The Matchmaker Murders – Season One by Catherine Gibson

August 23, 2024 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

My friends at Mystery Royalty Press sent me this title to review and it is an enjoyable, fun read!

Here’s the scoop:

THE MATCHMAKER MURDERS (SEASON ONE)
What would you do if every match you made ended in murder? Meet your new favorite sleuth investigator, Penny! Middle-aged, married, and quite the matchmaker, Penny has called the cozy town of Walnut Mountain “home” her entire life. But this quiet, Christian corner of Vermont soon gets turned upside down when one of Penny’s latest love matches ends in murder!
The Matchmaker Murders, Season One, includes three wonderfully witty cozy mysteries you won’t want to put down:
Death at the Double Date
Murder at the Movies
Poisoned at the Picnic
If you enjoy light-hearted cozy mysteries with lovable characters, surprising killers, and clean language, then Catherine Gibson’s addictive new series will keep you turning the pages to find out whodunit!

Me again!

I would classify this read as “Christian cozy” and I would call it “clean”. I can only hope that there is a season two! I do enjoy reading short stories/novellas as you can finish them so quickly.

Here’s a bit on the author (I read this and thought “I want to be your friend, Catherine!”)

About the Author

I write fun, witty, cozy mysteries, because that’s what I love to read! My stories feature lovable Christian sleuths, quaint storybook towns, and murder motives you won’t find anywhere else! In my spare time, I attend ballet classes, whip up fragrant batches of homemade soap, hang out on the beach, and spend time with my twin sister after church. Catherine Gibson is the pen name of author, Mira Gibson. Visit http://www.MysteryRoyalty.com to learn more.

Partners in Crime Blog Tour for Closer Than She Knows by Kelly Irvin

July 10, 2020July 9, 2020 / drbethnolan / 1 Comment

I’m here today to share with you a new Christian crime novel: Closer than She Knows by Kelly Irvin as part of the Partners in Crime blog tour!

Here’s the scoop!

Book Details:Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published by: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: June 9th 2020
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 0785231862 (ISBN13: 9780785231868)
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

This was an interesting and fun read. I will say that it had some “triggers” in it — abduction and murder “off stage” and discussion of substance abuse and suicide — but overall it was what I call a “clean read”. The Christian thread was fairly strong in this story — the characters discussed their faith and prayed often. The main characters boyfriend was a youth minister. And I chuckled at times when just about every character would say things like “How is this affecting your faith?” or “Have you spoken to your pastor?” They were a faith-filled lot in this story! Even though I guessed who the perpetrator was, I still enjoyed the story and I always like an uplifting ending and a mystery that is not gory!!

Thank you for making me part of the tour and for my e-copy!

But wait – there’s more!

GIVEAWAY:
This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Harper Collins and Kelly Irvin. There will be 1 winner of one (1) CLOSER THAN SHE KNOWS by Kelly Irvin (Print). The giveaway begins on June 22, 2020 and runs through July 26, 2020. Open to U.S. addresses only. Void where prohibited.
Click to enter:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZjI0YmY4NGI1MjJkZDM3MDAyMmIxNWZhMzUxNTNkOjY3NA==/?

Litfuse Publicity Tour for THE CAPTAIN’S DAUGHTER by Jennifer Delamere

July 1, 2017June 30, 2017 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

I’m happy to take part in the Litfuse tour for this lovely book by Jennifer Delamere: THE CAPTAIN’S DAUGHTER. I would classify it as a Victorian/Christian Romance. It is the story of an orphan (now young woman) who makes her way in London, in part by becoming part of a Gilbert and Sullivan stage show. As a theater buff, I really enjoyed that aspect of the book! Overall, the word “gentle” comes to mind when I read this story- it’s a clean read and a happy ending.

I received an e-copy to review – thank you! And thank you for making me part of the tour.

Book info

About the book:

Warm-hearted Victorian romance brings 1880s London to life.

When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater that is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage.

A hand injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he’s glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can’t wait to leave behind.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the author:

Jennifer Delamere’s debut Victorian romance, “An Heiress at Heart,” was a 2013 RITA award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, “A Lady Most Lovely,” received a starred review from “Publishers Weekly” and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned a BA in English from McGill University in Montreal, where she became fluent in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. She’s been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband.

Find out more about Jennifer at jenniferdelamere.com.

Blog Tour Schedule
Landing page: http://litfusegroup.com/author/jdelamere

Tour Schedule:

6/21
Carrie | Reading Is My SuperPower
Megan | Pursuing Intentional Living
Mimi | Woven by Words
Sally | Proverbial Reads

6/24
Marissa | The Review Stew

6/29
Sydney | Singing Librarian Books

7/2
Barbara | I’m Hooked on Books
Erica | Live.Love.Read.
Katie | Too Read or Not Too Read

7/3
Andrea | Writing to Inspire
Becky | Living Outside the Lines
Molly | Cafinated Reads

7/4
Beth | For The Love of Books
Carolina | Cisneros Cafe
Nancy | sunny island breezes

7/5
Ashley | What’s She Reading?
Sherry | My Reading Journeys

THE GOOD BOOK by Deron Spoo – Litfuse Blog Tour

May 29, 2017May 28, 2017 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

I am thrilled to be part of the blog tour for THE GOOD BOOK – 40 Chapters that Reveal the Bible’s Biggest Ideas by Deron Spoo. This is a great little volume to keep near your bedside to use for a daily or weekly devotional. It highlights a chapter of the Bible (included), then writes on it, tying it in to real life, then presents some reflection ideas. It is very readable!

Here is the overview:

Book Info

The Good Book

offers a user-friendly guide to the Bible’s biggest ideas.

A chapter from the Bible accompanies each chapter of the book, which helps readers understand the context and content of the Scripture passages in a way that can open the whole Bible.

Designed as a forty-day journey through forty key chapters of the Bible, The Good Book will appeal to those who already love and read the Bible regularly as well as to those who are just beginning their Christian journey.

The Good Book:

-is a great evangelism tool for explaining the major themes of Scripture to those who want to know more about God, Jesus, and the core beliefs of Christianity;

-gives new believers an overview of the Bible and lays a framework to help them understand Scripture passages;

-helps longtime Christians rediscover the basic themes of Scripture and experience these truths in a new way; and

-encourages Scriptural literacy as it pushes readers to read both one chapter of the book and one chapter of the Bible each day for forty days.

The Good Book is great for individuals, and it can also be used by small groups in an eight-week church-wide program or a forty-week journey that focuses on one Bible chapter each week.

The Good Book will help people understand and live by the transformative truths of the Bible.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Deron Spoo is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Over the past 16 years, Spoo has guided the church as it transitions from being simply a downtown church to a regional church committed to urban ministry. Church members describe him as “down to earth” and “authentic.” His television devotionals, “First Things First,” reach 100,000 people each week. Spoo is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Paula, have three children.

Find out more about Deron at http://www.readthegoodbook.com.

I really appreciated this book and actually asked for my review copy in print (I usually always get a mobi) so I could share it with my family. As a Catholic family, I find sometimes we struggle with Biblical interpretations as the Catholic Church, while using the Bible weekly, in general has a different role for the Bible (or at least that is how it was in my 1970’s and up upbringing) with a heavy emphasis on the Gospels and a weekly emphasis on the pastor interpreting readings from the Old and New Testaments, but not a lot of individual interpretation. As an adult, I am now seeing (at least at my parish) Bible study groups and Bible reading groups, which is new to me. So – I love finding books that help me to interpret the many wonderful passages of the Bible.

Thank you for my copy and for making me part of the tour!

Here is a You Tube about the book:

Lee Wolfe Blum’s BRAVE IS THE NEW BEAUTIFUL – A Litfuse Blog Tour

May 5, 2017May 3, 2017 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

I’m happy today to take part in the Litfuse blog tour for BRAVE IS THE NEW BEAUTIFUL by Lee Wolfe Blum. I enjoyed this easy to read novel of inspirational stories about women facing hardship and challenges and coming out a changed person, with beauty truly coming from within. To be honest, I found some of the stories intense and almost disturbing in their harshness (but really, that’s life – not a bowl of cherries!). I had planned to share this novel with my young teen, but will wait a few years.

This was a good read and a strong reminder of how our culture can sometimes need to get its priorities straight.

Thank you for my review e-copy and for making me part of the tour!

Overview:

Our culture bombards women with “thinspiration” messages and pressure to “do it all” while wearing the mask of perfection.

Women are left feeling alone and overwhelmed. How can they stop comparing themselves to others? How can they live out who they really are?

Lee Wolfe Blum offers stories from everyday women who have answered these questions with their lives-and found true beauty in the process. In Brave Is the New Beautiful, Blum weaves reflections from her own journey with inspirational stories from everyday women who chose to take off their masks and live authentically. Through call-to-action questions and ideas, she encourages readers to be brave enough to be who they really are and the beloved that God knows they are.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Lee Wolfe Blum is an energetic and passionate speaker who loves to help women find hope in healing from perfectionism and addictions. She works as a mental health practitioner in the field of Eating Disorders and Chemical Dependency. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and three boys.

Find out more about Lee Wolfe at leewolfeblum.com.

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/LWBlum

Blog Tour Schedule:

5/4
Shannon | Mrsreadsbooks

5/8
April | Writing and Other Acts of Faith
Heather | Compared to Who?
Marjolaine | Books, Beautiful Books

5/9
Becky | Living Outside the Lines
Erin | ReviewsByErin
Jendi | Jendi’s Journal
Kelli | Kelli Sommers

5/13
April | Dixie n Dottie
Bree | Bibliophile Reviews
Emilie | Thinking Thoughts

5/14
Alexis | God is Love
Jennifer | A Peace of Mind
Sarah | Running Through The Storms

5/15
Denise | Ramblings of a California Couponer
Mindy | A Room without Books is Empty

Partners in Crime Blog Tour for HER SECRET by Shelley Shepard Gray with GIVEAWAY!

April 22, 2017April 20, 2017 / drbethnolan / 2 Comments

I’m doing another blog tour this week for Partners in Crime — for HER SECRET by Shelley Shepard Gray. This is a novel that is part suspense, part romance and focuses on a young Amish woman who has moved with her family to Kentucky to get away from a stalker (who is not Amish). This book is the start of a new series taking place in Amish Country. It was suspenseful and exciting. I love reading about the Amish way of life because it is so different from my own life!

I received a paperback of this book for review (my e-copy went missing in cyberspace); thank you for making me part of the tour!

See below for a giveaway, too!

Her Secret

by Shelley Shepard Gray

on Tour April 17 – 28, 2017

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray begins a new series—The Amish of Hart County—with this suspenseful tale of a young Amish woman who is forced to move to a new town to escape a threatening stalker.

After a stalker went too far, Hannah Hilty and her family had no choice but to leave the bustling Amish community where she grew up. Now she’s getting a fresh start in Hart County, Kentucky…if only she wasn’t too scared to take it. Hannah has become afraid to trust anyone—even Isaac, the friendly Amish man who lives next door. She wonders if she’ll ever return to the trusting, easy-going woman she once was.

For Isaac Troyer, the beautiful girl he teasingly called “The Recluse” confuses him like no other. When he learns of her past, he knows he’s misjudged her. However, he also understands the importance of being grateful for God’s gifts, and wonders if they will ever have anything in common. But as Hannah and Isaac slowly grow closer, they realize that there’s always more to someone than meets the eye.

Just as Hannah is finally settling into her new life, and perhaps finding a new love, more secrets are revealed and tragedy strikes. Now Hannah must decide if she should run again or dare to fight for the future she has found in Hart County.

Book Details:

Genre: Amish Fiction
Published by: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: March 14th 2017
Number of Pages: 272
ISBN: 006246910X (ISBN13: 9780062469106)
Series: The Amish of Hart County #1
Purchase Links: Amazon 🔗 | Barnes & Noble 🔗 | Goodreads 🔗

Author Bio:

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Catch Up With Ms. Gray On: Website 🔗, Goodreads 🔗,Twitter 🔗, & Facebook 🔗!

Giveaway:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Shelley Shepard Gray and HarperCollins Publishers. There will be 2 winners of one (1) Print copy of Bone White by Wendy Corsi Staub. The giveaway begins on March 30th and runs through May 2nd, 2017. This giveaway is for US residents only. Void where prohibited by law.

Enter here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Litfuse Blog Tour for UNSINKABLE FAITH by Tracie Miles with GIVEAWAY!

April 14, 2017April 11, 2017 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

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I am so happy to be part of this tour today! This is a gem of a book and I’m excited to share it with my Christian readers. Here’s the scoop:

For many people, remaining optimistic and feeling positive about themselves and their lives is a constant battle – especially when circumstances are difficult and life is hard.

For others, negativity is something that only sneaks up from time to time, yet still wreaks havoc in their hearts. Regardless of the root causes, once pessimistic thoughts permeate our minds, our feelings and emotions begin to control us instead of us controlling them. Eventually it doesn’t seem possible to stay positive, happy, and full of joy, and negative thought patterns shake our faith, causing us to sink emotionally, mentally, and spiritually over time. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Despite what storms roll in, hearts anchored in God don’t sink. When we change the way we think, we can change the way we feel and live, even if our circumstances remain the same. Intentionally embracing the opportunity to experience a transformed heart and a renewed mind opens the door for a changed life, because a positive mind will always lead to a more positive life.

Unsinkable Faith, author and Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker Tracie Miles offers hope for women who struggle with negativity. Each chapter explores Tracie’s and other women’s personal stories, showing how they rose above their circumstances by transforming and renewing their minds.

Unsinkable Faith is a breath of fresh air for anyone longing for a heart full of joy, an unbreakable smile, and a new, more optimistic perspective on life. This book will equip you to:

-Replace pessimism with positive thinking by becoming the captain of your thoughts;

-Learn how true joy and happiness are based on choice, not circumstances;

-Overcome unhealthy habits of negative thinking by intentionally implementing three easy mind-renewing steps;

-Stop feeling hopeless and pitiful, and start feeling hope-filled and powerful instead; and

-Discover that when you change the way you think, you change the way feel, and in turn you can change your life completely.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the author:

Tracie Miles is a national speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries and a bestselling author who’s spent the last twelve years inspiring women to become who God called them to be. She’s the author of “Your Life Still Counts” and “Stressed-Less Living,” and a contributor to Proverbs 31 Ministries daily devotions.

Find out more about Tracie at http://traciemiles.com.

Now I will admit that I am not a negative person. I’m pretty positive and cheerful, but this book really spoke to me as it focused on choosing happiness. It also had a theme of self-forgiveness that ran through it (one of my favorite themes, if you know me!). Each chapter was very easy to read, with examples and stories, along with Bible verses and activities. My review copy was an e-book (thank you!), but I think it is a compact little book that you can leave lying around, just waiting to be discovered!

Thank you for making me part of the tour!

But wait! There’s more! There’s a GIVEAWAY with this tour:

Tracie Miles’ ‘Unsinkable Faith’ Prize Pack Giveaway

Have negative thought patterns overtaken your life and shaken your faith? Learn how to anchor your heart in God despite what storms roll in in Tracie Miles’ new book, Unsinkable Faith. Each chapter explores Tracie’s and other women’s personal stories, showing how they rose above their circumstances by transforming and renewing their minds. Unsinkable Faith is a breath of fresh air for anyone longing for a heart full of joy, an unbreakable smile, and a new, more optimistic perspective on life.

Join Tracie and other readers on April 25th for a fun Facebook Live event and the Anchored in Faith Prize Pack Giveaway (details below)!

One grand prize winner will receive:

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 25. The winner will be announced at the Unsinkable Faith Facebook Live event. RSVP for a chance to connect with Tracie and others searching for unsinkable faith, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word-tell your friends about the giveaway via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 25th!

A Call to Mercy by Mother Teresa; Edited by Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, MC

February 13, 2017February 13, 2017 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

download

I received a copy of Mother Teresa’s writings, A Call to Mercy, from Blogging for Books. This book was published to coincide with our recent Year of Mercy in the Catholic Church, and also with Mother Teresa’s canonization.

The book is organized to highlight the seven corporal and seven spiritual works of mercy. It is full of quotes from her writings. Questions for reflection and prayer are added for the reader.

It is the kind of book that you can pick up at any time and read a portion of. I found it inspiring and moving.

Now I know that there are some folks out there who have an issue with Mother Teresa and her work. I, personally, find her both humbling and inspirational.

You can find A Call to Mercy online at Amazon or at an indie bookstore near you.

Thank you for my review copy!

(above image via Amazon)

MAKING MARRIAGE BEAUTIFUL by Dorothy Greco

February 13, 2017 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

I recently received an ePub copy of this book as part of the Litfuse Blog Tour of MAKING MARRIAGE BEAUTIFUL by Dorothy Greco.

Now if there’s one thing I know, it is that marriage takes work. This book goes over some of the basic tenets of marriage — things that often get overlooked or are difficult to work on: expressing anger, being a good listener, gender roles and stereotypes. Greco peppers her chapters with personal anecdotes and stories of couples with whom she has worked. I have to say that her husband was a good sport for contributing so honestly to this work as well! Each chapter ends with thoughtful discussion questions and it is all set into a framework of Biblical guidance. It would make a nice wedding gift for a Christian couple!

Thank you for my review e-copy!

Book info

What makes a marriage beautiful? Honesty? Compatibility? Physical and emotional intimacy?

All of these are important, but there’s one component that determines the quality and longevity of a marriage more than anything else: a willingness to grow.

Because a wedding joins together two imperfect people, all couples experience disappointment, conflict, and pain. How husbands and wives respond to these challenges determines the kind of people they will become and the kind of marriage they will have.

Making Marriage Beautiful

reveals how the pursuit of Christ results in profound transformation for both the individual and the marriage. Rather than offering clichés and formulas, Greco relies on candor, humor, and real life stories to bring encouragement and wisdom to all couples, regardless of whether they have been married four weeks or forty years.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Dorothy Greco and her husband, Christopher, have spent their entire twenty-five-year marriage helping men and women create and sustain healthy marriages. They have served numerous churches in the Greater Boston area for thirty years. Dorothy’s writing has been featured in “Relevant Magazine,” “Christianity Today,” “Sojourners,” and “Her.meneutics.” She is a regular contributor for “Gifted for Leadership,” “Today’s Christian Woman,” and “Start Marriage Right.” The Grecos have three sons and live near Boston.

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/DGreco

Blog Tour Schedule: Follow Along and Discover a New Blog!

(Dates may have been changed from those originally listed)

1/27
Dawn | Dawn Crandall’s Passion for Pages

1/28
Krystal | Live To Read ~Krystal
Lisa | Little Writer Momma
Amanda | The Talbert Report

1/30
Crystal | Our Perfectly Imperfect Life

1/31
Sherry | My Journey Back
Tima | Book Reviews by Tima
Amber | Seasons of Humility

2/1
Amanda | Inklings and Notions
Kristie | Moments
Erin | Connected2Christ
Beth | Beth’s Book-Nook Blog

2/2
Dominique | Mama Bear Outpost
Denise | Ramblings of a California Couponer

2/4
Terra | Heck Of A Bunch
Jennifer | A Peace of Mind
LeAnne | Rockin’ My Mom Jeans
Beth | For The Love of Books

2/5
Theresa | Thoughts on books
Sara | Embracing Destiny
Carrie | Reading Is My SuperPower

2/6
Mindy | A Room Without Books is Empty

Megan | Crazy Bananas

Susan Schild’s SWEET SOUTHERN HEARTS

January 11, 2017January 9, 2017 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

I received this novel from the author via Net Galley, and it was the perfect read for my recent relaxing vacation! This is one of those “slice of life” novels, where realistic characters deal with real world problems, but with an uplifting and positive feel to it.

Here’s the overview:

Description

Susan Schild welcomes you back to the offbeat Southern town of Willow Hill, North Carolina, for a humorous, heartwarming story of new beginnings, do-overs, and self-discovery…

When it comes to marriage, third time’s the charm for Linny Taylor. She’s thrilled to be on her honeymoon with Jack Avery, Willow Hill’s handsome veterinarian. But just like the hair-raising white water rafting trip Jack persuades her to take, newlywed life has plenty of dips and bumps.

Jack’s twelve-year-old son is resisting all Linny’s efforts to be the perfect stepmother, while her own mother, Dottie, begs her to tag along on the first week of a free-wheeling RV adventure. Who knew women “of a certain age” could drum up so much trouble? No sooner is Linny sighing with relief at being back home than she’s helping her frazzled sister with a new baby…and dealing with an unexpected legacy from her late ex. Life is fuller—and richer—than she ever imagined, but if there’s one thing Linny’s learned by now, it’s that there’s always room for another sweet surprise…

“This charming and well observed novel about finding the courage to love after loss will make you smile as well as cry more than a few happy tears. Be prepared for a story of true tenderness, humor, and sometimes nail biting tension. Sweet Southern Hearts delivers all this and more.” –Holly Chamberlin, author of Summer with my Sisters

*********************************

While I got the sense that there are other books that focus on these characters, this was definitely a stand-alone title. I loved the character of Linny and cheered her through her challenges. She managed to get through it all with grace and a sense of humor!

Highly recommended if you enjoy pleasant yet realistic women’s fiction.

Thank you for my review e-copy!