Simply Susan

‘O Little Town’ by Amanda Wen, Janyre Tromp and Deborah Raney

September 24, 2022 susansnodgrass

**About The Book**
“In this heartwarming compilation, three talented authors bring us the perfect blend of small-town nostalgia and holiday warmth . . . [as] timeless as the notes of a favorite carol and as softly luminous as lights twinkling on an evergreen tree.”
–Amanda Barratt, Christy Award-winning author of *The White Rose Resists*

In this charming collection of novellas, join three generations of Mapleview, Michigan, residents longing for love–and finding it–on the most wonderful night of the year.
**“Hopes and Fears” by Amanda Wen**Emma Trowbridge is determined to give her students the Christmas pageant of a lifetime. The last person she expected, or wanted, to encounter in her two-room classroom is her childhood rival, Frederick Oberstein. He would rather be far away himself. He wants no part of cheer, Christmas or otherwise. Can they learn to see each other in a new light–and embrace a new season of hope and faith together?
**“While Mortals Sleep” by Janyre Tromp**
While World War II rages overseas, news reporter Eleanor Sweers returns home to Mapleview to face the repercussions of the death of her sister and her nightmare of Christmases past. But the homefront isn’t as far from the war as she thought: a bomb has landed in the middle of the U.S. Now Eleanor and family friend Gideon Braum may have to choose between the scoop of a lifetime and the love of a lifetime.
**“The Wondrous Gift” by Deborah Raney**
High school football coach Caleb Janssen and music teacher Rachel Hamblin bond when they both lose their jobs at a Christian school. But when they discover their plans for the future are mutually exclusive, the fallout threatens to tear them apart.

About Amanda Wen
Amanda Wen’s debut novel, Roots of Wood and Stone, released to both reader and critical acclaim, including a Christy Award nomination for First Novel. She also placed first in multiple contests, including the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest, the 2017 Phoenix Rattler Contest, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions Contest, among others. In addition to her writing, Amanda is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team, as well as serving as a choral accompanist. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Amanda currently lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.

About Janyre Tromp
In case we get to meet in person some day, you pronounce that first name Jan-air. Kind of like the stove. I’m a developmental book editor by day and a writer at night.
And that all happens from my kitchen table when I’m not hanging out with my husband, two kids, and slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog. Unfortunately, I spilled coffee on my super cape and then the dryer ate it. So you’ll just have to imagine I can do it all!
I have four traditionally published books—a WWII era novel, Shadows in the Mind’s Eye; a juvenile fiction, That Sinking Feeling; and two board books in the All About God’s Animals series—and 2 indie books—Wide Open, a historical novella and It’s a Wonderful Christmas, a Christmas novella collection (coming October 2021).
But my passion is writing about the beauty of the world—past and present—even when it isn’t pretty.
After all, isn’t it the beauty in the world that gets us through the day?
Hopefully after you hang out with me for a bit, we’ll be able to see things a little more clearly, find a little bit of meaning, and make a bigger impact.
With me what you see is what you get…all the Beautiful, all the Ugly, all the Me.

About Deborah Raney

DEBORAH RANEY’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. She has now written more than forty books, including novels for imprints of Random House, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins. Deb served on the board of the 2500-member American Christian Fiction Writers for 18 years and teaches at writers conferences around the country. Her novels have won RWA’s RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is a recent Missouri transplant, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the Web at http://www.deborahraney.com.

FROM THE AUTHOR: I went from full-time stay-at-home mom for 20-plus years to full-time author. My passion is my family—my husband and I have four kids and an even dozen grandkids. But since, if a mom does her job right, she eventually puts herself OUT of a job, I’m delighted to have discovered a “next” career that I love.

My first literary love is fiction and I have written more than forty books and contributed to several anthologies. The third and final book of my Camfield Legacy series, Breath of Heaven, released in 2022, and my new Christmas novella, “The Wondrous Gift,” is part of O Little Town from Kregel.

A typical writing day for me begins early—usually before 5 a.m.—with the business side of things: answering e-mail and reader mail, writing blog posts, reading for research. Our routine is much quieter now than when we had four kids at home! When my writing time begins each day, I have a routine that sets the stage: lighting scented candles, choosing music to write by, and brewing a perfect cup of coffee. I have a cozy office that looks out over our front yard, but I much prefer to take my laptop out to the back screened porch overlooking our woods where the deer, birds, squirrels, groundhogs, raccoons, foxes, and bunnies provide inspiration and entertainment.

As much as I enjoy the actual process of writing, I am an extrovert by nature, and doubt I’d have lasted long in this business were it not for the company of several wonderful online writers’ groups, connecting with other authors at retreats and conventions, and meeting aspiring writers whenever my husband and I teach at conferences around the country.

Ken and I started road-tripping in 2018 and in 2021 we bought a 1998 Chinook camper and have taken several weeks-long trips since then—the southeastern coastal states, the northern states, northwest through Montana and Utah, and a dozen or so national parks. If the price of gas doesn’t keep us home, we hope to add more to our list this year. We love that we can work from the road while researching, taking photos, and exploring new story ideas!

Probably the most exciting event in my writing life so far was having my first novel made into a movie by World Wide Pictures. Certainly a dream come true for any author, and I feel blessed beyond words to still get to be doing what I love as my day job.

**My Rating: 4 stars**
If you like Christmas stories, and I do, then you need to pick this one up and read it. Three novellas tucked into this and they are so sweet and precious. All three take place in a very small town at different time periods. Your heart will smile when you close the book. I enjoyed this one.

Thanks to Kregel for a copy of this book. The opinion in this review is my own.
Print length

393 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Kregel Publications
Publication date

September 27, 2022
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B5B6VVMV/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i2

‘Entrusted’ (Knights of Brethren, Book 6) by Jody Hedlund

September 13, 2022 susansnodgrass

**About The Book**
**During a time when legends were born . . .**

***ENTRUSTED***

**The feisty enemy princess, the cunning knight holding her captive, and the ultimate battle that will determine their fate.**

Hoping to minimize the death and destruction of the coming war, Princess Birgitta of Swaine leads the Dark Warriors as part of her brother King Canute’s efforts to take the throne of Norvegia. As she engages in a skirmish with a band of elite Knights of Brethren, she’s kidnapped by Kristoffer Prestegard, a cunning warrior.

While searching for the holy lamp that can help defeat the Dark Warriors, Kristoffer realizes that Swaine has already seized the ancient relic. Since King Canute is fiercely protective of his sister, Kristoffer offers to return Princess Birgitta in exchange for the coveted holy lamp.

While trying to keep his feisty prisoner from escaping, Kristoffer learns that his father and uncle have set in motion a scheme that would give him the kingship of Norvegia. Where will Kristoffer’s loyalties lie, and how will he choose sides without losing everything, including the princess he’s grown to love?

**The real story of the Holy Lamp continues . . .**

About Jody Hedlund
Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over forty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes clean, sweet romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com.

KNIGHTS OF BRETHREN SERIES:
Enamored
Entwined
Ensnared
Enriched (Coming July, 2022)
Enflamed (Coming August, 2022)
Entrusted (Coming September, 2022)
FAIREST MAIDENS SERIES:
Beholden
Beguiled
Besotted
LOST PRINCESSES SERIES:
Always: Prequel Novella
Evermore
Foremost
Hereafter
NOBLE KNIGHTS SERIES:
The Vow: Prequel Novella
An Uncertain Choice
A Daring Sacrifice
For Love & Honor
A Loyal Heart
A Worthy Rebel

**My Rating: 5 Stars!**
Jody Hedlund brings her wonderful Knights of Brethren series to a wonderful close with this story, featuring Kristoffer and Birgitta. This has been so great to read this outstanding series set in the medieval era. Hedlund does this genre so well. I was captivated during the entire reading of them all. I was sad to see it end. Truly.

‘I had to choose the honorable path, choosing sacrifice over personal gain.’

I certainly hope Hedlund decides to revisit this series. There are a few characters I’d love to see have their own story. Fingers crossed! I highly recommend this series.

My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. The opinion here is entirely my own.

Language

English
Publisher

Northern Lights Press
Publication date

September 13, 2022
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3FMF459/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

‘Calm In The Mountain Storm’ (Call of the Rockies, 9) by Misty Beller

September 12, 2022 susansnodgrass

**About The Book**
***This epic journey will test his ability to protect his children—and they’re all he has left.***

Missionary Elise Lane returns with her team to the Rocky Mountain native tribe they serve to discover the entire village—including the children she’s come to love—has been massacred. A fierce brave standing at the edge of the devastation has taken the only surviving child.

Goes Ahead returns home with his son to find his worst fears have come true—his entire village has been slaughtered, including his wife. Only their infant daughter has survived. But there’s no time for grief or vengeance. He must get his children across the mountains to the protection of his family.

The last thing he wants is help from the white people who’ve brought this disaster on his village, but his babe is not yet four moons old. Her hungry cries prove he can’t make this journey without the white woman already nursing a babe of her own. But she refuses to come without the rest of her group, including the opinionated missionary who thinks she knows best for his children. As winter closes in and the mountains prove treacherous beyond anything Goes Ahead can control, only a strength and love greater than his own can save his children—and the woman he’s come to love.

From a *USA Today* bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and adventure so intense, lives will never be the same.

About Misty M. Beller
Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love. For a limited time, you can get one of her bestselling novels FREE here: https://mistymbeller.com/freebook
Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.
Learn more at http://www.MistyMBeller.com.

**My Rating: 5 Stars!**
‘Can your God make me better?’

I am a huge Misty Beller fan and this book is so incredibly precious! I love the series, anyway, but this one was extra special. I am a history buff, and Beller knows her history well indeed. I highly recommend this one. There’s a lot more I could say about it, but it would be a spoiler. Suffice it to say, this book is great!

My thanks to the author for a copy of this book.

Language

English
Publisher

Misty M. Beller Books, Inc.
Publication date

September 13, 2022
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09R838BMD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i3

‘Honor Bound’ (Love and Honor, Book # 1) by Hallee Bridgeman

September 6, 2022 susansnodgrass

**About The Book**
It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. But all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a local warlord’s mortally wounded son.

As part of the Army Special Forces “A-Team” on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia’s life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia tries to hold on to her anger–but an unwanted attraction is taking hold.

With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to draw upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive . . . because he’s beginning to think they just might overcome their differences and be able to make a life together.

About Hallee Bridgeman
Get a free ebook when you sign up for Hallee’s newsletter: http://www.halleebridgeman.com/newsletter
Hallee Bridgeman is the award winning and USA TODAY bestselling author of several action-packed romantic suspense books and series. An Army brat turned Floridian, Hallee settled with her husband in central Kentucky, where they have raised their three children. When she’s not writing, Hallee pursues her passion for cooking, coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her.
LOVE AND HONOR SERIES
Prequel: Love in Any Language
1. Honor Bound
2. Word of Honor
3. Honor’s Refuge\

**My Review: 5 Stars!**
‘There is evil in the world and sometimes what protects pacifists are soldiers willing to meet that violence with equal violence.’

Boy howdy, this was a good book! I was immersed completely on the first page. I’d never read a book by Hallee Bridgeman and I was just amazed at how good the writing was. The story line was great and the character development was very well done indeed. I’m always a bit skeptical when choosing a new author’s book to read, but I was so not disappointed here.

This author’s words grabbed me immediately and just refused to let me go. Her heart-stopping military suspense with a God-honoring spiritual thread was stunning. My family has a large military presence and I am a complete patriot, and this aspect of the book really was amazing. I’m always thankful for those brave men and women who put their all on the line for this great country we live in. It was unputdownable to this reader and I could not wait to get back to it after having to pause for life occasionally. I’m happy to see she has a back list and I can read more of her good work. Well done!

My thanks to Revell Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley and the Revell Reads program. The opinion here is my own.

Print length

385 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Revell
Publication date

September 6, 2022

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09V6SVPFV/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

‘A Quilt For Christmas’ by Melody Carlson

September 5, 2022 susansnodgrass

Christmas should be celebrated with family. But for Vera Swanson, that’s not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one–until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help. With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera’s help, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request–a Christmas quilt for Mama.

Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together in order to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all–and she may find herself a new family of friends along the way.

Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson invites you to cuddle up this holiday season with this cozy story of giving, forgiving, and a little bit of romance.

About Melody Carlson
Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including Romantic Time’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com

**4 Stars**
I never miss Melody Carlson’s Christmas stories. They are so moving and heartwarming. This one is particularly precious. A four year old girl wants to give her mother a beautiful quilt for Christmas. A lonely widow, a grieving widow and mother, and a few others added to the mix and you have the recipe for a delightful and moving Christmas story.

My thanks to Revell Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion in this review is my own.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09V6QHG62/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i9

English
Publisher Revell
Publication date September 6, 2022

‘Harvest Moon’ by Denise Hunter

September 3, 2022 susansnodgrass

**About The Book**
**She thought he was arrogant. He thought her walls would never come down. Then they fell in love.**
Forever walking the line between passion and conflict, Laurel and Gavin’s relationship ended in divorce after years of miscommunication and unmet expectations. Now pursuing their own separate lives and careers, the two are content . . . though not completely happy.
When their best friends, Mike and Mallory, are killed in a plane crash, Laurel and Gavin are stunned to learn they’ve been named guardians of their friends’ young daughter, Emma. Putting their differences aside, the estranged couple search for a suitable guardian as they care for Emma and manage Mike and Mallory’s apple orchard.
Soon tempers flare—as does the passion they both remember so well. And Laurel and Gavin find themselves working through their past—their mistakes, their miscommunications, and ultimately the tragedy that ended their marriage.
Will the seeds of love, still growing inside them, thrive and flourish? Or will grief and regret strangle the feelings before they can fully blossom?

About Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than forty novels, three of which have been adapted into Hallmark movies. She has appeared on the The 700 Club and been featured in Southern Living and Woman’s World.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories, peopled with layered characters who have real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.

In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling, drinking chai lattes, hiking, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband raised three boys and are currently enjoying an empty nest and two beautiful granddaughters.

You can learn more about Denise through her website http://www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or by visiting her FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/authordenisehunter