I Can't Wait for... Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #fantasy #books #booktwitter #newbooks @AmazonPub

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I love this author's books! She imaginative with great characters and romance, and engaging plots. Almost all her stories have a bit of magic. This is her upcoming release, which is my pick this week...

Heir of Uncertain Magic

(Whimbrel House #2)

By Charlie N. Holmberg

Historical Romantic Fantasy

Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 300 Pages

April 11, 2023 by 47North

Summary

One man is on a journey to unravel his magical lineage in the next spellbinding novel of the Whimbrel House series by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg.

Thanks to house tamer Hulda Larkin, the mischief infesting Whimbrel House has calmed. But if Hulda’s job is done, what does that mean for Merritt Fernsby, inheritor of the remote Narragansett Bay estate, who’s only now coming to terms with his enchanted place in the world?

Merritt has realized his own burgeoning powers, which draw the thoughts of every plant, insect, and dog. His nights are sleepless, with an uncontrollable cacophony of voices that compel a long-overdue search into his uncanny bloodline. It’s not the only puzzle uniting Merritt and his ex-housekeeper, Hulda. Her friend and former employer at the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has disappeared. Hulda herself is up for the now-vacant position of institute director, and her rival for the role is a stranger who’s suspiciously curious about Whimbrel House—and could have connections to an old foe.

As Merritt struggles to face his estranged family and Hulda dives into the institute’s secrets, the two are brought intimately closer than ever into the mysteries of wizardry, chaos, and love.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop

B&N | Book Depository | Target

Will you be reading this one?

Check out a Q&A with the author... Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer (Interview) #romancebooks #booktwitter #chicklit #christianromance #cleanreads #newbooks @crazy4fiction @tyndalehouse

I love supporting debut authors, especially those who write delightful stories like this one is! I'm sharing an interview with the author from the publisher today in celebration of the book's release tomorrow. Check that all out below...

Dear Henry, Love Edith

By Becca Kinzer

Contemporary Romance, Christian

Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 348 Pages

January 31, 2023 by Tyndale House Publishers

Summary

He thinks she’s an elderly widow. She’s convinced he’s a grumpy old man. Neither could be further from the truth.

After a short and difficult marriage, recently widowed Edith Sherman has learned her lesson. Forget love. Forget marriage. She plans to fill her thirties with adventure. As she awaits the final paperwork for a humanitarian trip to South Africa, she accepts a short-term nursing position in a small Midwestern town. The last thing she needs is a handsome local catching her eye. How inconvenient is that?

Henry Hobbes isn’t exactly thrilled to have Edith, who he assumes is an elderly widow, dumped on him as a houseguest for the summer. But he’d do almost anything for his niece, who is practically like a sister to him given how close they are in age. Especially since Edith will be working nights and Henry works most days. When he and Edith keep missing each other in person, they begin exchanging notes—short messages at first, then longer letters, sharing increasingly personal parts of their lives.

By the time Henry realizes his mistake—that Edith is actually the brown-eyed beauty he keeps bumping into around town—their hearts are so intertwined he hopes they never unravel. But with her departure date rapidly approaching, and Henry’s roots firmly planted at home, Edith must ultimately decide if the adventure of her dreams is the one right in front of her.

Reminiscent of the beloved classic You’ve Got Mail comes a delightful new romantic comedy about mistaken identities, second chances, and finding love in unexpected places.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | B&N | Book Depository | Target

Author Interview

Where did your idea for this story stem from?

The idea for this story was planted in my mind several years ago when I was single and living in an apartment building that housed three other tenants. For a while I knew everybody who lived in the building. But eventually people started moving out, and a new guy moved into the apartment beneath mine. Even though the building was small, we never ran into each other. For months I never knew his name or what he looked like. But of course that didn’t stop me from making assumptions about him based on the things I overheard coming from his apartment, like music or snippets of conversations. I thought I had a pretty good picture of him inside my head. Then one day he showed up at my door to let me know a moving truck might block the driveway for a bit because he was moving out. As he talked, I couldn’t help thinking how different he looked from the guy I’d been picturing. And apparently I wasn’t at all like the person he’d been picturing. Before he went down the stairs, he asked me, “How come all this time I thought you were a little old lady?” I never saw that guy again, but our interaction always amused me and eventually sparked the idea for this story.

You have a career in nursing. How has your experience shaped your storytelling?

I’ve always loved a funny story, but I think working over eighteen years in the critical care setting, especially dealing with COVID these past few years, has proved to me even more how important humor and laughter is in warding off bitterness and despair. But not if the humor comes at the expense of kindness. My hope is that my storytelling is always shaped by both.

Edith is looking for her next adventure following the death of her husband. What was it like exploring her journey?

Edith and I had very different experiences when it comes to marriage. She married right out of high school, whereas I didn’t even date a whole lot until I was in my midtwenties. (Mostly because guys weren’t asking me out a whole lot, but let’s not focus on that aspect.) Unlike Edith, I had a little time to live on my own and get talked into a few crazy adventures like skydiving before a wonderful man did finally ask me out and we eventually married. Part of exploring Edith’s journey was reflecting on how my perspective on marriage might have been different had I married young and missed out on those years I was single. Especially if, like in Edith’s case, the marriage turned out to be more challenging than expected.

What do you enjoy about romantic comedy? Is there anything you found challenging about this genre?

I love the general lightheartedness of a romantic comedy, especially since so much in life tends to veer toward dark and heavy. I know having this story and these characters to focus on as a writer this past year was a huge blessing to me as a nurse. It gave me something uplifting to think about after long, stressful days at the hospital, which is the same blessing I hope readers get from this story. I think the biggest challenge with writing in this genre, though, is creating a story that is lighthearted and fun but still believable and filled with depth.

Who is your favorite character in the novel?

Oh, boy. Why don’t you ask who my favorite child is while you’re at it? Having said that, Henry. Definitely Henry. (Don’t tell the other characters.) I mean, he looks like a young Paul Newman. How could he not be my favorite? Good looks aside though, what really endears Henry to me is his penchant for self-deprecating humor to compensate for his flaws. Probably because that’s something I can relate to all too well.

What will fans of romance love about the relationship between Edith and Henry?

I think romance fans will love how the element of mistaken identities allows their relationship to contain a fun trope-y mixture of love at first sight combined with friends to more. Plus there’s just something always romantic about a relationship built through exchanging letters back and forth, isn’t there?

How does faith play a role in this story?

I think we all love that romantic notion of taking a giant leap of faith to answer God’s call, especially when God calls us to exciting new territories. What we love far less, and what the characters in this story must discover, is sometimes faith requires taking small steps day after day right where you are and trusting that God will use those small daily steps as much as he uses the giant leaps.

While this is your debut novel, you’ve won a number of writing contests before. How did those experiences lead to the publication of your first book?

Writing contests have played a huge role in my writing journey. When I entered my first writing contest in 2018, it was the first time I showed my writing to anyone outside of my family, and I was terrified. But by going through the process, I discovered two important things. One—my writing didn’t stink. Two—I still had a long way to go. So I buckled down, continued studying the craft, and wrote, wrote, wrote. A year later I entered this contest again with a romantic suspense entry, thinking that was the genre I wanted to pursue. As almost an afterthought, I entered a short rom-com story too, not because I expected it to go anywhere, but I wanted to get as much feedback on my writing as possible. And wouldn’t you know, it was the rom-com story that the judges all loved. It ended up winning. And you know what happens when you win a contest at a writers’ conference? You have to stand onstage and give a speech! Talk about a whole new level of terrifying. But I must not have bungled it too bad, because afterward an agent— who a few months later would become my agent—approached me, wanting to know more about this story. After a lot of rewrites and edits, that little rom-com story landed me my first publishing contract. So thank the Lord I decided to enter it into that contest.

What do you hope readers take away from Dear Henry, Love Edith?

I hope readers take away the idea that wherever their location, whatever their circumstances, they can live a life of adventure and purpose when they trust God to use their efforts, big or small. (Okay, fine. I also hope readers take away a lot of laughs.)

Who is one of your favorite fictional couples? What do you love about their love story?

George and Mary Bailey forever. When I watched It’s a Wonderful Life for the first time several years ago and saw a young Mary lean over that counter to whisper, “George Bailey, I’ll love you till the day I die,” I instantly knew that I would too.

About the Author

Becca Kinzer lives in Springfield, Illinois, where she works as a critical care nurse. When she’s not taking care of sick patients or reminding her husband and two kids that frozen chicken nuggets is a gourmet meal, she enjoys making up lighthearted stories with serious laughs. She is a 2018 ACFW First Impressions Contest winner, a 2019 Genesis Contest winner, a 2021 Cascade Award winner, and an all-around champion coffee drinker. Dear Henry, Love Edith is her debut novel.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

What connected with you in the author's interview?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for January 23rd - January 29th #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky

Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.

Readers please free to add your own finds.

(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

Monday
Life as Leels

Tuesday
Ebook Addicts

Wednesday
Beck Valley Books

Thursday
Miki's Hope

Friday
I Love Romance | Colorimetry

Saturday
I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings

Sunday
Deal Sharing Aunt

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author

For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 

For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!

An InLinkz Link-up

By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

Read an excerpt from this contemporary romance... A Family for the Rancher by M. K. Stelmack (Excerpt & #Giveaway) #cleanromance #cleanreads #romancebooks #harlequinbooks #booktwitter #newbooks @HarlequinBooks @justreadtours

Welcome to my tour stop with JustRead Publicity Tours! I'm sharing an

excerpt from this new release. Read that and enter the tour giveaway below...

A Family for the Rancher

(A Ranch to Call Home #1)

By M. K. Stelmack

Clean Contemporary Romance

Paperback & eBook, 257 Pages

January 24, 2023 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Summary

Can the prodigal cowboy…

Teach her to hope again?

Horse trainer Mateo Pavlic wants to buy back his family’s ranch. But Haley Jansson isn’t interested in selling…or forgiving his twelve-year absence. Mateo has loved Haley since they were kids, and he feels a deep connection with her sweet son, Jonah. Soon, Mateo wants to be all in with Haley and her adorable baby. But can he convince her to risk her land, her child and her heart?

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Bookshop | B&N | BookDepository | IndieBound

Excerpt

She giggled. “Are you giving your mom ’tude already?”

“I wonder where he’d get that from?” Mateo said. He thought he’d spoken softly, but the baby gave a startle reflex, his tiny hands splaying out. Mateo didn’t think. He held his finger out, and the baby grabbed on. A feeling of power and peace and absolute terror spread through him.

He could only imagine what Haley was experiencing. Her eyes were on him, and she smiled quietly. “Pretty cool, eh?” He cleared his throat. “Yeah.”

He wiggled his finger as if in a handshake. “Hello there. My name is Mateo. What’s yours?”

There was a slight hesitation from Haley, and then she said, “Mateo, I’d like you to meet my son, Jonah Knut Jansson.”

Mateo looked at her in surprise. “But that’s—”

“Your middle name. I know. I’ve always liked that name—and it’s not as if you’re the only one who has it, you know. I’m not naming him after you, just so we’re clear on that.”

They hadn’t seen each other in twelve years before today, so he believed her. Still. He thumbed baby Jonah’s brand-new soft hand. Still.

About the Author

M. K. Stelmack writes historical and contemporary romance. She is the author of Heartwarming's A True North Hero series, the third of which, Coming Home to You was made into a movie called Love by Accident. She has also written 'The Montgomerys of Spirit Lake' series. A Family for the Rancher marks the first in her new series, A Ranch to Call Home. She lives in Alberta, Canada, close to a town that the fictional Spirit Lake of her stories is patterned after.

Connect with M. K. by visiting mkstelmack.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Schedule

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

Tour-Wide Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of A Family for the Rancher and $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked above. The giveaway begins at midnight January 25, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 1, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

What did you think of the excerpt? Will you be reading this one?

I Can't Wait for... Broker of Lies by Steven James (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter #thriller #suspense #mustread #cleanreads #newbooks @Crazy4Fiction @TyndaleHouse

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I've only read one book by this author and it was probably one of the best if not the best thriller I've read! I've wanted to read all the rest of his books but have yet to get to them all, so I'll start with his new series with the first book coming out soon. It's my pick this week...

Broker of Lies

(Travis Brock Thriller #1)

By Steven James

Psychological Thriller, Christian, Mystery, Suspense

Hardcover, Paperback & eBook, 416 Pages

April 11, 2023 by Tyndale House Publishers

Summary

The man who knows all our secrets has a secret of his own.

When Travis Brock, a high-level Pentagon redactor with an eidetic memory, finds a clue to solving the tragic arson that took his wife from him, he risks everything to find the truth―and chances losing himself in the process.

With a terror attack looming on the horizon and a pair of assassins on his tail, Brock drops off the grid and joins forces with a disavowed Homeland Security operative. Together they race to stop the attack before Brock is neutralized by the people he trusts the most.

From critically acclaimed, bestselling novelist Steven James comes a smart, wire-tight, and emotionally resonant thriller that asks just how far across the line we might go to see justice carried out.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop

B&N | Book Depository | Target

Will you be reading this one?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for January 16th - January 22nd #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky

Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.

Readers please free to add your own finds.

(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

Monday
Life as Leels

Tuesday
Ebook Addicts

Wednesday
Beck Valley Books

Thursday
Miki's Hope

Friday
I Love Romance | Colorimetry

Saturday
I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings

Sunday
Deal Sharing Aunt

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author

For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 

For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!

An InLinkz Link-up

By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

Read an excerpt from this YA fantasy... Beauty From Ashes by Pamela Hart (Excerpt & #Giveaway) #yalit #yabooks #fantasy #cleanreads #booktwitter @justreadtours

Welcome to my tour stop with JustRead Publicity Tours for this

YA fantasy! I'm sharing an excerpt and the tour giveaway below...

Beauty From Ashes

(Beauty from Ashes Trilogy #1)

By Pamela Hart

Young Adult Clean Romantic Fantasy (Allegorical)

Hardcover, Paperback & eBook, 222 Pages

July 25, 2022 by Christian Faith Publishing

Summary

How far are you willing to go for love?

When Prince Arnion volunteers to infiltrate the prison colony of Gehenna, romance is the last thing on his mind. Rescuing its inhabitants is his only priority. But the corruption in Gehenna runs deep, fueled by the obsessions of its fanatical leader—a king rumored to devour human hearts.

To succeed, Arnion must conceal his identity from the people he’s been sent to save, including a young woman he’s inexplicably drawn to. And when her life is threatened by two merciless guards, the prince risks everything to save her.

Afterward, she wants nothing to do with him or his promises of rescue. But she soon realizes there’s more to Arnion than meets the eye, and what he’s about to unleash on Gehenna will change everything.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository | IndieBound

Excerpt

“Don’t be afraid,” a voice whispered in her ear.

She squinted her right eye open slightly. A young man was standing next to her, holding her hand lightly in his. Smoke rash had spread all along the left side of his face, causing one eye to swell nearly shut. His skin was dry and scabby, even to her calloused hand. And when he spoke, she saw how his cracked lips bled.

“Let us pass.” The young man had a clear voice.

The guards stumbled to the side, bewildered. The young man, still gripping her hand, gently but firmly pulled her past them. She realized as they walked that the man had an uneven stride, with a strong limp in his right leg. They continued along the footpath to the quarry until Acadia suddenly realized that they were still holding hands and snatched hers away.

“What were you thinking back there? They could’ve just as easily killed us both!” She avoided his eyes and settled for glaring at his dusty sandals instead.

“I’m not a prisoner. They have no authority over me.” He turned his head right and left, gazing at everything around them as they walked.

“If you’re not a prisoner, why are you here?” She crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“To rescue you.”

She laughed in his face. “Did all Lucien’s talk of ambassadors go to your head? Only a fool would come to Gehenna of their own free will.”

About the Author

Pamela Hart is the author of Beauty from Ashes and City of a Thousand Tears. Raised on a steady diet of fantasy, science fiction and anime, she spent most of her childhood failing to acquire a Boston accent. Since then, she has slurped ramen in Ikebukuro, stampeded through flamenco lessons in Granada, and splashed her way across a fishpond for the Milkman Triathlon in Dexter. During her travels, she tends to overpack horrendously, but never regrets cramming her backpack full of books to devour along the way. She wanders the planet with Joe, the love of her life, and her adorably maniacal Boston terriers, Willy and Marvin.

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

Tour Schedule

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

Tour-Wide Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Beauty from Ashes, 2 themed bookmarks, a $15 Amazon gift card, a book themed tote bag, and a book themed pencil case!

Full tour schedule linked above. The giveaway begins at midnight January 17, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 24, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

What do you think? Does this sound like a story you'd enjoy?

I Can't Wait for... The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #newbooks #gothic #romancebooks #booktwitter #histfic

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

The first thing that caught my eye with this one was the title and then the cover, then the author and the premise. I love books that are historical, mysterious and romantic. It's a plus if it's also Gothic, which this one is. Then it sounds like there's a bit of magic as well. It's my pick this week...

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library

By Hester Fox

Historical Romance, Gothic

Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 336 Pages

April 4, 2023 by Graydon House

Summary

"Weaves a spell of darkness that’s mysterious and magical, and binds it with a knot of deathless love." —New York Times bestselling author Susanna Kearsley

In post–World War I England, a young woman inherits a mysterious library and must untangle its powerful secrets…

With the stroke of a pen, twenty-three-year-old Ivy Radcliffe becomes Lady Hayworth, owner of a sprawling estate on the Yorkshire moors. Ivy has never heard of Blackwood Abbey, or of the ancient bloodline from which she’s descended. With nothing to keep her in London since losing her brother in the Great War, she warily makes her way to her new home.

The abbey is foreboding, the servants reserved and suspicious. But there is a treasure waiting behind locked doors: a magnificent library. Despite cryptic warnings from the staff, Ivy feels irresistibly drawn to its dusty shelves, where familiar works mingle with strange, esoteric texts. And she senses something else in the library too, a presence that seems to have a will of its own.

Rumors swirl in the village about the abbey’s previous owners, about ghosts and curses, and an enigmatic manuscript at the center of it all. And as events grow more sinister, it will be up to Ivy to uncover the library’s mysteries in order to reclaim her own story—before it vanishes forever.

Lush, atmospheric and transporting, The Last Heir to Blackwood Library is a skillful reflection on memory and female agency, and a love letter to books from a writer at the height of her power.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | B&N | Book Depository

Will you be reading this one?

Read an excerpt from this sweet western romance... Midnight Blue by Suzie Waltner (Excerpt & #Giveaway) #booktwitter #romancebooks #christianromance #christfic #christianfiction @justreadtours

Welcome to my tour stop with JustRead Publicity Tours! I'm happy to be able to support a fellow blogger who I've worked with for years with her most recent book release. Read an excerpt and enter the tour giveaway below...

Midnight Blue

(Love in Color #1)

By Suzie Waltner

Christian Contemporary Romance

Paperback & eBook, 278 Pages

September 6, 2022 by Anaiah Press Publishing

Summary

A series of heartbreaking setbacks behind her, Scarlett Sykes is now focused on creating the best life possible for her daughter. One where innocence and joy is not colored by rejection or loss. While finances are tight and Scarlett’s job isn’t ideal for a single mother, her child will always know she’s loved. Especially since Harmony’s father wanted nothing to do with them.

As lead singer and the face of a successful country band, Jake Turnquist’s closest friends depend on him, but life in the spotlight is quickly losing its appeal. At a party celebrating another accomplishment, he’s stunned to discover Scarlett assisting the caterer. Almost ten years have passed, but he’s never forgotten his first love.

In the hours after a surprise revelation, Jake scrambles to orchestrate a way to spend time with Scarlett and Harmony—the family he’s always wanted but never knew he had. He once gave her up to pursue his music. What will he have to surrender to win her back?

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | B&N

Excerpt

Unaware of the storm brewing around her, Harmony closed her eyes as she led into the chorus. “When the morning comes and the storm blows through, I’ll be waiting. Watching over you. When life disappoints, and you can’t help but cry, let the rain of my love get you by.”

Scarlett blinked back tears at the broken promises and years of loneliness those lyrics represented.

A fierce scowl marred Jake’s face. “Where’d you hear that song?” He took a step forward, crushing a cup in his hand as his gaze bounced between her and Harmony.

The music stopped mid-note. Scarlett stood and moved in front of her daughter as his face grew redder. Why was he so angry? She hadn’t broken her word—he was the expert at that. All she’d done was taught a little girl—one desperate to understand why she didn’t have a dad who loved and wanted her—a song.

“My daddy wrote it.” Harmony’s small voice ignited every protective instinct within her.

About the Author

Suzie Waltner is a lover of fiction and is first and foremost a reader. When she’s not at work or reading or writing, you can find her cheering on the Nashville Predators (hockey) or dancing an hour away in Zumba class. Until her second year of college, her life plan was to become a veterinarian. A fainting spell while watching a surgery performed on a sheep changed that plan. Now she works in the corporate world during the day while creating stories in her free time. Suzie resides in a suburb of Nashville, TN and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers as well as Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers. She currently serves as the president of the Middle Tennessee ACFW chapter.

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

Tour Schedule

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

Tour-Wide Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a Everything But the Book Cozy Reading Basket: sherpa throw, I'd Rather Be Reading mug, I Read Past My Bedtime socks, 12 oz orange spice candle, portable power bank, book cozy, and some reading snacks plus a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked above. The giveaway begins at midnight January 16, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 23, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

What did you think about the excerpt? Does it make you want to read this one or have you already?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for January 9th - January 15th #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky

Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.

Readers please free to add your own finds.

(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

Monday
Life as Leels

Tuesday
Ebook Addicts

Wednesday
Beck Valley Books

Thursday
Miki's Hope

Friday
I Love Romance | Colorimetry

Saturday
I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings

Sunday
Deal Sharing Aunt

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author

For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 

For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!

An InLinkz Link-up

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Come back and check out the new selection every week!

Read an excerpt from this historical romance based on Lady Jane Grey... A Life Renewed by Olivia Rae (Excerpt & #Giveaway) #booktwitter #histfic #christfic #historicalfiction #christianfiction @justreadtours

Welcome to my tour stop with JustRead Publicity Tours!

Read an excerpt and enter the giveaway below...

A Life Renewed

(Secrets of the Queens #1)

By Olivia Rae

Christian Historical Romance

Paperback & eBook, 318 Pages

April 2, 2020 by HopeKnight Press

Summary

In 1554, Lady Jane Grey, "The Nine Days' Queen" was executed for high treason. But what if, instead of feeling the blade on her neck she secretly survived?

Escaping execution, Lady Jane hides as a peasant girl in a principality in Germany. She loves the simple life and never wants to return to England. But her benefactor, a power-hungry German prince, wants to march on London and place her on the English throne again, thereby increasing his dominance in Europe. If she doesn't agree with his plan, her beloved childhood nurse will be put to death. Desperate for help, Jane must put her trust in the mysterious spy Asher Hayes.

Asher Hayes is done rounding up Protestants for "Bloody Mary" and wants nothing more than to live a quiet life as a farmer and expunge the blood of many from his hands. Except Queen Mary isn't done with him yet. She throws his father, mother, and sister into prison on false charges in order to force him to accept one last mission - find and kill Lady Jane Grey. But when Asher discovers Lady Jane isn't a threat to the throne as he believed her to be, he faces a devastating decision - does he sacrifice his family for the woman who reigns in his heart?

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Excerpt

A wide smile sprung forth on Prince von Hoffbauer’s face. He picked up two cups of milk and handed one to Jane. “It is simple. With you as the head of the Champions of Christ, we will create a great army. One large enough to march on England and southern German principalities.”

Jane could not believe her ears. This explained the strange cuts in the prince’s shirts and Otto Werner’s dirty bandages. They had been building and drilling an army.

“We will crush Queen Mary, her husband Philip, and the whole Habsburg Dynasty with a single blow. There will be singing in the streets of London, Frankfurt, and Hanenburg when the tyrants are gone.” He raised his cup

high. “To Queen Jane, may she sit on the throne of England once again.”

Cursed is the blood that flows through my veins!

She did not want this. She wanted to live the quiet life of a commoner. But she could not let Mrs. Ellen die. God forgive her, but if blood must flow, she wanted it to be her own.

About the Author

Olivia Rae is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary inspirational romance. She spent her school days dreaming of knights, princesses and far away kingdoms; it made those long, boring days in the classroom go by much faster. Nobody was more shocked than her when she decided to become a teacher. Besides getting her Master’s degree, marrying her own prince, and raising a couple of kids, Olivia decided to breathe a little more life into her childhood stories by adding in what she’s learned as an adult living in a small town on the edge of a big city. When not writing, she loves to travel, dragging her family to old castles and forts all across the world.

Olivia is the winner of the Angel Awards, New England Readers’ Choice Award, Golden Quill Award, American Fiction Award, Illumination Book Awards, and the Southern Magic Award. She has also been a finalist in many other contests including the National Readers’ Choice Awards. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.

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

Tour Schedule

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

Tour-Wide Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a Book Gift Box including the books A Life Renewed & Salvation, a $25 Amazon gift card, 3-pack notebooks, CCB cheese dip mix, English Holdsworth chocolates, Lavender Essential Oils, Sandalwood-scented wax cubes, Handmade soap, Red Current Cassis Candle, Silk Scarf, and Olivia Rae Swag!

Full tour schedule linked above. The giveaway begins at midnight January 11, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 18, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

What did you think of the excerpt? Will you be reading this?

I Can't Wait for... Under the Cover of Mercy by Rebecca Connolly (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #histfic #historicalfiction #WWI #booktwitter #newbooks @ShadowMountn

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I've read more stories about WWII than I have the Great War. I always find the stories set during either time period full of courage and perseverance which leaves me inspired. This upcoming release promises to be another such read. It's my pick this week...

Under the Cover of Mercy

By Rebecca Connolly

Historical Fiction, WWI

Hardcover, Audiobook & eBook, 304 Pages

April 11, 2023 by Shadow Mountain

Summary

Can one nurse on a mission of mercy and rebellion turn the tide of WWI?

November 1914

The Great War has come to Brussels, the Germans have occupied the city, and Edith Cavell, Head Nurse at Berkendael Medical Institute, faces an impossible situation. As matron of a designated Red Cross hospital, Edith has sworn an oath to help any who are wounded, under whatever flag they are found. But Governor von Lüttwitz, the ranking German officer, has additional orders for her. She and her nurses must also stand guard over the wounded Allied prisoners of war and prevent them from escaping.

Edith feels that God called her to be a healer, not a jailer. How can she heal these broken boys, only to allow them to be returned to the hands of their oppressors to be beaten again?

So when members of the Belgian resistance, desperate for help, bring two wounded British soldiers to her hospital in secret, she makes a decision that will change everything: she will heal the soldiers, and then attempt to smuggle them out of the hospital to freedom.

With her loyal friend and fellow nurse, Elizabeth, by her side, Edith establishes her hospital as a safe house for the resistance, laboring tirelessly to save as many soldiers as she can. Working under the watchful eyes of the German army, Edith faces challenging odds and charges of treason—which carries the death penalty if she is caught—as she fights alongside the resistance to bring—and keep—hope to her small corner of a war-torn world.

Based on a true story, Under the Cover of Mercy is the remarkable account of one woman who defied an entire nation in order to heal those who needed her help the most.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop

B&N | Book Depository | Target

Will you be reading this one?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for January 2nd - January 8th #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky

Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.

Readers please free to add your own finds.

(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

Monday
Life as Leels

Tuesday
Ebook Addicts

Wednesday
Beck Valley Books

Thursday
Miki's Hope

Friday
I Love Romance | Colorimetry

Saturday
I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings

Sunday
Deal Sharing Aunt

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author

For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 

For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!

An InLinkz Link-up

By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

I Can't Wait for... Painting the Summer by Sally Britton (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter #regency #romancebooks #cleanreads @SallyBWT

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I was late to try out this author, but once I did I was in love. I've enjoyed every book I've read of hers since and can't wait to get through all her books (I already have several reviews to come). She writes clean historical romance that always include great characters, intriguing stories, and chemistry you can feel. I wish all her books were in print so I could have a whole shelf of them, but I'll take them however I can. Her upcoming release is my pick this week...

Painting the Summer

(Return to Inglewood #1)

By Sally Britton

Historical Romance, Clean & Wholesome Books

eBook

March 31, 2023 by Pink Citrus Books

Summary

A farmer's daughter doesn't belong in high society, even if she is a talented artist. And a gentleman training to take over the family estate can't afford distractions. But when the two of them meet, their whole world shifts. Can they overcome their fears, or will love remain out of their reach?

Caroline Clapham isn’t a world renown artist—she’s simply a farmer’s daughter possessed of natural talent with a paintbrush. Talent that her mentor, the Countess of Inglewood, is happy to foster for a summer at her beautiful seaside estate. Caroline’s friends, including a persistent suitor, warn her that the season will end and she will return home as insignificant as ever, and will have to settle for a life far less grand than she imagines. But that won’t stop her from pursuing her dream, or finding a new friend in the handsome Mr. Everly.

Mr. Edward Everly is preparing to take the reins from his father. Everything about their home and family will fall under his care, including the land, their tenants, and all the responsibilities of a gentleman—including marrying the girl his parents have chosen for him. Overwhelmed and uncertain about his new role, Edward stumbles upon a beautiful artist in the woods. As he comes to know Miss Clapham, her way of looking at the world restores his confidence and makes his heart light. Before summer’s end, he cannot imagine a life without her.

Friends and family alike have warned against Caroline and Edward’s relationship. Edward has a role to fill, and he needs a companion who is up to the task. If Caroline leaves behind a life of finer things, she risks losing more than just her dreams of painting. Will she choose to remain in the world in which she grew up, or take the steps necessary to prove herself a worthy match for Edward?

***

The Return to Inglewood novels are a continuation of the stories in Sally Britton's Inglewood series, following the children of the heroes and heroines of Inglewood. This series can be read out of order and without reading Britton's previous books. All books in the series are sweet romance with no steamy content.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon

Will you be reading this one?