Review & Giveaway: Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot

 

OUT OF THE EMBERS

MESQUITE SPRINGS, BOOK ONE

by

Amanda Cabot

Historical Fiction / Christian Romance
Publisher: Revell
Date of Publication: March 3, 2020

Number of Pages: 336

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents’ murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don’t include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.

PRAISE FOR OUT OF THE EMBERS:

“Out of the Embers is part prairie romance, part romantic suspense. I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a book more. Amanda Cabot has written an intriguing, chilling mystery and she winds it through the pages of a sweet romance in a way that made me keep turning the pages fast to see what was going to happen next. An absolutely excellent read. And now I’m hungry for oatmeal pecan pie!” 

— Mary Connealy, author of Aiming for Love, book #1 in the Brides of Hope Mountain series

CLICK TO ORDER ON:
Baker Book House  ┃  Amazon  ┃  Barnes & Noble 
┃  Christianbook.com  ┃  Books-A-Million  ┃  Kobo  ┃
 ┃ Additional Retailers ┃

Let me begin by saying that I adore Amanda Cabot books and was so excited to receive this copy of Out of the Embers. When I got my first glance at the cover, I sighed in deep appreciation of the soothing colors, the lovely girl, and the beautiful expanse of bluebonnets on either side of a wagon-worn road. The picturesque cover promised me a happy ending to the bleak beginning of a young woman and small girl’s escape from a devastating fire.

On the surface, Cabot’s writing can sometimes seem formulaic like many romance novelists. The man doesn’t want to settle down, the woman is happy to be free of the chains of marriage, and then there is competition for someone’s heart. But much like Nicholas Sparks’ ability to write so many different stories of star-crossed lovers, Cabot is able to paint the portraits of reluctant lovers with varying brushes and strokes that transport you to a town that feels familiar but new at the same time. While her affinity towards portraying non-competitive female friendships forms another bridge between this series and the Cimarron Creek Trilogy, Cabot treats us to heartfelt relationships and individuals who are unique in the best possible ways. And to be quite honest, it is a relief to read about women who support each other rather than to tear each other down.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the men in this book. And now that I think of it, I do believe that the men in Cimarron Creek also got quite competitive when trying to win the heart of a particular fair lady. At times, I found the alpha competition to be a bit overwhelming, but Cabot would sprinkle tidbits here and there to connect the dots. And it’s by those connections that the reader is able to care about even the most seemingly despicable characters.

My favorite aspect of this book is the level of suspense that Cabot created. There were mysteries to be solved in Cimarron Creek, but the sense of foreboding in Mesquite Springs was on a whole other level. I made my predictions and was proved wrong time and time again. Cabot’s books are never terribly violent but there was a particular scene that made me gasp. There was definitely more of an edge in this book than the other series. Couple that with the teaser for the next romantic pairing, and I am fully committed to finishing the rest of this series. If you’re impatient like me, go pick up the Cimarron Creek Trilogy to keep you company until book 2 of Mesquite Springs comes out!

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of the Cimarron Creek trilogy, as well as the Texas Crossroads series, the Texas Dreams series, the Westward Winds series, and Christmas Roses. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers’ Best. She lives in Wyoming.

 

 ║Website ║ Facebook ║ 
║ Blog║ BookBub ║
║ Twitter ║ Goodreads ║————————————-

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

THREE WINNERS

One Grand Prize Winner: 

Copy of Out of the Embers + Special Hill Country Sweets Cookbook

+$25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card 

Next Two Winners:

Copy of Out of the Embers + Special Hill Country Sweets Cookbook 

+ $10 Starbucks Card

March 10-March 20, 2020

(US ONLY)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

3/10/20	Notable Quotable	Forgotten Winds
3/10/20	Review	Librariel Book Adventures
3/11/20	Review	Jennifer Silverwood
3/11/20	BONUS Post	Hall Ways Blog
3/12/20	Excerpt, Part 1	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
3/12/20	Author Interview	All the Ups and Downs
3/13/20	Character Spotlight	The Clueless Gent
3/13/20	Review	Reading by Moonlight
3/14/20	Guest Post	Chapter Break Book Blog
3/15/20	Author Interview	Carpe Diem Chronicles
3/16/20	Excerpt, Part 2	That’s What She’s Reading
3/16/20	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
3/17/20	Review	Missus Gonzo
3/18/20	Excerpt, Part 3	Max Knight
3/19/20	Review	Momma on the Rocks
3/19/20	Review	Book Fidelity

   blog tour services provided by

  

Review & Giveaway: A Distance Too Grand by Regina Scott

A DISTANCE TOO GRAND

(American Wonders Collection, Book One)

by

REGINA SCOTT

  
Genre: Historical Fiction / Christian Romance
Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: October 1, 2019

Number of Pages: 384

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

Meg Pero has been assisting her photographer father since she was big enough to carry his equipment, so when he dies she is determined to take over his profession–starting with fulfilling the contract he signed to serve on an Army survey of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1871. What she doesn’t realize is that the leader of the expedition is none other than the man she once refused to marry.

Captain Ben Coleridge would like nothing more than to leave without the woman who broke his heart. He can’t afford to be distracted during this survey, which is a screen for another, more personal mission, one he cannot share with any member of his team.

As dangers arise from all sides–and even from within–Meg and Ben must work together to stay alive, fulfill their duties, and, just maybe, rekindle a love that neither had completely left behind.

PRAISE FOR A DISTANCE TOO GRAND:

“Five stars is not a rating I usually bestow. But Regina Scott’s A Distance Too Grand merits it. Lively, realistic, engaging characters. A compelling and intriguing plot with life and death consequences kept me turning pages. I hated to put the book down.”–Lyn Cote, Carol Award-winning author

 

“Adventure, danger, and romance in a wonderful, fresh setting: the Grand Canyon of 1871. Readers will find much to love.“ –Julie Klassen, bestselling author

 

“Regina has done an excellent job of bringing the setting and characters to life. I could see and feel the canyon and picture the characters going about their tasks. A balance of mystery, romance, and adventure with enough factual information that I almost felt I could take over for the heroine. I highly recommend this book.” — Linda Ford, award-winning, fan-favorite author of the Glory, Montana series

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Baker Book House ◆ Amazon ◆ Barnes & Noble

Christianbook.com ◆ Kobo ◆ Books-A-Million
Additional Retailers

If you have read a few of my reviews by now, then you are very much aware that I judge a book by its cover constantly. As a librarian, that’s probably a terrible admission to make. But as someone who also works in publishing, I like to think that I’m keeping it real. If the choice of font doesn’t tell you that this book is a historical romance, then the lovely lady in early American garb posing with an old fashioned camera is informing you very loudly. Message received and let me tell you, I love these types of books and I am infatuated with this one in particular.

Blame Laura Ingalls Wilder, but I adore stories about America in her youth and how so much of her expanse was still unexplored. I can’t explain my fascination with the dress, the food, and the customs, but my brain laps it up and my heart sighs with content. The author does an amazing job of painting the surroundings and characters with her words – she has an impressive vocabulary, I might add. I think I read this book 1/3 slower than normal because I would look up the definition of a word (I could have just context clued it but I wanted to hear what Webster had to say) or look up images and short descriptions of things I found interesting. I wanted to know what a lemonade berry looked like and how a stereograph worked, just to name a few. Scott really did her research because this book is chock-full of historically accurate and interesting tidbits.

I found the major arcs of the story to be a bit predictable but that did not detract from the pleasure I took in reading. To be completely honest, if the author had gone off the rails and taken the plot in a nonsensical direction, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it so much. I think that if you care about the characters and can see everything in your mind’s eye, then the experience will be enjoyable no matter the destination. I got a sense that Scott put a lot of thought and care into this story, giving us all the details we craved but not pulling what I like to call A Heart of Darkness (i.e., going on and on about a river).

Without ruining the book for you, I just wanted to share my favorite quote because it echoes one of my own personal philosophies: “Everyone is good at something. Everyone has a story to tell. You just have to listen.” Fantastic, isn’t it?

I can see why this book is classified as a Christian romance since I would weigh it as being about middling heavy on the Biblical references, hymnal verses, and private conversations with God. But if you’re a fan of historical romances set in this time period in America, then I think that the piety can be seen as a cultural norm rather than the author pushing her spiritual agenda. I keep going back to Laura Ingalls Wilder, but notice that her books are not labeled as Christian books for children and they are cherished by people the world over. My point being, don’t put this book down just because it is a Christian romance. You would be missing out on a really great historical fiction book. I read the sneak preview of the next book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

Regina Scott is the author of more than 40 works of warm, witty historical romance. Her writing has won praise from Booklist and Library Journal, and she was twice awarded the prestigious RT Books Reviews best book of the year in her category. A devotee of history, she has learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, and sailed on a tall ship, all in the name of research. She and her husband of 30 years live south of Tacoma, Washington, on the way to Mt. Rainier.

Website ⬥ Facebook ⬥ Blog  
Pinterest ⬥ Goodreads ⬥ BookBub 
⬥ Amazon Author Page ⬥
–————————————

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

FIRST PRIZE: Copy of A Distance Too Grand + 2020 National Parks Calendar;
SECOND PRIZE: Copy of A Distance Too Grand  + Grand Canyon Candle;
THIRD PRIZE: Copy of A Distance Too Grand  + Parks Pencil Set
October 8-October 18, 2019

(U.S. Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

10/8/19	Notable Quotable	Nerd Narration
10/8/19	BONUS Post	Hall Ways Blog
10/9/19	Author Interview	Carpe Diem Chronicles
10/10/19	Review	That’s What She’s Reading
10/11/19	Excerpt	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
10/12/19	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
10/13/19	Excerpt	All the Ups and Downs
10/14/19	Review	The Clueless Gent
10/15/19	Scrapbook Page	Chapter Break Book Blog
10/16/19	Review	Missus Gonzo
10/17/19	Review	Reading by Moonlight

   blog tour services provided by

 

Showcase tour: Too Far Down by Mary Connealy

TOO FAR DOWN
Cimarron Legacy Book 3

by

MARY CONNEALY

  Genre: Western Historical Christian Romance

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Date of Publication: October 3, 2017

Number of Pages: 322

With Danger Drawing Ever Closer, The Boden Clan Risk Losing Their Ranch Forever

Having returned home to the ranch, Cole Boden finds himself caught between missing his time back east and appreciating all that New Mexico Territory offers. Sure, he fights with his siblings now and then, but he does care for them. He enjoys his new job running the mine and, when he’s honest, he admits that Melanie Blake captures his interest in a way no other woman ever has.

Melanie has been a friend to the Bodens forever. A cowgirl who is more comfortable with horses and lassoes than people, she never expected to find herself falling for someone, particularly for refined Cole Boden, a Harvard graduate who can’t seem to make up his mind about staying in New Mexico.

When a deadly explosion damages the CR Mining Company, the Bodens realize their troubles are not behind them as they thought. Shadowy forces are still working against them. Melanie is determined to help Cole and the family finally put an end to the danger that’s threatened all of them. But will putting herself in harm’s way be more dangerous than anyone expected?

PRAISE FOR TOO FAR DOWN:

“Connealy crafts relatable characters who will inspire readers with their love, loyalty, and fortitude, and the mystery remains intriguing until the end.” Publishers Weekly 

“Recommended for those who enjoy a fast, smart historical-set suspense.” RT Book Reviews

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Amazon     Barnes & Noble    Baker Book House

Mary Connealy writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

Website ║ Twitter  
║ Amazon Author Page ║ Blog ║ Facebook

CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE  SHOWCASE TOUR:

11/13/17	Missus Gonzo
11/14/17	Books and Broomsticks
11/15/17	Books in the Garden
11/16/17	Hall Ways Blog
11/17/17	The Page Unbound

AND WATCH FOR THE SPECIAL FEATURES TOUR COMING NEXT:

11/27/17	Special Feature	StoreyBook Reviews
11/27/17	Special Feature	Forgotten Winds
11/28/17	Review	Reading By Moonlight
11/28/17	Special Feature	Syd Savvy
11/29/17	Review	The Librarian Talks
11/29/17	Special Feature	A Novel Reality
11/30/17	Review	Texan Girl Reads
11/30/17	Special Feature	Momma On The Rocks
12/1/17	Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
12/1/17	Special Feature	Bibliotica

   blog tour services provided by

  

 

Author Interview #2: Every Bride Has Her Day by Janice Thompson

EVERY BRIDE HAS HER DAY

 

(Brides With Style #3)

by 

Janice Thompson

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: May 17, 2016

# of pages: 352

Scroll down for Giveaway!

Another Delightful Romance from the Queen of Romantic Comedy

Katie Fisher is ecstatic. Pro basketball star Brady James has proposed, and she can’t wait to start planning their life together. She’s confident she’ll make it down the aisle this time–but it still may be easier said than done. A high-society Houston bride has Katie and the Cosmopolitan Bridal team scrambling to get the perfect dress done in time for her spectacular wedding. Meanwhile, Katie finds herself bombarded with everyone’s competing visions regarding her own special day–and she’s beginning to worry that her own ideas will get lost in the crossfire. Will she ever manage to settle all of the details for her perfect day? Or will bridal shop chaos and overzealous friends and family make a mess of everything? Fan favorite Janice Thompson gives readers what they’ve been clamoring for: another funny, romantic romp with a Texas twang.

PRAISE FOR THE BRIDES WITH STYLE SERIES:

“Readers will fall in love with Katie.”–Library Journal

 

 

“A feel-good romantic comedy of subverted expectations. . . . Readers will laugh and sigh along with Katie as she comes into her own, discovering a life and love beyond her dreams.”–Booklist

 

 

“Romantic comedy at its best. I highly recommend it!”–Cara Putman, award-winning author of Shadowed by Grace and Where Treetops Glisten

 

 

“A delightful mix of romance, inspiration, and humor.”–Judy Christie, author of Wreath, A Girl in the Wreath Willis series 

 

  PURCHASE LINKS:

  AMAZON        BARNES & NOBLE

 CHRISTIANBOOK.COM       BAKER RETAIL

 

Interview #2 with Janice Thompson,

Author of Every Bride Has Her Day

 

What kind(s) of writing do you do?

Because I’m a full-time freelance writer, I’ve crossed genre lines to write contemporary romantic comedies, historicals, cozy mysteries, inspirational romances, and even non-fiction devotionals. I’ve also written dozens and dozens of magazine articles and hundreds of blog posts. I’m perfectly at home in every genre, though I tend to thrive with romantic comedy.

 

What cultural value do you see in writing/reading/storytelling/etc.?

Story-telling is an art-form that has been passed down from generation to generation. I recently spent time with a good friend who’s eighty-four years old. She has the most amazing family stories. Wow! I love listening to her share about her great-great-great grandfather and her four-times great grandmother, etc. She tells her stories with such effervescence that I can’t help but be drawn in. That’s that I hope to do with my stories, too. I share about loud, wacky families, and most of my books deal with culture clashes (what fun!). If nothing else, these stories explore very real (albeit funny) issues that crop up when you throw a ton of VERY different people into the same scene/situation. In my case, humor abounds. Craziness abounds. Good times abound.

 

How does your book relate to your spiritual practice?

My faith journey is integral to my life. I could no more leave it out of my novels/stories than I could stop breathing! I hope it leaks through on every page. In every situation the characters face I have an opportunity to share nuggets of truth. Oh, what fun I have doing so!

 

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I love the (very real) town of Fairfield, Texas and I LOVE wedding planning. To set a wedding in Fairfield was a dream come true. I especially loved the outdoor wedding reception on the courthouse lawn. Boy, oh boy, did I ever have fun coming up with all of the vendors, etc. What a blast!

 

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

I would heal disease. We’ve struggled with a lot of it in my family. My youngest granddaughter has a neuro-muscular disease. My mom, as I said in the prior interview, has Alzheimers. I have autoimmune arthritis. I’d love to snap my fingers and make all of the pain go away.

 

What do your plans for future projects include?

I hope to write a dog rescue series soon and I plan to keep the Bella novellas going as long as the readers are interested in hearing about Bella’s wacky wedding-planning adventures!

 

What is something you want to accomplish before you die?

I want to go to Italy.

 

 

Janice Thompson is an expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into and offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series, the Backstage Pass series, and the Weddings by Design series, as well as Every Bride Needs a Groom and Every Girl Gets Confused. She lives in Texas.

WEBSITE      FACEBOOK

TWITTER      PINTEREST

GIVEAWAY! THREE PRIZES!

Prize 1: Box of Texas Treats & Signed Book

Prize 2: $10 Starbucks Gift Card & Signed Book

Prize 3: $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card & Signed Book

(US ONLY)

  May 17 – May 31, 2016

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Check out the other great blogs on the tour! 

 

5/17       StoreyBook Reviews            — Review              

5/18       Book Crazy Gals                    — Author Interview #1

5/19       Forgotten Winds  — Guest Post #1   

5/20       Country Girl Bookaholic      — Review              

5/21       Books and Broomsticks       — Excerpt

5/22       The Crazy Booksellers         — Promo               

5/23       All for the Love of the Word             — Review              

5/24       Missus Gonzo        — Author Interview #2       

5/25       Blogging for the Love of Authors and Their Books— Promo        

5/26       Byers Editing Reviews & Blog             — Review              

5/27       Hall Ways Blog      — Author Interview #3       

5/28       A Novel Reality     — Guest Post #2   

5/29       The Page Unbound              — Review              

5/30       Margie’s Must Reads           — Promo               

5/31       It’s a Jenn World  — Review              

 

   blog tour services provided by