Friday, May 3, 2024

My Thoughts - Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel

Walking on Hidden Wings JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Walking on Hidden Wings: A Novel of the Roaring Twenties
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: April 23, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Geneva Ashcroft Hayes's marriage to a newspaper mogul might have been arranged, but the New York socialite is devastated when her husband's plane crashes a few short months after their nuptials. When the authorities suspect murder, Geneva sets out on a wild mission to find his killer--and to prove it wasn't her!

When mysterious notes surface pointing to Geneva's guilt in his death, they only strengthen her resolve. She has little to go on except for a detective friend's cryptic list of locations connected to her dead spouse. When the friend also disappears, she trades her sparkling gowns for coveralls and pilot goggles.

Armed with a new name and career as a wingwalker and barnstormer, she travels from town to town in hopes of unearthing clues and locating her missing friend. But Geneva discovers that her past may not belong to her . . . what she once believed as truth may be nothing more than lies and deception.

"A tangled web, a sleuthing adventure, a rekindled romance . . . Walking on Hidden Wings has it all."

--Rachel Fordham, author of The Letter Tree

"Fans of intelligent mysteries, butterfly-inducing romance, and the Roaring Twenties, prepare yourselves--Walking on Hidden Wings will sweep you away to the skies! McDaniel's lyrical prose is a delight, and readers will be fascinated by the daring beginnings of aviation. A true gem."

--Joanna Barker, author of A Heart Worth Stealing

About the Author

Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author of historical romance. Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award and the RWA Touched By Love award, Rachel infuses faith and heart into each story. She currently enjoys life in Ohio with her husband and two kids.

Connect with Rachel by visiting rachelmcdaniel.net to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

My Thoughts

Walking on Hidden Wings: A Novel of the Roaring Twenties is written by one of my favorite historical authors, Rachel Scott McDaniel. Her writing always transports you back in time and you find yourself in a world that you did not know you needed. In this story we meet Geneva Ashcroft Hayes. Her father is controlling and he is very intimidating. Her marriage was arranged to a newspaper mogul, Warren. However, his plane crashes a few months after they said I do.

Suddenly she finds herself the suspect in his murder. They find his plane tampered with. However, Geneva knows she is innocent and wished she would have shared the threatening messages that she had received. She knows she needs to clear her name. She has a list of clues from a private investigator and she knows she needs to find out who is behind all of this and why.

Geneva decides to change her appearance and leave town. She buys herself a Jenny plane. Which there were so many left over from the war, you just needed cash, not a license. She starts to travel and performing wing walking stunts. The descriptions to these scenes is truly captivating.

This book has the perfect blend of history, romance and mystery. I absolutely loved it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and JustRead for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of the book plus book-related extras!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 1, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 8, 2024. 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

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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

My Thoughts - The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple: (Detective and Actress Whimsical Edwardian English Historical Romance) \\

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past.

Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.

Award-winning author Joanna Davidson Politano whisks you away to Edwardian England in 1903 for a whimsical and layered tale that treads the crooked line between real and make-believe.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joanna Davidson Politano profile image

Joanna Davidson Politano freelances for a small nonfiction publisher but spends much of her time spinning tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives. Her debut novel, Lady Jayne Disappears, releases October 3 from Revell. She lives with her husband and their two babies in a house in the woods and shares stories that move her at www.jdpstories.com.

MY THOUGHTS

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple is written by Joanna Davidson Politano. This is a beautifully written story that transports readers back to the silent film era. You will be drawn into the story as soon as you start reading. The author has done careful research to bring this era to life.

Lily Temple is a brilliant silent film actress. She is a master of her craft, however she hides so much underneath. Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy. He has been tasked with with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. The more time he spends with Lily the more intrigued with her.

This story has a little bit of everything. History, mystery, romance and so much more. I loved the character development and seeing Lily and Peter grow throughout the story. The book is well written.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book -- all thoughts are my own.

Sunday, April 21, 2024

My Thoughts - The Lost Ones --- written by Dana Perry

THE LOST ONES

Book Links

Amazon - https://pictbooks.tours/xRD3B
Goodreads - https://pictbooks.tours/y8TDo
Bookouture - https://pictbooks.tours/xUt0g

Book 3 in the Detective Nikki Cassidy series

As dawn breaks over a small gas station on the outskirts of Groveton, Ohio, the body of a teenage girl lies totally still. Long blonde hair covers her face, and a length of frayed rope hangs loosely around her neck. It’s only a matter of time before someone finds her, just like her killer intended…

When FBI agent Nikki Cassidy receives a call from Groveton’s Chief of Police, her heart pounds. A young girl just knocked on the door of Nikki’s old family home, claiming to be Nikki’s kid sister, Caitlin. But Caitlin was murdered fifteen years ago. Who is the girl and what does she want?

Nikki thinks the impersonator could finally lead her to her sister’s twisted killer. But her hope is shattered when the girl’s lifeless body is found strangled at a local service stop. If the girl knew about Caitlin, could she have known the identity of the killer? Was she murdered before she could unmask them?

Going against her boss’s orders to stay away, Nikki traces the girl’s last known steps to her best friend, Shirley. Nikki learns that the girl was last seen meeting with a stranger at the mall. Could it have been her killer?

Closer than ever to uncovering the truth, Nikki can’t give up now. But when Shirley’s body is found at another service station, a length of rope wound around her neck, her heart shatters. Another young life has been lost. Nikki vows that this will be the last.

When an intruder breaks into her old home, Nikki knows it’s the killer sending her a sign. As she walks into the familiar old house in the dead of night, will she finally get justice and catch her sister’s killer, or did she just walk into a deadly trap?

Series Details:

Genre: Crime Thriller
Published by: Bookouture
Publication Date: April 2, 2024
Number of Pages: 341
ISBN: 9781803147932 (ISBN10: 1803147938)
Series: Detective Nikki Cassidy

Author Bio:

I am a New York City author who writes mystery thrillers under the pen name of Dana Perry - and also as R.G. Belsky.

Catch Up With Dana Perry:
www.RGBelsky.com/dana-perry-books
Goodreads
BookBub
Twitter/X - @DanaPerryAuthor
Facebook - @DanaPerryAuthor
Instagram - @dickbelsky

My Thoughts

We are back with book three in the Nikki Cassidy series. The Lost Ones is the finale written by Dana Perry. I have really enjoyed this series. Nikki has been trying to sort out her sister, Caitlin's unsolved murder. However, there is a young girl that shows up at Nikki's old family home and says that she is Caitlin. Nikki is immediately alarmed.

However, she thinks that the girl can help try and finally identify Caitlin's kiler. However before Nikki can get any information, the girl is found dead. Nikki digs into the girls friends and past desperate to find Caitlin's killer. However, someone will continue to kill to stay hidden. Nikki finds herself in a cat and mouse game -- with the killer calling her out into her old family home.

Oh this series is packed full of suspense. I love Nikki Cassidy - I really hope to see more from this author. The book is well written. The storyline is packed full of suspense. Thank you to the author, publisher and Partners in Crime Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

Giveaway:

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Dana Perry & R.G. Belsky. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

ENTER HERE:

https://kingsumo.com/g/se3zsf/the-nowhere-girls-by-dana-perry

Thursday, April 18, 2024

My Thoughts - Streams of Courage Author: Sandra Merville Hart

About the Book

Book: Streams of Courage

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 26, 2024

In a world turned upside down by war and betrayal…will his role as a spy bring them closer…or tear their future apart?

The war that Julia Dodd prayed to avoid is now reality, and with it, her world has been turned on its head. Her fellow citizens, who stood with her in their support of the union, have crossed firmly to the side of the south. And her mother, lost in her grief over the loss of her husband and children, can think of nothing but protecting Julia’s brother’s inheritance. She insists that her daughter seek a wealthier husband than Ashburn Mitchell.

Ash knows what his fellow citizens think of him when he refuses to fight for the Confederacy. Shouldering the accusation of being a coward and refusing to hide behind his limp, Ash remains in Vicksburg to support his family as a saddler while his two best friends join the fight. Struggling to increase his business so he can marry the woman he loves, Ash becomes a spy in support of the Union. He can’t fight for the South but won’t raise a musket against them.

As tragedy instigates Ash to risk greater danger to speed the end of the war, Julia can only pray it won’t cost them everything. She’s already lost her father and two siblings. Must she lose the man she loves too?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sandra Merville Hart, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of inspirational historical romances, loves to discover little-known yet fascinating facts from American history to include in her stories. Her desire is to transport her readers back in time. She is also a blogger, speaker, and conference teacher.

More from Sandra

In Streams of Courage, Book 4 in my Spies of the Civil War Series, Julia, our heroine, has suffered several significant losses in her life, including her father and two siblings. Her mother’s insistence that Julia stop courting Ash, a saddler, and find instead a rich suitor makes no sense. Surely her father had provided for her.

Then she discovers that her parents have only provided for her younger brother, whom her mother had always adored. Julia will be penniless when her mother dies. The knowledge crushes her.

Ash is already supporting his mother and siblings. As Mama points out, adding a wife and children will stretch his income to the limits. Mama will not give her blessing should Ash propose. Julia, who had been raised in comfort, must find some means of support.

As I considered how Julia could make money in a war-time economy, it was clear her mother, as the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, would never condone her working in a shop. What can she do?

Tatting lace.

Her lace patterns have received compliments in the past. With fewer ships bringing goods into the city, lace is in short supply. Granted, the demand for lace has diminished because even dress fabric isn’t as available as before the war.

I enjoyed researching this skill that was once so prevalent among young ladies in society. I watched videos on making lace with a special needle called a tatting needle.

The most basic stitch is the double-stitch. There is a special way to hold the needle and thread so that the first stitch grabs thread from under the thumb and the second stitch grabs it from over the thumb. There is a rhythm to the stitching in the hands of a skilled lacemaker.

I watched videos that demonstrated making rings with picot trim. There is a variety of stitching. The variations create beautiful patterns. The lace is then rolled for storage.

Fascinating. It’s mesmerizing to watch the different patterns emerge.

Tatting is a small yet interesting aspect in the adventurous story. Ash has become a Union spy. For her and her family’s safety, he keeps his dangerous activities a secret from Julia.

Part of my research for this novel and the next two novels included a trip to Vicksburg, Mississippi. I toured the museums and walked the streets of the historic city. Though I wasn’t certain of my story at the time of my visit, I was inspired by the history.

Avenue of Betrayal, Book 1, is set in the Union capital of Washington City (Washington DC) in 1861, where a surprising number of Confederate sympathizers and spies lived. Boulevard of Confusion and Byway to Danger are set in Richmond, the Confederate capital in 1862. Actual historical spies touch the lives of our fictional family.

Through both real and fictional characters, this series highlights activities spies were involved in and some of the motives behind their decisions.

I invite you to read the whole “Spies of the Civil War” series!

My Thoughts

Streams of Courage is book four in the Spies of the Civil War series that is written by Sandra Merville Hart. I have read the other books on the series and was really excited to see a new release. I also love that this did set in Vicksburg. Vicksburg has been a bucket list wish to visit.

Julia Dodd lost her brothers and dad in the Civil War. She has been staunch on her stand and has watched as friends, family and other townspeople drift slowly to support the Confederacy. Her mother doesn’t want her to marry Ash. She thinks her daughter can do better.

Ash is used to people thinking he’s a coward for not wanting to side with the Confederacy. However he wants to be able to support his family. He soon decides he’s going to spy for the North. He has to be careful since he’s already being considered an outsider.

He suddenly has to be selective to what he tells Julia. He’s not sure who he can trust and who may be spying for the confederate army. While Julia and her family may say they are pro-Union you don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. I love reading all things espionage especially during the Civil War.

Our characters are well written. I felt that we got to know Julia and Ash deeply during this story.

The author has captured this time period beautifully. She has done great and careful research. No matter what side you were on the cost was large.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 17

Alena Mentink, April 18

Connie’s History Classroom, April 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 19

Bizwings Book Blog, April 20

Holly’s Book Corner, April 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 21

Texas Book-aholic, April 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 23

Betti Mace, April 24

Pause for Tales, April 24

Cover Lover Book Review, April 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 26

Books You Can Feel Good About, April 27

Lights in a Dark World, April 27

For Him and My Family, April 28

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 29 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, April 29

Blossoms and Blessings, April 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sandra 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/2afa6/streams-of-courage-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, April 11, 2024

My Thoughts - Love’s Winding Road Author: Susan F. Craft

About the Book

Book: Love’s Winding Road

Author: Susan F. Craft

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 27, 2024

They were forced into this marriage of convenience, but there’s more at stake than their hearts on this wagon train through the mountain wilderness.

When Rose Jackson and her Irish immigrant family join a wagon train headed for a new life in South Carolina, the last thing she expects is to fall for the half-Cherokee wagon scout along the way. But their journey takes a life-changing turn when Rose is kidnapped by Indians. Daniel comes to her rescue, but the effects mean their lives will be forever intertwined.

Daniel prides himself on his self-control—inner and outer—but can’t seem to get a handle on either when Rose is near. Now his life is bound to hers when the consequences of her rescue force them to marry. Now it’s even more critical he maintain that self-control to keep her safe.

When tragedy strikes at the heart of their strained marriage, they leave for Daniel’s home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. As they face the perils of the journey, Rose can’t help but wonder why her new husband guards his heart so strongly. Why does he resist his obvious attraction for her? And what life awaits them at the end of love’s winding road?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Susan F. Craft retired after a 45-year career in writing, editing, and communicating in business settings.

She authored the historical romantic suspense trilogy Women of the American Revolution—The Chamomile, Laurel, and Cassia. The Chamomile and Cassia received national Illumination Silver Awards. The Chamomile was named by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance as an Okra Pick and was nominated for a Christy Award.

She collaborated with the International Long Riders’ Guild Academic Foundation to compile An Equestrian Writer’s Guide (www.lrgaf.org), including almost everything you’d ever want to know about horses.

An admitted history nerd, she enjoys painting, singing, listening to music, and sitting on her porch watching geese eat her daylilies. She most recently took up the ukulele.

More from Susan

Colonial American medicine fascinates me. The shortage of doctors made it critical for women to maintain medicine kits that included remedies brought with them from Europe as well as those shared with them by Native Americans.

In Love’s Winding Road, my character Rose falls into river rapids and suffers serious scrapes and bruises. Daniel, the half-Cherokee scout of her wagon train, rescues her and makes witch hazel flowers into a paste.

With gentle movements, he spread the ointment on her arms, legs, and neck. When he dabbed some on several raw places on her scalp where her hair had been ripped out, Rose clenched her teeth until her face hurt. With her hand trembling, she reached up to touch her hair.

“Don’t worry. It will grow back. Just thank the good Lord, for though it may be distressing and painful to have lost some of your hair, the strands helped me keep track of you.”

Rose’s father suffers from arthritis in his hands, so he chews on the twigs of black willow trees (not weeping willows) and drinks the tea his wife prepares from the bark also used to treat back pain, headaches, and inflammatory conditions.

When a mountain lion attacks Daniel, Rose stitches the laceration. She cleans the area with whiskey and offers it to him as a painkiller.

She threaded her needle with her finest flax fiber, and holding her breath, she began the first tiny stitches. Think of it as cloth. Think of it as cloth. She repeated the words over and over in her head.

Sometimes doing research can be amusing.

The night before I was to see my doctor, I’d read a resource book, Indian Doctor – Nature’s method of curing and preventing disease according to the Indians. I showed my doctor the Indian cure for my problem.

What a hoot! We had such fun looking through the book. Seems as if every cure involved mixing something with wine, ale, beer, or liquor. We came to the conclusion that with enough alcohol, even if you still had the problem, you wouldn’t care anymore.

Two weeks later, I saw my doctor for an earache. Of course, we looked up the Indian cure. It involved lily onions, marsh mallows, oil of violet—all taken with wine. And then, bleeding.

I’ll stick with antibiotics.

I pray that my Great Wagon Road series honors the Lord and the gifts He has given me and that you will love my characters as much as I do. Soli Deo Gloria.

My Thoughts

Love’s Winding Road is book one in the Great Wagon Road series and is written by

Susan F. Craft. I love marriage of convenience books. I also love wagon trail books. So I was super excited to see this show up in my mail box.

Rose Jackson and her Irish immigrant family join a wagon train headed for a new life in South Carolina. Along the way she finds herself drawn to the half-Cherokee wagon scout, Daniel. He also feels drawn to her. Rose is suddenly captured by Indians and Daniel rescues her. In doing so, rumors start to fly at camp about how they may have been inappropriate.

Rose’s father comes up with a solution. Marry. They do so and Daniel had a hard time adjusting. He’s used to being in control and having a lot of self control and that has gone out the window now that he’s met Rose. I loved seeing their characters get to know each other.

The author has done a great job is showcasing what life may have been like for those who had long days of travel. I enjoyed learning about all of the remedies they used for illnesses and injuries. I love stories where I can learn while I’m enjoying the story. The author has written some great details into the story so that you feel like you are there with the characters.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.