Bethany House, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, NetGalley

A Brighter Dawn by Leslie Gould Review and Giveaway

April 22, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: A Brighter Dawn

Author: Leslie Gould

Genre: Amish Romance

Release date: March 28, 2023

Ivy Zimmerman is successfully navigating her life as a young Mennonite woman, one generation removed from her parents’ Old Order Amish upbringing. But when her parents are killed in a tragic accident, Ivy’s way of life is upended. As she deals with her grief, her younger sisters’ needs, the relationship with her boyfriend, and her Dawdi and Mammi’s strict rules, Ivy finds solace in both an upcoming trip to Germany for an international Mennonite youth gathering and in her great-great-aunt’s story about Clare Simons, another young woman who visited Germany in the late 1930s.

As Ivy grows suspicious that her parents’ deaths weren’t, in fact, an accident, she gains courage from what she learns of Clare’s time in pre-World War II Germany. With the encouragement and inspiration of the women who have gone before her, Ivy seeks justice for her parents, her sisters, and herself.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Leslie Gould (www.lesliegould.com) is a Christy Award-winning and #1 bestselling author of over 35 novels, including four Lancaster County Amish series. She holds an MFA in creative writing and enjoys studying church history, research trips, and hiking in the Pacific Northwest. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon, and are the parents of four adult children.

More from Leslie

The historical thread of my dual-time novel A Brighter Dawn is set in Nazi Germany from 1937 to 1939. During that period of time, Germany incorporated Austria, mandatory registration of all Jewish property began, and concentration camps opened. Then came the Night of Broken Glass—the anti-Jewish pogrom in Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland. Soon following was the German occupation of Czechoslovakia before the Nazis invaded Poland in September 1939.

My main character, Clare Simons, is a Mennonite young woman from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who is staying with her uncle and cousins in Frankfurt, Germany. She doesn’t follow current events much and struggles to balance the Nazi propaganda her uncle and oldest cousin believe with the events unfolding around her. Slowly, she begins to see the truth behind the Nazi lies.

One thing that broke up the narrative of the heavy events I researched and wrote about? The food.

When I traveled in Germany with my husband (who had lived there during his Army service years ago), I marveled over the scenery, became engrossed in the history, and definitely enjoyed the food. My background is Swiss, so it wasn’t that the food was unfamiliar. It was just at a level I hadn’t experienced before!

As I researched what Clare would fix for meals, I pored through cookbooks. For added inspiration, hubby and I ate at German restaurants. Jägerschnitzel (seared pork with gravy). Rinderbraten (paprika and caraway spiced beef roasted in red wine gravy). Wienerschnitzel (breaded and fried pork loin with warm potato salad and a vegetable remoulade.)

I noted food in research books, documentaries, and films. The entrees became focal points in the stories, including rabbit stew, a Christmas goose, and Sauerbraten with Spätzle and red cabbage. So did the desserts, including trifle and Black Forest cake.

When I visited Germany with my hubby, one of the things I really loved was stopping in a café for Apfelkuchen (apple cake) and coffee in the afternoon. In one scene in A Brighter Dawn, when Clare and her cousin Lena stop for coffee, they order apple cake too. Then, in another scene, Clare bakes an apple cake for the family of the nearby Jewish grocer who will soon lose their property.

Below is a recipe for a simple and dense German apple cake (which may have originated in Poland and been influenced by a Jewish apple cake recipe).

The food in A Brighter Dawn doesn’t take away from the narrative, but it is a reminder that a nurturing soul, such as my character Clare, can stand against the lies of an evil regime.

German Apple Cake

Ingredients

1 cup salted butter, melted
2 eggs
¾ cup white sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ to 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
5 cups apples—peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (to soften apple slices before baking, place in a microwavable dish with a lid and microwave them with a Tablespoon of water for 3–4 minutes)
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×13 cake pan.
Beat butter and eggs with an electric mixer until creamy. Add sugar and vanilla; beat well.
Stir together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Slowly add flour mixture to egg mixture; mix until combined. The batter will be very thick. Fold in apples and walnuts by hand using a wooden spoon. Spread batter into the prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 45–50 minutes. After 30 minutes, put a sheet of foil over the top of the cake to keep it from burning. Cool cake on a wire rack.

Possible Toppings

Before baking:

Crumble: ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup white sugar, ½ cup flour, 4–6 Tablespoons softened butter. Combine ingredients and evenly spread over the top of cake.

Butterscotch: Sprinkle a package of butterscotch chips over the top of the cake.

Almonds: Sprinkle almond slivers over the top of the cake.

After baking:

Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Drizzle with caramel sauce.

Sprinkle with white sparkling sugar.

Top with whipped cream.

My Impressions

Leslie Gould has written a very compelling, yet for me, too political story about a young Mennonite woman, Ivy Zimmerman, and her family who live in Oregon. Following a family tragedy, Ivy and her sisters leave their beloved Gran and travel to stay with their estranged Amish grandparents on the other side, who live in PA. As the sisters travel back to PA with their Amish grandparents, they are accompanied by a great-aunt, who tells Ivy a story about another young woman. This woman, Clare, is a relative who visited Germany years ago, and stayed with a family of three sisters.

I enjoyed the dual timeline, even as it surprised me. I loved the historical timeline (narrated in third person)best, but the present-day story (told in first-person pov) is also interesting. I liked learning more about the Mennonites. I was surprised, as Clare is, at the difference in beliefs and practices of the American Mennonites vs. their European counterparts.

Gould wants to make sure the reader understands history and its importance today. While we aren’t responsible for the actions of others, the past can teach us. “But we have a responsibility to it—to caring for those affected by it, by never forgetting, and by doing all we can to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.”

I totally agree with that.

However, this was a difficult book for me to finish. For one thing, there are too many characters to keep them all straight. I also had some difficulty sorting out the which Mennonite group Gould is referring to in places. I felt as if the author had a ton of information she was excited to share, and didn’t pare it down enough for one book.

Gould heavily emphasizes the Ukrainian/Russian conflict before WWII. According to Gould, it’s very clear that the same events are now being repeated.

What I didn’t enjoy: Strong inferences made that being a Christian means you can only hold one political view. I hear that from both sides of the aisle, and it saddens me. Because we are human, we are imperfect, and our politics are imperfect. We will not all agree, but we should all be able to speak our minds respectfully, yet not insist that our way is the only way. Also, I read for enjoyment, not a rehashing of the conflict in the world around us. Realism is ok, but I expected this type of book to be more educational about WWII and the Mennonites, not the strong political statement I felt it became halfway through.

All in all, this is an interesting story, but very political and with too many threads in the tapestry.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“How did my grudges correlate with my will to survive? Not physically survive, but emotionally?”

“What was the difference between a grudge and a boundary?”

“I’d read once that if you flew west on a plane at one thousand miles an hour, you’d be continually in the dawn of one day for twenty-four hours. But I liked the idea. It gave me hope. A new day was always beginning, somewhere.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐

Good- but not a personal fave

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 23

Lakesidelivingsite, April 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 24

Cover Lover Book Review, April 25

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 26

Lighthouse Academy Blog, April 27 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Connie’s History Classroom, April 27

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 28

Vicky Sluiter, April 28

She Lives To Read, April 29

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 30 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, April 30

Texas Book-aholic, May 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 2

Mornings at Character Cafe, May 2

Bigreadersite, May 3

Bliss, Books & Jewels, May 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 4

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 5

For Him and My Family, May 5

Splashes of Joy, May 6

Pause for Tales, May 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Leslie is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of A Brighter Dawn and one $15 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/258b9/a-brighter-dawn-celebration-tour-giveaway

ARC, BLOG, Chapter Book, Kiddie Lit, Kindle, Nonfiction

Kate Middleton, Queen in Waiting by Susan Barnett Braun Review

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Kate Middleton, Queen in Waiting

(Updated version of Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, published in 2013)

Author: Susan Barnett Braun

Released: 2023

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is known to most of the world as Kate Middleton. Bullied in elementary school, she was an ordinary girl on her way to an ordinary life — until she met her Prince Charming. After almost a decade of waiting, she and her prince wed in a ceremony viewed by millions worldwide. Now she travels the world, meeting with leaders, working with charities, and setting fashion standards along the way.

Written for a grade 1-8 audience, Kate Middleton, Queen in Waiting takes readers behind the scenes for a look at the events that transformed Kate into the dignified royal family member she is today.

About the Author

Susan Barnett Braun grew up in the small town of Seymour, Indiana. She earned a BS in retail management from Indiana University and an MA in elementary Education from the University of Alabama. She taught elementary school for eight years in northwest Indiana. During that time, she wrote grant proposals which won a Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship and a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Study Scholarship, both on topics relating to European royalty.

Susan’s writing has appeared in many online and print publications, including Parents, Children’s Ministry, Mommy Tracked, Family Christian Blog, Visit Fort Wayne Blog, and The Teacher’s Mailbox. She blogs at Girls in White Dresses.

Susan is married with three wonderful young adult daughters. She enjoys reading, playing piano and organ, and spending her time with her family and pets (currently three rabbits and a chinchilla).

Keep up with Susan’s writings at her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/susanbarnettbraun

My Impressions

I rarely read nonfiction books, even the ones I wish I would. But when Susan Barnett Braun published her children’s informational book about Kate Middleton a few years back, I jumped at the opportunity. Now, Katherine has the title of Princess and her husband, William, is next in line for the throne. Also, the couple have three adorable children. Braun has updated her book to reflect these changes.

I would recommend this book for a 3rd- 6th grader who likes princesses or famous women in the world. I loved the pictures that set the focus for each evenly-balanced, well-organized chapter.

Braun explains some British customs that the average American elementary student wouldn’t know. Braun also does a masterful job of relaying some of the painful truth of the royal family’s past without being sensational. Bravo!

Also, the author includes a timeline of Kate’s life at the end, plus a very select timeline of world events that took place during this time. Very helpful for a child to recall and assimilate the information.

I received a copy of the book from the author. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, pub. 2013

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent!

BLOG

I’m on the Launch Team!!

April 19, 2023 Babbling Becky L

Can paper and paw prints draw these two nemeses together?

All Carleigh Adams wants is a relaxing evening. But Sullivan Theodore IV, her wayward Shih Tzu, has other plans. After escaping from home, Sullivan Theodore unlawfully enters what Carleigh assumes is a stranger’s house via a doggy door. Much to Carleigh’s horror, it is actually the home of her coworker and nemesis, Trey “The Irritating” Montgomery.

Trey Montgomery has had to work with “Quirky Carleigh,” his top competitor for the best articles at The Oakville Daily, for the past two years. It’s safe to say that she and her criminally-minded pet are his adversaries. Trey’s attempts to keep his distance from her are demolished when their boss thrusts them together as The Oakville Daily Duo, forcing them to work as a team on every. Single. Article.

Petty crimes and crazy shenanigans in Oakville soon draw Carleigh and Trey into doubling as detectives. When dogs, including their own pets, begin to mysteriously disappear, Carleigh and Trey join forces to uncover the culprit. As they work to report the daily news and solve the crimes in Oakville, can these two stubborn reporters find love in the headlines?

Faith, plentiful humor, and tender romance round out the latest Christian contemporary romance novel by Author Penny Zeller.

Bethany House, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, NetGalley

A Match in the Making by Jen Turano Review and Giveaway

April 16, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: A Match in the Making

Author: Jen Turano

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: February 21, 2023

Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America’s most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.

Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a governess for long. What he wasn’t expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find a way to overcome their inundating attention–and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.

The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Named one of the funniest voices in inspirational romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today bestselling author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publishers Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. She and her family live outside of Denver, Colorado. Readers can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and at jenturano.com.

More from Jen

A Chat with Jen Turano

You’re known for writing historical romantic comedies set in the Gilded Age. What made you decide to write in that particular era?

Funny thing, when I first tried my hand at writing historical, I wrote Regency—think Jane Austen, lots of drama, dukes, and probably a few countesses in serious need of attitude adjustments. One of those books, I believe I titled it A Marriage of Inconvenience, is the book that landed me my first agent. But, as she was shopping that book around, I read this fascinating book about Alva Vanderbilt. There was so much drama involved with the New York Four Hundred during the latter part of the nineteenth century that I threw myself into researching everything I could find about high society. I’ve been writing about that fascinating moment in time ever since.

Your new series revolves around matchmaking. How did you come up with that idea, and what can we expect?

I’ve been wanting to do a matchmaker series forever, and that idea reinforced when I watched Season 4 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and there was a prevalent matchmaking thread. However, I didn’t want to do a normal matchmaker story, which is why I decided it would be hilarious to have a heroine accept a paid companion position and then, due to unforeseen circumstances, find herself turned into an assistant matchmaker even though she has absolutely no experience with matchmaking in general and is actually old enough to be considered a confirmed spinster.

How do you come up with such unusual ideas?

I think I just view life a little differently. I’ve always been rather weird, so when I think of matchmaking agencies, or lady detectives, or hat makers, I begin thinking up all these outlandish situations and then, just when my heroine or hero thinks that nothing else could go wrong, I throw something else at them. It’s a highly amusing job at times, although I’m certain my characters don’t appreciate my odd sense of humor.

Do you have a favorite character or book?

I adore Gertrude Cadwalader from Out of the Ordinary, although that’s not my favorite book. My favorite book is Diamond in the Rough because Poppy Garrison gets herself in some fabulous messes.

Your characters do seem to find themselves in some interesting mishaps and messes. Do you write these from personal experience?

You know, I have to admit that a lot of the outlandish situations I write are based on either observations I’ve made over the years or . . . yep, they’ve happened to me or my friends. I’ve definitely led an interesting life, although I do embellish the situations in some instances—creative license and all that.

How do you come up with such unusual names?

Contrary to what some may believe, I don’t make up any of my names. I scour old obituaries or shake down my friends who are into researching their ancestors for cool names. That’s how I got Mercy Miner, Temperance Flowerdew, and Lucetta Plum.

What’s coming up next?

I just finished up developmental edits for the second book in the Matchmakers series, so now I’ll go back to writing the third and final book in that series. After that? Well, I’m not positive yet. I have two ideas roaming around in my head for the next series I’ll delve into, but I simply don’t know which one I want to write quite yet.

Thanks so much for having me! Always fun being here with your readers.

All the best,

Jen

My Impressions

A hilarious look at society’s upper crust in the Gilded Age of America. Jen Turano is always funny, but I enjoyed this book more than any others of hers. Perhaps I could really visualize the events of this story happening. From the supposed secret matchmakers to the misbehavior of society debutantes to the misbehavior of rich children left to their own devices.

Gwendolyn Brinley is such a likable heroine. She’s sensible, honest, truly caring, and able to take charge of almost any situation as needed. But she’s fair. She even helps people she doesn’t like, and those who should be her enemies.

Walter Townsend is a dreamy widower who has re-entered society as the most eligible bachelor of the season. Unfortunately, his looks are better than his social graces and his ability to manage his children. His growth throughout the novel is great to see.

I love the set up apparent for the next novel. Waiting impatiently for it.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“It’s never a good idea to gift something that needs to be watered and fed.”

“Style is not difficult to obtain. It’s merely an attitude and how you present yourself to the world.”

“…jealousy is turning friend against friend…and life without friends is joyless indeed.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent! Turano will have you laughing and rooting for the underdog all the way!!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 9

Christina’s Corner, April 9

To Everything There Is A Season, April 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 10

Texas Book-aholic, April 11

Karen Baney Reviews, April 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 12

Bigreadersite, April 12

Sylvan Musings, April 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 13

Betti Mace, April 14

Godly Book Reviews, April 14

She Lives To Read, April 14

Batya’s Bits, April 15

Connie’s History Classroom, April 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 16

Blogging With Carol, April 16

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 17

Cover Lover Book Review, April 17

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 18 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 18

Blossoms and Blessings, April 19

For Him and My Family, April 19

Splashes of Joy, April 20

Holly’s Book Corner, April 20

Southern Gal Loves to Read, April 20

By the Book, April 21

Back Porch Reads, April 21

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, April 22

Live. Love. Read., April 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jen is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of A Match in the Making and a $15 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2549a/a-match-in-the-making-celebration-tour-giveaway

Bethany House, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, NetGalley

A Match in the Making by Jen Turano Review and Giveaway

April 16, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: A Match in the Making

Author: Jen Turano

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: February 21, 2023

The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 9

Christina’s Corner, April 9

To Everything There Is A Season, April 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 10

Texas Book-aholic, April 11

Karen Baney Reviews, April 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 12

Bigreadersite, April 12

Sylvan Musings, April 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 13

Betti Mace, April 14

Godly Book Reviews, April 14

She Lives To Read, April 14

Batya’s Bits, April 15

Connie’s History Classroom, April 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 16

Blogging With Carol, April 16

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 17

Cover Lover Book Review, April 17

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 18 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 18

Blossoms and Blessings, April 19

For Him and My Family, April 19

Splashes of Joy, April 20

Holly’s Book Corner, April 20

Southern Gal Loves to Read, April 20

By the Book, April 21

Back Porch Reads, April 21

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, April 22

Live. Love. Read., April 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jen is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of A Match in the Making and a $15 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2549a/a-match-in-the-making-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Favorite, Kindle, Purchase

Dreams of the Heart by Penny Zeller Review and Giveaway

April 11, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Dreams of the Heart

Author: Penny Zeller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: March 7, 2023

Sometimes the hardest battles take place in the heart.

Poverty and abuse at the hands of her drunkard father leaves Hannah Bane trapped and alone. Without hope, she prays for a miracle just on the off-chance God will hear her. Will the handsome new deputy, who seems to be watching her every move, be Hannah’s one chance to escape the only life she’s ever known?

For as long as he can remember, John Mark Eliason has wanted to be a deputy sheriff. When a job opens in the nearby town of Poplar Springs, he eagerly accepts, but finds his greatest mission won’t be tracking down criminals and bringing justice to the ruthless Wyoming town, but saving a beautiful young woman he barely knows.

Will an unexpected answer to a difficult situation show how love can endure—and even thrive—in an unconventional situation? Or will fear and uncertainty keep two hesitant hearts apart?

In the sequel to Forgotten Memories, author Penny Zeller weaves a tender tale of faith, romance, and humor in a memorable story that reminds us God hears every prayer and has a plan for every life.

Wyoming Sunrise Series
Prequel: Love’s New Beginnings (Lydie and Solomon’s story)
Book One: Forgotten Memories
Book Two: Dreams of the Heart
Book Three: When Love Comes (December 5, 2023)

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.

Today Penny is a multi-published author of over a dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

Penny is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website, http://www.pennyzeller.com, her blog, http://www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com, and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks. To subscribe to her monthly newsletter with book news and other fun morsels, please go to https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/262119/74964679867237940/share

More from Penny

A handsome deputy sheriff.

A woman in search of freedom.

An unconventional situation.

These three statements sum up the faith, tender romance, and plentiful humor found on the pages of Dreams of the Heart.

Some highlights during the writing of this book:

I conducted a lot of research on sheriffs because John Mark, one of the main characters, is a deputy sheriff in the small and lawless fictional town of Poplar Springs in 1894.

Many of us have heard of famous Old West lawmen such as the Earp brothers (Kansas, Texas, and Arizona), Doc Holliday (Arizona), and Pat Garrett (New Mexico). In my research, I also learned of a Wyoming Territorial sheriff named Christopher Castle who, with his deputies, noted the amount of money an outlaw had in his pocket when arrested. Later, when a fine was assessed, it was that exact amount.

A fun fact: some of the duties for Old West sheriffs included keeping the peace, collecting taxes, issuing liquor licenses, keeping the streets clear of dead animals, and cleaning up manure.

There is a brief Wild West shootout in Dreams of the Heart inspired by an historical Wyoming character’s experience.

John Mark carries a Colt Peacemaker revolver. While writing the book, I accidentally typed in “Colt Pacemaker”. Glad I caught it, although I’m sure it would have given my editors a laugh.

John Mark’s favorite cookie, the sugar cookie, is believed to have its origins in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and was named the “Nazareth cookie”. Enjoy the following recipe for the cookies mentioned in the book.

***

Lydie’s Sugar Cookies

Combine the following:

½ c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg

¼ c. milk

½ tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. baking powder

2 c. flour

Roll out on floured board with rolling pin and use cookie cutters.

Bake at 325° for 8-10 minutes.

My Impressions

“A fresh start was the dream of her heart …”

“If only God would hear her prayers like

He heard the prayers of others.”

Welcome to the lawless town of Poplar Springs, Wyoming, in 1894. Dreams of the Heart by Penny Zeller is our mode of transport to arrive there. By the time you leave, you will have gained some new friends, enjoyed many laughs, learned Scriptural wisdom, and maybe even had your heart broken and put back together.

Hannah Bane is a poor, but gentle, kind, young soul. Her father, however, is a cruel drunk who treats Hannah like property. He abuses her to the point she is afraid to try to leave.

John Mark Eliason, one of the sheriff’s deputies, notices Hannah and takes compassion on her. His attempt to help takes a decided turn for the bizarre before he can stop it. Will Hannah ever be able to trust John Mark, and does the deputy realize what he has committed himself to?

I liked that Zeller shows both main characters with areas that need growth, and both with solid strengths. Yet they must work together to be their best.

I wanted to cry for the conditions that both Hannah and Ambrose endured.

And, such serious topics need comic relief! Both Ambrose and Pritchard add vital substance to the story while bringing much-needed laughter. (Ambrose is so cute, you’ll want to squeeze the stuffing out of him, too!)

Solomon Eliason lives up to his name with his Biblical, practical wisdom. He and his wife’s approach to some issues their family face give me food for thought for my own struggles.

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, plus I bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“sometimes desperation to help someone caused one to do absurd things.”

“But when God is the center of any relationship, whether it be a marriage or a friendship, it has the best chance of success.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! A great historical romance set in the Old West. Humor and Truth braided together to lasso some tough topics.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 12

Lakesidelivingsite, April 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 13

Vicky Sluiter, April 14

Texas Book-aholic, April 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 16

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 17 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 17

Connie’s History Classroom, April 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool, April 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 20

For Him and My Family, April 21

Holly’s Book Corner, April 22

Mary Hake, April 22

Splashes of Joy, April 23

Cover Lover Book Review, April 24

Pause for Tales, April 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Penny is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2566a/dreams-of-the-heart-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, New-to-Me Author

The Neighbor Renovation by Grace Worthington

April 10, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Neighbor Renovation

Author: Grace Worthington

Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy

Release date: March 30, 2023

My perfect summer just got ruined by a brunette in a tool belt.

This was my summer to get away from it all. Live like a hermit. Fix up my family’s vacation home.

Until Ella arrived.

My infuriating neighbor has returned for beach season.

Ever since our families bought summer homes next to each other, that was the beginning of our neighbor war.

Now I have to see her every. single. day.

When I let it slip that I’m making a few home improvements, she jumps at the chance to help. She’s an interior designer who needs work. I’m a man who loathes shopping. Any mention of the words color palette makes me want to break out in hives.

We’re the dynamic duo for this fixer upper.

There’s only one problem: the more time we spend together, the more attracted I am to her. Now our on-the-job flirting is veering into dangerous territory.

Because if there’s one thing I know, Ella and I are not meant to be together.

I’m emotionally unavailable. She’s sworn off relationships. And our families hate each other.

I know my future is at stake. But I can’t seem to tear myself away from this project…or her.

So I tell myself:

I most definitely will not fall for my neighbor.

But you know what they say about promises you can’t keep? Don’t make them.

Like most home projects, I’m learning that nothing ever goes according to plan.

Especially when it comes to love

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Grace Worthington is the author of sweet romance and sweet romcom novels. She loves quaint small towns and the beach is her happy place, which is why you’ll find both in her books. She’s obsessed with chocolate, romcom movies from the 80’s & 90’s, and goldendoodles. Get a free book sweet romcom at graceworthington.com

More from Grace

I love home renovation shows, because they make it look so easy to magically turn your home into something amazing in only a half-hour. (If only that worked in real life.)

But what if two people who were enemies worked on renovating a home together? Would they survive the renovation? Could it even bring them together?

I love all the tropes, but enemies to lovers is one of the most satisfying for me, especially in romantic comedy. The huge payoff is seeing two very opposite people come together quite magically. In the end, I’m always rooting for the couple who overcomes the odds.

It’s also been my experience that no matter how much you prepare for a home project, it never goes according to plan. This sets the stage for lots of hilarious scenarios as things go wrong and the couple learns to navigate these unexpected detours together.

But in The Neighbor Renovation, it’s not just about the physical home. There is a deeper metaphor of what happens in their lives as they learn to overcome past wounds and take a chance on love. Just like the home renovation shows, the renovation that happens in their hearts is almost miraculous.

So if you like HGTV, sweet romantic comedies, grumpy sunshine couples, and second chance love stories, then you’re going to enjoy The Neighbor Renovation: A sweet romantic comedy.

–Grace Worthington

My Impressions

“It all started with an argument over a fence.”

What do you get when you mix a modern-day Romeo and Juliet with a home improvement show and turn it into a sweet rom-com? Neighbor Renovation by Grace Worthington, of course. Ella and Grant take turns narrating chapters. This novel employs the enemies-to-lovers trope, and is so full of humor, I laughed my way from beginning to end. I was so happy, as many so-called rom-coms don’t emphasize the comedy as much as I would like. But when you have

a huge out-of-control dog named Harold, gutsy friends willing to cheer one on, and a sad sack vs a perpetually smiling force of nature, well…

Trying to break into a field she feels is populated only by those from moneyed backgrounds, with impeccable family histories to match, Ella is petrified someone will discover her poor, shameful background. “… the waves soothe the voices in my head. The ones telling me I’m not enough. I’ll never be enough.”

Grant may be a Brad Pitt look-alike, but he has his own issues to overcome. He’s at his grandma’s beach house to be alone after a disastrous relationship. Will he ever be able to let go of the past and move on, or will Ella have to move on without him, carrying her broken heart with her?

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“But when you’re swimming in money, when life is humming along smoothly, it’s hard not to connect all your success to your choices, because then you can hold on to the dangerous lie that you’re actually in control.”

…all our experiences, good and bad, make us into who we are and who we’re meant to be. It gives us a chance to remake ourselves and discover we’re stronger because we survived.

“showing up authentically means you might get rejected.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! A true rom-com, I laughed all the way through.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 5

Texas Book-aholic, April 6

She Lives To Read, April 7

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 8

A Reader’s Brain, April 9 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, April 9

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 10

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 13

Cover Lover Book Review, April 14

For Him and My Family, April 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 16

Pause for Tales, April 17

Book Looks by Lisa, April 17

Holly’s Book Corner, April 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/25495/the-neighbor-renovation-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, Love Inspired Suspense, Purchase

Targeted in the Desert by Dana Mentink Review and Giveaway

April 4, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Targeted in the Desert

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: March 28, 2023

Family secrets have Felicia Tennison, and the sister she never knew existed, on the run. Someone is after them, and Felicia will have to turn to someone she never wanted to see again for help—her ex. Sheriff Jude Duke vows to protect them as they race to uncover why the little girl is a target. But the search to find the answers could cost them their futures.

Click here to get your copy!

Dana Mentink is a USA TODAY and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author. She’s written more than forty mystery and suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, Harvest House, and Poisoned Pen Press. She is honored to have received two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Please visit her on the web at http://www.danamentink.com to sign up for her newsletter, or find her on Twitter, Facebook and Bookbub.

More from Dana

At last! We’ve arrived at the final book in the Desert Justice series! It seems like just yesterday I was finishing book one, about cousin Beckett Duke who was falsely imprisoned. Then we met cowboy Levi and his twin Willow, dog lover Austin, donkey rescuer Nora and FINALLY sheriff Jude Duke gets his story! I am a fan of a hero with some miles under his belt, aren’t you? Could it be because I’ve got more than a few under mine? Ending this series is bittersweet because I am thrilled that the Dukes all received their happy endings, but I’ll miss writing about their adventures in Death Valley. Hope you’ll come along on my next series. (Could be there are bloodhounds in our fictional future!)

God bless!

My Impressions

It is time for the last Duke’s story! When Sheriff Jude Duke discovers Felicia Tennison a victim in an car accident caused by a thrown rock, his boss warns him off the case. Jude and Felicia have a dating history that ended disastrously, recently.

Mentink’s characters are believable and flawed, yet still worth cheering. I enjoyed the connections to Duke family members we met in previous books. Faith is important as both Jude and Felicia grapple with uncertain situations.

What I especially loved about this romantic suspense was the precocious 6-year-old little girl, and her Great Dane protector. Both brighten the pages of the novel and make you wish you knew them, too!

Felicia has come to appreciate her scars. Instead of worrying about ruined looks, she tells Gracie, “it’s just a tiny pink line to remind me that I’m strong and I’m healed.” and, “I can still see them and touch them, but they don’t hurt anymore. It’s okay to have scars.” While Felicia understands this is also true of scars of the heart, will Jude ever comprehend this?

I did not figure out the ending. I felt as sucker-punched as Jude and Felicia, (but much happier!)Bravo!

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought a copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

Her new future would be full of unexpected joys and hardships, but Jude wouldn’t be privy to any of it. His choice. His lonely choice.

He was about as welcome in her life as a bad case of poison ivy.

“Genuine apologies don’t have a but in them.”

I don’t forget, and I don’t forgive. My plans were ruined, and I will exact payment for that.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! Lots of action, and I never saw this ending coming!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 29

Lily’s Book Reviews, March 29

An Author’s Take, March 30

Vicky Sluiter, March 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 31

Blogging With Carol, March 31

Texas Book-aholic, April 1

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, April 1

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 2

For Him and My Family, April 2

Betti Mace, April 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 3

Simple Harvest Reads, April 4 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Holly’s Book Corner, April 4

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 5

Daysong Reflections, April 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 5

Bigreadersite, April 6

Splashes of Joy, April 6

Blossoms and Blessings, April 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 7

Pause for Tales, April 8

EmpowerMoms, April 8

Labor Not in Vain, April 9

Book Looks by Lisa, April 9

For the Love of Literature, April 10

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, April 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 11

Through the Fire Blogs, April 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

(If the winner is outside the U.S., then he or she will receive an eBook.)

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/25254/targeted-in-the-desert-celebration-tour-giveaway

ARC, Bethany House, BLOG, Favorite, Kindle, NetGalley, PB, Purchase

The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright Review

April 3, 2023April 3, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Publisher: Bethany House

Released: April 4, 2023

Genre: Historical Suspense, Mystery, Gothic

A haunting legend. An ominous curse. A search for a secret buried deep within the castle walls.

In 1870, orphaned Daisy François takes a position as housemaid at a Wisconsin castle to escape the horrors of her past life. There she finds a reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress who hides tales more harrowing than the ones in her novels. As women disappear from the area and the eerie circumstances seem to parallel a local legend, Daisy is thrust into a web that could ultimately steal her sanity, if not her life.

In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of an American aristocratic family to help his grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman’s stash of collectibles, a century-old mystery and the dust of the old castle’s curse threaten to rise again . . . this time to leave no one alive to tell the sordid tale.

Award-winning author Jaime Jo Wright seamlessly weaves a dual-time tale of two women who must do all they can to seek the light amid the darkness shrouding Castle Moreau.

Jaime Jo Wright, multi award-winning author–including the Christy and Daphne du Maurier awards–is a coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire. She has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin’s rural woodlands. Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales, a baffling change from that of Austenites, with a strong preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe. Two mischievous urchins adorn their family, who keep their mother on her toes – providing an exhilarating amount chaos.

Visit her at: http://www.jaimewrightbooks.com and listen to her podcast MadLit Musings on your favorite podcast player or at http://www.madlitmusings.com

My Impressions

“…fear was, and would always be, her closest companion.”

“Welcome to the Hotel California! …You can check out, but you can never leave!” (The Eagles) I heard that song playing over and over in my mind as I read Jaime Jo Wright’s newest Gothic suspense book, The Vanishing at Castle Moreau. What an incredible book! I laughed a lot at Wright’s wicked sense of humor. I was tempted to count the numerous references she inserted to pop culture and literature. (A challenge?) A dual-timeline, the two, possibly three stories tied together well, contrasting and paralleling each other. 2 different young women, in different centuries, answer the call for caretaker to an elderly grandmother who is sequestered in Castle Moreau. For both, it is an escape. But soon, both Daisy and Cleo find there is no escaping the hold of Castle Moreau. Spooky, haunting, yet filled with rays of Hope from faith breaking through, Wright eventually brings her novel to a satisfying non-paranormal conclusion. You don’t want to miss this suspenseful novel with its amazing conclusion from Jaime Jo Wright and Bethany House.

I received a copy of the book from NetGalley. I also bought my own ecopy and pb copy for my keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Are you mad? Will you become what you hate?”

“Beauty is found in walls of stone, beauty where love begins.”

“…the castle called with an addictive element. Beckoning. It reached into the deep places in one’s soul and began to expose them for what they were. Broken pieces. Pieces only God could heal, and only others could help rescue if they simply had kindness in their hearts.”

The simple truth was that genetics ran deep, generations didn’t escape the curses of those who came before, and sins were likely destined to repeat themselves.

Protect. Save. Run. Her mantra in life.

“…fear was, and would always be, her closest companion.”

“It is in the dark corners, in the places we avert our eyes from, where truth lingers. Truth is not palatable. In fact, most cannotmanage the truth.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent to the Max!! Only Jaime Jo Wright could write a story this humorous and spooky, and yet have it end with solid Hope!

ARC, Barbour, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, NetGalley, New-to-Me Author

The Escape Game by Marilyn Turk Review and Giveaway

March 29, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Escape Game

Author: Marilyn Turk

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Release date: March, 2023

A Board Game Holds Keys to Prisoners’ Escape

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.

After the Nazis started the bombing blitz of England, Beryl Clarke puts her college on hold to return to Leeds, care for her mother, and work as a secretary at the Waddington game company. While she endures the war at home, her brother James fights the enemy in the air. When he is shot down, injured, and captured, James meets American POW Kenneth Anderson, and they plan to escape the Nazi prison camp. Beryl knows there is a board game with escape plans being delivered to POWs by the Red Cross. But how will the men discover the game’s secret?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning author Marilyn Turkwrites historical fiction flavored with suspense and romance. Marilyn also writes devotions for Daily Guideposts. She and her husband are lighthouse enthusiasts, have visited over one hundred lighthouses, and also served as volunteer lighthouse caretakers at Little River Light off the coast of Maine.

When not writing or visiting lighthouses, Marilyn enjoys boating, fishing, gardening, tennis, playing with grandkids, and her golden retriever Dolly.

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers; Faith, Hope and Love; Advanced Writers and Speakers Association; and Word Weavers International.

More from Marilyn

The Story behind The Escape Game

In the process of writing my books, I’ve become fascinated by the real stories that happened during World War II. I’ve discovered information I didn’t know before and am finding out that many people I know, even those older than myself, didn’t know either. Every time I come across an interesting tidbit, I want to write about it. Since my husband knows I look for such things, when he came across a story about how the Monopoly game was used during the war, he shared it with me.

The true story was kept top-secret for over fifty years after the war, so few had heard about it, especially outside the United Kingdom. Of course, my writer’s mind set off asking “What If?” So the story developed about a woman who works for the company that makes the game and what happened after she found out about the secret. What if she had a close relative who had been captured before the British informed their soldiers about the game and he needed to know the information? How could she convey that to him?

I wish I could have gone to the UK for research, but that was not a possibility. Maybe someday. However, the people I contacted there were very helpful, and I was thrilled to make contact with the great granddaughter of the president of Waddintons, the company which manufactured the game. She was able to fill in a few details about the company, although when she was a child, her grandfather ran the company.

One thing many people find hard to believe, based on the horrible treatment the Nazi army inflicted on people they thought inferior, is that the treatment of POW’s was somewhat better, especially for pilots. Thanks to the rules of the Geneva Convention after WWI, the Germans abided by them for the most part. That involved treatment of prisoners who escaped. Most of them were caught and returned to the camp from which they escaped. And normally, the punishment was solitary confinement. The biggest hardship of the POWs besides lack of freedom was the meager food they were given, especially as the war continued, since the Germans themselves were facing food shortages.

The challenge for me as a writer was to accurately describe life in both England and the POW camp. The other big challenge was writing a love story when the two characters were apart for so long. But it’s true that many soldiers fell in love with women they corresponded with back home. That fact is verified in the many letters on record, including the ones my father-in-law wrote to a fellow soldier’s fiancé after the soldier was killed in action. Their relationship grew into love, and after the war, the two met in person at the train station for the first time and married the same day.

My Impressions

“…as members of the Royal Air Force, it is our duty to try to escape.”

Bravo for Marilyn Turk, who, in The Escape Game, has penned a very different kind of WWII book than I have yet read. Part of the Heroines of WWII series from Barbour, each novel stands alone. This is a slightly dual-timeline novel, where we meet Grandmother Beryl at nearly 100, then go back and learn of her life in war-torn England.

So many themes are presented, while the storyline is so engaging, you won’t want to stop reading until you find out what happens to the POW’s. Of course, you’ll want to discover whether the relationship between Beryl and American Kenneth can grow by heavily edited correspondence.

A bereaved widow, young women helping the war effort in ways that take bravery I can only imagine, an elderly lady with no family, and men desperate to escape the POW camp. What wonderfully diverse characters, each with their particular strengths and weaknesses. The thought that impressed me, was from the King of England down to the average Britisher, so many gave so much in the way of self-sacrifice. And many understood the value and hope provided by trusting in God at such a horrific time. Plus, the need to pull together to be successful. Kenneth may have some room to grow in all of these areas! Thankfully, people around him blaze the way spiritually as he attempts to blaze the way physically.

My fave secondary character? It would have to be a tie between Beryl’s mother (what a journey she makes in this book), and Mrs. Dowd (she both complicates and enriches others’ lives).

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“The greatness of any nation is in the spirit of its people.”- King George during WWII

“As far as Kenneth was concerned, if he wanted a miracle, he’d have to create it himself. And if God wanted to help, He was welcome. He could start with a hot dish of jambalaya.”

“He pitied those who didn’t have that hope, because it was hope that kept them going.”