September 2020 – Diversity Between the Pages

Book Review: Alaskan Christmas Redemption

Published on September 30, 2020September 6, 2020 by Nicole1 Comment

Happy Wednesday, friends! Today I am thrilled to share my thoughts about Alaskan Christmas Redemption by Belle Calhoune. Alaskan Christmas Redemption is the third book in Belle Calhoune’s Home to Owl Creek series. This book is the perfect start to the holiday season, with Christmas only a few months away. I sure do love a good Christmas romance!

Have you read any books by Belle Calhoune yet?

ABOUT THE BOOK

Some secrets are meant to be shared.

Before he gives his heart…

he’ll have to forgive himself.

Returning to Owl Creek after years away, Braden North’s determined to help his best friend, Piper Miller, save her failing diner. But as they work to revitalize her business, Braden’s convinced he must hide the truth about a tragedy from their past…or risk losing Piper for good. If he can find the courage, might telling her everything make this Christmas a time for healing and forgiveness?

GOODREADS | AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS

A sweet, heartwarming Christmas tale of family, best friends, and hidden secrets. Alaskan Christmas Redemption is the third book in author Belle Calhoune’s Home to Owl Creek series, but it can easily be read as a standalone novel.

Small town romances with lifelong best friends are some of my favorite stories to read, and Belle Calhoune has the perfect book to get readers in the holiday spirit. Tragic losses, supportive families, and forgiveness bring this story together for a satisfying conclusion. Readers will wish they could visit Owl Creek, Alaska, stop by the Snowy Owl Diner for a piece of pie, and join in the diner’s fabulous Christmas tree trimming party.

Be sure to add Alaskan Christmas Redemption to your holiday reading list!

I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM THE PUBLISHER AND WAS NOT REQUIRED TO WRITE A POSITIVE REVIEW. ALL OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE MINE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Belle Calhoune is a Publisher’s Weekly Best-Selling author of Heartwarming, inspirational romance. A member of the RWA Honor Roll, Belle is the author of over thirty-five books. A lifelong New Englander, Belle now resides in Connecticut with her husband, two daughters and two very spoiled dogs, a toy poodle named Copper and a black Lab named Beau. Her book, An Alaskan Christmas, is now a television movie, “Love, Alaska” and aired on the UPTV channel.

Author Interview.

Published on September 28, 2020 by Ebos Aifuobhokhan2 Comments

Hello, hello!

Welcome to another beautiful Monday where we get to meet our authors. Today’s spotlight is on Nigerian author Emike Osumah!

Tell us about yourself and your background?

My name is Emike Osumah. I’m a wife, mum and of course a writer. I was born and raised in Edo State, Nigeria. I attended nursery, primary, secondary and University not just in Edo state but right in the very same town where I grew up. Thankfully, national youth service finally flipped things and became my first major phase of life away from that town. Then marriage sealed the deal and made Lagos my new home. That was how Edo State became a place I now visit occasionally.

I have had a flare for writing from as far back as age 6. I told stories in pictures when I couldn’t spell too many words and got into writing stories as they came to me when my vocabulary broadened as a child. Writing has been my happy place ever since just that I didn’t consider it a career until much later in life.

Did your background influence your writing?

Well, I don’t know if I should say yes because since Writing is a natural skill , I’m sure whatever background I found myself in wouldn’t really matter much. Although I would say yes in the sense that the Christian background our parents gave us as Children influenced my kind of writing. I write books and articles that are strongly Christ centered even if they are engaging and entertaining. The core of my writing is Jesus and the reality of His power and love.

How hard was it to write a book in Nigeria with Nigerian characters?

I will say it wasn’t hard. Nigeria is my natural, day to day setting so it’s pretty easy to craft characters who are just like every day Nigerians. What might be difficult for me is writing a book with Italian characters. Not like it would be impossible ,it would just involve much more work.

What is the best investment you’ve made in writing?

I will say, the kind of writing communities I signed up to and am actively involved in. This has broadened my horizon and is still enriching my knowledge.

Tell us about your book (fiction), The writing process?

For me, the message sometimes hits me with just the first couple of scenes and I know this is a story I should write but I seldom have a written out plan from start to finish. I’m only just learning to do that now but basically, I’m the pantser kind of writer. My plot grows as I write. Whether I’m planning ahead or writing straight from my heart to the blank pages of my laptop, the Holy Spirit is my inspiration.

What is one message you’ve love everyone to get from you book.

I would always love my readers to come away with the knowledge that God is not just some detached deity up there but a father, our God who is deeply concerned about our lives , interested in heart matters, everything in between and wants to be right at the middle of our lives. I want them to come away with this knowledge that Jesus is that door to a pulsating relationship with God.

What’s next, should we expect a new book?

Absolutely!! Expect more books. I’m presently working on something. It’s a second edition of a work I published 3 years ago. You will love it!

About The Book.

Her grandma cradles in her arms a baby who will never know her father.

Her mother’s tale isn’t any different.

There is an aunt in the mix with a grimmer tale of three babies, three different fathers.

Joyce Attah is next in line to be served the curse. What does she do when love like Seyi’s comes calling? Stay in the safety of no dates or step into murky waters where a sealed fate awaits?

Ripples…A tale of love, grace and brand new chances.

About The Author

Amazon. Website.

First Line Friday: Third Hour

Published on September 25, 2020September 15, 2020 by Allyson Anthony2 Comments

It’s Friday! Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line. Today I’m sharing the first line from Third Hour by Lisa Phillips, book 4 in in her Northwest Counter Terrorism Taskforce series.

And the first line is…

Talia breached the first firewall in minutes.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hiding from her enemy.

Talia takes an assignment at a bank, where she meets a dashing Secret Service agent. Before anything can happen, the NSA analyst is implicated in a cyber-crime.

Mason knows there’s more going on, but Talia won’t tell him what happened to her.

When the hacker closes in, and the Secret Service office is targeted, the only way to uncover what’s really going on is for them all to trust each other.

But with their histories, that’s a whole lot easier said than done.

Good thing the Northwest-Counter Terrorism Taskforce is on the case.

*a Christian Romantic suspense*

AMAZON | GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London, Lisa attended Calvary Chapel Bible College where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Since then she’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa can be found in Idaho wearing either flip-flops or cowgirl boots, depending on the season. She leads worship with her husband at their local church. Together they have two kids and an all black Airedale known as The Dark Lord Elevator.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS |FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

Let us know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Post by contributor Allyson Anthony

Throwback Thursday: No One Ever Asked

Published on September 24, 2020September 23, 2020 by Caitlyn SantiLeave a comment

Happy Thursday, reader friends! It’s Throwback Thursday and we’re throwing it back to 2018 with the amazing book No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert! This book is an absolute must read, be sure to check it out!

About the Book

When an impoverished school district loses its accreditation and the affluent community of Crystal Ridge has no choice but to open their school doors, the lives of three very different women converge: Camille Gray–the wife of an executive, mother of three, long-standing PTA chairwoman and champion fundraiser–faced with a shocking discovery that threatens to tear her picture-perfect world apart at the seams.

Jen Covington, the career nurse whose long, painful journey to motherhood finally resulted in adoption but she is struggling with a happily-ever-after so much harder than she anticipated.

Twenty-two-year-old Anaya Jones–the first woman in her family to graduate college and a brand new teacher at Crystal Ridge’s top elementary school, unprepared for the powder-keg situation she’s stepped into.

Tensions rise within and without, culminating in an unforeseen event that impacts them all. This story explores the implicit biases impacting American society, and asks the ultimate question: What does it mean to be human? Why are we so quick to put labels on each other and categorize people as “this” or “that”, when such complexity exists in each person?

Amazon, B&N, CBD, Goodreads

About the Author

Award-winning author, Katie Ganshert, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her family. When she’s not busy penning novels or spending time with her people, she enjoys drinking coffee with friends, reading great literature, and eating copious amounts of dark chocolate. You can learn more about Katie and her books by visiting her website or author Facebook page.

Post by contributor Caitlyn Santi

First Line Friday: Heart of a Warrior

Published on September 18, 2020September 10, 2020 by Danielle Grandinetti9 Comments

Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books! Today we’re traveling back in time to the Oregon Trail as it wove through the Rocky Mountains in the historical romance Heart of a Warrior by Angela K. Couch. The first line is:

Autumn 1859
Eyes clamped shut against the subsiding ache in her abdomen, Christina Astle sucked in cool mountain air.

About the Book

Heart of a Warrior

The Man She Fears Is Her Only Chance For Survival . . .

All Christina Astle wants is to reach Oregon before her baby is born, but the wagon train is attacked, and her husband killed, stranding her in a mountain labyrinth. Raised in the East, within civilization’s embrace, survival is not a skill she’s learned. Neither is evading the lone warrior dogging her trail.

Disgusted by the greed and cruelty of men like his white father, Towan has turned to the simpler existence of his mother’s tribal people. He is not prepared for the fiery woman who threatens to upturn his entire life … and his heart.

This is an Inspirational Historical Romance published by Pelican Book Group. You can find this book blurb as well as various purchase links on Goodreads.

About the Author

Angela K Couch To keep from freezing in the Great White North, Angela K Couch cuddles under quilts with her laptop. Winning short story contests, being a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards also helped warm her up. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after four munchkins. (from her website)

What’s the first line of the book you’re reading?
For more first lines, visit Hoarding Books!

Throwback Thursday: Love Me

Published on September 17, 2020September 15, 2020 by Caitlyn Santi2 Comments

Happy Thursday, friends! It’s Throwback Thursday, and today we’re featuring Love Me (Chapel Cove Romance #2) by Alexa Verde! I absolutely loved this book! Be sure to check it out if you are a fan of Christian contemporary romance!

About the Book

Welcome to Chapel Cove, Oregon, where life begins at forty.

The biggest disaster of her life or the beginning of something wonderful?

Growing up, Kristina Vela never imagined she’d meet her fortieth birthday divorced by her cheating, manipulative husband, and without a house, degree, or career. Back in her hometown, Chapel Cove, to start anew, she’s given up on men. Then she meets grieving widower Greg Matthews and his adorable five-year-old daughter and helps them renovate a house. Just when Kristina feels she can love again, her ex gives her an ultimatum. Can she choose between her own happiness and Greg’s?

Former snowboarder Greg Matthews is moving to Chapel Cove so his daughter can be close to her grandparents. After his wife died, his heart closed to romance. As caring and compassionate Kristina helps him repair his house and his life, he might be falling for her. But if she decides to leave, will he survive a second heartbreak?

Amazon, Goodreads

About the Author

Alexa Verde writes stories of love, faith, and mystery to warm your heart. She’d love it if you subscribed to her newsletter (every subscriber gets a free Christian romance after confirming the subscription as a thank-you gift). She penned her first literary masterpiece, a rhymed poem, at the ripe age of eight, and since has had twenty books and 200 short stories, articles, and poems published in the five languages that she speaks. She has bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, a master’s in Russian, and enjoys writing about characters with diverse cultures. She’s worn the hats of reporter, teacher, translator, model (even one day counts!), caretaker, and secretary, but thinks that the writer’s hat suits her the best. After traveling the world and living in both hemispheres, she calls a small town in south Texas home. The latter is an inspiration for the fictional setting of her popular series Rios Azules Christmas and Secrets of Rios Azules.

She hopes and prays that her stories will bring joy to her readers. Heartfelt thanks for interest in her books!

Follow: Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram

Post by contributor Caitlyn Santi

Have you read any of Alexa Verde’s books?

Author Interview!

Published on September 14, 2020September 13, 2020 by Ebos Aifuobhokhan1 Comment

Hello there!

After reading, another thing I enjoy is meeting authors. The spotlight today would be on the Nigerian Kikelomo Kuponiyi and her debut novel Unfolding Grace.

Let’s meet her!

Tell us about yourself and your background
I trained as a lawyer but worked in banking for over twenty years. I am currently retired, and keep busy by writing. I have always loved books and reading. I grew up in a house full of books. My parents loved reading and they had books covering a variety of topics, both educational and fiction. So, I grew up reading and developed a love for books.
Did your background influence your writing?
I always wanted to write my own book. Yes, my background influenced my wanting to write.
How hard was it to write a book in Nigeria with Nigerian characters?
I live in Nigeria and writing about Nigerians came easily to me. I just wrote about the people around me, the everyday people and every day life happening around me. I enjoy reading books about Nigerians because I can identify with their lives.
What is the best investment you’ve made in writing?
I think my best investment was paying someone to edit my novel. It was worth the investment of money and time, and I was pleased with the outcome.
Tell us about your book (fiction), the writing process?
I had written Unfolding Grace many times in my head before I put pen to paper. I had talked about it a lot, but eventually put it down. I was stuck a few times, but I would just leave it for a few days while I ran through different scenarios in my mind. I would eventually go back to it when I had decided on how the book would move.
What is one message you would love everyone to get from your book.
My main message in Unfolding Grace is that God has a good plan for everyone. Even though it may not look like it at the beginning, if we trust in God and obey Him, He causes His grace to unfold in our lives and perfects His plan in such a way that we are amazed and pleasantly satisfied when we see the end result of His works.
What’s next, should we expect a new book?
Yes, I am currently working on another novel which should be out in a few months.

Book Blurb

Bayo had it made. A rich father and good business acumen; a beautiful, professional fiancée, a new business that promises a wealthy future. What more could he ask for? Things were looking good. Then God stepped in! What happens now? Thus starts the journey of his life, where he would need God’s unfolding grace to come into the future pre-planned for him.

You can get your copy via Amazon, Okadabooks, Smashwords, Apple Books and so many other ebook retailers, worldwide. It’s also part of the Bambooks library!

About The Author.

Author Bio:
Kikelomo Kuponiyi is a retired banker, lawyer and writer. After obtaining her law degree, she ventured into banking, where she worked for over two decades. Her love for the arts was however kept alive through writing journals, poetry and short stories. She recently retired from banking and is walking with God to navigate His plans for the second half of her life. Unfolding Grace is her first published novel. She blogs at http://www.kikesthoughts.com She is married with three children and lives in Lagos, Nigeria.

Instagram @kikekups_author
Facebook Kikelomo.Kuponiyi
Twitter @KayKups
Blog http://www.kikesthoughts.com

Book Review: Undefeated

Published on September 9, 2020August 19, 2021 by Allyson AnthonyLeave a comment

Happy Wednesday, friends! Today’s book review is Undefeated, book 1 in the Against All Odds series, by C.D. Gill. Undefeated released today. Happy Release Day!

ABOUT THE BOOK

You’re innocent, but you just spent 5 years in prison. Would you be okay with never learning the truth?

Former soccer coach Xander Reinerman barely made it out of prison alive with scars and panic attacks as souvenirs. Five years ago, someone framed him for steroid sales and drugging his university soccer players. Now he’s out to show the world especially his family that he isn’t the monster the media made him out to be. Doing that in a new town with no money, no friends, and a felony record will take every weapon in his arsenal and what’s left of his shredded hope.

After Golden’s philanthropist Gia Carter offers shelter to the mysterious dark-haired stranger in town, her life begins to unravel at breakneck speed. Someone’s out to ruin her and they won’t stop until she’s headed back to her parents in a body bag.

Can Xander and Gia keep shambles of their lives together long enough to name their enemies, get justice, and learn to trust along the way?

AMAZON | GOODREADS

MY THOUGHTS

C.D. Gill is a new-to-me author. I truly enjoyed reading Undefeated, which has suspense in it. Gia has some skeletons in her closet but also knows how to protect herself and is determined to make her own way into the world, even though she comes from a wealthy family. Xander, without his family’s support, has been released from prison and is looking for answers to prove his innocence. I adore their growing relationship with each other as they work together to find the answers to whoever framed Xander and who is trying to destroy Gia’s new life she is building. I’m looking forward to reading more of C.D. Gill’s books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As most authors, I have been writing since I was a little girl. Stories and ideas were written on any type of scrap paper that made its way into my clutches. Aside from the folders filled with such papers, spiral-bound notebooks could be found strewn about the house with a range of stories from fanciful fiction to autobiography. I had written the first chapter of a fanciful fiction story about the adventures of pants and pantyhose long before Pixar came out with “Toy Story” and “Cars.” My story was similar to “Homeward Bound,” just with a textile twist. What can I say? My overactive imagination was ahead of the curve.

My imagination has matured, and I now have the attention span to sit down and flesh out a story idea before starting another one. My inspiration comes in many forms, but Jesus, travel, cultures, languages, and justice are passions of mine that I love to study and pursue.

There’s a big wide world out there beyond what I have seen. There are stories that deserve a spotlight and lessons we can learn, if not through experience then through fiction. Join me in exploring places, hearing stories, and meeting people that will change our path forever!

Post by Contributor Allyson Anthony

First Line Friday: A Duke, the Lady and a Baby

Published on September 4, 2020August 4, 2020 by Nicole2 Comments

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 A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley, which released this summer on June 30, 2020. It is the first book in her new Rogues & Remarkable Women series. If you enjoy historical regency fiction, definitely check this book out!

and the first line is…

” It was a universal truth that no matter her background, face, or charms, a widow in possession of a fortune would be targeted for theft. In my circumstance, I’d been cheated of everything, even my greatest gift. Now was the time to defy authority, to strike and win.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

When headstrong West Indian heiress Patience Jordan questioned her English husband’s mysterious suicide, she lost everything: her newborn son, Lionel, her fortune—and her freedom. Falsely imprisoned, she risks her life to be near her child—until The Widow’s Grace gets her hired as her own son’s nanny. But working for his unsuspecting new guardian, Busick Strathmore, Duke of Repington, has perils of its own. Especially when Patience discovers his military strictness belies an ex-rake of unswerving honor—and unexpected passion . . .

A wounded military hero, Busick is determined to resolve his dead cousin’s dangerous financial dealings for Lionel’s sake. But his investigation is a minor skirmish compared to dealing with the forthright, courageous, and alluring Patience. Somehow, she’s breaking his rules, and sweeping past his defenses. Soon, between formidable enemies and obstacles, they form a fragile trust—but will it be enough to save the future they long to dare together?

AMAZON | GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fascinated by the Regency and early Victorian eras, Vanessa Riley made time for renaissance fairs, and period novels and films while obtaining her Ph.D in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Specialty RWA Chapters: The Beaumonde, and the Georgia Chapters, as well as the Historical Novel Society. Vanessa also juggles her military hubby, mothering a teen, and speaking at women’s events. Visit her at http://www.vanessariley.com.

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!

Top Ten Tuesday – Ten Diverse Books I’d Love To Read.

Published on September 1, 2020August 30, 2020 by Ebos AifuobhokhanLeave a comment

Happy Tuesday, friends! Today’s Top Ten Tuesday theme is Ten Diverse Books I’d love To Read. I recently posted a poll in a bookish group I a part of these books came up more than once. So, I am hoping to get to read them before the year ends. I thought to share with you so you could join me!

If I Believe (A Promises of God Novel) (Volume 2)

From the gorgeous cover to the captivating book blurb. This is definitely a book I want to read.