The Tapestry Of Grace By Kim Vogel Sawyer

the Tapestry of Grace

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Publisher: Waterbrook

ISBN: 9780593194386

Having read the author's books in the past, when I saw this one come up as an option to review, I was excited to sign up. I received the ebook to help facilitate my review.

Summary:

When a group of Kansas women start a Frauenverein, a benevolent society devoted to aiding widows and orphans, life changes for more than just the hurting people they seek to help in this heartwarming romance inspired by historical events—from the bestselling author of Freedom’s Song.

With classes paused for the planting season, Alexandertol’s schoolteacher Augusta Dyck is glad for some meaningful work to occupy her time. She even knows exactly who their town’s benevolence society should help first: quiet, reserved widower Konrad Rempel and his young twin sons.

Konrad Rempel, however, is adamant that he doesn’t want help. His boys are mischievous but good-hearted. And though Konrad may be struggling, he doesn’t want anyone else sticking their nose in and telling him what his sons need. Or what he needs.

For her part, the charity’s founder Martina Krahn is relieved to have a reason to spend time outside her unhappy home. It even occurs to her that she may, through her work, encounter a boy in need of a family and so find a son for her husband since they have no children of their own.

Augusta, Konrad, and Martina each have deep needs and desires, and each imagines how they should be met: by reaching out or by being left alone. But God, indeed, knows best. Will the competing agendas of Alexandertol’s residents prevent them from receiving God’s help? Or will the members of this small Mennonite community find the answers to their prayers in the very last place they expect—in one another?

My Review:

I love that this author is described as one who writes "gentle stories of hope." I couldn't agree more.

I've read a couple of the author's books in the past and have really enjoyed them. There's something about reading a "gentle" story that just speaks peace to my heart. The Tapestry of Grace was just as sweet. Well, maybe a little bittersweet for some of the characters.

This was an ensemble cast of characters, with the main ones being Augusta and Konrad. They're both widowed with young children. She's not looking for a husband, and Konrad isn't looking for a wife... at least not initially. lol Martina plays a huge role in all of this, and with some manipulation that comes across as kindness, she gets the ball rolling so that Augusta starts searching for a wife for Konrad and Martina hopes to gain a child.

Watching Martina's schemes unfold is rather shocking! Her delusional thoughts took me aback, but as we got to know her more, while not ok, we began to understand her desperation. There's a lot to unpack with her storyline such as miscarriages, guilt, and shame, but also forgiveness, healing, and redemption.

I like that the author gave a balance of the children. With Konrad's twins and their struggles without having a mom around and then Augusta with her sweet daughter, we see how children deal with loss differently. I felt like the author handled the topic with great care and grace.

One of the most impactful parts of this story was the faith. It was so beautiful how Augusta truly approached everything in her life with Scripture in mind. It was NOT overdone nor did it feel just thrown in willy nilly. It's an example to every reader of how and why we approach life with a Christ-centered mind. Honestly, there was a good amount of conviction in my spirit as I read the story. You can't beat a story when the Holy Spirit uses it to prick your heart towards godliness.

Of course, what's a story without the gossipy ladies, misunderstandings, and miscommunication? hahaha

About the Author:

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a highly acclaimed, bestselling author with more than 1.5 million books in print in seven different languages. Her titles have earned numerous accolades including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives in central Kansas with her retired military husband, Don, where she continues to write gentle stories of hope. She enjoys spending time with her three daughters and grandchildren.

The Words We Lost By Nicole Deese

The Words We Lost

by Nicole Deese

Publisher: Bethany House

ISBN: 9780764241185

Having read several of Nicole Deese's books in the past, when I was given the opportunity to read her newest release The Words We Lost, I JUMPED at the chance!! She sent me her book for review.

Summary:

Three friends. Two broken promises. One missing manuscript. 

As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony--two elements her current life possesses in spades. In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she's also desperate to find the closure she's convinced will come with Cecelia's missing final manuscript.

After Ingrid jeopardizes her career, she fears her future will remain irrevocably broken. But then Joel Campbell--the man who shattered her belief in happily-ever-afters--offers her a sealed envelope from his late cousin, Cecelia, asking Joel and to put their differences aside and retrieve a mysterious package in their coastal Washington hometown.

Honoring Cecelia's last request will challenge their convictions and test their loyalties, but through it all, will Ingrid and Joel be brave enough to uncover a twice-in-a-lifetime love?

My Review:

Do you love books that take your breath away? If so, The Words We Lost is for you. My review, just to warn you, will NOT do this story justice. It's one that needs to be experienced and savored. FYI, this author is one of the authors that I don't even ask what the story is about. It doesn't matter. I'm reading it! She's that incredible.

This novel is beautiful, heartbreaking, soul piercing, full of emotion, and will leave you feeling incredibly fulfilled. Your time will have been well spent reading. This isn't a quick read, depending on how you go about it. I initially took it in bits and pieces. It's emotionally gripping from the start and was wrenching my heart in two from the first page. While I didn't want to put it down, there were moments when it was... a lot. This is NOT said in a negative way, but gives testament to the authors incredible writing!

I could feel Indy's anguish and struggle from the moment we meet her. It's not quite clear why she's stopped functioning at work and has closed herself off from everyone. I mean, she's lost her best friend, we get that, but there's so much deeper that we have to learn about. Almost immediately, Joel, her best friend's cousin has arrived at her office and you could cut the tension with a knife.

And then there's Cece, the best friend and family member one could ever hope for. Through Joel and Indy I came to love her! Through the pages of the 'story' within the story I came to love her through her eyes as well. God's hand was in their meeting when they were teens. God was still moving when their lives were ripped apart and I'm so thankful the author shows that through her characters.

The friends and family of Cece, Joel, and Indy play an integral part of each facet of the book, and on top of that, I was transported back to the decade+ that I lived in the PNW! I could easily see it in my mind's eye and it was as lovely as ever.

I loved how the author created the world of Cardithia, the series Cece had been working on for all her teen and young adult years. Part of the story comes in the form of words by her before she dies. They're easy to separate out with how the author writes it so there's never any confusion.

There's so much redemption in this story for each of the characters. There's healing that gives hope to those suffering from loss and depression. I loved that the author didn't shy away from faith throughout the story because it was so vital to every part of it. Your world will be rocked and you'll need tissue on hand, but I promise you, it'll be worth it!

About the Author:

Nicole Deese's (nicoledeese.com) is a Christy and Carol Award-winning, bestselling author of hope-filled, humorous, and heartfelt contemporary romance novels. When she's not sorting out character arcs and story plots of her own, she can usually be found listening to an audiobook and multitasking at least four different chores at once. She's a hoarder of sparkling water, a lover of long walks and even longer talks with friends, and a seeker of fun and adventure at all times. She lives in small-town, Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two freakishly tall teenage sons, and one princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.

26 Below By Kimberley Woodhouse

26 Below

by Kimberley Woodhouse

Publisher: Kregel

Series: Alaskan Cyber Hunters

ISBN: 9780825447723

My interest was so piqued knowing that the author is usually writing historical fiction. When I learned she was writing a suspense series, I had to know more! She sent me her book for review.

Summary:

A curse. 
A killer. 
A chill in the air. 
Temps are dropping and time is running out.

In her new role as Emergency Operations Center director for Fairbanks, Alaska, Darcie Phillips prevents disasters. But none of her training can prepare her for the terror that's coming. 

As a cybersecurity specialist, Jason Myers is determined to ferret out any threats to the town he now calls home--and that includes his reckless brother and his ecoterrorist friends. 

When an old woman's wild prediction--widespread destruction as soon as the Fairbanks temperature falls to 26 below--hits national headlines, neither Darcie nor Jason sees a real risk to anything but tourism. Then the bodies start dropping. 

Darcie is relying on her experience and intelligence to stop a killer; Jason is relying on God to guide the way. But they'll have to work together to find the truth and prevent their Alaskan town from becoming a city of nightmares. 

My Review:

My interest was so piqued knowing that the author is usually writing historical fiction, but was stepping into a suspense series. If an author can write well in more than one genre, more power to them (and more reading for me)!

The premise of the book is one that freaks me out because of the possible reality of it, while also making me want to learn what I need to do in case I want to be prepared for widespread power outage. When we look at the threats in the cyber world, this story hits close to home. It's a powerful reminder of how reliant we are on power, internet, and instant communication.

First there's Darcie who is the new director for the Emergency Operations Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Governor has given her a year to get things operational in her department, but she doesn't have that long. The story begins with her first press conference which is a disaster! Things continue to go downhill from there. She has the most amazing assistant, Misty. I loved her character! Darcie, though, I kind of struggled with her. She has a hard history with her parents and best friend from when she was younger. She just seemed, a bit emotionally unstable for the job she needs to do. She was often closing herself away and treating her team rather unkindly.

Almost right away we also meet Jason, who is all about cybersecurity! He's the perfect guy, in the right place, at the right time! Thank goodness for that! I really liked his character. He was kind and knowledgeable, as well as protective. His brother, who we also meet, not so much like Jason. He ends up really liking Darcie and I actually thought he and Misty would make a better couple. lol Darcie seemed to abrasive in any personal interactions so I struggled to understand why he would have warm, fuzzy feelings towards her. There was also one quick section where he's talking with his parents, about something REALLY important, but then we never have any clue how Jason responded or what his parents learned. It was never brought up again.

There's complete chaos going on in Fairbanks! Someone is staying one step ahead of the EOC as well as every other government office and safety department. People are dying left and right. An old woman shows up out of the blue with what seems like crazy ramblings. It's just pandemonium. But seriously, you can totally picture it as the author is describing the story. I couldn't figure out who might be involved. And of course, the story ends on a cliffhanger so now I have to wait for the next one. This is definitely one series you do NOT want to read out of order.

I really loved how faith was fleshed out in this story in lots of different ways. There were quite a few moments I could really relate to the characters with how they were dealing with faith overall, but also with their own relationship with God and others. It was very heartwarming for it to be so central to the story.

About the Author:

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than thirty books and novellas, including A Deep Divide, Bridge of Gold, and The Mayflower Bride, as well as the coauthor of the Heart of Alaska series with Tracie Peterson. Kimberley’s writing has earned a Carol Award, the Christian Market Novel of the Year, the Holt Medallion, and many others. A proud former resident of Alaska, she now makes her home in the Pennsylvania Poconos. Visit her at kimberleywoodhouse.com.

Blind Trust By Natalie Walters

Blind Trust

by Natalie Walters

Publisher: Revell

Series: The SNAP Agency

ISBN: 9780800739805

Once again, I was thrilled to be on the launch team for the last book of The SNAP Agency. I have REALLY come to love this team and I hate letting them go! If you're a fan of government suspense, you'll love all 3 1/2 of the book. I received the book as part of the launch team. If you purchase the book with the link below I may receive a commission.

Summary:

She's risking her life. He's risking his heart. It's unclear which is more dangerous.

Lyla Fox knows she has a reputation at the SNAP Agency for being impulsive, but when she receives a threatening letter from a man she helped put in prison, she can't stop herself from going all in to find out why he's coming after her. Unfortunately, she's going to need the help of the one person who questions her choices more than anyone else.

Explosives and weapons specialist Nicolás Garcia agrees to help Lyla in order to keep her safe, but her recklessness continues to be a major concern, especially when her investigation into a conspiracy puts a target on her back. Dealing with bombs is dangerous. Working with Lyla is proving to be just as treacherous--to both the mission and his heart.

My Review:

HOW does she do it? Natalie Walters is gifted at taking the craziest situations - and not one, but several - and making them a cohesive, edge-of-your-seat suspense story! What could've been crazy and convoluted was incredibly written and started connecting some dots I didn't even know needed connecting! Those are my initial thoughts on Blind Trust!

If you've read through the other 2 1/2 books of this series, you know we've all been waiting for Lyla and Garcia's story! But sheesh, it was so much more than that. As with all of the other books, I love that the entire SNAP team is fully present (along with Brynn). They get plenty of air time throughout the story, but it's focused more on Garcia and Lyla.

I think in book 2 Garcia finally caught my eye. He a great, broody guy who really grew on me. So much so, I could not WAIT for this book. And Lyla, from the moment we meet Cupcake in book one, I loved her. And wow, her story turned out to be more than I expected! Whew! Hold onto your seatbelts my friends.

Right from the start, the story takes the reader into the thick of things. Lyla gets a freaky letter and things go south from there. If you don't mind your life being put in danger on the regular, the SNAP Agency is the place to be apparently. Why someone is trying to send a message or trying to take her out unfolds throughout the story. And let me tell you, towards the end, there's a "made for the movies" scene that will have you 😳!

And poor Garcia is there for all of it. Keeping Lyla safe was literally a full time job for him. At the same time he thinks he's stifling her God given abilities, but that's because his heart has softened towards her although he's still trying to come to grips with it. Sakes alive, if any hunky fictional character can wear a baseball hat that's basically become a side character of its own, it's Garcia!

If you want a 10-finger nail biter of a story, I present to you the book that will fit the bill!

About the Author:

Natalie Walters is the author of Lights Out and Fatal Code, as well as the Harbored Secrets series. A military wife, she currently resides in Texas with her soldier husband and is the proud mom of three. She loves traveling, spending time with her family, and connecting with readers on Instagram and Facebook. Learn more at www.nataliewalterswriter.com.

A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors + GIVEAWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors including Lynn Austin, Susie Finkbeiner, Jocelyn Green, Laura Frantz, Kate Breslin, Amanda Barratt, and Joanna Davidson Politano, sponsored by JustRead Publicity Tours!

You are Invited

A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors
September 2, 2023 at 7 p.m. 
Palmer House Hilton Hotel, Chicago

Join us at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 2, at Chicago’s historic Palmer House Hilton Hotel for a tasteful evening with tea and talk of books, writing, history, and the power of story. Emceed by Chris Jager of Baker Book House, seven novelists will share what inspires them, tales from the research files, what they’ve learned on the journey, and their hope for readers.

Learn More about A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors

Check out my interview with Laura Frantz! You can also read my full review of The Rose and the Thistle!

1. If you could transport yourself into any of your books for a day, which one would it be and why? I’ve always been fascinated by the hero in Courting Morrow Little. Since the novel is only written from Morrow’s perspective he was quite an intriguing character to me. He wasn’t even wordy, just communicated through his actions for the most part. I’m thinking of that dangling scalp in one scene! I’d love to take a look at the unspoiled Kentucky frontier in the novel’s 18th-century setting. 

2. What country and time period would you like to write a book in that might surprise your readers? I would absolutely love to write a medieval novel set in Scotland. My Scottish ancestors were the bad boys of the Borders back then, the bloody dividing line between Scotland & England. So much history to delve into & fictionalize though it was a very dark, distressing time. A curse was even put on my clan and fellow Border Reivers by an archbishop.

3. Which actor and actress (from the past or our current time) would you cast to play Lady Blythe and Everard in a movie? Actually, I’d cast the real life royal, Lady Gabriella Windsor, in the role as Lady Blythe Hedley & former Calvin Klein model Michael Bergin for the laird, Everard Hume, when he was young back in the 90’s. 

4. What are the qualities you find most important to make sure your main characters possess? For example, one of the things I loved about Everard is that he was steadfast and he didn't play games. Honestly, that's one of the absolute top things I love about the men in your stories.

Absolutely love your insights – thank you! Truth is what I value most in my main characters. They must speak truth & act with integrity, especially heroes. Since I spend a year or more with fictional people in each book I need to like them foremost, at least the principals. And I need to respect them, too. 

5. Which of your women main characters (from all of your stories) would you like to have afternoon tea with? My heroines do love tea😊 I would probably sit down with Liberty Lawson in The Lacemaker. Her riches-to-rags story is set in one of my favorite historical places, Colonial Williamsburg. She knows a thing or two about tea!

6. What do you like about writing the villains in your stories? I identify more with the villains in my novels than my heroes & heroines. And though I’ve had to kill one or two on the page it’s never a pleasant experience as I see all of them as redeemable! Villains, both male & female, are a great foil to the hero & heroines if done right. Their badness shines light on the goodness, so to speak.

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About the Authors

LYNN AUSTIN, whose titles include Long Way Home, Chasing Shadows, and If I Were You. Connect with her at LynnAustin.org.

AMANDA BARRATT, whose titles include Within These Walls of Sorrow, The White Rose Resists, and My Dearest Dietrich. Connect with her at AmandaBarratt.net.

KATE BRESLIN, whose titles include In Love’s Time, As Dawn Breaks, and Far Side of the Sea. Connect with her at KateBreslin.com.

SUSIE FINKBEINER, whose titles include The All-American, The Nature of Small Birds, and All Manner of Things. Connect with her at SusieFinkbeiner.com.

LAURA FRANTZ, whose titles include The Rose and the Thistle, A Heart Adrift, and Tidewater Bride. Connect with her at LauraFrantz.net.

JOCELYN GREEN, whose titles include The Metropolitan Affair, The Windy City Saga series, and The Mark of the King. Connect with her at JocelynGreen.com.

JOANNA DAVIDSON POLITANO, whose titles include The Lost Melody, A Midnight Dance, and The Love Note. Connect with her at JDPStories.com.

Purchase Tickets to Attend A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a tote bag, one bag of Pride and Peppermint Novel Tea, plus a $20 egift card to BakerBookHouse.com!

 

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 12, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 19, 2023. 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. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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