Finding Love in Mountain View On Hallmark Movies & Mysteries + GIVEAWAY

I remember reading Mirallee Ferrell's book, Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon way back in the day and loving it! When I found out I would have the opportunity to watch the Hallmark adaptation of it, I was really excited. Finding Love In Mountain View is the result of all of that.

I can't wait until we live back in Minnesota because when movies like this come out my daughter and I will be doing a movie night! Of course, when my granddaughter is old enough, we'll include her as well.

So, let's talk about the movie!

These are two new actors for me. They were super cute together and had wonderful chemistry. Margaret has a lot to deal with when she finds out she's the new guardian of her cousin's kids. Going back to Mountain View has her immediately face to face with Andrew, who is hanging out with kids, Sammi and Joel. Andrew, of course, is her blast from the past. Oh, and her Aunt Bertha, she was easy to dislike! The actress made her easy to not like.

I liked the kids a lot! The actors did a great job. You could see their struggle of losing both of their parents and the adjustment they were trying to make. Then adjusting to their cousin Margaret showing up, who is supposed to be best friends with their mom, but they have no idea who she is.

Through it all, it was sweet watching Andrew and Margaret get to know each other again. You know there's going to be an issue, right? That issue comes in the form of Nathan, Margaret's boyfriend. Oh my word, he's so clueless as to Margaret's heart and mind. He was easy to be annoyed at as well. hahaha

You can watch the trailer here: https://aci-americancinema.com/screener/finding-love-in-mountain-view

To celebrate the premiere of FINDING LOVE IN MOUNTAIN VIEW, premiering Sunday Sept 19^th at 6pm PT/9pm ET, we are giving away a copy of the book the film was based on signed by the lead actors!  Enter to win one of 3 copies here:

https://www.blessedfreebies.com/finding-love-in-bridal-veil-oregon-book-giveaway.html

White Wolf And The Ash Princess By Tammy Lash

White Wolf and the Ash Princess

by Tammy Lash

Publisher: White Wolf Publishing

Series: The White Wolf

ISBN: 978-1940155661

I'm on the tour for this book via JustRead Publicity Tours. I wasn't asked to do a book review on my blog for it, but I enjoyed it so much I didn't want anyone to miss out. They sent me the book for review.

Summary:

The princess was the guardian of the light of the black wolf and the grey. White boar greatly desired her light, though the boars had possession of their own. When the princess refused to give up the light, both were given to the fire to do with them as it wished.

Memory loss prohibits Izzy from remembering her life before age seven when she suffered a terrible trauma that left her with physical scars. Crippling panic keeps Izzy from wandering beyond the stables but Tubs, the Gudwyne’s young stable boy, encourages Izzy to go beyond the property’s rock wall into a world that promises possible answers but also great danger.

Gifted with claws of copper and teeth of iron, the black wolf and the grey call him “White Wolf”; for he is the greatest of them with the power of flame and ash.

While running to escape his past, Jonathan Gudwyne rescued Izzy and took her in, but who did she belong to before he became her guardian?

With the touch of the wolf’s great paw, the girl rose out of the ashes a woman—a mighty warrior armed with a copper axe.

A mysterious cellar filled with secrets sets Izzy on a path to the New World where the Wendigo wanders and Water Panther swims. In the wilds of seventeenth-century America, Izzy and Jonathan discover the legends of the New World aren’t the fairytales of their library home in England.

My Review:

To say White Wolf and the Ash Princess surprised me would be an understatement. I actually thought the book was going to be an entirely different genre than what it actually was. The cover and the back blurb gave me the idea that it was going to be fantasy, not historical fiction. I'm not going to give anything away other than to say, it's historical fiction.

Ok, that being said, what a fascinating story. It was so different than the typical historical fiction I read. I think what sets it apart is how the author writes. She brings the characters and setting to life in the lilt of the story. It's almost a storytelling, if that makes sense. There was a sense of authenticity in how the author wrote the thoughts and conversations of the characters.

It was so interesting getting to know the main characters of Izzy and Jonathan. You could feel Izzy's wariness to everything outside of the home she's living in. In Jonathan you learn immediately that he's a protector. While he wants to stretch Izzy outside of her fears, he's incredibly aware of them and will only push "so far".

When the story begins to unfold, a light bulb goes off an all of the puzzle pieces fall into place! Things begin to make sense and for me, I worried about what was to come! I think the author writes the main characters in such a way that your heart is immediately pulled in to the story & the lives of the characters. There are highs and lows... and the lows brought tears to my eyes. Seriously, I ended up loving each of the characters so much, I was completely invested.

This author is new to me, and I'm ready to move on to book 2 immediately, Letters of the Dragon's Son, which is already out. I honestly think you'll be fascinating with this story!

About the Author:

Tammy lives in Lower Michigan with her husband and her three children. Izzy's home in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (Munising) is where she and her family enjoy exploring. Tammy enjoys hiking, kayaking, beach wandering, "hunting" for birch bark and hopes to someday find a porcupine quill. White Wolf and the Ash Princess is her first novel. She is published in Keys for Kids and has been in children's ministry for over twenty years.

Hostile Intent By Lynette Eason

Hostile Intent

by Lynette Eason

Publisher: Revell

Series: Danger Never Sleeps

ISBN: 9780800729370

I always love a good military/agency suspense novel so when I saw book 4 in the Danger Never Sleeps series come up for review, I jumped at the chance! I thoroughly enjoy Lynette's writing so I couldn't pass it up. I was sent the book by Revell.

Summary:

Secrets are about to be revealed . . . but will the guilty be brought to justice?

Ava Jackson entered the military shortly after high school, but her mother's illness has forced her to request an early discharge. She already lost her father while deployed, and there's no way she's going to let her mother die alone. But after a visit to the nursing facility where her mother lives, Ava is attacked walking back to her car. Fortunately, FBI Special Agent Caden Denning arrives in time to help fight off her attacker.

Caden reveals to Ava that she may hold the key to the murders of three families, and he needs her help before anyone else is harmed. The hits show a pattern, and clearly the killer has an agenda. But if Caden and Ava can't discover what it is, Ava may be next on the hit list.

My Review:

Oh. My. Word! Do NOT miss out on Hostile Intent! This may be one of my favorite Lynette Eason stories!

I know that many suspense stories have an occasional lull in the story or parts where things aren't as exciting. That can NOT be said about this book. Readers will either be on pins and needles with the suspense or enraptured with the attraction between Caden and Ava.

Ava is such a fantastic character. She's one tough cookie, but she's also vulnerable to those she's close to. I liked that she was no nonsense, but not in a cold way. Ava knew what needed to be done and she did it. I also loved how her mind worked. She's the down to earth (Caden would laugh) kind of gal who will kick butt and take names.

And seriously, I just loved Caden. He wasn't pretentious or high and mighty with his job. With all of the killings happening he could've asked Ava some questions and then put her on the back burner, but he saw her aptitude and brilliance as they go through the story. He wasn't too macho for her and appreciated what she had to offer to the case.

I really can't say enough about the two of them as characters and how great they work together, but even more so in their personal lives. It was just so sweet I wanted to squeeze them both. While their relationship was growing and changing throughout the story, it's a subtle part of the story.

Now, for the suspense! Holy cow, it had me on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE time! How the author wove everything together was amazing! I was surprised that I was able to keep everything connected together because it was a tangled web of spies, families being murdered, and the past. And oh my gosh, it was a nail biter. The killer... terrifying! There was a twist that gave me the shocked emoji face!

I need more of Caden and Ava in my life! That's the kind of story I love... when I want more even though I know it'll never happen. lol

*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.

About the Author:

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

Hangin' By A Moment By Susan May Warren & Andrea Christenson

Hangin' by a Moment

by Susan May Warren & Andrea Christenson

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Series: Deep Haven Collection

ISBN: 978-1953783103

I have loved this whole series and the fact that I get to review each of the books has me in heaven! Yes, one day I'll have the paperbacks on my shelves, but until then, I'm enjoying the ebooks I'm sent!

Summary:

He just wants to erase his past.

The day Jack—formerly Winston Stewart—walked out of jail, he vowed to keep his conviction a secret. After all, it wasn’t like he’d committed a murder. Just a terrible mistake, and he did his time. Now he wants a new life in a sleepy town where no one knows his name. Deep Haven is the perfect place to start over as a chef. The last thing the former pararescue jumper wants is to get involved. But when Boone Buckam—his friend and the one guy he owes for getting him out of the slammer—asks for help, how can Jack refuse?

She can’t seem to escape hers.

Colleen Decker has already escaped evil once—as a teenager, she was kidnapped by a murderer. But she’s put all that behind her as a trauma nurse in Minneapolis. Or maybe not, because a freak mistake in the ER sends her past crashing down on her. She needs a timeout in her hometown of Deep Haven. She doesn’t plan to stay—even when she’s roped into the job of flight nurse for the town’s Crisis Response Team chopper. Colleen’s not sure why she’s drawn to danger, but she’ll be safe enough. After all, she’ll need training, and her teacher is a handsome former pararescue jumper. What could go wrong?

But facing the past might put their future together in jeopardy.

When Jack said he didn’t want to get involved, he especially meant his heart—but being with Colleen feels like a fresh start. He’ll even climb aboard a chopper again, despite his vows. They’re headed for a happy ending…
But secrets never stay buried in a small town. And when disaster strikes one snowy night, they’ll both have to decide if the past will destroy them…or if it just might lead them home.

Cozy up to this perfect Deep Haven drama about discovering a season of second chances.

My Review:

Visiting Deep Haven is like seeing friends and family each time I start a new book! I love that most everyone I've come to love shows up in some way with each consecutive book! I mean, I need to catch up with everyone, dontcha know?

This time we're meeting Colleen and Jack. Colleen works at HCMC which is notorious for being a hospital in Minneapolis where crazy stuff happens. So, things you read in books can be true to life! An incident at work has her heading home to Deep Haven for some respite. You can sense from the first page how much she needs this even though she's not thrilled with the idea.

Someone else who isn't thrilled is Jack. Boone shows up to bring him to Deep Haven to take time to acclimate to being out of jail. He also wants to bring him onto the new CRT, which he wants no part of. While we don't know why he was in jail, you can sense he just wants to lie low and not connect with anyone if he can avoid it.

Well, we all know better don't we?! Colleen shows her chops throughout the story. I love how she's willing to try new things and put herself out on a limb. She seems to take life by the horns even when she's unsure. Jack gets thrown into the mix of her life and tries to hold back as much as himself as he can while helping her succeed. You can sense his inner turmoil throughout the story. And man, if someone knows how to carry a load of guilt and shame, it's Jack. Even when it's not warranted.

I really liked the high intensity of the training and situations Jack and Colleen go through. And I'm on their side when they say they need a different helicopter pilot! lol Bill stresses me out! Anyhow, they go through a LOT together and I love how they encourage and support each other for pretty much the entire story.

Anyone else ready to move to the fictional town of Deep Haven because I'm game!

About the Authors:

With over 1 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA and Carol award-winning author of over seventy-five novels with Revell, Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill and Summerside Press. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic-suspense, thrillers, rom-com and Christmas novellas. 

Andrea Christenson lives in the Minneapolis suburbs with her husband and two daughters. When she is not busy homeschooling her girls, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on, bake bread, eat cheese, and watch Netflix--though not usually all at the same time. Andrea's prayer is to write stories revealing God's love.

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery By Amanda Cox

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery

by Amanda Cox

Publisher: Revell

ISBN: 9780800737412

After reading Amanda Cox's debut novel last year, I knew that I was going to want to read every single one of her books in the future. To find out I was going to be able to read an ARC of her second book, I was thrilled! She sent me her book for review.

Summary:

Present Day. Sarah Ashby returns to her childhood home, determined to finally follow her dream of running the family business alongside her mother and grandmother. So when her mother, Rosemary, announces to her that Old Depot Grocery is closing, Sarah and her grandmother, Glory Ann, make a plan to save the store. But Rosemary has worked her entire life to make sure her daughter never follows in her footsteps. She has her reasons--but she'll certainly never reveal the real one.

1965. Glory Ann confesses to her family that she's pregnant with her deceased fiancé's baby. Pressured into a marriage of convenience with a shopkeeper to preserve her family's reputation, Glory Ann vows never to love again. But some promises are not as easily kept as she imagined.

This dual-time story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth.

My Review:

Once again another wonderful story from this author! I loved getting to know Glory Ann, Rosemary, and Sarah in The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery!

Mother-daughter relationships can be incredibly difficult, especially if there are secrets involved. This story has 3 women with 3 different secrets and a whole lot of hurt. In a sense, it reminded me of generational sin and that there is a power to break it.

I could easily see myself like Rosemary in the sense that I parented like her to a degree. I didn't want my kids to make the same mistakes I did as a young person. That, of course, doesn't always come with the desired effect. As with all three ladies, it can come with a significant amount of relationship damage.

It was fascinating going back to the 60s, knowing the time period, and seeing the domino effect of a single choice that's made. Trying to put ourselves in others shoes isn't always the easiest thing to do. As we watch life unfold from this choice, it was incredible to see how God used it for His good.

I wish we had more stories like this out in the wild. Reading about women working through their hurts, making a decision to break cycles is such a powerful thing! Seeing how God can restore relationships gives a lot of hope as in the case of these incredible, strong women.

About the Author:

Amanda Cox is the author of The Edge of Belonging. A blogger and a curriculum developer for a national nonprofit youth leadership organization, she holds a bachelor's degree in Bible and theology and a master's degree in professional counseling, but her first love is communicating through story. Her studies and her interactions with hurting families over a decade have allowed her to create multidimensional characters that connect emotionally with readers. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with her husband and their three children. Learn more at AmandaCoxWrites.com.