E.G. Bella's Blog, page 6

Top Five Buddy-Read Books (Five Fall Favorites 2023)

Happy Wednesday, and welcome to the third day of the Five Fall Favorites blog party!

You can find all of the information about the Five Fall Favorites blog party by seeing my first post (click HERE), or by going to our wonderful host, Kate Willis’s, site (click HERE).

For a quick recap, each day this week, bloggers (me included) are each sharing their five favorite books under a variety of prompts – the goal being for us all to find some great new reads!

This week’s theme is all about who and where we’ve gotten our books from.

Today’s prompt is about buddy-read books that we’ve read and enjoyed!

Confession: I interpreted that term (“buddy-read”) as books with good friends in the stories, or books that we’ve shared with our friends. I didn’t realize that that term typically means books that you read at the same time as a friend… I can’t say that I’ve ever done that, except for some devotionals, so I’m going to stick with my first interpretation and improvise, haha.

I love books that have good friendships in them. There are so many books where friendships either seem to be forgotten, forsaken for romance, or portrayed through very unhealthy examples. I think we could all use substantially more examples of healthy, supportive, loyal, and strong friendships in literature.

That’s why I enjoyed the books below. I enjoyed their portrayals of friendship, in many different forms. And, I have recommended almost all of these to friends of my own. The first book in particular has made its rounds through me, some of my friends, my sister, some of her friends…it’s wonderful when books can impact a bunch of the people you know.

Let’s jump in and look at those five books now! (I’ve reviewed many of these in more depth on Goodreads, so if you’re interested in reading my thoughts – or just other reviews in general – you can find the Goodreads link under each book, or by clicking on the book’s title).

Blank Mastermind

Author: Rosey Mucklestone

Genre: Dystopian/Superhero/Christian

Target Audience: Young Adult (YA)

What Stuck Out to Me: I read this entire book for the first time in one sitting, staying up far too late to do it. First of all, the genre – a mix of superhero, contemporary, and dystopian – was descriptive and fascinating, something I’ve never read before. And amnesia tropes are some of my favorite, so the premise – about a protagonist who can’t remember who they are – intrigued me from the start.

I chose it for book besties because the main group of friends in this story is so tight-knit. They’re there for one another through thick and thin, and I love them.

This entire book is well-written and brilliant in my opinion. The characters are vibrant and memorable, the story a good balance of action, mystery, and reflection, the humor witty and nearly constant, thanks to the snarky protagonist, and the weaving of faith and deep themes powerfully done. It’s definitely one of my favorites, and I keep coming back to it. I try not to think about that one plot twist that I should have seen coming, but didn’t . . . .

Tricky Content: Some violence, intense situations, mild language, occasional grammatical errors, and a brief, subtle allusion to self-harm.

I’d Recommend It To: Teens and up that enjoy stories about superheroes, meaningful themes, amnesiacs, unique characters, and/or ice cream.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Author: John Boyne

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Middle Grade and above

What Stuck Out to Me: I’d heard very little about this book when I picked it up, so it consistently took me by surprise. The Holocaust is a heartbreaking topic, and I thought it was fascinating getting to read a story set on the opposite side than I usually hear about. The contrast of the young protagonists’ innocent narrative voice vs his harsh, cruel surroundings and family actions really made me think.

There’s no easy way to cover this topic, but this book helped me emotionally connect even more to the victims of World War II, especially the Jews, and also imagine the lives of those on the opposing side. The forbidden friendship between the two main characters was both sweet and sad. They truly cared for one another, despite what adults around them said. Emotionally, I’d compare this book to Bridge to Terabithia. A story that may not be light or easy, but that tackles deep themes and sticks with you. It stuck with me.

Tricky Content: An implied affair, upsetting ending, deception, implied violence, and disturbing scenes and descriptions regarding the Holocaust. Many advocate that this is not an accurate look at this part of history, and warn not to take it as facts.

I’d Recommend It To: Mature middle grade readers and up that want to more deeply contemplate and feel connected to the events of the Holocaust/World War II.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

To Kill a Mockingbird

Author: Harper Lee

Genre: Classic Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Middle grade and above

What Stuck Out to Me: It took me far too long to pick this one up, even though I’ve heard such good things about it. After reading it, I can see why it’s a classic!

The settings were incredibly vivid, and I felt like I was really there. In addition, the characters were my favorite parts. Each one felt so real and interesting. In particular, I enjoyed the voice of the protagonist, through which we viewed the story. There was the expected childishness and innocence, but with a surprising amount of perception. The main group of friends were so cute and loyal to one another.

Lastly, that ending! And the themes woven throughout the story tied together so seamlessly that I didn’t even realize how powerful they were until the end when all the dots started connecting. There were some extremely meaningful lessons hidden in plain sight in this novel, and I highly recommend it.

Tricky Content: Drunkenness, one character has a morphine addiction, references to a man assaulting a woman, some violence (mostly not seen directly), some profanity, including racial slurs (as per the time period).

I’d Recommend It To: Teens and older that enjoy historical classics with strong, vivid characters and powerful themes.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

Nine Lessons

Author: Kevin Alan Milne

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational

Target Audience: Adults

What Stuck Out to Me: This one has book besties of a different sort, but I wanted to include it in here. In this book, the protagonist has rocky relationships with his wife and his father. Over the course of the story, that changes.

I tried this one randomly from my local thrift store one day, and it was worth the read. I’m not a huge fan of golf, and don’t usually read slower contemporary stories like this, but it was a cute read. By the end, I was very interested in each of the characters and enjoyed seeing their growth. The themes of family, forgiveness, and love were well-done.

Tricky Content: Marital fights, one slap, references to trying for kids/pregnancy.

I’d Recommend It To: Readers who enjoy family stories, romances between married couples, life lessons, and/or golf.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

Seasons of the Storm

Author: Elle Cosimano

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Target Audience: Young Adult (YA)

What Stuck Out to Me: I picked this one for today’s prompt because I enjoyed reading about the group of reluctant friends that make up the protagonists of this novel. By the end, they’re extremely close-knit.

I didn’t realize this was the first book in a duology (so now I’m a bit bummed that I don’t have the second, haha), but it wrapped up fairly well. The premise is fascinating, reminding me of a “Jack Frost”, dystopian type of novel. I think some of the mythology parts and worldbuilding went right over my head, but it didn’t keep me from enjoying the story.

The characters were all very different and interesting, and the constant action and tension kept me engaged. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure which were the real villains (I could never quite figure it out), and I could feel for each of the protagonists. The settings were well-described. The romances were sweet and, for the most part, I rooted for the characters to end up together in the end. It was a fun read.

Tricky Content: Some profanity, violence, vague mentions of suicide, deaths, kissing and references to more than that (though nothing is ever shown), drinking alcohol.

I’d Recommend It To: Young adults and above that enjoy mythological fantasies set in a contemporary world, packed with action, romance, and intrigue.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

Day three of the Five Fall Favorites blog event is now over! What are some of your favorite reads with book besties? Or how about books that you and a bookish friend have shared with each other? Have you read any of the books I mentioned? If so, what did you think? I’d love to hear from you!

Again, check out Kate’s host blog here, for additional information, an awesome giveaway, and so that you can find even more book recommendations!

See you tomorrow for some more bookish fun!

Recent Posts:

Top Five Buddy-Read Books (Five Fall Favorites 2023)Top 5 Secondhand Favorites (Five Fall Favorites 2023)Top 5 Gifted Finds (Five Fall Favorites 2023)

Top 5 Secondhand Favorites (Five Fall Favorites 2023)

Happy Tuesday, and welcome to the second day of the Five Fall Favorites blog event!

You can find all of the information about the Five Fall Favorites blog party by seeing my first post from yesterday (click HERE), or by going to our wonderful host, Kate Willis’s, site (click HERE).

For a quick recap, each day this week, bloggers (me included) are each sharing their five favorite books under a variety of prompts – the goal being for us all to find some great new reads!

This week’s theme is all about who and where we’ve gotten our books from.

Top Five Secondhand Favorites

Today’s topic is one I’ve been looking forward to: secondhand favorites! I get most of my books from secondhand stores, and I’m pretty sure the employees of my local thrift store expect me to walk out with an armload of books every time I’m there. Probably because I almost always do.

Can you blame me when they frequently have books for a dollar or less each?

Yes, books from secondhand stores sometimes aren’t in the best of conditions, and you never know what you’re going to find in there, but that’s part of the fun for me! It feels like a treasure hunt. I’ve been able to find ones that have been on my TBR for a long time, ones I’ve never heard of but end up being favorites, and some that I’m not sure I’ll like for a much lower price.

It’s a great way to constantly be trying new genres, authors, and types of books. The only downside for me is that I can’t let myself go there very often… I always think I’ll read faster than I do.

So today, we’re going to look at five of my favorite books that I’ve found from secondhand stores! Because I try such a variety of genres from thrift stores, I picked a wide selection to share.

Let’s look at those five books now! (I’ve reviewed many of these in more depth on Goodreads, so if you’re interested in reading my thoughts – or just other reviews in general – you can find the Goodreads link under each book, or by clicking on the book’s title).

The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass

Genre: Dystopian Romance

Target Audience: Young Adult (YA)

What Stuck Out to Me: I admit, I picked this up solely because of the gorgeous cover. The premise itself read like a mix of The Hunger Games, Cinderella, and The Bachelor, as well as a tad like the Biblical story of Esther (though it’s not in any way Christian fiction) – a fascinating mash-up.

The large cast of characters was fun to meet, the competition engrossing, and the setting interesting to learn about. It was an all-around solid read.

The plot itself wasn’t too deep, but I’m a sucker for dystopians, so I did enjoy this! I binge-read it and its sequel in one day, and it was a fun “junk food” kind of book.

Tricky Content: Occasional mild language, frequent kissing (way too many for my comfort zone, but nothing significantly further than that), war-based violence.

I’d Recommend It To: Teens and above that enjoy light, princess-y dystopian romance reads.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Genre: Contemporary/Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Adults

What Stuck Out to Me: I never know quite what to say about books by this author, as they’re incredible, but also not ones I would recommend to just anyone. Like The Kite Runner, I couldn’t put this down.

I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the historical aspects or setting, but it was well-described and felt extremely real to me. The characters also were incredibly relatable and each felt like real people. The plot was constantly moving and engaging, and the themes were deep and impactful.

The story itself was bleak. The author didn’t hold back from putting his characters through pain, over and over again. There was tension throughout the entire novel as I felt like horrible things could happen at any moment. So I can’t say that this was a happy read overall, but it was well-done and moving.

Tricky Content: Assault, abuse, death, sprinkled expletives, mentions of rape, some graphic descriptions, etc. Definitely not a book for young readers, but, for adults, I felt it was tactful rather than excessive.

I’d Recommend It To: Adults (or mature young adults) that like deep and gritty stories set in historical settings (in this case, Afghanistan).

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

What Would Jesus Do?
(alternatively, In His Steps)

Author: Charles M. Sheldon

Genre: Classic Christian Fiction

Target Audience: Teens and above

What Stuck Out to Me: I first read this back in high school, and it’s stuck with me since. The story revolves around a church deciding to ask themselves the question, “What Would Jesus Do?”, and only make choices that align with what they think Jesus would choose.

This is a fascinating premise, and while I don’t always think our choices are supposed to be what Jesus would have done while He was on earth (He was fully God after all, unlike us), it’s thought-provoking.

I felt the story was well-written, and I enjoyed seeing glimpses of so many character’s lives as they explored the very difficult and practical decisions that emerged from trying to follow Jesus in their professional, personal, and spiritual lives. It made me think about my own choices, and how I might do a better job of standing up for what’s right in my own life.

Tricky Content: It’s been a while, but there were mentions of drinking, gambling, entertaining women of the streets, and other sinful behavior as the characters determine what the right choices are.

I’d Recommend It To: Any Christian who wants to be newly inspired to live an authentic life of following Jesus.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

Pride and Prejudice

Author: Jane Austen

Genre: Classic Historical Romance

Target Audience: Teens and above

What Stuck Out to Me: I’m not usually a romance readers, but I thoroughly enjoy this one. It took me until after I performed in a production of this story to actually read the book, and I can’t believe I waited so long!

While the writing style can deter some people, once I got into the classic language, I enjoyed it. The characters are so vivid and entertaining, and I loved getting to see all the different personalities interacting.

There’s so much humor packed into it as well, and countless quotable lines, and I think both of those things helped me enjoy it that much more. The setting was interesting to read about, very classy and elegant. And of course, the romances were prevalent, but well-done. I appreciated that no two romances were the same, so I stayed interested. This is a classic for a reason, and I’ll be reading it again.

Tricky Content: Several religious exclamations (“good Heavens, Lord, etc.”), and one unmarried girl lives with a man for two weeks.

I’d Recommend It To: Teens and above that enjoy classic regency romances with humor, wit, and happy endings.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

What She Knew

Author: Gilly MacMillan

Genre: Contemporary Mystery Thriller

Target Audience: Mature teens and above

What Stuck Out to Me: This was a completely blind pick from my local thrift store. I didn’t know anything about it, but it didn’t take me long to become extremely invested. I didn’t want to put it down.

The story deals with the harsh reality of a young boy that’s gone missing from his mother on a walk. All signs point to abduction. While his mother grieves and does everything she can to find him, you get to meet a huge case of characters in her life, each with their own twisting stories.

While the constant intrigue, tension, and suspense kept me very engaged, the part I appreciated most about this book was how messy and real everything was. All of the characters had their own lives, emotions, motives, and backstories, and it was both heart-breaking and a breath of fresh air to feel like these were real people in the situations, reacting like real people would. The tone of the entire story was dark, but it wrapped up well. I’m glad I gave this book a shot.

Tricky Content: Several expletives, child abduction, grief and mental anguish.

I’d Recommend It To: Young adults and above that like intense contemporary stories that deal with difficult, but real topics.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

We’ve reached the end of day two of the Five Fall Favorites blog event! What are some of your favorite books that you’ve found from secondhand stores? Have you read any of the books I mentioned? If so, what did you think? I’d love to hear from you!

Again, check out Kate’s host blog here, for additional information and so that you can find even more book recommendations!

See you tomorrow for some more bookish fun!

Recent Posts:

Top Five Buddy-Read Books (Five Fall Favorites 2023)Top 5 Secondhand Favorites (Five Fall Favorites 2023)Top 5 Gifted Finds (Five Fall Favorites 2023)

Top 5 Gifted Finds (Five Fall Favorites 2023)

Happy Monday, and welcome to day one of the 2023 Five Fall Favorites blog party!

I’m so thrilled to be taking part in this creative and collaborative event, organized by the lovely Kate Willis (click on her name to head over to her blog)! This is the event’s 8th year in a row, and my second time joining in. It’s going to be a great week of bookish fun!

Whether you’re looking for book recommendations, enjoy seeing a bunch of book covers, or just like reading about books in general, this is for you. Each day, starting today through September 30th, a group of bloggers (me included) are going to be sharing our top five favorite books that fit a variety of prompts.

This year’s theme centers around who and where our books have come from. There are so many great stories and memories behind books, so explore all of the featured posts to find some great reads! My TBR is definitely going to be overflowing after this!

And make sure you head over to Kate Willis’ blog each day (right HERE) to find all of the additional information, including book deals and an awesome giveaway!

Now onto today’s book recommendations!

Top 5 Gifted Finds

I’m starting off slightly different on day one. Most FFF participants will probably be sharing five of their favorite library finds today, and originally I was too. I absolutely love libraries, and used to spend hours and hours of my childhood there, devouring armloads at a time.

But sadly, I haven’t been to our local library (which has undergone a lot of major changes) in a good number of years, and most of the books that I read back then are not really worth sharing, haha. They were great for a middle-schooler, but not anything too special.

So instead, I’m going to start with an alternate topic, and share five gifted finds! This can be books that were gifted to me, or books that I’ve gifted to someone else. There’s something special about receiving books, I think. Knowing someone either read or saw the book and thought specifically of you is sweet.

I’m going to try my very best this week not to include duplicates of my recommendations from last year’s event, but admittedly, today is one of the exceptions. Today will include a couple of the same ones from last year, but it’s because they’re just that good! Most of my recommendations will also be fiction, but today, again, I’m including one non-fiction.

Let’s look at those five books now! (I’ve reviewed many of these in more depth on Goodreads, so if you’re interested in reading my thoughts – or just other reviews in general – you can find the Goodreads link under each book, or by clicking on the book’s title).

Wishtress

Author: Nadine Brandes

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Young Adult (YA)

What Stuck Out to Me: I received this as a late birthday gift in 2022 because my family knew I was a big fan of Nadine’s.

No doubt, this is my favorite book of hers so far (and that’s saying something, because I love all of her books). The entire premise of a tear and/or crying being able to grant wishes, and also be deadly, is a story idea I wish I’d thought of, haha. The magic system is fascinating and well thought out, and the worldbuilding is both descriptive and mysterious.

The characters are definitely my favorite though. Both protagonists were relatable and flawed, and I cared for them a lot. The romance was sweet. The plot kept me on my toes, and there were several times when I actually gasped while reading (something that doesn’t happen often). Overall, I was very engaged, finished the book in a day, and really appreciated this story and its deep, meaningful themes.

Tricky Content: A complex and allegorical magic system, violence, intense action, loss, several kisses, and mentions of several pregnancies out-of-wedlock, including to a teenager.

I’d Recommend It To: Teens and up that enjoy intriguing and engaging fantasies with a bit of romance woven through.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

Hinds’ Feet in High Places

Author: Hannah Hurnard

Genre: Allegory

Target Audience: Anyone (the older you are, the more you get from it)

What Stuck Out to Me: This was a gift from my mom after I started to wear out her copy.

I can’t even count the number of times I’ve read this book by now (it was also one of the primary inspirations behind The Toymaker’s Doll) Simple and even child-like in its writing style, it’s filled with powerful spiritual reminders of what it means to be a Christian.

The Bible alone teaches us what we need to know about God in order to be saved, but allegories like this one have helped me truly grasp God’s character, and how He feels about us. Hurnard’s representation of the Good Shepherd is touching, and has led to some very meaningful times of prayer. Also, boy, do I relate to Much-Afraid and her struggles!

Tricky Content: An older and repetitive style of writing that might be too childish for some readers’ preferences, and some questionable moments of theology that can be compared to Hinduism. While I feel the truth outweighed the troublesome content for my journey personally, as always, allegories should be read with much discernment and prayer.

I’d Recommend It To: Readers of pretty much any age that enjoy sweet allegories about growth and journeys through the hardships of life.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

Bread of Angels

Author: Tessa Afshar

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Target Audience: Young Adult and above

What Stuck Out to Me: This was another gift from my mom, as she knew I enjoy biblical fiction.

While Bread of Angels took me a while to get into, due to a slower writing style and time skips, once I got into it, I was hooked. The author has a warm writing voice that makes the story feel almost cozy, if that makes sense. I also appreciated how much research she did!

I’ve never read a book about Lydia from the New Testament before, so I loved getting a glimpse of what her life may have been like. Including the detailed dive into her dye-making, something that fascinated me! The characters were interesting and sympathetic, and the setting was extremely vivid. And the faith aspects that she included were well-done – not too preachy, or too subtle. All in all, worth the read.

Tricky Content: Villain is shown being cruel to small animals, brief references to child abuse, loss, flogging scenes (moderately described).

I’d Recommend It To: Teens and older that enjoy interesting and well-researched biblical fiction, especially about “side characters” in the Bible and what they’re lives might have been like.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

Operation Grendel

Author: Daniel Schwabauer

Genre: Military Science Fiction

Target Audience: Young Adult and above

What Stuck Out to Me: I’m not usually a science fiction reader. Frankly, I don’t feel smart enough for it, and can rarely follow along. But I admire Daniel Schwabauer greatly, so after receiving this book for Christmas, I gave it a shot, and I’m extremely glad I did! Whatever boring jargon I was expecting, this book was anything but.

The writing style was crisp and engaging, the characters vivid, the setting extremely intriguing, and oh my word, the twists. Despite the complexity of it all, I felt like it was written in such a way that I could actually follow along, even being a science fiction newbie. All in all, I’ll definitely be re-reading it. I feel like I have to, to catch all of the subtleties I missed the first time!

Tricky Content: War-set violence, some light kisses, a couple of very mild swears, brief descriptions of injuries, and psychological trickery.

I’d Recommend It To: Older teens and above who enjoy complex, military-focused science fiction stories with plenty of unexpected twists and turns.

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

The Sacred Search

Author: Gary L. Thomas

Genre: Christian Non-Fiction/Dating

Target Audience: Christian singles

What Stuck Out to Me: This was a gift from my parents to my then-boyfriend and I after we started dating.

I appreciated how this book is laid out. There are chapters covering everything from infatuation, to why we should date (and why we shouldn’t), dating with intention, communication styles, expectations, and how to tell when a relationship isn’t good for us.

There are also discussion questions at the end of every chapter to get you thinking, and to give you and your partner something to talk deeper about together. All in all, I loved the practical advice, and the God-honoring focus throughout the entire book.

Tricky Content: Nothing of note, although these types of books should always be read with discernment and prayer. Physical attraction is covered in one chapter in particular, but through a clean, God-honoring perspective.

I’d Recommend It To: Single, dating, or engaged Christians seeking practical and spiritual advice for growing closer to their prospective partner, and God in the process. My now-husband and I read this and answered the questions together, one chapter at a time, and I’d highly recommend doing the same if you have the chance (with your own partner, haha).

Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!

And just like that, we’re already wrapping up day one of the Five Fall Favorites blog party! What are some of your favorite books that you’ve either received as a gift or gifted to others? Have you read any of the books I mentioned? If so, what did you think? I’d love to hear from you!

Again, check out Kate’s host blog here, for all of the additional information (including an awesome giveaway, and the full list of bloggers participating!), and so that you can find even more book recommendations!

See you tomorrow for some more bookish fun!

Recent Posts:

Top 5 Gifted Finds (Five Fall Favorites 2023)The End…And The Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)

The End…And The Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)

Happy Sunday!

Cabin Girl has now officially been released for seven entire days. One week. I can’t believe that it’s taken this long to get to this point, and now this week has flown by. How is that even possible?

For a final recap, Cabin Girl is now available on Amazon as a both a paperback and an ebook. And right here on my website (with a slightly longer wait time but it comes signed, with two custom bookmarks)!

And we are now on the very last day of the launch tour! There’s another great review coming up today and you can find all of the information (with links) below. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to sign up for the giveaway! We announce the winner/s tomorrow!

Let’s jump in! At the end of the post, you’ll find a sneak peek at the next project to come…

Book Information

Title: Cabin Girl

Series: The Secretive Seas Series

Author: E. G. Bella

Launch Date: September 18th, 2023

Find it on Amazon: click here!

Find it on Goodreads: click here!

Find the signed copies: click here!

Short Summary:

Sickness. Sharks. Sabotage. Secrecy.

In the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, young Éirinn O’Connell learns all she can of medicine, struggling to care for her starving family—until the night Barbary pirates raid her village, and she’s dragged from the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to the slave markets of Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn searches for a way home. But who can she trust? And how will she survive the Captain’s constant torment? Éirinn soon discovers the danger in trusting appearances and learns that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Even for the unlikeliest of people.

Launch Tour Schedule

Monday, September 18th

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1) Book Review by S. K. JacklynAuthor Interview by Abbigail Raine B.Podcast Interview by The Wordsmith’s Edge

Tuesday, September 19th

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2) Author Interview by Raina NightingaleAuthor Interview by Kate Willis

Wednesday, September 20th

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)

Thursday, September 21st

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4) Character Interview (Captain Gills) by Issabelle Perry

Friday, September 22nd

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5) Spotlight Post by Saraina Whitney

Saturday, September 23rd

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6) Book Review by Elizabeth Mae Wolfram

Sunday, September 24th

The End…and the Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7) (you are here!)Book Review by Virginia HendersonGiveaway Information

Yes, there’s a Cabin Girl themed giveaway! And you only have today left to enter, as the winner/s will be announced tomorrow, September 25th!

There are prizes for one U.S. winner and one international winner!

Here are the prizes to be won:

U. S. Only: One signed paperback copy of Cabin GirlTwo custom themed candles by FlickerwixTwo custom bookmarksOne 18″ golden compass necklace by Starlight by Silvie (Etsy)Lemon/ginger herbal teaInternational: One ebook copy of Cabin GirlThemed phone and desktop wallpapersExclusive first chapter of Gills (upcoming Cabin Girl prequel novel)

Take a flip through some of the prize pictures below! (Candles and wallpapers not pictured)

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is go to click THIS LINK.

What are you waiting for?

The End…and The Beginning of Cabin Girl

It’s been an absolutely wonderful launch tour, you guys. Thank you so much to everyone who participated, whether through blog posts, social media sharing, comments, likes, or reviews. I appreciate each and every one of you!

The reception for Cabin Girl has been so much greater than I expected. Both in the number of people who’ve purchased copies or expressed interest in reading it, and in how many people that have read it have enjoyed it. I prepped myself endlessly before this week to remember that not everyone will enjoy a story like this, and I think my expectations were so low that I’ve just been blown away by the support.

In all honesty, I know that I’ve written books since Cabin Girl that probably have better plots, more historical accuracies and stronger themes, and I look forward to sharing them as time continues. But Cabin Girl has been such a huge part of my journey. I’m so glad that I’ve found such an encouraging and like-minded group of readers to share it with.

So what’s next?

Well, over the next month or two, I will be working on finishing up a still-unannounced recording project, buying a house with my husband, packing, and moving to said house, and taking part for the second time in the Five Fall Favorites blog event (hosted by Kate Willis). That actually starts tomorrow!

I also want to take some time to step away from the writing/publishing buzz and catch up on reading. I’ve learned that after I’ve spent a huge amount of time and energy on one writing project, I need to stop and refuel the creative part of my brain before I pick up another one. I’ll be very thankful for a relaxing activity with all of the current house stress, and besides that, I’m quite behind in my 2023 reading challenge.

I’m also very aware that NaNoWriMo is fast approaching…and while I’m not sure I’ll be taking part in it in the same way I did the last time (writing an over-50,000 word novel in a month), I think I may may use it as motivation to start editing my next project. Said project was actually written entirely during NaNoWriMo back in 2021, and it’s next to work on anyway, so what better time to start?

The project?

Gills: a Cabin Girl prequelThe Secretive Seas Series (Book #2)

Hungry. Homeless. Held captive by the agonizing memories of surroundings he’s helpless to change.

And in his sights, The Lonely Eye—a ship he believes could change it all.

Determined to escape Morocco and forge his own future, young Gideon Mansur announces to an entire tavern of The Eye’s crew that he will, in fact, be their captain. The only problem? They already have a captain, and he’s not looking to give up his position any time soon.

That, and Gideon doesn’t know anything about captaining a ship, or the Barbary slave trade. Not that he’ll admit it.

With the reluctant help of his childhood slave and friend, Ibo, Gideon finds himself on a stormy journey to secure the ship—and life—of his dreams. But he’s not the only one with those intentions. Amidst ship fights, attempts to steal his success, grumbling crewmen, and the ever-growing unease of Ibo, only one thing’s clear. He will be a great captain. And he’ll do whatever it takes to get there.

That’s a very early and rough version of the synopsis, but it works! Gills, the second book in The Secretive Seas Series, will be coming to the series next. And I don’t have much more information than that yet, because I still have a lot of work to do on it.

But it is in progress! And I’m very excited about it, as Captain Gills is one of the characters I hear the most and best feedback on, and after being asked for more of his story, I’m only too happy to oblige.

So although it’s the end of Cabin Girl’s launch tour, I’m happy to say it’s only the beginning of its life time, and just one book in its series. Stay tuned for more happening in this story world!

(And if you’ve read Cabin Girl, or end up reading it before Gills is out – which will be a while from now – please feel free to reach out to me if you have anything you’d love to see in a Captain Gills-inspired prequel story. I love hearing feedback and gaining ideas from readers!)

Once again, thank you so much for making Cabin Girl‘s launch tour such a fun and encouraging event. I don’t have enough words to express how very blessed I feel. And I look forward to telling many, many more stories with you all!

Until next time!

Recent Posts:

The End…And The Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5)

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)

Happy Saturday!

It’s now been six days since Cabin Girl‘s release! We only have one more day in the launch tour, and I can’t believe it’s almost over. It’s been going so fast!

To recap, Cabin Girl is now available on Amazon as a both a paperback and an ebook. And right here on my website (with a slightly longer wait time but it comes signed, with two custom bookmarks)!

We’re on day six of the launch tour, with only tomorrow left to go! There are two more wonderful reviews on the schedule and you can find all of the specific information (with links) below. Then we’ll finish with the rest of the post, featuring some things I learned while writing Cabin Girl!

Let’s jump in!

Book Information

Title: Cabin Girl

Series: The Secretive Seas Series

Author: E. G. Bella

Launch Date: September 18th, 2023

Find it on Amazon: click here!

Find it on Goodreads: click here!

Find the signed copies: click here!

Short Summary:

Sickness. Sharks. Sabotage. Secrecy.

In the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, young Éirinn O’Connell learns all she can of medicine, struggling to care for her starving family—until the night Barbary pirates raid her village, and she’s dragged from the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to the slave markets of Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn searches for a way home. But who can she trust? And how will she survive the Captain’s constant torment? Éirinn soon discovers the danger in trusting appearances and learns that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Even for the unlikeliest of people.

Launch Tour Schedule

Monday, September 18th

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1) Book Review by S. K. JacklynAuthor Interview by Abbigail Raine B.Podcast Interview by The Wordsmith’s Edge

Tuesday, September 19th

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2) Author Interview by Raina NightingaleAuthor Interview by Kate Willis

Wednesday, September 20th

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)

Thursday, September 21st

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4) Character Interview (Captain Gills) by Issabelle Perry

Friday, September 22nd

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5) Spotlight Post by Saraina Whitney

Saturday, September 23rd

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6) (you are here!)Book Review by Elizabeth Mae Wolfram

Sunday, September 24th

The End…and the Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)Book Review by Virginia HendersonGiveaway Information

Through September 24th, there’s a Cabin Girl themed giveaway! You only have two more days to sign up, if you haven’t already. The winners will be contacted and announced September 25th!

Yes, there are prizes for one U.S. winner and one international winner!

Here are the prizes to be won:

U. S. Only: One signed paperback copy of Cabin GirlTwo custom themed candles by FlickerwixTwo custom bookmarksOne 18″ golden compass necklace by Starlight by Silvie (Etsy)Lemon/ginger herbal teaInternational: One ebook copy of Cabin GirlThemed phone and desktop wallpapersExclusive first chapter of Gills (upcoming Cabin Girl prequel novel)

Take a flip through some of the prize pictures below! (Candles and wallpapers not pictured)

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is go to click THIS LINK.

Good luck and happy entering!

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl

Cabin Girl has been in the process for a long time. In some ways, five years is a very long time to be working on one specific book. In other cases, it can be normal. But there’s no question that this book has seen me through a quite a bit of growth as a writer and even as a person.

I started working on Cabin Girl just after I turned sixteen. I’ve now just turned twenty-one. A lot happens in life between those ages, and I’ve been consistently working on this story throughout those years. Naturally, as I’ve grown and learned more about life and writing, the story has grown with me.

And with that growth has come many, many lessons. About being a good person. About being a Christian. About writing. About publishing. About friendship. God’s taught me a lot through the process of writing Cabin Girl.

Today, I wanted to share some of those lessons that I’ve learned. So without further ado, let’s dive in.

Value of Research

Maybe you’ve heard me talk about this before, but my first draft of Cabin Girl was done with next to no research. I relied only on the pirate stereotypes I’d seen in movies, and guessed at the rest. The only thing I did look into were the Barbary pirates, but just enough to gain a vague idea of what they were.

After repeated comments about how my plot and characters didn’t seem very realistic, I spent a month diving into the world of pirates for research, and I think the story is so much better for it. It’s crazy how much of a difference a few small, but well-placed facts can add to the realism.

Cabin Girl isn’t as much of a stickler for historical accuracy as some historical fiction, even pirate fiction, but it’s so much better than before. Now you can really feel that you’re in those settings. I definitely learned how valuable research is to creating a truly immersive story, and wish I would have started there.

Descriptions

In a technical sense, I’ve learned so much about descriptions through writing this book. Descriptions don’t come naturally to me. I don’t effortlessly have a beautiful and flowing descriptive voice while writing, and I tend to forget that others can’t see the vivid imaginings in my mind and know exactly what the settings in my book are like. Unless I help them.

Short of developing the story itself, I’ve spent the most time and effort making my descriptions better. I’ve read books, blog posts, asked for help, and practiced over and over again until I found sentences that described my scenes the best. Good descriptions still don’t come effortlessly for me, but I have improved, and hopefully will continue to!

Editing Skills

Throughout the process of Cabin Girl, editing has taken the most time by far. The last three years have all been edits, not drafting or rewrites. It’s normal for editing to take quite a while, but I started off by doing things all wrong and out of order. Immediately after finishing the first draft, I went through and edited out all of the typos, sentence errors, and grammatical mistakes. It took me quite a while to do too.

But what was the use in that when right afterward I found massive plot holes and ended up rewriting the entire book from scratch (twice)? All of that time and effort could have been saved if I’d waited and followed the right editing steps. I needed to fix the big things first and work my way downward.

Thankfully, I learned quickly that I needed to change my process, and again spent significant time learning more efficient ways of editing. Editing is still my least favorite part of writing, but I know that I’ll be able to do a better and speedier job on my next book, with all of the things I’ve learned from this one.

Just Write

In a similar vein of thought, I’ve learned how to better separate my editing from my writing. I have a bad habit of getting too perfectionist when I write my first drafts and easily get carried away editing while I write. But while trying to let my brain flow freely and write whatever comes to mind for the story, is a bad time to be backspacing constantly and trying to fix my funky sentences. There’s a time and place.

Now, when I write, I keep reminding myself that I have permission to write badly at first. Some people can edit while they write and it doesn’t slow them down or hinder their work. I’m clearly not one of those people. And that’s okay! I’ve found that the better I can just keep writing, and not look back or reread my work until I’m done, the better it goes.

When I draft my books now, I keep a list next to me. And that’s where I make note of all of the things that I know will have to be fixed when I go back to edit. Not usually things like typos or weird sentences, but definitely things I know I’ll need to research, a phrase I want to change, a plot hole I know will need to be addressed back at the beginning, etc. It’s helped me to realize that yes, there are mistakes, but it’s okay because I’m keeping track of them, and that list will be there for reference when it’s time to edit.

Indie Publishing

I’ve learned a lot about indie publishing through writing Cabin Girl. In fact, when I first started writing this book, I didn’t even know indie publishing as it is existed. I knew you could self-publish books, yes. But in my mind, that meant bad quality, “no one else will publish you” stories. I was so wrong!

Obviously there can be those kinds of stories self-published. But there are stories traditionally published that aren’t great too. They’re just two different methods of getting your story out into the world. And as I quickly learned, indie publishing is a good fit for my writing career, especially at this point in my life.

I enjoy keeping all of my creative rights, and getting a say in every aspect of my books. That doesn’t mean I’m doing everything by myself (I hired a cover designer, for example), but it does mean that I have the ultimate say on decisions made, and I can keep my book true to my vision. I can also learn new skills and do the parts of it that I’m able (ex. I do my own formatting). Right now, it’s a great method for me!

Community

And with all of these things that I’ve learned, one stands out to me as arguably the most important. I’ve gratefully learned how much of a community surrounds books, reading, writing, and indie publishing. From the very start, when I first launched my website and started blogging, I met so many amazing, supportive people that were quick to welcome me and start interacting with my work.

That’s only increased as I’ve branched out into more platforms. I’ve been so blessed by each and every person that continues to interact with me and help me on my publishing journey. Whether that’s through beta-reading, brainstorming, sharing my posts, commenting, purchasing books, reviewing, or just being an encouraging voice through it all, I would definitely not be at this point without you all!

And it’s that community, along with the other things I have learned and will keep learning, that makes me look forward to continuing to publish. It’s been my dream for years to be able to do this kind of thing, and I can’t believe I’m actually here. Thank you for all you’ve done to help along the way! You are prayed for, extremely appreciated, and wonderful human beings!

I look forward to continuing on this journey with you.

Recent Posts:

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5)What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4)Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2)

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5)

Happy Friday!

Cabin Girl has now been out in the wild for five whole days! We’re slowly approaching the end of the launch tour, and I have been enjoying it so much! Everyone has been very encouraging.

To recap, Cabin Girl is now available on Amazon as a both a paperback and an ebook. And right here on my website (with a slightly longer wait time but it comes signed, with two custom bookmarks)!

And we’re on day five of the launch tour, with only two more to go! There are some great reviews coming up, and you can find the entire schedule, book details, and giveaway information (with links) below. We’ll get on with the rest of the post after that.

Let’s jump in!

Book Information

Title: Cabin Girl

Series: The Secretive Seas Series

Author: E. G. Bella

Launch Date: September 18th, 2023

Find it on Amazon: click here!

Find it on Goodreads: click here!

Find the signed copies: click here!

Short Summary:

Sickness. Sharks. Sabotage. Secrecy.

In the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, young Éirinn O’Connell learns all she can of medicine, struggling to care for her starving family—until the night Barbary pirates raid her village, and she’s dragged from the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to the slave markets of Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn searches for a way home. But who can she trust? And how will she survive the Captain’s constant torment? Éirinn soon discovers the danger in trusting appearances and learns that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Even for the unlikeliest of people.

Launch Tour Schedule

Monday, September 18th

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1) Book Review by S. K. JacklynAuthor Interview by Abbigail Raine B.Podcast Interview by The Wordsmith’s Edge

Tuesday, September 19th

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2) Author Interview by Raina NightingaleAuthor Interview by Kate Willis

Wednesday, September 20th

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)

Thursday, September 21st

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4) Character Interview (Captain Gills) by Issabelle Perry

Friday, September 22nd

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5) (you are here!)Spotlight Post by Saraina Whitney

Saturday, September 23rd

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)Book Review by Elizabeth Mae Wolfram

Sunday, September 24th

The End…and the Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)Book Review by Virginia HendersonGiveaway Information

From September 18th through September 24th, there’s a Cabin Girl themed giveaway! The winners will be contacted and announced September 25th! We’re approaching the end!

Yes, there are prizes for one U.S. winner and one international winner!

Here are the prizes to be won:

U. S. Only: One signed paperback copy of Cabin GirlTwo custom themed candles by FlickerwixTwo custom bookmarksOne 18″ golden compass necklace by Starlight by Silvie (Etsy)Lemon/ginger herbal teaInternational: One ebook copy of Cabin GirlThemed phone and desktop wallpapersExclusive first chapter of Gills (upcoming Cabin Girl prequel novel)

Take a flip through some of the prize pictures below! (Candles and wallpapers not pictured)

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is go to click THIS LINK.

Good luck and happy entering!

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl

Today’s post is a little bit of a different one.

I’ve debated about whether to write it since I first thought about doing a launch tour, and haven’t been able to decide whether potential readers would find it interesting and fun, or weird and boring.

Obviously, since we’re here, I’ve decided to try it, haha.

Sometimes, as you’re writing a book, you develop a list of interesting facts that you’ve found about your story. Maybe things you’ve noticed, things you’ve put into the book on purpose, or things that changed from its original plan. I definitely have a few of those facts from Cabin Girl, and today, I thought I’d take the time to share them with you.

And as much as I hope they intrigue you now, I think many of these fun facts will be even more interesting, and offer even more value, to come back to after reading Cabin Girl.

So if you’re so inclined, maybe bookmark this page and come back to it again later to see if there are more things you pick up on, or if some of the facts make more sense after reading the story!

Here are some random facts about Cabin Girl:

~I began developing Cabin Girl on September 4th, 2018, and officially started writing it in January of 2019.

~ One of the main first title ideas included The Better Dream.

~ Éirinn’s name was originally just spelled Erin.

~ The only reason I decided on Éirinn’s name in the first place was because I needed something that could sound like a boy’s name upon hearing it (Aaron). This became a lot less important as time went on, but at that point, it just suited her.

~ I never nailed down an exact date range that Cabin Girl takes place in, but it’s somewhere around the mid to late 1600’s.

~ In the first draft, Éirinn’s main struggle after being kidnapped was not how to get back to her family, but whether she should join the pirates so she could achieve her dream of being a healer and see the world, or go back to her family where she felt trapped.

~ The story was originally set in Spain, not Ireland. However, Éirinn was still Irish, and one of her secondary goals was to go back to Ireland, where they lived with her father when she was young.

~ Éirinn’s furry friend, Murphy, was almost not included in Cabin Girl at all. I’m so glad he was!

~ The pirate Acker used to be named Hardy, but his name turned out to be too close to another pirate’s (Han), and it was too confusing for readers to keep them straight in the large cast of pirates.

~ All of my immediate family members (parents and siblings) have name cameos in the book. Whether it’s a middle name, nickname, scrambled-up version of their name…I got them all!

~ The very first draft of Cabin Girl clocked in at almost exactly 49,000 words – just 1,000 words short of the industry-standard requirement to be considered a novel. It wasn’t a huge deal, but it bugged me to no end. I’m glad to say it’s around 83,000 now.

~ The compass Éirinn carries from her father used to be necklace from her mother in original drafts.

~ In the very first draft, there was a “walking the plank” scene that I honestly loved. For realism, it got cut.

~ Captain Gills is inspired by Long John Silver from Disney’s Treasure Planet.

~ Murphy’s name was chosen for several reasons. First, as a nod to the pink companion from Treasure Planet named Morph (Éirinn often calls him Murph). Second, because it means “hound of the sea”.

~ Éirinn’s younger sister Ciara’s name comes from a Gaelic word and means “dark-haired”. Éirinn named her when she was born as her mother wouldn’t. Naturally, Ciara has black hair, like her mother.

~ Éirinn’s mother’s condition is meant to have began as severe postpartum depression, verging into something like postpartum psychosis. In that time, no one around her understood or knew how to help.

~ Captain Gills never once refers to Éirinn by her given name. Only by nicknames and insults.

~ Another character never refers to Captain Gills as Captain, only by his name.

~ Captain Gills uses close to fifty different alliterations and insults throughout the book, only reusing his favorites.

~ Scully’s last name was chosen intentionally for its meaning.

~ To learn not to rely on adverbs, I wrote the entire first draft without using a single one. Only after I learned how to use them more effectively did some get added back into the book.

~ In personality types, Éirinn is an ISFJ, enneagram type 2w1, and a melancholic. Captain Gills is an ENTJ, enneagram type 8w7, and a choleric. Pretty much opposites!

~ In The Secretive Seas Series, the number of words in the title will indicate the chronological order of the books. For example, Cabin Girl is the second and middle book in the trilogy.

Well, there we go. I hope you found this short list of facts interesting, and that it’s not just me who thinks so, haha! Again, feel free to come back to this page after reading Cabin Girl and you might find that some of these facts make even more sense!

Stay tuned for the last two days of the launch tour!

Recent Posts:

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5)What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4)Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2)Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1)

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4)

Happy Thursday!

I can’t believe Cabin Girl was already released three days ago! Everything is continuing to go just swimmingly, and every day it makes me smile to see someone talk about this story and launch tour.

To recap, Cabin Girl is now available on Amazon as a both a paperback and an ebook. And right here on my website (with a slightly longer wait time but it comes signed, with two custom bookmarks)!

And we’re on day four of the launch tour, with three more to go! There are more fun posts, and you can find the entire schedule, book details, and giveaway information (with links) below. We’ll get on with the rest of the post after that.

Let’s jump in!

Book Information

Title: Cabin Girl

Series: The Secretive Seas Series

Author: E. G. Bella

Launch Date: September 18th, 2023

Find it on Amazon: click here!

Find it on Goodreads: click here!

Find the signed copies: click here!

Short Summary:

Sickness. Sharks. Sabotage. Secrecy.

In the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, young Éirinn O’Connell learns all she can of medicine, struggling to care for her starving family—until the night Barbary pirates raid her village, and she’s dragged from the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to the slave markets of Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn searches for a way home. But who can she trust? And how will she survive the Captain’s constant torment? Éirinn soon discovers the danger in trusting appearances and learns that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Even for the unlikeliest of people.

Launch Tour Schedule

Monday, September 18th

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1) Book Review by S. K. JacklynAuthor Interview by Abbigail Raine B.Podcast Interview by The Wordsmith’s Edge

Tuesday, September 19th

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2) Author Interview by Raina NightingaleAuthor Interview by Kate Willis

Wednesday, September 20th

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)

Thursday, September 21st

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4) (you are here!)Character Interview (Captain Gills) by Issabelle Perry

Friday, September 22nd

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5) Spotlight Post by Saraina Whitney

Saturday, September 23rd

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)Book Review by Elizabeth Mae Wolfram

Sunday, September 24th

The End…and the Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)Book Review by Virginia HendersonGiveaway Information

From September 18th through September 24th, there’s a Cabin Girl themed giveaway! The winners will be contacted and announced September 25th!

Yes, there are prizes for one U.S. winner and one international winner!

Here are the prizes to be won:

U. S. Only: One signed paperback copy of Cabin GirlTwo custom themed candles by FlickerwixTwo custom bookmarksOne 18″ golden compass necklace by Starlight by Silvie (Etsy)Lemon/ginger herbal teaInternational: One ebook copy of Cabin GirlThemed phone and desktop wallpapersExclusive first chapter of Gills (upcoming Cabin Girl prequel novel)

Take a flip through some of the prize pictures below! (Candles and wallpapers not pictured)

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is go to click THIS LINK.

Good luck and happy entering!

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl

We’re now on day four of working our way through information about Cabin Girl, including giving reasons you may want to read it, and glimpses of some of the major elements in the story. What’s next?

Before I pick up a book, I usually like to hear from other people that have read it, to see whether they enjoyed it or not. What kinds of comments do they have? What did they like? Will I probably like it too?

Reviews are incredibly important for authors. And in particular, indie authors that don’t have a huge marketing budget, rely heavily on reviews to sell books. Books with lots of reviews (even if there are some negative ones mixed in!) sell so much better than books with no reviews.

As readers, not many of us are willing to give some new author a try if no one else has read that book yet. We don’t want to risk our time and money on something we don’t know. What if it’s awful?

That’s where reviews come in. Even if they’re just a line or two, that feedback can be the difference between a potential reader giving our books a shot, or being too wary and passing on by. And whether the reviews are on the marketplace (for me, that would be Amazon), sent directly to the author to be used in posts like this or in marketing materials, or on a review site like Goodreads, they’re all so helpful!

There aren’t many reviews out there for Cabin Girl yet, but in case you haven’t seen the ones that are floating around, I wanted to share some today. Here are a few of them!

(And if you’ve read Cabin Girl, or plan to soon, please consider leaving a review wherever you’re able!)

“The context was intriguing and exciting. [Cabin Girl] had me hooked on page one!

Skyler Bennett (beta reader)

“I rarely read historical fiction that isn’t any way fantasy, but I did enjoy this one. I particularly enjoyed the protagonist, as she is a strong young woman, but one who’s very human and has her vulnerabilities and weaknesses.”

Raina Nightingale

“Cabin Girl is among my favorite novels. E. G. Bella has done an amazing job weaving her characters, plot, and theme into an exciting adventure that showcases the power of faith in the most difficult of circumstances.”

J.F. Michaelis (beta reader)

“Cabin Girl is a wonderful novel, full of pirates, subterfuge, a quest for identity, and poignant redemption. A great read for anyone looking for hope, adventure, or a light in the darkness.”

Rachel Underwood (beta reader)

“E. G. Bella does a superb job of crafting despicable and lovable characters. Her nuances are perfectly captivating and surprising. The story is well thought out, and the plot keeps you guessing. There are characters you will root for forever… I appreciate that you never fully know what the next step is. [Cabin Girl] is a up-all-night, page-turning, on-the-edge-of-your seat work of art. She does a beautiful job of crafting faith, family, and delightful characters.”

Sarah S. (beta reader)

“”I loved this book, especially the interesting relationship between Éirinn and Captain Gills. Once I got started, it was very hard to put down.”

J. A. Wood (beta reader)

“E. G. Bella’s debut novel tells a gripping story filled with suspense, emotion, and compelling themes… The plot and setting of this historical-fiction novel are well-drawn and convincing. As she battles the trials of the sea, Éirinn’s internal struggles help endear her to readers, and her continually evolving relationship with Captain Gills adds a unique twist to the narrative. The conclusion is extremely moving, and the themes of redemption, kindness, and perseverance are presented wonderfully. With colorful characters, exciting scenes, and emotional depth, Cabin Girl weaves a meaningful tale that is well worth the read.”

Jordyn Hadden, author of The Time Travel Team: The Great Historic Mystery

“…Overall, E.G. Bella’s storytelling captures the monotony of life on a ship with the adventures and dangers that come because it’s a pirate ship with excellence. The plot twists and themes are well developed and her Christian message shines through naturally, never feeling forced. 

My favorite part about Cabin Girl was the characters. Éirinn was a strong but not overly strong female character who was inspiring to watch and relatable to listen to. I could feel her emotions and her reactions to situations are both human and heroic. Captain Gills made me shudder and smile, laugh and cry, cringe and wonder. His villainy and humanity were perfectly combined to create the perfect character for the situation. I rarely knew what he would do next or how Éirinn would react to it. As for the other characters, the friends, enemies and everything in between, they never felt one dimensional or like they only existed to bring a certain plot point or emotion to a scene. They were all real people, living their lives and their stories even when not on scene. In conclusion, Cabin Girl is an excellent book for readers of all ages, but I would especially recommend it for pre teens, teens, and young adults who love historical action adventure.

S. K. Jacklyn, author and blogger

“I just received this book, and the cover illustration is beautiful. I am only a few pages in, but I am already hooked by the characters and setting. Love pirates, adventure and faith, so this is a WIN. I am excited to get off work and be able to finish this intriguing tale. The little I have read is leaving me with the desire to just sit and binge read the rest. You will not be disappointed; I am not, and I am only a few pages in. Thank you, E. G. Bella.”

Amazon Review

So thankful for all of this feedback!

I’ll see you tomorrow for more fun facts about Cabin Girl!

Recent Posts:

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5)What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4)Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)

Happy Wednesday!

It’s now been two whole days since Cabin Girl was released, and it’s continuing to go so well! I’m so thankful for everyone who’s taken part in the launch tour so far, purchased copies, and supported me.

To recap, Cabin Girl is now available on Amazon as a both a paperback and an ebook. And right here on my website (with a slightly longer wait time but it comes signed, with two custom bookmarks)!

And still the launch tour continues! We’re on day three, with some more fun posts, and you can find the entire schedule, book details, and giveaway information (with links) below. We’ll get on with the rest of the post after that.

Let’s jump in!

Book Information

Title: Cabin Girl

Series: The Secretive Seas Series

Author: E. G. Bella

Launch Date: September 18th, 2023

Find it on Amazon: click here!

Find it on Goodreads: click here!

Find the signed copies: click here!

Short Summary:

Sickness. Sharks. Sabotage. Secrecy.

In the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, young Éirinn O’Connell learns all she can of medicine, struggling to care for her starving family—until the night Barbary pirates raid her village, and she’s dragged from the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to the slave markets of Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn searches for a way home. But who can she trust? And how will she survive the Captain’s constant torment? Éirinn soon discovers the danger in trusting appearances and learns that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Even for the unlikeliest of people.

Launch Tour Schedule

Monday, September 18th

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1) Book Review by S. K. JacklynAuthor Interview by Abbigail Raine B.Podcast Interview by The Wordsmith’s Edge

Tuesday, September 19th

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2) Author Interview by Raina NightingaleAuthor Interview by Kate Willis

Wednesday, September 20th

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3) (you are here!)Spotlight Post by Kellyn Roth

Thursday, September 21st

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4)Character Interview (Captain Gills) by Issabelle Perry

Friday, September 22nd

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5) Spotlight Post by Saraina Whitney

Saturday, September 23rd

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)Book Review by Elizabeth Mae Wolfram

Sunday, September 24th

The End…and the Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)Book Review by Virginia HendersonGiveaway Information

From September 18th through September 24th, there’s a Cabin Girl themed giveaway! The winners will be contacted and announced September 25th!

Yes, there are prizes for one U.S. winner and one international winner!

Here are the prizes to be won:

U. S. Only: One signed paperback copy of Cabin GirlTwo custom themed candles by FlickerwixTwo custom bookmarksOne 18″ golden compass necklace by Starlight by Silvie (Etsy)Lemon/ginger herbal teaInternational: One ebook copy of Cabin GirlThemed phone and desktop wallpapersExclusive first chapter of Gills (upcoming Cabin Girl prequel novel)

Take a flip through some of the prize pictures below! (Candles and wallpapers not pictured)

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is go to click THIS LINK.

Good luck and happy entering!

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl

If you read my post yesterday, where we talked about why you might like to read Cabin Girl (or why it may not be your type of book), you’ll know that one of the major aspects of Cabin Girl is Christianity. It’s a Christian fiction book, the protagonist is Christian, and there are many Christian themes and values inside.

Not all of my books are explicitly Christian (although they will always have truthful and hopeful values), but it was important to me that Cabin Girl was. Through the protagonist’s struggles, growth, development, and relationships, I wanted to show very clearly how God can work in our lives as well.

There are so many places in this story that remind me of specific verses from the Bible. Today I wanted to take a moment and share a few of those verses. Hopefully they give you an even bigger glimpse into the heart behind Cabin Girl.

(And yes, I am aware of the cultural and historical background behind some of these verses. But in many cases, the truth behind them still apply to us today. And with that, they reminded me of this book.)

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

This relates so much to Cabin Girl. Specifically Éirinn, the protagonist’s, journey. Throughout the book, she gets to experience firsthand God’s grace and provision through both fire and water – numerous times. I didn’t quote specific verses in the book, but this is one I can picture Éirinn reciting over and over.

Genesis 50:20

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Genesis 50:20 NIV

Joseph says this to his brothers, who betrayed him, in the Old Testament. While in the midst of writing Cabin Girl, I read this verse and couldn’t help but think of Éirinn’s situation. God uses other’s ill intentions and horrible actions to accomplish His good purposes, and that’s definitely what happened for Éirinn too.

Matthew 14:27

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Matthew 14:27 NIV

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Psalm 56:3-4

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
    In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 56:3-4 NIV

Throughout Cabin Girl, Éirinn’s biggest struggle is her fear. She fears the water, the pirates, everything around her, for a good part of the story. She’s not without her reasons, but that fear cripples her, and ends up keeping her in a very bad place. She has to learn to have courage and remember that God is with her.

1 Corinthians 4:7-8

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:7-8 NIV

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46:1-3 NIV

Éirinn doesn’t think of herself as a strong person. She’s fearful, like I mentioned earlier, and she has a physical disability that makes certain things more difficult. Her biggest strength is her trust in God’s care. She goes through so many difficult things, and life does get better for her eventually – not because she conquered the challenges on her own, but because of God’s light shining through her as she trusted and kept the faith. That’s how it is for us too. We just have to follow God’s leading, and He’ll do the rest.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Several characters in Cabin Girl can relate to this verse, and I think it’s a great one to sum up the heart of the book. God is a healer, redeemer, and restorer, and when He saves us, He wipes the slate clean. That definitely comes into play in this story.

And with that, thank you for reading! Hopefully this was another helpful glimpse into Cabin Girl, and stay tuned for the rest of the fun and informative posts going on in the rest of the launch tour!

Recent Posts:

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2)Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1)

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2)

Happy Tuesday!

Cabin Girl has now been out in the wild for a full day, and I’m so excited with how everything is going! Everyone has been so supportive and it means the world to me. Thank you!

To recap, Cabin Girl is now available on Amazon as a both a paperback and an ebook. And right here on my website (with a slightly longer wait time but it comes signed, with two custom bookmarks)!

And the launch tour continues on! We’re on day two, with some more fun posts and interviews, and you can find the entire schedule, book details, and giveaway information (with links) below. Then we’ll get on with the rest of the post.

Let’s jump in!

Book Information

Title: Cabin Girl

Series: The Secretive Seas Series

Author: E. G. Bella

Launch Date: September 18th, 2023

Find it on Amazon: click here!

Find it on Goodreads: click here!

Find the signed copies: click here!

Short Summary:

Sickness. Sharks. Sabotage. Secrecy.

In the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, young Éirinn O’Connell learns all she can of medicine, struggling to care for her starving family—until the night Barbary pirates raid her village, and she’s dragged from the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to the slave markets of Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn searches for a way home. But who can she trust? And how will she survive the Captain’s constant torment? Éirinn soon discovers the danger in trusting appearances and learns that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Even for the unlikeliest of people.

Launch Tour Schedule

Monday, September 18th

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1) Book Review by S. K. JacklynAuthor Interview by Abbigail Raine B.Podcast Interview by The Wordsmith’s Edge

Tuesday, September 19th

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2) (you are here!)Author Interview by Raina NightingaleAuthor Interview & Spotlight Post by Kate Willis (Instagram)

Wednesday, September 20th

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)Spotlight Post by Kellyn Roth

Thursday, September 21st

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4)Character Interview (Captain Gills) by Issabelle Perry

Friday, September 22nd

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5) Spotlight Post by Saraina Whitney

Saturday, September 23rd

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)Book Review by Elizabeth Mae Wolfram

Sunday, September 24th

The End…and the Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)Book Review by Virginia HendersonGiveaway Information

This week through the end of September 24th, there’s a Cabin Girl themed giveaway! The winners will be contacted and announced September 25th!

Yes, there are prizes for one U.S. winner and one international winner!

Here are the prizes to be won:

U. S. Only: One signed paperback copy of Cabin GirlTwo custom themed candles by FlickerwixTwo custom bookmarksOne 18″ golden compass necklace by Starlight by Silvie (Etsy)Lemon/ginger herbal teaInternational: One ebook copy of Cabin GirlThemed phone and desktop wallpapersExclusive first chapter of Gills (upcoming Cabin Girl prequel novel)

Go ahead and take a flip through some of the prize pictures below! (Candles and wallpapers not pictured)

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is go to click THIS LINK.

Good luck and happy entering!

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl

This sounds like a pretty presumptuous blog post, doesn’t it? But I promise it’s not what it sounds like.

I like knowing what kinds of things are in a book. Am I the target audience? Does it have tropes I enjoy? Are the themes ones that I want to fill my head and heart with?

So if you’re like me, don’t worry, because we’re hopefully going to offer some insight for you.

Why should you read Cabin Girl? You should read Cabin Girl, if you enjoy:

Pirate/Nautical Story Settings

This is pretty obvious, but pirates, the ocean, and ships are pretty huge parts of Cabin Girl. In fact, more of the story happens at sea than on land, and most of the characters are pirates or sailors of some sort. So if you usually enjoy stories with a healthy dose of nautical or pirate-y aspects, you’re in luck! You’ll find an assortment of ship and sailing terms, ocean traveling montages, sharks, and more.

Underlying Mystery and Big Plot Twists

While pirates are a huge part of Cabin Girl, it’s not the same kind of pirate story as, say, The Pirates of the Caribbean. The focus is not on mythical quests or treasure hunting, and it’s not set in tropical waters. Instead, the story centers around Barbary pirates, slave traders from Africa that hunt Europe’s coasts. And with that darker tone comes an undercurrent of mystery throughout the novel, naturally leading to some plot twists and big realizations. If you like being kept guessing, this is the type of book for you!

Character-Focused Stories

Again, even as Cabin Girl features less action and adventure, it hones in that much deeper into the characters. The feel and tone of this book is more introspective, and you really get to immerse yourself in the characters’ stories and personalities. That said, there are still plenty of exciting moments, but the primary focus of the story is to stay near enough to the characters to really experience their growth.

Unwilling Mentor Characters

This is one of my favorite tropes, or type of character. You can expect to find an unwilling, grumpy mentor character in Cabin Girl. He may fill the role of teaching the protagonist what she needs to know, but he certainly isn’t happy about it. And as the story continues, he may just learn some valuable lessons as well.

Books That Deal With Tough Topics

Cabin Girl tackles some difficult topics, including slavery, death, depression, previous self-harm, and grief. Losses and incredibly challenging situations come up, and the characters struggle to keep putting one foot in front of the other sometimes. Like real life, it can be messy, painful, and discouraging – and is, more often than not. If you prefer books that are real and honest, this might be one you appreciate.

Prominent Christian Themes

Although there are frequent hardships and tough topics covered in Cabin Girl, the book isn’t depressing. It’s not hopeless, and it doesn’t glorify the darkness the characters experience. Because this is a Christian fiction novel, everything is approached through a Christian viewpoint, through the eyes of the believer protagonist. Despite all the pain involved, this book ultimately offers hope and valuable insight into how those bad things happen in life can be used by God for a greater and amazing purpose.

Animal Companions

There’s an adorable, sweet, and smart furry companion in Cabin Girl, and I’ve been told he’s frequently a favorite character. What book would be complete a loyal and lovable sidekick? This one just happens to have floppy ears and a tail.

So now that we’ve covered why you should read Cabin Girl, what about the reasons you shouldn’t? Well, if you’re not a fan of fiction that contains any of the things we’ve just listed, this may not be the book for you. You can always give it a try, but if you don’t, or try and don’t enjoy it, that’s okay! Not everyone has the same taste in books. But there are certainly plenty of stories to go around and I think that’s great.

If this doesn’t sound like the book for you, but you still want to support Cabin Girl‘s release, there are still plenty of things you can do to help the story reach the target audience. Here are just a few ideas:

Recommend it to friends that enjoy these types of storiesComment on or otherwise engage with posts about itShare posts about it on social mediaFollow my blog or social media, or join my newsletterRequest it at your local libraryIf you have an online platform, host me for an interview, Q+A, or guest post Anything else you can think of! If it spreads the word, it’s helpful.

With that, thank you for reading this post, and I hope this helped offer a valuable glimpse into Cabin Girl. Stay tuned for even more facts, themes, and reviews going up the rest of this week!

Recent Posts:

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2)Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1)21 Lessons I’ve Learned in 21 Years

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1)

Happy Monday!

I’m prepared to sound dramatic when I say I’ve been waiting for this day for a very long time….

Cabin Girl is now a published book!

It’s my pleasure to announce that you can now find Cabin Girl on Amazon as a both a paperback and an ebook.

And, if signed copies are more your thing, those are now available right here on my website (with a slightly longer wait time but two custom bookmarks)!

With that exciting news comes the start of the launch tour! From today through September 24th, there is a fantastic line-up of posts, social media tags, interviews, podcast episodes, and a giveaway – all of which I’ll be sharing here as they go up each day!

Let’s dive into the specifics!

Book Information

Title: Cabin Girl

Series: The Secretive Seas Series

Author: E. G. Bella

Launch Date: September 18th, 2023

Find it on Amazon: click here!

Find it on Goodreads: click here!

Find the signed copies: click here!

Short Summary:

Sickness. Sharks. Sabotage. Secrecy.

In the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, young Éirinn O’Connell learns all she can of medicine, struggling to care for her starving family—until the night Barbary pirates raid her village, and she’s dragged from the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to the slave markets of Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn searches for a way home. But who can she trust? And how will she survive the Captain’s constant torment? Éirinn soon discovers the danger in trusting appearances and learns that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Even for the unlikeliest of people.

Launch Tour Schedule

Monday, September 18th

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1) (you are here!)Book Review by S. K. JacklynBook Review & Author Interview by Abbigail Raine B.Podcast Interview by The Wordsmith’s Edge

Tuesday, September 19th

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2)Author Interview by Raina NightingaleAuthor Interview & Spotlight Post by Kate Willis (Instagram)

Wednesday, September 20th

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)Spotlight Post by Kellyn Roth

Thursday, September 21st

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4)Character Interview (Captain Gills) by Issabelle Perry

Friday, September 22nd

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5) Spotlight Post by Saraina Whitney

Saturday, September 23rd

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)Book Review by Elizabeth Mae Wolfram

Sunday, September 24th

The End…and the Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)Book Review by Virginia HendersonGiveaway Information

This week, today through the end of September 24th, there is a Cabin Girl themed giveaway! The winners will be contacted and announced September 25th!

I’m extremely excited for this, as, yes, there are prizes for one U.S. winner and one international winner!

Here are the prizes to be won:

U. S. Only: One signed paperback copy of Cabin GirlTwo custom themed candles by FlickerwixTwo custom bookmarksOne 18″ golden compass necklace by Starlight by Silvie (Etsy)Lemon/ginger herbal teaInternational: One ebook copy of Cabin GirlThemed phone and desktop wallpapersExclusive first chapter of Gills (upcoming Cabin Girl prequel novel)

Go ahead and take a flip through some of the prize pictures below! (Candles and wallpapers not pictured)

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is go to click THIS LINK.

Good luck and happy entering!

When I first started this novel five years ago, I had no idea what was in store.

I definitely never thought I would reach this point. I dreamed about it, and wanted to work at it, yes. But I didn’t think I would honestly make it. There have been countless ups and downs.

But now, here we are.

(And this is where we do the dance of joy!)

Cabin Girl is my second published work of all time, my first full-length novel to be released, and only the first of many, many more to come, God willing!

It’s near and dear to my heart, not just because I’ve spent five years wrestling with it, but because it’s taught me so much. And now it’s brought me to this point of being ready to truly jump headfirst into my indie author journey, and – hopefully – share lots more stories with you all as time continues.

Thank you for being part of that journey! It takes a village to accomplish something like this, and I’ve had the most incredible support system getting to this point. I’m very grateful for each and every person that’s encouraged me throughout the process.

And I look forward to spending the rest of the week celebrating with you all!

Stay tuned!

Recent Posts:

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1)21 Lessons I’ve Learned in 21 Years“What Makes Me Pick Up a Book” Tag