Amber Stokes's Blog, page 42

A St. Patrick's Day Surprise! (Fairy Slippers)

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I don't have any four-leaf clovers for you...but I do have some fairy slippers, which are also a rare and lovely find. :) (Well, at least the flower is - hoping you'll find the story to be sweet, too!)

Yes, Fairy Slippers - the short-story sequel to Bleeding Heart featuring Zachary Taylor the cook - is now available! Instead of publishing it as a separate ebook, which was my plan earlier this year, I was inspired by my cover designer's latest project, Take a Picture . The way she so sweetly combined her two short stories made me want to do the same for "The Heart's Spring" short stories, especially since both stories are such quick reads (about 6K words for Bellflower and 5K for Fairy Slippers).

So the cover for Bellflower got a makeover - with a brighter background and a note at the bottom about the extra short story being included. And now the combo ebook is available for $.99 at the following sites!

Amazon (Kindle) | Barnes & Noble (Nook) | Smashwords
Here's some more information about the ebook...
"The Heart's Spring" Short-Story Combo eBook 

BELLFLOWER: Short Story Prequel to Forget Me Not 

Spring 1880 

Annabelle knows only one way of life. Jacob knows only one way to feel secure. When their paths cross in a Western mining town, can they find a way for love to bloom? Discover the story behind two hurting hearts in this short but sweet retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

FAIRY SLIPPERS: Bonus Short Story Companion to Bleeding Heart 

Spring 1888 

Margaret is fragile. Zachary is tough. Both are lonely. Will a dance in a redwood lumber town bring them together—or drive them apart forever? Discover the continuing story of the cook from Bleeding Heart in this short but sweet retelling of Cinderella. 
Visit the page for both short stories on The Heart's Spring blog.Add the book on Goodreads. (I ended up combining Bellflower & Fairy Slippers there to reflect the new ebook format - I apologize to those of you who had only marked Fairy Slippers as "to-read"!)View character/setting images and more on the Fairy Slippers Pinterest board. (There's also one for Bellflower.)If you've already read Bellflower because you subscribe to my newsletter or you got it for free on Smashwords, I hope you'll still find Fairy Slippers to be an encouraging little afternoon diversion for a buck. :)

***
To celebrate the official ebook release day, I've got a couple of special offers for you!

Forget Me Not is Free for Kindle!

Today (March 17th) through Friday (March 21st), Forget Me Not is FREE in Kindle format! Click HERE to pick up your copy. Bellflower is the prequel to Forget Me Not, so this is the perfect chance to read both together for only $.99! You can actually read the whole series (minus Book 3 - Morning Glory - which should hopefully be released this summer) for less than $4!! The paperback versions of Forget Me Not and Bleeding Heart are also both available now for only $8.99 each.

All that to say... If you've been waiting to pick up your copies of these books and dive into "The Heart's Spring" series, now is the time! ;)

A Cinderella Giveaway!

I've been holding onto this horse & carriage beaded bookmark from Belle on a Budget for a few months now, waiting to use it for a Fairy Slippers giveaway - isn't it just darling? Even though there are no horses or carriages mentioned in Fairy Slippers, I think it's perfect to celebrate a Cinderella-themed story. I hope you agree! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and you can enter via the Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 ***
St. Patrick's Day Spotlight Participants
Check out these super sweet bloggers who are helping me spread the word about all this bookish news today!
A BookLover's HeartBluerose's Heart Christian Bookshelf Reviews Christian NovelsFictionally Inspiring Daring Labor Not in VainLiterary and Lace My Favorite Pastime The Curried NutThe Wonderings of One PersonTo Be A PersonOne last note: If you're interested in learning more about fairy slippers (the flower) or the setting for Fairy Slippers (the story), be sure to visit The Heart's Spring series blog today! I'm sharing a little bit of the story behind the story in honor of release day, and I've got some neat YouTube videos for you to check out. :)

What do you think of the updated combo cover? Do you enjoy getting to learn about secondary characters in a series through short stories?

Conclusion of Lena's Sweet Spring Reads Tour!

It's always a pleasure to spread the word about my awesome cover designer/mentor/friend's fabulous books! And it was so fun having some wonderful bloggers join me by posting their reviews this past week. I loved seeing the enthusiasm for these sweet stories via the blog posts, comments, and giveaway entries! Remember that you can learn more about Lena Goldfinch on her website, and you can purchase the books reviewed this past week on Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble, Google Play, iTunes, and Kobo.

Lena's YA fantasy romances: The Language of Souls, Aire, & Songstone
Winners!

We've got two winners to announce today (with the first prize being open to US/Canada only and the second prize open internationally).

The winner of a paperback copy of any of Lena's books (winner's choice of The Language of Souls, Aire, Songstone, Haunting Joy, or Take a Picture) is...

Angel H!
And the winner of an e-copy of Take a Picture is...

Aerykah!
Congratulations to you both! I'll be sending you an e-mail, and you have until Wednesday (March 19th) to respond before I pick another winner - so be sure to check your inboxes. :) Happy reading!

Lena's YA contemporary/paranormal stories: Take a Picture + Chain Reaction, Haunting Joy, & Haunting Melody (releasing later this year)
Acknowledgements
It was awesome to see the eagerness on the part of the bloggers to read/review/promote Lena's stories! Lena and I are both very grateful for each of these bloggers and their thoughtful, insightful, and fun reviews:Elizabeth ( Songstone )Rosie ( The Language of Souls , Aire , & Songstone )Abbi ( The Language of Souls , Aire , Songstone , Haunting Joy , & Take a Picture )Brooke ( The Language of Souls )Grace Thorson ( Songstone )Ella ( Songstone )Amber (The Language of Souls, Songstone, Haunting Joy, & Take a Picture)Kara ( Aire & Take a Picture )Miranda (The Language of Souls & Aire)Carissa ( Haunting Joy )Hannah ( Aire )Jennifer (The Language of Souls & Haunting Joy )Grace ( Songstone )Emily (Aire & Songstone)Kelly ( Aire )Penelope ( Haunting Joy )Rebekah ( Aire ) Meagan (The Language of Souls, Aire, & Songstone)Julie ( Take a Picture ) Be sure to click the links to check out any reviews you might have missed!

Paperback Announcement

Paperback-lovers give a cheer! Lena decided to make Take a Picture - her new collection of two sweet short stories - available in paperback format! Check out the full cover:


Isn't it so cute?? I love it! And you can have this lovely little double-feature grace your shelf for less than $6! (That doesn't include any shipping expenses, though, just as an FYI.) Here's the link:

Take a Picture Paperback
Thank you all for following this sweet almost-spring tour! Don't forget to subscribe to Lena's newsletter to keep up-to-date on all her latest author news. :)

Love's Promises Cover Reveal & Release Announcement!

Today is a big day - Love's Promises by Sandra Leesmith is making its debut with both a cover reveal and e-book release!! First of all, I must apologize for the late start... As the book's editor, I spent much of yesterday reading through the manuscript to double-check the writing and formatting before publication. Unfortunately, just before I was about ready to finalize things with KDP late last night, the Internet went out. And yes, there were some tears shed... An agonizing reminder that sometimes working last-minute isn't the best way to go. It was an utterly awful feeling as the hours ticked by, the Internet remained out, and I had no way to get my post together or contact anyone online to explain the delay. But God is indeed merciful, and the Internet is currently back - hopefully at least long enough to get all of this together! My sincerest apologies for the wait, and thank you very much for your patience.

And now, back to the fun, because there is a lot of it to be had today!

A Cover Story
The road to the final version of this cover was a bit longer than previous designs, but it was so worth it in the end. Lena Goldfinch (Stone Lily Design) was once again the cover designer, and we once again have a similar layout - but the cover for Love's Promises has its own unique flair and feel.

It started a couple of months back, before I had read/edited the manuscript. Sandra gave me an idea of what the two main characters looked like, and she sent a longer synopsis so I would have a feel for the story. Based on that, Lena and I tried to find the right couple/models and background. But I think reading the story really makes a difference in the input I can give - on the models, especially. The first cover comps Lena put together (while very fresh and lovely!) weren't exactly the right fit. Sandra wanted the lake background to be very distinctive, and the couple wasn't quite meshing. So we agreed to set the cover design aside until I had a chance to edit the book. Hence the reason we're doing a cover reveal later along with the e-book release. ;)

After having a better idea of what Monica and Greg (the heroine and hero) were like, I went back to search the stock photo sites. And then on Dreamstime, lo and behold, I found a couple with their foreheads touching (a theme I'm happy we're continuing in the covers!) that struck me. I pinned it to Lena's and my secret board for the cover and claimed, "Oh my goodness, I think this couple could be it!!" Of course, the female model had brown hair instead of red, and she looked perhaps a bit younger than Monica, but the "feel" of it was just right for me. There was Monica's "clouds of auburn hair," Greg's big smile, Monica's sophistication, Greg's tenderness/laid-back mood.... And the pose was just perfect. I also proceeded to pin some Lake Tahoe landscape images to give Lena an idea of what we might want to use.

Then Lena worked her magic. :) She played around with backgrounds and colors, fixed up Monica's hair, made some tweaks to the sunset, and voila! We have this very gorgeous cover...


What I Love: The way this couple captures the personalities of Greg and Monica. (And really, isn't Greg so incredibly handsome and adorable?? He's such a fun hero!) The way Emerald Bay and Fannette Island are prominently displayed in the background, showing the Lake Tahoe setting in a unique and distinctive way. (Plus the Tea House is on that island, which plays a role in one of the scenes in the book!) The way the cover is dark to hint at the suspense of the story, but also bright with the sunset and their smiles to show the promise of love. And the way the layout and colors hearken back to the previous two covers, but also leave this one standing out in a new way.

Which cover do you like the best?
About the Book
For Monica Scott, building her late father’s house at Lake Tahoe isn’t an option—it’s a necessary distraction from confusing memories and an uncertain future. But a handsome planner working for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is keeping Monica from moving forward with the project. Never mind that he’s young and charming with a great sense of humor. No one is going to stop Monica from making her father’s dream—and her own—a reality.

All Greg Linsey wants is for his work to mean something. His job at TRPA gives him the opportunity to fight for the environment he loves and make a difference in his small corner of the world. But with the sophisticated Monica Scott’s arrival, his dedication is tested as never before, especially when Monica turns to his unscrupulous nemesis for assistance.

As Greg and Monica’s animosity turns into something far sweeter, can they learn to accept each other’s promises and avoid the growing danger to their lives and hearts?

Editor's Note: The story is set in 1985 so that Sandra's earlier research of the TRPA remains relevant to the characters. Not sure if you'd classify that as a historical or a quasi contemporary... In any case, it's an inspirational romance with a dash of suspense and a dose of environmental concerns. :) You can add the book now on Goodreads!

Release Announcement!
It's here!! Despite the aforementioned delay, Amazon (with its awesomeness and speedy turn-arounds) now has Love's Promises up on their website! You can purchase a Kindle copy for only $2.99 at the link below:

Love's Promises for Kindle
Happy day! And happy reading! ;)
Giveaway!
To celebrate the cover reveal and e-book release of Love’s Promises, Sandra is giving away a red leather-bound journal perfect for recording your own promises! The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and you can enter via the Rafflecopter form below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Cover Reveal Participants
Want to learn more about Sandra (the author) and Lena (the cover designer), and read some bloggers' thoughts on the cover? Be sure to visit all these lovely blogs today!
The Wonderings of One PersonFictionallyMy Favorite PastimeChristian Bookshelf Reviewsi blog 4 booksJorie Loves a StoryBluerose's HeartAnn's Two CentsDreaming Under the Same MoonThe Curried NutTo Be A PersonGrace Thorson What do you think of Sandra's latest cover? Will you be reading the book?

My Review of Sing For Me

Here's a description of the book from Howard Books:

"When a good church girl starts singing in a jazz club and falls for the music—as well as a handsome African American man—she struggles to reconcile her childhood faith with her newfound passions.

Raised in the Danish Baptist Church, Rose Sorensen knows it’s wrong to sing worldly songs. But Rose still yearns for those she hears on the radio—'Cheek to Cheek,' 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes'—and sings them when no one is around.

One day, Rose’s cousin takes her to Calliope’s, a jazz club, where she dis­covers an exciting world she never knew existed. Here, blacks and whites mingle, brought together by their shared love of music. And though Rose wor­ries it’s wrong—her parents already have a stable husband in mind for her—she can’t stop thinking about the African American pianist of the Chess Men, Theo Chastain. When Rose returns to the jazz club, she is offered the role of singer for the Chess Men. The job would provide money to care for her sister, Sophy, who has cerebral palsy—but at what cost?

As Rose gets to know Theo, their fledgling relationship faces prejudices she never imagined. And as she struggles to balance the dream world of Calliope’s with her cold, hard reality, she also wrestles with God’s call for her life. Can she be a jazz singer? Or will her faith suffer because of her worldly ways?

Set in Depression-era Chicago and rich in historical detail, Sing for Me is a beautiful, evocative story about finding real, unflinching love and embracing—at all costs—your calling."

My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

This was one of those books where I wasn't sure how engaging it might be. The cover, the reference to "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," and the premise of the book all caught my attention, but I didn't know if the story would hold my attention. It looked like it could be a slower read. And yes, in some ways it was, as it's more literary in nature, very focused on descriptions of the characters, background, setting, and feelings. Even still, I wasn't able to give up on it. Sing for Me captured my imagination and wouldn't let go.

I started reading the book in an art museum while waiting for my sister's Irish dance performance to begin. My sister and I had just spent some time examining and critiquing the artwork (in a fun, non-professional way, of course!), and I had some drawings of different cities and cultures viewed from unique angles fresh on my mind. I think that "museum mood" stayed with me the whole time I read the book... The story felt unique, mysterious - something to be figured out and yet appreciated for its unflinching display of human error, emotion, and enchantment.

I confess the first-person present tense POV threw me off a bit at first, but I think it ultimately served its purpose of drawing me into the heroine's (Rose's) heart. The writing does get a little flowery in some regards, and the ending felt a little off from the rest of the story, in that it's a little abrupt and emotionally different than a lot of what leads up to it. (Plus, I would have loved a little more closure for some secondary characters' futures before "The End").

And yet the story is so intriguing. Rose's struggles are so very real. Even though life is very different for many of us today, her uncertainty over conflicting duties, her love and frustration for her handicapped sister, her warring desires - all these hit home for me. And Theo... Be still my heart. His character is so wise and kind and wonderful, despite - and perhaps in part because of - his fight for freedom in his circumstances and his heart. His family is also very endearing.

Sing for Me isn't a fast read, but it is a thought-provoking and gut-wrenching one in the issues it raises: questions of hope, submission, and God's calling. The characters are studies in the range of the "religious," prodding the reader to ponder what God would really have us do with difficult choices and unexpected revelations. A really poignant story from beginning to end.

*With thanks to Howard Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Note: Sing for Me releases April 1, 2014.

A Blue Blossom (Paperback Arrival!)

It's so strange... In some ways, it doesn't really feel like your book is "real" until you see it in paperback. And in other ways, after seeing the cover and interior and everything about the book on the computer, holding the paperback is just one more step on a journey that's been very "real" all along, but also so surreal.

Receiving my second release in paperback didn't feel the same as it did for my debut. Not as much squealing; not quite as much excitement for doing the photo shoot. I think part of that might be due to my grandma's absence... Not being able to run up to her house and hand it to her. Not being able to point out the dedication to her and see her reaction. Not being able to share the moment with her as I did for Bleeding Heart.

And yet, I still felt a thrill when I opened my mailbox and saw the package from CreateSpace. I still grinned like a little girl when showing it to my mom. And even though my response the last few days has been subdued (probably also partly due to the fact that I've been consumed with my short-story project), it's been a special time in its own way. I'm so happy with the Western-y look of the cover, and the way the model fits so perfectly. (Huge thanks to Lena Goldfinch for designing such a wonderful cover!) My mom and I got to take my proof copy to the care home where my grandpa is staying and show it to my grandpa and some of the others living/working there. My mom and I also found just the right spot for a photo op yesterday (Monday). And I've ordered a box of books, so I'm looking forward to signing and sharing some!

All that to say - thank you for letting me share this adventure with you, dear readers! Even though I know you don't really have a choice in what I post (LOL), you always let me be myself, sharing your understanding and your support. I'm grateful to be celebrating this moment with you. After about seven or eight years of having this story with me, Forget Me Not is now available to have and to hold! God is so very good. ♥

Sally and Elizabeth sitting next to each other on my dresser.
And here's a side view - always more flattering, right? ;)
Elizabeth and I by the river. We're in California instead of Colorado, but still a perfect spot to correlate with Chapter 1! Can't you just picture David galloping over on Liberty, ready to do battle with the rapids...?
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Would you like to have the lovey Elizabeth grace your shelf? You can pick up a copy of Forget Me Not now on any of the following sites:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | CreateSpace
The list price is only $8.99 (it *is* a little shorter than Bleeding Heart, so Elizabeth's a bit thinner ;)), and you can get it for $8.54 on Amazon.
And if you'd like to learn some random "fun facts" about the story, be sure to check out the series blog today!

Launch of Lena's Sweet Spring Reads Blog Tour!

Spring is almost here - and I think most of us are quite ready for the change in seasons! Just in time to celebrate, we've got a fun blog tour featuring four sweet YA (young adult) reads by Lena Goldfinch (my fabulous cover designer and friend). Not to mention the delectable giveaway and the announcement of Lena's latest release, Take a Picture (+ Chain Reaction)! So grab some candy (I recommend the Reese's Egg or those Cadbury Mini Eggs), check out the schedule, enter the giveaway, and enjoy the reviews & news!

Schedule
Sunday, March 9th
Introduction to the tour at Seasons of HumilityMonday, March 10th
Reviews of The Language of Souls, Aire, Songstone, & Haunting Joy at Scratch That BlogReview of The Language of Souls at Writings of Rosie Review of Songstone at The Borrowed BookTuesday, March 11th
Review of The Language of Souls at i blog 4 booksReview of Songstone at Grace ThorsonReview of Songstone at A Book in the HandReview of Aire at Writings of RosieWednesday, March 12th
Reviews of The Language of Souls, Songstone, & Haunting Joy at The Wonderings of One PersonReview of Aire at A BookLover's HeartReviews of The Language of Souls & Aire at To Be A PersonReviews of The Language of Souls & Aire at The Other World Review of Haunting Joy at Carissa's BookshelfReview of Aire at The Writer's Window Review of Songstone at Writings of Rosie Thursday, March 13th
Reviews of The Language of Souls, Aire, & Haunting Joy at Jennifer Allis ProvostReviews of The Language of Souls, Aire, Songstone, & Haunting Joy at Christian NovelsReview of Songstone at FictionallyFriday, March 14th
Reviews of Aire & Songstone at Zerina BlossomReview of Aire at Kelly HashwayReview of Haunting Joy at Library at the END of the UniverseReview of Aire at Backing BooksReviews of The Language of Souls, Aire, & Songstone at The Curried NutSaturday, March 15th
Conclusion of the tour at Seasons of Humility 
Giveaway!
Lena is giving away some sweet treats in honor of the tour! The first prize drawing is open to residents of the U.S. & Canada only; the second prize drawing is open internationally. Winners will be announced Saturday, March 15th, so don't wait to enter via the Rafflecopter form below...

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure to visit the blog tour page to learn more about Lena and her latest release, and to find direct links to the blog tour posts once they're live! Have a sweet week!

Conclusion of The Paris Connection Blog Tour!

How a vacation can fly by when you're having fun! Hard to believe The Paris Connection blog tour has already reached its end... I hope you had a great time taking a virtual trip to Paris with Cerella, all the participating bloggers, and I. I had a wonderful time organizing the tour with Cerella - she's such a sweet person who writes such sweet books! If you haven't yet had the chance to read The Paris Connection or her previous two releases (Gentle Persuasion and Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania - both of which I recommend!), you can find purchasing info/links on Cerella's website HERE.

And just because this tour is over doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to Cerella! Visit Cerella's website to find all the ways you can connect with her online - and be sure to subscribe to her newsletter to stay in the know regarding any upcoming releases!

Winners!

And we have our winners!

For the "Bon Appétit" prize pack (which included a signed copy of Cerella's book, lots of sweet Parisian treats, and a dishtowel with a Paris scene made in France), the winner is...

Laurie I.!
For the "Bon Voyage" prize pack (which included a signed copy of Cerella's book, Paris-themed travel items, and a journal), the winner is...

Stephanie K.!
Both winners have been contacted and have responded - congratulations, Laurie and Stephanie! Enjoy your new "journey" to Paris through those fun prizes! :)

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaways!

Acknowledgements

A blog tour is obviously nothing without bloggers willing to participate! Cerella and I are very grateful for the time, effort, and enthusiasm of the following bloggers:


March 3rd Bloggers:
Meagan @ The Curried NutKathryn @ Kathryn Cooper: Writing and Reviewing Clean FictionMolly @ Reviews by Molly
March 4th Bloggers:
Vonnie @ Vonnie's Reading CornerAshley @ Wandering the Pages
 
March 5th Bloggers:Lydia @ The Overweight BookshelfJill @ Books, Cats, and WhimsyBluerose @ Bluerose's Heart
March 6th Bloggers:
Brooke @ i blog 4 booksAbbi @ Christian Novels
March 7th Bloggers:
Renee @ Black 'n Gold Girl's Book SpotSerena @ Edgy Inspirational Romance
March 8th Blogger:
Kathy @ I Am A Reader (Bonus Review!)
If you missed any of these fun reviews/spotlights/interviews/features, be sure to click the links, as they'll take you directly to their tour posts!

I'd also like to thank Cerella for the opportunity to work with her and promote her latest book. It's been an absolute pleasure - not only getting to learn about the Harlequin Heartwarming line, but getting the chance to reconnect with Cerella, chat with her about writing and life, and share this latest leg of her publishing journey. As one blogger also said, I can't wait for the chance to host Cerella on the blog again! Her stories are sweet treats romance-lovers won't want to miss, and her kindness is true and exemplary.

Thank you all for joining us for a virtual week in Paris! Have a lovely weekend!

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour: The Thief

Here's a description of the book:

"A Roman centurion longing for peace and a Jewish woman hiding a deadly secret witness a miracle that transforms their lives and leads them to the foot of the cross.

Longinus is a Roman centurion haunted by death and failure. Desperate to escape the accursed Judean province, he accepts a wager. If he can catch the thieves harassing the marketplace before Passover, he’ll earn a transfer away from the troublemaking Jews.

Nissa is a Jewish woman with a sharp tongue and no hope of marriage. Only with the help of Mouse, the best thief in Jerusalem, can she keep her blind brother, Cedron, fed and a roof over their heads.

When a controversial teacher miraculously heals Cedron, Longinus longs to learn more about the mysterious healer. Instead, his journey leads him to Nissa, whose secret will determine the course of both their futures.

Unexpectedly caught up in the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus, they wonder who this teacher is who heals others but does nothing to save himself. Is the mercy he offers in his teachings real, or just another false promise? Can Nissa and Longinus overcome their pasts to find a future free of their shackles?

The Thief is an evocative story of two people trapped in their circumstances and the life-changing power of forgiveness and love."

My Rating

Summer

My Review

Landsem won me over in the first couple of chapters with the depth of characterization, the wonderful setting, and the early surprises. The Thief includes a powerful blend of action/suspense, emotion, historical details, biblical references, and romance. I loved that it was not only a well-written read, but an engaging one throughout.

I had the opportunity to go to Israel when I was fifteen, and I enjoyed picturing some of the sights again through this story. Interestingly enough, the author notes that she's never been there (yet!) - but let me tell you, her descriptions and imagery are great! While I can see how Morocco inspired her (not that I've been there, but her note about the marketplaces seems fitting), Landsem obviously did her research regarding the layout of Jerusalem and the cultural elements of Jesus's day. I loved her take on the setting and found myself easily swept away to the first century.

I'm sure that was also due to the characters. Such "tangled webs" Nissa weaves...and such trouble they all find themselves in. The characters came across as very authentic - and even if that meant I got frustrated with Longinus (and others) often, it also meant I loved him all the more when he showed different sides to himself and grew. The secondary characters - especially Dismas and Cedron - also impressed me, but I do admit, being the romantic that I am, that Longinus and Nissa's relationship held my attention. Their uniqueness (in both looks and attitudes), stubbornness, and tenderness endeared me to them.

My one wish might be that the reader could see a little more of Jesus - a little more of his interactions with the other characters, a little more involvement early on, or something. While his role was undeniably the most pivotal, he felt a little distant. I think that's because the main characters mainly observed him, rather than had much chance to interact with him in a personal way. Still, Landsem portrayed him in a thought-provoking way by immersing the reader in his time and in the expectations many had of him.

Overall, The Thief is a really fascinating read, full of contrasts and realism and grace. Beautifully done!

*With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, to be shared during the Litfuse Publicity blog tour.*

About the Author

Stephanie Landsem loves adventure in far-off times and places. In real life, she’s explored ancient ruins, medieval castles, and majestic cathedrals around the world. Stephanie is equally happy at home in Minnesota with her husband, four children, and three fat cats. When she’s not writing, she’s feeding the ravenous horde, avoiding housework, and dreaming about her next adventure—whether it be in person or on the page. Find out more about Stephanie at www.stephanielandsem.com.

To Buy the Book: click HERE

Blog Tour: Check out the review from other blog tour participants HERE.

Litfuse Contest

Don't miss Stephanie Landsem's outstanding sophomore effort, The Thief .

Best-selling author Tosca Lee had this to say of the book: Filled with memorable characters, The Thief is a tale of hopelessness turned to hope, of high stakes made higher, and ultimate love. What happens when a character at the lowest rung of society crosses paths with the most well-known figure in history? The story of The Thief. I couldn't stop reading.

Stephanie is hosting a Kindle Fire HDX and book giveaway at her website. CLICK THE BUTTON to find out more and enter to win.

Find out what readers are saying HERE. (Click the REVIEWS bar.)

My Review of Remnants: Season of Wonder

Here's a description of the book from Goodreads:

"In the first book of the new futuristic dystopian series from author Lisa T. Bergren, the chosen remnants must work to redirect humanity’s course.

The year is 2095. Gifted teens known as Remnants have been chosen and trained to act as humanity’s last hope to rectify the horrors that are now part of everyday life.

The Community has trained these teens as warriors and assigned them Knights of the Last Order as protectors. Together, they are a force that will be difficult to bring down.

But the Sons of Sheol, of course, are determined to do just that. As the Remnants begin their mission to course-correct humanity by saving and protecting key individuals, their enemies move to stop them, placing the entire world in peril.

Bestselling author Lisa T. Bergren presents the first book in her new YA futuristic dystopian series—The Remnants Novels—fitting in with the current dystopian trend in the marketplace."

My Rating

Fall

My Review

For those who love young-adult reads with a heaping helping of action, suspense, and romantic tension, this first book in the "Remnants" series delivers. Bergren's talent for penning an engaging story can't be denied, and I zipped through the first half of this book in one rather late night. I admire the creativity involved in creating this series, as well as the variety of characters and settings. For me, though, not everything came together in a fluid way.

First, I'm confused as to where the story is taking place. We've got forests, deserts, a monastery, palaces, a glimpse of the ocean... Some elements reminded me of the Middle East; some reminded me of the United States. Basically, I didn't really feel grounded, and the fact that the story zoomed from one place to the next didn't really help me connect with the settings and the diverse people groups who populate them.

And I think that really was a huge problem for me - a lack of connection with the characters. Don't get me wrong! I was intrigued by the Ailith, and I appreciated the emphasis on community (as well as the sweet friendships and romances blooming). But only being inside one character's head (Andriana's) limited my sympathy for the other Remnants and Knights. I would have loved the chance to get to know the other main characters on a deeper level, and I think that would really have broadened the emotional scope of the story. Also, as much as I adore romantic tension, I got a little frustrated with the strange pseudo romances seeming to occur between Andriana and several of the male characters at one point or another. Not to mention that the Community is seriously setting their Remnants and Knights up for failure by pairing a male and a female up as children and then forbidding them to fall in love! Seriously...

The story has plenty of danger and interesting situations, but I was left confused by the overarching plot. Where is Pacifica in relation to the reader's time? What is up with the two princes? How does all of this affect the whole earth, and how did things get to be this way? While there is some explaining, there just wasn't enough to make me really care about the world's fate (as presented in the book) or contemplate what the book has to say about where we're headed. It felt almost more fantasy than dystopian.

The fantasy feel is only compounded by the sort of "mystical" elements. With references to the Maker, I realize that the gifts of the Ailith are supposed to be more spiritual, bestowed on the characters by the Creator. But Andriana's gift, in particular, didn't really come across as strong empathy so much as an ability to "probe" another's feelings, as she's constantly talking about "reaching out" to other people to try to read what they're thinking/experiencing.

Basically, Season of Wonder is an interesting beginning to the series, and perhaps with some more background and stronger characterization the series can come together in a clearer and deeper way. As it is, the first book left me with more questions and frustrations than I'd prefer.

*With thanks to Zonderkidz and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Note: Remnants: Season of Wonder releases April 8, 2014.

Pack Your Bags for The Paris Connection Tour!

Welcome to The Paris Connection blog tour! We're so glad you could join us for this virtual trip to Paris through sweet interviews and features, reviews of The Paris Connection by Cerella Sechrist, and travel- and food-themed giveaways to give you a delectable taste of the City of Light. Today's post features the tour itinerary, with the first official stops happening tomorrow, March 3rd. This tour is only a week long, so mark your calendars and don't miss a minute of the fun!

Tour Itinerary
Sunday, March 2nd
Introduction to the tour at Seasons of Humility ← You are here!Monday, March 3rd
Interview & review at The Curried NutReview at Kathryn Cooper WritesSpotlight at Reviews by Molly Tuesday, March 4th
Interview & spotlight at Vonnie's Reading CornerReview at Wandering the Pages Wednesday, March 5th
Interview & review at The Overweight BookshelfReview at Books, Cats, and WhimsyReview at Bluerose's Heart Thursday, March 6th
Interview & review at i blog 4 booksReview at Christian Novels Friday, March 7th
Interview & review at Black 'n Gold Girl's Book SpotSpecial feature at Edgy Inspirational RomanceReview at I Am a ReaderSaturday, March 8th
Conclusion of the tour at Seasons of Humility
If you get lost along the way, don't forget that the itinerary and other blog tour information are posted on the blog tour page.

Travel Rewards
There are 2 awesome giveaways going on during the tour! One is the "Bon Voyage" Giveaway, which includes a travel-themed prize pack and can only be entered by sharing the passport pins found on the blogs participating in the five main days of the tour. The second is the "Bon Appétit" Giveaway, which includes a food-themed prize pack and can be entered in a variety of ways. Both giveaways are open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. Check out the rest of the details below!

Bon Voyage Giveaway

Take a trip to Paris with some awesome travel-themed prizes, including...

- a personalized, signed copy of The Paris Connection by Cerella Sechrist
- travel size body lotion, body wash, and body spray in Bath and Body Works Paris Amour scent
- set of three Marie Claire black cosmetic travel bags
- Paris-themed, lined journal to record your travel adventures
- Pierre Belvedere luggage tug in plum color
- set of three postcards from the Louvre in Paris

This giveaway will begin tomorrow, March 3rd, and you can enter via the Rafflecopter form below (it can also be found on the blog tour page and the other blogs participating in the tour). To enter, just pin The Paris Connection tour passport "stamps" for each day of the tour (5 in all). The bloggers will be sharing them in their posts, so be on the lookout! (If you want to see an example of how to participate, just follow my Pinterest board for the tour.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Bon Appétit Giveaway

Enjoy a taste of the City of Light with some awesome food-themed prizes, including...

- a personalized, signed copy of The Paris Connection by Cerella Sechrist
- five flavored, imported Maxim's de Paris French chocolates stored in a tiny tiny decorative French tin
- St. Michel Aux Graines & Chocolat (Chocolate and Grains Biscuits), imported
- Pierre Biscuiterie French Butter Cookies with Mixed Berries, Made in France
- Cream-colored, made in France, dishtowel featuring scenes of the Eiffel Tower, artists, croissants and a cup of coffee in plum colors

This giveaway is now open and will continue through March 7th! You can enter via the Rafflecopter form below (it can also be found on the blog tour page and the other blogs participating in the tour). Lots of ways to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Winners will be announced here on March 8th! Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about how to enter.

Bon Voyage!
Here's to a great Parisian vacation! Don't forget to pick up a copy of The Paris Connection (which just released yesterday!) and stop by Cerella's blog to say hello on your way to visit the other stops along the tour. See you around the blogosphere!