Book Tour: Lily of the Valley

Happy Cyber Monday! In honor of the biggest internet shopping day of the year, or at least one of them, Faith Blum decided to do a blog tour release of her newest novel, Lily of the Valley. There are two giveaway opportunities and lots of fun interviews and excerpts.

About the Book

Howdy, Teacher! You don’t know me, but my kids talk bout you a lot. I been lookin fer a wife and mother fer a few years and was wonderin iffen we cood meet and get to no each other a bit. I’ll come after skool to git yer answer. Grover Miller

Unruly schoolchildren, three suitors, and too many things to do. When Ruth Brookings rejects one of the suitors, he refuses to accept no for an answer. To make matters worse, when she prays for guidance, she’s answered with a challenge instead: To encourage her friend to find a wife—whether he wants one or not. Will she lose her friend just when she needs a friend the most? Will she be able to weather the storms she’s about to face?

Amazon

About the Author

Faith Blum started writing at an early age. She started even before she could read! She even thought she could write better than Dr. Seuss. (The picture doesn't show it well, but there are scribblings on the page of Green Eggs and Ham). Now that she's grown up a little more, she knows she will probably never reach the success of Dr. Seuss, but that doesn't stop her from trying. When she isn't writing, Faith enjoys doing many right-brained activities such as reading, crafting, writing, playing piano, and playing games with her family. One of her dreams is to visit Castle City, Montana someday to see the ghost town she chose for her characters to live in. She currently lives on a hobby farm with her family in Wisconsin.



Review

Lily of the Valley, by Faith Blum, was a lovely historical romance.  The fifth book in the Hymns of the West Series, this book is set in the same western town as the previous novels and tells the story of several other young couples, friends or family members of those in the previous novels.  I enjoyed the adventures of Ruth, Micah, Annabel, and William as they sought to know God and each other better.  The danger created by the antagonist added to my interest in the story as I wondered what would happen to the main characters and the children.

It was easy to see some of the growth that took place in the characters' lives.  Each one of them had struggles to overcome.  Although they did not always succeed on the first try, their ultimate successes were an encouragement.

I could hardly believe the extent the town leaders went to on account of an unverifiable rumor.  I cannot say any more on the matter without revealing something, however.

The restrictions that Ruth and her parents made for her courtship were interesting to say the least.  She was asked not to form an emotional attachment to her beau until they were engaged, among other things.  She struggled, of course, but I could not help thinking that it might be a smart way to date someone in the present, because it would allow a dating couple to see each other a little more objectively at first and to make marriage or break-up decisions without so much heartache.  But without real-life testimonies, it is hard to know if it is even possible in the non-fictional world, besides the fact that dating/courting relationships have changed dramatically since the nineteenth century.  All that to say, I admired their way of courting somewhat.

Lily of the Valley was interesting on a number of levels and I enjoyed it because of that.  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys clean historical romance or inspirational fiction.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Free Book

 Today is the last day to get Be Thou My Vision (Hymns of the West #2) free! Here is the link: Amazon

Giveaway

Faith has a Goodreads giveaway going on through November 30th! Be sure to check it out and enter to win one of two signed paperback copies of Lily of the Valley.  

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Lily of the Valley

by Faith Blum

Giveaway ends November 30, 2015. See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/161619 In addition to the Goodreads giveaway, Faith is also giving away all four of her paperback novels to one lucky winner!


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Bloggers involved

 
November 29: Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Tour introduction Shanna Hatfield-Book 

November 30: Musings of Inspiration-Author Interview/Book Spotlight C.K.Rich-Book Spotlight Singing Librarian Books-Book Review/Author Interview Writing Dreams-Author Interview/Character Interview/Book Spotlight Tara Ellis - Wife. Mother, Indie Author and Photographer-Book Spotlight Christa Reads & Writes-Book Spotlight Rebekah Lyn Books-Book Spotlight The Overactive Imagination-Author Interview Wildflower Acres-Book Review/Spotlight Jaye L. Knight-Book Spotlight Zerina Blossom's Books-Book Review/Spotlight God's Peculiar Treasure Rae-Book Spotlight Tamie Dearen’s Blog-Book Review/Spotlight Clean Indie Reads

Review Tour: The Last of the Firedrakes

Description

The Last of the Firedrakes

Farah Oomerbhoy

Synopsis from Goodreads:

16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.

Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.

With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever. 

Amazon | Goodreads

Review

The Last of the Firedrakes, by Farah Oomerbhoy, was not quite what I expected.  At first, it seemed somewhat cliche.  The princess, thought dead, was found and has to fight to reclaim the throne, or the masked hero rescuing maidens and helping the poor.  As I continued to read, however, I found the book to be quite interesting.  The characters and the story pulled me in, making me long for the next book's publication.  There is a reason, after all, that some themes are overused. 

The world the book is set in was fascinating.  There were fantastic creatures and several different kinds of people, many of whom inherit one kind of magical power or another.  I enjoyed the diversity of the settings within the world, too: from quaint fairy village to a magical university, from a medieval castles to eighteenth century-styled palaces.  I can hardly imagine the beauty.  

I also enjoyed the characters.  Aurora struggled to find her place and accept her identity in the new world just as much as she struggled to control her substantial powers.  The bit of forbidden love involved only helped so much, since she could never have the man she grew to love.  Which brings me to another of the main characters.  This particular young man heroically clung to a deathbed promise spoken out of love, something that I think all readers will still wish he would break, no matter how upright it seems. 

The plot, as I have mentioned, could have been done a little better, in my opinion.  But I still think the book is well worth the time spent on it.  I look forward to the sequels and conclusion of this series, after all, the end left much to be discovered and resolved.  

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Black Friday Book Sale

Like most other bookworms, great books make their way onto my "things I'm thankful for" list every year. It's hard to choose favorites, but I went ahead and picked five books I read in 2015 and am thankful for.

1. A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes: I could go on and on about the things I love about this book. I am thankful for the things it taught me. 
2. Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan: This book (and series) helped me relate better with my young cousin, since this is her favorite book. I coincidentally found myself reading it when she came to visit and was able to "fangirl" about it with her.
3. Draven's Light by Anne Elisabeth Stengl: I am grateful for the depth that Anne Elisabeth puts into all her books, including this, her newest novella. It made me think and grow as a person and a Christian.
4. The Resistance by Jaye L. Knight: I can't write everything I loved about this book in such a short space. One thing I am grateful for, though, was that it helped me empathize with others a little bit more. 
5. The Royal Spy by Cassie Shiels: This is the funniest book I have read all year. I am grateful for the way it made me laugh. 

I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to another great year of reading! Speaking of more reading, here's one more thing to be grateful for. Books on sale! In honor of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, a group of independent Christian authors banded together to offer over seventy discounted books on Nov 27-30. There's literally something for everyone. Every single book listed on Indie Christian Books is on sale in one or more ways. Find discounted paperbacks, dozens of books offered with free shipping, $0.99 ebooks, package deals and more. Even if you have a budget of $0, new reading material awaits you. Don't know what to pick? The fearless Indie Christian Books team created a quiz that will generate a book list perfect for you! Check it out!

  

What awesome reads of 2015 are you grateful for? What books are you looking forward to reading in 2016?

A note on the Ebooks Only page. All books are listed as "Sold Out." This only refers to paperback copies of these titles. Please click onto the product pages to find descriptions and links to discounted or free ebooks.

Acknowledgements: Thanks to Leah E. Good for her work organizing this sale, Gloria Repp for completing the time consuming job of uploading book info to the sale website, and Hannah Mills for her fantastic design work on the website graphics. Hannah can be contacted at hmills(at)omorecollege(dot)edu for more information about her design services.

Cover Reveal: Cannon

We are so excited to be bringing you the cover of Cannon! This is the third book in the Cutlass Trilogy by Ashley Nixon. 

  
Ashley was born and raised in Oklahoma, where the wind really does sweep down the plains, and horses and carriages aren't used as much as she'd like. When she's not writing (haha, like that EVER happens!), she's probably working out or pretending she's Sherlock Holmes. Her obsession with writing began after reading the Lord of the Rings in the eighth grade. Since then, she's loved everything Fantasy--resulting in an unhealthy obsession with the 'geek' tab on Pinterest, where all things awesome go.

Author Links:
Website: http://www.ashley-nixon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleynixonauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshleymNixon
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lweven/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5199530.Ashley_Nixon

The King is dead…

The Network is destroyed, and Barren Reed has been exiled by the Elders of Silver Crest. To make matters worse, the black spot -a curse of dark magic- continues to devour him. Its true purpose is still unknown, but one this is certain: It will corrupt Barren in the worst way.

With her greatest secret revealed, Larkin Lee flees Maris. Accused of slaying the king, there is only one place to go –Silver Crest. But Barren isn’t happy to see her, and their reunion leaves more questions unanswered, including whether they have a future together.

As Datherious rises in power, Barren and Larkin must work together to find the fifth Relic to complete the King’s Gold and prevent Datherious from obtaining control over dark magic, but the black spot has other ideas. The closer they get to finding the final Relic, the more corrupt Barren becomes. Larkin finds herself in a head to head battle with the only man she’s ever loved and the reality is harsh –only one can walk away alive.

And now for the cover!!!!

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Want to see some of the wonderful picture from The Cutlass Trilogy photo shoot?

Don't you just love them!

Make sure to follow along with this event on Facebook to see all the wonderful blogs that are participating!

https://www.facebook.com/events/123936221299341/ 

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Harlequin Heartwarming Thanksgiving Book Tour Launch

On tour with Prism Book Tours.

Join us for

A Heartwarming Thanksgiving

We'll be highlighting 13 FREE short stories by beloved Harlequin Heartwarming authors that will be available from Harlequin during November via their site. Join the fun by stopping by any or all of the tour stops, stopping by the Facebook Party (with additional giveaways), and entering the fabulous giveaways! We hope you find something to warm your heart and help you get into the holiday spirit!

TOUR SCHEDULE

11/2: Snow Day Baby by Amy Vastine
Singing Librarian Books, The Power of Words, & Katie's Clean Book Collection

11/4: Wedding at Turkey Run by Liz Flaherty
My Love for Reading Keeps Growing, Babs Book Bistro, & Heidi Reads...

11/6: Her Thanksgiving Soldier by Leigh Riker
Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima, Mel's Shelves, & Brooke Blogs

11/9: Mr. Right All Along by Jen Snow
Katie's Clean Book Collection, Min Reads and Reviews, & Love thy Shelf

11/11: Falling for the Cowboy by Sophia Sasson
Kindle and Me, The Power of Words, & Colorimetry

11/13: The Marriage Gift by Tara Taylor Quinn
deal sharing aunt, Babs Book Bistro, & Brooke Blogs

11/16: Heart of a Hero by Pamela Tracy
Writing Pearls, Wishful Endings, & Waiting For Wentworth

11/18: Thankful for You by Karen Rock
Christian Chick's Thoughts, Getting Your Read On, & Love, Laughter, Friendship

11/20: Autumn at Jasper Lake by Carol Ross
Reading Is My SuperPower, I Am A Reader, & Colorimetry

11/23: The Firefighter’s Promise by Kate James
Canadian Book Addict, Mel's Shelves, & Beck Valley Books

11/24: Wedding of His Dreams by Cari Lynn Webb
Bookworm Lisa, Kindle and Me, & Zerina Blossom's Books

11/25: The Sweetheart Tree by Rula Sinara
The Written Adventure, Reading Is My SuperPower, & Writing Pearl

11/26: Married by Thanksgiving by Melinda Curtis
Heidi Reads..., Love, Laughter, Friendship, & Singing Librarian Books 

11/29: Grand Finale
11/30: Facebook Party

Don't miss any of these FREE novellas! Stop by each of the tour stops each day!

GIVEAWAYS

Goodreads Giveaway

13 Harlequin Heartwarming Books
Enter on Goodreads HERE.

Pinterest Giveaway

 

Pin one or both of these images to spread the word and enter to win this adorably festive Thanksgiving Table Set:

Pinterest Prize includes: four reversible, quilted placemats, four matching napkins, hand-painted matching napkin rings, matching table runner, matching quilted hot pad/trivet, floral centerpiece in pot, and hand-crafted pilgrim pair.

- Enter via the Rafflecopter below

- Open to US only

- Ends December 4th

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Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize: Harlequin Heartwarming Year Subscription (Provided by Harlequin and to US/CAN only)
$40 VISA card (US only)
13-Book Heartwarming Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, Back to McGuffy's, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Small Town Secrets, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along, Wedding of His Dreams, After The Silence, and A Memory Away (print copies if US, ebooks if international)
8-Book Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, and After The Silence (print copies if US, ebooks if international)

Ends December 4th

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