Book Blast | Chasing Hope by Kathryn Cushman

Tour Schedule

Chasing Hope by Kathryn Cushman  

A Personal Drama of Shattered Dreams and Second Chances 

A talented runner fully committed to Olympic dreams, Sabrina Rice's future was shattered by a devastating diagnosis. One forfeited scholarship and several years later, she has new goals and dreams that have nothing to do with running—something that's become far too painful to think on. Until the day she sees Brandy Philip running across the community college campus, easily outpacing security. Sabrina immediately recognizes world-class speed, and it's all the more painful that it belongs to a teenage graffiti artist. When a chance encounter brings the two young women together, Sabrina becomes Brandy's best hope for staying out of juvenile hall. Soon, Sabrina begins to feel an uncomfortable nudge that her new life is just about to be toppled...that God may be calling her to minister to this talented but troubled girl.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author Kathryn Cushman

Author Kathryn "Katie" Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. She is the author of five novels, including Leaving Yesterday and A Promise to Remember, which were both finalists for the Carol Award in Women's Fiction. She is also the co-author of Angel Song with Sheila Walsh. Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California. 

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BookBlast Giveaway 

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash 

Ends 10/11/13   

*** Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. ***

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Cover Reveal | Love's Refuge by Sandra Leesmith

It's time for another cover reveal! This is the third cover designed by Lena Goldfinch that I've helped "reveal," and I just love her covers! 

Okay, so Love's Refuge ... I love the blue (it's my favorite color after all). And I think the man and woman on the front are completely striking ... mostly because they contrast each other so well. She's blond and fair and very innocent looking. He's dark and scruffy and looks like he might be a protector-type guy. The lighthouse and the stormy clouds are a really great touch as well. It just adds another dimension to the design and gives some hints as to what the story might be about. 

About the Book

Skye Larsen loves her peaceful life on Leeza Island in Puget Sound—the tranquility, the friendly neighbors, and especially the safety from big-city dangers. So when cruel pranks start to escalate and changes threaten to overtake the island, Skye is determined to fight for her haven. The presence of a handsome vacationer and the unexpected feelings he awakens can’t distract her from her goal.

Danny Fraser doesn’t realize how desperately he needs a rest until he meets Skye. By allowing him to glimpse her simple way of life, she helps him reorient his priorities—and steals his heart in the process. But his work and home in Seattle keep Skye at bay.

An isolated island girl with painful memories. A dedicated city boy with a wild past. What will it cost for them both to find a refuge from their storms?

About the Author

Sandra Leesmith loves to travel in her RV and explore all of nature’s beauty, discover America’s history, and fellowship with the wonderful people she meets while on the road. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, swimming, and pickleball. Learn more about Sandra and her books at her website.

About the Cover Designer

Lena lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. She writes fiction for young adults, mostly light fantasy with a healthy dose of "sigh-worthy" romance. You can visit her online at her blog.

Love’s Refuge will be released November 2013. Visit Seasons of Humility in November for more information about the book’s release and the blog tour.

Freebie & Giveaway

In honor of the Love's Refuge cover reveal, Sandra’s May 2013 release, Love's Miracles, is FREE for Kindle today (September 20) only. Click HERE to download your copy!

AND as if all of this fun isn't enough, the author is giving away a cool Kindle bag (though I'm sure it will fit other e-readers as well). Just fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. (Giveaway ends on September 28 and is open to US residents only. Complete details can be found at Seasons of Humility.)

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BookBlast | Rocky Road by Josi S. Kilpack

I've recently signed up with Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer to participate in a few BookBlasts and Blog Tours that she's organizing. She puts together some really interesting tours and the prizes are great! I hope you will enjoy hearing about some of these books and will enter some of the giveaways as well!

Note: While today's featured book is not Christian fiction as many others on this site are, it is a clean read.

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Rocky Road by Josi S. Kilpack
(A Culinary Mystery)

It was supposed to be a girls’ weekend in scenic St. George, Utah that would include shopping, trying out the local cuisine, and participating in a breast cancer fundraiser. The fact that one of the organizers of the fundraising event, a local doctor, disappeared two months ago was not supposed to be Sadie’s problem. In fact, she refuses to participate in the grassroots investigation her friend Caro, and Caro’s cousin, Tess, have put together prior to her arrival. But then she meets the ex-wife of the missing doctor. How could she not ask a few questions . . . that lead to a few more questions . . . that lead to a small town and yet even more questions. Before she knows it, Sadie is in the middle of yet another murder investigation and trying to piece together a convoluted trail of good intentions, hidden motivations, and philanthropy turned big business. 

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

 

Author Josi S. Kilpack 

Born and raised in Salt Lake City Utah, I met my husband in high-school—well, he wasn't my husband then, just the cute guy in weight training with the permed mullet--and we married in 1993. I wrote my first book while on bed rest with my third child and have gone on to publish 20 novels, the most recent being part of The Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series. I currently live in Willard, Utah with my husband, children, and cat.

Website * Twitter * Blog

 

Tour Schedule

Other Culinary Mysteries by Josi Kilpack

BookBlast Giveaway 

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash 
Ends 10/6/13

*** Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CFBA Blog Tour | Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta

Born of Persuasion
by Jessica Dotta
Price of Privilege series, Book 1
Christian Fiction / Historical
Available September 2013
Tyndale House
448 pages

Buy a copy
Read an excerpt
Find out what others think

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About the Book

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

My Thoughts

Unfortunately, I haven't finished this book yet. However, let me share my first impressions with you. While I found the beginning quite confusing, I pushed through that first chapter and started putting the pieces together. And I'm so glad I did. This book is completely different than anything I can remember reading in quite some time. Maybe ever. It's dark and twisty, and there's a hint of romance to come. The story is complex and the characters are numerous, but so far I'm enjoying getting to know them.

The author has been compared numerous times to Emily and Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen; however, since I have never read anything by any of these three classic authors (except the Cliffs notes of Wuthering Heights ... gasp!), I couldn't tell you if this is true or not. But if you're intrigued by the comparison, you might want to check this book out. :)

Update (6/16/2014): Well, nine months later and I have still not finished this book. I have picked it up and tried to finish several times, but it's just not capturing my full attention. I really don't like the main character and am a bit confused as to what's going on. Add to that the fact that this is a really "dark" book, and I'm just not into it. At the halfway point, I'm setting this book aside and marking it as DNF. There are a lot of readers who seem to have really enjoyed it. Sadly, I'm not wone of them.

I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale House and CFBA in exchange for my fair and honest review.

About the Author

Born in the wrong century–except for the fact that she really likes epidurals and washing machines–Jessica Dotta writes British historicals with the humor like an Austen, yet the drama of a Bronte.

She resides lives in the greater Nashville area—where she imagines her small Southern town into the foggy streets of 19th century London. She oversees her daughter to school, which they pretend is an English boarding school, and then she goes home to write and work on PR. Jessica has tried to cast her dachshund as their butler–but the dog insists it’s a Time Lord and their home a Tardis. Miss Marple, her cat, says its no mystery to her as to why the dog won’t cooperate. When asked about it, Jessica sighs and says that you can’t win them all, and at least her dog has picked something British to emulate.

Jessica Dotta Online

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Waiting on Wednesday | Greetings from the Flipside

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is ...

Greetings from the Flipside 
by Rene Gutteridge & Cheryl McKay

B&H Books | October 2013

About the Book

Hope Landon has been rewriting other people's greeting cards since she was six years old -- there's always a funnier caption. She's all set to chase those creative dreams with her musician fiance in New York City until he leaves Hope at the altar, deciding he must not really love this girl if he can't write a song for her. That may give her something to write about . . .

Hope disappears alone on what was supposed to be the couple's monthlong honeymoon. Upon returning she learns of her funeral -- everyone in her life concluded Hope must have killed herself after being jilted. Needing a fresh start more than ever, she heads for the Big Apple only to discover it's not that easy to rent a place when you've been declared dead.

Taking shelter at the YWCA, Hope soon lands a job at a Christian inspirational greeting card company as an assistant to Jake, a guy who shut down his organization's humor department. She has lost her faith in love; he needs to find something or someone that will make him laugh.

Is there anything in the cards for these two? Find out in the truly original Greetings from the Flipside by authors Rene Gutteridge (Boo) and Cheryl McKay (screenplay for The Ultimate Gift).

Why I Can't Wait to Read It

I read Misery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge last month and loved it. Greetings from the Flipside sounds totally different, so I'm excited to see how Rene handles a different genre!

Dangerous Passage by Lisa Harris Is Full of Twists!

Dangerous Passage
by Lisa Harris
Southern Crimes series, Book 1
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Romantic Suspense
Available September 2013
Revell Books
320 pages

Buy a copy
Read an excerpt
Find out what others think

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About the Book

She's dedicated her life to ending violence. But has she moved too deep into a treacherous world?

When two Jane Does are killed on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, detective and behavioral specialist Avery North discovers they share something in common—a magnolia tattoo on their shoulders. Suspecting a serial killer, Avery joins forces with medical examiner Jackson Bryant to solve the crimes and prevent another murder. As they venture deep into a sinister criminal world, Avery and Jackson are taken to the very edge of their abilities—and their hearts.

Dangerous Passage exposes a fully realized and frightening world where every layer peeled back reveals more challenges ahead. You'll be hooked from the start.

My Thoughts

Oh wow! I read another of Lisa's books several years ago and was so excited when I found out she had a new book coming out this year. And let me tell you ... it was amazing!

Dangerous Passages features Atlanta dective, Avery North. She's a widowed mother raising a pre-teen daughter, in a new dating relationship with medical examiner Jackson Bryant, an anchor for her extended family, investigating her brother's death. And on top of all of that, she's trying to solve the murder cases of two Jane Does. This story becomes more and more complex. However, I never felt lost or confused. Instead, the author crafted an intricate story, adding layer upon layer to keep me guessing as to what would happen next. I realized early on that there was much more to these two murders than met the eye, but it wasn't until the very end that I fully understood everything. Definitely the mark of a great story-teller!

I also enjoyed that while this book is definitely a romantic suspense, the two are balanced well. I never felt that one outweighed the other or stole the show, so to speak. Of course, Jackson is definitely worthy of his status as the hero of this story and I loved how he "forced" Avery to let him take care of her sometimes. I also liked the unique fact that they were already somewhat involved prior to the book. It just made for an interesting twist, and it seemed that we got to see more of the development of their relationship—rather than just the beginning.

I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in this series! Highly recommend! [4.5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from Revell Books in exchange for my fair and honest review.

About the Author
Lisa Harris is an award-winning author with more than 400,000 copies of her works in print. She was a 2011 Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom and lives in Mozambique together with her husband, Scott, and their three children.

Lisa Harris Online

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North Country Hero by Lois Richer

North Country Hero
by Lois Richer
Northern Lights series, Book 1
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Romance
Available September 2013
Harlequin Love Inspired
224 pages

Buy a copy
Read an excerpt
Find out what others think

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About the Book

Back home to heal, army veteran Kyle Loness can't wait to leave the town that holds such sad memories. He never expects beautiful newcomer Sara Kane to enlist his help with the town's new youth center. What does he know about helping kids? But the more time he spends with the troubled teens—and Sara—the more the jaded soldier feels his defenses crumbling. It might take Sara—and the kids—to open his guarded heart to love again.

My Thoughts

The story sounded promising with Sara's past as a foster child who suffered abuse at the hands of her foster parents and Kyle's recent injury serving in Afghanistan. The setting of a quaint little town in Manitoba, Canada was so amazing that I've added that part of Canada to my "must see" travel list! And while I certainly liked Kyle and Sara and the surrounding the Lives Under Construction group home, I found that the problems with the book prevented me from getting lost in the story.

Sara's characterization was both inconsistent and unbelievable. She alternated from being so naive that she came across as stupid (at times) to showing great wisdom and confidence. Sometimes this happened between chapters, sometimes between paragraphs. There were also things about character that were altogether unbelievable. Regardless of the circumstances of her childhood, I find it hard to believe that a 22-year-old woman doesn't know how to use a computer. Surely at some point during the five-year gap between leaving foster care, going to cooking school, and arriving in Churchill, Manitoba, she had the opportunity to use a computer, right?! Additionally, the budding romance between Kyle and Sara had a few missteps as well. In one scene, the two went from having a serious moment, to fighting, to going back home. Then at home, it was as though the fight never happened. This happened multiple times. Issues were so quickly resolved in the last few pages, that I was frustrated by the need for more ... a lot more.

I alternated between wanting to like this story and being frustrated by the pitfalls. In the end, though, the pitfalls stacked up too quickly and affected my overall enjoyment of the book. [2.5 stars]

I received a temporary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for my fair and honest review, which I have given.

About the Author

Lois Richer likes variety. From being a human resources manager to working at a salon to being an entrepreneur, she's found life has held plenty of surprises.

"Having given up on fairy tales, I was happily involved in building a restaurant when a handsome prince walked into my life and upset all my career plans with a wedding ring. Motherhood quickly followed. I guess the seeds of my storytelling took root because of two small boys who kept demanding, 'Then what, Mom?'"

The miracle of God's love for His children, the blessing of true love, the joy of sharing Him with others—that is a story that can be told a thousand ways and still be brand-new. Lois Richer intends to go right on telling it.

Lois Richer Online

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