June McCrary Jacobs's Blog: ~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~, page 108

~ Some Things You Might Like to Know About 'Robin's Reward' ~

~ SOME THINGS YOU MIGHTLIKE TO KNOW ABOUT'ROBIN'S REWARD' ~
 People frequently ask me how I came up with the characters, setting, and plot for my 85,000-word contemporary inspirational romance novel, 'Robin's Reward'. Let's just say I have an extremely active imagination. My creativity began at a young age and has just never slowed down.
Here's a list of some things you might like to know about 'Robin's Reward':
--  The story is set in the coastal mountains of Northern California in the fictional small town of Bonita Creek, right about where you would find Willits, California, on your atlas.

--  I chose the name of Robin for my main character because I had a close childhood friend named Robin. We met in Sunday School in second grade and continued our friendship until we were in our twenties. We lost track of each other at some point, but I have fond memories of many fun times together.

--  Robin loves to garden, cook, read, and walk. Hobbies she shares with her creator.  :0}

--  Robin cooks and bakes from scratch, just like I do. Biscuits, cookies, pies, waffles, potato salad, pizza, spaghetti sauce--all made from scratch. It takes more time, but we feel it's a healthier way to eat. Besides, we gain a great deal of pleasure from the simple acts of cooking and baking.

--  Robin's favorite flowers are dahlias. Coincidentally, my favorite flowers are dahlias. The magenta pompom dahlias on the book's cover are Robin's favorite variety, which she probably chose because they're on the top of my list, too!

Robin's favorite variety of dahlia. 


--  One of Robin's favorite places to visit are the botanical gardens on the coast in Mendocino County. This is a real place! The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg, California, are an awesome place to walk, view the ocean, and wander around looking at hundreds {if not thousands} of varieties of flowers, trees, shrubs, ground covers, etc. I love to walk down the path toward the ocean and see a family of California Coastal Quail wander out of the brush and scurry across the path to the other side. They are shy, but beautiful. Here's the link to the Garden's website: 
https://www.gardenbythesea.org/

The Dahlia Garden at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens  ***Spoiler Alert: Below is a photo I took of the gazebo in the Dahlia Garden at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. This is the site of a very important scene in 'Robin's Reward'! Enough said . . . 

This Gazebo in the Dahlia Garden is the location for many summer weddings. 
 --  The minister in the story, Reverend White, and his wife, Marian, are based upon a couple who worked with the junior high school youth group at my childhood church. They were kind to us and generous with their time. Dealing with two dozen young teens could not have been easy, but they gave me many lasting memories fun times spent together at our annual ice skating and museum field trips.

--  A dog named 'Hunter' who plays a small part in the plot was named after a friend's rambunctious, enthusiastic, energetic, lovable Redbone Coonhound.

I hope you've enjoyed getting a glimpse of the meaning behind some of the elements of this book. Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win an ebook copy of 'Robin's Reward' along with several other books written by participating authors. {Note:  The three photos above were taken by me at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in 2015.}
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Enter the Rafflecopter contest below for a chance to win some ebooks and hardcover books including an ebook copy of my book, 'Robin's Reward' and a hardcover copy of my holiday book, 'A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom'.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':-- Thursday, March 22nd - Friday, March 23rd: 'SPRING MULTI-AUTHOR GIVEAWAY' organized by Singing Librarian Book Tours will feature my two inspirational romance novels--'ROBIN'S REWARD' & 'A HOLIDAY MIRACLE IN APPLE BLOSSOM'. I will post a different feature about my books each day, so stop by for new content each day next week.

Enter to win an e-copy of 'Robin's Reward' {giveaway sponsored by me} and a hardcover copy of my Christmas book {giveaway sponsored by my publisher, Cedar Fort, Inc.} There are several other authors participating, so stop back in on Tuesday morning to learn more details and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.
--  Monday, March 26th:  Release Day Giveaway for 'My Sister's Intended' by Author Rachael Anderson.
--  Monday, March 26th:  It'll be another Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday here on the blog. Featured title is TBA.
--  Wednesday, March 28th:  Book Spotlight for 'My Sister's Intended' by Author Rachael Anderson. # # # # # #   

~ First Day of Spring Photo Gallery & Multi-Author Giveaway ~

~ FIRST DAY OF SPRINGFLOWER GARDEN GALLERY& MULTI-AUTHOR GIVEAWAY ~

The setting for my contemporary inspirational romance book, 'Robin's Reward',  is the fictional town of Bonita Creek, California, located in the coastal mountains of the magnificent Mendocino Coast in Northern California. Here's a photo of the Pacific Ocean taken from the botanical gardens in Fort Bragg, California, one of Robin's favorite spots to visit.

The main character, Robin Bennett, is the town's librarian and a master gardener. She loves flowers even more than she loves books--and that's saying a lot! The book opens with Robin working in her front garden on the first day of spring. Here are some flowers she might find blooming in her garden on March 20th.
















































































Lots of other interesting and exciting things happen to Robin throughout the year, but the next spring is where the book ends. So I guess you could say spring is Robin's favorite time of year!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Enter the Rafflecopter contest below for a chance to win some ebooks and hardcover books including an ebook copy of my book, 'Robin's Reward' and a hardcover copy of my holiday book, 'A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom'.
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':-- Wednesday, March 21st - Friday, March 23rd: 'SPRING MULTI-AUTHOR GIVEAWAY' organized by Singing Librarian Book Tours will feature my two inspirational romance novels--'ROBIN'S REWARD' & 'A HOLIDAY MIRACLE IN APPLE BLOSSOM'. I will post a different feature about my books each day, so stop by for new content each day next week.

Enter to win an e-copy of 'Robin's Reward' {giveaway sponsored by me} and a hardcover copy of my Christmas book {giveaway sponsored by my publisher, Cedar Fort, Inc.} There are several other authors participating, so stop back in on Tuesday morning to learn more details and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.
--  Monday, March 26th:  Release Day Giveaway for 'My Sister's Intended' by Author Rachael Anderson.
--  Monday, March 26th:  It'll be another Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday here on the blog. Featured title is TBA.

--  Wednesday, March 28th:  Book Spotlight for 'My Sister's Intended' by Author Rachael Anderson. # # # # # #   
 

MMGM Non-Fiction Feature - Boxcar Children: Guide to Advenure

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY NON-FICTION FEATURE ~ -- 'The Boxcar Children Guide to Adventure: A How-To for Mystery Solving, Make-It-Yourself Projects and More' -- Created by Author Gertrude Chandler Warner LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS



ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads Book Blurb}:The Boxcar Children have long been known for being creative and resourceful. This hardcover book is filled with fun how-to guides for everyday adventures. It includes tips and tricks for mystery solving (how to make invisible ink and create secret codes), travel (how to pack a suitcase; how to take great snapshots), and enjoying the great outdoors. Each of the four Boxcar Children has his or her own section—practical advice from Jessie, a “roughing it” guide from Henry, crafts and art projects from Violet, and recipes from Benny! A great gift for Boxcar fans.  ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:  Gertrude Chandler Warner was born in Putnam, Connecticut, on April 16, 1890, to Edgar and Jane Warner. Her family included a sister, Frances, and a brother, John. From the age of five, she dreamed of becoming an author. She wrote stories for her Grandfather Carpenter, and each Christmas she gave him one of these stories as a gift. Today, Ms. Warner is best remembered as the author of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN MYSTERIES.
 
As a child, Gertrude enjoyed many of the things that girls enjoy today. She loved furnishing a dollhouse with handmade furniture and she liked to read. Her favorite book was ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Often on Sundays after church, Gertrude enjoyed trips to visit her grandparents' farm. Along the way, she and Frances would stop to pick the wildflowers they both loved. Gertrude's favorite flower was the violet.

Due to ill health, Ms. Warner never finished high school. She left in the middle of her second year and studied with a tutor. Then, in 1918, when teachers were called to serve in World War I, the school board asked her to teach first grade. She had forty children in the morning and forty more in the afternoon . . . Eventually, Ms. Warner attended Yale, where she took several teacher training courses.

Once when she was sick and had to stay home from teaching, she thought up the story about the Boxcar Children. It was inspired by her childhood dreams. As a child, she had spent hours watching the trains go by near her family's home. Sometimes she could look through the window of a caboose and see a small stove, a little table, cracked cups with no saucers, and a tin coffee pot boiling away on the stove. The sight had fascinated her and made her dream about how much fun it would be to live and keep house in a boxcar or caboose. 

She read the story to her classes and rewrote it many times so the words were easy to understand. Some of her pupils spoke other languages at home and were just learning English. THE BOXCAR CHILDREN gave them a fun story that was easy to read.

MY REVIEW:  My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Binkley, liked to read aloud to our class each day after lunch. I'm assuming she liked to read to us because of her pleasant voice and smile, but I loved when she read to us! I can vividly remember her reading 'The Boxcar Children', 'My Side of the Mountain', and 'Little House in the Big Woods' to us. When I saw this 'Guide to Adventure' from 2014 in the local library's online catalog, I knew I wanted to read it.

The book is organized into eight chapters, each covering a different topic for adventure. Readers learn some simple detective skills in the first chapter; they learn ways to keep occupied on road trips in Chapter Three. Some simple recipes are included in the fifth chapter, while 'Violet's Workbag' shares stepped-out instructions for several craft, art, and gardening projects. 

The 'A Friend in Need' chapter covers various ways children can 'pitch in to help' the community. Suggested jobs for readers include pet sitter and dog walking, babysitting and parent helper, volunteering, and yard work. This chapter stresses having fun and working together to get things done.

One chapter I especially appreciated was the final chapter, 'Unplugged Games'. The chapter starts off with tips for how to play fairly and how to show good sportsmanship. Lists of outdoor games and indoor card games are included. Did you know there are at least thirteen different versions of Tag? {Oh, how I wish I had known this when I was teaching primary grades.}

Another attractive feature of the book is that most of the chapters include a sidebar listing books from the Boxcar Children series that apply to the theme of the chapter. For instance, the chapter entitled 'Outdoor Adventures' lists seven mysteries in the series where the characters used their detective skills to solve a mystery. 'Violet's Workbag' lists three 'Great DIY Boxcar Children Moments' referring to crafts the children made in the stories and in which book they appear. 

Highly recommended! This book was written for children but it is a great resource for teachers, librarians, parents/grandparents, youth group/scout/4H/church school leaders/camp counselors, and anyone who spends time with or works with middle-grade aged children. 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
CURRENT GIVEAWAYS:  Don't forget to check out my Current Giveaways Page to enter for a chance to win in three different Rafflecopter giveaways going on right now. ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':-- Tuesday, March 20th - Friday, March 23rd: 'SPRING MULTI-AUTHOR GIVEAWAY' organized by Singing Librarian Book Tours will feature my two inspirational romance novels--'ROBIN'S REWARD' & 'A HOLIDAY MIRACLE IN APPLE BLOSSOM'. I will post a different feature about my books each day, so stop by for new content each day next week.

Enter to win an e-copy of 'Robin's Reward' {giveaway sponsored by me} and a hardcover copy of my Christmas book {giveaway sponsored by my publisher, Cedar Fort, Inc.} There are several other authors participating, so stop back in on Tuesday morning to learn more details and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.# # # # # # 



 



 

Blast & Giveaway for Whitcomb Springs and Healing Fire

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~-- BLAST & GIVEAWAY --TWO HISTORICAL SHORT STORIESBY AUTHORS MK McCLINTOCK &SAMANTHA ST. CLAIRE'WHITCOMB SPRINGS' and 'HEALING FIRE' 

'WHITCOMB SPRINGS' BY MK MCCLINTOCK:
In the spring of 1865, a letter arrives in Whitcomb Springs for Evelyn Whitcomb. The Civil War has ended and the whereabouts of her husband is unknown, but she doesn’t give up hope. With courage, the help of a friend, and the love of a people, Evelyn finds a way to face—and endure—the unexpected. “Whitcomb Springs” is the introductory, stand-alone short story of the Whitcomb Springs series set in post-Civil War Montana.
 
Excerpt from 'Whitcomb Springs':
Whitcomb Springs, Montana Territory—April 25, 1865
The letter fluttered to the table. Evelyn stared at the sheet of paper but could no longer make out the words as they blurred together. Surrender. She prayed this day would come, they all had, and after four tortuous years, the war was finally over. There would be more capitulation on the part of the South, and too many families who would never see their men again . . . but it was over. Separated, yet not untouched, from conflict, Evelyn Whitcomb lived in the same town her husband and their two friends founded one year before news of the Civil War reached them. By way of her sister, who lived in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania with their parents, they were kept informed as often as Abigail could get a letter through. Evelyn often wondered if she should have returned to Rose Valley to help with the war effort, much as her sister Abigail had done, yet she found the needs of Whitcomb Springs to be vast as the town continued to grow. Many men and boys left, leaving their wives, mothers, and sisters behind to fight for a cause they didn’t fully understand, yet still felt it their duty to serve. Others remained behind to continue working in the mine and watch over those families with or without kin. Evelyn read over Abigail’s letter once more, letting the words settle into her mind, for even now she struggled to believe it was over—that her husband might return home. Dearest Evelyn, For too many years now I have shared with you the horrors and travesties befallen many of the young men with whom we spent our childhood. News has reached us that on the ninth of April, Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse. Oh, sister, I dared not believe it was true when Papa brought home the news. He tells us not to become overly excited for there will surely be a few more battles waged until the news reaches both sides, but we can thank God that this war is officially over. Your news of Daniel’s disappearance has weighed heavy on my mind these past months since we heard, and Papa has attempted to learn of his whereabouts, to no avail. We have not given up! There is much confusion right now on both sides and Papa said it could be weeks or months more before the men return home. Do not lose faith, sweet Evie. Your most loving sister,  Abigail

  
Author the Author:  MK MCCLINTOCK is an award-winning author of historical romance and westerns, who has written several books and short stories, including the popular "Montana Gallagher" series, the "Crooked Creek" series, and the "British Agent" series. She continues the search for a time machine that can transport her to nineteenth-century Montana or Scotland—either works. MK enjoys a quiet life in the Rocky Mountains where she spins tales of romance, adventure, and mystery set in bygone times. 

Website & Blog * Amazon * Facebook * Twitter
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
 
'HEALING FIRE' BY SAMANTHA ST. CLAIRE 
After the death of Nora Hewitt's husband, the citizens of Whitcomb Springs didn't see odds favoring the young widow for holding onto the ranch with only her ten-year-old son to assist. That changes when a gentle giant of a man offers a helping hand. Motivated by compassion and his own grieving heart, the blacksmith becomes a mentor for the troubled boy and befriends the attractive widow, scandalizing the town gossips. Propriety is wielded like a weapon to separate them, but Providence makes its own plans through fire, loss and redemption.

   
Excerpt from 'Healing Fire':
Sawdust floated into drifts beneath the workbench, swirling in the cold Montana morning air. His breath a thin fog, Dominik Andris sang to himself as he ran his palm down the length of the cedar plank. Deep and resonant, the Austrian’s voice might have suited his appearance had it not been for its soft timbre. Broad-shouldered, square-jawed, and generally solemn in bearing, most people avoided him except when his skills as a blacksmith or undertaker were required. Today, someone had need of him as the latter. A rectangular box stood propped against the back wall. Nearly complete, the box lid before him was carved in designs more suitable for a cradle. Dominik picked up a carving knife, dwarfed in his hands, and bent to correct a curve on the delicate vine tracing its way from one end of the lid to the other. He ran his fingers along its length, testing for burrs in the grain. His humming ceased and a line formed between his brows, a frown not directed to his work but to the reason for it. As he straightened, he rubbed at the back of his neck and a little groan escaped his lips. He took a sip of cold coffee before crossing the workshop to the back wall where he picked up the box in one hand. The weight of it or the absence of weight, struck a painful chord. Just four feet in length, it was enough. Enough to hold the body of the child, the woman’s child.

     
About the Author:   SAMANTHA ST. CLAIRE was born in 2016, the alter-ego and pen name of an author of historical fiction born a few decades earlier. She may have found her niche in western historical fiction, served up sweet. Never faint of heart, her signature protagonists face the hazards of the frontier with courage, wit, and a healthy pinch of humor. 

Website & Blog * Amazon * Facebook

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~       Welcome to Whitcomb Springs! This is a collection of short stories, and the occasional novella, written by multiple authors. The series is filled with stories of adventure, danger, romance, and hope, and is set in the fictional town of Whitcomb Springs, Montana Territory. The stories span the years of 1865-1885. Although each story may be set during a different time, they are stand-alone and may be read in any order. While the first stories will publish on March 15, 2018, this is an on-going project, so new stories may be published at any time by one of the participating authors. For a complete listing of all currently available and upcoming Whitcomb Springs stories, visit:  http://www.mkmcclintock.com/whitcomb-springs-series
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ 
   ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~      $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 4/8/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 
 a Rafflecopter giveaway ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ CURRENT GIVEAWAYS: Don't forget to check out my Current Giveaways Page to enter for a chance to win in three different Rafflecopter giveaways going on right now.   ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ COMING UP ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':

--  Monday, March 19th:  Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Non-Fiction Feature on 'The Boxcar Children: Guide to Adventure'.  If you are of a certain age {I'm right there with you}, you will remember the engaging and fun Boxcar Children books written by Gertrude Chandler Warner and published in the mid-century era by Albert Whitman & Company. 

-- Tuesday, March 20th - Friday, March 23rd:  'SPRING MULTI-AUTHOR GIVEAWAY' organized by Singing Librarian Book Tours will feature my two inspirational romance novels-- 'ROBIN'S REWARD' & 'A HOLIDAY MIRACLE IN APPLE BLOSSOM'. Enter to win an e-copy of 'Robin's Reward' {giveaway sponsored by me} and a hardcover copy of my Christmas book {giveaway sponsored by my publisher, Cedar Fort, Inc.} There are several other authors participating, so stop back in on Tuesday morning to learn more details and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.  
# # # # #




 

~ 'Love at Lakewood Med' Blog Hop with Giveaway

 
~ BLOG HOP & GIVEAWAY ~-- CEDAR FORT AUTHOR TJ AMBERSON'S'LOVE AT LAKEWOOD MED'  --

--About the Book:
Genre:  Adult, New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher:  Cedar Fort
Publication Date:  March 13, 2018

Savannah Drake would be thrilled about starting her final year of medical school if it weren’t for one thing: she has to spend a month working in the emergency room with cold, aloof Dr. Wesley Kent as her mentor. When her first day in the ER proves to be a humiliating disaster, Savannah is ready to swear off emergency medicine forever. 

Gradually, though, she finds that the unpredictable, emotional experience of caring for patients in the emergency room is affecting her far differently than she expected – and Dr. Kent turns out to be anything but the arrogant attending physician that she assumed him to be. But just when Savannah finally admits to herself she is falling for Dr. Kent, she learns that things at the hospital are not all what they seem. 

Faced with a seemingly impossible choice, Savannah must decide between her future career and everything that she has come to care so much about.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

--About the Author:  TJ Amberson hails from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband and nutty cocker spaniel. Her most recent novels include The Kingdom Of Nereth, Fusion, and Love at Lakewood Med. When she’s not writing, TJ can probably be found enjoying a hot chocolate, pretending to know how to garden, playing the piano, or surfing the Internet for cheap plane tickets.
--Connect with the Author: GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | WEBSITE

--TEN BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS ABOUT THE BOOK:

1. TJ Amberson started writing LOVE AT LAKEWOOD MED in 2012, put it aside while she wrote and published two other novels (THE KINGDOM OF NERETH, FUSION), and then returned to the story in 2016.

2. The working title for the book was WHITE COATS & STETHOSCOPES.

3. TJ queried Cedar Fort Publishing & Media with the manuscript because she thought that the company would be interested in publishing a clean romance.

4. The novel was originally scheduled to be released in October 2017.

5. Dr. Kent’s name was initially Dr. Hunt. But after someone pointed out that this was the same name as a character in a medical television show, TJ wanted to change her character’s name to something else. TJ decided on Dr. Kent because she felt that it had a strong yet approachable sound to it.

6. The figure on the front cover of the book was designed to stay true to the main character, Savannah, including the slightly messy hair and white coat.

7. One of TJ’s favorite scenes to write was the night hike.

8. TJ found that the restaurant scene was one of the most complicated and nuanced scenes to write.

9. Lakewood Medical Center is a fictional place, and TJ Amberson deliberately does not say in the novel where it is supposed to be located.

10. While the characters in LOVE AT LAKEWOOD MED are fictional, the character of Lynn Prentis pays homage to one of TJ’s friends.

Enter the giveaway HERE- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ** Blog Hop Schedule **
March 13-Singing Librarian Books
March 14-Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
March 15-Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
March 16-All-of-a-kind Mom
March 17-cherylbbookblog
March 18-
March 19-Remembrancy
March 20-
March 21-ReadingIsMySuperPower
March 22-Blossoms and Blessings
March 23-
March 24-SoulfullyRomantic
[image error]
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ CURRENT GIVEAWAYS: Don't forget to check out my Current Giveaways Page to enter for a chance to win in two different Rafflecopter giveaways going on right now.   ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ COMING UP ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':
-- Friday, March 16th: Book Blast for the 'Whitcomb Springs' Series. Includes a $50 Giveaway. Tour hosted by I Am A Reader.

--  Monday, March 19th:  Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Non-Fiction Feature on 'The Boxcar Children:  Guide to Adventure'.  If you are of a certain age {I'm right there with you}, you will remember the engaging and fun Boxcar Children books written by Gertrude Chandler Warner and published in the mid-century era by Albert Whitman & Company.  
# # # # #

~ Spotlight & Review of 'Beneath the Surface' -- Revell Reads Blog Tour ~

Please join me on 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic' for my spotlight and review of this intriguing inspirational romantic suspense novel by Author Lynn H. Blackburn.

Link: https://authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogs...



Beneath the Surface



Lynn H. Blackburn

~ Romantic Suspense Feature -- 'Beneath the Surface' by Lynn H. Blackburn ~

~ ROMANTIC SUSPENSE FEATURE ~
-- SPOTLIGHT & REVIEW OF
AUTHOR LYNN H. BLACKBURN'S
NEWEST RELEASE, 
'BENEATH THE SURFACE: DIVE
TEAM INVESTIGATIONS BOOK #1' --
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK:After a harrowing experience with an obsessed patient, oncology nurse practitioner Leigh Weston needed a change. She thought she'd left her troubles behind when she moved home to Carrington, North Carolina, and took a job in the emergency department of the local hospital. But when someone tampers with her brakes, she fears the past has chased her into the present. She reaches out to her high school friend turned homicide investigator, Ryan Parker, for help.

Ryan finds satisfaction in his career, but his favorite way to use his skills is as a volunteer underwater investigator with the Carrington County Sheriff's Office dive team. When the body of a wealthy businessman is discovered in Lake Porter, the investigation uncovers a possible serial killer--one with a terrifying connection to Leigh Weston and deadly implications for them all.

Dive into the depths of fear with an exciting new voice in romantic suspense. Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn grabs readers by the throat and doesn't let go until the final heart-pounding page.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lynn H. Blackburn is the author of Beneath the Surface, Hidden Legacy, and Covert Justice, winner of the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She's passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don't make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

MY REVIEW:

The first half of this book introduced the setting and main characters very effectively. We learned a lot about the past and current situation of the female lead, Leigh Weston, and the male lead, Ryan Parker. There is a lot of action involving these two characters. Leigh Weston is a nurse practitioner at the local hospital and Ryan Parker is an investigator with the county Sheriff's department. Ryan has been Leigh's older brother's best friend for many years.

The second half of this book was well-paced and packed with action. I especially liked the team-like rapport the investigators had with each other and Leigh as they worked on solving multiple murders and violent acts targeting Leigh. The many characters representing several agencies bonded by their common concern for Leigh's safety, and I felt the author did an excellent job of showing the progression of these peripheral relationships. I also enjoyed the diversity of the characters the author developed for this series.

The final few chapters of the book are filled with the twists and turns that make suspense books so fun to read! I highly recommend this book for fans of clean fiction, romantic suspense, thrillers, medical fiction, and mysteries.
The second book in this series, 'In too Deep', will be released in November, 2018.

{Note:  Some of the forensic evidence and physical violence in this story is gruesome in my opinion. The book is completely clean in language and content.}

Disclosure from blogger:  I received a paperback copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review to be posted on my blog and on retailer sites and Goodreads. I received no compensation for my review or posts here or on any other site.~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
CURRENT GIVEAWAY: Don't forget to check out my Current Giveaways Page to enter a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 in PayPal Cash {winner's choice} in a giveaway sponsored by Author Wendi Sotis to celebrate the release of her newest book, 'The Marriage Pact'.   ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ COMING UP ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':
-- Thursday, March 15th: Blog Hop Post for Cedar Fort Author's T.J. Amberson's 'Lakewood Med', a New Adult Clean Romance. Tour hosted by Singing Librarian Books.

-- Friday, March 16th: Book Blast for the 'Whitcomb Springs' Series. Includes a $50 Giveaway. Tour hosted by I Am A Reader.

# # # # #
 

~ Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Non-Fiction Feature ~

Hop on over to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic' to read my Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday book spotlights and reviews for these two awesome craft books.

Here's the link: https://authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogs...

PS--Stop by my Current Giveaways page while you're visiting the blog!




Share the Love: Projects You'll Love to Give



Create and Keep: Projects to Hang on to

Mari Bolte

~ Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Craft Books ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY NON-FICTION FEATURE ~
-- A Pair of Books from Capstone Publishing's
Dabble Lab Series --
'Share the Love: Projects You'll Love to Give'
-and- 'Create and Keep: Projects to Hang on To' by Author Mari Bolte
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS



ABOUT 'SHARE THE LOVE':  This colorful book is filled with craft projects designed to be given away to others. The author's tone is warm and welcoming, encouraging the reader to make projects with flair using the provided stepped-out instructions. I appreciated the way in which the author prompted makers to use leftover materials and recycled materials to make their creations. The instructions are excellent and the photography is enlarged so as to show details.
All of the projects are appealing, but I favored the pillowcase pillow where makers will use a white pillowcase, permanent markers, and a mist of rubbing alcohol to give the design a tie-dye effect. Another great and practical pair of projects are the 'Warm Fuzzies' and 'Hot Pies' handwarmers. These discs are hand-stitched together using fabric scraps, an old flannel shirt, or a sweater. The discs are then filled with dried corn, flax, or rice. *********

LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS



ABOUT 'CREATE AND KEEP':This book features crafts makers will want to keep for themselves. In this volume, the author guides readers through how to make personalized projects using 'found objects' that have a bit of history and meaning to the maker. 
I know what you're thinking--you're predicting that since I love to stitch by hand or on my machine I probably like the 'Sweet Stitches' chapter the best. Of course you're correct, but the reason I love the two embroidery projects is because they are sew {sorry, I couldn't resist the pun} awesome. The author encourages stitchers to use coloring pages to embroider a design onto cloth or paper. Instructions for four basic stitches are provided. I think tracing the coloring pages is a great launching point for young stitchers to get in some practice before they begin designing their own embroidery projects.
The 'Delicious Outdoors' birdhouse project is appealing for makers of either gender. The project involves making a birdhouse using a purchased wooden birdhouse and an edible covering the birds will devour. Think bird-friendly gingerbread house. This project involves crafting and cooking--a winning combination for middle-graders.  *********Both of these books are highly-recommended for classroom teachers, parents, grandparents, youth group and scout leaders, and middle-graders who are motivated to work with their hands to create some memorable items.
 
I borrowed these books from our local public library.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~CURRENT GIVEAWAY: Don't forget to check out my Current Giveaways Page to enter a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 in PayPal Cash {winner's choice} in a giveaway sponsored by Author Wendi Sotis to celebrate the release of her newest book, 'The Marriage Pact'.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~COMING UP ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':

--  Wednesday, March 14th:  Revell Reads Blog Tour Spotlight and Review for romantic suspense novel, 'Beneath the Surface:  Dive Team Invesitgations Book #1', by Author Lynn H. Blackburn.  

-- Thursday, March 15th: Blog Hop Post for Cedar Fort Author's T.J. Amberson's 'Lakewood Med', a New Adult Clean Romance. Tour hosted by Singing Librarian Books.

-- Friday, March 16th: Book Blast for the 'Whitcomb Springs' Series. Includes a $50 Giveaway. Tour hosted by I Am A Reader.

# # # # #










 
 

~ Book Spotlight for Author Toni Shiloh's 'Grace Restored' ~

Grace Restored

The Friday Fiction Feature this week is a book spotlight on Author Toni Shiloh's newest release, 'Grace Restored'. This is Book #2 in the author's Freedom Lake series.

Here's the link to the post:

https://authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogs...

{PS--Don't forget to visit my Current Giveaways page when you're on the blog to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway for a $100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 in PayPal Cash!}





Toni Shiloh