Phoebe's Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

About the Book

Title: Phoebe’s Light  
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher  
Genre: Historical romance  
Release Date: February 6, 2018

Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes. Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way—just in time. In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.

Click HERE to purchase your copy!

 

My Review

What a beautiful portrait of history, sea-faring, and the Quakers we get in Phoebe's Light. My inner history buff was truly delighted by the language used (thank you for the definitions in the beginning of the book by the way), and the description of the clothing, etc. Ms. Fisher truly took me back in time to where I felt part of the action. Phoebe is a robust character, searching for an escape from her father and his business ventures by looking to the handsome Captain Foulger. Her father gives her a special journal from her great-grandmother who holds the key to so much more than Phoebe would've ever imagined when she started reading. I loved how the book ping ponged between Phoebe's story and Mary's journal in a cohesive way that kept you glued to the page. I loved how Phoebe's light truly did shine through the circumstances she meets within our plot. I felt like Matthew too as a wanderer really grows into a complex character like Phoebe. The description of a sailor's life was really very intriguing and raw, like I imagined it would be. Our author does such a good job of transporting us to another time and place. The characters' many and varied interactions made me feel part of the story. I was just really happy and satisfied upon completing the book. For an adventurous, truly historical, and completely uplifting book, look no further than Phoebe's Light.

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

 

 

 

 

About the Author

  
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Anna’s Crossing, The Newcomer, and The Return in the Amish Beginnings series, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Guest Post from Suzanne Woods Fisher

A Stroll down Petticoat Row Thirty years ago, I talked my sister into going on a trip to Nantucket Island. It’s one of those places that had always intrigued me. As a girl in the 1930s, my mother’s family vacationed in Nantucket; she even has a lightship basket to show for it. I expected the island to be interesting and beautiful, and it certainly did not disappoint. But something else happened as I walked down Centre Street one morning. This island captured my imagination in a way that’s hard to put into words. At the risk of sounding a tiny bit sun touched, I could practically see 19^th century people on the roads, hear the “thee’s and thou’s” in their speech, even smell the strong scents of a bygone century—the musky perfume of rendered whale oil, the burning wood of the blacksmith, all mingled with the bracing sea air. Centre Street has a local nickname: Petticoat Row. It comes from the 1800s, when men were at sea for long periods and women stepped into their shoes to keep businesses going. Nantucket women gained a reputation for being strong and capable. Their competence was encouraged by the Society of Friends (Quakers), the island’s dominant religion, which believed in the equality of men and women in all aspects of life. That hasn’t changed. Today, half of all Nantucket businesses are run by women. Petticoat Row stuck in my mind, and eventually became the hook to contract a series of historical fiction with Revell Books. The ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series covers the rise and fall of Nantucket’s whaling period, when it became the wealthiest port in the world. First up is Phoebe’s Light, releasing in February 2018, a novel about a spirited young woman who seeks her fortune only to find out she already had it. After reading about Phoebe, I hope you’ll consider planning a trip to Nantucket (though try to go off-season. The population swells five times in the summer!). When you go, include a stop at the Petticoat Row Bakery (35 Centre Street)—the very location where Phoebe grew up, albeit a few centuries ago. Don’t leave the island without trying the Morning Glory Muffins, an island favorite. So worth the trip!  
Nantucket’s Famous Morning Glory Muffins

Ingredients: 1 ¼ cup sugar 2 ¼ cup flour 1 tablespoon cinnamon 2 tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt ½ cup shredded coconut ½ cup raisins 2 cup grated carrots (4 large) 1 apple, shredded 8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained ½ cup pecans or walnuts 3 eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp vanilla

 Instructions: Sift together sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Add the fruit, carrots and nuts and stir to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with oil and vanilla. Combine with dry ingredients and blend well. Spoon batter into cupcake tins lined with muffin papers. Fill each cup to the brim. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. These muffins needs 24 hours to ripen their full flavor. They freeze extremely well. Recipe courtesy of Pamela A. McKinstry, Sconset Café

Blog Sops

Aryn The Libraryan, February 15

A Simply Enchanted Life, February 15

Moments Dipped in Ink, February 15

Kaylee’s Kind of Writes, February 15

Girls in White Dresses Blog, February 16

With a Joyful Noise, February 16

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, February 16

A Greater Yes, February 16

ASC Book Reviews, February 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17

Book by Book, February 17

Texas Book-aholic, February 18

The Power of Words, February 18

Two Points of Interest, February 18

Splashes of Joy, February 18

A Reader’s Brain, February 19

Karen Sue Hadley, February 19

Blossoms and Blessings, February 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 20

The Fizzy Pop Collection, February 20

All of a kind Mom, February 20

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, February 20

Reading Is My SuperPower, February 21

Baker Kella, February 21

Mommynificent, February 21

Janices book reviews, February 21

Lighthouse Academy, February 22

Readers cozy corner, February 22

Mary Hake, February 22

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 22

Pause for Tales, February 23

Have A Wonderful Day, February 23

Faery Tales Are Real, February 23

Blogging With Carol, February 24

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, February 24

Among the Reads, February 24

Carpe Diem, February 24

Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot, February 25

Red Headed Book Lady, February 25

Just the Write Escape, February 25

A Baker’s Perspective, February 25

By The Book, February 26

For The Love of Books, February 26

Margaret Kazmierczak, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 26 (Guest post from Mindy)

Maureen’s Musings, February 27

Connie’s History Classroom, February 27

proud to be an autism mom, February 27

Bigreadersite, February 27

Bibliophile Reviews, February 28

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 28

Pink Granny’s Journey, February 28

Pursuing Stacie, February 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grand prize of a Kindle!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c9e0

Love by the Numbers by Laura V. Hilton

About the Book

Title: Love by the Numbers  
Author: Laura V. Hilton  
Genre: Christian Amish fiction  
Release Date: February 6, 2018
After her fiancé dies in a buggy accident, Lydia Hershberger is invited to Jamesport to manage her Mennonite aunt’s gift store while her aunt and uncle are on a mission trip. While there, Lydia gets acquainted with her aentie’s best friend, Bethel Bontrager, and her grown son, Caleb. Lydia is surprised to find herself drawn to handsome clockmaker, Caleb Bontrager. But in spite of an instant flame of attraction between them, he doesn’t seem interested. In fact, pesky Caleb treats her like he doesn’t even like her. Bright and sparkly. That’s Caleb’s first impression of Lydia. He’s always been attracted to sparkly things. In fact, his affinity for those things, and the trouble they can cause, are exactly why he’s determined to change his ways and settle down. With Lydia’s aentie gone, he is handling the books for the gift shop and is forced to spend too much time in her presence. When God offers Lydia a second chance at love and family, will she take it? Or will the secret Caleb harbors cause her even more heartbreak?

Click HERE to purchase your copy!

 

My Review

The story contained in Love by the Numbers is a unique, honest, and very sweet read. I loved the redemptive qualities found within. I enjoyed envisioning the Mennonite gift store setting, and wished I could visit! I enjoyed the sweet romance contained within, and I also felt intrigued by the pasts our characters had, and how that affected them in the present. I was reminded of forgiving others, forgiving yourself, and remembering how the Lord works in our lives in spite of our imperfections and pasts. I so enjoyed the inner monologue between our characters, especially in response to each other and their budding romance. I felt like the plot flowed seamlessly, and kept me wanting to turn the page. I always enjoy when Amish fictions hit on a story line that is out of the ordinary, and makes the Amish seem more like a person you could relate to rather than a group of people living in a strict religion. Thank you for the sweet and unique adventure Mrs. Hilton!

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

 

About the Author

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New. Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children. When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

Guest Post from Laura V. Hilton

Story Behind the Story – Love by the Numbers Caleb was a minor character in couple of my Amish books – I think he first made a by name appearance in Amish Wanderer and Christmas Admirer. A minor character. Lydia was a very minor one-time appearance in those stories, too, a girl who happened to be in the room with Bethany and Susanna at a wedding. (This story is stand alone!) But I knew when Caleb first saw Lydia that they would end up together by the way he reacted to her presence. I wondered what their story was.  

March and April is tornado season in Arkansas (and in many other states) and in 2011 we had a bad one. I was out and about that day, driving to the county seat with my five children, and there was something in the air. It was heavy, hard to breathe, and the sky was black off to the west. I’m sure I broke speed limits racing to Melbourne, and then home again so we wouldn’t be out in the storm. Later that afternoon, tornado sirens went off. One went over our house – even from the basement we could hear the sound of a train roaring overhead. Scary. And still thanking God it didn’t touch down. Highland, Ash Flat, and Evening Shade, Arkansas were hit hard. Buildings completely gone. When we drove out that way later in the week there were pickup trucks in the tops of trees. Other things in odd and unusual places. I always wondered how they got the treetop pickups down. I would’ve stopped to watch if I’d been out there when it was done. I did hear that some of those trucks weren’t damaged at all. Unreal. My two sons and my husband both helped with clean up and my oldest son went with a crew to Joplin, Missouri, to help with clean up there. There has been other occasions I’ve been out in tornados. Once I was in the Walmart parking lot when a tornado went through a town west of it. We could see the funnel touching down from where we stood. It did hail when we were on our way home, praying our house was still standing. It was.  

On a different note, in 2016 my oldest son came home with a kitten. She was the sweetest thing ever, and he named her Rosie. Sadly, I was highly allergic to her. I couldn’t even be around the children after they played with her. They’d have to go change clothes and wash their hands, otherwise I couldn’t breathe. Rosie was full Siamese, blue eyes and all, and she was so adorable. I allowed my son to keep her in the shed. I was about four chapters into the story when Rosie found some poison (I think, not sure) and died. We all cried. Also about the time I was writing this, a very dear friend of a lot of writers died. I told my street team I was going to name a character after her, and was told a lot of writers would be. I agreed. And a lot of their books were released already. But Aenti Judith in this story is named after Judy Burgi. I still miss her and pray for her family. One of the verses my daughter had to memorize in Sunday School was 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. ‘We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.’ Perfect for the faith message in Love by the Numbers! I love how God always provides the perfect verse for my characters’ faith messages. I’m pretty sure this verse is one I never memorized, and I never would of thought of it on my own, but God put it in my daughter’s lessons for Sunday School, so she had to memorize it – and thus I did too since I help my daughters learn their verses every week. I hope you’ll enjoy the story! Because of Him, Laura V. Hilton

Blog Stops

Pursuing Stacie, February 13

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Red Headed Book Lady, February 13

Babs Book Bistro, February 13

Blogging With Carol, February 14

Among the Reads, February 14

Reading Is My SuperPower, February 15

Blossoms and Blessings, February 15

SusanLovesBooks, February 16

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

Carpe Diem, February 16

A Baker’s Perspective, February 17

Splashes of Joy, February 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17

Two Points of Interest, February 18

vickysluiter.com, February 18

A Reader’s Brain, February 19

Zerina Blossom’s Books, February 19

C Jane Read, February 20

Daysong Reflections, February 20

margaret kazmierczak, February 20

proud to be an autism mom, February 21

Bibliophile Reviews, February 21

A Greater Yes, February 22

Texas Book-aholic, February 22

Pause for Tales, February 23

Have A Wonderful Day, February 23

cherylbbookblog, February 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 24

Simple Harvest Reads, February 24

Christian Bookaholic, February 25

Janices book reviews, February 25

For The Love of Books, February 26

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 26

Bigreadersite, February 26

Giveaway

In honor of the tour, Whitaker House is giving away

Grand Prize Package: Love By the Numbers, Healing Love (Amish of Webster County #1), and The Snow Globe (The Amish of Jamesport #1) by Laura Hilton; “The Angels Cry Holy” scented candle in tin with lid from Abba Jerusalem

1st Place Package: Love By the Numbers, The Snow Globe (The Amish of Jamesport #1) by Laura Hilton, and Whitaker House/Anchor Coloring Book with Colored Pencils 2nd Place Package: Love By the Number by Laura Hilton and Whitaker House/Anchor Coloring Book with Colored Pencils!!!

Click the link to enter! https://promosimple.com/ps/c6ca

Liza's Second Chance by Molly Jebber

About the Book

Title: Liza’s Second Chance  
Author: Molly Jebber  
Genre: Christian Amish Fiction 
  Release Date: January 30, 2018  

The sweet welcome of straight-from-the-oven sugar cookies and hot cocoa. The warm invitation of apple pie and fresh cold milk. In 1912 Ohio, the Amish Charm Bakery is the heart of a close-knit, faith-nourished community, where people can find a refuge, a place to start again—and love that can make their lives new . . . For Liza Schrock, the bakery her late husband bought was an unexpected haven from their unhappy arranged marriage. Now she’s perfectly content to cook up mouth-watering delights for her hometown, give to those alone or in trouble—and remain happily unwed. And though she’s willing to give handsome, newly-arrived widower Jacob Graber all the help he desperately needs, she is sure they can stay just friends . . . But as Liza also tries to aid Jacob’s troubled teenage daughter, she starts caring far too much for his gentle ways and steadfast hopes. And when a wrenching secret she must keep comes between them, can Liza find the faith to risk opening her heart again—and reach for one more chance at real love?

Click HERE to purchase your copy!

My Review

What a sweet redemptive read we find in Liza's Second Chance! As expected in a good Amish novel, the description of our characters and all the tasty Amish treats always get my mind full of the action  going on in our plot (and gets my mouth watering too). We find a couple that have had their own heartaches, and how they react and respond, and find healing in others that care about them, mostly because they show the love of the Lord. We can rest assured that no tragedy comes as a surprise to the Lord, and that all things work together for our good and His glory. I found the characters very just raw and real, and also very clearly described. The characters were easily relatable to everyday life and hurts even though they were Amish. I wanted to be good friends with all our characters! The Lord's love truly is the only one that can fill all those hurts and betrayals, and He uses others that are impacted by His love to reach us in our despair a lot of times. Sweet, realistic, full of heart, and redemptive- don't miss Liza's Second Chance!

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

About the Author

Molly Jebber’s books have been featured on Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Ten Recommended Reads, in USA Today’s HEA, Romantic Times and many other media sites. She’s tours and speaks about Amish history/traditions, writing, marketing, publishing, and about her books. She loves God, her family, friends. She enjoys swimming, golf, reading, and says yes to butterscotch pie and parasailing, but no to coconut and skydiving! Visit www.mollyjebber.com for a complete list of her books and speaking events.

Guest Post from Molly Jebber

Here’s a little about Liza’s story: Hello Friends, I loved writing about Liza. She has a lot to overcome in this book, but her faith in God, and compassion for others helps her to arrive at her decisions through difficult and happy times. I enjoyed visiting Charm, and it makes for a good setting for this story. The bakery is fun with all the sugary pies, pastries, and breads. The unique customers, and the place where friends are made, and where trouble happens. Most of all, I hope I’ve done a good job entertaining you as you read “Liza’s Second Chance”.

Blog Stops

A Rup Life, January 30

Books n Baubles, January 30

margaret kazmierczak, January 30 (interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, January 30 ( Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Avid Reader Book Reviews, January 31

Josephine’s Thoughts, January 31

Vicky Sluiter, February 1

Splashes of Joy, February 1

For The Love of Books, February 2

Christian Bookaholic, February 2

Blossoms and Blessings, February 3

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, February 3

Christian Author, J.E.Grace, February 4

Mary Hake, February 4

SusanLovesBooks, February 5

Carpe Diem, February 5

Reading is my Super Power, February 5 (interview)

The Fizzy Pop Collection, February 6

proud to be an autism mom, February 6

Bibliophile Reviews, February 7

A Greater Yes, February 7

Pursuing Stacie, February 7

Texas Book-aholic, February 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 8

Have A Wonderful Day, February 9

Janices book reviews, February 9

cherylbbookblog, February 10

Red Headed Book Lady, February 10

Bigreadersite, February 10

Pink Granny’s Journey, February 11

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 11

A Reader’s Brain, February 12

A Baker’s Perspective, February 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Molly is giving away a $75 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c6d1

Two New & Unique Fictions from Barbour Publishing!

               About Amish Cooking Class:The Celebration

 Lyle and Heidi Troyer have taken in two children orphaned when their parents were killed in a car accident. Hoping to help the children adapt and make friends, Heidi decides to hold a series of cooking classes for kids. But kids are always accompanied by an adult—and that is where the troubles begin.

 Purchase your copy HERE

 

About the Author:

 

 Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of almost 90 books with more than 10 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Wanda's fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda's desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

All of Wanda's novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda's primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern "Englishers." Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: www.WandaBrunstetter.com

My Review:

My heart was so warmed by this well though out and inspirational fiction. So many people's stories were intertwined with this sweet Amish family of Heidi and Lyle. The fact that they were foster parents really touched me on a personal level, because it showed the beauty of adoption and how your child is your child whether they come to you naturally or through adoption. The most beautiful thing about this book was the faithfulness of God, how nobody and no family is perfect, and how the Lord can use even a cooking class to reach people with His love. All it takes to make an impact is to obey the Lord, and use the grace and mercy he's given you to give to others. The end was so satisfying and just made me smile. I felt like this series is truly one of a kind as it intertwines so many unrelated people's lives with the beauty of the Lord's love and will shown through His children. Unique & heart-warming, don't miss this special Amish fiction!

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

                                    About The Mayflower Bride:

 Join the adventure through history, romance, and family legacy as the Daughters of the Mayflower series begins with The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse. Mary Elizabeth Chapman and William Lytton embark for the far shores of America on what seems to be a voyage doomed from the start. Can a religious separatist and an opportunistic spy make it in the New World?

 Purchase your copy HERE

 

About the Author:

 Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than a dozen books. She is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she's shared at more than 2,000 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family's story have garnered national media attention for many years including ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, Discovery Health channel's Mystery ER, The Hour of Power, The Harvest Show, and over 1,000 other TV appearances and radio interviews. She lives and writes in Colorado with her husband of twenty-five years and their two amazing kids. kimberleywoodhouse.com
Find Kim on twitter and facebook:
twitter.com/kimwoodhouse
author fan page Kimberley Woodhouse

 My Review:

How could my inner history nerd be thrilled more? A beautiful historical Christian fiction tells a most realistic depiction of life aboard the Mayflower from Holland/England to the New World, complete with the Native American interactions we've all read about. The crushing losses of Mary Elizabeth seem too much to bear for our character, but with the Lord, and perhaps the handsome William, this new adventure will turn out all right. I loved the sweet innocent romance that blossomed through the book. The action and inner thoughts of our characters really kept the plot moving. I felt the fear, the sorrow, the hope all our characters passed through from scene to scene. I loved how true historical characters were used to really make the book seem like I was stepping into a history book to meet the people who helped to found the country I am a part of. I felt like one of those weary but hopeful travelers, looking forward to perhaps the adventure of a lifetime where most importantly, I could finally serve my Lord in the way I knew was true. Don't miss this portrait of history as an experience for yourself!

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

Her Good Girl by Elaine Stock

About the Book

Title: Her Good Girl  
Author: Elaine Stock  
Genre: Family Life, Contemporary fiction, Coming-of-age story of a whole family  
Release Date: January 22, 2018
Sometimes digging deep frees you to bloom. Sadie Tremont’s will to survive is killing her. Almost 18, she’s battled one mysterious illness after another. Tara-Lynn, her mom, insists she’s the only one with the ultimate cure. Sadie can’t depend on her dad to help when his only interest is underground caving. Her grandmother too easily counts on God to help, but Sadie has stopped waiting for miracles. Callie, a café owner and new friend, might help but can she be trusted? Then there’s Sky, Sadie’s new boyfriend who offers a sliver of joy, peace, and self-respect. When he schemes that the only way for Sadie to be happy is to escape with him from her native West Virginia hills by killing Tara-Lynn, she’s trapped. She can’t partner with Sky to hurt the mom who has hurt her for years . . . or can she? When tragedy strikes and threaten Sadie’s dad’s life and the shaky ground the Tremont family stands on, will they pull together or give in to the weakened earth beneath their feet?

Click HERE to purchase your copy!

My Review

This book really challenged me to see a world and reality outside of myself that I had never experienced really except maybe in an indirect way hearing of a family dealing with a certain member having a mental illness, or hearing that a parent abused their child on the news. I'm so glad our author brought light to the topic because it's one that's devastating, and yet is reality for people who need the Lord just like you and me. Whether the family dynamic includes mental illness, abuse, or both, the Lord's love through His sheep is what a family going through this needs to be reconciled and healed. We can be so quick to judge when we don't understand how people could get into unhealthy relationship after unhealthy relationship when they've had abuse in their past, when in reality we should be asking how we can help fill the need for true love by showing them Christ. Only He can fill that void for love and acceptance that one longs for.  I was challenged to be more aware of those who may be in these situations, to empathize more, and to not question them, but help lead them to Christ who is what they really need. Our author made the book very clear with the character descriptions, the way Sadie thought out her inner monologue, the way the adults outside and inside her family didn't see the real issue. I was blown away by how well the author helped us to understand the plight of the abused child, and also the mind suffering from mental illness which a lot of times is a result of personal trauma as well. With a difficult topic at hand, our author really opens our eyes to a reality we should all be concerned about, and, as Christians, should seek to shine the light of Jesus into. Don't miss this emotional, realistic, truly thought-provoking read!

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

About the Author

Elaine Stock is the author of Always With You, which released in January 2016 and has won the 2017 Christian Small Publishers Association Book of the Year Award in fiction. And You Came Along, a novella, released in December 2017. Her novels fuse romance, family drama and faith in a clean fiction style. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and contributes to the international “Happy Sis Magazine” and “InD’tale Magazine.” In addition to Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads, she hangs out on her active six-year-old blog, Everyone’s Story, dedicated to uplifting and encouraging all readers through the power of story and hope. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Elaine has now been living in upstate, rural New York with her husband for more years than her stint as a NYC gal. She enjoys long walks down country roads, visiting New England towns, and of course, a good book.

Guest Post from Elaine Stock

How to Bloom Against the Odds by Elaine Stock Show tunes warm my heart and create a happy buzz in my mind. Ever since I can recall, I adored musicals, whether live performances or movies. Throw in amazing choreography and I’m definitely a happy camper! Hmm. I’m thinking you’re probably wondering why I’m kicking off a blog tour about my novel, Her Good Girl, a coming-of-age story about a whole family against the odds, chatting about actors belting out foot-tapping songs?  

Here’s another favorite of mine: Liza Minnelli. Remember her from the movie Cabaret? A few months back I ran across this quote from her: Reality is something you rise above. These words hit home, zinged my soul. Life is not about what you’re dished out, but what you do with it instead. See, I was born into a troubled family. My mother slipped deep into the prison of mental illness; my father worked 8 days a week. Throw in a few other dysfunctional barbs and… well… that was my beginning. Is it my present? Will it be my future? In Her Good Girl, centers on Sadie, a girl on the cusp of becoming a woman. Her life revolves around her mother’s abusive Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MBP) until Sadie discovers a way out… or is it an escape to something deeper and worse by the hands of someone else? This is what I wrote in the “Author’s Note” section of Her Good Girl: I first became aware of Munchausen By Proxy (MBP) several years ago when I read an article about what I thought was an emotional disturbance. Research shows that this is maltreatment (abuse and/or neglect) when a person—usually a parent—seeks emotional fulfillment by inflicting an illness on another, often one’s child, and often resulting in death. Recent cases such as the 1996 arrest of Kathy Bush for making her then nine-year-old daughter, Jennifer sick; the 2014 death of five-year-old Garnett by his mother Lacy Spears, and the recent Baby Jax case of a woman, Jessica Valik, who tampered with her son’s feeding tube, are one too many. Yet, I have not written about this type of tragedy and sadness to become a sensationalist. Stories about the complexities of families draw my attention. I strive to tell stories that inspire others that, through the love and grace of God, one can move forward, families can heal, that there is hope, and that there is no reason to go back. Goodness can, and does, happen to troubled families. While my mother didn’t suffer from MBP, she was controlled by the terrors of paranoid schizophrenia (I touched upon this as well in Her Good Girl, although, again, it was not autobiographical). I didn’t know about my mother’s condition until I turned 18 and she was first diagnosed at that time. However, what I did know during my childhood was that this was my family’s “normal.” Yet, it still didn’t feel right. I wanted to rise above this emotional feeling that felt like a trap. Enter God. Actually, God and I clicked when I was six (that’s as far back as I can remember His grasp on me). But, it wasn’t until I was baptized into the Christian faith in my early 20s did I start feeling as if I was indeed beginning to rise above my circumstances. Without Him, my life would be empty and meaningless. Now, I feel as if I have a future to look forward to. All my novels will not necessarily be reflective of mental illness, but I hope my readers will see in Her Good Girl that by holding God’s hands tightly a family can heal and one can move forward, can live. Or, as one of the major themes of the novel emphasizes: Sometimes digging deep frees you to bloom.  

Blog Stops

Reading Is My SuperPower, February 1

Mary Hake, February 1

Bibliophile Reviews, February 2

Inklings and notions, February 2

Blogging With Carol, February 3

proud to be an autism mom, February 4

A Reader’s Brain, February 5

Texas Book-aholic, February 6

Carpe Diem, February 7

A Baker’s Perspective, February 8

Multifarious, February 9

A Greater Yes, February 10

Avid Reader Book Reviews, February 10

Power of Words, February 11 (spotlight)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 11

Janices book reviews, February 12

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 12

margaret kazmierczak, February 13 (Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, February 13 (Guest post from Mindy)

Pursuing Stacie, February 14

Bigreadersite, February 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Elaine is giving away a grand prize of 1 Tote + 1 print (US only) or eBook of Her Good Girl, Always With You, and And You Came Along.

Three others will win 1 eBook of Her Good Girl each!!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c6d0