The Sound of Emeralds Birthday Blog Tour - and GIVEAWAY!!!

Hey guys!!! Welcome to The Sound of Emeralds Birthday Blog Tour! I’m  so excited to be posting today about Rachelle Rea Cobb’s third installment in the Steadfast Love Series, an inspirational historical romance set during the 16^th century!

 

Rachelle is also the author of The Sound of Diamonds and The Sound of Silver, the first two book in the series. She has also written Write Well, a guide for writers! Last summer, she married a man with the same first name as the hero of the Steadfast Love Series! (Cue the happy sighs here.)Rachelle's Steadfast Love Series is published with WhiteFire Publishing. (Rachelle and I are the WhiteFire Babies.) I’m super excited to be joining in this blog tour, so I'm just going to gab and gab about The Sound of Emeralds and spread the news about the rocking giveaway Rachelle is hosting — make sure you enter using the Rafflecopter form to win signed copies of all three books!

About The Sound of Emeralds...

 

What once was blazing hatred has turned to lasting love, but could the union of a wild heart with that of a lady ever result in more than heartache?

 

With the help of an old friend with uncertain loyalties, Dirk inches ever closer to clearing his name. Gwyneth throws her faith into good tidings and the promise of a future as a family. But an old evil comes to call, just as tragedy rips apart a fledgling truce. Enemies from the past and grief for the future threaten to tear asunder what God had brought together...

Find The Sound of Emeralds on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Goodreads!

And if you want to learn about the other books in the Steadfast Love Series...

About the Steadfast Love Series ~

In 16th-century Europe, the Reformation rages between Protestants and Catholics. Gwyneth, half-Dutch, flees from England to Holland to escape the man who murdered her parents. When he follows her there and insists he came to rescue her, will she trust this man called Dirk? When tragedy strikes, will their steadfast love erode?

The Sound of Diamonds ~



Her only chance of getting home is trusting the man she hates.

 

With the protestant Elizabeth on the throne of England and her family in shambles, Catholic maiden Gwyneth seeks refuge in the Low Countries of Holland, hoping to soothe her aching soul. But when the Iconoclastic Fury descends and bloodshed overtakes her haven, she has no choice but to trust the rogue who arrives, promising to see her safely home to her uncle's castle. She doesn't dare to trust him...and yet doesn't dare to refuse her one chance to preserve her own life and those of the nuns she rescues from the burning convent.

Dirk Godfrey is determined to restore his honor at whatever cost. Running from a tortured past, Dirk knows he has only one chance at redemption, and it lies with the lovely Gwyneth, who hates him for the crimes she thinks he committed. He must see her to safety, prove to the world that he is innocent, prove that her poor eyesight is not the only thing that has blinded her but what is he to do when those goals clash?

The home Gwyneth knew is not what she once thought. When a dark secret and a twisted plot for power collide in a castle masquerading as a haven, the saint and the sinner must either dare to hold to hope...or be overcome

The Sound of Silver ~

The stalwart saint, fighting for faith...the redeemed rebel, fighting for honor.

 

After Dirk rescues Gwyneth from the Iconoclastic Fury, she discovers that faith is sometimes fragile and hope is not as easy as it may seem. Now truly orphaned yet not alone, Gwyneth continues her quest to learn more about the love of God preached by Protestants she once distrusted.

Dirk's quest is to prevent his sullied name from staining hers. Will his choice to protect her prove the undoing of her first faltering steps toward a Father God? Once separated, will Dirk and Gwyneth's searching hearts ever sing the same song?

I know you are all chomping at the bit, frantically logging onto Amazon, and clicking ORDER NOW after reading all that. And you should be. ; ) Now, lets get to know Rachelle a little better.

 

About the Author ~ 

 

 

Times gone by snatch Rachelle Rea Cobb close, so she reads and writes about years long ago -- her passions include the Reformation, Revolutions, and romance. Rachelle wrote the Steadfast Love Series during college. Five months after she graduated, she signed a three-book deal with her dream publisher, WhiteFire. She's a homeschool grad, Oreo addict, and plots her novels while driving around her dream car, a pick-up truck. In June 2016, she married a man with the same name as her fictional hero, and they live happily ever after in Small Town, South. She is also the author of Write Well, a guide for writers, which released on March 4th!

Connect with Rachelle on her Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Amazon Author Page, and Goodreads.

 

INTERVIEW ~

1. When and where did you first get the idea for the Steadfast Love Series?

A song I was listening to on the radio inspired the title of the first book. So I wrote Diamonds, but when I finished it, I realized to my great frustration that the characters weren't done with their story, even though I had been quite adamant that I would write a stand-alone novel. But the story wasn't finished, so I kept writing.

That's amazing!!! I love how a song inspired this beautiful saga!  

2. Readers often pick out favorite quotes from a novel. Do you have a favorite of your own from The Sound of Silver?

 

Yes! In fact, my friend Mindy, a calligrapher, even created a beautiful piece of art from one of my favorite quotes: "Within the pages of books one's heart can be revealed."

 

That right there is going to be my new life motto. LOVE IT!

3. Can you tell us what first drew you to writing Inspiration Historical Romance?

My first exposure to the genre came when I read Heartsong Presents novels when I was twelve. Those small books introduced me to how much I believe in the power of story, especially love stories set in times gone by.

 I love hearing about the stories that shape the writers - and people - we become! It's amazing!

4. I saw on your website that you also write reviews, articles, and offer editing services. What's one of your favorite things beyond writing novels that you enjoy?

Editing is such fun! I daresay I enjoy editing a page full of my own (or others'!) words just as much as I enjoy splashing words onto a blank page. I recently released my first nonfiction book, Write Well, which is a short eBook designed as a guide for writers!

Everyone, Write Well is one of the best writing guides I have ever read! Instead of wanting to put my head through a wall, I chuckled while reading it. I definitely recommend Rachelle as a freelance editor. Not that I'm being pushy or anything. ; )

Thank you for talking with us, Rachelle! Now it's time for the GIVEAWAY!



GIVEAWAY INFO, RULES, AND SUCH ~



Enter using the Rafflecopter form below to win signed copies of ALL THREE of Rachelle's novels. The whole series, signed!!! Be still my nerd girl heart!

 

International friends, this giveaway is open to continental U.S. addresses only (sorry!). But do still enter, because one international winner will also be chosen to receive all three eBooks. YAY!

 

Enter using the handy Rafflecopter here ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you had as much fun as I did today! See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

Review of With Love, Wherever You Are by Dandi Daley Mackall

From the Back Cover:

Everyone knows that war romances never last...

Nurse Helen Eberhart approaches everything in life with pure determination. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Helen decides to enlist as an Army nurse. There, her grit is put to the test when she's assigned to care for the broken bodies of some of the most severely wounded soldiers, many no older than her own beloved brothers.

Frank Daley wasn't trying to be a hero. He'd only enlisted to finish medical school, confident that the war would be over before his deferment ran out. Instead Lt. Frank R. Daley, MD, is sent straight from his graduation to boot camp, the last stop before a battlefield hospital in Europe. And none of his training prepares him for the chance encounter with a spirited nurse who steals his heart.

After a whirlwind romance and wedding, Helen and Frank are sent to the front lines of Europe with only letters to connect them for months at a time. Surrounded by danger and desperately wounded patients, they soon find that only the war seems real - and their marriage more and more like a distant dream.

For more information about Dandi Daley Mackall and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts:

If you only read one more book this year, make it With Love, Wherever You Are!!! And I don't say that lightly. Read this book!!! As soon as I read the first paragraph, I was hooked. I simply adore this story!

With Love, Wherever You Are is like reading a Cary Grant movie! Swoon! Some of my favorite movies are I Was a Male War Bride, Operation Petticoat, and Father Goose. This story has such a similar vibe. With Love, Wherever You Are, while fiction, is based on Dandi Daley Mackall's parents and their letters exchanged during World War II. I am honored and blessed to be able to read this story based on their story. I think the author has some mighty proud parents in Heaven.

I really loved the backstory that lead to Frank and Helen's decisions to enlist in the Army. We get to see them meet, fall in love, and get married. And a number of their letters were included in the story! This was a very well done "married" story. It portrays marriage so beautifully. Character development was also amazing. Frank went from just skating by with the least amount of work possible, to a dedicated soldier, while Helen learned that she didn't have to go through life helping herself, but that God was there for her.

Five Stars!!! If I could, I would give it a much higher rating!!! With Love, Wherever You Are is uplifting, crushing, and beautiful. I say it again, read this book!!! You do not want to miss it.

I received a copy of With Love, Wherever You Are by Dandi Daley Mackall published by Tyndale from the Tyndale Blog Network. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

Review of Pursued by Lisa Harris

From the Back Cover:

Nikki Boyd's flight into Nashville was routine -- until the crash landing at the airport.

When the dust settles, Nikki discovers that the woman who had been seated next to her on the plane is missing--and no one will admit she was ever there. When she learns that Erika Hamilton had been
flying to Nashville with an air marshal as a key witness in an upcoming grand jury trial, Nikki wonders if her disappearance from the crash site means she's running from trouble--or straight into it.
Before Nikki can even see her family, she and her team are pulled into a missing persons case where the motives are as unclear as the suspects.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris has planted danger around every turn in this can't-put-it-down thrill ride that will leave you stunned.

For more information about Lisa Harris and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts:

Lisa Harris gives us a story with more twists than O. Henry! Don't bother trying to guess. Just allow yourself to be swept up in this thrilling ride!

I do just want to note that there are some hard deaths in this story. Nothing extremely graphic, but that doesn't make it any less difficult.

The story starts with an airplane crash that makes me seriously reconsider ever flying again! Once Nikki is pulled into the missing person case for her fellow passenger, her life is put on the line again and again. This case is personal is so many ways. Even though Nikki is a seasoned agent, she's a human being, so seeing her struggle with her near death and the hard-hitting angles of the case proved to be realistic. In the midst of Nikki's desperate search, she learns to let go of the plans she has for the future with Tyler...and trust God. In case I've worried anyone, Nikki and Tyler sitting in a tree... ; )

Four Stars! Action packed!! This might be my favorite book in the series. If you like a suspenseful story with a little romance, then you must read this story. Each story is its own separate mystery, however, since there are elements in the backstory and romance that build in each book, I recommend reading Vendetta and Missing first. To my knowledge, this is the last novel in The Nikki Boyd Files. HOWEVER, Vanishing Point: A Nikki Boyd Novel, releases November 7th, 2017. The story is told from a different perspective. Also, rumor has it that we will finally learn what happened to Nikki's sister, Sarah.

I. Can't. Wait.

I received a copy of Pursued by Lisa Harris from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

Review of Long Time Gone by Mary Connealy

From the Back Cover:

Someone will stop at nothing to claim the Boden homestead!

The Boden clan thought their problems had ended with the death of a dangerous enemy, but have they truly uncovered the real plot to take their New Mexico ranch? Rancher Justin Boden is now in charge. He is normally an unshakable and rugged man, but with his brother, Cole, shot and in mortal danger, even a tough man faces doubts. And it doesn't help that Angie DuPree, the assistant to the doctor trying to save Cole, is as distracting a woman as Justin ever laid eyes on.

With her and the doc's timely skills, Cole looks to be on the mend, and Justin and the rest of the Bodens can turn their attention back to the dangers facing them. It's clear now that everything that's occurred is part of a much bigger plot that could date back to a decades-old secret. Can they uncover all the pieces before danger closes in on them, or is the threat to the ranch even bigger than any of the Bodens could imagine?

For more information about Mary Connealy and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts:

I've become quite found of the crazy Boden family! They bicker and fight, but they love fiercely.

Justin is bit rough, arrogant, and he likes to be in control. Angie is a mild and meek, having come from an abusive background. While Justin learns to give God the things he can't control, she's trying to learn to stand on her own, thinking that's what God wants for her life. The title, Long Time Gone, proves to be a beautiful theme for this story since God loves to stop us on our life journeys and bless us with things we thought we had passed a long time ago.

And don't think I forgot the mystery surrounding the Cimarron Ranch! There's a B.I.G. reveal towards the end of the book that seemingly answers all our questions...or does it?  ; )

Four Stars - a fun story! If you like westerns, cowboys, spitfire characters, romance, and mystery, then you need to read this series! I would recommend you read the first book, No Way Up, due to the ongoing mystery. I can't wait to read Cole and Melanie's story in Too Far Down because #teamcole!!!

I received a copy of Long Time Gone by Mary Connealy from Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

God bless you guys! See you next time!

 Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

Review of Life After by Katie Ganshert

From the Back Cover:

It could have been me.

Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman boards the train, takes her seat, and moments later a fiery explosion rips through the frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city’s transit system. One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost.

A year later, Autumn Manning can’t remember the day of the bombing and she is tormented by grief—by guilt. Twelve months of the question constantly echoing. Why? Why? Why? Searching for answers, she haunts the lives of the victims, unable to rest.

Paul Elliott lost his wife in the train bombing and wants to let the dead rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to cause more pain for his loved ones. He wants normalcy for his twelve-year-old daughter and young son, to see them move beyond the heartbreak. But when the Elliotts and Autumn are unexpectedly forced together, he fears she’ll bring more wreckage in her wake. 

In Life After, Katie Ganshert’s most complex and unforgettable novel yet, the stirring prose and authentic characters pose questions of truth, goodness, and ultimate purpose in this emotionally resonant tale.

For more information about Katie Ganshert and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts:

Life After, oh, Life After...

Life after having the pleasure of reading you is bittersweet. There were times I had to put you down and weep, so overcome with sorrow. Other times you gut punched me with such poignant truths. And other times my heart felt like it would burst from joy and smiles.

Autumn feels like she's drowning from guilt. Oh, so much guilt. But she's not afraid to ask questions. BUT once she's willing to listen, then God answers. They're just not the answers she's been expecting. And Paul, he's struggling with guilt, too. I really loved his resolution. I don't want to give away any spoilers... ; ) Suffice it to say that he experiences a dump of God's sacrificial love.

As you may have guessed, this is not a light read. This is one of those books that does not avoid the hard, the hurt, and the pain that life gives you. It tackles those questions head on, kind of like an angry bull attacking the man in red. What you're left with is a deeply moving, beautiful story with stellar writing.

Four and a Half Stars. A fabulous novel! I'm looking forward to whatever Katie writes next!

I received Life After by Katie Ganshert from WaterBrook & Multnomah. All opinions expressed are my own.

God bless you guys, and I'll see you next time!

Hugs!
~V. Joy Palmer