Blog Hop & Guest Post + Giveaway ~ Debbie Lynne Costello, author of The Perfect Bride

The Perfect Bride

Avice Touchet has always dreamed of marrying for love and that love would be her best friend, Philip Greslet. She’s waited five years for him to see her as the woman she’s become but when a visiting lord arrives with secrets that could put her father in prison, Avice must consider a sacrificial marriage. Philip Greslet has worked his whole life for one thing—to be a castellan—and now it is finally in his grasp. But when Avice rebuffs his new lord’s attentions, Philip must convince his best friend to marry the lord against his heart’s inclination to have her as his own.

Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed writing stories since she was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children's Director. Debbie Lynne has shown and raised Shetland Sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys litters now and then. In their spare time, she and her husband take pleasure in camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.

Connect with Debbie Lynne:

www.debbielynnecostello.com
www.theswordandspirit.blogspot.com
www.HHHistory.com

https://www.facebook.com/debbielynnecostello

https://twitter.com/DebiLynCostello

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+Debbielynnecostello

https://www.pinterest.com/debbielynne1/

Listening for God’s Voice

by Debbie Lynne Costello

Do you ever feel like everything you do is an effort? As much as I love writing, there are times in my life where the words just don’t want to flow. That’s what happened with this novella. It was contracted a year ago. I thought I have plenty of time! But I also decided to get it written early because I knew my life was going to get busy.

A year ago my daughter got married. The beginning of the busyness—but good busyness. Then we took a trip to Maine to see our son, daughter-in-love and grandpups —more good busyness. When we got back home we were full steam into building our new house and all the stresses that go along with that—good and bad busyness. Now when I say we are building, WE are building. We do most of it ourselves. Now I’m not the brain behind this, that would be my husband, but I am great at following directions so when he

says drill holes and pull the wires through them, I can do that! Then there were 2 trips to Houston to MDAnderson for Joe to get his PET scans. (For those of you who don’t know about my hubby, he was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). God sent us to MDA in Houston for a clinical trial for 5 months and healed him!) My daughter got a job down in Charleston so that meant she was moving and taking my grandbabies—bad stress!

It seemed like one thing after another kept me busy, or kept me stressed and kept me from my story. So now I was into the holidays. When they were over I said I HAVE to get this book written. I sat down and still it wouldn’t come. Now it is February and we were scheduled to take another mission trip to Haiti, and then 4 days after getting back, go back out to Houston again (we have to go every 4 months). I prayed and asked God to give me the words. Haiti came and went, Houston came and went and I still only had about 1/3 of my novella written. 

My prayers were sincere prayers. I want God to be in every book I write. I want Him to direct each word I type. But I couldn’t hear Him speaking. It wasn’t until

I just stepped back and quit trying so hard—allowed myself to relax and listen to God—took the time to Thank Him for all the blessing we have here in this country—praised Him for the beauty He created—that the words just started to flow and God gave me my story. Sometimes we have to step back from the busyness of life, whether it is good busyness or stress and just listen to what God is trying to say to us. He is there. He is trying to communicate with us but sometimes we allow the noise of life to drown out the beautiful voice of God.

How about you? Do you find that sometimes you are caught up in the noise of life and miss God speaking to you?


GIVEAWAY INSTRUCTIONS!!! 

There are TWO giveaways, one on each individual blog for a book AND one Rafflecopter giveaway for a $25 Amazon Gift Card! 

RAFFLECOPTER Giveaway Link HERE.

BLOG Giveaway: You MUST leave a comment below answering Debbie Lynne's question/s for an opportunity to win a paperback  or e-book (YOUR CHOICE but paperback in US ONLY) of any of Debbie Lynne's books, including her new release, The Perfect Bride. An audio book of  Sword of Forgiveness is also being offered for those who prefer audio books. Y'all have so many choices for book and reading format! Be sure and thank Debbie Lynne. :-)

Please leave an email address in a non-spammy format (jane at here dot come) so you can be reached if you are the winner, especially if I don't know you!!! No email. No entry. Then, hop along to the other blogs throughout the month and see what else is happening, along with more opportunities to win books and/or the Rafflecopter giveaway!

April 29^th Overcoming With God

http://cfpagels.blogspot.com/

April 30^th Stuff & Nonsense

http://annepayne.blogspot.com/ 

May 2^nd Cross Romance

http://crossromance.blogspot.co.uk/

May 4^thLocks, Hooks and Books

https://amybooksy.blogspot.com/

May 7^th  The Sword and Spirit

http://theswordandspirit.blogspot.com/

May 9^th Singing Librarian Books

https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/adults

May 12^th Stitches Thru Time

http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

May 15^th- Heroes, Heroines, and History- Mid Month Madness

http://www.hhhistory.com/

May 17^th Jodie Wolfe Blog

https://www.jodiewolfe.com/blog

May 21^st  Sunnie Reviews

https://sunniereviews.blogspot.com/

May 24th The Cross and Cutlass
http://www.marylutyndall.com/

Have a Blessed day!

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ~Romans 8:28

Review ~ Things I Never Told You by Beth K Vogt, Coming May 2018 ~ Pre-order now!

From Goodreads: It's been ten years since Payton Thatcher's twin sister died in an accident, leaving the entire family to cope in whatever ways they could. No longer half of a pair, Payton reinvents herself as a partner in a successful party-planning business and is doing just fine--as long as she manages to hold her memories and her family at arm's length.

But with her middle sister Jillian's engagement, Payton's party-planning skills are called into action. Which means working alongside her opinionated oldest sister, Johanna, who always seems ready for a fight. They can only hope that a wedding might be just the occasion to heal the resentment and jealousy that divides them . . . until a frightening diagnosis threatens Jillian's plans and her future. As old wounds are reopened and the family faces the possibility of another tragedy, the Thatchers must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart.

*CBD has the most reasonable pre-order price @ $12.99 for paperback!

Purchase link: CBD (*Christian Book Distributors)

About Beth

God’s best is often found behind the doors marked “Never.” So many times I approached life with with a virtual roll of yellow duct tape emblazoned with the word NEVER. Over and over again I sealed off certain opportunities.

I would never marry a doctor or anyone in the military.
I would never have children.
I would never write fiction.

And don’t you know God stripped off the duct tape and walked me through each of those NEVER doors?

Have you ever marked a door NEVER … only to discover his best waited where you said you’d never go?

Following God through that door doesn’t mean we’re on “easy street,”‘even though we’re where he wants us to be.

There’s more to happily ever after than the fairy tales tell us. We’re living real life — and relationships are messy, even when you believe in God. Even when you anchor your life to his promises.

I live my life acknowledging these realities … And I weave these truths into the stories I write.

My Review 

5 STARS!!! 

“Healing relationships take time—and it’s not just up to you to make it happen. Believe me, I know.” 

Vogt is well known for her works of fiction in the Contemporary/Romance genre but has now crossed into Women’s fiction with a confident step forward. Things I Never Told You wrapped around my heart like a ribbon on a package. I honestly did not think I would be as enraptured with it as I was but I had a hard time not thinking about the characters when I had to put it down to do normal things like laundry and cooking and basic mom stuff. I was anxious to pick it back up and continue on in the lives of Johanna, Jillian and Payton, the Thatcher sisters. Their relationships are complex, strained, emotional, and in desperate need of healing. As is often in real life, relationships have problems going on under the surface and a tragedy is what brings them to light. Grief is prominent in the story and the driving force behind much of what happens but it is not the be-all and end-all. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters. They seemed so real. 

The focus of this story is Payton, the youngest sister but with ample time given to Johanna and Jillian, along with their boyfriends, makes me look forward to reading the next two books in the Thatcher Sisters Series. This book would be a great choice for a book club. It is a gem, for sure! 

I highly recommend Things I Never Told You to all fans of Women’s fiction. And if you are like me, one who does not usually read that genre, I encourage you to give this story a try. I am sure glad I did! 

I was gifted a copy of the book from the author and was not required to write a review. No compensation has been received. 

~Happy Reading~

ALSO!!!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the Spring Author Soiree! On Tuesday, May 15, at 7 PM (ET), join Tyndale House authors Amy Sorrells, Beth K. Vogt, Courtney Walsh, Heidi Chiavaroli, and Jennifer Marshall Bleakley for a fun night of conversation and a chance to win signed copies of all their books — and more! https://buff.ly/2KdUKoM

*I am in no way affiliated with CBD and do not receive any monetary compensation for including a link to their website. I am only out to offer my blog readers the most economical place to order the book.

Spotlight~ Refuge of the Heart by Ruth Logan Herne + Giveaway

Paperback, 336 pages

Published September 25th 2015 by Franciscan Media (first published August 13th 2015)

District Attorney Mitchell Sanderson wanted for nothing and lost everything in a tragic accident. A dogged worker, Mitch’s conviction rate earned him respect and trust. Now up for re-election, Mitch’s law-and-order persona makes him a shoo-in candidate. But when faith, conscience and love of a troubled refugee ripple the smooth waters of his existence, can Mitch risk everything for love?

Magdalena Serida fought her way out of the terrors of a government-quelled insurgent uprising in Chechnya. The church-sponsored refugee knows the horrors of war first-hand. Now in America with her five-year-old sister, Lena is uncertain who to trust. Her Christian faith has maintained her through the loss of her family, but when Mitch Sanderson shows interest, Lena longs to take a chance. Should she open herself up to this man of law and order, a man who imprisons women like her? Or slip quietly back into the shadowed fringe of anonymity?

But choices slip away when Mitch’s friend spews half-truths about Lena, rumors that cost Mitch his new love and possibly the election. Can he find his way to a faith deep enough to love again, and to offer Lena the refuge of his heart?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ruth Logan Herne has more than a million books in print, including eighteen Love Inspired contemporary novels and Back in the Saddle, Book 1 in the Double S Ranch series. Ruth is a founding member of Seekerville, a popular writing collective blog. A country girl who loves the big city, Ruth and her husband live on a farm in upstate New York.

CONNECT WITH RUTHY:  website,  facebook,  twitter,  pinterest

GIVEAWAY

Ruthy is providing 1 winner a prize pack that includes the book and some goodies!
Giveaway is 3 Days Only!

Enter now! Due to shipping costs, only open to US mailing addresses. For full giveaway terms & conditions, see Rafflecopter form.

Click on the image below and it will take you straight to the entry form
or use the link below:

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY 

ENDED

Happy Sunday and a Few Spring Images

Song of Solomon 2:11-12 

For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. 

Just thought I would share some pictures I took recently with my cell phone. They aren't great but I don't usually have my good camera with me. I probably should! With spring starting to show her glorious colors, I know I have missed some great shots. 

 I saw this tree exploding with gorgeous pink blossoms in a local parking lot. 

I think it's a Cherry Tree.

I went on a restful retreat with some friends from church
and took this underneath the pier at South Nags Head. 

Psalm 51:10 

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

 I decided to change up my re-purposed USAF display on the front porch. 
Hooray for yard sale deals. The table was only fifty cents and the 
brand new cherry red ceramic planter, $4.00.

We've had a couple of gorgeous afternoons. 
I love seeing the reflection of Old Glory in the car outside the fence.

 Love this sign! It hangs in our favorite BBQ joint.

Psalm 18:46
The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

 Have a blessed Lord's Day, Y'all!

 Cor. 13:11 
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Review ~ The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Paperback, 256 pages

Expected publication: April 1st 2018 by Barbour Books

 

A Former Privateer and a Desperate Heiress Join Forces to Find a Treasure
Jump on board with a brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

One hundred years after her mother's family came to the New World on the Mayflower, Maribel Cordova has landed in New Orleans to seek the man who holds the key to finding her father’s lost treasure. Attorney Jean-Luc Valmot has buried his past life so deep that no living person will ever find it—or so he hopes as he accepts a position on the governor’s staff. But the daughter of an infamous pirate threatens all he holds dear. Can Maribel and Jean-Luc compromise so they both can hold onto what they most desire?

About the Author

Bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee of more than eighty novels with almost two million copies in print in the US and abroad.

A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, she has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award as well a Reader’s Choice Award and is the winner of the Inspirational Romance of the Year by Romantic Times magazine.

Extended Preview Link- Kindle is FREE right now. As always, check the price before you hit BUY. And remember, it is ONLY an extended preview, not the full book!

Purchase Link - Paperback
*Amazon
 *I am not affiliated with Amazon and do not receive any monies if you use a link in this post.

My Review

5 STARS!!!

The Pirate Bride is a real treasure. It has been a long time since I read a novel featuring a pirate or rather privateer, as Captain Jean Beaumont continually reminds Maribel. The story and its characters engulfed me from the first page.

Y’Barbo has crafted an exciting tale of adventure on the high seas and in exotic locales. Combining snappy dialogue and witty characters, my attention never wavered. I did not experience one moment of boredom aboard ship or on land. The descriptions are incredibly vivid, creating pictorial images that made me long to spirit away on a ship to the islands. A hefty dose of danger and secrecy add paramount drama. And shiver me timbers, there is an unexpected twist to this story that made my jaw drop!

The Pirate Bride is the second book in The Daughters of the Mayflower series which will be comprised of six novels. Yes. Six! I have not read the first book in the series but I did purchase it as soon as I finished this one.

I was gifted a copy of The Pirate Bride from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. No compensation has been received.

 
~Happy Reading~

Happy Resurrection Day 2018!!!

 “He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” 

  ~Romans 4:25

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth…”  

~Job 19:25

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
~John 11:25-26

Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor.
~Charles H. Spurgeon 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
~Col. 3:16-17 


God bless you as you celebrate our risen Savior, Christ Jesus, this Resurrection Day!