EmpowerMoms

This regency romance started off sad with jumping right into Lady Elizabeth’s life and her horrible, abusive parents. They way they treated her, talked to her and their expectations (especially during that era) were awful! Sometime we got a glimpse of Lady Elizabeth’s fun lighthearted behavior but it was rare.

Once Lady Walmsley rescues her and brings her into her home, we start to see Lady Elizabeth heal as she begins to realize her worth and value as a woman and person. I loved Kit from the very beginning-he was such a fun character and great friend.

This story wasn’t as fun as I would have hoped and the story line reminded me alot of another book I had read recently, so I didn’t really feel like I was reading anything new. I still liked it though, and if you like regency romances be sure to check this one out!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Lady Elizabeth Spaulding’s world has fallen apart.
Despite living her entire life to please her demanding parents, the Duke and Duchess of Marwood, she has little to show for it. After Elizabeth’s second failed betrothal, her father’s debts and appalling acts of retaliation force him to flee the country, consigning Elizabeth and her bitter mother to a life of poverty and exile. But Elizabeth’s fortunes change one day when an elderly acquaintance makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

Lady Walmsley, widowed and childless, is in need of a lady’s companion—and who better than the lovely Lady Elizabeth? Determined to rescue Elizabeth from her dreary life in the country, Lady Walmsley secures the help of Kit, the dashing Earl of Cantwell, in her quest. But the young woman they find is a ghost of the charming girl they once knew. Taken in by Lady Walmsley, and with Kit’s enthusiastic encouragement, Elizabeth finds herself pushed further and further from her empty solitude as she discovers the joy of truly living. Now, for the first time in her life, she must decide for herself who she is and if she deserves to be loved.

Purchase your copy here:

Biography
Karen Tuft was born with a healthy dose of curiosity about pretty much everything, so as a child she taught herself to read and play the piano. She studied composition at BYU then graduated from the University of Utah in music theory as a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies. In addition to being an author, Karen is a wife, mother, pianist, composer, and arranger, and has spent countless hours backstage and in orchestra pits for theater productions. She also has a 75 percent success rate when it comes to matchmaking and is a big believer in happy endings. Among her varied interests, she likes to figure out what makes people tick, wander through museums, and travel–whether by car, plane, or paperback.

Karen is also a 2016 Foreword INDIES finalist.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Sweet Romance for Christmas

We’re excited to be sharing books from eleven sweet romance authors with you this holiday season! Each day a different author and book or series will be featured. There is also a fantastic giveaway! If you’re a sweet romance fan, join us on this tour!

Tour Schedule
(Posts go live on the day they’re scheduled.)

December 11th: Launch
December 12th: Julie Coulter Bellon – Truth or Dare
December 13th: Delaney Cameron – The Gift of Love
December 14th: Raneé S. Clark – Roxy’s Song
December 15th: Stephanie Fowers – Robin and Marian
December 16th: Aspen Hadley – Blind Dates, Bridesmaids & Other Disasters
December 17th: Maria Hoagland – Santa Cam
December 18th: Rachel John – The Christmas Bachelor Auction
December 19th: Sally Johnson – Dear Mr. Darcy
December 20th: D.E. Malone – Hearts in Hendricks
December 21st: Melissa McClone – Mountain Rescue Romance Series
December 22nd: Brooke St. James – The Suite Life
December 23rd: Grand Finale

Blogs Participating

Andi’s Book Reviews
Baroness’ Book Trove
Beauty in the Bindingv
Becky on Books
Bookworm Lisa
Candrel’s Crafts, Cooks, and Characters
Christy’s Cozy Corners
Cover Lover Book Review
EmpowerMoms
FaithLaneAuthor
Hallie Reads
Harlie’s Books
Heidi Reads…
Jorie Loves A Story
Katie’s Clean Book Collection
Liberty’s Literary Loves
Library Lady’s Kid Lit
Locks, Hooks and Books
My Life, Loves and Passion
Nicole’s Book Musings
Paulette’s Papers
Reading Is My SuperPower
Reading On The Edge
Remembrancy
SPLASHES of Joy
underneath the covers
Wishful Endings

Tour Giveaway

1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally (as long as winner is eligible to receive prize)
Ends December 28, 2019

ENTER HERE

MY REVIEW:
I read the first “Back to Bluestone River” book in this series, and although this is book 2, they can be read as stand alone stories. I really enjoyed the first book and getting to know Ruby, Mike and the town of Bluestone River; so I was really excited to read this next book as the town starts to flourish more and as they rebuild the bird sanctuary.

It took me a couple of chapters to really like Parker because I felt like every time he interacted with Emma, he was rude for no reason. I liked Emma’s passion for her town and the project. She struggles with having a purpose and her calling in life even though she donates money and helps with lots of things.

I loved the authors details with Parker and Emma taking care of the animals-especially the owl. I felt like I was right along side them nursing the birds to health. I loved how passionate they were about the bird sanctuary!

I liked seeing Parkers daughter Nicole blossom during the story, along with Parker and Emmas friendship. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more books about Bluestone River!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Christmas Kiss
(Back to Bluestone River #2)
By Virginia McCullough
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
December 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Will working together

…lead to together forever?

Recently divorced, Parker Davis needs to focus on his new job so he can provide a stable home for his daughter in time for the Christmas holidays. The problem is, he’s frequently at odds with his boss. He and Emma O’Connell approach everything differently. Yet he finds her intriguing, and Bluestone River festivities keep pushing them together—often enough that two people at odds could find themselves evenly matched in love!

(Affiliate links included.)
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Harlequin | iBooks | Kobo

Other Books in the Series

A Family for Jason
(Back to Bluestone River #1)
By Virginia McCullough
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
August 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

She’s not home for keeps

Unless he proves first love is forever

Bluestone River is a minefield of memories for Mike Abbot—all involving Ruby Driscoll. Twenty years after scandal divided them, they’re both back in their hometown. Ruby’s visit is strictly temporary. But as she uses her trauma expertise to help his vulnerable son, Mike faces what his heart has always known. Ruby’s still his one and only. This time, can he convince her to stay?

(Affiliate links included.)
Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Harlequin│iBooks│Kobo│GooglePlay

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.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Bookbub│Amazon│Newsletter

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

– 1 winner will receive a $25 Amazon eGift Card and a $25 Etsy eGift Card
– Open internationally for those who are eligible
– Ends December 18, 2019

ENTER HERE

lajglkjasdlfkjsdf
Very real book about single mother Melanie and her struggles to raise three children alone and feeling lonely and overwhelmed. Melanie meets Brian and as they start to date; temptations and more struggles come to the surface.

This book discusses pornography, alcohol, and some other adult themes. I haven’t read anything by this author, and I was hoping for something more “lighthearted” and not as “heavy”. It was still well written with interesting characters and believable struggles especially for Christians trying to follow God’s commandments. There was also a little bit of drama and mystery. Themes about God’s love and faith were also a big part of this book.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
With three rambunctious, young children, Melanie Lombardi can’t see beyond the day-to-day struggle to maintain her home and her sanity since her husband’s sudden death. A second chance at romance isn’t on her radar.

Brian Perella is done with dating, resigned to being the fun uncle and never the dad. Until he meets Melanie and her brood of lively kids on the sidelines of a Little League game.

But when Brian uncovers a co-worker’s secret, it re-ignites a temptation that Melanie can’t know about. It’s his secret to keep until an unexpected diagnosis brings everything to the surface, jeopardizing his future with Melanie and her children, who, when threatened by an unknown stalker, may need him now more than ever.

Catholic Christian contemporary romance.

Purchase your copy here:

Biography
Carolyn Astfalk lives in Hershey, Pennsylvania where the scent on the morning breeze carries either chocolate or manure depending on wind direction and atmospheric conditions.

A Pittsburgh native, Carolyn carries her Yinzer card with pride, having interned at Pittsburgh’s iconic TV and radio stations KDKA and WDVE. She is a graduate of Duquesne University, where she majored in Latin and Broadcast Journalism.

A cradle Catholic, Carolyn was raised mainly at church basement rummage sales and other parish-sponsored events. She worked her way up to “pup girl” at weekly Bingo and even served as a parish organist for several years. Having reached the apex of parish ministry, she moved to the state capital to advance her churchy career.

Carolyn served as communications director and registered lobbyist for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference for a decade, advocating for religious liberty; prolife, pro-family issues, Catholic education, and healthcare, among others.

Since then, she has been a stay-at-home mom to her four children. Most days she can be found wiping up spills, folding laundry, and tapping furiously on her laptop.

Carolyn is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild, Pennwriters, the Pennsylvania Public Relations Society, and 10 Minute Novelists. She blogs at My Scribbler’s Heart.

Blog, extras, social media and more at www.carolynastfalk.com

I was very touched by the introduction of this story. Deborah and David say up front that they are not counselors or therapists-they are simply telling their own personal addiction story in hope that it will inspire and help others who may also struggle with addictions.

This book was written by a Christian standpoint and includes chapters like recovery. compassion, rehab, friendship, and the healing effects of counseling. The book focused mostly on the addiction of prescription pain killers because that’s what David struggled with. I was hoping for a more generic addiction recovery book, not one focused only on opioids, but it was still good and worth reading.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
The United States is the most medicated country in the world. More than 1.7 million Americans are struggling with addiction to prescription painkillers, fueling the opioid crisis that claims more than 140 lives every day. The trouble isn’t just the drugs–it’s that we don’t know what to do with the people addicted to them. Not as a country, not as the church. Is tough love called for? Or would Christ have us take a different approach to addiction recovery?

Drawn from the personal experience of the authors and current research, The Heart of Recovery calls us to set aside judgment and mend recovering addicts and their families with the stuff God uses to heal: compassion and community. It’s a call to serve the ones who cannot repay, to forgive 70 times 7, to fling the door wide-open to the prodigal, and to remember the purpose of grace. A supportive community–family, friends, the church, and more–encourages and sustains long-term recovery. Through compassion, we bring hope for healing.

Purchase your copy:

About the Author
Deborah Beddoe has been a writer for numerous nonprofit recovery ministries including rescue missions and Prison Fellowship. David Beddoe, now a pastor, has worked in recovery ministry for nearly a decade following his own fifteen-year battle with prescription drug addiction. Their story has been featured in Guideposts and Christianity Today. The Beddoes have four grown and nearly grown children and live in Poulsbo, Washington, across the Puget Sound from Seattle.