Lisa Rector's Blog: Writing and Beyond, page 7

Blog Tour for I Was, Am, Will Be Alice

 

When 9 year old Alice Carroll disappears during a school shooting she is left wondering if time travel is all it's cracked up to be.
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Girls & Women
Pages: 310
Release Date: 12 July 16

Winner of the 2015 A Woman's Write Competition for fiction!
When Alice Carroll is in grade three she narrowly escapes losing her life in a school shooting. All she remembers is the woman comforting her in the moments before the gunshot, and that one second she was there, the next she wasn't. It's bad enough coming to terms with surviving while others, including her favourite teacher, didn't, let alone dealing with the fact that she might wink out of existence at any time. Alice spends the next few years seeing specialists about her Post Traumatic Stress as a result of VD--Voldemort Day--but it's not until she has a nightmare about The Day That Shall Not Be Mentioned, disappears from her bed, is found by police, and taken home to meet her four-year-old self that she realizes she's been time travelling. Alice is unsure if her getting unstuck in time should be considered an ability or a liability, until she disappears right in front of her high school at dismissal time, the busiest time of day. Worried that someone may find out about her problem before long, Alice enlists her best friend (and maybe boyfriend), Pete, to help her try to control her shifting through time with limited success. She's just about ready to give up when the shooter is caught. Alice resolves to take control of her time travelling in order to go back to That Day, stop the shooting, and figure out the identity of the stranger who'd shielded Alice's body with her own.

Buy Links: Buy I Was, Am, Will Be Alice at Amazon, Google Play, iTunes and Kobo.
Excerpt from I Was, Am, Will Be Alice

Alice is 9 The first time it happens, it happens like this: I'm huddled beside the bench in the grade three cloakroom, head scrunched against my knees, hands clasped behind my head. I hear the shots, three of them, and I swear my heart stops pumping each time. There's a woman next to me, kneeling, whispering in my ear, telling me it's going to be okay, but I'm either too frightened or it was too long ago to remember exactly what she says. Her hand grips my shoulder firmly, and there's a familiar quality to her voice that's somewhat soothing. The man's heels clack into the cloakroom and the gun cracks as he readies it for the next shot. The woman stands and I can tell by the air she moves with her that she's taken a step toward him. Her lips make a wet sound as if she's parted them, and she draws in a breath as if to speak, and then the gun booms─it's deafening─and she goes down. I scream and I go away. When I come back the woman is gone. So is the man with the gun. The classroom door opens with a whoosh. My breath catches in my throat and my heart thumps in my chest and I hear shoe clacks again…

"Alice?" a man says when the clacking stops. It's loud enough to snap me from my trance. "You're covered in blood! Are you okay?" I blink at him. "I don't think it's mine." The man, Principal Cotton, clucks his tongue and says, "For God's sake, girl, why are you still here?" I shrug my shoulders. I have no idea. His shoes click away. When they click back he has a woolen blanket in his hands. I feel the warmth of his body as he nears and the wet warmth of his breath at the back of my neck as he drapes the blanket over me. He's a smoker. I can tell. The blanket's scratchy, like Daddy's beard on a weekend morning. It starts to slide off me, but I grab as much of it as I can and pull it close. Mr. Cotton holds his hand out to me. I take it and let him lead me to the office.

* * *
It’s weird sitting in the Bad Kid Chairs, and I get A Case of the Nerves waiting for my parents to come. I have to breathe deeply and evenly; the last time I got A Case of the Nerves, I went away, and I don’t want to do that again. Not here. Not now. By the time my parents come for me, Mr. Cotton has let me get washed up. My clothes are sticky in places where the blood is still wet and hard where it's dried in others. We sit in his office, the four of us around a small, round table. I try to picture us sitting this way in a coffee shop, waiting for the waitress to take our orders. Mom orders a latte, lactose free and with three sugars. Dad orders something slushy. Mr. Cotton looks like a tea man to me. I order something fruity and icy with lots of whipped cream. Mr. Cotton says, "She was curled into a ball when I found her," spoiling the illusion. "She was just glued to the spot, huddled into a ball and holding her breath." "Where did the blood come from?" Mom sniffles. I hate it when she cries. "We don't know. She seems physically unharmed." Mr. Cotton shuffles the papers on the table in front of him. "I want to give you this." He hands her a pamphlet. "Grief councillors will be here for the foreseeable future to talk to the children who need it, but seeing as Alice was so close to…well, to the action, Post Traumatic Stress is a likely possibility." Mom gasps. "Oh God!" Dad reaches for her hand. I sit in my chair taking long, deep breaths, willing myself to grow smaller and smaller until I disappear. "Call this number, Mrs. Carroll. There are councillors there to help you cope, too. Support groups and the like." Mom reaches for a tissue from the box on the table. She blows her nose, looks at her lap, and continues to weep. "Thank you, Mr. Cotton," Dad says. He stands up and shakes the principal’s hand. He touches Mom’s shoulder and she stands, too. She nods and forces a smile at Mr. Cotton. "Come, sweetie," Dad says to me. He takes my hand and pulls me from my chair.

* * *
The drive home would be silent, but for Mom’s sniffles and snorts and gasps. When we get there, she announces, "I’m going to lie down for a bit." She smiles at me and says, "You can lie with me if you like, Alice," as an afterthought. I nod. I don’t feel like being comforted by my mother. I feel embarrassed at losing control. Ashamed at being found by Mr. Cotton of all people, just sitting there, crying like a baby. I want to eat chocolate cake till I puke and crawl into a hole somewhere and die. "Ice cream sundaes, kiddo?" Dad asks. I nod and smile in spite of myself and follow him into the kitchen.
About Elise Abram:


Elise Abram is high school teacher of English and Computer Studies, former archaeologist, editor, publisher, award winning author, avid reader of literary and science fiction, and student of the human condition. Everything she does, watches, reads and hears is fodder for her writing. She is passionate about writing and language, cooking, and ABC’s Once Upon A Time. In her spare time she experiments with paleo cookery, knits badly, and writes. She also bakes. Most of the time it doesn’t burn. Her family doesn’t seem to mind. Social Media Links: Here's where you can learn more about Elise and her writing:

| Blog | Facebook Author Page | Facebook Book Page | Twitter || Amazon Author Page |
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Chronicles of the Half-Emrys sale!

Blog Tour Book Review: Just a Closer Walk (Hymns of the West Novella #4)

If you have read any mail order bride stories, you've probably noticed that even though the bride and groom never met each other, they are both genuinely good people. It's a rare story that has a scam or a truly bad person either write or respond to the mail order bride advertisement. Faith Blum took that rare theme and wrote three novellas about five young ladies duped into becoming mail order brides only to find out the men they were supposed to marry weren't what they had appeared in the letters. The first of those novellas, Just a Closer Walk, released on June 26th, and I had the opportunity to read and review it!My Book Review for Just a Closer Walk This was an enjoyable novella. Perfect for curling up for an afternoon summer escape.
The main characters, Katie and Joanna, come from different backgrounds, with different baggage they need to overcome, to find happiness. One woman has a faith in God, and the other is not so sure. They have a few sticky situations, but the characters ban together with the other young woman who have been duped into being mail-order brides. The story really is a sweet read. All the characters have personalities that are strong in different ways. While the story is a novella and could benefit from a deeper look into the characters’ hearts and feelings, the story does show Joanna’s and Katie’s struggle to overcome in an inspiring light.
My favorite part was seeing the thoughts of potential suitor Benjamin after an incident with Joanna. The glimpse into his character was the most profound and developed. Another part, through the simple words of a little girl, made me cry. Her words were so minor, but they truly showed how faith works.
This novel is suitable for all ages. No inappropriate scenes. I was seriously hoping for an awkward unbuttoning of a certain someone’s wedding dress, but that never happened.
Christian romance readers will enjoy this light, quick read.
Note: I was able to jump right into this novella without missing a beat, although I bet that by reading the novel, The Solid Rock, the development of the characters would have more meaning for the reader.
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.About the Book
I am weak, but Thou art strong/Jesus, keep me from all wrong/I’ll be satisfied as long/As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Katie and Joanna meet on a train headed to Cheyenne, Wyoming. They start talking and find out they are both headed there to become mail order brides. They quickly become good friends. When they get on a stagecoach with three other young women, Katie becomes suspicious. What is going to happen to them? Or is it really possible that nothing untoward is happening?
Buy on Amazon[image error]
About the Author

Faith Blum started writing at an early age. She started even before she could read! She even thought she could write better than Dr. Seuss. Now that she has grown up a little more, she knows she will probably never reach the success of Dr. Seuss, but that doesn’t stop her from trying.
When she isn’t writing, Faith enjoys doing many right-brained activities such as reading, crafting, playing piano, and playing games with her family. One of her dreams is to visit Castle City, Montana, to see the ghost town she chose for her characters to live in. She currently lives on a hobby farm with her family in Wisconsin.
Website | Writing Blog | Bookish Orchestrations Blog | Facebook  | Pinterest  | Twitter | Amazon
Giveaway
Faith is doing an amazing giveaway! She’s giving away a paperback of the novel that inspired Just a Closer Walk PLUS a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card. There are multiple ways to enter the giveaway. Once you have completed one of them, go to Faith’s Blog and make a comment saying what you’ve done.
Sign up for my New Releases Newsletter (you’ll get a free eBook, too!).Pin the giveaway picture on Pinterest.Tweet about the giveaway (there will be a tweet about the giveaway pinned to my twitter feed if you would like to retweet that. Otherwise, make your own tweet and tag me in it: @Faith_Blum)Visit and/or Like Faith Blum on Facebook.Follow Faith on Twitter.Share the giveaway in some other creative way.Tour Schedule June 27
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Tour intro
Rebekah Lyn Books-Book Review

June 28
Rachel Rossano's Words-Book Spotlight
Lesa Mckee-Author Interview

June 29
Kaiser Writes A Blog-Book Spotlight
The Abrahamic Adventures-Book Review

June 30
Stephany Tullis BLOG-Character Interview
Joyful Peacock-Author Interview
Bookish Orchestrations-Book Spotlight

July 1
In the Bookcase-Book Review
Ramblings-Guest Post

July 2
Perpetual Gardener, Writer, and Mormon-Book Review
Majestic Golden Rose-Book Review and Author Interview
Laurel's Leaves-Author Interview

July 3
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Giveaway announcement

BUXTON PEAK BOOK ONE: WHO IS IAN TAYLOR?

WHO IS IAN TAYLOR?
Author Julie L. Spencer is determined to let everyone know the answer to this question. In fact, she's created a movement to spread the word. And the answer????
Who is Ian Taylor? Ian Taylor is the main character in the first book of the Buxton Peak series by Julie L. Spencer 
Buxton Peak Book One: Who Is Ian Taylor?  is the beginning of a love story that forces Ian Taylor to let go of those who use him, embrace those who love him for who he truly is, and find strength in his music when everything around him falls apart.

From Julie:I’ve created a Facebook launch party to celebrate, and I’d like to invite you to participate. I have dozens of prizes already lined up to give away that day! Click here if you'd like to attend the online party.
I love my story and can’t wait to share it with the world! -Julie L. Spencer
While you’re waiting to read  Buxton Peak Book One: Who IsIan Taylor?  check out my first novel,  The Cove  on Amazon in paperback or Kindle. Have you read  The Cove?  or  Buxton Peak Book One: Who Is Ian Taylor?  What’s your opinion? -Julie L. Spencer
Want to read excerpts from my novels? Check out the link here.

On the Corner of Heartache & Love Cover Reveal!

I'm excited to share this amazing cover for a friend of mine. I had the opportunity to be a beta reader for this engaging, sweet romance. Hold on until September; you won't be disappointed!

Coming September 2016!
About the Book
After three years, Maren Summers is elated to finally have her dream wedding to her dream man, Kevin Bryant. In her sights is the promotion to Weddings she’s worked so hard for at the newspaper. Happily ever after is within her grasp…

Until Kevin jilts her at the altar, elopes with another woman, and becomes her boss. Devastated by the twisted turn of events Maren moves in with her best friend and notices the not-so-homeless guy on the corner, Zane Whitfield. As his heart-wrenching tale unfolds—his vow to wait a year on the corner for his lost love—Maren sees his compassionate human-interest story as her ticket away from Kevin, weddings, and her heartache.

But as the New Year approaches, is Maren headed for heartache again when Zane's lost love returns or has time changed more than one heart?

About the Author
Lisa Swinton caught the romance buy early by way of fairy tales and hasn’t been able to cure it yet. She feeds her addiction with romance novels, films, and chocolate. A doctor’s wife and busy mom of two, she enjoys putting her musical theater degree to use at church and in community theater. She enjoys researching her family tree, painting her house, and baking. She loves to travel and all things Jane Austen. In her next life she’d like to be a professional organizer.You can visit her at:http://www.lisaswinton.blogspot.comhttps://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaSwintonhttp://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HXNXDCOhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7796962.Lisa_Swinton

Who doesn't like a scavenger hunt? I suppose it depends o...

Who doesn't like a scavenger hunt? I suppose it depends on the kind of scavenger hunt, but Faith Blum is with us today to reveal the covers for her three upcoming novellas.

Each novella will be published this summer. One on June 26th, one on July 26th, and the last one on August 26th. To reveal the covers, I have a scavenger hunt set up. I have a few clues for you and then once you find the covers, you can fill out the form below to enter a giveaway for a $25 Amazon Gift Card! Each cover you find will get you four extra entries. Entries will be closed on June 10th and the winner announced on June 11th.

First, here are the descriptions of each book:

Just a Closer WalkKatie and Joanna meet on a train headed to Cheyenne, Wyoming. They start talking and find out they are both headed there to become mail order brides. They quickly become good friends. When they get on a stagecoach with three other young women, Katie becomes suspicious. What is going to happen to them? Or is it really possible that nothing untoward is happening?
Just As I AmEve and Evangeline Collins are adventurous twins who decide to take a risk and head west as mail order brides. Their parents are less than pleased, but do nothing to stop them. Eve and Eva don’t realize their danger until they stop just outside Cheyenne. Will they ever see their family again?
Blessed AssuranceAdelaide lost her parents a year before and now a rich man in town is making unwanted advances toward her. Desperate, she writes to two men and quickly accepts the one from Cheyenne, Wyoming. On the final leg of her journey, in a stagecoach with four other mail order brides, her suspicions are confirmed. Will she ever find a man she can truly trust?
CluesEach cover is hidden in a blog post on Faith's blog. Here are some clues to help you find the posts:

Clue #1: Agencies, mysteries, and westerns. Where might this cover be?

Clue #2: The ides of March. A holiday, a bird, or perhaps a plane. Can the cover be there?

Clue #3: A light or six and you may find the third and final cover.

In case the form below doesn't show up for some reason, please use this link to enter the giveaway.


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Tour Schedule
June 6 Writings, Ramblings, and ReflectionsPerpetual Gardener, Writer, and MormonStories By Firefly
June 7 Wildflower AcresRachel Rossano's WordsKelsey's Notebook
June 8 Frances HoelsemaJaye L. Knight
June 9 Singing Librarian BooksThe Overactive ImaginationThoughts of Anna S. Brie
June 10 With a Joyful NoiseGod's Peculiar Treasure RaeBookish Orchestrations
June 11 Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Giveaway announcement

Red Rain Blog Tour

Good morning, Ladies and Gents! Welcome aboard Flight 74 heading for the Red Planet, Mars. Please strap on your seat belts because this promises to be one wild ride. We've got free books galore, three fun giveaways, author interviews, and more. Let's get this adventure started! About the Book 17-year-old Philadelphia has been imprisoned most of her life because of her Christian beliefs. When her father is sent to Mars against his will to work on a mysterious science project and a benevolent official allows her to accompany him, Philadelphia knows she must keep her head down or be sent back to prison on Earth. But when she stumbles into the wrong hallway and accidentally learns too much, Philadelphia is faced with a question she doesn’t want to answer: the choice between returning to Earth—or destroying it.
Free Offer
Aubrey is such a generous gal. She's not only offering Red Rain for free this week, but if you sign up for her newsletter, you can also get the prequel short story for free! What are you waiting for?About the Author Aubrey Hansen is a pink-haired, caffeine-fueled twenty-something. She's a writer (obviously), barista, dog trainer, and the co-founder of Penoaks Publishing. She shares her house in Kansas City with three cats, a pit bull, a snake, a ferret, and a husband.
What Reviewers are Saying “One day while I was busy mindlessly entering data into the computer at work, I put on my head phones and started listening to the book. I was hooked from the first few sentences. In fact, I stayed up late when I got home (even though I had to get up early the next morning) to finish the book.”-Amazon Reviewer
“With solid craft and poignant world building, Aubrey Hansen has outlined a future both horrifying and realistic. I appreciated Hansen's character building skills.”-Amazon Reviewer
“I loved this book! I didn't realize it was a short novella, and I wished it would have been longer.”-Goodreads Reviewer
“The story was fascinating. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but everything came together in the end and it made sense.”-Goodreads Reviewer
Giveaway Aubrey is offering three paperback copies of her book, Red Rain. This book will have the new cover on it. And the grand prize offering will also have the paperback of Faith Blum's book, Heaven's Jubilee, a Christian futuristic collection of short stories. To enter the giveaway, please fill out this Google form (you do not need a Google account to enter). The only required entries are your name and email address, but the more you do, the more chances you have to win.

Excerpt
 Tour Schedule June 2 Bookish Orchestrations-Tour Introduction and ExcerptLaurel’s Leaves-Author InterviewFrances Hoelsema-ExcerptAubrey Hansen, Author and Screenwriter-ExcerptPerpetual Gardener, Writer, and Mormon-Book SpotlightThe Overactive imagination-Book Spotlight
June 3 J. Grace Pennington-ExcerptGabriellyn-Excerpt and Author InterviewJoyful Peacock-Author Interview
June 4 Letters from Annie Douglass Lima-ExcerptAnother OtherWorld-Character Interview with PhiladelphiaJaye L. Knight-Excerpt
June 5 Mary’s Writing World-Book SpotlightGod’s Peculiar Treasure Rae-Book SpotlightRachel Rossano’s Words-Excerpt and Author Interview
June 6 Tale Weaver-Author InterviewLisa Swinton Queen of Random-Book SpotlightIrly Scribblings of David J Hartung-Excerpt
June 7 BookishOrchestrations-Tour Wrap-up and Giveaway Announcement 

New Release!

Get book #5 in the Amazon, bestselling Samantha Wolf Mysteries series!The Haunting of Eagle Creek Middle School


Halloween is right around the corner, and the girls find themselves in the middle of a hauntingly good mystery. 
Sam, Ally, and Cassy help form a new club at their school in order to raise money for charities. Their first mission is to save a struggling program founded by a local widow, but the benefactor has some secrets. 
It turns out that Eagle Creek Middle school has some secrets too, including a tragic story passed down for fifty years. Does a tormented ghost really roam the basement of the school? 
While creating a haunted house to raise the needed donations, the young detectives uncover the shocking truth. One that will forever change the lives of people they have come to cherish. 





Author page on Amazon
Twitter handle: @taraellisauthor





Each book can be read on their own, or you can start with book #1, The Mystery of Hollow Inn

New Release!Get book #5 in the Amazon, bestselling Samant...

New Release!Get book #5 in the Amazon, bestselling Samantha Wolf Mysteries series!The Haunting of Eagle Creek Middle School


Halloween is right around the corner, and the girls find themselves in the middle of a hauntingly good mystery. 
Sam, Ally, and Cassy help form a new club at their school in order to raise money for charities. Their first mission is to save a struggling program founded by a local widow, but the benefactor has some secrets. 
It turns out that Eagle Creek Middle school has some secrets too, including a tragic story passed down for fifty years. Does a tormented ghost really roam the basement of the school? 
While creating a haunted house to raise the needed donations, the young detectives uncover the shocking truth. One that will forever change the lives of people they have come to cherish. 





Author page on Amazon
Twitter handle: @taraellisauthor





Each book can be read on their own, or you can start with book #1, The Mystery of Hollow Inn

David Millican's debut novel, Frontier Preacher, is...

 David Millican's debut novel, Frontier Preacher, is now available in eBook and Paperback!
About the Book


Hollis feared the loneliness would swallow him whole. He had arrived in Wyoming to fulfill his uncle’s dying wish – that he save the people of Gillette – but his education and faith had not prepared him for the bitter cold and hardened hearts of the west. A dark secret in his new home threatens to destroy his very soul. Will Hollis be strong enough to stand against the tide of evil? Can he overcome where stronger men failed, before the west claims another victim? eBook: www.amazon.com/dp/B017QRMMM8/Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/6236943

About the Author



David was born and raised in Wyoming then spent his twenties traveling the world. He now spends his time in McKeesport Pennsylvania with his wife Emily. He has been writing since he was a child, enjoying success in the young authors program, local literary magazines, and blogging. You can follow David’s new projects and release dates on his Facebook author page.
Facebook | Twitter | WebsiteWhat Reviewers are saying

"Definitely worth reading."-Amazon Reviewer "The author makes great use of his setting offering many rich details"-Amazon Reviewer "I loved the writing and the story. Then [sic] ending is unexpected and inevitable at the same time. "-Goodreads Reviewer

Discounts
David is offering a 50% discount for the paperback book! To get your copy, go to the Createspace estore and enter this code when you checkout: GYM7ACWX. From May 27-31, Frontier Preacher will also be on sale for just $1.99. That’s a $3.00 savings!
Giveaway


 Enter to win one of three giveaways! Giveaway #1 is a paperback of Never by J. Grace Pennington and a $15 Amazon gift card. Giveaway #2 is a paperback of Revel Knox by Michael Shank and a $15 Amazon gift card. Giveaway #3 is a personalized notebook from Faith Blum and a $15 Amazon gift card. To enter the giveaway, please fill out this form. The only required entries are your name and your email address. Everything else is optional.
Tour Schedule
Monday, May 23
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Tour Introduction and Book Spotlight
Rebekah Lyn Books-Book Spotlight and Character Interview (John Davies)
Perpetual Gardener, Writer, and Mormon-Book Spotlight
Rachel Rossano’s Words-Book Spotlight

Tuesday, May 24
God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae-Book Spotlight
PhreyPress-Book Spotlight, Guest Post, and Author Interview

Wednesday, May 25
Letters from Annie Douglass Lima-Book Spotlight and Excerpt
Writing About Life-Book Review
Frances Hoelsema-Book Spotlight and Excerpt
Zerina Blossom’s Books-Guest Post

Thursday, May 26
Stephany Tullis Blog-Character Interview (John Davies) Ramblings-Guest Post
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Excerpt

Friday, May 27
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Giveaway Announcement