The Last Man at the Inn: One Man’s Quest to Believe by R. William Bennett: Blog Tour Review

Product Details

Publication Date: 10/8/19

Hardcover

ISBN: 9781629726038

Retail Price: $17.99

Page Count: 208

Fiction / Christian / Historical

Book design: © Ensign Peak

Art Direction: Richard Erickson

Design: Barry Hansen

Cover photo: Jim Zuckerman / Alamy Stock Photo

***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher.

 All opinions are my own***

Book Summary

Simon considers himself fortunate after securing the final room at the inn in Bethlehem. While eating his supper, he sees a younger man and his pregnant wife denied lodging at the door of the inn. Simon momentarily considers giving up his space, but he is weary from his travels as a spice merchant and turns away from the thought.

Over the ensuing years, Simon traverses the popular trade routes and each time he passes Bethlehem, he is reminded of that evening and plagued by guilt.

In time, the Savior begins his ministry, and Simon begins the life-changing process of trying to understand and believe the teachings and miracles of this man called Jesus—said to be the promised Messiah.

The Last Man at the Inn is the story of a journey of conversion we all take in one form or another, told through the eyes and heart of a common man. It is written to affirm the believer, to lovingly beckon to the undecided, and to call out to those who may not even know they are looking for something—only that there is a space in their soul that somehow needs to be filled.

My Review

At first glance, this book may seem like a Christmas book but truly it's a book of one man's journey of developing faith and his belief in Jesus Christ. This novel is about Simon of Cyrene who is well known because of his carrying the cross when Jesus was too weak. This story is based on what perhaps his life story was that led to that moment of Simon stepping in to help Christ that day on his way to Golgotha. 

The story starts on the night of the Savior's birth. Simon in his travels to Bethlehem took the last spot in the inn. Mary and Joseph come to the inn and are turned away while Simon watches. All of his life he is racked with guilt about not giving up his place at the inn. Throughout his life, he hears of this Christ who is spreading a message of goodness. Simon falters in fully accepting this message. This novel shows his journey as he grows older, raises his family, and struggles to believe if this man Jesus is the prophesied Messiah. This novel takes the reader on a journey of spiritual awareness. I know anyone that enjoys reading biblical fiction will enjoy the story of Simon on his journey to believe. 

Meet Author R. William Bennett: 

R. William Bennett grew up on the Jersey shore and in Connecticut. He is the author of the best-selling Christmas novella Jacob T. Marley and the award-winning book The Christmas Gift. He works as a division president of Franklin Covey. He and his wife are the parents of four children, and they live in the Southwest.

Purchase The Last Man at the Inn: One Man’s Quest to Believe HERE: 

Purchase Links:

Deseret Book:https://bit.ly/2B88wpK

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2opYQEp

Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/33rk3fO

“Bennett (Jacob T. Marley) recreates the life of the cross-carrying Simon of Cyrene in this enchanting historical...Simon struggles to accept this new faith—until he is visited by the words of the Holy Spirit. Now preaching Jesus’s message, he follows his family toward Jerusalem. Fans of Mesu Andrews will love this earnest exploration of Simon of Cyrene’s struggle with faith.”

-Publishers Weekly

The Candy Cane Caper: A Cozy Culinary Mystery with Recipes By Josi S. Kilpack: Book Review

Book Details

Title: The Candy Cane Caper

(A Mystery With Recipes)
Series: Sadie Hoffmiller #13
Author: Josi S. Kilpack
Genres: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Culinary 

Format: Paperback• 

Pages: 305
Published: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Shadow Mountain

                 ***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. 

All opinions are my own***

Book Summary

This Christmas, Sadie Hoffmiller Cunningham is making a list and checking it twice. For the first time since she and Pete married five years ago, their combined families are gathering for the holidays in Fort Collins, Colorado, for a party that would make Santa and Mrs. Claus proud.

She just has to bake the famous Cunningham Candy Cane Cake, make sure the looming snowstorm doesn't derail everyone's travel plans, and oh, yes, solve one teensy-tiny mystery before the big day.

At ninety-four and nearly blind, Mary, Sadie's friend and neighbor, knows this will be her last Christmas. When Sadie learns that someone has stolen antique Christmas ornaments from Mary's tree, she vows to find the thief, no matter what. The ornaments had been appraised at more than $40,000, but they were worth even more to Mary, who had intended to bequeath them to her great-granddaughter, Joy, as a final gift.

With Pete in Arizona wrapping up a case of his own, it's up to Sadie to question the residents of Nicholas House, where Mary lives, and deduce who had the means and the motive to steal heirloom ornaments during what should be the most wonderful time of the year.

When stories of other thefts surface, Sadie feels like she's creating a "naughty" list that could rival Santa's. Identifying the thief, recovering the ornaments, and restoring them to Mary's tree in time will take a Christmas miracle—and maybe a few extra-special cookies. 

My Review

I was so excited when I found out there would be a new Sadie Hoffmiller book. I absolutely love this series and it felt like going home to visit an old friend.

Once again we find Sadie being Sadie, involved with helping others and trying her best to make everything perfect for family and friends. Of course, you can tell that this story takes place at Christmas time. I simply loved all of the recipes in this book and can't wait to try several of them. A few days before Christmas Sadie finds herself deep in another mystery waiting to be solved. It was fun to be immersed once again in Sadie's world of spying, snooping, and doing undercover work. She definitely has a way about how she investigates a mystery. There's also a sweet feeling in this book as she is helping her elderly neighbor who is sick and dying. Sadie helps make things better for Mary and in the long run, learns some important lessons of her own. I highly recommend this novel to all of my fellow Sadie Hoffmiller fans and those who like to read culinary mysteries. This book, of course, could be read on its own but I can't help saying...PLEASE go back and read all of this series. I have loved it and it was so delightful to once again be solving a mystery alongside the fun-loving Sadie. 

Purchase The Candy Cane Caper HERE:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OoLYcb

Deseret Book:https://bit.ly/2VjiH3X

Meet Author Josi S. Kilpack

Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and has written twenty-five novels, one cookbook, and been part of multiple collaborations since then. She is a four-time Whitney Award winner and Best of State winner in Fiction. Josi currently lives in Willard, Utah, with her husband and children.

When Kensington Press picked up her first national women's fiction novel, As Wide as the Sky, Josi was in need of a pen name to differentiate between her other genres. For years, Josi has been called Jessica Pack by people who hear her name but don't know her. It made her new pen name easy to choose. As Wide as the Sky was released in paperback in 2018.

For more information about Josi or her books, please visit her blog, What is a Sundial In the Shade? 

Or Go to her website HERE: http://www.josiskilpack.com/

Other Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Books:

  

---

Opposition (Lux #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout-Book Review

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a great conclusion to the Lux series. I liked the whole series more than I thought I would. I wasn't sure about the Alien aspect but Armentrout wrote the characters and the aliens very well. There were many action-packed scenes in book #5. I was actually sad to have this end but know I want to read more from this author. This last book I feel is more appropriate for ages 18 and up. I also really enjoyed listening to the audiobook which had fantastic narrators.

View all my reviews

Secrets and Suitors By Joanna Barker-Blog Tour Review, Author Interview, and Giveaway

Product Details

• Title: Secrets and Suitors
• Author: Joanna barker
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (October 1, 2019)
• Genre: Regency Romance
• ISBN-10: 1524411728
• ***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary e-copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own***

Book Summary
Reluctantly returning to London for yet another Season, shy Nora Hamilton has nearly given up hope that she will ever find the love match she longs for. After all, the one man she does harbor feelings for—her closest friend, James—has made it perfectly clear he views her as just that: a friend. With James traveling half a world away and Nora's father pressuring her to marry for wealth and status, Nora is forced to set aside her desire for love and accept the future she has always dreaded.


Until James returns unexpectedly and Nora's feelings once again rush unbearably close to the surface. Determined to save what is left of their friendship, Nora ignores her own heart and allows herself to be swept up in the London Season, soon finding herself the object of two very different gentlemen's affections. Though she should be thrilled, both men come with a glaring fault: neither is the one man who holds her heart.

But there is much more at stake than heartbreak. When long-kept secrets are laid bare, Nora must face the fears that have plagued her all her life and decide what true love is worth.

My Review
Secrets and Suitors is a very appropriate name for this book. The very shy, and demure Nora Hamilton finds herself at the age of 21 finally with more suitors than she knows what to do with. There are also many secrets being hidden by her, her best friend James, and other family members. I loved how this Regency Romance played out as a mystery at times. The novel is told solely from Nora's perspective, so the reader is finding out secrets along with her. 

My heart was fully aching for Nora as she is being pressured by her domineering father who wants her to marry ASAP. Nora's biggest problem is she hasn't fully acknowledged to herself or others that she is in love with her best childhood friend, James. Of course, James is the type of man any woman would want but he isn't wealthy enough to gain her father's approval. Many scary and embarrassing situations could have been avoided if only Nora and James had been honest with each other a year before. 

Though Nora and James are wonderful characters, many other characters bring such light and life to this novel such as the wealthy Lady Worthington and her vivacious granddaughter Harriet. I also adored Nora's siblings, sister Susanna and younger brother, Ralph. 

The beauty in this novel for me lies in the family bonds that are mended, love that is found, and the overall idea that being honest will always win out over being secretive. This book is another winner for author Joanna Barker.




Meet Author Joanna Barker 

​Joanna Barker was born and raised in northern California. She discovered her love for historical fiction after visiting England as an eleven-year-old, and subsequently read every Jane Austen book she could get her hands on. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in English, she worked as an acquisitions editor before devoting herself full-time to writing. She enjoys music, chocolate, and reading everything from romance to science fiction. She lives in Utah and is just a little crazy about her husband and two wild-but-loveable boys. 

Learn more about Joanna and her books HERE: www.authorjoannabarker.com

**Joanna Barker Answers My Questions**

Question #1: What is one of the most surprising things you've learned about writing books?

The most surprising (and amazing!) thing I’ve learned since I’ve entered the writing world is how incredible my fellow authors are. I’ve made lifelong friends through writing and have been blown away by how kind and supportive writers are of each other. It is not a competition between authors; we stand by the expression that “a rising tide lifts all boats”.  I’m so grateful for the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve been blessed to meet.

Question #2 What is your favorite genre of book to read when you have the time?

This would probably have to be fairy tale retellings! It doesn’t matter the specific genre, but if an author can twist a familiar tale into something new and unique, I’m all in! My favorites are The Lunar Chronicles, The Goose Girl, and Ella Enchanted. In fact, I love retellings so much, I wrote a Regency retelling of Beauty and the Beast, titled (appropriately, haha), Beauty and the Baron. It was so much fun I might have to do it again one day!

Question #3 What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

I thought a lot about this question, so thank you for asking it! When I was in fifth grade, I wrote my first—terrible—book. I had a teacher I really loved, and so I showed the first few chapters to her. After reading it, she asked if she could read the first chapter out loud to the entire class! I said yes for some reason I really can’t remember and was so embarrassed when she actually did read it. But then she came up to me after and told me she couldn’t wait until I finished because she was dying to read the ending. It was the first glimpse that I had of the power of storytelling, even though I’d been a reader all my life. The idea that my words could create an emotional response in someone else? It was incredible, and I’ve never forgotten that experience.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Defender by Author Rachel Rossano: Official Book Blitz and Giveaway

Rachel Rossano lives with her husband and three children in the northeastern part of the United States. Homeschooled through high school, she began writing her early teens. She didn’t become serious about pursuing a career as an author until after she had graduated from college and happily married. Then the children came.

Now she spends her days being a wife, mother, teacher, and household manager. Her evenings and free moments are devoted to her other loves, writing and book cover design. Drawing on a lifelong fascination with reading and history, she spends hours creating historical feeling fantasy worlds and populating them with characters who live and breathe on the page. 

~ Facebook ~ Website ~
~ Amazon ~ Twitter ~
~ Google+ ~ Pinterest ~
~ Goodreads ~ YouTube ~ Newsletter ~

New roles. New rules. No margin for error.

Zezilia Ilar joins the sept son’s entourage as a defender. Her growing Talent ability makes her a target for the Elitists, and her gender makes people question her competence. She must protect the sept son. Any mistake could be fatal.

Hadrian Aleron always knew his beliefs would cause trouble, but he didn’t realize how much. Rebels are rising. He could lose his title, his position, and if he’s not careful, his life. As the assassination attempts grow bolder, Hadrian must rely upon his young defender and their shared faith in the Almighty to keep him from faltering.

~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 
~ iTunes ~ Kobo ~ B&N ~

Snippet:

Zezilia

I fought them the whole way. At least one of the young men limped away with a nasty bruise on his shin, and two had teeth marks on their hands. After the second yelped and withdrew his hand, a sweaty-smelling scrap of wool was stuffed in my mouth instead. They dragged me backwards into a dark room, and the door closed behind us with a final thump. Before I could catch my balance, they released me and let me fall to my knees blind and bewildered. I didn’t dare touch my amoveo now that I was obviously being targeted. The men might be in league with the strange man in the Council Hall. Now that I was unhindered, I spat out the rag and peered into the darkness.

“You always were such a pest, Zez.” Vander, one of my elder brothers, lit a lamp, bathing the small storeroom in a meager glow. “Why couldn’t you have come quietly?”

“If I had known I was coming to speak to you, I wouldn’t have protested,” I replied. “The method of my invitation was a bit hostile.”

I scanned the room as I slowly rose to my feet. The lack of windows was hardly surprising. Pressing in on my right and left were towering shelves full of towels, bedding, and pillows. In the shadow of Vander’s solid form, a second door beckoned invitingly. If I could just get past him, I had a hope of getting free.

He grunted. “We had to get you away from the stick-in-the-mud of a sept son without him knowing. Father wants to speak with you, and his exaltedness has made it clear that he will not make you available. So, we had to use other means.”

“You could have at least told me where you were taking me,” I pointed out. Even if Vander had asked, I wouldn’t have come, but it was point worth making just the same.

“I did tell you.” He laughed jeeringly then. “For all that hype about your abilities, you missed my sending from only inches away. Tsk, tsk. Not all that you are supposed to be, are you?”

I almost opened my mouth to explain that I had ConPropped, and my Talent was blind, but I stopped in time.

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

a Rafflecopter giveaway