Showing posts with label CelebrateLit Blog Tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CelebrateLit Blog Tour. Show all posts

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Blog Tour: Chaos: In the Blink of an Eye

Blog Tour: Chaos: In the Blink of an Eye

About the Book


  

Book Title: Chaos: In the Blink of an Eye
Author: Patrick Higgins  
Genre: Christian Mystery/Suspense  
Release date: September, 2015

It was the weekend before Thanksgiving. More than 100,000 fans were jammed inside Michigan Stadium, on their feet, to witness a heated football rivalry that had spanned more than 100 years. As the football was kicked into the snow-filled sky, they were about to get the shock of their lives, as long-foretold Bible prophecy came to pass before their very eyes, causing many to vanish into thin air without a trace. But what they soon realized was that it reached far beyond Michigan Stadium. Chaos of unimaginable proportions ensued worldwide. Shock, fear and panic filled each heart and mind. It was just the beginning of things to come, as life as humanity had known it was forever changed in the blink of an eye…

Click here to purchase your copy.







My Thoughts





I don’t read a lot of prophetic fiction (I’m probably
one of the few people who didn’t read the entire Left Behind series), but I expected more from this
book. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, although would have preferred
if it was done through dialogue and interaction with others rather than the
lengthy exposition used by the author. The characters are unique, and I like
that they seem to represent a cross-section of contemporary America. I’m an
avid NFL fan and rarely watch college level football, but I was able to relate
to the excitement that led up to such an important college game. The rapture
doesn’t occur until well into the book which may disappoint some readers. Being
a prequel, the book seems to be primarily about introducing the characters. I
appreciate that the author doesn’t use a lot of “churchy” words in the book,
but rather seems writes toward seekers and those not necessarily familiar with
the Bible and Jesus’ return. 







I received a copy of this book for free from
CelebrateLit, and a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed
are my own.









About the Author









Patrick Higgins is the author of The Pelican Trees, Coffee In Manila, the award-winning The Unannounced Christmas Visitor, and the award-winning prophetic end-times series, Chaos In The Blink Of An Eye. While the stories he writes all have different themes and take place in different settings, the one thread that links them all together is his heart for Jesus and his yearning for the lost.

With that in mind, it is his wish that the message his stories convey will greatly impact each reader, by challenging you not only to contemplate life on this side of the grave, but on the other side as well. After all, each of us will spend eternity at one of two places, based solely upon a single decision which must be made this side of the grave. That decision will be made crystal clear to each reader of his books.

Higgins is currently writing many other books, both fiction and non-fiction, including a sequel to Coffee In Manila, which will shine a bright, sobering light on the diabolical human trafficking industry.









Guest Post from Patrick Higgins





What started the Chaos in the Blink of an Eye series for me stems from my deep love of sports, which, I admit has diminished considerably over the years. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy watching and attending sporting events whenever I have the time. But these days I view them from an entirely different perspective than when I wore a younger man’s face and displayed a weaker man’s faith in God.



This slow but gradual shrinking away started soon after the Lord impressed upon my heart that the fastest growing religion in America, and the world for that matter, wasn’t Christianity or Islam, but “sports”. Every day of the week—including Sundays—millions of fans fill stadiums and arenas (or shall I say cathedrals?) worldwide to worship their heroes.



Whatever the sport, fans show up in droves to cheer on mere mortals as if they were gods. When their teams win life is good. When they lose life is miserable.



As a once-guilty participant for many years, I should know.



The passion most fans have for their favorite players and sports teams is the same passion they should have in pursuing the One who saw their unformed bodies from the foundations of the world, the very One who knit them together inside their mothers’ wombs.



Tragically, this is not the case. Hence, the reason for the CHAOS series. The sporting event chosen for this story was the famed Michigan-Ohio State college football rivalry.



Prior to writing the prequel, I traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan to attend the game. I admit I was just as caught up in the mass hysteria as everyone else. It was impossible not to be swept up into the vortex that had completely engulfed the vibrant college town.



The energy was quite palpable. So much so that I had to remind myself more than once that I was there to research and observe everything connected to the game, then put it all into words for my readers. The sporting event itself was secondary.



Though the prequel initially centers on the football game, in no way is this a sports series. This will become quite clear to you when Bible prophecy comes to pass inside Michigan Stadium, and many vanish into thin air, leaving everyone still inside the stadium utterly panic-stricken.



It was just the beginning of things to come, as life as humanity had known it was forever changed in the blink of an eye…



Enjoy reading…






Blog Stops





Here are Patrick's remaining blog stops:



August 12: Mary Hake



August 13: Blogging with Carol







August 15: Jeanette's Thoughts



August 16: Ashley's Bookshelf



August 17: Cherylbbookblog



August 17: Big Reader Site








August 21: Texas Book-aholic



August 22: Godly Book Reviews













Giveaway



















To celebrate his tour, Patrick is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!













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Saturday, August 4, 2018


          

        










Blog Tour: A Promise Forged












Blog Tour: A Promise Forged















About the Book

  



Book Title: A Promise Forged

 

Author: Cara Putman

 

Genre: World War 2 Romance

 

Release date: Originally released in 2010, Re-released in 2017



Kat transformed in front of him. Her chin came up, her fingers stopped twitching with the fabric of her gown, and a real sparkle bubbled in her eyes. It was like watching Snow White come to life when the prince kissed her.

A heartwarming WWII historical from award-winning author Cara Putman:

Kat Miller has dreamed of playing baseball her entire life. When she earns a spot on a team in the All-American Girls Professional Softball League, she finds that things aren’t as glamorous as she imagined. She struggles with long road trips, grueling practices, and older teammates who are jealous of her success. And to top it all off, an irritating reporter is constantly getting under Kat’s skin.

Events in Jack Raymond’s career have left him cynical and distanced from God. He never wanted to write at a small paper, and he certainly didn’t want to be assigned to something as inconsequential as a women’s softball team. Then Kat walks into his life. The fiery, young softball player somehow climbs the walls around his heart and makes him want to hope again.

When lies fly and the league appears to fail, will Kat and Jack’s new love survive?




Click here to purchase your copy!



My Thoughts









A
Promised Forged is a charming story that
effectively captures the flavor of WWII in the American Midwest. I am familiar
with the All-American Girls Professional Softball League, but enjoyed
experiencing the league through the eyes of one of its players. Kat and Jack
are well-developed and interesting characters, but I struggled to relate to
them – however, that may be a result of my being a few decades older. Slang
from the era and periodic historic tidbits add dimension to the story. Jack’s
struggle to reconcile his faith with the difficulties and unfairness of life is
realistic without being preachy or contrived. Although they didn’t play large
roles in the book, Kat’s parents were enjoyable characters. They obviously care
for her, and the three have a close relationship. An easy read, I finished A Promise Forged in two sittings.







I received a copy of the book for
free from CelebrateLit Publicity, and a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my
own.















About the Author











Since the time she could read Nancy Drew, Cara has wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 she attended a book signing at her local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, was history. There she met a fellow Indiana writer Colleen Coble. With prompting from her husband, Cara shared her dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, Cara’s been writing award-winning books. She is currently working on book 30 and 31. 

Cara Putman is an active member of ACFW, and currently serves on its Executive Board. She has also been the Indiana ACFW chapter president and served as the Area Coordinator for Indiana.

Cara is also an attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, active in women’s ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids that is. She graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!) and George Mason Law School, and Krannert School of Management. You can learn more about Cara at www.caraputman.com <http://www.caraputman.com/>.





Guest Post from Cara





Each of my books starts with a hook that engages my interest, and then as I play with it, I think it will engage readers. A Promise Forged was no different. For this book I was writing a series of three World War II novels for Barbour. I already had two historical hooks that fascinated me: children evacuated from London to Ohio, a top secret project to break Engima in Dayton, but I needed one more. I knew the lead characters were going to be siblings, but I wasn’t sure what to do with the kid sister. Then I remembered the All-American Girls Professional Softball/Baseball League.



And I started thinking.



What would it have been like to desperately want a chance to play a sport you loved professionally?



And to be part of the nascent league when no one was sure whether it was a good or bad idea?



I decided that was the perfect place for Kat. She was the kid sister with fire and passion. She wanted a chance to prove herself, and this would be the perfect place. Then she needed a hero worthy of her. One who could go toe-to-toe with her and still see who she could be.



He came in the form of Jack, a cynical reporter who is disappointed to be assigned to cover girls’ baseball. But then he gets to know Kat and some of the others. And he sees something in her that she doesn’t see in herself. It’s the beginning of fireworks that he doesn’t think can go anywhere because she has to go home to her senior year of high school.

As I began researching the history of the league, I learned that the AAGPS/BL archives were kept at a small museum in South Bend, a couple hours from where I live. I spent a day there talking with the curator and exploring all the records. Because the league wasn’t expected to last there weren’t many records from the first year. That meant I had to guess about some things like schedules based on what happened in the years after.



A Promise Forged became a book I loved writing. Kat was feisty, Jack was cynical, and baseball provided a great setting. I can’t believe this football loving woman can admit that!








Blog Stops





Here are Cara's remaining blog stops:








August 4: Among the Reads



August 4: The Power of Words



August 5: C Jane Read





August 5: Texas Book-aholic




August 6: Genesis 5020




August 7: Kat's Corner Books



August 7: Carpe Diem








August 8: Mary Hake



August 9: By The Book






August 10: Lighthouse Academy



August 10: Remembrancy



August 10: Jeanette's Thoughts




August 11: 100 Pages per Hour



August 11: Luv'N Lambert Life



August 11: Big Reader Site



August 12: Godly Book Reviews



August 12: Cafinated Reads




August 13: A Reader's Brain




August 13: Book by Book



August 14: All of a Kind Mom



August 14: Maureen's Musings



August 14: Daysong Reflections



August 15: The Morning Chapter



August 15: Amanda in PA






August 16: Bibliophile Reviews



August 17: Pause for Tales











Giveaway















To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away a grand prize that includes the movie League of Their Own, a box of cracker jacks, M&Ms and a $20 Amazon gift card!!





Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d2ac/a-promise-forged-celebration-tour-giveaway










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Sunday, July 22, 2018


          

        










Blog Tour: Cowboy Bodyguard by Dana Mentink












Blog Tour: Cowboy Bodyguard by Dana Mentink

















About the Book





Title: Cowboy Bodyguard

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Western, Mystery

Release Date: July 3, 2018



In this Gold Country Cowboys novel, Jack Thorn gets a surprise call from the woman he married in secret years ago. Shannon Livingston needs his protection for herself and the baby she’s hiding from a biker gang targeting the mother. Now Jack must help Shannon, even if shielding her means pretending to be a true husband to the only woman he’s ever loved.




Click here to purchase your copy!







My Thoughts





Having read the previous books in this series, I was
eager to read Cowboy Bodyguard to
spend time with Dana Mentink’s familiar characters and meet new protagonists,
Jack and Shannon. The premise was intriguing, and the action started on the
third page. A fast-paced read, the suspense rarely let up. Subplots and twists
created depth to the story, and I kept turning pages to see how things would
turn out. The book was obviously well-researched for the many facets of the
story from being an ER physician intern to life on a horse ranch. The bad guys
were believable and I felt the danger they presented to the characters. The cowboys
were heroic without being cliché and can come to my rescue anytime! Highly
recommended.







I received a copy of this book for free from
CelebrateLit Publicity, and a positive review was not required. All opinions
expressed are my own.





Guest Post from Dana Mentink

I’ve spent a bit of time in emergency rooms lately. Not to complain, mind you. The asthma related treatments worked like a charm and we were blessed by good care, so I am not grateful. There’s a bonus, too. The emergency room is a great place for people watching! Hour upon hour I spent surveying patients, relatives, nurses and doctors. I came away pondering what it must be like to work in the strange bustle that is an emergency room. That’s where character Shannon Livingston was born.



The E.R doc and nurses must be brilliant problem solvers with nerves of steel because they never know what will roll through their doors. Since they are not responsible for follow up care, they have only a short term relationship with their patients. But what would happen, my fictional mind wanted to know, if one emergency room treatment ensnared Shannon in a “run for your life” scenario? And what if her incredible life saving skills weren’t nearly enough to save her own life, or the baby she’s suddenly become responsible for? Ah me! The perfect scenario for a suspense novel, no? I hope you enjoy Cowboy Bodyguard. I can promise it’s going to be a bumpy ride!




About the Author





Dana’s Bio: Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over thirty five titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)





Blog Stops





Here are Dana's Remaining Blog Stops:










July 24: Big Reader Site












Giveaway



















To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a Mentink Bundle that includes a horse tote book bag, a three book collection, and a $50 Amazon gift card!!





Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ced1/cowboy-bodyguard-celebration-tour-giveaway










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Sunday, July 8, 2018


          

        










Blog Tour: Sons of Blackbird Mountain












Blog Tour: Sons of Blackbird Mountain













About the Book





  



Title: Sons of Blackbird Mountain

 

Author: Joanne Bischof

 

Genre:  Historical Romance



After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of Nineteenth-Century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.

But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.

As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?

A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.





My Thoughts





Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a gripping novel about the
complex relationships among family and community members. Yes, the book is a
romance story, but it is much more than that. Serious issues such as racism,
domestic violence, and segregation are explored and addressed with sensitivity
and realism, making the story difficult to read at times. Each character has
his or her own demons to fight, often resulting in tension with other
characters or within themselves. Especially moving is Thor whose deafness and
addiction to alcohol impacts his brothers and himself. The descriptions are
vivid, effectively immersing me in 19th century Appalachia. Strong
dialog enabled me to feel the characters’ emotions as strongly as if they were
mine. Ms. Bischof did an excellent job of conveying Thor’s deafness and his
ability to lip read and use American Sign Language. Themes of forgiveness,
mercy, and salvation are woven throughout the story without being preachy. As
with all of Ms. Bischof’s books, I will read this one over and over. Highly
recommended.







I received
a copy of this book for free from CelebrateLit Publicity, and a positive review
was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.










About the Author










JOANNE BISCHOF is an ACFW Carol Award and ECPA Christy Award-winning author. She writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the heartstrings. She was honored to receive the San Diego Christian Writers Guild Novel of the Year Award in 2014 and in 2015 was named Author of the Year by the Mount Hermon conference. Joanne’s 2016 novel, The Lady and the Lionheart, received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from RT Book Reviews, among other critical acclaim. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her three children. Visit her online at JoanneBischof.com, Facebook: Author, JoanneBischof, Instagram: @JoanneBischof.





Guest Video from Joanne Bischof













Blog Stops





Here are Joanne's remaining blog stops:






July 9: Kathleen Denly







July 11: Novels Corner




July 11: Just Commonly





July 12: Book by Book






July 13: Pause for Tales



July 13: Radiant Light




July 14: Remembrancy






July 15: Vicky Sluiter



July 16: By the Book







July 17: Big Reader Site




July 18: Amanda in PA















Giveaway











To celebrate her tour, Joanne is giving away



Grand prize of a country crate, a jar of apple butter, a bag of gummy berries, journal, bath salts, honey spoons, copper earrings, and a blackbird sign!!













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Sunday, June 10, 2018


          

        










Blog Tour: The Captured Bride












Blog Tour: The Captured Bride













About the Book





Title: The Captured Bride

 

Author: Michelle Griep

 

Release Date: June 1, 2018

 

Genre: Historical Romance



A war-torn countryside is no place for a lady—but Mercy Lytton is a lady like none other. Raised amongst the Mohawks, she straddles two cultures, yet each are united in one cause . . . to defeat the French. Born with a rare gift of unusually keen eyesight, she is chosen as a scout to accompany a team of men on a dangerous mission. Yet it is not her life that is threatened. It is her heart.

Condemned as a traitor, Elias Dubois faces the gallows. At the last minute, he’s offered his freedom if he consents to accompany a stolen shipment of French gold to a nearby fort—but he’s the one they stole it from in the first place. It turns out that the real thief is the beguiling woman, Mercy Lytton, for she steals his every waking thought.

Can love survive divided loyalties in a backcountry wilderness?




Click here to purchase your copy!







My Thoughts





The
Captured Bride is an exciting, fast-paced story that
contains a wonderful mixture of mystery and romance. The two main characters,
Mercy and Elias are complex, realistic, and I loved both of them. Mercy is
strong-willed yet struggles with insecurities and guilt. Elias deals with
feelings of failure and regret. As much as I love history, I don’t know more
than the basics about the colonial days in America, so I greatly enjoyed the
information the author weaves throughout the story. There is also an afterward
that contains additional interesting historic facts. The author uses all the
senses in her descriptions giving me the ability to smell the forests, horses,
and campfires; hear the jingle of bridles, bird song, and raging rivers; and feel
the rain on my face. The time period is rustic and rugged, and there are some
violent scenes, but they are not gory or gratuitous. I was breathless by the
end of the book and look forward to reading it again and again.







I received a copy of the book for free from
CelebrateLit Publicity, and a positive review was not required. All opinions
expressed are my own.





About the Author











Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the author of historical romances: The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, Undercurrent and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.




Guest Post from Michelle

A Visit to Fort Niagara

 







Whether you’re a history buff or don’t have a clue what the French and Indian War was about, there’s a destination in upstate New York that’s fun to visit for the whole family . . .



My husband and I made the trek to this living history site last summer. I had no idea what to expect, other than what was advertised as a “reenactment camp.” For those who don’t know, this is when volunteers who adore history come together to present a particular event, such as a battle. These people usually choose a real person from the era upon whom they fashion their modern day persona. They dress, speak, eat and live as that person might have. Here I am with some of my new friends.



Generally around the 4th of July, the 1759 Battle of Fort Niagara is recreated in a 3-day extravaganza of soldiers, muskets, canons and an entire market place to peruse selling period-related items.

Some of the things that surprised me about stepping back into the mid-eighteenth century were:



    

  • How much smoke muskets kick out
    • 

  • Once the battle begins, it’s hard to see who is your enemy or ally
    • 

  • Canons are really loud
    • 

  • Everything wasn’t as black and white as it seems in pictures—gowns and uniforms were very colorful
    • 


What makes this event so spectacular is that they take the entire 20 day siege and condense it into 3 days. If you visit every day, you’ll see and experience exactly what happened. You’ll be there to see the British, Colonial regulars and Iroquois allies sneak out of the tree line to shoot at some French soldiers who were pigeon hunting just outside the fort. You’ll hear the war whoops and barrage of angry French epithets roaring on the air. You’ll even get a chance to taste some of their food as you wander around inside the French Encampment set up inside the fort walls.

To experience a bit of the danger, sights and sounds of what Mercy and Elias lived through in The Captured Bride, Fort Niagara really is a fantastic place to visit.




Blog Stops









June 11: Genesis 5020



June 11: Baker Kella



June 12: My Writer's Life





June 13: Among the Reads



June 13: Book by Book





June 14: Splashes of Joy



June 14: Artistic Nobody




June 15: Pause for Tales




June 15: Mary Hake



June 15: Big Reader Site








June 17: Novels Corner



June 18: Kathleen Denly



June 18: A Reader's Brain



June 18: Remembrancy









June 20: Mommynificent








June 22: Carpe Diem









Giveaway



















To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of The Captured Bride and a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card!!













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Sunday, June 3, 2018


          

        










Blog Tour: Red Sky Over America












Blog Tour: Red Sky Over America













About the Book









Title: Red Sky over America

 

Author: Tamera Lynn Kraft

 

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

 

Release Date: February 11, 2018



In 1857, America, the daughter of a slave owner, is an abolitionist and a student at Oberlin College, a school known for its radical ideas. America goes home to Kentucky during school break to confront her father about freeing his slaves.

America’s classmate, William, goes to Kentucky to preach abolition to churches that condone slavery. America and William find themselves in the center of the approaching storm sweeping the nation and may not make it home to Ohio or live through the struggle.




Click here to purchase your copy!



My Thoughts





Set during the turbulent time of the Civil War, Red Sky Over America is a powerful story
that explores how the war divided families, churches, and communities because
of different beliefs about states’ rights and slavery. Playing off the
expression “Red sky at night, sailors delight…” the title does an excellent job
of capturing the effect the time period had on America the character and
America the country. I struggled a bit to relate to the protagonist, America,
because she waffled between sticking to her convictions about abolition and
adhering to social customs and her father’s mindset, but she was very much a
product of her time. Several points of view were used to tell the story,
including one of the slaves, which I enjoyed and effectively immersed me into
the era and personal situations of the characters. Colloquial dialogue was
used, but not to the point of being distracting. Even though I am well-versed
in the Civil War era, I was unfamiliar with the role played by Ohio and Oberlin
College. The author wove lots of interesting information throughout the story
without being textbookish or dry. I was disappointed that every slave owner in
the book was portrayed as evil and/or unfeeling and somewhat cliché. Because of
the subject matter, there are periodic episodes of violence, and although
difficult to read, are not gratuitous. This is the first in a series, and I
look forward to the next book.







I received a copy of this book for free from
CelebrateLit Publicity, and a favorable review was not required. All opinions
expressed are my own.







About the Author







Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. There are strong elements of faith, romance, suspense and adventure in her stories. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest and has other novellas in print. She’s been married for 39 years to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and two grandchildren.

Tamera has been a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist and has written children’s church curriculum. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.







Guest posts from Tamera Lynn Kraft

100 Steps to Freedom





by Tamera Lynn Kraft



Before the Civil War, Ohio had the largest Underground Railroad of any state in the Union. It is believed that every county in Ohio had a route. Many slaves would escape over the Ohio River and through Ohio on their way to Canada. This was a dangerous undertaking because, even though Ohio was a free state, the Fugitive Slave Law made it so anyone helping escaped slaves could be fined and jailed.



One small town, Ripley, Ohio, is believed to have helped more slaves escape than any town in Ohio. Ripley is located on the banks of the Ohio River across from Mason County, Kentucky.



One man who helped slaves escape was a freed black man named John Parker. Parker was educated by his master in Virginia and eventually bought his freedom. He traveled to Ohio and opened a foundry on Front Street facing the Ohio River. He was the first black man to earn a patent for one of the inventions he used in his foundry. At night, he would search the Ohio River looking for escaped slaves and helping them find their way to an Underground Railroad Station.



Rev. John Rankin, a Presbyterian minister, owned a house on top of a hill in Ripley. He built one hundred steps to the house that could be seen on the other side of the river. At night, he would light a lantern and hang it from the porch to signal slaves that it was safe to cross. It is estimated that over 2,000 slaves escaped through the Rankin House. None of them were ever recaptured. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote her famous novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, about the escape of the slave, Eliza, after hearing the story from Rev. Rankin.



Rev. John Rankin’s house is in my novel, Red Sky Over America. John Parker also is introduced as a minor character. The story takes place on the Ohio River in Kentucky across from Ripley where all these exciting events happened.



Oberlin College: A School Ahead of Its Time



My current novel series, Ladies of Oberlin, is about 3 women roommates who graduated from one of the most amazing colleges in American history, Oberlin College. Book 1, Red Sky Over America focuses on America, a woman attending Oberlin who is an abolitionist studying to become a missionary. The problem is her father is a slave owner. Here’s a little bit about this amazing college. 




Oberlin College, founded in 1833 in Northern Ohio, was a college ahead of its time in many ways. In 1835, it became the first college in the United States to regularly admit African Americans. It’s also the oldest co-educational college in the US. In 1837, it admitted four women, three of whom graduated and earned a college degree. Mary Jane Patterson, another Obeberlin graduate, became the first African American woman in 1862 to earn a Bachelor of Arts college degree.



One of Oberlin’s founders once bragged that “Oberlin is peculiar in that which is good”. Oberlin was peculiar in many ways in advancing the causes of the time. Charles Finney, the second president of the college, helped it earn its controversial reputation. He was the fiery evangelist of the Second Great Awakening, a Christian revivalist movement in the early and mid 1800s.



Oberlin College was the hotbed of abolitionist activity and a stop for the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. It was once called “the town that started the Civil War” because of its participation in the Oberlin Wellington Rescue in 1858. Slave catchers came to Oberlin to capture an escaped slave and return him to Kentucky. Most of the town came to the slave’s aid and rescued him. For their trouble, over twenty were arrested and put on trial for violating the Fugitive Slave Act. During the raid on Harper’s Ferry by John Brown, three men from Oberlin participated.



Oberlin College was also well known for the women who graduated from the college and participated in the suffrage and prohibition movements. Lucy Stone, considered a pioneer for the women’s movement, graduated from Oberlin College in 1847.



Oberlin was also very well known in the missionary movement of the late 1800s. Between 1860 and 1900, 90% of missionaries sent overseas by the American Missionary Society were graduates of Oberlin College. Between 1899 and 1901, thirteen missionaries from Oberlin were martyred during the Boxer Rebellion of China. An arch in Tappan Square at the center of Oberlin pays honor to their sacrifices.




Blog Stops









Here are Tamera's Remaining Blog Stops:







June 3: Ansel Book Blog



June 4: Artistic Nobody



June 4: Big Reader Site









June 9: Pause for Tales













Giveaway

















































To celebrate her tour, Tamera is giving away a themed basket with autographed books of Resurrection of Hope, Alice’s Notions, Red Sky Over America, a copy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin (the book is mentioned in the novel) and a copy of Then Sings My Soul (stories about the hymns), plus a $10 Amazon Card!!











Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cebb/red-sky-over-america-celebration-tour-giveaway












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Monday, May 28, 2018


          

        










Blog Tour: Together Forever












Blog Tour: Together Forever













About the Book





 Title: Together Forever, Orphan Train Book 2

 

Author: Jody Hedlund

 

Genre: Inspirational historical romance

 

Release Date: May, 2018



Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a job as a placing agent with the Children’s Aid Society in 1858 New York. She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she’ll be able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train so they can finally be reunited.

Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children, firm but tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, though, seems to linger a grief that won’t go away–and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden.

As the two team up, placing orphans in the small railroad towns of Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.




Click here to purchase your copy!







My Thoughts





Together Forever is a well-written novel that includes a little
of everything-history, intrigue, and romance. I was drawn into the story with
the first sentence, and finished the book in just a few sittings. I fell in
love with Drew whose heart of children, integrity, and faith in God fights with
his feelings of guilt and self-doubt. Marianne also struggles with her own gilt
which creates a delicious tension between her and Drew. I love historic novels
that educate me, and Together Forever did
not disappoint. I learned about the orphan trains of the mid-1800s and life in
the Old West, which intrigued me enough to do follow up research. Dialogue and
description effectively immersed me into the era. This is the second book in
the series, and I easily read it without having read the first book. Those who
enjoy the Civil War era, the Old West, and historic fiction in general should
like this book. If you’re looking for an
enjoyable, educational, and encouraging book for the summer, look no further!







I was given a copy of this book for free from CelebrateLit Publicity, and a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.





About the Author









Jody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including Love Unexpected, Captured by Love, Unending Devotion, The Preacher’s Bride, and A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at www.jodyhedlund.com.








Guest Post from Jody Hedlund

30,000 Abandoned Children








Imagine a city where 30,000 abandoned and homeless children live on the streets.

Sounds like something from a futuristic dystopian novel, doesn’t it? Or something that might happen after a war or apocalypse or major disaster, right?

This exact thing actually happened in the 1850’s. And the city was New York City.

It’s hard to believe, but an estimated 30,000 homeless children roamed the dirty city streets and alleys of New York City.

30,000. Children. Let that sink in for a minute. That’s the size of a town.

Historians look back on that time and try to make sense what led to such horrific conditions for children. Of course, the influx of immigrants was at an all time high. Jobs and housing were scarce. Diseases were rampant. Hunger and poverty became a norm. (Orphan Train Depot) 



As more and more people became aware of the enormous problem within the crowded slums, courageous heroes rose up and attempted to do their part to make a difference.

While we may not always agree with the methods that were used to save the thousands of homeless children, we can admire the men and women who could no longer sit idly by.

The Children’s Aid Society was started by Charles Loring Brace as one such attempt to help the hordes of homeless children. His “Emigration Plan” is better known today by the term “Orphan Trains.”









My latest series tackles various elements of the orphan train movement. Together Forever, releasing in May, highlights the placing agents, those devoted people who rode the trains with the orphans. The agents spent weeks and months on the road caring for the children, all the while trying to place them in loving homes.

(If you’d like to try out the series, start with my FREE novella, An Awakened Heart.)

Like the brave men and women who came before us, may we always strive to do our part to make a difference!











Blog Stops





Here are Jody's remaining blog stops:















May 30: Big Reader Site












June 2: Vicky Sluiter







June 4: Pause for Tales











Giveaway



















To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!













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