Welcome to the Blog Tour for the Desert Manna series by Karen Baney, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
My Reviews
The Desert Mana series, by Karen Baney, is a wonderfully written series that takes place mainly in Prescott, Arizona during the 1870’s. This is a well written series that grabbed my attention and held it to the very end. I found myself wanting to keep reading to get to know the new characters and catch up with old.
Beauty for Ashes is book one in the series. The local attorney, Alexander has invited his sister, Rebecca and nephew to live with him after the death of their mother. Prior to this they had been living very minimally following the death of her husband in the Civil War. While traveling to Prescott, the coach stops to get fresh horses and finds the horses gone, barn burned and the waystation manager, Perry, badly injured. Rebecca is very quick to help him. I enjoyed reading of how both Rebecca and Perry struggled with their grief and moving forward after the death of their spouses. I found it very interesting to read that Alexander had never returned home to his family, yet he build his home to replicate the one he grew up in.
Joy for Mourning is book two in the series. Alexander is seeing Grace with intentions to marry, but she breaks it off because they do not love each other. Shortly after, her mother dies; but before she does, she has the energy to tell Grace to marry for love, despite Grace’s father wanted her to make a good business match. While standing at the grave she sees a stranger come into town and eventually gets to know him. Joshua returns to town with his adoptive daughter to work locally with his freighting company. While Grace is very active with helping the nearby natives, Joshua will provide transportation for products but nothing else. I like this story the best of the three. I enjoy reading of how helpful Grace was to others and how strong she was to follow her heart even when it went against her father’s wishes. It is inspirational to read of how Joshua becomes an adoptive father and the feeling he and the young girl have for each other. It is easy to see how he would feel towards those who hurt and steal from others, when it affected him so drastically.
Oaks of Justice is the third book in the series. In this story we get to read of Alex’s personal and romantic life. We see how he has advanced in his career and how he fills his leisure time. Just when he feels he is meant to be alone, a female attorney arrives in town. Mel left town and studied under an attorney so she could work cases. She has become very good at it and now finds her life being threatened. This is an enjoyable story to read. It is fun to see how Mel enjoys time with her family and how out of character it is for Alex to do things her family does. Just the simple thing of dressing appropriately for their surroundings.
Over all, I enjoyed reading this series. The characters are strong helpful characters that are well introduced. I also enjoyed how the stories touched lightly on characters from other stories written by the author. This is an enjoyable Christian historical fiction series that shows the faith the characters have and how they help others.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this series, this is my honest review.
About the Books
Title: Beauty for Ashes
Series: Desert Manna #1
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: March 7,2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Uplifting Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1871.
As a widow who lost her husband in Sherman’s fiery march to the sea, Rebecca Elliot struggled to provide for her son. When she hears from her brother in Prescott, Arizona, she makes the journey west to start over. An unexpected tragedy on the last leg of her travels changes the trajectory of her heart and life as she never could have imagined.
Perry Quinn finally said goodbye to his late wife when his life is turned upside down. When he loses everything that he worked hard to accomplish, he must humble himself and start over while trying to find the answers to why he lost everything. Along the way, a kind woman steals his heart and reminds him that there is beauty in the middle of the ashes of his life.
Will he let go of his grief to find true love?
If you like these authors, you’ll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub
Title: Joy for Mourning
Series: Desert Manna Series #2
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: April 25, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1872.
Grace Talbert spurns every suitor her father finds. She longs for the spark of romance and is unwilling to settle for something less. Her passion is running the Women’s Aid Society, which organizes many charitable events to help the poor and the Indians. When a trip to deliver goods to the reservation leaves her stranded with a handsome stranger, she discovers the love she longed for.
After many years of wandering and building up his freight business, Joshua Harrison decides to return to Prescott. As bachelor, he is ill-equipped to raise the orphaned daughter of a friend. He hopes the stable life of a small town will bring what he needs to become a good father. Having failed at love twice, he is afraid to try again, until he is stranded with the unconventional and beautiful Grace Talbert.
Can he move past his heartache to open himself to love again?
If you like these authors, you’ll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Title: Oaks of Justice
Series: Desert Manna Series #3
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Gripping Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1873.
Mel Larson is used to being underestimated as a female attorney. When her life is threatened, her mentor takes her home to Prescott. As the defense attorney for her innocent client who is on trial for murder, she goes head-to-head with the new District Attorney. When she apologizes to him for using some unconventional tactics, sparks fly, and she finds a love she had not been looking for.
Alex Glassman was ready to settle down but after a failed courtship, he doubted if he would ever find the right match. When a major court case falls into his lap, he is unprepared to argue the case against a fiery red headed woman. When the case is over and he humbles himself to admit his mistakes, his heart is captured, and he dares to hope that she could be the one.
When Mel’s life is threatened, can Alex save her in time?
If you like these authors, you’ll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Buy the Complete Series in One Volume
About the Author
Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.
Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.
Connect with Karen by visiting karenbaney.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will each win signed copies of all 3 books in the Desert Manna series plus a $25 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 6, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 13, 2024. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!