If you love the band FOR KING + COUNTRY, you have to see their new film in theaters soon!
4.24.2024
Unsung Hero // Coming to Theaters 4/26 + Giveaway
If you love the band FOR KING + COUNTRY, you have to see their new film in theaters soon!
4.18.2024
The Amish Quiltmaker's Unlikely Match by Jennifer Beckstrand // Review
My Review: When a drunken athlete crashes quite literally into Mary Yoder's life, she never expected to fall in love.
4.17.2024
The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy // Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
4.16.2024
Cold Case Tracker by Maggie K. Black // Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
4.15.2024
The Songbird of Hope Hill by Kim Vogel Sawyer // Review
4.14.2024
Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon // Celebrate Lit
About the Book
Book: Sandcastle Inn
Author: Irene Hannon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 2, 2024
Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she’d left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course—because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.
A trip to Oregon isn’t in Matt Quinn’s plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn’t on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister’s new enterprise on life support.
Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B—if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn . . . and his heart.
Click here to get your copy!
Review:
A heartwarming read about new beginnings, hope and healing.
Vienna Price comes to Hope Harbor to figure out her next steps after her job is eliminated, but she doesn't plan on sticking around. But she can't help but be drawn in by the wonderful people, and the community that welcomes her.
Matt Quinn comes to Hope Harbor at his sister's request to help her with her failing Bed and Breakfast, and he enlists Vienna at the suggestion of her mother. An engaging read, with good natural relationship building, strong faith, and character growth.
I loved seeing Charlie again with his mysteriously good timing, and sage advice. I loved coming back to Hope Harbor, seeing the familiar faces and healing relationships in this feel-good, faith-filled read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About the Author
Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA’s elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work.
More from Irene
In my world, the approach of April signals not only tulips, dogwoods, and daffodils, but a return to my little seaside town of Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast. And this year marks a milestone. Sandcastle Inn is the tenth book set in this charming locale.
When I conceived of this series back in 2013, neither I nor my editor had any idea how long it would run—or that Publishers Weekly would deem my small fictional town “a place of emotional restoration that readers will yearn to visit.”
But visit they have. Hundreds of thousands of copies of the books have been sold worldwide, the novels have been translated into multiple languages, and taco-making artist/town sage Charley Lopez has become an iconic figure.
It’s been an amazing journey—with more books to come.
If you’ve never visited Hope Harbor and are reluctant to dive in at this stage, no worries. Each book stands alone, with a whole new cast of main characters. Each story also begins and ends in each book, with no hanging plot threads from book to book. The town is the unifying element in the series—along with a few secondary characters like Charley, the bantering town clerics from neighboring churches, and the seagull couple Floyd and Gladys, who always seem to be around when romance is in the air.
If you’re new to the series, Sandcastle Inn is a fine jumping-off point. This story features a hero struggling to recoup from a tragic loss and a heroine still reeling from an unplanned career detour. When they join forces to save a floundering inn, challenges ensue…and sparks fly. Because if it’s Hope Harbor, there has to be romance!
The book resonates with multiple other themes too—dealing with grief, moving on, changing direction, mending past relationships, taking a leap of faith. And of course there’s a happy ending.
It’s the kind of book that will put a smile on your lips and hope in your heart.
So I invite you to find a comfy spot, pour a mug or cup of your favorite beverage, and travel with me to Hope Harbor, where hearts heal…and love blooms.
Insider’s Tip: If you ever decide to book a stay at Sandcastle Inn, ask for the seaside room upstairs at the end of the hall that leads to the right. The view is stunning!
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 4
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 4
Texas Book-aholic, April 5
Blogging With Carol, April 5
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 6
For Him and My Family, April 6
Jeanette’s Thoughts, April 7
Splashes of Joy, April 7
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 8
She Lives To Read, April 8
lakesidelivingsite, April 9
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 10
Southern Gal Loves to Read, April 10
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 11 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, April 11
Cover Lover Book Review, April 12
The Lofty Pages, April 13
Melissa’s Bookshelf, April 13
Blossoms and Blessings, April 14
Labor Not in Vain, April 14
Wishful Endings, April 15
By The Book, April 15
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 16
Pause for Tales, April 16
Batya’s Bits, April 17
JESUS in the EVERYDAY, April 17
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Irene is giving away the grand prize package of a full set of the Hope Harbor series (10 books) and a $50 Bookshop.org 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/2ac75/sandcastle-inn-celebration-tour-giveaway
4.10.2024
A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M. White // Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
4.09.2024
The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano // Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir // Celebrate Lit
About the Book
Book: When the Flames Ravaged
Author: Rhonda Dragomir
Genre: Christian / Historical / Romance
Release Date: March, 2024
Will Faith Perish in the Big Top’s Flames?
Introducing a new series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered.
Evelyn Benson’s husband perished in the Bataan Death March but not her faith. The World War II Gold Star widow is taken in by her brother and soothed by the love of his wife and children. Evelyn refuses to cower to grief. She may not understand God’s mysterious ways, but she has never questioned Him—until the circus fire.
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus train chugs into Hartford, Connecticut, on a sweltering day one month after the Allies invaded Normandy. Among the roustabouts is a reluctant clown, Hank Webb. He may hide from his murky past behind grease paint as Fraidy Freddie, but God wants to offer Hank a chance to be found. Though first, what little Hank believes about God will endure a fiery trial.
On Thursday, July 6, 1944, a devasting blaze of unknown origins consumes the circus tent along with Evelyn’s hopes and Hank’s anonymity.
Click here to get your copy!
Review:
Two hurt souls, find friendship and faith in the light of tragedy.
Evelyn lost her husband in WWII, moving in with her brother's family, she finds hope being around family until it is dashed again in terrible tragedy. Based on a real life event, this story tells of the heartbreak and pain experienced by the families of the victims of this horrific event. A compelling and heart rending read, it was just so sad all that Evelyn had to endure. But also encouraging and full of faith.
Overall, at times it was a hard read as the subject matter was just so sad, but I liked how the author gave this story a faith filled message in light of suffering. I liked how Hank and Evelyn form a friendship, comforting each other, and leaning on faith throughout. A compelling historical read, about a tragic true event in history.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About the Author
Rhonda Dragomir is a multimedia creative who treasures her fairy tale life in Central Kentucky, insisting her home is her castle even if her prince refuses to dig a moat. She has multiple published works in anthologies and periodicals, along with numerous Bible studies studied weekly by more than 10,000 women around the world. Rhonda has garnered numerous writing awards for both fiction and nonfiction, including her selection as 2019 Writer of the Year by Serious Writer, Inc. In 2020 she was also a finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest for her first novel, a 16th century historical romance.
More from Rhonda
The heroine’s last living family members are struck down in a tragic fire. Will she crumble? Will she tumble into bitterness? Will she forsake her faith? We view life through her eyes and wonder, “What would I do?”
The best fiction sails the vast sea of human experiences and explores how we survive when storms roil the waters. Triumph, tragedy, victories, valleys—though we have not lived through the exact events as the characters, we feel the same elation on the crests and despair in the troughs of the waves.
This is why I love to write historical fiction, especially romance. I interweave my own thoughts and feelings with those of my characters. My words become theirs, and their responses mirror my own as I fight to keep my head above water.
I spent dozens of hours researching When the Flames Ravaged, the story of a horrific circus fire in Hartford, Connecticut on July 6, 1944. I gasped, I wept, and I marveled at the courage of rescuers who sacrificed their own lives to save others. True, live-or-die battles fueled my imagination, and composite characters leaped to life.
At one point, my hero dives into dark water, grasping with frail human understanding to comprehend the scope of the disaster. He decides good and evil are locked in an everlasting struggle, and humans are mere pawns stuck in the middle. Then he asks, “What is the use of serving God if He won’t protect you?”
Who has never asked the same thing when tragedy strikes? Pat answers and platitudes won’t suffice. Only a personal quest to discover an acceptable answer to this age-old question will help us find peace in the midst of the churning sea of doubt.
I hope my novel will toss a live preserver to everyone treading water.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 30
Pause for Tales, March 30
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 31
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 1
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 2
Texas Book-aholic, April 3
Simple Harvest Reads, April 3 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 4
Betti Mace, April 5
For HIm and My Family, April 5
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 6
Blossoms and Blessings, April 7
The Lofty Pages, April 7
Connie’s History Clasroom, April 8
Labor Not in Vain, April 9
Holly’s Book Corner, April 9
Cover Lover Book Review, April 10
Inkwell Inspirations, April 10
To Everything There Is A Season , April 11
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 12 (Author Interview)
Life on Chickadee Lane, April 12
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Rhonda is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-Gift Card & 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/2aa75/when-the-flames-ravaged-celebration-tour-giveaway
4.08.2024
One Last Shot by Susan May Warren // Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.