About the Book

Book Title: The Mending of Lillian Cathleen

Author: Linda Brooks Davis

Genre: Historical

Release date: October, 2018

It’s 1914. American women are demanding the vote. And the first flames of the Great War are igniting Europe. But a battle of a different sort rages in Oklahoma.

The thermometer registers one hundred six degrees, an out-of-the-ordinary occurrence even for the twenty-eighth day of July. But this is no ordinary day.

The jury has reached a verdict.

Lily fidgets in the old church pew. Her name has clotted into a by-word. Her blood is tainted. Can she right the wrongs? Or will her past forever define her?

She eyes the judge. And the courtroom holds its breath.

Click here to purchase your copy!

MY REVIEW:

The Mending of Lillian Cathleen by Linda Brooks Davis turned out to be quite a surprise. I was expecting a simple historical romance. Instead, what I read was a novel set in the early twentieth century, involving some romance, but more importantly delving into the taboo world of human trafficking of young girls. Nearly beaten to death by her no-account father, Lily goes to live with a rich, generous neighbor. When her benefactor leaves for Europe, Lily also chooses to leave behind the town that rejected her testimony because she was female.

When the job Lily expected to take in Ft. Worth is given to another, Lily finds herself following a circuitous path to assisting in the fight for women’s rights to vote, as well as helping the despised avoided women of Texas.

I loved that Ida, Cade, Maggie, and others each lovingly urged Lily to consider how God could influence her life. Lily’s question throughout much of the novel is, ”where was God when…” Davis deals with this question realistically, without giving pat answers, yet shows that God indeed is present and caring, even in the midst of unspeakable evil.

One of my favorite characters is Maggie. She has such wisdom amidst her personal heartache. One such evidence: ”But you’ll never plow a field by turning it over and over in your mind.” I used to believe if I thought on something long enough, I could figure out a solution. Now I finally have realized that is just stewing. Plowing the field in my mind only.

Another ”Maggie-ism:”
“If I dwell on what’s passed me by, I’ll not enjoy what’s hovering near.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher and Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review, and all opinions are solely my own.

About the Author

Linda Brooks Davis was born and reared on a farm in Raymondville, a small Rio Grande Valley community in the southernmost tip of Texas. Linda earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology from Abilene Christian University and a Master’s Degree from Houston Baptist University. She retired in 2008 after forty years as a special educator and administrator. Linda and her beloved husband Al worship and minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio and dote on six grandchildren, three of whom are triplets. Readers may contact Linda through her website, www.lindabrooksdavis.com.

Linda’s debut novel, The Calling of Ella McFarland, is set in 1905 Indian Territory prior to Oklahoma statehood. It won the 2014 Jerry Jenkins Operation First Novel Award. It was released in 2015 and won the 2016 American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award. The sequel novella, A Christmas to Remember, is set in 1908 Oklahoma and released in December, 2016. A second novella, A Christmas Measure of Love, released in 2017. It is set in 1910 and is a prequel to Linda’s second full-length novel, this one set in 1914, The Mending of Lily Cathleen, which releases in 2018.

Guest Post from Linda

Certain ancestors and their experiences appear in my stories. There’s a bit of my grandmother and a strong dash of my mother in one character. My father’s sterling qualities appear in another. And there’s a low-down family reprobate in another. Don’t forget cotton planting, hoeing, and harvest time. The glorious aroma of fresh-picked cotton and the nothing-in-the-world-like-it odor from the pig pen. A sewing machine whirring. The clink of a milk pail. A cow hollering to be milked. Summer’s sun on my face, the hearty South Texas wind in my hair, and the comfort of backing up to a wall heater on a cold winter morning. All find their way into the plot lines.

In my family’s history, my own life, and the kaleidoscope of lives in my stories, Jesus appears as the golden thread linking the past to the present and beyond. He turns an ordinary morning into a hint of the “Sweet By & By.” He adds the delicate aroma of the Rose of Sharon to the sultry stillness before a summer storm. And He wraps the bitterness of grief and failure in the richness of His incomparable grace. The Mending of Lillian Cathleen is one of those tales that reach beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary because of Jesus.

Lily’s story captures some of the heartache of domestic abuse, but it packs a powerfully joyous punch at the end. I thought I’d add a strong dash of sweet to this post with a recipe that appears in The Calling of Ella McFarland (which is re-releasing in October 2018). Mama’s (or Papa’s) Nectar of Heaven was a treat my mother enjoyed as a child. She set the same yummy delicacy before her kids, and I, of course, have done the same. Here ’tis, ya’ll, from Texas with sweet, sweet love.

Blog Stops

Inklings and Notions, October 18

Multifarious, October 19

The Becca Files, October 19

The Lit Addict, October 20

Luv’N Lambert Life, October 20

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 21

Real World Bible Study, October 21

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 22

Christian Bookaholic, October 22

God’s Little Bookworm , October 23

Godly Book Reviews, October 23

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 24

A Reader’s Brain, October 24

Maureen’s Musings, October 25

Baker Kella, October 25

Just the Write Escape, October 26

Mary Hake, October 26

Janice’s Book Reviews , October 27

A Baker’s Perspective, October 27

Bibliophile Reviews, October 28

Proud to Be an Autism Mom, October 28

Texas Book-aholic, October 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 29

Bigreadersite , October 30

Carpe Diem, October 31

Lis Loves Reading, October 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d56e/the-mending-of-lillian-cathleen-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Burden of Proof, #1 FBI: Rapid Response by DiAnn Mills

October 17, 2018October 17, 2018 Babbling Becky L

38942593

ABOUT THE BOOK:

TITLE: Burden of Proof, #1 FBI: Rapid Response

FORMAT: Paperback, 416 pages

ISBN: 9781496427052

PUBLISHED: October 9, 2018, by Tyndale House Publishers

Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the child’s safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl’s father abducts them at gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she’s dealing with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder.

As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could cost April her job . . . or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people.

MY REVIEW:

DiAnn Mills has again captured my attention with her latest romantic suspense, Burden of Proof. Her first sentence hangs the cloud of dread over the reader and sets the stage beautifully for the angst and fear to come. This has got to be one of the most uniquely bizarre, yet believably ordinary starts to a novel of this type.
With moments of comic relief, Mills has combined fast-paced, almost reckless action with faith and desperation. Throughout Burden of Proof, we see the tension between doing what is right and what is expedient. One of the quotes I am drawing deeply on right now:
“The darkest moments of our lives are intended for God to use in a mighty way.”
Discussion questions at the end help make this a good choice for a book club.

I gratefully received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House and the author. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am solely responsible. No positive review was required.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the following social media platforms or others listed at diannmills.com.

facebook.com/diannmills
twitter.com/diannmills
instagram.com/diannmillsauthor

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The Sound of Distant Thunder, #1 The Amish of Weaver’s Creek by Jan Drexler

October 16, 2018 Babbling Becky L

ABOUT THE BOOK:

TITLE: The Sound of Distant Thunder,#1 The Amish of Weaver’s Creek

Paperback, 352 pages

ISBN:9780800729318

PUBLISHER: Revell

PUBLISHED: September 18, 2018

Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents’ insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother’s name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother’s place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation?

From the talented pen of Jan Drexler comes this brand new Amish series set against the backdrop of the Civil War. She puts her characters to the test as they struggle to reconcile their convictions and desires while the national conflict threatens to undermine and engulf their community.

MY REVIEW:

An old-order Amish community, making every effort to keep itself separate from the world, finds it cannot escape the distant rumblings of war. We view the Weaver’s Creek community mostly through the eyes of young Katie and Jonas, who hope to wed but are slowed by their youth and the worldly changes that intrude even upon those who would ignore them.

War is such a divisive subject in any era. In the United States, the Civil War was arguably one of our most contentious as it divided friends and families and our nation itself. Then add to that, the idea of an Amish man considering joining ranks of the volunteers, and the incredibility of the situation just skyrockets. Indeed, the Amish of Weaver’s Creek believe they can look the other way until conscription begins…and names on the list include Englischers and Amish alike.

What didn’t I like about the book? It made me think. I couldn’t find any easy answers. I wanted to vilify one character (and his choices) or the other. The black and white lines blurred into gray and blue… and red. Red for loss of life, loss of a way of life, loss of innocence and standing apart from the world.

A wise quote for today: “Labeling folks with ideas different from your own as “them” and calling yourself “us” is the surest way to create division.” Hm… I do believe many, many groups today could profit from this bit of wisdom.

What a heart-warming, yet heart-wrenching family-centered novel about one of the darkest times in our nation’s history.

I gratefully received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and the publisher. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am solely responsible. I was not required to leave a positive review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jan Drexler brings a unique understanding of Amish traditions and beliefs to her writing. Her ancestors were among the first Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren immigrants to Pennsylvania in the 1700s, and their experiences are the inspiration for her stories. Jan lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband of thirty-five years, where she enjoys hiking in the Hills and spending time with their expanding family.

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A Tale of Two Hearts,#2 Once Upon A Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep

October 13, 2018October 13, 2018 Babbling Becky L

About the Book:

Book Title: A Tale of Two Hearts

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: September 1, 2018

Innkeeper’s daughter Mina Scott will do anything to escape the drudgery of her life. She saves every penny to attend a finishing school, dreaming of the day she’ll become a real lady—and catch the eye of William Barlow, a frequent guest at the inn.

William is a gentleman’s son, a charming rogue but penniless. However, his bachelor uncle will soon name an heir—either him or his puritanical cousin. In an effort to secure the inheritance, William gives his uncle the impression he’s married, which works until he’s invited to bring his wife for a visit.

William asks Mina to be his pretend bride, only until his uncle names an heir on Christmas Day. Mina is flattered and frustrated by the offer, for she wants a true relationship with William. Yet, she agrees. . .then wishes she hadn’t as she comes to love the old man. And when the truth is finally discovered, more than just money is lost.

Can two hearts survive such a deception?

Click here to purchase your copy!

MY REVIEW:

In 1853 London, Mina Scott, daughter of a lowly innkeeper, dreams of life among the wealthy and elite. Her love of reading, especially authors like Charles Dickens, takes her places she could never go. Unfortunately, her parent’s voice pulls her out of her book(boy, do I remember that feeling) and back to the humble task at hand. Through a strange twist of fate, William Barlow, the young law clerk who has caught Mina’s eye, needs to present himself as married to his rich uncle. And so the debacle begins…

“You lied to your uncle?”
…”No, not outright. I merely led him on a merry word chase and he arrived at a particular conclusion.” It seems Will has a talent for deception. He is a likable chap, but will he be able to convince his uncle that he has mended his ways?

Mina is a fun character, too. Looking at a lifestyle she can never hope to attain, she believes she cannot effect worthwhile change unless she is wealthy. Many people feel this way. Perhaps they don’t realize that they can sometimes change their world, one person at a time. Mina does not realize the way she prods Will to be a better man, nor the joy she brings to Uncle Barlow with her discussions of Dickens quotes.

Michelle Griep is a name I now associate with great expectations. Her writing flows so smoothly, effortlessly, in any genre. In this book, Griep has included an appropriate quote from a Dickens tome to head every chapter. And Griep’s action causes her story to progress at a very comfortable, yet compelling tempo. I couldn’t help getting caught in the current and pulled into the novel. Traces of humor and amusement are tucked into her writing. I feel like I am discovering gold nuggets in a stream as I happen upon Griep’s unique and clever verbiage.
Some of my favorites:
“He wore his wrinkles like a garment, the deep creases on his face in sore need of a good ironing.”

“Effie pinched the bridge of her nose, and Mina desperately hoped the action would coax out some golden wisdom for her to follow.”

“Caught between the fangs of the tiger and the three man-beasts roaring in a fury, Mina edged back a step.”

Superior story, superior writing, superior read. Period.

I gratefully received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit. This in no way influenced my opinions, for which I am solely responsible. I was not required to leave a positive review.

About the Author

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the author of historical romances: The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan.

Guest Post from Michelle

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS FOODS

So, it’s September, and you know what that means? It’s back to school. Pumpkin spiced everything is just around the corner. And it’s nearly time for cardigans and colored leaves. But besides all these autumn staples, it’s also time to start thinking about Christmas, because it will be here before you know it. How about this year you plan ahead to serve some traditional Victorian food?

In my newest release, A Tale of Two Hearts, the heroine’s father is known for his annual oyster stew that he serves on Christmas Eve. Here’s a bit of the background on that tasty soup.

Victorian Oyster Stew

Oysters have been savored in Britain since the days of the Romans. By Victorian times, industrialization cheapened oysters to the point of them becoming a staple of the poor man’s diet and were a frequent fare served in public houses. This, however, depleted their abundance, and by the mid 1800’s, the natural oyster beds became exhausted, making it harder to find good oysters. While other foods were served as well on Christmas Eve, oyster stew was as common as goose or turkey.

Another Victorian favorite that goes great on a crisp evening is good ol’ hot chocolate, though in Dickens’ England, it would’ve been called something else.

Drinking Chocolate

What we now call cocoa or hot chocolate was called drinking chocolate in the mid 1800s. This beverage was a favorite among Victorian ladies. You can find recipes for it even from the Regency era (early 1800s) and here is one for you to make at home.

And last, but not least, who hasn’t heard of Christmas pudding? To our American ears, that sounds like a tasty dish that you’d eat with a spoon and slap a little whipped cream on top. Actually, it’s more like a fruitcake.

Christmas Pudding

Christmas pudding is quite a production, one that begins well before Christmas Day. In fact, it begins on Stir-Up Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent (which is five weeks before Christmas). This is why when Mina, the heroine in A Tale of Two Hearts, returns home from dinner at Uncle Barlow’s, and though it’s not yet Christmas, she sees the pudding moulds on the kitchen table.

If these tastes and the accompanying smells still aren’t quite enough to get you in the Christmas spirit, then snatch yourself up a copy of the second book in the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series. A Tale of Two Hearts is sure to get you in the mood.

Blog Stops

Kat’s Corner Books, October 2

Creating Romance, October 2

Just the Write Escape, October 2

The Avid Reader, October 2

Genesis 5020, October 3

The Power of Words, October 3

Just Commonly, October 3

Baker Kella, October 3

Among the Reads, October 4

Fiction Aficionado, October 4

Godly Book Reviews, October 4

Inklings and Notions , October 4

Captive Dreams Window, October 5

Christian Author, J.E. Grace, October 5

Proud to Be an Autism Mom, October 5

Multifarious, October 6

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 6

The Christian Fiction Girl, October 6

Texas Book-aholic, October 6

Remembrancy, October 7

Splashes of Joy , October 7

Blossoms and Blessings, October 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 7

Back Porch Reads, October 8

A Reader’s Brain, October 8

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, October 8

Janice’s Book Reviews, October 8

Simple Harvest Reads, October 9 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Mary Hake, October 9

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 9

Carpe Diem, October 9

Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, October 10

Britt Reads Fiction, October 10

Luv’N Lambert Life, October 10

A Baker’s Perspective, October 10

By The Book, October 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 11

Book by Book, October 11

Bigreadersite, October 11

More Of Him, October 12

Pause for Tales, October 12

With a Joyful Noise, October 12

Have A Wonderful Day , October 12

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 13

Bibliophile Reviews, October 13

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 13

Vicky Sluiter, October 14

Daysong Reflections , October 14

To Everything A Season, October 14

Henry Happens, October 15

All-of-a-kind Mom, October 15

Reader’s Cozy Corner, October 15

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Barnes & Noble 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/d4ef/a-tale-of-two-hearts-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Yeast of Eden, #4 Pancake House Mysteries by Sarah Fox

October 8, 2018 Babbling Becky L

ABOUT THE BOOK:

TITLE: Yeast of Eden, #4 Pancake House Mystery

GENRE: Cozy

PUBLISHER: Lyrical Underground

EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED: Oct. 30, 2018

ISBN-13: 978-1516107773; LENGTH: 208 Pages

In USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox’s delicious new Pancake House Mystery, it’s up to Marley McKinney to discover the waffle truth behind a rival’s murder . . .

Winter has come to Wildwood Cove, and riding in on the chill is Wally Fowler. Although he’s been away for years, establishing his reputation as the self-proclaimed Waffle King, the wealthy blowhard has returned to the coastal community to make money, not friends—by pitting his hot and trendy Waffle Kingdom against Marley McKinney’s cozy pancake house, The Flip Side. Wally doesn’t see anything wrong in a little healthy competition, until he’s murdered in his own state-of-the art kitchen.

Marley isn’t surprised when the authorities sniff around The Flip Side for a motive, but it’s her best friend Lisa who gets grilled, given her sticky history with the victim. When a second murder rocks the town, it makes it harder than ever for Marley to clear Lisa’s name. Marley’s afraid that she’s next in line to die—and the way things are looking, the odds of surviving her investigation could be stacked against her.

Includes pancake recipes right from The Flip Side menu!

MY REVIEW:

We all have those people we hope don’t reappear from our past. Wally Fowler is one such unwelcome returnee to Wildwood Cove in this fourth Pancake House Mystery, Yeast of Eden, by Sarah Fox. Flip Side Pancake House owner, Marley McKinney, is treated to Wally’s impervious narcissism when he appears in the pancake house and loudly proclaims how superior his waffle restaurant will be.

Wally has made enemies wherever he has been. When he turns up murdered, there is a slew of persons with possible motives. Yet the sheriff sets his eyes on Marley’s best friend, Lisa. So much for Marley leaving the sleuthing to the professionals!

I enjoy this series for many reasons. Marley, her boyfriend, Brett, and her coworkers and friends are very likable. (Still figuring out if I should cower around chef Ivan or treat him like a long-lost friend.) The language is clean, and there are no uncomfortable “too steamy” scenes to read. Fox describes the town and beach so invitingly, I can hear the crashing waves and smell the salty air.

It was fun to read about the different holiday foods at the restaurant, as well as how Wally was making his ice cream. We have a shop like that locally, which really piqued my interest in this novel.

I gratefully received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am responsible. I was not required to leave a positive review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah Fox, writer of cozy mysteries, was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she developed a love for mysteries at a young age. When not writing novels or working as a legal writer she is often reading her way through a stack of books or spending time outdoors with her English Springer Spaniel.

Sarah is the author of the Literary Pub Mysteries, the Pancake House Mysteries, and the Music Lover’s Mysteries.

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