When Dignity Came to Harlan by Rebecca Duvall Scott

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

From bestselling and Amazon Top 10 Hot New Release author, Rebecca Duvall Scott, comes the first Christian historical fiction novel in the Dignity Series, When Dignity Came to Harlan.

I made up my mind right then and there that I would just have to wade into this move like wading into a pond or lake I'd never seen before - slow and steady, feeling around for my footing and trying to avoid the sharp edges at the bottom that you never see coming.

***

News of what really happened to me - to us - spread through town like wildfire. It caught from one dry gossip tree to another and burned them to the ground with shame.

***

"Y'can do this, child - show 'em why I call y'Dignity," my old friend winked at me.

Skillfully written and sure to draw you in to its pages, When Dignity Came to Harlan is set in the early 1900s and follows twelve-year-old Anna Beth Atwood as she leaves Missouri with her family dreaming of a better life in the coal-rich mountains of Harlan County, Kentucky. Anna Beth's parents lose everything on the trip, however, and upon asking strangers to take their girls in until they get on their feet, Anna Beth and her baby sister are dropped into the home of Jack and Grace Grainger - who have plenty of problems of their own. Anna Beth suffers several hardships during her time in Harlan, and if it wasn't for her humble and wise old friend who peddles his wisdom along with his wares, all would be lost.

Based on a true family history, this is a story of heartbreak and hope, challenges and perseverance, good and evil, justice and merciful redemption. It exemplifies the human experience in all its many facets and shows what it means to have real grit.

Take the journey with us and see how, with the unseen hand of God, one girl changed the heart and soul of an entire town.

MY REVIEW

“I guess in m’case, though, it was easier t’find God outside in his great creation. M’case is jus’ diff’rent , I reckon. Maybe God wanted me t’be a wanderer… people can worship ‘im anywhere if they’ll jus’ humble their hearts, Dignity.” He slowed the truck to a stop in front of the white picket fence.

You know sometimes I feel this way too. I mean, God's everywhere no matter where you are. Not just inside church wall although it's nice to fellowship with other believers.

I find this story so fascinating because it's pretty cool to have a family history. I love stories of pioneering to new places.

Scott has done just this. I was immersed in this story from the beginning.

I also loved that she tells the story from Anna Beth's point of view. I connected with her that way. Her thoughts, feelings came out across the pages to me loud and clear and Anna Beth being happy were all that mattered to me

Little Olivia stole my heart though. Cuteness overload.

I'm very happy to say that I used to live almost two hours away from Harlan one way and two hours from Edmondson Co. How cool is that?

I enjoy reading stories that use Kentucky or Ohio as a backdrop.

I really enjoyed this story and was sad to see it come to an end.

I'm still thinking about these characters long after the story is over.

The author has done a fabulous job in bringing back the people of the past.

My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rebecca Duvall Scott is an accomplished author and the recipient of numerous awards. Her first published work and best-selling memoir, Sensational Kids, Sensational Families: Hope for Sensory Processing Differences, chronicles the research, interventions, and mindset shifts that successfully brought her family through her son’s SPD diagnosis. While she values her special needs initiative, her heart also belongs with Christian historical fiction. Her long-awaited novel, When Dignity Came to Harlan, is based on her great-grandmother’s childhood. Rebecca lives with her husband and their two children in Kentucky and plans to write more in both the Dignity and Sensational Kids series.

The Mulberry Leaf Whispers by Linda Thompson

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Mulberry Leaf Whispers by Linda Thompson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Mulberry Leaf Whispers 
Series: Brands from the Burning #2
Author: Linda Thompson
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: December 15, 2020
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

A WWII Japanese naval officer. The teenage daughter of a legendary Christian samurai. Three centuries separate them, but a crucial question binds their destinies together. 

Which lives have value? 

 In the highly anticipated sequel to her award-winning debut novel, The Plum Blooms in Winter, Linda Thompson provides a riveting story inspired by true events. 

"Splendid story!... Rivals Shogun with its sweeping story of passion and faith, of survival and hope.... Be prepared to be enriched, moved and deeply satisfied." - Jane Kirkpatrick, award-winning author of Something Worth Doing 

"Gorgeous... not-to-be-missed..." - Sarah Sundin, bestselling and Carol Award-winning author of When Twilight Breaks and the Sunrise at Normandy series 

1587. Bartered off in a peace agreement to the ancient enemies of her illustrious house, is Sono a war prize, a hostage, or a bride? One hope sustains her. If she can provide an heir to the dashing husband she just met, she'll ensure decades of peace for the beloved family she was forced to leave behind. But when a dark secret threatens her desperate bid to purchase their security, she must rise to a battle she never dreamed she'd fight. 

1942. Akira Matsuura’s naval vessel explodes under enemy fire. Everything he has lived for disappears in flames with it. His command, his crew, his future—all lost. Worse, his honor is eternally decimated. A prisoner’s life is of value to no one. Least of all to himself. But a stunning twist reveals his family’s secret shame. Can a long-buried truth provide the vital spark that reignites his will to

MY REVIEW

This is a hard to put down novel and my first by this author. One that I really enjoyed.

This new to me author has done a fabulous job with the time slip novel allowing me to travel back in time to WW2 Japan.

This story has it all, faith, love, hope and survival of the fittest.

There are secrets that threaten the peace and security that adds more excitement to the story.

Sometimes we must battle to keep the things we hold dear to us.

I loved these two women that time has separated but yet their courage, and the things they must sacrifice encourage us women to keep on going even today. I think that this book offers courage. Courage for what must be done I feel that everyone should read this book. This book is an excellent lesson for all of us.

My thanks to Just Reads tours for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linda Thompson stepped back from a corporate career that spanned continents to write what she loves—stories of unstoppable faith. Her debut novel, The Plum Blooms in Winter, was a Cascade Award winner and a Christy- and Carol-Award finalist. Linda writes from the sun-drenched Arizona desert, where she lives with her husband, a third-generation airline pilot who is also her Chief Military Research Officer, one mostly-grown-up kid, and a small platoon of housecats. When Linda isn’t writing you’ll find her rollerblading—yes, that makes her a throwback—taking in a dramatic desert moonrise, or enjoying their first grandbaby.

CONNECT WITH LINDA:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a copy of the soon-to-be-released audiobook for Linda’s award-winning debut novel, The Plum Blooms in Winter, her latest release, The Mulberry Leaf Whispers, in winner's choice of Kindle or paperback format, plus a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 4, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 11, 2021. 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

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Acres of Promise

(Single Again #2)

By Lisa Renée

Christian Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 208 Pages

January 1, 2020 by The Collaborative Press

Join the journey with Chantelle Anderson as she actions all in her power, to prevent her teenage son falling into a life of crime and drugs.

Along the way, in her vulnerable state, she struggles to find a suitable life partner. With the trials she's experiencing with her son, who'd want to take on the whole package? Unless, God intervenes and shows He hasn't forgotten Chantelle's desperate situation.

Acres of Promise is a beautiful story of how God restores what was lost and stolen, replacing it with more than we can ask or imagine.

Read the first six chapters free HERE.

Read an Excerpt from the book here:

“Man, you had us worried. And no wonder, you could’ve died in that car accident.” Andrew hugged him again. “We’re glad you’re safe.”

Noah clung onto him, and when he stood back, his wet cheek glistened.

That was all she needed to set her off. Her vision blurred, and she blinked away the tears, stepped in and hugged Noah. Andrew wrapped his arms around both of them. Then her body shook as the release came in full force. Too bad if she looked emotionally unstable. Her son nearly died, and now she had another chance to make things right between them.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Book Depository

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to Amazon affiliate links.)

About the Author

Lisa Renée is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Omega Writers, Australia.

Lisa adores babies enough to have seven of her own. Recently, Lisa has taken up breeding Ragdoll cats instead of breeding humans.

The tribe lives in Australia, where Lisa and her husband enjoy their writing projects and publishing ventures.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive an ebook of the first book in the Single Again series, More Than a Second Chance and a $10 Amazon gift card (open internationally to those who can use one of Amazon's branches)

Ends January 20, 2021

ENTER HERE

The 2nd half of my 2020 reads. I found I wanted to add a few more to my list but I'm not going to be as descriptive this time. I wanted a different look so we'll see how it goes.

Amish fiction is my most favorite of all so here goes.

1. The Amish Christmas Miracle

2. The Amish Baker's Rival

3. The Amish Quiltmaker's Unexpected Baby

4. THE AMISH MIDWIFE'S HOPE

5. SOFTLY BLOWS THE BUGLE

6. THE BLENDED QUILT

7. PICTURE OF LOVE

8. PIECING IT ALTOGETHER

9. LIGHT SHINES ON PROMISE LODGE

10. LOVING JENNA

HISTORICAL FICTION

1. A GILDED LADY

2. LINE BY LINE

3. MOSAIC OF WINGS

4. THE SOCIALITE

5. AT LOVE's COMMAND

6. THE BOOK OF LOST FRIENDS

 7. UNYIELDING HOPE 

 8. VEILED IN SMOKE

9. OUT OF THE EMBERS

A FEW Of MY OTHER FAVORITES FOR 2020 THAT I REALLY ENJOYED

1. IF FOR ANY REASON

2. THE KEY TO LOVE

3. THE SOWING SEASON

4. SET THE STARS ALIGHT

5. HOW SWEET IT IS

6. THE HAPPY CAMPER

7. BEFORE I CALLED YOU MINE

THIS COMPLETES MY LIST FOR 2020. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT'S IN STORE FOR US READERS THIS COMING YEAR!

 

My favorite top 10 reads for 2020 by Lori Parrish

1.

I loved this book because of how nicely it ties past with present and the author didn't miss a beat while writing it. In this story I learned many things. But, I think the thing that I most didn't like was the hatred that was portrayed in this book. But other than that, it was a finely written book. 

I highly recommend. 

2.

Settle in with a Laura Frantz book and lose yourself in the 1600's. I loved this story! And of course anything by Laura Frantz is awesome! I couldn't wait to get this book. I sure wasn't disappointed. I'm never disappointed with Laura. 

3.

When Health Is Corrupted by Wealth

This awesome series! One I thoroughly enjoyed from the beginning. I loved this particular book because I've never heard of some of the things that went on in this book. A.D. Lawrence has done an amazing job in bringing the characters from the past to life so that we may learn how certain things started. Such an awesome story! I didn't think that this real life character didn't get what she really deserved. So not fair! 

4.

Wow! This book y'all! I laughed until I cried in this book! There was a whole bunch of favorite scenes in this book! Jen is just an awesome master storyteller that adds just the right amount of humor in her stories. This one is a must read! I so enjoyed this one! I didn't want it to end. Now I might have to wait a whole year for another one by this author. But it's so worth the wait! 

5.

You can't go wrong with a Michelle Griep novel. 

I enjoyed this journey with Kit and Jackson as the navigated parts of London that I have never heard of.

I learned some things from this novel that I've never heard of. It's why I love stories like these. They stretch the imagination and takes you on an amazing adventure of a lifetime. 

Highly Recommend! 

6.

Such a beautiful and cool story! I couldn't put it down. I'm going to leave you with a quote from this book that I really liked. 

" God doesn't let us get away with anything. He just leaves us to make our own beds and lay in them whether we like it or not." In other words God is letting us make our own choices whether bad or good. You know what? My mom used to say this all the time and it's 100% true! 

Highly recommend!

7.

A new to me author that I really enjoyed! She certainly made the characters come to life for me and I felt like I was on the journey along with the people in the book. ( Because I actually did take the journey in 2005). But I liked looking through their eyes, minds, and experienced it as they did. 

Highly recommend.

8.

A must read for 2021. I couldn't put this book down. I honestly felt that this author was writing my story! I can relate to Ivy in so so many ways! An amazing journey of Faith, Love, and Redemption that will pull you in from the beginning and tug at your heartstrings until the end!

9.

I have been a forever fan of Beverly Lewis. I love her writing style and her Amish stories are actually realistic. They tell of the struggles they go through and I especially love that their feelings come through the pages to me. I just simply love her books! They leave me feeling full and satified.

A must read!

10.

Lynn Austin is wonderful! 

I loved this story. I think that what i loved about this book was the what if that was portrayed. How would it feel to be someone else? I've often wondered what it would be like. I got to experience it through Emily.

Even though in my opinion it was actually the wrong thing to do.  So good!