{Thomas Nelson Street Team Blog Tour} The Mountain Midwife by Laurie Alice Eakes

Book Description:  For nearly two hundred years, women in Ashley Tolliver’s family have practiced the art of midwifery in their mountain community. Now she wants to take her skills a step further, but attending medical school means abandoning those women to whom she has dedicated her life, the mountains she loves, and the awakening of her heart.

Ashley Tolliver has tended to the women of her small Appalachian community for years. As their midwife, she thinks she has seen it all. Until a young woman gives birth at Ashley’s home and is abducted just as Ashley tries to take the dangerously bleeding mother to the nearest hospital. Now Ashley is on a mission to find the woman and her newborn baby . . . before it’s too late.

Hunter McDermott is on a quest—to track down his birth mother. After receiving more media attention than he could ever want for being in the right place at the right time, he receives a mysterious phone call from a woman claiming to be his mother. Hunter seeks out the aid of the local midwife in the mountain town where the phone call originated—surely she can shed some light on his own family background.

Ashley isn’t prepared for the way Hunter’s entrance into her world affects her heart and her future. He reignites dreams of having her own family that she has long put aside in favor of earning her medical degree and being able to do even more for her community. But is it commitment to her calling or fear of the unknown that keeps her feet firmly planted in the Appalachian soil? Or is it something more—fear of her growing feelings for Hunter—that makes her hesitant to explore the world beyond the mountains?

My Thoughts:  Another new author to me, Laurie Alice Eakes, writes a paced novel about babies!  Well, midwifery.

Not one who has ever been interested in midwifery or birthing, I did find this novel, The Mountain Midwife, interesting.

Ms.Eakes writes with a dramatic flair that makes the reader feel the pain and trials of a young woman who helps others and of a young man who just wants to find his birth mother.

When I first saw the book and its title I thought that this would be an 18th century or early 19th century read but no, this is a modern day story.  Cell phones, jeans, and mountains.

Ashely finds that she needs to deal with feelings of the "unknown" and Hunter, well, Hunter brings a lot to Ashley's small world.

Other "secondary" characters in the story make the story well rounded  . . . at times funny, other times suspenseful, and sometimes just plain mean.

This is quite a story!  

One that I think all readers will love whether you like midwives or not.  

And of course, romance.

*This book was provided for review by The Thomas Nelson Street Team*

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (December 15, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031033344X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310333449

COTT {Clash of the Titles}

Featuring "The Sound of Diamonds" by Rachelle Rea

Readers of Jody Hedlund’s new medieval YA series and Melanie Dickerson’s fairytale-based YA novels will love Rachelle Rea’s The Sound of Diamonds. 

—Dawn Crandall, award-winning author of The Hesitant Heiress

PURCHASE

Amazon

B & N

Books a Million

About the book: 

Her only chance of getting home is trusting the man she hates.

With the protestant Elizabeth on the throne of England and her family in shambles, Catholic maiden Gwyneth seeks refuge in the Low Countries of Holland, hoping to soothe her aching soul. But when the Iconoclastic Fury descends and bloodshed overtakes her haven, she has no choice but to trust the rogue who arrives, promising to see her safely home to her uncle's castle. She doesn't dare to trust him...and yet doesn't dare to refuse her one chance to preserve her own life and those of the nuns she rescues from the burning convent.

Dirk Godfrey is determined to restore his honor at whatever cost. Running from a tortured past, Dirk 

knows he has only one chance at redemption, and it lies with the lovely Gwyneth, who hates him for the crimes she thinks he committed. He must see her to safety, prove to the world that he is innocent, prove that her poor eyesight is not the only thing that has blinded her but what is he to do when those goals clash?

The home Gwyneth knew is not what she once thought. When a dark secret and a twisted plot for power collide in a castle masquerading as a haven, the saint and the sinner must either dare to hold to hope...or be overcome.

With a lovely style that is mature and seasoned, at an enviable professional level, readers are in for a real treat with Rachelle Rea’s debut. Beautifully written, The Sound of Diamonds is a gem. An unusual heroine, a unique setting, and a heart-stopping hero make this a must-read for historical fiction fans. Encore, Rachelle Rea!

—Laura Frantz, author of The Mistress of Tall Acre

Get to know the author:

Rachelle Rea plots her novels while driving around the little town she's lived in all her life in her dream car, a pick-up truck. An Oreo addict, she is also a homeschool graduate and retired gymnast. She wrote the Sound of Diamonds the summer after her sophomore year of college.

When and where did you first get the idea for the Steadfast Love Series?

A song I was listening to on the radio inspired the title of the first book. So I wrote Diamonds, but when I finished it, I realized to my great frustration that the characters weren’t done with their story, even though I had been quite adamant that I would write a stand-alone novel. But the story wasn’t finished, so I kept writing.

2015 has been a busy year for you with your first two releases! :) Can you tell us one of the moments you'll remember most from this special year?

Holding my book for the first time was a big deal! I remember the boxes coming in, then sitting on the couch with a copy in my lap, just staring and realizing I was beaming a bit…

Rachelle Rea’s debut novel transports readers back to the danger and mystique of Europe during the 1500s. Rich in church history and woven together with romantic suspense, The Sounds of Diamonds is a fascinating story and stellar debut. I look forward to reading more from Rachelle Rea!

—Melanie Dobson, award-winning author of Chateau of Secrets

I saw on your website that you also write reviews, articles and offer editing services. What's one of your favorite things beyond writing novels that you enjoy?

Editing is such fun! I daresay I enjoy editing a page full of my own (or others’!) words just as much as I enjoy splashing words onto a blank page.

Is there anything else you'd like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us? 

I’m really excited about all that 2016 may hold! My third book, the last in the Steadfast Love series, releases the day after Valentine’s Day! Beyond that, time will tell ;)

Books, Books, Books....

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.  ~Chinese Proverb

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Love this...for all those who juice or use a NutriBullet!

{Kregel Blog Tour} A Thousand Shall Fall: A Civil War Novel (Shenandoah Valley Saga) by Andrea Boeshaar

Book Description:  A story of love, hope, and healing set in the midst of the Civil War

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off--only to find she's fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they're all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.

Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally--and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

My Thoughts:  This romance story is set against the backdrop of the Civil War.  

Carrie Ann Bell is a nineteen-year-old independent and head strong young lady.  She is not afraid of much...except the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends.

Carrie's youngest sister runs away from home and Carrie sets out to find her.  So, she  dresses as solider.  Well, not just a solider but an officer!   And then the enemy catches her!  UH! OH! She has fallen into the hands of the enemy!  How will she find her sister now?  Or help any one when she needs help herself?

To make matters worse...She is arrested for impersonating an officer.  Well, her childhood friend, Major Joshua Blevins, warned about the Yankees and the evil they inflict upon young women. 

But Carrie finds that Colonel Peyton Collier is every inch a gentleman.  He rescued her, and protected her.  

And then Joshua comes to the Union camp as a spy!  

Carrie is torn between helping Joshua and then not wanting the Colonel to get hurt.

An interesting story with a few twists and turns and gentle romance.

*This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*

Meet the Author:  

• Andrea Boeshaar has been married for nearly 40 years. She and her husband have 3 wonderful sons, 1 beautiful daughter-in-law, and 5 precious grandchildren. 
  
  
  Andrea's publishing career began in 1994 when her first novel was released by Heartsong Presents (Barbour Publishing). She went on to write numerous romances for the book club and was voted one of the line's "Favorite Authors" several times over. 
  
  
  Over the years, Andrea has written books for such publishers as Summerside Press, Guideposts, Charisma House/Realms, and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Andrea's latest novel--her 30th book--is titled A Thousand Shall Fall. Set in 1864 during the American Civil War. Through the efforts of the Seymour Agency, it is contracted with Kregel Publications and will be released in late 2015. Most recently Andrea was contracted with the Prism Book Group for a collection of 3 romantic novellas called Seasons of Love. 
  
  
  In 2000, Andrea co-founded ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) with author Lynn Coleman and served on the organization's advisory board for a number of years. Although no longer in leadership, Andrea maintains her membership in the organization and her local ACFW-WISE chapter. 
  
  
  Andrea worked as a literary agent under the tutelage of Joyce Hart and the Hartline Agency. Andrea saw much success. But in 2007, Andrea realized she was more of a coach than literary agent. She earned her certification in Christian life coaching. Now she is the purveyor of Steeple View Coaching for Writers. Recognizing one of her client's gifts and potential, Andrea wrote a novella with debut author Christina Miller called "One Way to the Altar" (Convenient Brides Collection). The anthology made its way to #15 on the ECPA's Bestseller List for August.
  
  
  For a complete listing of Andrea's books, and information about her business, log onto: www.andreaboeshaar.com
• 
  
• Series: Shenandoah Valley Saga
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (November 27, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825443814
• ISBN-13: 978-0825443817

UNSPOKEN by Dee Henderson

Book Description:  Charlotte Graham is at the center of the most famous kidnapping in Chicago history. 

The task force of FBI and local cops found her two abductors, killed them, rescued her, but it took four very long years. The fact she was found less than three miles from her home, had been there the entire time, haunts them. She's changed her identity, found a profession she loves, and rebuilt her life. 

She's never said a word--to the cops, to her doctors, to family--about those four years. 

A family legacy has brought her back to Chicago where a reporter is writing a book about the kidnapping. The cops who worked the case are cooperating with him. Her options are limited: Hope the reporter doesn't find the full truth, or break her silence about what happened. And her silence is what has protected her family for years. 

Bryce Bishop doesn't know her past, he only knows she has coins to sell from her grandfather's estate--and that the FBI director for the Chicago office made the introduction. The more he gets to know Charlotte, the more interested he becomes, an interest encouraged by those closest to her. But nothing else is working in his favor--she's decided she is single for life, she struggles with her faith, and she's willing to forego a huge inheritance to keep her privacy. She's not giving him much of an opening to work with.

Charlotte wants to trust him. She needs to tell him what happened. Because a crime cops thought was solved, has only opened another chapter...

My Thoughts: We meet Charlotte Graham who has been through quite a trauma! Charlotte leaves has a lot of unspoken "things" that she needs to work through but yet, Bryce Bishop seems to want to draw closer to Charlotte, especially after Charlotte brings in old coins that seem to be worth quite a bit.  Are Bryce's intentions truthful and honest?

Poor Charlotte after all that she's been through I struggled a long with her in her journey to redefine her faith and her life.

As I read this wonderful romantic suspense novel all I could think was 

Dee Henderson does it again in Unspoken!  

The suspense, the mystery, the love and the faith of trying to cope with a tragedy that brings us to our knees is so well written that the reader tends to forget that this is not a real news flash/life.  {ah! The merits of a great writer!}

I love the title of this book because it sums up the "whole" of the read!

If you're a fan of Dee Henderson grab this read!  Never heard of Dee Henderson but love a great christian suspense novel?  Then this is a great book to begin reading!

*This book was provided by Bethany House Publishers*

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764211714
• ISBN-13: 978-0764211713

Journaling in the New Year....

I'm doing this for the New Year...

Using this to journal this year.... See what I'm doing HERE