Amber Stokes's Blog, page 50

Autumn Bash ~ Celebrating with Anne Elisabeth Stengl!

Today's guest is Anne Elisabeth Stengl, author of Dragowitch and the upcoming "Tales of Goldstone Wood" novella release, Goddess Tithe , which will be available November 12th! Read on to learn more about Anne Elisabeth and the characters (and cover) of Goddess Tithe...

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

Anne Elisabeth: Funny, since autumn is a time of quieting-down, of death and deep sleep, but I find the season rather an exciting one! I recall the summer I wrote Heartless, my debut novel . . . the first half of the book blazed to life for me in a few weeks, then stopped dead. I had to sit on it for most of the summer as I dealt with various difficulties in my own life. But then, come September and the onset of autumn, I felt a renewed interest and excitement in the project. I finished it up in a matter of weeks, and I’ve been working steadily on various writing endeavors ever since!

These days, autumn often means a deadline for me. This year, I have a deadline to finish my book 7 by the end of October, which is starting to loom a bit more than I like. LOL. I also have the excitement of Goddess Tithe’s release this November to look forward to. Hoorah for autumnal projects!

Amber: I love how the change of seasons can inspire us. You sure are keeping busy with your projects! Congratulations on the upcoming release. =)

Speaking of Goddess Tithe...if the hero 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? 

Anne Elisabeth: Munny, the young hero of Goddess Tithe, grew up in the dockyard slums of vast Lunthea
Maly city, about as far from harvests as he could be! However, this doesn’t mean that autumn didn’t bring changes and festivities. At the turning of the year from summer’s heat to the cooler days of autumn, all Lunthea Maly likes to celebrate. A parade marches through the main streets, making its way from the emperor’s palace down through the city, then back up again to finish at the Temple. Parade day is one of great excitement, and Munny used to enjoy following the procession as far as he could, hollering and shouting, trying to provoke the solemn priests and musicians into cracking smiles.

But at moonrise the day turns more solemn. For Munny is the son of a sailor who was lost at sea. On that night, the wild merriment of the parade forgotten, he and his mother would make their way down to the docks along with hundreds of other widows, orphans, and bereft mothers. Munny and his mother would save their pennies for weeks in order to afford to buy a humble white paper lantern and the candle shining inside it. Munny would build a little raft out of sticks and string and, as he murmured prayers for rest and blessing in unison with his mother, they would set their lantern adrift into the harbor. Before long the whole ocean was lighted up like the sky fallen to earth. Munny liked to think that the Lady Moon and her children in the heavens would look down with compassion on those lights and guide his own lantern safely out to sea where it would rest at last over the very place where his father drowned.

This year, Munny’s mother would have to celebrate Lantern Night on her own, for Munny was far away on his first sea voyage. He wondered if she managed to scrape together the means for a lantern . . . and he wondered if she, not knowing his fate, lit one for him as well . . . .

Amber: Oh, Anne Elisabeth, you capture the excitement and melancholy of the season so well in your descriptions! Sounds like this would be a hard time of year for Munny and his mother. 

What is/was your heroine’s favorite part about autumn in her hometown? 

Anne Elisabeth: When she was younger, Munny’s mother used to enjoy the coming of autumn. Her Kitar family was affluent, and she herself was a great beauty, so she enjoyed great prestige among her peers. Autumn meant a time of dances and parties, celebrating the phases of the moon and the turn of the year.

But now, her circumstances reduced, she enjoys more simple pleasures. The light she sees in her only child’s eyes when he, coming back from watching the great parade, tells her all that he has seen and all that he did, exaggerating tremendously so that she knows she ought to scold him . . . but can’t quite bear to. And she loves the sound of his young voice murmuring the prayers of rest and blessing as he kneels beside her to set the lanterns afloat on Lantern Night. He never knew his father, but she hears the truth in his words, and she knows he loves this man for whom he prays yet whom he will never meet.

Amber: Munny's mother sounds like a special woman and a wonderful parent.

Now, could you share a snippet from your latest release?

Anne Elisabeth:   Here is an excerpt from the middle of the story. In this scene, Munny has been ordered to Captain Sunan’s cabin to clear away his breakfast . . . an unexpected task, for a lowly cabin boy would not ordinarily dare enter his captain’s private quarters! Munny hopes to slip in and out quietly without attracting the captain’s notice. But his hopes are dashed when Sunan addresses him, asking how their strange, foreign stowaway is faring:

 ~ Excerpt from Goddess Tithe ~
“And what do you make of him yourself?”

Munny dared glance his captain’s way and was relieved when his eyes met only a stern and rigid back. “I’m not sure, Captain,” he said. “I think he’s afraid. But not of . . .”

“Not of the goddess?” the Captain finished for him. And with these words he turned upon Munny, his eyes so full of secrets it was nearly overwhelming. Munny froze, his fingers just touching but not daring to take up a small teapot of fragile work.

The Captain looked at him, studying his small frame up and down. “No,” he said, “I believe you are right. Leonard the Clown does not fear Risafeth. I believe he is unaware of his near peril at her will, suffering as he does under a peril nearer still.”

Munny made neither answer nor any move.

“We will bring him safely to Lunthea Maly, won’t we, Munny?” the Captain said. But he did not speak as though he expected an answer, so again Munny offered none. “We will bring him safely to Lunthea Maly and there let him choose his own dark future.”

“I hope—” Munny began.

But he was interrupted by a sudden commotion on deck. First a rising murmur of voices, then many shouts, inarticulate in cacophony. But a pounding at the cabin door accompanied Sur Agung’s voice bellowing, “Captain, you’d best come see this!”

The Captain’s eyes widened a moment and still did not break gaze with Munny’s. “We’ll keep him safe,” he repeated. Then he turned and was gone, leaving the door open.

Munny put down the pot he held and scurried after. The deck was alive with hands, even those who were off watch, crawling up from the hatches and crowding the rails on the port side. They parted way for the Captain to pass through, but when Munny tried to follow, they closed in again, blocking him as solidly as a brick wall.

“Look! Look!” Munny heard voices crying.

“It’s a sign!”

“She’s warning us!”

“It’s a sign, I tell you!”

Fearing he knew not what, Munny ran for the center mast and climbed partway up, using the handholds and footholds with unconscious confidence. Soon he was high enough to see over the heads of the gathered crew, out into the blue waters of the ocean. And he saw them.

They were water birds. Big white albatrosses, smaller seagulls, heavy cormorants, even deep-throated pelicans and sleek, black-faced terns. These and many more, hundreds of them, none of which should be seen this far out to sea.

They were all dead. Floating in a great mass.

Munny clung to the mast, pressing his cheek against its wood. The shouts of the frightened sailors below faded away, drowned out by the desolation of that sight. Death, reeking death, a sad flotilla upon the waves.

“I’ve never seen anything like that.”

Munny looked down to where Leonard clung to the mast just beneath him, staring wide-eyed out at the waves. “How could this have happened? Were they sick? Caught in a sudden gale? Are they tangled in fishing nets?”

There was no fear in his voice. Not like in the voices of the sailors. He did not understand. He did not realize. It wasn’t his fault, Munny told himself.

But it was.

~ End of Excerpt ~ 
Amber: Oooh, what an intriguing glimpse into the novella. And Leonard is back! So glad to have you back today, Anne Elisabeth - thank you for sharing all this with us!
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Cover Reveal!
Talk about awesome timing - the Autumn Bash coincided with the cover reveal for Goddess Tithe! I also posted about the cover on The Borrowed Book today, so be sure to head over there if you want to learn more about the cover design, illustrations, etc. And now, for the epic reveal...

The Vengeful GoddessDemands Her Tithe 
When a stowaway is discovered aboard the merchant ship Kulap Kanya, Munny, a cabin boy on his first voyage, knows what must be done. All stowaways are sacrificed to Risafeth, the evil goddess of the sea. Such is her right, and the Kulap Kanya's only hope to return safely home. 
Yet, to the horror of his crew, Captain Sunan vows to protect the stowaway, a foreigner in clown's garb. A curse falls upon the ship and all who sail with her, for Risafeth will stop at nothing to claim her tithe. 
Will Munny find the courage to trust his captain and to protect the strange clown who has become his friend? 
My Thoughts: I love the colors and motion of this cover! It looks mysterious and intense, promising danger, adventure, and a little bit of magic, if I may call it that. The red adds a certain "pop," and perhaps symbolizes the sacrifices that must be made along the journey. The boy himself looks a bit hardened by circumstances - his posture shows he's up for a challenge, but there's a certain sadness and loneliness in his face. The cover overall feels a bit melancholy, but hopeful with the splash of colors in the sky and sails. And the blurriness of the background gives a sense of distance, placing the story very much in the fantasy/fairy-tale realm. The cover reminds me a bit of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis - and that's not a bad thing at all!



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Giveaway!
Anne Elisabeth is doing a special giveaway in honor of the cover reveal. If you're a resident of the U.S. or Canada and you'd like a chance to win one of two proof copies of Goddess Tithe, enter via the Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tomorrow's guest is Melissa Tagg, and we'll be chatting about Made to Last!

Autumn Bash ~ Celebrating with Laura Frantz!

Happy first day of autumn - and welcome to the Autumn Bash 2013 (which is taking the place of the End of Summer Bash this year)! This week, we'll be celebrating the new season by learning a little more about some fabulous authors and the characters from their most recent releases. And yes, there will be giveaways! ;)

Today's guest is Laura Frantz, author of Love's Awakening - the second book in "The Ballantyne Legacy" series, which just released this month! Read on to learn more about Laura and her latest book beauty...

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Amber: Welcome once again to the blog, Laura! Always a pleasure to have you visit. =) So, what does autumn mean to you, in your writing career and in your life? Is there something you especially love about the season?

Laura: I love the rich colors and cooler temps and that “feeling” in the air that something is about to change. Fall is when our apples and pumpkins and sunflowers are at their peak and I love to make applesauce and decorate for fall. Plus it paves the way for the holiday season!

Amber: Yes, I love that "feeling," too - plus the apple cider!

If the hero of Love's Awakening 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?

Laura: My hero, Jack Turlock, would probably bring a keg of hard cider given his family’s occupation ;). Jack loves autumn though it tends to make him a little melancholy at times given the turmoil in his life. Since he is all fight and no finesse, he’d wear a simple linen shirt and breeches and boots. He despises dancing but likes a good fiddle and would enjoy watching from the sidelines.

Amber: He appreciates fiddle-playing? You know I love that in a hero! ;) Can't wait to meet him very soon!

What is your heroine’s favorite part about autumn in her hometown?

Laura: Western Pennsylvania is one of the most glorious places on earth in autumn. Since it was mostly rural farmland in Ellie’s day (1822), she’d savor the color in the woods and fields and enjoy a fall frolic. She loves to dance so would join in the festivities with abandon – unlike Jack!

Amber: I really need to visit the eastern portion of the country during the fall someday! Sounds breathtaking.

Could you share a snippet from your latest release? 

Laura:



~ Excerpt from Love's Awakening ~ 
Ellie’s gaze flickered west to River Hill’s unseen fields. It was far too easy to imagine Jack swinging a scythe in the moonlight as Chloe told her he sometimes did, followed by a swim in the chill of the river. She forbade her thoughts to stay on this and thought instead of autumn with its corn stubble and spent fields to unseen rivers locked fast with ice, barring his way back to them.

Eyes damp, she bit her lip, stunned by the ferocity of her feelings. Since Chloe had told her he was leaving – selling River Hill – she’d felt she was drowning in emotion and couldn’t get sure footing. She longed to talk to someone, to pour out her heart aside from prayer. But that, she knew, would only make matters more complicated. She’d caused the household worry enough with her waywardness on the road. She wouldn’t add to it with her angst over the Turlocks, too.

~ End of Excerpt ~
Amber: Love your writing, Laura - sounds like this story is going to be an intense and intriguing addition to the series. Thank you so much for joining us today!

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Giveaway!
Laura is giving away a signed paperback copy of Love's Awakening (complete with bookmarks)! 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 Love's Awakening! 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 Anne Elisabeth Stengl, and we'll be chatting about Goddess Tithe (complete with a cover reveal!).

Coming This November ~ A New Romance from Sandra Leesmith!

I'm incredibly blessed to still be working with my first client for Editing Through the Seasons (my freelance editing & publicity business). I had the privilege of assisting Sandra Leesmith in republishing Love's Miracles this last spring, and now we're going through all the steps again for self-publishing a brand-new contemporary romance. Read on to learn more about the book and today's celebration...

A Cover Story
Once again we teamed up with the awesome and amazing Lena Goldfinch in order to bring you another beautiful cover! Lena and I have a lot of fun with our secret Pinterest boards, brainstorming cover ideas as we search for the right models to fit a story's characters. When I first started editing Sandra's latest, I did a quick search on some stock photo sites and found a model that I thought fit the heroine perfectly - long blond braid, earthy/flowy clothing, a contemplative and competent look. Lena didn't end up using the model's face on the cover, but her braid makes an appearance. (Ah, the magic of Photoshop - and Lena's talent in using it!)
Lena suggested branding Sandra's covers by having some similarities in the composition, etc. So we started looking for couple photos that might fit Danny (the hero) and Skye (the heroine), since we had a couple cover for Love's Miracles. After pinning a lot of different couple pics and images of the setting (Puget Sound area) and other little things to share ideas, Lena started putting together some comps. I think what helped bring it all together was the new title and a gorgeous background Lena found.
If you haven't yet heard (it's been kept sort of hush-hush, but not entirely), the title for this book is...
Love's Refuge
We decided to brand Sandra's latest releases, not just by cover, but by title. I came up with a list of ideas for a new title (mostly including synonyms of "refuge"), and after getting some feedback from Sandra's fellow authors at Seekerville, Sandra and I agreed that Love's Refuge was the most fitting.

While I had originally envisioned an eagle or plane for Love's Refuge where the daisy was on the cover for Love's Miracles (you'll have to read the book to find out why I focused on those symbols!), I love how Lena encompassed the theme so well in the background image. The title was done in the same style of Love's Miracles, and the couple came together beautifully once the heroine was given her braid and everything was made to match. =)

Here's the result of it all:


What I Love: How well this cover complements that of Love's Miracles. The title and the focus on the couple, with a down-to-earth approachability and a sweetness that shows the sort of romance story this is. The atmospheric background that depicts the isolation of the setting and the tone of the book. The building (a lighthouse instead of a cabin this time) that symbolizes the hero and heroine's togetherness. See what I mean...?


Ah! So lovely together!

What I also appreciate about the cover for Love's Refuge is the yellow in the word "refuge" that goes with the soft yellow light shining from the lighthouse, as well as the calming blues along with the hint of darkness to show this isn't all just fluff. Another fantastic cover from Lena, in my opinion!

About the Book
 Skye Larsen loves her peaceful life on Leeza Island in Puget Sound – the tranquility, the friendly neighbors, and especially the safety from big-city dangers. So when cruel pranks start to escalate and changes threaten to overtake the island, Skye is determined to fight for her haven. The presence of a handsome vacationer and the unexpected feelings he awakens can’t distract her from her goal.

Danny Fraser doesn’t realize how desperately he needs a rest until he meets Skye. By allowing him to glimpse her simple way of life, she helps him reorient his priorities – and steals his heart in the process. But his work and home in Seattle keep Skye at bay.

An isolated island girl with painful memories. A dedicated city boy with a wild past. What will it cost for them both to find a refuge from their storms?
Meet the Author
In case you're not yet familiar with my awesome client, here's a little info about her:
Sandra Leesmith loves to travel in her RV and explore all of nature’s beauty, discover America’s history, and fellowship with the wonderful people she meets while on the road. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, swimming, and pickleball.

Learn more about Sandra and her books at www.sandraleesmith.com. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Giveaway & Freebie
To celebrate the unveiling of her new cover, Sandra is generously offering a giveaway and a freebie!

The giveaway (open to U.S. residents only ) is for a handmade Kindle bag. It was crafted by these lovely people:


And it looks like this:

Sweet, no?? You can enter to win via the Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The winner will be announced here on the 28th, along with all the winners of next week's Autumn Bash giveaways!

And what better coordinating freebie than a Kindle book? If you've yet to download Sandra's latest release, Love's Miracles, today is the day to do so! It's FREE for one day only (today, September 20th), and you can find it HERE.

Cover Reveal Participants
What makes a cover reveal so exciting is seeing the cover debut on various sites and hearing readers' thoughts on it! So do stop by these great blogs today to learn more about the book and what others are saying about the cover:
Bluerose's HeartCarolyn Hughey/K.T. RobertsClean Adult FictionDreaming Under the Same Mooni blog 4 books Literary and LaceMy Favorite PastimeThe Curried NutThe Librarian's BookshelfThe Wonderings of One PersonTo Be A Person What do you think of Sandra's new cover? Does it make you want to read the book?

Autumn Bash 2013 ~ Coming Soon!

In place of my annual End of Summer Bash celebrating the change of seasons, I'm doing a strictly fall-related party this year. But don't worry - the Autumn Bash will still include a fantastic author line-up, fun interview responses, book excerpts, and giveaways! It's all autumn-themed this time around, and there will also be a cover reveal and review or two thrown in there to round out the occasion. So mark your calendars, and please grab the button if you'd like to help spread the word!


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Autumn Bash 2013 Schedule:
Sunday, Sept. 22nd ~ Laura Frantz (Love's Awakening)Monday, Sept. 23rd ~ Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Goddess Tithe w/cover reveal)Tuesday, Sept. 24th ~ Melissa Tagg (Made to Last)Wednesday, Sept. 25th ~ Elizabeth Ludwig (Dark Road Home)Thursday, Sept. 26th ~ Jolina Petersheim (The Outcast)Friday, Sept. 27th ~ Jessica Dotta (Born of Persuasion)Saturday, Sept. 28th ~ Winners AnnouncedI will note the rules for each giveaway on its corresponding post. I'm still undecided as to whether I'm going to put together Rafflecopter forms for the giveaways or just have you enter via the comments section... The former would probably be easier and more organized for me, but if the majority of you don't like to use those forms, I want to keep things simple for you, too! So do chime in with your thoughts and preferences on entering giveaways, if you're so inclined. =)

Can't wait to celebrate the new season with you and these wonderful authors! What are you most looking forward to about autumn?

My Review of On Distant Shores

Click HERE to read my official blog tour post, which includes a description of the book, information about the author, and links. (Please note that the giveaway has ended.)

My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

Sarah Sundin can be counted on to produce quality WWII fiction filled with interesting details, well-mixed themes, and tender romance. On Distant Shores is no exception.

It starts with a slow waltz back into the lives of characters from With Every Letter, with a few spins and turns as the reader gets new perspective from previous secondary characters. I found it interesting that the book begins before the ending of With Every Letter, although it quickly catches up to where that first book in the "Wings of the Nightingale" series left off. I appreciate that the hero and heroine I'd come to love in With Every Letter weren't neglected throughout the entirety of this story, and the hero and heroine of the third book (coming 2014) are also included, with even a little bit of character growth for the next heroine.

As for Hutch and Georgie, the hero and heroine of this book... Era- and war-specific romantic tension is Sundin's specialty. I confess that their scenes apart were frustrating to read, as I enjoyed witnessing their interactions. Yet a certain scene in the middle is all the sweeter for the long solo flights it took for them to get there. And a certain "other girl" enriches the story all the more...

I'd say there's a little more action in this book than With Every Letter, although the romance didn't woo me quite as much, or at least not in the same way. I confess that socially awkward Mellie and her epistolary love story were a little dearer to me than Georgie's story. But what I love about Sundin's books is that each one is so unique, despite being centered on the same war and often similar professions. Each character's fears and struggles are depicted in a memorable, thematic way. Georgie's lessons on safety vs. strength and Hutch's lesson in contentment resonate, and the use of gifts and outings to convey them is very well done.

For those who desire to be completely immersed in another era and to stay there for a while, On Distant Shores offers a worthwhile and well-crafted journey. The length of the book wasn't quite as enjoyable for me this time around, but I still think it's an excellent read when you're in the mood for this genre.

*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.*

My Review of Shades of Mercy (CFBA Tour)

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingShades of MercyRiver North; New Edition edition (September 1, 2013)byAnita Lustrea
and
Caryn Rivendara
ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Authentic. That’s the word heard over and over when women describe Anita Lustrea. She is a popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats, and an amazing communicator as co-host of the award winning Midday Connection radio broadcast. Her deep desire is to communicate freedom to women and help them nurture and care for their soul. Anita is the co-author of Come to Our Table: A Midday Connection Cookbook and Daily Seeds from Women Who Walk in Faith, a devotional for women. Her first solo venture as an author releases in November 2010, What Women Tell Me: Finding Freedom From the Secrets We Keep. Anita and her husband, Mike Murphy, a pastor, along with her teenage son John live in the Chicago suburbs. When she’s not traveling or speaking, you can find her reading and drinking a venti hot tea at her local Starbucks.

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Caryn is a sought-after writer and speaker. She’s the author of four books—Shades of Mercy: A Maine Chronicle (River North, September 2013), Known & Loved: 52 Devotions from the Psalms (Revell, April 2013), Grumble Hallelujah (Tyndale House, September 2011), and Mama’s Got a Fake I.D. (WaterBrook Press, March 2009)–and a regular contributor to Christianity Today’s Her.Meneutics as well as columnist for Re:Frame Media’s ThinkChristian blog. She has written dozens of magazine articles. Her work has appeared in such publications as Christianity Today, Relevant, FamilyLife, and Engineering and Mining Journal (you read that right). Caryn leads workshops and speaks at conferences and church groups across the country. She’s also a regular guest on Moody Radio’s Midday Connection with Anita Lustrea and Melinda Schmidt and has been featured on such radio shows as The John and Kathy Show, Changing Worldviews/WOMANTalk with Sharon Hughes, I Thought She Said with Faith Daly, The Paul Edwards Program with Paul Edwards, and Talk from the Heart with Rich Buhler, among many others. Caryn also appeared on The Harvest Show. Caryn earned a B.A. in English from Calvin College and attended the University of Chicago’s publishing program. She lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband, Rafael, her three kids, a rescued pit bull terrier, two hermit crabs, and several tank fulls of who-knows-what-kind-of fish. Caryn and her family are members of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church in Elmhurst, Illinois, where Caryn recently joined the worship staff.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It's 1954 and the world - even the far Northwoods of Maine - is about to change. But that change can't happen soon enough for fourteen-year-old Mercy Millar. Long tired of being the "son" her father never had, Mercy's ready for the world to embrace her as the young woman she is - as well as embrace the forbidden love she feels. When childhood playmates grow up and fall in love, the whole community celebrates. But in the case of Mercy and Mick, there would be no celebration. Instead their relationship must stay hidden. Good girls do not date young men from the Maliseet tribe. At least, not in Watsonville, Maine. When racial tensions escalate and Mick is thrown in jail under suspicion of murder, Mercy nearly loses all hope-in love, in her father, and in God himself.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Shades of Mercy, go HERE.

MY RATING

Fall/Spring

MY REVIEW

Shades of Mercy is a gentle tale with an understated tension. While the focus and details feel fresh, the story itself feels familiar - sort of a "new classic" that highlights some important issues but does so in an inconspicuous and unassuming way. The country girl whose eyes are opened to the injustices of life as well as true hope...the rural community that struggles with its perception and treatment of those who are seen as different and possibly threatening...wrongful imprisonment...legal disputes...a time of change for everyone - it's all there. This is a very traditional story from the perspective of one girl on the verge of womanhood who observes the people she's grown up with and their need for varying shades of mercy.

The plot itself didn't overly impress me. There isn't a whole lot that happens, and the things that do are marked with a subtle strain that doesn't entirely engage. In some ways the story has its surprises, but sometimes I wished for deeper explorations of different characters. However, the writing itself - while sometimes feeling a tad bit "done before" - is really rather lovely. There are some great lines, and the simplicity of the era and the characters' lifestyles is rather charming, although the difficult realities and unkind attitudes are not glossed over.

For those who enjoy a quieter book with a "classic" feel, Shades of Mercy should satisfy - and if that hint of more recounting to come (in the epilogue) is ever fulfilled, there's potential for another, possibly more romantic "Maine Chronicle." I did like this book and the stroll through memories of another time, along with the timeless lessons. But this sort of story - with its unhurried pace and lack of energy and novelty - isn't really my cup of tea.

*With thanks to the publisher through CFBA for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Contentment Reading Challenge 2013: July/August/September

As you can probably tell by the title of this post, I am behind once again in this challenge and in my posting... *sigh* But I finally re-read another book! That brings my total up to 5.

When super-awesome author Krissi Dallas offered me an early e-copy of Watermark for review, it was the perfect excuse to re-read Watercrossing. It actually kind of became a necessity, 'cause when I tried starting Watermark without re-reading Watercrossing, I realized that it had been too long since I had been immersed in the White Island life. And since Watermark starts right where Watercrossing left off, I needed to be reminded of all that went down in book 3, LOL.

Doesn't this series have such pretty, eye-catching covers? Love the symbolism and colors!
So here's the lowdown...
There are four books in the "Phantom Island" series so far: Windchaser, Windfall, Watercrossing, and Watermark (officially releasing October 29th). (And, as far as I know, there are four more books coming featuring "Fire" and "Earth" - but we don't know the order yet, as that will reveal something about the love triangle... *wink*) While all of them should be read together and in order for maximum enjoyment, the "Wind" books and the "Water" books really do go hand in hand. So while you can take a break between the "Wind" books and the "Water" books, it's especially hard to break the couples up! Let's just say it's been a long wait for Watermark. (But definitely worth it!)
Anyway, this is a YA fantasy series about three best friends who help out at Camp Fusion - a camp for young people who are dealing with difficult losses. Whitnee, Caleb, and Morgan all attended the camp when they were younger, and now they're giving back. But little do they know that this summer is the summer that will change everything...as a portal located across the river sends them to the White Island, where Whitnee's past and future collide. 
And figuring out how to get back to the mainland isn't even the half of it!
I really do love this series - it's incredibly engaging. Even having read Watercrossing once, I got pulled in again this second time around, flying through the pages and feeling all the excitement of the romance and danger. There's just something magical about the settings, the properties of the White Island and its inhabitants, and the relationship drama. You can read my full review of Watercrossing HERE - and here are my reviews of Windchaser and Windfall (books 1 and 2).
I just finished Watermark...and wow. This is an epic conclusion to the "Water" books and the first half of the series. I'll be reviewing it soon, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, do share what you've re-read recently, if you've had a chance to get some re-reading done! And if you're participating in the challenge, you can link up below:

Bleeding Heart News!

If you've been waiting...
to purchase a paperback copy orto download a Kindle copy...today is the day!

It's a doubly exciting celebration, because not only is the paperback version of  Bleeding Heart "in stock" on Amazon, but you can also download a Kindle copy of the book for FREE between now and Thursday night!! Before summer officially turns into fall, you can take one last vacation - to the American West of the late 19th century. =) I hope the story blesses you in some way!

In other news...
If you missed author Michelle Griep and Serena Chase's reviews of Bleeding Heart, they've been posted in new places! You can read the former at Novel Reviews and the latter at Edgy Inspirational Romance. I shared about my self-publishing journey so far at Novel Rocket - "Seasons of a Self-Publishing Journey." I incorporate the titles of my books, so do stop by if you're curious!And one last thing...
If you end up purchasing a paperback copy of Bleeding Heart, I'd be thrilled to see a picture of you with the book! (Or of the book on your shelf, desk, etc.!) There's certainly no pressure to do so, but if you wanted to share a pic I'd love to pin it to my Bleeding Heart Pinterest board. =)Thank you for all you've done to support me during this season of my writing career! 

Bookish and Writerly Questions

The Liebster award has been floating around the blogosphere, and I've been blessed to be included in its wanderings! I was nominated to receive it by Miranda of To Be A Person, Rebeka of The Other World, Rel of Relz Reviewz, and Shannah of Book Reviews by Shannah. And I was mentioned by Crystal of Just Another Book Lovin' Girl and Rissi of Dreaming Under the Same Moon in their posts - such dear, sweet friends, who are also an inspiration to me!

Once upon a time I had a page for the blog awards I've received, but I decided to delete it because my list of pages (top right of the sidebar) got rather long... If you ever do want to see my awards posts (what I wrote about, who I nominated, etc.), you can click the "blog award" link in the labels section of the sidebar (titled "From Days Gone By...").

Anyway, I haven't been doing much with blog awards as of late, but I'm feeling the pressure this time around, LOL. Bloggers have been asking some great questions of each other, and I can't resist weighing in on some of them! Since I was nominated by four different bloggers with their own sets of questions, I decided to just pick and choose which questions I wanted to answer instead of answering all of them:

Question: If you had to choose one author to have a face-to-face chat with, who would it be and why?

Answer: Laura Frantz. (Although there are others I would love to meet, too!) Based on what I've heard and what I've experienced through her e-mails and blog posts and books, Laura is such a sweet person with a kind heart - not to mention a wonderful talent for penning gorgeous historical romances. It would be such a treat to be able to talk to her face-to-face about our stories and anything at all, really!


Question: If you were asked to pick one book you believe should be adapted into a movie, which would it be?

Answer: Does every author harbor a secret dream to have one of their books made into a movie? ;) At the risk of sounding incredibly vain, I had always thought it would be such a dream come true to have Michael Landon Jr. take on one of my books for a movie project! I'm not sure Bleeding Heart would make an ideal movie... Lots of traveling, violence and difficult topics, and just a lot going on - a movie version would probably have to change things up, and it might be hard to find the right audience without taking away from the story, you know? But Forget Me Not... I think there's potential! =)

Question: How would you describe your personal style?

Answer: I'm going to focus on my writing style - there's not much to say about my taste in clothes and whatnot, anyway, LOL. I'd say my writing style is atmospheric, thematic, and character-driven. I set the mood more than the scene, in the sense that I try to convey emotions more than I try to ground the reader with details. I keep things focused on the theme(s) of the story. And I pour my heart into my characters and their feelings. If you'd describe my writing differently, I'd be curious to here your thoughts! Hoping I'm not too self-deluded about my style. ;)

Question: Please share a snippet of your current work-in-progress.

Answer: Here's a snippet from the first draft of Fairy Slippers, a short story featuring Zachary Taylor (a secondary character from Bleeding Heart) that I'm planning on entering in Anne Elisabeth Stengl's Five Glass Slippers Creative Writing Contest. Zachary is in the middle of berating the proprietor of the general store for the lack of supplies, when he notices someone...

Turning, he spotted Margaret – the plain, quiet server who worked in the lumber camp cookhouse closer to the logging site. She appeared to be doing her best to blend into the shelves on the other side of the store. 

Something very much like butter clogged up his airway while simultaneously warming up his blood. She wasn’t the prettiest of Gertrude’s three assistants, but there was something about Margaret that softened him. Her long blond braid drew his eye down to her waist, where an apron she must have forgotten to remove hugged her hips. It was speckled with flour and grease stains. He almost smiled but caught himself in time before he ruined his stance in the argument with Lewis. 
 

Question: What is the name of the most recent book you have finished and loved?

Answer: A Spark Unseen by Sharon Cameron, YA historical fiction and sequel to one of my fave books of 2012, The Dark Unwinding. You can read my review HERE.

Question: What is the 17th line of the 125th page of the book you are currently reading?

Answer: I'm going to do this (approximately) for two books - one I'm re-reading (Watercrossing by Krissi Dallas) and one I'm reading for review, which I should have finished over a week ago (On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin). (I'm so behind on my reading, and I need to catch up and be a more responsible reviewer. *sigh*)

Watercrossing - "...then you're just going back to how you were, Amelia...and this whole summer was pointless!"

On Distant Shores - "The asphalt burned her backside. Her breath trotted at a steady pace."

Question: What is your genre of choice? Why?

Answer: I enjoy a variety of genres, at times. There are some contemporary romances I've liked, some fantasy, some dystopian, some mystery, some Amish... But the one I often enjoy reading and the one I've taken to writing in at this time is historical romance. I love the things it can teach you, the reality mixed with imagination, the challenges found in each era, the interesting facts and the adventures through the past. I love the uniqueness of the romance and yet its timeless nature. History fascinates me, and I love how historical fiction works like a puzzle where you have to search for all the hidden pieces.

Question: If you had to swap lives with a character, who would it be and why?

Answer: Maybe Savannah from My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison, or Casey from Clockwise by Elle Strauss, or Whitnee from the "Phantom Island" series by Krissi Dallas. Being transported into a fairy tale, time travel to the Civil War era, or trips to a magical island - all with cute and protective boys? Mmmmhmmm!


Question: Do you alphabetise your books by author or title, on your bookshelves?

Answer: Author - last name! That way you can group an author's books together and find titles fairly easily.

Question: What is your favorite spot to read?

Answer: Probably my bed, because it's quiet at night and I can generally read the most when I'm there all cozy and undistracted. However, I'm not quite sure that's really my ultimate/only favorite spot... I love the memories you make when reading a book - how you can remember reading certain scenes in a certain location. I can pretty much be found with a book wherever I go, and I've loved the times I've read at my grandparents' house, at the airport, all over the place at college, etc.

How would you answer these questions? Would love to hear your responses!

My Review of A Spark Unseen

Here's a description of the book from the author's website:

"When Katharine Tulman wakes in the middle of the night and accidentally foils a kidnapping attempt on her uncle, she realizes Stranwyne Keep is no longer safe for Uncle Tully and his genius inventions. She flees to Paris, where she hopes to remain undetected and also find the mysterious and handsome Lane, who is suspected to be dead.

But the search for Lane is not easy, and Katharine soon finds herself embroiled in a labyrinth of political intrigue. From the court of Napoleon III to the underground tunnels of Paris, Katharine will have to decide how a dangerous weapon might be kept from both a queen and an emperor, and whom she can trust –if anyone– to help make Uncle Tully safe once and for all."
My Rating
Spring/Summer
My Review
What a delight to revisit some of the characters from The Dark Unwinding in this suspenseful, intriguing, and twisty-turny story! The Dark Unwinding was one of my favorite reads of 2012, so it's little wonder I was eager to read A Spark Unseen. Happily, it turned out to be a wonderful sequel, building off of the great characterization from the first book and providing its own surprising adventure.
I absolutely love the mood Cameron sets in these books - created by that combination of mystery, history, romance, and a healthy dose of the unusual and unexpected. The core characters are loyal, determined, and smart, although not without making some unwise choices along the way. Katharine is no "shrinking violet" - despite her desire to remain hidden away from society, she can't seem to help but draw attention, and she certainly can't seem to keep quiet  when she feels something needs to be said (or done). Her boldness is balanced well with a display of her weaknesses and fears, making her a great first-person POV heroine to follow.
While this book has its own feel to it and could possibly be enjoyed fine alone, I highly recommend reading The Dark Unwinding first. One, because it's a fascinating read! Two, because Katharine's quest and certain developments of this story have more of an emotional impact, I believe, if you're familiar with relationships begun in the first book. 
The beginning had me intrigued, but the middle and end had me hooked - shocked at every turn, and even a little teary in parts. I loved watching all the cogwheels being fitted into place, the spinning story growing with each new piece. While The Dark Unwinding holds a special place in my heart with it being the first and with how much it impressed me, A Spark Unseen didn't disappoint at all. Some great lines, great twists, and a little sweetness and understanding mixed in...and we have the right conditions for a spark to ignite!
*With thanks to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for providing me with a temporary e-ARC of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*
This book will be available September 24, 2013.