Review: The Edge of Mercy by Heidi Chiavaroli

The Edge of Mercy
By Heidi Chiavaroli


Summary

Two women, three hundred years apart, must face the devastation of all they hold dear...

Suspecting her husband is having an affair, Sarah Rodrigues fights to appear unbroken while attempting to salvage her family. Though distracted by her own troubles, Sarah is summoned to an elderly friend’s deathbed for an unusual request—find a long-lost daughter and relay a centuries-old family story.

Determined not to fail her friend, Sarah pieces together the story of her neighbor’s ancestor, Elizabeth Baker, a young colonist forced into an unwanted betrothal but drawn to a man forbidden by society.

While Sarah’s family teeters on the edge of collapse, her world is further shaken by the interest of a caring doctor and a terrible accident that threatens a life more precious than her own.

Inspired by the unconditional love she uncovers in Elizabeth’s story, Sarah strives to forgive those who’ve wounded her soul. But when light shines on the dark secrets of her neighbor’s past and the full extent of her husband’s sins, will looking to a power greater than herself rekindle lost hope?


My thoughts

Quite simply, The Edge of Mercy is exquisite. Powerful, emotional, poignant, unforgettable. Worthy of my “best of the best” shelf.

I’m kicking myself for not having discovered Heidi Chiavaroli’s books before now, for she sets her stories in my favorite era, that of Colonial America through the Revolution. The Edge of Mercy has a dual timeline, Sarah and Matt in the present day, and that of Elizabeth, Abram and Caleb in 1675 told through Elizabeth’s journal. It’s the story of a troubled marriage that began on a shaky foundation, a marriage on the brink of failure, and the author skillfully handles elements like premarital sex and infidelity.

I think what makes this story so special and impactful is that it is inspired by personal events. Heidi writes: “All books have a piece of my heart, but this book…I don’t know, it feels especially personal. Maybe because it’s set in my hometown. Maybe because it explores the intricacies of marriage. Maybe because it was from watching my parents struggle—and conquer—their own marriage troubles for a lot of my growing up years that this book was able to be told from an especially authentic place.”

The story of Elizabeth’s family imparts a far-reaching legacy with the power to effect lasting change. Sometimes we learn best by being shown what real, sacrificial love is. And as for those impossible-to-forgive circumstances, that’s where God’s grace enters in. I think we all share a thankfulness that with God, there are no impossible circumstances, and that He gives us supernatural grace to extend the same.

The Edge of Mercy is an engrossing and compelling novel. It just doesn’t get any better than this!

Very highly recommended.

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

_________________________

Heidi Chiavaroli began writing twelve years ago, just after Jesus had grabbed hold of her heart. She used her two small boys’ nap times to pursue what she thought at the time was a foolish dream. Despite a long road to publication, she hasn’t stopped writing since!

Heidi won the 2018 ACFW Carol Award for Debut Novel and is a 2018 Christy Finalist. Both her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring, and her sophomore novel, The Hidden Side, are 4½-star Romantic Times Top Picks. Freedom's Ring was also a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut.

Heidi loves exploring places that whisper of historical secrets, especially with her family. She loves running, hiking, baking, and dates with her high-school sweetheart and husband of fifteen years. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.

Website │ Facebook │ Pinterest │ Twitter │ Instagram

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: A Welcome at Our Door by Amy Clipston

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for A Welcome At Our Door by Amy Clipston with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Welcome At Our Door  
Series: Amish Homestead, Book 4  
Author: Amy Clipston  
Publisher: Zondervan  
Release Date: May 7, 2018
Genre: Amish Fiction

After a devastating loss, Cindy Riehl is still searching for peace. Will she find it in the community she calls home—or will love send her down a new path?

Over the last few years, Cindy Riehl—the youngest of the Riehl children—has watched her siblings find love and happiness in Lancaster County. But as her family has settled down and grown, Cindy has continued to grieve her mother, whose death left an enormous hole in her heart. Since that haunting day, Cindy has struggled to find peace and wonders if the community is the place for her—and if her faith in God will ever feel the same as it once did.

When a handsome and kind Englisher named Drew crosses Cindy’s path one surprising day, the two of them become fast and easy friends. Drew dreams of starting a family after some losses of his own, and before long, he and Cindy discover that their feelings for each other are romantic. As they spend more time together—often in secret—Cindy is drawn further and further away from the Amish community and the family she loves. In time, she is faced with a difficult choice that threatens to upend her world.

Will Cindy find contentment and love, and will she ever find restored comfort in God and her beloved community? In this final installment of the Amish Homestead series, we return to the charming town of Bird-in-Hand for a story of healing, family, and God’s perfect provision.

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


MY THOUGHTS

Drew was important to her, and he was quickly

becoming her best friend. How could their

friendship be wrong if it felt so right?

I thoroughly enjoyed Amy Clipston’s new release, A Welcome at Our Door, which concludes the Amish Homestead series with the story of the youngest sibling, Cindy Riehl. Clipston excels at creating real scenarios and characters, often making me forget that I’m reading fiction. Their struggles are easy to identify with and we see faith lived out in daily life. While it’s great to reunite with family members featured in previous books, this story can stand alone.

A Welcome at Our Door is perhaps one of the most emotional of Clipston’s books that I’ve read, for it deals with the faith that is at the heart of the Amish people. The theme itself – friendship and attraction between an Amish/Englisher couple – is obviously going to be problematic and filled with tension. With that in mind, I especially enjoyed the story’s lighthearted beginning with a cute scene involving a stray cow named Cucumber and a neighbor’s dog named Bruce, resulting in the initial meeting between Cindy and Drew.

In the years following her mother’s death, Cindy struggled with feeling different and somewhat isolated from her family and Amish community. She had never felt God’s call on her heart to join the Amish church, like most others had. And in spite of the Church’s teaching that it was a sin to doubt God’s will, she had so many unanswered questions. It was interesting for me that I could completely understand both points of view – that of parents yearning for their child to embrace the Amish faith, and Cindy’s need to connect with someone who understood her feelings because of shared grief in their backgrounds.

A Welcome at Our Door is a moving, heartwarming, and uplifting story. I look forward to many more stories from Amy Clipston.

Recommended to all who enjoy quality Amish fiction.

I received an e-copy of this book from the author. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery, Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel, Amish Heirloom, and Amish Homestead series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats.  

CONNECT WITH AMY: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

---

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of A Welcome At Our Door.  

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight May 13, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm May 20, 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

---

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

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Final Grains of Sand by David Harder

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Final Grains of Sand by David Harder with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Final Grains of Sand  
Author: David Harder  
Publisher: Ambassador International  
Release Date: April 23, 2018  
Genre: General Fiction

How well do we truly know people?

When James Kreider receives the devastating news his life is being cut short with cancer, he is immediately filled with shock and disbelief. At 60 years, Jim is too young to die and believes he has a whole life ahead of him. When the reality of his impending demise sinks in, Jim methodically prepares for his final days, including trying to heal old wounds. With a dash of life’s regrets and unfinished business, Jim’s hours are spent pondering the legacy he will leave for his friends and children.

In preparing for the end, Jim selects five individuals to represent his life at the funeral service. This group includes Jim’s boss, his personal physician, a neighbor, the pastor of his church, and a woman whom Jim was involved with in a long-term affair. None of the individuals know each other or why they were chosen. Summoned to the office of Jim’s attorney, the representatives disclose emotions and information few individuals want to hear. Reluctantly, they agree to share every facet of their friend.

Jim’s story not only transforms the five representatives but alters the lives of the funeral guests.

At the heart of Final Grains of Sand,this thought-provoking novel gives readers an opportunity to pause and reflect on the way they see others, as well as how they portray themselves to those around, and to help readers realize the value of one's life is less about the length of time, but rather how we touch other people through our actions and words.

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


MY THOUGHTS

Final Grains of Sand by David Harder is a refreshingly different, thought provoking story. It captures the emotions from the very first and never lets go. Its message is powerful, one that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

The main character is only seen in the beginning pages, yet everything revolves around him. At the age of 60, upon discovering that he has a rare and rapidly-growing form of cancer, James Kreider proceeds to get his affairs in order without telling family, friends, or coworkers of his diagnosis. Part of this process includes the hand selection of five people to speak at his funeral, and that’s where things really get interesting.

From his children, to the lawyer, to these five people, all are realistically flawed. This is a relationship-driven story where we not only learn about James as layer after layer is peeled back, but we also see the impact of this man’s life on those around him. I doubt we ever know anyone fully, and I loved learning of Jim through each of these relationships – with minister, boss, neighbor, doctor, and lover. Themes of judgmentalism and legalism are contrasted with forgiveness and grace. These five friends are all over the place spiritually, and much spiritual growth is seen. Final Grains of Sand is an interesting story that offers many opportunities for personal reflection.

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

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

David Harder has been writing for more than twenty-five years. His novels are inspiring stories about individuals who influence their world in unique ways.

David grew up in southern California and served in the US Navy during the Vietnam conflict. He traveled the world for businesses with cutting-edge technologies in computer and data-storage. As part of his career, he wrote for trade journals and created marketing materials within the computer industry. A graduate of San Jose College with a degree in business, he also studied at Santa Clara University towards a degree in international business.

After retiring, David focused on two passions: writing and clay art. He uses his wheel and clay during demonstrations in churches to deliver a powerful testimony, visualizing how God shapes our lives for different purposes-no matter how old we are, and even if we seem to be a failure.

David is a graduate of Vineyard Institute in biblical studies and leadership. He resides in the Prescott area of Arizona.  

CONNECT WITH DAVID: Website | Facebook | Twitter

---

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive 1 print (US only)

AND (1) winner will receive 1 ebook (open internationally except where prohibited by law)  

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight May 14, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm May 21, 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

---

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

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

About the Book

Book: The Printed Letter Bookshop  
Author: Katherine Reay  
Genre: Women’s fiction, romance
Release Date: May 14, 2019  

Amid literature and lattes, three women come together and find that sharing one’s journey with best friends makes life richer.

When attorney Madeline Carter inherits her aunt’s bookstore in a small town north of Chicago, she plans to sell it and add the proceeds to her nonexistent “investment portfolio.” But plans change when Madeline discovers the store isn’t making money and she gets passed over for promotion at her firm. She quits in protest, takes the train north, and decides to work at the store to prep it for sale. Madeline soon finds herself at odds with employees Janet and Claire; when she also finds herself attracted to an affianced man, it only confuses the entire situation. 

After blowing up her marriage two years earlier, Janet has found solace working at the bookstore and a kindred spirit within its owner, Maddie Cullen. But when Maddie dies and her niece, Madeline, barges in like a bulldozer, Janet pushes at the new owner in every way-until she trips over common ground. Soon the women are delving into online dating and fashion makeovers, and Janet feels the pull to rediscover her art, a love she thought long behind her. 

After a night of bad decisions leaves the store in peril, Claire arrives and tries to save the day. While she, too, found sanctuary in the little bookstore, she knows it’s under-insured, in the red, and will never survive. When she discovers her teenage daughter has played a part in vandalizing the store, Claire taps into strength she didn’t know existed-or had long forgotten. The quietest of the three, she steps up and finds a way to save her family, the store, and the precious friendships that have grown within it. 

The Printed Letter Bookshop is the story of friends who find each other-and themselves-in a place none of them ever expected.

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Thoughts

I loved The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay so much! A book to be treasured and slowly savored. A story that lingers in my thoughts long after the last page is turned. An all-time favorite for sure. It’s a thoroughly entertaining and atmospheric read centered around a bookstore and … well, books! But there’s a hidden depth and complexity as layer after layer is slowly pulled back.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a character-driven story, an intriguing blend of literary, contemporary, and women’s fiction - with a touch of romance. It focuses on Madeline, Janet and Claire – three women at different stages in their lives, each with unique talents that they bring to the bookshop, and dealing with various life issues. And although the story opens with Aunt Maddie’s funeral, her role is pivotal throughout the book.

All who share a love for books will instantly identify with Maddie’s bookshop and will probably recognize the many books alluded to in the story. I loved how “printed letters” refers to actual letters of appreciation received by Maddie, used to form a decorative wall border in her bookstore. And then there’s the words of Aunt Maddie, remembered by Madeline, that “you could lose yourself in a book and, paradoxically, find yourself as well.”

But setting books aside for a moment, this is an uplifting and heartwarming story about an unlikely friendship and strong bond that slowly grows between Madeline, Janet and Claire. It’s a story of forgiveness, grace and healing, with a gentle spiritual thread carefully and beautifully woven throughout. It brought me to tears at times. The Printed Letter Bookshop is a literary gem and I long for many more books by the talented Katherine Reay.

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

Katherine Reay is the national bestselling and award-winning author of Dear Mr. Knightley, Lizzy and Jane, The Brontë Plot, A Portrait of Emily Price, The Austen Escape, and The Printed Letter Bookshop. All Katherine’s novels are contemporary stories with a bit of classical flair. 

Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and is a wife, mother, former marketer, and avid chocolate consumer. After living all across the country and a few stops in Europe, Katherine now happily resides outside Chicago, IL. 

You can meet her at www.katherinereay.com; Facebook: KatherineReayBooks; Twitter: @katherine_reay; or Instagram: @katherinereay.

More from Katherine

Don’t you love bookshops? 

Every time I walk into a bookstore, it feels like a rainbow cracked open and rained a kaleidoscope of light, life and possibilities before me. I find worlds within the world and a call to adventure. 

Each bookshop tells a different story. It tells of its loyal beloved customer base. It reflects the personality of its owner and staff. It carries the aura of the stories it offers to us. 

And it was the perfect place to dig into lives, hearts and book loves of Janet, Claire and Madeline. These three women, at different stages in life, meet at the Printed Letter Bookshop, with all the romance and wonder it holds, and learn to work through their challenges together. They become the friends that each didn’t know she was missing. 

There is also a fourth woman I loved spending time with in the Printed Letter Bookshop — its original owner, Maddie Carter. Maddie doesn’t step onto the stage even once, but her presence, her love and her guiding hand are apparent from page one as Janet, Claire, and Madeline grow in friendship and in faith. 

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a love letter to books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship. I hope you savor your time with these three women — And, book lovers rejoice, there is a list of all the books they allude to in the back of the book!

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Katherine is giving away a paperback copy of The Printed Letter Bookshop to one lucky winner!

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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/e4f1/the-printed-letter-bookshop-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, May 14

Godly Book Reviews, May 14

The Power of Words, May 14

Reflections From My Bookshelves, May 15

Carla Loves To Read, May 15

Pause for Tales, May 15

Maureen’s Musings, May 16

Bigreadersite, May 16

By The Book, May 16

Inspirationally Ever After, May 17

Reading Themes, May 17

For The Love of Books, May 17

Lis Loves Reading, May 18

Emily Yager, May 18

Living Life Free in Christ, May 18

For HIm and My Family, May 19

Retrospective Spines, May 19

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 19

Girls Living For God’s Glory, May 20

As He Leads is Joy, May 20

To Everything A Season, May 20

All-Of-a-kind Mom, May 21

Through the Fire Blogs, May 21

Creating Romance, May 21

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 22

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, May 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 22

Reader’s Cozy Corner, May 23

Wishful Endings, May 23

Texas Book-aholic, May 23

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 24

Just the Write Escape, May 24

The Christian Fiction Girl, May 25

Lighthouse Academy, May 25

janicesbookreviews, May 25

Inspired by Fiction, May 26

Simple Harvest Reads, May 26 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Inklings and notion, May 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 27

amandainpa, May 27

A Reader’s Brain, May 27

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Fair Game by Annette Dashofy

Fair Game
By Annette Dashofy
A Zoe Chambers Mystery #8
Henery Press, 2019


Summary

Paramedic Zoe Chambers hoped a week at the Monongahela County Fair, showing her horse and manning the ambulance, would provide a much-needed diversion from recent events that continue to haunt her.

An old friend, a bossy nemesis, and a teenage crush from her 4-H days fail to offer the distraction she had in mind. But ever the caregiver, she soon bonds with a troubled teen and a grieving father.

Back in Vance Township, a missing woman turns up dead, leading Police Chief Pete Adams into a journey through her mysterious final hours. With each new clue, the tragic circumstances of her death grow increasingly muddied.

A cryptic phone call leads Pete to join Zoe for an evening at the fairgrounds where the annual school bus demolition derby concludes with a gruesome discovery and a new case that may or may not be connected to the first.

Pete’s quest for the motive behind two homicides—and Zoe’s stubborn determination to reunite a family—thrust them both onto a collision course with a violent and desperate felon.

Amazon – Amazon Hardcover/Paperback – B&N – Kobo – IndieBound

My thoughts

Fair Game, book #8 in the Zoe Chambers series, is an excellent murder mystery and I really can’t say enough good things about it. The whole series is a gem in the cozy/traditional mystery genre. The stories are fresh and appealing, focusing on a rural Pennsylvania paramedic and local police chief rather than the prolific food or craft themes, not that there’s anything wrong with those. Characters are well developed, complex, and realistically flawed, with good development throughout the series. The writing and pacing are smooth; there’s no fluff, for every word is important. Each story can stand alone, but I recommend reading them in order for the most satisfying experience.

One of the things I like best is the emotional element in these stories. In Fair Game, Zoe has a lot going on personally and her caring nature involves her even more in people’s lives, including a troubled teen. The romance between Zoe and Pete continues to develop, but with some bumps along the way – such as the reason behind her hesitancy toward marriage and then the appearance of her childhood crush, a judge of the competition in which Zoe enters her beloved Windstar. I loved the fairground and 4-H theme of Fair Game, reminding me of treasured childhood memories at my state’s Southeastern Fair, especially its home and animal exhibits.

Vera Palmer seemed to cry out from the grave

insisting he discover her secrets.

Zoe and Pete’s involvement in the crime overlaps, and there’s emotion and intelligence in the way things play out. The murder victim was a good woman, mother of a handicapped child. The stink of county politics also enters the picture, threatening the careers of Zoe and Pete. Characters and possible suspects abound, but they’re easy to keep up with, and there’s always a touch of humor at just the right time. The solving of the crime unfolds slowly and logically, like the way a jigsaw puzzle gradually comes together. The only negative for me is the occasional use of profanity.

The Zoe Chambers series is a must read for me and I enjoyed Fair Game so very much. I hope every mystery fan discovers these stories.

Highly recommended.

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

_________________________

Annette Dashofy is the USA Today best-selling author of the Zoe Chambers mystery series about a paramedic and deputy coroner in rural Pennsylvania’s tight-knit Vance Township.

CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE  was a finalist for the Agatha Award for Best First Novel of 2014 and BRIDGES BURNED was nominated for the 2015 Agatha for Best Contemporary Novel.

Website │ Blog │ Facebook │ Twitter

_________________________

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight + Tour GIVEAWAY: Across the Bridge by Kristin Neva

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Across the Bridge by Kristin Neva with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Across the Bridge
Series: Copper Island, Book 3
Author: Kristin Neva  
Publisher: The Christmas Tree House  
Release Date: November 4, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance  

Fiction from the Ragged Edge of Faith

When Marcella Seppa meets her new tenant, widower Drew Smith, a spark ignites, but she won't consider dating him. She doesn't want his son, AJ, to experience the hurt she felt when her dad remarried shortly after her mom died. Her faith unraveled, and she threw herself into exercise and gardening instead of forming trusting relationships.

When Drew finds out he may not be AJ's biological father, his first instinct is to leave Copper Island, but he wants to find out the truth. He seeks out Marcella's support.

Is it possible their friendship could become more? But how would that affect AJ? Could love help make peace with the past?  

Love weaves its way through the messiness of life on Copper Island.  

Across the Bridge is part of the Copper Island series, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel.  

Across the Bridge will make you laugh and cry. Deep, meaningful themes are woven into a fast-paced storyline.

After Marcella Seppa lost her mother when she was fifteen years old, her father quickly remarried, and her stepmother pushed too hard to foster a relationship with Marcella. Well-meaning people used Christian clichés in an attempt to comfort her, but it resulted in Marcella having a faith crisis. Is love worth the risk of loss, and how can you hold on to faith when questioning the idea of a puppet-master God?

Drew Smith moves to the small town of Quincy so that his in-laws can help raise his son, and he plugs into a local church where the leader of a boys group -- and his deceased wife's high school boyfriend -- looks strikingly like his son. Drew fears losing part of his son's heart to a man who even he admires for his height, charm, and cool job as a State Trooper. What does it mean to be a father, and what is the balance between protecting and preparing your child?  

Across the Bridge also contains a theme dealing with ALS, a terminal disease that requires a team of caregivers. Readers who've met Grandma Lou in Snow Country will want to be with her again.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository


EXCERPT:

      Marcella was touched by Drew’s patience as he leaned in to listen to Louisa’s soft voice and repeated back what he thought he heard. He asked questions and seemed genuinely interested. Marcella was a bit embarrassed she didn’t know a lot of what her friend was telling Drew, but Louisa typically didn’t open up about herself, and it seemed their conversations always went back to Marcella.
      Danny entered the kitchen. “Hey, there you are,” he said, looking at Drew. “Hey, Grandma Lou.” Danny gave her a peck on the cheek, and then addressed Drew again. “We have all the poles in place. Thanks for helping,” he said in jest. “Now we’re ready to raise the tent, and we need your help.”
      “I’ll talk to you later.” Drew rose, lifting his hand in a wave to Louisa and then to Marcella before leaving with Danny.
      “He’s a good man, Marcella,” Louisa said in a tone that implied more.
      “Yes, he is, but we’re just friends.”
      “At some time, dear, you’ll need to open up to someone. You shouldn’t stay closed off for the rest of your life.”
     Marcella sat in the chair Drew had vacated. He was a nice guy. She enjoyed his company, not to mention that there was a spark between them. But there were issues. Primarily there was AJ. She wouldn’t do to a kid what Kandy had done to her. And then there was his faith. If she were to be with a guy, she’d want him to have Christian values, but she didn’t know where she stood on issues of faith anymore. She was glad God had helped him turn his life around. Changed his heart, he’d said. She sighed. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be with anyone anyway.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Kristin Neva grew up in an old farmhouse on Copper Island in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula where the hard-working, rugged residents persevere through harsh winter weather, sustained by friendship and family, surrounded by natural beauty. As an adult, she lived in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas for seventeen years before returning to the her hometown with her husband and two children.

Kristin’s first book, Heavy, co-authored with her husband, Todd, journeys through the first year after Todd’s ALS diagnosis as the Nevas struggle to find meaning, hold on to faith, and discover joy in the midst of pain.

It is this life experience that brings authenticity to Kristin’s fictional works as she explores themes of love, loss, and faith on Copper Island. Her quirky characters are endearing and wholesome. But they are also full of healthy grit, humor, flaws, and appetites.

Learn more about Kristin and explore Copper Island at KristinNeva.com.  

CONNECT WITH KRISTIN: Website | Facebook | Twitter

---

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will win a Copper Island Gift Pack containing:

• a Signed Copy of Across the Bridge
• Scandinavian Dish Towel
• Garden Note Cards
• Locally Hand Crafted Bird's Eye Maple Spatula
• Rishi Loose Leaf Tea and Tea Ball
• Keweenaw Mug

Most items are from Copper World, A Copper Island Gift Shop. Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight May 6, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm May 13, 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

---

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

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Surrendered by Jennifer Sienes

About the Book

Book: Surrendered  
Author: Jennifer Seines  
Release Date: April 30, 2019  

Her father’s will is clear; do what he demands, or lose everything, including guardianship of her younger sister. But there’s a force at work–an evil set on destroying her and her sister. If only she knew whether the enigmatic man helping them is friend–or deadly foe…

After the reading of her father’s will, Tess O’Shay’s panic attacks return. In death, Sean O’Shay is attempting to accomplish what he couldn’t do in life—force Tess to finish her education, a dream she abandoned after being raped on campus. Unless she complies with her father’s wishes, she will lose all claim to the only home she’s ever known as well as to the family business. Worse, she’ll have to give up guardianship of her younger sister to Jake Holland, a secretive man fleeing from his past. 

Fine! She’ll show Jake and her father. She’ll muster whatever meager energy and strength she has, get her degree, and keep what matters most to her. No matter what. 

Then the man who assaulted her reappears, shattering what little strength she has left. Now she must dig deep to find the remnants of her mustard-seed faith…because that’s the only way she can face the past and right a wrong in order to secure the future 

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Thoughts

Surrendered by Jennifer Sienes is a fast-paced relationship drama, fueled by events set in motion by the will of family patriarch, Sean O’Shay. I liked that the story is told from two points of view, those of Tess and Jake – easy to follow by paying attention to the name at the top of each section. Tess has been able to somewhat successfully put aside difficult events of the past, until the love she has for her younger sister forces a decision. Jake has some hidden elements to his character as well, and there’s lots of tension-filled chemistry between these two.

Fulfilling the terms of her father’s will forces Tess to face a broken and traumatic past, resulting in good character and spiritual growth. I appreciated the message of hope reflected throughout.

Lots of snappy, witty dialogue propels the narrative along, but I wish the sarcasm, anger, and use of slang expressions had been toned down a little. I enjoyed the element of suspense and unexpected twists that popped up now and then, including a big one toward the end. It was also good to see Tess discover her true calling and passion in life.

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

About the Author

Jennifer Sienes holds a degree in both psychology and education but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, writing and romance and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. 

California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.

More from Jennifer

Since I was twelve years old, I’ve been writing stories. I even wrote fan-fiction before it was a thing—a Happy Days episode, which I’m sure dates me. I took every creative writing class I could, starting in high school, and even declared journalism as my college major until I realized I like fiction a whole lot more than truth, because I can create the characters any way I like. 

Tess O’Shay, the main character in Surrendered, came by way of accident. She was a minor character in my first novel (which will be the last published in the series) and my critique group loved her. They wanted to know if she would have more scenes. She did not. In fact, she was deleted with the rewrites. But I couldn’t get her out of my mind—it was like she’d become a real person and refused to be ignored. I loved writing Surrendered because Tess O’Shay and Jake Holland ran away with the story and it was everything I could do to keep up. 

The first two novels I wrote were inspired by actual events—my brother’s suicide in the first and my daughter’s near-fatal car accident in the second. These are dark themes, yet I wanted to present them with humor and hope—both of which have gotten me through some tough circumstances. I strive to create characters my readers can connect with—three-dimensional and human—but also fall in love with. I think the best books are those that leave us wanting more.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away a 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/e1c0/surrendered-celebration-tour-giveaway 

Blog Stops

Genesis 5020, May 6

Blogging With Carol, May 7

Inspired by fiction, May 7

The Power of Words, May 8

All-of-a-kind Mom, May 9

Emily Yager, May 10

Retrospective Spines, May 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 12

For Him and My Family, May 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 14

Texas Book-aholic, May 15

janicesbookreviews, May 16

Maureen’s Musings, May 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 17

Inklings and notions, May 18

A Reader’s Brain, May 19