Monday, September 18, 2017

Under Fire by Linda Shenton Matchett



                                                    Click here to purchase your copy.


About the Book



Book title: Under Fire  
Author: Linda Shenton Matchett  
Release date: July 25, 2017  
Genre: Mystery  

Journalist Ruth Brown’s sister Jane is pronounced dead after a boating accident in April 1942. Because Jane’s body is missing, Ruth is convinced her sister is still alive. During her investigation, Ruth becomes suspicious about Jane’s job. Eventually Ruth follows clues to war-torn London. By the time she uncovers the truth about Jane’s disappearance, she has stumbled on black marketers, resistance fighters and the IRA – all of whom may want her dead.





My Review





Despair, disbelief, intrigue, and a seemingly neverending mystery collide in Under Fire. Ruth Brown is a formidable, independent, determined, yet highly endearing character. As a female journalist, she already defied social norms of the day, but nothing will stop her in the quest for the facts behind her sister's supposed death that included a supposed no foul play. I found the 40s time period beautifully yet realistically painted in Under Fire down to the description of the vintage clothing which really set the scene for me in my mind. I feel like on a personal level, we all have had a season of great grief and despair in our lives where we questioned God and His plan. I really felt a personal note in the fact that the reality of these issues and forgiveness of those that wrong us were tackled in a very practical way. The plot kept you guessing and hence turning the page as I was kept constantly intrigued. The author did a great job in making this story truly personal, intertwining the raw reality of hurt along with the redemption found in Jesus, and painting a true historical picture. History buffs, mystery buffs, and honestly any fiction buff will enjoy Under Fire!


I received this book for free, but all opinions given are entirely my own. 


About the Author



Linda Shenton Matchett is a journalist, blogger, and author. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda has lived in historical places most of her life. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and as a Trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. Active in her church Linda serves as treasurer, usher, choir member, and Bible study leader. She is author of several romance novellas and novelettes. Under Fire, the first in her trilogy about amateur sleuth/war correspondent Ruth Brown, has just been released by eLectio Publishing (electiopublishing.com).

Guest Post from Linda Shenton Matchett

Writers are often asked where they get ideas for their stories. Many authors start with a “what if” scenario (e.g. what if the fate of a world lies in the hands of a young man who must return a ring of great power to its place of origin: The Lord of the Rings). Other authors find inspiration in news articles (Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express). I begin my stories by creating the main character. As a former Human Resources professional, I am fascinated by the history of women’s employment and enjoy reading about those who trail blazed in industries and positions formerly dominated by men. When I was trying to decide what my protagonist should do for a living, I knew she needed a job that allowed her freedom of movement, but nothing seemed to fit until I saw a museum exhibit about women war correspondents. Of the 1,600 journalists who received government accreditation, only 127 were female. In order to get a sense of what these women experienced (derision, hostility, sexual harassment, and more) I read their memoirs, autobiographies, diaries, and articles. As an accredited correspondent they were supposed to received meals, transport to the front, and transmission of their articles. Many military officers refused to take the women into combat zones, so they had to get there any way they could, such as Martha Gellhorn who stowed away on a hospital ship and hid in the head to reach Normandy and cover D-day. It is my hope that Under Fire honors these brave and tenacious women in some small way.



Blog Spots



Blogging With Carol, September 14
cherylbbookblog, September 17
Carpe Diem, September 17
A Reader’s Brain, September 18
Bigreadersite, September 18
Blossoms and Blessings, September 19
The Fizzy Pop Collection, September 19
Janices book reviews, September 20
Back Porch Reads, September 20
A Baker’s Perspective, September 21
Just the Write Escape, September 21
Pause for Tales , September 22
Have A Wonderful Day, September 22
Karen Sue Hadley, September 24
Vicky Sluiter, September 25
Daysong Reflections , September 25
Mary Hake, September 26




Giveaway





To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away a grand prize consisting of: copy of the book, Box of English Tea, Typewriter notepad, and Rosie the Riveter socks!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c221
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Sunday, September 3, 2017

Fresh Devotionals Not To Be Missed!

From Barbour Publishing, I have had the opportunity to review two great devotionals by excellent authors that truly focus on the Scripture as the main thing. For their chosen demographic, these authors hit the nail on the head in a practical, personal, and simple way! 
For teens . . . . #truth by Josh McDowell
#Truth hits the nail on the head for the teens of our world today. Mr McDowell continues to be relevant to teens in an ever changing and very Godless society. He takes the truth of the Gospel and relates it to reality for teens today. The concepts are simply put but written in such a way to show teens their need for the Lord, and how they can grow beyond that in the Lord. He makes basic Biblical doctrine easily understood and easy to apply. #Truth is absolutely Biblical, relevant, and applicable to teens of any kind searching for the truth or seeking to grow in it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing, and was under no obligation to post a review.
Get your copy HERE

For ladies . . . Journey Into Grace by Darlene Sala, Bonnie Sala, and Luisa Reyes-Ampil


Biblical, honest, practical, motivating, comforting, strengthening- all these words describe the Journey into Grace devotional. I found the devotional extremely relevant to Biblical application in my life, and I feel like any lady of any age would find more knowledge and understanding of who God is, who we are in relation to Him, and how we can grow in our Christian walk. We are met with a simple Bible verse, a personal anecdote or teaching moment based off of the Scripture, reflective questions, and an opportunity to enter into a conversation with the Lord specific to the devotion for the day. I feel like though simple, so much truth and application are bundled up in this devotion. Reflection and prayer are a vital component of personal devotion time with the Lord, and this devotional really encourages that full approach to knowing God. I feel like as the author said "keeping the main thing the main thing" was the focus of this book, and I felt very refreshed really immersing myself in the Scripture, reflection and prayer offered in a simple, personal, and practical way. If you're looking for a devotional, you will find a remarkable one in Journey into Grace!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Get your copy HERE
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Will Not See by Chautona Havig


 
                                                Click HERE to purchase your copy.


About the Book



Book title: Will Not See  
Author: Chautona Havig   
Release date: August 29, 2017  
Genre: Christian Fiction / contemporary / suspense (light)

When Vikki Jeffries wakes up in a Rockland hotel with no idea of who she is and why she can’t remember… well, anything, the Rockland medical community begins to take a closer look at what may have happened to cause a second case of inexplicable amnesia. But for Vikki, this is more than a medical anomaly–it’s her life. What is she doing in Rockland, thousands of miles away from her home in Apache Junction, Arizona? Who is she? Why is no one looking for her? Or are they? Will Not See: Not everything is as it seems.




My Review

Wow- Chautona does it again! In Will Not See, we meet a woman who no one is looking for and who doesn't belong where she ends up so the suspense is taken to another level. Vikki and Ella become sisters in a sense though Vikki tends to seem a little more hesitant to move forward. In this sequel, we again see an exciting and flowing plot full of endearing and well described characters. The suspense gnawed at my mind the whole time trying to fit new pieces into the puzzle of what was happening to our characters. Again the thread of the Gospel was interwoven in our story beautifully. I have to say I felt that I was part of the action because the story was so real to me. I can't wait to continue this series and understand the connections. Heartwarming, suspenseful, inspirational- these are words that describe WIll Not See! Catch up on this amazing series now!

I received this book for free, but all opinions given are my own. 



About the Author



Author of the Amazon bestselling Aggie and Past Forward Series, Chautona Havig lives and writes in California’s Mojave Desert. With dozens of books to her name, Chautona spends most of her time writing, but when she takes the rare break, she can be found reading, sewing, paper crafting, or sleeping and dreaming of finishing the dozens of books swirling in her overly-active imagination at any given moment.

Guest Post from Chautona Havig

The circle of death swirls on the screen and it shifts. The bank balance appears, and with it, my heart sinks. It’s been a tough few months, financially. The bottom line proves it. My reaction? Inhale. Exhale. “Okay, now we know the worst. We can do something about it.” My husband, on the other hand, suffers a definite blow. Kevin might not sleep that night. Instead, he’ll mull over what we could have done differently, how we can make changes, if he’s a failure at this thing called life. He’ll pray—for hours. They say ignorance is bliss. And sometimes, that’s true. It’s also a personality thing, I think. I tend to be a “let me have your worst” kind of gal. But when the negative arrives, I also tend to want to shield Kevin from it all. I don’t know how he can worry so much. He can’t fathom how I can turn it off. But sometimes those personality things go deeper—into what can be serious faults. It has been said, “There are none so blind as those who will not see. The most deluded people are those who choose to ignore what they already know.” Or, in the words of Jeremiah, “Now hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.”

What does this have to do with not seeing?

As I work on the Sight Unseen series, one recurring theme happens, of course. Memory loss—the removal of all insight into one’s past. You can hear who you were, be informed of what you did and why others think you did it, but you can’t know your own self the way you once did. It’s a fresh slate, and it can be a good thing in some respects. Those around you can now see the difference between habits and personality traits—true dislikes and those conditioned by life. What might have been a fear once could be gone if the cause of that fear is blotted out. But even for these fictional characters, truth doesn’t change. In None So Blind, Ella takes her memory loss and uses it as an opportunity to reinvent herself, if you will. And you know what? If you asked her family about it, they’d tell you that it fits her personality. That take-charge, gotta get ’er done attitude Dani may have used in different ways, but both “manifestations” of the woman had those qualities. Sure, Ella’s was tempered by recent experience, but not much.

Vikki Jeffries, is almost the antithesis of Ella in that respect.

The past is in the past. It scares her. Is it because she doesn’t know it? Because she’s frightened by the unknown? We don’t know. But what we do know is anything associated with that past, even the few very personal items she finds, she rejects. It’s as if ignorance of them will protect her from them. Where Ella runs to face her problems, Vikki runs from them. But despite those differences, I find it interesting that both women did the same thing, basically—just at different times. Before her “episode,” Ella chose to blind herself to her faults. She knew them. Lived with them daily, but couldn’t face or address them. So, she “refused to see.” Vikki—we don’t know. But I think the story shows that she couldn’t blind herself to truth before her episode. As much as she might have ached to, she just couldn’t. Now that the opportunity is here, however, she grasps it and if she insists on squeezing her eyes shut indefinitely, it may cost her everything—her life. Her soul.

Philippians 4:8, “…whatever is true.”

They say ignorance is bliss. Well, “they” also say, “Truth hurts.” And sometimes it does. But so do the consequences of that ignorance. I guess the next time the bank balance dips low, I won’t be handling the fallout alone. Then again, one can always pray that it doesn’t dip low! I think we’ll start there.



Blog Stops

August 29: Just Jo’Anne
August 29: Carpe Diem
August 30: Blogging With Carol
August 30: Lots of Helpers
August 31: Genesis 5020
September 1: Quiet Quilter
September 1: Back Porch Reads
September 2: Fiction Aficionado
September 3: A Reader’s Brain
September 4: Bigreadersite
September 4: The Scribbler
September 5: Mommynificent
September 6: Christian Bookaholic
September 6: Moments Dipped in Ink
September 6: Margaret Kazmierczak
September 8: Pause for Tales
September 9: Blossoms and Blessings
September 10: A Baker’s Perspective
September 10: Pursuing Stacie
September 11: His Grace is Sufficient
September 11: Reader’s cozy corner

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a grand prize of the None So Blind Paperback, the Will Not See Paperback, a Journaling Bible (Choice of KJV or NLT), Prismacolor Pencils, and a Christian Hymns Album!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bd17
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Friday, September 1, 2017

Magnolia Storms by Janet W Ferguson


About the Book

Magnolia Storms
A Coastal Hearts Novel
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you….
​

Maggie Marovich couldn’t save her father or her home from Hurricane Katrina, but she’s dedicated her life to meteorology so she can warn others when the monster storms approach. Except…she works three hours inland and rarely risks returning to her childhood hometown of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Both her single-parent sister and the ship pilot Maggie once loved refused to leave the Coast, despite Maggie’s requests. Now a hurricane’s headed toward Mississippi, and Maggie’s sister is seriously injured, leaving Maggie little choice but to head south—into the storm.

The water and tides flow through Josh Bergeron’s veins, and he can’t imagine giving up piloting—even for the love of his life, the infuriating Magnolia Marovich. He tried to move on without her, marrying and having a child. But after his wife abandons him and his little boy, his career choice is threatened by the weight of his parental responsibilities. Moving next door to Maggie’s sister and sharing their child care seems like the perfect set-up. Until Maggie blows back into town.

Being forced to lean on Josh for help washes up the wreckage in Maggie’s faith. Where was God during the destruction of Katrina? Why do some prayers seem to go unanswered? Between the hurricane looming in the Gulf and another gale raging in her heart, can Maggie overcome her past and find the trust to truly live? 


My Review

I have enjoyed so many of this author's books, and Magnolia Storms is absolutely no exception! The characters are so wonderfully described and the plot just flows seamlessly. The personal level on which our author writes the book is very evident. The sweet romance is engaging and heartwarming. The struggles that Maggie and her family face have plagued us all in one way or another. I was inspired to remember who the Lord truly is and that He alone knows the best plan for our lives if we just trust in Him. In light of the most recent devastation of Harvey, I found myself glued to the page in an even more real way. Contemporary, full of heart, and totally inspiring, our author presents a must read! Can't wait for more in the Coastal Hearts Series!


I received a complimentary copy of this book, but all opinions given are entirely my own.

Connect with the Author!


Janet W. Ferguson grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served as a children’s minister and a church youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. She writes humorous inspirational fiction for people with real lives and real problems. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a few cats that allow them to share the space. 

Learn more about Janet  HERE

Get your copy of Magnolia storms HERE

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