Book Review of 'The Rancher's Secret Crush' by Cari Lynn Webb

Hello Bookworms!

Welcome to the chaos!  This week has been full of surprises and sadly not all of them are great.  I have two family members that are currently in the hospital due to some pretty serious medical issues (prayers appreciated!), and I got to drop a small fortune yesterday on new tires for my car.  I knew I'd need tires soon, but I was hoping to have more time to price shop, but once I got them inspected it was told to me that it's a miracle that I haven't had a blow out yet, so I decided to replace all four of them and get it over and done with.  *whew* Please tell me why tires have to be so expensive?!

There has also been good, with Easter fast approaching and our family celebrating my oldest son's birthday this week, so it hasn't all been so emotionally stressful, but goodness when it rains it pours!  This is why I love escaping into sweet novels like the one that I am featuring today.  It is from one of my favorite contemporary romance series, so I am very excited to share my thoughts, and I hope you enjoy!

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Rancher's Secret Crush by Cari Lynn Webb, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Rancher's Secret Crush
Series: Three Springs Texas #6
Author: Cari Lynn Webb
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: March 26, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Clean)

Everything good…  

Starts with unexpected kindness 

When city girl Elsie Parks comes to Three Springs to care for her nieces while her brother recuperates, she’s in for a surprise—he expects her to run the ranch! Thankfully, Ryan Sloan—the rugged cowboy next door—is happy to help. As they get into a groove working the farm together, their attraction grows like Texas wildflowers. But can this temporary detour become something more? 

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR  

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

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Excerpt from 'Her Temporary Cowboy' by Tanya Agler

Hello Bookworms!

Happy Tuesday!  I hope everyone is doing well and having a great week.  I am still in birthday celebration mode and still can't wrap my brain around the fact that I have a nineteen-year-old!  How is that possible??  Time is going by so fast and sometimes I don't feel like I can keep up!

When I feel like my head won't stop spinning that's when I run to my old friend: a book.  Today's featured novel is from one of my favorite genres (clean romance) and it's a western!  I hope you enjoy the excerpt and don't forget to scroll to the bottom for an amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Her Temporary Cowboy by Tanya Agler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Her Temporary Cowboy
Series: Rodeo Stars of Violet Ridge #3
Author: Tanya Agler
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: March 26, 2024
Genre: Clean Romance

He’s never known love… 

Until a chance encounter 

Rodeo cowboy Lucky Harper is only making a short stop in idyllic Violet Ridge. So how did he go from being an outsider to pretty rancher Elizabeth Irwin’s wedding date—and her fake fiancé—in one night? For the first time, this lone cowboy is suddenly part of a real family. But even he’s not lucky enough to find family and love by accident…or is he?  

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

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First Line Friday Featuring 'The Ark and the Dove' by Jill Eileen Smith

Happy Friday Bookworms!

I have been in serious bookworm mode this entire month and have been reading some amazing novels, including the novel that I am featuring today for First Line Friday!  I know it's been quite awhile since I've participated, and I couldn't let another Friday go by without sharing my own first line.♥︎

I am participating with Carrie Schmidt at Reading is My Super Power and today I am featuring the first line from The Ark and the Dove by Jill Eileen Smith.  

I am also showing off this gorgeous cover today on my Instagram page with a giveaway opportunity from JustRead Tours, so be sure to stop by once you've read the first line from this awesome Biblical fiction here!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Ark and the Dove

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: February 27, 2024

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Zarah and Noah have walked together with the Creator for their entire lives, and they have done their best in an increasingly wicked and defiant world to raise their three sons to follow in their footsteps.

It has been a challenge--and it's about to get much, much harder.

When the Creator tells her husband to build an ark to escape the coming wrath against the sins of humankind, Zara steps out with him in faith. But the derision and sabotage directed their way from both friends and extended family are difficult to bear, as is knowing that everyone she interacts with beyond her husband, her sons, and their wives is doomed to destruction. And when the ark is finally finished and the animals have been shut up inside, Zara and her family embark on an adventure that will test their patience and their faith as they await deliverance and dry ground.

Experience the story of Noah and the flood like you never have before. With bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith as your guide, you'll never look at a rainbow the same way again. 

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Spotlight on 'Flicker of Trust' by Eleanor Bertin

Hello Bookworms!

We are in birthday mode here in the Flores household.  My oldest is turning nineteen and it looks like this is going to be the last birthday he's going to celebrate living at home.  Watching your children grow up is so bittersweet and this year I have so much to celebrate.  Sure, I could wallow in my feelings, but I am instead choosing to look at what I'm gaining rather than what I'm losing.  My boys are headed out in the world, and I am nurturing adult relationships with them, and honestly that's pretty cool.  I love that I have a front row seat to their journeys and will never take that for granted.

Today I am changing things up and sharing an excerpt from one of the latest additions to The Mosaic Collection!  I hope you enjoy this slight change of pace and, as always, don't forget to scroll to the bottom and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Flicker of Trust by Eleanor Bertin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Flicker of Trust
Series: Burning Bright #2
Author: Eleanor Bertin
Publisher: Leaf & Blade Publishing
Release Date: February 21, 2024
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

When a woman disappears, Ryan’s past is fair game. 

Party animal Ryan Hainstock has made an about-face. He’s now an elder-caring, money-saving, church-going man with bright plans to set himself up farming. Somehow, whether he rates with her or not, those plans always include sweet and smart Lynnie Min and her young daughter. Problem is, Ryan’s past keeps coming back to condemn him. 

Lynnie Min, too young for the title of widow, travels the lonely road of single motherhood in a rural community. Her dreams were crushed by tragedy when terrorists claimed the lives of her husband and one of her daughters. While gratitude should fill her heart for the presence of three-year-old Anya, a longing for something more stirs within her. She can’t help noticing the changes in Ryan, a man she once knew as a high school jock. 

While their affection deepens, greater forces conspire to destroy their growing love. A murder charge, a kidnapping, a child abandoned…Can Ryan and Lynnie overcome danger and distrust to find each other again?  

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Book Review of 'This Ain’t No Promised Land' by Tina Shelton

Happy Monday Bookworms!

Did everyone have a good St. Patrick's Day yesterday?  I don't really celebrate, with the exception of wearing green, but I still think it's fun to pinch those that forget the day.  My husband and one of my sons got a little pinch and it made for a good chuckle.

The novel that I am featuring today absolutely blew me away with it's heart and I can't wait to tell you my thoughts!  I hope you enjoy and as always don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for This Ain’t No Promised Land by Tina Shelton, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: This Ain’t No Promised Land
Author: Tina Shelton
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: March 19, 2024
Genre: Christian General Fiction

"With stellar storytelling skills, Tina Shelton reminds us that while love isn't always enough to erase the hurts, it's the only way to survive them. A powerful read!" 

--Julie Cantrell, New York Times & USA Today best-selling author of Perennials 

When her husband dies, Charlotte can't face the things she's done that could tear her family apart. So she drops a goodbye letter in the cookie jar and flees south to escape everything--her life, her three daughters, the mistakes she's made, and the secrets eating her alive. 

Now Gracey and her sisters are alone on Chicago's South Side with nothing but their home and belongings. They're doing everything they can to stay together, but young teens aren't meant to parent themselves. Their close-knit Black community gathers around them to keep them fed and clothed with the utilities on, but that's not enough to fix the damage of abandonment. 

Hundreds of miles away, Charlotte is struggling to keep her own head above water. She's made a close friend who talks to her about God in a way Charlotte's never heard before. But when her demons catch up to her, the shaky peace she tried to build shatters. Even if she's able to find the courage to embrace motherhood again, will it be enough to save the family she left behind?

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Book Review of 'The Mercy Seat' by Henry O. Arnold

Hello Bookworms!

Another week has ended and the weekend begins!  I don't know how March is going by so fast!  In a few short days my oldest will be turning 19 and I am in complete denial about it.  I love being a mom so much and can't believe he's planning on moving out on his own soon.  It's bittersweet and I feel all the feels.  I know all you parents out there can feel me.

To keep my mind off my feelings I am submerging myself into some pretty great novels, and today I am sharing my thoughts on one.  I hope you enjoy my review of this intense novel, and please be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Mercy Seat by Henry O. Arnold, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Mercy Seat
Series: The Urban Chronicles #1
Author: Henry O. Arnold
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: March 5, 2024
Genre: Christian Contemporary Fiction

Hells Canyon is a neighborhood in Richland, Tennessee where tourists never venture, and locals fear to tread. Maxwell Crane, former Marine chaplain and pastor of The Mercy Seat church, struggles to provide a beacon of hope. 

But others have their eyes set on Hells Canyon: power elites, robber barons, and street gangs seek their own gain at the cost of the beleaguered urban neighborhood. For the people who live there, it’s been a fight to exist their whole lives, and that fight is getting harder. 

Maxwell doesn’t have to stay in Hells Canyon. He and his family could leave to live a comfortable middle-class existence. Instead, Maxwell chooses to risk his life—and the lives of those around him—to stand against the oppressors. 

But what happens when this pastor crosses a line, taking justice into his own hands? Will his family, his community, and his God ever forgive him? Will he ever forgive himself?  

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Book Review of 'Last Stop' by Karen Randau

Happy Tuesday Bookworms!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful March so far!  I've been hit with another bug, but luckily this is spring break for our district, so I am able to stay home, rest, and read a ton of books!

I'm going to keep this short and sweet, and I hope that you enjoy my featured novel that is a new release and my review for today!

Welcome to the Reviewer Tour for Last Stop by Karen Randau, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Last Stop

Series: Peach Blossom Romantic Suspense #4

Author: Karen Randau

Release Date: March 5, 2024

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense

In the quaint town of Peach Blossom, Oklahoma, meet Savannah Douglas, a woman haunted by a traumatic past, and Deputy Zach Gleason, scarred by abandonment and tragedy.

Their lives collide in Peach Blossom amidst a bank robbery gone wrong, thrusting them into a dangerous dance with a vengeful criminal.

Experience the suspense and danger as Savannah and Zach forge a bond fueled by a desire to save the town and protect their loved ones. Mysteries deepen, threats escalate, and an undeniable attraction grows. Zach, torn between duty and personal connection, invites Savannah into his life, sparking a passion they can't ignore.

Together, they tackle life-altering challenges that force them to confront their pasts to secure the second chance they each want. As they unravel the mysteries binding them, their romance blossoms amidst the danger.

❤️Last Stop is more than a romantic and suspenseful story. It's an inspirational tale of resilience, redemption, and the enduring power of faith. Join Savannah and Zach on a journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning pages into the night.

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Book Review of 'Allie's Amish Family Miracle' by Tracy Fredrychowski

Hello Beautiful Bookworms!

Happy Friday!  I hope you're all doing well and thank you so much for stopping by today!  I am a sucker for a good Amish novel and today I am featuring a book by an author that I have recently been introduced to and fell in love with.  I did jump into the middle of a series, but I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to read a new author and a new series!

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on Allie's Amish Family Miracle and don't forget to scroll to the bottom and check out the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Allie's Amish Family Miracle by Tracy Fredrychowski, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Allie's Amish Family Miracle 
Series: The Amish Women of Lawrence County #5
Author: Tracy Fredrychowski
Publisher: The Tracer Group, LLC
Release Date: March 5, 2024
Genre: Amish Fiction

Two worlds collide when true love enters an Old Order Amish community. Can this young woman go against tradition and find happiness in forbidden love? 

Allie Mast struggles to fit into her new community. Determined to prove her family wrong, she can't help but notice how her Mennonite background and Reuben's Amish roots are causing tension between their two families. Every family has hurts and deep wounds, but the constant conflict pushes her to a place where she will do anything to get what she wants. 

Reuben Raber has no desire to take over Raber Farms & Produce. When his overbearing mother, Saloma, is set to ruin any hopes of him making a life with Allie, his faith is tested beyond measure, and he experiences a crisis of conviction.  

Can this determined couple find the courage to step out in faith and pursue peace and healing even when persecuted for their unconventional union?

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Book Review of '8 Down' by Kimberley Woodhouse

Hello Bookworms!

I am so excited you're here with me today!  I am featuring a novel from one of my favorite authors and one of my current favorite series!  8 Down had my heart pounding and my mind spinning!  It deals with cyber attacks and this hits so close to home as my youngest is currently studying cyber security and it is such a scary thought what cyber attackers can do!

I hope you enjoy my review of 8 Down and don't forget to scroll down to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 8 Down by Kimberley Woodhouse hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: 8 Down 

Series: Alaskan Cyber Hunters #2 

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: February 20, 2024 

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

8 bodies down.

8 more lives at stake. 

Investigator Carrie Kintz is new blood with the Alaska Bureau of Investigation in Anchorage. But with a serial killer on the loose, there's no easing into the job. It's sink or swim. The only clues to help law enforcement stop this madman are the taunts he drops into crossword puzzles across the country--always in the same 8 DOWN position.

Carrie is desperate to prove her worth to the force and the community by catching the killer. But when she discovers signs that these deaths are just the tip of the iceberg in a frighteningly elaborate cyberattack, it's time to admit she needs help.

Calling in security specialist Scott Patteson for his expertise seems like the right move--until Carrie realizes that he may be a dangerous distraction for her heart. With her faith fading in the face of horror and uncertainty and her career in danger of ending, this is no time for flirtation.

But with a killer who is determined to prove that he's smarter than everyone else, it may be impossible to fight both the madman and their feelings for each other...

Put on your parkas as we head into a cold world of cybercrime, and hang on for the ride! Kimberley Woodhouse once again takes us on a nail-biter of a ride, and you won't want to quit until you've read the last page!" --Jaime Jo Wright, author of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater

"An amazing, breath-stealing, knuckle-biting thrill of a ride!" --Lynette Eason, award-winning, best-selling suspense author

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Book Review of 'Forever Free' by Hope Toler Dougherty

Happy Tuesday Bookworms!

Spring has arrived in Texas but to be fair we didn't really have a winter this year.  I'm one of those people that loves every season for its own unique attributes and feel sad when we don't get that season.  I love the cooler weather and am not looking forward to the warmer temperatures that seem to choke the joy out of spring and summer in the south.

That's one thing I love so much about books.  I get to experience other seasons vicariously through these literary worlds, and the landscape is one of the things that I eat up most when I'm reading.  I love the adventures that my imagination takes me on, which is one of the things I loved about the novel that I am featuring today.  The imagery is amazing and took me to a world that I have never had the opportunity to experience first-hand.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts of Forever Free, and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Forever Free by Hope Toler Dougherty, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Forever Free
Series: Forever #4
Author: Hope Toler Dougherty
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: January 29, 2024
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

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 creep back to tempt him—troubles from the bad time when he dropped out of college to explore less-than-noble pursuits—propels him to volunteer for manual labor that leaves him exhausted at the end of every day and out of trouble. 

His additional hours of agri-business, however, lead to more struggles with an intriguing farmer. Does he have the strength to resist old temptations as well as a beautiful new one, too?

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Book Review of 'When the Flames Ravaged' by Rhonda Dragomir

Happy March Bookworms!

*Whew* Anyone else happy that February is over?  Last month was a tough month for my family with grieving our family pet and me being sick for a large part of it.  Here's hoping March is kinder and that I'll be able to share more content with you this month.

I am currently obsessed with the historical fiction genre and couldn't wait to read the novel that I am featuring today.  I have heard of the Hartford circus fire in 1944 but seeing it from a human perspective brought this tragic event to technicolor.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this amazing novel and that you have a wonderful Friday!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: When the Flames Ravaged
Series: A Day to Remember
Author: Rhonda Dragomir
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Will Faith Perish in the Big Top’s Flames?  

Introducing a new series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered. 

Evelyn Benson’s husband perished in the Bataan Death March but not her faith. The World War II Gold Star widow is taken in by her brother and soothed by the love of his wife and children. Evelyn refuses to cower to grief. She may not understand God’s mysterious ways, but she has never questioned Him—until the circus fire. 

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus train chugs into Hartford, Connecticut, on a sweltering day one month after the Allies invaded Normandy. Among the roustabouts is a reluctant clown, Hank Webb. He may hide from his murky past behind grease paint as Fraidy Freddie, but God wants to offer Hank a chance to be found. Though first, what little Hank believes about God will endure a fiery trial. 

On Thursday, July 6, 1944, a devastating blaze of unknown origins consumes the circus tent along with Evelyn’s hopes and Hank’s anonymity.  

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