Gone Too Soon by Melody Carlson: Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway

May 6, 2019 by Suzie Waltner 3 Comments

About the Book

Book: Gone Too Soon
Author: Melody Carlson
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: November 15, 2018

An icy road. A car crash.

A family changed forever.

Hannah Josephson had always been the “perfect” daughter. Kiera couldn’t live up to her before, and she certainly can’t now that her older sister has died in a car accident. But the image she carried resentfully of Hannah is challenged when she finds her dead sister’s diary and begins to read. Apparently Hannah’s final year wasn’t as perfect as everyone thought.

Caught in a pattern of blaming each other, the Josephson family is falling apart. Their father has left, their mother is mixing opiates and alcohol, little sister Maddie has been shipped off to spend the whole summer with their grandmother, and Kiera feels utterly alone with her grief and anger. A summer job helping at a park in a poor section of town provides a friend and a purpose.

But it’s Hannah’s diary that fills her thoughts. For the first time in years, she feels close to the sister she’s lost. But can the knowledge she gleans about her possibly help her patch back together the family that seems determined to implode?

Click here to purchase your copy.

Week in Review: 4/28 to 5/4 Plus a Giveaway

May 4, 2019 by Suzie Waltner 10 Comments

How did it get to be May already? Well, in a way, I’m glad we’re there. April was a month of waiting for me. I found it fitting that the second Sunday our sermon study of James talked about patience. I do have some exciting news, though! One of the things was waiting on was the results from the Love Inspired Author Search. I sent in my first chapter and synopsis and was thrilled to get an invitation to round 2, which was a request for a full manuscript. Who knows, in a year or so I could be giving away copies of my own book.

With the need for dedicated writing time (my deadline to finish and submit my full manuscript is Aug 1), things may taper off here over the summer. But probably not too terribly much because I’ve already committed to several reviews through August. There just may be a day or two on certain weeks I don’t get a post up.

Well, that was a lot of detail when all you stopped by to see what you might have missed this week :). The good news is it was a full one! Click on the picture to get to information about that book and/or giveaway.

Sweet on You by Becky Wade – Review

May 4, 2019 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

In the Bradford Sister’s series finale, Becky Wade saves the best (or at least the sweetest) for last!

About the Book

Britt Bradford and Zander Ford have been the best of friends since they met thirteen years ago. Unbeknown to Britt, Zander has been in love with her for just as long.

Independent and adventurous Britt channels her talent into creating chocolates at her hometown shop. Zander is a bestselling author who’s spent the past 18 months traveling the world. He’s achieved a great deal but still lacks the only thing that ever truly mattered to him–Britt’s heart.

When Zander’s uncle dies of mysterious causes, he returns to Merryweather, Washington, to investigate, and Britt is immediately there to help. Although this throws them into close proximity, both understand that an attempt at romance could jeopardize their once-in-a-lifetime friendship. But while Britt is determined to resist any change in their relationship, Zander finds it increasingly difficult to keep his feelings hidden.

As they work together to uncover his uncle’s tangled past, will the truth of what lies between them also, finally, come to light?

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM! / Book Depository / Christianbook / Goodreads

The Brave Art of Motherhood by Rachel Marie Martin – Book Blitz, Video & Giveaway

May 3, 2019 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and we’re joining up with JustRead Publicity Tours to tell you about a great gift for Mom this year! Keep reading for more info on a special ebook price to make your gift giving even easier AND a book club kit giveaway!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Brave Art of Motherhood: Fight Fear, Gain Confidence, & Find Yourself Again
Author: Rachel Marie Martin
Publisher: WaterBrook
Release Date: October 9, 2018
Genre: Christian Living/Women’s Interest

Full-time FindingJoy.net blogger, speaker, marketer, podcaster, and single mom of seven, Rachel Marie Martin presents a wake-up call to those of us who have found ourselves stuck in the ‘I’m just a mom’ phase of life.

Yes, this book is about motherhood . . . but really, this book is about finding yourself again and following your passion WHILE being a mom. Inspired by her incredible story, Rachel’s words always come straight from the gut; they are visceral, real and soul searching. She challenges you to find the courage to break cycles, to take off masks and not let fear take control. This book is a balance of tough, “no excuses” ways of approaching life, while allowing breathing room and grace for yourself, for as we all know, life and mothering are not perfect.

After inspiring and conversing with thousands of women, Rachel has surmised there is always a reason to hope, to move forward and a reason to dare doing what you thought was impossible. (Yes, including what you are skeptical of accomplishing right now). She encourages you to say yes to your dreams and stop waiting for “someday” or “one day” or “when something happens”.

Prepare to change the way you think about yourself and your life. This will be a book you read over and over armed with a highlighter in one hand and a journal for introspection in another.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Christian Book | Book Depository

First Lines Friday: Sing a New Song

May 3, 2019 by Suzie Waltner 9 Comments

How was your week? No matter if it was good, bad, or just ok, it’s Friday! I’m looking forward to reading several books releasing this month, including the next in Candee Fick’s The Wardrobe series.