Title: Just As I Am
Author: Faith Blum
Publisher: Amazon Digital
Publication Date: July 26, 2016
Series: Hymns of the West, Book 5
Setting: Wyoming 
Cost: $1
Pages: 119
Amazon link
Author Link.

Faith Blum's newest novella is available! This one is double trouble! Not only is it about twins, but these twins have reckless and adventurous spirits. When they go against their family, they run into more trouble than they bargained for.
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Synopsis

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

Eve and Evangeline Collins are adventurous twins who decide to take a risk and head west as mail order brides. Their parents are less than pleased, but do nothing to stop them. Eve and Eva don’t realize their danger until they stop just outside Cheyenne. Will they ever see their family again? 

This novella is based on minor characters from the novel, The Solid Rock. However, it can be read without reading the novel or the other novellas in the series.

About the author:

Faith Blum started writing at an early age. She started even before she could read! She even thought she could write better than Dr. Seuss. Now that she has grown up a little more, she knows she will probably never reach the success of Dr. Seuss, but that doesn’t stop her from trying.
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When she isn’t writing, Faith enjoys doing many right-brained activities such as reading, crafting, playing piano, and playing games with her family. One of her dreams is to visit Castle City, Montana, to see the ghost town she chose for her characters to live in. She currently lives on a hobby farm with her family in Wisconsin.
Website | Writing Blog | Bookish Orchestrations Blog | Facebook  | Pinterest  | Twitter | Amazon

Interview: 

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• If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novella or getting it published that you would change?

I don’t think so. I’m happy with how this novella turned out. And since it’s slightly connected to the next two novellas, I had to stick to certain things with it so they all fit together without being exactly the same.

• What kind of research did you do for this book?

I didn’t have to research a whole lot with it. I did have to do a little bit of medical research, but I can’t say too much about that without giving something away.

• What do you do when you are not writing?

Editing, reading, spending time with my family, orchestrating blog tours for other people, research, and I’m sure there are more.

• Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Be patient and don’t rush your publication. I rushed my first one and regretted it later as I found a few errors in it.

•  What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

I honestly can’t think of a question I’ve always wanted to be asked. That being said, I really loved this question and answer I had in a recent interview:

• Have you written any books that made a transformative effect on you? If so, in what way?

My most recent novel did, actually. I wrote the rough draft in a month and then let it sit for 2 or 3 months before beginning to edit it. As I edited it, I could completely relate to what my protagonist was going through. God must have known I would need those words during that editing time and had me write them back then. It was amazing!

​She is also hosting a giveaway!

This giveaway is open internationally. Please enter using the widget or link below.

Tour Schedule:

Tuesday, July 26
Bookish Orchestrations-Tour introduction
Rachel Rossano's Words-Excerpt #1
 
Wednesday, July 27
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Character Interview
Jaye L. Knight-Excerpt #2
Potter’s Word Publishing-Author Interview
  
Thursday, July 28
With a Joyful Noise-Author Interview
 
Friday, July 29
Letters from Annie Douglass Lima-Excerpt #3
 
Saturday, July 30
God's Peculiar Treasure Rae-Excerpt #4
Majestic Golden Rose-Author Interview
Zerina Blossom's Books-Excerpt #5
 
Monday, August 1
Rebekah Lyn Books-Review and Character Interview
Honey Rock Hills-Review
Abrahamic Adventures-Review
 
Tuesday, August 2
Bookish Orchestrations-Giveaway Winner

Hey everyone. 

I have lots more of these images, and I was wondering. Would you rather them in sets like this, or for me to elaborate and have 1-2 to a post? 

Let me know! 

Title: No Other Will Do
Author: Karen Witemeyer
Published: June 5, 2016
Setting:  Harper’s Station, Texas
Rating: 4 (Great!!)
Pages: 368
Series: Ladies of Harper Station #1
Price: $8.25
Provided by: Bethany House 
Author Website
Amazon Link

Synopsis

She Trusts Him for the Job, But Can She Trust Him With Her Heart?

Men are optional. That was the credo Emma Chandler's suffragette aunts taught her and why she established Harper's Station, a women's colony that offers a fresh start to females in need. But when a dangerous and shadowy assailant tries repeatedly to drive the women out, Emma is forced to admit they might need a man after all. One who can fight. And there is only one man she trusts enough to ask.

Malachi Shaw has finally earned the respect he's always craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma's telegram arrives, he rushes back to Texas to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she's not a girl any longer. She's a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn't deserve.

As the danger intensifies, Emma, Mal, and the ladies of Harper's Station must choose safety or whether to risk everything to fight for their future.

"Witemeyer's latest is an entertaining read with plenty of drama and action, a smidgen of suspense and two main characters with perfect chemistry...And of course, the romance is tender and sigh-worthy--a key reason why her readers keep coming back for more."--RT Book Reviews

My Opinions

Today we might call a character like Emma Chandler an "independent woman." At the very least, someone you dont want to be at odds with. 

I really like the boldness of the women in Harper's Station and the teamwork that helps their little community function. As the story goes along, there are bumps in the road and I love how the women stand up for each other. It reminded me that we all need to rely on others and pay back kindnesses. 

When I was researching the publication date and cost of the book, I saw one of the other reviewers say the book reads like one written by Deeanne Gist. So true! I absolutely loved her books and if you have also enjoyed them (including Love on the Line, Maid to Match, Courting Trouble and Deep in the Heart of Trouble) you might want to look into this book as well. 

I enjoyed watching the characters struggle to find the meaning of the threat notes and find proper solutions but that said: There was a tad bit of domestic violence in the book. Not encouraged violence but simply I want to share in case that is a trigger for any of my readers. You might find healing in the happily ever after, but likely reading about hurts of other women might evoke emotions unnecessarily. If you are ever being hurt by anyone, remove yourself from the situation and get help as soon as possible!

I would give the book a 4 star review rating and recommend it for anyone interested in a story of new beginnings :)

Ah well, I dont want to keep you from placing that order any longer. You can get your copy from Amazon for $8.25 here.  

About the author:

Two-time RITA® Finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer, writes historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.

​Hello everyone! Today I have a very special post from Hannah Hobbs :) 

On her about page, she pens that she is "not just a photographer.  I’m a missionary as well".  Yup :)

​Her focus is to be a connector and encourager-- and temporarily, Hannah's photography business is on hold as she is spending 6 months in Northern Uganda doing just that as she shares hope and love with a community called Abaana’s Hope. She returns in November and I hope you join me in praying for her and her community :) 

You may find more information about Hannah and her service on her about page or read the latest updates on either of her pages: 

• www.aglimpseofhisglory.com/ (photography)
• www.leftmyheartinafrica.wordpress.com/  (specifically adventures in Africa)

Below are 10 photos she gave with me to share with you, containing some of her favorite kids in Uganda. 

​Arent they so beautiful?!?! 

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

Matthew 19:13-15, NLT