Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano

You have to love a story that starts in the middle of a train robbery and at that moment the main characters are introduced to each other.  You know from that point that this is going to be a good story and you need to hang on for the ride.  

Jen Turano’s new book Storing Up Trouble takes place during the Gilded Age in Chicago where history is being made each day.  Our heroine, Beatrix Waterbury,  is a member of the New York 400 and trying to find purpose in her life.  Norman Nesbit, our hero, is rather lost and needs direction. Adventure pursues them both, and together they navigate Chicago society with many great friends including Beatrix’s eccentric aunt, a knowledgeable butler, and Norman’s sidekick and friend,Theodosia. I found myself wanting to visit Beatrix’s aunt and stay for a while.  

 Jen Turano’s new book Storing up Trouble is filled with adventure, mystery, moments in the suffragette movement, endearing characters and funny moments that have you laughing out loud.  I enjoyed reading Storing up Trouble and highly recommend it. 

I was given a copy of the book by the publisher and not required to write a review.

Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. Readers may find her at www.jenturano.com or https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/or on Twitter at JenTurano @JenTurano.
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Stay With Me by Becky Wade

I'm sitting here in that happy/sad place when you've finished an amazing book like Stay with Me by Becky Wade. You're so satisfied with the ending, but also so sad that story has come to an end.
Stay With Me’s main characters are Genevieve, a Bible study writer and a person with secrets, and Sam, an Australian farmer living in Georgia. It's a beautiful love story with wonderful kisses, heartfelt moments, some mystery, and enough humor to keep you laughing and smiling. But most importantly, Becky Wade reminds us that our God is big, He loves us so very deeply, and that grace and redemption are part of His eternal plan. She encourages us to live in the light of God our Father and not in the shadows. My heart will never be the same.

I've so enjoyed my time in Misty River, Georgia reading Stay with Me. My only consolation to finishing the book is knowing that I will get to revisit Misty River in future books by Becky Wade.

I highly highly recommend Stay With Me and promise you that your faith will grow and your heart will be happy when you read it.
I was given a copy of this book by publisher and not required to write a review. 

About Becky Wade:  During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She’s been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky’s passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, and eventually returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She’s delighted to be penning warm, wry, and heartwarming contemporary romances for the Christian market. She’s the Christy and Carol award winning author of My Stubborn Heart, the Porter Family series, and the Bradford Sisters Romance series.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

Website and social media links:     www.beckywade.com

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Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5298259.Becky_Wade

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/beckywadewriter/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckywadewriter

Blog: http://inspiredbylifeandfiction.com/blog/

Her Hidden Hope by Jill Lynn

She once trusted him with her heart…but will she ever trust him with the truth?
With only two weeks to renovate her family’s Colorado B and B, struggling single mum Addie Ricci can’t turn away help. Especially not when it’s her handsome high school sweetheart, Evan Hawke, who’s offering to pitch in. As they repair the B and B, Addie and Evan also begin rebuilding their relationship…until a secret from their past threatens to bring it all crashing down.

My Review:  Her Hidden Hope by Jill Lynn has wonderful characters that kept drawing me back to the story. Jill’s characters are flawed in a way that makes them so relate-able, believable, and lovable. Addi Ricci, our heroine, is likable and shares her heart through her flaws. Evan Hawke, our hero, has not been dealt an easy life, but he continues to press into the Lord and has made the best of his situations. He is a hero you want to stand next to, especially since he does not see himself as a hero. 

Jill Lynn has wonderful dialogue and scenes that I still am playing out in my head. The story centers around redemption and forgiveness. Being willing to change what you are thinking about a situation and see things with God’s eyes. Her Hidden Hope is a great story that I highly recommend.

I was given an Advanced Readers Copy and not required to write a positive review. 

Jill Lynn Buteyn is a co-author of Just Show Up with Kara Tippetts, and an author of inspirational romance for Love Inspired ® (as Jill Lynn). A recipient of the ACFW Genesis award for her fiction work, she has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.
Connect with her on social media or at Jill-Lynn.com. 

 

Finding the Road Home By Tina Radcliffe

Finding the Road Home by Tina Radcliffe takes place in Rebel, Oklahoma, one of my new favorite small towns. Daisy Anderson has just moved to town to work as a police officer and is taking care of 5 of her orphaned nieces and nephews. Mitch Rainbolt is the head police officer who hired Daisy and has grown up in Rebel. Together they work through their pasts, navigate life and look towards a future together.

I am in love with Rebel, Oklahoma. I realize it is pretend, but I really want to visit! Tina Radcliffe does an amazing job drawing you into life in Rebel. (I am totally serious about visiting) Her characters are lively and fun to get to know. Daisy is warm, caring, and has a big heart. Mitch is everything a cowboy should be and has those rugged good looks you fall in love with.

Finding the Road Home is charming and simply fun to read. I enjoyed meeting the secondary characters and look forward to getting to know them in the rest of the series. This is a delightful read and I highly recommend Finding the Road Home.

I was given this book by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Originally from Western, N.Y., author Tina Radcliffe left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N. A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina was a founding member and the manager of Seekerville, a 13 author blog, from 2008-2017. Seekerville has been a Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers award winner 2013-2017.

An RWA Honor Roll member, Tina is also a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, a 2012 ACFW Carol Award finalist for Oklahoma Reunion, a 2014 ACFW Mentor of the Year finalist, and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner for Mending the Doctor's Heart. 

Tina is thrilled to announce she is the 2018 ACFW Mentor of the Year and a 2018 ACFW Carol Award Finalist for Claiming Her Cowboy. 

She has also finaled/or won over twenty RWA chapter affiliated contests in her career. As a short story writer, she has sold over two dozen short stories to Woman’s World Magazine.

Tina is a member of Romance Writers of America, including the Kiss of Death Chapter, FHL Chapter, Desert Rose Romance Writers, and the Valley of the Sun Romance Writer

A Girl's Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate

 I was thrilled to read new to me author Jessica Kate’s recent release A Girl's Guide To The Outback.   The intriguing title and cover of A Girl’s Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate drew me in. The story follows American, Kimberly Foster, and Australian, Samuel Payton, on a dairy farm in the Australian Outback.  It was such a unique setting that I felt more informed about the world after reading this story. I love thinking I may have picked up some great Aussie slang along the way.  

I am a big fan of romantic comedies, and I was hoping that I would be laughing and sighing as I read A Girl’s Guide to the Outback.  The good news for me is that I was able to do both. I laughed out loud and there were many sigh worthy scenes throughout the book. 

I feel like author Jessica Kate is an author to watch. She is witty, her characters are interesting, and her story was fun to read.    I highly recommend A Girl’s Guide to the Outback.  Release date: January 28, 2020

I was given a copy through NetGalley and not required to write a review

A Girl's Guide to the Outback 

Jessica Kate

When Kimberly’s ambitious plans for Sam’s ministry butt up against his risk-averse nature, Sam decides that obligations to family trump his work for the church. He quits the ministry and heads home to Australia to help his sister, Jules, save her struggling farm. As Kimberly’s grand plans flounder, she is forced to face the truth: that no one can replace Sam. Together they strike up a deal: If Kimberly comes to work on Jules’s dairy farm and lends her business brains to their endeavor, then maybe—just maybe—Sam will reconsider his future with the church.

Samuel Payton is a passionate youth pastor in Virginia, but below the surface, he’s still recovering from the blow of a failed business and insecurities he can’t shake. His coworker, start-up expert Kimberly Foster, is brilliant, fearless, and capable, but years of personal rejection have left her defensive and longing for a family. Two people have never been more at odds—or more attracted to one another. And every day at work, the sparks sure do fly.

About the Author

Australian author Jessica Kate writes inspirational romances with wit, sass, and grit. Jessica is a screenwriting groupie, cohost of the StoryNerds vlog and podcasts, and her favorite place to be—apart from Mum and Dad’s back deck—is a theme park. She has traveled North America and Australia, and samples her favorite pasta wherever she goes—but the best (so far) is still the place around the corner from her corporate day job as a training developer. 

A Promise to Keep by Melony Teague

I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Promise To Keep by Melony Teague.  The story begins at the class reunion of Savannah Sandersson and Micheal McCann.  They have not seen each other in 15 years and they meet again at their high school reunion and then decide to make some new memories.  Savannah and Micheal are wonderful characters you want to connect with. The story follows their adventures and shows us how they make peace with their past, and create a new future.    I was very drawn into the story and cheered for them both.  

 Melony Teague has the  gift of painting pictures with her words and helping you to easily visualize the story.  Her descriptions kept me engaged and enjoying the story. Her secondary characters were interesting and well developed.  I was sad when the story ended.  

I truly enjoyed each minute I spent reading A Promise To Keep.  It is a great contemporary read and one that appeals to a wide audience.  The story is one of grace, love, and holding on to the moments you have. I highly recommend A Promise To Keep.  

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and not required to write a review.

Praise for A Promise to Keep

“A delightful romance sure to please anyone looking for a story about second chances, grace, and hope. This one has all the right ingredients!”
—Catherine West, award-winning author of Where Hope Begins

“With beautiful tenderness, Melony Teague has given us a window into the joy, sorrow, humor, and soaring love of characters that come alive. Be ready to have your heart stolen in this must-read fiction debut.”
—Mikal Dawn, author of the EMERALD CITY ROMANCE series

“A Promise to Keep by Melony Teague is a welcome addition to the contemporary romance genre. Layers of laughter, chemistry, and unexpected intensity make Michael and Savannah’s story a wonderful surprise! A Promise to Keep shows the skill of a talented author who can sensitively tackle subjects like cancer and grief while still producing a laugh-out-loud story! I can’t wait to read whatever Melony Teague writes next!
—V. Joy Palmer, Author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations

“With charm, wit, and romance, Teague’s debut novel takes readers on a journey of second chances, grace… and a trusty fern. Hope and humor blend throughout the story, balancing deep emotions with lighter moments and a sweet romance besides. A bright new voice in Christian fiction!”
—Carrie Schmidt, ReadingIsMySuperPower.org

Melony Teague is a freelance writer who believes everyone has a story to tell. As co-author of As the Ink Flows, she loves to inspire and motivate others through her written words. With foamy lattes in-hand, she writes Contemporary Romance with a dash of humor. Though she has no hobbies outside of reading, writing, and eating chocolate, she is a member of ACFW and teaches seniors in her community to write their memoirs. She confesses with no shame that she has a strong belief that pumpkin pie is an acceptable breakfast food since it’s mostly vegetables. Melony was born in South Africa and now lives in the melting pot that is Toronto with her husband, their two teenagers, and two cats who think they’re humans.

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Q & A with Author Melony Teague

Today on Becky's Bookshelves we have a Q & A with author Melony Teague.  I met Melony at CFFR over two years ago.  She is a delight, and I have enjoyed keeping up with her through the years.  Melony has a brand new book coming out January 21 called A Promise to Keep.  It is fabulous!  Today she answers some of my questions on the story.  (no spoilers!)  Thanks for stopping by, Melony!    

Thank you so much for having me on your blog!

Your story involves a class reunion.   Have you ever attended yours?  Why did you choose a class reunion for part of the setting in A Promise to Keep?  

I’ve never attended my class reunion because I went to high school in Estcourt, South Africa and it is a little bit far from Toronto to go for a reunion. If I could, I would. For the most part, my high school years were good and I’d love to catch up with friends. I chose the class reunion to kick off A Promiseto Keep because I wondered what it would be like for someone to attend that never really felt like they fitted in. What would they feel? How would they react to reuniting with high school crushes, and how would they have moved on in life since graduation. The whole concept of whether young dreams come true or not was a fascinating subject to ponder. Savannah’s life didn’t turn out the way she thought it would.

I loved your descriptions of places your characters visited. You do a great job helping your readers visualize the scenes in your book. Do you have a favorite place from the story? 

Thank you Becky. To be honest, I’ve only been to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake, so those are a favorite. My daughter and I went to the Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory and spent hours, taking photos and enjoying seeing the butterflies flit around in the humid air. The town of Point is totally fictional, but I hope that it seemed real to readers.  

What do you hope your readers walk away with from your story? 

I hope that readers would appreciate the every moment in life and see life as a gift. It’s easy to take the people we love for granted. A Promise to Keep is about love, loss, healing and grace, and most of all, it’s about living without regrets.

I loved your characters, Savannah and Michael.  Do you have a picture of them in your mind, or who do they look like that we know?  Michael’s physical appearance was modeled after Henry Cavill, but with longer hair and blue eyes. Savannah has caramel colored hair and blue eyes and I didn’t model her on anyone really. So if an actress were to be cast in a movie adaption, then it would be interesting to see who they’d pick.  (One can dream, right?)

I loved reading about the main characters Savannah and Michael, but I was intrigued by a couple of the secondary characters, Donavan, Gillian and Johnnie.  Do you have any plans for them in their own books?  

I’m so glad you asked this. My first thought was to write Donavan’s story, but my editor is more interested in Gillian and Johnnie’s story. So I’ve started brainstorming and researching possible story lines for them. I’m excited to dive in and find out where that will lead me. Stay tuned. I do, however, have a soft spot for dear Donavan.

Thank you for stopping by Becky's Bookshelves today Melony!  I can not wait for more readers to read your new book A Promise Keep  I will post more information below.  Next week my review will be up on the blog.  

ABOUT THE BOOK  A Promise Book

She never imagined that keeping her promise would change everything.

Research librarian Savannah Sanderson wants nothing more than to escape into her happily-ever-after novels with their larger-than-life fictional heroes. But a promise to her late husband has her attending her dreaded twenty-year high school reunion, drinking ghastly punch, and taking desperate measures just to keep her vow, even if she has to hide behind the décor to do it.

Once a reckless troublemaker, Michael McCann fled town after graduation. Now a professional technical rescuer, he’s back for the reunion, but on his trip down memory lane, he soon comes face to face with unresolved issues, namely Savannah.

Before the night is over, a pact between these two old friends will lead them on an adventure into uncharted emotional territory where Michael must confront his past regrets and find the courage to reveal the truth. But can Savannah fly from her sheltered nest and risk her heart on a real-life hero?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melony Teague is a freelance writer who believes everyone has a story to tell.  As co-author of As the Ink Flows, she loves to inspire and motivate others through her written words. She writes Contemporary Romance with a dash of humor. Teague is a member of ACFW. She has never met a Starbucks she didn’t love and has been known to eat vegetables for breakfast—well, pumpkin pie—same thing. Melony was born in South Africa and now lives in Toronto with her husband, their two teenagers, and two cats.

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