A Hopeful Christmas: A Regency Romance Collection #blogtour #giveaway #christmas

Kindle the spirit of the season as four of your favorite storytellers weave tales of love and hope in this charming yuletide collection.

LORD BLAKELY’S GIFT

When Miss Ivy Hunt and Lord Curtis Blakely establish a secret acquaintance, neither can deny that their feelings extend beyond friendship. But as the children of bitter rivals, it will take a Christmas miracle for this star-crossed pair to reach their happily ever after.

A SEASON OF HOPE

Following the death of her father, Amelia knows Christmas will be lean. But when circumstances become dire, it is the unexpected arrival of a childhood friend that renews Amelia’s hope—both for the future and for love.

CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA

After two years at sea with the Royal Navy, surgeon Will Crenshaw longs for a quiet Christmas with his family. But when unrest at home threatens to ruin the holidays, it takes the kindly intervention of a mysterious house sitter to remind them of the true meaning of the season.

EXPECTATIONS AT CANTERWOOD

Marina Rowley is a spinster, Richard Stanhope a war-weary military man. A case of mistaken identity throws them together, but the unexpected stirrings of their hearts lead to an unforgettable holiday romance.

It's almost Christmas season.  I'm ready to pull out my extra blankets and settle in to read some amazing books.  This would be one of them!  It has been a very long summer and fall weather has not hit my area yet. (sigh)

This collection is written by some of my favorite authors.  I haven't finished to book yet, but I didn't want to let the time of the tour pass without posting the giveaway and give you a chance to enter.

The giveaway is sponsored by Covenant Communications.  They will notify the winner and award the prize.
 

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Standout Saints: Church History Heroes from Around the World by Sierra Wilson #giveaway #churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints #blogtour

 

Standout Saints: Church History Heroes from Around the World by Sierra Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Source:  Received to Review

Genre: Non-fiction Religion

Book Description:  From prophets to pioneers, from songwriters to scientists, Standout Saints: Church History Heroes from Around the World presents the fascinating true stories of twenty women and twenty men from Church history. Each one-page biography describes impressive achievements and shares stories of great faith. Readers will encounter well-known and beloved Saints such as Joseph Smith and Eliza R. Snow along with lesser-known heroes from around the world such as Hu Wei-I, who miraculously translated the Book of Mormon into Chinese, and Mere Mete Whaanga, a prominent Maori woman who helped the Church spread into New Zealand. In addition, Standout Saints includes uplifting quotes, a Church history timeline, and resources for further study.

The courage and faith of these Saints made them stand out from the world, and this educational and inspiring book helps young readers know that they too can stand out.

My thoughts:  Can I just say wow!?

This book is well done. It takes a look at 40 people through history from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Twenty men and twenty women are featured. Each has a page giving a brief synopsis of what their accomplishments were in furthering the work of the Lord. What makes it even better is that the author did not focus on the people that are better known in church history. She has featured many that I have not heard of before. Each of the stories is inspiring.

Many of the people featured did not come from the United States. The people came from all different parts of the world. It is a great reminder that it is a worldwide church and that it takes all of us working together to proclaim the gospel.

The book is written and illustrated to share with children, but it is a keepsake for old and young alike.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon  * Deseret  Book

(Affiliate link included)

About the Author:  Sierra Wilson is a children's author/illustrator living in Alberta, Canada. She wrote The Atonement of Jesus Christ is for Me and I Can Be Like Jesus as well as several other books for children soon to be released. Before turning to writing, Sierra worked as a high school English and history teacher. She is the daughter of two modern-day pioneers and loves researching about pioneers and faithful heroes of all kinds. When she's not writing, you can find her adventuring with her husband and four children, cross-country skiing, or eating all the chocolate. 

Visit her WEBPAGE!

Enter the tour giveaway!

(Hard copies available in the US and Canada only.  Ebooks available internationally.)

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Visit the Blogs on the Tour!

Sep 28 - Mindy Holt

Sep 30 - Cathy Jeppsen

Oct 2 - Crystal Job

Oct 4 - Tressa @ Wishful Endings

Oct 6 - Rachelle Christensen

Oct 7 - Bookworm Lisa

Oct 8 - Heidi Robbins

Oct 9 - Sandra Meaders

Oct 10 - Heidi Grange

Oct 12 - Rachel DeVaughn

Forget Me Not by Sarah M Eden #blogtour #giveaway #historicalromance

 

Forget Me Not by Sarah M. Eden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Source:  Kindle purchase

Genre: Victorian Romance

Book Description:  Nottinghamshire, 1785

Julia Cummings has long been acquainted with loss-her mother, her brother, her sister, her friend, all gone too soon. But the loss that pushed her grief to the limit as a young girl was that of her best friend, Lucas Jonquil, who abandoned her without looking back. Now, eight years later, Lucas has returned to Lampton Park, and Julia has steeled herself-she will never forgive the man who broke her heart.

After losing too many of his friends and family to early deaths, Lucas vowed to live life to the fullest. And after traversing the world, he has returned from his adventures to find his family and home as he left them-except for Julia. The little girl he left behind has blossomed into a captivating lady, a lady who makes it clear she despises him. With little hope of reconciliation, the former friends are blind-sided when their parents make a shocking announcement. Lucas and Julia have been betrothed without their knowledge and are to marry immediately. Now Lucas must rely on the help of his closest friends to win the heart of a lady who loathes him-a lady he’s coming to love more deeply every day. 

My thoughts:  The Jonquils are one of my favorite fictional families. I loved the books of Lucas and Julia's children. Now it's time to read about them and their love story. I loved it too!

Julia has been left behind by everyone in her life. She became reclusive and refused to let anyone into her heart, she feared being hurt when they would leave again. Lucas has been a friend to her since she was a child. He left, breaking her heart and leaving her alone.

An unexpected arranged marriage brings them together. It was interesting to see how they reacted to each other and tried to move ahead with their lives. Once again, Julia fears that Lucas will leave her alone, even though she is his wife. The obstacles they face are both funny and heart wrenching.

A bright spot for both of them is Lucas's friends, the Gents. They are a bright spot for Julia and Lucas. They were also a bright spot for me. They are like brothers and not afraid to let Lucas know he is being a "dunderhead". I really can't wait to read their stories. I also feel that I should go back and read the stories of their children.

This book was everything I hoped it would be.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. I also purchased a kindle copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book * Seagull Book

About the Author: Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today best-selling author of witty and charming historical romances, including 2019’s Foreword Reviews INDIE Awards Gold Winner for Romance, The Lady and the Highwayman, and 2020 Holt Medallion finalist, Healing Hearts. She is a two-time “Best of State” Gold Medal winner for fiction and a three-time Whitney Award winner. Combining her obsession with history and her affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting deep characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. 

Visit her webpage!

Enter the Tour Giveaway!

(The prize and winner notification will be provided by Covenant Communications.)

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  A Heart of Gold by Stacy Henrie

My rating:  4 of 5 stars

Source:  Received to Review

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book Description:  They'll have to conquer more than the Klondike Trail to reach her father in time; they'll have to overcome their past too.

After months of silence from her father in the Klondike, Tava Rutherford finally receives word from him. Only the outdated letter reveals that her father is ill and may be dying. Desperate to discover his fate, Tava resolves to make the journey to the wilds of northwestern Canada. But Jess Lawmen, her ranch foreman and the man who broke her heart, insists she doesn't go alone. Jess intends to keep his promise to look out for her—even if that means traveling thousands of miles with Tava, the woman he claims to feel just friendship for but has never stopped loving.

With their own ragtag group of travelers in tow, Tava and Jess confront one challenge after another as they join the hundreds of stampeders scrambling to reach the goldfields. But as the two of them come face to face with their past hurts and mistakes in their race to reach Tava’s father, they will have to decide whether to cling to safety or risk their hearts for something even greater.

My thoughts:  A long journey brings two hearts home.
Tava and Jess have known each other for a long time. There was a point where there was a blossoming romance, but it was broken unexpectedly. Tava has had to pick up the pieces of her heart and move on as a friend to Jess, even though it has been difficult.

A letter comes from her father, who is trying to make money in the Klondike gold rush, that he is ill and not expected to survive. She can't live without knowing how her father is, or not being there for him for his final days. She and Jess embark on a hard journey that has them scaling mountains and braving the rapids.

I enjoyed both Jess and Tava's characters. Jess is tormenting himself about the mistakes he made in the past and doesn't feel worthy of Tava. Tava is a young woman who cares about the people around her. Together they are better than when they are apart. This book has them taking a physical journey, but it is the mental and emotional level that is the driving force of the plot.

The book is paced well and interesting. At times I felt that Jess focused a little much on his mistakes instead of giving himself credit for turning his life around. I think the book could have had a little less of the negative and hurtful parts of their past and concentrated more on the healing and on moving forward. That was the only part that I struggled with, but it was a minor irritation to me. It didn't stop me from wanting to keep reading or lessen my enjoyment of the story.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is part of the Kindle Unlimited program!

Amazon 

About the Author:  Stacy Henrie, a USA TODAY bestselling author, has always had a love for history, fiction, and chocolate. She earned her B.A. in public relations before turning her attentions to raising a family and writing inspirational historical romances. Wife of an entrepreneur husband and a mother to three, Stacy loves to live out history through her fictional characters. In addition to author, she is also a reader, a road trip enthusiast, and a novice interior decorator. Her books include Hope at Dawn, a 2015 Romance Writers of America RITA finalist for excellence in romance. 

Visit her WEBPAGE!

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Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Lynne Jensen

Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Lynne Jensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source:  Received to Review
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Holidays

Book Description: When Riley Madigan moves to the sleepy mountain town of Miracle Creek, she hopes her new job as a high school art teacher will help her mend her recently broken heart. A little peace and quiet would be a gift this Christmas season. The last thing on her mind is love.

Former firefighter Mark Rivers has spent the last year recovering from burns sustained during a rescue operation. He’s been trying to piece his life back together but still struggles both emotionally and psychologically. When he meets Riley, he finally sees something that might bring some light back into his life.

When Mark asks Riley to work on a special nativity project, he finds himself falling for her quirky, unaffected ways. Riley doesn’t seem bothered by his scars, but is her affection for him real, or is this just another act of charity? One thing’s for certain, in a small town that views Mark as a fragile hero, it’s hard to pursue a relationship without everyone in his business. And although Riley has sincere feelings for Mark, is she ready to risk her heart?


My thoughts: This is a sweet love story. Riley and Mark have both had experiences that have left them scarred somehow. Riley's scars are on an emotional level and Marks are more on the physical aspects. I believe that because they are both hurting that it helps them to see and understand each other better.

Mark was a firefighter who is now afraid of fire. The description of his accident reminds me of how dangerous and how much we take for granted the men and women who work to protect us. The setting is in a small town. Everyone knows everyone else. The townsfolk look after and protect their own. They also LOVE Christmas, a season that Riley would like to forget existed.

I loved Mark and Riley's story. I loved them as characters and I enjoyed watching them learn, grow, adjust, and find trust. The book reminds me that even when something is broken, that life can be rebuilt around the broken pieces. Sometimes it becomes something better.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble *  Book Depository

About the Author: Krista writes contemporary romance, historical romance, and fantasy. She is the author of OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE (2012 Whitney Award Finalist), THE ORCHARD (2013 Whitney Award Finalist), FALLING FOR YOU (2014), and KISSES IN THE RAIN (2015 Whitney Award Finalist) through Covenant Communications, Inc.. She has novellas in Love Unexpected: With All My Heart (2014, Covenant), A Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letters, and A Yuletide Regency (2014, 2018, Mirror Press), and Christmas Grace (2017, Covenant).

Krista has lived in lush Oregon and rugged Wyoming, but Washington is her beloved home state. She likes to choose familiar settings for her stories, and is grateful to have such inspirational places to choose from. She is a mother of six, gramma of three, a gardener and cook, loves to travel, laugh, and lives to make the best of what she's been given.
Krista is a member of LDStorymakers and ANWA.
Author blog: kristalynnejensen.blogspot.com
IG: @kljbooks

The Crownless King by Kara Linaburg #CKPrism #booktour #giveaway #fantasy

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Crownless King by Kara Linaburg
(The Broken Prince #2)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

YA Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 275 Pages

September 1, 2020

Source:  Received to Review

Book Description: She won't meet her worst enemy on the battlefield...

War is brewing and the kingdom of Sindaleer is torn as the Knights of Norcir draw the folk to their side. When Sabriel, a specially Gifted, pledges her blood to their cause, she is ready to give all to bring the peace her leader promises. She understands Tirich's deep hatred toward the king, and has prepared for this moment all her life.But when her identity as a knight is discovered by the childhood friend who betrayed her years ago, Sabriel's plans for justice come toppling down. Now distracted by what once was, Sabriel fights to hold onto what she's believed to be true for so long.

Nick never forgot the red-headed lass of years past, but she's not the friend he remembers. As enemies connected by their past take opposing sides on their country's freedom, Nick refuses to believe what she's become.

Voices warning Sabriel she'll never succeed, and loyalties torn, she begins to realize that all is not as it seems. Tirich's power is growing stronger, and she fears she was wrong about the good she once saw in him.

The concluding book following The Broken Prince, reminds us of the inner war we all face, and what it means to rise from the ashes when all hope feels lost.

My thoughts: When I finished The Broken Prince I was really hoping to finish the story of Milosh and Serena, I was worried when I saw that this book's synopsis had different characters featured. I worried needlessly. While this book is more about Sabriel's story, it ties in nicely with the first.

Sabriel is a fantastically strong female protagonist. I don't think I could have liked her any more than I did. She struggles to separate fact from fiction, to discover which path is the correct one for her to follow. She has two males who play an important part in her discovery, Tirich (the man who would become King) and Nick (her childhood friend). Her journey is intense and important. Parallels can be run in real-life situations. You have two sides, both can be good or bad, or somewhere in between. It is the voices that we listen too that determine the path we will follow. Sometimes the voices will lead us and others astray. One of the men is a master manipulator and the other honest with integrity.

I think I liked this book better than the first. The emotions and the plot were a little rawer, more emotional. The journey and discovery that Sabriel endures were well worth the time reading. I would suggest that "The Broken Prince" be read before this one. It helps to have a little more perspective into the characters and how they play into the two books.

This book contains violence and mental manipulation.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

(Affiliate link included.)

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Other Books in the Series (with a bonus review)

The Broken Prince

(The Broken Prince #1)

By Kara Linaburg

YA Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 217 Pages

June 3, 2019

In all the fairy tales the maiden falls in love with the prince...but she has to remember that this isn’t a fairy tale...

Born into a kingdom where those of magical Gifts are rejected, feared, and even killed, Serena has spent her life striving to hide her ability and keep her younger brother safe.

The bastard son of the hated king and father he hardly knows, Prince Milosh is considered an outcast. He never expects to feel anything but contempt for the peasant girl who unexpectedly shows up in his life, forcing him to answer questions he never wished to ask.

When two very different worlds are thrown together under less than desirable circumstances, both hold deep judgement towards the other. But will they learn to see beyond their stations and birth so that they may defeat the coming darkness, or will labels given to them at birth continue to define them?

A heart-stopping tale about the power of human love, and how each of us are never truly alone.


My thoughts: This is the first book I have read written by Kara Lindaburg. I was impressed.

The Broken Prince is set in a fictional world. They are members of society who possess different gifts. This sets them apart and has lead to fear and persecution.

The story begins as Serena's brother, Hunter, is forced to go into the service of the King. At 15 he is considered old enough to be trained as a soldier and fight in a war. Serena is "gifted" with the ability to create fire. If discovered, she could be executed for it.

I found Serena to be a wonderful character creation. She is compassionate and has empathy. She tries to take care of those around her while hiding the markings that show that she is different. Her love for her brother is heartwarming. She is willing to stand up against Prince Milosh to protect her brother. Little did she know that protecting him would lead her right in the path of the Prince.

The story contains a little bit of romance, not much. It concentrates more on the intrigue surrounding the Prince and the journey to save her brother. I really liked how Prince Milosh is uncovered layer by layer. He is complex. There is a vulnerability that he keeps hidden.

The ending felt incomplete. I didn't get the closure that I wanted. There is another book after this one and I am hoping to find the ending to this story.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

(Affiliate link included.)

Goodreads | Amazon
(This book is on Kindle Unlimited)

About the Author

Kara Linaburg is most content sipping an iced chai while watching the sun set over the mountains of her home in West Virginia. When she's not dreaming about her next adventure or being a mad scientist in the kitchen, you can find on www.thebeautifullybrokenblog.com where she strives for authenticity and beauty in a broken world. The Crownless King is her second novel.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a signed print copy of The Broken Prince and a dagger replica
US only
Ends September 9, 2020

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The Paper Daughters of Chinatown by Heather B. Moore ~ get a copy while it is on sale!

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown by Heather B. Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source:  Received to Review
Genre: Historical Fiction based off of a true story

Book Description:  Based on true events, The Paper Daughters of Chinatown in a powerful story about a largely unknown chapter in history and the women who emerged as heroes.

In the late nineteenth century, San Francisco is a booming city with a dark side, one in which a powerful underground organization—the criminal tong—buys and sells young Chinese women into prostitution and slavery. These “paper daughters,” so called because fake documents gain them entry to America but leave them without legal identity, generally have no recourse. But the Occidental Mission Home for Girls is one bright spot of hope and help.

Told in alternating chapters, this rich narrative follows the stories of young Donaldina Cameron who works in the mission home, and Mei Lien, a “paper daughter” who thinks she is coming to America for an arranged marriage but instead is sold into a life of shame and despair.

Donaldina, a real-life pioneering advocate for social justice, bravely stands up to corrupt officials and violent gangs, helping to win freedom for thousands of Chinese women. Mei Lien endures heartbreak and betrayal in her search for hope, belonging, and love. Their stories merge in this gripping account of the courage and determination that helped shape a new course of women’s history in America.


My thoughts: I almost didn't read this book. I wasn't sure if I could handle the subject matter and I wasn't a big fan of the cover. I am glad that I relented and read the book. Not reading it would have been a big mistake. I knew going into it that Heather B. Moore was a wonderful author, she wrote this book with compassion and dignity for the women who were victims on]f the Tong.

Donaldina is a new hero of mine. The fortitude and compassion that she showed were nothing short of incredible. She helped save many young Chinese girls and women from deplorable situations. She is an example of rising up and helping. She sacrificed so much for them. She is a true example of a Christian woman.

I can not rave about this book enough. I would suggest that this is a book that should be read by many. It may trigger women who have been sexually or physically abused. This is a book of finding hope in the darkness.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Online Purchase Links:

It is on sale for the kindle at $7.99 unit tomorrow!

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author:  Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty publications. Her historical novels and thrillers are written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah. Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.

Please join Heather's email list at: HBMoore.com/contact/
Blog: MyWritersLair.blogspot.com
Website: HBMoore.com
Instagram: @authorhbmoore
Twitter: @heatherbmoore
Facebook: Fans of H.B. Moore

Line by Line by Jennifer Delamere

Line by Line by Jennifer Delamere
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Historical Fiction

Book Description: Alice McNeil resolved at a young age to travel through life unencumbered by love or marriage, free to make her own decisions. A seasoned telegrapher, she's recently acquired a coveted position at an important trading firm, but when the company's ambitious junior director returns to London, things begin to change in ways Alice could never have imagined.

For Douglas Shaw, years of hard work and ingenuity enabled him to escape a life of grinding poverty. He's also determined to marry into high society--a step that will ensure he never returns to the conditions of his past.

He and Alice form a friendly relationship based on mutual respect, but anything deeper is not in their plans. However, when Alice accidentally raises the ire of a jealous and vindictive coworker who's intent on ruining her life, Alice and Douglas are forced to confront what is truly important in their lives. Will their growing bond give them the courage to risk finding a better way?


My thoughts: This is a series that I want to continue reading. Of course, I'll have to wait for the next book for a while...

Alice McNeil is a forward-thinking young woman. She is positive that the way she wants to live her life is as an independent spinster. She has goals in her career as a telegrapher. She is quick and smart. The future is waiting for her until she meets Douglas Shaw.

Douglas has decided that the way to get ahead in life is to marry money. He began his career as a telegrapher and now is the right-hand man to the owner of the company. Now, he has set his sights on woman of society! Too bad that she's not everything he thought she would be and not as intelligent as Alice.

This book is well-paced and a fantastic read. I loved the relationships built between the characters. There is chemistry, both the good and the kind that rubs you raw. That is evident between Alice and her co-telegrapher, Clapper. He is the kind of man that doesn't like to be proven wrong or have another employee excel at their position. Alice quickly makes him an enemy and the story gets very interesting from that point.

I enjoyed reading this book. I'm just sorry that I have to wait for the next one to come out.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author:  A history fan, travel lover, and outdoor enthusiast, Jennifer Delamere writes tales of the past...and of new beginnings. Her debut novel An Heiress at Heart was an RWA RITA® award finalist, and her follow-up, A Lady Most Lovely, earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned her B.A. in English from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where she also gained fluency in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. An avid reader of both classic novels and historical fiction, she also enjoys biographies and histories, which she mines for the vivid details to bring to life the characters and places in her books.

Visit her WEBPAGE!