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Month: June 2020
First Line Friday: Kiss and ‘Telle?
Happy Friday Everyone!
Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line! Today I am sharing the first line from Kiss and ‘Telle by Nadine Keels. Don’t you just love the cover!?
And the first line is…….
“Welp. We might as well, ’Telle.”
ABOUT THE BOOK
If only this type of thing were as easy as it looks in chick flicks.
Ever since her college days, Chantelle has had growing feelings for Dennis, a swaggering and smart geek-at-heart who’s got romance coming out of his ears. At least, he talks as if he’s mastered the art of dating, but how would Chantelle know if it’s true? She’s never gotten to experience Dennis as anything more than a close friend.
But wait! A huge opportunity comes along that could impact both their personal and professional lives. This may lead to the perfect time for Chantelle to tell Dennis what he means to her.
It may also be time for some of Chantelle’s own words about love to come back to bite her.
Oops.
AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | APPLE | KOBO | GOODREADS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With her lifelong passion for life-enriching fiction, Nadine C. Keels enjoys reading and writing everything from short stories to novels. Her fiction works include Love Unfeigned and The Movement of Crowns Series, and select pieces of her lyrical poetry can be found on her spoken word album, Hope. Lyricized. Through her books and her blog (Prismatic Prospects), Nadine aims to spark hope and inspiration in as many people as she is privileged to reach.
Let us know the first line of the book closest to you & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!
Post by contributor Jessica Baker
Throwback Thursday: Hidden Threat
Happy Thursday! Today’s Throwback Thursday post looks at a romantic suspense that I recently read and loved – Hidden Threat by Connie Mann! It’s the 2nd book in her Safe Harbor series but it can be read as a standalone just fine.
ABOUT THE BOOK
An environmental crisis is the last thing clean-water crusader Eve Jackson expected in her hometown. She’s used to taking on powerful DC politicians in her fight, but when a baby in Safe Harbor, Florida, shows mysterious signs of possible poisoning, the danger hits painfully close to home, stirring memories of her own mother’s death.
Eve’s search leads her to the Sutton Ranch, now run by her high school crush, Cole. Focused on keeping the family business afloat as a series of deformed calves are born to his herd, Cole has no time for Eve’s crusade. But as her unwelcome questioning ostracizes her from locals, Cole’s irritation turns to intrigue—about the source of the poisoned water and the tenacious, loyal, and passionate woman determined to help.
As Eve digs deeper into Cole’s operation, she sees her suspicion of Sutton Ranch may be misplaced. Yet she can’t shake the feeling that his ranch, and perhaps his past, hold the answers she seeks. When the sabotage escalates, the two must work together to uncover the culprit—if they can survive the investigation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Connie Mann is a licensed boat captain and loves writing romantic suspense stories set in Florida’s small towns and unspoiled wilderness. She is the author of Beyond Risk, (Florida Wildlife Warriors #1), the Safe Harbor series (Tangled Lies, Hidden Threat, Deadly Melody), as well as Angel Falls and Trapped! She has lived in seven different states but this weather wimp has happily called the Ocala area home for more than twenty years.
When she’s not dreaming up plotlines, you’ll find “Captain Connie” on the Silver River, introducing boats full of schoolchildren to their first alligator. She is also passionate about helping women and children in developing countries break the poverty cycle and build a better future for themselves and their families. Besides boating, she and her husband enjoy hanging out with their grown children and extended family and planning their next adventure.
You can connect with Connie online at: www.conniemann.com
What makes you want to read Hidden Threat?
Book Review: The Trouble with Love by Toni Shiloh
Happy Wednesday, friends! Today we’re featuring a book review of The Trouble with Love by the lovely and amazing Toni Shiloh! Be sure to check out this phenomenal book!
About the Book
I, Holiday Brown, have it all. A platinum record. Multi-million dollar home in Manhattan that I share with my two best friends. Life is looking fantastic until my roommate’s brother decides to bunk in our guestroom while his house gets renovated.
W. Emmett Bell has always been the bane of my existence. He’s annoying, stubborn, a know it all, and just might be the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on. But I refuse to fall for him. Then his sister’s threatened by a stalker and dynamics change. His unwavering faith isn’t quite as self-righteous as I’d always thought, and maybe he has a good side I’ve overlooked all these years.
Or maybe it’s all too much trouble.
The Trouble With Love is the first book in the Christian Chick Lit series: Faith & Fortune.
Amazon | Goodreads
My Thoughts:
The Trouble with Love is an amazing read, seriously it’s so good and I absolutely loved it!I loved Holiday and Emmett, Holiday was so likeable and totally relatable, I was cheering her on! Emmett was such a sweetheart, I loved how he helped Holiday to see how much God loves her!
I have never been to New York City, but I am fascinated with stories that are set there, and I loved that NYC is the setting for this series, Toni skillfully brought the city to life and made me feel like I was there!
I loved Tori and Octavia too and I’m super excited to read their stories, especially Octavia’s because she’s currently my favorite of the three ladies!
I also loved that this book is written in first person.
And I loved the suspense thread that was woven through the story!
The Trouble with Love is a fabulous read! I highly recommend it and I can’t wait to read The Truth about Fame.
Take my word for it, The Trouble with Love is one you don’t wanna miss!
(5 Stars!)
I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher. Which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own!
This review was first posted on Just Your Average reviews
About the Author
Author bio –Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novel, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist and Risking Love is a 2020 Selah Award finalist. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to help readers find authors. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. You can learn more about her writing at www.tonishiloh.com
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub | Newsletter
Post by contributor Caitlyn Santi
What interests you most about The Trouble with Love? Have you read any of Toni Shiloh’s books yet?
Top Ten Tuesday: Most Recent Additions to my To-Be-Read List
Top Ten Tuesday is turning 10! This week’s topic is any past topic, so I chose Most Recent Additions to my To-Be-Read List.
As an avid reader, I am always adding new titles to my TBR list. Sometimes I choose a book because I’ve heard a lot about it. sometimes because it’s by a favorite author. And other times because I simply intrigued. In light of recent events in the United States, several authors, publishers, and bookstores have provided lists of Authors of Color and specifically Black Authors. What a treasure trove! And what an opportunity to support these writers! I scoured these lists looking for new-to-me authors, especially in genres I particularly enjoy. Here’s a sampling of the books I’m excited about:
Novella Collections
I love short stories and novellas. It’s a wonderful way to be introduced to a variety of new authors, many of whom also have full length novels. One of my favorite short story series is the Novella Collections produced by Barbour Publishing. These three novellas are at the top of my TBR List.
1. The Bakery Bride by Cecelia Dowdy in The Underground Railroad Brides
2. Lessons of the Heart by Terri J. Haynes in A Teacher’s Heart
3. The Elusive Heiress by Noelle Marchand in The Runaway Brides
Historical Romance
If you hadn’t noticed from my choice of novellas, I love history, which makes Historical Romance one of my most loved genres. Here are several books I’ve added to my TBR List.
4. The Preacher’s Promise (Home to Milford College, #1) by Piper Huguley
5. A Quiet Strength (Salis House Plantation, #1) by Embassie Susberry
6. An Agent for Arielle (The Pinkerton Matchmaker, #12) by Parker J. Cole
Contemporary Romance
Since history is not always everyone’s favorite, it’s hard to beat a sweet contemporary romance as the perfect, relaxing read. Here are two that caught my attention to add to my TBR List.
7. Love in Pictures by Alexis A. Goring
8. Kiss and ‘Telle? by Nadine C. Keels
Christmas
Christmas is my favorite holiday and I especially love Christmas stories. Here’s one I added to my TBR list.
9. Deck the Shelves (Heartfalls #1) Toni Shiloh
Children’s
All the authors thus far are new-to-me authors, so I saved this final addition to my TBR List for someone who is not a new-to-me author. In fact, she is a friend of mine and one of the most amazing women I know. Her children’s book Different Like Me releases in August and it is at the top of my list to buy for my two kiddos. I cannot wait to read it.
10. Different Like Me (August 4, 2020) Xochitl Dixon
For other Top Ten lists, visit That Artsy Reader Girl.
First Line Friday: Falsely Accused
Happy Friday everyone! You know what that means…it’s time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line!
Today we are featuring the first line of Falsely Accused by Shirlee McCoy. This Love Inspired Suspense novel released on March 3, 2020. FBI special agent Wren Santino is framed for murder, and the only person she can trust is her former childhood friend Titus Anderson, the handsome African American hero of the novel. If you enjoy Love Inspired Suspense, definitely check this book out!
and the first line is…
“This was wrong. All of it.”
ABOUT THE BOOK
Proving her innocence means running for her life.
Framed for her foster brother’s murder, FBI special agent Wren Santino must clear her name—but someone’s dead set on stopping her from finding the truth. Her estranged childhood friend, Titus Anderson, comes to her aid…but standing by her puts him in the killer’s crosshairs, too. And unraveling a conspiracy may be the only way for either of them to survive.
FBI: Special Crimes Unit #5
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shirlee McCoy began writing her first novel when she was a teenager. A busy mother of five, Shirlee is a homeschooling mom by day and an inspirational author by night. She and her husband and children live in the Pacific Northwest and share their house with a dog, two cats and a bird.
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB
Let us know the first line of the book closest to you & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!
Throwback Thursday: Angels Watching Over Me
Happy Thursday!
I hope you are doing well. Do you love Throwback Thursday? Here’s a Throwback Thursday read by Micheal Phillips for you. It’s Angels Watching Over Me, the first book in the Shenandoah Sisters series. It came out in 2003. Have you read it?
ABOUT THE BOOK
Book 1 of SHENANDOAH SISTERS. Two young Southern girls, one the daughter of a plantation owner and one the daughter of a slave, barely survive the onset of the Civil War and the loss of both their families. When these tragic circumstances bring them together, they join forces to discover if they can make a life for themselves. As their preconceptions give way to experience, they gradually learn to value their contrasting and complementing strengths and skills as they face the formidable task of keeping body and soul together in the aftermath of this devastating war. But is it possible the Lord they have come to know has something bigger in mind for the plantation than either of them can imagine?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MICHAEL PHILLIPS (b.1946), one of many in a rising generation of spiritual offspring of C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, and the legacy of the Inklings, has made it his life’s passion to promote the teachings of these giants of the past.
Following the tradition of C.S. Lewis, he stands with others through the years who have shared a vision to awaken interest in the man known as the “Father of the Inklings,” including the names Kilby, Yates, Hein, Sadler, Reis, Robb, Amell, Triggs, Raeper, and many contributors to this important work. Through their efforts, MacDonald’s legacy lives on in the lives of thousands of spiritual grandsons and granddaughters.
Michael Phillips is widely known as George MacDonald’s redactor, publisher, and biographer, whose vision and editorial expertise-building upon the forerunning work of C.S. Lewis, Elizabeth Yates, and Rolland Hein-helped bring MacDonald back from obscurity in the 1980s when his realistic novels had been nearly forgotten. Author and editor of over 100 books, Phillips’ efforts helped ignite the MacDonald renaissance of recent years. As one of those responsible for the widespread renewal of MacDonald’s influence, Phillips is recognized as among the world’s foremost purveyors of MacDonald’s message, with particular insight into the Scotsman’s heart and spiritual vision.
Michael Phillips is considered to be one of the most versatile and prolific Christian authors of our time. To those unfamiliar with his work, the question, “What kind of books does Michael Phillips write?” has no easy answer. He began his distinguished writing career in 1977 with several non-fiction titles. Since that time, he has authored over twenty non-fiction books, most notably dealing with the nature and character of God and the Fatherhood of God. After turning to the writing of novels in the mid – 1980s, Phillips has penned some sixty fiction titles of great variety. The enormous breadth of his faithful audience is testimony that his writings are universal in their appeal. Most of his series have been best sellers in the Christian market.
In the 1970s Michael Phillips discovered the writings of Victorian Scotsman George MacDonald, whose books were foundational in leading C.S. Lewis out of atheism into Christianity. Phillips soon made it his life’s work and passion to bring to public attention the literary and spiritual links between MacDonald and Lewis. If MacDonald is the “father of the Inklings,” Phillips calls himself one of thousands of “sons of the Inklings.” Inspired by the groundbreaking work of two other pioneers with similar vision to his own, authoress Elizabeth Yates and Wheaton’s Dr. Rolland Hein, Phillips recognized that MacDonald’s realistic fiction novels were in precarious danger of being lost to history. He knew that new publication avenues were needed. To accomplish the goal of bringing MacDonald’s name back into prominence, he set about preparing and releasing updated and edited editions of MacDonald’s novels, as well as republishing MacDonald’s novels, sermons, and poems in their original editions.
His multi-dimensional efforts resulted in a new generation of readers having access to MacDonald’s books again for themselves. Phillips is also known as George MacDonald’s biographer. His George MacDonald, Scotland’s Beloved Storyteller, was the first major biography of MacDonald produced in the U.S. and remains one of the best selling MacDonald biographies of all time.
As his own volume of work reaches a stature of significance in its own right, Phillips is regarded, like Lewis and Hein before him, as one of many successors to MacDonald’s vision and spiritual legacy for a new generations.
Post by Contributor Allyson Anthony
Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Unique Nigerian Words In Ripples by Emike Osumah.
Hi Tuesday friend! I know you love to read and read diverse. If you are about to pick up the wonderful novella Ripples by Emike Osumah, you’d encounter some words you are not familiar with as. So today I picked out 10 words from the novella and I am going to explain it to you. Let’s dig right in.
- “Baba”: It means father but in this book it is a word used in Nigeria to call a herbalist who helps people “solve” problems using diabolical means.
- Kobo: is a subdivision of the Nigerian currency equal to one hundredth of a Nigerian naira. So when a Nigerian tells you they don’t have even 1 Kobo they are trying to say they are really broke.
- “Emabinu”: It is a Yoruba word, the Yorubas are one of the major ethnic group in Nigeria. Emabinu means sorry, especially when a mistake has been made.
- “Bole”: Oh my! You really want to taste this. It is roasted plantain. It is best served with smoke fish stew or sauce. During the season for plantain in Nigeria, you’d see it been roasted in different places in so many different ways. The next time you are in southern Nigeria, ask for this delicacy.
- “Chei”: This is an Igbo word used to exclaim especially when some thing bad has happened or said. The Igbos are also one of the major ethnic group in Nigeria. This exclamation is used by a wide range of Nigerians. It is a common word.
- “Abeggy” or “Abegi”: Abeg is a vernacular word for ” I beg”. It is used in Nigeria to plead or make light of a serious situation. In the context of this book it is used to make light of a situation.
- “Janded”: A reverential word used to describe someone from overseas especially the western world and Europe.
- “Please free me”: It is a word used in Nigeria to get someone out of your hair.
- “Body no be firewood”: Correctly, it should be said “I am not made of firewood”. The person using it is trying to say they are flesh and blood and have feelings. Most times it is used when people are trying to make excuses for being promiscuous.
- National Youth Service Corps (NYSC): It is a scheme set up by the Nigerian government to involve Nigerian graduates in nation building and the development of the country. It is a compulsory one year program every Nigerian graduate has to partake it. After the civil war in Nigeria, the government was seeking for a way to heal and integrate the country and it’s citizens hence the NYSC. Nigerian graduates immediately after graduation from the University or Polytechnics are posted to a state in Nigeria where they have never been before to serve the country in community development and lots more. It is a very great opportunity to meet different people from diverse background and come together to raise up infrastructures to better serve the community they are in.
That is it! I hope you have enjoyed my crash course in Nigerian history LOL!
If you are reading a diverse book, share with us some unique terms and words common to that ethnicity.
Book Review: Taking A Chance on the Enemy
Happy Monday! Today on Diversity Between the Pages we’re featuring a review on Taking a Chance on the Enemy by Liwen Y. Ho.
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About the Book
She’s an art teacher used to coloring outside the lines. He’s the straight-laced cop who pulled her over. Sparks fly when she decides to take a chance on the enemy.
Feisty and adventurous, art teacher Sam Koo is used to getting what she wants, including talking her way out of traffic tickets. When it comes to money matters though, she’s a lost cause. Her studio is in trouble, and there’s no way of charming herself out of this mess.
Police officer Lucas Choi is the last person she expects to rescue her. Handsome and rule-abiding, he was the best—and worst—part of her high school experience. When they meet a decade later, he’s still on her case and quick to point out her flaws.
Their differences drive each other crazy, but also draw them closer. The attraction is tangible, yet so are Sam’s fears. Will she choose to protect her heart or trust the only man who ever rejected her?
Each book in the Taking Chances on Love series is a standalone and can be read separately. To follow the stories as they occur in the overall timeline, feel free to read them in this order:
Taking a Chance on Mr. Wrong – Book Two
Taking a Chance on the Heartbreaker – Book One
Taking a Chance on the Enemy – Book Three
*Taking a Chance on the Enemy was formerly titled Drawn to You. This story was edited and rereleased with a new cover for your reading pleasure.
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My Review:
This is my first time reading anything by Liwen Y. Ho, and I truly enjoyed reading how opposite personalities attract. Sam Koo, an artist whose studio is on the edge of bankruptcy and is disorganized, is the complete of Lucas Choi, a police officer who is organized and a stickler for not breaking rules. They have known each other from school and drove each other crazy back then. They meet up again when Lucas pulls Sam over. This is an easy to read, sweet book as well as the chemistry and tension between the two characters. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
About the Author
Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay at home mom) and a writer by night. She writes sweet and inspirational romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).
In her pre-author life, she received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary. She loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children.
Website | Instagram | Goodreads
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________Post by Contributor Allyson Anthony
First Line Friday. Dance With Me.
Hello there and happy Friday.
Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. It is Friday, so it is time to pick up the book nearest to you or the one you are currently reading and share the first line with us in the comment section. Today I will be sharing with us the first line from the first Nigerian Christian fiction book I read. Dance With Me by Tope Omotosho.
And the first lines are…
He walked into the bathroom, the familiar scent of mint and honey filling his senses – resistant to fade even years later, bringing forth ever bittersweet memories.
About The Book.
The past is a tricky place. For some it’s a place to be desperately held on to, for others a place never to be revisited.
For Micah Oramah, the pain of a profound loss has caused his faith to be shaken. Blinded by grief, he questions if serving God is actually worth it.
Tomboy and makeup artist, Zainab Baruwa-Philips is head over heels in love with God. The only cloud is her past which she is desperate to erase. However, she’ll learn that her past is a strength God is looking to use for his glory.
In Dance With Me, you’ll experience the beauty of out individuality to God.
Bambooks | Okadabooks | Amazon
Let me know the first line of the book closet to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.
Post contributor by Ebos Aifuobhokhan.
Diversity Between the Pages 