The Nature of Small Birds by Susie Finkbeiner

The Nature of Small Birds by Susie Finkbeiner is a well-written and thoughtful time slip story. Mindy, who joined her family through adoption during Operation Baby airlift at the end of the Vietnam war, decides to go back and find her birth family.  This starts their family on a journey.

This beautiful story weaves together three distinct timelines from Mindy's Mom, Dad, and her sister as they reflect on their life with Mindy as a part of their family. The three perspectives give the story richness and depth and flow together seamlessly. The descriptive settings for each era are so well written I felt like I was actually in that time period. 

The story took me on a journey through the themes of the challenges of growing up, the after effects of grief, parenting, building a family through adoption, and loving your extended family through hard places.   Highly recommend The Nature of Small Birds. It is  exquisitely written!  

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

Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, and Stories That Bind Us, as well as A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home.Her next novel The Nature of Small Birds releases in July, 2021.She serves on the Fiction Readers Summit planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women’s events across the country. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.

Find her at Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

Stranded at the Sandbar by Jess Mastorakos

Congrats to Jess Mastorakos on the release of Stranded at the Sandbar! This is the 3rd book in the Kailua Marines series, but can be read as a standalone.

                                                        

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People dream of being stranded in paradise… until it happens for real. You know those dumb quizzes on social media that tell you to pick the one person you wouldn’t mind being stuck on a deserted island with? Well, a few months ago, I would have said Kate, hands down. Easy day. We had a great thing going, and I even thought she was the one. Until she ghosted me. Now she’s back and wants to make amends. She had a reason for what she did, even if it hurt, so against my better judgment I invited her to go fishing on my boat. I definitely didn’t plan for what happened next. And the fierce need inside me to protect her at all costs? That surprised me too. Now we’re stuck together. And even though there’s a chance that this girl is the one for me, I just can’t shake what happened last time. Not with a deployment looming. What happens if history repeats itself and I’m not here to stop it? But first we need to get through this whole being stranded thing. And then after we’re rescued, we’ll deal with the rest. Because there’s no time for romance when you’re busy trying to survive, right? Stranded at the Sandbar is book three in this sweet military romance series and is told in both points of view in first person. Each book can be read as a standalone but are fun to read in order!

My Review: 

Stranded at the Sandbar: A Sweet, Castaway, Military Romance by Jess Mastorakos is a stand alone novel that is also part of a series of sweet, military romances (the Kailua Marines series).  Our story features Kate, who is incredibly afraid of the ocean and is coming out of a bad relationship, and Tyler, a warrant officer in the marines stationed in Hawaii and is known as our “nice” guy. 

Kate and Tyler become stranded as castaways on a deserted island, but luckily Tyler is a survivalist master.  The chemistry between Kate and Tyler is fantastic and they are characters I enjoyed getting to know, and wanted to root for.  The chapters alternate between Kate and Tyler’s perspective.  The characters have incredible dialogue with each other and themselves. I enjoyed this thoroughly     

This was an adventure filled, romantic, fast paced read that was set in the amazing location of Hawaii.   A fantastic read!  I am glad I discovered Jess Mastorakos, and highly recommend Stranded at the Sandbar. I was given the book by the author and required to write a review.

Jess Mastorakos writes sweet military romance. Grab a free book at jessmastorakos.com/forever-with-you

A Dream of Family by Jill Weatherholt

A Dream of Family by Jill Weatherholt takes place in the quaint small town of Whispering Springs. It tells the story of Molly Morgan who owns a bookstore that is having financial challenges and Derek McKinney whose successful coffee shop business moves in next door to Molly’s store. Derek and Molly have a complicated relationship that has not gone very well in the past due to both of them having misconceptions of the other. If Molly wants to make her dream of adoption come true she will have to allow Derek to help her with her store.

This is a wonderful book with characters I liked and wanted to invest in. I loved watching the changes in Molly and Derek throughout the story. The fun secondary characters and the small town setting of Whispering Springs made for a great read. You have to love any story that involves a bookstore called Bound to Please Reads!

A Dream of Family by Jill Weatherholt is a sweet story that is all about second chances, forgiveness, and trusting God. Jill is a new to me author, and her books are moving to my must read list! I recommend this sweet story!

I was given a copy by the author and not required to write a positive review.

By day, Jill Weatherholt works for the City of Charlotte. At night, and on the weekend, she writes contemporary stories about love, faith and forgiveness for Harlequin Love Inspired.  Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her heart belongs to Virginia. 

 She holds a degree in Psychology from George Mason University and Paralegal Studies Certification from Duke University.  She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Their relationship grew on the golf course, and now they have one in their backyard.

Jill believes in enjoying every moment of this journey because God has everything under control.

An Interview with Author Edwina Kiernan of Pearl's Promise

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Pearl's Promise by Edwina Kiernan, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Pearl's Promise 

Series: Gems of Grace #2 

Author: Edwina Kiernan 

Publisher: Moliant Publishing 

Release Date: May 1, 2021 

Genre: Christian Historical Romance 

A duty-bound heir. A dejected spinster. An encounter that could ruin both their families' demands for their futures... 

Horrified to see the man she had always dreamed of marrying saying his vows to someone else, Pearl Acton’s devastation only seems to confirm one of her deepest fears - that she’ll remain unseen and alone, never mattering to anyone. 

And when her family falls on hard times and seeks to marry her off to a wealthy suitor as soon as possible, her other deepest fear seems inevitable - being trapped in a loveless marriage, just like her parents. 

Until an encounter with a quiet and soulful heir, Nicholas Dalton, sparks a fragile hope that perhaps Pearl might save her family’s fortune and marry for love. 

But when circumstances on both sides of their families take drastic turns, the promise of happiness seems irrevocably shattered. 

As Pearl and Nicholas each strive to uphold their family duties, they soon discover that things aren’t quite what they seem. But is it too late to escape their crushing obligations and forge a new path - together? 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

I was very excited to be able to "chat" with author Edwina Kiernan about Pearl's Promise.  She is delightful.  So grab a cup of tea and sit with us as we chat!  

1.  Pearl's Promise is a wonderful story, and I loved the characters.  Is there a character in the story that you relate the most to, or you enjoyed creating?  

I enjoyed crafting all the characters and figuring out who they were and what they were all about, but one of my favourite characters in the book is Eirwen, Nicholas’s horse! I loved expressing the deep bond that can exist between humans and horses, and I feel that Nicholas’s bond with Eirwen helped to highlight his poetic personality and sensitive nature more clearly.

2.  I love learning more about the time period of Regency Romance.  What did you enjoy researching in Pearl's Promise about this time period?   

I enjoyed the research about the gentleman’s club, White’s, that features in the novel, and the research about Mr. Maxwell’s profession. The Regency era (and by extension, the Georgian era in which it resides) is so very different from the way we live today, and there are so many fascinating things to discover with each new novel and each new character! 

3.  How long have you been writing?  Do you write by inspiration or on a schedule?  

I have been writing in some shape or form since I was a little girl. I was writing non-fiction for the past number of years but had always been working on fiction on the side. In 2020, the time seemed right to make the switch to fiction as the main focus, and my first novel was released in November 2020 (after being years in the making!). I write on a schedule. I’m always thinking of writing and phrasings in my head, but I map out each stage of the writing and publishing process and stick to the schedule and word count for each day. 

4.  What do you enjoy reading?  What are you reading now?  

My favourite genres to read are historical romance, historical fiction, the classics, and Christian romantic suspense! I’m a huge fan of all things mystery/detection/deduction, but I don’t like graphic, violent or scary novels. At the moment, I’m reading Christy Barritt’s Squeaky Clean Mysteries series and I love them! They’re fun, upbeat, hilarious, suspenseful and full of faith, and they don’t glorify the crimes that the protagonist is solving (and aren’t scary or creepy). 

5.  If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?  

I’d love to visit California. Living in Ireland, it’s pretty much grey and raining 99% of the time, so hearing about places like San Diego that have pretty much perfect weather all year round... yes, please! 

6.  If you could travel anywhere in time, where would you go?  

Oooh, that’s so hard. There are so many places I’d love to see first-hand. I don’t think anything could beat seeing Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, though. I’d love to go back in time to wave a palm branch and cheer with the crowd there as they welcomed Him. Although, followers of Christ have a similar thing to look forward to in heaven, according to Revelation 7:9-12.

7.  Are you able to share what you are working on now?  

I am currently writing Beryl’s Blessing, the 3rd book in the Gems of Grace series. Not-your-average heroine meets not-your-average hero and they face some pretty tough themes on their journey toward their happily ever after... Guilt, death, disability and forgiveness all play a part in the story. Lord-willing, it’s set to release on November 1st, 2021, and the eBook is available on Amazon to pre-order now.

8 Favorite movie or TV show?  

Amazing Grace (with Ioan Gruffudd as William Wilberforce) and King Arthur (with Clive Owen as King Arthur). Those are my two absolute favourites. I also really love all the Kendrick Brothers movies (Courageous, Overcomer, War Room) and the God’s Not Dead movie series. 

9. What do you do when you are not reading or writing?  

I enjoy spending time with my wonderful husband and son, watching movies (especially Christian ones and historical ones!) and I love doing various creative things like graphic design - especially font-based design. (Seriously: don’t get me started talking about fonts unless you’re prepared to listen to me talk all day about them!)

10.  Favorite Season
Each season has things that are lovely about it - the new life bursting forth in Spring, the bright, cheery warmth of Summer, the cozy, earthy atmosphere of Autumn and the crisp, crunchy snow in Winter. Overall, I’d probably say Summer, because I love warm weather, although - even in summer - we don’t have too much of it where I live!

Thank you so much Edwina! You are a delight! See my review of Pearl's Promise here.

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Edwina Kiernan is a Christian writer, and author of the well-received Inspirational Regency romance novel, Ruby’s Redemption.

An enthusiast of classic novels and history, Edwina combines her faith, imagination, and research in hope-infused tales set in times past. Her latest novel is the second in the Inspirational Regency romance series, Gems of Grace. 

A lifelong word admirer, with Welsh and Irish heritage, she started writing stories early in childhood. She still loves to learn, taking courses from places like Oxford University and the Beau Monde, for both fun and further education. 

When she’s not writing, Edwina loves spending time with her dashing husband and lively little son, reading and studying the Bible, getting lost in a captivating novel, and drinking more types of tea than most people realize even exist. 

 For free gifts, updates, and lots of classic and historical fiction goodness, join her mailing list at EdwinaKiernan.com

CONNECT WITH EDWINA: Website | Facebook | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Pearl's Promise and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 22, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 29, 2021. 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. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Plot Twist by Bethany Turner

  

“ You deserve someone whose love for you causes them to be a person worthy of you.”

Plot Twist by Bethany Turner is a story that made me laugh, made me wonder, and had me guessing how it would turn out till the end.  In this romantic comedy I enjoyed the characters  and I loved the idea of visiting someone’s life one day a year for ten years.   Bethany Turner’s insights on life and love kept me laughing and thinking.  She is one of my favorite story tellers.  

“Like the way a great scarf can make an outfit you love even better, but you can’t go out dressed in just the scarf.”  

Plot Twist was funny, romantic, embraced life, and reminded me to be my best self. I really enjoyed it. I recommend it.  

 I received a copy from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.

Bethany Turner has been writing since the second grade, when she won her first writing award for her essay explaining why, if she could have lunch with any person throughout history, she would choose John Stamos. Do-gooders all around her chose Reagan, Thatcher and Gorbachev, but it was Bethany’s ode to Uncle Jesse which walked away with the prize. More than 25 years later, her writing is still infused with pop culture and off-the-beaten-track ideas.

Bethany is a born and bred Kentucky girl who relocated to Colorado in 2001, three years after meeting the love of her life in a chat room, back before anyone knew that wasn’t always a good idea. Thankfully, it worked out in this case, and she and her husband are the proud parents of two boys. In 2014 Bethany walked away from her career as a bank vice president to step out in faith as a writer. Since then, God has not only opened doors in the publishing world, but has also called her to full-time ministry serving on a church staff. She is an innovative systems administrator for a rural church that is passionate about reaching the unchurched.

Bethany is proud to say that John Stamos regularly ignores her on social media, even to this very day.

Dusk's Darkest Shore by Carolyn Miller

Dusk’s Darkest Shore is a pure Regency delight set in the Lake District in England.  Carolyn Miller gives you all the feels in this amazing love story. I was drawn in from the beginning and did not want the story to end. 

I felt so connected to main characters Mary Bloomfield and Adam Edgerton.  Carolyn Miller writes beautiful and tender scenes between Mary and Adam as we follow their journey from acquaintances to two people who are deeply in love. Her secondary characters added to the story and I enjoyed watching their transformation.  She effortlessly weaves in God’s sovereignty and explores why every prayer is not answered in the story.  

Dusk’s Darkest Shore is a delightfully written Regency story with authentic characters, some mystery, and a timeless love story.  Regency readers will love the attention to detail of the times and will be looking forward to the next two books in the series.  I highly recommend it.   

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

Carolyn Miller is an Inspirational Regency romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

She loves reading, music, films, gardens, art, travel and international food, and really enjoy creating worlds where flawed people can grow in faith, hope and love.

Her Regency novels include the award winning The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, Winning Miss Winthrop, Miss Serena's Secret, The Making of Mrs Hale, and A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh,  Underestimating Miss Cecilia, and Misleading Miss Verity all published by Kregel Publications.

Carolyn is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube agency

Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller

 

You might want to have your sweet tea nearby as you read Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller, a charming southern romance.  Riley, our heroine, comes back to Maple Springs, Arkansas from New York  to help her grandmother, Erma, with her knitting shop, Knots and Tangles   Erma and her friends bring wit and wisdom to Hooked on You, and some sweet laughter.  

 Hayden Price, our hero, was the Maple Spring’s star baseball player who is now back in town working at his Dad’s hardware store and coaching the softball team.  Both Hayden and Riley  have baggage and we watch them grow, change  and transform in the story.  I found them both delightfully flawed and endearing characters. They have a vision for changing and updating their town.  Together with their friends they give the town character.  

I enjoyed my time in Maple Springs and look forward to visiting again .Kathleen Fuller has woven together an enjoyable read including themes of redemption and friendship with realistic characters in a charming small town setting.  I want to find out more about  the other characters of Maple Springs, and. I think you will too. 

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

With over a million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, the Amish Letters series, the Brides of Birch Creek series, the upcoming Mail Order Brides of Birch Creek, as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. She has also contributed to numerous novella collections.

She and her husband James live in Arkansas and have three adult children. When she’s not writing, Kathleen is avidly crocheting, reading, and traveling, sometimes all at the same time. She runs the Facebook group Books & Hooks, which combines her love of books, crochet, and collecting recipes that she’ll never have enough time to make.