(Another) New Adventure!

It seems like every time I turn around I am writing another post about a fun new adventure that I am embarking on. It is so exciting and a little (ok a lot) scary, but so.much.fun! 

This time, however, I am also going to need to take a huge step back on the blog. (Insert sobbing) Never fear! This is not the end of Bookworm Mama, I'm just turning my focus in a different direction for a while.

As I am sure you have noticed, this summer (and fall) have been CRAZY around here. Between 2 family reunions, around the house projects, working as an author assistant, and now with the school year in full swing, homeschooling my 1st grader is a priority. Balancing homeschooling, housework, working, and my other bookish commitments has been tough the last couple of months. So I am going to be posting a lot less on the blog. I will still review the books I read for influencer teams and blog tours here. And you will be able to find more articles and reviews at my new "home" over on Hope by the Book!

For some reason, I can't seem to say no to these new adventures. And ultimately, it's all thanks to you, MY READERS, that I've entered into this amazing new role of Associate Editor for Hope by the Book magazine. If you haven't seen the buzz going around social media yet, this is a NEW magazine for avid readers, by avid readers. The first issue will be launching in November and trust me, you are NOT going to want to miss it! 

Check out the website for a taste of what is to come! And use the code BOOKISH for a special discount when you subscribe! 

Don't live in the USA? No problem! We are offering the magazine internationally too!!! (And you can use the same discount code.)

Needless to say, launching a new magazine is not an easy task. I am so thankful for the team of amazing ladies that I get to work with on a daily basis! Carrie, our fearless leader, is the Senior Editor for this magazine (Reading is my SuperPower). Along with Beth (Faithfully Bookish) and Annie (Just Commonly). A better team, I couldn't ask for. 

Now, this is where I need you! Yes, YOU...My bookish people...We are looking to build our team. Please email me (or use the contact form) if you would be interested in reviewing books or writing articles!

So, has this year been a crazy year? You BET! Have doors opened that I never even dreamed were a possibility? Affirmative! Am I excited to see where God is going to direct my path next? Darn tootin' I am! 

Thank you all, so much for always being so supportive of the dreams I share with you and for being an encouragement! If I hadn't started Bookworm Mama 4 years ago when my son was in the hospital...And if I didn't have readers to support this journey...I wouldn't be where I am today!

A Defense of Honor - Haven Manor Book One - Kristi Ann Hunter

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

When Katherine "Kit" FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she's forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. What should have been a chance encounter becomes much more as Graham embarks on a search for his friend's missing sister and is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she's telling.

After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different for the first time in her life, but what she wants can't matter. Long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. And as much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, revealing the truth may come at too high a price for those she loves. (Author's Website)

My Thoughts

The first thing I said to my hubby after I started reading this book was, "It has been WAY too long since I have read a Kristi Ann Hunter book." I absolutely LOVE her style and voice. The humor infused with the stark realities of life. The faith combined with growth. And the adventures...OH, the adventures these characters have is of epic proportions. 

The first thing that stood out to me in this story is the completely new-to-me setting and theme. Although set in Regency England, we spend most of our time outside of London in a forgotten manor. Our leading lady is one who has been scorned by society and lives to protect those who would also be outcasts. I love Kit's passion and heart. She learns so much along her journey and in the end, becomes even more beautiful because of the trust she puts in God. Lord Wharton is swoony on all accounts. His love for the children and for Kit produce such tingling sensations as to set my heart ablaze with admiration. 

If you are a fan of Regency books and haven't read a Kristi Ann Hinter book...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? If you HAVE read her books...You NEED to get this one in your hands...like yesterday. A Defense of Honor is my favorite KAH story to date and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

I received a complimentary copy of A Defense of Honor through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Author

Kristi is the RITA® award winning author of Regency romance novels from a Christian worldview. Her books include the award winning Hawthorne House series as well as the newly published first stories of the Haven Manor series. Beyond writing, she is also speaker, teaching classes in writing as well as Biblical and spiritual topics. She has spoken to writers' groups, schools, and young women's groups at churches. 

When she is not writing or interacting with her readers, Kristi spends time with her family and her church. A graduate of Georgia Tech with a computer science degree, she can also be found fiddling with her computer in her free time. A born lover of stories she is also an avid reader. From very young she dreamed of sharing her own stories with others and praises God daily that she gets to live that dream today. 

Facebook // Instagram // Pinterest // Twitter // Website

More Books by Kristi Ann Hunter on Bookworm Mama

The Hawthorne House Series

Many thanks to Canva for providing an AMAZING program for me to design all these beautiful graphics. Book covers, publisher/tour logos, and author pictures not owned by me. All other graphics created by Bookworm Mama with public domain photos on Canva unless stated otherwise. 

The Beginning of New Adventures

Recharge

Photo from Pixabay

As most of you know, I recently took a month long break to refresh and refocus my goals. What you MAY not know, is that I also spent 2 weeks in the Caribbean in December. The husband and I went on our first REAL vacation together. A cruise to the Southern Caribbean and WOW! It was incredible!!! One of the highlights was that we made some amazing friends from England! We spent loads of time laughing at the way we say words differently, comparing customs and traditions, and planning our next vacation together (in England of course). 

It just goes to show that you never know who will cross your path and the doors that will be laid out for you. 

(Pictures will be coming as soon as I sort through all 1,500 of them haha!)

New Adventures

I absolutely love reading and reviewing books! However, about a year ago I had to sit down and ask myself, "What do I want to do with this reviewing thing?" And I decided then, and it has become my heart's prayer, that I wanted to be a virtual assistant for authors. I want to build relationship, encourage, serve, learn from, and create more time for the author to actually spend time doing what God has called them to do....Write.

In March 2017 that dream began to take form. I became Pepper D. Basham's Virtual Assistant and have been loving every aspect of the job. We have both been learning the ropes of what it means to be a VA and work together as a team even though we are on opposite sides of the country. A couple months ago I jumped in to help Meghan Gorecki out with her upcoming release Amongst the Roses (coming April 2018). A year ago I never imagined where God would lead me...straight into the position as Roseanna M. White's Virtual Assistant. Yes, you read that right. I am officially employed by THE Roseanna M. White...I am still in shock! I am so honored to have been chosen for this position and I can not wait to begin this new adventure. 

However, due to increasing responsibilities, I will be cutting back a bit on the blog/reviewing so that I can focus on my positions as a VA and my Premier Designs Jewelry Business. Not to mention homeschooling my Kindergartner...

I will NOT stop reading, and as such, I WILL always review the books I read (because my brain might explode if I even attempted to skip writing a review). But this year I am going to focus on the teams I am already on and my review requests are currently turned off...And make some headway on my TBR list that has been increasing in size everyday. 

I can not express how much I love and appreciate my readers! And thank you for the GRACE and the ENCOURAGEMENT! 

-Rachel

Super Hero Kids Giveaway with David C Cook!

DOES YOUR CHILD LOVE COMIC BOOKS? HOW ABOUT SUPER HEROES?

Now is your chance to have DC and Marvel illustrator Sergio Cariello make your child's dream come true!

Parents!

David C Cook is proud to introduce the newest book in the Action Bible collection: The Action Storybook Bible (coming October 2017). Pre-order The Action Storybook Bible from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ChristianBook.com to reserve your copy today. Plus click the graphic below to enter to have a chance to win an illustration of your child as a super hero by Action Bible artist Sergio Cariello (who has also illustrated comics for DC and Marvel!).

The giveaway is open until September 11, 2017, 5:00pm MST. Your entry must be received by then to be eligible. Five winners will be chosen at random from eligible entrants.

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{THE ACTION STORYBOOK BIBLE}

Families see the Bible in motion and put their faith into action! The Action Storybook Bible invites families with young children to explore God's redemptive story together. An entry point into the world of The Action Bible, it tells of the amazing creation story, powerful kings who reigned over ancient Israel, God's miraculous gift of eternal life through Jesus, and more! God's promise for the world is displayed throughout every page. Discover your family's place in God's incredible story and together put your faith into action! Interactive features include:

• Fifteen key episodes from God's Word-each one loaded with several stories along with over 350 brand-new illustrations throughout.
• Short and easy readings-for children ages eight and under with rich, colorful images.
• Life, Faith, Action! features-conclude every episode and invite families to talk about how God moves in the stories, how to see God in life today, how to put faith into action, and how to easily talk to God with a suggested prayer.
• Hall of Fame visual index-the place to look up favorite Bible characters by discovering their icon connections and finding them in the stories.

Learn more and purchase a copy here.