contemporary fiction

Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer – Review

August 29, 2020 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

About the Book

Mysteries, family secrets, and the love of a true Father are found at the heart of this gripping novel from the bestselling author of Bringing Maggie Home

Newlyweds Sean Eagle and Meghan DeFord are no strangers to pain and loss. As cold-case detectives, they know intimately the anguish family members endure after the murder or disappearance of a loved one. But when a new case hits too close to home, it threatens to pull loose the fragile cords of their young marriage.

Sheila Menke was just a girl when her father left for work and never returned. An investigation revealed he had embezzled enough to start a new life elsewhere, but Sheila could never accept the court’s criminalization of her father. Meghan reluctantly takes the case, secretly fearing it will stir up buried feelings about her own biological father. And while Sean investigates the mysterious death of two young brothers, he longs to start a family. But Meghan worries that with a negligent mother and an absentee father as her parenting examples, she might never be fit for motherhood.

As they delve deeper into the past, both Meghan and Sheila must choose to either stumble along the road of bitterness and resentment or walk the difficult path toward forgiveness and healing. When the cases begin to break wide open, these young women are poised to discover that while earthly fathers may fail, there is one in heaven who is a father to the fatherless.

Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton: Review & Giveaway

March 23, 2019 by Suzie Waltner 15 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton with JustRead Publicity Tours! We continue the Glory Road celebration on social media starting March 26.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Glory Road
Author: Lauren K. Denton
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Southern Fiction
Release Date: March 19, 2019

Written in Lauren Denton’s signature Southern style, Glory Road tells the story of three generations of women navigating the uncertain pathways of their hearts during a summer that promises to bring change–whether they’re ready for it or not.

At thirty-eight, garden shop owner Jessie McBride thinks her chances for romance are years behind her and, after her failed marriage, she’s fine with that. She lives contentedly with her fiery mother and her quiet, headstrong daughter. But the unexpected arrival of two men on Glory Road make her question if she’s really happy with the status quo. Handsome, wealthy Sumner Tate asks her to arrange flowers for his daughter’s wedding, and Jessie finds herself drawn to his continued attention. And Ben Bradley, her lingering what-could-have-been from high school days who’s known her better than anyone and whom she hasn’t seen in years, moves back to the red dirt road. Jessie finds her heart being pulled in directions she never expected.

Meanwhile, Jessie’s fourteen-year-old daughter, Evan, is approaching the start of high school and trying to navigate a new world of identity and emotions–particularly as they relate to the cute new guy who’s moved in just down the road. At the same time, Jessie’s mother, Gus, increasingly finds herself forgetful and faces a potentially frightening future.

As all three women navigate the uncertain paths of their hearts and futures, one summer promises to bring change–whether they’re ready for it or not.

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

IN MY OPINION

This is southern fiction at it’s finest. Lauren K. Denton draws you in with these three generations of women, the small town setting, and true southern hospitality.

Jessie gets the most page time as she runs her garden shop, raises her teenage daughter, worries over her mother, and navigates the interest of two men (but the romance is a very small part of Glory Road). Jessie, Evan, and Gus are strong women who battle doubts and disappointments while stirring the embers of hope. Through it all, they love and support each other.

Denton has once again wowed me with her thought-provoking prose, unraveling the details of this story much like a beloved tale. Grab your sweet tea and settle onto the porch swing for a long visit with the women on Glory Road.

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

Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren now lives with her husband and two young daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. In addition to her fiction, she writes a monthly newspaper column about life, faith, and how funny (and hard) it is to be a parent. On any given day, she’d rather be at the beach with her family and a stack of books. Her debut novel, The Hideaway, is USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestseller. Her second novel, Hurricane Season, released in April, 2018, and was listed on BookPage’s 2018 list of Most Anticipated Fiction.

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram | pinterest

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(2) winners will each win a print copy of Glory Road.

Be sure to check out each stop on the Blog and Takeover tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway begins at midnight March 23, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 30, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

AND

Be sure to stop at the takeover tour, starting on March 26, for more chances to win!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

The Secret of Willow Inn by Pat Nichols – Spotlight with Excerpt and Giveaway

October 27, 2018 by Suzie Waltner 3 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Blitz & Giveaway for The Secret of Willow Inn by Pat Nichols, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Secret of Willow Inn
(Willow Falls #1)
Author: Pat Nichols
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Release Date: January 10, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction

Two women fighting for their dreams, one who’s long lost hers, are united by tragedy and a long-held secret.

Pregnant with her first child, Emily Hayes is eager to help her mother finish transforming an estate into the Willow Inn and write a novel about Willow Falls’ colorful history. A tragic event threatens her parents’ plans to refurbish an abandoned hotel and transform the obscure Georgia setting into a tourist destination.

Sadie Lyles left Willow Falls a murderer who’d killed the town hero. She returns as a despised felon and seeks solace in the town’s café. Emily struggles to unite the close-knit community and becomes Sadie’s biggest advocate. She strives to uncover the truth about the crime and save her town from dying.

To appease her father, Rachel, a VP in his Atlanta real-estate-development firm, relegates her acting dream to secret performances for imaginary audiences. After meeting charming, flirtatious Charlie Bricker, manager for Willow Falls’ future vineyard, she vows to break free from her father’s control.

The tragedy and Willow Inn’s secret past launch Emily and Rachel on a collision course with destiny and truth.

An Unpresentable Glory by Eleanor K. Gustafson – Review & Giveaway

September 10, 2018 by Suzie Waltner 3 Comments

Welcome to the blog tour & giveaway for An Unpresentable Glory by Eleanor K. Gustafson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: An Unpresentable Glory
Author: Eleanor K. Gustafson
Publisher: Ambassador International
Release Date: July 1, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance

“I trusted you, and some day, you may know just how much you hold in your hands.”

Linda Jensen leads a relatively quiet life in Westchester County, New York, as the owner of a highly-acclaimed garden. Inherited from her parents, the garden is her pride and joy. What is not so joyful is finding a strange man sprawled near her delphiniums! The mysterious man is sick, unable to do anything more than drink water—and beg for secrecy. Ignoring all alarm bells, Linda sees to his needs, but her caring act takes on unexpected significance, an unpresentable glory.

Seeds of trust, and perhaps love, are planted in Linda’s garden haven. But as secrets are revealed and scandal hits the headlines, the act of caring for this man threatens to tarnish both of their reputations. Like weeds in Linda’s garden, circumstances threaten to choke out their fledgling relationship, and small moments prove to be the biggest influencers—on a national scale.

PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository

Can’t Wait Wednesday – Until I Knew Myself by Tammy L. Gray

February 28, 2018 by Suzie Waltner 6 Comments

Be sure to visit our host site at Wishful Endings to see what books everyone is looking forward to.

Guess what today is? Other than Wednesday, I mean. Today is my birthday! Guys, no matter how old I get, I love my birthday. I mean, I love birthdays in general as they are days to celebrate friends and family. But Feb. 28 is my special day (and believe me, I try and use it as an excuse as much as I can).

Now, if I had my way, I would get books, books, and more books for my birthday. But some people think I have too many as it is. Obviously, these are not my book peeps because y’all understand my bookish birthday wishlist, right?

Here’s one we don’t have to wait that long for as it releases in just eight days. Although, it is a series so once I tear through this read, I’ll have to wait for the next book. Are you getting the impression here I’m not that patient? (Pssst…you wouldn’t be wrong).