Home for Christmas by Chautona Havig, Toni Shiloh, Cathe Swanson, Jaycee Weaver

 

About the Book

Book: Home for Christmas

Authors: Chautona Havig, Toni Shiloh, Cathe Swanson, Jaycee Weaver

Genre: Contemporary Christian Christmas Romance

Release date: October 21, 2021

Settle in with your favorite beverage, a Christmassy snack, and get ready for all the feels with these four heart-warming, military-honoring Christmas novellas.

The Christmas Lights Collection is back, and this year’s collection is better than ever. Full of love, joy, and hope, this year’s collection offers the celebration of freedom, sacrifice, and the greatest Gift ever given.

These novella features two veterans and two active servicemen and their stories.

The Stars of New Cheltenham (Chautona Havig): When a woman arrives at the Marine recruiting center, livid that her brother is ready to sign up tomorrow, the recruiter takes her on a journey through Rockland in hopes of showing her why her brother wants to serve.

Most Wonderful Time–  Gabe loves Christmas, so when he discovers that his new co-worker Shanée wants nothing to do with the season, he makes it his mission to show her the true meaning. But he never expected feelings to develop for the Air Force veteran. Will he take a chance that she feels the same way or miss the best gift of all?

The Road Home: ally has tried to leave her military history far in the past, but she’s not ready to go back to her former life, either. Can an old army buddy help her find a new road home?

Now and Forever Christmas: The past eight years as a professional musician for the US Army prepared Tobin McGhee for his new job as high school band teacher. They didn’t prepare him for how he’d feel seeing an old girlfriend again. This time, though, he won’t make the same mistakes. Can they make holiday music together and rekindle the friendship they once had, or will romance ruin everything… again?

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

This book is four stories in one book. There's another New Cheltenham story from Havig. It fits in with the others from her settings there. It's not super Christmas-y, but it's a nice story. 

Shiloh's story with Gabe and Shanee about broke my heart. I am far too familiar with what PTSD does to our men and women who have served our country so bravely. This was a strong moving story, but hard for me in some ways. 

Swanson pulled out some stops in her story. Tally and Christopher have different PTSD issues than the prior story, and as a nurse Tally has been through the wringer.  I found this story to be quite moving as well, and well told. You might need some tissues. 

Weaver gave us a story to remind us of our first crushes. CJ and Tobin, a military band, this story shared some things in common with people I know who were in service and in bands there as well. Covering past pain, and misunderstandings, this was another good read. 

Overall this is a nice collection and not at all unfitting for Christmas. 

4 Stars 

About the Authors

Authors Chautona Havig, Toni Shiloh, Cathe Swanson, and Jaycee Weaver are about as different geographically and personally as you can get—except where they’re not. What they all share is a love of books, writing, and Jesus. Their great diversity is what makes their books so complementary and what makes the Christmas Lights Collection an eagerly-anticipated set each year.

 More from Chautona

Picture it. Sweaters, fuzzy socks, a gas fireplace, and laptops. Cathe Swanson and I had been invited to join author Brenda Anderson for a writing retreat at her timeshare in the Wisconsin Dells. So, I flew out (and arrived in Minneapolis in the middle of riots! EEEP!) and we drove over to the Dells. There we were both determined to get a ton of writing done. And we did.

While Cathe worked on Home Run, (and I sneaked peeks at her recent release, Long Shadows), I finished up Penelope’s Pursuit and wrote a significant amount of Adoring April.

I also had a genius idea while I was there. I kind of freaked out poor Cathe a bit, running into the room where she was working and blurting out all the idea-ness (for a video of that, go HERE), but still… guys! Military! Woohoo!   Here’s a video of us brainstorming:

It was perfect on so many levels. So, Cathe zipped messages off to Jaycee and Toni, and we all began planning what we’d do to honor our military in this collection.

Look, it’s been a hard year for our military families. Folks are grieving and there’s just so much uncertainty. So, all of the authors of the Christmas Lights Collection would like to dedicate this collection not just to the men and women who have and are currently serving in our armed forces, but also to the families who make their own sacrifices in giving up time (often years) with their service men and women.

In this collection, you’ll find a Marine recruiter, a struggling veteran, an Army musician, and an Air Force veteran now working a nice prosaic bank job! See how each author ties Christmas and these heroes together!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 8

Texas Book-aholic, December 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 10

Batya’s Bits, December 10

Inklings and notions, December 11

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 12

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 13 (Spotlight)

Joanne Markey, December 13

Older & Smarter?, December 14

For Him and My Family, December 14

deb’s Book Review, December 15

Blossoms and Blessings, December 15

Kayem Reads, December 16

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 16

By the Book, December 17

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 17

lakesidelivingsite, December 18

Blogging With Carol, December 19

Cultivating Us, December 19

She Lives To Read, December 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 21

Mary Hake, December 21

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the Christmas Lights Authors are giving away the grand prize of a $50 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/1482c/home-for-christmas-celebration-tour-giveaway

After She Falls by Carmen Schober

About the Book:

After an abusive relationship derails her plans, Adri Rivera struggles to regain her independence and achieve her dream of becoming an MMA fighter. She gets a second chance, but the man who offers it to her is Max Lyons, her former training partner, whom she left heartbroken years before. As she fights for her future, will she be able to confront her past?

My Review:

I am not much of a sports person, but I couldn't skip this debut book. I quickly became very glad I didn't! This book is amazing! Frequently, I hear it said so and so is a fresh new voice. Well, this time, that's true. This author has not whitewashed her characters. They are real, and because of their realism, I fell for this book and this author like a solid knock out. Adri is a fighter in every sense of the word, not just in a boxing ring. She's fighting for her life, her child, her goals, the relationships she needs, to get out and away from the ones that are abusive and to follow God's plan for her life. 

Enter Max. Max is so real. He's away from God, but he doesn't have to stay that way! I loved reading the changes in him and how real this story is. It's almost not fiction, it's that strong. I appreciated the author using real life, that when we have to leave a marriage because we are not being treated properly, that God makes a way for new relationship and for a Christ like husband in our lives. I was just about cheering at that as I read this story. It is in third person, but I didn't mind that at all as it fit the book. I have seen the Rocky movies, long ago, so the references worked well for me in that area as well. 

I can easily say you should read this beautiful, faith filled story of second chances, and God's healing grace. 

5 HUGE Stars 

Grab a copy here or any place you can! 

About the Author: 

Carmen Schober is a debut novelist, wife, full-time mother to two daughters, avid boxer, and Rocky enthusiast. A graduate of Kansas State University, where she earned a master's degree in English literature and creative writing, she currently lives in Manhattan, Kansas. She has published sports fiction in Witness magazine and Hobart Pulp, and she regularly blogs about faith, family, and fighting at www.carmenschober.com. 

Footprints on Her Heart by Tabitha Bouldin (Independence Islands Book #17)

 

About the Book

Book: Footprints on Her Heart

Author: Tabitha Bouldin

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: November 23, 2021

He’s saving the world, one animal at a time.

Trent Raines’ opinion, happily ever after has four paws and doggy breath. He spends his days isolated at the shelter, taking care of animals. Especially now that romance seems to be spreading across the islands faster than fleas in summer.

She lives a safe life behind the camera lens.

Kara Parker’s job at the animal shelter keeps her too busy to worry about romance. Sure, the boss is cute and all, but her introverted nature is perfectly happy as a photographer and website designer, thank you very much.

Even a quick trip to the mainland to retrieve a truckful of animals won’t change their minds.

Or so they think.

As Trent comes to understand Kara, he discovers there’s more than meets the eye in his quiet employee. Together, they plan a Christmas adoption festival that’s certain to empty the animal shelter in record time. Until a blast from Trent’s past puts all the animals in danger.

Sure, Trent and Kara are fine on their own, but they’re even better together.

What will it take for these soulmates conquer their fears and rescue the animals before it’s too late?

Footprints on Her Heart continues the Hooper Island stories of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Dare I read this book? I'm so not okay with hurricanes, but since it's in this particular series I decided to read it.The romance was sweet, and I liked the focus on trusting God. It's a clean read with animals. The ones that are in actual need sometimes do need our help. I love that Kara is a photographer and website designer. I connect to that, and for that reason really liked her. Rebuilding after a hurricane is never, ever, easy and can't be done without God's help, if you ask me. This book focuses on getting over the past, and pushing forward though the pain, to a better future. 

4 Stars

About the Author

Tabitha Bouldin has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has been writing since 2015. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, you’ll find her curled up with a book. Tabitha’s genre of choice is Contemporary Christian Romance which she describes as: Adventure with heart.

 

More from Tabitha

I love animals. Always have. I was the kid who always brought home the injured animals and tried to make them better. I am the adult who feels guilty for walking by a hungry cat without feeding it.

When I write, those animal-loving tendencies come out. My characters will rescue animals, care for them, and love them unconditionally. My contributions to the Independence Islands are no different. When it began, I knew I needed a pet groomer, and the animal shelter developed from Mel’s love of animals. That’s when Trent showed up.

Trent walked onto the page as Mel’s partner in founding the animal shelter, Forever Pals, but I didn’t know he wanted his story told until several months after I started writing the series. I tried putting him off, but Trent was having none of that. He’s a bit overzealous and ready to share his love story with you, even if he’d rather I didn’t tell you about his troubled past.

The more I dove into Trent’s story, the more I realized he’s the kind of guy you’d call in the middle of the night when a stray dog shows up in your backyard. He doesn’t care. He’d upend his entire life to care for the animals, and he loves each one instantly, no questions asked. People…not so much.

I had the best time writing this story. Footprints on Her Heart is one of those books that I fell in love with from the very beginning. The story put itself on the page, all I had to do was be the engine and let it come to life. Those are my favorite. I wish every book came as easily as Footprints. Even though that isn’t the case, I’ll always hold this one as a dear friend. Kara and Trent make such a cute couple that I think they need to make an appearance in every island book I write from here on out.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 7

Blossoms and Blessings, December 7

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , December 8

Texas Book-aholic, December 8

Inklings and notions, December 9

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, December 9 (Author Interview)

By the Book, December 10

For Him and My Family, December 10

lakesidelivingsite, December 11

deb’s Book Review, December 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 12

Mary Hake, December 12

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 13

Connect in Fiction, December 13

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 14

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 14

Aryn the Libraryan, December 15

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 15

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 16

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, December 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 17

Life, Love, Writing, December 17

She Lives To Read, December 18

Blogging With Carol, December 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 19

Simple Harvest Reads, December 19 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Splashes of Joy, December 20

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, December 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tabitha is giving away the grand prize package a $50 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/1419d/footprints-on-her-heart-celebration-tour-giveaway

Meal of Fortune by Philip Brady (The Meal of Fortune Trilogy Book 1)

An Overview Media book tour review! 

About the Book:

The Meal of Fortune

 

Failing celebrity agent Dermot Jack thinks his luck might have turned when a mysterious Russian oligarch approaches him with an irresistible proposition - help launch the pop career of the man’s beautiful daughter. 

 

Meanwhile, Dermot’s former girlfriend Anna Preston is just as happy to be handed the chance to resurrect her own rather specialised career. 

 

Little do they know that their paths are about to cross again – thrown together in a desperate attempt to lure the Russian, in reality a vicious arms dealer, into a highly unusual trap. 

 

That’s going to be hard enough without having to deal with a lecherous celebrity chef, a diminutive mafia enforcer with his own agenda or one very impatient loan shark who 'just wants his money back'. And then there’s Anna's boss, who isn’t exactly playing it straight. 

 

If she and Dermot are going to come out of this alive, they’ll have to learn to trust each other again, and push themselves well out of their comfort zones. 

 

But one thing’s non negotiable. They’re absolutely not going to fall in love again. That's never going to happen, OK? 

 

My Review: 

I liked the title. It's just a good pun! As I had hoped, this book delivered a lot of humor, along with action and a little suspense all given to us with snarky and kick-behind when needed main characters. It's a fun and funny spy thriller, and I found Dermot Jack to be a riot, and the cooking show to be a good foil for spies in this case. It was a tad jumbled when it started, but well worth the read. 

There's not a shortage of characters. Anna, Dermot's ex-girlfriend is now his M15 handler. He's in dept and there's the Russians to deal with, among other things. Dermot is coping with his ex-wife Sally and daughter he loves, Molly, but he hasn't helped himself by getting into to debt too deep with the wrong people.

This story has twists, and turns, cliffhangers, and humor. I appreciate that it's more lighthearted and not drenched in bad language. Reminiscent of the movies Get Smart or Mr. and Mrs. Smith, I didn't want to miss a second of this clever tale. It could easily be a movie or a tv show. This is the first book I have read from this author, and I look forward to more. 

4 Stars 

About the Author: 

Phil lives in west London with his wife two children and some animals, which also like to call the house home.

 

He is somewhat obsessed and bemused with the public and media’s fixation with celebrities of every stripe. This forms the backdrop of his books, which also tend to feature spies, gangsters, hit men and TV chefs. 

 

His first novel, The Meal of Fortune, was published in 2017, with a second edition following in 2021.  The follow up. Tinker Tailor Soldier Chef will be published in 2022. 

 

Phil’s main rule in life is never to let tomato ketchup touch any food that is green.  This may not have any deep meaning, nor may it be the soundest of principles to live by – but it’s better than many he’s come across down the years.  Best not to go there though.

 

The Golden Touch by Carole Brown (An Appleton WV Romantic Mystery Book 5)

 

About the Book

Book: The Golden Touch

Author: Carole Brown

Genre: Romantic Cozy Mystery

Release date: April 30, 2021

Not again.

Ryle Sadler stared down at the financial statement lying on his desk. His investment firm had just sent him another record of overwhelming success. Time to sell his share in this stock.

Ryle came from the poor side of the tracks, but that had no bearing on his success in life—which he kept hidden from everyone, especially those in Appleton, West Virginia. But when he buys the local, rundown bed and breakfast, mysterious revelations from beneath the site are suddenly threatening to ruin his good standing with the citizens.

Then along comes Jazzi Sanderson. Jazzi has a reputation of being wild, but Ryle sees more than is on the top layer of this woman. Beneath that tough, wild streak lurks a woman who wants to be loved by the right person, a woman who is tender-hearted and who is just finding out that God is real.

Is Ryle and Jazzi’s worlds too far apart or can their differences help them solve the mystery that lies beneath Ryle’s bed and breakfast? Will the evil person behind it all be able to silence them, or can Ryle’s golden touch prevail in this too?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 My Review:

Ryle is reworking a B&B. That's quite a task! His financial prowess has allowed him to do more than most. As a strong believer in second chances, the B&B seems like the right thing to do. After all, he seems like he has a "golden touch." But is it really golden? What is this that's happening? How is he supposed to handle all this odd events, even a puzzle box. What is the past history and mystery of this place? Dare he really trust the gal he sees more in than she shows to the world? Is Jazzi's past going to get her killed? 

I was not disappointed in the mystery or the romance of this good story. The small town, that isn't without big secrets gave readers two mysteries in this tale. I enjoyed it! This book also has a bit of the next book in the series included, which I am now anticipating another good clean read, with just the right amount of faith for this story. 

5 Stars

About the Author 

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of thirteen, best selling, award-winniing books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. She has found that the traveling and ministering has served her well in writing her novels. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

More from Carole

Discovering the Emotional Touch

When beginning the story of THE GOLDEN TOUCH, Book Five of the Appleton, WV Romantic Mysteries, I needed a KEY factor.

Here’s what I knew:

• >the protagonists: Jazzi (Jazmine) Sanderson and Ryle Sadler, their careers and/or past, their personalities,
• >the basic plot: mystery, suspense and the romance
• >the setting 
• >the first chapter

But I still didn’t have that thing—that emotion or feeling—the characters were searching for…until I, unknowingly hit upon it. What Jazzi and Ryle were both seeking, although unknown to either, was a place that felt like HOME. The place that makes a person feel content, relaxed and at peace, even when trouble is brewing, even when you’re still searching for that one person who makes the world go ’round for you.

Where was it? Appleton, West Virginia. The small town where everyone knew everyone and their business, or at least assumed they knew. Where friends were friends for life, even when that small town held secrets, trouble and problems.

Ryle, who was rich, innovative and smart, living in a big town and traveling across the country for work was happy, or thought he was. But when he chanced upon Appleton, West Virginia, small, friendly, clean and sometimes a nosy place, but where friends were loyal and ready to help in any way they could, Ryle realized he’d found that spot that felt like home. Adding that to solving the mystery and finding love, was the answer his heart had craved, even though he didn’t know it.

As for Jazzi, wild, beautiful young lady that she was, felt unloved by her adopted parents, and flew the coop from Appleton as soon as she was of age. What she didn’t realize, that instead of blaming others for her unhappiness, it was of her own making. It wasn’t until she returned to Appleton, more mature now, accepting of her own mistakes, and finding a meaning for her life, that her heart grasped the one place that could ever feel like home. Appleton.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 7

Betti Mace, December 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 9

Bigreadersite, December 10

Texas Book-aholic, December 11

Inklings and notions, December 12

For Him and My Family, December 13

Blogging With Carol, December 13

deb’s Book Review, December 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 15

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 16

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 17

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 18 (Spotlight)

Mary Hake, December 18

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and 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/1419a/the-golden-touch-celebration-tour-giveaway