Blog Tour: Amethyst, The Shallows by Kellye Abernathy

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
AMETHYST, THE SHALLOWS
by
Kellye Abernathy
YA / Magical Realism / Coming of Age
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Page Count: 296 pages
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
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“This is a night for being brave.”
In the aftermath of a devastating sickness that shatters their close-knit beach town, six lonely kids are drawn together during the unpredictable autumn equinox. Among them are fourteen-year-old Lorelei, who yearns to be an oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, who possesses an otherworldly curiosity.
When Lorelei has a strange and almost deadly encounter in a sea cave, her loyal boyfriend, Casey, cannot reconcile her fantastical experience with the rational world. Condi, Lorelei’s best friend, understands ocean magic but isn’t free to share what she knows. Kait, a girl from Ireland, regrets her impulsive move to America–all because of an odd occurrence involving her deceased boyfriend’s lost surfboard. When tides turn and the moon shifts, Isaac, the new kid in town who despises the ocean, is forced to face the truth–a profound and powerful magic lives in the deep.
Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.
Amethyst, the Shallows is the companion novel to The Aquamarine Surfboard.
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Kellye Abernathy’s passions are writing and serving trauma survivors as a yoga teacher and practical life skills advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Kansas. Her home is in land-locked Plano, Texas—where she’s dreaming of her next trip to the sea!
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01-03 Character Spotlights CONDI

Blog Tour: Frowns and Gowns by Amanda M. Thrasher

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
FROWNS AND GOWNS
The Mischief Series, Book 5
By AMANDA M. THRASHER
Children’s Chapter Book / Fantasy / Fairies
Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press
Page Count: 236
Publication Date: September 12, 2023
Embark on a Magical Adventure with Lilly, Boris, and Jack!
Get ready to join Lilly, Boris, and Jack on an unforgettable journey filled with excitement, laughter, and a touch of mayhem. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of mishaps as these three fairies plan a magnificent magical ball, only to encounter an unforeseen disaster! Experience the magic of friendship with Lilly, the quick-witted and resourceful fairy, Boris, the mischievous fairy with a heart of gold, and Jack, the troublemaker with a curious, adventurous spirit on their latest adventure.
Throughout, Lilly, Boris, and Jack teach the true meaning of friendship and teamwork. Together with their friends, they’ll overcome challenges, learn valuable lessons, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this enchanting tale!
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Award-winning author Amanda M. Thrasher was born in England and moved to Texas, where she lives with her family. She writes YA, general fiction, middle grade, early reader chapter, and picture books. She is the founder and CEO of Progressive Rising Phoenix Press.
PROGRESSIVE RISING PHOENIX PRESS
Review

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book from Lone Star Literary in exchange for my honest review.

Frowns and Gowns by Amanda Thrasher is an adorable and whimsical tale about young fairies. The reader takes a journey with the main characters Lilly, Boris, Jack, Ivy, and Pearle. The adventurous group works together to prepare for their annual fairy ball. The girls are excited, while the boys aim to play hide and seek until the event has concluded. Decorations, a long to-do list, committees, volunteering, and so much more must be done before the big day. We journey through as the characters cooperate to accomplish all their tasks. We learn that fun and friendship should be a part of all tasks.

Overall, Frowns and Gowns is a well-written, captivating, and creative children’s book. Though it’s the fifth in the series, this book can be read as a standalone. As a former children’s librarian and school teacher, I love to see books like these on the shelves. The author takes the time to make the book engaging by using descriptive wording to ensure the reader feels transported into the story. Amanda Thrasher has a way with words and storytelling. Any young reader will be quickly engaged in this story and anticipatory of the next books in the series. Thrasher creates a beautiful fairy world that leads the reader to want to explore.

I highly recommend this story for any young reader interested in fairy tales and fantasy. This is a great beginner novel as it is easy quick read.

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receive autographed, paperback sets
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Blog Tour: The Third Dawn

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

 

THE THIRD DAWN:
FROM BETHLEHEM TO GOLGOTHA
by
Thomas J. Nichols

 

Inspirational Religious Fiction / Historical Fiction
Publisher: Nicholson Books
Page Count: 212 pages
Publication Date: September 14, 2023
Updated version with new dialogue and more detailed descriptions

 

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Nichols turns his award-winning writing career to the greatest mystery of all time in The Third Dawn: From Bethlehem to Golgotha.
Accompanied by His lifelong friend, Nur, the young Jesus ventures throughout the towns and villages of Israel, Palestine, and across the sea to the port city of Ephesus. With Nur always at His side, Jesus experiences the joys and hardships of humanity—Jews and gentiles, rich and poor, believers and nonbelievers, freemen and slaves.
Nichols’s gifted storytelling brings forth this unique perspective on the life of the Messiah, providing a rare insight into His personal joys and suffering. The reader will experience the emotions of His power and authority when, on a mountaintop above Capernaum, He pronounces the future, and a spectacular miracle occurs in the city below.
The Third Dawn was initially published in 2011 but is now updated with new dialogue and more detailed settings.
 

Thomas J. (Tom) Nichols’s law enforcement career ranged from patrol, detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief, and Chief of Police. spanning the era of the growth of the Mexican drug cartels and war on drugs. He has written seven novels and three short stories with themes of the border wars, espionage, international intrigue, and the supernatural.

Tom’s latest work is The Third Dawn, an inspirational retelling of the early life of Jesus galvanized by his devotion to local and international church affairs. His ideas were brought to life while traveling with Gwen, his wife who also serves as his editor, to experience of the Holy Land—the Church of the Nativity, the Holy Sepulcher, The Annunciation, the Mount of Olives, the River Jordan, Capernaum, Tiberias, the Sea of Galilee, Jericho, and Ephesus.
Review

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review from Lone Star Literary.

The Third Dawn is a reprint of the novel with additional dialogue and descriptive text. The Third Dawn, published originally in 2011, is Thomas Nichols’s greatest mystery and a career change. Nichols has written an additional seven novels and three short stories. 

The book focuses on the addition of a new character, Nur, to the biblical story of Jesus, the Messiah. Nur is introduced in the first couple of chapters as an orphaned young boy who traveled with merchants. Nur is directed to head to the home of Anne and Joachim for shelter and work. The city members described Anne and Joachim as generous and faithful followers of God. Upon the arrival at the home of Anne and Joachim, Nur is examined and welcomed with open arms. Anne, Joachim, and Nur make the journey to visit Anne’s daughter Mary. Mary is close to the birth of her son.

Throughout the story, Nur is influenced by his new family, and his faith and belief grow exponentially. Nur meets Mary and Joseph and is welcomed into their family as a son. The story continues and we get a new perspective of a pivotal moment in biblical history. Guided by unwavering faith, we see moments of pain, suffering, love, hardships, family, relationships, healing, and loss. The book gives a new perspective on the life of Jesus and his brother Nur. Nur serves as an essential character, helping his mother in her final days as Jesus goes out to fulfill his life purpose. 

I appreciate that the author has spent time traveling to holy and biblical places. Nichols’s travels add an extra genuineness to the novel and show the commitment of the retelling. The author does a wonderful job with the descriptive, diverse, and challenging text when writing this novel. The added special touches make the novel well-rounded and engaging. The beautiful moments of this historical moment are described wonderfully throughout this book. Rewriting the story of Jesus is such a daunting task in ensuring accurate description and representation. This book is great for both readers of the bible and non-readers. Readers will get a different perspective and non-readers will get an easy-to-read G-rated version of a pivotal moment for believers. I commend the author for this book and hope others will enjoy it as well. 

Overall, I recommend this book to all readers.

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Blog Tour: The Brotherhood of Pandora

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
The Brotherhood of Pandora
by
David L. Nichols
Historical Fiction / Nautical Fiction / Action & Adventure
Publisher: Moontower Press
November 14, 2022
313 Pages
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To combat Napoleon’s increasing interest in the Caribbean and help pressure France to sell New Orleans to America, Vice-President Thomas Jefferson enlists the aid of friend and naval hero Captain Jacob May. He asks Captain May to wage a clandestine war against the French in the Caribbean not as part of the US Navy, but as pirates.
To accomplish this, Captain May uses the cutting-edge technology of 1799: Girardoni air rifles, Fulton’s self-propelled torpedoes, a submarine, cannons with rifling, and Pandora, a specially modified ship. Pandora’s crew also holds a secret—two women masquerading as able-bodied seamen. Captain May molds his crew into the Brotherhood of Pandora and gives Jefferson chaos in the Caribbean.

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AMAZON │ MOONTOWER PRESS

David Nichols has published three books and a number of articles on building small wooden boats and traditional sails. He also taught wooden boat building at WoodenBoat School and Great Lakes Boatbuilding School. In addition, he wrote and directed an hour-long “how-to” video on wooden boat building and has written many scripts for industrial and commercial films. This background allows him to accurately portray the boats and ships of the late 18th century and weave a cohesive and compelling story. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas, Austin.
◆ YouTube ◆ Goodreads ◆
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RIP the SKY by Mark Packard

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

 

RIP THE SKY
by
Mark Packard
Speculative Fiction / Fantasy / Science Fiction
Publisher: Bluestreak Publishing
Page Count: 317 pages
Publication Date: August 21, 2023
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After a shocking courtroom tragedy, a disturbed Vietnam veteran and the vindictive judge who sent him to prison become an unlikely pair of time travelers in a chaotic multiverse. The fallen angel who rescues them wants to guide them to a radiant new life. But first they must return to the scene of a ghastly crime.
Billy Worster was a naïve teenager ill-prepared for the gruesome realities of war. The sole survivor of a deadly massacre in a Vietnamese jungle, he avoided certain death only because he ran away when the shooting started. Riddled with guilt, he comes home to a dusty Texas farm with post-traumatic stress disorder and the crazy notion that he can fly in and out of parallel worlds.
As Billy struggles with addiction and questions his sanity, he is arrested on a drug charge and ends up in the courtroom of Judge Madeline Johnston, a bitter old judge tormented by a dark secret surrounding her father’s death. She callously tosses Billy into prison, but when a greedy executor files a lawsuit to steal his inherited land, Billy is hauled back to her courtroom in chains, where a stunning twist of fate launches them into the sky on an odyssey of discovery and healing.
Spanning forty years from the jungles of Vietnam through infinite, parallel worlds, Rip the Sky examines how the power of forgiveness can lead us toward a better life, no matter how many worlds we may live in.
Mark Packard spent the last 38 years as a trial attorney and is now retired from the courtroom and working as a mediator. In a life before lawyering he was a journalist and regrets waiting far too long before returning to his roots to write his first novel, Rip the Sky. Though he knows he should have jumped off the merry-go-round years ago, he hopes to hang around long enough to craft a few more tales. Connect with the author:


 
Picture2

Mark Packard’s

Playlist to Rip the Sky

LISTEN HERE FOR FREE ON SPOTIFY!

(SPOTIFY ACCOUNT REQUIRED TO LISTEN OR REGISTER FOR FREE!)

 

“Run Through the Jungle” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

“Universal Here, Everlasting Now” by The Fireman

“Go Insane” by Fleetwood Mac

“S.O.B.” by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

“Dream Weaver” by Gary Wright

“Learning to Fly” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

“Oh My Love” by John Lennon

“Power of Gold” by Dan Fogelberg, Tim Weisberg

“Smiling Faces Sometimes” by The Undisputed Truth

“Born Under a Bad Sign” by Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Keb ‘Mo’, Rebirth Brass Band

“Way Down We Go” by KALEO

“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult

“Fix You” by Coldplay

“Within You Without You” by The Beatles

“#9 Dream” by R.E.M.

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Signed hard copy of RIP THE SKY & $50 Amazon gift card
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Blog Tour : Facing the Enemy by DiAnn Mills

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
FACING THE ENEMY
by
DiAnn Mills
Christian Fiction / Suspense / Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Date of Publication: September 5, 2023
Number of Pages: 352 pages
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When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother’s murder, with details never revealed publicly.
Alarmed by Carson’s inside knowledge of Trenton’s death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson’s background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson’s stepfather and children have gone missing. There’s a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger.

 

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion for helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

Rating 5 out of 5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review from Lone Star Literary.

The story begins from the perspective of Risa Jacobs, an agent working for special task force with the Houston Police Department and her partner Gage. Risa gets a text from her brother to meet up with him to catch up. Everything is going smoothly until tragedy strikes putting a dent in everyone’s life. After receiving a haunting note left on her car, she must make quick decisions as she pivots her life in a different direction. Forced to change careers for protection, she has found herself back in the classroom as an English professor. Risa must battle with her own internal demons as she struggles to adjust to her new life while also still being connected to her old career. Could her brother’s tragedy have been avoided? Will she be able to define the line between justice and revenge?

The author begins the story by introducing a strong female lead. Risa Jackson is such a powerhouse of a character that grows so much from start to finish. It is evident that the author took the time developing the storyline surrounding each character and connected everything well. The chapters divert between the point of view of Gage and of Risa. Gage is developed as a knight in shining armor with a complex past. The two work together to solve the mystery surrounding her brother’s tragedy. There are twists and turns around every corner in this story. From uncovering the mystery behind the string of baby kidnappings, to the many close calls with death, and potential budding romance, this book will have you captivated. Each supporting character adds more depth in the story and enhances the overall thickening plot. I was gripping the edge of my seat as I read this book. I had to finish the book in one sitting and am hoping for the possibility of book two or more. I loved that the book was based in Houston. I felt transported into the story with the characters living out every scene. The author used a diverse set of descriptive text to engage the reader during every moment. Definitely my favorite book read this year!

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in a well written thrilling mystery novel.

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Blog Tour: Sweet Comfort by Kimberly Fish

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
SWEET COMFORT
Comfort and Joy Trilogy, #1
by
KIMBERLY FISH
 
Women’s Fiction / Later-In-Life Romance
Second-Chance Romance / Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Fish Tales
Page Count: 359 pages
Publication Date: January 21, 2023
 
Scroll down for a giveaway!
Welcome to the hometown everyone wants to call their own.
 
Gloria Bachman, a retired bank executive, has eight weeks to flip a location on Comfort’s High Street into a boutique chocolate shop. Defying expectations for “women of a certain age,” Gloria rediscovers talents and a sharpening of skills. If only she could read people as well as she does a spreadsheet. Even with the renovation in good hands, the subsequent struggle to name the shop brings Gloria and her business partner into conflict with a shady citizen. While Gloria is capable of remaining in her retirement rut while opening a business, two competing social groups try to lure her into their networks, causing Gloria to wonder if she ever knew Comfort at all. A murder rocks the community and revives investigative instincts honed by years in the banking industry.
 
Mason Lassiter, a disgraced CEO, has his own dramas to escape and the offbeat town seems the perfect place to recover his self-esteem. What was to be a quick reversal of fortunes becomes a quest to right a deeply felt injustice. Fascinated by the women driving the energy of Comfort, he extends his stay to find out why the small town is the backdrop to their best tales. Tangling with his neighbor Gloria becomes his favorite pastime and the key to unlocking the mystery of his past—if he can convince her to trust him.
 
Chocolate and joy become the glue bringing an unlikely cast together, which just might change Gloria’s and Mason’s course for the better. With characters familiar from previous Comfort novels and introducing fresh names, Sweet Comfort will entertain those who like their stories seasoned with coziness and sweet, second chances.

Kimberly Fish has been a professional writer in marketing and media for over thirty years, with regular contributions to area newspapers and magazines. As an accidental historian, she wrote two novels, The Big Inch and Harmon General, both based on factual events in Longview, Texas that changed world history. Kimberly also offers a set of contemporary women’s fiction novels and novellas, based in the Texas Hill Country, that reveal her fascination with characters discovering their grit and sweet, second chances; all four of the novels have won distinguished awards. Sweet Comfort is her latest novel, the first book in the Comfort and Joy Trilogy.

kimberly

In this video, author Kimberly Fish describes a bit of herself

that she likes to write into her characters.

View on YouTube

kimberly video

Blog Tour: Creatrix Rising

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
CREATRIX RISING
AUDIOBOOK
Written & Narrated by
STEPHANIE RAFFELOCK
 
Nonfiction / Self Help Memoir / Aging & Longevity
Publisher: Narrating Sound
Length: 4 hours, 43 minutes
Publication Date: February 22, 2022
SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY!
 


 
Ever since Eve was banned from the garden, women have endured the oftentimes painful and inaccurate definitions foisted upon them by the patriarchy. Maiden, mother, and crone, representing the three stages assigned to a woman’s life cycle, have been the limiting categories of both ancient and modern (neo-pagan) mythology. And one label in particular rankles: crone. The word conjures a wizened hag—useless for the most part, marginalized by appearance and ability.
 
None of us has ever truly fit the old-crone image, and for today’s midlife women, a new archetype is being birthed: the Creatrix.
 
In Creatrix Rising, Raffelock lays out—through personal stories and essays—the highlights of the past fifty years, in which women have gone from a quiet strength to a resounding voice. She invites us along on her own transformational journey by providing probing questions for reflection so that we can flesh out and bring to life this new archetype within ourselves. If what the Dalai Lama has predicted—that women will save the world—proves true, then the Creatrix will for certain be out front, leading the pack.
CLICK TO PURCHASE! 


 
Stephanie Raffelock is an author, speaker, and voiceover artist. She is the editor of the anthology, Art in the Time of Unbearable Crisis (2022). Stephanie is the author of Creatrix Rising, Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women (2021) and she penned the award-winning book, A Delightful Little Book on Aging (2020). She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and a goofy Labrador Retriever named Mickey.
 
 
 

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5 STARS
*Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion and does not reflect the viewpoints of the author or publisher. A finished e-audiobook copy of this book was provided for review.*

Creatrix Rising is a self-help-style book that allows the reader to take moments throughout the book to reflect. After each chapter, the author provides self-reflection questions. A creatrix is described as a woman who is creative without the limitations of age set by society.

Each chapter in this book allows the reader to be transferred inside the mind of the author. The reader gets to be a part of the thought process of the author as the author analyzes pivotal moments in her life, which shaped her to become the person she is today. This includes diving deeper in order to truly understand the full make-up of a woman’s life and the cultural projection constantly forced upon women. Women are seen as obsolete beings once they hit the age of 40, and at the spark of a creative high are seen as having a mid-life crisis. For decades women have been seen as “less than,” compared to men. Women were meant to give up their dreams and serve as a caretaker for many.

Stephanie takes a stance on highlighting aspects of her life where she has worked to take back the authority taken from women by men for decades. She shares stories of family, the choices of women in her life, relationships, survival, recovery, healing, loss, forgiveness, and her life in the workforce. She talks about the impact of relationships she developed and her connection to her ancestors. She begins to fully understand the choices her mother and grandmother made in their lifetime and starts to see them as the women they were.

Throughout the entire novel, we get a chance to truly understand how the author has grown to become the person she is today. She finally finds her voice and learns to share her story and allow her story to impact others. This includes her being able to watch her life come full circle and inevitably achieving her dream of becoming a writer.

This central text provides such a diverse set of contexts that you are able to connect to every story shared, every moment of realization, and every relationship dissection. I highly recommend this novel to any woman regardless of age. This novel highlights many aspects of a woman’s life and the challenges women continue to face. It will reignite a fire in you that encourages the reader to give themselves space for their creative minds to prosper. 

I enjoyed the audiobook narration. The story flowed very well and I was able to stay alert throughout the reading. I listened to the audiobook in one sitting and loved it.

This book and author are truly one-of-a-kind, and I cannot encourage you any more emphatically to run to shelves to grab yourself a copy of it.

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Each receives an audiobook + a print copy of
CREATRIX RISING
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Blog Tour: Fancy by Linda Broday

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

FANCY

Love Train Multi-Author Series, #10

by

LINDA BRODAY

 Western Romance /Sweet Romance/ American Historical Romance

Pages:          190 pages

Publisher:      Kindle Unlimited

Publication Date:     August 15, 2022

 

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A stolen baby
An orphan child
A bargain struck


Told her baby died in childbirth, Fancy Dalton grieves for her son. But in the midst of a raging storm, a shadowy figure appears and tells her that he’s alive and well! He was stolen! Now she has an address and a name. From despair comes hope.
One thought drives her—finding and getting him back. Selling everything she owns, Fancy buys a one-way train ticket to Denver. Nothing and no one will stop her. In a mad dash to board the train, she collides with Jack Coltrain. As fate would have it, the rugged cowboy, on a mission of his own, sits next to her. Experience has taught her to be wary of men. But when her bag is stolen, he gets it back and earns a small piece of her trust.
As the iron wheels roll, taking her closer to her two-year-old son, Fancy and Jack discover an orphan girl who needs their help and open their arms to her. Ten hours from their goal, Fancy and Jack strike a deal—her help for his. Desperate times for both call for creative solutions…but marriage, even in name only? However, nothing is off the table. She’ll do whatever she must to save the orphan and get her child back. Still, giving Jack her heart…that’s not part of the bargain.
Click to purchase!
 
Review
Rating: 5 out of 5 STARS
*Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion and does not reflect the viewpoints of the author or publisher. A finished e-book copy of this book was provided for review.*
“Fancy” is book 10 of the Love Train series. Fancy Dalton is a woman born and raised in a small town in Nebraska. Her story begins with a traumatic and tragic birth story and the start of the tale of a desperate mother.
Fancy’s life is anything but perfect. However, she continues to try to keep her composure as life throws numerous curveballs in her direction in a short time. In an attempt to clear her conscience, the midwife who helped with the birth of the baby informs her that her child is not dead. In a brief moment, Fancy’s plans of continuing to work as a waitress are no more after a recent loss. She packs up her life and heads on a train to find her stolen baby. The journey to her new, unfamiliar destination comes with many twists and turns. First, her bag gets stolen while boarding the train. Then an unlikely hero is captivated by her presence and retrieves her bag.
Fancy is finally able to confide in her new friend Jack. The two build an unlikely bond and work together on a new mission. They see a young orphaned girl on the train and vow to help her. Fancy and Jack work to resolve issues from their past and create a future. You’ll have to read the book to find out if their future is together or separate.
Fancy’s character is built as someone kind and compassionate. Of course, I love a good book with drama and a semi-happy ending. This book is well written. It shows the author spent time developing each character and creating a heartwarming story that will leave any reader audibly sighing. There are parts of this book that can be triggering for anyone who has experienced loss and sexual assault, so I recommend proceeding with caution if you have experienced any of these things.
I recommend this book for readers interested in a romance novel with an edge. Although this book is a part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel. If you haven’t checked out the other books in the series, I highly recommend you do.

PRAISE FOR FANCY:

“I have loved every Linda Broday book I have read, but I must say this one touched my heart.” Cricket (Goodreads)

“Linda Broday waved her magic wand when her turn came and gave us one of her most profound heroines she’s ever written. Fancy wrapped her tragic story around my heart and transported me into the late 1800s.” Tonya (Goodreads)

“Linda Broday has always been able to weave her characters together like a mix-match patch quilt, but the end results are amazing.” Rose Ann (Goodreads)

“…Her ability to convey the goodness of their souls will leave the reader wanting more.” Sally (Goodreads
 



 
I’m a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirty historical western romance novels and short stories. I reside in the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian and early cowboys once roamed, and at times if the breeze is just right, I can hear their voices whispering in the wind. Texas’s rich history is one reason I set all my stories here where cowboys still remain caretakers of the land. I’m inspired every day by their immense dedication and love for the wide-open spaces. I combine those men with the love of family in all my stories and hope to continue to give readers books that entertain and fulfill.
 
 
 


 



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FOUR WINNERS!

One winner:
$25 Amazon gift card plus Kindle copy of Fancy
Three winners:
Kindle copies of Fancy
(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 8/19/2022.)
 
 
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,
or visit the blogs directly:
 

8/9/22

Excerpt

Forgotten Winds

8/9/22

BONUS Promo

Hall Ways

8/10/22

Review

Librariel Book Adventures

8/10/22

BONUS Promo

LSBBT Blog

8/11/22

Character Spotlight

Chapter Break Book Blog

8/12/22

Review

StoreyBook Reviews

8/13/22

Notable Quotables

Shelf Life Blog

8/14/22

Character Interview

All the Ups and Downs

8/15/22

Review

Carpe Diem Chronicles

8/16/22

Sneak Peek

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Blog Tour: The Republic of Jack

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
THE REPUBLIC OF JACK
by

Jeffrey KerrPolitical Satire / Texas Humor / Texas Fiction

Publisher: Independently published
Date of Publication: April 7, 2020
Number of Pages: 253

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

Jack Cowherd will do anything to win the Texas governorship, even flirt with twenty-first-century secessionists in the Texas Patriot Party. Victory is achieved, but only at the cost of Texas being tossed out of the United States. The Republic of Texas lives again! And Jack is president. 

 

Friend and political advisor Tasha Longoria has long warned Jack of the dangers of his demagoguery. Now when he tries to halt the madness, the worst comes to pass: he is impeached, arrested, and charged with treason, the penalty for which is death.
Jack has but one chance to save his beloved Texas, not to mention his life. But success depends upon help from the one person least likely to give it . . . Tasha.


PRAISE for The Republic of Jack:

“Jeff Kerr’s Republic of Jack is a ribald, raucous farce of Texas politics that often exposes the self-serving cynicism boiling beneath the surface of public debate.”

—Texas political reporter R.G. Ratcliffe 


“Jeffrey Kerr’s ideal Texas politician—a man truly for these bitter times—bites off more than any enabler could ever chew in this romp of a new novel,

—
CLICK TO ORDER ON:
AMAZON

Review

Rating :★★★★

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of a finished book  from Lone Star Literary Life partner in exchange for my honest review.  The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher. The copies used in this review are finalized copies sent to me in exchange for my honest review.  #partner #LSBBT

The story begins with Jack simply running for Governor of Texas but we see from the start that this election was only the beginning. As the story continues to unfold we notice unexpected twists, turn, and laugh out loud moments that leave you wanting more. Throughout this entire novel you see the true humor and turmoil behind the politics of being apart of an election. As Jack works to keep tabs on his personal life he must also accept the new responsibility’s of being an elected official. Can he survive or will he be impeached?

This humorous adult fiction novel takes you on a hilarious journey. You see Jack not only step up as Governor but then get immediately promoted to President, of Texas. Yes, you read that right. The President of the United States is so fed up with Texas that he has decided to precede with a secession of the state. With the new pressures associated with becoming President, Jack struggles with those in his inner circle. He is trying to decipher between which of his advisors is giving him the best advice. In the meantime his wife is having her own party as the new appointed First Lady. She is so consumed by the fame that she is essentially described as a surface, self absorbed  female. Nadine is simply looking for attention which becomes clear when the Vice President starts noticing her more and more. This part was a bit hard to read as it humorously implied that the women next to government officials were just arm candy. As we watch the marriage of Nadine and Jack stumble we see the true effects of the how often people change their mind in regards to politics. One minute the people of Texas love Jack and the next they fight to get him impeached. This hilarious anecdote focuses on how often people change their opinions.

The author did a great job not only with the humor but the overall plot. I enjoyed the twists and turns and the way the story was told from the various character perspectives. My only downfall of this novel was I wanted a bit more depth. Overall this was a great read.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in reading a humorous adult fiction book. This book is appropriate for adults or young adults due to the mature content on some pages.

 

Click the link above to purchase this item or scroll towards the bottom of this review try your luck at the giveaway. Either way, get your hands on a copy of this book!

 

Jeffrey Kerr is the author of three nonfiction books on Texas history, a historical novel, and, most recently, The Republic of Jack, a satirical novel that imagines Texas as an independent country in the twenty-first century. His history of Austin’s founding, Seat of Empire: The Embattled Birth of Austin, Texas, was named one of sixty essential books about Texas by Michael Barnes of the Austin American-Statesman. Kerr also co-wrote and co-produced the documentary film, The Last of the Moonlight Towers, and a feature film, the psychological thriller Writer’s Block. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and two dogs.

 

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One Winner: One signed copy of The Republic of Jack
July 7-17, 2020
CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY. Or, visit the blogs directly:
7-Jul
Notable Quotable
All the Ups and Downs
7-Jul
Notable Quotable
Hall Ways Blog
8-Jul
Excerpt
Texas Book Lover
8-Jul
Review
The Clueless Gent
9-Jul
Review
Book Bustle
10-Jul
Character Interview
Forgotten Winds
10-Jul
Review
Missus Gonzo
11-Jul
Scrapbook page
StoreyBook Reviews
12-Jul
Author Interview
Max Knight
13-Jul
Review
Reading by Moonlight
14-Jul
Guest Post
Chapter Break Book Blog
14-Jul
Review
Librariel Book Adventures
15-Jul
Playlist
That’s What She’s Reading
16-Jul
Review
Book Fidelity
16-Jul
Review
The Adventures of a Travelers Wife
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