Linda Shenton Matchett's Blog, page 88

Blog Tour: Storms in Serenity

Blog Tour: Storms in Serenity



About the Book   
Book Title: Storms in Serenity  
Author: Fay Lamb  
Release Date: February, 2018  
Genre: Romance, Mystery  

How can one man save the town he loves when he’s the reason for the destruction? Serenity Key, Florida, has seen its share of hurricanes, but this time, one foul weather system is about to collide with another storm, and this one has nothing to do with atmospheric pressure. David New has guarded his secrets for years, but when two brothers, John and Andy Ryan, arrive in town and he gets news that the daughter he’s never told anyone about has disappeared, possibly the victim of a heinous crime, and the lives of many of the town residents begin to unravel in the gale force consequences of Jake’s past, he has nowhere else to turn. God is the only one Who can calm the storms, but can David and the good folks of Serenity Key survive until He does? A tempest has been brewing for thirty years, with only one island town in its path.
 
Click here to purchase your copy!My ThoughtsA deeply moving, well-written story, Storms in Serenity addresses the topic of infidelity in a modernization of the aftermath of David and Bathsheba’s unfaithfulness. In one sense, the book was difficult to read because of the subject matter and the tension and high level of emotions never let up; the characters were in a constant state of upset. Having said that, I liked the characters-they were everyday people trying to handle the difficulties in their lives. I felt sorry for them as they struggled to reconcile their issues with their faith (or lack thereof). Storms in Serenity is told from multiple points of view which sometimes led to confusion, but most the time led to a deeper understanding of the characters. The mystery element of the story was well-done, and I enjoyed trying to figure out who the villain was (I did!). The plot twist at the end kept me reading late into the night. This is the first in a series, and I look forward to seeing whose stories will be told in the next book.
I received this book for free from CelebrateLit Publicity, and a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.About the Author
Fay Lamb writes emotionally charged stories with a Romans 8:28 attitude, reminding readers that God is always in the details. Fay donates 100% of her royalties to Christian charities. Storms in Serenity is the first book in Fay’s Serenity Key series. Fay’s other series include, Amazing Grace and her novels, Stalking Willow, Better than Revenge, Everybody’s Broken, and Frozen Notes. The Ties that Bind Series includes Charisse, Libby, and Hope. Delilah, is coming soon. Fay’s is also the author of The Art of Characterization: How to Use the Elements of Storytelling to Connect Readers to an Unforgettable Cast.


Guest Post from Fay LambONCE UPON A STORM I’m one of those people who love storms. I revel in the lightning that streaks across the sky, the rumble of thunder as it rolls over the air, and I dance to the eerie sound of the wind coming through a crack in the window. Storms don’t frighten me. I’m an East Coast Floridian. I’ve lived through many a tempest. However, so that you won’t think me completely insane, I have also fled a few hurricanes. In our house, a Cat III storm is something to debate as we watch to see how low the millibars fall at the storm’s center. A Cat IV means gather the important documents, place them into plastic bags and tuck them into plastic tubs, batten down the hatches, and depending upon its projected proximity, hunker down or flee. A Cat V is a no-brainer. Run! If only the storms in our lives had categories so that we know when to stand and face the winds of life or to debate the direction, or to decide when to flee. Sometimes, the storms of life come at us without warning, with no stirring up of the waters by our own hands. Other times, the storms can be abated by the stance we take, the decisions we make, and by failing to move out of harm’s way, perhaps in an opposite direction. That’s what my first novel in The Serenity Key series is about: one man stirred up a storm many years prior. The destructive force of that storm amassed because he didn’t take a stand, he failed to make crucial decisions, and he choose to run from a situation that God would not allow him to outrun. Storms in Serenity is a modern-day retelling of the Biblical truths of the aftermath of David’s sin with Bathsheba and the destruction the storms of life that blew apart not only David’s family but also those he called friends. Mostly, though, Storms in Serenity, is a novel that proves that when it comes to sin, truly, no man is an island.
Blog StopsHere are Fay's remaining blog stops:
March 19: A Baker's PerspectiveMarch 20: Simple Harvest ReadsMarch 21: Margaret KazmierczakMarch 22: Texas book-aholicMarch 23: Carpe DiemMarch 24: Pursuing StacieMarch 24: Janice's Book ReviewsMarch 25: Jeanette's ThoughtsMarch 25: Redheaded Book LadyMarch 26: Daysong ReflectionsMarch 26: Among the Reads
Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Fay is giving away a grand prize of an Echo Spot!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!  https://promosimple.com/ps/ca75

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Suspense Author Theresa Lynn Hall

Talkshow Thursday: Suspense Author Theresa Lynn Hall


Linda:  Thanks for joining me today. My readers love a good mystery or suspense novel, so they will be very excited to hear about your latest release, Ransom in Rio.  
Here's the blurb: Private investigator Braden McCoy wants nothing more than finishing out the week doing a little fishing from his boat. The ex-special ops vet enjoys his peaceful life and loves his new career. Until a mourning redhead walks into his office and changes his plans. 
Lexi Ramos always knew her family was dysfunctional. Until the sudden death of her brother, she never knew exactly how much. Consumed with questions surrounding his accident, she seeks the help of a private investigator. What starts out as a murder investigation in Cozumel quickly crosses borders and escalates into a race against time to save them both from Brazilian kidnappers who somehow know more about her family secrets than she does. Lexi soon learns that life comes with a price.
It sounds intriguing! What was your inspiration for the story?
Theresa: Thank you so much for having me here, Linda. My publisher, Pelican Book Group, has a series called Passport to Romance.They request books from different international locations that include 3 particular items to show up in the book. One location was Rio, Brazil with the items being a formal event, a family secret, and an emerald necklace. The significance of the items can vary.  As luck would have it, my husband was assigned to go on a business trip to Sau Paulo, which included a few days in Rio. The man assigned to host him while he worked there showed him the culture and language. He took a lot of pictures and brought back many stories. I even had to learn some Portuguese so that I could call his hotel. I also learned very quickly that this Texas girl can’t pull that off!
LM: How do you come up with your characters? Are they based on any real people in your life?
Theresa:  Great question! And one my friends and family are going to want to see the answer to! Actually, I do not base my characters on real people intentionally. I have found that my husband tends to influence my hero quite a bit and some of my quirks sneak into my heroine. In Ransom in Rio, Lexi is very determined and strong. She’s a fighter till the end. In the book I’m writing now, my heroine is a bit more vulnerable and less sure of herself. The two women have completely different personalities but each strong in her own way. Neither of them are based on any one person intentionally.
LM: The age-old question for writers: Are you a plotter or a “pantser?”
Theresa: I am typically a “pantser” but it does get me bogged down. I’ve learned to change my process a bit. I’m a full-time, first grade teacher and my job is mentally and physically exhausting. There are weeks when I can’t write at all. On another side note, I also have an autoimmune disease which causes extreme fatigue. When I was a full-blown “pantser” I would find myself getting lost when I came back to the story. I couldn’t focus and I had no real plot. Now, I start out the first few chapters without an outline (which is always the most fun!) and then I stop and outline the rest of the book. It helps me stay on track. However, I always change the outline as I write because my characters usually have a way of doing what they want anyway. But, yes, if I have to identify as one or the other then I’m a “pantser”—with a few modifications.

LM: What do you do to prepare yourself for writing? For example, do you listen to music or set up in a specific place?
Theresa: I think we all have our fantasy writing spot. Like that deserted island, watching the waves roll in with my laptop, while having food and drinks handed to me. Lol! But in reality, I have an office at home where I have everything set up. I also have a laptop and an iPad. I have strike it while the iron is hot, so to speak. I’m one of those people who can write in front of the TV with people talking around me. I can tune out pretty much anything if I’m in the zone.
LM: What one thing would you like to learn how to do?
Theresa: I’m loving your questions! I’m having to really think on this one. Well, this answer is probably boring…but, writing related I’d have to say I’d love to learn how to successfully use social media for promoting my books. I’m such an introvert and never know what to say! On a personal level, I’d love to learn how to play the piano. I have one and can hardly play it. I took lessons as a little girl but have forgotten a lot.
LM: Quickies:
Favorite Color: blueFavorite Book: BibleFavorite Movie Actress: Sandra Bullock
LM: What is your next project?
Theresa: I always have a few going but one I’m focused on now is about a young woman who thinks she’s finally getting herself together and is suddenly thrown into something so corrupt that she’s running for her life. The officer trying to help her soon finds himself running with her, not knowing who to trust next. Underneath the suspense and drama, it’s about two people who have to learn how to trust not only each other, but God’s plan for their lives.
Theresa:Website: http://www.theresalynnhall.com
Blog: http://www.theresalynnhall.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theresalynnhall
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/theresalynnhall
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/theresalynnhall
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/theresalynnhall

Purchase link

Traveling Tuesday: Bletchley Park

Traveling Tuesday: Bletchley Park

Winston Churchill once called Bletchley Park his “goose that laid the golden egg but never cackled.” Often referred to as Station X by those who worked there, Bletchley Park was a mansion located fifty miles outside of London. As the central codebreaking location of the Allies, the golden egg was the ability to decode the secrets of the German war machine, Enigma.
With 150 million million million (not a typo!) because of its lettered rotors, Hitler and his men were convince the machine was unbreakable. Enigma looked like an oversized typewriter with lights. Many experts feel the war was shorter by two to four years because of the Allies’ cracking of the code.
Ultimately, Bletchley would house more than 10,000 employees in a collection of small wooden huts who were a hodgepodge of personalities and skills. Many were mathematicians from Cambridge, but there those who were geniuses at chess, linguistics, and hieroglyphics. But one requirement was the same for all: they must be able to solve The Daily Telegraph’s crossword puzzle.
About 75% of the workforce was women, although few worked at the higher levels, instead operating cryptographic and communication machines, performing traffic analysis, translating Axis documents, and of course, doing clerical tasks. It was only after documents were declassified that the female analysts received recognition for their work.
Today, Bletchley Park is a heritage attraction and receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Blog Tour: Soul's Prisoner

Blog Tour: Soul's Prisoner

About the Book Book Title: Soul’s Prisoner  
Author: Cara Luecht  
Genre: Historical fiction with some suspense and romance  
Release Date: December 15, 2015  

Chicago, Winter, 1891 Rachel is in danger. She’s seen too much. She creeps along the cement walls through the dank underbelly of the asylum. She’d never planned to leave her quiet farm life, never thought she’d find a place in the city, never imagined she’d be in the kind of danger that would have her cowering in Dunning’s cold, labyrinthine basement. Jenny has finally found her place. After a childhood of abuse, she has friends, a real job, and her only wish is to give her adopted son the kind of life she never had. A life of stability, without the risk and uncertainty of a father. But when Jeremy, Rachel’s brother, stumbles into their warehouse, asking for help to find his missing sister, Jenny’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble.

Click here to purchase your copy!My ThoughtsA powerful, moving novel, Soul’s Prisonerstarted off slowly and took 50-60 pages to get moving. The author uses several points of view which creates a deep, multi-faceted story. However, having not read the first book in the series I found the constant changes between characters confusing. Once I got to knew the characters and became immersed in the story, I was hooked. Obviously well-researched, the book uses vivid descriptions to portray the sordid and sometimes tragic life in a late 19thCentury asylum. With its page-turning suspense and many plot twists, Soul’s Prisoner kept me reading late into the night. It is not an easy story to read in that it deals with difficult issues such as prostitution, rape, and abuse, but the author handles each subject with sensitivity. The characters are a realistic combination of strengths and flaws, and I especially liked Miriam and Michael. Although Christian fiction, I was disappointed that references to God and elements of faith were marginally included. Prayer only seemed to be used when in dire straits. I enjoy historical fiction about real people, places, and events, and appreciated the additional information included at the end about the history of the Dunning asylum.
I received a copy of this book for free from CelebrateLit Publicity, and a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.About the Author
Award winning author, Cara Luecht, lives in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin with her husband, David, and their children. Cara graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Currently, Cara is studying for a Masters of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Guest Post from Cara LuechtThe Setting for Soul’s Prisoner: Dunning Asylum for the Insane Dunning Asylum for the Insane was built in the 1850s and housed psychiatric patients until the early 1900s. It has since been demolished, and a small park currently stands as the only remaining testament to the people who lived and died on the grounds. The original plot of land also included a poor farm and a cemetery. A railroad used to connect the grounds to Minneapolis, Chicago, and Milwaukee. It was nicknamed the “Crazy Train”—a phrase that still survives in our language today.

Those buried in the cemetery include Civil War Veterans, victims of the Chicago fire of 1871, orphans, paupers, and the residents of the asylum for the insane. Most estimates agree that nearly forty thousand people were buried on the grounds. There is no doubt that mental illness is hard on families, but in the 1800s, having a family member who struggled with mental illness was an embarrassment.

With little understanding of mental health in general, and even less compassion for those who suffered, examples of this tragic response to the threat of mental illness can be seen in the numerous inmates who were there simply due to addiction or depression. There are even cases where women were committed because their families were humiliated by their giving birth outside the bonds of marriage. Often times, challenges with mental health were synonymous with the notion of moral failure or vice. Because of this, even many charities looked the other way when corruption or abuse was exposed. Reporters sometimes wrote about the horrors of the institutions, but once the sensational story was out, and the initial outrage worn away, few worried about the people who suffered on a daily basis. And because of the moral implication of mental illness, families commonly turned over their suffering members to the county, and later simply explained to friends that the person had died.

 And that is exactly what the mentally ill would do in the institution. Live there until they died, forgotten. And that’s how the story played out at Dunning, until late in the 1900s when developers began to dig the roads and foundations for a new neighborhood on the grounds of what was once the Asylum. At that time, Dunning, and the people who had resided there, were still within living memory, so when bones were unearthed, it was no mystery how they ended up on that patch of land.

What had slipped from memory was the magnitude of the collective stories of suffering and hardship. For this novel, the people and events are fictitious. However, when examining old news stories from an institution known for corruption, it is not hard to imagine situations like the ones in the novel. The details that are true are the nearly one thousand inmates, no hot water, little to no heat in the winter, bad food, and the general feeling of living ghosts, intentionally forgotten, and doomed to never leave the grounds.
Blog StopsHere are Cara's remaining blog stops:
March 11: Reading is my SuperpowerMarch 12: amandainpaMarch 12: Locks, Hooks, and BooksMarch 13: Texas Book-aholicMarch 14: Carpe DiemMarch 15: Maureen's MusingsMarch 16: Blogging with CarolMarch 16: Two Points of InterestMarch 17: Proud to be an Autism MomMarch 17: A Greater YesMarch 18: Bibliophile ReviewsMarch 18: Debbie's Dusty DeliberationsMarch 19: Janice's Book ReviewsMarch 19: Jeanette's Thoughts March 20: Simple Harvest ReadsMarch 20: Pursuing StacieMarch 21: For the Love of BooksMarch 21:  Big Reader Site
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of Soul’s Prisoner and sketching art supplies!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cb74

Talkshow Thursday: Julie Arduini and Daughter Hannah

Talkshow Thursday: Julie Arduini and Daughter Hannah

Linda:  Welcome back and thanks for joining me today. You’ve got a new book out which is always exciting. The first in the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series, it’s called You’re Beautiful. You co-authored the story with your daughter. How did this come about and what was it like to write with someone else?
Julie: This was a complete God idea. I was ready to start Book 1 in my new contemporary romance series, Surrendering Opinions. However, both our children were going through the worst adversity I’ve seen them experience. Circumstances beyond their control that I knew God was allowing for His greater purpose. It didn’t mean that we didn’t hurt, because their pain was heartbreaking. For Hannah, she was transitioning to junior high. There were bullying issues and instances where in her daily circle of influence, people were tearing down with words instead of building up. At the end of the year, we thought about what went well with our responses, and what we could have improved on. One thing she said was she wished she could do something to help encourage other girls so they would never feel like she did. She started sharing, and a story formed. I told her if she kept up, I’d write it. She plotted out a three book series!
LM: Research is an important part of writing any book. How do you go about doing research for your stories?

Julie: My writing is character-driven, so I am an observer of people. That was a big part of You’re Beautiful, making sure I captured the heart of a tween girl and a young adult who served as a mentor in that story. In general, I try to use settings I am familiar with that I want to pay tribute to. I talk to people, and I go online. It is true what authors say that they hope “Big Brother” isn’t watching our Google Search. It would show interesting things that are for the sake of our story.
LM: How do you choose your character’s names?
Julie: That was all Hannah. She chose Hayley Atkinson because it was her own initials, and was a name she thought girls her age would like. She really thought about the names and personalities.
LM: What is your favorite childhood book?
Julie: Little House on the Prairie series.
LM: What is something you have always wanted to learn how to do?
Julie: Learn new languages. I’d love to speak Italian.
LM: Here are some quickies:
Favorite Color: PurpleFavorite Movie: Return to MeFavorite place to visit:Speculator, NY, Adirondack Mountains. This is where Surrendering Time was set.
LM: What is your next project?
Julie: Anchored, Book 1 in Surrendering Opinions. I’m also working on a Christmas novella collection with nine other authors. This summer Hannah and I start Book 2 in Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ with You’re Amazing.
LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
Julie: Website: http://juliearduini.com
As well as across social media @JulieArduini, including Snapchat, Amazon, and Goodreads. I love to connect, so please do! Thank you, Linda!
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B078VK3JJB

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Tamera Kraft

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Tamera Kraft

Linda:  Thanks for joining me today. You’ve got a new book which is always exciting! This one is the first in a series called The Ladies of Oberlin. What made you choose this time period and location, and where did you find your inspiration for this story?
Tamera: I was researching women ministers and Christian women who made a difference in the 1800s for some blog posts. Oberlin College kept coming up. It was the first college that allowed women to get a college degree and one of the first that allowed blacks to attend before the Civil War. It also had Second Great Awakening Evangelist Charles Finney as its president for a number of years. I found out most to the women involved in the abolitionist movement, missionary movement, women's suffrage, and prohibition were connected to Oberlin in some way. I knew then I wanted to write a series of novels about women students at Oberlin.
LM: In addition to your work in children’s ministry, you also help other authors by running monthly group Facebook Parties. How did you get started in that?
Tamera: I was involved in a few FB parties, and I really enjoyed them. I also found that the parties that were more successful were the ones where multiple authors joined together around a theme. I decided to start having these parties to help other authors and also effectively promote my own books. I charge a small fee to go toward the grand prize and advertising. It's a win-win situation. For any authors interested, they can find out more at this link. http://tkrafty.wixsite.com/tameralynnkraft/themed-book-lovers-facebook-parties
LM: Lots of research goes into writing a book. Do you have an unusual research story to share…something you did or found?
Tamera: Every time I research a book, I find lots of research that surprises me in some way. Many times, critique partners and editors tag me for being too unbelievable when I include those historical facts. One such incident happened in Red Sky Over America. I was reading a journal written by an abolitionist preacher who went to the home of a slave owner pastor. The pastor introduced his slave mistress and slave family without any shame at all. He felt, as a slave owner, he had the right to commit adultery with his slave. He even used the Bible to justify it. I had to tone down the story to include it in my novel because nobody who critiqued it believed this could really happen. Truth is much stranger than fiction.
LM: What is the quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?
Tamera: I've done some pretty quirky things. I don't want to reveal all of them in a public forum though. LOL. One thing my husband thought was quirky was when I told him I couldn't stop writing now because I wanted to see what happened next. He looked at me in bewilderment and said, "But you're writing it." Another quirky and somewhat dangerous thing I did in the early days of children's ministry was to go door to door in the worst neighborhood in Akron inviting children to church. I didn't think about how dangerous it was until later. What I didn't know was the reason everybody was so nice to me was because one family put out the word I was under their protection. I believe God urged them to do that.
LM: Wow! God is good. Okay, here are some quickies:
Tamera:Favorite color: RedFavorite food: Yellow cake with chocolate buttercream icing.Favorite time of year: Early summer before it gets too hot.
LM: What is your next project?
Tamera: My next project is Book 2 in the Ladies of Oberlin Series, Lost in the Storm, due to be release in November, 2018. Here's a blurb about it: 
During the Civil War, Lavena challenges a profession ruled by men to become a war correspondent, but will she keep her job by destroying the man she loves?
LM: Sounds intriguing! Where can folks find you on the web?
Tamera:Website: http://www.tameralynnkraft.netNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/cdybpbGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7334438.Tamera_Lynn_KraftWord Sharpeners Blog: http://tameralynnkraft.comFacebook: http://facebook.com/tameralynnkraftTwitter: http://twitter.com/tamerakraft
Purchase link: www.amazon.com/dp/B079GQQ9KY

Mystery Monday: Who was Carolyn Wells?

Mystery Monday: Who was Carolyn Wells?
A prolific writer who penned over 150 books, Carolyn Wells has faded into obscurity for most readers. Raised in Rahway, New Jersey by her wealthy parents, she remained single and living at home until she married at age 55. However, well before that, she worked for the Rahway Library Association and had great success writing children’s books and “nonsense books.” (Defined as a broad categorization of literature that balances elements that make sense with some that do not. Alice in Wonderland falls into this category.)
In 1918, she married William Houghton (of the publishing family), but unfortunately her husband died less than two years later. She remained in their apartment located in the posh Hotel des Artistes that overlooked Central Park for the rest of her life.
She wrote in multiple genres: children’s books, humor, nonsense, poetry, anthologies, mystery, and detective fiction. According to her autobiography The Rest of My Life published in 1937, when she heard Anna Katharine Green’s mystery The Affair Next Door she was “captivated by unraveling the puzzle” and from then on wrote only mystery novels. An interesting aside is that she had published the nonfiction The Technique of the Mystery Story nearly twenty-five years earlier.
In addition to her books, Carolyn also wrote for newspapers and magazines, the last of which, Flossie Frills Helps Out, being published after her death 1942.
Many of her books have been republished in paperback and ebook versions. With any luck, perhaps your local library has a copy or two.

Talkshow Thursday: Linda Weaver Clarke

Talkshow Thursday: Linda Weaver Clarke


Linda Weaver Clarke is visiting again, and I'm thrilled to be discussing her latest release. Pull up a chair and get to know this fascinating lady!
LM: Congratulations on your most recent publication, The Fox of Cordovia, book 3 of your fabulous Rebel series. 
Here's the description: In this swashbuckling romance, a sinister plot has just been uncovered and it’s up to a former patriot and a young nurse to discover who is behind it. Caroline is engaged to the future mayor of Laketown, a man of influence and greatly respected. But all that changes when she overhears a conspiracy behind closed doors. After being discovered, she runs for her life. Caroline needs to report her findings, but whom can she trust? When she asks Jesse Conover for help, the adventure begins.
“Swashbuckling” is used in the description. I love that! What was your inspiration for this story?
Linda: This series was inspired by the stories of patriots who fought to be free from the dictatorship and tyranny of a king. Liberty is something that I cherish, so I decided to write about a small country that struggles to be free. The idea of a country that has to fight for its liberty stayed in my mind for a long time until I created The Rebel Series. In book 3, The Fox of Cordovia, the country has had its liberty for 3 years, but there is a plot that threatens their freedom.
LM: Did you set out to write a series or did that just happen?
Linda: No, I didn’t plan on it being a series. After receiving some wonderful reviews and encouragement from readers to continue the story, then I decided to write book 2 and 3.
LM: You write romance, mystery, non-fiction, and children’s books? Do you have a favorite genre?
Linda: My favorite genre to write is a mixture of romance, mystery, and adventure. I absolutely love stories that are page-turners, which have some mystery and suspense. To make a story that is a page-turner is a real challenge.
I love a romance where the man and woman know they are meant for one another, even though there are trials along the way. Since I don’t care for drama between a couple who is in love, I need to have enough drama in the main plot of the story.
My favorite time period is during the 18th and 19thcenturies. It’s during a time when men defended a lady’s honor and treated women with respect. The women, on the other hand, were not pansies. I love the fact that many of the women fought for what they believed.
LM: What’s the quirkiest thing you’ve ever done? Linda: I’m not sure if I’ve ever done anything quirky. I must be very dull. I can share a very interesting childhood story, though.

When I was young, my father would tie six sleds together in a long line and then tie the first sled to the back of the car. We lived in the country and the roads were packed with snow, so it was perfect for sledding. He would pull our sleds down this country road and we had so much fun. The first sled was actually wide enough for two people to lay on and it was my favorite. The last sled was my least favorite. When we passed a home with a dog, it would chase after the last sled, barking as it ran after it. I remember hearing my brother, who was on the last sled, laughing and yelling at the dog, as it chased him.
LM: How fun! Here are some quickies:
Favorite Color: Yellow and mauveFavorite Author: Serena Clarke who writes clean romantic fantasyFavorite Food: Taco salad
LM: What are your passions outside of writing?
Linda: Music. I love listening to music. My family. I love playing games with my children. My husband. I enjoy being about him, just talking, watching movies, and going on short vacations together.
LM: What advice can you give to not-yet-published writers?
Linda: Make sure you do research on the subject you’re writing about. People notice if something isn’t quite right.
For example, I wanted to know if they danced the waltz in the late 1700s, since that was the time period for The Rebel Series. I couldn’t have my characters dance the waltz if it hadn’t been created.When I did some research about the “waltz” for The Highwayman of Cordovia, I was surprised by what I found. The peasants were the first to dance the waltz. It was such fun that bored noblemen would sneak out and go to the country-dances. The Oxford English Dictionary back then called the waltz “riotous and indecent.”
In a 1771 German novel, someone complains about the “newly-introduced waltz” among the aristocrats. He wrote: “When he put his arm around her, pressed her to his breast, cavorted with her in the shameless, indecent whirling-dance of the Germans and engaged in a familiarity that broke all the bounds of good breeding—then my silent misery turned into burning rage.” I was so intrigued by this description and it made me laugh. The waltz finally became fashionable when the wife of a Russian ambassador endorsed it.
LM: Where can folks connect with you?
Linda: To read a sample chapter from each of my books in The Rebel Series, go to http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/historicalromance.htmland click on the title. To purchase a book, click on the book cover and it will take you directly to Amazon. My books are also available at Barnes and Noble.
I really like book trailers because they can help readers feel what a book is like and whether they’re interested in reading it. Here is a trailer for each of my books.
The Rebels of Cordovia<iframewidth="560" height="315"src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Nd2vqNYqSA"frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"allowfullscreen></iframe>
The Highwayman of Cordovia <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UtHY-DPjfFE" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Fox of Cordovia <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mCgwRF5nzQ8" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Traveling Tuesday: Occupied Paris

Traveling Tuesday: Occupied Paris
I’ve done some traveling and enjoy exploring the differences offered by other countries. I had an interesting experience I had a few years ago was when we visited Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. To my surprise, it looked exactly like the U.S. It didn’t feel like we were in a “foreign country.” The same restaurant and grocery store franchises peppered the streets, and we could purchase all the brands we knew. The architecture was similar as was the landscape. The only difference was that everywhere we looked hung the Canadian flag. It was a bit disconcerting – my mind struggled to reconcile the situation.
In that same vein, I wonder how frightening it was for the French to see the Nazi flag hanging within their capital city. They couldn’t “go home.” They were home, and yet their enemy’s flag flapped in the breeze above their heads.
As with any historical event, there are multiple viewpoints about what happened, even among eye witnesses. With governmental papers coming to light or being declassified, some scholars are now purporting that the French, and especially the Parisians, were active rather than reluctant collaborators. Statements such as “the Germans could not have succeeded as well as they did in rounding up…illegals if it hadn’t been for the local police force.”
Frankly, I’m not sure how I feel about that statement. It seems easy to opine about someone’s behavior when one has not walked in their shoes. I’d wager that if people had to choose between saving their family member over someone else’s, the decision would be a “no brainer.”
Life during the occupation was incredibly difficult. Rationing was in effect, and distribution of cards was done according to age and food needs. No meat was provided, and most food available had little nutritional value. Supply of coal to the general public was non-existent, and the black market flourished. Jews who had not been sent to concentration camps were required to wear the yellow Star of David on their clothing. (They may as well have had a target painted on their back.) Car travel was only allowed by those favored by the Germans. Propaganda posters, films, and leaflets were everywhere. Many young and middle-aged men were in prison, concentration camps, or underground.
For Paris, nicknamed “The City of Light,” the occupation was a dark time.

Blog Tour: Across the Blue

Blog Tour: Across the Blue


About the Book   

Title: Across the Blue  
Author: Carrie Turansky  
Genre: Historical romance  
Release Date: February 20, 2018

Love soars to new heights in this Edwardian romance filled with adventure, faith, and inspiration, but how much will it cost Bella and James to follow their dreams? Isabella Grayson, the eldest daughter of a wealthy, English newspaper magnate, longs to become a journalist, but her parents don’t approve. They want her to marry well and help them gain a higher standing in society. After she writes an anonymous letter to the editor that impresses her father, her parents reluctantly agree she can write a series of articles about aviation and the race to be the first to fly across the English Channel, but only if she promises to accept a marriage proposal within the year. When James Drake, an aspiring aviator, crashes his flying machine at the Grayson’s new estate, Bella is intrigued. James is determined to win that race across the Channel and gain the prize Mr. Grayson’s newspaper is offering. He hopes it will help him secure a government contract to build airplanes and redeem a terrible family secret. James wants to win Bella’s heart, but his background and lack of social standing make it unlikely her parents would approve. If he fails to achieve his dream, how will he win the love and respect he is seeking? Will Bella’s faith and support help him find the strength and courage he needs when unexpected events turn their world upside down?

Click here to purchase your copy!My ThoughtsWrapped around the first attempt to cross the English Channel by airplane, Across the Blue is a fascinating account of the infancy of aviation and includes historical figures Louis Bleriot, Herbert Latham, and Count de Lambert which adds depth to this interesting novel. I enjoyed that the main protagonists each had a major plotline: James’ dream as a pilot and Bella’s to be a journalist. These goals would be challenging in any era, but are especially so in the early 1900s. Bella is feisty, and she struggles to balance her headstrong desires with accepted social mores. Extensive description gives the reader a look at the food, fashion, and hierarchy of Edwardian England. The story tied up a little too quickly for my taste, with Bella’s parents changing their attitudes somewhat suddenly. Themes of forgiveness and grace are woven into the story without being preachy or heavy-handed. A sweet story about likeable characters.
I received a copy of the book for free from CelebrateLit Publicity, and a positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.About the Author
Carrie Turansky has loved reading since she first visited the library as a young child and checked out a tall stack of picture books. Her love for writing began when she penned her first novel at age twelve. She is now the award-winning author of nineteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. Carrie and her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, author, and speaker, have been married for more than thirty years and make their home in New Jersey. They often travel together on ministry trips and to visit their five adult children and five grandchildren. Carrie leads women’s ministry at her church, and when she is not writing she enjoys spending time working in her flower gardens and cooking healthy meals for friends and family. She loves to connect with reading friends through her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Guest Post from Carrie Turansky Following your Dreams By Carrie Turansky In Across the Blue, Bella Grayson and James Drake both go to great lengths to pursue their dreams. Bella longs to become a journalist and write for one of her father’s newspapers, but in 1909 England, aristocratic young women did not work as journalists. A young woman’s path was set by the unwritten rules of society. At eighteen she was presented at court, and then she took part in the London social season and hoped for a marriage proposal from a young man from a wealthy family, with an estate and title. Marriage, having children, and taking part in social and charitable events was the prescribed course for their lives.


But Bella has a different future in mind. She wants to marry for love, and she won’t settle for anything less. She also wants to write articles about the important events of the day that will inform and inspire people. She wants to be a world changer, and that is a very unique role for a woman in England in the Edwardian Era. At that time women didn’t have the right to vote yet and very few pursued any kind of career.

James is an aviation pioneer, and his dream is to build an airplane that will allow him to be the first to fly across the English Channel. This is no easy accomplishment, and he faces many challenges as he pursues his dream. Aviation is brand new. Wilbur Wright demonstrated his airplane in France the year before and stunned Europeans with his skill. With the help of his mentor, Professor Steed, James conducts experiments, refines his design, and makes countless test flights. It takes great courage and determination to overcome setbacks and make it through near fatal crash landings, but James has his heart and mind set on perfecting his airplane and reaching his goal.

What about you? What hopes and dreams do you have for your future? What goals would you like to accomplish? As you think about your dreams and future plans I hope you’ll gain some insight from James and Bella’s experiences in Across the Blue. When they considered the cost of pursuing their dreams they realized their plans and choices impacted others as well as themselves. James and Bella believed striving for their dreams is important, but they learned it must be balanced with commitments to family and friends, and most of all a commitment to following the Lord on the path He has for them.

Following our dreams and working toward accomplishing our goals, especially those the Lord puts on our heart, is important. However, sometimes we may have to put our dreams on hold and wait for the right time and season. We don’t need to be discouraged when this happens. As we listen to the Lord and ask Him to guide and direct us He will show us the right path at the right time to follow it. 

Just like James and Bella I hope you’ll pursue your dreams but also hold them with an open hand, allowing the Lord to guide and direct you each step of the way. When you do I’m confident you’ll be headed toward seeing your dreams become reality in His time and in His way. “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 With that wonderful promise in mind, I hope you’ll enjoy reading Across the Blue and joining Bella and James as they they pursue their dreams. You’re in for high-flying adventure, romance, and inspiration, and I can’t wait to share this new story with you. Happy reading to you!
Blog StopsHere are Carrie's Remaining Blog Stops:
February 25: The Power of WordsFebruary 25: D's Quilts and BooksFebruary 26: Maureen's MusingsFebruary 26: Rachel's Back TalkFebruary 26: Smiling Book ReviewsFebruary 27: Radiant LightFebruary 27: Faithfully BookishFebruary 27: The Fizzy Pop CollectionFebruary 28: Bibliophile ReviewsFebruary 28: RemembrancyFebruary 28: Two Points of InterestMarch 1: Tell Tale Book ReviewsMarch 1: Book by BookMarch 1: Big Reader SiteMarch 1: Proud to be an Autism MomMarch 2: Pause for TalesMarch 2: Have a Wonderful DayMarch 2 (interview): Margaret KazmierczakMarch 3: Pursuing StacieMarch 3: Neverending StoriesMarch 3: Debbie's Dusty DeliberationsMarch 4: Texas Book-aholicMarch 4: Janice's Book ReviewsMarch 4: Jeanette's ThoughtsMarch 4: Simple Harvest ReadsMarch 5: Moments Dipped in InkMarch 5: My Writer's LifeMarch 5: Baker KellaMarch 6: Kat's Corner BooksMarch 6: A Greater YesMarch 6: A Baker's PerspectiveMarch 7: Romances of the CrossMarch 7: Henry HappensMarch 7: For the Love of Books
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away a grand prize of an autographed copy of Shine Like the Dawn and $30 gift card to Christianbooks.com!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c987