A COURTSHIP ON HUCKLEBERRY HILL BY JENNIFER BECKSTRAND

About the Book

Title: A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill

Author: Jennifer Beckstrand

Genre: Christian Amish Fiction

Release Date: December 26, 2017

Elsie Helmuth’s plain-spoken ways got her in trouble once before, so she needs to make a good impression at her new teaching job. But she’s not about to let disabled student Wally Sensenig work below his potential. And she definitely won’t put up with his hot-headed older brother sabotaging her efforts, no matter how handsome he is. . .

Sam is nearly at the end of his rope caring for his ailing, widowed mother, working their farm, and raising his siblings. He’ll admit Elsie’s ideas are bringing Wally out of his angry shell—but why does she have to be as stubborn as she is pretty? Yet as it turns out, Elsie has taught Sam something about himself as well. And he’ll do whatever it takes to make up for his mistakes—and win her heart forever.

Click here to purchase your copy.

LORI'S REVIEW

I simply loved it!! It's Jennifer Beckstrand at her best!

Have you ever met someone that you could tell at first glance that you weren' tgoing to like them?

Rose is that person! I wanted to strangle Rose! She got on my nerves so very bad!! I wanted to shake her to her senses so very much that's how mad she made me!! 

This is the part I didn't like. Rose is a self centered person who only think the world revolves around her. 

I don't like ppl like that. 

I really really wanted to shake Wally

too!! But I am very proud of him as well!!

Sam is a lot like me, too stubborn sometimes for his own good and many times too blind to see what's in front of him.

I just couldn't put this wonderful book down as I wanted to see what would happen with all of my new friends!

I enjoyed watching events unfold and there were times I snickered. 

I enjoyed meeting Anna and Felty

again. I'm glad to know that they're still alive and kicking 

Thanks for a wonderful story Jennifer!!! I can't say enough on how much I enjoyed your books!!

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the RITA-nominated, award-winning Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hillseries and The Honeybee Sisters series for Kensington Books. Her much-anticipated Amish series, The Honeybee Sisters, has created a lot of romantic buzz. Sweet as Honey received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and Sweet as Honey and A Bee in her Bonnet were both awarded Top Picks from RT Book Reviews. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth and the Honeybee sisters’aendi Bitsy. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a passion for Jane Austen and Shakespeare. She and her husband have been married for thirty-three years, and she has six children and six adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

Guest Post from Jennifer Beckstrand

I have a very special place in my heart for teachers. My dad was a high school math teacher. My mother taught second grade for over twenty years. My son-in-law taught choir in high school, and my daughter taught seventh-grade science. Another daughter taught American history labs at the university and still another daughter taught classes for a youth summer program.

Elsie Stutzman is a dedicated teacher who was dismissed from her last teaching job in Ohio and is trying to make a fresh start and a good impression in Bonduel, Wisconsin. Unfortunately one of her students, Wally Sensenig, is making things difficult for her, and Wally’s hot-headed older brother seems determined to get her fired. But Elsie is a dedicated teacher, too stubborn to back down and too steadfast to give up on anybody.

Elsie’s grandparents, Anna and Felty Helmuth, have other plans for her. They want her to fall in love with one of the local boys, but they’re finding it a little difficult to get the two young people together.

Teachers have an immense impact on our lives. We all remember a favorite elementary school teacher who inspired a love of learning or a high school teacher who encouraged us to reach for greatness. One of my favorite teachers was Mrs. Zobell, who taught ninth grade English. I distinctly remember her reading “The Outsiders” out loud to our class. She had a way of making great books and great stories come to life, and she sparked a love of reading (and writing) that I will always be grateful for. The teacher who had the most impact on my life is my dad. He helped me through Calculus in high school and inspired me to major in math in college.

I hope we will take the time this month to thank the teachers in our lives for all they do for us and all they do for our kids.

Who was one of your favorite teachers and why?

Blog Stops

Christian Bookaholic, January 16

proud to be an autism mom, January 16

Blossoms and Blessings, January 16

Reading Is My SuperPower, January 17

Mommynificent, January 17

Avid Reader Book Reviews, January 17

Bibliophile Reviews, January 18

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, January 18

The Power of Words, January 18

Multifarious, January 19

A Greater Yes, January 19

Texas Book-aholic, January 20

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, January 20

Karen Sue Hadley, January 21

Splashes of Joy, January 21

A Reader’s Brain, January 22

Mary Hake, January 22

Southern Gal Loves to Read, January 23

SusanLovesBooks, January 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 24

Janices book reviews, January 24

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 25

Carpe Diem, January 25

Quiet Quilter, January 26

margaret kazmierczak, January 26 (Interview)

cherylbbookblog, January 27

Red Headed Book Lady, January 27

Pink Granny’s Journey, January 27

A Baker’s Perspective, January 28

Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Pursuing Stacie, January 28

Because I said so- and other adventures in parenting., January 29

Vicky Sluiter, January 29

Bigreadersite, January 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to three winners!! https://promosimple.com/ps/c6cf

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

SONS OF PROMISE BY CARYL MCADOO

About the Book

Title: Son of Promise

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Woman’s Fiction

Be it known, your sins will find you out, but God’s mercy endureth forever!

Can a wife find the grace to forgive when her husband’s withheld the truth?

Travis Buckmeyer has a secret son, and the morning’s come to tell his sweet wife. He hates breaking Emma Lee’s heart. She promised him one ten years ago, but hasn’t been blessed to carry a baby to term. Every miscarriage made the telling harder, but now his clock’s run out. He’s going for his son, praying he won’t lose her.

Click here to purchase your copy!

LORI'S REVIEW

Another wonderful read by Caryl McAdoo.
I've enjoyed Caryl's style of writing for awhile now. I enjoy getting into her books and traveling back in time to meet "new"people. 
Since I've met Winnie, Codys mom I've wanted to choke her many times over. I do believe she had done one thing right but I won't say.
I'm eager for other readers to find out on their own!!! I'm going to keep you guessing! 
Cody and Travis "look" alike in their features and Travis could not deny Cody if wanted too. 
I've often said that about Kevin and Michael my son. They look sooo much alike it isn't funny!! Kevin couldn't deny him even if he wanted too. 
Cody is a very lucky boy. He has something that I've always wanted but could never have. 
Travis and Emma Lee are two of the kindest ppl I've ever known. I wish that I had a dad like Travis. 
This is another series that I'd love to re-read from beginning to end as there are a few generations that got skipped somehow. 
I strongly recommend this book. 
I received this book for free. All opinions are my own

About the Author

Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and a quick scroll through her novels’ rankings by Christian readers attests to the Father’s faithfulness. She loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs He gives her—look her up on YouTube to hear a few. Her high school sweetheart husband won her heart fifty-two years ago, and now they share four children and seventeen grandsugars. Ron and Caryl live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

Guest Post from Caryl McAdoo

SON OF PROMISE—a companion story to my Texas Romance Family Saga’s book ten CHIEF OF SINNERS—features Travis and Emma Lee Buckmeyer, who readers first meet in CHIEF. She’s the sister of its heroine Sandy Harris, and he is a friend of its hero Buddy Nightingale; he’s also the son of Crockett Buckmeyer (from book eight COVERING LOVE) and grandson of Patrick Henry Buckmeyer (hero of book one VOW UNBROKEN).

A standalone, it isn’t necessary for readers to know all these ancestors to enjoy SON OF PROMISE, but those who do will surely love it all the more. What I know is that this couple won a chunk of my heart. Their faith is outstanding and their love inspiring. In the ’40s, Emma Lee didn’t have the fertility options young women do today, and miscarriage after miscarriage left her hurting. That’s why he hadn’t told her.

He didn’t want to hurt her, but circumstances had changed, and time was up. She had to be told that morning he already had a son born from a one night liaison thirteen years before because he was leaving to claim his Cody from a reform school and bring him home.

The boy had never known real love, but I loved him from the first. Forced to grow up way too fast—lying, stealing, and participating in most any other rebellious act—he’s missed so much. He’s overwhelmed with Travis and Emma Lee—their home, their partnership and love for each other, and their generosity toward him.

He planned to light out from the start, but days piled on top each other, and he never pulled the trigger.

In VOW UNBROKEN, there was an awesome canine named Blue Dog, and I went into his POV (Point Of View—got into his head) a couple of times. My Simon & Schuster editor ‘requested’ that I lose those segments, and so I did. But in this novel, I get into a canine’s head again . . . I’m hoping readers will find that fun.

In years past, I owned, managed, and milked a herd of eighty-plus dwarf goats and loved their Great Pyrenees guardians, so it was fun to include them in the story. I love how Emma Lee was able to sell her paintings for exorbitant prices, but remained so humble and unassuming. And that she and Travis opened their home (they’re so much like my husband and me) to total strangers. We’ve had so many people live with us over the years, to help them, be blessings—the hands and feet of God in the earth.

I pray my story gives God glory and that its readers will be drawn closer to Him through it. He blesses me and highly favors me daily. I can’t thank or praise Him enough!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 18

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, January 18

Christian Author, J.E.Grace Blog, January 19

Splashes of Joy, January 19

Karen Sue Hadley , January 20

Maureen’s Musings, January 20

proud to be an autism mom, January 21

Bibliophile Reviews, January 21

Reading is My SuperPower, January 22 (Interview)

A Greater Yes, January 22

Texas Book-aholic, January 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 23

Baker kella, January 24

Janices book reviews, January 24

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 25

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 25

Quiet Quilter, January 26

Carpe Diem, January 26

C Jane Read, January 27

A Baker’s Perspective, January 27

Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Pursuing Stacie, January 28

Red Headed Book Lady, January 29

margaret kazmierczak, January 29

cherylbbookblog, January 30

Bigreadersite, January 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 31

Avid Reader Book Reviews, January 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away

GRAND PRIZE : $50 Amazon Gift Card
1st Prize: Choice-of-Caryl’s Titles (print or ebook)
2nd-4th: ebook of SON OF PROMISE!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c511

The Melody of the Soul by Liza Tolmsin

ABOUT THE BOOK

By 1943, Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost everything, including her career as a concert violinist and almost her entire family. The only person she has left is her beloved grandmother, and she's determined to keep her safe. But protecting Grandmother won't be easy--not with a Nazi officer billeted below them.

Anna must keep a low profile. There's one thing she refuses to give up, though. Despite instruments being declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to practice her violin. She has to believe that the war will end someday and her career will be waiting. Fortunately for Anna, the officer, Horst Engel, enjoys her soothing music. It distracts him from his dissatisfaction with Nazi ideology and reminds him that beauty still exists in an increasingly ugly world.

When his neighbors face deportation, Horst is moved to risk everything to hide them. Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals to her might break her trust and stop the music forever

 LORI'S REVIEW

All i can say is you'd better have some tissue paper close by!!! It's a tear jerker!!

I like how the author can make the emotions of the people so real that you feel like you want to reach out and grab them away from everything bad that is happening but I guess that would be changing history. 

I want to choke each and every Nazi and to them what they've done to the Jews!! It's so not fair!!

But God will take care of the former Nazi's as they say karma comes around if it hasn't already? 

The only good thing I see so far is music. Music sooths the soul in any time or place. I know I'm a musician myself!! Only I play Viola. I'm 2nd generation in my family to play this instrument. my son plays violin. 

Music has a special place in my heart. Even singing hymns praising God soothes my soul. 

I'm like Anna in this way. This we have in common ( playing our instruments) 

I like Horst ( even tho he's A Nazi) A good man caught up in a terrible delimma. through no fault of his own!!

I loved Anna's grandmother's faith, trust and advice. Even when facing her tribulations.

The only thing I had a hard time with was the big long German names.

The author did a fine job with a very hard subject and as I said at the beginning you'd better be sitting down and have a box of tissues beside you!!!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband, their son, and their two daughters. All of their children have been adopted internationally and one has special needs. Her novella, Under His Wings, appeared in the New York Times bestselling collection, A Log Cabin Christmas. Her debut novel, Snow on the Tulips, released in August of 2013. Daisies Are Forever released in May 2014. When not busy putting words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family. Please visit her blog at www.liztolsma.blogspot.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@LizTolsma). She is also a regular contributor to the Barn Door blog.

Travel back in time to 1943 and meet Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian and concert violinist whose career is ended because of Nazi occupation in Prague. Don't miss the new historical novel, The Melody of the Soul, by Liz Tolsma. Though musical instruments have been declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to play the violin. But Officer Horst Engel, quartered in Anna's flat and dissatisfied with German ideology, enjoys her soothing music. When Anna and her grandmother face deportation, Horst risks everything to protect them.Join Liz Tolsma and other bookworms for a Facebook Live event on February 6, plus enter to win Liz's prize pack giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of The Melody of the Soul
• A garnet bracelet
• A box of Czech Republic chocolate

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 6. The winner will be announced at Liz's Facebook Live Party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Liz and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word-tell your friends about the giveaway and Facebook Live party via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

A Song of Home by Susie Finkbeiner

ABOUT THE BOOK

Pearl Spence has finally settled into a routine in Bliss, Michigan, far from her home in Red River, Oklahoma. Like all the other kids, she goes to school each day, plays in the woods, and does her chores. But there's one big difference: Mama is still gone, and doesn't seem to have a thought for the family she's left behind.

Escaping from her worries is another part of Pearl's new routine, whether that's running to Aunt Carrie's farm, listening to the radio with Ray, or losing herself in a book. In fact, a chair in the stacks, surrounded by books, might be her favorite place on earth--until she discovers swing dancing. The music transports Pearl to a whole other world.

When Mama unexpectedly returns, it isn't the happy occasion Pearl had imagined. Mama is distant and Pearl can't figure out how to please her. And the horrible way she treats Daddy is more than Pearl can bear. Seems life would be better if Mama would just stay away.

Finkbeiner's portrayal of both tragedy and everyday life in times of great change is charged with a raw beauty that will haunt readers. Fans of the two prior Pearl Spence novels won't be disappointed! 

LORI'S TRAVELS

I took my time in savoring this wonderful novel by Susie Finkbiner. 

I didn't want to say goodbye to Pearlie as her daddy's nickname stuck in my mind. Just like Half Pint as Pa called Laura.

I've mentioned that my grandparents lived through the Dust Bowls years but they've never really talked about the Depression other than it was hard. 

I've always wondered what life might've been like for them so began to imagine it through Pearl's eyes. 

My grandpa was the storyteller in our family. I loved hearing them!!! ( Even though they never stayed the same!) lol!! I think it's what made them special. 

Susie Finkbiner is a wonderful story teller who can blend everything in very nicely and make you think that you are in the same room with Pearl and her family. 

I've learned some things the hard way like Pearl has. It's one of the reasons I fell in love with Pearl. 

Pearl to me is a very special person and I hate saying goodbye to her but I can always go visit her when I reread her story. If you liked Pearls story I'd recommend rereading all three books again!! I know I will because that's how much I enjoyed Susie's stories!!! I hope there is more coming!! She's fast becoming my favorite!! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susie Finkbeiner is the bestselling author of A Cup of Dust: A Novel of the Dust Bowl (Kregel, 2015) and A Trail of Crumbs: A Novel of the Great Depression (Kregel, 2017) and A Song of Home: A Novel of the Swing Era as well as My Mother's Chamomile (WhiteFire, 2014) and Paint Chips (WhiteFire, 2013). 

Susie is a wife, mother of three, and avid reader. She enjoys time with her family, coffee dates with her good friends, and quiet moments to read and write.

Strains of Silence by Bethany Kaczmarek

About the Book

Author: Bethany Kaczmarek

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: August 1, 2017

Music was her driving passion and the truest expression of her faith, but three months before her wedding, twenty-year-old Kasia Bernolak can’t even pick up her guitar. Feeling like a fraud who will ruin her dad’s pastoral reputation, she can barely meet his eyes. When Kasia finds the strength to break off her engagement, she still doesn’t realize the dangerous truth: Blake Hamilton isn’t ready to say goodbye. And he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.

Alexander “Zan” Maddox has seen what a domineering man can do to an unsuspecting woman, and Zan is sick of injustice. He gave up a college baseball scholarship so he could protect his sister from her abusive husband. When he rescues Kasia from her ex-fiancé, he instinctively appoints himself her personal bodyguard. Now, all he has to do is keep from falling for her himself.

Kasia and Zan become fast friends, but true healing and justice might cost more than either of them is willing to pay.

Click here to purchase your copy.

LORI'S REVIEW

This is my first book by Bethany and she has done a marvelous job of bringing out the emotions in these characters! It's like a roller coaster ride of emotions!

Music is the Love love of my Heart and Soul just as it does kasia.

I play viola in our orchestra and it was passed down from my mom, to me, now to my son.

My son is third generation string player.

I couldn't imagine my life without music.

I also enjoyed reading about God's grace and loving us no matter what you do.

This book wasn't my cup of tea even tho I kept reading until the end. However; it might be yours. I do recommend this book.

I received this book for free. 

No compensation was received and all opinions are my own!!! 

About the Author

Bethany loves a home filled with family and friends. Word gets around that—at the Kaczmarek house—food is abundant, conversations are real, and anything is up fordiscussion. She and her clan are fans of laughter, indie music, sonic screwdrivers, and superheroes. Home is wherever in the world they’re all together.

Guest Post from Bethany Kaczmarek

Strains of Silence: A Novel for Anyone Who Can Say #MeToo

We’re everywhere. After years of silence, many survivors of sexual assault are raising our voices. You’ve seen the hashtag. You know someone who suffered like this—a friend, a sister, a daughter.

Maybe you know personally what it’s like to be used.

I’m thankful for the conversations the #MeToo campaign has started, proud of the brave women who are speaking out. But I know some are still quiet, nursing wounds.

I could list loads of valid reasons a victim chooses to suffer in silence.

• People won’t believe her.
• If she doesn’t say it out loud, it’s easier to pretend it was a nightmare.
• He’s got authority over her—at work, at church, in the family—and it’ll cost her too much. He’s done enough damage already.
• He’s threatened to destroy her reputation, and she believes him. One, because he’ll do it without flinching. Two, because she’s already convinced that she’s living a lie.
• Because at church, she’s supposed to be fine, smiling, rejoicing in her suffering and pressing on. Besides, people don’t want to sit with her in her pain and listen. They’d rather offer bumper-sticker theology and trite spiritual bandages.
• The few times she’s tried to speak up, her used-to-be friend basically made her feel like it was her fault.

The list could go on, but it’s fair to say that being honest about what happened to us makes us vulnerable all over again. The idea is understandably stressful.

But you know what? Pretending we’re fine is exhausting too. We bear a great strain when we hide our hurts, for whatever reason.

Kasia Bernolak, the heroine of my novel Strains of Silence, gets it. She’s got reasons for keeping it quiet too. But when God brings some new people into her life, she realizes she doesn’t have to be alone.

And speaking up offers a freedom, a lightness, she wants.

It’s a freedom I want for my readers.

I know. Strains of Silence sounds like a heavy book right now. The themes are heavy, no doubt. There’s no glossing over and prettying up sexual assault or domestic violence. But—just like in real life—it’s how well we surround and support the suffering that can set the tone. Kasia’s friends are real, they’re funny, they’re quirky, and they believe in her.

Besides, it’s not all dark and brooding. There’s travel—an entire summer in the mountains of Peru. There’s a lot of music—Kasia’s a singer/song-writer who loves indie artists (I’ve got a playlist on my website). There’s heritage and culture—meet her immigrant family and you’ll get a delicious taste of Poland. There’s humor—enough to keep the story light when you need it to be.

And there’s hope. Kasia’s life is absolutely full of possibility.

So are the lives of everyone who can say #MeToo.

Sometimes, it just helps to see someone else fight the battle on our own horizon. And if you can do it with a fantastic new playlist and some laughs, why not?

My hope is that Strains of Silence will lead to real discussions with reader-friends, book-club gatherings that become turning points, and the true pursuit of freedom. It’s time to throw off the burdens we wear and stand up. Raise your voice, link arms with others, and fight for hope.

Healing is within our reach.

Blog Stops

Quiet Quilter, January 6

proud to be an autism mom, January 6

Inklings and Notions, January 7

Bibliophile Reviews, January 7

Fiction Aficionado, January 8

Genesis 5020, January 8

The Fizzy Pop Collection, January 9

Bigreadersite, January 9

Red Headed Book Lady, January 10

Mommynificent, January 10

Texas Book-aholic, January 11

allofakindmom, January 11

Blogging With Carol, January 12 (Interview)

The Power of Words, January 12

Pursuing Stacie, January 12

Reading Is My SuperPower, January 13

A Greater Yes, January 13

Christian Author, J.E.Grace Blog, January 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 14

Mindy Houg Guest Review on Artistic Nobody, January 15

Janices book reviews, January 15

Faithfully Bookish, January 16

Kat’s Corner Books, January 16

Margaret Kazmierczak, January 17

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 17

The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate, January 18

Carpe Diem, January 18

Remebrancy, January 19

A Baker’s Perspective, January 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Bethany is giving away a grand grand prize a signed book, a Polish pottery mug with two of the main character’s favorite kinds of teas, 4 of her favorite albums (Josh Garrels, Waterdeep, The Gray Havens, and Andrew Greer), a box of chocolate butter cookies, and a $50 Amazon gift card.!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c5d