About the Book
When her beloved grandmother requests one last summer at Still Waters, the family cottage on Edisto Beach, Cora Anne returns to a place that haunts her with loss and tempts her with forgiveness.
Peace means reconciling her family and her Edisto memories. But acceptance may mean loving the man determined to preserve a past she'd rather forget. About the Author
Award-winning writer Lindsey P. Brackett once taught middle grades literature, but now she writes her own works in the midst of motherhood. A blogger since 2010, she has published articles and short stories in a variety of print and online publications including Thriving Family, Country Extra, HomeLife, Northeast Georgia Living, Splickety Prime, Splickety Love, and Southern Writers Magazine Best Short Fiction 2015. Lindsey serves as Editor of Web Content for the Splickety Publishing Group, and she writes a popular column for several North Georgia newspapers.
As a mother of four chaotic kids, her home is always full of wet towels, lost library books, and strong coffee. Her love of family ties and southern places prompted her debut novel, Still Waters, inspired by her own love of Edisto summers and peach ice cream. Connect with her at http://www.lindseypbrackett.com. Author Interview
Check out the interview HERE.
Ten Behind the Scenes Facts About the Book
Snippet
She left the Seabrook plot and wandered beyond the church, to where the newer grave markers nestled under the spread branches of live oaks. There lay her grandfather’s ashes, and a few rows over, she found fresh flowers on Patrick Watson’s grave. She knelt and traced the date. July 28, 1993.
Cora Anne rose and crossed her arms. You’re not ten years old anymore. Then why did she still feel like that child? “There you are.” Tennessee came striding across the cemetery. “Looking for someone?” She couldn’t help the smile. “I think he found me.” He glanced at his father's grave and then took her arm, tugging her back toward the front of the little white church. "You enjoy the service?" A guitar case swung from his hand, and she nudged him with her elbow. "You could have told me you're a man of many talents. Where'd you learn to play?" "Aw, this?" He swung the case with ease. "Just a little something I picked up during the college bar scene." She gaped at him, unsure if he was making another joke, and he tilted a half-smile her way. "We've all got a history. Some more colorful than others." They had paused at the edge of the gravel lot and now she looked across it for Nan. She found her at the bottom of the porch steps being embraced by a woman with soft blonde curls and a face too youthful to be middle-aged. Cora Anne stepped back and Tennessee snagged her elbow to keep her from falling. Again. Blasted oak tree roots. "What's wrong?" She fisted her hands against her stomach. "That's your mother." "Yeah, I know. She and Mrs. Annie have become good friends." He peered at her. "You're white as one of these supposed graveyard ghosts." "I haven't seen your mother since … since …" Her chest constricted and she forced a deep breath past the tightness. "Can you please tell Nan I'll be in the car?" "Here." He shoved the guitar case at her. "Why don't you do me a favor and take this over to my truck? I'll meet you there." She backed away without arguing and found his white Dodge Ram easily among the sedans and midlife crisis convertibles. Setting the case inside, she leaned on the open door. Grace, it seemed, would be harder to face than her son. She looked back up as he bounded over the lot with Nan's floppy straw hat in his hand. "Your grandmother said to put this on." She took it hesitantly, fingering the brim. "Why?" "Because she said your cheeks look pink." He leaned past her and swung the case into the narrow backseat of his extended cab. "And because I'm taking you for a drive." Review
Debut author Lindsey P. Bracket has written a beautiful and inspiring story. From page one this novel will draw readers in, speaking to them and touching their hearts. Not only is it beautiful and inspiring though, Bracket’s story is also heartwarming and sweetly romantic, with easily relatable characters and a gorgeous southern backdrop. A huge theme in this book is disaster; dealing with both natural and personal disasters in life. It is about struggles and hardships, but most of all about friendship and love. Readers will not want to miss this delightful and inspiring debut read!
Genre: contemporary, romance, Christian Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Publication date: September 8, 2017 Number of pages: 272 A copy of this book was purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. GiveawayTour Schedule
September 14--Beyond the Lake
September 15--Christian Bookaholic September 16--Debbie's Dusty Deliberations September 17-- September 18--Soulfully Romantic September 19--Reading Is My SuperPower September 20--Singing Librarian Books September 21--Remembrancy September 22--Reader's Cozy Corner September 23-- September 24--Christy's Cozy Corners September 25-- September 26--Pause for Tales Today's book hangover is...The Last Summer by Brandy Bruce with guest blogger Trisha Robertson. A snippet from the book...They all exchanged looks around the table. I felt like they were having this private conversation and hoped the conclusion would be that they wanted me. Because there was something special about the people at this table. The way they kidded and joked and touched each other and moved like one breathing organism. The way they did seem like a family. Six people connected to each other. I wanted to be the seventh. “I have a feeling, Sara Witherspoon,” Addison said, tilting her head to the side and studying me as though she could see all the way to my heart, “you belong too.” I don’t know how she knew, but she did. Like I said, Addison is the leader. She’s the glue. Once she said those words, all tension melted away, and I was included. If Addison said I belonged, I did. She reminded me of Melanie Wilkes in Gone with the Wind. If Mrs. Wilkes was the cool-headed voice of reason that could settle the chaos around her, Addison was that same strong, trusted constant amid these six friends. Her word was law. And from that day forward, the six people around that table at Isabella’s became like six extensions of myself. We were a circle. Within a month, Jason asked me to go out to dinner with him. Luke hadn’t shown any romantic interest in me, and there was Jason, with that thick, dark hair and playful personality and handful of tattoos on his olive skin—how could I say no? We started dating. A year after that, we broke up. As much as I truly liked Jason and couldn’t help feeling attracted to him, I hadn’t fallen in love. I couldn’t picture us married and having babies. We were better as friends. I know Jason didn’t agree, but he and I both refused to let our break up damage the circle. Eventually, things between us returned to normal. During my dating-Jason phase, Sam and Lily got married, which didn’t really change anything since they were already such a unit. I realized early on that Luke and Debra were never an item. I’d mistaken Debra’s warm and friendly demeanor and Luke’s tendency to be protective and kind as the traits of a dating couple, but those endearing qualities of both of them extended to all of us. My crush on Luke diminished as Jason and I dated and then shifted to ‘just friends.’ Sort of. And somewhere along the way, painfully, Luke and I became best friends About Trisha RobertsonTrisha discovered a love of books at a young age. Growing up in Appalachia, stories have always played a central role. As a devourer of historical Christian fiction, Christian Romance, and Cozy Mysteries, she finds joy in sharing the love of the stories she reads with others. She loves her family and spending quiet time with God. When she’s not busy taking care of her family, or at work, you can find Trisha curled up with a hot beverage and a good book, traveling to historic locations, and making new friends. Trisha enjoys connecting with authors and readers alike and aspires to one-day publish her own stories. A few questions about the blogger and blogging... 1. How long have you been blogging? I began blogging in February 2017
2. What got you started blogging? I have been reviewing books for quite a few years actually. Leaving reviews on first Amazon, and then on Goodreads. I started following favorite authors and making connections. I was on the launch team for “Forest Child” by Heather Day Gilbert. She had let us know that she had written a short story in the soon-to-be-released compilation book “Message in a Bottle Romance Collection” and that it was up on NetGalley if anyone was interested. I quickly went to NetGalley and created an account and was approved. This lead me to apply for other books, but often I was not approved, and it was stated that I needed a blog. After visiting several blogs of friends I’d made from the various review teams, I started my blog Joy Of Reading in February 2017. 3. Who are some new authors you have discovered since you started blogging? Brandy Vallance, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Laurie Tomlinson, Stephenia H. McGee, Becky Wade, Susanne Dietze, Naomi Rawlings, Karen Barnett, Kate Breslin, Renee, Rawlings, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Heidi Chiavaroli, Pam Hillman, Carly McAdoo, Andrea Boeshar, Brandy Bruce, Angie Dicken, Janell Butler Wojtowicz, Debra E. Marvin, 4. What author and/or blog tour group have you been blogging for the longest? For tour groups: I think it’s been equal. I have joined a tour with LitFuse & Singing Librarian. For street teams: I didn’t have a blog when I joined Dawn Crandall’s team back in 2014 for her debut release of The Hesitant Heiress. I have remained on Dawn’s team ever since. Dawn introduced me to Pepper Basham, back before The Thorn Bearer was to release in 2015, and I joined her team at that time, and have remained on Pepper’s team. 5. What is your favorite thing about being a blogger? If I had to narrow it down to only one thing, It’s the relationships I’ve made with authors and fellow bloggers, as well as knowing that I’ve helped bring a smile to someone’s face. Recently, I came across a fellow bloggers’ post that touched my heart, and I just knew that the author needed to see this review. I was so very happy that I was able to help make the connection between this blogger and the author and to know that so many were touched by her blog. I feel it’s important to build each other up. Not just build up authors, but build up fellow bloggers and even fellow readers. We all have something we can learn from one another. About the BookMarie Carrington is running from a host of bad memories. Broke and desperate, she's hoping to find safety and sanctuary on Prince Edward Island, where she reluctantly agrees to help decorate a renovated bed-and-breakfast before it opens for prime tourist season. Seth Sloane didn't move three thousand miles to work on his uncle's B&B so he could babysit a woman with a taste for expensive antiques and a bewildering habit of jumping every time he brushes past her. He came to help restore the old Victorian--and to forget about the fiancée who broke his heart. The only thing Marie and Seth agree on is that getting the Red Door Inn ready to open in just three months will take everything they've got. Can these two wounded souls find hope, healing, and perhaps a bit of romance on this beautiful island? Step into the Red Door Inn, a lovely home away from home tucked along the north shore of fabled Prince Edward Island. It's a place where the wounded come to heal, the broken find forgiveness, and the lonely find a family. Won't you stay for the season? About the AuthorBy day Liz Johnson is a marketing manager. She makes time to write late at night—that’s when she thinks best anyway. Liz is the author of seven novels, a New York Times bestselling novella, and a handful of short stories. She’s also a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. She makes her home in Nashville, where she enjoys exploring local music, theater, and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her nieces and nephews. She writes stories of true love filled with heart, humor, and happily ever afters. ReviewAuthor Liz Johnson has written a fabulous story in book one of her Prince Edward Island Dreams Series, The Red Door Inn. From page one, Johnson captures the attention of readers with her delightful characters and their engaging and emotional stories. It is full of the struggles of life and love and readers will easily relate to the characters and the story. This is one of those books that will pull readers in and they will not want to leave until the very end, if even then. The story is well-written and thought provoking as readers watch the characters deal with past relationship and trust issues and most overcome those in order to have true love! The romance in this story is beautiful, heart wrenching, and breathtaking and is overall spellbinding and sweet!! This novel is not one that readers will soon forget.
Series: Prince Edward Island Dreas Genre: contemporary, romance, Chrsitian Publisher: Revell Publication date: March 1, 2016 Number of pages: 336 A copy of this book was provided by Revell and, as well as an e-copy purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael Anderson When wills clash and hearts collide, who will reign victorious? Termed an Incomparable during her first London season, Lady Harriett Cavendish is beautiful, spirited, and confident, capturing the attention of a great many suitors. Unfortunately, they all failed to capture her attention, and she concluded the season as unattached as she’d begun it. Only weeks prior to her second season, Harriett encounters Lieutenant Christopher Jamison while visiting Tanglewood Manor. Recently returned from war, the lieutenant is everything that Harriett's previous suitors were not. He’s arrogant, ungentlemanly, irritating, and challenges her at every opportunity. When he goes too far, Harriett decides that it’s time to turn the tables on him. But as she sets out to put the lieutenant in his place once and for all, she discovers there is more to him than meets the eye, and when it comes to matters of the heart, she has no control whatsoever. EXCERPT Harriett looked at what remained of the cake. Appar-ently, he didn’t intend to finish it off after all, so she collected their forks and stood. “Forgive me for saying so, but you look quite done in, Chris. If you do not go up to bed now, you will probably fall asleep here. Only imagine what Mrs. Caddy might say if she discovers you here with the mostly-eaten cake. For your own sake, you ought to retire. I will do my best to tidy things up.” Before she could move away from him, he grabbed her hand and guided her to sit back down, keeping hold of her fingers. “Not so fast, my lady. I meant it when I said that I’m in desperate need of the distraction that only you can provide. Thus far, all I have done is burden you with my troubles.” “I do not feel at all burdened, sir.” Indeed, Harriett suddenly felt breathless and somewhat giddy. The effect this man had on her was something of a wonder. “Sir?” he asked. “I thought we were beyond that.” “I thought so as well, but you only just called me ‘my lady.’” He frowned and blinked as though he hadn’t realized he had. “Forgive me, Harry. I fear my exhaustion has muddled my thinking.” This time, she did not let the name slide. She snatched her hand free and frowned at him. “Obviously it has.” He laughed—not a tired attempt at a laugh, but a real one filled with the richness that warmed her straight through. Only this time, it did not bother her at all. In fact, it felt wonderful, almost like a compliment. “I knew you’d come through for me,” he said, leaning close enough to touch shoulders with her. “You have no idea how much I needed to laugh or how good that felt. I could honestly kiss you right now.” Harriett tried her best not to blush or appear astonished by the suggestion—he had obviously made the comment in jest—but when his smile widened into a devilish grin, she knew she’d failed. He leaned in closer, and his gaze wandered briefly to her mouth before returning to her eyes. She could smell vanilla and lemon and a hint of something else—leather perhaps? A delightful pulse whipped down her arm, and she was hard-pressed not to shiver. “Admit it,” he said. “You have missed me.” Author Rachael Anderson A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 10/1/17 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway
July Reads & ReviewsAugust Reads & ReviewsJuly Book Hangover WednesdaysAugust Book Hangover WednesdaysJuly First Line FridaysAugust First Line FridaysOtherComing soon: Teen Blog Month in Review & Youth Blog Month in Review How am I doing on my reading goals and challenges?Bethany House Reading Challenge--1/12
Goodreads Challenge--11 books (July) + 14 (August) -- 86/100 books read so far this year NetGalley Challenge--7 Whitney Finalists Challenge--NA Historical Fiction Reading Challenge-- 8 (July) + 10 (August) War Through the Generations--NA Personal Reading Challenges--NA See HERE for further details on my reading challenges. What have you been reading? What are your current reading goals? Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line! Today I am going to post a line from The Outlaw's Second Chance by Angie Dicken. My First Line: The Cherokee Strip September 15, 1893 Aubrey Huxley rushed over when her father shoved his bony finger against the customer's shoulder. What are you reading? What is your first line?
Open the book nearest you and post the first line in the comments below... Now head on over and join these lovely ladies in First Line Fridays on their blogs too: Reading is My SuperPower | Bookworm Mama | Faithfully Bookish Radiant Light | Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen | All the Book Blog Names are Taken Robin's Nest | Fiction Aficionado | Bibliophile Reviews | Kathleen Denly Lauraine's Notes | With a Joyful Noise | A Baker's Perspective | Joy of Reading C Jane Read | Moments Dipped in Ink | Molly’s Cafinated Reads Romances of the Cross | Storytime With by Van Daniker | Iola Goulton | Christian Fiction Girl (If you’d like to join us on your blog for First Line Fridays, shoot me a message and let me know!)
Hosted by Min Reads and Reviews.
About the Book
From Sarah M. Eden, the USA Today Bestselling author of the Longing for Home series, LOVE REMAINS is a new romance novel set in the beloved world of Hope Springs.
For nearly a year, Tavish O’Connor has carried the crushing weight of his family’s future on his shoulders. He has taken on the care of his youngest brother, Finbarr, who lost his eyesight in a terrible accident. But the lad needs more than Tavish can provide. Finbarr needs hope. Cecily Attwater specializes in hope. As a tutor to the newly blind, she has dedicated her life to helping others overcome the obstacles she herself has conquered. Her new assignment in a remote corner of Wyoming proves trickier than usual: Finbarr refuses to learn. To make matters worse, his family—and the other Irish townspeople—are less than thrilled to discover an Englishwoman in their haven. Cecily’s only hope lies in securing the cooperation of her pupil’s brother Tavish, who happens to be her harshest critic and quite possibly the most frustrating man she’s ever known. For Finbarr’s sake, Tavish and Cecily forge an uneasy alliance that, as the weeks pass, tiptoes toward something deeper than either dares admit or face, and toward a future they know to be impossible. There can be no hope of a happy outcome for an Irishman and an English woman amongst a people reeling from violence and centuries of hatred between their two homelands. The Books in the SeriesOther Books by Sarah M. Eden
Regency Romances:
The Kiss of a Stranger Glimmer of Hope An Unlikely Match For Elise All Regency Collection British Isles Collection The Jonquil Brothers series: Friends and Foes Drops of Gold As You Are A Fine Gentleman The Lancaster Family series: Seeking Persephone Courting Miss Lancaster Romancing Daphne About the Author
Sarah M. Eden is the author of multiple historical romances, including the 2-time Whitney Award Winner Longing for Home and Whitney Award finalist Seeking Persephone and Courting Miss Lancaster. Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances. She has twice served as the Master of Ceremonies for the LDStorymakers Writing Conference and acted as the Writer in Residence at the Northwest Writers Retreat. Sarah is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg at D4EO Literary Agency.
Review
USA Today Bestselling author Sarah M. Eden has created a delightful and charming story in her third Longing for Home novel, Love Remains. Well-written and engaging, Eden brings to life the struggles, as well as the love and joy found amongst the Irish immigrants in the United States. Eden has a beautiful way of bringing her stories and characters to life so that readers will be sucked into the book and not want to put it down. This is a story about the importance of family, home, and most of all love. Readers will not want to miss this third installment of the Longing for Home series.
Series: Longing for Home Genre: historical, romance Publisher: Mirror Press Publication date: September 5, 2017 Number of pages: 350 A print copy of this book was purchased for review, as well as purchased on Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. GiveawayTour Schedule
September 11 -
My Book A Day Smiling Book Reviews Peggy Urry September 12 - Bookworm Lisa Wishful Endings Getting Your Read On September 13 - LDS Writer Mom Min Reads and Reviews September 14 - Literary Time Out Heidi Reads Singing Librarian Books September 15 - Katie's Clean Book Collection Why Not? Because I Said So! Mel’s Shelves About the BookAt this point in her life, bravery is not a trait Willa Hart would readily claim. She believes her seven-year-old daughter, Savannah, who never knew her father and successfully tackled chemotherapy, is truly the courageous one. Yet after Willa has a fateful encounter with handsome young doctor Patrick McCade, her outlook—and her view of herself—begins to change. The books in the A Love in Lenox SeriesAbout the AuthorNicole Deese is a full-time lover of humorous, heartfelt, and hope-filled fiction. She is the author of seven inspirational romances including the Love in Lenox novels, A Cliché Christmas and A Season to Love, and The Promise of Rayne. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found reading near a window while sipping a LaCroix. She lives in small-town Idaho with her handsome hubby and two sons. ReviewNicole Deese has once again written a fabulous story with characters that readers will immediately fall in love with. In book two in the Love in Lenox series, A Season to Love, Deese brings to life the pain and sorrow of not only losing a husband, but taking care of a young child dealing with cancer. Life isn’t always easy. And it can be hard to move forward and not necessarily forget the past pains, but find a way to deal with the pains. And that is exactly what happens in this novel. The characters learn to deal with their pains. And in the process learn to love. This has a sweet and heart throbbing romance and one very swoon worthy kiss that readers will not want to miss!
Series: Love in Lenox Genre: contemporary, romance, Christian Publisher: Waterfall Press Publication date: February 2, 2016 Number of pages: 306 A print copy of this novel was won in a giveaway, as well as purchased on Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own
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The Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon is hosted by Wishful Endings. It runs from September 11th through 24th with the goal of diminishing our to-read pile of books. All books in any format and source count and you do not have to be a blogger to participate. There are challenges and giveaways as well. You can sign up through September 23rd. Read all the specific details here.
Reading Challenge with SLB
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Challenge Schedule
9/11: Kick-Off with giveaway
9/12: Author J Lenni Dorner (Challenge/Giveaway) 9/13: Singing Librarian Books (Challenge/Giveaway) 9/14: Wishful Endings (Challenge/Giveaway) 9/15: A Weebish Book Blog (Challenge/Giveaway) 9/16: Author Allison D. Reid (Challenge/Giveaway) 9/17: Twitter Chat (Twitter Chat will be from 8-9 PM EDT) 9/18: Mid-Point Check-In (no challenge) 9/19: Author Jemima Pett (Challenge/Giveaway) 9/20: Wishful Endings (Challenge/Giveaway) 9/21: Author Katherine Reay (Challenge/Giveaway) 9/22: Author Becky Wade (Challenge/Giveaway) 9/23: Nesie's Place (Challenge/Giveaway) 9/24: Read-a-thon Ends (last day to read - no challenge) 9/25: Wrap-Up (giveaway won't close until the end of day to allow everyone to link up) Today's book hangover is... A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White. About the BookAbout the AuthorRoseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna’s novels range from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. She lives with her family in West Virginia. A Snippet from the Book...London May 1914 Rosemary Gresham may have been a thief, but she was a thief who preferred to work in broad daylight. Pulling her coat more tightly around her middle, she stopped in once circle of streetlight outside the park and looked toward the next. Perhaps it was that she knew all too well what could hide in the darkness. Perhaps it was because she had spent too many nights overwhelmed by it as a child, huddling in a dark alley and praying to a deaf God that her parents would live again. She ought to have protested when Mr. V designated this meeting place at such an hour. Ought to have…but hadn’t been quite that brave. She had completed two successful small jobs for the man before, but she still knew nothing about him. Nothing but that he paid promptly, in pounds sterling. That he was of average height, average build. That he spoke with the careful cadence of a man who had worked hard to obliterate his natural accent. What are you currently reading? What is your most recent book hangover? |
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