Review + Giveaway – Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust

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Today, Madi’s Musings is participating in the tour for Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust by Misty M. Beller, which is hosted by Celebrate Lit.

Read on to find, in this order, more about:

  • the author
  • from the author
  • the book
  • the giveaway
  • the review
  • the tour

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

From the Author

Storytelling vs. Historical Authenticity?

I’ve been a fan of historical fiction for as long as I can remember, all the way back to the Mandie books by Lois Gladys Leppard and the Sadie Rose books by Hilda Stahl. Does anyone remember those series?

When I started thinking about my first novel, there was no doubt it would be a Christian Historical Romance set in the west. By my second book in, I had narrowed my focus to frontier life in the Rockies. My happy place!

It can be challenging to write about a time I haven’t experienced and cultures that don’t exist in the same form anymore. I love reading first-hand accounts to help me bring a particular time period to life. I often visit historic forts and talk with those who have studied the time period and setting in greater depth.

Three years ago, My family and I set out on a 28-day epic road trip to tour many of the state and national parks across the country. We spent about half of our time in Wyoming and Montana, exploring Yellowstone and Glacier, and tour historic and ghost towns. We spent more than one night tent camping in primitive camping!

These experiences definitely make it easy for me to slip into that world as I write. The characters come alive in my mind, and I see the story like a movie in my head. Writing Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust was especially fun to write, as we return to the Coulter Ranch. I fell in love with not just Naomi and Eric, but also sweet little Mary Ellen, their one-year-old daughter who Eric meets for the first time in this book.

I pray the story comes to life for readers as much as it has for me!

Blessings!

Misty

About the Book

Book: Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 9, 2024

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Naomi Wyatt has finally given up on the man who once promised to love her for the rest of his life—then disappeared with no way to contact him. She’s now a single mother with a beautiful baby girl to provide for, a daughter whose red hair reminds her daily of the man she gave her heart to. She has to move on though, so when Jonah Coulter asks for her hand in marriage, she knows she would be hard-pressed to find a better husband for herself and father for her sweet daughter. He’s a Coulter, after all, and he’s proven to be a good friend during her darkest hours.

But when her first love rides onto the ranch property saying he’d been searching for her for months, her heart is shredded once again. Before she has time to catch her breath though, a new threat appears on the horizon. This time she has far more at stake than her heart, and only a Divine hand can turn this disaster for their good.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain family saga filled with a second chance romance, love triangles, hidden treasure, and love that heals wounded hearts.

Click here to get your copy.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty 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.

ENTER GIVEAWAY

Review

Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust is the third installment in the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series.

Romance, faith, and second chances collide in this Christian historical romance, and the reader journeys with two characters struggling to reconcile the past. As always, I appreciated the infusion of faith, which primarily came in the form of prayers. Mary Ellen is a darling, and it was nice connecting with Dinah and Jericho again.

While the romance is clean and wholesome, it is implied a couple engaged in premarital relations, from which a child was conceived. They both recognize their error and are determined to do right by the other. Beller handled this quite tastefully. It is also insinuated a nasty villain took physical advantage of a woman. Again, this is handled tastefully.

The vision-like dream caught me off guard and “hell fire” is used. More sensitive readers should note that characters engage in a fist fight, it is mentioned a character died in an accident (no unnecessary details are given), and a character is shot. Typical western fare, and nothing is gory.

Fans of Misty Beller are sure to enjoy this continuation of the series.

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Tour Schedule

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , April 23

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 24

Pause for Tales, April 24

Madi’s Musings, April 25 (You are here)

Alena Mentink, April 25

Devoted To Hope, April 26

Texas Book-aholic, April 26

Lighthouse Academy Blog, April 27 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 28

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, April 29

Wishful Endings, April 29

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 30

lakesidelivingsite, April 30

Cover Lover Book Review, April 30

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 1 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 1

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 2

For Him and My Family, May 2

Book Looks by Lisa, May 3

Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 3

Betti Mace, May 4

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 4

The Lofty Pages, May 5

Holly’s Book Corner, May 5

An Author’s Take, May 6

Blossoms and Blessings, May 6

Review: Son of Truth

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Can a killer find forgiveness?

Series: Followers of the Word (Book Two)

Author: Morgan L. Busse

Genre: Christian Fantasy

Length: Novel

Publisher: Marcherlord Press/Enclave Publishing

About

Can a killer find forgiveness?

The war in the north is over, but the war for all the Lands has just begun. As the Shadonae solidify their hold on the city of Thyra, Rowen Mar, the last Eldaran and savior of the White City, awakens to find herself hunted by those she has saved.

Meanwhile, the assassin Caleb Tala finds himself in the presence of the Word. The time of reckoning has come, and he must pay the price for all the lives he has taken. But in his moment of judgment, Caleb is given a second chance to change his life.

These two hold the power to save the Lands from the Shadonae. One must escape slavery, and one must choose to forsake everything before the world is consumed in darkness.

Book two of the Follower of the Word epic fantasy series.

Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Son of Truth is the captivating continuation in the Follower of the Word series.

Plot
Picking up right where Book One left off, the reader is swept into a tale of redemption and danger. The plot isn’t the quickest-paced, nor is it slow. It’s perfect for the overall series and helps the reader really learn more about the characters.

Characters
Nierne is my least favorite character, although she is certainly one the reader feels sympathy for. Lore is great, as always, but I still have a really hard time accepting the age difference between him and Rowan, so I just imagine him to be younger since he’s old enough to almost be her father. Caleb and Rowan are good characters. Caleb has the most growing to do, in my opinion, and he’s coming along nicely. I really appreciate how Busse illustrates that, though we are new creations in Christ, we’re not automatically free from our vices and struggles. It’s a growing process, and one Busse illustrates beautifully.

Faith
Here comes the most important part of any book.

The faith aspect was, as it is with all of Busse’s books, amazing. So raw, so on point, so poignant. Even fantasy books can be solid reminders of what our Lord endured for us and His love for us through His sacrifice on the cross.

It was also really refreshing to read about God’s plan for marriage–a union between one man and one woman–in fantasy.

Content Warning
Characters are injured, kidnapped, sold, and generally put through the wringer. There are heavy allusions to prostitution and rape, although both are handled tactfully and never go into detail. “Sands” and similar expressions are used in lieu of profanity, although there is a time where a character goes, “What the–.” Characters kiss. It is hinted that a character used to participate in activities that should be partaken in by married couples and married couples only.

There are two reasons why I docked a star, because other than what I’m about to mention, it’s a five star book.

One, I felt the whole “being forced to be with a man” (basically sexual slavery) was a little heavy in that it’s not what readers 16 and under should read. It’s tastefully and tactfully done, of course, but I still was taken aback a bit.

Two, there are a few times when I can’t tell if a character is misusing the Word’s name in vain or praying.

Conclusion
If you’re seventeen or older and enjoy Christian fantasy brimming with Biblical truth, then this is the book for you.

MAPs: What are They, Etiquette, and More

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Writing trends come and go, and one particular trend on the rise is something called MAP or MAS. No doubt you’ve seen at least a handful of covers for books in a MAP, although you may not realize it.

After participating in a MAP myself, along with watching what could be described as a near-horror story for another in a MAP, I thought it prudent to write a post on just what these are, the positives and negatives, etiquette, and more.

At the publishing of this post, I have one published book in a MAP and will have been published in three more by mid 2025. One of those MAPs is one I have organized myself.

What Are They?

Multi-Author Projects, also called multi-author collaborations or multi-author series, are series of books with a central theme written by different authors. The amount of books usually ranges from five onward, with some MAPs having as many as fourty plus books. The most popular genres for MAPs are historical and fantasy, although there are a few contemporary ones as well.

Example of a historical MAP: Hearts of the West

Example of a fantasy MAP: The Cornerstone Series

The Purpose

MAPs can have a variety of purposes. One is to proponent a specific cause, like Hope Ever After as a charity collection giving all proceeds to help stop human trafficking. Other purposes include helping expand your readership, getting name exposure, and just being part of a series.

Positives and Negatives

Positives:

  • MAPs are supposed to be comprised of authors who encourage each other and help cross-promote.
  • They are a good way to broaden your readership, meaning those who read the other authors will give your MAP book a shot. The goal is for them to like your writing and you gain another reader.
  • Excellent promotion. Usually, it is mandatory that you share about everyone else’s book.
  • You can make new writer friends.
  • You have a book published.
  • Overall, good support from readers, which means increased preorders and sales.

Negatives:

Please note that these are potential negatives. There is a strong chance you will not encounter them, but there is always a possibility.

So, when you consider entering a MAP, just keep these in mind.

  • Jerks abound, even amongst writers. This may seem harsh, but I’ve seen these lovely souls in action, and trust me. They exist.
  • There is a chance of receiving a horrible cover.
  • You may not have a say in your cover (which you may not see as a negative depending on your personality and/or the designer).
  • A lot of people in a group means a lot of ideas…and potential conflicting personalities. If someone does not know how to be mature, this can cause a problem.
  • Sometimes you do not have control of how you price your books, which again, can be both good and bad depending.
  • A wimpy coordinator who allows the lovely souls from point one to make everyone else’s life miserable.
  • Aggravating and snotty know-it-alls who will make your life miserable if you don’t worship the ground they walk on.

As I said, there is a good chance you would not encounter these issues. I haven’t in the four I’m in, but I’ve heard about all of these issues from another author in a MAP. So, while these negatives do exist, they’re uncommon. Just keep them in mind.

How Do I get into a Map?

That depends. Sometimes you’re invited, sometimes the coordinator(s) do submission call-outs on social media, and sometimes you yourself are the founder.

Etiquette for Participating Authors

As with anything, etiquette is an important part of being in a MAP.

  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions…politely. Request clarification in a polite tone.
  • Remember, there are several of you. Be willing to have mature discourse over whatever the disagreement is, if you need to say anything at all. If it doesn’t involve you, don’t involve yourself.
  • Know what you’re getting into before you get into it. Ask questions. Who is the cover designer? What is the cost? Who is responsible for what? Who else is participating?
  • Uphold your end of the bargain. When you enter a MAP, you agree to share about everyone else’s book, usually on release day, although more posts are optional and certainly welcomed. If something transpires that waylays you, simply explain it to the founder. They’ll be understanding.
  • Don’t be a know-it-all. If you have experience and are eager to impart that experience in order to help others (as opposed to simply being a clanging cymbal), do so respectfully.
  • If you simply cannot stand being in the group any more, privately tell the founder and dismiss yourself. Do not make a spectacle.
  • Do not be passive-aggressive.
  • Do not insinuate a fellow author is the one giving all the books a low rating on Amazon (I heard of this happening in a recent MAP).
  • Don’t be a loud-mouthed ninny. A.k.a, don’t lambast others when you perceive them doing wrong. Chances are, they just do things a bit differently from you. If you’re so bothered you can’t sleep, gently–and privately–bring it up with the person in question.
  • If the organizer asks you to put your book up by a specific date, do it by that date. Likewise, if you need to share a cover reveal or release form, do it. Don’t assume everyone else will and you can slack off.

How do I Organize a MAP?

You can organize a MAP by doing social media call-outs, inviting specific authors, and posting in any relatable author groups. Remember to include the general word count, theme, who the cover designer is or an example of the cover if you have one, the genre, what is and is not acceptable (e.g., clean only, so no fade-to-black or erotica allowed; no profanity or excessive violence, etc.), the first publishing date, any costs participating authors will be expected to pay, and if they have been published (if they haven’t, ask for a writing snippet). I’ve found a Google Form works to have any interested author fill out, and then after a specific date, email the accepted authors.

Have you ever been, or are you currently, part of a MAP? If you haven’t been, does participating in one intrigue you? If you have been, do you have any more advice to impart? Readers, what upcoming MAPs are you excited about?

Book Review: Claiming Mariah

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A devious plot of thievery, betrayal, and murder threatens the well-being of the ranch, endangering those who hold it dear.

Author: Pam Hillman

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Length: Novel

About

After her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.

With the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he unearths more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal, and murder threatens the well-being of the ranch, endangering those who hold it dear. As the days dwindle until the rest of the Donovan clan arrives at the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed changes their futures forever.

Review

Rating: 5 Stars

Claiming Mariah is a Christian historical romance filled with forgiveness, danger, and an excellent plot, which hooks you from the beginning page.

Mariah and Slade were well-rounded characters, and I enjoyed their arcs. Definitely both relatable. The faith, too, was quite well-written, and I appreciated how gently Hillman wove it into the story, and especially how the need for redemption was written.

The secondary characters were great, too. I would really like Buck’s story, and I was a bit disappointed we never met Amanda, but that didn’t detract at all.

The romance was clean. I did think the main characters kissed prematurely, especially when they were still so confused about and wary of each other, but there is nothing untoward in the book.

Violence:
Men are shot, a feud and cheating are discussed at different times, prior physical abuse from a drunken parent is insinuated and mentioned, a character is bullied, it is mentioned a character was injured by a horse, a woman is manhandled and kidnapped, and a child is hit by a wagon.

Conclusion:
Claiming Mariah is a tale sure to hook any reader of Christian historical romance. This was the first Hillman book I’ve read, and now I must hunt down more.

Book Review: Heart of Trust

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Two cattle barons, a rancher and his wife, and the piece of land they all want.

Series: Hearts of the West

Author: Kristina Hall

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Length: Novella

About

Two cattle barons, a rancher and his wife, and the piece of land they all want.

When Jake Aymes purchases the ranch he’s long dreamed of, he doesn’t expect that he’s bought a tract of land desired by two other ranchers. Those ranchers resort to intimidation, and Jake begins to think he’s put his wife in harm’s way.

Georgia Aymes shared her husband’s dream of moving West, but the threats prove to be a constant source of stress. She fears that she and her worries have become nothing more than a burden to Jake.

Will she and Jake trust God as they face what might be the worst trial of their lives?

PURCHASE

Review

Rating: 5 Stars

Hall created a banger of a kickoff for the Hearts of the West series with the edge-of-your-seat tale found in this enjoyable novella.

Jake and Georgia were dear characters and I loved their devotion to each other, especially during the most difficult moments. Dalton was a good character, too, and I would like his story. The faith was realistic and well-done, the suspense will captivate you from the first chapter, and the plot will make you hold your breath.

If you enjoy Christian historical fiction, I highly recommend Heart of Trust.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Project Reveal + Cover Reveal Signups

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If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen a call for cover reveal assistance for a special project that’s been kept rather hush-hush. You may also recall when I posted about the Cornerstone Series submissions.

It is now time to to officially reveal Project: Protector, a.k.a A Noble Protector, book eight in Cornerstone.

The kingdom is in peril, and it’s up to an outcast enemy and a dying prince to save it.

There are sixteen books, and every book has a different color theme. Mine is blue, and as I’m sure you can tell from the aesthetic graphic, ANP takes place in a land of fog, danger, forests, and mountains.

It’s also a retelling of The Wild Swans, and while I won’t begin writing this until July or August, I already have a few pages-worth of ideas.

Cover reveal signups are open not only for ANP, but for the entire series as well. I’m so excited for these covers to soon be released upon the world. We’d love your help in sharing these covers. If you sign up for the series reveal, you’ll be sent four graphics to post, one a week, in June. If you can’t squeak that into your schedule, I’d still appreciate your assistance with ANP’s reveal. But, if you sign up for the group reveal, you don’t need to also sign up for ANP’s.

Cornerstone Series is a collection of sixteen Christian fantasy novellas, all nonmagical and all fairy tale retellings. From Rapunzel to Beauty and the Beast, and from Robin Hood to The Blue Bird, there is a vast selection of both well-known and uncommon tales. The cover reveals occur in June, and books will release October – February.

SERIES COVER REVEAL FORM

A NOBLE PROTECTOR COVER REVEAL FORM

If you’d like to see ANP’s inspiration board, you can go here.

If you read Shattered Reflection, you may remember two certain side characters named Canon and Silci. Canon, a snarky Lowlander, and Silci, a book-loving Snowlander, were fun to write, even though they only appeared in about a third of the book.

Since before SR1’s completion, I’ve had the idea for these two’s story. In SR1 they’re married, but how did they meet? Why did they fall in love? The first chapter was written in a tattered notebook about two years ago, and come July 2024, it will be released.

Before then, though, a cover reveal needs to happen.

I would so very much appreciate your help in sharing Shattered Revision’s cover in late May/early June. This was a fun one to design, and though it didn’t turn out how I initially envisioned, I am now in love with the autumn theme. The ARC form will be opened on the cover reveal day. The cover reveal form is here.

You can find the in-progress inspiration board here.

Have you ever heard of The Wild Swans? It’s a similar tale to The Twelve Swans. What other uncommon/rare fairy tales do you enjoy? What is one of your favorite common one? I’m partial to Snow White and Rose Red.

Five Books to Read in April

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Welcome to April’s installment of the Books to Read In series. This month’s theme is new beginnings, which can include romance, faith, or a new chance at life.

In no particular order, here are some books with the new beginning theme.

DragonSpell

by Donita K. Paul

One Dragon Egg Holds the Key to the Future.

Once a slave, Kale is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. Yet this young girl has much to learn about the difference between slavery and service.

A Desperate Search Begins…

A small band of Paladin’s servants rescue Kale from danger but turn her from her destination: The Hall, where she was to be trained. Feeling afraid and unprepared, Kale embarks on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul Wizard Risto. First, she and her comrades must find Wizard Fenworth. But their journey is threatened when a key member of the party is captured, leaving the remaining companions to find Fenworth, attempt an impossible rescue, and recover the egg whose true value they have not begun to suspect…

Weaving together memorable characters, daring adventure, and a core of eternal truth, Dragonspell is a finely crafted and welcome addition to the corpus of fantasy fiction.

Read my review here.

Over the Horizon

by Penny Zeller

A most unusual proposal…

Alone in 1870s Idaho Territory, Paisley Abbott has nowhere to turn. With no other options, she finds herself consenting to an unconventional, but mutually beneficial agreement.

During an unplanned return to his family’s farm, prodigal Tyler Shepherdson inherits three children. When Tyler finds a woman hiding in the back of his wagon, an idea begins to form and he makes a rash decision that results in perhaps one of the most spontaneous marriages of convenience ever.

Despite an unorthodox beginning to their marriage, will Paisley and Tyler trust God as they forge ahead to create a home for three orphans? Will love arise from a desperate situation?

In the first book in the Horizon Series, travel to the late 1800s to the town of Horizon in the Idaho Territory with a cast of unforgettable characters, journeys of faith, and abundant humor.

Read my review here.

Mark of the Raven

by Morgan L. Busse

Dreamwalker. Nightwatcher. Lady of Ravenwood.

Lady Selene Has Come into Her Family’s Power. But Has She Inherited a Gift or a Curse?

Lady Selene is heir to the House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person’s dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. Soon after the gifting, however, Selene discovers that the Ravenwood women have been secretly using their gift to gather information or to assassinate those responsible for the fall of House Ravenwood to the Dominia Empire hundreds of years ago.

As she becomes more entrenched in Ravenwood’s dark past, Selene longs to find out the true reason behind her family’s gift, believing that its original intent could not have been for such evil purposes, but she is torn about upholding her family’s legacy—a legacy that supports her people. Selene’s dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations—but who is also prophesied to bring about the downfall of her own house.

One path holds glory and power and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and likely death. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

Read my review here.

Protecting the Mountain Man’s Treasure

by Misty M. Beller

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, loyalty, a hidden fortune…and a bride he can’t remember marrying.

Jude Coulter is far more comfortable in his family’s sapphire mine tucked in the Montana mountains than on the bustling streets of New York City, where he’s been sent to deliver a shipment of gems. His relief at boarding the train for the first leg of his journey home is short-lived when an accident renders him unconscious.

Angela Larkin worked hard to earn this assignment for the Treasury—an undercover mission to determine the source of the sapphires brought each year for auction in the city. When an accident causes her target to lose his recent memory, Angela jumps at the opportunity to create the ideal ruse. Jude seems surprised to learn the two of them had married and were returning from a glorious wedding trip, but his severe head injury keeps him from protesting…for now.

But the accident is far from the worst threat they face. When enemies close in, Angela and Jude must depend on each other to survive the treacherous journey home. As the danger mounts, so too does an attraction neither of them anticipated. But can their love withstand the revelation of their tangled beginnings?

Read my review here.

Hidden Current

by Sharon Hinck

The dancers of the Order direct their floating world of Meriel with their movements, but are they steering it toward destruction?

Calara spent her life learning dance patterns and seeking to become the perfect servant to her people. When she discovers the work of the Order is built on lies, she flees with a rough-edged herder, Brantley of Windswell. Pursued by soldiers, her journey through the suffering villages of the rim leads her to a forgotten truth that sends ripples through her world-and through her soul.

Calara seeks clues to her forgotten family and discovers newfound courage in the face of danger, while her quest awakens a growing but forbidden affection for Brantley. Yet even his support can’t fully be trusted, since he’d rather destroy the Order than bring reform.

She is a lone woman facing opposition from rim villages and treachery from the all-powerful Order. Can she restore the dance to its true purpose and bring freedom and hope to her people?

Read my review here.

BOOKS TO READ IN:

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Have you read any of the listed books? What other Christian fiction have you read with the theme of new beginnings? Let me know!

Review + Giveaway: Love’s Promise

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Madi’s Musings is excited to be participating in the tour for Love’s Promise by Penny Zeller, which is hosted by Celebrate Lit.

Read on to find, in this order, more about:

  • the author
  • from the author
  • the book
  • the giveaway
  • the review
  • the tour

About the Author

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.

Today Penny is the author of nearly two dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, bicycling/cycling, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers.

From the Author

In Love’s Promise, one of the tender memories main male character, Silas McFadden, recalls is, as a young’un, making his Oma carrot cake for her birthday from her favorite recipe.

Big clumsy hands weren’t helpful when it came to cracking the eggs and scooping the batter into the pan. He’d opened the oven door at least twenty times in the course of the cake baking just to be sure he didn’t burn it. For if he did, there were no more ingredients.

The icing was runny, but Oma hadn’t minded. When she finally returned home, Silas had the cake waiting for her. She had cried, told him how much she loved him, and then together, they’d eaten the entire cake that evening.

I’d love to share with you Oma’s recipe, which in actuality, is a family recipe.

Oma’s Carrot Cake

2 c. flour, sifted

2 c. sugar

2 tsp. soda

2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Sift together the above ingredients and set aside.

3 c. grated carrots

4 eggs

1 ½ c. oil

Mix well 1 c. carrots with 1 egg and ½ c. of oil. Repeat twice and add extra egg with last mixing. Combine with dry ingredients. Mix well.

Pour into greased pan and bake at 350º for one hour. Cool. Frost if desired.

About the Book

Book: Love’s Promise

Author: Penny Zeller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 19, 2024

Can one man’s love win a fragile woman’s heart?

After Amaya Alvarado lost her fiancé to a senseless tragedy, she vows never to love again. Two years later, at her grandmother’s request, she travels to Poplar Springs to assist with the mercantile and help care for her ailing grandfather. During a stagecoach accident and a confrontation with nefarious outlaws, she crosses paths with a man named Silas McFadden who rescues her and the other passengers. A bond between them soon forms.

Silas is not the man he once was. After a stint on the wrong side of the law, he’s now a respectable rancher in Poplar Springs, Wyoming. After becoming a man of faith, he determines to live his life for the One who gave him a second chance. He just never imagined that second chance might include Amaya. Now all he has to do is ensure his past doesn’t return and destroy his and Amaya’s fragile relationship.

Amaya’s and Silas’s friendship soon grows, and she begins to trust him with everything but her heart. Can she push her growing feelings for him aside? After all, isn’t it betraying her fiancé to care for another man the way she has grown to care for Silas?
When the past comes back to haunt him and revenge is sought, can Silas protect the woman he has come to love?

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Penny is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card.

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

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Review

Rating: 5 Stars

Love’s Promise is the perfect way to conclude the Wyoming Sunrise series.

PLOT
As usual, Zeller pens a captivating, touching, and uplifting tale. The plot was delightful and takes the reader for an emotional ride. There are several twists you won’t expect, and I guarantee you will tear up during certain scenes. Others will keep you on the edge of your seat, and still others will remind you to be grateful for the Lord’s faithfulness.

CHARACTERS
A man with a checkered past and woman mourning the loss of a loved one create sympathetic main characters. Silas just needs a hug. Poor man. He’s a great MMC and it was enjoyable to have his story after reading about him as a secondary character in Dreams of the Heart.

Amaya was a sweet character and her care and gentleness toward her grandparents, as well as her soft bravery, makes her a lovable character.

The bevy of secondary characters are great as well (or not-so-great in the criminals’ cases). The three adorables are too cute for words (if you know, you know) and it was fun catching up with characters from prior books. Pritchard’s retorts to a particularly-villainous scoundrel were hilarious.

FAITH
Zeller never fails to include a wonderful amount of faith in her books. The themes are God’s forgiveness and being our Eternal Father. Several scenes will make you teary.

Another major theme is how love and prayers can impact a life, and we see a character whom we never meet, but who is mentioned several times, offer an exemplary example of faithfully praying for a lost loved one.

Characters pray, attend church, discuss faith, and talk about redemption and salvation.

VIOLENCE
There are outlaws present in this book, so characters get manhandled, pushed, threatened, injured, chased, threatened some more, and shot. It is revealed a character once got in a drunken brawl and cold-hearted nasties have engaged in murder. Theft is also mentioned.

ROMANCE
Pure, adorable, and wholesome.

Characters kiss.

CONCLUSION
It is always bittersweet when a series comes to an end, and the Wyoming Sunrise series is no exception. Five books filled with faith, clean romance, emotional scenes, and humor, you can’t help but love the characters and their stories.

Love’s Promise is a satisfying conclusion to this delightful, faith-filled series, and while you will mourn the series ending, it offers the opportunity to return to book one and begin rereading.

Well done, Zeller, on creating a captivating, incredible series.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

**If you’d like to read my reviews for the rest of the series, you can visit my Goodreads here. **

Tour Schedule

Madi’s Musings, April 2 (You are Here)

The Lofty Pages , April 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 3

lakesidelivingsite, April 4

She Lives To Read, April 5

Connie’s History Classroom, April 5

Alena Mentink, April 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 7

Holly’s Book Corner, April 7

Texas Book-aholic, April 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 10

Pause for Tales, April 10

Books You Can Feel Good About, April 11

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 12

Cover Lover Book Review, April 12

For Him and My Family, April 13

Devoted To Hope, April 13

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 14 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 15

Splashes of Joy, April 15

He is Risen

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On Good Friday, we were reminded of Christ’s sacrifice, which came in the form of the worst type of death known to mankind at that time.

Somber, mourning, and still. That’s how I always feel on Good Fridays. But that doesn’t stay. Instead, it is replaced with gratitude, awe, and wonder.

For the grave was not the end. If it had, we would still be without hope. Christ’s resurrection has defeated death and offered a way for lost souls to reconcile with God.

He’s not still in the tomb, my friends. That stone hole is empty, and that emptiness is a clarion reminder of hope.

For He is Risen!

Have a blessed Easter and may we never forget to marvel at the grace, mercy and justice of our Lord and Savior.

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.  And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.  But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”

Matthew 28: 1-6

By His Wounds

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I can only imagine the despair, dread, and heartbreak Jesus’ followers experienced during their Lord’s time on the cross and the following day.

I can only imagine Mary’s pain as she watched her Son die the most tortuous form of death known to mankind during that time.

I can only imagine the weight in the centurion’s chest as he uttered, “Truly, this man was the Son of God.” That confession of faith would likely, forever, change his life.

I can only imagine what went through that robber’s mind when Jesus told him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

What I don’t have to imagine is the purpose behind Christ’s death. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds we have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24

Skeptics would have you believe He was just a good man. A moral teacher. But a good man and moral teacher cannot be the propitiation for sin, the Sacrifice, and the Lamb.

A good man and moral teacher couldn’t be the Son of God, for the Son of God is more than just good and moral. He is perfect, holy and just and blameless. And only a Sacrifice that was perfect could take on the sins of the world.

Christ was reviled and mocked. Humiliated, beaten, and sentenced to the form of death that told onlookers He had acted against Rome.

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a lout voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:36). Then He yielded his spirit.

Atonement required a perfect sacrifice, something humanity could not offer. Sinful beings from the time of conception, there was no way we could save ourselves.

I can’t imagine what it was like on that day, when darkness fell and the Son of God–beaten and bloody–gave Himself for us.

By His wounds, I’ve been healed. A sinful wretch who’d have no hope of saving herself if He hadn’t given Himself.

No, I can’t imagine that day. But I don’t have to. Because the infallible Word of God, tells me what happened. A hopeless world was given hope.

Humanity can’t save itself. But, because of Him, those who place their faith in Christ are saved.