The Inn on Hanging Hill by Christy Barrett (The Beach House Mystery Series Book 2)

About the Book

Book: The Inn on Hanging Hill

Author: Christy Barritt

Genre: Romantic Mystery

Release date: October, 2021

Each house has a history. Each person has a secret. Each turn of events leads to danger.

Lindsey Waters never wanted to return to the seaside inn where she grew up. Too many traumatic memories haunt the place, both from her childhood and from days gone by. But with guilt relentlessly chasing her after a tragic choice, she’s desperate for a fresh start.

Mysterious incidents begin plaguing the inn—dangerous incidents—that make it clear someone wants to scare Lindsey away. But why? Does it have anything to do with the two weeks missing from her memory when she was abducted at age twelve?

Childhood friend Benjamin Newsom seems like an answer to prayer when he shows up to work as a handyman. But something is different about him, something Lindsey can’t put her finger on. She’s certain Benjamin harbors secrets.

As peril continues to close in, Lindsey must decide if she wants to face her past or run. She doesn’t know whom she can trust, and whatever choices she makes will determine if she lives or if she becomes part of the inn’s tragic legacy.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Lindsay is back "home". Back to where she can't remember what happened fifteen years ago, but it's soon clear, other people remember. While trying to fix up the Inn, she's in danger. Lindsay is getting threats, but why? Then there's Benjamin, working endlessly to help her restore this place, but something is still off. What does he know? It sure looks like everyone in this tiny town has one or more secrets. 

I LOVED this dark and mysterious, action filled, clean read with plenty of suspense and mystery. It is lighter on faith, but it's there, and it's a good book to help getting people into Christian fiction without overwhelming them. It was just the right read for me right now. I liked the author's writing style as well. 

5 Stars 

About the Author 

USA Today has called Christy Barritt‘s books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.”

A USA Today and Publishers Weekly best-seller, Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have sold more than three million copies, one has been made into a TV movie, and another is being developed for a TV series.

Christy’s books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year.

She’s married to her prince charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious–but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado.

Christy currently splits her time between the Virginia suburbs and Hatteras Island, North Carolina. She loves spending time with her husband, her two sons, and her four dogs.

For more information, visit her website: www.christybarritt.com.

 

More from Christy

I’ve always loved old houses—ones you can look at and see that they were once full of life and love. But, through the years something happened, and these places now stand in neglect. Based off that idea, I developed the Beach House Mystery Series. Each book is a standalone—the series is connected only by theme—and features a different beach house on a different beach.

 

The Inn on Hanging Hill was inspired by my time on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The area was once thriving and one of the wealthiest in the country. But the railroad changed, and that left the area isolated and without enough work to support the population. It also left it with tons of history—and stories that go along with that history.

 

I hope you enjoy Lindsey’s story!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 14

Blossoms and Blessings, February 14

deb’s Book Review, February 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 16

Spoken from the Heart, February 16

Inklings and notions, February 17

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 18 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, February 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 19

Lighthouse-Academy, February 20

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 21

April Hayman, Author, February 21

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 22

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 23 (Spotlight)

Rebecca Tews, February 24

Texas Book-aholic, February 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 25

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 26

Blogging With Carol, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Christy is giving away the grand prize package of a $100 Amazon gift card and eBook copy of the book!!

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/1a45e/the-inn-on-hanging-hill-celebration-tour-giveaway

Song of the Rockies by Angela Breidenbach

About the Book

Book: Song of the Rockies

Author: Angela Breidenbach

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release date: October 1, 2021

1890, Helena MT Song of the Rockies is the story of a sweet music teacher and eleven boys given one chance or else! Evan Russell lost everything—his ranch, his wife, and now, after trusting relatives with his young son, even the little boy is missing. How can a beautiful symphony of the heart come from such chaos?

Mirielle Sheehan, a music teacher at an exclusive boys’ school, believes scholarships for disadvantaged boys will solve the plight of hopeless homeless children. Mirielle’s challenge is to turn eleven street ruffians of various ages into stellar, disciplined boys with a future. Most think guttersnipes like this should be sold into indenture to learn a trade or pressed into the military. Get those miscreants off the streets!

Evan Russell, new mining millionaire, lost everything in the disastrous winter of 1886. Then his wife died leaving him with a son. Relatives in Helena offer a safe home for the child while Evan must find work in the mines. When he returns, he’s devastated to learn the entire family perished in a fire, and his son has never been found. Though he gained a fortune, he’s lost everything he valued! Romantic, sweet adventure set in picturesque Helena, Montana written by a bestselling author who is also a professional genealogist.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Helena, Montana, cold, windy, harsh but beautiful and I know, I have been there before. For this story, it's the 1890's and Montana is about to be officially declared a state. The orphan train is dropping off kids. They called them newsies. They can be wild, they are abandoned,  lost to the rankings of society, and alone. 

Enter Mirielle, a precious music teacher at a school that's already established. She's out to rescue some of these children and show that they can grow up into good, strong, ethical citizens. They just need scholarships and guidance. How hard could that be? Having gathered up eleven challenging lads of various ages, Mirielle puts her plan into action. She is going to work, and find people willing to sponsor these boys. What musical talents will they have? What lives can they grow into if this works? How much of God's grace is she going to need for this? Topping that off, she's falling for Evan. A man trying to find his missing son. What a heartache a missing child must be, especially in that day and age! 

I found this story to be well written and other than the instant connection with Evan and Mirielle, it's a strong look into the past. It reminds people to remember those forgotten, when you can, and that God has a plan for everyone. 

4 Stars 

About the Author 

Angela Breidenbach is a professional genealogist, media personality, bestselling author, and screenwriter. She’s also the Christian Authors Network president. Angie lives in Montana with her hubby and Muse, a trained fe-lion, who shakes hands, rolls over, and jumps through a hoop. Surprisingly, Angie can also. Catch her show and podcast, Genealogy Publishing Coach!

http://AngelaBreidenbach.com

 

More from Angela

Song of the Rockies idea came from the need to continue deepen the experience from Queen of the Rockies to share more about the orphaned children on the streets of Helena MT in the late 1800s. A lot of readers asked a lot of questions that kept me fired up and involved in the story. That led to the full six-book series because I just couldn’t stop once the first book sparked all the curiosity.

 The people of Montana are very civic-minded, committed to volunteerism, and helping those who can’t help themselves. And that’s the modern society. But that kind of a “personality” of a place doesn’t come from a void. The people of Montana have a reputation of being intensely independent. But the heart of the people isn’t about independence, that’s just the way we are because life here is spread out and requires a lot of individual effort to survive and thrive. The result of such a spread-out population is the opposite of intense independence—devout and loyal support of one another. So, though Montanans are independent, we’re also fiercely supportive.

An ironic history tidbit I ran into on my research for this series, but couldn’t use, was the famous Thomas Meagher who was originally from Ireland. We have a massive, gorgeous statue of him on his horse in front of the Montana State Capital Building in Helena because of his contributions toward Montana becoming a state. He was educated in Ireland by the Jesuits and then in England. He spent time in France as well. His last name is pronounced like the planet, “Mar”. The irony is that Thomas Meagher escaped from imprisonment in Australia, banished there by the British for crime of sedition. He believed in Irish independence. Thomas was a hero to the Irish independent movement, a Civil War hero who flipped from supporting the Confederate South to the Union when the Catholic Church put their support behind the North, and after a successful military career he moved to Montana. Evidently, he put all those skills to good use as Montana became a state. But he was also a well-known scoundrel whose stories didn’t always add up. He met his end in a murky manner, well that’s what they say… Thomas was purportedly drinking and playing cards on a paddle boat up the Missouri River near Fort Benton. Somehow, though he was supposedly a good swimmer, he managed to fall overboard and drowned. Was he drunk? Was he cheating and murdered? Did he run into those he’d flipped on during the war? Was he pushed over? He did have a bad knee… No one knows. His body was never found. Hmm… We have a bar/pub in Missoula called the The Meagher Bar that serves delicious Irish fare. So, if you visit Montana, please don’t ask for the “Meeger” Bar, not a soul will understand what you’re looking for. But now, you know how to pronounce his name.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, February 18

Bizwings Blog, February 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 19

For Him and My Family, February 20

Mary Hake, February 20

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 21

Lighthouse Academy Blog, February 21 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Betti Mace, February 22

Inklings and notions, February 22

deb’s Book Review, February 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 24

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 25

Blogging With Carol, February 25

Connie’s History Classroom, February 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 27

Blossoms and Blessings, February 27

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 1

Austen’s Angle, March 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 3

Pause for Tales, March 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angela is giving away the grand prize 20-minute genealogy consultation to a winner via Zoom!!

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/1ab2b/song-of-the-rockies-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Gatekeeper's Descendant's by Johanna Frank

 

About the Book

Book: The Gatekeeper’s Descendants

Author: Johanna Frank

Genre: Christian/Fiction/Fantasy

Release date: September 2021

ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A CURSE

Hesitant to enter the kingdom, spirited and stubborn Pipiera grudgingly accepts a task to save a fledgling earth-dwelling boy, Matthew, from sabotaging his own future. Challenged with the pull of an obsessive emotion from her past life, she’s unequipped to handle the mission, let alone discern the perplexing interference from a rebel–an unearthly soul who takes great interest in both she and the boy and who relentlessly seeks to capture their affection.

As Matthew’s world spins throughout the cosmos, his mother’s world churns at his bedside while she awaits an unknowing outcome.

Who overcomes?

Who ends up cursed forever?

The Gatekeeper’s Descendants is an easy-to-read, thought-inspiring fantasy. The story weaves together adventure in the afterlife with growing faith and family drama.

BEAUTIFUL…   TWISTED…   LIVELY…

 

Click here to enter the giveaway!

 My Review:

There's a lot of world building here, and some almost parallels to our world. Told in third person POV, it might read a bit differently to some, but worked very well to included a view that should reach or impact everyone. 

As this story unfolds we learn that Matthew lost his dad about five years ago. His mom is struggling and burning out raising two kids as a widow and trying to keep it all together. She feels unworthy and alone. What does that have to do with things? Matthew's deepest desire is to be "normal". He's 13 and he just wants to fit in. 

Well, Matt got really hurt and when that happened, he had a "dream". Was that a dream? There's a Gatekeeper to the Kingdom, a girl who's supposed to guide him, Pipiera. Can she help Matthew make wise choices? Will his life disintegrate or will he learn, listen and become what he is supposed to be in and to the kingdom? 

What about the rebel forces? Specifically, Kasartha, potentially an all evil voice, who also has more depth than you'd expect. 

The only thing I didn't like is that occasionally some scenes were jarring. That might have been on purpose but I think I get lost more easily of late than normal. 

This entire journey is so deep. It covers greif and growth and furtiveness and being careful what voices you listen to. It has depth that isn't usually in a fantasy read. It didn't toss faith out the window at all, and I found it a fantastic debut read. If you want to journey outside yourself for a while, on a trip that might remind of you things lost, or help you feel encouraged or not alone, and jog you memory of your calling, this book can do that. 

4 Stars

About the Author

To Johanna Frank, retirement means the freedom to do what she simply loves—bringing family and friends together with good food. But even better is the space to pen creative, inspirational fiction; stories she hopes will touch the lives of her readers.

Johanna lives in the Waterloo Region of Ontario, Canada with husband, Joe, cherishing and watching their children and their families as they churn through life and develop into their own wonderful characters.

At the time of publishing, Johanna’s The Gatekeeper’s Descendants was declared a Winner of The Word Guild’s 2021 Word Awards.

The Gatekeeper’s Descendants is Johanna Frank’s debut novel.

 

More from Johanna

Hey, hello! It sure is a pleasure to be here 😊.

I’ve always believed it’s a gift when others just happen to come into our lives. Sometimes it’s like a drift and ever so brief, maybe even digital. But always, I like to think anyway; it is for a reason. Sadly, we simply don’t see it that way.

That was just one premise for The Gatekeeper’s Descendants. There is so much more to our life journey than what we see and, therefore, what we could possibly appreciate.

According to some translators of ancient Greek (yes, I google the internet a great deal), the term we so often use today to explain chance happenings, coincidence, is derived from the word synkyrian – a combination of two words: sun and kurios. Sun reported as meaning “together with” and kurios reported as meaning “supreme in authority.” So, a chance happening, meeting someone along one’s path in life? …not an accident. The question becomes why.

As far as the story in The Gatekeeper’s Descendants goes, sure, I had a plot in mind. But those wonderful fictional characters came first, and I quickly discovered they had much to say about their own decisions and paths. Important to me was to incorporate realisms: personality traits, emotional challenges, tough situations and simply, life in general. And then place all such realities alongside characters from an ethereal and lively kingdom. Of course, what would a kingdom be without its rebels? This fantasized world in charge of intervening to make chance happenings actually happen, or, interfering to disrupt the course of one’s path? Well, what fun! I totally loved the adventure of writing this novel. But please, be rest assured. Faith is central in my life, and I did my utmost to treat it with great and utter respect.

And you are part of this equation. That is the most exciting part for me: your experience with the read. One reader told me how grateful she was after reading The Gatekeeper’s Descendants for the hope it gave, particularly as it came at such a perfect time—weeks following the loss of a parent. Another said it brought to her imagination the child she lost at infancy and the absolute joyous wonder of her lively existence now. Yet another felt the appreciation of having a chance at feeling a troubled teen’s point of view and the potential of very real battles that are not always visible. As one reviewer put it, “this is a story that has something to impart to even the most cynical among us.”

Without readers, writers simply wouldn’t have much purpose. So, a heartfelt thank you. I hope you will give The Gatekeeper’s Descendants a chance even if it is a diversion from your normal genre.

I would absolutely love to connect and hear your experience with the story!

And may you journey well!

Johanna Frank

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 11

Texas Book-aholic, February 12

By the Book, February 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 14

For Him and My Family, February 15

Inklings and notions, February 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17

deb’s Book Review, February 18

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 19

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 20

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 21

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 22 (Spotlight)

Through the Fire Blogs, February 22

Blogging With Carol, February 23

Wishful Endings, February 24 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Johanna is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed hardcover copy of the book!!

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/1a459/the-gatekeeper-s-descendants-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Struggle for Love by Marilyn T. Parker

 

About the Book

Book: The Struggle for Love

Author: Marilyn T. Parker

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release date: November 2, 2021

Two sisters married to the same man. A man who loves only one.

Leah didn’t want a marriage without love. A strong and capable woman, she had determined to live a life of service as a midwife, bringing other women’s children into the world, allowing her father to breach tradition and betroth her beautiful younger sister first. But that was not to be.

Forced by her father to pose as her sister, Leah goes to Jacob’s wedding bed. When Jacob awakens to find Leah instead of the beautiful Rachel, he tells Leah that he will provide for her and do what a husband must, but she will never have his love.

Rejected by her husband and her relationship with her beloved sister broken, will Leah be able to keep her faith in the God of Abraham through the tragedies to come? Will Jacob see Leah for the woman she truly is? Will these two wives of the patriarch mend their relationship before it’s too late?

Enjoy this beautiful story of a woman overlooked by history but not by God. In Genesis 29:31 the scripture says, “When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved—” God was watching over Leah. And He’s watching over you.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 My Review:

Fantastic Biblical fiction story! I love this genre when it's well written and this one, it is amazing. I wish I could give it more than five stars. I have always felt so bad for Leah. What happened to her was hard, and she was the loyal wife while Rachel, well, I was never fond of that particular Rachel from the bible because of her actions. This book is exceedingly well written, and well told. I loved the viewpoints and take on this that the author gave us. It's worth reading more than once. 

5 HUGE Stars! 

About the Author 

Marilyn has worn many hats in her life: school teacher, pastor’s wife, mother of four God-loving children, and best of all—Grammy! She is presently the older member of a mother/daughter blogging duo with her wonderful daughter, Rebecca. They co-author Persevering Women, a blog full of inspiration to help women live above their circumstances.

Four years after becoming a widow, Marilyn married Peter Parker. Yes! She’s Mrs. Spiderman! Marilyn says she is truly married to her superhero.

When Marilyn and Peter are not traipsing around the country in their RV, they reside in Buckeye, Arizona with their monster dog, Mimi (don’t let the cute name fool you!). Marilyn’s greatest desire is that her work bring glory to God.

 More from Marilyn

When I was seven or eight years old, I entered a writing contest for elementary students sponsored by the local newspaper. I won! Actually, I won two years in a row. I still remember some things about those stories. I remember that one was about a little girl who was so poor, she had to use fall leaves to make Christmas cards. Uh, kind of got my seasons mixed up there—but the storyline must have been good! That was the beginning of my writing career!

 

So why do I write biblical fiction? 

 

Can’t people just read their Bibles? Yes. Of course. But years ago, when I was reading through the book of Genesis, studying the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, one of Jacob’s wives caught my attention.

 

Genesis 29:31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved—

 

God was watching Leah. Can you imagine it? The God of the Universe leaning over the portal of heaven to get a better view of an unloved woman! I was hooked on the story right then. The scriptures were scant, but the story was hiding there in subtle hints. As I fleshed out Leah’s life from the Word, I fell more in love with the God who originally wrote her story. The Great Storyteller who knew both Leah and me before He laid the foundation of the earth, and who wrote our stories with love, promising us the best of all happy endings with Him.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 15

Girls in White Dresses, February 16

Texas Book-aholic, February 17

Blogging With Carol, February 17

Inklings and notions, February 18

For Him and My Family, February 19

Breny and Books, February 19

deb’s Book Review, February 20

Batya’s Bits, February 20

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 22

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 23

Pause for Tales, February 23

Connie’s History Classroom, February 24

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 25

Mary Hake, February 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 26

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 27 (Spotlight)

Spoken from the Heart, February 27

Lights in a Dark World, February 28

Genesis 5020, February 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marilyn is giving away the grand prize package of a $100 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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/1a45f/the-struggle-for-love-celebration-tour-giveaway