The Ginny West Collection by Monique Bucheger

 

About the Book

Book:  The Ginnie West Collection

Author: Monique Bucheger

Genre: Christian fiction, middle grade

Book 1: THE SECRET SISTERS CLUB

Twelve-year-old BFF’s Ginnie West and Tillie Taylor, want to be sisters. Ginnie’s widowed dad plus Tillie’s divorced mom could equal a lifetime of round-the-clock girl talk and slumber parties. Too bad Dad vowed to never marry again. Ginnie and Tillie come up with the perfect scheme to change his mind: ‘Operation Secret Sisters’ (aka OSS). After all, if they can’t get Dad to move on, Tillie can’t move in.
Things get more complicated when Ginnie stumbles across her mom’s hidden journals. Ginnie can finally get to know the mother she doesn’t remember and her dad doesn’t talk about—if Dad doesn’t take them away.

Book 2: TROUBLE BLOWS WEST

Putting her body in motion before her brain is in gear creates a mountain of problems for 12 year-old Ginnie West. She is certain that defending her twin brother, Toran, from the biggest bully in sixth grade was the right thing to do. But Ginnie couldn’t be more wrong. She quickly learns that Toran doesn’t appreciate being rescued by a girl any better than Pierce likes being knocked down by one.

When Pierce seeks revenge on Ginnie, Toran sets aside his anger and helps her plot a payback prank at Pierce’s house. Sadly, Ginnie learns that Pierce has a reason for being a bully when she sees his dad drop him to the floor like a ragdoll. Realizing he’s a boy in big trouble, Ginnie decides to be his ally, because he won’t let her be his friend.

Book 3: SIMPLY WEST OF HEAVEN 

Twelve-year-old BFFs Ginnie and Tillie are matchmaking geniuses. Sweet! Not long after they schemed to get Ginnie’s widowed dad to fall in love with Tillie’s divorced mom, Ginnie stumbled upon her late mom’s journals, making life even more awesome sauce … until her dad confiscated the journals, determined to protect Ginnie from a danger he won’t name.

Ginnie is counting on her future sister’s help to make Dad change his mind, but Tillie’s not so sure the ghost of Ginnie’s mom will make a good addition to their new family tree. The girls’ world gets flipped upside-down when a blast from the past shows up and makes Tillie go nutburgers. Ginnie is torn between helping her best friend and what could be the answer to her deepest wish.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

For those who are following my blog, you will notice that I have reviews on all three of these books already. However, this is a boxed set! Here you can find books 1-3 of this awesome series all at once. I loved boxed sets as a child, so I personally think this could be a wonderful gift. After all, it's action-packed. It's full of adventure, real-life issues, and faith. It has *horses* and yes, horses still pull at my heart, as do the issues and characters in this series. I'm looking forward to sharing this series with my youngest niece in the near future! 

5 Stars

About the Author

When Monique isn’t writing, you can find her playing taxi driver to one or more of her 12 children, plotting her next novel, scrapbooking, or being the “Mamarazzi” at any number of child-oriented events.

Even though she realizes there will never be enough hours in any given day, Monique tries very hard to enjoy the journey that is her life. She shares it with a terrific husband, her dozen children, twelve grand-darlings, too many cats, and many real and imaginary friends. She is the author of several books in three series and hopes to write many more.

More from Monique

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to the Kickoff of The Ginnie West Collection (Books 1, 2, and 3) of the Ginnie West Adventures series. This omnibus edition includes The Secret Sisters Club, Trouble Blows West and Simply West of Heaven.

The series starts with The Secret Sisters Club and introduces the reader to 12-year-old best friends, Ginnie West and Tillie Taylor. Ginnie’s mother died when she was 3 ½ in a tragic accident and Tillie’s birth dad hit the road 6 years before the series starts.

Tillie, especially, wants a “whole” family again and who would make a better sister than her BFF? When she suggests to Ginnie that their parents would also benefit by marrying, their scheme, Operation: Secret Sisters is formed.

Things get more complicated when Ginnie discovers a box of her dead mom’s journals and reads one, getting to know the mother she doesn’t remember and her dad doesn’t talk about. Discovering the journals brings up questions and feelings that Ginnie didn’t expect and she struggles to reconcile her desire to know her real mom and while caring about her “new” mom.

Trouble Blows West takes a complete turn from Book 1 when the biggest bully in 6thgrade goes after Ginnie’s twin brother, Toran,  and results in Ginnie knocking the bully, Pierce, on his rear in front of the whole student body in the cafeteria on page 2. Things get more complicated when the reader realizes that Pierce is being abused at home. Ginnie doesn’t find out right away—but when she does, Ginnie, Toran, and Tillie decide to become Pierce’s allies—because he won’t let them be his friends. Trouble Blows West is a story of kids on the opposite sides of many issues who try to come to some peaceful understandings.

Because of her great influence in my life, I made my high school creative writing teacher, Mrs. Marion Joyce Johnson, a character in this book years ago. A fun happenstance has recently occurred. Mrs. Johnson’s real life son is Col. Greg Johnson, pilot and astronaut for the Space Shuttle Endeavor. I reached out to Greg who read: Trouble Blows West and fell in love with Ginnie and her family. He has graciously written a Foreword for the book.

Simply West of Heaven starts three weeks after The Secret Sisters Club ends. The one thread that wasn’t reconciled in Book 1 is resolved in this book—and the thread opens up a whole lot of possibilities of fun and new adventures for Ginnie, Tillie, and the Wests. This book has my four best twists and guarantees the reader lots of surprises as the story unfolds. Hopefully readers will want to continue to read about Ginnie and Tillie in Book 4: Being West is Best.

The Ginnie West Adventures series truly is a labor of love for me. I enjoy sharing the West family and their stories with new and longtime readers. I especially love it when readers share with me their experiences of finding courage and peace to overcome their own trials and share those stories with me. I hope to empower and uplift my readers and love it when they connect with me.

Laugh lots … love much … write on!

Monique Bucheger

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 17

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 18

deb’s Book Review, December 19

Blogging With Carol, December 19

Inklings and notions, December 20

For Him and My Family, December 21

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 22

Mary Hake, December 22

Texas Book-aholic, December 23

Sodbusterliving, December 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 26

She Lives To Read, December 27

Artistic Nobody, December 28 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 29

Splashes of Joy, December 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Monique is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Apple, or Google Play!!

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/104ff/the-ginnie-west-collection-celebration-tour-giveaway

Child of Destiny by T. E. Bradford (Divide Series Book 2)

About the Book

Book: Child of Destiny

Author: T.E Bradford

Genre: Christian YA Fantasy

Release Date: May 26, 2020

Across the Divide, a storm is brewing.

In a world where power determines position, word is spreading of the girl who possesses all three factors of magic. Some feel her existence heralds a new era. Others cling desperately to old traditions. The struggle will pit neighbor against neighbor in a conflict poised to spiral into civil war. At the heart of the maelstrom an adversary thirsty for domination wields a weapon of untold magnitude. When power can be harvested like wheat, no one’s magic is safe—even the Trine’s.

Is it her Destiny to save them, or will her power be used to destroy everything and everyone she loves?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 My Review:

Book two in this series picks up where book one left off. That said, I'd not say this is a stand-alone. It needed a "previously" or to be sure you have read book one first. That aside, it flows well, in a clearly built world. It's not lost on me that the main topic is one we seem to be on the brink of now, and have had in our country's past, civil war. It really made this story hit closer to "home" for me. There's a huge cast of characters. Some are new to this book, others we know from the first book. Good and evil are clearly shown while retaining a beautiful emphasis on the One God. Nova is sure to pull at other's heartstrings, as she has pulled at mine. What will be the final purposes of a girl who has the most power of them all? 

5 Stars

About the Author

Author of the Divide Series books, Six World Sagas, and international bestseller Written in the Stars, Tracy believes her writing is a little piece of magic God gave her.

“Life is hard enough. I want stories to transport me to another place. A magical place, where I can stretch out my hand to touch the wonder of this vast universe God created. A universe more extraordinary than we can begin to comprehend. These are the stories I love best, and the ones I love to write. Welcome to my worlds!” –T.E. Bradford

 

More from T.E. Bradford

Thanks so much for stopping by to hear a bit about Child of Destiny, book two in the Divide Series. I’m so excited to share it with all of you!

In this second book in the series, one of the characters enjoys a special treat. This yumminess goes by the name of Hazelnut Delight. It’s a simple, but fantastic recipe that only a very select few will receive. Shhh!!! It’s a family secret!

HAZELNUT DELIGHT RECIPE

What you’ll need:

2 homemade (or your favorite store-bought) pie crusts

1 jar of hazelnut spread

Directions:

1. Roll out (or unroll) pie crust.

2. Using a spoon, coat the crust in a thin layer of hazelnut spread.

3. Start at one side and carefully roll the pie crust up (leave it resting on the seam to help seal.

4. Pinch the ends to close and seal them.

5. Cut the roll into slices (approx 1/2″).

6. Set the slices on their sides on a baking sheet. These will get gooey/sticky as they bake, so you may want to use a silicone baking liner.

TIP: If you like crunchier, flakier crusts, let the rolls loosen as you set them down, opening up the pinwheel shape a bit. If you like more solid, dense treats, leave them tightly rolled. Or, like me, let them land however they will and get a bit of both. 😉

7. Bake at 375 for approx 20-25 minutes – until they are a deep golden brown.

Let cool a bit, and enjoy! You’ll be amazed at the yummy flavor. And as you read, you’ll be able to appreciate the scent and taste right along with the character. Happy Reading (and eating)!

Blog Stops

Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 11

April Hayman, Author, December 11

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 13

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 14

Texas Book-aholic, December 15

Rebecca Tews, December 16

For Him and My Family, December 17

Blogging With Carol, December 17

Inklings and notions, December 18

Through the Fire Blogs, December 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 21

Artistic Nobody, December 22 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

deb’s Book Review, December 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, T.E. is giving away the grand prize package of a themed basket with a one-of-a-kind natural gemstone necklace, a musical instrument, a print copy of The Song of the High King (a Bradford original), and additional books and items!!

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/104a5/child-of-destiny-celebration-tour-giveaway

Ghosted at the Altar by Chautona Havig (New Cheltenham Shopkeepers)

 

About the Book

Book: Ghosted at the Altar

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian fiction, Christmas romance

Release Date: September, 2020

He’s goin’ to the chapel and he’s gonna get… ghosted?

Guys don’t always “get into” the whole wedding thing, but there’s one thing Mitchell Bogaert has been anticipating for the last two years–that first glimpse of Brenna coming to meet him at the altar. So, when the back doors open to reveal a missing bride, he’s shocked, disappointed, hurt, angry–pick your negative emotion. It probably fits.

Brenna Kinsey didn’t know she’d bolt at the last minute, but now she’s trying to figure out what happened and how to prevent it happening again before Mitchell decides she’s not worth the emotional trauma–or the town drama!

Lauren Kinsey, on the other hand, is more than just the kid-sister bridesmaid. She’s a self-proclaimed sleuth and determined to ferret out the problem, arrive at a solution, and get things back on track before broken hearts shatter into more pieces than Humpty Dumpty.

Time’s running out, only the bride and groom don’t realize it. How will Lauren fix this mess before the “clock strikes midnight” and there isn’t a ghost of a chance to save the marriage that never got a chance to be?

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

I had to jump at the chance to read this book. The New Cheltenham area is a lot of fun. No one wants to be ghosted, much less at the alter! Even so, Michelle has a runaway bride situation. Why? There's the mystery, what would make her not marry on her wedding day? Told with three POV's and I wish it had a bit more of that, we get to know Michelle, Brenna, and 14 year old, super amazing, Lauren. She just about stole the show. With a lot of mercy, in more ways than one, when you read the characters, this book is all about forgiveness, hope, kindness, patience, and second chances. It's a lovely additon to this series, and possiby the strongest book so far in the series. 

5 Stars

About the Author 

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name

 

More from Chautona

How Did One Silly Story Become a Favorite Series?

Dickens and his revival of the “ghost story” at Christmas inspired the kick-off book in a series I’d planned almost twenty years ago. The little village of New Cheltenham first appeared in None So Blind and Thirty Days Hath…. However, the touristy village with its obsession with all things English was actually conceived almost twenty years ago!

That first book… still isn’t in print. I’ve reimagined it, and it will be coming out soon. However, Dickens… well, that guy has a way of getting under your skin, and what better place for a Dickens Ghost Storytelling Contest than in a village that looks ripped from England’s countryside?

The Ghosts of New Cheltenham was born. I actually thought it would be a great way for me to force myself to finish that book I’d started so long ago. But then Amanda Tru sent me a message that said, “We’re going to do one about wedding dresses,” and Something Borrowed, Someone Blue became the second book instead. I wanted more of Mitchell, Brenna, and the loveable Lauren, so I concocted a story that would give me just that.

Is it any wonder, then, when Amanda messaged again with our next collection theme of jilted brides or grooms, I immediately thought, “Oh, dear! What if Mitchell got ghosted at the altar?” That is the fastest title I’ve ever come up with!

Because one more Christmas story in New Cheltenham wasn’t quite enough, I set a third one there this year! The Bells of New Cheltenham. In that one, Mitchell is done with this ghost storytelling stuff and starts a contest of his own!

While you can read these books as stand alones (both mine and the ones within the collections), mine will be a richer reading experience if they are read in the following order

The Ghosts of New Cheltenham (read the companion short story free on Kindle Unlimited HERE)

Something Borrowed, Someone Blue (in The Wedding Dress Yes CrossRoads Collection)

Ghosted at the Altar (in the Five Gold Rings CrossRoads Collection)

The Bells of New Cheltenham. (in the Melodies of Christmas Love Collection)

(note, the last two really can be read in any order.)

How did my silly idea for a plasmaphobic guy who had to tell a ghost story to inherit spark one of my favorite series? All things considered, how could he not?

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, December 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 8

CarpeDiem, December 8

Inklings and notions, December 9

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 10

For Him and My Family, December 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 11

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, December 12

deb’s Book Review, December 12

Artistic Nobody, December 13 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Holly Jo Morris, December 13

Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 14

Pause for Tales, December 14

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 15

Blogging With Carol, December 15

Lots of Helpers, December 16

Captive Dreams Window, December 16

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 17

Vicky Sluiter, December 17

lakesidelivingsite, December 18

Rachael’s Inkwell, December 18

She Lives To Read, December 19

Mary Hake, December 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona 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/1045d/ghosted-at-the-altar-celebration-tour-giveaway

Simply West of Heaven by Monique Bucheger (A Ginnie West Adventure)

 

About the Book

Book: Simply West of Heaven

Author: Monique Bucheger

Genre: Mid-grade, blended family, horses

Release Date: January 1, 2013

Twelve-year-old BFFs Ginnie and Tillie are matchmaking geniuses. Sweet! Not long after they schemed to get Ginnie’s widowed dad to fall in love with Tillie’s divorced mom, Ginnie stumbled upon her late mom’s journals, making life even more awesome sauce … until her dad confiscated the journals, determined to protect Ginnie from a danger he won’t name.

Ginnie is counting on her future sister’s help to make Dad change his mind, but Tillie’s not so sure the ghost of Ginnie’s mom will make a good addition to their new family tree. The girls’ world gets flipped upside-down when a blast from the past shows up and makes Tillie go nutburgers. Ginnie is torn between helping her best friend and what could be the answer to her deepest wish.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

This is just the best series for young people, horse lovers, and people like me! I'm a fan of the West's and their farm at this point. You can tell the author has been around plenty of children and it shows in the depth and realize of her characters. This particular book deals with love, missing people, and has a lot of humor as well. My heart hurt for Ginnie over her desire to connect to her mom through her journals, and my imagination when wild over what Ginny's dad felt like would hurt her in those books. I find the faith-based morals to the stories to be extremely refreshing. I think I'm going to need buy sets for some family members. 

5 Stars 

About the Author 

When Monique isn’t writing, you can find her playing taxi driver to one or more of her 12 children, plotting her next novel, scrapbooking, or being the “Mamarazzi” at any number of child-oriented events.

Even though she realizes there will never be enough hours in any given day, Monique tries very hard to enjoy the journey that is her life. She shares it with a terrific husband, her dozen children, twelve grand-darlings, too many cats, and many real and imaginary friends. She is the author of several books in three series and hopes to write many more.

 

More from Monique

Hello Everybody,

Welcome to the kickoff tour of my third book: SIMPLY WEST OF HEAVEN: A Ginnie West Adventure. This book is the hardest one for me to blurb because it contains my four best twists and I don’t want to give away any of the surprises (and some readers have said they were downright shocked—in a good way—by some of them.) 

This book stretched my writing ability and deepened my emotional investment in the West family greatly.  This book continues to explore the relationship of best friends, Ginnie West and Tillie Taylor. It has been described as “a soap opera for children” because of all the plot twists and reveals.

It explores Ginnie and Tillie’s deeper, hidden feelings in a way that may bring you tears as well as greater understanding. Several reviewers commented on how authentic and “real” the West family is to them. I love knowing that people are willing to go on a journey with Ginnie and Tillie and the rest of the West family. That they are willing to laugh and cry with them. I promise—this book will give you opportunities for both. 

Simply West of Heaven has recently been made into an audiobook and that was a fun endeavor as I listened to the voices in my head come to life. My narrator, the very talented, Hillary Straga, said all of the twists kept her on her toes, but that she loved voicing this book because she never knew what to expect. 

I hope that the people who choose to read this book will have the same experience. That they will be eager to jump in, put aside pre-conceived notions, and become part of the West family saga: that they will cheer for them, cry with them, and celebrate with them. One of my favorite reviews of this book states that: “I tried to skip ahead and every time I did—I had to go back to where I was because I missed something important in the story.”

Thank you to those of you who are willing to continue to read the Ginnie West Adventures and “Welcome!”  to those who have decided to start with this book.

Laugh lots, Love much, Write on!

Monique Bucheger

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, December 2

21st Century Keeper at Home, December 2

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 4

Texas Book-aholic, December 5

Inklings and notions, December 6

For Him and My Family, December 7

deb’s Book Review, December 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 9

Mary Hake, December 9

Artistic Nobody, December 10 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 11

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 12

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 14

Blogging With Carol, December 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Monique is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, or Kobo 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/10495/simply-west-of-heaven-celebration-tour-giveaway