Week in Review 10/17/21 to 10/23/22 & a Giveaway

October 23, 2021 by Suzie Waltner 17 Comments

Happy Saturday, friends. It’s been a busy week for me even though I’m on “vacation” from my 9 to 5 job. The reason I put vacation in quotes if because I’m spending my time off working on book edits, so I’m still working, just in a different capacity.

One of my friends from college visited this week too, and we got to go out for dinner and catch up a little bit. College was 20+ years ago and since my friend lives in Montana and I live in Tennessee, this is the first time we’ve seen each other since I moved east.

This is also the weekend of the Fall Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt (it ends at midnight Sunday, 10/24/21, though). The hunt starts here: https://lisatawnbergren.com/2021/10/fall-christian-fiction-scavenger-hunt-2/

*Click on any image to go to that review/giveaway post.

Book Reviews, Spotlights & More

Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant – Review

October 23, 2021 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

About the Book

Rory Perez, a food truck owner who can’t cook, is struggling to keep the business she inherited from her aunt out of the red–and an upcoming contest during Modest’s annual food truck festival seems the best way to do it. The prize money could finally give her a solid financial footing and keep her cousin with special needs paid up at her beloved assisted living home. Then maybe Rory will have enough time to meet the man she’s been talking to via an anonymous online dating site.

Jude Strong is tired of being a puppet at his manipulative father’s law firm, and the food truck festival seems like the perfect opportunity to dive into his passion for cooking and finally call his life his own. But if he loses the contest, he’s back at the law firm for good. Failure is not an option.

Complications arise when Rory’s chef gets mono and she realizes she has to cook after all. Then Jude discovers that his stiffest competition is the same woman he’s been falling for online the past month.

Will these unlikely chefs sacrifice it all for the sake of love? Or will there only ever be tacos for one?

A Deep Divide by Kimberley Woodhouse – Review

October 22, 2021 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

About the Book

After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden, even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel.

When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits.

Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can’t let go of the deep-rooted fear that he’s just like every other wealthy man she’s known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true.

The Heart of a Cowboy by Jody Hedlund – Review

October 21, 2021 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

About the Book

When he agreed to guard her, he never bargained on having to guard his heart.

Brilliant scientist Linnea Newberry is on the adventure of a lifetime, traveling the Santa Fe Trail with her grandfather, Dr. Howell, on a botanical expedition to Colorado Territory. She longs to be valued for her contributions and not seen as a helpless liability. But at every calamity she faces, her grandfather threatens to send her home.

After watching his ma suffer and die in childbirth, Flynn McQuaid has sworn off women and marriage forever. Headed west to start a new life, he has his hands full not only taking care of his younger siblings but also delivering cattle to his older brother. He doesn’t need more complications.

When Flynn rescues Linnea from drowning during a river crossing, Dr. Howell promptly
hires Flynn–unbeknownst to Linnea–to act as her bodyguard for the rest of the trip. As
Flynn fights against the many dangers of the trail, he soon finds himself in the greatest danger of all–falling for a woman he’s determined not to love.

Worthy of Redemption by Krystina Renae Rankin – Review & Giveaway

October 20, 2021 by Suzie Waltner 6 Comments

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Worthy of Redemption by Krystina Renae Rankin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Worthy of Redemption
Series: White Lake Romance #1
Author: Krystina Renae Rankin
Publisher: Quirky Bullpen Press
Release Date: October 5, 2021
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Ashlynn Wilson left the small town of White Lake, Texas after tragedy struck on graduation night, taking the life of her best friend Victoria. Now, ten years later, she returns to help her parents after her father is diagnosed with cancer. When she arrives she finds herself having to face more than just memories after she discovers that the doctor treating her father is Victoria’s former boyfriend Heath Lancaster, the man Ashlynn holds responsible for her death. Even more surprising is that she is beginning to see him as a compassionate man of faith caring for her ill father; not the teenage boy who made poor decisions.

Heath Lancaster has never really forgiven himself for his girlfriend’s death so he isn’t surprised that his former classmate hasn’t either. Now that Ashlynn is back in town, he hopes their interactions can be minimal. However, when a situation arises that she is uniquely qualified for, he realizes they are going to be spending far more time together than either one of them had planned. What’s more, he realizes he enjoys her company. As old hurts turn into friendship, and maybe even love, can Heath prove to them both that he’s a man worthy of redemption?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

IN MY OPINION

Worthy of Redemption by Krystina Renae Rankin was a book that delivered in so many ways. Rankin’s debut left me wanting more (so it’s a good thing this is the first book in a series).

One tragedy has affected Ashlynn and Heath in different ways. Ashlynn found a calling through it yet she still holds resentment and unforgiveness. Heath’s future was also changed by the tragedy, and through the years he’s carried guilt. This book is their journey of discovery—about that night, themselves, and each other.

Rankin takes readers through a natural progression of animosity and unforgiveness to acceptance, redemption, and more. There are wrong turns and potholes along the way, but the beauty of the destination is the road Ashlynn and Heath take to get there.

I highly recommend this debut author and will be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series.

My Rating:

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Krystina Renae Rankin is an author who writes about love, friendship, and what it looks like to walk with God daily. She is also passionate about Christian friendship, spiritual family, and the special needs community. She is an optician by trade and honestly couldn’t tell you how many pairs of glasses she owns. When she is not writing or working her day job, you can probably find her reading, watching baseball, or hanging out with family and friends.

CONNECT WITH KRYSTINA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Worthy of Redemption, White Lake candle by From the Page, and Heath candy bar!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 28, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 25, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.