Trust the Stars by Tricia Goyer

Trust the Stars

 

About the Book

Olivia Garza, a woman committed to making a difference in the world, thrives in her unconventional, service-oriented life. By day, she helps troubled teens in inner-city Little Rock… by night, she unwittingly creates a viral web-video series when she tries to better understand her mother’s desperate decisions by retracing her steps with a camera. So far, Olivia has always been the anonymous narrator, but she’s promised to reveal herself in the last stop on her documentary: Kenya.

Prince Louis is the heir to the throne of the small European kingdom of Alloria, in Kenya to run away from a broken heart—and the media circus that comes with it. When he meets Olivia, he recognizes her voice right away from the docu-series that has stirred his heart. Though they share a magical day on safari, any dreams of happily ever after come crashing down with the flash of the paparazzi cameras, when Olivia realizes that he represents everything she most despises in the world.

In World War II Rome, another royal, however, has her own life-changing choices to make. Princess Alessandra Appiani could have chosen quiet safety within the walls of the Vatican, but instead she risks her life—and her family—to save the Jewish children so in need of someone to show them the love of God.

When Olivia is hired to help create a documentary about Alessandra, learning about the sacrifice of a royal who goes from palace to prison forces her to face the hardest questions of all: Should she continue on the path she’s carved for herself…or trust God to give her the future she never  thought she wanted?

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About the Author

Tricia Goyer is the author of more than 85 books, she writes both fiction and nonfiction related to family and parenting. This USA-Today Best-selling Author has also won two Carol Awards and a Retailer’s Best Award. She was also an ECPA Gold Medallion Nominee and a Christy Award Nominee and won Writer of the Year from the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

A beloved author of Amish fiction, as well, having written the Big Sky and Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series. She has spoken at events such as MomCon, Raising Generations, and Teach Them Diligently conferences and is the host of the podcasts, The Tricia Goyer Show and Daily Bible Podcast that she co-hosts with Michelle Hill.

A homeschooling mom of ten, including seven by adoption, Tricia is also a grandmother of four and wife to John. With a busy life, she understands the importance of making every word count.

You can read more about the adoption story HERE.

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Extras

Trust the Stars Necklace - Purchase HERE

Tricia’s Podcast

Royal Collection of FUN!

My Thoughts

Trust the Stars by Tricia Goyer is a touching tale.  I thought the story was well-written with realistic, developed characters.  The story takes place in the modern-day, featuring Louis and Olivia with flashbacks to 1943 where Alessandra risks everything to do what she feels is the right thing.    Louis is a man who is loyal, caring, and a Christian.  His life has been ruled by tradition.  He longs to find someone to share to love and with whom he can share his life.  Olivia’s life is about helping others.  An incident that she witnessed as a child made her determined to help those less fortunate.  A chance encounter between the pair leads to a magical day.  Unfortunately, the paparazzi soon reveal Louis’ identity and mess with Olivia’s plans.  Olivia’s new project may give her new insights.  This story gives us a different look at World War II.  I could see a person’s faith tested witnessing the atrocities committed by the German’s and struggling to survive in a concentration camp.  Faith was woven beautifully into the story.  Forgiveness, hope, and faith are the main messages in the story.  I like how the story ended.    My favorite phrase from the Trust the Stars is, “Even those who rule must live under God’s authority.  To see the stars is to remember our Lord.”  Trust the Stars is a story that will have you reflecting long after you finish it.  

Trust the Stars is available from Amazon*.  You can find Tricia Goyer's other novels here.  If you follow Tricia Goyer on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  You can find other White Crown releases on their site. 

Would you like to win a print copy of Trust the Stars (US Only, International will receive an ebook)?  Click here to enter! Good Luck!  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I will be sharing my thoughts on Home from the Storm by Laurel Blount.  It is the final book in A Johns Mill Amish Romance series.  I hope that you have a sparkling day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Beyond the Gray Mountains by Tricia Goyer

 Beyond the Gray Mountains

Book Summary

Marianna Sommer always dreamed of a simple Amish wedding, but there’s nothing simple about marrying rock star Ben Stone. Marianna struggles with trying to embrace new things while also longing for the traditions of her past. Yet wedding planning becomes the least of Marianna’s worries when the man she loves discusses putting their wedding on hold. Will Ben’s past regrets and worries for Marianna push them apart?

When Marianna’s father, Abe, insists on taking Ben to the mountains to “hear from God,” Ben has no grand illusions that an outfitting trip will provide any answers. As trouble finds them high on the continental divide, Ben must turn to God for survival. It’ll take a miracle for Ben, Abe, and Abe’s brother, Ike, to make it down alive.

The media is alerted when a runaway horse with blood on the saddle shows up near the trailhead, and Marianna’s worst fears come true. Will she lose her uncle, her father, or Ben? Suddenly wedding worries pale to her more significant concerns—having three men she loves come home alive.

As Marianna spends time with Ben’s music manager, she discovers a part of Ben she didn’t know before. Will Marianna be brave enough to step out of her comfort zone to help the man she loves? Or will she allow her fears to cause her to miss out on a future more wonderful than she’d ever dreamed of?

About the Author

Tricia Goyer writes out of her passion for God and her love for family and others. The author of more than 70 books, she writes both historical fiction and nonfiction related to family and parenting.

This USA Today best-selling author has won a two Carol Awards and a Retailer’s Best Award. She was also an ECPA Gold-Medallion Nominee and a Christy Award Nominee and won Writer of the Year from the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

Tricia’s contemporary and historical novels feature strong women overcoming great challenges. She is a beloved author of Amish fiction, having written the Big Sky and Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series.

Whether for fiction or nonfiction, Tricia’s writing style is vivid and heartwarming, allowing readers to take home more than engaging stories, but also messages that inspire faith and hope. Her goal is to write stories that matter.

Connect with Tricia by visiting triciagoyer.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

My Thoughts

Beyond the Gray Mountains by Tricia Goyer is the first A Big Sky Amish Novel.  The story takes us to West Kootenai, Montana.  Marianna Sommer is engaged to Englischer and rock star, Ben Stone.  It is a big change for Marianna who was raised Amish.  As people begin asking about the plans for the wedding, both Marianna and Ben realize the changes in store for them.  Doubt and fear begin to plague both of them.  Marianna’s father, Abe feels that God is compelling him to take Ben on a journey into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.  Abe’s brother, Ike will be their guide.  It will give Ben an opportunity to think and pray.  Unfortunately, the three men have an encounter with a mama bear and her two cubs that leaves two of them injured and with no way to call for help.  Will Ben make it back to Marianna?

Beyond the Gray Mountains is the first book in this new series, but, in the beginning, it felt like I had missed a book that introduced the characters.  I did a little research and discovered that it is a continuation of the Big Sky series.  As I got further into the story, I got more of the character’s backstory.  I enjoyed the author’s vivid descriptions of the mountains and the Bob Marshall Wilderness area.  We get to see that you need to be prepared when you go into the wilderness.  It may be beautiful, but it is dangerous.   It is going to be difficult for Marianna and Ben to merge their worlds.  It will take compromise, communication, and faith.  Ike and Annie are adorable.  It is obvious that they care for each other.  One of them needs to make the first move.  I like how faith was incorporated into the story.  Marianne has been reading the Bible and going to church with Annie.  I liked how the Sommer family was reading the Bible.  They were learning more about God and his ways.  I would have liked less repetition.  Certain details are repeated throughout the story.   Beyond the Gray Mountains is a touching tale with magnificent mountains, bouncy bear cubs, wedding worries, an alarming accident, a phantastic tour, and a rare romance.

Excerpt

Saturday, June 24, Kalispell, Montana

“How hard can it be to plan one wedding?” Marianna Sommer mumbled to herself as she strode down Main Street in Kalispell toward the dress shop—the Englisch dress shop. The warm spring breeze blew softly, ruffling strands of light-brown hair that, for most of her life, had been neatly secured under her kapp.

But no longer.

On one side of Marianna paced her friend Annie Johnson, wearing her typical jeans, flannel shirt, and cowboy boots. In her mid-forties, Annie was the owner of the Kootenai Kraft and Grocery. Along with providing a location where one could buy anything from bulk flour and garden seeds to fencing and fishing supplies, Annie was also known to provide a listening ear and a boost of moral support. And this was why she’d offered to take Marianna and her mother dress shopping today.

Marianna had never attended an Englisch wedding, much less planned one. Yet now that she was marrying Ben Stone—the handsome musician with his dark hair, bright blue eyes, and easy smile—many changes would be taking place.

Starting with choosing a wedding dress.

Mem padded on the other side of Marianna in a typical Amish dress, apron, and kapp. She walked with her head lowered and shoulders slumped. She crossed her arms over her chest and uncrossed them as if she didn’t know what to do with herself. It was partly because Mem didn’t have baby Joy on her hip. Yet Marianna also knew this wasn’t how Mem had planned her life. First, losing her oldest two daughters years ago in a buggy accident, and now, having Marianna marry an Englischer. Every Amish mother dreamed of her daughters growing up and following in her footsteps. For Mem, this wouldn’t be so.

Lord, help me to get through this with peace…marrying the man I love yet also honoring my family and Amish friends. Was that even possible?

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Beyond the Gray Mountains and a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 27, 2023

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 6, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks

of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only.

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Beyond the Gray Mountains is available from Amazon*, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, and IndieBound.  The next two books in the Big Sky Amish series are On Golden Cliffs (March 21) and Under the Blue Skies (August 8).  You can find Tricia Goyer's Big Sky series here (Marianna's journey before Big Sky Amish series).  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I will be featuring Letters of Trust by Wanda E. Brunstetter.  It is the debut of The Friendship Letters series.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Daring Escape: The London Chronicles

Hello! The King of Bones and Ashes by J.D. Horn will be available on January 23.  It is the first book in A Witches of New Orleans series.   J.D. Horn is the author of The Line, The Source and The Void  (A Witching Savannah series).

A Daring Escape by Tricia Goyer is the second book in The London Chronicles series.  Amity Mitchell is a tutor to Celia Cartwright in London in 1938.  Amity enjoys her position in the Cartwright household.  Clark Cartwright, a widower and author, is grateful to Amity for helping him and Celia overcome their grief (from the death of his wife, Gwen) and move forward with their lives.  It is almost time for her Christmas break, when Amity receives a telegram from her brother, Andrew.  Andrew works for the British Home Office overseeing immigration to the United Kingdom.  He is in Prague and needs Amity’s assistance with Jewish children.  The Nazi’s will be moving into the area and soon it will be impossible to get these innocent children out of the country.  Amity agrees to go for her two-week leave, though, she will miss spending Christmas with Clark and Celia.  She is soon absorbed in helping the children and extends her stay.  Clark and Celia miss Amity and Clark soon heads to Prague to tell Amity how he feels about her (and convince her to return home). They work to get the children out on Kindertransports, but then the Nazi’s invade.  Amity is on their radar and her American passport will not be able to protect her.  She refuses to leave with Clark wanting to save as many children as possible.  Amity also wants to ensure that Pavla Simonova and her children out on the next train (which could very well be the last one).  Konrad Hanak, a Nazi soldier, is after Pavla for information.  He will not let anyone stand in his way.  Will Amity make it out Czechoslovakia before it is too late?

A Daring Escape is a well-written historical, Christian novel.  While A Daring Escape is the second book in the series, it can be read alone.  The pacing is good and smooth transitions between chapters.   I like how the author incorporated the historical elements into the story.  It is obvious that the author did extensive research for this novel.  She included the historical data without making it seem like a history text or lecture.  It blends smoothly into her fictional story. The characters are nicely developed, likeable and realistic.  Amity is a strong female character who wishes to help others.  She is brace, determined and tenacious.  Clark was a resilient, thoughtful, and caring man. Andrew is a minor presence in the book (I hope he gets a book of his own).  There are basically four storylines (Amity, Clark, Pavla and her family, and Konrad Hanak) that come together for one compelling novel.  I appreciated that the author did not just make this a historical romance.  I liked the mystery/suspense that came with Pavla Simonova and the treasure storyline.  It added an extra element that enriched the story.  Imagine how heartbreaking it was for parents to send their children away knowing that the chances of ever seeing them again was unlikely.  Just another thing taken away from the Jewish people (along with their jobs, homes, valuables, identities, religion, dignity and their lives).  The Christian elements included faith, power of prayer, trusting in God, and scripture.  Ms. Goyer takes her readers back in time to a horrific period in history.  You will be able to visualize the characters in the scenes in your mind.  I am eager to read more novels by Tricia Goyer.  The first book in The London Chronicles series is A Secret Courage.  

Thank you very much for reading my review.  I will return on January 6 (Epiphany) with my thoughts on Out of the Ashes by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse.  It is the second book in The Heart of Alaska series.  Back to my repair work.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader