New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for April 25th - May 1st #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...

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!


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 clean romance... The Rancher's Wyoming Twins by Virginia McCullough (Excerpt & #Giveaway) #romancebooks #harlequinromance #cleanromance @VEMcCullough @prismbooktours

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome! Read an excerpt and enter the tour giveaway below...

The Rancher's Wyoming Twins
(Back to Adelaide Creek #1)
By Virginia McCullough
Clean Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
March 29, 2022 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Summary

Her worst enemy...
Could bring her heart home

Heather Stanhope wants to despise the man who now owns the ranch her family lost. But Matt Burton is raising his late sister’s adorable twins, loves horses, and is known for his loyalty and honesty. Sneaking into Adelaide Creek for her friend’s wedding, Heather hopes to avoid Matt, but fate and family have them crossing paths. Heather knows falling for Matt means risking her heart, but it’s a risk she can’t resist.

(Affiliate links included.)

Excerpt

“There’s a lot you can do here as a nurse practitioner. Think what you did for the kids at the clinic. You have a skill you can use anywhere you choose.” Matt fixed his gaze on her. “And I wish you’d choose to stay here.”

She took in a breath and forced herself to keep silent. She could see he wasn’t done.

“I want you to be here with me.” In one motion, he gathered her in an embrace and she stood on tiptoes and circled her arms around his neck. She felt no hesitation in returning the kiss and inhaling his tempting masculine scent.

No way could she pull back from the next kiss or the one after that. But, finally, they broke the kiss and she caught her breath. “You know I like you, Matt.”

“Like me? I don’t think that was the question.” The next words came out fast. “There’s a whole lot more going on between you and me.” He pointed to his chest. “You stole a big piece of this heart of mine. And I don’t want it back.”

With her heart racing, she stepped away from him and mumbled, “I know. I don’t know…it’s hard.”

Matt paced and then stopped to catch her gaze. “Can you explain why that is?" he asked, his voice quieter now. "All the reasons you could check off on your list are just head things…logic.” He scoffed. “And if you ask me, they're weak too.”

“Yeah, right, like logic doesn’t count.”

His heavy sigh showed his exasperation.

She looked away. She couldn’t escape Matt. Not that she wanted to. But she needed to flee from a conversation that made her jittery because she wasn’t ready to have it.

His phone buzzed. He scanned the screen and held it up her. “Nick’s test results.”

Excerpted from The Rancher’s Wyoming Twins by Virginia McCullough, Copyright © 2022 by Virginia McCullough. Published by Harlequin Heartwarming.

About the Author


Born and raised in Chicago, Virginia McCullough has been lucky enough to develop her writing career in many locations, including the coast of Maine, the mountains of North Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and currently, Northeast Wisconsin. She started her career in nonfiction, first writing articles and then books as a ghostwriter and coauthor. She’s written more than 100 books for physicians, business owners, professional speakers and many others with information to share or a story to tell.

Virginia’s books feature characters who could be your neighbors and friends. They come in all ages and struggle with everyday life issues in small-town environments that almost always include water—oceans, lakes, or rivers. The mother of two grown children, you’ll find Virginia with her nose a book, walking on trails or her neighborhood street, or she may be packing her bag to take off for her next adventure. And she’s always working on another story about hope, healing, and second chances.


Tour Schedule


Tour-Wide Giveaway


One winner will receive a $25 Amazon e-gift card & a $25 Etsy e-gift card (INT)

Ends May 4, 2022

 
Grab Our Button!

What did you think of the excerpt? Does this sound like a story you'd enjoy?

A second-chance at love for this rock star... To Bring You Back by Emily Conrad (Review & #Giveaway) #christianromance #romancebooks #bookreview #booktour @celebrate_lit


Welcome! Read my review and enter the tour giveaway below...

To Bring You Back
(Rhythm of Redemption Romances #1)
By Emily Conrad
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 348 Pages
August 16, 2021 by Hope Anchor LLC

Summary

He’s determined to confront the past she’s desperate to forget.

Broke in more ways than one, the last thing Adeline Green can afford is for her now-famous high school crush to descend on her quiet life.

People in the small town of Lakeshore, Wisconsin, think of her as the hard-working church secretary or as the local food truck’s lunch-hour cashier. They’d never suspect the shame she’s hiding.

She attended high school with both the lead singer and the drummer of the rock band, Awestruck. In fact, she used to play in the band herself, but that was back before Awestruck made it big—and before her relationship with lead singer Gannon Vaughn took a turn that ultimately led to tragedy and heartbreak.

She’s living a different life now, but when Gannon shows up, he brings with him a public spotlight that threatens to expose her deepest regret. The closer she gets to him, the more she risks the carefully curated life that’s finally brought her a measure of peace.

Gannon Vaughn and his rock band, Awestruck, have conquered the music industry, but he can’t overcome his feelings for Adeline.

She may have been right to cut off contact between them years ago, but thanks to the grace of God, he’s a changed man. When he hears Adeline’s struggling, he sets out to turn her life around and win back the love he lost to poor choices eight years ago.

But when Gannon’s fame and their mutual regrets jeopardize their relationship anew, will grace be enough to bring them back to God and each other?

A meaningful Christian romance with a side of fame and fortune for readers who enjoy faith-filled escapes and happily-ever-afters where no one is beyond hope of redemption.

(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

TO BRING YOU BACK is a story about forgiveness, particularly for one's self, and grace. It's about friendship, tough choices, getting out of the way of what is best, learning to let God be the hero and second chances at love. Recommended to those who enjoy strong Christian messages mixed with romance with plenty of chemistry.

I really liked the start of this story and loved the end. I also loved Gannon. He was a great character who both fit his rock star persona and someone who is trying his best to live as God wants him to. He really hopes to win Adeline over, but more than that, he wants her to live her life. I liked Adeline. She has a lot to work through in this story and has been carrying her baggage around and trying to both punish and redeem herself. Her character goes through quite a bit of development and I definitely liked her a lot more at the end of the story. They have good chemistry that you can easily feel. Then there was Gannon's bandmate, John, and Adeline's friend, Tegan who were great side characters. I also really liked the musical parts and the band dynamics. Plus, I plain liked the story of a rock star being this personable, vulnerable but confident person trying to win a girl over. I loved that in the end, they were both where they should be for love to have a real chance.

As I've alluded to, the middle of the story was a problem for me. I think I just had issues with how mean Adeline is to Gannon. She's still carrying all this guilt for something that happened nine years previously when she was just out of high school and has been punishing herself ever since and then still takes it out on him. I also wasn't really sold on the whole way the story was written so that she and Gannon are still in love after nine years. People usually change so much or come more into their own in that time and Gannon and Adeline don't really even talk a lot but he's ready to go all in. I wanted more development, more of them talking and becoming reacquainted before all that, which does end up getting ironed out, but it came across a bit as insta-love because they hadn't been in touch for so long. My other issue was the religious aspect felt too strong (like God as a lover should never be stated like that) and the fact that Gannon was literally friends with or cared for people only because he might be the one to help them turn to Christianity. I personally want people to be friends with me because they like me. It's actually a negative stigma of Christianity and one that pushes people away. That really bothered me.

In the end, was it what I wished for? There were parts I really enjoyed and even loved of this story. There were also some major things that didn't work for me. There was definitely potential here and I can see the series getting better as it goes. Overall, the story was enjoyable with a great hero. Those who like second-chance, rock-star romances with strong religious elements may enjoy this one.

Content: Some references to past situations, drug and alcohol use, compromising situations and innuendo, but would still consider this clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to Amazon affiliate links.)

About the Author


Emily Conrad writes contemporary Christian romance that explores life’s relevant questions. Though she likes to think some of her characters are pretty great, the ultimate hero of her stories (including the one she’s living) is Jesus. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their energetic coonhound rescue. Learn more about her and her books at emilyconradauthor.com.

More from Emily

A Guilty Pleasure with a Purpose

When a reader called the Rhythms of Redemption Romances a guilty pleasure, I had to smile because that’s exactly what To Bring You Back, the first book in the series, was to me as I wrote it.

Don’t get me wrong, To Bring You Back is firmly Christian fiction, and it’s not “guilty” of being blush-inducing. Because of the characters’ history, theirs is a slow-burn romance that focuses more on the emotional side of their relationship than the physical.

But, To Bring You Back is a rock star romance.

When I first started writing it, I was embarrassed to admit that’s what I was working on.

After all, rock star romance has a reputation for being an unrealistic and shallow escape from reality with “guilty pleasure” written all over it.

Maybe there was some of that escapism going on. At that point in my writing journey, I was dealing with disillusionment, and I enjoyed the break of writing about rich and famous characters.

However, as I wrote To Bring You Back and went on to read others’ romances about famous characters, I found that the characters’ occupations and net worth don’t impact the most important elements of their stories.

The tales can still showcase meaningful relationships and God at work in the lives of people who—rich and famous or not—need redemption.

Fame, money, and music help up the entertainment value, but those same features add even more rich conflict to explore.

The men of Awestruck, starting with lead singer Gannon Vaughn in To Bring You Back, have allowed me to ask questions like: How good is grace? What does it mean to live in forgiveness? What gives a person worth? And, when is living the dream no longer worth the price?

To write this post, I took a break from working on the first draft of the final book in the series, and it’s been fun to look back and see how much my opinion of these stories has changed.

If To Bring You Back and the books that follow are a guilty pleasure, they’re a guilty pleasure with a purpose. God has worked in my life through them.

It’s my prayer that He’ll also use them in your life, both to explore meaningful questions and to provide a few hours of entertaining escape.

Tour Schedule


The Sacred Line, April 25



Remembrancy, April 28

Wishful Endings, April 28












Simple Harvest Reads, May 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)



Tour-Wide Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Emily is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and an ecopy of To Bring You Back!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.






I Can't Wait for... A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #mystery #historicalfiction @authorkkhavari


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.

Tag me on your CWW posts on Twitter (@wishfulendings) and I'll like and retweet!

The cover and title for this one is what initially drew my attention. Then I read the blurb and I was in. It sounds like it'll be a great ride with a strong heroine as she tries to solve a mystery. It's my pick this week...

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons
By Kate Khavari
Adult Historical Mystery
Hardcover, Audiobook & ebook, 304 Pages
June 7, 2022 by Crooked Lane Books

Summary

The Lost Apothecary meets Dead Dead Girls in this fast-paced, STEMinist adventure.

Debut author Kate Khavari deftly entwines a pulse-pounding mystery with the struggles of a woman in a male-dominated field in 1923 London.


Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh is determined to blaze a new trail at the University College London, but with her colleagues’ beliefs about women’s academic inabilities and not so subtle hints that her deceased father’s reputation paved her way into the botany department, she feels stymied at every turn.

When she attends a dinner party for the school, she expects to engage in conversations about the university's large expedition to the Amazon. What she doesn’t expect is for Mrs. Henry, one of the professors’ wives, to drop to the floor, poisoned by an unknown toxin.

Dr. Maxwell, Saffron’s mentor, is the main suspect and evidence quickly mounts. Joined by fellow researcher--and potential romantic interest--Alexander Ashton, Saffron uses her knowledge of botany as she explores steamy greenhouses, dark gardens, and deadly poisons to clear Maxwell's name.

Will she be able to uncover the truth or will her investigation land her on the murderer’s list, in this entertaining examination of society’s expectations.

(Affiliate links included.)


Will you be reading this one?

Revisit Austen's characters and solve a crime... The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray (Review) #MurderWickham @ClaudiaGray @VintageAnchor #AustenprosePR


Welcome to my tour stop! Read my review of this fun Austen twist below...

The Murder of Mr. Wickham
By Claudia Gray
Adult Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Austenesque
Paperback, Audiobook & ebook,  Pages
May 3, 2022 by Vintage

Summary

A summer house party turns into a thrilling whodunit when Jane Austen's Mr. Wickham—one of literature’s most notorious villains—meets a sudden and suspicious end in this brilliantly imagined mystery featuring Austen’s leading literary characters.

The happily married Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a party at their country estate, bringing together distant relatives and new acquaintances—characters beloved by Jane Austen fans. Definitely not invited is Mr. Wickham, whose latest financial scheme has netted him an even broader array of enemies. As tempers flare and secrets are revealed, it’s clear that everyone would be happier if Mr. Wickham got his comeuppance. Yet they’re all shocked when Wickham turns up murdered—except, of course, for the killer hidden in their midst.

Nearly everyone at the house party is a suspect, so it falls to the party’s two youngest guests to solve the mystery: Juliet Tilney, the smart and resourceful daughter of Catherine and Henry, eager for adventure beyond Northanger Abbey; and Jonathan Darcy, the Darcys’ eldest son, whose adherence to propriety makes his father seem almost relaxed. In this tantalizing fusion of Austen and Christie, from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray, the unlikely pair must put aside their own poor first impressions and uncover the guilty party—before an innocent person is sentenced to hang.

Advance Praise

“Had Jane Austen sat down to write a country house murder mystery, this is exactly the book she would have written. Devotees of Austen’s timeless novels will get the greatest possible pleasure from this wonderful book. Immense fun and beautifully observed. Delicious!” —Alexander McCall Smith

“What a splendid conceit! . . . Gray provides plenty of backstory and enough depth to her characters that even those who mix up their Pride and Prejudice with their Sense and Sensibility will delight in the Agatha Christie–style mystery. . . . There’s so much fun to be had in this reimagined Austen world—and the mystery is so strong—that one can only hope, dear reader, that more books will follow.” —Ilene Cooper, Booklist (starred review)

“[An] enchanting mystery. . . . Gray perfectly captures the personalities of Austen’s beloved characters. This is a real treat for Austenites.” —Publishers Weekly

“Who would NOT want to read a book in which one of literature’s most notorious rakes meets his final demise? . . . A delightful Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen romp.” —Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

(Affiliate links included.)


My Review

THE MURDER OF MR. WICKHAM is a story for Austen lovers who finally get to see the downfall of the villain from Pride and Prejudice. Full of most of Austen's beloved couples who come together at a house party and get stuck there due to Mr. Wickham's murder. What ensues is a bit of drama, hilarity, anger, friendship and love.

I really enjoyed getting to fall back into Austen's world with so many of her characters all together in one place. It was interesting seeing how they interacted as couples years after their original stories had ended (for most of them), as well as with each other. I have to say that my favorites were the Darcies and Knightleys as well as the two young adults who are included in the party. I also thought it was interesting how the Darcies' son was characterized. It was unusual but appreciated as it's so rare to have representation for someone who might be on the spectrum in a book like this. Bravo to the author for how Jonathan Darcy was portrayed and her handle on all the different characters. Not once did I feel they fell flat or blended together. They each stood out in their own way with their own complex situations and emotions. The writing was also done nicely, immersing me in this world.

Beyond the characters, I also enjoyed the mystery in this story. We see things much as the characters do and as Jonathan and Juliet do as they try to piece everything together. I really love it when I experience a story and the author does a fantastic job with this. As a reader, I got to see and feel what all these characters did about Wickham and also what occurred. This is definitely more cozy than intense mystery, but I enjoyed that it was as well. It was honestly quite fun.

I also had a few issues with the story. Maybe more of annoyances. I think the characters felt a bit too much the same at times as they were years earlier, except not all the time (Darcy didn't seem quite as confident and decisive). I wanted to see more of how they had developed and changed over time, including in their relationships. I think Fanny and Edmund from Mansfield Park, and then Frederick from Persuasion (whose wife is Anne) were the characters who most frustrated me because they felt like they hadn't changed, or in Frederick's case had become very illogical and uncontrolled which felt counter to his personality. I also would have loved a touch more romance between some characters, such as a sweet kiss or two.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a genuinely fun story to read! Definitely would recommend to Austen fans who would love revisiting these characters and have a bit of a mystery thrown in as well. Looking forward to more from this author in this same vein, such as another story involving Jonathan and Juliet (hint, hint).

Content: Some innuendo and violence, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through the tour hose, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author


Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the Evernight series, the Firebird trilogy, and the Constellation trilogy. In addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as Lost Stars and Bloodline. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs.


Are you an Austen fan? Would you enjoy stepping back in to see how the characters are fairing after their stories have ended?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for April 18th - April 24th #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...

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!


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 historical mystery... Secrets of Rosenli Manor by Heidi Eljarbo (Excerpt & #Giveaway) #SecretsofRosenliManor #HeidiEljarbo #HFVBTBlogTours @HeidiEljarbo @hfvbt


Welcome! Read an excerpt from this historical mystery and enter the tour giveaway  below...

Secrets of Rosenli Manor
(Mysteries of the Modern Ladies’ Society #1)
By Heidi Eljarbo
Adult Historical Mystery
Paperback & ebook, 179 Pages
March 29, 2022

Summary

Betrayal and trust go hand in hand in the first book of Heidi Eljarbo’s new turn-of-the-century series.

It’s 1898, and Lilly has spent most of her life motherless and living with a father who never looks for a silver lining. When her great-aunt Agatha passes, Lilly’s existence takes a drastic turn. She packs her few belongings and moves into the old lady’s magnificent estate, Rosenli Manor.

In the days that follow, Lilly tries to understand who Agatha really was, and hidden secrets slowly rise to the surface. Her great-aunt’s glamorous legacy is not quite what Lilly had imagined. She must trust in newly forged friendships, and to her surprise, she discovers what it means to truly fall in love. But not everyone is happy about the new mistress of Rosenli.

Intrigue, mystery, and a touch of romance in the Norwegian countryside fill the pages of Secrets of Rosenli Manor.

“Secrets of Rosenli Manor is a delightful mystery about finding what was lost and the power of friendship. The sweet romance added a refreshing dimension to the theme of competent and capable women at a time when females were denied a proper voice. Eljarbo’s lovely writing brings the quaint Norwegian village alive through a cast of characters that will charm the reader from beginning to end.” -Julie Daines, bestselling author of Eleanor and the Iron King

(Affiliate link included.)

Excerpt

The pendulum on the grandfather clock next to the grand piano swung rhythmically back and forth, back and forth. The hour hand was approaching two. She should leave. The lawyer had asked her to stop by his office before she left town, and the train ride home would take three quarters of an hour.

What was she to do? Lilly leaned back into the soft pillows. Was it all true? Had she inherited a fortune, and could she picture herself living here? What about Father? She’d moved into her own place a while back, but would he insist on living at Rosenli with her? His daily pessimistic outbursts and derogatory comments had taken their toll on her, but what would her father say if she moved away? Who would calm him when his temper steered his mood? Maybe more than anything, was she capable of taking care of Aunt Agatha’s estate?

She stopped by the casket one last time then grabbed her handbag and walked into the hallway.

The butler stood by the wardrobe as she came out. It was as if he expected her.

“Mr. Bing, I need a word with you.”

“You may call me John, miss. Now that we’ll be seeing more of each other, you should know we go by first names in this house. Agatha insisted on it.”

“Very well. Then I would like you to call me Lilly.” She showed him the photograph. “Please tell me about this man. Who is he?”

John smiled. “Oh, so you found the picture. Good. Agatha placed it there for you to find. She had much to tell you, and now it’s up to you to discover what. Find her story, and you’ll understand who that man is.”

Lilly widened her eyes. “That sounds intriguing, but I must warn you; I’m usually not very patient. At least show me where to look?”

“You’ll understand. Just follow your heart.”

About the Author


Heidi Eljarbo writes historical fiction. She grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as a freelance writer, magazine journalist, and painter.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, thirteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.

Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

If you would like to know more, please visit Heidi’s website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Tour Schedule

Monday, April 11
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Tuesday, April 12
Review at Ms. Darcy Reads

Wednesday, April 13
Guest Post at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Thursday, April 14
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink

Friday, April 15
Review at Bookworlder

Saturday, April 16
Review at The Page Ladies

Monday, April 18
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective

Tuesday, April 19
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Wednesday, April 20
Review at Library of Clean Reads
Review at Michelle the PA Loves to Read

Thursday, April 21
Excerpt at Wishful Endings

Friday, April 22
Review at Passages to the Past

Monday, April 25
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Thursday, April 28
Excerpt at Novels Alive

Friday, April 29
Review at Novels Alive
Review at View from the Birdhouse

Tour-Wide Giveaway


Enter to win a copy of Secrets of Rosenli Manor & Of Darkness and Light by Heidi Eljarbo!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on April 29th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Rosenli Manor


What do you think? Does the excerpt make you want to read more?

I Can't Wait for... Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #womensfiction #newbooks


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.

Tag me on your CWW posts on Twitter (@wishfulendings) and I'll like and retweet!

I've been a fan of this author since before I started blogging. She's one of the few mainstream authors I read because I always love her characters and the humor in her books. They're not clean, by any means for those of you prefer that, but they have a lot of heart. Her upcoming release is my pick this week...

Out of the Clear Blue Sky
By Kristan Higgins
Adult, Women's Fiction
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 496 Pages
June 7th 2022 by Berkley Books

Summary

From New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins comes a funny and surprising new novel about losing it all—and getting back more than you ever expected.

Lillie Silva knew life as an empty nester would be hard after her only child left for college, but when her husband abruptly dumps her for another woman just as her son leaves, her world comes crashing down. Besides the fact that this announcement is a complete surprise (to say the least), what shocks Lillie most is that she isn’t heartbroken. She’s furious.

Lillie has loved her life on Cape Cod, but as a mother, wife, and nurse-midwife, she’s used to caring for other people . . . not taking care of herself. Now, alone for the first time in her life, she finds herself going a little rogue. Is it over the top to crash her ex-husband’s wedding dressed like the angel of death? Sure! Should she release a skunk into his perfect new home? Probably not! But it beats staying home and moping.

She finds an unexpected ally in her glamorous sister, with whom she’s had a tense relationship all these years. And an unexpected babysitter in, of all people, Ben Hallowell, the driver in a car accident that nearly killed Lillie twenty years ago. And then there’s Ophelia, her ex-husband’s oddly lost niece, who could really use a friend.

It’s the end of Lillie’s life as she knew it. But sometimes the perfect next chapter surprises you . . . out of the clear blue sky.

(Affiliate links included.)


Will you be reading this one?

Read an excerpt from this Christian historical romantic suspense... A Strike to the Heart by Danielle Grandinetti (Excerpt & #Giveaway) #christfic #christianromance #historicalromance #suspensebooks #newbooks @justreadtours


Welcome to my tour stop with JustRead Publicity Tours!
Read an excerpt and enter the giveaway below...

A Strike to the Heart
(Strike to the Heart #1)
By Danielle Grandinetti
Christian Historical Romantic Suspense
Paperback & ebook, 298 Pages
April 12, 2022 by Iron Stream Media

Summary

She’s fiercely independent. He’s determined to protect her.

Wisconsin, 1933―When a routine mission becomes an ambush that kills his team, Craft Agency sniper Miles Wright determines to find the persons responsible and protect the woman he rescued. But the fierce independence that led Lily Moore to leave her family’s dairy business for the solitary life of a dog trainer and the isolation of her farm don’t make that easy. Neither does his unwanted attraction to her. Meanwhile, escalating incidents confirm that she’s far from safe.

Lily fears letting the surprisingly gentle retired marine into her life almost as much as she fears whoever is threatening her. As Wisconsin farmers edge toward another milk strike, one that will surely turn violent, it becomes clear that the plot against Lily may be part of a much larger conspiracy. When the search for her abductor leads close to home, she must decide whether to trust her family or the man who saved her life.

(Affiliate links included.)

Excerpt

Lily led the way, and no sooner had they settled than Smokey climbed into his lap. She smiled at him over her mug. “They like you too.”

Too? His heart somersaulted, and he glanced at his feet. Pieter had curled up on his shoes. Smokey nosed his head under Miles’ arm, jostling his cup of hot chocolate. He ran his hand over the puppy’s back, and Smokey rested his paws on his chest, stretched his neck, and licked his cheek.

Lily gave a soft chuckle. “I can call them off if they bother you.”

“I don’t mind.” Miles swallowed back his emotions. No, he sure didn’t mind sitting here as if he belonged—as if he’d found a home with her just as the dogs had.

“They trust you.” Lily’s voice was quiet. “They don’t settle this quickly with anybody but Joey. Especially Pieter.”

“And you trust their instincts.” The hot chocolate amplified the cozy feeling taking root in his heart.

“Absolutely. Dogs have an innate ability to read humans, and my two are incredibly protective of me. The fact that they not only accepted you into the house without protest but are treating you as one of their own says all I need to know about you.”

Other Books in the Series

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About the Author


Danielle Grandinetti is author of To Stand in the Breach and a book blogger at DaniellesWritingSpot.com. Her short stories have appeared in several publications and her writing has won the University of Northwestern Distinguished Faith in Writing Award. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons. Danielle especially loves quiet mornings served with the perfect cup of tea.


Tour Schedule

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

Tour-Wide Giveaway


(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of A Strike to the Heart & $10 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked above. Giveaway began at midnight April 18, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 25, 2022. 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 of the excerpt? Did it make you want to read more?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for April 11th - April 17th #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...

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(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!


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Come back and check out the new selection every week!

Another heartfelt story from this Nantucket series... What Matters Most by Courtney Walsh (Review) #christianromance #romancenovels #newbooks #bookstoread @crazy4fiction @tyndalehouse

What Matters Most
(Nantucket Love Story #3)
By Courtney Walsh
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 368 Pages
April 5, 2022 by Tyndale House Publishers

Summary

“Courtney Walsh’s books always capture my heart!” —Becky Wade, author of Let It Be Me

Emma Woodson is hoping the cobblestone streets of Nantucket and the charm of her late husband’s family cottage will be the fresh start she and her young son, CJ, need. Securing a dream job at an art gallery is one more step along the path to a new life . . . and away from a piece of her history she hopes will never be revealed. Falling in love with the kind and handsome guy she hires to clean out the rental apartment above the garage wasn’t part of the plan.

Jameson Shaw came to Nantucket for one reason: deliver his letter to Emma and never return. But when he sees an opportunity to help her, he takes a chance, desperate to atone for his past. He never planned to keep his connection to her husband a secret or to fall in love with her. After all, he knows that their new relationship might not survive the discovery of who he really is.

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My Review

WHAT MATTERS MOST is another heartfelt story from this author and series set on Nantucket. Fans of Christian romance will fall in love with these well-drawn characters and a story of redemption, forgiveness and letting go. Full of art, island scenes, a bit of faith, family, friends and romance.

I have come to adore this author and her books. This series has been especially endearing. The couple that is the focus of this story have some pretty big hurdles to get over to find peace within themselves but also to take a chance on love. Jamie is such a good guy. I love how he is already on his own path to redemption when he takes a pit stop on Nantucket with Emma and her son. I felt like their relationship started at a natural point, aided by Jamie's willingness to help and his innate goodness. He's just a genuine guy. I loved him! Of course, Emma makes is pretty easy for him to want to help her as he tries to come to terms with his role in her husband's death. Emma's son is an absolute joy in this story as well. I loved the way art is weaved throughout. It was probably one of my favorite parts. I also loved the photo story that Jamie tells and the whole situation surrounding that. The faith element in this story is handled well too.

I had just a few issues with the story. I honestly struggled with Emma. She just rubbed me wrong in places and I felt like she was so controlled by her fears even when they should have been minor or could have been alleviated so easily. She also isn't very kind in a few places even though others bend over backward to help or be there for her. There is also one aspect that felt a bit ominous or suspenseful and then kind of just died so I think it could have happened differently or be taken out of the story completely.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This is another enjoyable addition from this author and series. I enjoyed the characters and the messages of forgiveness and redemption. A sweet little boy, an island escape, and sweet romance make for a heartfelt story.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to my reviews.)

Check out an interview with the author hereHave you read this one yet or will you be?