Amber Stokes's Blog, page 49

Launch of the Haunting Joy Blog Tour!

Lena Goldfinch - cover designer and author extraordinaire - has released a ghostly novella just in time for Halloween! I had the pleasure of copyediting Haunting Joy , and I loved it. It's sweet, a little spooky, and yet serious in its message about identity and empathy. A wonderful autumn read that I'm happy to be sharing about by hosting this blog tour!

Here's a glimpse of what's in store for the tour:

Schedule
Tuesday, October 22nd
Introduction to the tour at Seasons of Humility ←You are here!Spotlight at The Edible Bookshelf Wednesday, October 23rd
Interview at The Enchanted Inkpot Thursday, October 24th
Review at My Favorite Pastime Friday, October 25th
Review at Kelly Hashway Spotlight at The Cover Contessa Saturday, October 26th
Review at The Wonderings of One Person Sunday, October 27th
Review at Michael SciFan Monday, October 28th
Review at Paranormal Point of View Tuesday, October 29th
Review at i blog 4 books Wednesday, October 30th
Review at Donnie Darko Girl Spotlight at Edgy Inspirational Romance Thursday, October 31st
Conclusion of the tour at Seasons of Humility Twitter chat at noon! (via @SeasonsHumility and @lena_goldfinch, #HauntingJoy) For blog buttons, info about the author, links to purchase the book, and more book news, be sure to check out the blog tour page! 

Giveaway!
In honor of the release of Haunting Joy, Lena Goldfinch is giving away a few spooktacular prizes! The giveaway is open internationally, and there will be three winners (randomly drawn) – one winner for each of the prizes listed below:
A glass heart necklace (like Joy’s!) A signed copy of Haunting Joy (paperback) An e-book copy of Haunting Joy 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The prizes:


 
 Halloween Treats
We'd love to hear what your favorite Halloween treats are - be they of the candy variety, special memories, fun paranormal reads, or other seasonal favorites!
I'll name one paranormal book I read recently and enjoyed: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. I got it back when there was a $1.99 special for the Kindle book, and I found it to be an intriguing, funny, creative, and endearing read. If you don't mind the vampires and faeries and whatnot, it's fun! 
And now for one segment of a Halloween-themed Shrek short (from Scared Shrekless )... Two words: Zombie. Cookies. (If you're not a fan of the special brand of Shrek humor, this might not be your thing. As for me, I confess to pretty much having the whole "The Bride of Gingy" segment memorized. I find it quite hilarious! Enjoy!)

Speaking of Halloween treats, please don't miss the Twitter chat with Lena (@lena_goldfinch) at noon on Halloween! (It's the first Twitter chat she and I are hosting...so we'd love the support!) Come with questions about Haunting Joy, the paranormal genre, writing novellas - whatever you'd like to ask Lena! And we'll bring the virtual M&Ms. ;) (There might even be a few e-book giveaways, too!)

Please share some Halloween favorites and check out Lena's latest - and e-mail me at amberstokes@editingthroughtheseasons.com if you have any questions about the tour!

A Day of Winners! (With a Review)

The first winner I want to announce today is the winner of the Forget Me Not cover reveal giveaway!


Nancy M.
...won the forget-me-not note cards (from Carol Sapp Watercolors)! Congratulations, Nancy! You've been sent an e-mail, and you have until Friday to respond before I pick another winner. 
Thank you to everyone who participated in the cover reveal - either as bloggers or as readers leaving comments! I really appreciate your support and enthusiasm, and I'm looking forward to the day that I can share this story with you. (Hopefully not too much longer now!)
And now, for the second "winner" of the day - a contemporary romance novel that made a great impression on me! 
Here's a description of the book from Bethany House:
Miranda Woodruff has it all. At least, that's how it looks when she's starring in her homebuilding television show, From the Ground Up. So when her network begins to talk about making cuts, she'll do anything to boost ratings and save her show--even if it means pretending to be married to a man who's definitely not the fiance who ran out on her three years ago.

When a handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda's every move, all his digging into her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth--and to her. Can the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she's built come crashing down just as she's found a love to last?

My Rating

Summer

My Review

While historical romance may be the subgenre I gravitate toward within Christian romance, every now and then a contemporary romance will come along and impress me. Made to Last is full of great plot twists, wonderful characterization, and sweet and funny moments. While it may not be set in the past, the "foreign" and "formal" situations (the world of TV stars and big-name reporters) still swept me away to another place, and I enjoyed the excursion very much.

One big conflict propels the story along, but constant added conflicts or new twists on the effects of the big secret keep the story moving along at a nice pace. I loved the contrast between Miranda's mountain home (and other country situations) and the craziness of being behind the camera, featured on a widely read celebrity blog, etc. And Tagg did a marvelous job of crafting the story in terms of the seasons. (Something I had to focus on, of course!) The themes of letting go and dying dreams correspond with the leaves falling from the trees and the cold winter weather setting in. And yet there is hope as the hero and heroine learn how to face those seasons and find the precious truths hidden beneath the piles of leaves.

With an intriguing cast of characters and the right mix of the familiar/realistic and the exciting/imaginative, as well as a delightful dose of humor, Made to Last is a memorable romance story. Tagg's writing resonated with me, and I can't wait for her next book, Here to Stay!

*With thanks to the author and Bethany House for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Cover Reveal for My Sophomore Novel!!!

Is it already October 16th?? Huzzah! I'm getting long-winded today, just to warn you... I'm sharing a note about why I'm publishing a prequel after the sequel, the story behind my new cover, some places where you can learn more about the book, a little themed giveaway, and links to blogs participating in the cover reveal. Thank you for taking the time to check this out!

Seasons of a Story
I confess that "sophomore novel" isn't a completely accurate phrase... While Forget Me Not is the second book I plan to self-publish, it's actually the first novel I ever completed, and it covers events that happen before the things that happen in my debut novel ( Bleeding Heart ).

Why on earth did I publish Bleeding Heart before Forget Me Not, then?? Good question! It was mainly a matter of timing and seasons. (Of course!) I finished my first draft of Forget Me Not my second year of college. (Do some of you recall that first glimpse I gave you in 2011? How time does fly!) At that time, I felt ready to take the publishing world by storm. Query letters? I could tackle 'em! Getting feedback? I had some awesome connections who were willing to help me out. I figured I was ready to share my work with the world.

Ummm...not quite!

I got some really helpful feedback from Elizabeth Ludwig, who also ended up being my editor for Bleeding Heart. While she and others encouraged me, issues were brought to light that I just wasn't ready to face. Basically, I wasn't in the right frame of mind to edit. I was thinking: "But look at my baby! She's beautiful just the way she is. I mean, can't you see all of the heart I poured into her? All of the years of effort? She doesn't need to change!"

I hit a wall. So I turned my heart and attention to writing a sequel. And thus, Bleeding Heart was born. Two years later, I finished Bleeding Heart, in a completely different season and at a completely different place than where I had been two years earlier with Forget Me Not. Does that mean Bleeding Heart was perfect? Not hardly! But after hiring Elizabeth and then Rachelle Rea (as my proofreader), I was able to polish the story and make it better. Doesn't mean I won't look back someday and think, "Oh, my writing style has matured a lot since then!" But I believe the people God allowed me to meet, the things I had learned up to that point, and where the story itself was - all of those things felt right and made me feel like Bleeding Heart was ready to blossom.

Now Bleeding Heart is out there in the world, whatever comes of it. And I think perhaps Forget Me Not is getting ready to blossom, too. The two years' worth of distance has certainly given me a different perspective - oh my, does my baby need some help! But I still love her, and I think I'm finally at a place where I can give her the care and pruning she needs to grow.

I've been doing a bit of research lately, and I'm thinking things are starting to come together in a way that will make my story tighter, while still adding depth to the characterization. (Be sure to check out the Pinterest board if you want to see some of the tidbits I've found regarding setting ideas, etc.) While I'm currently juggling editing and publicity projects for clients, I still hope to fit in time to edit Forget Me Not, get it to my copyeditor/proofreader, and still get it out to reviewers in time for a January release and blog tour. We'll see what happens!

In the meantime, my cover designer (Lena Goldfinch) already put together the cover, and I simply couldn't wait to show it to you all! I love me some delicious cover candy! ;)

A Cover Story
I started a secret board for Forget Me Not cover ideas not long after Bleeding Heart's cover was revealed. (I think? I don't know - it was sometime several months ago, LOL.) I pinned a couple of Virginia City (Nevada) pics, a couple of brunette models I thought might work for my heroine (Elizabeth), and a couple of forget-me-not images. I figured we would use a combination of three images like we had for Bleeding Heart - which ended up being the case, but a little differently than I had originally pictured! 
Anyway, so I had a few pics up, but they just kind of sat there for a while since I was busy with Bleeding Heart marketing and projects for clients, and Lena had her own things going on. (Like preparing for her October release - be sure to check out the page for her upcoming blog tour!) Then one day, before either of us had planned on working on the cover, I just decided to pin a couple more pics that I had come across that fit my heroine and hero really well. I figured I'd pin them there for reference (and hey, they're awesome to look at!). Well, let me tell you - don't start sharing pictures with cover designers unless you and he or she are ready to be distracted!
Lena was promptly sucked into the project, and before I knew it, the board filled up with images of various models, and Lena had a mock cover put together. (She's definitely like a dog with a bone once the muse hits her, which is totally awesome! I may or may not take advantage of that knowledge... ;)) 
With Bleeding Heart, we had a tough time picking just the right model to fit my heroine. So I was a little more involved in picking out images for that design than I was for Forget Me Not. The model Lena picked for my latest cover was one I didn't really think I'd like, at first. For one, the original image had a lot of...*ahem*...cleavage. The girl was kneeling on a wooden floor near a red velvet couch, and her hair looked messy. Basically, I had a hard time picturing her on my cover. I told Lena I liked the mood of the picture, but I wasn't totally sold.
Then Lena fixed her up a little, put some forget-me-nots in her hand, and set her in front of this background:

OK, this is why Lena is an awesome cover designer! She could visualize something epic with a model I was skeptical about. Her first mockup had this background all in blue, which totally caught my eye. But I love how she found the perfect placement for the model, a great color scheme to set the tone, and the right fixes to make the model fit my heroine (a reddish-brown tint to her hair - with a sweet hairstyle - and no cleavage!). Once Lena found the right bouquet and tweaked the colors, we were golden. Want to see the second cover she's given me?

What I Love: The model's expression, innocent and hesitant. Her hair, which looks to be moving in a wind across the desert, with a rich color that stands out in the light. Her dress, which I absolutely love with its sheer and lacy shawl and the little flower pattern on the hem. The bouquet of forget-me-nots that fits so nicely in her grip and fits so well with a piece of her past (as well as the theme of the story). The clouds in the distance that suggest some danger and darker emotions. The bright and dry desert ground behind her, showing one of the main settings (in Nevada) and suggesting a coming dry spell for the heroine. The hills in the background that also emphasize the setting, while matching the cover of Bleeding Heart so well - hinting at the ups and downs my characters face. The title font that draws attention to the forget-me-nots while hinting at the genre. And the whole concept - the way the colors and feelings contrast and yet work so well together to give a glimpse at the story.
A Novel Home
Want to learn more about Forget Me Not? The book has a home in the blogosphere at www.forgetmenotnovel.blogspot.com! You can find a book description, author bio, soundtrack beginnings, links, and blog buttons there now - and I'll keep the site updated with the latest news and info. Hope you'll enjoy visiting! 
Huge thanks to Anne Elisabeth Stengl, whose book blogs inspired me and served as great models as I put together my own. Plus, Anne Elisabeth was sweet enough to make some blog buttons for me! Do feel free to check out the Buttons page on the book's site and take a button or two if you'd like to help me spread the word!
A Forget-Me-Not Giveaway
To celebrate today's announcement, and to give a present along with the cover candy, I'm giving away a set of three forget-me-not note cards from Carol Sapp Watercolors. Aren't they lovely? 

Just use the form below to enter! Please note that this giveaway is for U.S. residents only . Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about how to use the form! The winner will be announced on Monday, October 21st.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Cover Reveal Participants
Self-publishing Bleeding Heart helped me to see how truly blessed I am with amazing blogging friends. All of the supportive blog posts, reviews, tweets, comments, etc. mean so very much to me. And after reading my debut, my friends still want to read Forget Me Not! How cool is that? ;) Here's a list of the bloggers participating in the cover reveal today:
Black 'n Gold Girl's Book SpotChristian Bookshelf ReviewsChristian NovelsDreaming Under the Same MoonEdgy Inspirational Romance Flowers of Quiet Happinessi blog 4 booksInspiring Daring Labor Not in VainMy Favorite PastimeReturning to EdenSherida StewartTales of Goldstone WoodThe Overweight BookshelfThe Wonderings of One PersonTo Be A PersonToo Read or Not Too ReadWest of Newbury Street One Last Note
Now seems like as good a time as any to clarify this, so here I go! Yes, I purposely titled my books Bleeding Heart (singular) and Forget Me Not (without hyphens). I wanted Bleeding Heart to be singular to match the singular nature of the other titles in the series. I also felt like it indicated the shared journey the five main characters were on (in a sense), as well as the emphasis on Sally's character arc, in particular. And I wanted Forget Me Not to be focused on the phrase of the flower name. In other words, the title connects with the flower, but it is more a phrase than a name - like someone saying, "please, forget me not" vs. the way the flower name is written (forget-me-not). I hope that makes sense!
I would love to hear your thoughts on the new cover! Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

Fun with Filling in the Blanks

I apologize for being scarce on the blog lately - things have been a little crazy these past few weeks! But I do have some exciting things to share soon, including the cover reveal for Forget Me Not (my second novel, and the prequel to Bleeding Heart) on October 16th, the blog tour for Haunting Joy by Lena Goldfinch at the end of the month, the blog tour for Love's Refuge by Sandra Leesmith in November, and hopefully another blog tour or two in December before the blog tour for Forget Me Not in January. Phew! I'm definitely keeping busy with editing and publicity projects. It's a little stressful, to be honest, but I'm blessed to have the work and the experience!

I do hope to share some reviews soon, too. But for today, I was inspired by Kara over at Flowers of Quiet Happiness to participate in a fun sort of Mad Libs/fill-in-the-blanks meme. (Kara got the outline from Books and Movies.) I can't resist bookish challenges like this! ;)


So grab a cupcake (isn't this honey-lemon one from Disneyland's Hungry Bear Restaurant adorable?) and enjoy! (I should probably save this pic I took for a post it fits better in, but hey, it's the weekend, sweets are always welcome, and this post needed a pic, so here you go!)

***

I filled in the following blanks with titles of books I've read so far this year.

In school I was: Swimming Through Clouds

(Daydreaming, sleeping, in a daze from late nights and too much homework...)

People might be surprised I'm: The Tutor's Daughter

(Actually, my dad's an adjunct professor at the local community college, but close enough, right?)

I will never be: Under the Never Sky

My fantasy job is: Stealing the Preacher

(How about the one from Christy? But then there's Neil MacNeil...)

At the end of a long day, I need: Shades of Mercy

(Don't we all?)

I hate it when: Though My Heart is Torn

Wish I had: Five Days in Skye

My family reunions are: Into the Whirlwind

At a party you'd find me with: My Fair Godmother

I've never been to: Doon

A happy day includes: The Letters

(...of the alphabet, or ones from friends and family in the mail!)

Motto I live by: Roses Have Thorns

On my bucket list: Chasing Jupiter

(Why not?)

In my next life, I want to be: The Fairest Beauty

(Because I'm already dazzlingly clever and angelically good. *wink*  ← Reference to Anne of Green Gables)

***

Have you read any of these books? How would you fill in the blanks? Do feel free to share!

A Spooky Special-Edition Cover Reveal!

Happy October, dear readers! This month is a special one for my friend and cover designer, Lena Goldfinch, as it signals the release of her first "haunting" novella, Haunting Joy! Lena shared the beginning of the story with me earlier this year, and I recently had the pleasure of being one of the book's editors and now this project's publicist. If you're looking for a light paranormal read this Halloween - one that has its moments of suspense and "spookiness," but is more of a meaningful mystery story - look no further than Lena's latest. It's a "fun size" treat perfect for your candy bag! ;)


There are several especially exciting things about this book:

1. It's the first in a series of "haunting" novellas. So be on the lookout during the blog tour and at the end of Haunting Joy for more info on book 2!

2. As just mentioned, there's going to be a blog tour! Keep your eye on the blog tour page to stay up-to-date on the latest news, and mark your calendars for October 22-31. There will be reviews and giveaways and lots of Halloween fun you won't want to miss!

3. This book has two covers. (How cool is that??) In addition to the lovely e-book and original paperback cover, which you might have seen on Goodreads (or you can see below)...



...there's also a special edition cover that will only be available in paperback format. And that's what today's cover reveal is all about (besides building excitement for the book's release and the blog tour, of course!). Are you ready for this??


What I Love: The old-fashioned, classic "thriller" look to it - like a slightly scary black-and-white movie. The simplicity of the design highlighted by the spooky glow. The ghostly light hovering above the dress. The hint of light peeking through the door (makes you want to know the secrets in the story!). The font of the title that adds a bit of girlish whimsy befitting the heroine. All in all, a fun little twist on the original purple and pink cover (which is also quite pretty and eye-catching in its own right).

About the Book

Joy’s new dress has a secret – one with a little supernatural history, one that’s a little more than she expected.

It all starts one ordinary afternoon, as seventeen-year-old Joy tries on some thrift-store clothes her grandmother gave her. The little white dress fits perfectly. Trouble is, now it won’t leave her alone. Soon Joy is swept up in an extraordinary journey to help a ghost complete some unfinished business. If only that didn’t involve Joy driving through dangerous intersections...or calling up her high-school crush, Nick...or getting stuck at a cemetery after dark.

Will Joy accept this ghostly challenge to be "more"? And just how far will she go to uncover the truth?

About the Author/Cover Designer

Lena lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. She writes fiction for young adults, mostly light fantasy with a healthy dose of "sigh-worthy" romance. You can visit her online at www.lenagoldfinch.blogspot.com.

Cover Reveal Participants

The special edition cover is also being featured on these awesome blogs:
i blog 4 booksLisa AmowitzMichael SciFan (includes interview & giveaway!)The Wonderings of One PersonEdgy Inspirational Romance (October 2nd)My Favorite Pastime (October 3rd)So, what do you think? Does this look like a read you'd like to treat yourself to this month? 

A Harvest of Winners!

I have a list of winners to announce today - such a fun time! 
The first is the winner of the handmade Kindle bag, which was the prize Sandra offered in conjunction with her latest cover reveal last Friday. If you missed the cover (or you just love to look at cover pretties!), here it is again:

So sweet!
And the winner of the Kindle bag is...
Melanie!
Congratulations! I've sent you an e-mail, and you have until Wednesday, October 2nd to confirm your entry and claim your prize.
(Speaking of cover reveals, I have to add that there will be another one on Tuesday, October 1st. Two fun things about this reveal: 1. The author is also the cover designer. 2. It's a special edition cover, and that cover design will only be available in paperback format!)
And now, on to the list of winners from the Autumn Bash 2013! (Click on the button below to see all of the autumn bash posts - there are some great interviews worth checking out if you missed them when they were originally posted!)

The following winners were chosen randomly using the List Randomizer on Random.org. They have until Wednesday, October 2nd to respond to my e-mail and claim their prizes before new winners are drawn - and they must be from the eligible countries (dependent on the particular giveaway) in order to claim their prizes.Carissa won a copy of Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz!Anne Elisabeth Stengl's cover reveal winners will be announced on her blog in a couple of days!Amy C. won a copy of Made to Last by Melissa Tagg! Danie Walther won a copy of Dark Road Home by Elizabeth Ludwig!Barbara Thompson won a copy of The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim!Melody won a copy of Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta!Congratulations, winners!

Huge thanks to the authors for their time and generosity - and to all you readers for supporting them and sharing the enthusiasm this past week! I hope you all had a lovely time at the bash. =)

More cover reveals and blog tours and reviews to come! I'm behind on my reading still, but on the plus side my sweet aunt taught me an easy way to knit hats! I'm so excited to know how to do something crafty like this (besides cross-stitching, which my grandma taught me), and who doesn't love a handmade hat this time of year, right? My family and friends' heads will be kept warm this fall, hehe. ;) Hope you all are enjoying the start of this delightful season!

Autumn Bash ~ Celebrating with Jessica Dotta!

Today's guest is Jessica Dotta, author of Born of Persuasion . From the absolutely lovely package Jessica sent me - an ARC of her debut for review, with a wax seal and other fun designs on the brown paper it came in - I saw that Jessica is a creative, thoughtful, and meticulous person. I'm excited to read Born of Persuasion! I imagine it showcases these awesome aspects of Jessica's personality. =) Read on to learn more about her and her book...

***

Amber: Welcome, Jessica! What does autumn mean to you, in your writing career and in your life? Is there something you especially love about the season?

Jessica: I write better during Autumn, more so than other season! There's something about this time of year that woos me to write.

 When I was younger, there was a living historical farm in my area. Each year, they'd have a Harvest Time Festival where I would spend the entire day wandering about the property. I can still remember the clackity-hum of the spinning wheel, the scent of lye being boiled to make soap, the charred smell of burning wood as scrabble was cooked over open fires in cast iron pots, and the stickiness of pulling taffy.

During the festival, we were invited to dip wicks melted fat and wax, to harvest apples, to draw water from a well—so for a full day each year, I wandered in the late 1700's/early 1800's. I loved every minute of it. Perhaps that's one reason why when frost comes and the wind grows brisk, I feel drawn to withdraw and write the past alive.

Amber: That's so neat! Sounds like a memorable season, for sure!

If the hero of Born of Persuasion was invited to a harvest party, what would be his reaction? If he decided to go, what would he wear and how might he get involved?

Jessica: He would not become caught up in the gaiety of the party, but remain on the fringes, observant.

Amber: Intriguing... ;) What about your heroine? What is her favorite part about autumn in her hometown?

Jessica: Her home was isolated from the village and surrounded by tall grass. In the autumn, she would have relished long, winding ramblings through the countryside, and then coming home with numbed fingers and cheeks, ready to spend an hour in the kitchen, sipping a bowl of broth, while the maid-of-all-work, Sarah, told stories as she blackened the stove or cored apples.

Amber: Sounds lovely!  Could you share a snippet from the book?

Jessica: Here's a tea scene from Chapter One...

 
~ Excerpt from Born of Persuasion ~ 
“I am quite vexed with you.” Mrs. Windham placed a slice of lard cake on a plate. She eyed my dress hanging loosely over my frame, then added another sliver alongside a gooseberry tart. “Why did you not tell us your mother was ailing? Had I knowledge, I would have visited before she passed; indeed, I would have.”

My hand faltered as I reached for the plate. While I’d known the topic of Mama’s death was unavoidable, I had not expected it so soon.

“Mama.” Elizabeth cast her mother a disapproving look over the rim of her teacup. “You can scarcely blame Julia for it.”

“Blame Julia?” Mrs. Windham dabbed her eyes with the corner of her gardening apron. “What a notion, child.” Then to me, “Did she linger in much pain? Did she send me remembrances? Did she call for me in her deep despair?”

Tightness gathered in my chest as I sought for an explanation, knowing full well the Windhams wouldn’t be fooled into believing Mama had pined herself into an early grave over my father’s death.

I placed the plate on my lap, then set about tearing the cake into bite-sized pieces. “She called for no one. The cholera took her quickly.”

Elizabeth froze, midsip, as if detecting my lie. Mrs. Windham frowned, but I wasn’t certain whether she sensed deception or simply disliked being robbed of the notion that Mama had died crying out for her.

Mrs. Windham turned toward the window, pressing her lace handkerchief against her mouth. “Well, if you’re going to try to spare me, I am sure there is nothing I can do.” Her voice trembled. “I have lost my dearest friend, but why should anyone consider me?”

A long silence ensued, during which Elizabeth frowned and I twisted my cup in its saucer. We both knew trying to start a new conversation would be useless until her mother had been properly indulged.

After a minute, Mrs. Windham’s mouth puckered. “Humph. Well, do not think yourself cleared on all accounts. I am even more outraged you agreed to have this . . . this guardian. I scarcely believed my own ears when I heard the tidings. Nothing, no, nothing, could have made me believe you would choose this person over me. Whatever are you thinking?”

I tore the cake into yet smaller pieces.

Elizabeth darted an apologetic look at me, wrapping her hands about her cup. “Mama, you can scarcely blame Julia for whom her parents selected as her guardian.”

“What else am I to think? Especially when Lucy wrote me a mere month before her death begging me to care for Julia should this very thing happen. Well, all I can say is that Julia has certainly made it clear whom she prefers. Surely this person has no tie, no claim over you. I never heard of such an odd thing in all my life. Not give a name, indeed! And that man who came. That rude man! Is it so unreasonable to assume your guardian would have taken it into account that I have a daughter, and as such made allowances? See if I merit approval. Of all the insults.” She snorted into her half-empty cup.

I shot Elizabeth a questioning look. She’d not written anything about my guardian sending someone to Am Meer. Instead of meeting my eyes, her gaze drifted to the open windows.

“I never met such a rude man as that Simon.” Looking at my untouched food, Mrs. Windham fluttered her handkerchief at it. “Indeed, I wish we’d begun dining amongst higher spheres before I listed our acquaintances. That would have swept the smug look off that Simon’s face.”

Elizabeth let out a short sigh. “His name was Simmons, not Simon.”

“I think I should remember better than you, missy. I tell you it was Simon, and I cannot imagine a more disdainful or trying butler.”

“Butler?” I asked, more perplexed than ever. “Are you saying my guardian’s butler came here?”

“He was no butler; trust me,” Elizabeth said.

~ End of Excerpt ~
Amber: Love the sense of mystery! Thanks for sharing with us today!

***



Giveaway!
Jessica is giving away a paperback copy of Born of Persuasion! Here are the rules:

Leave a comment with your e-mail address (required). Let us know what you think of this introduction to the hero and heroine of Born of Persuasion! This drawing is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. One winner will be randomly drawn using the List Randomizer on Random.org, and will be announced on this blog on Saturday, September 28th. Tomorrow all of the winners from the Autumn Bash (as well as the winner from Sandra Leesmith's cover reveal) will be announced! Good luck!

Autumn Bash ~ Celebrating with Jolina Petersheim!

Today's guest is Jolina Petersheim, author of The Outcast . Jolina's debut released in July not too long before mine, so we became book-release buddies on Twitter. =) She's awesome, and I'm excited to host her! Read on to learn more about Jolina and her "baby"...

***

Amber: Welcome to "Seasons of Humility," Jolina! What does autumn mean to you, in your writing career and in your life? Is there something you especially love about the season?

Jolina: I began writing my debut novel, The Outcast: a modern retelling of The Scarlet Letter set in an Old Order Mennonite community in Tennessee, in earnest two autumns ago. Just today, I started working on my third novel, and though the morning was still hot on the front porch, later in the evening, I could almost smell the scent of fall on the breeze, and I wondered if it had drawn me to writing like an enchantment. The chunky-knit sweaters, the tobacco barns adrift with smoke (I live in Tennessee, y’all), the pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin chai (why I am most productive from September – November), and candles make this my favorite season. I even held off marrying my mountain man husband so we could officially be married in the fall.

Amber: Love all the little things that bring you joy in this season - and too cute about being married in the fall! I think it would be a lovely time of year for a wedding. =)

Speaking of celebrations... If the hero of The Outcast was invited to a harvest party, what would be his reaction? If he decided to go, what would he wear and how might he get involved?

Jolina: The hero of The Outcast would have to be Judah King, who continues loving the Hester Prynne character, Rachel Stoltzfus, even though she thinks she cannot love him back. If he was invited to a harvest party, he would probably stay on the outskirts but keep watching everyone. I imagine this harvest party would take place after he leaves the Old Order Mennonite church at Copper Creek, so he would wear Wrangler jeans, ropers, a Carhartt jacket over a button-down shirt. I don’t think he would participate unless someone else invited him to dance.

Amber: The brooding type, perhaps? Or just a shy, thoughtful kind of guy? There is a certain appeal there. ;) I'm eager to "meet" him sometime, as I have your book on my Kindle!

As for the heroine... What is her favorite part about autumn in her hometown? 

Jolina: Rachel Stoltzfus’ favorite part about autumn in her hometown of Lancaster is Roots Market, where the vendors sell a delightful mixture of wares that celebrate the season: like pumpkin pie or apple schnitz and steaming wassail in a deep Styrofoam cup. After this, she might venture over to the New Holland horse sale and remember the days her father led the festivities like a ring master under the big top.

Amber: Nice!  Could you share a snippet from the book?

Jolina:


~ Excerpt from The Outcast ~ 
The women were seated beneath a maple tree whose orange-leafed branches fanned out over the yard, providing enough shade to keep both us and the leftover food from expiring beneath the rare heat of the Indian Summer sun. I tried to work on a quilt block for a while but had never really learned this typical Mennonite trade since, throughout childhood, I had always used the excuse that my fingers were not as deft as my sister’s. Giving up and setting the tangled thread in my lap, I peered out over the sun-parched field, watching the men climb up and down ladders with nails clamped between their teeth and hammers weighing down one side of their pants pockets. Sweat trickled down many of their faces and necks, darkening the backs of their blue, white, yellow, and brown collared shirts. The few men who were not soaked through were so ruddy from exertion, I feared they might collapse, which is more than just a hindrance when you are putting tin on a fifty foot roof.

Servitude did not come naturally to me, but it did to my sister. I knew what Leah would do if she could have been there. Refilling the bucket from the well, I went over to the fencerow and broke off a bundle of meadow tea that Katie Mast had uprooted from her Pennsylvania yard and planted when they moved down to Copper Creek. This I tore into sprigs and dropped into the bucket. I let the water steep in the shade until the mint had blanched from the leaves, flavoring the liquid like tea. I carried this bucket and a wooden ladle across the field. The women stopped chattering amongst themselves as I drew closer to the men, but at that time—and as Leah’s sister—I was automatically above reproach. They did not question my motivations, as then, neither did I.

~ End of Excerpt ~
Amber: A very intriguing and mood-setting glimpse into the story. Thank you for sharing with us today, Jolina!

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Giveaway!
Jolina is giving away a paperback copy of The Outcast! Here are the rules:
Leave a comment with your e-mail address (required). Have you ever read The Scarlet Letter? What do you think of this introduction to the hero and heroine of this retelling? This drawing is open to U.S. residents only. One winner will be randomly drawn using the List Randomizer on Random.org, and will be announced on this blog on Saturday, September 28th. Tomorrow's guest is Jessica Dotta, and we'll be chatting about Born of Persuasion!

Autumn Bash ~ Celebrating with Elizabeth Ludwig!

Today's guest is Elizabeth Ludwig, author of Dark Road Home , the second book in the "Edge of Freedom" series. Elizabeth was my editor for Bleeding Heart, and she's also in charge of the group blog I contribute to (The Borrowed Book). Read on to learn more about this awesome lady and her latest release...

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Amber: Lisa! It's a pleasure to host you here, dear friend. =) What does autumn mean to you, in your writing career and in your life? Is there something you especially love about the season?

Elizabeth: Autumn was always my favorite time of year when I lived in Michigan. There’s a crispness in the air, mingled with a hint of wood smoke—either from stoves gearing up in preparation of winter or from the last of summer’s campfires. Having grown up surrounded by farms, I’ve always appreciated autumn’s bounty, from tart red apples to pumpkins and squash. And the color! I’m still filled with awe when I behold a landscape clothed in orange, red, yellow, and brilliant purple.

Now, I live in Texas, and autumn is still special, only now it means Friday Night Lights, and the scent of BBQ and hot links mingling on the air with fresh cut grass.

Amber: Love your descriptions of how the season differs in different locales!

If the hero of Dark Road Home was invited to a harvest party, what would be his reaction? If he decided to go, what would he wear and how might he get involved?

Elizabeth: The hero of my latest release, Eoghan (pronounced “Owen”) Hamilton, is a bit of a loner. He’s the lean, muscular type, stubborn, with a fiery temper to match his russet hair. Thankfully, he’s also steadfast and loyal, and he loves to tease, so I think he would be in his element at a harvest party, so long as there weren’t any dark characters hanging about. If there were, he’d be in protective mode so he could safeguard the heroine.=)

As for what he’d wear and how he might get involved, well, Eoghan doesn’t care for the limelight much, since he’s spent the past several years in hiding, but if it meant taking a turn about the ballroom with the heroine…yeah…he just might be convinced to dance.

Amber: Awww! He loves to tease, he has a protective mode, and he'd like to dance with the heroine? I like this guy, Lisa! ;)

As for your heroine... What is her favorite part about autumn where she lives?

Elizabeth: Since my heroine, Ana Kavanagh, lives in New York City in 1897, she doesn’t get to enjoy the sights and sounds of autumn much, but she still loves the scents and smells. And she’s a fantastic cook, so she makes the most of all those wonderful seasonal vegetables.

Amber: I bet the hero appreciates that! ;) Could you share a snippet from the book?

Elizabeth: I’d love to! Here is a piece from DARK ROAD HOME (Bethany House, 2013).


 ~ Excerpt from Dark Road Home ~
Ana scraped the last bit of orange flesh from a pumpkin then set the empty rind aside to be cut into a bowl for baking. Pumpkin custard. Her mouth watered at the thought of the sweet, spicy scent that would soon fill the kitchen. The seeds, too, were delicious when roasted and lightly salted. She couldn’t wait to show Cara, who’d promised to stop by for a visit later, after she and Rourke had tended to a few tasks at the office where he worked.

Laverne, the boarding house cook and housekeeper, shuffled into the kitchen bearing a tray with the remnants of Amelia’s afternoon tea. “How ya coming with that custard?”

“Just fine,” Ana said, lifting the bowl to display her prize.

Laverne’s head bobbed with pleasure. “That’ll make a nice dessert, sure enough. Need me to fetch you some eggs?”

Thanks to the lamps Giles had rigged in the barn, and the warmer than normal temperatures, the hens were still laying. Ana nodded and pointed toward the counter. “I’ve a couple there, but with this much pumpkin, I’m sure I could use a few more.”

“Coming right up.” She scooted to the back door, her steps so light as to make Ana think she wore wings on her boots.

“Say hello to Giles for me,” she called teasingly. Laverne never missed an opportunity to visit with the hired handyman, today notwithstanding. Not that Ana minded being left alone to finish the dessert for tonight’s meal. Truly, she enjoyed her job at Mr. O’Bannon’s candle shop, but working alongside Laverne in a warm, toasty kitchen with the scent of baking bread tickling her senses. . .

Ach, this indeed was heaven. And tucked away where no one could see, she need pay no heed to what others might think of her hands.

What Eoghan might think.

Ana frowned. As quickly as the name—and the face that accompanied it—rose in her thoughts, she shoved them away. Oh, but she wished she could as easily shake the feeling that something about him was familiar. Maybe then she could finally rid her thoughts of his wry grin and dancing, devilish eyes.

Devil, indeed, she huffed, giving the spoon a hearty tap against the side of the bowl. Who else but a devil could ensnare a woman’s thoughts so?

~ End of Excerpt ~
Amber: Hehe, nice! Definitely gives a great sense of fall - I love roasted pumpkin seeds, so that mention has me eager for them! And love the romantic quandary. ;) Thanks for sharing with us, Lisa!

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Giveaway!
Elizabeth is giving away a paperback copy of Dark Road Home! Here are the rules:

Leave a comment with your e-mail address (required). Let us know what you think of this introduction to the hero and heroine of Dark Road Home! Or tell us what autumn food you're most looking forward to enjoying this season. =)This drawing is open to everyone! One winner will be randomly drawn using the List Randomizer on Random.org, and will be announced on this blog on Saturday, September 28th. Tomorrow's guest is Jolina Petersheim, and we'll be chatting about The Outcast!

Autumn Bash ~ Celebrating with Melissa Tagg!

Today's guest is Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last - a contemporary romance that just released this month! I'm getting ready to dive into it, and I'm excited - I've heard great things! Read on to learn more about this debut author and her book...

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Amber: Welcome, Melissa! I'm excited to switch places and host you now. =) What does autumn mean to you, in your writing career and in your life? Is there something you especially love about the season?

Melissa: Autumn is my favorite season by far. I love everything about it—the cooler weather, the beauty of harvest (I’m a true Midwest girl!), my birthday and everything pumpkin. But probably my favorite thing about fall is that sense of change it brings. I love my routine, yes, but at the same time, I tend to crave change in many ways…and autumn always feeds that part of me. =)

Amber: I so love this season, too - such a beautiful time of year! And happy early birthday!!

So, if the hero of Made to Last was invited to a harvest party, what would be his reaction? If he decided to go, what would he wear and how might he get involved?

Melissa: Oh, he’d be all about a harvest party, I’m sure. Why? Because, like me, my heroine loves autumn, so she’d totally be attending…in which case, he’d definitely want to be there. LOL! He would wear his usual—jeans and a tee. And he’d totally start a hay-throwing fight during a hay ride.

Amber: OK, if I wasn't already eager to read this book...I am now! I love a hero that's totally in love with the heroine. And a guy with a sense of humor? Let me at 'im! ;)

What is your heroine’s favorite part about autumn where she lives?

Melissa: My heroine lives in the Appalachians, so she loves the beauty of autumn—the fiery colors and crisp mornings. She also loves the excuse to wear a flannel shirt. =)

Amber: Nice! Could you share a snippet from Made to Last?

Melissa: Here’s an autumn-ish snippet from about halfway through the book. My main characters, Matthew and Miranda, have traveled up to Minnesota to spend time with Matthew’s family and they’re hanging out at a pumpkin patch. Just a couple notes by way of explanation: At this point in the story, Matthew isn’t very happy with Miranda. =) And Matthew’s niece, Cee, is deaf—she speaks in sign language and reads lips.


~ Excerpt from Made to Last ~
“Okay, we’ve got our pumpkin,” Matthew announced as he lugged the pumpkin. “Now what?”

“The hay bale maze!” Cee spoke, her hands moving rapidly. “I want to go with Randi.”

Something warm and maternal sparked in Miranda, warding off the chill of the Midwest wind…and Matthew’s ire. Like she’d seen Matthew do, she waited until Cee’s eyes were trained on her face to speak. “It’d be my pleasure. You’ll make sure we don’t get lost, right?”

Cee gave a serious nod. “I know the way.”

“She should. She’s been through the thing three times already this fall,” Jase said.

“How about Jase and I go pay for the pumpkin and load it up?” Izzy suggested. “You two can take Cee through the maze, and we’ll meet you back at the car.”

Miranda caught Matthew’s eye. He grunted his agreement. Was the man going to play caveman all day? They followed Cee to the structure. The hay bale walls stood at least six feet high, casting shadows over the ground.

“This is some maze. I’m impressed,” Miranda said as they started out. “Wouldn’t it be scary in the dark?”

Cee skipped along.

“She can’t read your lips if she can’t see your face, Rand.” Matthew walked on the other side of Cee, about as far away from Miranda as he could. Both hands were jabbed into his jacket pocket.

“Maybe I was talking to you. Although, why I would, I have no idea. You give the silent treatment better than a thirteen-year-old girl.” And no, she hadn’t missed the way he’d reverted to the shortened, less personal version of her name. “You’re the one who wanted me to come today. I’m sorry if I’m totally ruining it for you, but I came because you asked me to.”

“You came because you don’t want me to tell anyone you’re a liar.”

Miranda stopped, dark hurt trekking a path straight to her heart. No, his judgment didn’t surprise her. But its sharpness did. “Maybe you should just do it. Publish the truth about Blaze and I. Whatever might happen couldn’t be worse than your high-and-mighty treatment. I’m sorry I’m not the picture of moral perfection you obviously want.”

The musty smell of the hay pricked her eyes and fogged her thoughts. What did Matthew want from her?

Up ahead from a fork in the path, Cee whirled around. “Come on, keep up!” She turned to the right.

“Are you sure that’s the right way?” Matthew called after her. But Cee had already galloped ahead. He turned back to Miranda.

She stood rooted in place, arms folded, a shield against his disapproval. He dropped his hands from his pocket, his tight stance loosening. “I’m the last person to expect perfection.” He rubbed his hand over his chin. “But honesty…I value that. So yeah, I’m having trouble getting over the fact that everything I thought I knew about you is a lie.”

~ End of Excerpt ~
Amber: Oooh, this is intriguing! 1) I love the fall references! Yay for corn mazes! 2) Sounds like some interesting characters and some great tension brewing - double yay! Thanks for sharing with us, Melissa. =)

***

 
Giveaway!
Melissa is giving away a paperback copy of Made to Last! Here are the rules:
Leave a comment with your e-mail address (required). Let us know what you think of this introduction to the hero and heroine of Made to Last! And please do wish Melissa a happy early birthday (saw on her website's calendar that it's this Saturday, the 28th)! =)This drawing is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. One winner will be randomly drawn using the List Randomizer on Random.org, and will be announced on this blog on Saturday, September 28th. Tomorrow's guest is Elizabeth Ludwig, and we'll be chatting about Dark Road Home!