EmpowerMoms

I signed up for the Harlequin “Love Inspired Suspense” book subscription last month and received my first set of 4 books this past weekend. They are all dated “December 2018” on the covers.

I already read “Holiday Amnesia” by Lynette Eason a couple weeks ago when I got an advanced copy from NetGalley for review. (Spoiler: it was AWESOME!)

I’m familiar with authors Valerie Hansen and Margaret Daley so I’m looking forward to reading these books in my spare time (LOL-whats spare time?) Seriously though, I usually read almost every night and typically have several books to read and review each week; but I’ve been reading the Love Inspired Inspirational series off and on for years so I’m looking forward to getting a new collection of books each month. I find it easier to read paperback books than on my kindle which it why I ordered this subscription.

I did not got these complimentary for review like I typically get most of my books…the total cost is around $24 for the set of 4. I signed up for the monthly subscription which you can read about here:
http://www.readerservice.com/content/about-us/faq/

These specific books aren’t released yet on the Harlequin Book website, but once they are, you will be able to find them here:
https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/love-inspired-suspense.html

“The Lady of Astoria Abbey” by Anita Stansfield

This story was beautifully written!

I loved the main character Bess and her compassion and love for helping others. She was smart, caring, and just what her sick patient, Hugh, needed! I loved Hugh’s mother and her discernment in hiring Bess as his nurse.

I could feel the love, grief, and frustration the characters felt throughout the book leap through the pages. I cried…and read the book in one day because I couldn’t put it down.

Although this book is heartbreaking, the story and the characters are beautiful. Well worth reading… I Loved it!

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

About the Book:
Bess leads a quiet life, intent on easing the burdens of her widowed father. She acts as maid, cook, and assistant in his medical practice—but she is wearied by the thankless work and her father’s lack of kindness. And then a miracle happens. Lady Agatha Buxton of Astoria Abbey is seeking a physician for her ailing son, Hugh, and, sensing that Bess is trapped in her situation, offers the young woman a position as nurse. Despite Bess’s father’s objections, she accepts—and her life is forever changed. Bess and Hugh enjoy an immediate bond of friendship, which quickly blossoms into love. Despite his dire prognosis, the couple makes the bittersweet decision to wed, embracing what little time they have. Their tender union ushers in a season of both joy and heartbreak, and Bess discovers greater meaning in life than she’d ever imagined. As she’s confronted with the sorrow of living without Hugh, Bess finds herself at a crossroads—will she have the courage to trust her heart and allow herself to love again?

Purchase your copy here:

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Each chapter is a couple pages long and includes a scripture reference at the top of every chapter. There are 25 total chapter. They include letting go of mom guilt, seeking balance, time management, forgiveness, finding room to breathe-to name a few.

This book has a beautiful cover and ribbon bookmark; making it the perfect gift for any mom!

I’ve read other books by this author and have really enjoyed them-including this one! Lots of good advice, stories and scriptures included.

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

About the book
Do you feel like you’re drowning in the everyday stress-pool? . . .

Wish you could make busy-ness a business so you’d be a millionaire? . . .

Welcome to the maternal order of slightly sagging sisters of the ‘hood. The motherhood.

With her own offbeat brand of wit and near-wisdom, popular inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses heart needs of moms drowning in the churning stress-pool of busyness. In her beloved mom-to-mom, grin-provoking style, Coty offers empathy, laughs, real-life stories, practical parenting survival tips, and fresh biblical insights to help you hear Papa God’s still, small voice through life’s chaos.

Whether you’re struggling with stress related to attitude, time-management, guilt trips, patience, or something in between. . .this humor-filled volume will deliver a much-needed smile and equip you with simple-to-implement tips for attaining the peace we all crave—the peace that passes all understanding.

About the author

Debora M. Coty is a popular humorist, speaker, and award-winning author of numerous inspirational books, including the bestselling Too Blessed to be Stressed line. Deb considers herself a tennis junkie and choco-athlete (meaning she exercises just so she can eat more chocolate). A retired piano teacher and orthopedic occupational therapist, Debora currently lives, loves, and laughs in central Florida with her husband, Chuck, and three grandbuddies and one grandprincess.

Readers can connect with Debora M. Coty via her website, deboracoty.com, or on Facebook (AuthorDeboraCoty), Twitter (DeboraCoty) and Instagram (DeboraCoty).

No one is immune to stress, least of all moms. That’s why Debora M. Coty, author of the best-selling Too Blessed to be Stressed series decided it was time to write an edition specifically addressing the stresses and needs in the daily life of moms. In Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms (Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing), Deb offers empathy, laughs, real-life stories, practical parenting survival tips, and fresh biblical insights to help frazzled moms of all ages hear God’s still, small voice through life’s chaos.

To celebrate the release of Too Blessed to Be Stressed for Moms and to bless a mom that needs to de-stress, Deb is giving away a “Take a Day for Mom” $75 VISA Cash Card. The card can be used by a mom for a day of pampering or just getting away and enjoying a day to herself. Do you need a day away or know a mom who does? (Is that a trick question?) Then, enter the giveaway and share it with all your friends. (Another little secret… you don’t have to prove you are a mom in order to win!)

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“Proximity” by Traci Hunter Abramson

I really enjoyed this story! It had a good steady pace with lots of great scenes and characters. I really enjoyed the main character Tia and how she loved her small town and was always so friendly and helpful to others.

I would consider it more of a drama and not very suspenseful though because I knew who the “bad guy” was the entire story (I was right). I still enjoyed reading it though!

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

About the Book:
Tia Parker always seems to fall for the wrong guy. But when she meets Evan Spence at a friend’s wedding, it seems like she’s finally found Mr. Right. Their spark is undeniable, but reality may extinguish any hope for a future: they are separated by thousands of miles. As the couple struggles with the pitfalls of pursuing romance long-distance, Tia is taken off guard by a new arrival in town. Colby Farren is handsome and charming and has made it clear he’s interested in Tia. Yet despite his obvious infatuation, Tia can’t seem to get Evan out of her mind. Caught between the attention of two very different men, her complicated love life is soon eclipsed by much more sobering concerns. A break-in at her apartment is just the first in a series of bizarre events, each bringing her one step closer to a dangerous liaison. And knowing who to trust could be a matter of life and death.

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Biography
Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas for suspense novels as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She has gone on to write a number of bestselling suspense novels that have consistently been nominated as Whitney Award finalists. She considers shoes an optional accessory which became evident when she won her first three Whitney Awards in 2013 (Code Word), 2014 (Deep Cover), and 2016 (Failsafe.) She currently lives in Virginia with her family where she enjoys sports, travel, writing, and coaching high school swimming.

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“Seeking Mr. Dependable: The Jane Austen Pact” by Cami Checketts

Great steady pace, loved the characters Brooke and Ryker in this story. There was romance, drama, suspense… all wrapped up into one story that was quick to read. A crazy ex, an intense grizzly bear, clean romance… whats not to like about this book??!

I’m glad Brooke acknowledged that although she made the “Jane Austen pact” with her friends, shes more realistic about men and romance. I have read many books by this author and enjoyed this one as well!

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

About the Book:
A broken-hearted Romeo. A wrongly-accused woman. Can he keep her safe if she puts her life in his hands? Brooke Isaacson’s ex-fiancé pulls a gun on her and she has no choice but to run. When she runs straight to Wyoming and into the arms of Ryker Redland, she’s not sure if she’s found her Mr. Dependable or found the biggest heartbreak of her life. A deserted cabin and a territorial grizzly tracking them will either bring them together or be their death sentence.

Purchase your copy here: