Thursday, October 31, 2024

Lyn Cote Reviews a WONDERFUL Christian Historical Romance!


Even ForeverEven Forever by Robin Lee Hatcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've read many of Robert Robin Lee Hatcher's romances--contemporary and historical. This was a great historical romance and as usual I've learned some things about life in the West. The heroine is a spunky lady but she's faced with a challenge--a disreputable and violent father and a disreputable loser for a brother. Into her life, becomes a man that who doesn't know what he really wants in life and it's completely different from any man she's ever known. Soon marriage of convenience joins this unlikely pair through very odd circumstances. But God is in the story and he leads them to peel back the layers to find how much they really love each other. A really great romance. I highly recommend it.

View all my reviews



BTW, my next historical romance TRUSTING HIS LOVE is up for pre-order to be released January 14, 2025! Discounted till then.

 No one has ever been on Anna’s side. Will that change in Texas? 

In 1846, young widow Anna survives the grueling voyage from Germany to start a new life in the promised land of Texas. Forced by circumstances into servitude, Anna is now determined to leave her harsh master. But how can a single woman face the frontier on her own? 

Texas Ranger Carson Quinn is responsible for leading her party of German immigrants through Comanche territory to the Hill Country. Drawn to Anna’s sweet nature, he watches her persevere through the physical and emotional hardships of traveling through this new and still wild land. He silently vows to do anything to protect her. But yet another war is brewing…

Mexico will not accept US annexation of the young Texas Republic without a fight. Though honor bound to defend Texas, Carson’s deepest longing is to lay down his rifle once and for all and forge a peaceful life with Anna. As American troops arrive in Texas, she watches the man she longs for torn between duty and love. Will the tide of history keep them from a future together?

One more time the Quinn family takes up arms in the cause of freedom.

Trusting His Love book 3 of the “Lone Star Courage” series brings the Quinn family saga to an exciting conclusion!--Lyn





Saturday, October 26, 2024

A Bucket List Adventure, by Susan Aylworth

Do you enjoy travel? How long is your bucket list? Does it include a safari in Kenya? If not, maybe you should consider a bigger bucket. I recently spent two weeks in Kenya, and it was the trip of a lifetime. 

Kenya, on the eastern side of central Africa, is the most stable nation in the region. Its economy depends heavily on tourism, and guests are always welcomed warmly. Nairobi weather may be the best kept secret on the planet with temperatures seldom falling below 55 F (13 C) or above 80 F (26 C). It's only slightly below the equator, and the idea of equatorial Africa sounds like a steam bath, but the city's mile-high elevation keeps the climate temperate. With my sister and brother-in-law living in Nairobi, I couldn't resist the trip.

This nation has learned to protect its precious wildlife. After all, the animals are Kenya's biggest draw. Nairobi may be the only city in the world with a national park in its city limits. While the park has city on three sides, the fourth side is wide open and the wildlife move in and out as they please except for the lions, which are territorial. Nairobi National Park is home to 37 lions, which gives tourists a good reason to stay in their cars. These two are in the Safari Walk, a zoo of sorts at the entrance to the park.

Inside the park, we saw a wide variety of animals, but I didn't have to go to the national park to have wildlife encounters. In the city park, I fed banana bites to a family of Sykes monkeys. One got bored with me reaching down and decided to make himself at home on my shoulder. 

We visited workshops where people make exquisite crafts and stores where those crafts are sold. Then came time for the four-day safari we had booked into Maasai Mara. This huge tract of land, home to many of the nation's Maasai people, lies across the river from the Serengeti. The annual migration of zebra and wildebeest across the river into Kenya had happened recently, and we were delighted by huge herds of both species.

I learned that a group of giraffes is called a tower and saw four towers, one with more than twenty members, all in the same day. One young giraffe was still trailing its umbilical cord. We watched a mother cheetah and her four near-adult cubs stalk a herd of wildebeest (they missed) and saw both lions and hyenas hunting their breakfast. 

Cape buffalo, white rhinos, crocodiles, hippos, baboons, and a sleeping leopard were all showing up for us as well as many other species of mammals and birds. We saw them on the ground, safe within our LandRover, and we saw them from a hot air balloon as well.

Before we ended the trip, we visited Lake Nakuru and Crescent Island, where we could walk among the animals, and spent time in a Maasai village. This truly was the adventure of a lifetime, and I am so glad I could go. If you can travel, consider adding Kenya to your bucket list. It's the adventure of a lifetime. 

Susan Aylworth is the author of 25 published novels including two small-town sweet romance series set in and near the Navajo Nation and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. as well as five books in the Christmas Town series. Susan lives near Utah's Rocky Mountains. CHASING RAINBOWS, Book 10 in her Rainbow Rock Romances, was released in September and Book 6 in the Christmas Town series is coming soonSusan loves travel, music, her large and scattered family, perfect raspberry jam, and hearing from readers. Contact her at her website: susanaylworthauthor.com,  or via susan.aylworth.author@gmail.com, also @SusanAylworth. 




Thursday, October 24, 2024

Fun, Fellowship and a Whole Lot of Books by Pat Simmons

 


It is more than a tagline at the annual Christian Book Lovers Retreat. Book clubs, readers, authors, and aspiring authors are invited to attend for prayers and hugs.

This year, author Jacquelin Thomas celebrated the release of her 100th book with a sneaker ball party. Award-winning author Michelle Stimpson's pajama party on Saturday night is a must-attend. The shenanigans that women have in store for us are hilarious.

In this business, authors need readers' encouragement, and readers crave escapism into a world that only their favorite author can create.

I can't wait for more adventures at book conferences in 2025. I hope to see many fans there.




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Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author of forty-plus titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth and, a five-time recipient of the RSJ Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance and the 2022 winner of the Leslie Esdaile “Trailblazer” Award.

Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and has worked in radio, television, and print media for over twenty years. She is a publicist on the Christian Book Lovers Retreat (CBLR) board. Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.




Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Monday, October 21, 2024

Fall Home Decor vs Christmas Home Decor by Janice Lynn

When it comes to decorating your home, do you have a favorite season?I adore fall & having my house decorated for fall. One of the things I enjoy about fall is that I get to decorate in September and they stay up until the day after Thanksgiving. Our house has a lot of wood tones so it really coordinates well with fall colors to where I just love how the house looks with leaves, pumpkins, scarecrows, and gorgeous fall flowers. I've done the 'spooky' decor in the past, but am currently more about the fall colors, leaves, & pumpkins.

But then there's Christmas. The day I take down my fall decor, the Christmas decor goes up. I grew up with a mom who majorly decorates for Christmas. I'm talking taking pictures off the walls to hang Christmas pics, changing out bedding to Christmas bedding, trees in every room, etc. I decorate, but not to that extreme. I usually have 2-3 trees, though. One is just family ornaments. Mainly things my children have made or given to me over the years. The other is more color coordinated and just put together by me as something I like. Some years I'm feeling extra festive and put up a third tree that's a slimline in my dining room. It's a fun festive bright green and red decorated tree.

In my upcoming release, Wrapped Up in Christmas Love, the hero and heroine make Christmas decorations and decorate Isabelle's family tree. Pine Hill is one of those small towns that's decorated for every holiday, but Christmas is special and Zach Dawson soon realizes that as he and Isabelle spend time together. There's nothing quite like the magic of a small town Christmas to give me the warm fuzzies. :) 

Fortunately, we don't really have to choose exclusively between the two, but get to enjoy both. Yay!!! I love them both. I do think my house coloring lends itself more to fall decor, but I LOVE Christmas. (No surprise there, eh? ;) ) Do you have a favorite? Fall or Christmas decorations at your home or around town? On your fall decor, do you decorate specifically for fall, then Halloween, then change out for Thanksgiving? 

Y'all take care and have a wonderfully spooky Halloween.

WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS LOVE

 On paper he reads like Mr. Wrong, but under the mistletoe he feels so right…

Determined to ensure her sister’s wedding is storybook perfect, Isabelle Davis secretly hires Army Veteran Zach Dawson to locate her estranged father. But the more time she spends with Zach surrounded by Christmas spirit and twinkling lights, Isabelle fears she’s falling in love. Can she trust her heart to a man whose past seems so similar to her absent father’s?

Zach Dawson proudly served his country for twelve years until an injury ended his military career. He holds his secrets close, but he’ll help Isabelle find her father—even if the man doesn’t want to be found. And if he’s also sewing up a storm at Isabelle’s quilt shop, and appreciating every moment spent with her, it doesn’t have to mean anything, much.

Unless he can somehow persuade Isabelle to take a chance on love? That’s a mission he’s eager to accept.


Also, be sure to check out:

Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope https://amzn.to/3Twuyec
Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy https://amzn.to/47wB8qW
Wrapped Up in Christmas https://amzn.to/4gvI1wP
WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS LOVE is coming November 12, 2024 from Tule Publishing. Pre-order your copy today. Amazon Barnes & Noble Print copies won't be available until release day.

USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & Publishers Weekly Bestselling author JANICE LYNN lives in Tennessee with her Prince Charming and their princes and princesses, her vivid imagination, an adorable Maltese named Halo who's the true royalty of the house, and bunches of unnamed dust bunnies that moved in after Janice started her writing career. In addition to writing romance, Janice is a nurse practitioner, a quilter, a military mama, and a member of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. www.janicelynn.com  

Saturday, October 19, 2024

The Power of Presence: Kindness in Unexpected Places by Merri Maywether

Acts of kindness can be as simple as offering a listening ear, a helping hand, or simply your presence. Sometimes, the most meaningful acts of kindness are those that require no grand gestures or expensive gifts.


As a school librarian, I've had countless opportunities to witness the power of kindness firsthand. Last month, a student approached me asking for help with precalculus. I’ll admit I was intimidated by the request. It’s been a while since I’ve had to use a calculator beyond the basic functions. But I was willing to try. I sat down beside him, my gut twisting beneath the humility. 

My mind stretched in preparation of the mental gymnastics, expecting promblems like the one in this month's picture. I had the computer primed for tutorial videos and did a little stretch for those dashes to the math room for a quick refresher lessons. 

Every time, by the time I had the first digits entered, the kid had finished the problem. I never had a chance to use the calculator. It was obvious that he didn’t want my help–he wanted my gift of affirmation. 

First I had to balk that he didn’t need me. Then I high fived and cheered for every problem until he was done. (Whew) 

It was a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most valuable gift we can give is our time and attention.

In this month's blog, I'm sharing Taryn and Chase’s story. They’re the characters in Paradise Hills Trick or Treat. Taryn, a former model turned physical therapist, moved to Paradise Hills to be closer to her family. 


Having endured a long hospital stay herself, Taryn is comfortable spending her free time playing with or working on crafts with the children who are there for long-term illnesses.

The theme of the story is "trick or treat," as Chase, her love interest, is initially fooled by her appearance. But as he gets to know her, he discovers a compassionate and caring woman who is truly a treat.

This story highlights the importance of taking the time to truly see and appreciate the people around us. And to remember that giving of our time is an act of kindness that is packed with many gifts that are truly appreciated. 

Want to know more--maybe even read Paradise Hills Trick or Treat?

This link will take you to your favorite online retailer. |PH Trick or Treat|


Monday, October 14, 2024

Cruising by Merrillee Whren

When you read this post, I'll just be ending a cruise through New England and the eastern part of Canada. We've been watching an Amazon Prime show called "Still Standing." We started watching it because Jonny Harris, a comedian and actor, who played George on the "Murdoch Mysteries," another Amazon Prime feature, is the host of the show. In "Still Standing" Harris takes the viewer to small towns in Canada that have gone through hard times due to plant closures, industry changes, or severe weather events. It tells how the small towns managed to survive. That led us to a desire to visit Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in Canada. We thought of driving, but our daughter mentioned a cruise, and that sounded much easier than hours of driving from the Boston area, where our daughter and her family live. So we booked this cruise along with friends we have known since we got married nearly fifty years ago.

We've gone on a lot of cruises through the years. It is a fun and easy way to see a lot of places. We've done numerous Caribbean cruises, two Mediterranean cruises, one to the east and one to the west, a cruise that took us to the fjords of Norway, a Baltic cruise, a Panama canal cruise, and a Danube River cruise. The photo above is from the Panama Canal cruise while we were going through the locks.

What do cruises have to do with my writing? I'm glad you asked. On several cruises we got to know some of the crew, and I was able to ask numerous questions about what it is like to be a crew member on a cruise ship. I learned that they sign a contract for a certain number of months to do whatever job they have. Some of them were in the shows while others worked with the children's programs or in the ship's library. So when I wrote my book, Hometown Proposal, I made the hero a former cruise director and the heroine a singer in the shows. The relationship they started on the cruise ship didn't last, but now that they are both not working with the cruise industry, the hero is determined to win her back.

Often when we take cruises, we also add some travel before or after the cruise. Our cruise to see the fjords in Norway started in Amsterdam, and we took full advantage of visiting that city several days before the cruise. After the cruise we traveled to other parts of The Netherlands and Belgium. I feature some of these places in my book, A Place to Find Love. The hero and heroine take a business trip together to The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, which we visited before and after our Danube cruise.


 Have you ever been on a cruise? If so, what was your favorite part?

Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.