Kari Trumbo's Blog, page 8
July 26, 2017
Benefit for James “Ticky-Man” Bailey ends soon
All this week, I’m donating every cent of my royalties, including pages read in Kindle Unlimited, to the Bailey family to help James (my godson) with his treatment.
Ticky was recently diagnosed with DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) a non-cancerous, inoperable brain tumor of the brain stem. It puts pressure on the parts of the brain that control blood pressure and other vitals.
Click HERE to find out more.
I understand that my books are certainly not everyone’s cuppa joe, there are other ways you can help. If you click the link above you can:
Find Ticky’s GoFundMe page
Find out more about Ticky’s story
SHARE this benefit with others.
I’m donating every cent until the 29th so read my books in KU if you’ve got it, buy a book if you’ve been thinking you’d like to, or use the GoFundMe me link. If you can’t do any of those, there’s a tweet below you can share, reblog this, or share it on Facebook, and please wrap this family in your prayers, they need them right now.
TWEET Help me help Ticky! Book benefit for DIPG treatment https://karitrumbo.com/ticky-bailey-b...
Thank you all so much! We’re halfway through the week and I’m halfway to the minimum amount I wanted to give but just like in a book, the middle of anything can sag. Can you help me boost this back up and end the week strong?
July 18, 2017
A God Nod
Sometimes, you just need a little something. A little bit of the Father here on Earth. He probably thinks of it as weakness of faith; maybe it is. I needed it, none the less. My world was rocked, not off its foundation, but like an old building built on stone, my walls crumbled when I lost my mother in April.
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I was with her when she passed and though I know some people take comfort in that, I didn’t. I cried like I’d never cried before. When I got in my van to go home that day a song came on the radio. A song that fit my pain and my loss so perfectly that it tore out what was left of my heart and left me a quivering mass of tears. That song has come on (literally) every single time I’ve been in my car since then.
Last weekend, I was coming home from a wonderful retreat for Christian writer’s. It was fun, edifying, and productive. I was coming home feeling better than I’d felt in weeks. Then I got a call, telling me that this next week was a critical one for my godson, who has been diagnosed with DIPG, an inoperable brain tumor. First, I felt guilty for having a good time. His parents certainly don’t get a break from the stress of dealing with a son who has a terminal illness.
As these thoughts weighed me down and I lifted my godson in prayer, I just felt heavy. Sapped. All the good things I’d felt just drained from me. I was going home to my four beautiful children, I could take a break. Life isn’t fair.
I keep holding out hope, praying for a miracle. God is in the business of miracles, that’s what I’ve always been told.
I sank deeper. I kept telling myself, God is Good. All the time. So, how can He allow this to happen? Where is He in all this? Is it a lack of faith to question why? I don’t have those answers. I wish I did.
I’d shut off the radio, because my thoughts were too muddled to handle more sensory activity. He whispered to me, “Kari, turn on the radio.”
I refused. I didn’t want it. Couldn’t take it. My heart was too empty.
“Kari, turn on the radio.”
No, Lord. I can’t.
“Kari. Now.”
And I obeyed.
That song was playing. It was about two thirds done. If I’d turned it on at His first request it would’ve been the beginning of the song that I’ve come to think of as my God Nod. Proof that He does hear me and He does care.
I know that when I’m ready to run into His arms, when I can handle giving up the reins (it’s the hardest thing about being a Christian) I know He’s waiting for me. He doesn’t promise me anything I ask for. He doesn’t even promise that I will like His answers to prayer. But He does promise me peace if I’ll just let go of the reins and cling to Him instead.
July 13, 2017
Schedule Changes and Fluctuations
So, I had big goals this year. I was going to publish something every single month in 2017. Well, that’s going to turn into an average, but here’s what I’ve got so far, and what you can expect for the last half of this year.
In January, I released A Ruby Glows, the Cutter’s Creek novel that turned into a prequel for my Seven Brides of South Dakota Series. Then, in February, I released the first Seven Brides story, Dreams in Deadwood. March’s release, Kisses in Keystone, was one of my favorites as I got to interview a friend to write it. April was a disastrously hard month for me with the loss of my mother, but I also released my first best-selling title, An Ivy Tangles. May was chock full of releases with three titles of three lengths: Love in Lead (full length), a freebie novella Montana Trails, and a novelette that is exclusive for my newsletter subscribers Matchmaker. In June, I didn’t publish anything. I spent the entire month finishing a book, and editing five other stories for either re-release or for later. And just earlier this week, I released Romance in Rapid, and now we are midway through the Seven brides of South Dakota Series.
So, what can you expect from me the rest of this year? Lots of great reads!
In August, you can expect my last Cutter’s Creek release (at least for a while) Keepsake. This heroine of this novel was chosen by my readers at our Cutter’s Creek anniversary in May. Angel Dawson is a photographer and has a deep need to maintain the legacy of her father. That one is due August 18th.
In September, I’ve got the fifth book in the Seven Brides Series, Surrender in Spearfish. Lula’s story centers around the Normal School in Spearfish, SD. She’s a feisty sort. What happens when the boy who made her life at school miserable, suddenly becomes her teacher? This story has been fun, and I’m about halfway done with it.
October will be a busy month with the release of something BRAND NEW. I can’t wait to tell you more about it, but for now, it’s in the secretive stage. I’ll also have a release in November that pertains to this.
In December, watch for the sixth story in the Seven Brides of South Dakota series. I’ll keep you up to date as I can share more with you. I have even more exciting news and secret projects for 2018. I’ve already got next year’s writing scheduled and it’s going to be wild!
July 12, 2017
Romance in Rapid ~ Seven Brides of South Dakota
It’s here! Which means we’re halfway through this series! Are you loving it as much as I am?
Frances Arnsby has only three weeks to learn about romance.
That’s all the time she has before the stagecoach whisks her back to Deadwood. Excited about a glowing future as a romance dime novelist, her hopes are dashed when her manuscript fails to connect. She hasn’t lived enough. Her dream will be over before it even starts if she doesn’t add life, love…passion.
Chief reporter Clive Davidson is intrigued by the vibrant woman submitting her work to the paper. But when his plan to help goes horribly wrong, he must decide if teaching her about romance is worth the risk…to his career and his heart.
As Frances enters a world of upper crust dalliances and deception, she discovers that perhaps Clive was right all along: romance in the stories are just that…fiction. Her career means the world to her, but if she can’t learn what true love really means, it could cost more than she ever thought possible.
I hope you love it.
Do you follow me on Bookbub or Facebook yet?
July 4, 2017
July Book Sale and Giveaway!
From now until July 10th, you can enter to win a $20 gift card to Amazon… Just for shopping for books! Isn’t that just the coolest giveaway EVER?
A Ruby Glows is on sale for this promotion, it’s usually $2.99 and is on sale for just $.99. Kit Morgan’s That Healing Touch is also on sale along with the regularly $.99 A Strong One, by Vivi Holt. If you have yet to start your Cutter’s Creek library (why would you do such a thing???) now, is a great time to do it!
The giveaway page is HERE
Scroll all the way to the bottom to find the rafflecopter giveaway with all the links. 
5 Successful Strategies to Soothe the Sting of Rejection
Love it. Rejection is such a hard pill to swallow, reblogged
Let’s face it. Rejection sucks.
No one ever likes to hear, “nope, sorry, your manuscript/project/idea/fill-in-the-blank just isn’t good enough.”
But, unless you’re living somewhere on a deserted island, there’s no escaping rejection.
I recently entered a story in a contest and found myself on the receiving end of some less than complimentary criticism.
To put it bluntly, one judge hated my manuscript. I was accused of having monochromatic characters, stray conversations, and no clear conflict. I even got marked down for grammar.
Me. I love grammar. I mean, I love grammar.
Instantly, I was back in high school that time I told a guy I liked him, and did he like me back, and he said, ‘ya know, I’m concentrating on school right now, and I’m not really looking for a girlfriend.’ And then literally two days later he starts dating someone else, and I’m having my own private When…
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June 12, 2017
June Weddings Book Giveaway
I am a part of so many promotions right now! If you’ve never had the chance to read one of my titles, this is the month to enter to win one!
The promotion is all about weddings, because, who doesn’t love a happily ever after with a beautiful wedding? I know I do! That’s why I chose A Lily Blooms for this particular promotion, both the first and last chapters of the book are a wedding scene. Isn’t that perfect?
In A Lily Blooms, Lily Davidson is in love, or at least as infatuated as a seventeen year old heart can be, with James Cahill. Trouble is, he’s getting married! When she lets her imagination get the best of her and stops his wedding, she’s mortified!
Five years later, James can’t forget the girl who interrupted what should’ve been the happiest day of his life. How could she possibly have known what life with his former wife would be like? Lily is afraid of reliving the scorn from the town if they are seen together, not to mention her mother’s strange behavior, but he must know!
Lily never quite let her love die, but will the ghosts of the past be too much to overcome?
You can enter to win mine and nine other great titles, take a look!
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All you have to do to enter is pop on over to Rafflecopter. Good luck!
June 11, 2017
My Book Cave Give-away!
To Honor and Cherish is a title included in the Christian Romance Giveaway! I hope you’ll check it out!
I do believe I’ve said this here before but I LOVE FREE BOOKS! I think it’s a great way to discover a new author – by reading one of their books free. And that’s what My Book Cave is doing June 5-26. “Shattered Image,” Book 1 of my Chain of Lakes series, is part of the fun – FREE! Just in time to celebrate the release of Book 3, “The Color of Truth” later this month. Yippee!!!
Twelve amazing authors have banded together to offer some fun summer reading! All are inspirational, and all have a strong thread of romance. Historical, contemporary, cowboy, thriller – lots of choices for you to discover your new favorite author! This is a great way to try a new genre, as well. Never read historical before? Now’s your chance! Looking for something current? Lots of choices. How about a western love story? We’re giving…
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May 26, 2017
Right on Schedule ~ Love in Lead
I started out this year with a HUGE schedule. A full-length book per month. So far, I’m right on schedule. I even released three this month, one of each kind: A novel, a novella, and short-story/novelette.
Love in Lead is, of course, the “big deal”. It’s what I’ve been polishing for the last month and was excited about releasing. Here are a few snippets.
The story starts on a wooded hill between Deadwood and Lead, SD.
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Captain Roth finds Eva Arnsby at the bottom of a hill in men’s clothes with drawings she can’t explain. A misunderstanding and lie will separate them. When the masks fall away, the pull is impossible to ignore.
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Forgiveness and understanding both come at a price, but will the price be too high? Are they willing to risk it all for a love neither of them knew they wanted, or will they continue to chase guilt?
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Love in Lead is at a special introductory price, but only until Sunday! Get it now for just $.99 or free on Kindle Unlimited. Exclusively on Amazon.
[image error]I also released Montana Trails a week ago, a novella detailing the very beginning of Cutter’s Creek. You can get that through many major retailers. HERE
[image error] This is Matchmaker, a Cutter’s Creek short story. The only way to get this one is to sign up for my newsletter. You can do that HERE and get it for free.
May 4, 2017
My very first bestseller flag
I’m sitting here in awe. I loved writing An Ivy Tangles, and I had a lot of help in the days following her release, but I never expected to still be at #1 in all three of my Amazon categories almost a week later. While the last two weeks have been some the hardest I’ve ever tread, this was something I could look at with gladness, and look I did. Thank you, readers, for giving that to me. It was more precious than you’ll ever know.
I spent extra time on Ivy, she deserved a great story. My editor and I both liked her and Levi and getting them together was a sweet, and sometime’s frustrating dance. Levi and Ivy both had hurts that, as a pantser (writing by the seat of my pants) I didn’t see coming. Like Ivy’s feet. She’s always glided along, in all her stories, as if on air. I imagined originally it was because of her elegance. When she revealed her story to me, I cried and put the story away for a few days.
There was a point when I wasn’t sure if they would get their “happily ever after” they were just too stubborn, too scarred, the hurts too deep even for love to heal. I should’ve known better. The Lord always supplies a way.
I’m so glad that Levi and Ivy could touch so many people. Their story will stay with me for a long time. Every time I read it, tears well inside me. And I know the ending! I just love them and if you haven’t read Ivy yet, I hope you’ll love them, too.
You can get your copy HERE. If you’ve already read it, I’d love to hear what you think. A review can be as short as a sentence or two and it helps me get future ads. I appreciate them so much. Thank you!
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