A Promise of Forgiveness By Jo Ann Brown + GIVEAWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Promise of Forgiveness by Jo Ann Brown, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Promise of Forgiveness 

Series: Secrets of Bliss Valley #2 

Author: Jo Ann Brown 

Publisher: Love Inspired 

Release Date: November 30, 2021 

Genre: Christian, Amish, Contemporary Romance 

“Jo Ann Brown’s writing is both powerful and charming. She provides a respite from the cares of the day and gives the invitation to join her for a journey of peace that lingers in the heart.” —Kelly Long, national bestselling author 

Every little secret is a chain to the past… 

For Amish widow Naomi Ropp, moving back to her parents’ Bliss Valley home—with her boisterous twin toddler boys—is a chance to start over and bury the painful secrets of her marriage forever. But her life is turned upside down once again when she learns she’s not the only one hiding things. The parents she believed were always open and honest have been keeping a secret her whole life. And now her only confidant is her father’s new employee—a handsome Amish man who was once her childhood tormentor. 

Samuel King knows more than anyone should about mistakes—and the way he treated Naomi is at the top of his list. But the shock of seeing her pretty face again is quickly overshadowed when they find a slumbering boppli abandoned on his porch. Caring for the sweet newborn together is finally bringing some peace to their troubled pasts. But when a spark leads to growing feelings as they start to look toward the future, Samuel must find a way to convince Naomi to trust the man he's become…and the promise of new love. 

Book Excerpt:

Who was the man? The last time she’d been home, almost two months ago, Daed had been talking about getting an assistant. Had he hired one?

“Naomi, what’s this?” called Daed.

Instead of replying, she threw her arms around him. She didn’t sob, though she wanted to. She wanted to be held as she hadn’t been in too long, knowing she was loved. When he murmured how happy he was to see her, she closed her eyes and drew in the special scent of him. It was a mixture of wood shavings and the lubricating oils he used in his shop, and it was her favorite aroma.

Eager shrieks coming from where the boys were playing on the tire swing brought up Naomi’s head. A quick check told her they were safe. When Daed asked again what was going on, she said she hoped he’d take her and his kins-kinder into his home.

“We can live in the dawdi haus, so we won’t be in your way,” she ended without telling him they’d been evicted. She didn’t want to air her dirty laundry in front of the stranger.

“In the dawdi haus?” Daed shook his head. “No, you’ll live in the main house. My assistant is living in the dawdi haus until the chicken barn is rebuilt.” Motioning toward the other man, he said, “Komm and say hello to Samuel.”

“Samuel?” Her voice sounded distant in her own ears as if the single word had been caught by a storm wind.

She took another look at the man who was limping toward them. No wonder he’d looked familiar. Samuel King had shared her first kiss and then told everyone about it, making her the laughingstock of Bliss Valley and ruining her reputation. How could she even attempt to forget the worst parts of her past when Samuel King stood right in front of her now?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Walmart Exclusive | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub 

The trade paperback version of A Promise of Forgiveness is available now exclusively at your local Walmart or Walmart.com. Preorder available everywhere.

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jo Ann Brown has published over 100 titles under a variety of pen names. A former military officer, she enjoys taking pictures and traveling. She has taught creative writing for more than 20 years and is always excited when one of her students sells a project. She has been married for more than 40 years and has three children and two rambunctious cats. She lives in Amish Country in southeastern Pennsylvania. She enjoys hearing from her readers. Visit her at www.joannbrownbooks.com.

CONNECT WITH JO ANN: Website | Facebook

---

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight December 6, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on December 13, 2021. 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 the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

---

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Crosshairs By Patricia Bradley

Crosshairs

by Patricia Bradley

Publisher: Revell

Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers Book

ISBN: 978-0800735753

Having been a fan of the previous 2 books, I was ready to go back to Natchez Trace! This has been a great series with both the suspense and great characters. I received the book for review.

Summary:

Investigative Services Branch (ISB) ranger Ainsley Beaumont arrives in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a three-month-pregnant teenager. While she wishes the visit was under better circumstances, she never imagined that she would become the killer's next target--nor that she'd have to work alongside an old flame.

After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn't bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly and unforeseen consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her. The only question is, will it be too little, too late?

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley continues her Natchez Trace Park Rangers series with a story about how good must prevail when evil just won't quit.

My Review:

Well, that was another wild ride with book 3 in this series! This time we meet Ainsley who is back home in Natchez to visit her grandma. Unfortunately, as soon as she is back things so haywire quickly. Her Aunt Cora, who lives across the street from her grandma, is hurt and Ainsley has to figure out what happened. Things literally start off crazy and just get crazier with each turn of the page.

Ainsley's old flame, Lincoln ends up on the scene because he's been working with Cora on a projects. Sorry, Ainsley, but I liked him right away. Poor Ainsley is dealing with a lot and Linc only wants to help.

That's when things go from bad to worse. People are breaking into houses, shooting at Ainsley, shooting at suspects. It's total crazy town. I couldn't stop turning the pages! lol There are so many twists and turns. I thought it was easy enough to connect the dots, but turns out, not so much. That's what I've loved about this series and specifically this book. Just when I think I know what's going on, I don't!

The bad guys are exactly that... bad and creepy. Then there are side characters who are just the same. I wanted to have Ainsley go back to grandma's house and stay put! Too many crimes to solve first.

One of the things I really liked about this story was that Linc & Ainsley didn't go tromping off into danger all by themselves. It drives me nuts when characters do that. I know that might sound silly, but I loved that in this story. People DID what they said they were going to do. A police officer is assigned to Ainsley, she doesn't try to sneak away from him. Thank you, Patricia, I appreciate that!

I also thought this was the last book in the series and to find out there's going to be a 4th got me super excited!!

About the Author:

Patricia Bradley is the author of Standoff, Obsession, and Crosshairs, as well as the Memphis Cold Case novels and Logan Point series. Bradley won an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award in Romantic Suspense, a Daphne du Maurier Award, and a Touched by Love Award; she was a Carol Award finalist; and three of her books were included in anthologies that debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. She is cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc., and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.ptbradley.com.

After She Falls By Carmen Schober

After She Falls

by Carmen Schober

Publisher: Bethany House

ISBN: 9780764239298

When I saw this book first offered for review, I wasn't so sure. lol Have you read my other reviews that start off like this? I always end up thoroughly enjoying them! This was no different. I was sent the book for review.

Summary:

She's always had that fire in her. She just needs to find it again.

Strong-willed Adri Rivera nearly achieved her goal of being a professional mixed martial artist, but then she fell in love with a man who knocked all the fight out of her. When their abusive, tumultuous relationship finally comes to a head, Adri flees with their young daughter to her small hometown in the mountains of Pennsylvania. There, she must face the people she left behind and put her broken life back together again. 

A hardened Max Lyons can't believe Adri is back in town after abruptly cutting him and everyone else off years ago. Despite the distance that grew between them, he feels compelled to help her regain her independence and offers her a job at his gym. But regaining each other's trust is another matter, made even more complicated by the lingering spark between them. As Adri dares to pursue her dream again, she trains for a big tournament with Max's help, but they'll both have to confront their own doubts in order to rise victorious.

My Review:

Ok, After She Falls was SUCH an interesting book. I had no idea what to expect other than a strong recommendation by the publisher. 

This story is very different than pretty much anything I've read. That in itself is a good thing. It's raw, in your face, and barely gives you a chance to come up for air. If you're not used to gritty books, the first part of the story might take some getting used to. I mean, the whole story, for sure, but just getting started you might need to keep an open mind. It's totally worth it.

We meet Adri, mom to little Eva, former fighter, and current punching bag for her husband, Owen. I don't like Owen and neither does Rocky <s>their</s> her German Shepherd Dog. You can feel how terrifying Adri's life is, and the first part of the story sets up the stage for everything that comes next.

As hard as it is to bring domestic abuse to light through fiction, it's a topic that is real and shouldn't be shied away from. The author did a fantastic job of keeping it real and giving us an intense glimpse into what that world must be like for those living in it.

When she gets back home to her loving uncle Roman, Adri is in survival mode. She tries to lie low because Sparta is a small town. When she and Max see each other for the first time, it's easy to wonder about their past. I liked how the author gave glimpses to their past though different memories. It gives the reader more depth to the struggles they go through as they begin to work together and Adri is ready to start fighting again.

While Adri is taking baby steps in her faith, Max is still living in the world and is dead set against God. He's wandering, not knowing what he's looking for thinking he can find whatever it is in what the world has to offer. Again, raw and gritty, but that's the truth of living without God sometimes. I would say most definitely in a world like this.

With the author's personal experience with kickboxing, there is a fantastic knowledge of the fighting world. I have to say, my interest was piqued. I did kickboxing for exercise and loved it and this story made even this old lady wonder what it would be like to get into the ring. Ok, maybe outside the ring watching?

If you're looking for a unique read that deals head on with tough topics, give this story a chance. You'll see God moving in the lives of the main characters in wonderful, moving ways and you'll be come invested in them as well.

About the Author:

Carmen Schober (www.carmenschober.com), author of After She Falls, is a wife, mom, and design show enthusiast! Growing up, she experienced two fascinating worlds, thanks to her mother's Cuban heritage and her father's ties to the American South. When she's not writing fiction, she curates lifestyle content for fans interested in faith, food, fashion, and everything in between. Carmen earned a master's degree in English literature and creative writing from Kansas State, and she currently lives in Manhattan, Kansas.

Their Yuletide Healing by Mindy Obenhaus + GIVEAWAY

    

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for Their Yuletide Healing by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Their Yuletide Healing 

Series: Bliss, Texas 

Author: Mindy Obenhaus 

Publisher: Love Inspired 

Release Date: November 30, 2021 

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance 

As her plans unravel, can she give her children what they truly need? 

Foster mom Rae Girard’s determined to make her children’s first Christmas with her the best they’ve ever had—and she’s shocked when the town scrooge, attorney Cole Heinsohn, offers to pitch in. Rae’s young charges have melted Cole’s heart, and he wants them to experience the special day he never had. But when disaster strikes, an imperfect holiday might bring them something better: a family…

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

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups and countless cattle. She’s passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen, spending time with her grandchildren or roaming the ranch in search of inspiration. She’d love to connect with you via her website, mindyobenhaus.com, or on Facebook.

CONNECT WITH MINDY: Website | Facebook | Instagram

---

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a copy of all four Bliss, Texas series books and a $20 Amazon gift card.

 

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight December 2, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 9, 2021. 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. (Winners outside the US will receive trilogy ebooks and $20 Amazon gift card) Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

---

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

The Daily Bible Project

The Daily Bible Project

Publisher: Ink and Willow

ISBN: 9780593233023

This is the first time I've had the opportunity to review one of Ink and Willow's items. They've got some really neat gift products! They sent me The Daily Bible Project for review.

Summary:

About The Daily Bible Project

For anyone looking to deepen their spiritual walk by reading through the Bible in a year, this keepsake journal offers a reading schedule with daily Scripture assignments and room to record three years' worth of responses.

Derived from the popular Daily Question series, The Daily Bible Project follows the same three-year structure in this new keepsake journal. Instead of a prompt, however, each page offers a Scripture reading assignment for the day, along with brief journaling spaces to fill with your favorite verses or your own questions and revelations experienced while reading. 

The daily reading plan is specially designed to keep you on track but not overwhelmed:
  •  The daily readings are chronological but include chapters from the Old and New Testaments.
  •  Each day's reading prompt assigns roughly three chapters of Scripture.
  •  You'll read through the entire Bible each year, for three years.
  •  Indicating just the Scripture reference, the journal can be used with any Bible translation or version.

With room for three years' worth of responses, The Daily Bible Project offers a unique opportunity to track your spiritual growth and progress year over year.

My Review:

If you planning to work your way through the Bible in a year, The Daily Bible Project is a journal you're going to want to have on hand. There are many things to love about it. It's rather compact. The cover is somewhere between a hard and soft cover. Mine came with a small crease so it's not a very "hard" cover.

I'm going to go through and share the different points about the journal that I plan to enjoy.

First, there aren't specific dates on each page. That way, if you randomly decide to start reading through the Bible on April 15th, you don't have to worry that you're not starting on Jan 1st. At the top of each page are the readings. I appreciate that it's laid out so easily that we don't have to use more than one book.

Because this covers three years there are three small section to write in on each page. You can write the date and then thoughts on the Scripture you read. There are a few lines for each day's reading, but you can't write a lot, but some short ideas, questions, and insights. What I like about having these all on one page is that over the three years as you can compare any new insights you might gain next to what you've written the previous years.

I like how the pages are very simple in appearance and the colors are cohesive throughout. The cover is very striking in beautiful and I love the gold foil. The banner for the date along with extra pages of Biblical stats or wonderful tidbits such as the Names For God are in the same coloring as the cover. Really beautiful!

I'm looking forward to getting started with this at the start of the year! I'm hoping I will put it to good use and be able to look back on it over the years and see what I've learned and how I've grown in my walk. This would definitely make a lovely gift. 

About the Publisher:

Ink & Willow products infuse contemplation and inspiration into the regular spiritual practice of creative-minded Christians, wherever they are in their faith journey. Each thoughtfully curated gift product is based in biblical truth and sparks a reminder of how God reveals beauty in the midst of our ordinary.