Love In The Wild By Mandi Blake

Love in the Wild

by Mandi Blake

Publisher: Independent

Series: Love in Blackwater

ISBN: 978-1953372543

I have loved the entire Love in Blackwater series! When the author asked me if I'd read book three, I couldn't say no because I'm loving this series. She sent me her book for review.

Summary:

It’s all fun and games until the fake relationship puts their lives on the line.

Gage Howard’s last name is a legacy, and not a good one. The Howards and the Pattons have been rivals for half a century, but his sister's actions have branded her a traitor. Now, his own loyalty is divided.

Hadley Morgan has no clue how bloody the family feud between the Howards and the Pattons is when she volunteers to help her new roommate get information to Gage. A fake relationship with her roommate’s brother is a simple solution to stay below the radar.

Gage is guarded and stoic, while Hadley is full of hope. As they carefully navigate their arrangement, they find unexpected connection in the tragedies of their past.

Hadley is determined to show Gage a God of forgiveness as he is constantly reminded of his dark past. Alliances are drawn, and betrayals can put a target on anyone’s back. Together, they’ll have to strive to keep the Howards and Pattons from destroying each other while fighting for the new love that could be the way to healing for both of them.

If you loved the Blackwater Ranch series and the Wolf Creek Ranch series, get ready to fall in love all over again in Blackwater, Wyoming.

My Review:

One of the things I enjoy about Mandi's stories is getting to visit with old friends in them! Reading stories set in Blackwater feels like going home.

We meet Gage in the previous story so I was wondering what it was going to be like getting to know him. He wasn't very likable in the beginning, and it took a while to to feel empathy for him. What do you do when you grow up in a family who has zero issues with crime? You either join them or ... actually, I don't think there was an "or" option.

Then there's sweet, kind Hadley! She's had a rough life, but her faith in God has transformed her. When she's thrown into Gage & his sister's (Thea) lives, she immediately wants to help and as time goes by, she wants to see Gage's life transformed as well. You can't help but like her and not surprisingly, Gage does as well.

Unfortunately, Gage's family and Thea's old boyfriend's family are basically like the Hatfield & McCoys. You're either running for your life or you're fighting others for it. Hadley willingly goes along with helping the siblings, but nothing about helping out is easy. There are lots of nail-biting moments and it's hard to know who to trust (aside from Hadley).

My favorite part of the author's stories is that she infuses them with incredible faith, wonderful examples of a mentor, and shows how even the toughest of characters are worthy and able to be redeemed.

I have to admit, I was very confused in the first few chapters. Who was dead? Who was killed? Which person(s) did those things? I was also confused by some of the secondary characters' names because of a lot of similarities. This time it felt like a 3.5 star read, but giving it a 3 felt too low (although I feel like 3 star reviews get a bad rap)! I've given all of her other books 4 starts so this fits right along with those! I can't wait for book four! I need Travis' story asap!

About the Author:

Mandi Blake was born and raised in Alabama where she lives with her husband and daughter, but her southern heart loves to travel. Reading has been her favorite hobby for as long as she can remember, but writing is her passion. She loves a good happily ever after in her sweet Christian romance books and loves to see her characters' relationships grow closer to God and each other.

The Christy Award Finalists 2024 Gala + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for The Christy Award Finalists 2024, organized by ECPA and hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! We extend our sincere and enthusiastic congratulations to the 2024 Finalists! This will be my first time attending in person and I just know I'm going to be starstruck! Here's to hoping I act "normal"!

About the Gala

The Christy Award Gala will be held on Thursday, November 14 at 7 pm central in Downers Grove, Illinois, at the DoubleTree Conference Center, just outside Chicago. Winners from each category, plus the Christy Book of the Year and Amplify Award, will be announced during the celebration.

Hosted by award-winning novelist and radio host Chris Fabry, the Gala will feature the induction of award-winning speculative author Sharon Hinck into the Christy Hall of Fame with remarks from inaugural Hall of Fame novelist Lynn Austin. The evening will also include a keynote from Amanda Barratt, author of 2023 Christy Book of the Year Within These Walls of Sorrow and the presentation of this year’s awards by last year’s winning authors: Sharon Hinck, Amanda Barratt, Sara Brunsvold, Laura Frantz, Elizabeth Goddard, Kristi Ann Hunter, Anna Rose Johnson, Linda MacKillop, Katie Powner, and Sara Watterson. 

In addition, the literary imagination of J.R.R. Tolkien will be honored throughout the evening by poet, scholar, and Anglican priest Malcolm Guite; accomplished agent of many of the industry’s award-winning speculative titles Steve Laube; and WaterBrook editor, who is the founder of the International Inklings Day Substack, Jamie Lapeyrolerie.

Learn more about The Christy Award Gala 2024

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The Christy Award Finalists 2024

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - tie

Her Only Wish, Shelley Shepard Gray (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) Indigo Isle, T.I. Lowe (Tyndale House Publishers) The Rhythm of Fractured Grace, Amanda Wen (Kregel Publications) The Thing About Home, Rhonda McKnight (Thomas Nelson)

FIRST NOVEL

A Fifth of the Story, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson Hayes (End Game Press) An American Immigrant, Johanna Rojas Vann (WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House) On Moonberry Lake, Holly Varni (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)

GENERAL FICTION - tie

He Should Have Told the Bees, Amanda Cox (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) The Last Exchange, Charles Martin (Thomas Nelson) The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass, Katie Powner (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) The Year of Jubilee, Cindy Morgan (Tyndale House Publishers)

HISTORICAL

Appalachian Song, Michelle Shocklee (Tyndale House Publishers) The Foxhole Victory Tour, Amy Lynn Green (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) The Warsaw Sisters, Amanda Barratt (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

A Winter by the Sea, Julie Klassen (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Of Love and Treason, Jamie Ogle (Tyndale House Publishers) The Seamstress of Acadie, Laura Frantz (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER

8 Down, Kimberley Woodhouse (Kregel Publications) The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater, Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

SHORT FORM - tie

Beauty Bright (within We Three Kings), Cara Putman (Kregel Publications) The Poppy (within Dancing in the Rain), Sara Davison (Sara Davison) The Shifting Current, Dani Pettrey (Dani Pettrey) Star of Wonder (within We Three Kings), Crystal Caudill (Kregel Publications) You Make It Feel Like Christmas, Toni Shiloh (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

SPECULATIVE - tie

Estuary, Lisa T. Bergren (Enclave, a division of Oasis Family Media) In This Moment, Gabrielle Meyer (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Lumen, J.J. Fischer (Enclave, a division of Oasis Family Media) Shadowcast, Crystal D. Grant (Quill & Flame Publishing House)

YOUNG ADULT - tie

The Looking-Glass Illusion, Sara Ella (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media) Offsides, Lori Z. Scott (End Game Press) Once a Queen, Sarah Arthur (WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House) Sky of Seven Colors, Rachelle Nelson (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media)

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive their choice of The Art of Writing registration OR print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles for one category!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 20, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 27, 2024. 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

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Register for The Christy Award 2024 Events

Leading up to the Gala, an afternoon of seminars will be presented as the Art of Writing conference, which will bring together writers, creatives, and publishing curators for training and connection around Christian fiction writing.  Sessions will be led by publishers Karen Watson and Andrea Martin (Tyndale House); agents Danielle Egan-Miller and Cynthia Ruchti; and authors Amanda Cox, Kelly Flanagan, Chris Fabry, Robin W. Pearson, Dani Pettrey, and others.

REGISTER

The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org

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Author and Reader Event

Join fellow readers and forty authors (and counting!) at the JustRead Rendezvous to celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads. This event will be held on the day after The Christy Award events at the same location. Rendezvous, modeled after the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Activities will include corporate worship, speaker sessions, author panels, small group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up book shop, and author signings.

Learn more about the 2024 JustRead Rendezvous

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

Paws-itive Inspirations: 90 Devotions for Kids and Dog Lovers + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Paws-itive Inspirations: 90 Devotions for Kids and Dog Lovers by Michelle Medlock Adams & Wendy Hinote Lanier, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! If you've seen any of my social media, you know I have a dog, 2 cats, and grandchildren. How could I NOT want to have this devotion in my library?

About the Book

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Title: Paws-itive Inspirations: 90 Devotions for Kids and Dog Lovers
Authors: Michelle Medlock Adams, Wendy Hinote Lanier
Publisher: Iron Stream Media
Release Date: September 17, 2024
Genre: Juvenile Christian Non-Fiction/Devotional

Can Dogs Really Teach Us More About God? 

Award-winning authors Michelle Medlock Adams and Wendy Hinote Lanier say yes! That’s why they’ve teamed up to offer Paws-itive Inspirations—a great way to help dog lovers connect with God and learn more about their favorite breeds.  

Paws-itive Inspirations will have kids and adults alike digging up treasures about their favorite pups, as well as discovering new breeds and learning important biblical truths in every devotion. Each Fido-themed entry encourages readers to dig deeper into God’s Word as they uncover fascinating facts about our canine friends. The 90 devotions cover different dog breeds and include: 

Unleashing the Truth (key Bible verses)
Digging Deeper (self-reflection questions)
Fido 411 (interesting tidbits about the breed)
Weekly Tail-Waggers (activities to reinforce each lesson)  

Paws-itive Inspirations blends faith, fun, and canine facts to give readers a deeper understanding of God’s Word. The interactive format makes for a meaningful and memorable faith journey!  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop

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Book Excerpt

It’s a sad fact: people can sometimes hurt us or let us down. That’s just part of being human.

Everybody makes mistakes. The great thing is that God never makes a mistake. He never hurts us,

and He never lets us down. He always keeps His promises. We can trust Him. He loves us with an

everlasting love. And He is always there for us. His faithfulness never ends.

Unleash the Truth: “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” (Psalm

36:5)

Digging Deeper: Have you ever felt like someone let you down?

Fido 411: In 1937 Helen Keller learned the story of the famous Hachiko. She was so impressed she

brought the first Akita to the United States.5

Weekly Tail-Waggers: Take time this week to look up the following scriptures: Psalm 57:10; Psalm

86:15; Psalm 91:4; Psalm 100:5; Psalm 119:30; Isaiah 25:1; and Lamentations 3:23. Read them and think

about what they mean. God is faithful!

About the Authors

 

Michelle Medlock Adams is an award-winning author of over 100 books with close to four million books sold, including her best-selling What Is . . .? board book series. Michelle has written countless articles, helped pen a New York Times bestseller, hosted TBN’s Joy in Our Town TV program, and taught at more than one hundred writers conferences. Michelle is married to her high-school sweetheart, Jeff. They have two married daughters, two grandsons, and two granddaughters.

Connect with Michelle by visiting michellemedlockadams.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Wendy Hinote Lanier is a Texan, dog lover, and only child who always wanted a puppy rather than a brother or sister. She is a former elementary teacher who writes and speaks for children and adults on a variety of topics and is an award-winning author of more than 50 books for children.

Connect with Wendy by visiting wendyhinotelanier.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a print copy of Paws-itive Inspirations and a $25 Visa gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 17, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 24, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN 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!

The Christy Award 2024 Finalists

Today was so fun watching and listening to ECPA President and CEO, Jeff Crosby, and author, Chris Fabry list The Christy Award finalists! I've been blessed to have read quite a few of these books over the past year! We've even had several of these authors join our monthly online Inspired Readers Book Club! Their names are in bold, two of them this year (Toni Shiloh and Amanda Wen).

Books with an asterisk * are ones I've read. Books with two asterisks ** means I have the book, but haven't read it yet. Many of the books have come from authors, publishers, and book tours. Some I've listened to via audiobook or purchased myself. Any of the book titles that have links with them are ones I've reviewed either on my website or on Goodreads. Click through if any interest you to learn more about the stories and read my review.

If you're interested in checking out any of these books, head to my Amazon Storefront where I'm an Amazon Associate, which means I might earn a few pennies (I have yet to earn anything) if you make a purchase through my link! Here you go: Mimi's Storefront.

Young Adult (tie):

The Looking Glass Illusion - Sara Ella*

Offsides - Lori Z. Scott

Once a Queen - Sarah Arthur

Sky of Seven Colors - Rachelle Nelson*

Contemporary Romance (tie):

Her Only Wish - Shelley Shepard Gray

Indigo Isle - T.I. Lowe

The Rhythm of Fractured Grace - Amanda Wen**

The Thing About Home - Rhonda McKnight

First Novel:

A Fifth of the Story - Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes

An American Immigrant - Johanna Rojas Vann

On Moonberry Lake - Holly Varni**

General Fiction (tie):

He Should've Told the Bees - Amanda Cox*

The Last Exchange - Charles Martin

The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass - Katie Powner

The Year of Jubilee - Cindy Morgan

Historical:

Appalachian Song - Michelle Shocklee*

The Foxhole Victory Tour - Amy Lynn Green*

The Warsaw Sisters - Amanda Barrett*

Historical Romance:

A Winter by the Sea - Julie Klassen*

Of Love and Treason - Jamie Ogle**

The Seamstress by Acadie - Laura Frantz**

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:

8 Down - Kimberley Woodhouse**

The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater - Jaime Jo Wright*

The Vanishing at Castle Moreau - Jaime Jo Wright*

Short Form (2 ties):

Beauty Bright - Cara Putman

The Poppy - Sara Davison

The Shifting Current - Dani Pettrey*

Star of Wonders - Crystal Caudill

You Make it Feel Like Christmas - Toni Shiloh*

Speculative:

Estuary - Lisa T. Bergren*

In This Moment - Gabrielle Meyer*

Lumen - J.J. Fischer*

Shadowcast - Crystal D. Grant*

A Token Of Love By Carrie Turansky

A Token of Love

by Carrie Turansky

Publisher: Bethany House

ISBN: 9780764241062

I have read all but one of Carrie's books and have loved all of them. I like that she's found her niche and creates unique stories. I am on her launch team and the publisher sent me her book for review.

Summary:

Separated by centuries, the lives of two women intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice.

In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister's plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice's disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.

In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum's history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum's reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for what she believes.

My Review:

Another terrific book by Carrie Turansky! She does such a great job with time split stories. Typically my favorite timeline is historical, and that was true for this story as well. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed both of them, but I always have a propensity to lean toward loving the historical one more.

I think we as a society tend to forget there's nothing new under the sun. That includes how terribly people can treat one another. That's evidenced in this story in both 1885 and current day, but obviously in different ways. We also see that there are those who will champion a worthy cause!

First we meet Lillian, a widow, who is reunited with her estranged sister, and finds out her niece was left at the Foundling Hospital as a baby. What she learns from her first visit to the hospital takes her on a journey to unravel the mystery of her missing niece along with a handful of other young girls. She's joined (begrudgingly) by Matthew who is a reporter for a well-known newspaper. Together, they seek to find out what's happened to the girls!

While it was clear what direction this was going to take, I thought it was an interesting take on human trafficking, but not shocking because people were targeting the most vulnerable even then. I thought this time period was well written and I really loved Lillian's tenacity.

In the current day, Janelle is the acting director of the Foundling Museum. She finds out rather quickly that filmmaker, Jonas Conrad, wants to do a documentary about the museum in time for the museum's fundraising gala. What they find along the way about the Hospital's past leads them on a search for the truth! I really enjoyed following along as Janelle and Jonas learned more about the orphans, the families, and the hospital's history. It's a reminder of how difficult it can be to track down information from so long ago, but how well a puzzle can come together when you have all of the right pieces.

There was a lovely thread of faith woven through both timelines, which I always appreciate.

About the Author:

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of twenty-one inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She loves traveling to England to research her Edwardian novels, including No Journey Too Far, No Ocean Too Wide, Across the Blue, and the Edwardian Brides series. Her novels have been translated into several languages and have received starred reviews from Christianbook.com and Library Journal. Learn more at carrieturansky.com.