Saturday, September 11, 2021

A Picture of Hope - Spotlight Book Tour




A Picture of Hope

by Liz Tolsma

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: October 1, 2021


A Photojournalist Risks Her Life to Save Children

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.

Journalist Nellie Wilkerson has spent the bulk of the war in London, photographing pilots taking off and landing—and she’s bored. She jumps at the chance to go to France, where the Allied forces recently landed. She enlists Jean-Paul Breslau of the French underground to take her to the frontlines. On the journey, they come upon an orphanage where nuns shelter children with disabilities. Can they help save them before the Nazis come to liquidate it?

Purchase Link: Amazon



Then a loud bang, and large fireball lit the night.

Non, non. They had gotten the plane. Those poor Americans had no chance of survival.

“I know what’s running through your mind, Jean-Paul.”

He whipped around to discover Henri sauntering into the clearing, the glow of a cigarette brightening as he took a drag.

“Too bad about the Americans going down. At least their death was swift.”

“Henri? You’re part of them?” Too many of his countrymen were collaborators. Too few were maquisards, resistance fighters.

“You underestimated me, mon ami. I’m not the slow, stupid man you think I am. And yet, knowing so little about my background, you took me into your circle and told me all your secrets. Even as we speak, homes are being raided and the remainder of the group arrested.”

Jean-Paul had trusted the wrong man, and now it would exact a high price. His life didn’t matter, but others had wives and children who needed them.

“I told you not to allow him into our inner circle.” The harsh whisper came from Pierre on Jean-Paul’s left. “What a fool you were.”

“We all were.”

“What’s going to happen to my parents?” Venom filled Pierre’s shouted whisper.


More Excerpts:

Excerpt One: https://janemouttet.wordpress.com/2021/09/11/epic-book-launch-a-picture-of-hope-excerpt/










Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter.

Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. Please visit her website at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast.



Friday, September 10, 2021

First Line Fridays


Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  Falling for a Duke
by Rebecca Connolly, Nichole Van, and Janelle Daniels



And the first line is...

On the Duke's Errand 
by Rebecca Connolly

Inverness Shire, Scotland 1817

"Scotland, for all its glories, was not exactly the place that the average member of Society would have imagined Lord David Chambers to go.  After all, he was a fashionable, charming, and rather popular fixture at their events.  Why should he, of all people, forsake such a life, in the middle of the Season no less, to venture in the relative wild of such a place?"  

Happy reading and happy Friday!   

       
Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to 
Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!






Saturday, September 4, 2021

A Seaside Summer - Spotlight Book Tour and Giveaway!




Title: A Seaside Summer
Timeless Regency Romance Collection (Book 17)
 Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance, Inspirational Fiction
  Publisher:  Mirror Press (August 24, 2021)

 

Summer on the seaside . . . a perfect place for romance.

Join us for three novellas in one collection:


The New Countess

by Josi S. Kilpack

Diane knows why the earl asked her to marry him; he needed a mother for his daughter, an heir for his title, and a hostess to assist with his position in Parliament. With two sons of her own, and no security to speak of, she never thought twice about accepting his proposal. Summering at his holiday cottage at the sea was meant to be reward for a busy first year as the new countess, and a time for her to rest before their baby is born. She is expecting lazy days on the beach with the children, simple meals, and keeping her own schedule. When the earl surprises her with a visit, she does her best not to resent the intrusion. When she learns that he came for the sole purpose of being with her and getting to know her better, she realizes that perhaps this marriage can be more than she expected. Is she ready for him to know her and love her and explore this new possibility together? She wants to be, but it is not an easy thing to let go of expectations and open up to an entirely new way of life.

Mishaps and Memories

by Martha Keyes

Judith Jardine’s one chance at a brilliant match is doomed from the start when she is ignored and then mocked by the ton’s most sought-after gentleman. Under a gloomy cloud of failure, Judith is exiled to a seaside cottage to spend the summer helping her sister—and living a life far below the one she experienced for her week in Brighton. When she discovers the man responsible for her misfortune unconscious on the beach, she heeds her better impulses and has him brought to the cottage to be seen to. But James Carlisle has no recollection of who he is, what happened to him, or how he has wronged her, and Judith sees the opportunity to teach him a valuable lesson—unless the deception and her feelings get the best of her first.


Moonlight Summer

by Heather B. Moore

Oscar Rosewell’s life is not lacking in many things even though he lives on the fringes of society due to his father’s ruined reputation. He’s sworn off having any personal relationships with ton members—his only interest lies in keeping his business thriving. He’s content with his day-to-day anonymity, and business keeps his heart from getting exposed. It’s safer that way. Until Oscar meets Miss Dorothea Atkinson. A woman capturing his interest is a rare thing, but Miss Atkinson is nearly engaged to a man of her parents’ choosing. Would it be wrong to wish for something to go terribly wrong between the couple? Soon, Oscar learns that wishing can become a reality, but often, the price is an even heavier thing to pay. 


PURCHASE LINKS 

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE BOOKBUB | GOODREADS


ABOUT THE SERIES

Since 2015, Mirror Press has been presenting the Timeless Regency Romance Collection, a curated anthology of novellas and short stories set in early 19th century England. Featuring bestselling authors from the historical romance genre, the series has hit the USA TODAY bestselling list and charted at #1 at Amazon.com. 

In October the Timeless Regency Romance Collection will present its 18th anthology, The Inns of Devonshire, including stories by Sally Britton, Annette Lyon, and Deborah M. Hathaway. Learn more about the series and other anthologies published by Mirror Press at their website.   

 



Josi S. Kilpack
is the bestselling author of several Proper Romance, Timeless Romance series, and a Cozy Culinary Mystery series. Her books, A Heart Revealed and Lord Fenton's Folly; were Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of the Year. She and her husband, Lee, are the parents of four children

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

GOODREADS

 


Martha Keyes is a Whitney Award winning author born, raised, and educated in Utah—a home she loves dearly but also dearly loves to escape whenever she can by traveling the world. She received a BA in French Studies and a Master of Public Health, both from Brigham Young University.

Word crafting has always fascinated her, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that she considered writing her own stories. When she isn’t writing, she is honing her photography skills, looking for travel deals, and spending time with her family. She lives with her husband and twin boys in Vineyard, Utah.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | 

GOODREADS

 


Heather B. Moore
is a USA Today bestseller and award-winning author of more than seventy publications. She's lived on both the east and west coasts of the United States, including Hawaii, and attended school abroad including the Cairo American College in Egypt, and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. She loves to learn about anything in history and, as an author, is passionate about historical research.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | 

GOODREADS

 

 


 



Mishaps and Memories, by Martha Keyes

Chapter 1

The value of a large, well-placed plant in a drawing room could not be overstated, for it was in just such a place that a man seeking to escape an unpleasant encounter might hide himself for a short time. Though hide was not the word James Carlisle would have preferred to use. He was merely sipping his champagne in solitude at his leisure, leaning against the wall, which just so happened to be concealed by an obliging plant.

“There you are.” The frowning face of James’s father, Henry Carlisle, appeared. “What in heaven’s name are you doing in the corner of the room, hiding behind a tree?” He brushed at a few protruding leaves with an impatient hand.

James finished off what was left in his glass and stood straight. “I am not hiding, Father.”

His father scoffed lightly. “Then what are you doing?”

James’s mouth turned down in a frown as he contemplated his response. “I am”—he stroked a leaf with a finger—“enjoying nature.”

“What you should be doing is asking Miss Garrett to dance.”

James had made sure to remain in his corner until Miss Garrett was engaged for this set. Through the leaves of the tree, he could see her performing the beginning figures of a cotillion on the ballroom floor. “She appears to be well-entertained without my interference.”

“My point precisely,” his father said testily. “At this rate, she will have three offers of marriage before you have even emerged from this ridiculous corner.” He swatted the leaves that sat against his shoulder. “Sir William leaves in the morning for his estate, and he shall be gone a fortnight, after which he will be paying Miss Garrett’s father a visit. All you need do is exert yourself a little in the meantime—snatch her up before he does.”

“I have never been terribly fond of snatching, as you so elegantly phrase it, Father.”

His father’s lips drew into a thin line. “I am running out of patience for your aversion to marriage, James. What reason can you possibly have to be so set against it?”

James stepped away momentarily to set his glass on the tray of the passing footman, biting his tongue as he did so. He didn’t have an aversion to marriage, and he was not set against it. But he didn’t particularly care to explain to his father why he was reluctant to offer for someone like Miss Garrett. His father would have no patience for the sentimentality that made James wish for something more than a practical match.

“It is merely the joy you take in defying me, no doubt,” his father said with obvious resentment.

James smiled sardonically. “How well you know me, Father.”

His father’s frown deepened, and he glanced around at the chattering crowds lining the ballroom floor. “You could have the pick of the young women here—no doubt half a dozen of them came here with the express hope of being asked to dance by you—but instead, I find you paying your addresses to a . . . a fern!

James frowned. “That is not fair, Father. I would never pay my addresses to a common fern. I am tolerably certain this is a fig tree.”

His father was not amused. “Your mother and I wish to see you settled. Prosperous!”

James offered no response to this.

“Bah!” his father grumbled. “You never did care for anyone’s wishes but your own. But mark my words, James. You will marry. And since you refuse to choose a bride, I have taken the liberty of choosing one for you.” And with that, he turned on his heel. 

James’s smile faded as he watched his father disappear amongst the crowds. James did care what his parents thought. He merely wished that their desire for his prosperity was centered more on his happiness than on his marrying well.

Perhaps James was foolish to hope for more than a strategic marriage. Perhaps only the most fortunate managed to marry for more than necessity. Surely, that opportunity would have presented itself already after so many years of being introduced to the Season’s most promising and highly regarded young ladies.

Thinking perhaps it had been a mistake after all to attend tonight’s dinner, James emerged from his corner, only to be confronted by his friend, Philip Langham.

“Your father said I would find you here.” Langham peered around James, as though he expected to see someone behind the tree. “Thought he might snap my head off just for asking.”

“I am in his black books,” James said.

“Have you ever been out of them?”



 

Mirror Press is pleased to offer one digital copy of any of the 16 previous books in the Timeless Regency Romance Collection to one unique winner at each stop on the tour. 

To qualify, please leave a comment with this blog post before 11:59pm, September 26, 2021. Visit each stop on the tour and leave a comment to increase your chance to win a book. 

This contest is open internationally. The winner will be drawn randomly from the comments and announced on each blog on September 27, 2021. The winner must claim their prize before October 04, 2021. Good luck to all!