About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Legends of Gold (Golden State Treasure #2) by Mary Connealy

Legends of Gold (Golden State Treasure #2)
ABOUT THE BOOK

On a risky treasure hunt in the rugged wilderness, can love trump all odds?

After years of solitude, Tilda Muirhead's life takes an unexpected twist when she accepts a teaching position at Two Harts Ranch following her cross-country pursuit of two brothers obsessed with a treasure map left by their grandfather. Tilda is now tasked with educating those mischievous MacKenzie boys, who are bent on remaining out west with the rest of their family until they find the hoped-for treasure. Then a man named Ben arrives, claiming to be her own long-lost brother. Raised as an orphan with no memory of her past, Tilda is both fascinated and wary of Ben's sudden interest in finding her.

When Ben's motives grow increasingly suspect, rancher Josh Hart suggests Tilda and the young MacKenzies set off on a quest with him that aims to protect Tilda while unearthing the map's secrets. As they explore the wilderness, Tilda becomes captivated by the history behind the map, though she doubts it leads to anything more than old artifacts. Yet danger looms ever closer, and Tilda and Josh must rely on faith and their blossoming love to navigate the treacherous path ahead.






MY THOUGHTS.....

Are you ready for another romantic cowboy comedy from Mary Connealy? A chance to travel back to a time when the Western frontier was still untamed, when good guys wore white hats and villains deserved to wear black. This book's for you! Legends of Gold continues the treasure hunt that began in "Whispers of Fortune", as a New York teacher arrives at the Two Hearts Ranch looking for the orphaned brothers who escaped an Orphan Train to search for their grandfather's lost treasure. What follows is an adventure filled with danger, suspense, and a sweet connection between Tilda Muirhead and Josh Hart. Would it be possible for a big-city teacher to adapt to life on a California ranch?

Connealy's female characters are always strong and capable, but Tilda's past contains an unknown secret. Looks like she needs protection from a strong hero, and Josh appears to be the man! I also enjoyed that several characters from previous books are mentioned in Legends of Gold. I loved this reunion with the Stiles sisters, aka The Lumber Baron's Daughters!

Looking for Western adventure with humor, romance, a treasure hunt, and pure inspiration? Grab a copy of Legends of Gold, the second book of the Golden State Treasure series.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.


My rating: 4 of 5 stars 





ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys that also have a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy, and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist. 

Her most recent book series is Wyoming Sunrise.  Other series by Mary Connealy are: The Lumber Baron's' Daughters, Brothers in Arms, The Brides of Hope Mountain, Garrison’s Law, High Sierra Sweethearts, Cimarron Legacy, Wild at Heart, Trouble in Texas, and Kincaid Bride for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing. along with many novellas. 

Mary is the bestselling author of 70 books and novellas and she has nearly a million books in print! 

Learn more at her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram


Golden State Treasure

Legends of Gold
Riches Beyond Measure

Sunday, June 29, 2025

If Jesus Came to My School by April Graney: Review Tour with Celebrate Lit



About the Book

If Jesus Came to My School

Author: April Graney

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Release Date: June 10, 2025

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a young girl learns how Jesus’s love can shine at school through her compassion, kindness, and inclusion. In this whimsical tale, a young girl imagines what it would be like if Jesus visited her school as a boy. She would show Jesus around her classroom, introduce her friends and teachers, listen to story time, and eat lunch together! But Jesus wouldn’t stop at learning and sitting in class. He’d invite the lonely to join in on games and find a way to love and get along with everyone. Soon the young girl realizes that even though Jesus doesn’t attend her school, he can live through her. Through rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, children will be inspired to make a difference in their schools through their actions. Because as they treat each other right and classes become families, Jesus truly will be in their school.

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY THOUGHTS.....

This is a wonderful children's book! The beautiful illustrations easily capture a child's attention, the rhyming text is fun to read, and the length is just right for their short attention span. It's a perfect choice for parents, grandparents, Sunday school teachers, or youth leaders---what better way to introduce the joy that comes from knowing God's Son?

If Jesus Came to My School tells the sweet story of a little girl who imagines what it would be like to have Jesus at her school. A young Jesus who visits her classroom, meets all of her classmates, sees what she is learning, and even plays with her during recess! Author April Graney captures the joy of having this special little boy visit, but the real magic comes when the little girl realizes,

"But Jesus made a different plan---he wants to live through ME!"

If Jesus Came to My School is perfect for families to read together, but the simple text also makes it a great choice for beginner readers. I especially recommend reading it at the beginning of a new school year. What better way to encourage children to show love and kindness to their classmates and teachers?

I received a complimentary digital copy. There was no obligation for a positive review.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

About the Author


April Graney
 is a teacher at Cookson Hills, a children’s home and school for at-risk students in Oklahoma. She is the author of The Marvelous Maker: A Creation and Redemption Parable and the ECPA Christian Book Award finalist The Marvelous Mud House: A Story of Finding Fullness and Joy. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, April loves studying and teaching the Bible. Her greatest joy has been raising five children with her husband Tom in their crazy, loud, happy house at New Life Ranch, a summer camp and retreat center where they have served for over twenty years.

 

 

 

More from April

When my husband, Tom, was in high school, a classmate leaned over and casually asked, “Hey, would you like to go to church with me sometime?” Tom wasn’t opposed to church. He’d just never been invited before. This invitation got him to a place where he began hearing the gospel. Finally, at a youth rally, my future husband tearfully repented of his sins and trusted in Jesus’ death on the cross for his salvation. He walked down to the center of that arena, with hundreds of others who had done the same. I’m incredibly thankful for his classmate who had the courage at school to ask his friend to come to church, something which changed the entire trajectory of his life.

Our nation’s schools are filled with kids who need to hear the gospel. After encountering the woman at the well, Jesus told his disciples in John 4:35, “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” I believe this could be said of our schools today. There are nearly 60 million school age children in the United States. The Barna Group reports that nearly half of all public educators are practicing Christians, and 86 percent of Christian families send their children to public school. Christians are in public schools. I hope to support and equip them, by providing tools for them to teach their children about Jesus, the gospel, and his love. I hope to help families to see the fertile soil of our nation’s schools, and be faithful to shine the light and love of Jesus in our schools. They are ripe for harvest.

When school children encounter the love of Jesus, they become places where kindness, love and respect can flourish. With the divisiveness in our nation, it’s so important to teach our children how to treat each other with kindness, inclusion and understanding. We can teach our children that everyone is created and cherished by God. We can help reduce bullying in schools when children celebrate their differences and stand up for each other. Our schools would be places of impact for the individual and the school community. These are the truths that I hoped to communicate in If Jesus Came to My School, and I hope that readers will take these lessons to heart and make a difference in the world!

Blog Stops

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , June 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 22

Artistic Nobody, June 23

Library Lady’s Kids Lit, June 24

Labor Not in Vain, June 25

Cover Lover Book Review, June 26

Guild Master, June 27 (Author Interview)

May Hake, June 27

A Reader’s Brain , June 28 (Author Interview)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, June 28

Older & Smarter?, June 29

Texas Book-aholic, June 30

Vicky Sluiter, July 1

Fiction Book Lover, July 2 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 3

Jodie Wolfe, July 4


Giveaway





To celebrate her tour, April is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54242