Review + GIVEAWAY: Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard

Peach Clobbered
By Anna Gerard
A Georgia B&B Mystery #1
Crooked Lane Books, 2019


Summary

What’s black and white and dead all over? Georgia bed and breakfast proprietor Nina Fleet finds out when she comes across a corpse in a penguin costume.

Nina Fleet’s life ought to be as sweet as a Georgia peach. Awarded a tidy sum in her divorce, Nina retired at 41 to a historic Queen Anne house in quaint Cymbeline, GA. But Nina’s barely settled into her new B&B-to-be when a penguin shows up on her porch. Or, at least, a man wearing a penguin suit.

Harry Westcott is making ends meet as an ice cream shop’s mascot and has a letter from his great-aunt, pledging to leave him the house. Too bad that’s not what her will says. Meanwhile, the Sisters of Perpetual Poverty have lost their lease. Real estate developer Gregory Bainbridge intends to turn the convent into a golfing community, so Cymbeline’s mayor persuades Nina to take in the elderly nuns. And then Nina finds the “penguin” again, this time lying in an alley with a kitchen knife in his chest.

A peek under the beak tells Nina it’s not Harry inside the costume, but Bainbridge. What was he doing in Harry’s penguin suit? Was the developer really the intended victim, or did the culprit mean to kill Harry? Whoever is out to stop Harry from contesting the sale of his great-aunt’s house may also be after Nina, so she teams up with him to cage the killer before someone clips her wings in Peach Clobbered, Anna Gerard’s charming first Georgia B&B mystery.

AMAZON      BARNES & NOBLE


My thoughts

Peach Clobbered begins a delightful new southern mystery series by Anna Gerard and I enjoyed it very much. It’s well written, complex, populated with engaging, sometimes quirky characters, and filled with funny, if not outright hilarious moments.

One of its strengths is the strong sense of place, the fictional town of Cymbeline, Georgia, located about an hour from Savannah. The author has her finger on the pulse of the small southern town and vividly conveys the charming feel. Into this town comes lead character, Nina, who fell in love with a Queen Anne house while visiting and quickly made the decision to purchase. Having lived in Atlanta and recently divorced from a well-known professional golfer, Cymbeline offers the quieter pace and fresh start that she needed.

Nina is an engaging character, spunky and caring of people. Interesting secondary characters add richness and depth, as Nina discovers that Cymbeline has its share of problems. Small-town politics come into play as the mayor initially turns down Nina’s application to open a B&B, only to fast-track the opening (three days) when she needs to find a temporary home for six displaced nuns. At the heart of the nuns’ situation, and also the dislike of many Cymbeline citizens, is a shady real estate developer.

And then there’s Harry Wescott, Harry Westcott, nephew of the previous owner of Nina’s home, who has a letter claiming she intended to bequeath the house to him. When Nina first meets Harry, he is dressed in a penguin outfit, working to promote the local Taste-Tee Freeze Creamery. I was never sure whether I liked Harry or not, and still have questions, which is a good thing. He’s a potential foe to Nina with his seemingly legitimate right to ownership, yet a reluctant friendship of sorts begins to develop as they form a truce. I feel sure we’ll see more of Harry in future stories and I actually look forward to that.

Although the murder takes place in the early pages, this story focuses more on the people, Nina’s efforts with the B&B, and the nuns, who I absolutely loved. Suspects abound, as well as red herrings, and I didn’t even try to solve the murder because the journey was so much fun. I look forward to returning to Cymbeline in future stories. The only negative for me was the occasional use of profanity, which was totally unnecessary.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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DIANE A.S. STUCKART is the New York Times bestselling author of the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series (writing as Ali Brandon). She’s also the author of the award-winning Leonardo da Vinci historical mysteries, as well as several historical romances and numerous mystery, fantasy, and romance short stories. The first book in her Tarot Cats Mystery series is FOOL’S MOON, available in trade, large print, and Kindle versions. Her Georgia B&B Mystery series from Crooked Lane Books launched July 2019 with PEACH CLOBBERED, written as Anna Gerard.

Diane is a member of Mystery Writers of America and has served as the 2018 and 2019 Chapter President of the MWA Florida chapter. In addition to her mystery writing affiliations, she’s a member of the Cat Writers’ Association and belongs to the Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association. She’s a native Texan with a degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma, but has been living in the West Palm Beach FL area since 2006. She shares her “almost in the Everglades” home with her husband, dogs, cats, and a few beehives.

Website / Georgia B&B Mysteries / Facebook


GIVEAWAY

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Review + GIVEAWAY: Hometown Hope by Laurel Blount

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Hometown Hope by Laurel Blount, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: Hometown Hope 

Author: Laurel Blount  

Publisher: Love Inspired 

Release Date: June 18, 2019 (print), July 1, 2019 (ebook)  

Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance

He’ll do anything for his daughter…

Even fight to regain an old classmate’s broken trust.

In the three years since her mother’s death, widower Hoyt Bradley’s daughter, Jess, hasn’t spoken—until she suddenly begs him to save her favorite bookstore from closing.

Hoyt is desperate to hear his daughter’s voice again, but he and the bookstore’s pretty owner, Anna Delaney, share a less-than-friendly past.

Working together is complicated enough…but can they avoid falling in love?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | ChristianBook

MY THOUGHTS

There’s so much to like in Hometown Hope by Laurel Blount! Sometimes a Love Inspired story is exactly what I’m looking for, and Hometown Hope is a gem in this line of books. Setting, characters and romance all blend together in a thoroughly enjoyable read.

First of all, setting adds a special touch because the author vividly conveys Pine Valley, a small town located in middle Georgia, probably not far from where I live. The main characters feel real, like people I could meet every day, and I cared about them from the very beginning. The story also engaged my emotions, keeping me eager to turn the pages. There’s some predictability, which didn’t hinder my enjoyment, and also a little of the unexpected.

While most covers feature one or both of the lead characters, I love that Hometown Hope reflects two important themes – a young girl with selective mutism, and books! Anna and Hoyt’s current uncomfortable relationship is interesting because it’s the result of a high school relationship that didn’t end well. Lack of communication and sensitivity were a big part of the problem, and Hoyt’s words to Anna were so insightful … “I’m afraid you’ve always read books far better than you read people.” Both share the bond of loss in their lives and I loved the chemistry between them, as well as watching their feelings and understanding grow.

Then there’s sweet Jess who’s the heart of the story, Hoyt’s daughter who hasn’t spoken since her mother died three years earlier. I found aspects of selective mutism informative, such as how, once Jess began speaking, it was only to her dad. And all of us who love books will be fascinated by how Anna’s bookstore, in danger of closing, was the key to Jess beginning to open up.

Spiritual nuggets are gently woven throughout, such as forgiveness and letting go of the past. I also loved the spiritual insight in these words spoken by Anna’s former teacher, Mrs. Abercrombie … “We teachers plant seeds, you know. Hundreds of them. Some take longer to germinate than others, that’s all. But it’s never too late to learn something new.”

Previous characters from Pine Valley books make appearances, but Hometown Hope stands alone. I enjoyed this feel-good story very much and am eager to read all that Laurel Blount writes.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

Laurel Blount lives on a small farm in middle Georgia with her husband, their four children, a milk cow, dairy goats, assorted chickens and ducks, four spoiled cats and one bossy goose with serious boundary issues. She divides her time between farm chores, baking, homeschooling and writing. She's busy, but she's never bored!  

HOMETOWN HOPE is Laurel’s third Love Inspired romance. Her debut Love Inspired novel A FAMILY FOR THE FARMER was the recipient of the 2017 Maggie Award for Excellence in the Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements category. This book also received two 2017 Holt Awards of Merit and was a finalist in the 2017 Carol Awards. A BABY FOR THE MINISTER, her second Love Inspired, was released in September of 2018.

Whenever she's not working, you can find Laurel with a cup of tea at her elbow, a cat in her lap and a good book in her hand. She loves to hear from readers! Drop her an email at laurelblountwrites@gmail.com or visit her website: www.laurelblountbooks.com and be sure to sign up for her monthly newsletter!  

CONNECT WITH LAUREL: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

 

(1) winner will receive an autographed copy of Hometown Hope, a $10 Starbucks gift card, a travel coffee mug, and a bar of Milltown soap--which is produced in author's hometown (Dough bowl is not included.)

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 17, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on June 24, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Review + GIVEAWAY: Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter

About the Book

Book: Summer by The Tides  
Author: Denise Hunter  
Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 21, 2019  

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a heartfelt story of family secrets, forgiveness, and unexpected romance.  

Following a painful betrayal, Maddy Monroe’s love life is a wreck, and her restaurant career is in shambles. When her grandmother goes missing, she and her estranged sisters converge at the family beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma at the place where their family broke apart is a struggle, and undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the sisters under. In the midst of the storm, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Gram’s maddening neighbor, Connor Murphy. 

As the sisters pack up the family belongings, memories of idyllic, slow-paced summers are resurrected. But long-buried secrets also come to light as Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven—nor today in the seemingly perfect lives of her sisters. 

As family tensions rise and Connor causes tumult in Maddy’s heart, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they’ve become before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.   

Click here to purchase your copy.    

My Thoughts

With its North Carolina beach setting, Summer by the Tides couldn’t be more perfect for an entertaining summer read, but it is so much more! Denise Hunter excels at writing contemporary romances with complexity and depth. Summer by the Tides is a perfect blend of atmospheric setting, relationship drama, romance, and inspiration. While I’ve greatly enjoyed all of Hunter’s books, this is definitely a favorite.

The story opens as three sisters – Nora, Emma and Maddy – converge on their grandmother’s coastal cottage due to the fact that she has apparently gone missing, quite possibly by design. Family relationships are at the heart of this story as Nora and Emma deal with unresolved anger and unforgiveness toward the other, with Maddy attempting to be a peacemaker. And then there’s the oh-so-appealing neighbor, Connor, with whom Maddy immediately gets off on the wrong foot. I was drawn to each of these characters instantly, and the chemistry between Maddy and Connor sizzles.

Hunter’s writing is smooth and even, with the pacing just right. Flashbacks to a summer 20 years earlier when everything fell apart shed light on current-day feelings. As in life, characters erect walls and keep secrets, hiding painful realities. This story reminds us that true peace only comes through openness and honesty.

Best of all is the transformation and growth of several characters, both emotional and spiritual. I love that Hunter doesn’t shy away from faith elements, rather making them a natural part of our daily walk. And there’s a realism in the way that reconciliation is shown as a slow, gradual process.

I don’t know if this is the beginning of a series or not, but I’m certainly eager for more of these characters. 

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

About the Author

  

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. 

When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest. 

To learn more about Denise, visit her website DeniseHunterBooks.com; Facebook: AuthorDeniseHunter; Twitter: @DeniseAHunter; Instagram: deniseahunter.  

Read an Excerpt from Summer by the Tides

      MADDY MONROE WAS COWERING behind a ficus tree near the hostess station when her cell phone rang. Her hands shook as she silenced the phone before it drew the attention of the staff. 
      She jabbed the elevator button for the third time. “Come on, come on.” A star could be born in interstellar space, a polar valley carved by a glacier in the time it took the elevator to reach this floor. Stairs were not an option, as she was on the twentieth floor of the Waterford building and sporting heels. 
      She sniffled. Drat. She seemed to be crying. She swiped a hand under her eyes, heedless of her makeup. 
      She heard voices, Nick’s boisterous laugh. Maddy shrank deeper into the ficus and finally, finally, the elevator dinged its arrival. 
      “Maddy?” Noelle’s concerned voice tunneled down the hall. “Maddy, wait.” 
      “Oh, come on,” she muttered, tapping her fingers against her leg until the gold doors crept open. As soon as she could fit, she squeezed inside and punched the ground-floor button. 
      She didn’t draw a breath until the doors sealed and the elevator began to drop. She placed a palm over a heart that was threatening to beat its way out of her chest. Her white blouse clung to her back, and her skin prickled beneath her arms. 
      She closed her eyes, the scene that had just transpired playing out in fast-forward in her mind. And then, as if that montage weren’t painful enough, the image of Nick’s face appeared. The look on his face just before he’d kissed her good-bye last night. 
      Nick. She clamped her teeth together until her jaw ached. 
      There had been signs. Many of them, really, she was realizing now. They ranged from whisper-subtle to neon-sign obvious. But like so many other walking clichés before her, she was only seeing them in retrospect. 
      Maddy opened her eyes to the buttery sunlight streaming through her blinds. She scrambled for her iPhone to check the time. But as she did so, the events of yesterday washed over her like a tsunami. She didn’t have to get up at all, because she didn’t have a job anymore. 
      Her cell buzzed with an incoming call, and she squinted bleary-eyed at the unfamiliar number on the screen before declining it. 
      She drooped against her pillow, only now aware of how fat and swollen her eyes felt. Of the persistent achy lump pushing at the back of her throat. Her heartbeat made the bed quake. Her eyes burned with tears. Yesterday’s anger had faded, and something worse had filled its spot. 
      Yesterday she’d come home, changed into yoga pants, and worked in her little garden until she was too exhausted to do anything but flop on the sofa. She hadn’t fallen asleep until after three o’clock in the morning. 
      She didn’t want to talk to anyone, didn’t want to see anyone. She didn’t even want to be awake today. She pulled the covers over her head and prayed for oblivion. 

- Taken from “Summer by the Tides” by Denise Hunter. Copyright © 2019 by Denise Hunter. Used by permission of http://www.thomasnelson.com/.  

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away a finished copy of Summer by the Tides!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the image above or the link below to enter. Giveaway ends 6/19.

https://promosimple.com/ps/e541/summer-by-the-tides-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 4

The Power of Words, June 4

Back Porch Reads, June 4

The Morning Chapter, June 5

A Baker’s Perspective, June 5

Worthy2Read, June 5

Carla Loves To Read, June 6

Genesis 5020, June 6

Through the Fire Blogs, June 6

Among the Reads, June 7

Quiet Quilter, June 7

For Him and My Family, June 7

The Christian Fiction Girl, June 8

cultivating us, June 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 8

Girls Living For God’s Glory, June 9

Moments, June 9

Inklings and notions, June 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 10

Coast and anchor, June 10

amandainpa, June 10

Lighthouse Academy, June 11

EmpowerMoms, June 11

Pause for Tales, June 11

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 12

For The Love of Books, June 12

Just the Write Escape, June 12

All-of-a-kind Mom, June 13

Texas Book-aholic, June 13

Hallie Reads, June 13

2014 and Beyond, June 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 14

Simple Harvest Reads, June 14

Living Life Free In Christ, June 15

janicesbookreviews, June 15

Vicky Sluiter, June 15

Have A Wonderful Day, June 16

A Reader’s Brain, June 16

To Everything A Season, June 16

Lukewarm Tea, June 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 17

Daysong Reflections, June 17

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Southern Sass and Killer Cravings by Kate Young

Southern Sass and Killer Cravings
By Kate Young
Marygene Brown Mysteries #1
Kensington, 2019


Summary

Life has always been sweet on Georgia’s Peach Cove Island, but a case of murder has Marygene Brown down in the pits...

For generations, the women of the Brown family on Peach Cove Island have been known for their Southern sass and sweet homemade desserts at their beloved Peach Diner. Since their mother’s passing two years ago, Marygene has been stuck in Atlanta while her sister Jena Lynn has been running the family business. Now Marygene has left her husband and returned to her hometown, where she can almost feel Mama’s presence.

But all is not peachy back home. Marygene has barely tied on an apron when a diner regular drops dead at the counter. When it turns out the old man’s been poisoned, Jena Lynn is led away in handcuffs and the family eatery is closed. Now, to save her sister and the diner, Marygene must find the real killer. With some startling assistance from her Mama’s spirit, Marygene will be serving up a special order of just desserts...

Includes Seven Recipes from Marygene’s Kitchen!

Amazon  B&N  Kobo Indie Bound  ibooks  BAM 


My thoughts

Southern Sass and Killer Cravings by Kate Young is a delightfully funny cozy mystery full of the southern charm and sass promised in the title. The writing is conversational and flows at a steady pace. I’m sure I had a smile on my face much of the time and I enjoyed this story very much.

Southern fiction is one of my favorite genres, and that this story is set on an island off the coast of Georgia, my home state, is icing on the cake. From Peach Cove island to the characters – immediate family, extended family and friends – the southern ambiance is spot on.

It was strange how something you’d run from your

entire life could feel like a comfy fit in the end.

The story opens as Marygene returns home after walking out of an abusive marriage, and family relationships quick come into play. There’s even a slight supernatural element as the deceased Mama shows up with warnings occasionally, but it works well with this story. And the family restaurant, The Peach Diner! I’d love to visit and enjoy some of its appealing dishes, especially after Marygene had doctored them up with her talent for knowing exactly what they needed.

There’s good character depth and a complexity to the mystery itself that I loved. It wasn’t so much about trying to figure out the murder’s identity, although I was never sure until the end, but rather the gradual revealing of how and why that made for captivating reading. I love these characters and the Peach Cove setting, and look forward to more adventures in this series.

The only element that detracted from an otherwise engaging read was the unnecessary use of profanity.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Kate Young writes humorous southern mystery novels. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Guppy Chapter. 

Kate lives in a small town in Georgia with her husband, three kids, and Shih Tzu. When she is not writing her own books, she’s reading or cooking.

Website │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Goodreads │ BookBub

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GIVEAWAY

A PRE-ORDER CONTEST with fabulous prizes – a Coach Bag with matching wristlet and $120 in gift cards plus autographed copies of the book (total value of $550)!

Click on the image above or the link below for more details and to enter.

Kate Young's Giveaway

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton with JustRead Publicity Tours! We continue the Glory Road celebration on social media starting March 26.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Glory Road  

Author: Lauren K. Denton  

Publisher: Thomas Nelson  

Genre: Women's Fiction/Southern Fiction  

Release Date: March 19, 2019

Written in Lauren Denton's signature Southern style, Glory Road tells the story of three generations of women navigating the uncertain pathways of their hearts during a summer that promises to bring change--whether they're ready for it or not.

At thirty-eight, garden shop owner Jessie McBride thinks her chances for romance are years behind her and, after her failed marriage, she's fine with that. She lives contentedly with her fiery mother and her quiet, headstrong daughter. But the unexpected arrival of two men on Glory Road make her question if she's really happy with the status quo. Handsome, wealthy Sumner Tate asks her to arrange flowers for his daughter's wedding, and Jessie finds herself drawn to his continued attention. And Ben Bradley, her lingering what-could-have-been from high school days who's known her better than anyone and whom she hasn't seen in years, moves back to the red dirt road. Jessie finds her heart being pulled in directions she never expected.  

Meanwhile, Jessie's fourteen-year-old daughter, Evan, is approaching the start of high school and trying to navigate a new world of identity and emotions--particularly as they relate to the cute new guy who's moved in just down the road. At the same time, Jessie's mother, Gus, increasingly finds herself forgetful and faces a potentially frightening future. As all three women navigate the uncertain paths of their hearts and futures, one summer promises to bring change--whether they're ready for it or not.
 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book |B&N



MY THOUGHTS

I’m not one to “gush” over a story, but an exception simply must be made for Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton. Long on my radar of authors to try, I’m berating myself for waiting until now to discover this incredible author. Women’s fiction, especially books with southern settings, is my favorite genre. This is Denton’s area of expertise, and she can hold her own with any author I’ve read in the general market. Actually better, considering that her writing is clean. Glory Road is a captivating and poignant story, a “best of the best” read for me.

Glory Road is rich in all the essentials – vivid imagery, lyrical prose, complex characters, and a storyline that captured my emotions from the first page and never let go. The fact that I live in the southeast and have relatives who live in areas similar to the setting of Perry, Alabama (15 miles northwest of Mobile) makes the story so very relatable. This description of Jessie’s view from her home is so peaceful … “Long sweeps of wildflowers in the summer, fields dotted with cows and horses, straight rows of corn and cotton and soybeans lining the roads.”

How does an author convey an ambience replete with aromas that you can literally smell? I don’t know, but Denton certainly does this – from freshly-shelled peas and juicy cobblers, to sun-warmed dirt and that just-before-the-rain scent in the air. Small-town southern living is slower paced, and that’s the tone of this novel, yet it is never boring; every sentence begs to be savored.

The story itself revolves around three generations of McBride family women, and dealing with change in their lives. I easily connected with each one – Jessie, who returned home to Perry with her young daughter after going through a divorce; Evan, now a well-grounded young lady about to start high school; and Jessie’s mother, Gus, beginning to experience bouts of forgetfulness. These characters have depth and the relationships between them are complex. Delightful romantic elements relating to all three are secondary, yet key to the overall story.

Spiritual themes are subtle, but very much present. Gardening quotes from various sources are creatively placed at the beginning of each chapter, beautifully setting the mood and conveying the strong link between the care and nurturing of plants to our spiritual lives. I loved the outspoken wisdom in these words from Gus …

“Sometimes God puts things in our paths for a reason.

Best to sit up and pay attention.”

- Gus

Glory Road comes to a heartwarming, fulfilling conclusion; these characters will forever linger in my thoughts.

Very highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours and Thomas Nelson. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren now lives with her husband and two young daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. In addition to her fiction, she writes a monthly newspaper column about life, faith, and how funny (and hard) it is to be a parent. On any given day, she’d rather be at the beach with her family and a stack of books. Her debut novel, The Hideaway, is USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestseller. Her second novel, Hurricane Season, released in April, 2018, and was listed on BookPage's 2018 list of Most Anticipated Fiction.  

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram | pinterest

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(2) winners will each win a print copy of Glory Road. 

Be sure to check out each stop on the Blog and Takeover tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway begins at midnight March 23, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 30, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of blog stops!

AND

Be sure to stop at the takeover tour, starting on March 26, for more chances to win!

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Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Her Hope Discovered by Cynthia Herron

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Her Hope Discovered by Cynthia Herron, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Her Hope Discovered  
Series: Welcome to Ruby #1  
Author: Cynthia Herron  
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink  
Genre: Contemporary Romance  
Release Date: December 31, 2018

Is the sure thing worth risking for the possibility of maybe?

Charla Winthrop, a savvy business woman seeking a permanent lifestyle change in small-town Ruby, learns that things aren’t always what they appear when she takes up residence in a house steeped in charm and a hint of mystery. Rumor has it that Sam Packard the town carpenter is her go-to guy for home remodeling, but can Charla convince him to help her—with no strings attached, of course?

Alone far too long, Sam’s prayed that God would send him a wife and a mother for his daughters. However, the new Ruby resident is hardly what he imagined. A new place to call “home,” the possibility of what might be, and the answer to someone’s prayers unite this unlikely pair with the help of the town’s residents.

Nestled in the Ozarks’ hills and hollows is Ruby, Missouri, a quaint, cozy town where “neighbor” is merely another word for “friend.” Ruby will charm and delight as will her quirky, lovable characters who will steal your heart, but hand it right back—with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Savor your new friends’ sorrows and successes in the community where offbeat is perfect and mishaps and mayhem never tasted so good.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository



MY THOUGHTS

“Sometimes the good Lord’s will is more apparent than

we realize, but first we have to remove our blinders.”

- Horace

With the impressive debut of Her Hope Discovered, Cynthia Herron establishes herself as an author to watch and this story is destined to become one of my favorites. The writing is solid, dialogue flows easily, characters are well developed, and the Ozark setting envelopes you in its arms. There’s even a touch of the supernatural that I found delightful.

The beautiful Ozark Mountain town of Ruby embodies all that I love about small towns – people know and care about each other, friendships and faith are a part of daily living. You’ll come across some cute folksy comments like this one by one of my favorite secondary characters - Ida Mae, owner of the Come and Get It diner. When Charla asks why customers come to eat as early as 6 am, Ida Mae replies, “That’s catchin’ up time. Folks catch up on what happened the night before and chew on the day ahead.”

I loved Sam and Charla from the moment I met them. Sam’s daughters are scene stealers, and his father-in-law, Edwin, is a wonderfully endearing character that I hope to see more of in future stories. Sam and Charla have some emotional baggage from the past and career-related issues to work through, but they are surrounded by a warm, supportive community, and the God of second chances is clearly seen.

The rational didn’t matter with God at the helm. He’d

authored the irrational and finished it at the cross.

- Edwin

Through Edwin’s faith and prayers, one of my favorite spiritual themes shines brightly, and that’s the idea of God’s divine appointments. Sometimes I think we fail to see these opportunities personally, but Her Hope Discovered reminds that if we just think about it, we’ll see people and situations that God has orchestrated in our lives.

I’m glad more Ruby stories are to come because I didn’t want to let go of these characters.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cynthia writes Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction from the beautiful Ozark Mountains. A hopeless romantic at heart, she enjoys penning stories about ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Her Hope Discovered, her début novel and the first in a three-book series, released December 2018 with Mountain Brook Ink.

“Cindy” has a degree in psychology and a background in social work. She is a member of ACFW, ACFW MozArks, and RWA.

She is a 2017 ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2016 ACFW Genesis (Double) Finalist, and a 2015 ACFW First Impressions Winner. Her short story Words from the Heart appears in The Story Anthology (Karen Kingsbury/Family Fiction) via Salem Publications, 2014. Her work is represented by Sarah Freese at WordServe Literary.

Besides writing, Cindy enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has a fondness for gingerbread men, miniature teapots, and all things apple. She also adores a great cup of coffee and she never met a sticky note she didn’t like.

Cindy loves to connect with friends at her online home. She also hangs out on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.  

For love, fun, and encouragement ~ Sign up for Cindy’s monthly e-NEWSLETTERS

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card from the author (US only)  

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 18, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm February 25, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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