My Fall TBR Stack

Fall has arrived and there are so many good books to read. When I share my To Be Read selection, those are the print novels. I also have eBooks that I constantly read.

So, here I go with a Christmas one by multiple authors. A Joyful Christmas contains six historical stories written by Cynthia Hickey, Liz Johnson, Vickie McDonough, Liz Tolsma, Carrie Turansky, and Erica Vetsch.

Speaking of Erica Vetsch, The Lost Lieutenant is next, set in England in 1813. The cover draws me to want to read it as well as the Regency background. Finally, I’m excited about reading Book Three of Jody Hedlund’s Lost Princesses novels—Hereafter. Princesses, kings, and warriors. And of course, love!

Recently I read a book by Rebekah Jones and enjoyed it. I ordered Grandmother’s Letters, a Small Town Mysteries, knowing it will be just as good as the other one. Book Two of Rachel Skatvold’s Ladies of Ardena, Lady Reagan’s Quest, continues the drama of evil kings and princes verses the good souls of the land.

Another Christmas story, Christmas at Whitefriars (novella), by Elizabeth Camden will surely get me in the Christmas spirit in an English Castle in 1912. Coastliners, by a new to me author, Joanne Harris, intrigued me with the heroine leaving Paris for her home on a small island.

Everything I read by Carrie Fancett Pagels is entertaining and inspiring. Her new novel, Dogwood Plantation, places the characters in 1812, Virginia.

Chautona Having is sure to weave an interesting tale (every time) with Allerednic. The subtitle explains it well: A Regency Cinderella Tale…in Reverse.

 

Happy reading. Perhaps you will pick up one of these and join me. Have you read anything by one of these authors?

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Review and Giveaway The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline

Tour page on Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book:  The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline

Author: Jan Davis Warren

Genre:  Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: September 22, 2020

Everyone believes Lady Evangeline is dead, so why not let them? Her survival depends on it.

After escaping from assassins and healing from her injuries, Evangeline Stanton finds refuge in a crumbling abbey. Her physical scars are nothing to the wounds left by the death of her daughter and abandonment of her husband. She spends most days disguised as Sister Margaret Mary, but when necessary, she dons the disguise of the recently deceased bandit, the Fox, to steal from the rich and help the starving children and widows who come for aid.

Lord Henry Stanton still grieves the death of his beloved wife, Evangeline. Raising their young daughter is now the most important role in his life, even though the child serves as a daily reminder of the love he and his wife once shared. He may never shed the weight of his guilt for not protecting Evangeline from the band of outlaws who killed her, as well as the lies sown by his sister-in-law, which he allowed to separate him from his wife just before her death.

When Henry’s ailing father-in-law sends an urgent request for help to manage his lands, he has no choice but to take his daughter with him to Castle Brighton. But the nun who comes to care for the sick man catches Henry’s notice from the first moment he catches sight of her. When the life of their precious daughter is threatened, can they overcome the lies and secrets of the past and join forces to save their daughter before it is too late?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

A secret life. Have you ever wanted a new identity? A persona to reinvent yourself? Reading novels does that for me. I can be someone else and have a life full of adventures. And then I can settle back into my calm, low key world, having learned a few lessons from beloved characters.

Evangeline takes on personas to protect her life and extend the quality of life for others. Keeping secrets becomes her normal routine without knowing so many secrets are kept from her.

As I read this novel, I wonder at my different personas or my secret life. I might be able to hide my scars from others, even those close to me, but I can’t hide from God. He loves me—scars and all.

I love the setting—1186 England—where law and order struggled to exist. Robin Hood, secret hideaways, costumes, royalty, and peasants. I look forward to the next novel in the series.

About the Author

Jan Davis Warren is a mother, grandmother, and a young-at-heart great-grandmother. Her wonderful husband passed away the same year she won the ACFW Genesis Award for Romantic Suspense. That win and many others are encouraging reminders that God wants her to continue writing even in the tough times. Learn more at http://www.janwarrenbooks.com.

More from Jan

Hello Dear Reader,

That you are reading this means you come from some hearty and courageous ancestors. Over thousands of years, they survived good times and bad, plagues, famines, wars, and all manner of tribulations. No matter how many different places around the globe your ancestors ventured, or where they lived and died, you are living proof they existed.

This thought never crossed my mind while writing and winning awards with contemporary romantic suspense, westerns, and even sci-fi. It wasn’t until Lady Evangeline stirred me with her story that I was lured into writing about the Middle Ages. I was even more surprised when I won RWA Faith Hope & Love chapter’s, Touched by Love historical category and the overall award with The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline. Thus began my next exciting adventure, for I had never written a medieval.

While doing research for the time period, I was humbled by the revelation that I’m alive because of ancestors further back than my genealogy has thus far revealed. They survived not only the medieval era, but many other difficult, even horrific times over the centuries before my birth. You and I are truly blessed by our ancestors’ perseverance. We are alive at such a time as this for a reason. Help us Lord to be the light so others might find You and through You life eternal.

Blessings!

Jan Davis Warren

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, September 28

Connect in Fiction, September 28

Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 29

Romances of the Cross, September 29

Connie’s History Classroom, September 30

The Book Chic Blog, September 30

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 1

CarpeDiem, October 1

Older & Smarter?, October 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 3

Life, Love, Writing, October 3

Artistic Nobody, October 4 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Labor Not in Vain, October 4

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, October 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 6

Emily Yager, October 6

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 7

Mary Hake, October 7

Splashes of Joy, October 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10116/the-secret-life-of-lady-evangeline-celebration-tour-giveaway

Leave your comments here! Have a great week….

Review and Giveaway Spies and Sweethearts

Tour Page on Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Spies & Sweethearts

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: April 15, 2020

A secret mission. A fake bride. A run for their lives.

According to the OSS training manual, the life expectancy of a radio operator in Nazi-occupied France is six weeks. Partnered with one of the agency’s top spies, Gerard Lucas, newly-minted agent Emily Strealer plans to beat those odds. Then their cover is blown and all bets are off.

The border to neutral Switzerland is three hundred miles away—a long way to run with SS soldiers on their heels.

Will Emily and Gerard survive the journey?

And what about their hearts? Nothing in the manual prepared them for falling in love.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

An American high school teacher moves her energy, time, and life directly into the American cause in France during WWII. Can anyone really be trained as a spy? So many unknown variables. But sometimes we are called to do the imperceivable, the impossible. God in His wisdom does not reveal the outcome. But He does promise to be with us on the journey.

It’s hard to put myself in the path of danger in WWII occupied France. But Linda successfully places me there. I face each page ready to fight for freedom and justice. My days—my life—are tame compared to dodging SS guards, hunger, danger, bullets…Each WWII book I read exposes another element or angle of this historical era. Spies and Sweethearts carries the reader on a journey for truth and forbidden love. All in the guise of espionage!

FYI: I am a high school French teacher! I could not have turned my knowledge into being a spy. Or could I?

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is also a trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

Dear Reader,

Take a moment to travel back to an era when ordinary women did extraordinary things. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, stalwart American gals stepped out of their comfort zone to take jobs never before held by women…sometimes dangerous jobs. Jobs in which they could lose their lives.

As a docent at the Wright Museum of WWII, I meet people from all walks of life who lived and served during the second “war to end all wars.” Many of these people haven’t shared their stories with loved ones for myriad reasons, but when they arrive at the museum, the floodgates of memories open, and words begin to pour out.

I’ve listened as ladies shared the stress of working outside the home, and juggling finances and childcare issues while their husbands were away in the armed forces. I’ve heard some speak about the excitement of learning new skills and gaining confidence. However, others were not as forthcoming because what they did was not only perilous, but secret. Fortunately, in the last few years, documents been declassified to shed light on the undercover work and projects performed during the war.

It is my hope that Spies & Sweethearts, book one in my Sisters in Service trilogy, will honor these brave women in some small way.

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

Blog Stops

Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 25

Connect in Fiction, September 25

Connie’s History Classroom, September 26

Mary Hake, September 26

Blossoms and Blessings, September 27

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, September 27

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 28

Life, Love, Writing, September 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed copy of Spies & Sweethearts, an autographed copy of WWII Word Find, hand cut wood fleur de lis earrings, pewter Eiffel tower ring holder, and a fleur de Lis Coaster!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/100e4/spies-sweethearts-celebration-tour-giveaway

Please leave a comment. What do you think about this novel?

Happy Fall Y’all

Happy Fall y’all. Are you guys as happy as I am with the change of seasons? Something about this year made the summer seem so long. Perhaps because my summer started in March with the close of school. Anyway, it seems with the date change to September 22, the weather participated perfectly. That says a lot because in Louisiana the heat tends to linger into October. For this week, its cool and wet, perfect for long walks and porch time.

With the temperature change comes blankets and socks! The first thing I do each morning is pull on a thick pair of crazy socks, grab a cup of hot tea and a blanket on my way to the porch. Oh, nothing better to wake me up for my day.

Because of the cooler weather, Tully and I can walk anytime we want without the sun beating on us, coaxing us inside. He’s ready to be entertained by all the leaves, puddles, and other creatures scurrying around. We both are enjoying the crisp, pure, smells of fall whether it is the dew or the rain on the breeze. It just fills the air with newness.

Anyone for fall decorations? I love the browns, oranges, reds, and golds. I really wish those were the colors for the entire year! It’s hard for me not to decorate for Thanksgiving in September. Instead, I put a few items out and enjoy the slow addition of pumpkins and leaves and turkeys.

So, what have I left out? Food and drinks. I haven’t started hot chocolate of cider yet but it’s enticing. Tonight, we have a chili event which always welcomes fall. Cornbread, venison, pumpkin, squash, marshmallows….yum, yum.

Welcome to fall. Share about your likes or possibly dislikes of fall.

September Personal Giveaway

It’s time for my September Giveaway through September 27. Comment for your chance to win one of these two books: Hold Me Close by me or No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky.

Perhaps you will share one thing you like about fall. I love the fresh, cool mornings on my front porch with hot tea.

What’s next on your agenda?

Since so many things have changed in my recent life, I’m wondering if it is the same for you. I would like to know that I’m not the only one experiencing new schedules, new hobbies, new foods, new plans. Please comment and perhaps I’ll add something new to my list of accomplishments.

Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/ff03/2020-back-to-school-multi-author-giveaway

As you know, I resigned from teaching in February before the pandemic with my last day being May 22. Therefore, this is the first September in forever that I have had “free.” Free is an interesting phenomenon. In July we bought a house to flip, meaning I’ve become a painter and a cabinet hanger as well as a debris collector. It’s hard work, but I love working with my husband even though he says I’m slow and “un”professional. Yet, I get the job done well. I won’t say I’m free labor, but close to it until the house sells.

Add to that I now run an Airbnb. What? Yes, I’m a host. I’ve been a guest many times in Europe while traveling with my daughter, so I sort of know what a guest wants. We’ll see!

I’m an accidental gardener, meaning I throw seed out and see what they will do. I want to learn to make candles and petit fours!

My days always include reading and writing. I’m excited about the release of Wait for Me. I’m being ever so patient as I wait to hold it. That ends the Revolutionary Faith series. What’s next? Somehow, I’ll release the first book in Gardens in Time. Details in the next six months or so.

Enough about my what’s next. Share about something new in your life.

Back to School Multi-Author Giveaway

Readers, kids are back in school and with all the changes due to Covid we thought it would be encouraging to do a fun giveaway just for you!

Don’t miss your chance to enter to win a $350 Amazon gift card and 40 books in our Celebrate Lit Multi-Author Giveaway. 

Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/ff03/2020-back-to-school-multi-author-giveaway

The event and giveaway is going on now through September 20! 

Wait for Me Cover Reveal

We’ve waited for this for a year. Now the wait is over. The cover for Wait for Me, Book Five of the Revolutionary Faith Series is here. I’m so pleased with the beautiful artwork by Roseanna White. Although the book will be released on February 9, 2021, we can feast on the cover and anticipate holding the novel in five months.

I am showing this to my faithful blog followers before anyone else. You are special to me and therefore, deserve the first peek. I hope you are as pleased as I am.

Heavy sigh…heart pounding…here it is.

I’ll post more information about pre-orders, bonus item, and excerpts later. For now, enjoy the inspiring cover. Be sure to leave your comments.

Review and Giveaway To Love a Prince

Tour Page on Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book:  To Love a Prince

Author: Rachel Hauck

Genre:  Royal Romance

Release Date: August 11, 2020

 

An enchanting new royal romance from NYT bestselling author Rachel Hauck

Daffodil Caron is not a princess, even though she once dreamed of being one. After all, she grew up as a playmate to royal princes, running through the halls of Perrigwynn Palace and dining with the queen. But the day she stumbled upon a royal secret, everything changed.

Flash forward eighteen years, and Daffy’s living a sweet, non-royal life. A skilled art curator for the Royal Trust, she has friends, a flat in the heart of the city, and a handsome, successful fiancée. The last person on her mind is Gus, a prince she once called her best mate.

HRH Prince Augustus is no longer “Prince Pudgy,” as caricaturized by the press, he’s charming and gorgeous, possessing a world-famous smile. But when he’s jilted at the altar by an American heiress as millions of people around the world watched, the spare heir to Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue escapes, finding solace on a Florida beach.

A year as a regular bloke allows him to rethink his purpose. He’s half decided his calling is to pour pints at a tiki bar, rather than serving his country and the Family.

Until an accident on the beach with a Frisbee changes his course.

Despite his long hair and beard, Daffy recognizes her prince, and their childhood friendship is renewed. She assures Gus Lauchtenland needs him, giving him the courage to return home.

When Daffy and Gus find themselves on assignment to Hadsby Castle in preparation for his brother’s wedding, their friendship blooms into affection.

But Gus cannot, will not, trust his heart again. Daffy’s engaged. And she also remains a royal family outcast because she knows the Queen’s secret.

When affection grows into love and secrets are exposed, trust is destroyed. Gus must choose which is stronger: the lies of his past or the hope of his future. And Daffy must face every fear to prove she will forever love a prince.

“Another compelling royal story by the master of princely tales!”  Susan May Warren, USA Today bestselling, RITA award-winning novelist

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Why do we as a human race keep secrets, guarding them for years, sometimes centuries? Is it just human nature? What I do know is secrets make for interesting, mysterious plots. The reader becomes a detective, trying to guess or deduce the answer to the mystery before it is revealed. This novel is full of hints and innuendos that make it a page-turner.

Who else enjoys a contemporary love story where any girl has the potential to be a princess? I do. Rachel Hauck succeeds in captivating her readers with another prince and princess. Not to spoil anything, but characters from Hauck’s other books appear again to delight the readers. I am fascinated with the Royals in fiction and real life.

It is difficult to put this novel down. Unfortunately, life interrupts my reading time. Yet, each time I rejoin the characters, I experience the magical yet realistic world of the royals who have similar fiascos and problems with love and expectations as normal, or not so ordinary, people.

I just know there has to be another installment with another princess in Rachel’s imagination. Hope so.

About the Author

 

Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times Book Reviews. She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award Winner.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, first in the Royal Wedding Series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie.

Rachel has been awarded the prestigious Career Achievement Award for her body of original work by Romantic Times Book Reviews.

A member of the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, she teaches workshops and leads worship at the annual conference. She is a past Mentor of The Year.

At home, she’s a wife, writer, worship leader and works out at the gym semi-enthusiastically.

A graduate of Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism, she’s a former sorority girl and a devoted Ohio State football fan. Her bucket list is to stand on the sidelines with Ryan Day.

She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat.

 

More from Rachel

Hello Royal Rockstar Readers!

I’m thrilled to share To Love A Prince with you. So many of you who loved the Royal Wedding Series have asked for more royals so as I noodled over new story ideas, my thoughts drifted toward princes and princesses. What’s more romantic than a royal wedding?

This royal story, the first book in a new series, True Blue Royal, is set in a new fictional country, Lauchtenland, in the North Sea. I’m really squeezing all those oil wells currently occupying that body of water.

The beauty of royal stories is they remind us of who we really are: princes and princesses. There is always a point in the story where the royal character, as well as the commoner, must come to grips with his and her true identity! Who God says we are!

Stories are a powerful reflection of life and it’s fun to insert ourselves into the tale. While fiction employs a lot of hyperbole we can find ourselves on the page somewhere, somehow.

Thanks for going on this little tour with me and To Love A Prince. You are so vital to my story as an author. Thank you!

Yours,

Rachel

Blog Stops

Connect in Fiction, September 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 11

deb’s Book Review, September 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 11

Remembrancy, September 12

Breny and books, September 12

Texas Book-aholic, September 12

Inklings and notions, September 12

For Him and My Family, September 13

Artistic Nobody, September 13 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 13

The Book Chic Blog, September 13

Among the Reads, September 14

Soulfully Romantic, September 14

Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 14

Sara Jane Jacobs, September 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 15

lakesidelivingsite, September 15

All-of-a-kind Mom, September 15

Reflections From My Bookshelves, September 15

Betti Mace, September 16

Where Faith and Books Meet, September 16

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, September 16

Blossoms and Blesssings, September 16

She Lives To Read, September 17

Wishful Endings, September 17

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, September 17

Life of Literature, September 17

Life, Love, Writing, September 17

Book Love, September 18 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Maureen Timerman, September 18

Batya’s Bits, September 18

Labor Not in Vain, September 18

Bigreadersite, September 19

Hallie Reads, September 19

Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 19

Splashes of Joy, September 19

Christian Bookaholic, September 20

Musings of A Sassy Bookish Mama, September 20

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 20

Inside the Wong Mind, September 21

By The Book, September 21

Mary Hake, September 21

Godly Book Reviews, September 21

Hebrews 12 Endurance, September 22

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, September 22

Livin’ Lit, September 22

Writing from the Heart Land, September 22

Simple Harvest Reads, September 23 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Mamma Loves Books, September 23

Daysong Reflections, September 23

Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot, September 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a royal gift box of Pampering Princess items that includes bath balms, tea, tiara and other surprises!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10098/to-love-a-prince-celebration-tour-giveaway

What do you think?

Endless TO Do List

Confession time. It’s not too bad, so I don’t think I’ll lose any friends over it. OK. I am a PLANNER. That’s me. I ooze drops of joy when I have something to plan or organize such as a trip, a novel plot, a house project, a shopping list, a schedule. The down side of being a planner is a lack of spontaneity. More on that later.

Anyone out there who will admit to the quirks of begin a planner? We’re not an evil lot. Nope, not at all. We just like to know what’s ahead and how to accomplish the goal.

Here is what I do on a typical day to satisfy my urge to map out my schedule.

1. The night before I write down the items I want to accomplish the next day.
2. If I have time or I know for sure, I will prioritize the list.
3. The next morning, I read the list by my computer and either agree or disagree and correct it.
4. As I complete or progress on an item, I mark it out or place it on another list.
5. I add to the list if needed.

Voila! Does it bother me if I don’t complete my list each day? Not at all! I think the act of writing the list and marking off one thing satisfies my planning gene.

What about when life interrupts and I have to ditch the list and react spontaneously? Glad you asked. It happened today while I was writing this blog. I had carved out a time to complete my writing, all part of the schedule. My darling husband called and invited me to lunch and a little shopping. What’s a girl to do? Accept the date, of course. I don’t turn down the calls of family and friends or the need to set aside my plans for someone else. The list is fluid; whereas, life’s interruptions demand immediate attention.

How do you plan your day? With a list? Or spontaneous all the way?