Welcome to the Legacy of Hope Celebration Tour! #giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Legacy of Hope

Author: Renae Brumbaugh Green

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: September 3, 2024

Ivelisse “Lisa” Garcia has overcome her past growing up in an orphanage and found purpose as a nurse at a local mission hospital. When a mysterious stranger she had a chance encounter with shows up in her ward with no memory of his past, Lisa is determined to help him recover, both mentally and physically. As she aids in his recovery, and a spark kindles between them, she wonders if there might be room for both fulfillment and love in her life.

But Lisa has a secret, and when it gets out, it could ruin any chance she has at love.

Jackson Stratton, desperate to escape his father’s tyranny, embarks on a daring journey to join Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders. But a freak accident leaves him wounded and unable to remember his past. As he struggles to piece together the fragments of his former life, he finds himself drawn to the beautiful nurse who has become his lifeline. Will he ever unlock the keys to his past, or will his upbringing remain shrouded in mystery as he tries to start anew?

And should he learn the truth of his past, will it prevent him from embracing the future he truly wants?

 Marilyn's thoughts:   Legacy of Hope found Jackson Stratton setting out to make a name for himself.  He knew leaving was the only way to overcome his overbearing, wealthy, powerful and abusive father’s ranch so individuals could see he was not like his father, Colt Jackson.

Jackson’s journey did not go as plan with suffering an injury right after he arrived at the Rough Riders Camp. The roller coaster events with ups and downs found Ivelisse Garcia being the nurse to care for the new patient. Perhaps God had orchestrated her encounter with Jack prior to his injury, so at least a name of Jack could be given to him.

This is an emotional read with all the unpleasant traumas and the side affects for both Jack and Ivelisse, as she had been raised as an orphan. Renae Brumbaugh Green painted a loving and soft faith message throughout the story that should inspire readers to be consider of each individual no matter their social economic status to see that God can create beauty for ashes through unexpected ways with hope and faith.

I received an early copy of this book from Wild Heart Book and Celebrate Lit without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own thoughts.

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Renae Brumbaugh Green is a city-girl-turned-country-diva. She’s married to a handsome country boy named Rick, and she’s mom to four nearly-perfect, nearly-grown children, two rowdy dogs, and some ducks. They live in rural Texas where Renae wears overalls, western boots, and bubblegum pink nail polish. She’s a bestselling author of over 30 books, an award-winning humor columnist, and an online English teacher. In her free time, she can be found leaping tall buildings and rescuing kittens from trees. Or, she’d like to do those things, if she had free time.

 

 

 

More from Renae

To the casual observer, Jackson Stratton probably looks like he has it all. He lives in a beautiful home. He has influential parents and plenty of money. But behind the fancy facade, he exists under the harsh, abusive judgment of his father’s expectations. At the beginning of our story, Jackson leaves to begin a new life.

After an accident takes his memories, he’s truly given a fresh start. What if that could happen for each of us? All the hurt, all the pain, all the shame and neglect and abuse could be wiped away? What if we could truly choose who we want to become?

Lisa, on the other hand, was abandoned as an infant. She struggles with self-worth, even while experiencing God’s visible kindness, love and grace. No matter who we are or what our circumstances, none of us is immune to Satan’s lies, telling us we’ll never measure up.

The truth is, you are already exactly who God created you to be. You are perfectly formed in His image, with His characteristics, His strength and His power. But this world, this life, has a way of distorting that image. Sin—both our own sin and others’ actions toward us—deforms that beautiful spirit. Satan fills our heads with lies about who we are, and it doesn’t take long for us to see that image when we look in the mirror, instead of the God-created one.

So how do we go about finding the truth, when so much of our identity is built on lies? It’s possible. But it’s not easy. Just as we untangle a tight, wadded-up knot gently, one strand at a time, we can address the lies, the guilt, the shame one piece, one prayer at a time. It’s a process… but isn’t that what life is? A process of sloughing off the bad and becoming more and more like our Father?

When Jackson’s memories leave him, God doesn’t. He still hears that still, small voice, speaking truth. And though most of us have our memories intact, we can listen. With discipline and perseverance and faith, we can learn to ignore the lies and hear only God, telling us who we are, who He made us to be. We are strong. We are intelligent. We have great purpose. We are wanted. And we are loved.

I hope you enjoy reading about Jackson and Lisa’s journeys. And I hope, somewhere in there, you find a reminder that you are not your circumstances. You are not your past. You have hope, and you have an amazing future planned by your adoring Father. You are, and always will be, a valued, treasured, beautiful, wanted, loved child of the King.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, September 11 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 11

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 12

Madi’s Musings, September 12

Vicky Sluiter, September 13

Sylvan Musings, September 14

Devoted To Hope, September 15

Lighthouse Academy Blog, September 16 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 18

Texas Book-aholic, September 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 19

Connie’s history classroom, September 20

An Author’s Take, September 20

Simple Harvest Reads, September 21 (Guest Review from Donna)

Cover Lover Book Review, September 22

For Him and My Family, September 23

Pause for Tales, September 24

Holly’s Book Corner, September 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour Renae is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5438

God's Truth Springs Out of the Earth #Devotional by Becky Van Vleet

 God’s Truth Springs Out of the Earth

Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Psalm 85:11 NKJV

When my husband and I visited Steamboat Springs in northern Colorado with some friends a few years ago, we heard about a walking tour of all the natural springs located in the town. We got the directions and began our trek, anxious to see each one. Much to our amazement, each spring was unique, even different colors. The bubbles and foam from these nature water wonders never stopped flowing. Why do these springs never dry up, I asked myself. What scientific phenomenon could explain them?

The author of Psalm 85, one of Korah’s sons, writes a beautiful metaphor of truth springing up out of the earth. What a resplendent picture we have, that no matter the sin and destruction we deal with, God’s truth will spring up around us, prevailing over mankind.

As God’s truth springs out of the earth, we can cultivate His truth to spring out of our individual hearts. It will never stop flowing, and righteousness shall look down upon us from heaven. I love this imagery! We don’t need a scientific explanation. It is simply God’s truth, spoken from His word.

O, Lord, we thank You for Your truth. May it always spring from our hearts each day as we serve You.

Becky Van Vleet

Becky Van Vleet is a retired teacher and principal and award-winning multi-genre author. She has been published in Guideposts, The Country Register, and Christian Devotions Ministry. Her children’s picture books are the recipients of the 2020 Excellence in Editing award as well as the Purple Dragonfly award in 2020 and 2021. She and her husband make their home close to Colorado Springs where she enjoys gardening, hiking, oil painting, power walking, and spending time with her family, especially reading books to her grandchildren.

Becky is the author of Unintended Hero, a true story about her father’s battles, experiences, and adventures in WWII aboard the USS Denver. She is passionate about sharing the values from the Greatest Generation and enjoys speaking to high school classes about patriotism.

A member of ACFW and Allauthor, Becky has devoted her website to creating and preserving family memories and sharing family stories for the next generations through her monthly blogs. 

You can find her at: https://beckyvanvleet.com. She would love to hear from you, especially if you have a family story to share!

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbeckyvanvleet/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-van-vleet-ms-806055181/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becky_van_vleet_author/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/beckyvanvleet/ 

Amazon Central Author Page: https://amzn.to/3INHIPB 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/125841473-becky-van-vleet

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beckyvanvleet9907

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/becky-van-vleet

 

 

The Christmas Gathering by Shelley Shepard Gray, Rachel J. Good, Lenora Worth

Be sure to preorder your copy of this!  

The Christmas Gathering

September 24, 2024

by Shelley Shepard Gray (Author), Rachel J. Good (Author), Lenora Worth (Author)

Filled with faith, family, and a whole lot of heart, New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray joins Lenora Worth and Rachel J. Good for three all-new, faith-affirming holiday stories celebrating the spirit of the season, the warmth of simple Amish traditions, and the joyful gathering of loved ones for Christmas.

A CHRISTMAS REUNION by Shelley Shepard Gray
Tricia Troyer is thrilled when Brandt Massey, her cousin’s English friend, joins the Troyers’ holiday gathering for the second year in a row. The sparks between them are clear to everyone. When Brandt asks Tricia to be his girlfriend, they both know she’ll have important choices to make about her future. But the two aren’t as different as some believe—and with open hearts and understanding, their very own Christmas miracle just might be
possible . . .

WE GATHER TOGETHER by Lenora Worth
When Lucas Myer meets Kayla Hollinger on the shores of Lake Erie, he’s smitten. Their families are even staying at the same inn, for different gatherings. The two plan to meet again—but soon enough they discover a problem: their relatives are locked in a longtime feud and forbid them to socialize. Fortunately, Lucas and Kayla are old enough to make their own decisions—and they decide to create a Christmas miracle of forgiveness and love . . .

HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES by Rachel J. Good
Years ago, Andrew was banished by his Amish family when he chose a career in music. It still hurts, especially during the holidays. And now, just before Christmas, he and his band find themselves stranded after their manager absconds with their money. Desperate, Andrew is offered a job teaching piano—but that’s just the first miracle. His work will not only bless others in need, but a longtime fan might just capture his heart—and even lead him home . . .

Marilyn's thoughts:  The Christmas Gathering is truly a unique novella collection of Amish romance set around Christmas. Each tale is different with their gathering, situations to find answers to and romance.

 

Shelley Shepard Gray’s read A Christmas Reunion finds an Amish and Englischer being attracted to one another after meeting the prior year. What a reunion the Amish family created with friends and family with a scavenger hunt of unusual items for team members to find plus the usual Christmas celebration. Will the young couple make their choice known and be accepted when they know there will be struggles and hurts?

 

Lenore Worth tale We Gather Together is set at a lovely inn on Lake Erie with two large events happening. Some of the guests for each event has had a family feud for years, which did not go will at their first encounter in the dining area. Will the fun competitive events the young couple requested to bring the family together make a difference? Who’s going to take the lead in bringing the feud to an end?

 

Rachel J. Good’s novella Hitting All the Right Notes brought about laughs as some Amish youth with a gift for music formed a band. An unpleasant event brought their band low, but maybe in disguise it truly was God’s plan to bring true happiness and new beginnings at the Star Center, a place for displaced youth to gather. This novella had the best faith message.

 

I received an ARC of this book from one of the author without any obligation to write a review. I have expressed my own thoughts.  

What Matters Most by Courtney Walsh

 

What Matters Most 

April 5, 2022

by Courtney Walsh (Author)

“Courtney Walsh’s books always capture my heart!” ―Becky Wade, author of Let It Be Me

Emma Woodson is hoping the cobblestone streets of Nantucket and the charm of her late husband’s family cottage will be the fresh start she and her young son, CJ, need. Securing a dream job at an art gallery is one more step along the path to a new life . . . and away from a piece of her history she hopes will never be revealed. Falling in love with the kind and handsome guy she hires to clean out the rental apartment above the garage wasn’t part of the plan.

Jameson Shaw came to Nantucket for one reason: deliver his letter to Emma and never return. But when he sees an opportunity to help her, he takes a chance, desperate to atone for his past. He never planned to keep his connection to her husband a secret or to fall in love with her. After all, he knows that their new relationship might not survive the discovery of who he really is.

My thoughts: What Matters Most by Courtney Walsh is a romance set in Nantucket. I enjoyed reading and learning about art as two artists connect over a shared incident that affected them both. There are some misunderstandings and drama, and you can see the black moment coming from miles away.  I also got upset with Emma because she was bossy, mean and unforgiving in parts, but all in all this was a good romance and I enjoyed reading it and getting to know the characters. Ms Walsh is one of my favorite romance writers. 3.5 stars rounded up.  I enjoyed this book and recommend it. Grab your copy today. I was given a copy free and all opinions on my own.

Here With Me (Home to Heritage) by Mandy Boerma, Susan May Warren, Tari Faris

 

Here With Me 

(Home to Heritage)

September 10, 2024

by Mandy Boerma (Author), Susan May Warren (Author), Tari Faris (Author)

He’s helping her stay. She’s making sure he can leave. This second chance at love in a small town will tug at your heart and make you believe in love all over again.

"Sadie and David’s journey to salvage love and a family legacy will steal your breath and reaffirm your belief in second chances. A must-read for anyone who cherishes a heart-pounding romance as much as a heartwarming happy-ever-after." USA Today best-selling author Susan May Warren

Love ignites in a last-chance hardware store, but will their hearts, like the failing family business, require a rescue?

She just wants a fresh start…

Inheriting her best friend’s daughter and a store on the brink of collapse, Sadie Hoover is determined to provide Lottie a stable life and keep the family business afloat. But her resolve is tested when the past walks in, wearing a tool belt and a smile that still weakens her knees.

Is he back to break her heart?

David Williams, once the love of Sadie’s life, returns to Heritage not as the missionary he was, but as a man in search of healing and purpose. Tasked with community service, he’s thrown into the daily grind of nuts and bolts, unaware that the hardware store’s troubles—and Sadie’s struggles—are more than just loose hinges and unpaid bills.

What will it cost her to fall for him again?

As they grapple with financial peril and the echoes of a love once lost, David and Sadie are forced to confront what they truly want. The store’s impending foreclosure looms over them, a testament to their joint past and the future they must shape.
If the store fails, they lose not just a legacy, but the second chance life has offered them. Can they rekindle their love while saving the heart of Heritage, or will their dreams rust away like forgotten tools?

Can love be rebuilt from the ruins of their shared history, or will the fight for survival drive the final wedge between them?

HOME TO HERITAGE
You’re the Reason
Here With Me
Christmas With You

RESTORING HERITAGE
P.S. Goodbye (prequel novella)
You Belong With Me
Until I Met You
While It Was Snowing (novella)
Since You’ve Been Gone
Upon a Midnight Snow (Christmas novella)

My thoughts: Here With Me is a contemporary romance this set in Michigan between Muskegon and Ludington. I love seeing some of the continuing characters in this stand-alone series and getting to know David and Sadie. I cared about them and their different than the normal struggles and I was fascinated by the old clock they found in a storage shed. And, of course, the hippo that manages to somehow change locale when something interesting happens was very present in the story. This couple  has a lot of work to do and things to work out due to failure to communicate. If you like contemporary romance this is a book to consider. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

 

A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy: a grumpy-sunshine, forced-proximity Montana Ranches Christian Romance (Sweet River Ranch Romance Book 3)

Author: Valerie Comer

He's grouchy through blessings. She's happy through turmoil. What now?
Weston Kline might know horses, but being the stable manager is not a plum position like his newfound cousins have on the ranch resort their grandfather is revitalizing to meld Weston and his brother into the Sullivan clan. Unsure of where he fits, Weston hides behind an aloof nature.

Paisley Teele is the ranch’s activity coordinator, and she’s not about to let rude, surly Weston withdraw. When they’re thrown together on a two-night trail ride with a group of tweens, she’s determined to get a genuine smile on that cowboy’s face, one way or another.

Neither planned to fall in love, but the attraction sizzles before it fizzles. No grumpy cowboy wants to be coaxed into fake happiness, and this ray of sunshine might be losing her grip in the light of her family situation. Trusting the source of true joy may take an act of God for them both.

About the Sweet River Ranch Romance series:

Walter Sullivan is frustrated with the soft lives his entitled sons and grandsons lead. Yes, it’s because he’s given them an education and money, but now he’s just frustrated with the namby-pamby city kids. Working together to revive a failing guest ranch in Montana will give those young men a chance to prove their worth. And if they settle into the cowboy life and find romance in the bargain, it will be well worth the risk.
1. A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy
2. A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy
3. A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy
4. A Marriage Pact for the Cowboy

Other Montana Ranches Christian Romance series to buy or borrow from USA Today bestselling author Valerie Comer:

Cavanagh Cowboys Romance (complete in 2022)
1. Marry Me for Real, Cowboy
2. Give Me Another Chance, Cowboy
3. Let Me Off Easy, Cowboy
4. Kiss Me Like You Mean It, Cowboy
5. Choose Me for Always, Cowboy
6. Trust Me With Your Heart, Cowboy

Saddle Springs Romance (complete in 2019)
1. The Cowboy’s Christmas Reunion
2. The Cowboy’s Mixed-Up Matchmaker
3. The Cowboy's Romantic Dreamer
4. The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage
5. The Cowboy’s Belated Discovery
6. The Cowboy’s Reluctant Bride

Or check out Valerie's other Christian romance series:

• Farm Fresh Market Romances, ongoing series, starting with A Wide and Pleasant Place
• Urban Farm Fresh Romances, complete 12-book series, starting with Secrets of Sunbeams
• Pot of Gold Geocaching Romances, complete 4-book series, starting with Topaz Treasure
• Garden Grown Romances, complete 4-book series, starting with Sown in Love
• Farm Fresh Romances, complete 6-book series, starting with Raspberries and Vinegar
• Christmas at the Miss Snowflake Pageant Romances, complete 3-book series, starting with More Than a Tiara
• Riverbend Romances, complete 5-novella series, starting with Secretly Yours

If you love Christian contemporary romance series that focus on engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith — clean, wholesome, sweet, and inspirational romances — you’ve come to the right place! This is Christian western romance at its finest.

My thoughts: A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy is a sweet romance with a what seems like an impossible match. She is usually happy, talkative, bouncy, and can't stand to see anybody unhappy. He is moody, grumpy, and doesn't talk much. But then things change. While paired together on overnight camping trip with a bunch of homeschooled kids he finds his footing. The tables are turned and they are both forced out of their comfort zones as they deal with difficulties they never imagined.  The book includes a strong faith message which I  enjoyed. I am a verified buyer and no review was required.

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter

 

Before We Were Us

September 10, 2024

by Denise Hunter (Author)

She can’t remember. He can’t forget.

When Lauren Wentworth wakes up in the hospital after falling from a ladder, she has more questions than answers. Way more. She knows where she is—the wilds of New Hampshire. But she’s apparently lost the last four months of her life. Is she really contemplating forfeiting her big-city dream job for a position at a rustic resort? And how did her number one nemesis become her adoring boyfriend?

Jonah Landry is crushed to learn Lauren has forgotten their entire summer together. Terrified of losing her for good, he determines to help her remember their deep connection as she finishes her obligation to the resort. But soon it becomes apparent Lauren doesn’t want to remember falling in love with him or rethinking the entire course of her career. She wants to pretend the summer never happened and move on with her life. Without him.

As Lauren falls back into the steady routines of resort work with Jonah, she’s relieved her memories haven’t returned and remains resolute about her big-city future. But as autumn leads into winter, she begins to see glimpses of the Jonah she’s forgotten. Will she be able to resist the steady love of this patient man? Or Is her heart destined for its own freefall?

My thoughts:  Before We Were Us is Ms. Hunter's latest release and as per usual, we have a winner.  Laurel has her plans for the future mapped out in advance and nothing is going to stop her.  Not even a handsome man in the middle of nowhere.  Jonah knows what he wants to, but he feels it all slipping away....   This is a great romance and would make a great Hallmark movie.   If you love romance grab your copy while its on preorder.... Highly recommended.   I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.