Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Book Blast ~ "The Secret Life of Daydreams" by Lucinda Whitney + giveaway

 
Secret Life of DaydreamsThe Secret Life of Daydreams by Lucinda Whitney Six years after a painful divorce, Josh Conrad is happy traveling the world as a photographer. When he arrives in Portugal, he plans to complete the assignment as quickly as possible. What he doesn’t plan for is Sofia, the girl he baptized eleven years earlier on an LDS mission, and soon he’s making excuses to prolong his trip.Sofia Monteiro leads a structured life in Braga, Portugal, teaching high school by day and caring for her mother by night. After she reconnects with Josh through mutual friends, the memory of a failed relationship and her new graduate program are enough reasons to stay away from him. As they collaborate on a project, Josh is wary of repeating his old mistakes and Sofia hesitates to spend time with an American who’s only passing through. Can two people with wounded hearts bring themselves to trust their dreams to each other?
amazon
Excerpt
Sofia walked back to meet Josh and they strolled together past the deck at the reception center and the start of the trail. She unfolded the map and held it up between them.She pointed at the spots of interest. “This is the suggested route. The main road goes up the hill to the western fortification wall. At the acropolis, there’s another wide road that intersects in the opposite direction.” She circled several areas. “These areas are the residential nucleus and along the way we can see the remains of the round dwellings and the more common rectangular ones.” There was more but she looked up to Josh. “Are you okay with following this route?” “I’m here to follow you.” He swept his right arm in front of her. “Just lead the way.” Sofia straightened and pocketed the map. Josh carried too much and she hesitated. “Wouldn’t it be easier for you to use the equipment if I carry the backpack?” He paused for a moment and surveyed the area then chuckled. “Sneaky, aren’t you? I know what you’re trying to do here.” Why did guys always think they had to do everything to prove their virility? Such a macho thing. She splayed her hands on her hips. “It’s the twenty first century. I can carry my share. Besides, this is more like a business outing, not a date. Which means you don’t have to carry stuff for me.” She extended her hand for the backpack. “What if I believe in chivalry? You won’t give me a chance to practice it?” “And what if I’m a feminist? You won’t respect my views?” She was pushing him now and enjoying the banter. Josh eyed her and held quiet, the corner of his mouth twitching. Sofia wanted to laugh. He was probably trying to figure out how serious she was about feminism. After a few seconds, he set down the tripod and removed the backpack, but his eyes crinkled with a lack of seriousness belied by his actions. Sofia took the backpack from him and put it on. It wasn’t even as heavy as she’d expected. “See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?” She started up the trail then turned back to Josh. “And you still have your man card intact,” she added with a smile. Josh laughed. “Sassy, aren’t you?” “Come on, we don’t have all day,” she pressed in a teasing tone. add to goodreads
Praise for the Book "Lucinda Whitney's The Secret Life of Daydreams whisks readers away to Braga, Portugal, a setting so vivid with color, texture, and life, they'll want to book a flight and travel there themselves. Josh is the hero many of us dream of, and Sofia a heroine who holds out for all she deserves. Overall a delightful romance far from the ordinary in both distance and scope." -- Michele Paige Holmes "The romance is fantastic and with enough tingle to make my heart flutter. The conflict between the characters is believable and I longed for them to work it out, even though it wouldn't be easy." -- Laura D. Bastian "The Secret Life of Daydreams is a story that explores the question "What if you got a second chance with the one that got away?" Readers will be rooting for Sofia and Josh to find a way to make their dreams come true despite the obstacles life puts in front of them."-- Sally Johnson "This book was a delightful journey. I loved getting to know Josh and Sofia, cheering for them, growling at them, and sharing a happy sigh or two with them. The gorgeous setting of Portugal was an added bonus!"-- Alison Woods
Amazon Pre-order
Pre-order The Secret Life of Daydreams for just 99 cents!
Cindy WhitneyAuthor Lucinda Whitney Lucinda Whitney was born and raised in Portugal, where she received a master’s degree from the University of Minho in Braga in Portuguese/English teaching. She’s a cancer survivor, and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Salt Lake Temple Square Visitors Center mission in Utah.She lives in northern Utah with her husband and four children. When she’s not reading and writing, she can be found with a pair of knitting needles in winter, or tending her herb garden in the summer. She also works part-time as a substitute teacher.
  50_Amazon_Paypal   Book Blast Giveaway - $50 Amazon Gift Card or $50 in Paypal Cash Ends 1/3/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Book Blast ~ "Demons" by Ednah Walters + giveaway

Demons Demons by Ednah Walters Demons continues the Runes series by USA Today bestselling author Ednah Walters. What happened to Eirik after he left his friends on Earth and went to Hel? Eirik Baldurson—son of Baldur, God of Light—failed living as a Mortal. He lost the girl of his dreams and nearly got his friends killed. Now, he's gone to the underworld to meet the mother he’s never known. Torn between his duty to her and the man he used to be, Eirik struggles to find himself, until a witch appears in his world. Feisty and stubborn, she is a reminder of everything good he left behind. Celestia Devereaux proudly attends a charter high school for “gifted” teenagers who embrace magic. Witches. However, she keeps a terrible secret—a prediction that she would one day be responsible for massive destruction and death. Though Celestia uses her clairvoyant abilities to help people, she worries that it is just a matter of time before she goes over to the dark side. Her world changes when she unexpectedly astral projects to a place she didn’t believe existed and meets a tortured man who needs her help. Will helping him cause her fears to come true, or will he sacrifice everything to save her?

amazon
 Read an Excerpt
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The man turned the key in the ignition, but nothing happened. Cursing, he kicked the boat. Yeah, genius, that should do the trick. If I could touch or move things, I could find the problem in under a minute and fix the damn thing. Fixing things was one of the perks of being an only child to a man who liked to dismantle and reassemble things.

I whipped around at the sounds of rustling and breaking twigs. Two alligators ambled stealthily toward the boater, who was now on land, trying to fix his engine.

I’d forgotten about the gators. They were the reason I was here. I hated alligators. Hated their scaly bodies and slitted eyes. Hated that I could see their teeth when their mouths were closed. I couldn’t even explain when my hatred had begun. I just knew I’d always hated them and snakes and lizards and anything reptilian. While my friends’ idea of a horror movie was Poltergeist, mine was Jurassic Park.

  Eyeing the creepers, I moved from my place by the tree and jumped in their path, heart pounding furiously and fear drying my mouth.

“Shoo,” I said, waving at them. “Leave him alone.”

The alligators stopped, sensing my essence. Animals were weird that way. The connection between them and Witches was so strong they felt us when more advanced humans couldn’t. My grandmother had been convinced they saw us, too.


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  Praise for Demons Ednah Walters just keeps getting better. Demons is one Hel of a ride! ~ Karen Lynch, USA Today Bestselling author of Relentless series A beautiful addition to an already mesmerizing world. Be ready to obsess over a new book boyfriend! ~ Melissa Haag, Bestselling author Judgement of 6 series

  add to goodreads


ABOUT THE AUTHOR EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.


100_Amazon_Paypal    Book Blast Giveaway - $100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 in Paypal Cash Ends 1/1/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, December 14, 2015

Book Review ~ "Desert Rains" by Jana S. Brown

Desert RainsDesert Rains by Jana S. Brown
My rating: 3,5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Author to Review
Genre: Futuristic Western Romance

Book Description:  Life in the future isn’t so different after all. Welcome to Galileo, a planet of extremes where air cars and horse-drawn wagons march side by side, and powerful storms compete with the burning sun. A planet where a man can make his fortune…or lose it.

Richard Tyler came to Galileo in pursuit of Anna Reches, the girl of his dreams. Taking a job at the Double P Ranch was convenient and paid the bills. He never thought he’d come to love it, nor did he expect an undeniable attraction to his employer, Miss Charlene. With two paths spread before him, which does he choose? The wealthy socialite and luxury he was born to, or the cattle rancher who challenges him at every step and makes his blood run hot?

With a busy desert ranch to run, Charlene Petersmire doesn’t have time for a relationship, nor does she want one, at least not until Richard Tyler walks into her world. He’s a brilliant technician and a charming man, but as her employee he’s strictly off-limits and her heart’s been broken before by a handsome face. Does she dare cross boundaries for a man courting her enemy?

Will they face the oncoming storm together, or will love be washed away by the fury of the desert rains?


My thoughts: It's hard to classify this book into a specific genre. It is a Western that is set in the future. The characters and setting have an old time feel to them, but they have technology. The cultured men have manners and know how to treat a lady and the women mostly wear dresses. Wagons and high tech transportation are both used. People come from different planets to settle this desert world.

Charlene and Richard are the main characters of the story. They have a rock start, but it doesn't take long for them to appreciate the talents and attributes of the other. They work hard and have an undeniable attraction to each other. The problem is that Richard is already courting another woman, Anna. It would not be honorable for Richard to pursue Charlene until he is free from Anna.

There is romance and danger in the book. Charlene has powerful enemies, but she has loyal friends and supporters. The book is about the struggle for survival in harsh conditions with a romance included.

The book has a lot of mild swear words, non-graphic violence,  and innuendo.



Book Review ~ "Chivalrous" by Dina L. Sleiman

Chivalrous by Dina L. Sleiman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review
Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Book Description: Strong and adventurous Gwendolyn Barnes longs to be a knight like her chivalrous brothers. However, that is not an option for her, not even in the Arthurian-inspired Eden where she dwells. Her parents view her only as a marriage pawn, and her domineering father is determined to see her wed to a brutish man who will break her spirit.

When handsome, good-hearted Allen of Ellsworth arrives in Edendale searching for his place in the world, Gwendolyn spies in him the sort of fellow she could imagine marrying. Yet fate seems determined to keep them apart. Tournaments, intrigue, and battles--along with twists and turns aplenty--await these two as they struggle to find love, identity, and their true destinies.


My thoughts: When I requested Chivalrous to read, I thought that it would be a companion story to Dauntless. It had been a while since I had read the book and didn't recognize the names of some of the characters. To my surprise and delight, I found out that continues with one of the characters from Dauntless.

Gwendolyn is a young lady who doesn't like the future that is presented to her. She has trained to be a warrior with her brothers from her youth and the thought of being wed to a man she does not love holds little interest for her. She continues training on the sly, because it has been forbidden by her father, and enters a tournament. That is where she meets the Knight Allen of Ellsworth.

Allen is one of the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest from Dauntless. He has moved beyond his origins and finds himself a Knight and on the Council for North Britannia. His honor and duty may take precedence over his heart as he struggles to find his place in his new home.

This book is a second in a series, while it makes references to the first, it could read as a stand alone. It is well written and full of romance and adventure. I loved the characters. The setting is in the middle ages and the Duke has tried to emulate the Kingdom of Camelot. I love Arthurian Legend, so that aspect was a bonus for me.

The book has some violence and kissing. Allen of Ellsworth is a devote Christian and this book has many religious references.







About the Author: (taken from Goodreads)  Dina Sleiman writes stories of passion and grace. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront. Since finishing her Professional Writing MA in 1994, she has enjoyed many opportunities to teach literature, writing, and the arts. Dina also serves as an acquisitions and content editor for WhiteFire Publishing. For more info visit her at http://dinasleiman.com/ or check out her latest series at http://valiantheartsseries.blogspot.c....

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Blog Tour ~ "Soda Springs" by Carolyn Steele





Soda Springs by Carolyn Steele
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received ebook to review
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

Book Description:  When Tessa Darrow discovers her father burning his Civil War uniform, she has no idea how his secret will devastate their family and drive them from their home in North Carolina. The family journeys along the Oregon Trail until tragedy strikes, leaving Tessa and her father to build a new life in Soda Springs, Idaho. This sweeping story illuminates an oft-forgotten era in LDS Church history. Filled with life and passion, it's a thrilling read for history buffs and romantics alike.


My thoughts: Historical Fiction becomes a favorite genre when I can learn about events in history that I do not know about. Soda Springs is set in a small settlement of people who were a splinter group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The story itself is not overly religious but takes a look at apostasy and the effects of polygamy on a family.

Tessa is a in her mid-teens when she and her family leave their plantation home during the time period of the Civil War. They leave suddenly just after her father burns his Confederate uniform. Their move is done by wagon and takes a toll on the family, leaving Tessa to play a role far beyond her young years. On their way to Oregon, Tessa and her father find themselves in Soda Springs, Idaho. Also known as Morristown. This is the setting for the majority of the book.

It was interesting to look at life in a small settlement on the Oregon Trail. Some of the characters were people who lived in the area, some are fictional. The countryside was well described and sounds like a beautiful place.

The book follows Tessa as she grows and learns from the people around her. Tessa is romantically interested in William, but her options are not large in the settlement and she wonders if she needs to settle for someone else to be able to have a family of her own. The book is one of patience and learning to love and accept others with differences.

This is a clean historical fiction romance with religious references.



Watch the Book Trailer:




Purchase Links:



About the Author:  Born and raised in Utah, Carolyn Steele was introduced to western novels at a very young age by her grandfather, the son of a gold miner. She has been writing technical and marketing communications for most of her adult life. Her nonfiction articles have appeared in numerous national magazines. She earned her undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Utah. Her first novel, Willow Springs, was published in 2014.

I visited Carolyn's webpage and found a post with pictures of the area that the story is set in.  Check it out  HERE


Visit the tour stops:
December 8: Sweet Americana Sweethearts • Emmy Mom
December 9: Laura Walker
December 10: Kristin Holt • Rockin’ Book Reviews
December 11: My Book a Day • Writer in the Pines
December 12: Bookworm Lisa
December 13: Making Life a Bliss Complete • Connected in Love
December 14: Katie’s Clean Book Collection
December 15: Readalot
December 16: LoraLee Evans
December 17: Wishful Endings
December 18: Mel’s Shelves
December 19: The Things I Love Most
December 20: Jorie Loves a Story
December 21: Fire and Ice

Friday, December 11, 2015

Christmas Mail Order Angels Series: A Christmas Belle + giveaway

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CHRISTMAS MAIL ORDER ANGELS SERIES



Darlene Franklin, Jacob’s Christmas Dream,

Becky Patterson escapes the stifling life at her father’s parsonage for an exciting life as a mail-order bride. . .only to learn her potential groom is a part-time preacher, Jake Underwood. Her dreams of working alongside Jake in his store stall when an itinerant preacher wants to ordain Jake as pastor of the growing church. Will Becky accept God’s calling on her life—or will she reject Jake’s love and the future God has planned for them?

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Best-selling author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family, and continues her interests in playing the piano and singing, books, good fellowship, and reality TV in addition to writing. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over forty books and has written more than 250 devotionals. Her historical fiction ranges from the Revolutionary War to World War II, from Texas to Vermont. You can find Darlene online elsewhere at You can follow her author page on http://www.amazon.com/Darlene-Franklin/e/B001K8993A/  and follow her on  https://www.facebook.com/darlene.franklin.3


Susan Page Davis, The Reliable Cowboy, August 14, 2015


Isabella lost her husband to the sea, and she wants to get as far from the coast as she can. When she leaves Maine to marry a cowboy in Wyoming Territory, she reasons that Edwin will be safe on the ranch. But every time he is late for an engagement, she finds herself worrying. What could be horrible enough to make him late for their wedding?



C:\Users\Sydney\Desktop\Library Stuff\Singing Librarian Books\Singing Librarian Books Tours\2015\12.15\Christmas Mail Order Angels On Tour (blog tour)\Author Headshots\Susan.jpgSusan Page Davis is the author of more than sixty published novels. A Maine native, she now lives in Kentucky. She’s a two-time winner of the Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award, and also a winner of the Carol Award and the Will Rogers Medallion, and a finalist in the WILLA Awards and the More Than Magic Contest. Visit her website at:www.susanpagedavis.com










Cynthia Hickey, Christmas Gold


When Phoebe Ross's employer dies, leaving her with a wedding gown, Phoebe feels she has no choice but to answer the call for mail order brides to Angel Vale, Wyoming. When she arrives her groom-to-be is nowhere in sight. With the other brides claimed, she sets off to find her groom. He is nothing what she expected. 

Christmas Gold is a touching story of finding love, escaping the past, and forging a new future in an untamed land.



C:\Users\Sydney\Desktop\Library Stuff\Singing Librarian Books\Singing Librarian Books Tours\2015\12.15\Christmas Mail Order Angels On Tour (blog tour)\Author Headshots\Cynthia.jpgMulti-published and Amazon Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries and two novellas published through Barbour Publishing. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series, all of which stay in the top 50 of Amazon’s ebooks for their genre. She has several historical romances releasing in 2013, 2014, 2015 through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents, and has sold more than 350,000 copies of her works. Cynthia is active on FB, twitter, and Goodreads, and is a contributor to Cozy Mystery Magazine blog and Suspense Sisters blog. She is a featured speaker/teacher at ACFW national. She and her husband run the small press, Forget Me Not Romances, which includes some of the CBA’s well-known authors, and Take Me Away Books. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs and two cats. She has seven grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer.” Visit her website atwww.cynthiahickey.com




Brandi Boddie, A Christmas Rose

Rosalie Chalmers is in dire straits after losing her job as a ladies maid and grieving over the death of her dear aunt. Figuring she has nothing left to lose, she responds to an inquiry for a mail order bride service and makes the long journey from Maine to Angel Vale, Wyoming. She hopes she can start anew out west. But she learns quickly that the harsh frontier may not be the place for her after all. 

Isaac Baker is happy to be matched with the lovely Rosalie. As the only black man in Angel Vale, he nearly gave up hope of finding a wife. Yet despite his efforts to make Rosalie feel at home, she remains withdrawn and unhappy. Will they have a true marriage by Christmas or will his new wife leave him for good?
 



C:\Users\Sydney\Desktop\Library Stuff\Singing Librarian Books\Singing Librarian Books Tours\2015\12.15\Christmas Mail Order Angels On Tour (blog tour)\Author Headshots\Brandi.jpgBrandi Boddie writes historical and contemporary romance. She resides in Texas, where she loves spending time with her husband and dogs, a cocker spaniel and a schnauzer who both aspire to be food critics. She holds a juris doctorate from Howard University School of Law and a BA in political science from Youngstown State University. She has worked for the Office of the Attorney General in Washington DC and traveled extensively across the country as a military wife. When she isn't writing, Brandi enjoys fencing and swing dancing.



Jennifer AlLee, Christmas Fire

Blacksmith David Esterly expected the woman he'd corresponded with to be his mail order bride. Instead, he finds that she's changed her mind, and someone else has taken her place. Tragic circumstances forced Caroline Buchanan to join the group of mail order brides heading to Angel Vale, Wyoming. As these two strangers work through secrets and past hurts, can they make it through the fire and find the gift God has for them? 




C:\Users\Sydney\Desktop\Library Stuff\Singing Librarian Books\Singing Librarian Books Tours\2015\12.15\Christmas Mail Order Angels On Tour (blog tour)\Author Headshots\Jen AlLee[1].jpgJennifer Allee was born in Hollywood, California, and grew up above a mortuary one block away from the famous intersection of Hollywood & Vine. Now she lives in the grace-filled city of Las Vegas, which just goes to prove she’s been blessed with a unique life. When she’s not busy spinning tales, she enjoys playing games with friends, attending live theater and movies, and singing at the top of her lungs to whatever happens to be playing on Pandora. Although she’s thrilled to be living out her lifelong dream of being a novelist, she considers raising her son to be her greatest creative accomplishment. You can visit her on FacebookPinterest, or her website.


Teresa Ives Lilly, Cooking Up Christmas


When Henrietta agrees to become a mail order angel for Benjamin Capel, she moves to Angel Vale Wyoming eager to begin working in the town’s eatery. Although happy with her job and attracted to her husband-to-be, she discovers that Benjamin has several secrets. What does he do for a living, why does talking about money upset him so much and who actually owns the Angel Vale Eatery. Will these questions be answered so she can freely say I Do or does God have a different plan for her life in Angel Vale?




C:\Users\Sydney\Desktop\Library Stuff\Singing Librarian Books\Singing Librarian Books Tours\2015\12.15\Christmas Mail Order Angels On Tour (blog tour)\Author Headshots\Teresa.jpgTeresa Ives Lilly has authored 16 novella/novels in Christian Romance.  She tends to write historical but dabbles in contemporary as well.  She also writes children's chapter books and Unit Studies which are used in both private, public and homeschool.  She lives in Texas with her husband and her grown children live near by.  She currently owns and runs a Christian Library which offers over 2000 books to the public in the Christian genre only.    Find all her book information at www.teresalilly.wordpress.com .





Tanya Stowe, The Evergreen Wreath

Twenty-year-old Levi Harper needs help. Life is difficult after his father and brother die in a mine cave-in but when pneumonia takes his mother, Levi can't manage the mine and his four younger siblings alone. He signs up for a mail-order-bride. Virginia Pepper is determined to escape her father’s unrelenting anger and all-too-ready fists. She’ll do anything to get on that train…even agree to marry a stranger. But she has no intention of trading one abusive man for another. Paper marriage or not, she’ll be on her way first chance she gets, no matter how sweet and kind Levi seems. 

As Christmas approaches, Levi counts down the days with a waiting, hopeful spirit. Can the Christmas season create a path for Levi into Virginia’s heart?
 


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Novelist Tanya Stowe has had eclectic career. Working as a freelance writer, her profiles have featured celebrities such as Fabio and New York Times Bestselling authors LaVyrle SpencerShirlee Busbee, and Heather Graham. Tanya wrote grants, participated in a collection of women’s survival stories and collaborated on a full length Christmas musical.  She also worked as a marketing assistant, and an event coordinator doing a stint with the American Cancer Society. WebsiteFacebookBlog






Patty Smith Hall, A Home for Christmas


All of her life, Margaret Cobb has felt cursed, the port wine stain on her cheek a punishment for her mother’s death. But she dreams of a home and family. When the opportunity arises to be a mail order bride for a man in Angel Vale, Wyoming, Margaret risks everything familiar for her chance at happiness, only to be rejected once again. That is until assayer Avery Waldwin offers to marry her. 

Or the answer to Avery’s prayers?
 

Avery Waldwin needs a mother for his young daughter, even if it means marrying a woman he’s never met. A marriage of convenience was all he’d hoped for, but there’s something about the kind, Godly woman that draws him to her. As the Christmas season approaches, both Avery and Margaret discover there’s only one present they each want—the gift of love!
 




C:\Users\Sydney\Desktop\Library Stuff\Singing Librarian Books\Singing Librarian Books Tours\2015\12.15\Christmas Mail Order Angels On Tour (blog tour)\Author Headshots\Pattyjpg.jpgPatty Smith-Hall is a multi-published author with Love Inspired Historical and Heartson.  She currently serves as president of the ACFW-Atlanta chapter.  She calls North Georgia her home which she shares with her husband of 30+ years, Danny; two gorgeous daughters and a future son-in-love.  Her next release, A Home for Christmas is now available on Amazon.






Anne Green, A Christmas Belle






My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review

Book Description: The latest book in the series, Christmas Mail Order Angels, A CHRISTMAS BELLE tells Amanda’s story. Amanda expected a Wyoming cowboy, not a Southern Gentleman with a dangerous job. Can the wounded Mail Order Angel and the very Southern Wyoming Sheriff overcome the difficulties of their personal baggage and of the raw western boomtown where men die at the drop of a gold nugget and women are scarce as a tail-hold on a bear? Will the Sheriff put DUTY before love as the fiancé who jilted Amanda had done? 

She’s a transplanted southern belle jilted by her finance’ who preferred DUTY to his family. Amanda’s desperate for a new start in a new territory with a Wyoming cowboy. She’s known as a mind reader, but in reality she reads the fleeting expressions people hide. Frank struck gold in the Wyoming Gold Rush and is elected Sheriff by the people of Angel Vale. He signed up for a mail-order bride, not because he wants a wife, but because he needs a mother for the baby boy left on his doorstep. Unfortunately for Amanda, Frank hails from the deep South and DUTY is his middle name. Will Frank choose love or Duty?




My thoughts: This is one story in a series of novella's that take place in Angel Vale, Wyoming. The booming mining town has an abundance of men who for reasons of their own are searching for a wife.

This story focuses on Amanda and Frank. Amanda wants a place where she feels she belongs. She has long felt a burden on extended family who have cared for her. She has been spurned by a suitor, now she wants to find someone to care for who is far removed from her Atlanta upbringing. A nice man from Wyoming will do quite nicely, until she discovers that he is from Atlanta.



Amanda learns that she can't judge all men from a geographical area by the character of one man. She is afraid that Frank will put other "things" before his commitments to her. She does not want a life of feeling second best.

This is a very cute and short story. It would be interesting to see how the rest of the mail order brides fared in their stories. The story is clean and centers on Christian values.







C:\Users\Sydney\Desktop\Library Stuff\Singing Librarian Books\Singing Librarian Books Tours\2015\12.15\Christmas Mail Order Angels On Tour (blog tour)\Author Headshots\Anne.jpgANNE GREENE delights in writing about alpha heroes who aren’t afraid to fall on their knees in prayer, and about gutsy heroines. HerWomen of Courage Series spotlights heroic women of World War II, and read her private investigating series, Handcuffed In Texas. Enjoyher award-winning Scottish historical romances, Masquerade Marriage and Marriage By Arrangement. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Buy Anne’s books on http://www.Amazon.com. Type in Anne Greene. Visit Anne at AnneGreeneAuthor.com. and at @TheAnneGreene.  







Martha Lou Rogers, Christmas Blessing


Annelle Pugh is the daughter caretaker of her retired sea captain father who is in poor health. As she approaches age thirty, he smothers any of her attempts at a social life, and Nelle becomes discouraged and fearful she’ll never have a home of her own. While her aunt is visiting and taking of the Captain, Nelle grabs the chance to go west and become one of the Mail Order Angels requested by a group of men in Wyoming. Riley Thornton is a rancher mourning the death of his wife and desperately needs someone to care for his three children. After several nanny attempts fail, Riley signs up for one of the Angel Brides who consented to come to Wyoming. Riley almost backs out when he sees how petite Nelle is and doubts she’ll be able to handle two growing daughters and a barely walking son as well as take care of the cooking and cleaning. Despite her doubts, Nelle begins to love Riley, but at every turn her fear of being sent back East keeps her from letting her feelings be known. As they work together, Riley comes to realize Nelle is special and truly his blessing from God at Christmas. 




C:\Users\Sydney\Desktop\Library Stuff\Singing Librarian Books\Singing Librarian Books Tours\2015\12.15\Christmas Mail Order Angels On Tour (blog tour)\Author Headshots\Martha.jpgMartha Rogers is a free-lance writer and the author of the Winds Across the Prairie and Seasons of the Heart series as well as the novella, Key to Her Heart in River Walk Christmas and Not on the Menu in Sugar and Grits. Her latest series, The Homeward Journey,has three books, Love Stays True, Love Finds Faith, and Love Never Fails. She was named Writer of the Year at the Texas Christian Writers Conference in 2009 and is a member of ACFW. She writes the weekly Verse of the Week for the ACFW Loop. ACFW awarded her the Volunteer of the Year in 2014. Her first electronic series from Winged Publications, Love in the Bayou City of Texas, debuted in the spring of 2016.. Martha is a frequent speaker for writing workshops and the Texas Christian Writers Conference. She is a retired teacher and lives in Houston with her husband, Rex. Their favorite pastime is spending time with their eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 







Lynette Sowell, Mistletoe Mistake

Matthew Thomas cooked up the whole idea of the Mail Order Angels, but when his own angel appears in the form of Sophia Webster, at first his feet get colder than a Wyoming blizzard. Sophia tries to make a new start in Wyoming by staying true to her word and helping Matthew establish the newspaper, but come spring, it’s back East for her--unless Matthew’s change of heart can convince her otherwise.


C:\Users\Sydney\Desktop\Library Stuff\Singing Librarian Books\Singing Librarian Books Tours\2015\12.15\Christmas Mail Order Angels On Tour (blog tour)\Author Headshots\Lynette.jpgLynette is the award-winning and best-selling author of more than twenty titles for Barbour Publishing, Heartsong Presents, and Abingdon Press. Lynette was born in Massachusetts, raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but makes her home on the doorstep of the Texas hill country with her husband, their dog, along with a duo of cats who have them well-trained. She loves reading, trying new recipes, catching a good movie, and is always up for a Texas road trip.


Enter the Tour Giveaways!


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Visit the Tour Stops!
November 30-Tour Kick-off (Facebook)
December 1-Jacob's Christmas by Darlene Franklin--cherylbookblog
December 2-The Reliable Cowboy by Susan Page Davis--Griperang's Bookmarks
December 3-Christmas Gold by Cynthia Hickey--Wishful Endings
December 4-A Christmas Rose by Brandi Boddie--Katie's Clean Book Collection
December 7-Christmas Fire by Jennifer AlLee--Mel's Shelves
December 8-Cooking Up Christmas by Teresa Ives Lilly--Buzzing About the Books
December 9-The Evergreen Wreath by Tanya Stowe--Singing Librarian Books
December 10-A Home for Christmas by Patty Smith Hall--Fictionally
December 11-Christmas Belle by Anne Green--Bookworm Lisa
December 14-Christmas Blessing by Martha Lou Rogers--Donna's Bookshelf
December 15-Mistletoe Mistake by Lynnette Sowell--Reading is My SuperPower
December 16-Grand Final & Announce Grand Prize Winner (Facebook)