A Reluctant Belle (Daughtry House Book #2) by Beth White
This story was set in the time period right after the Civil War where the North and South were trying to reestablish themselves, reunited and rebuild instead of fight, where African Americans were trying to gain more freedom and rights, and when the KKK was rising strong to try and prevent change and progress.

I read book 1 in this “Daughtry House” series so I was excited to continue reading the story about the Daughtry girls. This story focuses on Joelle who is very head strong, progressive and who wants to help African Americans educate themselves. Joelle’s family friend Schuyler wants to help her with the family Inn renovations but their differences keep getting in the way, especially once Joelle becomes engaged to another.

I loved the love/hate relationship and banter that Joelle and Schuyler had throughout the story. I like reading about the other family members who were also mentioned in book 1. This story kept me engaged and interested the entire time with lots of history, clean romance and drama.

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

About the Book:
Impoverished Southern belle Joelle Daughtry has a secret. By day she has been helping her sisters in their quest to turn the run-down family plantation into a resort hotel after the close of the Civil War. But by night and under a male pseudonym, she has been penning articles for the local paper in support of the construction of a Negro school. With the Mississippi arm of the Ku Klux Klan gaining power and prestige, Joelle knows she is playing a dangerous game.

When childhood enemy and current investor in the Daughtry house renovation Schuyler Beaumont takes over his assassinated father’s candidacy for state office, Joelle finds that in order to protect her family and her home, she and Schuyler will have to put aside their longstanding personal conflict and develop a united public front. The trouble is, what do you do when animosity becomes respect–and even love–if you’re already engaged to someone else?

Purchase your copy here:

About the Author
Beth White’s day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. A native Mississippian, she writes historical romance with a Southern drawl and is the author of The Pelican Bride, The Creole Princess, The Magnolia Duchess, and A Rebel Heart. Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers’ Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. Learn more at www.bethwhite.net.

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MY REVIEW:
The story alternates between WWII time to present day with the changes to the Henning Farm and society. In current day, Ben inherits the Henning family farm that has been in his family for generations and wants to turn it into a rescue horse farm/rehab center for people struggling with addictions. He meets Ashley, who also loves and works with rescue horses, to pitch his idea about the farm and that he feels God is leading him to do that kind of work.

Both characters have their personal struggles and similarity of struggles as they try to build a future without letting the past define them. I liked reading about the progress of the Horse Farm and Ben’s goals and determination to make it work so he could help others.

“Cross my heart” is book 2 in the “Legacy of Faith” series and covers hard topics like abuse and addiction. Clean Christian romance. I enjoyed reading this story which can be read as a stand alone book.

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

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Cross My Heart
Series: Legacy of Faith #2
Author: Robin Lee Hatcher
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Split Timeline

Can two broken paths lead toward God’s redemption?

When Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning meet on Ashley’s horse rescue farm, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ben needs Ashley’s help and expertise after starting an equine therapy barn on his great-great-grandfather’s farm—and the more time they spend together, both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.

They also carry the burden of past experiences that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with five years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother is an opioid addict residing in court-ordered rehab. Holding fast to the belief that addicts can never be cured, Ashley has promised herself she will never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction. Ben knows that with God, all things are possible—but will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance? Or will her brother’s mistakes and the pain of her past jeopardize her future with Ben?

Cross My Heart threads together a contemporary love story with the heartwarming tale of Ben’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew Henning—reminding us that God’s Word is timeless and that His promises are new every morning.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | ChristianBook

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of 80 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love.

Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, the Carol Award, the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. Robin is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®.

When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.

CONNECT WITH ROBIN: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive Book 1 & 2 of Robin Lee Hatcher’s LEGACY OF FAITH series (US only) – Who I Am With You & Cross My Heart

Copy the following phrase to claim your bonus entries for this stop:

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart

Each host on the tour (excluding the launch pages) has a “timeless” verse or phrase for you to enter on the Rafflecopter form for bonus entries!

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 21, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on June 28, 2019. 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.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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“Wrong Place, Wrong Time” by E. James Harrison
Wow, this book was hard to put down! There were some key players in this story like Greg & Marena Walker, Scott Vaughn, and Wayne Hovey; and then there were some smaller characters introduced throughout which made the story interesting trying to figure out who were the “good guys” and the “bad guys”.

I liked the suspense and flow of the book…Great characters and clean fiction without bad language and graphic violence. Highly recommend reading this thrilling book of cat and mouse suspense!

As a side note, these kind of stories-fiction or not-are the reason I don’t travel internationally! LOL I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
The first idyllic hours of Greg and Marena Walker’s Caribbean vacation are filled with turquoise water, sand as soft and white as powdered sugar, and gentle ocean breezes. But all too soon, the Walkers find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now they are running for their lives . ..
Scott Vaughn has made a lucrative career of secretly transporting illegal materials. Pay him enough, and he’ll move whatever you want from anywhere to anywhere. And though he has never met the Walkers, he needs them dead. His future depends on making certain they don’t have one.

Wayne Hovey desperately wants Scott Vaughn—alive is best; dead is acceptable. And luck has handed him the perfect bait: Greg and Marena Walker.

In a heart-pounding game of cat and mouse, each player is driven to succeed, never realizing they are all pawns in something much larger—and more dangerous—than any of them knows.

Purchase your copy here:

Biography
I grew up on the west side of Salt Lake City in a pretty typical family. My dad worked most of his life in a factory, my mom was a homemaker and my three sisters were…sisters! The two older ones were always bossing me around and I always had to give in to my younger sister. (They may not remember it exactly like that, but it’s true–really!) A mom and three sisters means a lot of estrogen in a house, so during my preteen years my dad and I would escape whenever we could to the quiet of the mountains and deserts of Utah pursuing my dad’s favorite hobby–rockhounding. Saturday’s meant trapsing over desolate ground and blasting old cans full of holes with a .22 rifle.

My early teen years were filled with pimples and the clumsy awkwardness of getting to know girls and for the most part, those are years to be forgotten. It was during my high school years that two great things happened in my life. First, I discovered airplanes and boats–two things I thoroughly enjoy to this day. But second, and by far the most important and best thing that’s every happened to me, was I met my wife, Debbie. (That’s a picture of her over on the right.) I met her in a geometry class. The teacher sat us alphabetically and I ended up in the desk behind her. Had there still been ink wells in the desks, I’m sure I would have dipped the tips of her long dark hair in the ink in an effort to attract her attention. With no ink I had to satisfy myself with untying the bows made from ribbons that she used to tie back her hair. I succeeded in getting her attention, and ultimately convincing her to marry me, but not for several more years.

After high school there was a year of college (University of Utah) and then two years as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Returning from my missionary responsibilities I shocked everyone–including myself–by being accepted to Brigham Young University. And that’s when I first discovered writing. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I “grew up,” but the fiancée of one of Debbie’s roommates was majoring in public relations. I had no idea what that was, but it sounded fun so from then on I told everyone I was a public relations major. I thought it would be a bunch of back slapping and socializing. Little did I know that English and writing are at the heart of public relations. And the rest, as they say, is history. I ultimately got an Associate degree in public relations and a Bachelor degree in creative writing.

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My Review: 
This was a great story! I loved reading about the 3 sisters-Maddy, Nora and Emma-as they reunite at their Gram’s cottage after many years estranged. Secrets come out and wounds and bitterness start to heal as they try to communicate and forgive the past.

This book had some clean Christian romance and drama-keeping my interest from beginning to end. I read the story in one night because I loved the characters and story line and wanted to see what would happen next. I laughed and cried… there were alot of emotions throughout this book.

I especially loved the characters Gram, Maddy and Connor. I liked the authors imagery of the restaurant, town and marina-I felt like I was there right along side them at the beach. I highly recommend this summer, easy to read story!

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

About the Book

Book: Summer by The Tides

Author: Denise Hunter

Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 21, 2019

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a heartfelt story of family secrets, forgiveness, and unexpected romance.

Following a painful betrayal, Maddy Monroe’s love life is a wreck, and her restaurant career is in shambles. When her grandmother goes missing, she and her estranged sisters converge at the family beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma at the place where their family broke apart is a struggle, and undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the sisters under. In the midst of the storm, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Gram’s maddening neighbor, Connor Murphy.

As the sisters pack up the family belongings, memories of idyllic, slow-paced summers are resurrected. But long-buried secrets also come to light as Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven—nor today in the seemingly perfect lives of her sisters.

As family tensions rise and Connor causes tumult in Maddy’s heart, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they’ve become before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest. To learn more about Denise, visit her website DeniseHunterBooks.com; Facebook: AuthorDeniseHunter; Twitter: @DeniseAHunter; Instagram: deniseahunter.

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MY REVIEW:
This was a quick reading, sweet romance by Love Inspired inspirational line of books. I loved the determination of Anna and her love for books and trying to keep her fathers legacy of the bookstore alive. I liked her relationship with Jess, the daughter of Hoyt, and their love of books that they shared.

Tragedy, forgiveness, love, and other spiritual elements are scattered throughout the book. I really enjoyed this sweet, clean, easy to read romance!

The author has written other books featuring Pine Valley GA but this book can be read as a stand alone book and not necessarily as a series.

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

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Hometown Hope by Laurel Blount, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

He’ll do anything for his daughter…

Even fight to regain an old classmate’s broken trust.

In the three years since her mother’s death, widower Hoyt Bradley’s daughter, Jess, hasn’t spoken—until she suddenly begs him to save her favorite bookstore from closing.

Hoyt is desperate to hear his daughter’s voice again, but he and the bookstore’s pretty owner, Anna Delaney, share a less-than-friendly past.

Working together is complicated enough…but can they avoid falling in love?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Laurel Blount lives on a small farm in middle Georgia with her husband, their four children, a milk cow, dairy goats, assorted chickens and ducks, four spoiled cats and one bossy goose with serious boundary issues. She divides her time between farm chores, baking, homeschooling and writing. She’s busy, but she’s never bored!

 

HOMETOWN HOPE is Laurel’s third Love Inspired romance. Her debut Love Inspired novel A FAMILY FOR THE FARMER was the recipient of the 2017 Maggie Award for Excellence in the Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements category. This book also received two 2017 Holt Awards of Merit and was a finalist in the 2017 Carol Awards. A BABY FOR THE MINISTER, her second Love Inspired, was released in September of 2018.

Whenever she’s not working, you can find Laurel with a cup of tea at her elbow, a cat in her lap and a good book in her hand. She loves to hear from readers! Drop her an email at laurelblountwrites@gmail.com or visit her website: www.laurelblountbooks.com and be sure to sign up for her monthly newsletter!

 

CONNECT WITH LAUREL: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

 

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