“Return of the Song” by Phyllis Clark Nichols, book review

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Return of the Song by Phyllis Clark Nichols, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

My review:  Caroline is a gifted musician who was devastated when her fiance’ was tragically killed just before their wedding.  Six years later, she has moved on with her life, but still is haunted by the song she was writing for him and cannot finish.  Each year on the anniversary of his death, she plays it, but cannot finish the song, and it ends with her banging her fists on the key board.

She has never played the song for anyone, but when she hears the song played by a stranger- twice.

This is a gripping story of healing, music and family.  Caroline is surrounded by family who loves her and cares deeply for her.  She cares for her piano students and really wants each one to love the piano and and music.  But she is trying to finally move on past the wedding and marriage that never happened.

I enjoyed this book and felt the characters were real and likable.  This family cares for their own and want each to be the best they can be.  There is a hint of mystery in the story and it is slowly and carefully revealed through out the story.  I enjoy the musical parts of the story, as I am a musician and can relate to how important music is and memories are liked to music.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Return of the SongSeries: The Rockwater Suite #1 Author: Phyllis Clark Nichols Publisher: Gilead Publishing Release Date: September 18, 2018 Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction When Caroline lost her love, she lost the music too. Caroline Carlyle’s dreams were crushed when her fiancé died six weeks before their wedding. For years she wrestled with aching loss and shattered faith, struggling to find the inspiration that once came so easily. Abandoning her half-finished piano compositions, Caroline trades her old ambitions for the comfort and familiarity of life as the town’s piano teacher. But Caroline’s world turns upside down when a mysterious stranger enters her life. Filled with courage and fresh purpose, Caroline embarks on a quest to track down the beloved, rare piano she played as a child. Her search leads her to Rockwater, the Kentucky estate of a wealthy gentleman, where Caroline finds her heart may be composing a surprising new song. PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Christian Book | Book Depository

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phyllis Clark Nichols’s character-driven Southern fiction explores profound human questions using the imagined residents of small town communities you just know you’ve visited before. With a strong faith and a love for nature, art, music, and ordinary people, she tells redemptive tales of loss and recovery, estrangement and connection, longing and fulfillment . . . often through surprisingly serendipitous events. Phyllis grew up in the deep shade of magnolia trees in South Georgia. Born during a hurricane, she is no stranger to the winds of change: In addition to her life as a novelist, Phyllis is a seminary graduate, concert pianist, and cofounder of a national cable network with health- and disability-related programming. Regardless of the role she’s playing, Phyllis brings creativity and compelling storytelling. She frequently appears at conventions, conferences, civic groups, and churches, performing half-hour musical monologues that express her faith, joy, and thoughts about life—all with the homespun humor and gentility of a true Southern woman. Phyllis currently serves on several nonprofit boards. She lives in the Texas Hill Country with her portrait-artist husband. CONNECT WITH PHYLLIS: website | Facebook | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive (US only)

• a print copy of Christmas at Grey Sage
• a print copy of Return of the Song

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 12, 2018 and last through 11:59pm November 19, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

 

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“Hidden Peril” by Irene Hannon, book review

“Hidden Peril” by Irene Hannon, book review Code of Honor series, #2

Like many teenagers, Kristen and her best friends just know that when they grow up they are going to change the world and make it better. It has taken her a while, but now she is doing it. With her store that sells fair trade items and helps to economically challenged in her neighborhood, Kristen is making the world better. But then things start to go wrong, terribly wrong. People are dying. And somehow she has to make it stop.

Detective Luke Carter is assigned to this case. He is new to the department and really wants to make a good impression, plus he is a good detective and knows how to solve difficult cases. He gets right to work and begins to unravel the mystery of these deaths.

But while all this is going on, there is a little romance in the air too.

This is a mystery romance and has so much going on that it is hard to put down. It is the second book in the series, so if you have not read the first one, there are some details that you might not catch, but you can read it. Of course, we are left hanging and waiting for number 3.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Revell. All opinions expressed are my own.

“The Light Before Day” by Suzanne Woods Fisher, book review

“The Light Before Day” by Suzanne Woods Fisher, book review Nantucket Legacy #3

This is the third book in the Nantucket Legacy series and we are again taken to Nantucket Island, but now Henry and Hitty are adults. Their parents set off on a whaling journey and the children are left to deal with their late grandmother’s estate. Lillian Coffin was a stern and unyielding woman, who commanded great respect. Even following her death, she sought to control her family, through the strict terms of her will.

Henry, recently returned from a three year whaling expedition, and Hitty, who now runs to Cent School, must work together as never before. Benjamin, the legal assistant to their grandmother’s lawyer, comes to the island and tells them the steps they must complete to inherit the vast fortune.

Henry and Hitty only want to bring improvements to the island and its citizens. They work in their own way to accomplish this, within the constraints of the will.

This is an interesting story of family heritage and honor. The Quaker, or Friends as they are called in the book, have some interesting and at times difficult to understand traditions, but it does make it interesting. The characters are well developed, and I enjoyed learning about the science and social issues of the day.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book from the publisher, Revell. All opinions expressed are my own.

“A Sparkle of Silver” by Liz Johnson, book review

“A Sparkle of Silver” by Liz Johnson, book review, A Georgia Coast Romance

Millie Sullivan is trying to just hold it all together, including paying for her grandmother to stay at a nice place that is able to care for her, now that she cannot care for herself. But the cost is pretty expensive, and Millie is not sure how to make the next payment.

Millie is listening to her grandmother tell stories, she mentions the huge estate on St. Simons Island, Georgia where her great-grandmother was an actual guest in the 1920’s and hid a treasure. Millie is unsure whether this is real or just the jumbled memories of a mind that has been damaged by dementia. But Millie accepts the challenge and gets a job at the estate so she can search for the treasure.

Ben Thornton is a security guard at the estate and discovers Millie sneaking around the library. He agrees to work with her in the search for the treasure, as long as he can have a cut. Together they look for the treasure, but in the adventure, they find more than they had bargained for.

This is an easy to read romance and mystery book. The characters are likable and the description of the estate and St. Simons Island make you want to visit soon. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more in the series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher, Revell. All opinions expressed are my own.

“Lady of a Thousand Treasures” by Sandra Byrd, book review

Eleanor Sheffield has grown up in a house where antiquities are a part of everyday life. But as she soon learns, they are also what provides her family with their livelihood. After the death of her father, she also learns that antiquities tell more stories than quickly meets the eye. She has learned the trade from the best in the business, but as a young woman in the 1860’s she is not quickly respected by her peers. Upon the death of a wealthy client, Ellie is given the difficult task of cataloging and determining the owner of the collection. There is much pressure from both sides: those who think awarding the collection to the museum would be a logical choice; and those on the other side who believe the son should inherit the antiquities. Ellie has much to gain and much to lose from this decision.

Harry was once almost engaged to Eleanor, but the war and his father’s demands have put time and space between them. When he returns, he is a trusted friend to Ellie during the difficult time following her father’s death. But is he to be trusted or not. The deathbed letter from his father informs Ellie of his misdeeds. But her heart is leading her in a very different direction.

This is an intriguing story of Eleanor and Harry. They are both loyal to their families, and seek to do what is right and true. But there are secrets that each keep to protect those in their care. In the end, will they trust God and each other enough to be honest and follow their hearts? I enjoyed the book. The characters are so real, and the story line flows right along. I appreciate the attention to detail in the description of clothing and the antiquities. Those to like antiques will especially enjoy this book.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

This is a plot summary

Eleanor distrusts the baron’s motives and her own ability to be unbiased regarding Harry’s future. Harry claims to still love her and Eleanor yearns to believe him, but his mysterious comments and actions fuel her doubts. When she learns an Italian beauty accompanied him on his return to England, her lingering hope for a future with Harry dims. With the threat of debtor’s prison closing in, Eleanor knows that donating the baron’s collection would win her favor among potential clients, saving Sheffield Brothers. But the more time she spends with Harry, the more her faith in him grows. Might Harry be worthy of his inheritance, and her heart, after all? As pressures mount and time runs out, Eleanor must decide whom she can trust—who in her life is false or true, brass or gold—and what is meant to be treasured. PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon | iTunes | Christian Book | Book Depository | Books-A-Million

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd has now published fifty books. Sandra’s delighted to kick off her new historical romance series with Tyndale House Publishers, Victorian Ladies, with Lady of a Thousand Treasures. The three-book Victorian Ladies series follows her historically sound Gothic romances, Daughters of Hampshire, launched with the bestselling Mist of Midnight, which earned a coveted Editor’s Choice award from the Historical Novel Society. The
second book, Bride of a Distant Isle, has been selected by Romantic Times as a Top Pick. The third in the series, A Lady in Disguise, was published in 2017. Check out her contemporary adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, which was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2011, and The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr was named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2012. Sandra has published dozens of books for kids, tweens, and teens, including the bestselling The One Year Be-Tween You and God Devotions for Girls. She continued her work as a devotionalist, with The One Year Home and Garden Devotions, and The One Year Experiencing God’s Love Devotional. Please visit www.sandrabyrd.com to learn more or to invite Sandra to your book club via Skype. CONTACT: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

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SCAVENGER HUNT CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Instructions: Head to every stop on the tour to collect a word to finish the crossword puzzle. Hint: You might want to print out the crossword puzzle (link below) and enter it everyday to make it easier. Crossword Board: https://crosswordlabs.com/view/lady-of-a-thousand-treasures-scavenger-hunt Not a crossword puzzle fan? Just compile the clue words from each stop and enter it on the Rafflecopter entry.

This stop’s CLUE is: stamped

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive:

• a copy of Lady of a Thousand Treasures (print to US addresses OR ebook to international)
• Cork coaster set of the British Isles (US Only)
• “To The Lighthouse” diffuser made by Seawitch Candles in Cornwall, England. (US Only)
• $10 Amazon gift card (open international)

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Entry form will be live on the 19th once all clues are revealed. Clues for giveaway will begin at midnight October 15, 2018. Entries are opened at midnight on October 19, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm October 22, 2018. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

ENTER HERE

Be sure to stop on every stop on the Tour Schedule for all the clues to enter!

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TOUR SCHEDULE

Launch Page at JustRead

For the full tour schedule, click on the launch page.

(All stops expected to post by 12:00 NOON EST)

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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“beloved 365 devotions for young women” by Lindsey Franklin, book review

“beloved 365 devotions for young women” by Lindsey Franklin, book review

This is an incredibly beautiful book that is written for young women. The daily readings are 1 page long, starting with a verse or 2, then a short story or encouraging lesson from the Bible. There are several blank lines at the bottom of each page that the reader is encouraged to fill in with an action or idea that was sparked by the reading.

This layout, cover and just simple beauty of this hard bound gift style book is very inviting to any young woman. There is even a ribbon book mark that matches the book to be used to mark the place for the next reading. I really like that the daily passages are just labeled “Day 1” “Day 2” etc, rather than starting with January 1 and continuing through December. This makes the book perfect to give as a gift any time of year. And this book definitely will make a wonderful gift for any young woman.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book from the publisher, as a member of the Handlebar review group. All opinions expressed are my own.

“Freedom’s Light” by Colleen Coble, book review

“Freedom’s LIght” by Colleen Coble, book review

Hannah Thomas is now the keeper of the lighthouse. Her husband, John, previously did the very time consuming job of keeping the lights burning, until he answered the call for volunteers to join Washington’s army. Now it is Hannah’s job.

Birch is fighting for the side he believes is in the right, and as a sea captain, has a unique position to be of aid. When his ship is torn apart on the rocks, he is rescued by Hannah and spends days recuperating in the light house. He sees how hard she works and what she endures at the hands of her in-laws and the strict religious community. He enjoys their verbal spats as they debate the merits of the war.

This is an interesting book and will be especially of interest to history buffs. The Revolutionary War was a difficult time for our country and the families who were involved. The lines were not always clear, and families were often torn apart.

I enjoyed the story, felt the plot was believable and the characters likable. I will look forward to reading the next book, hopefully, in the series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Thomas Nelson. All opinions expressed are my own.

“This is the Day” by Tim Tebow, book review

“This is the Day” Reclaim your dream, ignite your passion, live your purpose. By Tim Tebow with A.J. Gregory, book review

We all get the amount of time each day, but do we get the same amount of stuff done with our time? Probably not, but we can do more to get the important things done. Author and athlete, Tim Tebow, has written a new book in which he shares a plan he has developed and put into practice to make the most of each day, including this day.

This 12 chapter book is easy to read, but I suggest you read it over a period of weeks rather than in 1 sitting or 2. There are many personal stories and practical suggestions to put a purpose and order to your day to accomplish what you feel is important. This is instead of just being pushed through your day by the projects and appointments that crowd our lives.

His stories are very personal and practical, and really show how easy it is to put the into our daily lives the things we feel are important. Each chapter ends with a summary and a series of questions that help the reader put into place the theme of the chapter. The reader is challenged to make it happen in their own life.

Disclaimer: I was provided with an advanced reader’s copy of the book from the publisher, Waterbrook Press. All opinions expressed are my own.

“The Brave Art of Motherhood” by Rachel Marie Martin, book review

“The Brave Art of Motherhood” by Rachel Marie Martin, book review

Being the mom is not always an easy job. And being a great mom can sometimes seem like a competition, especially in the world of social media. Other moms post the cutest pictures of their kids in home made smocked dresses, with matching everything…while you feel like you are doing well if the stains from breakfast are not too noticeable on your kids’ clothes as you head out the door, and that no one will notice that your toddler’s socks do not match.

Author Rachel Marie Martin shares a deeply personal story of her journey into motherhood. This 18 chapter book is full of examples of people who have found joy in the journey of motherhood. But the journey is not always joyful, it is actually kinda tough. But the rewards are work the fight.

This book is one that I suggest you read slowly, not in a sitting or two. It is meant to promote thought and self examination, then action. It is meant to encourage and empower moms to be yourself in the midst of being a mom to the little people in our life. I think it would be a nice book to read with other moms and talk about the issues and come up with creative solutions that work in the real world, your home.

Disclaimer: I was provided with an advanced reader’s copy of the book from the publisher, Waterbrook Press. All opinions expressed are my own.

Kroger- more than just groceries

Here in the South, we all know that Kroger is the place to go for groceries. But, there is so much more! Kroger has the best prices for gas. And with the fuel rewards program, the prices get even better. Every time you enter your Kroger card number (or in my case the alternate id, because I lost my card long ago), there is a $.03/gallon discount. And for every $100 you spend at Kroger, you get $.10/gallon. This can really help with the gas budget. As you can see, I drive a large pick up, so a fill up for me is over 20 gallons. I can easily save over $2.00 with each fill up.

So, check it out. Next time you need to fill up, try Kroger.

Disclaimer: As a member of the MyMagazine sharing network, I was provided with a free sample. All opinions expressed are my own. #freesample