The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel: Review & Giveaway!

About the Book

The Secrets of Paper and Ink

Author: Lindsay Harrel

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Release date: February 26, 2019

Publisher: Tyndale

Lindsay Harrel presents a powerful story of healing, forgiveness, and finding the courage to write your own story.

A year after the death of her abusive fiancé, domestic violence counselor Sophia Barrett finds returning to work too painful. She escapes to Cornwall, England—a place she’s learned to love through the words of her favorite author—and finds a place to stay with the requirement that she help out in the bookstore underneath the room she’s renting. Given her love of all things literary, it seems like the perfect place to find peace.

Ginny Rose is an American living in Cornwall, sure that if she saves the bookstore she co-owns with her husband then she can save her marriage as well. Fighting to keep the first place she feels like she belongs, she brainstorms with her brother-in-law, William, and Sophia to try to keep the charming bookstore afloat.

More than 150 years before, governess Emily Fairfax knew two things for certain: she wanted to be a published author, and she was in love with her childhood best friend. But he was a wealthy heir and well out of her league. Sophia discovers Emily’s journals, and she and William embark on a mission to find out more about this mysterious and determined woman, all the while getting closer to each other as they get closer to the truth.

The lives of the three women intertwine as each learns the power she has over the story of her life.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time. Connect with her at LindsayHarrel.com.

Guest Post from Lindsay

With every book I write, it seems God has something new to teach me. That certainly was true of The Secrets of Paper and Ink.

Lately, I am learning more and more about the power of our words. I’ve become more conscious of the words I speak over myself as well as what I say to other people. It’s more than “positive thinking”—the words we say ultimately contribute to the stories we weave, and I want my story to be as positive and hope-filled as possible, regardless of my circumstances.

I’ve also become much more aware of the lies that I tell myself—“you are not worthy, you are not enough, you will never achieve what you want to achieve”—and the need to replace those lies with the truths that God says about me. I have listened to Lauren Daigle’s song You Say on repeat lately, and it has become a theme not just of The Secrets of Paper and Ink, but one in the story of my very life.

So while I may not have experienced everything my characters have—I’ve never suffered emotional abuse, or been ostracized by my family, or been orphaned and alone in a world that seems against me at every turn—I have learned alongside them. I set out to write a book that would draw readers closer to the true healer and hope giver, and I ended up being drawn closer myself.

And that, to me, is the true power of story.

My Thoughts

The Secrets of Paper and Ink is charming tale that combines the stories of three woman.  We get to see them overcome pain and loss to move forward as stronger, fulfilled women.  The authors flowery descriptions of Cornwall transported me to the area.  I like how the three stories are woven together into one lovely story.  While Sophia and Ginny’s section are told in the third person, Emily’s journal entries are her personal accounts (first person).  The Christian element is light but pivotal.  It is important to have faith and realize that only One person is truly in charge.  The Secrets of Paper and Ink is well-written with thoughtful pacing.  We get to see women overcoming adversity and taking charge of their lives.  The romance is light and sweetly knitted into each ladies’ tale.  I appreciated how the story comes together with a heartwarming ending.  The Secrets of Paper and Ink is a perfect for those readers who like to read women’s fiction and watch romantic movies.

To celebrate her tour, Lindsay is giving away a copy of Lindsay’s first book The Heart Between Us.  Be sure to comment on the blog stops (schedule below) for nine extra entries into the giveaway.  Click here to enter and Good Luck!  I hope you will join me tomorrow when I share my thoughts on In His Father's Footsteps by Danielle Steel.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 26

The Avid Reader, February 26

The Power of Words, February 26

Carla Loves To Read, February 26

Blogging With Carol, February 27

Inspirationally Ever After, February 27

Kristin’s Book Reviews, February 27

Real World Bible Study, February 28

Caffeinated Christian Raves – N – Reviews, February 28

Carpe Diem, February 28

A Baker’s Perspective, March 1

Andy Carmichael, March 1

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, March 1

Bibliophile Reviews, March 2

The Becca Files, March 2

Just Your Average reviews, March 2

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, March 3

Emily Yager, March 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 3

Genesis 5020, March 4

Reader’s Cozy Corner, March 4

Stories By Gina, March 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 5

Simple Harvest Reads, March 5 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Mary Hake, March 5

Remembrancy, March 6

Through the Fire Blogs, March 6

Inklings and Notions, March 6

Just the Write Escape, March 7

Pause for Tales, March 7

Book by Book, March 7

Living Life Free in Christ, March 8

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 8

To Everything A Season, March 8

The Lit Addict, March 9

Texas Book-aholic, March 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 10

Janices book reviews, March 10

Bigreadersite, March 10

Henry Happens, March 11

Godly Book Reviews, March 11

All-of-a-kind Mom, March 11

amandainpa , March 11

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower

Welcome!  I want to share with you some of the new books that will be released on Tuesday, February 26.  The list includes The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel, The Spitfire Girls by Soraya M. Lane, Final Exam by Carol J. Perry, One Feta in the Grave by Tina Kashian, The Reconciliation by Susan Lantz Simpson, Please Don't Feed the Mayor by Sue Pethick, Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower and Chocolate Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke.

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower is An Amish Candy Shop Mystery novella (No. 3.5).  Charlotte Weaver is thrilled to be in New York City with her cousin, Bailey King for the filming of Bailey’s Amish Sweets. Bailey is creating a hand woven chocolate Easter basket using tempered chocolate when the double boiler explodes.  Glass and chocolate are sent flying around the set., but, thankfully, no one was injured.  The next day, Juliet Brody and her comfort pig, Jethro arrive to be a part of the show and publicity photos.  While shooting photographs in the park, a loud horn sounds which scares poor Jethro and sends him running into the park.  Charlotte is concerned that someone is trying to sabotage the show as the small incidents continue.  With Bailey already nervous about the filming, Charlotte decides to investigate on her own.  Can Charlotte unmask the saboteur?  Join Charlotte, Bailey, Cass and Jethro on their New York City adventure in Criminally Cocoa.

Criminally Cocoa picks up where Premeditated Peppermint ended.  We join Bailey, Charlotte and Cass in New York where they are filming the first season of Bailey’s Amish Sweets.  Bailey asked Charlotte to come along and be her assistant on the show.  Criminally Cocoa is told from Charlotte’s point-of-view.  It was humorous to see New York City through Charlotte’s eyes.  Charlotte grew up Amish and has yet to join the church.  She views things differently from Englishers.  I thought Criminally Cocoa was well-written with steady pacing.  It was nice to learn more about Charlotte in this story.  When Bailey blames herself for the explosion of the double boiler, Charlotte wants to help prove it was not her cousin’s fault.  Charlotte has watched Bailey solve three crimes and puts that knowledge to use.  The mystery was straightforward.  Readers will have no problem solving it before the reveal.  However, it is the right type of mystery for the length of the story.  While the story focuses on the group in New York, we do get updates on their friends back home in Harvest, Ohio.  I especially enjoyed the addition of Juliet Brody and her polka dotted pig, Jethro.  Their antics provided me with plenty of laughs.  It is always delightful to read one of Amanda Flower’s books.  I am eager to read Toxic Toffee (June 25) which is the next An Amish Candy Shop Mystery.

Criminally Cocoa comes out tomorrow in e-book format.  Tomorrow I am showcasing The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel as part of the Celebrate Lit Tour.  I hope you will visit and enter the giveaway.  Thank you for stopping by today.  May you have a jolly day and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Corned Beef and Casualties by Lynn Cahoon

Good Day!  The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel comes out on February 26 with One Feta in the Grave by Tina Kashian.  Chutes and Ladders by Marc Jedel will be out on March 12.  It is the second novel A Silicon Valley Mystery series. Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson releases on March 26.  It is the first book in A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery series.  

Corned Beef and Casualties by Lynn Cahoon is A Tourist Trap Mystery Novella (No. 10).  The town of South Cove, California is having a full day of festivities in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.  Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books and More is looking forward to enjoying dinner and fireworks with her friends after a day of taking care of customers.  Alana McDaniel comes into the shop for coffee with a rowdy group of friends who have obviously been overindulging in alcohol as are many of the tourists.  Late that night, Detective Greg King is called out to a crime scene.  Jill’s customer, Alana has been found dead on the rock cliffs above the beach.  Jill immediately goes into investigator mode despite Greg’s pleas to stay out of this case.  She checks with local business owners to work out the victim’s timeline and discover who could have harmed Alana.  Will Jill solve the crime before the killer flees town?

 

It is always a pleasure to visit South Cove and check in with the residents who live in this small seaside town.  I like the cast of characters with their various eccentricities.  Lynn Cahoon has a casual writing style that reminds me of talking with a friend.  I thought Corned Beef and Casualties was well-written with a nice steady pace throughout.  The mystery is uncomplicated and can easily be solved.  However, it is just the right type of mystery for this length of book.  Personally, I recommend reading The Tourist Trap Mystery series in order.  It is the best way to get to know the characters.  I have enjoyed watching Jill settle into South Cove, manage her store, get close friends and fall in love.  Corned Beef and Causalities is a quick, easy to read cozy mystery novella that is a delightful distraction from reality. 

 

You can find a complete list of A Tourist Trap Mystery books here on Amazon.  I appreciate you visiting today.  I will highlight Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower tomorrow.  It is An Amish Candy Shop Mystery novella and has Bailey's cousin, Charlotte Weaver as the narrator.  Thank you for visiting today and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griepe: A Review & a Giveaway!

About the Book

Three Page-Turners Under One Cover from Reader Favorite Michelle Griep!

Can truth and love prevail when no one is as they appear?

The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady

Cornish Coast, 1815

When a prim and proper governess returns to England from abroad, she expects to comfort her dying father—not fall in love with a smuggler. Will Helen Fletcher keep Isaac Seaton’s unusual secret?

The Doctor’s Woman (A Carol Award Winner!)

Dakota Territory, 1862

Emmy Nelson, daughter of a missionary doctor, and Dr. James Clark, city doctor aspiring to teach, find themselves working side by side at Fort Snelling during the Dakota Uprising. That is when the real clash of ideals begins.

A House of Secrets

St. Paul, Minnesota, 1890

Ladies Aide Chairman, Amanda Carston resolves to clean up St. Paul’s ramshackle housing, starting with the worst of the worst: a “haunted” house that’s secretly owned by her beau—a home that’s his only means of helping brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild). Keep up with her adventures at her blog “Writer off the Leash” or visit michellegriep.com.

Guest post from Michelle

Three Reasons to Read Historical Fiction

Believe it or not, some readers snub historical fiction, preferring instead to stick to contemporary reads. Several have good reason to, simply preferring one genre over another. But others have never given historical fiction a try. If you fall into that camp, here are some reasons you should consider reading a tale from the past

Historical fiction books are not as boring as your high school history class.

Does the thought of endless names and dates make you break out into hives? Good news! Historical fiction is a painless way to glean some historic facts without mindless memorization. You can experience a different era and culture vicariously through heroes and heroines that live on the pages of yesteryear.

Makes for great conversation.

In a world that prides itself on keeping up with the Kardashians, dare to add a little cultural zest to your next dinner conversation. Reading historical fiction arms you with interesting tidbits of things that’ve happened in years gone by.

Because truth is timeless.

Some people yearn to go back to a simpler time. The truth is, though, that the grass isn’t necessarily greener on the historic side of the fence. People have had tough issues to deal with no matter the era. . .but therein lies a great reason to read historical fiction: truth is timeless. Be it ancient, biblical, medieval, Victorian, or anything in between, truth never changes.

In my new release, Ladies of Intrigue, you’ll experience all these things and more. Find out about the smuggling trade in Cornwall in The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady. Learn about the rough and dangerous life on a military fort during the 1860’s in The Doctor’s Woman. Find out why the gilded age wasn’t as glittery as we often think in A House of Secrets.

Don’t be doomed to repeat history. Grab a cup of tea and master it with a great read!

My Thoughts

Ladies of Intrigue contains three Christian romance stories set in the 1800s.  I like the three different locales and the couples in the stories.  It is nice to watch the couples learn to trust each other, overcome their differences and fall in love.  I thought Ladies of Intrigue was well-written with steady pacing.  I did feel that The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady needed more fleshing out.  The ending felt incomplete.  There are smugglers, soldiers, a dedicated doctor, sick Native Americans, a haunted house, corrupt men, romance, society ladies and much more in Ladies of Intrigue.   I enjoyed these three sweet romantic stories with Christian values.  If you are looking for a diverting nineteenth century romantic tales, then pick up Ladies of Intrigue.  

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a free copy of Ladies of Intrigue. Be sure to comment on blog stops (schedule below) for nine extra entries into the giveaway!  Click here to enter.  Thank you for visiting today.  I hope I have introduced you to a new author and book.  I will feature Corned Beef and Casualties by Lynn Cahoon tomorrow.  It is A Tourist Trap Mystery (novella).  Don't forget to leave a comment for an extra entry.  Good luck and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, February 23

The Power of Words, February 23

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, February 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 23

Blogging With Carol, February 24

Reflections From My Bookshelves, February 24

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 24

Mary Hake, February 24

Kathleen Denly, February 25

Genesis 5020, February 25

Splashes of Joy, February 25

For the Love of Literature, February 25

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 26

Faery Tales Are Real, February 26

Through the Fire Blogs, February 26

Blossoms and Blessings, February 26

Inspired by fiction, February 27

All-of-a-kind Mom, February 27

Back Porch Reads, February 27

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 27

A Baker’s Perspective, February 28

Andy Carmichael, February 28

Stories By Gina, February 28

Emily Yager, March 1

Multifarious, March 1

A Reader’s Brain , March 1

Baker kella, March 1

Bibliophile Reviews, March 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 2

Remembrancy, March 2

Just the Write Escape, March 3

Bigreadersite, March 3

Inspiration Clothesline, March 3

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 4

Vicky Sluiter, March 4

Ashley’s Bookshelf, March 4

Book by Book, March 4

Kat’s Corner Books, March 5

Inklings and notions, March 5

Living Life Free in Christ, March 5

The Morning Chapter, March 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 6

Pause for Tales, March 6

Simple Harvest Reads, March 6 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Daysong Reflections, March 6

Texas Book-aholic, March 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 7

Janices book reviews, March 7

A Humble Cup of Lukewarm Tea, March 8

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, March 8

Christian Author, J.E. Grace, March 8

Carpe Diem, March 8