Thursday, July 10, 2025

Celebrate Lit Presents: Angel from the East Author: Barbara A. Curtis

 

About the Book

Book: Angel from the East

Author: Barbara A. Curtis

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 24, 2025

His path to redemption lies in the hands of the citified newcomer who believes the worst of him.

Caleb Morgan has had everything stolen from him—his strength, the job he loved, even his good name. He’s determined to even the score with the man responsible, until he meets the captivating new owner of the Double E Ranch. Though he’s drawn to her compassion, he fears she may never see beyond his supposed wrongdoings, unless he can prove his innocence and reclaim his honor.

Eliza Roberts is a teacher, not a rancher. But if she has any hope of selling the ranch she inherited from her grandfather and continuing on to her new life in California, she needs to restore it to some semblance of order. If only the man her grandfather advised her to trust wasn’t refusing to help her.

When an offer of courtship arises from the current foreman, Eliza sees the practicality in the offer. So why does her heart keep wandering back to Caleb? And why can’t she shake the feeling that something’s not right at the Double E Ranch? Will she have the courage to follow the clues behind the strange mishaps at the Double E—and possibly embrace a different life than she imagined?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Barbara A. Curtis lives in Connecticut with her husband, and they have one grown son, a blessing to their hearts. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and NovelAcademy.

 

 

 

 

More from Barbara

Though Elizabeth Rose Roberts, the matriarch of the Double E Ranch, has passed before the Blooms of the Bitterbrush series begins, each story reflects the legacy she left for the generations to come. May the journey of these four descendants be an encouragement to your heart as you follow the struggles, love, and joy of Elizabeth’s family through the years.

In Angel from the East, Nellie loves baking pies and had a special request from one of the little Billings girls.

“I love pie! I hope it’s pum-kin tomorrow!” Virginia shouted.

Hopefully, Nellie had prior experience making a pumpkin pie or possessed a later recipe with detailed instructions, as this early recipe from an 1876 cookbook might not have helped much:

Peel and cut your pumpkin into small pieces and put into a kettle with a very little water; cook from six to eight hours, stirring frequently to prevent burning. When done, rub through a colander. One quart of pumpkin, five pints of rich milk, four eggs, three cups of sugar, one scant teaspoon of ginger and 4 tsp of cinnamon.

I hope you enjoy the stories—and perhaps a piece of pumpkin pie to go with them!

Blessings!

Barbara

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, June 28

Devoted To Hope, June 29

Vicky Sluiter, June 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 2

Pause for Tales, July 2

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 3

Book Looks by Lisa, July 3

Simple Harvest Reads, July 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 5

For Him and My Family, July 6

Cover Lover Book Review, July 7

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 8

Texas Book-aholic, July 9

Stories By Gina, July 10 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 10

Holly’s Book Corner, July 11

Giveaway

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

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54250

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

The Blue Horse (Porter Beck, #3) by Bruce Borgos

 


A controversial wild horse round-up in the high desert of Nevada results in two murders and too many suspects for Sheriff Porter Beck to deal with.

A helicopter driving a controversial round-up of wild horses suddenly crashes and the pilot is found to have been shot. Then the person coordinating the round-up for the Bureau of Land Management is savagely murdered, buried up to her neck and then trampled to death by the very same wild horses. And there's no lack of suspects―with the wild horse advocacy group having sworn to protect the horse At Any Cost! Now the state and federal agencies are showing up looking for answers or at least a scapegoat.

Sheriff Porter Beck has had better days.

Porter Beck's new girlfriend, Detective Charlie Blue Horse, arrives to help with the investigation, which leads them to Canadian Lithium mining operation near the round-up area that sets off Beck's mental alarm bells. Brinley, Beck's sister, is leading a group of troubled kids in a wilderness program, when one of them, Rafa, bolts one night. When Brinley catches up to him, they're just outside the mine―in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

With his personal life in turmoil, too many suspects and too many secrets, the feds pushing for a quick resolution, and his impetuous (if skilled) sister in the mix, one wrong step could be deadly for Porter Beck.

Amazon

 
About The Author

 

Bruce Borgos lives and writes from the Nevada desert where he works hard every day to prove his high school guidance counselor had good instincts when he said “You’ll never be an astronaut.” He has a lifelong obsession with words and stories and a fascination with how telephones work. When not writing, you can usually find him at the local wine store.

Visit his website at: https://www.bruceborgos.com/

or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BruceBorgos

or catch him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/bruceborgos.

 

My Review


 This a story that begins and ends with a lot of action! Now this is the third book in this series, and they are all equally good, and yes, this can be read alone.
The author drew me in with the downing of the helicopter, who would want him dead?
Then there are the horses, I really didn't like what was happening to those poor beautiful animals, really breaks your heart.
There are surprises here, and yes, the almighty greed comes into play. Whom do you trust?
The time is when the Virus is infecting the world and has reached Nevada, and affecting those we now know, and many others. Then there are murders, and then we are left guessing, whom will survive, and then there are big surprises, I really didn't guess.
Hoping that there are more Porter Beck books!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher St. Martin's Press, and was not required to give a positive review.


Monday, July 7, 2025

Celebrate Lit Presents: Logan vs. the Hateful Strawberries : A Towers of Light Early Reader (Logan’s Search for the Fruits of the Spirit Book One) Author: Allen Brokken

 

About the Book

Book: Logan vs. the Hateful Strawberries : A Towers of Light Early Reader (Logan’s Search for the Fruits of the Spirit Book One)

Author: Allen Brokken

Genre: Christian Fantasy

Release Date: May 8, 2025

Logan was important…once! He helped slay a Dragon. Now all his days are chores, chores and more chores.  Will nothing relieve the drudgery?

But when he happens upon a hidden grove of strawberries with mysterious powers, his whole perspective changes and he wonders if he’s found the mysterious fruit of self-control?  Will Logan and his new pet raccoon Rascal solve the mystery before Logan’s Pa turns the rodent into a new hat?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age appropriate way. He’s dedicated 15 years of his life to volunteer roles in children’s ministry and youth development. Now that his own children are off to college he’s telling stories and sharing clean humor on social media and through his blog.

 

 

More from Allen

As a writer, I tend to lean toward what I know for inspiration.  Actual life events or people I know shape what I write about.  As a ministry volunteer in church for over 15 years, I regularly saw the challenges children with ADHD or other spectrum disorders had with the church.  Volunteers are ill-equipped to understand their unique needs, and many of the young boys I worked with ended up having terrible experiences at church because they just couldn’t fit in.

So when I set out to write an early chapter book for boys I wanted to find a way to shine the light of God’s truth right where they lived.  Having been diagnosed with A.D.D., I understand these challenges and the general mentality.  On the one hand, this can have detrimental effects when being forced to sit in a chair with nothing to do but listen; on the other hand, it can supercharge tasks that require intense focus.

I also had inspiration from the existing Towers of Light series I wrote for a middle grade audience and pre-existing characters that children love.  So I worked with the real-life Logan to craft this story that exemplifies the spiritual gift of love as the antidote to the poison of the hateful strawberries.  Plus, the antics of Rascal the Raccoon add just the right touch of comedy and action to keep young children turning the pages.

Blog Stops

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 25

Texas Book-aholic, June 26

Simple Harvest Reads, June 27 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 28

Fiction Book Lover, June 29 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30

For Him and My Family, July 1

Vicky Sluiter, July 2 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, July 2

Blogging With Carol, July 3

Guild Master, July 4

For the Love of Literature, July 5 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, July 6

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 7 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, July 8 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Allen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54247

Sunday, July 6, 2025

Celebrate Lit Presents: Being Content God’s Way and the Being Content God’s Way Workbook Author: Scott LaPierre

About the Book

Book: Being Content God’s Way and the Being Content God’s Way Workbook

Author: Scott LaPierre

Genre: Christian Nonfiction

Release date: May 21, 2024

Philippians 4:12 reveals a profound truth: there is a “secret to learning contentment.” As Paul declares in the next verse, the secret is the strength Christ provides: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Just as a tree’s unseen root system gathers vital resources for the tree, the unseen part of contentment is being “rooted and built up in Christ” (Colossians 2:7).

With Being Content God’s Way, you will…

  • learn to “be content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5)
  • enjoy personal stories and application to daily life
  • be equipped to put off covetousness (Colossians 3:5)
  • receive biblical answers to common questions
  • discover why “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6-10)

Contentment is not an elusive concept. Instead, it is a tangible reality within our reach through a relationship with Christ.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Workbook

The perfect companion to Being Content God’s Way!

James 1:22 says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” A common mistake with God’s Word is believing we have done enough by learning without applying. Our responsibility goes much further than simply obtaining information.

This 13-week in-depth Bible study will reinforce the teachings from the book so you can be not just a hearer (or reader) but a doer (or obey-er). You will be given the tools to apply the reading and cement the teachings in your heart.

Inside, you will find:

  • Helpful guidelines for deepening your relationship with Christ
  • Thoughtful questions for self-reflection
  • Insightful observations to help you grow spiritually

The workbook is a 3-month study to help you become rooted and built up in Christ. This great tool is perfect for individual use or group study.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Scott LaPierre is a teaching pastor, author, and popular conference speaker. He holds an MA in Biblical Studies from Liberty University. God has blessed Scott and his wife, Katie, with ten children.

 

 

 

 

 

More from Scott

We all want to be content, but should you trust what I, Scott LaPierre, have to say about this topic? Yes, for these three reasons…

First and foremost, I am not asking you to trust me but God. My book is not simply a collection of my thoughts and opinions but God’s words revealed in Scripture, which is why the book is filled with so many verses. God knows how we can be content and overcome covetousness. I want readers to understand what He says about these topics.

Second, I have preached extensively on contentment and covetousness to the church I serve. The sermons involved hundreds of hours of Bible study, which I used to write Being Content God’s Way.

Third, much of the counseling I perform is related to contentment and covetousness. When couples come for marriage counseling, they want to see their spouse change. More often, I help them be content with each other. When people have financial problems, I help them overcome covetousness to be better savers and givers. In other words, I have experience assisting people to become content.

I poured my heart into the book and workbook because I am passionate about this area of Scripture and life. I am convinced that applying the biblical principles can change your life.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 23

She Lives To Read, June 24

Artistic Nobody, June 25 (Author Interview)

Its Mama Safe, June 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 27

Texas Book-aholic, June 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 29

Guild Master, June 30 (Author Interview)

Barb Howe, June 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 2

Fiction Book Lover, July 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 3

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, July 4

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, July 5

Simple Harvest Reads, July 6 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Scott is giving away the grand prize of a $100 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book and workbook!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54245

 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Hunting for a Husband: Volume 9 (The Heart of the Amish) by Mindy Steele

 

 

Love Is the Bull's-Eye Leah Aims For
 
Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.
 
Ten years ago, Joe Shetler took a leap, and it cost him his ability to walk. Accepting that this is God’s will for him, Joe finds his independence running Shetler Outdoors, an archery and outdoors shop.
 
Leah Wicky moves to Kentucky where her father has set up a deer farm. With a strong desire to marry, she soon sets her sights on Joe who, despite his disabilities, has determination and an easy way about him. A sticky situation finally affords the opportunity for a friendship to form between them.
 
When the Wickey’s prize buck attracts attention in the community—and attempted poachers—Leah is caught in the crosshairs, and Joe’s fears of inadequacy haunt him when he fails to protect her. A future once bright has dimmed.
  

Amazon

 

About The Author


 Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele writes Amish Romance peppered in humor, using her rural surroundings as her muse. She is a best selling author and the winner of the 2022 and 2024 FHLCW Reader's Choice award for sweet romance. Steele creates realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever after ending. Readers can find themselves, somewhere within her pages. 


My Review

This was such a fun story to get lost in. An Amish family move, although leaving some married family, from Pennsylvania to Kentucky. They are farmers and raise deer!
This is Leah Wicky story, she thought she had found true love, but he jumped the fence. In this read she is living in a new area and meeting new people.
This is also Joe Shetler, he runs Shetler Outdoors, an archery and outdoors shop, but a youthful decision has left him in a wheelchair.
I loved the meeting of these two main characters, and how they get a little wet, but will these two be able to build a relationship?
We have a brother getting married, and leaving Joe the middle child single! There are also some happening at the deer farm, why? We find out as we journey through the pages!I
I am now hoping for more in this series!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.

Watch Out for Falling Iguanas: A Children's Picture Book by Edwidge Danticat, Rachel Moss (illustrator)

 

ON A RARE CHILLY DAY IN MIAMI, Florida, young Leila sets off for school bundled up in her bright red jacket. But this isn’t just any cold day―her grandmother, Grandma Issa, gives her an unusual warning: “Watch out for falling iguanas.” 

As Leila navigates her morning, she can’t stop thinking about Grandma’s strange words. From remembering dodging coconuts and seeing her parents’ car being held up by chickens crossing the road to admiring roaming peacocks, Leila’s day is full of curious encounters. But nothing prepares her for the moment she sees an iguana drop from a tree. 

Join Leila, her close friends, and her teacher Ms. Benoit on an unexpected adventure as they discover why these tropical creatures fall from trees during cold snaps. With charming illustrations by acclaimed Jamaican artist Rachel Moss and a truly heartwarming story, Watch Out for Falling Iguanas is a delightful tale about family, friendship, and the surprises nature can bring. 

Amazon 

 

About The Author


 

Edwidge Danticat was born in Haiti in 1969 and came to the United States when she was twelve years old. She graduated from Barnard College and received an M.F.A. from Brown University. She made an auspicious debut with her first novel, Breath, Eyes, Memory, and followed it with the story collection Krik? Krak!, whose National Book Award nomination made Danticat the youngest nominee ever. She lives in New York.

 

About The Illustrator


 

RACHEL MOSS is an illustrator in love with the bright colors and vibrant energy of the Caribbean. She was born in Jamaica and studied animation in England at the University for the Creative Arts. Moss now lives in Jamaica where she spends her days illustrating children’s books such as Respect with song lyrics by Otis Redding, These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ with song lyrics by Lee Hazlewood, African with song lyrics by Peter Tosh, I Am a Promise by Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, Abigail’s Glorious Hair, and Milo & Myra Learn Manners with Mr. Mongoose. Her latest work is Lean on Me with song lyrics by Bill Withers.

 

 My Review


 I loved this read, what a great educational book for children, and geared for ages 4 to 8.
The story takes place in tropical Miami Florida, however, temps have dropped into the 40ºF and as Leila is heading off to school, grandma gives her a warning.
The bright colors on each page draw your eye in! The story is cute, and my 7 year old was thrilled to be able to read this. She didn't know this happened to iguanas and I was glad there was a warning of not touching those seemingly dead iguanas.
We both enjoyed this, and so glad to have this educational cute read!
I received this book through LibraryThing, and was not required to give a positive review.

Framed in Amish Country by Mary Alford

 

To prove her innocence

she’ll have to expose a lethal conspiracy.

A frantic call from her best friend sends district attorney Paige Grayson running right into a trap—and now she’s being framed for her friend’s murder. With the police after her and evidence against her stacking up, she seeks refuge in Amish country—and the help of her first love, Elijah King, to clear her name. To expose the drug dealer setting Paige up, they must work together while evading a ruthless criminal and the police. With threats closing in and time running out, one wrong move could be their last.

Amazon 

 

About The Author


Mary Alford is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty novels. Her books have been finalists in the Selah Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and the HOLT Medallion Contest. As a writer, Mary is an avid reader. She loves to cook and can’t face the day with-out coffee. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two very spoiled cats and one adorable rescue dog. Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net. 

 

My Review


Mary Alford has done it again! As I opened the first page, the action started, and I needed answers, but also need to catch my breath.
The bad guys are relentless, and they see to be on the trail of this District Attorney, from when she wakes up and find her friend dead and her dog injured.
Paige is a widow, and she turns to her husbands brother for help, and we are off, seems like no matter how far they go, and often by horse and buggy, the evil ones are there!
Yes, this is Amish Country, and yes, her brother-in-law Elijah King is Amish. There is such kindness and caring here, the community seems to come to their aid at each turn.
Be ready to hold your breath, and wonder whom will survive, and just when things calm down, we are off again!
Answers come, and wow the surprises, especially those you trusted!
I loved the epilogue, and wished I could stay with these new friends!
I received this book though the author, and was not required to give a positive review.  

Celebrate Lit Presents: Angel from the East Author: Barbara A. Curtis

  About the Book Book:  Angel from the East Author:  Barbara A. Curtis Genre:  Christian Historical Romance Release Date:  ...