His Unexpected Amish Twins by Rachel J. Good

About the Book

Book:  His Unexpected Amish Twins

Author: Rachel J. Good

Genre:  Amish Romance

Release Date: February 28, 2020

When Micah Miller’s brother and sister-in-law are killed in a buggy accident, he’s devastated, but he fulfills a promise to raise their seven-year-old twins, Abby and Isaac. While struggling to deal with the twins’ grief and Abby’s anger toward God, he discovers an Amish farm offering horse therapy for grief. And he’s thrilled to find the owner cares about and prays for the twins.

Hope Graber had to find a way to save the family farm after her daed’s unwise decisions. Even selling off many of the horses didn’t cover all the bills. After deciding to use the remaining horses for animal therapy, she brings on Logan Russell, an experienced trainer, to help her. Together they not only start paying off the debts, but they also make positive changes in children’s lives.

Hope loves helping each child, but she takes a special interest in the twins and determines to help them heal both emotionally and spiritually. As she gently guides Abby back to God and makes the little girl smile again, Hope also makes Micah’s life brighter. As he emerges from his depression, he longs to make them one happy family, but only God can overcome the many obstacles in their path.

Click here for your copy!

My Review:

Twins! I have worked with them, so I know first hand, they are double everything. An accident kills the parents of a set of twins, leaving Micah to raise his niece and nephew. It's quite a shock to be a parent overnight, much less to twins. Hope was on the scene of the accident and she has been working with the twins. I liked her instantly and felt deeply for Micah as he had so much to work through. 

This story tackles grief and great loss, fear, healing, second chances, forgiveness, and trust issues. It's got plenty of faith in it, combined with an emotionally packed story. I can't think of anything I didn't like about it, and I really want to read the next book in this new series. 

5 Stars 

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author RACHEL J. GOOD writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. She grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events.

Rachel is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming – the bestselling Love & Promises, Sisters & Friends, Unexpected Amish Blessings, Surprised by Love (2021), and two books in Hearts of Amish Country – as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books. In addition, she has stories in many anthologies, including Love’s Thankful Heart,Love’s Christmas Blessings,Plain Everyday Heroes, Love’s Truest Hope,and the forthcoming Amish Christmas Twins (Fall 2020) with Shelley Shepard Gray and Loree Lough.

More from Rachel

Phobias and Faith

“Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 27b KJV)

In every book I write, I like the hero and heroine to experience character growth. I think it’s important that they change and become different. So, in His Unexpected Amish Twins, Micah faces several life-changing events. First, his life is turned upside-down when he becomes the guardian of his niece and nephew, seven-year-old twins. Although he loves the children dearly, as a young, single man, he isn’t quite ready to handle his lively, rebellious niece and his silent, withdrawn nephew, especially not when he’s grieving himself.

But with the help of horse therapist, Hope Graber, Micah puts aside his own pain to concentrate on caring for the twins. But Micah is also hiding a deep-seated phobia.

As a child, he had a terrible experience, one that scarred him for life. One that still haunts him and terrorizes him. One that may destroy his future relationship with Hope.

Getting over fear is never easy, and Micah prays for strength. But it isn’t until he’s forced to make a choice – give in to his fear or save a life – does he push past that fear.

Like Micah does, we often go through life hiding our fears. We make excuses not to do something that frightens us. When a fear turns into a phobia, it can become paralyzing.

For me, public speaking was my greatest fear. I managed to avoid it until I was asked to do a simple two-minute introduction each month for the Christian Women’s Club. I didn’t have to answer right away. They asked me to pray about it, and let them know my answer in a few days.

If they’d asked for an answer right away, I would have made an excuse. I had four small children and an ill husband. But the truth was – I was scared. Not just scared, but petrified. Petrified about even standing in front of an audience.

When I discussed this opportunity with my father, he suggested God might be giving me a chance to get over my fear because He had something greater for me to do in the future. My first thought was that it had better not have anything to do with public speaking.

Dad encouraged me to take a speech class, so I signed up for one. Eight people attended this informal course in the teacher’s living room. The first night we had to give a two-sentence introduction of ourselves. We didn’t even have to stand up.

I went last. My turn came, and my mind went blank. I couldn’t even remember my name. With prompting, the teacher got me to stumble through my name and hometown.

Our assignment for the following week was to prepare a three-minute demonstration of one of our hobbies. We could use notes and props. I mumbled through the speech, rushed out the door to my car, and vomited in the street. Yes, I was that frightened by public speaking.

I told my father I planned to quit the class, but he encouraged me to continue. And several months later, I stood in front of the women’s club. My eyes blurred, and I couldn’t see the people in front of me. I hurried through my memorized two-minute introduction clutching my note cards in case I forgot the words. I had no idea what I said, but several people mentioned that they liked it. And I went on to do it every month for two years.

And my father was right. God did train me for a future job. Wouldn’t Dad be surprised to know that, as an author, I speak in front of audiences around the country? He died before my first book was published, but I suspect he’s up in heaven cheering me on. And I could never have done it without God’s help.

Micah and I both had to learn to trust God’s promise: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1: 9 NIV)

Blog Stops

For the Love of Literature, March 4

Maureen’s Musings, March 5

The Avid Reader, March 5

Through the Lens of Scripture, March 6

Texas Book-aholic, March 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 7

For Him and My Family, March 8

janicesbookreviews, March 8

Inklings and notions, March 9

deb’s Book Review, March 9

Blossoms and Blessings, March 10

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 10

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 11

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, March 11

Vicky Sluiter, March 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 13

Splashes of Joy, March 14

Bigreadersite, March 14

Artistic Nobody, March 15 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Blogging With Carol, March 16

Genesis 5020, March 16

EmpowerMoms, March 17

My Devotional Thoughts, March 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed copy of the book and $25 VISA 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/f72a/his-unexpected-amish-twins-celebration-tour-giveaway

Killer Harvest by Tayna Stowe

About the Book

Book:  Killer Harvest

Author: Tanya Stowe

Genre:  Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: March, 2020

Can she stop a deadly crop virus from ending up in the wrong hands? Biologist and single mom Sassa Nilsson just witnessed her mentor’s brutal murder by environmental extremists. Now she’s the last link to a deadly pathogen they plan unleashing—and their number one target! But can handsome border patrol agent Jared De Luca shield Sassa and her baby long enough to find a cure…before the entire world faces the unthinkable consequences? This is an action-filled book! Terrorists and crop issues, suspense, virus, and cures, that is just a part of what is going on in this book. Sassy Sassa and Jerod are a good fit for each other and then, there's the baby. It has a higher level of suspense than some reads, maybe due to the topic and what is currently happening in our real world. I found this book to be well written, with just enough faith elements, timely and suspenseful. 

Click here for your copy.

My Review:

This is an action-filled book! Terrorists and crop issues, suspense, virus, and cures, that is just a part of what is going on in this book. Sassy Sassa and Jerod are a good fit for each other and then, there's the baby. It has a higher level of suspense than some reads, maybe due to the topic and what is currently happening in our real world. I found this book to be well written, with just enough faith elements, timely and suspenseful. 

5 Stars

About the Author 

Tanya Stowe is a Christian Fiction author with an unexpected edge. She is married to the love of her life, her high school sweetheart. They have four children and twenty-one grandchildren, a true adventure. She fills her books with the unusual…mysteries and exotic travel, even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you…on a trip to foreign lands or a suspenseful journey packed with danger…be prepared for the extraordinary.

More from Tanya

As a teenager, I spent my summers water-skiing on the King’s River in Central California. Even though we lived on the coast and the ocean, we traveled inland to the smooth river waters every other weekend for our sport. We camped on a sandy beach, skimmed over the water all day long and at night sat under a sky full of brilliant stars and listened to the sound of the water rippling past. Since we lived on the coast with a heavy marine layer, the amazing sky always fascinated me. Surrounded by massive cottonwood trees, with the smell of ripe fruit drifting toward us, my river experiences were different from home and more than memorable. On some nights we’d hear the splash and laughter as teenagers, somewhere across the river, came down to swim. I always wondered what it would be like to live in the nearby small, neat-as-a-pin town, to know the same people all of my life and to be able to drive down to the river with my friends on any given night. I envied those teenagers and always knew I’d someday write a story about central California. I didn’t know it would involve biological warfare and crazed killers…but that transition is another story all its own! I’ll stop here and hope you enjoy Killer Harvest!

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, March 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 7

deb’s Book Review, March 7

Texas Book-aholic, March 8

Simple Harvest Reads, March 8 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 9

Among the Reads, March 9

Genesis 5020, March 9

For Him and My Family, March 10

Kat’s Corner Books, March 10

April Hayman, Author, March 10

Inklings and notions, March 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 11

Betti Mace, March 12

Reading Is My SuperPower, March 12

Bigreadersite, March 12

Through the Fire Blogs, March 13

Maureen’s Musings, March 13

Older & Smarter?, March 14

She Lives To Read, March 14

Remembrancy, March 15

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, March 15

Blogging With Carol, March 15

Emily Yager, March 16

Blossoms and Blessings, March 16

janicesbookreviews, March 17

Daysong Reflections, March 17

Mary Hake, March 17

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 18

Pause for Tales, March 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 19

SPLASHES of Joy, March 19

Hallie Reads, March 19

Artistic Nobody, March 20 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, March 20

To Everything There Is A Season, March 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tanya 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/f640/killer-harvest-celebration-tour-giveaway

Journey to Twilight by Charmayne Hafen

About the Book

Book:  Journey to Twilight

Author: Charmayne Hafen

Genre: Action Adventure Christian Fantasy for intermediate grade students

Release Date: November 1, 2019

Sam and Lorna’s bike challenge becomes far more than a neighborhood race in this action-adventure fantasy for middle-schoolers. Riding over a cairn at sunset, Lorna surfaces in Twilight, where she is given three impossible tasks to complete before her heart’s desire is granted.

Story Line: Avid fifth-grade mountain biker, Lorna Thompson, moves to Arizona  after her parents’ divorce. Unpacking boxes, Lorna begins seeking a way to fit into the neighborhood crowd when a girl named Ally knocks on her front door.

Splashing in the pool at Ally’s house, Lorna learns about the Crestwood Challenge, a bike race created by a scar-faced neighborhood legend, Samuel Black. She hears herself boasting that she can take on Sam Black in his own race and win. Lorna’s words quickly come back to bite her.

Although none of the kids will root for the new girl, an ancient cairn opens to the Land of Twilight giving Lorna an opportunity to win anything her heart desires.

Illustrations are by award-winning artist, Brianna Osaseri.

Thematic: Fantasy ages 9-12; Female protagonist dealing with parents’ divorce finds confidence and friendship in conflict and opportunity; Celtic; Jamaican; Multi-racial; Action-Adventure; coming of age fantasy for pre-teens with some paranormal, mystical places and events.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Divorce straight up hurts. In this book, young Lorna is trying to work through her parent's divorce. 6th grade is more than enough to do most of us in, but something happens. Lorna winds up going into a land called Twilight. 

Yes, I both laughed and smiled at the name, given how much it has been used in the last few years. Twilight is an interesting place. It has unusual laws and colors, green skies and blue grass, and up and down being reversed. (I did wonder if it was a different shade than the Kentucky bluegrass.) Anyway, I liked that. I found Sam to be a very nice guy, and I love the dog. Trix's barking made me laugh over and over as I'm very well versed with dogs who can or will do that. She just wants to have her say too and she made me smile more than once during this book. 

I found that while this book doesn't have scripture in it it's still based on Christian principles and it makes it easier to pass it to tweens who might not be in a church. This book opens doors for plenty of conversations, on divorce, disabilities, and many other issues. Are they topics that have been covered a lot? Yes, but you never know when, where or which book will open a door to help someone. 

4 Stars

About the Author:

Charmayne Hafen is a graduate of John Brown University and has her masters in counseling from the Denver Seminary. She’s not only gifted in creative writing, but  uses skills in organization, facilitation, and administration in the company she and her husband started 18 years ago.

Her love of Celtic mythology inspired her to write her debut chapter book, Journey to Twilight, for ages 9-12. In 2011, she lost her younger brother, and she dedicates this first book to Tim. When she’s not writing, Charmayne is running counseling groups for adults and a therapeutic photography group for children. She has run a grief support group for several years.  She is a member of a novel book club, and she is an avid fan of the author, Stephen Lawhead.

She has written several short stories for children, teens, and adults, as well as the current fantasy series, The Land Of Twilight, being published in 2020 by Capture Books.

The first book, Journey To Twilight, is about the heartfelt needs and choices of a child of divorce. It also wrestles with what it is like to be a newcomer in a town and school. Charmayne relates personally to these themes as a child of divorce who moved consistently throughout her elementary and middle school years. She believes stories can provide not only a way of escape for kids, but also teach them how to handle difficult issues. As the characters in The Land Of Twilight struggle through different challenges, they come to understand that life requires more than what we do with what can be seen. To truly live, there must be faith in what has not yet come, in what is unseen.

Charmayne has a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and psychology as well as a Master of Arts degree in counseling. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband John and her two chihuahuas, Pepe and Frida.

More from Charmayne

Welcome to Journey To Twilight, the first book in the Land Of Twilight Trilogy, where Lorna and her friend, Sam, begin a journey that will lead them to discover the true meaning of friendship and faith.

In a world that can only be accessed by what is known in Celtic mythology as a cairn, Lorna is shocked to find herself in the Land of Twilight where the real adventure begins. She must learn some important lessons in her quest to have one wish granted and Sam is part of her greatest challenge.

The adventure continues in Return To Twilight, where Lorna meets a new girl that proves to be a bad influence. She and Sam are at odds and things aren’t the way they were back in sixth grade. Middle school is an entirely different scene. Faith becomes a central theme in this book along with the ongoing exploration of friendship. Can Sam help Lorna remember her faith with the help of Twilight?

Trouble In Twilight, the third book in the Land Of Twilight trilogy, will be published early next year. This has been my most challenging book to write as the characters travel through time to discover the basis of faith and the philosophy at work against faith in the Savior. The Land of Twilight is in jeopardy and it’s up to Sam and Lorna to help restore what is slowly fading away.

It is my hope that my readers will come away from this trilogy with a deeper appreciation for the power of faith and friendship. I pray it will lead many to faith in the Savior and be an enjoyable ride in the process. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important topics and the stories that shed new light.

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 27

Texas Book-aholic, February 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 29

Blossoms and Blessings, March 1 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, March 2

For Him and My Family, March 3

Aryn the Libraryan 📚, March 4

For the Love of Literature, March 5 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, March 6

Just the Write Escape, March 7

Artistic Nobody, March 8 (Author Interview)

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, March 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 9

Blogging With Carol, March 10

Wishful Endings, March 11 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Charmayne is giving away the grand prize of silver bicycle necklace like you suggested along with a signed hard cover copy of both books!!

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/f6d3/journey-to-twilight-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Vault Between Spaces by Chawna Schroeder

About the Book

Book:  The Vault Between Spaces

Author: Chawna Schroeder

Genre: Young adult Christian Fantasy

Release Date: February 11, 2020

Every legend must start somewhere…

No prisoner who enters the gates of HopeWell ever leaves. But from the moment Oriel sets foot inside Anatroshka’s most formidable prison camp, she unsettles both commandant and prisoner alike with eyes that see beyond the surface and music that trails her everywhere.

Petite and delicate though she appears, Oriel bows before neither threat nor punishment. Moreover, she makes no attempt to hide her intention: Oriel plans to escape the inescapable HopeWell.

But when facades are stripped away and myth becomes clothed in flesh, what begins as a prison break becomes a mission to stop the invasion of evil itself.

Click here to get your copy.

My Review:

What a really different "fantasy" read. I'd say it's more allegory than just fantasy. This is a fascinating, and deep read in its own way. A bit slow in places, but that actually worked for this book to give me time to fully adjust to everything that was coming next. I found this to be an awesome read, that sticks with you after the last page. I would recommend it for all ages. The fight between good and evil, how God is shown, is all beautifully written. I was completely immersed in this book. 

5 Stars

About the Author: 

Chawna Schroeder is Minnesotan writer who enjoys snow, chai tea, and playing “what if?”—even if that game occasionally gets her into trouble. She also loves stretching both her imagination and her faith to their limits and helping others to do the same. As a result, her writing explores the vastness of God, His multifaceted nature, and the potential of a life lived with Him. This means both learning the boundaries He created for our protection as well as demolishing the human boxes that restrict both God and people.

When she isn’t reading or writing, a variety of other activities fill her “free” time: practicing piano for church, preparing Sunday school lessons, studying the biblical languages, or working on one of her handwork projects while
enjoying a movie.

Chawna’s other books include Beast, a coming-of-age fairytale for teens and adults, and the Bearing the Sword curriculum, which teaches the basics of discernment to teens through in-depth Bible study and media analysis. You
can connect with Chawna through her website (www.chawnaschroeder.com), blog (www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ChawnaSchroederAuthor/).

More from Chawna

Beyond Reality

Life can seem so drab and dreary, clouds of monotony graying the days and the chill of trouble piercing the night. It is not the world we would choose to live in, yet it is the world we often find ourselves trapped within, imprisoned by circumstances beyond our control.

Perhaps that is why myths and fairy tales carry such strong appeal. They promise what we see is not all there is. They infuse the world with possibility. They dare us to believe that now isn’t forever. They offer us hope.

Yet many myths and fairy tales are so far removed from our normal world, we end up dismissing them as irrelevant, the stuff of children and starry-eyed idealists. For no sensible person would believe in seven-headed dragons or wing-footed messengers, in fairy godmothers and cursed spinning wheels. Yet the magnetism of such stories remains.

Which is where The Vault Between Spaces comes in. We begin with a recognizable world. Chain-link fences and cars, umbrellas and guns—these are things we know. More than that, the world feels familiar: drab, monotonous, inescapable, hopeless.

Then one lone girl steps into that world—our world—and changes everything, challenging us to question all that we thought we knew. Could there be more truth to those childhood tales than we ever dared believe?

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, February 28

Texas Book-aholic, February 29

For the Love of Literature, March 1

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 2

Rebecca Tews, March 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 4

Inklings and notions, March 5

For Him and My Family, March 6

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, March 7

deb’s Book Review, March 7

Emily Yager, March 8

Blogging With Carol, March 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 10

The Artist Librarian, March 10

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 11

Pause for Tales, March 12

Mia Reads, March 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chawna is giving away a themed basket including an autographed copy of the book, a $10 iTunes gift card (since music plays a dominant role in the book), embroidered bookmark, and embroidered denim book bag!!

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/f616/the-vault-between-spaces-celebration-tour-giveaway