The Moonlight School Celebration Tour Stop# 26 – Review

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

I’m honored to be a part of Celebrate Lit’s Celebration Tour for The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher and I can’t wait to show you this book! So without further ado, I take you to the mountains of Kentucky in the year 1911 — so let’s go!

The Bookish Details

Book: The Moonlight School
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: February 2, 2021

From the Back Cover

Haunted by her sister’s mysterious disappearance, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education. When Cora sends Lucy into the hills to act as scribe for the mountain people, she is repelled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write. Born in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster who travels through the hills. Involving Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights. The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to eliminate illiteracy. But will the people come? As Lucy emerges from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose; or maybe purpose finds her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn’t expected: love.

Click HERE to get more information and to get your copy!

What Did I Think?

I think that Suzanne Woods Fisher hit it out of the park with this one!

I’ve loved all of the books that this author’s previously written and although this book was different than the other ones I’ve read, I really enjoyed it!! The cover is stunning, the storyline is engaging, the characters are relatable and story is written in such a way that you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time once you’ve finished!

I really liked all of the historical details that she included and I especially loved how she wrote and spelled the mountain folks way of talking. Overall, although there’s no suspense or action in the story, I found this book incredibly hard to put down, so I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for anyone and everyone who likes historical fiction.

About the Author

Carol award winner Suzanne Woods Fisher writes stories that take you to places you’ve never visited—one with characters that seem like old friends. But most of all, her books give you something to think about long after you’ve finished reading it. With over one million copies of her books sold worldwide, Suzanne is the best-selling author of more than thirty books, ranging from non-fiction books, to children’s books, to novels. She lives with her very big family in northern California.

More from Suzanne

I’m Suzanne Woods Fisher, the author of The Moonlight School. This historical fiction will release on February 2, 2021, and is based on a true story featuring Cora Wilson Stewart, a Kentucky educator way ahead of her times. In 1911, Cora had a crazy idea—to open rural one-room schoolhouses in her county on moonlit nights to teach illiterate adults how to read and write.
So what happened next? Well, it’s so astonishing that you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Instead, I hope you’ll read the book and find out for yourself.
In the meantime, this infographic provides a fascinating look at illiteracy THEN…and NOW. Makes you want to thank your teachers, doesn’t it?

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, January 30

Batya’s Bits, January 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 30

CarpeDiem, January 31

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 31

A Novel Pursuit, January 31

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, January 31

The Avid Reader, February 1

Bliss Books & Jewels, February 1

lakesidelivngsite, February 1

Connie’s History Classroom, February 1

She Lives To Read, February 2

For the Love of Literature, February 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 2

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 3

Through the Fire Blogs, February 3

Texas Book-aholic, February 3

Inspiration Clothesline, February 3

Fiction Book Lover, February 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 4

Blogging With Carol, February 4

Lis Loves Reading, February 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 5

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 5

Simple Harvest Reads, February 5 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

HookMeInABook, February 5 << You are here 😉

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 6

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, February 6

Artistic Nobody, February 6 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

For Him and My Family, February 7

EmpowerMoms, February 7

The Write Escape , February 7

Mary Hake, February 7

Older & Smarter?, February 8

deb’s Book Review, February 8

Splashes of Joy, February 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 9

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 9

Beauty in the Binding, February 9

Blossoms and Blessings, February 9

Remembrancy, February 10

Bigreadersite, February 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 10

By The Book, February 11

Wishful Endings, February 11

Vicky Sluiter, February 11

Pause for Tales, February 11

Spoken from the Heart, February 12

Hallie Reads, February 12

To Everything There Is A Season, February 12

Southern Gal Loves to Read, February 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1068d/the-moonlight-school-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by – Happy Reading!

>> Special thanks to Suzanne Woods Fisher, Celebrate Lit, Net Galley and Revell for allowing me to read and review this book — all opinions are my own.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane Celebration Tour Stop# 30 – Review

Hi Readers, It’s finally the weekend!

I’m so excited because the forecast for my area is 100% chance of snow this afternoon and I LOVE snow! So, if you’re like me and getting a snowstorm or it’s freezing outside and you want a good book to read while snuggled under a blanket (maybe near a fireplace with a cup of tea), then I have the book for you! So without further ado, let me introduce you to the Thief of Blackfriars Lane.

The Bookish Details

Book: The Thief of Blackfriars Lane

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Christian historical

Publisher: Barbour Books

From The Back Cover

There’s Often a Fine Line Between a Criminal and a Saint

Constable Jackson Forge intends to make the world safer, or at least the streets of Victorian London. But that’s Kit Turner’s domain, a swindler who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning the rich to give to the poor. When a local cab driver goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding the man, and the only way to do that is by enlisting Kit’s help. If Jackson doesn’t find the cabby, he’ll be fired. If Kit doesn’t help Jackson, he’ll arrest her for thievery. Yet neither of them realize those are the least of their problems.

Click here to get your copy!

What Did I Think?

I could talk about this book all day, but I’ll give you just a quick peek. So the story is about Kit Turner, a kind-of like Robin Hood swindler, who cons the rich and then gives it to the poor families on Blackfriars lane. She takes her job of providing for the poor very seriously, so that’s why she doesn’t want the super eager Constable Jackson Forge to mess everything up. She isn’t sure how he found her or why he needs her help, she just knows that he needs to go – the only problem is that he has something very valuable to her (which can also be evidence to put her in jail). After reluctantly agreeing to work with him (basically, he blackmailed her!)Kit and Jackson go on an adventure that neither of them were prepared to go on, and one that would change both of their lives forever.

This has to be my FAVORITE book that Michelle Griep has written so far!! Ever since I heard that this book was inspired by Zootopia, I’ve wanted to read it and once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. Both Kit and Jackson were such likeable characters and I really could see the similarities between the characters in this book and the characters in Zootopia. I also loved seeing both sides of London and learning a bit more about the both the higher and lower classes of people. The story reminded me that things are not always as they seem and people are not always who we think they are – we can’t just judge them by what they look like, or where they live. Overall, I LOVED the book and give it 5 out of 5 stars (and would give it more if I could).

About the Author

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at http://www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

More from Michelle

Zootopia in Victorian London

I admit it. I like kid’s movies. You know, the animated sort that entertain both young and old alike. One of my favorites is Zootopia, a rollicking adventure about a bunny whose dream it is to be a police officer and make the streets of the big city safe for all animals. In fact, I loved it so much that I thought why not set it in Victorian London?

So I did.

And that’s what The Thief of Blackfriars Lane is all about, but that meant I had to do a little digging into the history of police force of the late 1800’s. Here’s what I learned…

The Metropolitan Police (founded in 1829 by Robert Peel) was composed mostly of young men, many of whom were recruited from rural areas. Few were from London, the philosophy being that they would thus be free from local patronage and influence.

It is a bit of an anomaly that hero Jackson Forge and his friend, Officer Baggett, carry a sidearm. Some did, but most relied on truncheons. It was up to the officer. Revolvers were usually only supplied after the death of a police officer by an armed criminal, at the discretion of the Divisional Officer, or if a constable requested to use one during night duty. In 1884, after the deaths of several police officers, the Home Office ordered nearly a thousand revolvers from Webley & Scott to be issued to branches of the London police. . .which is where I got the idea of a shipment of guns for the villain to attempt to steal.

Police detectives were recruited from within the ranks of existing uniformed officers. There were actually women on the force at the time, employed as police matrons. But these were behind-the-scenes workers, tasked with guarding women and children. If my heroine, Kit, were to be out in public, serving as Jackson’s assistant, she’d have to keep her job secret. The first female police officer wasn’t seen on the streets until 1919.

And so, armed with that information, I wrote the adventures of not a police bunny and a con artist fox, but of Jackson Forge, a fresh-faced constable, and his thorn in the side, swindler Kit Turner. Snatch up your own copy and enjoy a visit to Victorian London!

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, January 23

Bigreadersite, January 23

Inklings and notions, January 23

Bizwings Blog, January 23

Remembrancy, January 24

Connect in Fiction, January 24

deb’s Book Review, January 24

Blogging With Carol, January 24

She Lives To Read, January 25

Blessed & Bookish, January 25

Genesis 5020, January 25

Where Faith and Books Meet, January 25

Library Lady’s kid Lit, January 26

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 26

All-of-a-kind Mom, January 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 27

Reflections From My Bookshelves, January 27

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 27

CarpeDiem, January 27

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 28

For the Love of Literature, January 28

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 28

Connie’s History Classroom, January 29

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 29

Rachael’s Inkwell, January 29

Life of Literature, January 29

Betti Mace, January 30

Older & Smarter?, January 30

Texas Book-aholic, January 30

HookMeInABook, January 30<< You are here 🙂

For Him and My Family, January 31

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 31

Mia Reads, January 31

Godly Book Reviews, January 31

Through the Fire Blogs, February 1

KarenSueHadley, February 1

The Book Chic Blog, February 1

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, February 1

Artistic Nobody, February 2 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Simple Harvest Reads, February 2 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Mamma Loves Books, February 2

Blossoms and Blessings, February 2

Splashes of Joy, February 3

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 3

Vicky Sluiter, February 3

Pause for Tales, February 3

The Write Escape, February 4

Wishful Endings, February 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 4

Hallie Reads, February 4

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, February 5

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, February 5

To Everything There Is A Season, February 5

Daysong Reflections, February 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of The Thief of Blackfriars Lane!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1062a/the-thief-of-blackfriars-lane-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by – Happy Reading!

>> Special thanks to Michelle Griep, Celebrate Lit, Net Galley and Barbour Books for allowing me to read and review this book — all opinions are my own.

First Line Fridays #52 – No One To Trust by Melody Carlson

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

I can’t believe I almost didn’t share about my current must read! I just realized that today was Friday and I haven’t posted all week. Oh well, I have about 5 mins before I go to bed, so I won’t write much, but I wanted to share the first line from the book I’m currently reading by Melody Carlson!

So without further ado, my First Line Friday book is No One To Trust by Melody Carlson

Jon Wilson hoped to see her again today — the runner who’d caught his eye on the beach almost a week ago.
First line of No One To Trust by Melody Carlson

From the Back Cover

DANGER IN THE DUNES

In a deserted area of a beach town, Leah Hampton is helpless against the stranger trying to drag her away at gunpoint. But a handsome man comes to her rescue, risking his life for her. Suddenly, she and Jon Wilson are being hunted by very powerful, dangerous people. Why? Could she have been a target for the human trafficking ring that Jon’s mother suspects is taking over the tiny town? Leah and the brave, love-shy man who saved her are now being framed for their pursuer’s crimes. Hiding out among the fog-shrouded dunes, Leah and Jon must outsmart the ringleader before they’re silenced forever.

About the Author

Melody Carlson is the prolific author of more than 200 books for women, teens and children. The recipient of numerous writing awards including the Rita and the RT Career Achievement Award, she makes her home in Oregon with her husband

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

Happy Reading!

Lethal Intent Celebration Tour Stop# 12 – Review

Hi Readers, Happy Sunday!

Hope you’ve all had a wonderful weekend and are excited to start a new week! I’m so happy to be a part of another Celebration Tour with Celebrate Lit, this time for Cara Putman’s latest creation, Lethal Intent! So without further ado, here’s the bookish details!

The Bookish Details

Book: Lethal Intent

Author: Cara Putman

Genre: Romantic Suspense

From The Back Cover

If they expected silence, they hired the wrong woman.

Caroline Bragg’s life has never been better. She and Brandon Lancaster are taking their relationship to the next level, and she has a new dream job as legal counsel for Praecursoria—a research lab that is making waves with its cutting-edge genetic therapies. The company’s leukemia treatments even promise to save desperately sick kids—kids like eleven-year-old Bethany, a critically ill foster child at Brandon’s foster home.

When Caroline’s enthusiastic boss wants to enroll Bethany in experimental trials prematurely, Caroline objects, putting her at odds with her colleagues. They claim the only goal at Praecursoria is to save lives. But does someone have another agenda?

Brandon faces his own crisis. As laws governing foster homes shift, he’s on the brink of losing the group home he’s worked so hard to build. When Caroline learns he’s a Praecursoria investor, it becomes legally impossible to confide in him. Will the secrets she keeps become a wedge that separates them forever? And can she save Bethany from the very treatments designed to heal her?

This latest romantic legal thriller by bestseller Cara Putman shines a light on the shadowy world of scientific secrets and corporate vendettas—and the ethical dilemmas that plague the place where science and commerce meet.

Click here to get your copy!

What Did I Think?

Have you ever watched a TV show that seems to start a bit slow so that you can get to know the characters before things start getting interesting? Well, this book is just like that. The story starts with best friends Caroline Bragg and Brandon Lancaster, who’ve just decided to take the next step in their relationship even though they both have some insecurity issues they need to work out. Life seems pretty good for them right now – Caroline just got her dream job and Brandon is running a group foster home so that siblings don’t get separated while in foster care; however, after a few chapters, things start to pick up. Fatal “accidents” start happening at Caroline’s new job and when she looks into them, she is pulled into several dangerous situation and Brandon may not be able to keep Almost Home (his group foster home) open due to new state regulations. Also, to make things worse, Bethany, a young girl with cancer who is part of Praecursoria CAR-T Cell treament isn’t responding to the treatment and is getting worse. Be prepared, if you start this book, you may not be able to put it down!

Overall, there were parts that were sweet, funny, romantic and suspenseful, so if you like legal thrillers, whether books or TV shows, you have to check this book out!

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. 🙂

About the Author

As a preteen Cara Putman watched lawyers change legislative opinions at an important legislative hearing in Nebraska. At that time, she wondered if she became an attorney if people would give her words the same weight. An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln, George Mason University School of Law and Krannert School of Management at Purdue University, Cara has turned her passion for words into award-winning stories that capture readers. Her legal experience makes its way into her stories where strong women confront real challenges.

An award-winning author of more than 30 books, Cara writes legal thrillers, WWII romances, and romantic suspense because she believes that no matter what happens hope is there, waiting for us to reach for it.

When she’s not writing, Cara is an over-educated attorney who lectures in law and communications at the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and homeschools her children. She and her family live in Indiana, the land of seasons. You can read chapters for most of her books and connect with Cara at her website: http://caraputman.com.

More from Cara

Each novel has a unique genesis story. The spark that launches it into a journey of 90,000 words. For Lethal Intent, that journey began with a friend’s journey of childhood leukemia with her oldest. From watching their family wind through years of treatment including cutting edge therapy trials. Then it developed with the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack and the thought what would someone be willing to do if they believed they’d found the next strain of immortal cells. The lead characters made appearances in other books, but now would have their opportunity to step to center stage. The story morphed and changed, dictated by the vagaries of the law and changes.

Each story has a spark. For Caroline it was a brainstorming session with my writing buddies Rachel Hauck, Colleen Coble, and Denise Hunter. That was when her backstory developed, all the things that happened to her to form her into the adult she is on the pages. One who cares deeply about others but who is fundamentally scared, longing for a place she can relax and take a deep breath.

Each story has a spark. For Brandon, it was brainstorming with another writing friend Tricia Goyer that lead to a creative job for a hero that wasn’t the typical law enforcement. His role with the group foster home was set and the backstory filled in quickly. What would it be like to be separated from and lose a brother in the foster care system? Would that generate this need to keep sibling groups together? And then the law changes and the fabric of your professional identity and something so much deeper is threatened.

Each story has a spark. The pharmaceutical start-up where ethics collides with the desire to save children. The push to do whatever it takes overshadowing the guardrails of the law. If they expected silence, they hired the wrong woman. But does Caroline really have the strength to battle and does she need to?

Lethal Intent grew from each of these sparks and many more to develop into a story I can’t wait for you to read. In the process I learned immense amounts about CAR-T cell therapies and foster care law. Most of all, I hope you’ll fall into the pages and be engrossed in a story you can’t bring yourself to put down until the final page.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 21

lakesidelivingsite, January 21

Texas Book-aholic, January 21

Through the Fire Blogs, January 22

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 22

A Novel Pursuit, January 22

CarpeDiem, January 23

Betti Mace, January 23

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 23

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, January 24

Blogging With Carol, January 24

HookMeInABook, January 24 <- You are here!

For the Love of Literature, January 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 25

Fiction Book Lover, January 25 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

For Him and My Family, January 26

EmpowerMoms, January 26

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 26

Artistic Nobody, January 27 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 27

Where Faith and Books Meet, January 27

By The Book, January 28

Older & Smarter?, January 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 28

Inklings and notions, January 29

Simple Harvest Reads, January 29

Blossoms and Blessings, January 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 30

Splashes of Joy, January 30

Pause for Tales, January 30

Spoken from the Heart, January 31

Just Your Average reviews, January 31

deb’s Book Review, January 31

Hallie Reads, February 1

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, February 1

Genesis 5020, February 1

To Everything There Is A Season, February 2

Hebrews 12 Endurance, February 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 3

Southern Gal Loves to Read, February 3

Daysong Reflections, February 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away the grand prize package of a “Just one more chapter” pillow cover, a copy of the book, an Erin Condren journal, and a hand-stamped bracelet!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10627/lethal-intent-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by – Happy Reading!

>> Special thanks to Cara Putman, Celebrate Lit, Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read and review this book — all opinions are my own.

First Line Fridays # 51 – Love on Assignment by Cara Lynn James

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

Hope you are all staying warm with this freezing cold and wet weather we are having; however, in my opinion, this the perfect weather for a cup of hot chocolate (or tea), a book and a warm spot in front of the fireplace. Well, if you are in need of a good book, here’s a book for you to check out.

So without further ado, my First Line Friday book is Love on Assignment by Cara Lynn James

Charlotte Hale’s legs, hidden beneath her long serge skirt, wobbled like a newborn colt’s.
First line of Love on Assignment by Cara Lynn James

From the Back Cover

The chance to break the big story is all Charlotte needs to secure her future. But when the truth comes out–it may cost her the love of her life.

Newport, Rhode Island, in 1900–a glamorous resort town where the rich and famous go to see and be seen.

Charlotte Hale isn’t part of that world. She’s a working girl, a secretary for a local newspaper, who dreams of becoming a real reporter. When her boss offers her an assignment, she jumps at the opportunity. She’ll go undercover as a governess to investigate a scandal about her new employer, Daniel Wilmont, a young widowed professor of religion who writes a controversial column in a rival newspaper.

Charlotte’s qualms about misrepresenting herself to Daniel soon morph into a deeper quandry. How can she get the goods on a man who turns out to be so honorable? How can she plot the downfall of a family that has inspired her to rediscover her faith? And how can she protect the man she now loves from a scheme she’s been part of since the beginning?

About the Author

Cara Lynn James lives in northwest Florida with her husband, grown daughter, four year old grandson and a Papillion named Sparky. Originally from Connecticut, she’s lived in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Texas, California, Virginia, Vermont and now Florida. Her hobbies include reading everything in sight, traveling and camping, but not in a tent. Fascinated by the excess of the Gilded Age, she writes inspirational historical romance.

What are you reading this week?

Happy Reading!

First Line Fridays # 50 – When You Are Near by Tracie Peterson

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

Hope you are all staying safe and having a great start to 2021! I wanted to show you a book that has been my TBR pile for months, and I’m excited to feature it as my First Line Friday Read. So here we go!

Lizzy Brookstone sat atop her perfectly groomed horse, Longfellow, and waited for her cue.
First line of When You Are Near by Tracie Peterson

From the Back Cover

After her father’s death, Lizzy Brookstone, the star trick rider of the all-female Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, loses interest in performing. What she longs for is a life with the Brookstone ranch foreman, Wesley DeShazer, the man who once broke her heart. Meanwhile, Jason Adler, son of the show’s new financial partner, comes to help with the show, and Lizzy soon finds him vying for her affection.

Ella Fleming is fleeing a forced engagement when she stows away on the Brookstone train. Lizzy finds her and gives her a job in the costume department, but Ella has a dangerous secret that could affect all of their lives, as well as the future of the Brookstone Extravaganza.

When Mary Reichert, a former sharpshooter for the show, learns that her brother, August, has been killed at the Fleming farm, she refuses to believe it was an accident. She returns to the show to find the truth, but is she seeking justice or vengeance?

As the three women work together to discover how August died, Lizzy strives to hold the show together. Can she keep the Brookstone Extravaganza alive without losing the desire of her heart?

About the Author

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than one hundred books. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

Visit Tracie’s web site at: http://www.traciepeterson.com

What are you reading this week?

Happy Reading!

Courting Misfortune by Regina Jennings – Review

Happy New Year Readers!

I was so excited that for Christmas my parents (knowing my love of books) got me several new books and a bracelet that doubles as a bookmark!! Did you get any books or bookish gifts for Christmas? Just leave me a comment below — I’d love to know what you got!

So, one of the books I got as an early Christmas gift was Courting Misfortune by Regina Jennings and I cannot wait to tell you about it! So without further ado, lets go. 🙂

The Bookish Details

Author: Regina Jennings

Series: The Joplin Chronicles (Book 1)

Pages: 336

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

From The Back Cover

Calista York needs one more successful case as a Pinkerton operative to secure her job. When she’s assigned to find the kidnapped daughter of a mob boss, she’s sent to the rowdy mining town of Joplin, Missouri, despite having extended family in the area. Will their meddling expose her mission and keep Lila Seaton from being recovered?

When Matthew Cook decided to be a missionary, he never expected to be sent only a short train ride away. While fighting against corruption of all sorts, Matthew hears of a baby raffle being held to raise funds for a children’s home. He’ll do what he can to stop it, but he also wants to stop the reckless Miss York, whose bad judgment consistently seems to be putting her in harm’s way.

Calista doesn’t need the handsome pastor interfering with her investigation, and she can’t let her disguise slip. Her job and the life of a young lady depend on keeping Matthew in the dark.

To purchase a copy for yourself, here’s the link;

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books a Million

What Did I Think?

I really enjoyed everything about this book! The cover is beautiful, the story is very well written and hard to put down and the characters are very relatable. This is the first book in the new Joplin Chronicles and it promises to be an exciting series! One of my favorite things about the book was how much each character grew throughout the story. Calista feels like she needs to prove herself and solve this case (she is still on probation). So she will do almost anything to solve this kidnapping and rescue the girl; however, her constant (and inconsistent) lies are getting her into trouble and her family is making it almost impossible for her to do her job. She also wasn’t expecting to meet Matthew.

Matthew knows that God has called him to be a preacher to the mining community in Joplin, MO; however, he didn’t realize how hard it was to actually get people to listen to him. He is a bit naïve, but has a good heart and genuinely cares about the miners and their families. When he keeps bumping into Calista, he knows that God wants him to help her, but how do you help someone who doesn’t want your help?

Overall, I loved everything about his book – especially liked the end (I didn’t see it coming!) This story has so much packed in between it’s covers – a baby raffle (who would think that is a reasonable solution to an orphanage problem!!), hilarious cousins, romance, some laugh out loud moments and even a bit of intrigue. I definitely recommend this book if you like historical romance or if you just want to start a new series that will definitely make you laugh.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!

About the Author

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history. She’s the winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award, a two-time Golden Quill finalist, and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.com.

Thanks so much for hanging out with me. I hope that you have a wonderful new year full of new friends and new adventures!

Happy Reading 🙂

>>Special thanks to Regina Jennings, Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book – all views and opinions are my own.

First Line Friday #49 – A Simple Christmas Wish by Melody Carlson

Hi Readers!

Happy December. 🙂 Christmas is my favorite time of year so I’m very excited to start my month of Christmas books!! Since December is so busy, I won’t write long, but I wanted to show you a really sweet Christmas book by Melody Carlson. So without further ado, let’s take a look at A Simple Christmas Wish.

Rachel Milligan had given up on Christmas years ago.
First line of A Simple Christmas Wish by Melody Carlson

From The Back Cover

Rachel Milligan is caring for her seven-year-old niece, Holly, at her home in Chicago when she receives devastating news: Holly’s parents have been killed in a plane crash. Because Rachel is Holly’s only known relative, she assumes that she will be her beloved niece’s guardian. However, custody is awarded to Lydia, a distant aunt who happens to be Amish. Just a week before Christmas, Rachel takes Holly to the Amish community in the hopes of persuading Aunt Lydia to relinquish custody. Instead, Lydia sets out to teach Holly to live according to the Amish way. As family secrets emerge and old wounds are healed, Rachel realizes that she will do whatever it takes to ensure that Holly has the loving family she needs.

Combining an Amish family saga with the anticipation of Christmas cheer and the promise of a budding romance, this newest Christmas story from beloved author Melody Carlson is sure to please.

About the Author

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

Is there a Christmas book that you love? I would love to hear about it! I’m always searching for a new book and I don’t have a lot of Christmas stories. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Reading 🙂

First Line Friday #48 – End Game by Rachel Dylan

Hi Readers!

I know I haven’t written in a while, but things have been so crazy around here! I’m probably not going to get to write/review much until the end of the year, but I will try to do a better job with my First Line Fridays and maybe (my goal) a few reviews by Christmas. Sooooo, enough about me, let’s get to my featured book! Yesterday I started End Game by Rachel Dylan and so far it is fantastic! I will say this is probably my most intense first line… or so it would seem. 😉 But I promise that this is one book that you have to read past the first line. So without further ado, here we go!

I think they might be keeping dead bodies in their condo!”
First line of End Game by Rachel Dylan

Well just like you can’t judge a book by the cover, you can’t judge it by the first line. 🙂

Here’s the information from the back cover.

When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper whom Bailey refuses to believe is guilty.

When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there’s a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.

With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there’s a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them.

About the Author

Rachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade, including being a litigator at one of the nation’s top law firms. Her Atlanta Justice series has won the Holt Medallion, the Maggie Award, and the FHL Reader’s Choice Award. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids–two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. You can find her at www.racheldylan.com I would also encourage you to follow her on Facebook, she puts out some awesome posts and I love her sing along Tuesdays (she puts out a few lyrics to a hymn, and you need to figure out which one it is).

I’ve really enjoyed showing you another book on my must read list and I pray that you all had a blessed Thanksgiving and that you are all staying safe. Happy Reading!

Backlash by Rachel Dylan – Review

Hi Readers! Happy Thursday 🙂

Although it’s been a busy week, I have another book to show you and this time it’s from Rachel Dylan! I’ll be honest, I’ve never read any of her books, but now that I’ve read Backlash, I’m going to have to read all of her previous books! So without further ado, let’s head to Washington D.C to find out why Layla Karam is now the target of a dangerous Cartel.

About the Book

Book: Backlash – Capital Intrigue Book 2 (can be read as a standalone)

Author: Rachel Dylan

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 6th 2020

From The Back Cover

With a Target on her back, she’s determined to find answers.

But can she escape the deadly backlash?

CIA analyst Layla Karam is thrust into a dangerous DEA field operation against a cartel that puts a target on her back. Though Layla never wanted to be a field agent, Langley had other ideas. After one of her team members is murdered because of fallout from the op, Layla is left scrambling to find safety.

At the same time, the CIA opens up an internal investigation against her. Out of options, Layla turns to ex-boyfriend and private investigator Hunter McCoy for help finding out who might want to ruin her career.

Layla and Hunter soon discover a mole inside the DEA has sold out the team’s identity to the cartel. She must clear her name with the Agency and protect herself and her teammates from cartel retaliation. With threats on all sides, Layla must put her trust in Hunter–the man who broke her heart–and hope they both come out of it alive.

For those who are content sensitive: this book contains non-graphic scenes and descriptions of physical and sexual assault.

What Did I Think

Have you ever finished a book and then, just because the ending was so unexpected, you just sat back to think about what you just read? That is what happened with me after reading Backlash. I’ve never read anything by Rachel Dylan before, but I am so glad I gave this book a chance! This book is filled with unexpected twists and turns, that keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to keep reading. The story is about Layla Karam, a CIA analyst who just came back from a field op in Honduras, to find herself the target of the Mejia cartel. Then after an almost fatal attack at her favorite restaurant, she finds out that she is now under investigation, because there is evidence that she is in cahoots with a top ranking member of a terrorist group in the Middle East! Layla has no choice, but to accept the help of her ex-boyfriend whom she thinks cheated on her. And while all this is happening Layla’s friend Izzy is being accused of murder and now she has to keep reliving the worst day of her life.

I know that there is a warning at the bottom of the book about physical and sexual assault, but I wanted to let those who are not content sensitive know, that there aren’t any vivid or graphic descriptions – Izzy just has to tell her side of the story to the cops who thinks she murdered her attacker. Overall, I absolutely LOVED the book, and cannot wait for the third book to come out (at least I have the first book in the series to read in the meantime). I give this book 5 out of 5 stars and definitely list it as one of my Must Read’s.