Have you ever wondered what it was like for orphans born in the Wild West? Faith Blum has a new book that explores the life of three orphans born during that time. She’s with us today to tell us a little about her book. Make sure you read to the end to see the super fun giveaway she has going on, too!
About the Book
The ground shook and a rumble sounded through the air as the train squealed to a stop. Maybe, just maybe, I could carry someone’s bags without the porter taking notice. And then there was the even bigger maybe: Maybe I could get enough money to at least buy a crust of bread for Trevor and Tabitha to share.
I hid behind the boxes in the freight yard and kept one eye on the porter, and the other on the second class passenger car. The porter had his attention on the first class car, so I slipped into the gathering crowd.
Titus Hine has always taken care of others. First in protecting his brother and sister from the men his mother entertained. Even more so after her death, when the townspeople refused to help the orphans of a town prostitute. He’s been protector and provider, despite the hardships. He’s learned that no one will help, no one cares and if he wants to survive he’ll have to rely on his own strength not just for himself but his family as well.
Then a stranger shows him the kindness and help no one else seems willing to. Between her kindness and the lecture she gives the Christian Leaders, Titus’s life takes an unexpected turn for the better. With help and provision from the local believers things should be easier, his burdens are lifted. So why does it feel like life is spinning out of control?
Can Titus learn that while man may fail him there is One who will never fail? Can he learn to allow God to be the Shepherd of his life and lead him? Or will life continue to push him every which way?
Note: 50% of my income from this series will go to the World Orphans organization.
Buy now on your favorite eBook platform: www.books2read.com/saviorlikeashepherd
My Review
3.5 stars
As with many of Faith's books, I love making the connections from one story to another. Being introduced to Titus, I was happy to read his story. The incorporation of the hymn completely warmed me. I loved how Faith portrayed Titus first hearing it! The sibling/family story was very sweet.
I had a hard time finding Titus' purpose throughout the novel. It seemed more of story just following Titus' life, as his goals changed throughout the novel. There were also a few subplots thrown in there that took a second for me to get adjusted to. Which, if you like that style, isn't a problem.
As always, I appreciated the spiritual aspects in this book. Very solid. And, there was very little romance mentioned in this book. More match-making than anything (which, I thought was kinda cute).
*I received an eBook from the author and happily gave my review*
Faith is generously giving away
EIGHT prizes! She has two paperbacks and two eBooks of Savior, Like a Shepherd up for grabs as well as one paperback and
three eBooks of her Hymns of the West
Novellas: Volume Two. The novella collection contains the novella that
inspired her latest series as well as her new novel. Fill out the rafflecopter for the chance to win one of the prizes: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9912248017/
Free Book
Do you want to read the story that inspired Savior, Like a Shepherd? Faith has made it available for free February 23-27. You can get your copy here: http://amazon.com/gp/product/ B01IIU5XPK.
About the Author
Faith Blum is a 20-something author of multiple books in various genres. She loves to write, read, play piano, knit, crochet, sew, watch movies, and play games with her family. She lives in Wisconsin with her family on a small family farm where they raise goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and have 2 dogs and a varying number of cats.
Faith’s goal in her writing is to encourage Christians in their walk with Christ. If you want to know when her latest book comes out, go to her website to sign up for her New Releases Newsletter so you can get an email when her next book in the series comes out. You will also find links to her other Social Media sites on her website. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to contact her.
Excerpt
All too soon, I
got to the station and knocked on the door with three quick raps, then paused
and did four slow taps.
Trevor opened
the door, a frown on his face. “What took you so long?”
I went in and
sat in the middle of the darkening room. “Pastor Barnes stopped me. He’s
offered us a place to stay. He claims it’s forever. I told him we’d give them a
week and see what happens. After that, if we decide to stay, we’ll stay; but if
they ever try to do something real bad, we’ll leave.”
“Why would we
leave?” Tabitha asked.
Trevor put a
hand on her arm. “I know a lot of people seem nice, but not everyone is. We
have to look out for ourselves. Like with those people who throw things at us.”
I sighed.
Everything Trevor had said was true, but oh how I wished it could be different
for Trevor and Tabitha. That they wouldn’t have to do what I did, see what I’d
seen, hear what I’d heard. I swallowed hard and pushed the sudden memories
forcefully back into the deepest, darkest corners of my mind.
With a slightly
shaky hand, I started folding the blankets.
“Should we
write Mr. Hodges a note telling him why we aren’t here anymore?” Trevor asked.
I glanced at
the desk. The pen and ink bottle sat there, an imposing force taunting me.
“No,” I said more harshly than I intended. I softened my voice. “No, I’ll stop
by in the morning and tell him.”
I picked up the
blankets and headed for the door. “Let’s go.”
Trevor opened
and held the door for Tabitha and me and then made sure it latched securely. A pang
of regret and longing hit me suddenly. Despite the office feel to the place, it
had been our home for almost a month. Would we ever have a place that would
always feel like home? If the Barneses kept their promises, Trevor and Tabitha
might. Me? I doubted I would ever find a permanent home.
Tour Schedule
Bonus Post from
February 10
Petticoats
and Pistols – The History of Paint (Note: the giveaway on that post is
closed)
February 16
Bookish
Orchestrations-Tour Introduction
Peggy's Hope 4U- Character
Spotlight of Titus
February 17
Leah's Bookshelf- Book
Spotlight
Rebekah Lyn Books- Character
Spotlight of Tabitha
February 18
Zerina Blossom's
Books- Guest Post – About the Town
February 20
Sarah
Allerding- Author Interview
February 21
Tara Ellis
Author- Book Spotlight
Melanie D.
Snitker, Author – Character Spotlight of Trevor
February 22
Writings,
Ramblings, and Reflections- Character Interview
February 23
Reveries
Reviews- Character Spotlight of Titus Hine
Kelsey's
Notebook- Guest Post – My Kind of Romance
February 24
With a
Joyful Noise- Book Review
February 25
Writing Dreams-
Guest Post – Why Orphans?
Zerina Blossom's
Books – Book Review
February 27
God's
Peculiar Treasure Rae- Character Spotlight of Trevor Hine
February 28
Homeschooled
Authors- Author Interview
Rachel Rossano's
Words- Guest Post – What’s the Inspiration and song connection?
Thank you for being part of my tour and for the review!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite story about orphans is an old book: The Family Nobody Wanted by Helen Doss
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of that book, Becky. But I like old books. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book about orphans are "The Orphan Train" series.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
@ Faith - glad to help and be a part. :) :)
ReplyDelete@ Becky - love that title!
@ Marilyn - by Arletta Richardson? My sister just got those for Christmas. I haven't read them yet. :) Or are you talking about Al Lacy? :)