Kellyn Roth's Blog: Kellyn Roth, Author, page 10
November 16, 2022
The Knights of Pearlbelle Park, Cover Reveal
Time for the cover reveal!
That’s … that’s it. That’s the whole post.
Enjoy Christmas with the Knights of Pearlbelle Park …Claire Knight‘s two youngest sons have come down with a mysterious illness just before Christmas, and she can’t focus on a thing but them, despite her many duties. Everything is so utterly overwhelming—yet relying on others, especially her husband, for comfort and aid seems impossible.
Lois Chattoway is finally married to the love of her life and expecting their first child. She should be perfectly content. If only her husband were as enthusiastic about their upcoming arrival as she is. When her niece, Posy, arrives at Pearlbelle Park with her neglectful father, Lois longs to convince her husband to adopt the child. Yet she knows he’ll never agree to it. Not likely.
Ned Knight is frightened. His mother is afraid, and there’s only one person he can tell—Mama. Oh, not his mother. He means Mama, who Ned never properly met but whose portrait hangs in a locked bedroom all by itself. Finding his place in the family is hard, but she makes it easier because she always listens—always. If only everyone else wanted to remember Mama as much as Ned does.
TTFN!
~Kell~
P.S.Thank you for all your support, y’all. <3 I appreciate it! I’m hoping to get some more interesting (er, controversial) posts out soon, but in the meantime, thank you for hanging in there and actually reading this post. 
October 25, 2022
After Our Castle | Blog Tour Wrapups … and The Knights of Pearlbelle Park | Cover Reveal Signups
It’s time for one last tour wrapup! The Celebrate Lit tour is still running (be sure to enter the giveaway), but my private blog tour is wrapping up, so all the links are now included in this post!
Before we get into that, though, I’d like to announce something important: a new cover reveal signup! Specifically, for The Knights of Pearlbelle Park! This will take place on Tuesday, November 15th. If you’re willing to share about the cover reveal, please sign up below:
I would love to have you!
About The Knights of Pearlbelle ParkEnjoy Christmas with the Knights of Pearlbelle Park …
Claire Knight‘s two youngest sons have come down with a mysterious illness just before Christmas, and she can’t focus on a thing but them, despite her many duties. Everything is so utterly overwhelming—yet relying on others, especially her husband, for comfort and aid seems impossible.
Lois Chattoway is finally married to the love of her life and expecting their first child. She should be perfectly content. If only her husband were as enthusiastic about their upcoming arrival as she is. When her niece, Posy, arrives at Pearlbelle Park with her neglectful father, Lois longs to convince her husband to adopt the child. Yet she knows he’ll never agree to it. Not likely.
Ned Knight is frightened. His mother is afraid, and there’s only one person he can tell—Mama. Oh, not his mother. He means Mama, who Ned never properly met but whose portrait hangs in a locked bedroom all by itself. Finding his place in the family is hard, but she makes it easier because she always listens—always. If only everyone else wanted to remember Mama as much as Ned does.
Add on Goodreads ~ Check Out the Pinterest Board
And they lived … well, happily ever after.
A year into a blissfully happy marriage, Violet Angel admits to a dose of skepticism. She’s not married, granted—but as the closest friend of the bride and groom, she feels she has a perspective no one but the people directly involved could have. There’s no such thing as a happy ending, and it’s only a matter of time before the castle in the sky plummets to earth.
If only Violet were always wrong instead of just mostly wrong. Ivy McAllen doesn’t believe she and her new husband are out of the honeymoon period—if they are, she isn’t going to admit it to herself—but there are certainly areas of adjustment that she hadn’t expected.
Changes at the village of Keefmore and in Ivy’s life lead to complications, and Violet spirals further and further from reality. When a castle in the sky turns out to be more cloud than stronghold, finding a foothold proves more than a little difficult.
Wednesday, October 12th
Kickoff by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
Book Spotlight by Ryana Lynn @ Life of Heritage Corner
Book Spotlight by Kristina Hall
Thursday, October 13th
Author Interview by M.C. Kennedy @ Graceful Reflections
Friday, October 14th
Book Spotlight by Jana T. @ Reviews from the Stacks
Saturday, October 15th (RELEASE DAY!)
Launch Day Celebration by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
Book Spotlight by Emma @ The Book Dragon’s Alcove
Sunday, October 16th
Review by Hannah Martin @ Precious Book Stacks
Monday, October 17th
Review by Joy C. Woodbury @ Discipleship with Joy
Tuesday, October 18th
Review by Katja L. @ Old-Fashioned Book Love
Wednesday, October 19th
A Post About The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
Thursday, October 20th
Book Spotlight by Grace A. Johnson @ Of Blades and Thorns
Friday, October 21st
Saturday, October 22nd
Wrapup (you are here!) by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
I’d also like to share:
AFTER OUR CASTLE: CELEBRATE LIT TOUR
CLICK THROUGH TO VIEW THE SCHEDULE AND ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
TTFN!
~Kell~
P.S.Have you entered the giveaway yet? Also, The Knights of Pearlbelle Park cover reveal … are you joining? Would you like to read this short story?
October 21, 2022
Let’s Talk About The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy {After Our Castle Launch Tour}
Today, before we talk blog posts and blog posts and a giveaway, I wanted to share some more about my plans for The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy. Why? Well, for one thing, people keep announcing that my most recent book is the last book in the series or, with less confidence, that they’re not sure if there is another book coming next.
That’s not their fault. Every book probably feels like a logical place to stop, and I’m also not officially telling people the launch date of book 7 – only that it will be a few years. (In utter honesty, I’m really hoping we’ll either have a baby or adopt some time in the next 5-10 years, and that’s given me wild anxiety about making any long-term plans. I’m a little more confident now that adoption feels the most logical option for us, but … you know. That’s still not super easy to plan on.)
That said, book 7, Time of Grief, is in the works, and I’m so excited to publish it and the rest of the series as soon as I can. 
For now, though, let’s talk about my plans for the rest of the series.
Of course, we’ve got the first four books and a novella published – and another novella (The Knights of Pearlbelle Park) coming this Christmas – but what next?
As you can see, we have four more full-length novels in addition to a couple more novellas. I’m really excited for these, even though it will be a while before they launch.
I of course can’t give spoilers, unless asked, but here’s some information you will want to know about the next four books in the series:
Book 7: Time of Grief Book 7 is going to be great for anyone who held out for Alice and Peter’s relationship/healing/etc.Because they are so adorkably cute and in love and I’m just … yes, it did take them like five years to figure it out BUT THEY DID and … *weeps* My babies.*ahem* We’re being serious here, methinks. Back on track.Book 7 will start right after book 6 ended. Actually, a few months before it ended, but basically, when Peter and Alice leave Ivy and Jordy, I start the novel. And it’s great.NED IS SO BIG. (And Jackie and Caleb.)For real, though. This is an except of the outline:(That’s how I keep track of ages!)Also, Nettie and Alice’s relationship, even though it’s only there for like two scenes, is … <3 <3 <3And Alice being honest with Claire about EVERYTHING is pretty sweet, too. You can tell Claire respects her more for it.Peter gets dragged into closets a lot in this book. I promise that will make sense and only be moderately strange when you read the book.I am in love with Flick’s story in this book even though it’s sort of a short one.Characters are going to start deferring to their husband’s in healthy ways, at last, which will displease some and thrill others. Fair warning: Christian book here.This is just a series of tragedies, but I’m again so excited about it that I think about it as a happy book???Book 7 is purple.Ned (15), Caleb (11), Jackie (10), Rebecca (7), Malcolm (13), Ella (11), and Debby (8/9)
And for this one, I can share a snippet, so let’s do it. (SPOILERS FOR BOOKS 5 AND 6 AND ALL THE BOOKS ACTUALLY. SERIOUSLY. If you want to not know stuff before you read it, stop now.)
Book 8: Love Once LostIf book 7 is one I’m looking forward to, book 8 is one I’m dreading.Y’all are gonna be so mad at me. If you’ve read book 6, you can guess some of it, but … yeah. Let’s just say it ain’t pretty, no matter how prepared you are.At least it’s not going to be as jarring as going from book 4 to this book without any kind of divider.I am thrilled about some things in this story, particularly about how the McAllen family has grown and changed. Of course, you’ll get my series about the McAllen brothers first, but … still. It’s going to be fun.“Death by a Thousand Cuts” vibes.Book 8 is light pink. Because Ivy is.
A slight indent in his cheek indicated he was biting the side of his mouth. His shoulders moved again, almost a shrug. “I was actually wondering if you’d ever consider adopting.”
Alice’s chest compressed. Adopting? They hadn’t discussed that in years. At first, the idea had been floated around, in the depths of their grief as the longing for a child had gotten particularly acute. However, they’d both decided that it wasn’t a healthy desire—just an ineffective way to try to ease the grief—and tossed it aside. “I didn’t know that was something you were seriously interested in.”
Peter nodded. “More and more, I am, Alice. I want to be a father.” His voice caught, and he again looked away, but then his face turned back to her, and he set his shoulders as he did so, giving her his full attention. She reached across the coach and seized his hands so even an impulse wouldn’t pull him away from her again. “I’ve never made that a secret, but it seems to me that it’s more important now. I believe we would be good parents. I truly do. And though the Lord has not blessed us with children, we both know that there are many orphans in this world who need a loving family. Maybe we can make a difference that way.”
“Maybe.” Alice knew little about adoption. It was somewhat of a taboo in her social circles—orphans were looked down on, and even though a lot of them were simply the products of death from various factors, there was the stigma of illegitimacy tainting any association with an adopted child. Alice knew that more than anyone—she was the product of a perverted union, one of violence and great evil. Yet that was not always the case, and even if it were, it wouldn’t be the child’s fault. No one could control their origins—yet it was possibly for origins to control a person, to a certain degree.
“You don’t have to agree.” He tried to lean away from her, as she’d expected, though she wouldn’t let him. “I understand if that’s not something you’d ever be interested in, for any reason. But do consider it, Alice. I admit I’ve never quite shaken the feeling that we ought to have a child. Or many children, honestly. But if that’s not a desire you share, except within specific parameters, I will accept that without questioning and consider you to be the voice of God in my life—my helper, the first person I turn to for guidance and input.”
She nodded, taking his words in and letting them soak into her brain in a way she hadn’t learned to until the last year or so. Peter chose every syllable he spoke so carefully that Alice felt he deserved the return favor of marination.
What would it mean to adopt? How would they go about it? Was it simply the matter of showing up at one of the orphanages that seemed to exist in every large city and putting one’s name forward? She’d heard that some orphanages weren’t even looking to have their children adopted—after all, children could be a useful commodity, especially children no one cared about.
Yet as she looked into Peter’s eyes, saw him struggling to smother his hope and put his trust in her … She shuddered. How could he do that when she had failed him so many times? Yet here he was, trusting her. It was insanity, and it made her want to do things, insane things, grand gestures she didn’t associate with herself.
And she found nothing within her that protested at the idea of adoption. Cowered, yes. She didn’t have enough information, but with the knowledge she possessed, no shadow of doubt was yet able to enter. “I … I am open to the idea.”
His expression lightened, though he worked to control the upwards twitch of his lips. “It wouldn’t be immediate. We’d want to be home and settled. But I know there’s an orphanage or two in Cincinnati.”
Alice pressed her lips together. “The one I know of is Catholic.”
Peter laughed at that, though she didn’t see what was particularly funny about it. “I don’t think a baby’s religion should matter too much as we make a decision.”
“If they ever let us adopt,” Alice pointed out. Though, again, she was unsure what the situation with that orphanage was. Perhaps it wasn’t even the adopting type.
“But we’ll see when we get home, once we’re at peace again. And that’s a long way off. Come on. Let’s pray about it now, and every day, until we hear something. God’s going to figure this out for us, one way or another, Alice.”
Nodding, she bent her head over Peter’s hands, still clasped in her own, and listened to his quiet prayer.
I can also share a snippet for book 8 which includes spoilers for previous books AND for a couple in-between books but if you can accept changes in Ivy’s family size … yeah, that’s the spoiler. You are spoiled. Go on and read it.
NOTE: this is a very early draft from about … July 2019? I think? So forgive it. Some details will have changed by the final draft.
Book 9: Steps Into Grace This is the one I know least about, actually, but I have the gist of it. Basically, babies. Babies, babies, babies. And I will not apologize for that.It’s blue because I thought that was ironic. #theproblemwithbeingAlice #actuallytheresmorethanoneproblem #butthisisoneofthemBook 10: A Stronghold of LightViolet’s dad dies in this one. Yay.Also, Violet comes upon a fortune (related to the above point – it’s a long story).McCale House needs funding …And I needed hope.So here goes.Purpley pink felt appropriate.And … About Those Three ShortsWhich may actually be four.The Knights of Pearlbelle Park is coming out this Christmas, and Only a Mother will probably release right before book 8 does.The untitled one … remains to be seen. I’m not sure how it’ll fit in. I actually have two separate ideas, and if things go well with both of them, it may just develop into four, and basically, I have a problem.
“Oh, are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme …” Ivy McAllen hitched her daughter Addy higher on her hip and twirled in a circle in the kitchen until the toddler screamed with laughter. “Remember me to one who lives there. She once was a true love of mine.”
“What’s tha’, Mum?” Molly tugged imperiously at her skirts, and Ivy set her youngest on the floor.
“What’s what, Molly mine?”
“Scarborough Fair?” Molly’s curiosity had never been quite as developed as Letty’s, but suddenly she was wanting to know everything under the sun. Ivy sometimes struggled to keep up with the questions, but at least she could handle that one.
“It’s a town in Yorkshire—in England.” She turned to the stove to check the pot which was predictably not boiling. But she knew if she stopped watching for a moment it would. Ah, well.
“Have ye been there?”
Ivy smiled at her child’s brogue. Though to be quite fair, she had a bit of an accent now, too. “I’ve passed through it. Remember, Uncle Charlie is in Yorkshire. Where’s your sister?”
Molly blinked and pointed at Addy. Ivy wasn’t quite sure if she was developing a new sense of sauciness, as that was a Letty or Jordy thing to do.
“Letty, dearest.”
“Oh, I’ll get out of her.” Molly ran out of the front door screaming her twin’s name, and Ivy returned to the stove.
There! Perfect. Stew boiling, ready to be removed and cooled and consumed. She glanced out the window—it looked out toward the hill over which was the clustering of buildings that was Keefmore, the tiny village in Scotland she called home.
Maybe just another half an hour. She’d wait that long and then feed the children. She could set something aside, so if he did come …
Surely there was a reason. Travel was unpredictable. Even if trains and coaches were on time, he might have missed one. He’d be here—even if he’d promised his arrival time would be late last night and now it had been over eighteen hours since.
Jordy, where are you?
Letty came running in, mud caked up to her knees, with Molly at her heels—thankfully still clean.
“Letty! Heavens, what happened to you?”
“Was exploring th’ burn.” She held out a fist. “Saved ye th’ best rock on purpose.”
Ivy held out her hand and had a wet little stone set in her hand. She turned it over in her fingers and smiled. “That’s lovely, dearest. Come now—I’ll put it here on the counter where I can see it, and we’ll get you cleaned.”
Fifteen minutes and a bucket of lukewarm water later, all three children were seated at the table—her four-and-a-half-year-olds on their chairs and her eighteen-month baby on her lap.
There was no use in waiting any longer, really, not with the food getting cooled. She said a quick prayer and helped the children get their food dished up.
“I thought Da would be here today.” Letty glared at her as if Ivy had kept him at bay somehow. “Ye said.”
“I know I said. I’m sure he’s just running late.” Ivy smiled, though she worried it was a bit tight around the edges. “It’ll be a’right. I promise. Da will be here soon; you know he runs late sometimes.”
Letty nodded slowly and returned her eyes to her bowl.
“Da?” A big grin appeared on Addy’s face, and she pressed her face into Ivy’s shoulder, pleased. Her youngest was the most joyful child of her acquaintance—always smiling and giggling.
“That’s right, Sunshine.” She squeezed Addy close and kissed her forehead. “Da’s coming home soon.”
It had been too long. Ivy had a flexible schedule, really she did, but she couldn’t let her husband just wander around London for three months again. He’d have to make the trips shorter or take her with him. She missed him too much, and the girls could get overwhelming at times.
Yes, next time she would make him promise to visit or take her with him for a bit. That would do. There was no reason he shouldn’t take them along, or drop her off in Kent with her family where he could come down for a few days at a time.
And because I can’t help myself, let’s talk about spin-offs.
Some of you already know this, but I will likely be starting with a little series called The Hilton Legacy. The first one takes place right after book 5 starts (and ends … the timeline is giving me a massive headache lol because of a giant timeskip situation).
But if that doesn’t go well (it may or it may not), I may start with The McAllen Brothers. Because the first one takes place right after book 6 ends. Also, it’s super cute and has a border collie so … *shrug*
As for the standalones, Before a Fall comes directly after The Hilton Legacy, whenever that may be, and Cincinnati won’t be coming out until after book 7. (Based on timeline stuff, the Hilton stories need to come out before book 7 and the McAllen stories need to come out before book 8, so yup. That’s how it be.)
Meanwhile, Once a Stratton and Thou, My Soul’s Glory are probably gonna be like 2030. I’m not even joking. They’re prequels! About Peter’s mother and Alice’s mother, respectively. (Take that how you will.)
K&L will come out after all that (^). You won’t be able to guess what it stands for because it’s based on the cutesy nicknames the main characters have for each other, so. *shrug* I’ll tell you later, I guess.
Some time when I am an old woman, I will write these.
It’s so frustrating because I know the plots of every single one of these stories, but I can’t share anything! It’s going to be fun, though. I promise. And a little less dramatic.
These are … legitimately light-hearted? Really?
No betrayal, very little death (some death though), and I only cover two world wars and the Great Depression. Practically cheerful stuff. (First one will start in like 1900, though, so there’s that relatively peaceful era of suffragettes and labor union uprisings and prohibition rallies and … yeah. I’ll be in America about half the time and in Scotland some of it but I’ll also get down to the South Pacific in one book.)
Basically, I wanted to tell you about these because I want you to know I’m never going to wrap this up, but do know that I will be working on other projects in the meantime. Entirely unrelated projects. I sincerely mean it when I say I will be an old woman when I work on these.
But let’s move on because y’all ought to be bored by now.
And they lived … well, happily ever after.
A year into a blissfully happy marriage, Violet Angel admits to a dose of skepticism. She’s not married, granted—but as the closest friend of the bride and groom, she feels she has a perspective no one but the people directly involved could have. There’s no such thing as a happy ending, and it’s only a matter of time before the castle in the sky plummets to earth.
If only Violet were always wrong instead of just mostly wrong. Ivy McAllen doesn’t believe she and her new husband are out of the honeymoon period—if they are, she isn’t going to admit it to herself—but there are certainly areas of adjustment that she hadn’t expected.
Changes at the village of Keefmore and in Ivy’s life lead to complications, and Violet spirals further and further from reality. When a castle in the sky turns out to be more cloud than stronghold, finding a foothold proves more than a little difficult.
Wednesday, October 12th
Kickoff by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
Book Spotlight by Ryana Lynn @ Life of Heritage Corner
Book Spotlight by Kristina Hall
Thursday, October 13th
Author Interview by M.C. Kennedy @ Graceful Reflections
Friday, October 14th
Book Spotlight by Jana T. @ Reviews from the Stacks
Saturday, October 15th (RELEASE DAY!)
Launch Day Celebration by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
Book Spotlight by Emma @ The Book Dragon’s Alcove
Sunday, October 16th
Review by Hannah Martin @ Precious Book Stacks
Monday, October 17th
Review by Joy C. Woodbury @ Discipleship with Joy
Tuesday, October 18th
Review by Katja L. @ Old-Fashioned Book Love
Wednesday, October 19th
A Post About The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries (YOU ARE HERE, TECHNICALLY)
Thursday, October 20th
Book Spotlight by Grace A. Johnson @ Of Blades and Thorns
Friday, October 21st
Saturday, October 22nd
Review by Hannah Killian @ The Writerly Worm
Wrapup (which will publish in the evening!) by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
I’d also like to share:
AFTER OUR CASTLE: CELEBRATE LIT TOUR
CLICK THROUGH TO VIEW THE SCHEDULE AND ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 18
lakesidelivingsite, October 19
Losing the Busyness, October 19
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 20
Texas Book-aholic, October 21
TTFN!
~Kell~
P.S.Are you enjoying these little wrapup posts? What do you think of my many plans for book-ing? (Am I crazy? Yes. But determined.) Have you entered the giveaway yet?
October 18, 2022
After Our Castle is Launched (+ ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!!)
Today I’m going to share an Instagram post I shared this Monday because I really liked it.
The day after launch day is always a good day to reflect.
To think back on previous books in the series and to wonder.
What was, what is, and what could have been.
I like to stare at old books and sip tea and wear fuzzy socks and think, because that’s the best way to think, when you are cozy and surrounded by what you love and properly mood-ed for the situation at hand.
Perhaps I can even pretend I am one of my characters, preparing for a big decision or dealing with a past trauma … and because my characters’ eyes must inevitably fall on God, so do mine.
Do you know how characters encourage their authors? You must live what you write. You must, or it will sound hollow … you must, or your promises are nothing … you must, or in the end, what did you do it for in the first place?
Live what you write, folks.
For me, that’s not an easy path. Sometimes, when I reread my writing and wonder how I am not there yet, despite the fact that, well, I wrote the book, I think, “God, why did you let me write this?”
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps it’s not any good. It can’t all really be true or I would have been living it already. The contentment, the submission, the joy. Yet I’m not there.
Will I ever be?
Then I turn back to God and I say, “Well, You let me write the book. And I don’t know what to do. However, let me ask You, as ever, what am I supposed to be doing?”
Not, “What am I supposed to do?!” in accusation. But a request in submission and humility. For I do not know.
Maybe I don’t need to know. I keep sipping my tea and I keep thinking.
All will be well.
Anyways, the book is out, and I’m so happy about that.
Let’s talk about blog posts.
And they lived … well, happily ever after.
A year into a blissfully happy marriage, Violet Angel admits to a dose of skepticism. She’s not married, granted—but as the closest friend of the bride and groom, she feels she has a perspective no one but the people directly involved could have. There’s no such thing as a happy ending, and it’s only a matter of time before the castle in the sky plummets to earth.
If only Violet were always wrong instead of just mostly wrong. Ivy McAllen doesn’t believe she and her new husband are out of the honeymoon period—if they are, she isn’t going to admit it to herself—but there are certainly areas of adjustment that she hadn’t expected.
Changes at the village of Keefmore and in Ivy’s life lead to complications, and Violet spirals further and further from reality. When a castle in the sky turns out to be more cloud than stronghold, finding a foothold proves more than a little difficult.
Wednesday, October 12th
Kickoff by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
Book Spotlight by Ryana Lynn @ Life of Heritage Corner
Book Spotlight by Kristina Hall
Thursday, October 13th
Author Interview by M.C. Kennedy @ Graceful Reflections
Friday, October 14th
Book Spotlight by Jana T. @ Reviews from the Stacks
Saturday, October 15th (RELEASE DAY!)
Launch Day Celebration by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries (YOU ARE HERE!)
Book Spotlight by Emma @ The Book Dragon’s Alcove
Sunday, October 16th
Review by Hannah Martin @ Precious Book Stacks
Monday, October 17th
Review by Joy C. Woodbury @ Discipleship with Joy
Tuesday, October 18th
Review by Katja L. @ Old-Fashioned Book Love
Wednesday, October 19th
A Post About The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
Thursday, October 20th
Book Spotlight by Grace A. Johnson @ Of Blades and Thorns
Friday, October 21st
Review by Vanessa Hall
Saturday, October 22nd
Review by Hannah Killian @ The Writerly Worm
Wrapup (which will publish in the evening!) by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
I’d also like to announce:
After Our Castle: Celebrate Lit Tour
CLICK THROUGH TO VIEW THE SCHEDULE AND ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
TTFN!
~Kell~
P.S.Have you read any of this series? Are you enjoying it? What are your thoughts on long series? (I’m a fan, obviously!)
October 12, 2022
After Our Castle | Blog Tour Kick-Off
After Our Castle is launching this weekend, and I don’t really know what to say except “thank you.”
Thank you to my street team, for being so sweet and kind. Thank you to my editors (Grace Johnson and Andrea Cox) for their dedication. Thank you to all the random people who have got excited (or angry) over this novel. Thank you to God, of course, for enabling this to happen in the first place.
Some of this will be shared in an Instagram post, but:
With book 6 coming out, I can’t help but look back on how Ivy has grown and changed over the course of the series.
In book 2, we had a gentle but smothered soul, unable to express herself, frightened of all around her …
And by book 4, though Ivy was at least convinced that she was important enough to deserve the love of her family and her own voice amongst personal circles, she certainly needed to learn a great deal about her own worth.
It’s in book 6, however, that Ivy learns to embrace her own validity. Her opinions, thoughts, and feelings can sometimes be smothered due to her sweetness, altruism, etc.
But sometimes there is a place for standing up for the person God desires you to be, and for you to, well, not allow EVERYTHING. There’s a moment at the end of the book that I think encapsulates Ivy’s journey.
I shall never write stories of “female empowerment.” The point of Christianity is to highlight God’s already-existing power, not to “empower” us. Sometimes the highlight of a Christian’s life may be an act of submission, an act of humility.
But that is one kind of story and this is Ivy’s. There are people who need to be humbled (like me!). And there are people who God works through by giving a strong dose of confidence.
This is one of the stories.
Of course, this is also Violet’s story, and Violet was a challenge to write. I enjoyed her so much, and yet, at the same time, she’s a painful character. A tough character. One of those eggs you have to crack … but even though it’s necessary, you really need to do it.
It’s also a rotten egg, but I won’t get into that now. This story was all about exploring Ivy, Jordy, and Violet’s relationship.
And, well, every possible combination: Ivy and Jordy, Ivy and Violet, Jordy and Violet. Basically, all of them together and apart and in couples and as a trio.
Yet there is one thing that’s kind of missing. You’ll notice that there isn’t really a scene with Ivy, Jordy, and Violet (with a few notable exceptions). 
Yes, that is intentional.
Anyway, I’ll let you get into the blog tour now!
And they lived … well, happily ever after.
A year into a blissfully happy marriage, Violet Angel admits to a dose of skepticism. She’s not married, granted—but as the closest friend of the bride and groom, she feels she has a perspective no one but the people directly involved could have. There’s no such thing as a happy ending, and it’s only a matter of time before the castle in the sky plummets to earth.
If only Violet were always wrong instead of just mostly wrong. Ivy McAllen doesn’t believe she and her new husband are out of the honeymoon period—if they are, she isn’t going to admit it to herself—but there are certainly areas of adjustment that she hadn’t expected.
Changes at the village of Keefmore and in Ivy’s life lead to complications, and Violet spirals further and further from reality. When a castle in the sky turns out to be more cloud than stronghold, finding a foothold proves more than a little difficult.
Wednesday, October 12th
Kickoff by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
Book Spotlight by Ryana Lynn @ Life of Heritage Corner
Book Spotlight by Kristina Hall
Thursday, October 13th
Author Interview by M.C. Kennedy @ Graceful Reflections
Friday, October 14th
Book Spotlight by Jana T. @ Reviews from the Stacks
Saturday, October 15th (RELEASE DAY!)
Launch Day Celebration by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
Book Spotlight by Emma @ The Book Dragon’s Alcove
Sunday, October 16th
Review by Hannah Martin @ Precious Book Stacks
Monday, October 17th
Review by Joy C. Woodbury @ Discipleship with Joy
Tuesday, October 18th
Review by Katja L. @ Old-Fashioned Book Love
Wednesday, October 19th
A Post About The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
Thursday, October 20th
Book Spotlight by Grace A. Johnson @ Of Blades and Thorns
Friday, October 21st
Review by Vanessa Hall
Saturday, October 22nd
Review by Hannah Killian @ The Writerly Worm
Wrapup (which will publish in the evening!) by Kellyn Roth @ Lilacs and Reveries
TTFN!
~Kell~
P.S.How’s life? Also, are you excited for the launch? What’s a trio of characters from any medium that you love?
October 5, 2022
What I Do Have I Give You: a tale of paralyzation and ongoing healing
It’s not been an easy couple months. It’s not been an easy year. But that’s not surprising, because human life is not easy, and if you expect it to be, well, you’ll be disappointed.
But today (meaning earlier this week by the time I’m getting this out) my swing broke again, flinging me across the yard, and I wasn’t hurt (except bruised knuckles and a mildly aching wrist), so I’m going to go ahead and use this moment, when I have more than a handful of “thank yous,” to write a blog post.
Matthew and I recently moved—as of late September—and are getting settled in our new cabin home. You can see pictures on Instagram or Facebook, but I’ll try to share some here at some point. But it looks great, and we’re thrilled to be there, even though some parts of it aren’t ideal.
I’m working to make my schedule more doable, and though some of that has been very stressful and will likely continue to be, I’m hoping for the best.
Though my health isn’t great, and though that is a major source of worry for me, I know some practical steps I can take to improve it, and I’m working toward taking them.
I have my puppy now, and he’s cute and sweet and doing fairly well.
Our approval for the state of Washington came through with Matthias (after, you know, a year of trying!), meaning my income from working with him is now just going to be supplemented by his family. It’s a huge blessing for them, of course, but it actually comes with somewhat of a pay raise for me, too! Well, maybe not, after taxes, but it feels like a pay raise.
So I tick off those blessings and hope for more. I have to do that—I’m in a bit of a spiral right now and am struggling to pull out of it. Fortunately, it’s only a personal spiral, and it’s different than ones of the past in that I don’t have to worry about certain things. I’m not suicidal or dangerously depressed, certainly.
However, it’s weighing on me, as things tend to do. I don’t want to freak anyone out—well, I do, but not about this.
Anyways, all this to say, I have a lot going on—three jobs (for now), lots of book launches, relationship issues, ongoing infertility-ish-but-also-not-because-it-doesn’t-count-as-such, my demon car, and of course work.
On top of that, I suddenly realized I’ve been getting a larger than usual amount of criticism online—from random strangers commenting on my blog and social media to reviews (totally okay—it’s just a thing that happens when one is an author!).
The reviews aren’t a big deal at all—I want to more than clarify that. Also, I can just not read them if I need to. But it’s something I need to consider … that I’m suddenly in a spot, after years and years of relaunching, when I don’t anticipate the feedback. I guess. But I’m never sure.
And frankly, some things have surprised me! Not always in a bad way, but usually at least in a way that made me rethink parts of my stories, even if I eventually wander back to the same conclusion. However, that does take mental space.
But reviews aren’t something I want to talk about on here, except to say that reviewers must review, and some of those reviews SHOULD be negative. If you like everything, then … are you even human?
Anyways.
It’s more the random negative comments that tend to get to me. Especially since lately I’ve had quite a few insults to my general intelligence and ability to communicate from strangers.
Should I ignore it? Absolutely yes. Am I capable of doing so? Yes again. But will I?
… meh.
However, without causing a lot of trouble, I’ll give you the result of all these varying factors:
I keep getting a little paralyzed.
On ParalyzationI’m familiar with the sensation. I have, probably, a form of high-functioning ADHD and tend to hyper-focus and then … not focus.
Yeah, sorry, I’m not going to Google terms just to write a blog post to you heathens.
Anyways.
Though theoretically I know that human beings with opinions and trolls (I’ve had both in excess lately, as per life!) are to be ignored if there’s nothing to gain from engaging with them, that doesn’t mean my brain has gotten the message.
I’m not sure if it’s due to this or just general exhaustion, but I’ve been struggling to put together new projects and with a lot of doubt when I do manage to put together new projects.
I’ve also found myself having a large amount of doubt and feeling a new to explain myself more than I usually do. I think that’s because my meaning has been misconstrued or not come through more often than not in my communications of late, and as such, I’ve struggled with a desire to alter how I communicate.
But that’s silly. I desire to change and grow but not to change who I am or to force myself to grow in an unnatural way.
Lots of people like me just the way I am—or like the person I’m growing toward in Christ’s image, at least, which is the goal. I don’t really want anyone to like me unless they mean liking the person God created.
All this said, the most recent example I can give you (other than struggles completing outlines and sticking to projects) is with After Our Castle.
I ran two weeks behind on proofreads. TWO. Can you believe it?
Which is really what I want to talk about.
Because I was paralyzed. Unable to finish the darn story. Wondering who wrote this thing. Unsure of how many edits I’d have to make. Believing the worst.
That my story implied things that I didn’t want to imply in the name of sharing the main characters’ beliefs.
That it wouldn’t encourage or help anyone.
That people would come away hating the novel. (I thought this even though some of my most frequent reviewers had already liked it!)
I see this as a bit of an attack from the Devil, but it was also just me freaking out because my brain wasn’t functioning. Sometimes my brain does that—it short circuits. I need to unplug and turn it back on, but I didn’t know how.
I just sat there, reading little bits at a time, doubting my own story, and yet knowing I was weeks from publication. Knowing that I needed to finish it.
Knowing that if I didn’t, it would be just as worse as if I did. Maybe.
But here’s the thing.
God Is Greater Than ParalyzationWe know this because Jesus just healed paralyzed people like it was nothin’.
SO I don’t think I deserved the healing I got because I did nothing. But over the course of last weekend, I made myself finish the proofreads.
The second half went way smoother than the first. I became more confident in what I had written and edited over the last year. I focused in—and I got it done. Then I updated those changes in one (1) evening and uploaded it …
And it went fine. It went just fine.
I ended up not including clarifications. If people read the book and believe Ivy was right in her approach to marriage or Violet was right in … almost anything … I can only say, “You need to read into the subtext.”
I don’t need to explain. That’s not my duty. God is in charge of how these books are received.
And that’s really the change I landed on. Well, not a chance, because I’ve always said this, but a reminder.
God handles the impact. God handles the truths. God makes sure the book gets to the right people at the right time. God allows the book to be poorly received by others—for my or their benefit or both!
I don’t control that. I write the book. I put my best into it, to God’s glory. But I do not form the opinions or the feelings that the book provides. Only God can do that.
Every time I stray from this, I get myself in trouble. I stop resting in God’s plan and start stressing over what potential changes may need made to already published books to help God work more efficiently.
Be gone, spirit of Alice. I don’t need you here.
All jokes aside …
The book is coming out in just over a week.Can you believe it?
I’m dreadfully excited.
I’ll be sharing more about the launch plans next Wednesday, but until then, I wish you all the best.
Love,
TTFN!
~Kell~
P.S.Are you as excited for this launch as I am?
September 7, 2022
In Which I Discuss Birth Control and Family Planning from a Historical (Victorian) Perspective (and Historical/Fictional Dissonance)
Yeah, this is gonna be a heavy post, but hopefully y’all will forgive me. I WILL be briefly discussing forms of birth control, but I will be careful not to include details.
But I’m a married woman AND an expert in historical birth control (despite the fact that I have never and probably never will use birth control myself for various reasons), so this post will be mature in that way. However, I would advise unmarried innocents (e.g. those who don’t have a purely information-based interest in this and who may be sensitive) to NOT read this post.
Please, please police yourself. If this will offend you, please avoid it. (And if you truly feel I shouldn’t have posted this, please let me know. I’ve prayed about it, and I still believe it’s something that I want to publish. However, I’m willing to consider y’all to be the voice of SOMETHING – whether that is a push to pray further or even the voice of God in my life. So don’t be shy.)
I’ve wanted to write this post for a long time in a clean, godly way because I feel this information is interesting and important, and yet, I wouldn’t encourage you to Google it. There’s too much misinformation AND too much dirty stuff out there. I want to provide an alternative.
This is going to use vague terms understanding that my audience may not be terribly interested and further will have no real need to use specifics in their novels, so if you write the kind of books where this would be … uh, deeply discussed … go ahead and find another post to read. This is a vague overview.
First myth I want to discuss:
Victorian women did have methods of birth control available to them.Were they commonly discussed? No. Were they supported by the Church? Quite the opposite. (For instance, I read a book where a small town in Ireland was dealing with the clergy specifically giving a hush-up order to midwives on Natural Family Planning.)
In case you’re skeptical because you think you know everything about the Victorian era, did you know that Victorian women got piercings, often in private places? Did you know that over half of Victorian women were pregnant on their wedding day? Did you know how common tattoos were?
This was NOT an era of societal purity. It was an era of feigned purity and strict morality in the upper class. Some parts of society were restrictive, but not all circles – and certainly not all regions. Specifically, in England, there was a huge push from highly-religious Queen Victoria to APPEAR moral … but, um, well, a lot of high society wasn’t.
And a lot of Victorian literature doesn’t portray the era with accuracy OR doesn’t get read by modern readers (or was written by a specific sect of society). Would you like to base your understanding of today’s contemporary society in the future on, say, modern Love Inspired books? Because that’s basically what a lot of you are doing. And it doesn’t hold up.
For context, consider that L.M. Montgomery hated writing the Anne of Green Gables books because they were sickly sweet, she was deeply depressed and even (probably) committed suicide, and her relationship with her husband was duty-based and torturous (by her own description). Plus she had several affairs before marriage that were undoubtedly physical (again, based on letters).
Uh … kill your darlings?
That said, society was much more proper and private than we are today!That said, a lot of the Victorian era was AS pure as you think. So birth control would not have EVER been a subject of parlor discussion.
Mixed company would never have discussed it. Never.
Husbands and wives might not have discussed it unless they have a particularly open relationship (which in general I try to portray my couples as having because I just can’t stand anything else).
Men might’ve discussed it amongst themselves and women with very, very, very close friends or family members, again with a hush-hush attitude.
But in some circles, it wouldn’t have ever come up. Upper class circles, where unwed pregnancy was much rarer, are a good example of this. It wouldn’t have been a necessary discussion, and they probably would’ve considered the only acceptable form of birth control to be abstinence.
That said, by the end of the 1880s, the birth rate in upper class Victorian households dropped by several children. Like, from seven to five to THREE. Literally only THREE children. Further, upper class late Victorian women were unlikely to have children past thirty-five.
So something definitely went on. And it was likely partially related to abstinence, I’m afraid to say. Husbands and wives probably shared rooms less often and were intimate less often, probably due to the rise of woman’s suffrage in England among other things. Men no longer considered women to be merely property, and women no longer considered themselves to be such. (Remember, the suffrage movement was alive in kicking in America by the early 1800s and spreading to England by the 1850s, so by the 1880s, it had finally started to take actual effect.)
However, it probably wasn’t ALL abstinence. And with the rise of various products being advertised (YES ADVERTISED in vague ways – as were, sadly, abortion-related products that probably didn’t work) it was likely women were able to order various devices to aid in contraception.
Plus they were marrying later and later, but yeah. These factors all added to the diminishing birth rate in upper class women of the late Victorian era.
However, in lower class society:In lower class communities, midwives reigned. And midwives are women. And they’re more traditional. In places like Scotland, as I end up mentioning in After Our Castle, midwives tended to have more belief in pre-Christian practices.
For Celtic-inspired cultures, a culture already heavily guided by cycles (especially related to the moon which is traditionally associated with female fertility), this includes a strong understanding of how women’s natural cycles work, including the fact that women are only fertile a few days out of the month.
This was understood and taught to young women, and so natural family planning (avoiding certain dates, which is almost as effective as today’s modern birth control if in tune with your body, which these women definitely were) was a pretty big deal.
That said, why WOULDN’T you want children? There are a range of reasons, mostly health-related (I could write a whole post about frail and/or insane Victorian women who probably just had hormonal issues because there was lead in the paint or whatever), but most women desired large families or were pressured into having families anyways. After all, especially in lower class situations, large families were valuable (and until the end of the 1800s, it was the same in upper class families, especially in an era when most children didn’t make it to adulthood).
That said, there were a number of pseudo-natural ways of preventing children, from treatments (which I won’t go into detail about) that took place after intimacy, to superstitions that didn’t really work, to taking certain herbs, to condoms made of various materials (including leather – horrible, horrible idea – but also animal intestines, cloth which would be horribly ineffective but whatever Victorians, and eventually rubber) which could be home-made or purchased (toward the end of the Victorian era, anyway) and which were made for men OR women.
Kinda TMI, but I already told you this would get TMI, and that’s about the worst of it.
HOWEVER:
Abstinence is, of course, the best form of birth controlAccording to a lot of Victorians, and to me, it’s not a very MORAL form of birth control for a married couple (it’s a VERY moral form of birth control for unmarried couples, obviously, but I digress).
This is why, in A Prayer Unanswered, Riley clarifies that they won’t be doing “anything unbiblical” after he tells Peter he and Maddie don’t want more children for a while. (How are Riley and Maddie going to do this? Really, none of your business. If Peter didn’t ask, you know you shouldn’t. But between us, Maddie is a doctor’s daughter with Lilli Strauss who can’t shut up to save her life for an aunt and Riley has a past, so I’m pretty sure they’re just avoiding dates.)
Further, in Catholic circles (as now!) – and in most or all churches at the time – there was a huge stigma about birth control or any kind of child-prevention. So again, no discussion happened, if it did it was private, and most people were scandalized by it.
(The thing is, some of my characters are smart enough to understand the difference between the church’s overbearing nature, especially in that era, and personal conviction, and so here we are. Having this conversation.)
But …This is just my opinion, since I can’t find a resource that either doesn’t discuss or discusses it like it was super common, but I doubt this was super common. I think in general, Victorians WERE like we assume. There were just, as in any society, a large group of outliers that didn’t get frequent discussion.
However, to assume that all Victorians acted as they do in Victorian literature (often, but not always) is inherently factual. There was outliers, and often, I find myself writing books about the outliers.
Why? I don’t know. My characters seem to have a penchant for “scandal.” However, I don’t believe the outliers are often as “outliery” as you think. Here’s the problem with our general understanding of historical eras:
Literature does not accurately portray reality 80% of the time.A lot of what we used to form our opinions on historical eras these days seems to come from one of the following sources.
Satire about the era.Example: Jane Austen, Mark Twain.Not necessarily accurate because it often exaggerates certain elements of the era (or all elements). Since you didn’t live through the era, it can be difficult to discern, without historical record, what is and is not satire.“Love Inspired” (idealistic, sweet, light) fiction.Example: Lucy Maud Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, Maud Hart Lovelace.Often gives an idealistic, sweet, or otherwise light-hearted take on the era, ignoring bigger problems or things that are “hard” (much like Christian fiction sometimes does today).Children’s fiction.Example: Martha Finley, Laura Ingalls Wilder.Well, you wouldn’t expect children’s fiction to discuss big, adult life issues, would you? At least, not most of them. Also, there was a tendency in Victorian children’s fiction to moralize and focus on presenting perfect role models. Nothing more unrealistic than that.Heavily-prejudiced fiction.Example: Margaret Mitchell, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Upton Sinclair, John Steinbeck.A LOT of writers fall into this category. They portray one side of an issue to make a point, and oftentimes, they use their powerful writing to sway their reader one way or another.“Think” fiction.Example: Henry James, Oscar Wilde, Nathanael Hawthorne.More focused on some kind of particular thought process, point, etc., than anything else. Often don’t have time to perspectives they aren’t willing to explore and/or do nothing but explore perspectives. These are probably the more accurate to the time pieces of the bunch; however, they still lack actual reality.Fiction written ABOUT the eraI won’t even both giving examples, but there are a lot of these. Especially in the mid-1900s, as communication spread, historical eras became more talked about … and often the way the Victorian era in particular was talked about was based on inaccurate stories from grandmothers and from suffragettes and … well, don’t get even get me started on corsets.Then of course there’s science fiction, comedies, and such, but we won’t even discuss that. We all get that those aren’t necessarily reliable historical resources.
Basically, we need to do better. We need to dig deeper. We need to expect fiction to be just that … fiction. Not our own personal little guidebooks.
However …
Just because something exists doesn’t mean you have to talk about it.I probably won’t discuss this much more than this post and a few instances in my latest novels. However, it’s good background information for me – and may be for you, too.
Also, I wish there was more vintage Love Inspired fiction. I didn’t at all mean that in a negative way. If you could write a book half as good as those old novels, I would love to read it! We need stories like that. Unlike a lot of modern fiction that is mostly fairly light, those old books actually had impact.
So keep writing, however you write. But just know that the world has never had a “good old days.” Only hindsight makes it so.
TTFN!
~Kell~
P.S.Well. Let me have it. Should I have discussed this? Also, what are your thoughts? Do you agree with me or do you think I’m misinformed? I will not I largely didn’t give sources because a: I get those things off my search history ASAP and b: I didn’t want to link out to articles that might have readers going down a sometimes graphic, sometimes just inappropriate rabbit hole.
August 31, 2022
After Our Castle | The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, Book 6 | Cover Reveal
I can’t believe it’s already time to reveal the cover for book 6 in my series. I mean, After Our Castle is still a little baby idea, right? Still mine and mine alone?
Here’s the thing. I didn’t expect to write this novel. It was a relatively new development in the last few years because, as I looked at the overall arc of my series, I realized something was missing.
You can scroll down and look at the pretty if you want, but for those of you who appreciate this kind of thing, allow me to wax eloquent.
Because before some time last year, I wasn’t going to have After Our Castle be book 6. I was going to have it … well, not exist. But as I was mapping out Ivy’s arc for the series–and more than that, Violet’s arc–I realized that hopping right to my intended book 6 wouldn’t work.
More than that, I realized I wasn’t going to be done after that book. Simply put, I needed four more to complete the series after book 6.
So while the series was going to end with book 6 and have various books afterwards to wrap up some miscellaneous threads, suddenly I was going all the way to book 10.
Which meant that I had more time to develop the plot line.
Which meant that, before some Big Plot Events happening in what is now book 8, I had time for an in-between novel of sorts that covered vital events and explained why things got to the place they will be in book 8.
(Plus, I argue that what I came up with is a great story overall, but you know. Also all that in-between stuff.)
This meant creating more story for Alice. Which wasn’t much of a challenge, as there was a lot of plot that I had planned to showcase through side series that made more sense to show through Alice’s perspective.
But back to our dearest Ivy and her pals, Violet and Jordy.
There came at point at which After Our Castle needed to exist. And as I developed it, I realized it was a story that not only belonged in the series … but that I needed to write.
For the first time, I found myself living through Ivy’s emotional turmoil. Instead of simply understanding the character, I came to understand her heart.
Meanwhile, for the first time, Violet was the one hiding from me … slinking around as she always does. Yet I found her and made her come out into the light, for better or for worst.
And then it was time for book 6 to see the light of day.
And they lived … well, happily ever after.
A year into a blissfully happy marriage, Violet Angel admits to a dose of skepticism. She’s not married, granted—but as the closest friend of the bride and groom, she feels she has a perspective no one but the people directly involved could have. There’s no such thing as a happy ending, and it’s only a matter of time before the castle in the sky plummets to earth.
If only Violet were always wrong instead of just mostly wrong. Ivy McAllen doesn’t believe she and her new husband are out of the honeymoon period—if they are, she isn’t going to admit it to herself—but there are certainly areas of adjustment that she hadn’t expected.
Changes at the village of Keefmore and in Ivy’s life lead to complications, and Violet spirals further and further from reality. When a castle in the sky turns out to be more cloud than stronghold, finding a foothold proves more than a little difficult.
Buy on Amazon ~ Add on Goodreads
TTFN!
~Kell~
P.S.Do you like the new cover? Have you ever added books unexpectedly to a series? And, of course, are you excited for book 6?
August 24, 2022
August 2022 Dares (and June and July 2022 Wrapup!)
I decided now was as good a time as any to wrap up June, July, and most of August! After all, why not? Why shouldn’t I do whatever the heck I want on my own blog?
Summer months always seem to blend together for me, no matter what I do, and this summer has been an equal culprit of such a run-together schedule.
I’ll be wrapping up the dares from this post that were technically from June as well as just sharing some of what I’ve been up to.
Ready? Let’s go!
I dare myself to …
Complete another round of revisions on my novel, The Duke’s Twin.Check! I managed to send it off once again early this week.Finish the paperback formatting for the Kees & Colliers series.Failed. I actually still need to do this! It’s just been too crazy this summer to allow for that.Contact Amazon as they’ve messed up the new edition transfers.Failed. Mostly because of above crazyness.Call the soccer league again at the end of the month.Check! And at first I thought it didn’t work, but I did finally manage to Keep up on Bible-reading.Failed. I actually am behind on some of my reading and behind on others? So I’m not sure how to count this.Don’t forget that it’s just a season of life.Check! But yet, here I am. Overwhelmed.
As for what happened in June, July, and most of August 2022:
I’ve welcomed two new nephews!
Adam and Zealand have brought my niece and nephew count up to nine! They’re both adorable little fellas who I’m excited to spend more time with. (I’m not sharing photos because I’m not sure how my sisters-in-law would like that! So just in case, I’ll keep those private.)
& spent time with Matthias’s little brother
Gilead is such a sweet, goofy little fellow, and he definitely makes my days brighter (though not as much as my boy Matthias, of course – wouldn’t want to make him jealous!).
Lots of work on my new job
So far, it’s been really interesting. I’m getting more and more competent at it, and I’m excited to see how it works in my day to day life. Plus, I feel like I might actually be able to help people figure out their Medicare! So that’s fun.
My pup, Stanley, is growing
But he’s still a little guy! He’s the runt of the litter, and I’m so excited that we’re getting to keep him. He’s a gem, too! The sweetest, best-behaved pup I’ve ever had the pleasure of owning.
And all the other pups are in new homes
Which took forever, but we trusted God, and all the puppies went to new homes.
I jogged some
Which I know sounds like a lie, but I totally did! Bailey and I did, really. It wasn’t as hard as I thought, either. But at the same time, it’s going to take a while for me to build up any kind of stamina.
I launched a novel!
A Prayer Unanswered is out, baby! I’m so excited about that because it means that, for the first time in a long time, I’ve launched a novel that is NOT a rewrite. (By the way, you can now join the After Our Castle cover reveal, scheduled for August 30th.)
& I spoke at a conference!
It was loads of fun! Plus I got so inspired by it. I want to write a whole post about this at some point, but I don’t know when that will happen. All the same, it was an incredible experience.
Turned 21 and celebrated my first anniversary
Crazy that it’s already been a year, but of course it has!
Which brings us, I suppose, to plans for September! But I’ll save those for a post in early September.
TTFN!
~Kell~
P.S.What have you been up to? And what’s a big thing you’re looking forward to in the end of August or beginning of September or … well, any time?
July 16, 2022
A Prayer Unanswered has been Published {Blog Tours & Giveaways Included!}
The novel is out.
A Prayer Unanswered is available on Amazon ebook, paperback, and Kindle Unlimited (where the rest of the series is also available).
I’m so pleased to share this heart project, full of themes that mean so much to me. I pray that it may be as much a blessing to you to read as it was for me to write it!
May the celebrations begin!
As Alice Strauss enters her first year of marriage—full of optimism and determination—she finds herself wholly unprepared for reality. In a new country, with a new family, she struggles to find her footing. Difficult relationships and situations batter her, but she is determined to establish a perfect life with the man she loves.
Unfortunately, perfection seems just beyond her reach. An unexpected tragedy flings Alice out of control, and she struggles to rise from the ruins. Her world is full of spinning variables and agony beyond anything she has ever experienced.
However, there is hope—in a God who loves her and a future established for her since before time began. Yet the devastation of Alice’s life seems beyond even the touch of grace.
Enter the giveaway for the launch!
Win:
A paperback copy of A Prayer UnansweredA braceletA locket
16th:
Book Spotlight @ https://kristinahallauthor.wordpress.com/blog/
Author Interview/Book Spotlight @ https://onceuponanordinary.wordpress.com/
17th:
Book Review @ novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com
Book Review/Spotlight @ https://tangledupinwriting.com
18th:
Book Spotlight @ www.graceajohnson.com/blog
Book Review @ http://www.precariousbookstacks.com/
19th:
Book Review @ Oldfashionedbooklove.WordPress.com
Book Review/Spotlight @ https://vanessahallauthor.wordpress.com/
20th:
Author Interview/Book Spotlight @ thelongvoyage.org
Book Review @ https://thewriterlyworm.com/
Book Review/Spotlight @ losingthebusyness.wordpress.com
21st:
Book Review @ https://mckennedyauthor.com/
Book Review @ janemouttet.wordpress.com
22nd:
Book Review/Spotlight @ https://discipleshipwithjoy.com
Book Review @ www.towerintheplainswordpress.com
TTFN!
~Kell~
P.S.I’m so excited for this!!! I don’t really have anything else to add except thank you for your support.
Kellyn Roth, Author
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