Cathy Bryant's Blog: CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog, page 22

Book Launch Blowout! HUGE Sale

Sorry for the second blog post today, but I decided at the last minute to run a big book launch blowout in celebration of the release of CROSSROADS next week. My compulsiveness is your gain!

Book Launch Blowout – 99-cent sale

Now a 99-cent sale may not seem like all that big of a blowout to you. But what if I told you it was on not just one novel, but five? (And I’ll even throw in a non-fiction book to boot!)

Here are the books included in the 99-cent sale on Amazon Kindle:

But the BEST part is that even the Kindle version of CROSSROADS is currently on sale for 99-cents.

These steals won’t last long, so snatch ‘em up while you can!

A few other things to look out for take advantage of:

-CROSSROADS Virtual Book Tour (starts Tuesday, April 7th and several of these blogs are also hosting print or digital giveaways of the book

-CROSSROADS Book Launch Party (Thursday, April 30th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. CDT on Facebook) LOTS of fun and prizes, including a Kindle Fire HD 6 giveaway. RSVP here to join the fun: https://www.facebook.com/events/714654335299203/

 

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Free Facebook Cover Photos To Celebrate Easter

No holiday more defines Christianity than Easter.

Because of Jesus, His work on the cross, and His victory over sin and death, we are forgiven, made clean, and given the promise of eternal life when we pass from this earth.

It’s mind-boggling to me that He would take my punishment for my sins. That He would, through His sacrificial death, wipe the slate clean and make me new. That He would pay the ransom to buy me back. And He did it ‘once for all’ because of His great love for us.

This is indeed great good news–news I want to shout from the mountain tops! Great good news I want the world to know and understand.

Free Facebook Covers To Celebrate Easter.

As most of you who follow this blog regularly know, I love playing around with photos. And I can think of no better way to use this quirky hobby of mine than to make Facebook covers for us to use as we celebrate Easter and our risen Lord and Savior.

Please feel free to use the following pictures on your Facebook profiles. They are already formatted to the correct size. All you have to do is right-click on them to save them to your computer. (NOTE: All the photos were found on freeimages.com.)

Happy Easter, one and all! May we never forget or take lightly what God has done for us through Jesus.

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April Fool’s Day Sale on Christian Romantic Suspense Novel

Who doesn’t love a Christian fiction bargain?

April Fool’s Day Sale – No Foolin’!

Check out this April Fool’s Day Sale for A BRIDGE UNBROKEN, the fifth stand-alone book in the Miller’s Creek novels and a Christian romantic suspense.

The Kindle version of the book will be on sale at Amazon from Tuesday, March 31 through Tuesday, April 7, 2015 for only 99-cents, so snag it while you can. (A reader friend took the above photo when the book popped up on her Kindle. How cool is that?)

The book is rated at 4.7 stars with 45 reviews on Amazon, is an Amazon Kindle Bestseller, and has a spiritual theme of forgiveness. Please share the tweet below or let your friends and family members who enjoy Christian fiction know about the sale. (Or you can use the share buttons to the left or below to share this post.)

99-cent sale: A BRIDGE UNBROKEN #ChristianFiction 4.7* #forgiveness http://amzn.to/1qTlrzN
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More About A BRIDGE UNBROKEN

Letting go to build a bridge…

Dakota Kelly is a frightened runaway who wants to lay low so her painful past will hopefully disappear. But her plan to start afresh is derailed when she co-inherits her late grandfather’s farm with Chance Johnson, the man responsible for the scars on her heart.

But Chance isn’t the only ghost from the past. Someone else is out to get her and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Will Chance and Dakota lay aside their grudges to restore the old farmhouse and bridge, or will evil forces sabotage their attempt at forgiveness?

(Psst! If you want to take the book for a test drive before you buy, you can read and/or download a sample chapter here: http://www.catbryant.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/A-Bridge-Unbroken-Chapter-One.pdf. Oh, and if you’re on Goodreads, would you please take a minute to add the book to your shelf?)

Two Videos For Your Viewing Pleasure

A BRIDGE UNBROKEN Book Trailer

The Story Behind the Story of A BRIDGE UNBROKEN

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

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You’re Invited to the Party

Who doesn’t like parties? (Especially parties with prizes!)

Party – You’re Invited

Well, you’re invited to the CROSSROADS Book Launch Party which will take place on Facebook on April 30, 2015 from 7:00-8:30 Central time. As indicated by the name of the party, it’s in celebration of the release of the latest Miller’s Creek novel, CROSSROADS.

CROSSROADS book launch party April 30 w/Kindle Fire HD6 #giveaway! Details here:
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The book is currently available for order in print format and pre-order for Kindle format.

The book is a Christian contemporary romance with a spiritual theme of winning back prodigals. Here’s the book blurb to whet your appetite:

A soldier battles for a prodigal’s soul…

After a devastating divorce, a bitter single mom and atheist starts her own real estate company in the nostalgic and picturesque town of Miller’s Creek, Texas. Then her young daughter’s disturbing symptoms lead doctors to discover that her leukemia has relapsed. With her new life now turned upside down, Mara Hedwig struggles to keep her business afloat. And her daughter’s worsening condition forces her to rethink her beliefs about Carter Callahan and his God. Will Mara make the return to Christian faith in the face of life’s greatest challenge?

An ex-military operative struggles with the return to civilian life while coping with his rebellious teen-aged daughter. During a house-search, Carter meets Mara, a headstrong Realtor who wants nothing to do with his God. But when Mara’s little girl is diagnosed with leukemia, the clock begins ticking for him to convince Mara to return to a life of faith. Just as he seems to be making headway, circumstances beyond his control throw his efforts into a tailspin. Can Carter learn to rest in the sovereignty of God?

We’ll celebrate the entire month of April with the book’s virtual tour (more details later), and conclude with the launch party on April 30th.

Party Prizes

First off, there’s a $10 Amazon Gift Card up for grabs for the person who invites the most people who attend the party. Simply click the ‘Invite’ button under the header on the Facebook event page. You’ll have two options: invite friends or share the event. On the event page, there’s a place to list the person who invited you. We’ll verify all this the night of the party to determine the winner.

Other prizes include:

Miller’s Creek pens
Miller’s Creek mug
Miller’s Creek tote bag
Miller’s Creek t-shirts
Autographed print copies of Miller’s Creek novels
Digital copies of Miller’s Creek novels

AND…

Party Grand Prize

The Grand Prize for party night is a Kindle Fire HD 6. You can enter the drawing via the Rafflecopter below. The winner will be chosen randomly via Rafflecopter.com and announced at the party.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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A Healthy Serving Of ???

DISCLAIMER: This post is guaranteed to make your mouth water!

Not only am I a foodie, but I married a foodie. And as a self-confessed foodie, I see it as my responsibility to tantalize my reader’s taste buds with lots of food descriptions in the course of the Miller’s Creek novels. (In writer’s lingo, it’s called sensory detail.)

Anyway, I thought you might enjoy some of the recipes that the characters in the latest stand-alone book CROSSROADS enjoy. Bon appetit! (And while you’re here, snag a free digital copy of the first Miller’s Creek novel TEXAS ROADS as well as a free download of the Miller’s Creek Cookbook. Scroll down for more details.)

Carter’s Crab Dip

(Carter, the brawny soldier-turned-policeman and hero of CROSSROADS, uncovers the heroine’s penchant for seafood. He creates this special seafood dip for a picnic lunch the two share.)

INGREDIENTS:

1 8-oz. cream cheese and 1 3-oz. cream cheese, softened

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 T. lemon juice

2 T. mayonnaise

1/2 small finely chopped white onion

garlic powder and salt to taste

1/2 bottle of cocktail sauce on top (can substitute Tabasco sauce if you want the heat)

1 7-oz. can of crab meat

fresh or dried parsley

cocktail crackers

DIRECTIONS:

1. Blend the first six ingredients together well, and spread thin on a serving dish.

2. Spread the cocktail sauce on top as a sort of icing.

3. Garnish with fresh or dried parsley.

4. Chill in the refrigerator, and serve with cocktail crackers.

Mara’s Roast Beef

(Mara, the bitter single mom, cynic, and heroine from CROSSROADS, knows full well that Carter Callahan is a meat-and-potatoes kinda guy. She fixes this meal when he and his daughter Chloe come over for dinner.)

INGREDIENTS:

1 (3-1/2- to 4-pound) boneless chuck roast, trimmed

1/2 c. soy sauce

1 can beef broth

1 bay leaf

3 to 4 peppercorns

1 t. dried and crushed rosemary

1 t. dried thyme

1 t. garlic powder

12 French sandwich rolls, split

Provolone cheese

sautéed onion (if desired)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place trimmed roast in a 5-quart slow cooker. Combine soy sauce and next six ingredients; pour over roast. Add water to slow cooker until roast is almost covered.

2. Cook, covered, on LOW for 7 hours or until very tender. Remove roast and reserve the broth for dipping, if desired. Shred roast with a fork.

3. Can be eaten alone or with sandwich rolls. If eaten with rolls, place the roast on the open-faced rolls, add sautéed onions (if desired), and Provolone cheese. Place in your oven on high broil, until bread is toasty and cheese is bubbly.

Yield: 12 servings (or one hungry policeman).

Find Out More About CROSSROADS

Hope you enjoy these delightful delicacies from Mara and Carter, the hero and heroine of CROSSROADS (a Miller’s Creek novel and Christian romance by Cathy Bryant). To find out more about the book, please visit: http://www.CatBryant.com/Crossroads.

Free Miller’s Creek Cookbook

For more mouth-watering recipes from the back-roads Texas town of Miller’s Creek–where folks are friendly, the iced tea is sweet, and Mama Beth’s front porch beckons–snag this free PDF download of the Miller’s Creek Cookbook: http://www.catbryant.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Millers-Creek-Cookbook-1.pdf

FREE #MillersCreek Cookbook via @Cathy_Bryant here:
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Please Share the News

Happy Monday, everyone! I have a HUGE favor to ask.

Please Share the News About CROSSROADS

I could really use your help in spreading the word about the upcoming release of CROSSROADS, the sixth Miller’s Creek novel. The book tells the story of a bitter prodigal and the solder who goes to battle for her soul and to win her back to the Lord. (You can find out more about the story, view the book trailer, read a sample chapter, and get details about the book’s launch party on Facebook with a Kindle Fire HD6 giveaway here: http://www.CatBryant.com/crossroads.)

Please support ThunderClap campaign for CROSSROADS launch #ChristianFiction #prodigals #WinThemBack
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Anyway, one way to help spread the word about an event or cause is through an online website called ThunderClap. This site helps folks gather supporters, and once the goal of 100 supporters is reached, they will blast a message through the social media channels of supporters. You can find out more details and add your support by visiting the link below. (It is a secure site.)

Thank you so much for your support! I believe very strongly in the spiritual message of this book, so it means a lot that you are willing to help me share the news.

Video Format

Here’s the video format of this post. You are welcome to share the video or the post. Thanks!

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Two-Step Process For Prosperity and Success

If I were to ask you ‘Would you like to be prosperous and successful?’ what would you answer?

I dare say that there’s not a person on the planet who would say anything other than a resounding “Yes!”

Though a broad generalization, I believe all human beings seek after these things. Unfortunately, we sometimes seek prosperity and success in the wrong ways and in the wrong places.

Want prosperity and success? 2-step process for acquiring both here:
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The Bible’s Way to Prosperity and Success

For those of us who believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, His revelation of Himself and His ways, and our guidebook/road map for the best way to live, we don’t have to look anyplace else for prosperity and success.

In my daily chronological Bible reading plan, I’ve been following the account of God’s miraculous deliverance of the young nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt, their wilderness wanderings, and God’s revelation of Who He was and what He expected. (I’ve been even more fascinated this time around, probably because of our own God-following journey of faith in a move closer to our family.)

Over and over in these first few books of the Bible, God reiterates that there is a two-step process to prosperity and success that can only be found in following Him.

God’s Two-Step Process – Step One

The first step to God’s blessings and a life of prosperity and success according to His standards is obedience to His ways as revealed in His Word.

“Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God…” ~Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (NASB)

Before the above passage, God reminds the people of the commands He had given them through Moses. When we obey the commands that deal with our relationship to God we demonstrate our love and devotion to Him. When we obey the commands that deal with our relationship with our fellow man we demonstrate our love for others. This fulfills Jesus’ command to wholeheartedly love God and our fellow man (Mark 12:30-31).

After the above passage, God lists the blessings He will provide in response to their obedience. All the blessings He lists lead to a life of prosperity and success–not necessarily as the world offers, but even better–by God’s definition. God also gives them the consequences for not obeying, which lead to a life of curses, destruction, and death.

All these blessings will…overtake you IF you obey the Lord your God. -Deut. 28:12
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God’s Two-Step Process – Step Two

The second step in God’s recipe for prosperity and success is tied in so closely with the first that it could really be a one-step process.

Faith.

(I know I’ve written a lot about this topic here lately, but that is where my life experiences have me at the moment.)

Think about it. Obedience requires faith. Do we obey what someone says if we don’t trust them? No!

Faith requires that we obey the object of our trust, even when it makes no sense. And we can’t please God without it (Hebrews 11:6).

Faith requires obedience to the object of our trust.
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In Conclusion

The old hymn is correct. There’s no way we can experience God’s blessings–His promised prosperity and success–unless we’re willing to “trust and obey.”

I’ve included the video of the old hymn below, because it perfectly goes along with this blog post and also the story line of CROSSROADS, the latest Miller’s Creek book. Not only do we trust and obey, but we do so because we believe He is who He says He is. God is real, and He’s not dead!

Thank you for sharing this post via the share buttons below.

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You Won’t Believe Who I’m Interviewing Today

I’m delighted to welcome the characters from the latest Miller’s Creek novel CROSSROADS (a Christian Romance) to my blog today. Please help me welcome Mara, Carter, Ashton, and Chloe. (applause)

(Characters enter. First on stage is a lanky and slender business-woman with her hair pulled back into an attractive chignon. Behind her is a broad-shouldered man in a polo and slacks. Next is a pretty teenager with wiry curls, followed by a well-behaved little girl who looks very pleased to be here. The four take their seats.)

Let’s start with Mara. I understand that you own your own business in Miller’s Creek, Texas. What kind of business is it?

Mara (smoothing her business skirt and crossing her ankles in a very business-like manner): Yes. I own a real estate company. I started the business when Ashton and I first moved to Miller’s Creek.

Where did you move from?

Mara: The Dallas area.

That seems like quite a stretch–from a city like Dallas to a small town like Miller’s Creek.

Mara: It is quite a bit different, but I knew that Miller’s Creek, because of its peaceful and nostalgic atmosphere, attracted a lot of attention from people moving to the area. I also felt like it would be a good place to raise my daughter Ashton. (She smiles at the youngest girl on stage, who has big blue eyes and a smile bigger than…well, Texas!)

Ashton, how do you like living in Miller’s Creek?

Ashton (her eyes sparkling and her face radiant): It’s fabulous. That’s where my mom met and fell in love with Carter, and where Chloe met and fell in love with me. (The audience and characters all share a laugh.)

Chloe (the pretty teen-ager sitting beside Ashton elbows the little girl and winks): You got that right, squirt!

And Chloe, how do you like living in Miller’s Creek?

Chloe (her smile disappearing): At first it was really hard. I struggled because I didn’t really know my dad too well. Most of my childhood, he was in either Iraq or Afghanistan serving our country. Also, it was a new place and I didn’t know anyone at school. That’s hard for a teenager. (Her eyes glisten with tears.)

Carter (puts an arm around his daughter’s shoulder and hugs her close): But she handled it like a pro. Now she has lots of friends in Miller’s Creek and is the best cheerleader you’ve ever seen. (They exchange a smile.)

Carter, tell us about yourself.

Carter (places one ankle on the opposite knee): As Chloe told you, I served in the military for several years. When we first met Mara and Ashton I was on the Miller’s Creek police force.

Sounds like you enjoy that kind of work.

Carter: In a sleepy place like Miller’s Creek? Hardly.

Mara (begins laughing, a raucous laugh that totally doesn’t fit her polished business image): Carter, is…how shall I put it? Well, let’s just say that he lives for danger. (She pats him on the knee.) Miller’s Creek is about as dangerous as a baby kitten.

Mara, how has knowing Carter impacted you?

(Now Carter chuckles.) Carter: Well, first of all, I taught her how to have fun again. (He reaches over and squeezes Mara’s hand as they smile broadly at one another.)

Mara: That would be true.

And what is his idea of fun?

Mara (her smile disappearing and her tone wry): Jumping out of airplanes and rappelling off cliffs.

(My eyebrows shoot upward.) And you did those things as well?

Mara (her toothy grin back in place): Not right away. It took a little convincing.

Carter: Huh. More like a shove.

(Ashton giggles.)

Ashton, do you find Carter to be funny?

Ashton: All the time! If you ask me, he’s the best thing that ever happened to my mom. (She rolls her eyes knowingly.) Totally necessary for her happiness, in my opinion.

Mara: Watch it, prissy. (Mara faces me.) Back to your question of how Carter and Chloe have impacted our lives. The most important way in which they’ve made a difference is in being there for us and never giving up hope. (Her eyes pool with tears as she turns their way, her voice husky with emotion.) Ashton and I are very grateful.

(Handing Mara a tissue, which she takes and uses to gently wipe her eyes.) Can you be more specific?

Mara (suddenly cautious): This is a trick question, isn’t it? To see if I’ll divulge the storyline of CROSSROADS so you can put us in even a worse predicament the next time you write a story about us. Thanks, but no thanks. (She stands, and the other three stand with her.) Come on, let’s get out of here before we get in trouble.

Carter (placing a protective arm around her waist): Agreed. (The four make their way off-stage.)

(Turning to the audience.) Well, I guess that’s the end of the interview. If you want to find out more about these characters, I guess you’ll have to read CROSSROADS, the sixth stand-alone book in the Miller’s Creek novels and a Christian contemporary romance. Below you’ll find a link where you can find out more about the book. Thank you so much for joining us today!

To find out more about CROSSROADS and its characters, please visit:

http://www.CatBryant.com/Crossroads

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St. Patty’s Day Sale

Blame it on my Irish heritage, but I just couldn’t let St. Patrick’s Day slip by without a special sale for reader friends.

From today (March 13) through midnight of St. Patrick’s Day (Tuesday, March 17), each of the following books will be on sale for Amazon Kindle for $0.99. (Want to take advantage of these deals but don’t have a Kindle? No worries! You can get a free Kindle reading app for your phone, PC, or tablet. Details here:  http://bit.ly/AKRA-AA  )

Get the books now, while they’re discounted, and please share the deal with others.

3 Books — Each for 99-cents

Here are the three books on sale on Amazon Kindle for the next few days:

TEXAS ROADS

American Christian Fiction Writer’s Genesis Finalist

Amazon Kindle Best-Seller

Christian Contemporary Romance

Can a cowboy-turned-mayor help a wealthy city woman in her quest to find home?

Dani Davis longs to find home. With quirky-but-lovable folks, quaint country charm, and loads of business potential, Miller’s Creek, Texas seems like the perfect place to start over…except for the cowboy who gives her a ride into town. Dani secretly finances renovations to the downtown area, until malicious rumors and a devastating discovery propel her down a road she never expected to travel.

Steve Miller is determined to rescue his dying hometown. When vandals jeopardize the renovation, he can’t help but suspect Dani, whose strange behavior has become fodder for local gossips. Can Steve and Dani call a truce for a higher cause, and in the process help Dani recognize the true meaning of home?

Purchase Link:  http://amzn.to/1tA0WMi

TEXAS ROADS #ChristianRomance by @Cathy_Bryant on sale for #StPattysDay for 99c
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A PATH LESS TRAVELED

Amazon Kindle Best-Seller

Christian Contemporary Romance

Can a grieving single mom blaze a path for her traumatized little boy?

Trish James is tired of being rescued. When a spooked horse claims her husband’s life, she’s determined to blaze a path for herself and her son without outside help. Unfortunately, her attempts at running her own business as an artist and wedding planner just doesn’t pay the bills. Does that mean leaving her hometown of Miller’s Creek–the place etched on her heart?

Andy Tyler has had to struggle for everything, and starting a new law practice in Miller’s Creek, Texas is no different. Though prepared for business challenges, he’s not prepared for falling in love–especially with yet another woman who will probably abandon him for her career. Will Andy and Trish be able to fully trust in God and take a path less traveled?

Purchase Link:  http://amzn.to/1m2HBRs

A PATH LESS TRAVELED #ChristianRomance by @Cathy_Bryant on sale for #StPattysDay for 99c
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THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED VIOLETS

A companion Bible study to go along with the spiritual theme of forgiveness in the fifth Miller’s Creek novel, A Bridge Unbroken, this book is designed to work for either group or individual study.

How can we break the chains of unforgiveness?

What do we do when someone seems determined to bring us down through an attack? How do we deal with meaningless acts of destruction and death, especially when the offender shows no remorse?

In short, how do we move past the hurt and anger to a place of forgiveness?

This forgiveness Bible study examines relevant scriptures for the purpose of building a Biblical understanding of:

what forgiveness is and what it isn’tGod’s role in the process of forgivenesswhat Jesus did at the cross for each of usour mandate to forgive as we’ve been forgivenwhat gets in the way of forgiving othershow to truly forgive

Purchase Link:  http://amzn.to/1D5KyWs

THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED VIOLETS #forgiveness #BibleStudy by @Cathy_Bryant on sale for #StPattysDay…
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Stay Tuned…

I’m constantly offering special deals on my books. If you’d like to be notified, subscribe to my monthly newsletter and/or this blog. Also, I’m about to launch the next Miller’s Creek novel, CROSSROADS, which means lots of giveaways, including a Kindle Fire HD6.

You Might Need a Tissue If…

More than one reader has told me that my books should come with a package of Kleenix.

I take that statement as a huge compliment. Here’s why:

Heart-Stirring Stories

It’s my hope that every story I write is so realistic and true-to-life that hearts are touched.

Don’t get me wrong. Life is tough, and I know that when folks read fiction, they want to escape. Hopefully be reading about the troubles of my fictional characters, readers will find hope. Because the second part of my author tagline is…

Life-Changing Grace

If life was nothing but trouble, would there be any reason to live? But thankfully, it’s interspersed also with glimpses of grace and hope.

So I also hope that readers can see that in my stories as well.

After all, life is about learning to stand in the face of obstacles, reaching out to God for hope, and overcoming life’s difficulties with His help and strength. Makes me want to shout ‘Hallelujah!’

CROSSROADS

The story of CROSSROADS is no different than any of my other books. It is full of those ‘need a hanky’ moments, but it is also a tribute to how God moves and works in our lives.

Yesterday I spend all day working on the book trailer to the story. Why so long? I had to find photos, crop and resize the photos for the video, pare down my selection, write the book trailer script, add the music, then upload it to YouTube.

Even though book trailers take lots of time and effort, I love creating them. Hopefully you’ll enjoy watching the CROSSROADS book trailer as much as I enjoyed creating it for you.

Oh, and you might need a tissue…