Christmas in Kailua by Jess Mastorakos is the sixth book in the Kailua Marines series. The author gives enough background to make this a stand alone story, but since this series does follow in order it is best to read the books in order to get the full story. This one especially follows the previous book in the series.
This is an enjoyable military story to read. This story touches on the duties and responsibilities a soldier has as well as the rules they have to follow. It is so realistic in the way the characters act. I just love Logan and the way he not only cares about Jess but also her young child. I enjoyed reading how Jess was able to show Logan a different side to the build up to Christmas day and help him see the positive side. As with the other stories in this series, this is a good clean romance story to just get lost in.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, this is my honest review.
About the Book
I hate Christmas. But I’m willing to let her change my mind.
How did I get roped into playing Santa at a toddler’s holiday-themed birthday party? Oh, right. Because I’d probably walk through fire for the birthday girl’s gorgeous mom if she asked me to.
And when she decides to take me around the island to do a bunch of Christmas stuff to cure my Grinch vibes, I can’t help but want to play along.
Before I know it, the peppermint mochas and festive lights start to go to my head, and I fall for her. Hard.
But then her ex comes sniffing around. He’s playing nice, but I’ve got my eye on him. Tess and Sadie are changing everything I know about love, family, and the meaning of Christmas. So if he thinks it’ll be easy to push me out, he’s wrong.
About the Author
Jess Mastorakos writes clean military romance books that feature heroes with heart and the strong women they love. She is a proud Marine wife herself and mama of four. The happy family is currently stationed in Hawaii. She loves coffee in a glitter tumbler and planning with an erasable pen.
The Rest in the Series
Kailua Marines Treasured in Turtle Bay – Roman & Molly Promises at Pyramid Rock – Mac & Ana Stranded at the Sandbar – Tyler & Kate Romance on the Reef – PJ & Maggie Heartbeats in Honolulu – Hunter & Nora Christmas in Kailua – Logan & Tess
From a USA Today bestselling author comes a gripping story of mystery, romance, and pulse-pounding suspense.
How can she save the little girl next door from being exploited if nobody believes her?
Grace used to try to save people, but that was before she realized how powerless she is. Now, she avoids emotional ties, working from her secluded cabin, content with her aloneness. When eight-year-old Lily starts hanging around, Grace enjoys her company but carefully keeps her distance—until she discovers the girl is being exploited. Little though she wants to, she must get involved, even if it means risking her own safety to secure Lily’s.
Andrew can’t help but be drawn to his new neighbor and her beautiful foster child. When he learns about Lily’s disturbing history, he offers to help Grace prove her suspicions about the girl’s father. But the more they learn, the more puzzling Lily’s history seems. They work together to unravel the mystery, determined to ensure Lily ends up with a family who loves her.
But Lily’s father isn’t giving up his muse—or his obsession—that easily. He believes Lily is rightfully his, and he’ll do anything to get her back.
Don’t miss this thrilling page-turner, the latest in the addictive Coventry Saga.
BOOK EXCERPT
Touch of Innocence Excerpt 7
“You are needed here,” she said. “You have a home here. You are loved here.”
“I can’t do it anymore. I’m sorry.”
“These girls… Nobody connects with them like you do.”
Grace didn’t doubt that was true. Hers was a unique ability, no question. But to connect and to heal—those were different gifts. She’d only been given the first. And without the second…
“I can’t help them.” Grace leaned against the counter and crossed one arm across her middle. “You know it and I know it.”
“You can help them,” Mama Lucy said. “You’ve helped many of them. Your insights are invaluable.”
“My insights are useless. I’ve proved that.”
“What happened with Celia—”
“No.” She couldn’t go there. Couldn’t stand to hear the girl’s name. “I can’t talk about her. I won’t.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” Mama Lucy’s words, delivered so many times before, held only compassion. “You can’t save everyone.”
“I can’t save anyone. I can barely save myself. I’m sorry. I can’t. You’ll have to find somebody else.”
Before her old friend and mentor could respond, Grace hung up, hating herself for her rudeness but knowing she had no other choice. Mama Lucy wouldn’t stop trying to change her mind, but Grace wouldn’t be convinced. What happened with Celia…
Aside from her family and her Savior, USA Today bestselling author Robin Patchen has two loves—writing and traveling. If she could combine them, she’d spend a lot of time sitting in front of her laptop at sidewalk cafes and ski lodges and beachside burger joints. She’d visit every place in the entire world—twice, if possible—and craft stories and tell people about her Savior. Alas, time is too short and money is too scarce for Robin to traipse all over the globe, even if her husband and kids wanted to go with her. So she stays in Texas, shares the Good News when she can, and writes to illustrate the unending grace of God through the power and magic of story.
Home for Christmas is a compilation of four different military connected Christmas short stories that are written by four different authors. Each of the stories are stand alone stories, however they are connected to series written by the different authors. These are all very well written stories that stayed with me after reading them.
I really felt for Avie in The Stars of New Cheltenham by Chautona Havig. I could actually feel how she was feeling with wanting to keep her brother safe near her and not in the military.
I appreciated Gabe in Most Wonderful Time by Toni Shiloh. He was so thoughtful of the never ending pain Shanée lived with daily.
I enjoyed The Road Home by Cathe Swanson the most. It has so many aspects to it. I enjoyed how Tally was able to move forward one step at a time to deal with PTSD. I also enjoyed how caring and considerate yet determined Christopher was about following through on what their original plans for. These is so much in this story to appreciate. The homeless shelter, the generous elderly lady Tally helps care for and the way the whole community comes together.
Now and Forever by Jaycee Weaver is a story of a second chance at love. I enjoyed the parts of the story that show there are areas in the Army for almost everyone. For Tobin it was to be in the band, which lead to him becoming a music teacher.
This is a heart warming collection of wonderful Christmas Christian romance stories. Each one is just the right length to read in an evening. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.
About the Book
Book: Home for Christmas
Authors: Chautona Havig, Toni Shiloh, Cathe Swanson, Jaycee Weaver
Genre: Contemporary Christian Christmas Romance
Release date: October 21, 2021
Settle in with your favorite beverage, a Christmassy snack, and get ready for all the feels with these four heart-warming, military-honoring Christmas novellas.
The Christmas Lights Collection is back, and this year’s collection is better than ever. Full of love, joy, and hope, this year’s collection offers the celebration of freedom, sacrifice, and the greatest Gift ever given.
These novella features two veterans and two active servicemen and their stories.
The Stars of New Cheltenham (Chautona Havig): When a woman arrives at the Marine recruiting center, livid that her brother is ready to sign up tomorrow, the recruiter takes her on a journey through Rockland in hopes of showing her why her brother wants to serve.
Most Wonderful Time– Gabe loves Christmas, so when he discovers that his new co-worker Shanée wants nothing to do with the season, he makes it his mission to show her the true meaning. But he never expected feelings to develop for the Air Force veteran. Will he take a chance that she feels the same way or miss the best gift of all?
The Road Home: ally has tried to leave her military history far in the past, but she’s not ready to go back to her former life, either. Can an old army buddy help her find a new road home?
Now and Forever Christmas: The past eight years as a professional musician for the US Army prepared Tobin McGhee for his new job as high school band teacher. They didn’t prepare him for how he’d feel seeing an old girlfriend again. This time, though, he won’t make the same mistakes. Can they make holiday music together and rekindle the friendship they once had, or will romance ruin everything… again?
Authors Chautona Havig, Toni Shiloh, Cathe Swanson, and Jaycee Weaver are about as different geographically and personally as you can get—except where they’re not. What they all share is a love of books, writing, and Jesus. Their great diversity is what makes their books so complementary and what makes the Christmas Lights Collection an eagerly-anticipated set each year.
More from Chautona
Picture it. Sweaters, fuzzy socks, a gas fireplace, and laptops. Cathe Swanson and I had been invited to join author Brenda Anderson for a writing retreat at her timeshare in the Wisconsin Dells. So, I flew out (and arrived in Minneapolis in the middle of riots! EEEP!) and we drove over to the Dells. There we were both determined to get a ton of writing done. And we did.
While Cathe worked on Home Run, (and I sneaked peeks at her recent release, Long Shadows), I finished up Penelope’s Pursuit and wrote a significant amount of Adoring April.
I also had a genius idea while I was there. I kind of freaked out poor Cathe a bit, running into the room where she was working and blurting out all the idea-ness (for a video of that, go HERE), but still… guys! Military! Woohoo! Here’s a video of us brainstorming:
It was perfect on so many levels. So, Cathe zipped messages off to Jaycee and Toni, and we all began planning what we’d do to honor our military in this collection.
Look, it’s been a hard year for our military families. Folks are grieving and there’s just so much uncertainty. So, all of the authors of the Christmas Lights Collection would like to dedicate this collection not just to the men and women who have and are currently serving in our armed forces, but also to the families who make their own sacrifices in giving up time (often years) with their service men and women.
In this collection, you’ll find a Marine recruiter, a struggling veteran, an Army musician, and an Air Force veteran now working a nice prosaic bank job! See how each author ties Christmas and these heroes together!
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt, by Candice Sue Patterson, is a stand alone story in the Heroines of WWII series. This story takes place mainly in Maine in the 1940’s. Shirley enlists in the SPARS (Coast Guard for women) and is assigned to be a spy in her home town to try to catch those making threats towards the president’s wife.
This is an interesting book to read. It is filled with action, mystery and suspense and has touches of romance. I was guessing through out the last half of the story as to who were making the threats. It was fun to see the little things that Shirley picked out for clues. I also enjoyed the care Captain Webber gave through out the story and the way he did what he could for Shirley and his country. I was touched by the friendship that developed between Shirley and her roommate.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.
About the Book
Book: Saving Mrs. Roosevelt
Author: Candice Sue Patterson
Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical/Adventure
Release date: December, 2021
Shirley Davenport is as much a patriot as her four brothers. She, too, wants to aid her country in the war efforts, but opportunities for women are limited. When her best friend Joan informs her that the Coast Guard has opened a new branch for single women, they both enlist in the SPARs, ready to help protect the home front.
Training is rigorous, and Shirley is disappointed that she and Joan are sent to separate training camps. At the end of basic training, Captain Webber commends her efforts and commissions her home to Maine under the ruse of a dishonorable discharge to help uncover a plot against the First Lady.
Shirley soon discovers nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust? Why do the people she loves want to harm the First Lady? With the help of Captain Webber, it’s a race against time to save Mrs. Roosevelt and remain alive.
Candice Sue Patterson studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, splitting wood, or decorating cakes, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes Modern Vintage Romance—where the past and present collide with faith. Her debut novel How to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart was a 2012 ACFW First Impressions finalist and made INSPYs Longlist for 2016.
More from Candice
The idea for Saving Mrs. Roosevelt literally came overnight. I had just finished writing a contemporary romance set in Maine, centered around a harbor town where lobstering is prevalent. My agent called me and told me about the Heroines of WWII series and asked if I’d be interested in writing a WWII novel. If so, I needed to come up with a story and proposal fast because spots were limited and filling quickly. My mind was so consumed with research of the lobster industry that I felt I couldn’t clear my brain fast enough to come up with another story on such short notice. That’s when I started wondering how I could take the knowledge I already had and make it work for a WWII novel. I googled Maine during WWII, came across an article that mentioned the SPARs, and the idea for Saving Mrs. Roosevelt was born.
I don’t want to give too much away, but the Nancy Drew deep inside me figured out a unique way to merge lobstering with espionage.
Though the plot is purely fiction, there are some characters and events that are historically accurate that were fun to include as well. I love Maine, but I’m Hoosier born and raised, and in my SPAR research, I discovered that Dorothy C. Stratton–the woman the Coast Guard asked to direct the SPARs–was the Dean of Women at Purdue University in Indiana. She was a woman of true character, grace, and strength. I knew right away she needed a cameo in my story.
Within twenty-four hours of receiving my agent’s call, I had plotted the entire story and sent a proposal. Weeks went by, and as fall ushered in its beautiful colors, my husband surprised me with a trip to Monhegan Island, Maine. We walked the trails, ate amazing seafood, and took in the gorgeous view. While on the island, my agent called again, this time to let me know that Barbour had contracted Saving Mrs. Roosevelt. What a special moment it was to be standing on the very shoreline where the book is set when I received the good news.
Since the book is set in Maine where the heroine works on a lobster boat with her father, I wanted to share my favorite recipe for Maine blueberry pie.
Maine Blueberry Pie
Ingredients:
2 Pie crusts
1 quart of fresh Maine blueberries
1 ½ tbsp lemon juice
Freshly grated nutmeg
¼ c light brown sugar
¼ c white sugar
¼ c flour
2 tbsp tapioca for thickening (if the berries are juicy)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place the berries into a large bowl, add lemon juice, and toss. Add the remaining ingredients and toss until the berries are well coated with the flour and sugars mixture. Line the pie plate with one crust. Put the berries into the pie plate and top with a solid or lattice-top crust. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the berries are bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
Wish Upon a Star, by Jennifer Sienes, is part of the Apple Hill series. While most of these stories are stand alone stories, the characters in this story were introduced in book 3 of the series, Providence, so it is best to read that book first to get the whole story. Elaina struggles with how her ex-husband treated her daughter and is asked to visit him in prison. She struggles with having her children out of her sight and allowing others into their lives. As she gets to know her landlady’s brother, she struggles with allowing herself to move on.
This is a nice realistic contemporary Christian romance that deals with family struggles and second chances. The author does a wonderful job of writing about sensitive subjects.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.
About the Book
Book: Wish Upon a Star
Author: Jennifer Sienes
Genre: Christmas Christian Women’s Fiction
Release date: November 9, 2021
Fairy tales and wishing upon stars are for those who still believe in romance.
Sometimes misplaced trust injures more than ourselves, and doesn’t Elaina Hensley know it. When her oldest daughter is left suffering the consequences, Elaina vows to protect her girls at any cost. Nothing, not even her own happiness, will sway her again.
Or will it?
She’s got this protective self-denial down pat–right up to the moment her best friend’s brother arrives on the scene like a fairytale knight, vowing to slay all her dragons. She must—she will resist.
However, when her worst nightmare comes back to haunt her, Elaina has to admit she needs that white knight on her side.
Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education, but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing–and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies–two in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.
More from Jennifer
Do you remember what Christmas was like as a child? I do. Some of my fondest memories come that holiday when I was growing up. There was a deep sense of family and tradition that I desperately wanted to instill in my own children. No small part of that was the innocence that came from being protected by the harsh realities of life. I envisioned growing old with the grands and great-grands gathered around a Christmas tree bursting with ornaments and sharing the customary Christmas dinner.
My future didn’t quite pan out the way I’d envisioned it. What was it John Lennon said? “Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans.” Or if you want to keep with the Biblical viewpoint: In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9)
Although my innocence went by the wayside as I became an adult, I held onto that dream until the Christmas morning my first husband announced he was leaving me. It was then I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. He anchored me in the following months along with my full-time teaching job, two teenage children, and a mother who was dying of leukemia. It wasn’t until October rolled around when my then seventeen-year-old son burst into my bedroom early one morning and said, “I just realized, Christmas will never be the same” that it hit me. I wasn’t the only one affected. For him, the dream died much too early. He was right—when splitting time between divorced parents, things get rather disjointed and complicated. Christmas was never the same for any of us.
But our God is a God of redemption. He takes our brokenness and disappointments and uses them for our good and His glory. Wish Upon A Star isn’t the traditional Christmas story you might find on the Hallmark channel. It’s about a broken family in need of a merciful Savior, and one woman in need of a white knight.
Just like Elaina Hensley, the main character, God had a more perfect plan for my life, too. Without the brokenness we cannot be made whole through Him to be who He calls us to be. In the years since that fateful Christmas morning, He’s given me my own white knight, a godly husband who loves to serve, and the opportunity to follow another childhood dream—to write the stories He’s laid on my heart.
Footprints on Her Heart, by Tabitha Bouldin, is book 17 of the Independence Island Series. This is an awesome series that is being written by six different authors and covers five different island. These are good stand alone stories, but they do reference people from the earlier stories. This is the fifth book in the series that is based on Hooper Island.
This is a nice story of redemption and starting over. We see the determination Trent has to make up for his past as well as how deeply he cares for others, while being unable to forgive himself. I especially like the character of his father and the truth and wisdom he shares. I appreciate the character of Kara and the struggles she has with being with groups of people, yet she is able to do what needs to be done when she has too.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.
About the Book
Book: Footprints on Her Heart
Author: Tabitha Bouldin
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release date: November 23, 2021
He’s saving the world, one animal at a time.
Trent Raines’ opinion, happily ever after has four paws and doggy breath. He spends his days isolated at the shelter, taking care of animals. Especially now that romance seems to be spreading across the islands faster than fleas in summer.
She lives a safe life behind the camera lens.
Kara Parker’s job at the animal shelter keeps her too busy to worry about romance. Sure, the boss is cute and all, but her introverted nature is perfectly happy as a photographer and website designer, thank you very much.
Even a quick trip to the mainland to retrieve a truckful of animals won’t change their minds.
Or so they think.
As Trent comes to understand Kara, he discovers there’s more than meets the eye in his quiet employee. Together, they plan a Christmas adoption festival that’s certain to empty the animal shelter in record time. Until a blast from Trent’s past puts all the animals in danger.
Sure, Trent and Kara are fine on their own, but they’re even better together.
What will it take for these soulmates conquer their fears and rescue the animals before it’s too late?
Footprints on Her Heart continues the Hooper Island stories of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.
Tabitha Bouldin has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has been writing since 2015. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, you’ll find her curled up with a book. Tabitha’s genre of choice is Contemporary Christian Romance which she describes as: Adventure with heart.
More from Tabitha
I love animals. Always have. I was the kid who always brought home the injured animals and tried to make them better. I am the adult who feels guilty for walking by a hungry cat without feeding it.
When I write, those animal-loving tendencies come out. My characters will rescue animals, care for them, and love them unconditionally. My contributions to the Independence Islands are no different. When it began, I knew I needed a pet groomer, and the animal shelter developed from Mel’s love of animals. That’s when Trent showed up.
Trent walked onto the page as Mel’s partner in founding the animal shelter, Forever Pals, but I didn’t know he wanted his story told until several months after I started writing the series. I tried putting him off, but Trent was having none of that. He’s a bit overzealous and ready to share his love story with you, even if he’d rather I didn’t tell you about his troubled past.
The more I dove into Trent’s story, the more I realized he’s the kind of guy you’d call in the middle of the night when a stray dog shows up in your backyard. He doesn’t care. He’d upend his entire life to care for the animals, and he loves each one instantly, no questions asked. People…not so much.
I had the best time writing this story. Footprints on Her Heart is one of those books that I fell in love with from the very beginning. The story put itself on the page, all I had to do was be the engine and let it come to life. Those are my favorite. I wish every book came as easily as Footprints. Even though that isn’t the case, I’ll always hold this one as a dear friend. Kara and Trent make such a cute couple that I think they need to make an appearance in every island book I write from here on out.
Welcome to the Takeover Tour for Deep Haven Collection presented by Susan May Warren, hosted byJustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Titles: Still the One by Rachel D. Russell, Can’t Buy Me Love by Andrea Christenson, Crazy for You by Michelle Sass Aleckson, Then Came You by Rachel D. Russell, Hangin’ by a Moment by Andrea Christenson, Right Here Waiting by Michelle Sass Aleckson
Series: Deep Haven Collection #1-6
Lead Author: Susan May Warren
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: 2021
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Deep Haven…a town in beautiful Minnesota where everyone escapes for a second chance and a fresh start – everyone from local artists, off-the-grid homesteaders, resort owners, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts who love to canoe, hike and camp in the north woods. Of course, every town has its café owners, police and fire-fighting force, the hospital staff, the school, the local football team and, well, people from every walk of life.
They also have trouble. Crime. Disasters. Tragedy. Family drama… heartbreak.
But in Deep Haven, there is no problem so deep that God’s love isn’t deeper.
Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.
Rachel D. Russell is a member of Oregon Christian Writers and My Book Therapy’s Novel Academy, and is a regular contributor to the Learn How to Write a Novel blog. The mother of two teenagers, she often interrogates her husband on his own military and law enforcement experience to craft believable heroes in uniform. The rest of her time is spent cantering her horse down the Oregon trails. Visit Rachel at www.racheldrussell.com.
Andrea Christenson lives in a Minneapolis, MN suburb with her husband and two daughters. When she is not busy homeschooling her girls, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on. She believes that a great loaf of artistic bread can turn a meal into a masterpiece. Andrea’s prayer is to write stories revealing God’s love.
After growing upon both the east and west coasts, Michelle Sass Aleckson now lives the country life in central Minnesota with her own hero and their four kids. She loves rocking out to 80’s music on a Saturday night, playing Balderdash with the fam, and getting lost in good stories. Especially stories that shine grace. And if you’re wondering, yes, Sass is her maiden name. Visit her at www.michellealeckson.com.
Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills.
(1) winner will receive the Deep Haven Collection (6 books, print US only, ebook available internationally)
(1) winner will receive the Deep Haven Collection audiobook set (6 audiobooks)
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight December 9, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on December 16, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. print US only, international ebook. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Revived Hope, by Kathleen J. Robinson, is the prequel of the Bay Town series. In this story we are introduced to the main characters and given the background information for the series. This is a well written story with realistic characters that struggle with making the right decisions not only for themselves but for others. This is a story of loss and moving forward. I especially enjoyed the faith her father had in her ability to have a successful business and the encouragement he gave her to start her business in a new location for a fresh start.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.
About the Book
Book: Revived Hope
Author: Kathleen J. Robison
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
Release date: October 19, 2021
How many near misses does it take not to be a coincidence anymore?
Melanie Thompson has spent her entire adult life trying to overcome the mistakes of her youth. Just as everything is looking up, it all begins to unravel as one problem after another piles on top of each other, each with one goal in mind. Get her out of the way.
Determined to make a better life for herself and her daughter, and with the help of her father, Melanie looks at alternative ways to make her dream of owning a storefront for her bridal business come true. Complications with her ex-husband, the new business, and a threatening landlord all conspire against her, and everything seems lost when tragedy strikes not once, but twice.
What will it take for Melanie to accept the alternate path the Lord has laid out for her?
Revived Hope, the prequel to the romantic suspense Bay Town Series, paves the path for Melanie and Lacey’s move from Orange County to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and a new life in Bay Town.
Kathleen J. Robison is an Okinawan-American. Born in Okinawa, raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore. Her travels are the inspirational settings for her stories. She and her Pastor husband have eight adult children. Seven are married, blessing them with fourteen grandchildren and counting. The diversity of their 31 family members provide the inspiration for more lively characters than can be imagined. Her husband grew up in the streets of Los Angeles raised by a single working mom, and that life provides fodder for many of the conflicts of her characters.
Tackling difficult life’s trials with God’s strength are the central theme of Kathleen’s stories. She hopes to inspire her readers to trust God and with His strength, weather through and rise above trials and tragedies. If you like suspenseful stories with a thread of romance, you will enjoy Kathleen’s Bay Town Series
More from Kathleen
In Revived Hope, the prequel to Shattered Guilt, it’s one year earlier. Melanie Thompson races through life’s challenges while navigating the trials of being a single mother, a budding entrepreneur, and a woman of faith, all with threats of danger.
Our past doesn’t define us, as Melanie learns, but it definitely frames who we become. Thankfully, we have a gracious God who uses all of the good and the bad to bring us to a place of communion with Him…desiring His will for His glory. And ultimately, it’s always for our good.
I love my character Melanie, and I hope you will too. I’ve spent so many years getting to know her that it was fun writing this prequel. I enjoyed writing about her past and introducing you to her family in California before the move to charming fictional Bay Town in Shattered Guilt. When I wrote of Melanie’s relationship with her dad, I laughed, I cried, and I left my heart in the book…in a manner of speaking.
But Revived Hope is not all sweetness and heartache. Things get pretty testy when Melanie tackles villains head-on and sometimes all alone. Often the world encourages us to do it all, and Melanie tries. Although tragedy strikes too many times, the lessons she learns strengthen her faith and trust in the Almighty.
Lastly, Revived Hope teases with a hint of romance but sets the stage for Melanie’s love story in Shattered Guilt, Book 1, Bay Town Series. I’m excited for you to meet Melanie and her family as you root for her in all her harrowing escapades.
Truth Unshaken by Kristina Hall is book 3 in The Moretti Trilogy. This story take place in the 1920. It is a fast-paced suspenseful Christian historical fiction that focuses on God’s forgiveness, crime, family drama and contains touches of romance. This is the third story of the Ashton’s family adult children, this one focusing on Frank. This story takes off when book 2 ended, so it is best to read them in order.
This is such a good story. I enjoyed how Carla showing up at the Ashton home changes Frank and his outlook on life. I appreciate her concerns about her parents’ eternal salvation after finding out their lives were not what she thought they were. While Moretti is still a major character in this story struggling with his past, the theme of who could he trust was very strong. My favorite character is the lady he went to for help after being injured. She was so caring and compassionate as well as knowledgeable. I also enjoyed that we were able to catch up with Frank’s sisters that were in the first two stories.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story from the author, this is my honest review.
About the Book
Whom can they trust?
After losing her parents, Carla Belardi discovers her life was a lie. Now, she must flee unless she wants her parents’ fate to be her own.
Frank Ashton lost the use of his legs—and his desire to live—in the Great War. When Carla is brought to his home injured, he gains a friend. But despite the attraction growing between them, he can never burden her with a cripple.
Alberto Moretti thought he could do good working for the Prohibition Unit—until he finds out his new employer isn’t much better than the criminals he once served. Now, he has to fight both sides—the Prohibition Unit and the crooked Belardis.
When danger surrounds Carla, Frank, and Alberto from too many angles, will they put their trust in the Truth that will never be shaken?
About the Author
Kristina Hall is a sinner saved by grace who seeks to glorify God with her words. She is a homeschool graduate and holds a degree in accounting. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, arm wrestling, lifting weights, and playing the violin. Visit her website at kristinahallauthor.wordpress.com.
Lights Out by Natalie Walters is the first book in The Snap Agency series. Brynn is a CIA analyst that is leading a meeting when one of her members goes missing. Jack is one of the SNAP agents called into help find the missing man. Together they must work to find him, while working through their past.
This is a well written story with wonderful intelligent characters. It is fast paced and filled with action and suspense. This is one of those stories you hate to put down because there is just so much happening. This is a nice story that teaches that we need to remember that God is in control as well as learning to forgive and trust others.
I received a copy of this book through the Revell Reads Bloggers Program, this is my honest review.
About the Book
CIA analyst Brynn Taylor developed a new program to combat terrorism, and she invited members of foreign intelligence agencies to America to foster cooperation between countries. Now one of them, Egyptian spy Remon Riad, is missing.
Jack Hudson has been working for the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency (SNAP) for almost nine years and takes the lead in hunting down the missing spy. But he isn’t at all pleased to find out Brynn is involved. It’s hard to trust a woman who’s already betrayed you.
Every lead they follow draws them dangerously deeper into an international plot. Kidnapping, murder, explosions, poisoning–the terrorists will do anything to accomplish their goal of causing a digital blackout that will blind a strategic US military communications center and throw the world into chaos.
Can Brynn surrender control to a man who doesn’t trust her? And can Jack ever get over what she did to him? The fate of the world–and their hearts–hangs in the balance.
About the Author
Natalie Walters world revolves around GIJOE and their three adult (or almost adult) children who keep her life anything but predictable. Their boots hit the ground wherever the Army sends them but home is when they’re all together no matter the zipcode. Her passion is writing stories where adventure meets love and share her belief that life rooted in purpose is a story worth telling. You can read more about her and the books she has written at https://www.nataliewalterswriter.com/
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