Saturday, July 9, 2022

Blueberry Bungalow by Konnie K. Viner

About the Book

Book: Blueberry Bungalow

Author: Konnie K. Viner

Genre: Fiction (Christian mystery/romance)

Release date: November 10, 2021

It’s been a year since Maci Driscoll’s husband passed unexpectedly, and she is stuck in lonely despair. As an established painter, she finds her inspiration and artistic spark is gone. In a desperate attempt to step out of her funk, Maci sells her seaside home and moves inland to a sleepy little town in Maine.

But peace and inspiration aren’t the only things she finds in Laurel Hill. The century home she buys has secrets to divulge, a long-lost couple to reunite, a murder to solve, and maybe even new love.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

I found this book to be a lovely romance mystery combination. I loved the art aspects, and I found the characters to be quite charming. It's a relaxing but engaging read that kept my interest, whisked me away to another place, and didn't leave faith out of the equation. This book was actually an inspiration to me, encouraging me to not neglect my art or passions while dealing with grief and things that are hard for me to cope with.

5 GIANT Stars

About the Author

Konnie Viner is also the author of Amaryllis Journey, a 2020 Golden Scroll fiction book of the year award winner. She writes to encourage women with the assurance of God’s love and faithfulness in difficult life experiences. Her first published book is Rested Soul, Resilient Heart, Finding Hope in the Storms of Abuse and Betrayal (2017),. She holds a BS in Education from the University of Kansas and an MS in Business Management from the University of Redlands, CA. Konnie cherishes time with her three grandchildren. Her hobbies include photographing God’s beautiful creation, quilting, and reading.

More from Konnie

Blueberry Bungalow, a 2022 Selah Award Finalist, is a cozy mystery set in the blueberry fields of Maine, Recently widowed and struggling, Maci Driscoll moves from the seaside of Maine to quiet little Laurel Hill to escape the past and figure out who she is without her beloved husband. Never did she expect to find a long-lost letter, solve a decades-old murder, or fall in love, but she does.

Maci’s Blueberry Pie Recipe

Crust

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt

1 cup unsalted butter, cold

½ cup water

Filling

4 cups blueberries

2 tablespoons sugar

¼ cup all-purpose flour

Glaze

1 egg, beaten

coarse sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425º and place a rack in the middle of the oven.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt.

Add the butter and mix it into the flour using two knives or pastry blender.

Slowly add the cold water, a little at a time, and mix until the dough just comes together.

Remove the dough from the bowl and shape into 2 equal balls, flattened into discs.

Wrap each in plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.

When ready, unwrap the dough and allow it to warm up for a minute or two.

Lightly flour your surface, then roll one disc into a circle until its large enough to fit into the pie plate with an inch of overhang.

Fold the dough into fourths, then place carefully in the pie dish.

Unfold and smooth into the dish, dressing the crust however you choose (crimping, fluting, or my favorite, just pressing into it with a fork).

Fill with the blueberry filling, then roll out the remaining disc of dough and cover the blueberries entirely, making sure to cut a few slits in the top crust for steam to escape.

Lightly brush the top crust with a beaten egg, then sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350º and bake for an additional 45-55 minutes.

Keep an eye on the pie.

If the crust begins to brown too quickly, tent the pie with foil.

If the filling begins to bubble, you may also wish to place a baking sheet on the rack below the pie to catch any drips.

Remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool.

Serve warm.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 1

An Author’s Take, July 2

Texas Book-aholic, July 3

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, July 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 5

Inklings and notions, July 6

For Him and My Family, July 7

deb’s Book Review, July 8

The Avid Reader, July 9

Blogging With Carol, July 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 10

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 12

Pause for Tales, July 12

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 14

Book Looks by Lisa, July 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Konnie is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and signed copy of 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/1f7f1/blueberry-bungalow-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Fighting and Flirting with My Cowboy Enemy Epic Book Launch

About the Book

Book: Fighting and Flirting with My Cowboy Enemy

Author: Julia Keanini

Genre: Clean and Wholesome Romance

Release date: July 26, 2022

Jackson Ashford seems to have it all. Gorgeous looks, fulfilling job, loving relationship with his family . . . and he looks amazing in a cowboy hat. He may be a bit of a grump at times, but that doesn’t deter the women of Blue Falls from vying for his attention. So when Ruby Ellison arrives at his doorstep and hates Jackson on sight, he’s confused, to say the least.

Ruby Ellison never intended to come to the tiny town of Blue Falls, Idaho, but when her best friend’s search for her birth father takes her there, Ruby follows. She comes because she’d never let Madi down, but she stays because she quickly comes to love the small town. It’s the best place she’s ever lived . . . with one exception. Jackson Ashford. But Ruby figures she’ll just avoid him. Blue Falls is a small town but surely it’s big enough for two people to keep their distance.

But when Jackson and Ruby are both asked to coach an eight-year-old girls’ basketball team, Ruby realizes there will be no avoiding the man. She’ll just have to hate him up close rather than from afar. But as Ruby gets to know him she realizes that maybe the man she thought she knew isn’t really who Jackson is at all.

Join Ruby and Jackson as they fight and flirt their way to a happily ever after.

BOOK EXCERPT

Fighting and Flirting with My Cowboy Enemy Excerpt 5
            “You’re like a mammoth of a man.”
            “Thank you,” Jackson said with a grin.
            “That wasn’t a compliment,” Ruby snapped.
            “The way your eyes eat me up say otherwise.”
            Ruby’s eyes widened in outrage, the green lighting up the dark night sky. “Of all the . . . I hate you!” she screamed.
            Well, there came the words. At least Jackson now knew just where he stood, although he had no idea why. Maybe he hadn’t been completely welcoming of Madison when she’d come into their home, claiming to be his father’s long-lost child, but he’d behaved like any man would have. Besides Logan. But Logan was a freak of nature who’d had complete faith in their father’s loyalty. Jackson couldn’t be that sure of anyone. Everyone made mistakes. Sometimes really big ones.
            “Let go of my door,” Ruby seethed.
            “I can’t let you stay out here all alone.” Jackson spoke for the first time without teasing or drawling. He’d just stated a fact.
            “Then let me use your phone. I’m guessing because you live on this Godforsaken land you get reception?” Ruby asked, putting out her hand.
            Jackson readily handed his phone to her.

MISSED ANY EXCERPTS, GO HERE:

Links to All Excerpts:

Excerpt One: https://travelerswife4life.com/fighting-and-flirting-with-my-cowboy-enemy/

Excerpt Two: https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/2022/07/07/fighting-and-flirting-with-my-cowboy-enemy-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Three: https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2022/06/fighting-and-flirting-with-my-cowboy.html

Excerpt Four: https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2022/06/epic-book-launch-fighting-and-flirting.html

Excerpt Five: https://carolkeen.blogspot.com/2022/07/fighting-and-flirting-with-my-cowboy.html

Excerpt Six: https://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/2022/07/07/fighting-and-flirting-with-my-cowboy-enemy-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Seven: http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews/celebrate-lit-epic-book-launch-fighting-and-flirting-with-my-cowboy-enemy-by-julia-keanini

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julia Keanini is just a city girl living in a country world (and secretly loving it). She loves the mountains and would adore the beach, if it weren’t for all the sand and salt (wait, that is the beach?). A good book, a great song, or a huge piece of chocolate can lift her mood, but her true happiness is found in her little fam. She writes about girls and women who deal with what life throws at them and always about love, because she LOVES love.

Fighting and Flirting with My Cowboy Enemy Excerpt 5“You’re like a mammoth of a man.”“Thank you,” Jackson said with a grin.“That wasn’t a compliment,” Ruby snapped.“The way your eyes eat me up say otherwise.”Ruby’s eyes widened in outrage, the green lighting up the dark night sky. “Of all the . . . I hate you!” she screamed.Well, there came the words. At least Jackson now knew just where he stood, although he had no idea why. Maybe he hadn’t been completely welcoming of Madison when she’d comeinto their home, claiming to be his father’s long-lost child, but he’d behaved like any man would have. Besides Logan. But Logan was a freak of nature who’d had complete faith in their father’s loyalty. Jackson couldn’t be that sure of anyone. Everyone made mistakes. Sometimes really big ones.“Let go of my door,” Ruby seethed.“I can’t let you stay out here all alone.” Jackson spoke for the first time without teasing or drawling. He’d just stated a fact.“Then let me use your phone. I’m guessing because you live on this Godforsaken land you get reception?” Ruby asked, putting out her hand.Jackson readily handed his phone to her.

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

From Shore to Shore by Tabitha Bouldin (Sparrow Island - Independence Islands Book 23)

From Shore to Shore

About the Book

Book: From Shore to Shore

Author: Tabitha Bouldin

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: May 31, 2022

Sparrow-BOULDIN-From-Shore-to-Shore-663x1024 Can one captain show her the deep love of the ultimate Captain without falling in love himself?

Bree Jamison comes to Sparrow Island for one reason: to study coral reefs. She’s not interested in happily-ever-after and certainly won’t allow her handsome boat captain to sway her into believing these islands are different from any others. But when she finds an old shipwreck and learns the history of pirates and treasure, Bree finds herself searching for something that always feels just out of reach.

Cooper Carmichael takes the job as boat captain for the enigmatic Bree to further his career. He never expected her to be so driven—or so painfully opposed to God.

All Cooper wants is his happy island life. He wants for nothing. In fact, he’s made it his mission to be content. In every aspect of his life. Bree throws a wrench in his plan as her presence pushes Cooper to want for things he deems unnecessary.

A man striving for contentment. A woman who believes God is picking on her.

It takes one to show the other that no matter which shore you find yourself on, God got there first.

Read the next Sparrow Island novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Bree is harder for me to like, but I loved the diving aspects of this story. What I did like more about this book are the spiritual aspects. Faith and that only God can fix a good many things in life. I really related to Damion with his issues with Bree; you have to have a steady diving partner, it's critical!

After a while, I got to like Bree. I loved the ocean aspects of this book. I greatly appreciated the sunken ship mystery and with all the smaller things that pulled into this tale, but the end, it was a 5 star read.

5 Stars

About the Author

Tabitha-Bouldin-600x574 Tabitha Bouldin is a student at Southern New Hampshire University, where she is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Creative Writing. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she works with critique groups and provides endorsements for other authors. Tabitha’s genre of choice is Contemporary Christian Romance which she describes as: Adventure with heart. Tabitha spent ten years working as a Medical Assistant before God opened the door which allowed her to become a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom and author.

More from Tabitha

Writing in the Independence Islands series has been a true blessing, and From Shore to Shore is no different, except that these characters brought out feelings that I never expected.

Most of the time, when I go into a story, I know a bit of what’s going to happen. I already understand the characters’ backstory and what has driven them to this point in there life where I’ve picked up their tale and begun to weave it into a book.

Bree decided she wanted to go another route.

Cooper didn’t want to talk to me for half the book.

Christian walked onto the page and tried to take over because he didn’t want to wait for his turn in book five.

These characters, I tell you what, they’re a demanding bunch.

Finally, though, finally they settled in and told me their story.

You might remember Cooper, he’s Mel’s brother and he showed up in book one, Mishaps off the Mainland. Cooper is a delightful yet careful captain who delights in the open ocean and loves the islands.

Bree is a tangled mess of consternation. She scorns love and believes it to be a trap. Even God’s love is suspect in Bree’s eyes.

These two are imperfectly suited for each other, but God has a plan to help them both, and He helped me through every page of From Shore to Shore, a story that shows no matter how far you run, no matter what shore you find yourself on, God got there first.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 23

Christina’s Corner, June 23

lakesidelivingsite, June 24

An Author’s Take, June 25

Texas Book-aholic, June 25

Inklings and notions, June 26

For Him and My Family, June 27

Sylvan Musings, June 27

deb’s Book Review, June 28

Aryn the Libraryan, June 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 29

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 30

Life, Love, Writing, July 1

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 2

Blossoms and Blessings, July 3

Miriam Jacob, July 3

She Lives To Read, July 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 5

Blogging With Carol, July 5

Simple Harvest Reads, July 6 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tabitha is giving away the grand prize package a $25 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/1f45b/from-shore-to-shore-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, July 4, 2022

Hunted in the Wilderness by Kellie VanHorn

About the Book

Book: Hunted in the Wilderness

Author: Kellie VanHorn

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release date: June 28, 2022

Protecting the evidence
means facing down assassins and an unforgiving wilderness…

Framed for murder and corporate espionage, future aerotech company CEO Haley Whitcombe flees in her plane with a camera full of evidence that could clear her name—until she’s shot out of the sky. Now trapped in North Cascades National Park, her survival in the wilderness depends on park ranger Ezra Dalton. Yet escaping the wild will mean nothing if they can’t outrun their merciless hunters…

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Stuffed full of suspense, action, and edge-of-your-seat drama, this book is a hit with me. The author did a great job of showing the beauty of the area, with all the dangers that Haley was in as well. While fighting to survive, more than one thing is going on with Haley. Ezra is a strong male lead and I loved him. I found this book to be a perfect and strong escape that is a clean read and will whisk you away through a very strong adventure.

5 Stars

About the Author

Kellie VanHorn is an award-winning author of inspirational romantic suspense. She has college degrees in biology and nautical archaeology, but she’s always found her sense of adventure most satisfied by a great story. When not writing, Kellie can be found teaching her four children, camping, baking, and gardening. She lives with her family in west Michigan.

More from Kellie

One of my favorite things about being a writer is living out wild adventures in my imagination. I get to enjoy all the action and feels without any of the unpleasant real-life problems I’d face if I were actually being chased by bad guys with guns. The more exciting and far-off the setting, the better! My family loves to travel and to camp, so we’ve spent a lot of time visiting national parks around the U.S. Our favorites include Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Devil’s Tower, and Badlands. We pile our four kids into the car, fill it to the brim with gear, and tent our way from park to park for weeks at a time in the summer.

For Hunted in the Wilderness, I wanted to explore a park we haven’t had the chance to visit yet—North Cascades National Park in Washington state. In fact, my first glimpse of the story came to me when I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and saw a picture of a lake in the Cascades. Inspiration struck, and I knew the heroine of my next book had just crash-landed her Cessna airplane in those mountains, and she needed a handsome, single park ranger to come help her escape the bad guys.

What makes this park such a perfect setting for a romantic suspense is not only the gorgeous scenery, but also the fact it’s very remote. The region is easy enough to access via road from Seattle, but most of the protected land can only be reached on foot, horseback, or float plane. Because I hadn’t been there myself, I relied on a topographic map and lots of research to help me craft the setting and make it an indispensable part of the plot.

Of course, now that I’ve studied the trail systems so extensively, I’d love to visit the Cascades in person one day. One of my teenaged sons who loves hiking has all sorts of plans for us to take a long backpacking trip out there, even though neither of us has ever backpacked before. I might have to work up my courage a bit before I’ll be ready to hit the trail without our minivan full of gear.