In anticipation of the release of “Protecting the Poor” (book three in the Tales of Faith series), Amanda is guest posting or being featured on over a dozen blogs each month. Each post is unique to the blog—an inspirational post, an article on the writing craft, an excerpt from one of the Tales of Faith books… you’ll just have to visit each blog to see what comes up. ;) Amanda will link to each blog on With a Joyful Noise, so check in every week and see what blogs have a special Tales of Faith feature!

Sheriff Feroci is now lord over the province, and Abtshire has become a pit of injustice. Being forced into the lord’s service does not give Dumphey as many opportunities to help the poor as he desires. When attempts on his life drive him into the forest, this freedom opens a world of possibilities for helping others. But how can he do so when he is running for his life? And does God want him to do more than simply feed the poor?

Noel has always hidden behind the shadow of his older brother, Dumphey. When life forces him to stand on his own, will he still follow God in the corrupt world in which he lives? Would God really call him to do something that is beyond his power to do?

As Lord Feroci's sinister plot comes to light, each lad has a choice to make. A choice that could cost them their lives. ​

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Amanda Tero began her love for words at a young age—reading anything she could get her hands on and penning short stories as young as age eight. Since graduation, she has honed her writing skills by dedicated practice and study of the writing craft. She began her journey of publication with a few short stories that she had written for her sisters and continued to add to her collection with other short stories, novellas, and novels. It is her utmost desire to write that which not only pleases her Lord and Savior, but also draws the reader into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. ​​

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Check out the daily countdown to Protecting the Poor HERE.

For the release of "Protecting the Poor," I decided to do a crazy thirty-day countdown! Today, release is only four days away!!!!! In my countdown posts, I've shared a lot about Robin Hood: the man, the myth, and the mystery. ;) Here are some of my favorite Robin Hood info blips lately...

Robin Hood first appeared in historical recordings as early as mid-1300s. Many refer to “Robin Hood and the Monk” (an originally untitled piece) as one of the first ballads of Robin Hood. It is 92 stanzas long, so I’ll just share the first two (read the full ballad here - https://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/text/robin-hood-and-the-monk)...

In somer, when the shawes be sheyne,
And leves be large and long,
Hit is full mery in feyre foreste
To here the foulys song,
 
To se the dere draw to the dale,
And leve the hilles hee,
And shadow hem in the leves grene,
Under the grene wode tre.

Throughout the ages, Robin Hood has been known as Robin des Bois, Robehood, Rabunhod, Robyn Hode, Hobbehod, Robert Hod and many other variations of “Robert” and “Hood.” Though historians cannot prove his existence, there is a traditional grave for him in Yorkshire. Some insist that Robin Hood never existed but was, more or less, imagined for bedtime stories for the wee ones. 

What do you think? Did a Robin Hood likely exist? If so, do you think he was more culprit or hero?
​
If your Robin Hood addiction (ahem… fascination) wants to learn more about the tales, ballads, and historical elements, here are some great websites to check out:
https://robinhoodlegend.com/early-ballads/
https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/robin-hood
http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Pr-Sa/Robin-Hood.html

Lauralyn LaPlant and her sister, Bridgette, could not be closer. Their shared passion for adventure draws them to scale a sheer cliff one fateful day, but despite their experienced precautions, Bridgette suffers a terrible accident and plummets to an untimely death. Shattered by grief, Lauralyn soon makes a sobering discovery: this was no accident—her sister’s climbing rope was cut. But who wanted Bridgette dead, and why? It’s up to Lauralyn and her grieving brother-in-law, Dade, to uncover the truth, even if it means putting themselves in the path of a ruthless killer. As their search for clues leads them deep into the heart of Gold Country, they discover that in the world of prospecting, greed knows no limits.

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Clair M. Poulson was born and raised in Duchesne, Utah. His father was a rancher and farmer, his mother a librarian. Clair has always been an avid reader, having found his love for books as a very young boy.

He has served for forty years in the criminal justice system. Twenty years were spent in law enforcement, ending his police career with eight years as the Duchesne County Sheriff. For the past twenty years Clair has worked as a justice court judge for Duchesne County. Clair is also a veteran of the US Army where he was a military policeman. He has served on various boards and councils during his professional career, including the Justice Court Board of Judges, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Utah Judicial Council, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, an FBI advisory board and others.

In addition to his criminal justice work, Clair has farmed and ranched all of his life. He has raised many kinds of animals, but his greatest interest is horses.

Clair has served in many capacities in the LDS church, including fulltime missionary (California Mission) bishop, counselor to bishop, young men president, high councilor, stake mission president, scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, etc. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher.

Clair is married to Ruth, and together, they have five children, all of whom are married: Alan (Vicena) Poulson, Kelly Ann (Wade) Hatch, Amanda (Ben) Semadeni, Wade (Brooke) Poulson, and Mary (Tyler) Hicken. Between them they have twenty-three children. Clair and Ruth met while both were students at Snow College and were married in the Manti temple.

Clair has always loved telling his children, and later his grandchildren, make-up stories. His vast experience in life and his love of literature has always contributed to both his telling stories to children and his writing of adventure and suspense novels. ​​

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What a thrill filled book.  From the very first chapter, author Clair M. Poulson puts readers on the edge of their seats with a gold mine, rock climbing, and a mystery to be solved.  This suspense filled story will give readers tingles down their spines and will cause them to want to stay up reading late into the night…or not, depending on how anxious they get.  Not only is this story excellently written and filled with mysterious twists and turns, but a main element of the story is a focus on family.  Readers will absolutely love this book!
 
Genre: mystery, suspense, thriller, LDS
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: August 1, 2019
Number of pages: 248
 
A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

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Get your (free) event tickets HERE.

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour (and Giveaway!)
for Hope for Tomorrow by Michelle De Bruin,
​hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Hope for Tomorrow
Author: Michelle De Bruin
Publisher: Mantle Rock Publishing
Release Date: October 23, 2018
Genre: Inspirational Historical Fiction

When Logan De Witt learns of his father’s sudden death, he returns home to the family’s dairy farm. During his stay, he discovers his mother’s struggle with finances and his younger sister’s struggle with grief. Concern for his family presses Logan to make the difficult decision to leave his career as a pastor and stay on the farm. As a way to make some extra money, he agrees to board the teacher for their local school.

Karen Millerson arrives from Chicago ready to teach high school but her position is eliminated so she accepts the role of country school teacher. Eager to put her family’s ugly past behind her, Karen begins a new career to replace the trust she lost in her own father who had been in ministry when she was a child.
​
Logan and Karen both sense a call from the Lord to serve him, but neither of them expected that one day they would do it together.
Can Karen learn to trust again? Will Logan lay aside his grief in exchange for God’s purpose for his life?

PURCHASE LINKS*:
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Michelle De Bruin is a worship leader and spiritual services provider. She lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always looking for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:
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Hope for Tomorrow by Michelle DeBruin is a sweet and classic styled historical romance novel that reader will get warm fuzzies from.  This story focuses on how a person’s path in life may not always turn out the way it’s expected.  It’s about learning to trust in God and his plan.  Readers will easily relate to the characters in the story as they blame themselves for accidents in the past, make mistakes, deal with grief, and friendships form and grow.  And of course there is romance mixed into it all as well.  A story that takes place out west on a farm, this story with touch and teach readers, giving them a delightful and warm feeling in the end.
 
Genre: historical, romance
Publisher: Mantle Rock Publishing
Publication date: October 23, 2018
Number of pages: 294
 
A review copy of this book was provided by JustRead Publicity Tours.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. 

​(1) winner will receive a prize pack that includes a print copy of Hope for Tomorrow and a $25 gift card plus a set of handmade quilted hot pads and Dutch chocolate.

Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight August 5, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on August 12, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only.

​Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter the giveaway HERE.

​Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Molly O’Malley, lady’s maid to the progressive Lady Amanda Halloway, is determined to continue the life’s work of her lost love, killed in the Peterloo Massacre. But when her efforts and a trip to Lady Halloway’s charitable orphanage culminate in her own abduction, Molly’s eyes are opened to the horrifying crimes transpiring in the city’s slums. Despite the risks, she broadens her mission and is drawn ever closer to the peril all around them. 
Thomas Flaherty, a footman in the Halloway household, has been with Molly from the beginning, but he fears she will never trust him with her heart. Even though her cause and happiness are of foremost importance to him, his loyal patience is tested by the fears that keep her at a distance. But with their safety on the line, Thomas is resolved to sacrifice everything for the woman he loves. 
Risking their lives and their love, Molly and Thomas and a team of nobles on their side will stop at nothing to empower the powerless, no matter the personal cost.

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Jen Geigle Johnson once greeted an ancient turtle under the water by grabbing her fin. Other vital things to know: the sound a water-ski makes on glassy water and how to fall down steep moguls with grace. No mountain is too steep for her to climb, yet. During a study break date in college, she sat on top of a jeep's roll bars up in the mountains and fell in love. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. 

Now an award-winning author and mother of six, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure. She is a member of the RWA, the SCBWI, and LDStorymakers. She is also the chair of the Lonestar.Ink writing conference.

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Author Jen Geigle Johnson has written a beautiful and powerful story about women who chose to make a difference for those to follow.  These women sacrificed greatly to make a better world for women going forward.  Making it possible for women to also have rights.  It’s obvious that Johnson has done her homework and thoroughly researched her story, enhancing it and bringing it to life and portraying it so that readers can better understand and know what life used to be like for women.  This is a wonderful story that not only brings to life the history of women’s suffrage, but also has a romance element as well.  Readers who pick up this story will be absolutely delighted with the contents!
 
Genre: historical, regency, romance
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: August 1, 2019
Number of pages: 350
 
A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Hazel Hughes has spent her life believing she is a Medium—someone who can talk to ghosts. But as of yet, that skill has remained frustratingly elusive. She is also suffering from a reoccurring childhood dream of someone who looks almost exactly like Hazel, but this dream version of herself is slowly going mad.

Sam MacInnes is a talented surgeon who runs in the highest social circles thanks to his family’s position and history. When Sam hires Hazel to assist him with his medical practice, he is immediately drawn to her intelligence, wit, and beauty.

Their potential relationship is derailed one evening when a mysterious count arrives in London and reveals to Hazel the truth about her past: she was abducted at birth and her twin sister has fallen dangerously ill.

Hazel agrees to travel to Romania with Count Petrescu in order to save her sister, and Sam insists on accompanying her. The count has secrets, though, and the journey grows more sinister with every mile that draws Hazel closer to her homeland. Even as her feelings for Sam become deeper and more complicated, she fears she might not survive the quest to save her sister with her heart intact, not to mention her life. She must learn to draw on gifts she doesn’t know she has if they are going to ever return home again.
 
Hazel and Sam must fight their way past dark magic, clockwork beasts, and their own insecurities as they try to reach her sister in the impenetrable Coppergate Tower before time runs out.

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Nancy Campbell Allen has done it again with an exciting new Rapunzel steampunk re-telling that includes a bit of mystery, suspense, paranormal, and romance.  This story will have readers on the edge of their seats with the various unexpected twists and turns.  Readers will have a hard time putting down this delightful and thrilling page-turning story.  Campbell does an excellent job in combining steampunk and fairytale in a story where readers will be captivated and wanting more even after the turn of the very last page.  This story provides plenty of excitement and swoony romance to charm readers as well.  This novel is one that readers are going to fall in love with and not want to miss!
 
Series: Steampunk Proper Romance
Genre: romance, science fiction, fantasy, steampunk, paranormal
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication date: August 6, 2019
Number of pages: 368
 
Other books in the series:
1-Beauty and the Clockwork Beast
2-Kiss of the Spindle
 
A review copy of this book was provided by Shadow Mountain.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Shy, sweet Cecilia Hatherleigh has always been in love with Edward Amherst, the boy next door. Yet he’s never seen her as anything but the quiet girl in the background as he flirts with the other vivacious women of the ton. 

When a near tragedy brings Edward’s attention to his family duties, this prodigal son decides he needs to settle down with a proper wife. Cecilia hopes to convince him to choose her—but God may want her to forget the wayward nobleman and put her future in His hands alone.

These two try to find their way toward happiness, but prejudice, political riots, and the changing face of England’s societal structures begin to block them at every turn. Can their struggles turn to triumph—or will their paths permanently diverge?

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Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's previous novels have won several contests, including the 2014 RWA "Touched by Love" and 2014 ACFW Gensis contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy.

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Author Carolyn Miller has written a delightful boy next door romance in her book Underestimating Miss Cecilia.  This story is about trying to find happiness in a continual changing English society and the prejudices of the people there.  It’s about falling in love with someone that may not be the right person, but then having to put trust in God that finding the right person and true love will be possible.  This story has characters from the first book in the series too.  Readers will enjoy this researched regency novel that has fun and realistic characters and situations that they can relate to.  This is an enjoyable story that readers of regency romance will find pleasure in.
 
Series: Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley
Genre: historical, regency, romance
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Publication date: July 23, 2019
Number of pages: 352
 
Other books in the series:
1-A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh
3-Misleading Miss Verity (coming November 2019)
 
A review copy of this book was provided by Kregel Publications.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.