A Song Unheard- Spotlight and Giveaway as Part of The Number of Love Tour

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White with JustRead Publicity Tours! Follow along with the tour for a special inside peek at how The Number of Love is connected to the author's previous book from another series, A Song Unheard.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Number of Love 
Series: Codebreakers #1 
Author: Roseanna M. White 
Publisher: Bethany House 
Release Date: June 4, 2019 
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Intrigue

Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | ChristianBook

Title:A Song Unheard
Series: Shadows Over England #2 
Author: Roseanna M. White  
Publisher: Bethany House 
Release Date: January 2, 2018 
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Intrigue

Willa Forsythe is both a violin prodigy and top-notch thief, which make her the perfect choice for a crucial task at the outset of World War I—to steal a cypher from a famous violinist currently in Wales.

Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he's won—until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father's work as a cryptologist. And Lukas fears that his mother and sister, who have vanished in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, will pay the price. The only light he finds is in meeting theintriguing Willa Forsythe.

But danger presses in from every side, and Willa knows what Lukas doesn't—that she must betray him and find that cypher, or her own family will pay the price as surely as his has.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

| Book Depository | ChristianBook

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EXCERPT

        She was an enigma. Scarcely looking his way during dinner, playing the part of smiling guest wherever the conversation went. But there was more to her, of that he had no doubt. The way she’d been studying that building yesterday . . .

         The way she studied the violin now, from her stance behind the sisters’ sofa. She didn’t reach for it. Her posture said she was perfectly at ease—nearly bored even.

         But her eyes were hungry.

         His father and his sister could spend days studying a mathematical enigma—Lukas had never shared that particular love of theirs. But a puzzle of a woman he could study for an eternity.

         He drew his bow from its bed and held it out to her. “Here you are, Miss Forsythe. Whenever you are ready.”

A smile danced over her lips, vanishing again even as she reached for the bow.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself.Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books...to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.

CONNECT WITH ROSEANNA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

Grand Prize: Shadows Over England series, The Number of Love, and the Decrypto board game, plus "Mi Alma" necklace (Necklace is 24" chain with a 1" pendant that says "Mi Alma" Spanish for "My Soul". A term of endearment used throughout the book. Handmade by Bookworm Mama)

(3) additional winners of The Number of Love.

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 3, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm June 17, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Flight of the Raven- Excerpt and Giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Flight of the Raven

(The Ravenwood Saga #2)

By Morgan L. Busse

Christian Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 352 Pages

April 30th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

Selene Ravenwood, once the heir to House Ravenwood, is now an exile. On the run and free of her family's destiny, Selene hopes to find the real reason her family was given the gift of dreamwalking. But first she must adapt to her new life as wife to Lord Damien Maris, the man she was originally assigned to kill. 

While adjusting to her marriage and her home in the north, her power over dreams begins to grow. As the strongest dreamwalker to exist in ages, her expanding power attracts not only nightmares but the attention of the Dark Lady herself.

With a war looming on the horizon and a wicked being after her gift, Selene is faced with a choice: embrace the Dark Lady's offer, or search out the one who gave her the gift of dreamwalking. One path offers power, the other offers freedom. But time is running out, and soon her choice will be made for her.

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Other Books in the Series

Mark of the Raven

(The Ravenwood Saga #1)

By Morgan L. Busse

Christian Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 352 Pages

November 6th 2018 by Bethany House Publishers

Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person’s dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate.

As she discovers her family’s dark secret, Selene is torn between upholding her family’s legacy–a legacy that supports her people–or seeking the true reason behind her family’s gift.

Her dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations, but who will also bring about the downfall of her own house.

One path holds glory and power, and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and execution. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

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EXCERPT FROM FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN

Damien watched her a moment longer before turning to address the crowd. “People of Nor Esen and the Northern Shores.” The people quieted and Selene wondered how much of Damien’s words they could actually hear.

“Let me present to you Lady Selene of House Ravenwood, my new wife.”

It took a moment for Damien’s words to spread across the crowd. The cheers began again, although not quite as loud. Selene reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear, unsure if she should wave or just stand there. She opted to stand there as Damien spoke for a little longer.

A few drops of rain splattered across the stone railing, and one hit the tip of her nose. She glanced up. It looked like the heavens were about to burst open. Damien finished his speech, waved again, and turned, his hand still in hers. A few more drops fell from the sky, and the wind picked up.

The door was open and waiting for them. Damien stepped back and motioned for her to enter first. As she walked by, he placed his hand on her back and gently guided her. Every nerve inside of her felt his contact, as if his hand was a hot poker pressing into her back.

“There is a special dinner tonight in our honor. Some of the same people you met last night will be there.”

“And who are they?”

Damien led her down the stairs, following the path of water that ran along either side of the walkway toward the doors ahead. The people in the wings were already filing out. “Members from a handful of lesser houses, some wealthy families whose source of income is trade, and people handpicked by me. And Taegis, of course. Do you need anything, or are you ready to head to the dining hall?”

“No, I’m ready.”

He kept his hand on her back, guiding her along the lit corridor. Two guards followed.

“So who exactly is Taegis?” Selene asked, still feeling the pressure of his fingers along her back. “A councilor? Captain?”

“He’s my guardian. And he was my father’s guardian before me. He acts as a personal bodyguard, counselor, and friend.”

“I see.” In some ways like Mother’s Hagatha, although Hagatha served more as a servant than a guardian.

“I don’t know what I would have done without him when my family passed away.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice. He cleared his throat. “By the way, you looked radiant standing there on the balcony.” His smile was back. “I think the people of Nor Esen approve of you.”

“Thank you,” she said as they turned a corner. But did he approve? She clenched her hand against her side as doubts flooded back into her mind. Did Damien want her? Now wasn’t the time, but eventually she was going to ask him, even if the answer was the one she feared, the one that haunted her nightmares. At least then she would know the truth.

I never wanted to marry you. I only married you to save myself.

About the Author

Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series and the steampunk series The Soul Chronicles. She is a Christy and INSPY Award finalist and won the Carol Award in 2018 for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram│Pinterest│BookBub

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive print copies of Mark of the Raven, Flight of the Raven, and a $20 Amazon gift card
- 2 winners will receive print copies of Mark of the Raven and Flight of the Raven
- US only

- Ends June 7, 2019

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Beauty in His Sight- April W. Gardner

My Rating: 5 Stars

Description: It's 1917, and Halifax is at war. Silas Quinn, street sweeper and army reject, remains on the home front, shunning God and society as religiously as they shun him. But the night he stumbles across a half-frozen prostitute, his eyes blink open, and his greater purpose is born: preserve and protect.

There'd been a day when shop girl Helen Fraser was desperate enough to believe a few nights in a brothel would cure her troubles. By some miracle, Major Jack Gordon deemed her worth saving, but Helen knows her meticulously recreated identity cannot last. What she doesn't expect is for its destruction to come about, not by a john or one of the madam's goons, but by a force great enough to flatten a city and bury her alive.

Set against the backdrop of the Halifax Explosion, Beautiful in His Sight is a Christian historical romance that explores unequivocal grace and identity in Christ.

My Thoughts: I've been in love with April's book ever since I first picked up her story about Totka and Copper Woman. That story had filled the place of a certain story which I had known had to exist but had not found up to that point. And I've followed April's releases ever since, eagerly devouring each new story.

This book is a massive tome, nearly twice the length of her other works. But it didn't feel like it (probably because I read it on my kindle, since I'm sure the weight of it would have reminded me of how big it is). The relationship of Helen and Silas is just so captivating, that I didn't want it to come to an end. And the setting of the Halifax Explosion provides a backdrop that is captivating in and of itself.

For readers wondering if this is the story for them, I would probably liken it to Francine River's Redeeming Love. April does not hide the darkness of the situation Helen is in or has been taken out of. And for some readers, that may be a lot to handle. But for others, it will be a wonderful story of beauty, love, and forgiveness.

I have provided an honest review after receiving an ecopy from the author.

*Also on Kindle Unlimited

Porch Swing Girl- Taylor Bennett

My Rating: 4 Stars

Description: What if friendship cost you everything?

Stranded in Hawaii after the death of her mother, sixteen-year-old Olive Galloway is desperate to escape. She has to get back to Boston before her dad loses all common sense and sells the family house. But plane tickets cost money—something Olive gravely lacks.

With the help of Brander, the fussy youth group worship leader, and Jazz, a mysterious girl with a passion for all things Hawaiian, Olive lands a summer job at the Shave Ice Shack and launches a scheme to buy a plane ticket home before the end of the summer.

But when Jazz reveals a painful secret, Olive’s plans are challenged. Jazz needs money. A lot of it. Olive and Brander are determined to help their friend but, when their fundraising efforts are thwarted, Olive is caught in the middle. To help Jazz means giving up her ticket home. And time is running out.

My Thoughts: Have you ever read a book that transports you into a summer mood? Porch Swing Girl is set in a sunny city, with beach and shave ice, as well as jewelry making and summer jobs. It made me long to be there with Olive and her friends, enjoying the sun and sand.

Admittedly, I did find some issues with the story. It took me a few chapters to figure out Olive's age (whether she was an older or younger teen), who certain characters were to each other, and what exactly happened to Olive's mother. And despite the fact that Olive is reacting in a believable way to her lose and subsequent abandonment by her father, other characters behave as though she is missbehaving without reason, instead of trying to talk through the situation with her.

Yet once Olive begins her friendships with Jazz and Brander, she begins to see how she can turn her memories to joy instead of pain. At that point, she shows a lot of character growth, perhaps even despite her family, and sees how she can use her past to better motivate her to help others. While the Christian elements might have been a little too preachy, there was still a good message as to not blaming God for what befalls us and instead trusting him through future pain.

I think that this a great book for Christian girls looking for that perfect summer read, especially those who want a Christian message that makes up the bulk of the story. I look forward to the next book and to what comes of Brander's comments at the end of this one.

Dead Sea Rising- Jerry B. Jenkins

My Rating: 2 Stars

Description: Nicole Berman is an archaeologist on the brink of a world-changing discovery. During her first dig in Jordan, she believes she has found concrete evidence of a biblical patriarch that could change history books forever. But someone doesn’t want the truth revealed. While urgently trying to connect pieces of an ancient puzzle, a dangerous enemy is out to stop her.

My Thoughts: When I picked up this book, I thought it was going to be a stand alone novel. Nothing about the cover or the description indicated that this was going to be a series. So, it was not until the end of the book that I started to wonder if maybe it could be a series, and an online search showed that this was the case. However, even had I known ahead of time that this was a duology, I don't think I would have liked it.

There are two stories taking place within Dead Sea Rising, one in modern day and one in the time of King Nimrod, mentioned in Genesis. Throughout the story, I was waiting for the moment when the two would connect. But even at the very end, I was still left wondering. I assume that the two will be connected in the next book, but not having that connection in this story made it difficult to care when the narrative switched between the timelines, sometimes every other page.

The individual narratives could have been interesting on their own, as I did think there was some mystery to what would happen. But neither was strong enough to support the weight of a novel, and so I could have easily skipped over sections that didn't seem to add much to the story.

The biggest issue I had with this, however, was that it did not live up to the description given. The story has very little to do with Nicole's work as an archaeologist or her theories. Her being an archaeologist was the entire reason I found interest in this book, as that is what I myself do for a living. Yet, while Nicole mentions her anticipated work, because she has not yet been granted access to the site she wants, the story revolves around an investigation into domestic abuse over a fall that Nicole's mother has had. And that is not the story that the description had promised.

I have provided an honest review after having received a copy of the book from the publisher.

Moments 'til Midnight- Brent Crowe

My Rating: 3 Stars

Description: In the biblical letter of 2 Timothy, the apostle Paul reflected on his passing life. It was but a vapor. He was a pilgrim, passing through this life and into the next. Moments 'til Midnight creatively peels back the curtain of Paul's final hours. Author Brent Crowe imaginatively retells the last twelve hours of Paul's life, from the perspective of the apostle himself. Along the way, readers will be encouraged to live with purpose, to redeem the time, and to embrace the awesome reality that they too are on a sacred journey.

With no more letters to write, no more churches to plant, no more sermons to preach, and no more missionary journeys to embark upon, Paul awaited his death sentence. What were his final reflections on life? How did he view the race he had run? How should you view the race set before you?

My Thoughts: The blurb of this book implies that this is a form of retelling of Paul's final moments, going through the book of 2 Timothy. This would have made it similar to books like Remarkable Faith, where a portion of each chapter is written in a fictional manner, but the chapter as a whole discusses ideas from scripture. This ended up not being the case, with only a short section at the beginning of the book which met this description.

The rest of the book focuses on potential ideas which Paul could have dwelt on in his last hours, However, few of the chapters touched on 2 Timothy, which the blurb would lead one to believe was going to be the focal point of the book. The chapters are instead on subjects like friendship and grace, referencing verses from other books that Paul had written, as well as C.S. Lewis and stories Crowe has heard. C.S. Lewis' influence was particularly felt when the author references Heaven as 'heaven country', a nod to Aslan's Country.

I did not find this book to be particularly close to what I was looking for when I picked it up. I anticipated an in depth study of 2 Timothy, with some imaginative imagery to set the scene. The topics broached in this book are ones that could have entered Paul's mind in his final hours, however, I find that somewhat unlikely.

Other reviewers have pointed out that this book may be useful for newer Christians, as it summarizes a number of points from Paul's ministry. This is something I can agree with, as personally I did not find much that was new or engaging, but I also did not find really anything that I disagreed with.

I have provided an honest review after having received a copy from the publisher.