friends in the pages of these novels. Look to the Lord and hold fast to the fact that you are unique and valuable. Because even when you feel like you’re on the outside looking in, you are never alone.

Interview with the Author

  • What does success as an author look like to you?
    Success means many things, but the best success to me is impacting people’s lives. While it would be amazing to make best seller lists and win awards, the best awards are the emails from readers who have loved the books, felt seen, or have found courage in the pages.

  • Which character did you connect to best in this book?
    I didn’t start out connecting with the Recorder, but through the multiple drafts and all the changes she underwent, I now feel like she is a dear friend. I, too, love numbers and mathematics, though she is much better at mathematics than I am. We would, however, clash over fiction. She reads for facts, and I’m afraid she would find my interest in novels confusing.

 

  • What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?
    I don’t have a specific life verse, but the ones that are never far from my heart are Zeph. 3:17, Psalm 46:1, and Phil. 4:4-7.

 

  • What are you reading right now?
    Right now I am reading Lumen, by J.J. Fischer and Of Fire and Ash by Gillian Bronte Adams. Both are excellent books!

 

  • If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?
    One book: the Bible. Hope. Without that hope to hold fast to, I wouldn’t make it.
    One piece of music: Pachelbel’s Canon. No… Wait. Either Handel’s Water Music or Messiah. Probably Messiah. And yes, I love baroque music. (In my head, the subsonic canons that play in the Recorder’s quarters are based in baroque compositions.)

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 7

Through the Fire Blogs, March 8 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 9

Splashes of Joy, March 10 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 11

Artistic Nobody, March 12 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, March 13 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, March 14 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 15 (Author Interview)

Wishful Endings, March 15

Simple Harvest Reads, March 16 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, March 17 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, March 17

Fiction Book Lover, March 18 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol , March 19

Vicky Sluiter, March 20 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cathy is giving away the grand prize of a copy of Guardian!!

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/2a552/guardian-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Crooked Daughter Book Excerpt!

About the Book

Crooked-Ebook-1-642x1024

Book Title: The Crooked Daughter

Author Name: D.M. Griffin

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release Date: March 28, 2024

Choices her father made before she was even born reached a bony finger into her life, clouding her future with hopelessness. Her father’s cold heart had no room for her. He easily cast her aside when the Law permitted it. Defined as an outcast because of a physical infirmity, Priscilla was told death was her destiny. Despite the limited perspective brought about by years of adversity, Priscilla fought to keep hope alive and wait for the Lord’s timing.

Aquila lost his father at the most critical time in his life. Battling against grief and bitterness, Aquila uncovers a secret about his father’s death that undermines his faith in a religious system that once defined him. Driven from his homeland, Aquila becomes someone he no longer recognizes.

Two people whose perspectives are skewed by adversity become divinely intertwined in mysterious ways. As they wait upon the Lord for His timing, would Priscilla and Aquila ever find the truth that would lift their eyes to the hills so they could see the purpose of life, not only between a man and a woman but between God and His creation? A poignant story about how God uses adversity for good in the lives of those who truly love and trust Him.

 

Book Excerpt

Their very presence evoked images of her father. For that reason alone, she kept to the shadows whenever the religious leaders presented themselves.

One cloudy day, when the threat of rain thickened the air, Prisca wiped the sleep from her eyes. Two men had to be removed last night after being trampled when the crowd swarmed the bubbling water. The sight of the injuries that would ultimately cost them their lives pricked her heart. In their zeal for healing, they collided with death.

Someone left a medium-sized basket covered with a white linen cloth outside the entrance. Prisca used the walking stick to clamor to her feet. Using her free hand, she grabbed the handle of the basket and proceeded to maneuver down the steps carefully. The steps were slick with morning dew. Fearful of falling, Prisca moved slowly and deliberately while quietly hoping the waters would not draw the crowd’s attention. A mad rush now would certainly knock her over.

“Would you like some bread?” The man she addressed reclined on his mat. Both ankles were bent at an odd angle. Without saying anything, the man took what she offered.

 

Missed Any Excerpts, Go Here

Excerpt One: https://lakesidelivingsite.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/the-crooked-daughter-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Two: https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-crooked-daughter.html

Excerpt Three: https://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/2024/03/celebrate-lit-presents-crooked-daughter.html

Excerpt Five: https://www.amoderndayfairytale.net/2024/03/the-crooked-daughter-epic-book-launch.html

Excerpt Six: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/the-crooked-daughter-book-excerpt/

Excerpt Seven: https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2024/03/crooked-daughter-by-dm-griffin-epic.html

 

About the Author

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D.M. Griffin is the author of several Biblical Fiction novels as well as devotionals, prayer journals, and Bible studies. She will be releasing a Christian Fantasy series in 2025. She currently resides in Northern California with her husband. They met in middle school a few days after she was transplanted to the West Coast at the tender age of twelve. She has three adult children who have been an endless source of delight and inspiration. She also has a precious new grandchild who brings her joy.

As a native New England girl, she fondly remembers spending her summers there as a child. Thick accents, small towns, and fascinating weather stirred the imagination of a young heart. She has always had a fondness for stories thanks to her imaginative mother who would make up wild, adventurous tales to tell when tucking her into bed as a child.

She truly believes that a book that sits on a shelf unread is like a planted seed that never blossoms. Nothing delights her more than sharing a story.

Forever Free Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Forever Free

Author: Hope Toler Dougherty

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 24, 2024

Phoebe Sinclair combines her love of flowers and teaching to nurture a cut flower business on her grandfather’s land. She’s got her hands full growing the farm, growing her customer base, and dealing with her growing attraction to the aloof man who’s volunteered to help make her farming dream come true.

Can she focus on her main job, or will a pair of yearning eyes and a hurting heart divert her worthy goals?

Heath Daniels has resigned himself to a life of singleness as he watches his siblings couple up and set wedding dates. Tracking their happiness, however, is more difficult than he expected. A real struggle, in fact.

Feeling the old troubles from his college years creeping back to tempt him, he’s propelled to volunteer for manual labor, leaving him exhausted, but out of danger, at the end of every day. His additional hours of agri-business, however, lead to different struggles with an intriguing farmer.

Does he have the strength to resist old temptations as well as a beautiful new one too?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Hope Toler Dougherty holds a Master’s degree in English and taught at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, and York Technical College in Rock Hill, SC. Her early novels are Irish EncounterMars…With Venus Rising, and Rescued Hearts. Her Forever series includes Forever Music, Forever Home, and the novella, “A Hatteras Surprise,” which is featured in Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams.

A chronic volunteer, she’s a member of ACFW, NC Writers’ Network, and Triangle East Writers. She and her husband live in North Carolina and look forward to visits with their two daughters and twin sons.

 

More from Hope

A few years ago, I decided to write a series since readers enjoy reading stories with familiar characters. Four siblings came to mind, perhaps because I have four children, and the Daniels family from Charlotte, North Carolina, burst onto my computer screen.

I’ve loved spending time with Ben, Heath, Sam, and Josie for the past several years and sharing how three of them found their happily ever after.  One, however, always appeared on the fringe of the story, participating, yes, but always a bit set apart from the family.

Heath Daniels is the second oldest sibling, the middle brother between Ben and Sam. Readers will discover him first in Forever Music and then in a larger role in Forever Home, but he never disclosed too much about himself in those stories.

Before I began the series, I didn’t know to plan key plot points and goals for each story as well as the whole series. As a panster, I wrote each story as it came to me or as I needed to like, for instance, the novella, “A Hatteras Surprise.”

When it came time to write Heath’s story, I hardly knew him. I wasn’t sure about his backstory, his occupation, tastes…nothing. He grudgingly released those missing pieces bit by tiny bit.

At the beginning of Forever Free, Heath feels like the black sheep in the family. In the high achieving Daniels clan, he’s the one who dropped out of college, the one who struggled with substance abuse, the one who feels less than. With all his siblings coupling up, he’s staring at a single future because of old misguided beliefs.

Guilt from an early tragedy along with bad choices play important parts in Heath’s personality. Phoebe Sinclair has her hands full nurturing her cut flower farm, plus she has to deal with a cute, but distant employee, the mysterious Heath.

I enjoyed getting to know Heath and watching his growth from the sullen, misunderstood character to the confident businessperson who wants Phoebe to achieve her dream. I hope you’ll enjoy his story, too.

Here’s a recipe Phoebe bakes for her grandfather in Forever Free. I’m not sure why it’s called Swedish Nut Cake, but I’m sure it’s delicious.

Swedish Nut Cake

Ingredients for cake:                                       Ingredients for icing:
2 C flour                                                          1 8 oz pkg creamed cheese
1 ¾ C sugar                                                     1/2 stick butter
2 eggs                                                              1 t vanilla
2 t baking soda                                                1 ½ C powdered sugar, sifted
1 t vanilla
½ chopped nuts
1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple with juice

Directions:
Mix all ingredients for cake and bake in a greased 9×13 pan at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. For icing, mix all ingredients and frost the cooled cake. Store in the refrigerator.

Interview with the Author

  1. What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

One of my favorites is Ephesians 3:20. “[God] is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” No matter what we can come up with, God can do more, can give more. God is more. I love that.

  1. What is your vacation spot?

We’ve been spending a week in June at a YMCA family camp in central Pennsylvania since 2004. My husband went as a child and also became a camp counselor in high school. It’s a beautiful place set in a valley beside a big lake. We can bike, mountain climb, hike, swim, kayak, sail, make pottery, do crafts, play board games and cards, read, or just take a nap. At this point, it’s like a family reunion with some of the same families returning every year.

  1. What are you reading right now?

I’m reading The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick. I’ve read several of hers and enjoy her stories. It’s on top of a tall TBR pile.

  1. Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

On the wall in front of me is a bank of twelve cubbies filled with skeins and balls of yarn because I love to crochet. To my left is a double window, and I can see a corner of the woods beside my house. Then the driveway snakes two tenths of a mile to our country road. I can see the pecan trees that don’t have leaves now but will burst with color in the spring and drop pecans next fall. Across the driveway, I see a field that’s been in my family for generations. Last fall it held sweet potatoes. Now it’s growing some kind of cover crop.

  1. If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

I’m a book person, so I have tons of favorite books. Years ago, I was about to answer Jane Eyre until a friend in a book club asked that question and then said, “You can’t choose the Bible, Hope.” I felt bad because I wasn’t thinking about choosing that. I started thinking, though. The Bible would be the perfect choice. It has everything: encouragement, humor, love stories, adventure, biography, history, and speculative. Yes, the Bible is the perfect choice.

Blog Stops

Pause for Tales, March 6

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 7 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, March 8 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 8

For the Love of Literature, March 9 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 10

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 11 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 12

Blossoms and Blessings, March 13 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 14

Artistic Nobody, March 15 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 16

Back Porch Reads, March 17 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, March 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 18

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, March 19 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Hope is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 Amazon gift card and a set of the 4-book Forever 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/2a551/forever-free-celebration-tour-giveaway

Mortal Queens Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Mortal Queens

Author: Victoria McCombs

Genre: YA Fae Fantasy

Release Date: February 6, 2023

They vanish without a trace, disappear into the night…

Each year on the center island, one girl is chosen to be the next Mortal Queen of the idolized fae. The mortals praise these lucky girls, but their daughters are never seen again.

The fae realm is eternal night, where disputes are settled by chess matches, power is acquired through the most devious kinds of trickery, and seven illusive kings roam. The fae hide their faces behind masks and guard their glass hearts to keep them from shattering. But beyond the veil of this luxurious paradise, a dark secret simmers, for their Queens have disappeared.

When aspiring artist Althea is selected, she is desperate to avoid the same mysterious fate. With no one to trust, she conceals messages in paintings and receives anonymous replies from a stranger who slowly reveals the tale of a girl who outwitted the fae. Only if she is clever enough will Althea survive the fate of the Mortal Queens. As long as the king who cannot love does not claim her first.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Mindy

“It was funny how one bad decision could bring the clarity you lacked before you made it, but it was always too late.”

This is not my first book by Victoria McCombs and she never fails to surprise, delight, and amaze me with the depth of her fantasy worlds, the beauty of her characters, and the intricate nature of her plots. The fae world she has created for this book is incredibly detailed with so many layers to peel back. I loved entering the fae world with Thea and seeing it through her eyes. I loved sharing with Thea the wonder of a world so beautiful and different and felt her confusion, pain, and determination as she discovered that this world is not as it seems. I was sometimes frustrated with Thea because she was still only seventeen – with all the rash, impulsive, grandiose nature of a teenager – but her generous heart, compassion, and kindness made her easy to love. Her first person voice was honest, raw and endearing. The political climate of the fae world was mind-boggling at first. And just when I thought I had grasped it – bam! The author threw in tons of curveballs to the plot that had me reeling. There has to be another book, perhaps two, to complete this series. If there isn’t, I would be utterly lost because the book ends on a cliff-hanger.

Oh my word, if you’re a YA fantasy lover, you absolutely need to pick up this book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Enclave Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Victoria McCombs is the author of YA fantasy books such as The Storyteller’s Daughter and The Royal Rose Chronicles. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and three children. Her days are filled with coffee, reading, golfing, board games, and homeschooling the littles.

 

 

 

 

More from Victoria

There are several parties thrown in the fae realm, so today I’ll be sharing a party favorite recipe! I’ve had strangers reach out years after a party to ask for this recipe, and it’s so simple to make!

Cucumber Party Sandwiches

Ingredients:   One French loaf (the thinner, the better. It will be topped with a cucumber.)

1-2 cucumbers

8 oz cream cheese

½ cup mayo

1 package dry Italian dressing

We’d always buy the French loaf in a roll that you bake like crescent rolls, however I’ve struggled to find them recently, so I just buy the premade bread. However you acquire your bread, you’ll want it cooked and sliced into inch thick pieces.

Cut medium-thick slices of cucumber

Combine the cream cheese, mayo, and dry Italian dressing.

Spread the mixture over the bread, then top with cucumber. May garnish with pepper if desired. Done!

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, February 24

Texas Book-aholic, February 25

Wishful Endings, February 26

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 27

Book Looks by lisa, February 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 29

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, March 1

Blogging With Carol, March 2

For Him and My Family, March 3

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 4

Hannahbandanarama, March 5

Fiction Book Lover, March 6 (Spotlight)

Exploring the Written Word, March 6

Simple Harvest Reads, March 7 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Guild Master, March 8 (Spotlight)

Inspired by Fiction, March 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Victoria 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/2a259/mortal-queens-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Cherished Betrothal Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Cherished Betrothal

Author: Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: January 23, 2024

He rescued her once, but a chance at love will require the ultimate sacrifice.

Alexander Morris bears the childhood scars of the Long Canes massacre that killed his brother and father. Forced by his dark past into the lonely life of Georgia Ranger, Alexander joins the bordering South Carolina Rangers in their revolt against the Crown. When he’s posted to the fort erected to defend the community once decimated by the massacre, duty demands he court the loyalty of his sworn enemies, the fierce Cherokee warriors.

Elspeth Lawrence never forgot the boy who sacrificed himself for her at Long Canes—any more than she forgot the younger sister taken captive. She’s learned not only to forgive, but also to help minister to the Cherokees at her father’s mission. When Alex Morris arrives at nearby Fort Charlotte, Elspeth finds her memories—and her emotions—stirred. He doesn’t even remember her…or the long-ago attack. But the bitterness that simmers just beneath his stoic exterior—as well as her courtship by a local landowner—challenge their undeniable bond.

When Alex uncovers a long-held secret and a plot to sabotage patriot talks with the Cherokees, he must choose between his desire for revenge and his love for the girl he rescued long ago.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

What I think you should know:

A Cherished Betrothal is Christian Historical Fiction by Denise Weimer. It is the third book in the Scouts of the Georgia Frontier Series.  It is set in the 1775 Frontier of South Carolina and Georgia and can be read as a standalone. This book features Elspeth Lawrence, the daughter of a pastor and Georgia Ranger Alexander Morris.

 

What you might need to know:

This book tries to give an authentic portrayal from a settler’s perspective, it does include both conflict with Native Americans and hostility between the Patriots and the Loyalists. It gives a brutal look at wartime violence.

 

What I think about this book:

This was such a fascinating book. I appreciate how the author showed the strength and fortitude that was required to survive in the wilds of the colonies. It was very interesting to read the book from the perspective of Elspeth whose father, a pastor, tried not to take sides and instead tried to show God’s love to all people. Alex was a very realistic character, he had lost so much, but grew as a character and a man during this  book. As a South Carolina native, genealogy and history buff, I loved this book, the places were familiar to me and the people could have been my ancestors. I can’t wait to read more in the series .

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored over a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

 

 

 

 

More from Denise

That Event That Changed You Forever: The Backstory Catalyst of A Cherished Betrothal

Most of us can pinpoint it—a moment in time that forever altered us and the course of our lives. Maybe it was a place. Or a person. For good or bad, we can never go back to who we used to be. The good or bad depends on how we react to that moment, place, or person, doesn’t it? Whether we allow God to make us more like Him because of it.

Both the hero and heroine of my third novel in the Scouts of the Georgia Frontier, A Cherished Betrothal, live with such a moment. Experts in book plotting say our characters should have a dark moment in their backstory. For Alex Morris and Elspeth Lawrence, the Long Canes Massacre of 1760 is that dark moment. Together, they survived the attack of around a hundred Cherokee braves on a group of settlers fleeing across the South Carolina border into Georgia. Alex lost his father and brother, Elspeth her mother while her younger sister was taken captive. With the resilience of the Scots-Irish who formed a barrier between the colonies and the Native Americans, the Long Canes settlers returned to the border of South Carolina later that same year.

A Cherished Betrothal actually begins in 1775, with the South Carolina backcountry on the brink of revolution. Since the childhood attack, Alex has lost his sense of home. He draws his identity from his service as a Georgia and South Carolina Ranger (yes, this tale veers over the border into South Carolina and the fascinating history around the town of Ninety Six) and waits for the opportunity for revenge. He keeps his anger carefully banked, just as Elspeth hides her fear—especially when she has to face warriors who visit the mission for Cherokee children she runs with her minister father. She’s forgiven her enemies, but she can no more prevent her knees knocking upon sight of the braves than she can forget the boy who saved her life fifteen years ago.

It seems God has answered her prayers when Alex shows up at nearby Fort Charlotte. Only…he doesn’t remember her…or the dark moment that shaped both of their histories. Between Elspeth’s not-so-gentle pressure, a Cherokee boy Alex can’t shake as a shadow, and his commanders’ determination to court the Cherokees as allies for the Patriot cause, Alex is forced to look his past in the eye.

Pivoting between Fort Charlotte, the mission school, and the town of Ninety Six where Elspeth’s wealthy Loyalist admirer helps stir conflict, including the first battle of the Revolution in South Carolina, A Counterfeit Betrothal is a tale of unshakeable love and soul-deep healing. I loved this story so much when I was writing it, I wanted to move into Colonial Ninety Six. I hope you will too!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 13

Blossoms and Blessings, February 14

Pause for Tales, February 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 15

Texas Book-aholic, February 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17

Holly’s Book Corner, February 18

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 19 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, February 19

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 20

lakesidelivingsite, February 20

Cover Lover Book Review, February 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 23

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 24

Simple Harvest Reads, February 25 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, February 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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/2a0cd/a-cherished-betrothal-celebration-tour-giveaway

Torch Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Torch

Author: Sofia Simpson

Genre: Young Adult Christian Fantasy

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Relentlessly pursued by the Extremists, Vela and Linc embark on a perilous journey toward a hidden Elemental community in the Canadian mountains. It’s a place where couples of different elements thrive, raising families while living off the grid.

These Elementals, like the Extremists, are searching for the portended Chosen Child,  the one who will unite the clans. Vela is forced to accept she might be a part of this prophecy whether she likes it or not.

Vela is more than intrigued by a mixed Elemental in the community who single-mindedly pursues her. Faced with a choice between two very different men makes committing to Linc as her Intended harder than she imagined.

Can Linc win the fight for her heart? Will this prophecy be her undoing or the Elementals’ salvation?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Sofia grew up moving constantly. Never in one place more than three years, there was plenty of time to daydream during long car rides. College finally gave her a chance to study what she had always dreamed of doing, writing her stories.

She obtained a B.A. in Journalism, married her handsome husband and had two amazing sons.

A big believer in dreaming big, Sofia loves speaking to youth, encouraging them to find hope no matter what their life looks like. Sofia is a daughter of the Lord first and foremost and finds inspiration with the stories like King David and Esther.

More from Sofia

This book has been my absolute favorite to write. I switched my POV to first person, and it made all the difference in the world as far as getting into my character’s head. I’ve been so intimidated in writing in first person POV, so I’m so happy I went out on a limb and tried it. The story flowed so easily once I did! I wrote the first draft of this book in 10 weeks! I got on an intense writing schedule, stuck to it and voila! Out popped this book.

I loved every minute of it, especially the researching part. Researching how to live off the grid was fascinating to me, and it couldn’t have been more interesting. It really made me understand how people lived without modern conveniences. Well, in my book, they lived with modern conveniences thanks to generators and the Elementals’ gifts and abilities, but they had to make their own soap, butter, cheese, sometimes, clothes. I learned how a toilet can work thanks to gravity and setting up the pump on a hill. It’s all fascinating to me and I hope everyone finds it fun to learn, too, all while a great story unfolds!

The following recipe was so neat, I had to include it! And, yes, it’s in the book. They had to cook bread without an oven, so this worked nicely so they could still enjoy some fresh cooked bread.

This recipe was copied from the following link from Veganonboard.com:

Campfire Bread on a Stick Recipe – Vegan on Board

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp dried yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 ½ cups (300 g) flour
  • ⅞ cup (200 ml) warm water
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt

Dough:

  • In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients into a moist dough. No need to knead!
  • Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size – about 1 hour.
  • With floured hands, briefly ‘knock back’ the dough by making it into a ball.
  • Tip the dough out onto a floured surface and divide into 8 pieces.

Shaping your breadsticks:

  • Start by stretching the dough into a strip and then roll it into a long sausage shape.
  • Twist a strip around the end of your sticks. Pinch the dough together to secure the end if necessary.

Cooking Over a Campfire:

  • Either hold or prop up your stick over the fire.
  • Choose a spot over hot embers for best results.
  • Keep rotating until all sides are browned.
  • Enjoy your freshly baked bread!

Interview with the Author

What does success as an author look like to you?

I’m a success as an author when I have someone read my book and say it encouraged them, especially in their faith. I want more than a feel-good book. I want a book that someone can take away and use in their life. That sounds like a non-fiction book, I know, but I feel like I learn more from a fiction book than I would from a non-fiction book. I find situations characters face are so relatable.

Which character did you connect to best in this book?

I have a minor character, Hannah, in Torch, that said and did things I would say and do. I hope I’m like her, at any rate. She’s a loving mother who loves to laugh and encourage. I wrote her from my heart and wish to be like her.

3)Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

There’s a childbirth scene I sobbed over as I wrote it. There’s a woman who is way overdue in her pregnancy. Gyans, in my book, are natural healers, but the Gyan midwife can help with some things in labor, but not everything. The labor goes wrong, and they lose the baby’s heartbeat and they have to do drastic measures to save the life of the baby. (don’t worry, the baby is fine in the end). This scene reminded me so much of my first labor that it brought back all those intensely stressful moments.

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will have everlasting life.

This was the first verse I learned as a child, and I carried it with me in all the darkest times of my childhood. As an adult, I learned more about my faith and added to that verse, memorizing more that will help me walk in my faith. I feel this verse is the backbone to my faith, and it entirely rests on this Scripture.

What are you reading right now?

Suspended in the Stars by E.A. Hendryx. It’s a YA Science Fantasy that I absolutely love! This author writes it all, but this is my first book I’ve read of hers but it won’t be my last.

Blog Stops

Artistic Nobody, February 15 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 16

Guild Master, February 17 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 17

Texas Book-aholic, February 18

Fiction Book Lover, February 19 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 21 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, February 22

Simple Harvest Reads, February 23 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 24

A Reader’s Brain, February 25 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, February 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 26

Through the Fire Blogs, February 27 (Author Interview)

Blogging with Carol, February 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sofia is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and 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/29dba/torch-celebration-tour-giveaway

Refuge of Grace Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Refuge of Grace: Finding Your Safe Place

Author: Tracy L. Smoak

Genre: Non-Fiction

Release Date: September, 2023

“This book is a life-saving manual meant for any soul who has bottomed out and can only look up for help.”
— George Firehammer

Need a stronger connection with God? A safe place?

Anyone hoping for straight talk to bring Jesus close will find refreshment in Refuge of Grace. Learn from a fresh look at 22 little-told Bible passages via Tracy L. Smoak’s engaging storytelling and vivid imagery.

These scriptures offer true comfort in your everyday struggles. From hearing Gomer’s perspective about shame to imagining Jesus arriving in a Rolls Royce for the family reunion, you will know God’s working on your behalf-right now.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

A native Floridian, Tracy L. Smoak grew up riding horses and climbing citrus trees. Her passion is to encourage others in their faith journey. Smoak writes for Guideposts. Ambassador International released her debut novel, Who Brought the Dog to Church?. Bold Vision published her Bible study about encouragement titled Refuge of Grace: Finding Your Safe Place.

She loves photography and authored two hardcover devotionals with her original nature art (Living Water to Refresh Your Soul – tranquil lake scenes; and Arranged with Love– floral landscapes).

Smoak holds a master’s in Education and a bachelor’s in Communication. At her church home, she leads small-group Bible studies. She is an active member of Word Weavers International.

More from Tracy

When life knocks you down, where do you go for hope?

We all want to be brave, but sometimes circumstances overwhelm us. Health declines, bank accounts empty, and friends disappear. No matter the disappointments, one absolute certainty we can count on is God. He will stand with us through every adversity.

Ideas for Refuge of Grace: Finding Your Safe Place began at 3 a.m. on a January workday in 2021. I tossed and turned in bed, wondering how I could continue teaching in a public school under all the pandemic constraints. We wore masks, developed lesson plans for both in-class instruction and online modules, and juggled a revolving door of student quarantines with absences.

Fear surrounded us on all sides.

Others also struggled. My older son managed an emergency department in a large city and had to find ways to supply unprecedented needs. My younger son worked in the financial industry and watched markets reel. Neighbors lost jobs and income.

How could we model resilience and move forward?

I turned to the Bible for inspiration and studied stories about how believers overcame hardship. Six months and 22 chapters later—all the while teaching full time—this collection renewed hope and kept me going.

My prayer is that reading these Bible promises of God’s faithfulness also will empower you.

Interview with the Author

1)What does success as an author look like to you?

At first, I thought getting a contract from a publisher was the ticket. Then I hoped to survive the rounds of editing. Now, I take delight when readers reach out and share how a passage spoke to them.

2)Which chapter was the most difficult to write?

The chapter “He Loves You Still” is told from Gomer’s point of view. I cried and cried while writing that because I remembered all the dumb and shameful things done in college, yet God never gave up on me.

3)What inspired this book?

I was full of fear! The 2020 pandemic brought into question all that seemed secure. Could medicine save us? Would the economy hold? Would I have a job? If I kept my job, would I be able to adapt to the new technology required to perform. I wanted to find God in the midst of the upheaval and walk forward with bravery.

4)What is your vacation spot?

Going to a tropical beach always delights me. I love the soft white sand with palm trees dancing. Seeing sunlight skip across waves helps me unwind.

5)What are you reading right now?

Irish folk tales, Palestinian history, a suspense novel, and a nonfiction about the science of breakthroughs

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 9

Artistic Nobody, February 10 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 12

Fiction Book Lover, February 13 (Author Interview)

Girls in White Dresses, February 14

Its Mama Safe, February 15

Beauty in the Binding, February 16 (Author Interview)

By The Book, February 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, February 17

Cover Lover Book Review, February 18

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 19 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 20

Simple Harvest Reads, February 21 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tracy is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy each of Who Brought the Dog to Church? and Refuge of Grace: Finding Your Safe Place!!

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/29c57/refuge-of-grace-celebration-tour-giveaway

Leading Ladies Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success

Authors: Amber Weigand-Buckley & Lisa Burris Burns

Genre: Christian Leadership and Religious Leadership

Release Date: May 25, 2023

SISTERS, IT’S TIME TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!

Find out how to step up to God’s calling as these daring women redefine what leadership looks like. Authentic and heartfelt stories of world-changing women leaders of every hue, background, and job description, teach us by example how to battle to find our passion, connect with our gifts, and maintain forward-focused momentum in every season of life.

Join authors Amber Weigand-Buckley and Lisa Burris Burns — along with Babbie Mason, Candace Payne, Jacquelyn Marushka, Martha Bolton, Katy Nichole, Kymberlie Joye, and so many more powerhouse women–as they explore leadership purpose, and living a life that counts.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Authors

Meet Amber

Amber Weigand-Buckley is an author, speaker, multi-award-winning magazine editor, and art director, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (awsa.com) marketing director, Bold Vision Books’ creative director, and owner of #barefacedcreativemedia (barefacedcreativemedia.com). The Springfield, Missouri native navigates bipolar and anxiety disorder while embracing her best life. At its peak, her mental illness almost caused her to take her own life. Amber is a mental health advocate who knows that a diagnosis does not disqualify you from God’s leadership call.Amber, whose vision birthed Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success, is energized by helping world-changing women of all hues, backgrounds, and walks of life to find their wings, hone their skills, and take their God-call to the next level.

She has two grown daughters, Saffron, Imogen, and one teen Penelope, with Philip, her British hubby of 28 years, two Great Pyrenees pups—Stanley and Stuart, and a zoo of exotic pets.

Meet Lisa

The diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder initially shattered LISA BURRIS BURNS’ ministry dreams as a vocalist and worship leader. Despite this, God opened opportunities for her journey and abilities to expand beyond what she ever anticipated for herself — to acting, stage performance, set design, and writing. As a vocal and performance coach with K.C. Superstar, a Kansas City-based competition likened to “American Idol,” she is passionate about fine-tuning artists’ creative expressions. Lisa thrives on the artistic process, especially everything yarn and crafty.

This avid Kansas City Chiefs fan lives with her husband, Randy, in Blue Springs, Missouri. The Burns have served in marriage and family ministry since 1988. They have six fantastic children, two amazing son-in-loves, and five adorable granddaughters.

More from Amber and Lisa

Are you ready to discover your God-given gifts and move in forward in all that He’s called you to be? Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success will help you identify your unique leadership abilities.

For a limited time, get the inspirational song “Lead Me On” recorded by Michaelah Weaver for FREE when your register as a Leading Ladies VIP at leadingladies.life.

Let “Lead Me On” be your empowering anthem as you read Leading Ladies and learn to boldly walk in your purpose. Download the song and book excerpt now at leadingladies.life!

Interview with the Authors

1)What does success as an author look like to you?

Lisa: I would have to say that being true to who created me, and how he has equipped me, is to be successful. I don’t have to strive for what others have or are called to do.

Amber: Success, for me, is doing what God has called you to do—whether perceived as success or failure. Obedience, even in lack, invites miracles.

2)Which chapter was the most difficult to write?

Lisa: The last…my own!

3)What inspired this book?

Lisa: My co-author Amber says that it started with a question, “Do you recognize the gifts I’ve placed within you—and how I’ve equipped YOU to lead?”

4)Which author influenced you the most?

Amber: While working on the book, Tracy Glass, the author of Chapter 2, threw a curveball: “Are you afraid to lead boldly because you are afraid to stand out or are you ashamed of your story?” It hit home—I was still grappling with shame. Another contributor, Veronica Clay, opened my eyes to a new understanding of rest.

5)What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

Lisa: Philippians 3:12-14 has been especially important to me as we’ve traveled the past 2 years with the book, and I just keep coming back to it. There were moments that Amber and I both were pressed beyond what we thought we were capable of. While we knew God was present every step, we also felt the stretching of those moments. It was so good  of God to use us! Philippians 3:12-14 has continued to help in spite of my insecurities and inadequacies … Forget the past, look forward,and keep going!

Amber: Romans 4:17-18 aligns with our book’s theme—God calls things into being that weren’t. He turns pain into purpose, brokenness into healing, sorrow into joy. As we walk by faith, like Abraham, God transforms us, writing incredible stories. This verse embodies the hope I share through our book, Leading Ladies, and all I do. In moments of feeling stuck, God revives our dreams and reveals our calling—often unexpectedly.

6)What would you like your readers to get out of this book?

Lisa: That they will be inspired to walk more fully in the knowledge of who they are in Jesus.

7) What is your vacation spot?

Lisa: I’m not sure that I’m a very good vacationer! I do have a really special place owned by dear friends on a lake in southern Missouri that brings me a great deal of peace and the ability to breathe deeply. It’s a place that I can go to re-charge and rest emotionally, mentally and physically.

8)What are you reading right now?

Lisa: I just started the new Jackie Hill Perry devotional Upon Waking, and Ann Voskamp’s Waymaker

Amber: I’m rereading the new issue of Leading Hearts magazine before it goes to print. As the editor and art director, I have to read it at least a dozen times, then I rest my eyes for the rest of the day.

9)What is your most well-loved and well-used house appliance?

Lisa: My Ninja coffee  maker is my best friend!

Amber: My trusty panini press for killer grilled cheese. Also, the gas fire pit for toasting marshmallows and the blackstone griddle for hibachi – not that committed in winter, though.

Blog Stops

Godly Book Reviews, February 16

Artistic Nobody, February 17 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, February 18 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 18

Simple Harvest Reads, February 19 (Author Interview)

She Lives to Read, February 20

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 21 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 22

Beauty in the Binding, February 23 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 24

For the Love of Literature, February 25 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 26

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 27 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, February 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 28

A Reader’s Brain, February 29 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Amber and Lisa are giving away the grand prize package of a copy of the book and a $50 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/2a0cf/leading-ladies-celebration-tour-giveaway

Dial V for Valentine Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Dial V for Valentine

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: February 14, 2022

Valentine’s Day is perfect for a wedding. If only the bride will agree.

Being part of the military is not just a job for Fergus Rafferty, it’s a calling. He’s worked his way up the ranks and doing what he loves best: flying Apache helicopters. The only thing that will make his life complete is marrying Celeste. After he transfers to a unit scheduled to deploy in three months, he’s thrilled at the idea of marrying before he leaves so they can start their new life. Except Celeste wants to wait until he returns. Can he convince her to wed before he leaves?

Celeste Hardwicke has just opened her law practice when she finally accepts Fergus’s marriage proposal. Not to worry. She has plenty of time to set a date, then plan the wedding. Until she doesn’t. But a quickie wedding isn’t what she has in mind. Besides, why get married when the groom will ship out after the ceremony? When she stumbles on her great-grandmother’s diary from World War II, she discovers the two of them share the same predicament.

At an impasse, Celeste and Fergus agree to call into WDES’s program No Errin’ for Love. Will DJ Erin Orberg’s advice solve their dilemma or create a bigger divide? One they’ll both regret.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

My mom was born on February 14th, so when I was growing up, Valentine’s Day wasn’t about romance and falling in love. Instead, it was a celebration of my mother. When I was asked to participate in the multi-author project, You are on the Air, I was hesitant to accept because of having little connection to the holiday and the books in the series are contemporary romance. I primarily write historical romance. But I loved the concept: the stories revolve around couples who call into a Christian radio station for relationship advice. I spent about two weeks mulling over (and discarding) ideas, then I realized the plot was right in front of me.

I had just finished putting together an exhibit with the curator at the museum where I volunteer. One of the display items was a wedding gown made from a parachute. Included with the dress was a photograph of the couple, and their names and wedding date, but nothing else. The lack of information got my mind going, and I wondered about their story. Why did they wait until the end of the war to marry? Why not wed before the groom shipped out? Did they regret waiting? I realized that members of today’s armed forces might deal with the same situation and decided to combine the two plot lines. (See? I can’t leave my historical roots behind!)

In Dial V for Valentine, Celeste and Fergus struggle with the sacrifice that comes with true love. Not the you-can-have-the-last-cookie kind of love, but a love that puts another’s needs and wants above one’s own. What they learn is that we can only love successfully when we understand that love comes from God. We are capable of loving (mates, significant others, friends and the unlovely) because “He first loved us.” Love is an emotion, but it is also an act of obedience.

Interview with the Author

Which character did you connect to best in this book? 

I related to Celeste in her situation. During college, I was very intent on getting my degree so I could begin my career. I got engaged in December of my junior year, but by March of my senior year was having second thoughts about getting married. Each time I discussed my concerns with my parents, they pushed back and insisted that I go through with the wedding. The more I talked about it, the more they balked. Like Celeste, I felt battered from all sides and that that situation was out of my control.

 

What inspired this book? 

I volunteer as a docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and had the honor of working with the curator to create an exhibit called “Shaped by Conflict” that highlighted objects from WWII that were crafted from combat items such as trench art (e.g., an ash tray constructed from a machine gun shell) and a parachute transformed into a wedding dress. During my research for the exhibit, I learned about women who chose to wed during the war because they wanted to be married in case their husband didn’t return from the war. Other women waited to marry afterwards for the same reason.

I was asked to be part of the You are on the Air which is a contemporary series. Because I write historical novels, I was hesitant to say yes. The coordinator suggested I tie in a historical plot line, and the idea of a wedding dress being handed down came to mind. That prompted the thought of being engaged to a military man and what if he was suddenly called up. The plotline solidified into two women, generations apart, who have to decide when/if to marry their military men.

 

Which author influenced the you most? 

It is hard to select just one, so if you’ll indulge me, I’ll pick two!  During my early writing years, Elizabeth Camden influenced the idea of selecting protagonists in unusual jobs for their era. Also, the way she weaves historical information into the story, educating the reader without making it dry or textbookish. More recently, Heather Blanton’s ability to create complex characters and share the message of salvation in her stories has impacted my work.

 

What are you reading right now? 

I recently purchased Michelle Griep’s Bow Street Runners trilogy which is fantastic. I’ve finished book 1 Brentwood’s Ward and have just started The Innkeeper’s Daughter. I’m also researching Britain’s Channel Islands during WWII, so am reading Islands in Danger by Alan and Mary Wood.

 

Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.  

My office windows face our backyard which is heavily treed which almost gives me a feeling of being outside. As the seasons change, so does my view. In spring and summer, the forest is a canopy of varied shades of green. In the fall, it is alive with reds, oranges, and golds, and in winter skeletal trees and the stone wall are snow-covered. Deer often wander through, and there is a lot of bird life. Twice, I’ve seen a barred owl in the oak tree just outside the window.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 14

Texas Book-aholic, February 15

Simple Harvest Reads, February 16 (Author Interview)

She Lives To Read, February 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 18

Artistic Nobody, February 19 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, February 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 20

For Him and My Family, February 21

Fiction Book Lover, February 22 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, February 23

Back Porch Reads, February 24 (Author Interview)

Karen Baney Reviews, February 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 25

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, February 26 (Author Interview)

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 27 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Visa Gift Card and signed 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/29db9/dial-v-for-valentine-celebration-tour-giveaway

Water’s Break Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Water’s Break

Author: Sophia Hansen

Genre: YA sci-fi

Release Date: January 9, 2024

What if fear itself is the deadliest undercurrent of all?

Nica would do anything to avoid the hassles of her sister’s bonding ceremony—the wrap fittings, hairstyles, and braided fire coral—but she never imagined that the waters covering her planet would be broken. As the heavens rained fire and stone, mountains erupted from the sea and dry ground was birthed on the Deep, dividing the water—and the Olomi people—for the first time in their history.

In the wake of her world’s violent re-formation, Nica’s family is shattered. When the rookie Guardian leaves the safety of the Deep to find her sister, she is abducted by strange landwalkers who possess strength and technology beyond her imagination. Nica realizes that the disaster from above was by their design—a calculated plan to terraform the water planet and conquer her people. All Nica wants to do is find her sister and swim home to safety, but with the landwalkers closing in, escape may not be possible. And if Nica can’t save herself, how can she hope to save her sister—or her people?

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Mindy

This debut novel by Sophia Larsen takes us into a deep underwater world where community thrives with love and security. When land dwellers arrive to colonize and save their own dying race, the waters break and the people of the water are broken and enslaved. The underwater world’s culture and language were portrayed in beautiful detail. The chapters flowed well and the book was easy to read. 

The book addressed the terrible issue of slavery and its accompanying greed, cruelty, and misuse of power. I wasn’t prepared for this theme to encompass the entirety of the story and found myself skipping over some of the details regarding the land dwellers’ extensive cruelty.

It didn’t feel like a YA novel and perhaps that’s what threw me off. Still, those who love high fantasy will likely love this book (as so many other reviewers have attested to). I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Enclave Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Sophia L. Hansen, raised in the melded cultures of Korea and America, understands not fitting into society’s boxes. Born on a tiny island in Alaska, then growing up in New York City and Boston, she now resides in the Southeast, writing and editing between fresh(ish) cups of coffee and slices of crisp bacon. She embraces life with her husband, their adulting children, and her new grandson, but her favorites are Jesus, family, coffee, and dark chocolate, mostly in that order.

 

More from Sophia

Once upon a time, there was a mom.
A mom with many children.
She was a very busy mom.
One day the pastor’s wife asked her to write something for the Christmas program.
“Why would you ask me?” she replied. “I’m just a mom.”
“Because you love words,” was the quiet answer.
When the mom heard this, she realized it was true. And so, she began to write.

The Beginning

~

Stories don’t grow in a vacuum. Neither do they flourish in a pressure cooker. Our ideas are like seeds; full of potential but needing time and space to germinate. My season of writing started after more than a decade of birthing, raising, and educating my children. We had five at the time and I was full up. There was little space in church activities for attached moms whose children didn’t nursery well, and I spent more of my Sunday mornings in the playground rather than the pews. Then, finally, a friend invited me to a study in her home, and all children were welcome.

As my soul feasted on the fellowship, Bible study, and sharing, I felt like a child sitting down to a holiday meal. I’d been so busy taking care of others that I didn’t remember what it was like to have an oxygen mask for myself. It had been far too long since my spiritual self had been nourished. Out of that beautiful season the seeds of my words, long dormant, began to sprout, including my what ifs about what would become the world of Water’s Break.

Water’s Break dives into Nica’s world, a water-covered planet inhabited by amphibian people. When disaster strikes, landmasses rise from the seabed, separating the water and its people for the first time in their history. Nica’s family is devastated: her father is gravely injured, her sister is missing, and her mother, grief-stricken. Nica, a rookie Guardian, is determined to find her sister and bring her home, even if it means she must venture out of the Deep. But no one knows what lies in wait abovewater.

I hope your hearts are encouraged as you join Nica’s fight to survive in a sea of oppression. And when survival is not enough, will she risk everything to choose life?

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, January 30

Exploring the Written Word, January 31

Blogging With Carol, February 1

Artistic Nobody, February 2 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 4

Guild Master, February 5 (Author Interview)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, February 5

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 6

Beauty in the Binding, February 7 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 8

Wishful Endings, February 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 10

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 11 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, February 11

Simple Harvest Reads, February 12 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sophia is giving away the grand prize package of a signed hardcover with swag (bookmark, stickers, character cards)!!

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/29b05/water-s-break-celebration-tour-giveaway