TBR List Addition + 2016-2017 Reading Challenge

Howdy y'all! That's right; it's me again! I'm giving the others a break and filling in this week. How many of y'all got books for Christmas? (Crystal waves her hand wildly.) I'm a sneaky, er smart, giver though. My mom and I share our libraries, so any books I get for her I get dibs on too. :) (Heehee. My mama didn't raise no nut.) I have one by Jody Hedlund currently on the arm of my recliner calling my name.

Did any of y'all set a Goodreads 2016 Reading Challenge? I did, and I'm one book away from meeting that challenge! Woohoo! (Another reason that book downstairs is calling my name. I've got only a few days left to meet that goal.) Here's a peek at my list of reads from 2016 for anyone who's interested: Crystal's 2016 in Books.

How about you? Did you set a goal and meet it? Are you thinking of a number to set for your 2017 Reading Challenge? 

If you're looking for another book to add to your TBR list and you'd like to learn about the pony express, I'd suggest you goin' out and snaggin' you a copy of Misty M Beller's latest release, A Pony Express Romance.

Josiah and Mara's story is an enjoying inspirational romance geared around horses and of course the Pony Express riders and the trials they faced. The story had some weaknesses, but it was still a treat to sit back and read. A recommended story if you enjoy historical romances with Indians, horses, and a complex romance.

 I received an advanced copy of this book from the author. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Psst...In case you need something more to read, I've got multiple kindle books up for grabs this week for only $0.99! Catch 'em while you can!

Award-winning author, born-n-raised Texan, and member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Crystal L Barnes is the culprit behind the Marriage & Mayhem series and more. Accused of being quite the character at times, Crystal has performed in several plays, loves to sing Southern Gospel, and contributes to her church's worship team on a regular basis. When she's not writing, reading, or singing, Crystal enjoys exploring on road-trips, spending time with family, and watching old movies/sitcoms. I Love Lucy and Little House on the Prairie are two of her favorites. Find out more and connect with Crystal at www.crystal-barnes.com.

Do you like audiobooks? Comment on any post through Dec 31 to get your name in the drawing for Stephenia McGee's audiobook version of Leveraging Lincoln.

The Mountains are Calling

Howdy y'all! Crystal Barnes here. Want to escape the summer heat? Or maybe just pretend you're in a cooler climate as the A/C blows your sweat away? How about picking up Misty Beller's latest release The Lady and the Mountain Call? Set in the Rockies and filled with twists and turns brought on by mountain struggles and an unpredictable dementia patient, Misty's latest edition to her Mountain Dreams series will definitely suck you into another time and place and keep you eagerly turning pages.

Cathleen Donahue (the town doctors' sister) can't resist a body in need, even if that body is a widow who resides in the mountains miles from town and the comforts Cathleen's been afforded most of her life. She's determined to help regardless of the trial or discomfort until the widow's son returns from his annual trapping run in the mountains.

Reuben Scott doesn't know of his father's demise or his mother's dementia. He expects a short visit home like always and then to return to his beloved wilderness. What he doesn't expect is the feminine, yet feisty, city woman caring for his mother or how much he's needed on the property for a change. But can he handle the sedate life he never seemed built for before? What will he do when Cathleen returns to the life and luxuries he could never offer her? How will he manage without her, especially if she might be leaving with his heart?

A great read and a definite recommend.

Grab your copy here.

P.S. If you haven't read the other books in the series, no worries. The Lady and the Mountain Call reads just fine as a stand-alone novel. :) Or you could just by the whole series. They're all great books. :) Happy reading!

Misty Beller Has Another Hit!

Howdy y'all! Crystal, here. How many of you like those stories that keep you turning pages until you reach "The End", and then you look up and realize the whole day is gone?

Well, can I just say I read The Lady and the Mountain Fire in a day.

This is a wonderful series by Misty M Beller. Each one a hit! The Lady and the Mountain Fire will keep you turning pages with its great cast of characters. Claire Sullivan has just that right about of sass and guts. She doesn't know what she's getting into when she leaves her home in South Carolina to help her blind grandmother in Montana Territory, and she definitely didn't expect a man like Doctor Bryan Donahue to cross her path. Not to mention, Doc Bryan definitely has enough on his plate without having to deal with this gal with the mesmerizing brown eyes and penchant for finding trouble.

A great read. I definitely recommend.

Backcover Blurb:

Claire Sullivan has a soft spot for helping those in need. So when her widowed grandmother becomes blind, Claire is determined to travel to the Montana Territory to care for her. But she never imagined the country would be so wild compared to her North Carolina home. Even the local doctor doesn't seem to have a kind bone in his body.

Doctor Bryan Donaghue has worked day and night for two years to help the people of this wild Montana mining town. But no matter how hard he pushes, his efforts don't seem to make a difference in the quality of the townspeople's lives. Even the sassy granddaughter of the blind widow won't heed his instructions.

But when disaster strikes their rough mining city, Bryan's drive to help may have taken him too far. Can Claire overcome her deepest fears to save the man she's come to love?

Get the whole series:

Have you read any books lately that sucked you in 'til the last page?

Of Ranchers, Cooks, and Books #Giveaway

Howdy y'all! It's me again, Crystal Barnes. I've got another treat to share with you today. Misty Beller is here with me to share with you a bit about herself and her newest novel, The Rancher Takes a Cook. This gal is a great writer of westerns that have a woven Biblical message in the mix. I met her at the ACFW conference last year and it's been a pure pleasure knowing her ever since.

So, Misty, tell us a bit about yourself.

I was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so my Southern roots run deep. Growing up, my family was close, and we continue to keep that priority today. My husband and two daughters now add another dimension to my life, keeping me both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in my heart to combine my love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life by writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of my characters.

I can definitely see that in your writing. I've enjoyed your other series so much. What inspired you to write this novel/series?

Anna (the heroine) is inspired a little after myself. A hard worker, a Southern belle, enjoys being in the kitchen, holds family very dear. I love history, and always wished I grew up on a ranch in Texas. The storyline was purely my imagination on overdrive. :)

Tell us a bit more about The Rancher Takes a Cook.

Here's the blurb:

When their South Carolina home burns to the ground, Anna Stewart’s only choice is to move with her younger brother to the wilds of a Texas ranch. Their prospects are beginning to look better, until the rancher’s son, Jacob O’Brien, shows up with his alarmingly blue eyes to put a kink in Anna’s well- controlled plans.

When danger escalates in the form of a band of cattle thieves with deadly intent, can Anna learn to release control to God’s capable hands…and those of the blue-eyed cowboy who’s stolen her heart?

"Release control to God's capable hands," definitely a lesson we all need learn. Care to expound on this?

The theme through all my books is Following God's Leading, and this book especially addresses how much better things go when we give up control and let him guide us. My theme verse for this story is:

Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)

A great verse and theme. Do you have a favorite or “life” verse? Why is that one important to you?

One of my favorite passages, and the one I write in every book I sign, is Colossians 1: 9-11. It's my prayer for my readers. :)

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy. (NKJV)

Thanks so much for sharing that with us. Speaking of sharing, where can readers connect with you? Where can readers buy your book?

You can find me on my website, reader blog, marketing blog for authors, Goodreads, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.

Here are the links for my books:  The Lady and the Mountain Man or The Lady and the Mountain Doctor. My latest book, The Rancher Takes a Cook, released June 26, 2015, from Prism Book Group. The Ranger Takes a Bride is scheduled to release Aug. 18 (this is the sequel to The Rancher Takes a Cook).

Thanks for those links. Your stories have great settings. With this one, did you do any traveling for research? If so, could you tell us about it?

I didn't take any trips during the actual writing of the book, however I traveled through many parts of Texas as a child. I have many dear family members in California, so growing up, my grandparents took us on numerous road trips across the country (from South Carolina to Southern California). Each time, we would try to take a different route, and my favorite part was always when we reached those first few western states. Texas, Wyoming, Montana—I adore these wide-open spaces and amazing views God provides. They capture my heart anew every time. I love the way animals and ranching are critical to the people in those states, and history is treasured! So far, all three of the series I'm working on are set in one of these areas!

Sounds like loads of fun. :) Okay, last question: apart from writing, what is your favorite creative outlet?

When I was younger, I always said I didn't have a creative bone in my body. LOL. Turns out, I was thinking about painting and the really artsy things. Music is one of my creative outlets. I play the piano and was a sacred music major my first year in college.

I'd definitely call piano creative. :) Thanks so much for sharing with us today. 

Everybody, Misty is doing a bit more sharing. For those who comment on this post this weekend, your name will go into a drawing for a copy of A Rancher Takes a Cook. The winner will have their choice of either paperback or ebook and will be announced in the Weekly Wind-up post on Monday.

So let's keep the fun going. Misty enjoyed traveling as a child. As did I (still do). How about you? Did you enjoy road trips as a child? Do you enjoy traveling now?

Take Home "A Rancher Takes a Cook"

Happy Thursday, y'all! Crystal here. Figured I'd give you another recommend for your weekend reading time (or whenever the opportunity presents itself :) ). Do you enjoy westerns? Hunky cowboys and southern belles? Godly messages amid enjoyable plot lines?

Well, if you do, then you're right in the same boat with me. Or should I say wagon? :) heehee.

Anyway...One such writer who is making a great niche on these types of stories is Misty M Beller. I've enjoyed every Misty Beller book I've had the privilege of reading (which would be all those she's written thus far). The Rancher Takes a Cook is included. I admit I enjoyed her other stories more than this one, but it's still a great read to while away a day with. Misty does a wonderful job of weaving applicable biblical messages into every one of her novels. This one is no different.

Back Cover Blurb for The Rancher Takes a Cook:

When their South Carolina home burns to the ground, Anna Stewart’s only choice is to move with her younger brother to the wilds of a Texas ranch. Their prospects are beginning to look better, until the rancher’s son, Jacob O’Brien, shows up with his alarmingly blue eyes to put a kink in Anna’s well- controlled plans.

When danger escalates in the form of a band of cattle thieves with deadly intent, can Anna learn to release control to God’s capable hands…and those of the blue- eyed cowboy who’s stolen her heart?

How about you? Have you read one of Misty's books? Do you enjoy a good western? I'd love to hear your favorites.

Crystal L Barnes is an award-winning author, who also happens to be a born-n-raised Texan and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). She has a degree in Computing Science because she loves putting things into their proper place, and she enjoys writing because she gets to share her love of old-fashioned things and the Lord. Enjoy her reviews? You can find more and connect with her on Goodreads.

www.booksbybarnes.com







I received this book free from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Old-Time Healing Remedies - Guest Misty M Beller

Top three herbs used in the Wild, Wild West

By Misty M. Beller

I write Historical Romance (more specifically, Cowboy Stories), and I've always been fascinated by how people in the old days made do without so many of the niceties we take for granted now. Medicine is a great example! Through research for my novels, I've learned so much about the real benefits of local plant life for healing. And what better way to build romantic tension than by having your heroine nurse the hero back from the brink of death, through her knowledge of how to live off the land?

So without further ado, I'd like to share some of my favorite natural medicinals:

Willow: This is the one I like the best! Like an old-fashioned aspirin, willow bark tea covers a multitude of ills. In the days when doctors and medicine were neither readily available nor widely trusted, a tea made from either the bark or leaves of the willow tree did wonders as a temporary pain reliever, fever reducer, and helped to induce sleep.


Broadleaf Plantain: The name makes it sound exotic, but the picture looks like a weed in my backyard. This plant can survive almost anywhere and accomplishes a wide range of duties—from multi-vitamin to anti-inflammatory, wound healer, mild antibiotic, laxative, and even calms sore throats.



Garlic: This is another jack-of-all-trades that could be (and often was) grown in the family garden. It does everything from curing colds, to lowering cholesterol and blood sugar, to fighting cancer, and removing warts.

So now, I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on natural medicines! Have you ever used any of these three? With success?

What are your go-to plants that cure what ails you?

Misty Beller is excited to celebrate her debut Historical Romance novel, The Lady and the Mountain Man. She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and two daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

You can find Misty on her website, blog, Goodreads, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQB7F4U