June McCrary Jacobs's Blog: ~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~, page 88
March 31, 2019
~ MMGM PAPA'S MECHANICAL FISH ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY HISTORICAL FICTIONFEATURE ~
-- 'PAPA'S MECHANICAL FISH' --
AUTHOR CANDACE FLEMINGPICTURES BY BORIS KULIKOV
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Clink! Clankety-bang! Thump-whirr! That's the sound of Papa at work.
Although he is an inventor, he has never made anything that works perfectly, and that's because he hasn't yet found a truly fantastic idea. But when he takes his family fishing on Lake Michigan, his daughter Virena asks, "Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a fish?"—and Papa is off to his workshop. With a lot of persistence and a little bit of help, Papa—who is based on the real-life inventor Lodner Phillips—creates a submarine that can take his family for a trip to the bottom of Lake Michigan.
MY THOUGHTS:
This engaging book features the adventures, and misadventures, of a nineteeth-century inventor. He builds all sorts of crazy inventions such as edible socks, steam-powered roller skates, and collapsible clothes hangers. He realizes he has not yet invented anything that worked perfectly, but he does not give up on trying to find a fantastic idea.
While on a trip to Lake Michigan to fish with his family, he hits upon the idea of making an underwater vessel--a mechanical fish. Lots of fun and laughter ensue as he tries three versions of his mechanical fish idea. As you can imagine, all of them fail for various reasons which are described in the book. I liked the face that readers get some exposure to science and engineering through the story. The illustrator does an excellent job of drawing some historical-looking schematics for Papa's submarine designs.
The fourth and final submarine design actually works! The detailed illustration of this design shows the interior of Whitefish IV. This vessel is large enough to hold seven people and features an air-cooling system, an air-compression system, and an air-purifying system. There is a battery to run the headlights and a steam boiler to run the engine.
This is a delightful lower middle-grade picture book 'loosely based' on the life of nineteenth century inventor, Lodner Phillips. In the Author's Note, 'It's Almost True', in the back matter of this book, Candace Fleming shares historical details about this fascinating and eccentric man. Apparently, Phillips really did take his family on an underwater excursion of Lake Michigan in 1851! Fleming shares the details about his submarine designs and his attempts to offer his improved and patented design to the United States Navy in 1852. {The Navy turned him down flat.}
There is a photograph taken in 1915 showing one of his designs, nicknamed the Fool Killer, being raised from the Chicago River. Eventually the sub was sold to Parker's Greatest Shows, a traveling carnival, and was displayed throughout the Midwest. No one knows what happened to the submarine after that. Supposedly, it was never seen again.
Highly recommended to fans of steampunk fiction, marine fiction, historical fiction, S.T.E.A.M. fiction, and stories about inventors! This book will make a great read aloud for classrooms, families, and science clubs.
I borrowed this book from the children's collection at the local public library.
LINK TO A PREVIOUS BLOG POST ABOUT A BOOK ALSO WRITTEN BY THIS AUTHOR:
Last summer I read and reviewed this author's recent historical novel, Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen, on this blog. Here's the link if you're interested in reading my review of this excellent book about a dog who becomes a star on the big screen in the 1920s.
STRONGHEART BLOG POST
****************
Learn about more great middle-grade reads by visiting Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' blog to find the links to other blog posts celebrating Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!
# # # # #
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS ABOUT THE BOOK:
Clink! Clankety-bang! Thump-whirr! That's the sound of Papa at work.
Although he is an inventor, he has never made anything that works perfectly, and that's because he hasn't yet found a truly fantastic idea. But when he takes his family fishing on Lake Michigan, his daughter Virena asks, "Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a fish?"—and Papa is off to his workshop. With a lot of persistence and a little bit of help, Papa—who is based on the real-life inventor Lodner Phillips—creates a submarine that can take his family for a trip to the bottom of Lake Michigan.
MY THOUGHTS:
This engaging book features the adventures, and misadventures, of a nineteeth-century inventor. He builds all sorts of crazy inventions such as edible socks, steam-powered roller skates, and collapsible clothes hangers. He realizes he has not yet invented anything that worked perfectly, but he does not give up on trying to find a fantastic idea.
While on a trip to Lake Michigan to fish with his family, he hits upon the idea of making an underwater vessel--a mechanical fish. Lots of fun and laughter ensue as he tries three versions of his mechanical fish idea. As you can imagine, all of them fail for various reasons which are described in the book. I liked the face that readers get some exposure to science and engineering through the story. The illustrator does an excellent job of drawing some historical-looking schematics for Papa's submarine designs.
The fourth and final submarine design actually works! The detailed illustration of this design shows the interior of Whitefish IV. This vessel is large enough to hold seven people and features an air-cooling system, an air-compression system, and an air-purifying system. There is a battery to run the headlights and a steam boiler to run the engine.
This is a delightful lower middle-grade picture book 'loosely based' on the life of nineteenth century inventor, Lodner Phillips. In the Author's Note, 'It's Almost True', in the back matter of this book, Candace Fleming shares historical details about this fascinating and eccentric man. Apparently, Phillips really did take his family on an underwater excursion of Lake Michigan in 1851! Fleming shares the details about his submarine designs and his attempts to offer his improved and patented design to the United States Navy in 1852. {The Navy turned him down flat.}
There is a photograph taken in 1915 showing one of his designs, nicknamed the Fool Killer, being raised from the Chicago River. Eventually the sub was sold to Parker's Greatest Shows, a traveling carnival, and was displayed throughout the Midwest. No one knows what happened to the submarine after that. Supposedly, it was never seen again.
Highly recommended to fans of steampunk fiction, marine fiction, historical fiction, S.T.E.A.M. fiction, and stories about inventors! This book will make a great read aloud for classrooms, families, and science clubs.
I borrowed this book from the children's collection at the local public library.
LINK TO A PREVIOUS BLOG POST ABOUT A BOOK ALSO WRITTEN BY THIS AUTHOR:
Last summer I read and reviewed this author's recent historical novel, Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen, on this blog. Here's the link if you're interested in reading my review of this excellent book about a dog who becomes a star on the big screen in the 1920s.
STRONGHEART BLOG POST
****************
Learn about more great middle-grade reads by visiting Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' blog to find the links to other blog posts celebrating Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday!
# # # # #
March 28, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR HER COLORADO COWBOY ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~BLOG TOUR STOP
-- 'HER COLORADO COWBOY' --
AUTHOR MINDY OBENHAUS~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, UniqueExcerpt, Author Bio & Giveaway~ 
Welcome to the Blog Tour and Giveaway for Her Colorado Cowboy by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Her Colorado Cowboy
Series: Rocky Mountain Heroes, Book 3
Author: Mindy Obenhaus
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 19, 2019
Lassoing the single mom’s heart…
A Rocky Mountain Heroes story
Socialite Lily Davis agrees to take her children riding…despite her fear of horses.
But now widowed cowboy Noah Stephens is determined to help her get comfortable in the saddle. And, at her children’s insistence, Lily finds herself promoting his rodeo school.
As Noah and Lily work together, will Noah continue to shield his heart…or can they discover a love that conquers both their fears?
EXCERPT:
The rescue horse jerked her head in Lily’s direction.
“Oh, my!” Lily’s hands shot into the air. She dropped everything and pressed her back against the wall, her heart beating like a bass drum against her ribs. “What just happened?”
Noah reached for the horse’s halter, shaking his head. “That was my fault.”
“Your fault?”
“Sorry about that. I should have held on to her so she couldn’t jerk like that.”
“Why did she jerk?” Lily cautiously bent to pick up the gauze and ointment.
“Your kids ever fuss when you’re doctoring a scrape or cut?”
“Yes.” She rose slowly, her hands shaky.
“Same thing. Honey here was simply reacting.”
Lily shook her head, trying to understand. “So, you knew she was going to do that?”
“Suspected, yes.” His matter-of-fact response grated her already frazzled nerves.
“You suspected she might do something yet you not only didn’t hold her, you failed to warn me?” Her breathing intensified.
He scratched his head then, looking rather sheepish. “When you put it like that…”
“How could you do that to me?” She took two steps in his direction, her gaze narrowed. “You know better than anyone how terrified I am of horses.”
“I said I was sorry.”
“Well, sorry doesn’t cut it, buster.” She poked a finger into his chest. “I trusted you and you—”
He took hold of her wrist and stared down at her, an annoying grin tugging at his lips.
“Let me go.” Her nostrils flared as she glared up at him.
“You trust me?” He smiled in earnest now.
“Trusted. Past tense.” She yanked her hand free, tossed the items at him and continued out the stall door before looking back. “I won’t make that mistake again.”
LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunes
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
It took Mindy Obenhaus forty years to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up, but once God called her to write, she never looked back. A three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren at her Texas ranch.
CONNECT: website | facebook | twitter | pinterest | goodreads | bookbub
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win:
a signed copy of Her Colorado Cowboy $15 Amazon gift cardEnter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 25, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 1, 2019. US only. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
# # # # #
Welcome to the Blog Tour and Giveaway for Her Colorado Cowboy by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Her Colorado Cowboy Series: Rocky Mountain Heroes, Book 3
Author: Mindy Obenhaus
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 19, 2019
Lassoing the single mom’s heart…
A Rocky Mountain Heroes story
Socialite Lily Davis agrees to take her children riding…despite her fear of horses.
But now widowed cowboy Noah Stephens is determined to help her get comfortable in the saddle. And, at her children’s insistence, Lily finds herself promoting his rodeo school.
As Noah and Lily work together, will Noah continue to shield his heart…or can they discover a love that conquers both their fears?
EXCERPT:
The rescue horse jerked her head in Lily’s direction.
“Oh, my!” Lily’s hands shot into the air. She dropped everything and pressed her back against the wall, her heart beating like a bass drum against her ribs. “What just happened?”
Noah reached for the horse’s halter, shaking his head. “That was my fault.”
“Your fault?”
“Sorry about that. I should have held on to her so she couldn’t jerk like that.”
“Why did she jerk?” Lily cautiously bent to pick up the gauze and ointment.
“Your kids ever fuss when you’re doctoring a scrape or cut?”
“Yes.” She rose slowly, her hands shaky.
“Same thing. Honey here was simply reacting.”
Lily shook her head, trying to understand. “So, you knew she was going to do that?”
“Suspected, yes.” His matter-of-fact response grated her already frazzled nerves.
“You suspected she might do something yet you not only didn’t hold her, you failed to warn me?” Her breathing intensified.
He scratched his head then, looking rather sheepish. “When you put it like that…”
“How could you do that to me?” She took two steps in his direction, her gaze narrowed. “You know better than anyone how terrified I am of horses.”
“I said I was sorry.”
“Well, sorry doesn’t cut it, buster.” She poked a finger into his chest. “I trusted you and you—”
He took hold of her wrist and stared down at her, an annoying grin tugging at his lips.
“Let me go.” Her nostrils flared as she glared up at him.
“You trust me?” He smiled in earnest now.
“Trusted. Past tense.” She yanked her hand free, tossed the items at him and continued out the stall door before looking back. “I won’t make that mistake again.”
LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunes
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
It took Mindy Obenhaus forty years to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up, but once God called her to write, she never looked back. A three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren at her Texas ranch.
CONNECT: website | facebook | twitter | pinterest | goodreads | bookbub
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win:
a signed copy of Her Colorado Cowboy $15 Amazon gift cardEnter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 25, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 1, 2019. US only. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
# # # # #
March 26, 2019
~ BLOG BLITZ THE SLEUTH'S DILEMMA ~
~ BLOG BLITZ ~
-- 'THE SLEUTH'S DILEMMA' --
AUTHOR KIMBERLY ROSE JOHNSON~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt, AuthorBio, Unique Author Interview & Giveaway~ 
Welcome to the Blog Blitz and Giveaway for The Sleuth's Dilemma by Kimberly Rose Johnson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Sleuth's Dilemma
Series: The Librarian Sleuth #2
Author: Kimberly Rose Johnson
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: February 1, 2019
Anna loves her job as a high school English teacher until everything goes sideways. The one bright spot in her life is Titus Gains, the school counselor, who is there for her at every turn.
Titus’s boss complicates his ordered world when she tasks him with running a meeting that changes everything. How had he not noticed Anna earlier? Someone is out to destroy her, and he can’t let that happen.
As the head of the English department, part of Luke Harms’ job is to make sure everything runs smoothly. Things went haywire when Anna was put in charge of the big writing contest. Entries are missing, Anna appears to be in danger, and her job is on the line. Luke is investigating and wants to make things right for this woman he’s starting to care about.
Can a trio of school officials along with Nancy Daley, the town sleuth, stop the saboteur before it’s too late? And will Anna choose the right man, or lose them both?
EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER ONE:
Titus parked his pickup along the street near Tipton Park. Rudy, his two-year-old Labrador Retriever barked.
“Hold on.” He got out and patted his leg. “Come on, boy.”
Rudy leapt from the cab of his pickup and danced in a circle.
Titus laughed. He closed and locked the door then jogged toward a grassy knoll. Rudy loped ahead of him a few feet. Anna’s mention of her dog needing exercise reminded him it had been a while since he’d brought Rudy to a park. He tossed the ball he’d brought, and Rudy tore after it.
Titus looked around, taking in the green space. Cherry blossom buds colored the trees. Young mothers watched their little ones climb on the play equipment that would rival the playgrounds in a city twice the size of Tipton. Rudy bounded toward him and dropped the ball at his feet. “Good boy.” He grabbed the ball and tossed it again.
“Well, this is a surprise.”
He turned and saw Anna strolling toward him with a white ball of fluff on a leash. “I’ll say. This must be Freddy.”
Anna grinned, and her eyes widened. “You remember names better than you let on.”
Rudy slid to a stop and dropped the ball. Then he noticed Freddy and moved close for a sniff-and-greet.
Anna watched the dogs closely. “They seem to like each other.” She reached down and unhooked Freddy’s leash. “Hopefully this little guy won’t run off. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to chase after him.” She tossed Freddy’s ball. “Here’s to hoping.”
Titus threw Rudy’s ball too, and both dogs tore after the toys. “Have you made any progress on the writing contest?” He glanced her way, but kept his attention focused on the dogs. “Not much. I printed off last year’s rules. Fortunately, the deadline and rules were already posted on the school’s website. So now it’s only a matter of judging.”
“I’m really sorry about how all of this was dumped on you. Apparently, Ms. Porter had forgotten that she’d promised Luke he didn’t have to do it this year. She’d hoped he would help train you, but we know how that turned out. I suggested skipping it, but apparently this contest is a huge deal to a lot of the students.”
“It is, and I wouldn’t want to see it go away, but I sure wish I hadn’t had that contest dropped on me at the last minute. I feel so behind already. There’s a lot that I should’ve been doing in preparation, but now I have to wing it. Not my favorite way of doing things.”
Anna looked wistfully toward the dogs as they trotted back to them.
“I would imagine not. If there was any other option...”
Anna shook her head. “Sorry, I know it’s not your fault. I won’t complain again. I promise.” She crossed her heart with her pointer finger.
He chuckled. “Relax, Anna. I don’t mind a little venting. I wasn’t all that happy when I was told I had to run the meeting. It doesn’t fall under my job description.”
“I’m afraid Ms. Porter is like that. You’ll get used to the way she does things.”
The dogs lost interest in chasing their balls and began to follow their noses around the park. “Think we should trail them?”
“Probably.” She sauntered after the animals. He kept pace. “Tell me about Tipton.” She shot him a startled look. “You’ve lived here since August, haven’t you? That was seven months ago.”
He nodded. “I don’t get out much.” “WhaHe shrugged. “Anything. I’ve been married to my work, and other than trips to the grocery store and coffee shop, I haven’t been out. What do people do here for fun?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery that warms the heart and feeds the soul.
Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
JUNE: Welcome to Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic, Kimberly! Congratulations on your recent release of The Sleuth's Dilemma, Book 2 in the Librarian Sleuth Series.
KIMBERLY: Thank you! I’m so happy to be here.
JUNE: What inspired you to create the main character of this series to be a librarian? Have you ever worked or volunteered in a library? Please share a favorite library memory from years gone by.
KIMBERLY: I wish I could remember how I came up with the idea. I started the original book several years ago when inspiration struck. When I think back the only thing I can think of is the series was inspired by Nancy Drew mysteries, which led me to think books, and it then snowballed to librarian.
When I was in junior high, aka middle school, I was a library aide. LOL My youngest son works in his university's library, so whenever I have questions I send him a text.
My favorite library memory is actually from my own children's childhood. The summer reading program was a highlight for us. They would earn tickets for prizes based on the number of pages they read. We would go there once a week to turn in their pages read and to check out more books. This actually inspired the summer reading program that’s mentioned in The Sleuth’s Dilemma.
JUNE: Are any of the characters in this series based on people you've known or read about? Is there a particular character with whom you feel a close connection? Anyone you don't particularly like? {We'll understand if you don't want to name names!}
KIMBERLY: Nancy’s character was inspired by Nancy Drew but other than that none of the other characters were inspired by anyone in particular.
I don’t feel an especially close connection with any one of the characters although I was working at a high school at the time I wrote this book so the high school teachers and students were easily relatable. The villain isn’t my favorite person, but I can’t say I dislike any of the characters in this book.
JUNE: I noticed on your website that you received the 2018 Faith, Hope and Love Reader's Choice Award Winner for the chapter of Romance Writers of America to which you belong. Congratulations on receiving this honor! Please tell us a little bit about the award and how you felt when you were notified you had won. For which book did you win the award?
KIMBERLY: That was a career high for me. Designing Love is the book that received the award. The winners in each category receive a certificate and an engraved wooden box. I was thrilled to have won. I wish I had been there to accept the award. The book that comes before this one was a finalist in 2017.
JUNE: Have you ever considered writing for children in the form of picture books, middle-grade novels, young adult novels, or even non-fiction? If yes, please share what genres and subjects you would like to write about.
KIMBERLY: I’ve considered all of the above. I tried writing young adult novels but was unsuccessful in getting published in that genre. When my niece was young I would take care of her before school, and she wanted me to write a middle-grade book for her to read. I had no good ideas though and wanted to focus on my niche—contemporary Christian Romance. I named a character after my niece in one of my books, and she’s now old enough to read and enjoy them. J I have considered picture books but I was clueless on how to make it happen.
Regarding non-fiction books, in my early years of writing, one of my critique partners wrote non-fiction, she basically said my non-fiction writing was terrible, and I needed to take some classes. I passed and stuck with what I loved.
I worked extremely hard to get traditionally published, and once I was I felt like I needed to stick with what I knew and that was contemporary romance. Later when I started to write for Mountain Brook Ink my publisher challenged me to add mystery to my romance books. As a result pretty much every one of my MBI books has at least a little mystery in them. The Librarian Sleuth series is my first true romantic mystery series.
JUNE: I read on your website that your hobbies include playing the piano, watching chick flicks, taking long walks, and reading. Are there any hobbies you would like to pursue in the future? Are there any locations you would like to explore on a vacation?
KIMBERLY: The sky is the limit on places I want to explore. Pretty much all of Europe as well as Australia,As far as any new hobbies, I’d love to try pottery. That’s something I’ve wanted to do for years.
JUNE: Thank you for spending some time chatting with us today, Kimberly. Best wishes for many more successful years of writing great stories!
KIMBERLY: Thank you so much! This was fun.
CONNECT WITH KIMBERLY: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win:
$15 Amazon gift cardEnter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 26, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 2, 2019. Open internationally as long as winner can accept gift card from US Amazon. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
# # # # #
Welcome to the Blog Blitz and Giveaway for The Sleuth's Dilemma by Kimberly Rose Johnson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Sleuth's DilemmaSeries: The Librarian Sleuth #2
Author: Kimberly Rose Johnson
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: February 1, 2019
Anna loves her job as a high school English teacher until everything goes sideways. The one bright spot in her life is Titus Gains, the school counselor, who is there for her at every turn.
Titus’s boss complicates his ordered world when she tasks him with running a meeting that changes everything. How had he not noticed Anna earlier? Someone is out to destroy her, and he can’t let that happen.
As the head of the English department, part of Luke Harms’ job is to make sure everything runs smoothly. Things went haywire when Anna was put in charge of the big writing contest. Entries are missing, Anna appears to be in danger, and her job is on the line. Luke is investigating and wants to make things right for this woman he’s starting to care about.
Can a trio of school officials along with Nancy Daley, the town sleuth, stop the saboteur before it’s too late? And will Anna choose the right man, or lose them both?
EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER ONE:
Titus parked his pickup along the street near Tipton Park. Rudy, his two-year-old Labrador Retriever barked.
“Hold on.” He got out and patted his leg. “Come on, boy.”
Rudy leapt from the cab of his pickup and danced in a circle.
Titus laughed. He closed and locked the door then jogged toward a grassy knoll. Rudy loped ahead of him a few feet. Anna’s mention of her dog needing exercise reminded him it had been a while since he’d brought Rudy to a park. He tossed the ball he’d brought, and Rudy tore after it.
Titus looked around, taking in the green space. Cherry blossom buds colored the trees. Young mothers watched their little ones climb on the play equipment that would rival the playgrounds in a city twice the size of Tipton. Rudy bounded toward him and dropped the ball at his feet. “Good boy.” He grabbed the ball and tossed it again.
“Well, this is a surprise.”
He turned and saw Anna strolling toward him with a white ball of fluff on a leash. “I’ll say. This must be Freddy.”
Anna grinned, and her eyes widened. “You remember names better than you let on.”
Rudy slid to a stop and dropped the ball. Then he noticed Freddy and moved close for a sniff-and-greet.
Anna watched the dogs closely. “They seem to like each other.” She reached down and unhooked Freddy’s leash. “Hopefully this little guy won’t run off. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to chase after him.” She tossed Freddy’s ball. “Here’s to hoping.”
Titus threw Rudy’s ball too, and both dogs tore after the toys. “Have you made any progress on the writing contest?” He glanced her way, but kept his attention focused on the dogs. “Not much. I printed off last year’s rules. Fortunately, the deadline and rules were already posted on the school’s website. So now it’s only a matter of judging.”
“I’m really sorry about how all of this was dumped on you. Apparently, Ms. Porter had forgotten that she’d promised Luke he didn’t have to do it this year. She’d hoped he would help train you, but we know how that turned out. I suggested skipping it, but apparently this contest is a huge deal to a lot of the students.”
“It is, and I wouldn’t want to see it go away, but I sure wish I hadn’t had that contest dropped on me at the last minute. I feel so behind already. There’s a lot that I should’ve been doing in preparation, but now I have to wing it. Not my favorite way of doing things.”
Anna looked wistfully toward the dogs as they trotted back to them.
“I would imagine not. If there was any other option...”
Anna shook her head. “Sorry, I know it’s not your fault. I won’t complain again. I promise.” She crossed her heart with her pointer finger.
He chuckled. “Relax, Anna. I don’t mind a little venting. I wasn’t all that happy when I was told I had to run the meeting. It doesn’t fall under my job description.”
“I’m afraid Ms. Porter is like that. You’ll get used to the way she does things.”
The dogs lost interest in chasing their balls and began to follow their noses around the park. “Think we should trail them?”
“Probably.” She sauntered after the animals. He kept pace. “Tell me about Tipton.” She shot him a startled look. “You’ve lived here since August, haven’t you? That was seven months ago.”
He nodded. “I don’t get out much.” “WhaHe shrugged. “Anything. I’ve been married to my work, and other than trips to the grocery store and coffee shop, I haven’t been out. What do people do here for fun?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery that warms the heart and feeds the soul.
Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
JUNE: Welcome to Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic, Kimberly! Congratulations on your recent release of The Sleuth's Dilemma, Book 2 in the Librarian Sleuth Series.
KIMBERLY: Thank you! I’m so happy to be here.
JUNE: What inspired you to create the main character of this series to be a librarian? Have you ever worked or volunteered in a library? Please share a favorite library memory from years gone by.
KIMBERLY: I wish I could remember how I came up with the idea. I started the original book several years ago when inspiration struck. When I think back the only thing I can think of is the series was inspired by Nancy Drew mysteries, which led me to think books, and it then snowballed to librarian.
When I was in junior high, aka middle school, I was a library aide. LOL My youngest son works in his university's library, so whenever I have questions I send him a text.
My favorite library memory is actually from my own children's childhood. The summer reading program was a highlight for us. They would earn tickets for prizes based on the number of pages they read. We would go there once a week to turn in their pages read and to check out more books. This actually inspired the summer reading program that’s mentioned in The Sleuth’s Dilemma.
JUNE: Are any of the characters in this series based on people you've known or read about? Is there a particular character with whom you feel a close connection? Anyone you don't particularly like? {We'll understand if you don't want to name names!}
KIMBERLY: Nancy’s character was inspired by Nancy Drew but other than that none of the other characters were inspired by anyone in particular.
I don’t feel an especially close connection with any one of the characters although I was working at a high school at the time I wrote this book so the high school teachers and students were easily relatable. The villain isn’t my favorite person, but I can’t say I dislike any of the characters in this book.
JUNE: I noticed on your website that you received the 2018 Faith, Hope and Love Reader's Choice Award Winner for the chapter of Romance Writers of America to which you belong. Congratulations on receiving this honor! Please tell us a little bit about the award and how you felt when you were notified you had won. For which book did you win the award?
KIMBERLY: That was a career high for me. Designing Love is the book that received the award. The winners in each category receive a certificate and an engraved wooden box. I was thrilled to have won. I wish I had been there to accept the award. The book that comes before this one was a finalist in 2017.
JUNE: Have you ever considered writing for children in the form of picture books, middle-grade novels, young adult novels, or even non-fiction? If yes, please share what genres and subjects you would like to write about.
KIMBERLY: I’ve considered all of the above. I tried writing young adult novels but was unsuccessful in getting published in that genre. When my niece was young I would take care of her before school, and she wanted me to write a middle-grade book for her to read. I had no good ideas though and wanted to focus on my niche—contemporary Christian Romance. I named a character after my niece in one of my books, and she’s now old enough to read and enjoy them. J I have considered picture books but I was clueless on how to make it happen.
Regarding non-fiction books, in my early years of writing, one of my critique partners wrote non-fiction, she basically said my non-fiction writing was terrible, and I needed to take some classes. I passed and stuck with what I loved.
I worked extremely hard to get traditionally published, and once I was I felt like I needed to stick with what I knew and that was contemporary romance. Later when I started to write for Mountain Brook Ink my publisher challenged me to add mystery to my romance books. As a result pretty much every one of my MBI books has at least a little mystery in them. The Librarian Sleuth series is my first true romantic mystery series.
JUNE: I read on your website that your hobbies include playing the piano, watching chick flicks, taking long walks, and reading. Are there any hobbies you would like to pursue in the future? Are there any locations you would like to explore on a vacation?
KIMBERLY: The sky is the limit on places I want to explore. Pretty much all of Europe as well as Australia,As far as any new hobbies, I’d love to try pottery. That’s something I’ve wanted to do for years.
JUNE: Thank you for spending some time chatting with us today, Kimberly. Best wishes for many more successful years of writing great stories!
KIMBERLY: Thank you so much! This was fun.
CONNECT WITH KIMBERLY: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win:
$15 Amazon gift cardEnter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 26, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 2, 2019. Open internationally as long as winner can accept gift card from US Amazon. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
# # # # #
March 25, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR CLAIRE AT EDISTA AND THE INTERLUDE ~
~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'CLAIRE AT EDISTA'
and
'THE INTERLUDE' --
AUTHOR LIN STEPP~Post Includes: Book Spotlights, Excerpt,Author Bio, Unique Guest Post Shared by the Author and Giveaway~ 
Welcome to the Blog & Review Tour, plus Giveaway, for two books by Lin Stepp - The Interlude and Claire at Edisto, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
With Spring Break upon us, author Lin Stepp wants to know: Where do you love to go on vacation - the mountains or the sea? Don't worry - she's got a book for you, no matter what you decide! Both books release on April 2, 2019, so pack your virtual bags and head to the destination of your choice. And the beauty of travel-by-novel is... you can easily visit both!
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Title: The Interlude
Series: Smoky Mountains #12
Author: Lin Stepp
Publisher: Mountain Hill Press
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 2, 2019
In this gentle, inspirational romance, Lin Stepp reveals the healing touch and deep peace the beauty of the Smoky Mountains can bring to a hurt and troubled heart.
Too much work, too much pressure, and too much heartache can lead even a strong young woman like Mallory Wingate to the edge of a nervous breakdown. Now her doctor and employer have insisted she take a space to heal and rest—so like it or not, she’s heading to her grandparents’ resort in the Smoky Mountains.
Hoping to sleep and rest on the flight home, Mallory is entertained instead by an unexpectedly charismatic stranger, making her forget many of her problems and even making her feel deliciously female again.
Lucas James, flying home from a pro golfing event, hadn’t expected to enjoy an interlude of flirting with a pretty stranger on the plane. A stranger he never expected to see again but who turns out to be the granddaughter of his boss at The Millhouse Resort. Worse, he quickly learns she’s passed through a recent history of emotional problems that remind him all too painfully of his past wife. The last thing Lucas wants is to get involved with anyone like Cecily again. Surely it won’t be too hard to keep his distance while Mallory is at the resort. PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N ****************************************************Title: Claire at Edisto
Series: Edisto Trilogy #1
Author: Lin Stepp
Publisher: Mountain Hill Press
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 2, 2019
Set against the alluring backdrop of coastal South Carolina, CLAIRE AT EDISTO takes the reader on a sweet and gentle journey showing that love and new beginnings can often bloom from the deepest sorrows.
Standing in grief and shock at the grave of her young husband, Claire Avery wonders what she and her young daughters will do now. They live in the church parsonage they need to vacate. She hasn’t worked since her marriage twelve years ago. Old issues and complications hinder relationships with her family. Struggling for answers, Claire accepts her brother-in-law’s offer to stay at his beach house at Edisto to give her a season to heal and think. But even the peace and beauty of the coastal island bring new problems along with unexpected joys as Claire seeks to find her way.
Parker Avery always promised his brother Charles he would look after Claire if anything happened to him. Charles stood by him three years ago when his wife Ann died and Parker is determined now to be a help to Claire and the girls. As time passes, instead of feeling like a hero, he feels like a heel instead as he realizes he’s developing feelings for his own brother’s widow. To make things worse, he watches with pain and jealousy as Miles Lawrence waltzes into Claire’s life. What can he expect though? It hardly seems right that Claire, even after a season of mourning, would ever fall in love with her own brother-in-law.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N*****************************************************
EXCERPT FROM THE INTERLUDE:
Lucas James never expects to see the woman he inadvertently met on the airplane the day before, but at breakfast at his boss’s home the next morning, he gets a surprise:
“Lucas, have another biscuit and gravy,” Nonnie said, passing him the platter of biscuits across the big table in the kitchen’s eat- in area.
“Gosh, no, Nonnie. I’m already stuffed, but thanks.” He got up to get himself another cup of coffee.
“Ah, here’s my other favorite girl,” he heard Nonnie say behind him. “I didn’t even set a plate for you, sweetie, thinking you’d be worn out after your trip.”
“All the wonderful smells from your kitchen woke me,” Lucas heard a low throaty voice say.
Feeling an odd prickle, he turned around to see the girl from the airplane standing in the doorway, wearing a long, flirty pink skirt and a white camisole top, her feet bare and her dark honey-colored hair loose around her shoulders. Lucas felt sure his mouth dropped open, and he noticed her eyes pop wide.
Nonnie smiled at him, apparently not noticing his unease. “Lucas James, this is our granddaughter Mallory Wingate. She’s come up from Savannah, Georgia, to spend six to eight weeks with us.” Turning her eyes to the girl, she said, “Mallory, this is Lucas James, the golf pro and assistant manager of the resort. I’m sure you remember me writing when he came to work here.”
… Lucas cleared his throat, glancing toward Mallory. “I think we might have met on the plane last night,” he put in, deciding to smooth over this awkward moment.
…Away from the house, he let out a deep breath and then laughed out loud. Of all the coincidences in the world to happen, this had to be one of the most remarkable ones he’d hit yet.ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lin Stepp is a native Tennessean, businesswoman and educator. A New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon best-selling international author, Lin now has sixteen published books, including her twelve beloved Smoky Mountain novels set in different locations of the Tennessee and North Carolina mountains, as well as a Smoky Mountain novella in one of Kensington’s Christmas anthologies. In addition, Lin’s first novel in a new Edisto Trilogy recently released, set on the South Carolina coast. Lin and her husband also write regional guidebooks, including a Smoky Mountain hiking guide and a Tennessee state parks book. Stepp’s latest 2019 releases are The Interlude, set in the Greenbrier and Pittman Center of the Great Smoky Mountains and Claire at Edisto set at Edisto Beach, South Carolina. Lin enjoys keeping up with her readers on Facebook, Twitter, and through her monthly blog on her website at: www.linstepp.com
GUEST POST: MY WRITING PROCESS -- A Guest Post Shared by Author Lin Stepp:
All my stories start with an idea or concept that starts floating around in my mind, gradually expanding, and then coming more and more to life. Book ideas pop into my mind at all sorts of random times—on the hiking trail, traveling and visiting in a new place, working in the backyard, or while reading the newspaper over morning coffee—but seldom when I am seeking them. To aspiring writers I advise—when an idea comes write it down. Put down any of those inspired ideas that flow into your mind and thought so you won’t forget them. I actually start a manila Book Folder anytime a new idea comes and then continue to add thoughts and pictures to it as my idea keeps developing.
After a new story idea fleshes out in my imagination and mind—I begin to work on developing characters and setting. Main characters come first, then secondary characters and setting, and as these evolve the storyline and plot begin to naturally develop, too. I research and plan every book I write extensively, usually spending about three months developing a book and then about three months writing it.
Creating a book to me is like being pregnant and birthing a baby. The idea grows larger and larger as I work and plan, the book coming more and more to life. Like many women plan a nursery, collect baby needs, and begin to ready for a baby, I find photos to represent my characters and places, visit locales and scenes that will be in my books, find and draw maps and house-plans. Toward the end of my planning stage, I begin to create an outline for the book that plots out the scenes, action, and conflicts that will occur.
After long months of planning, there is that moment at last when it finally feels like time to birth the story and begin to write. At that point, I create a visual storyboard collage of pictures of the main characters and places that will be in my book on a big bulletin board behind my computer in my home office. This becomes a visual inspiration point as I write, reminding me of how my characters, houses, special spots, and pets look and setting the scene for the story to come.
Once I settle in to write, I can usually write a chapter a day on the days when I write. Occasionally I stop and re-read all to see how the book thus far is flowing, to check word count, and to make changes on my outline if needed (always written in pencil for that reason). Over a three-month period, or less, I can usually finish writing a book. Then after it is finished, I return after a few weeks to edit. Because I work far ahead of my publishers, I also have time to lay a finished book aside for several months after that, as well, so I can come back to read it again for a final edit with “fresh eyes” before submission. At this time I read my book out loud, too, a wise way to catch mistakes I might miss seeing.
Although this is my writing process, it isn’t the way all writers work. All authors, like artists, develop their own unique style and methodology. However, I would advise hopeful writers—as I used to advise my college students—that good planning always produces better work. Poor planning or last minute rushing, allowing little time to think, organize, or edit, usually creates a product of poor quality. Training yourself to do things in a right method in all endeavors, writing included, usually saves time later in having to “unlearn” faulty habits developed and to correct mistakes that could have been avoided. A sweet quote from Christopher Robin says it well: “Organization is what you do before you do something so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up.” In more academic words Emerson wisely wrote: “A good system shortens the road to the goal.”
Writing—like all work in the arts—is learned mostly by “doing.” There are basic principles helpful to learn, but advancing in the art is done by sheer, diligent, ongoing practice and hard work. Each author, like artists in other areas, must follow the call and voice within to create what is uniquely their own. And they must discipline their time to accomplish it. Here is where most aspiring authors fall down. They want it to be easy. They don’t want to make sacrifices of time. They want constant praise and encouragement, and they want quick, instant reward. Henri Matisse once wrote: “Creativity takes courage.” It does and Rollo May wrote an entire book on the subject, the Courage to Create.
Writing comes from deep within … and the joy and satisfaction comes from deep within, too. Rachel Zadok said, “Don’t write for therapy, financial gain or glory. Write for the beauty of language and the joy of story. The first three things will disappoint you and rob you of the other two.” However, despite how hard the life of a full-time author is, there is nothing like the joy authors feel each time they hold a new published book in hand. For me all the work and effort has been worth it.
CONNECT WITH LIN: website | Facebook | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win:
your choice of The Interlude OR Claire at Edisto (print, US only)$10 Amazon gift cardEnter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 24, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm March 31, 2019. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Which do you like best - the mountains or the sea?
# # # # #
Welcome to the Blog & Review Tour, plus Giveaway, for two books by Lin Stepp - The Interlude and Claire at Edisto, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
With Spring Break upon us, author Lin Stepp wants to know: Where do you love to go on vacation - the mountains or the sea? Don't worry - she's got a book for you, no matter what you decide! Both books release on April 2, 2019, so pack your virtual bags and head to the destination of your choice. And the beauty of travel-by-novel is... you can easily visit both!
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Title: The Interlude
Series: Smoky Mountains #12
Author: Lin Stepp
Publisher: Mountain Hill Press
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 2, 2019
In this gentle, inspirational romance, Lin Stepp reveals the healing touch and deep peace the beauty of the Smoky Mountains can bring to a hurt and troubled heart.
Too much work, too much pressure, and too much heartache can lead even a strong young woman like Mallory Wingate to the edge of a nervous breakdown. Now her doctor and employer have insisted she take a space to heal and rest—so like it or not, she’s heading to her grandparents’ resort in the Smoky Mountains.
Hoping to sleep and rest on the flight home, Mallory is entertained instead by an unexpectedly charismatic stranger, making her forget many of her problems and even making her feel deliciously female again.
Lucas James, flying home from a pro golfing event, hadn’t expected to enjoy an interlude of flirting with a pretty stranger on the plane. A stranger he never expected to see again but who turns out to be the granddaughter of his boss at The Millhouse Resort. Worse, he quickly learns she’s passed through a recent history of emotional problems that remind him all too painfully of his past wife. The last thing Lucas wants is to get involved with anyone like Cecily again. Surely it won’t be too hard to keep his distance while Mallory is at the resort. PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N ****************************************************Title: Claire at Edisto
Series: Edisto Trilogy #1
Author: Lin Stepp
Publisher: Mountain Hill Press
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 2, 2019
Set against the alluring backdrop of coastal South Carolina, CLAIRE AT EDISTO takes the reader on a sweet and gentle journey showing that love and new beginnings can often bloom from the deepest sorrows.
Standing in grief and shock at the grave of her young husband, Claire Avery wonders what she and her young daughters will do now. They live in the church parsonage they need to vacate. She hasn’t worked since her marriage twelve years ago. Old issues and complications hinder relationships with her family. Struggling for answers, Claire accepts her brother-in-law’s offer to stay at his beach house at Edisto to give her a season to heal and think. But even the peace and beauty of the coastal island bring new problems along with unexpected joys as Claire seeks to find her way.
Parker Avery always promised his brother Charles he would look after Claire if anything happened to him. Charles stood by him three years ago when his wife Ann died and Parker is determined now to be a help to Claire and the girls. As time passes, instead of feeling like a hero, he feels like a heel instead as he realizes he’s developing feelings for his own brother’s widow. To make things worse, he watches with pain and jealousy as Miles Lawrence waltzes into Claire’s life. What can he expect though? It hardly seems right that Claire, even after a season of mourning, would ever fall in love with her own brother-in-law.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N*****************************************************
EXCERPT FROM THE INTERLUDE:
Lucas James never expects to see the woman he inadvertently met on the airplane the day before, but at breakfast at his boss’s home the next morning, he gets a surprise:
“Lucas, have another biscuit and gravy,” Nonnie said, passing him the platter of biscuits across the big table in the kitchen’s eat- in area.
“Gosh, no, Nonnie. I’m already stuffed, but thanks.” He got up to get himself another cup of coffee.
“Ah, here’s my other favorite girl,” he heard Nonnie say behind him. “I didn’t even set a plate for you, sweetie, thinking you’d be worn out after your trip.”
“All the wonderful smells from your kitchen woke me,” Lucas heard a low throaty voice say.
Feeling an odd prickle, he turned around to see the girl from the airplane standing in the doorway, wearing a long, flirty pink skirt and a white camisole top, her feet bare and her dark honey-colored hair loose around her shoulders. Lucas felt sure his mouth dropped open, and he noticed her eyes pop wide.
Nonnie smiled at him, apparently not noticing his unease. “Lucas James, this is our granddaughter Mallory Wingate. She’s come up from Savannah, Georgia, to spend six to eight weeks with us.” Turning her eyes to the girl, she said, “Mallory, this is Lucas James, the golf pro and assistant manager of the resort. I’m sure you remember me writing when he came to work here.”
… Lucas cleared his throat, glancing toward Mallory. “I think we might have met on the plane last night,” he put in, deciding to smooth over this awkward moment.
…Away from the house, he let out a deep breath and then laughed out loud. Of all the coincidences in the world to happen, this had to be one of the most remarkable ones he’d hit yet.ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lin Stepp is a native Tennessean, businesswoman and educator. A New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon best-selling international author, Lin now has sixteen published books, including her twelve beloved Smoky Mountain novels set in different locations of the Tennessee and North Carolina mountains, as well as a Smoky Mountain novella in one of Kensington’s Christmas anthologies. In addition, Lin’s first novel in a new Edisto Trilogy recently released, set on the South Carolina coast. Lin and her husband also write regional guidebooks, including a Smoky Mountain hiking guide and a Tennessee state parks book. Stepp’s latest 2019 releases are The Interlude, set in the Greenbrier and Pittman Center of the Great Smoky Mountains and Claire at Edisto set at Edisto Beach, South Carolina. Lin enjoys keeping up with her readers on Facebook, Twitter, and through her monthly blog on her website at: www.linstepp.com
GUEST POST: MY WRITING PROCESS -- A Guest Post Shared by Author Lin Stepp:
All my stories start with an idea or concept that starts floating around in my mind, gradually expanding, and then coming more and more to life. Book ideas pop into my mind at all sorts of random times—on the hiking trail, traveling and visiting in a new place, working in the backyard, or while reading the newspaper over morning coffee—but seldom when I am seeking them. To aspiring writers I advise—when an idea comes write it down. Put down any of those inspired ideas that flow into your mind and thought so you won’t forget them. I actually start a manila Book Folder anytime a new idea comes and then continue to add thoughts and pictures to it as my idea keeps developing.
After a new story idea fleshes out in my imagination and mind—I begin to work on developing characters and setting. Main characters come first, then secondary characters and setting, and as these evolve the storyline and plot begin to naturally develop, too. I research and plan every book I write extensively, usually spending about three months developing a book and then about three months writing it.
Creating a book to me is like being pregnant and birthing a baby. The idea grows larger and larger as I work and plan, the book coming more and more to life. Like many women plan a nursery, collect baby needs, and begin to ready for a baby, I find photos to represent my characters and places, visit locales and scenes that will be in my books, find and draw maps and house-plans. Toward the end of my planning stage, I begin to create an outline for the book that plots out the scenes, action, and conflicts that will occur.
After long months of planning, there is that moment at last when it finally feels like time to birth the story and begin to write. At that point, I create a visual storyboard collage of pictures of the main characters and places that will be in my book on a big bulletin board behind my computer in my home office. This becomes a visual inspiration point as I write, reminding me of how my characters, houses, special spots, and pets look and setting the scene for the story to come.
Once I settle in to write, I can usually write a chapter a day on the days when I write. Occasionally I stop and re-read all to see how the book thus far is flowing, to check word count, and to make changes on my outline if needed (always written in pencil for that reason). Over a three-month period, or less, I can usually finish writing a book. Then after it is finished, I return after a few weeks to edit. Because I work far ahead of my publishers, I also have time to lay a finished book aside for several months after that, as well, so I can come back to read it again for a final edit with “fresh eyes” before submission. At this time I read my book out loud, too, a wise way to catch mistakes I might miss seeing.
Although this is my writing process, it isn’t the way all writers work. All authors, like artists, develop their own unique style and methodology. However, I would advise hopeful writers—as I used to advise my college students—that good planning always produces better work. Poor planning or last minute rushing, allowing little time to think, organize, or edit, usually creates a product of poor quality. Training yourself to do things in a right method in all endeavors, writing included, usually saves time later in having to “unlearn” faulty habits developed and to correct mistakes that could have been avoided. A sweet quote from Christopher Robin says it well: “Organization is what you do before you do something so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up.” In more academic words Emerson wisely wrote: “A good system shortens the road to the goal.”
Writing—like all work in the arts—is learned mostly by “doing.” There are basic principles helpful to learn, but advancing in the art is done by sheer, diligent, ongoing practice and hard work. Each author, like artists in other areas, must follow the call and voice within to create what is uniquely their own. And they must discipline their time to accomplish it. Here is where most aspiring authors fall down. They want it to be easy. They don’t want to make sacrifices of time. They want constant praise and encouragement, and they want quick, instant reward. Henri Matisse once wrote: “Creativity takes courage.” It does and Rollo May wrote an entire book on the subject, the Courage to Create.
Writing comes from deep within … and the joy and satisfaction comes from deep within, too. Rachel Zadok said, “Don’t write for therapy, financial gain or glory. Write for the beauty of language and the joy of story. The first three things will disappoint you and rob you of the other two.” However, despite how hard the life of a full-time author is, there is nothing like the joy authors feel each time they hold a new published book in hand. For me all the work and effort has been worth it.
CONNECT WITH LIN: website | Facebook | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win:
your choice of The Interlude OR Claire at Edisto (print, US only)$10 Amazon gift cardEnter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 24, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm March 31, 2019. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Which do you like best - the mountains or the sea?
# # # # #
March 24, 2019
~ MMGM DISNEY IDEAS BOOK ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY CRAFT/ACTIVITY/GAMEBOOK FEATURE ~
-- 'DISNEY IDEA BOOK: MORE
THAN 100 DISNEY CRAFTS,
ACTIVITIES, AND GAMES' --
AUTHOR: ELIZABETH DOWSETTPublished By: Dorling Kindersley
March 22, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR GLORY ROAD ~
~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'GLORY ROAD' --
AUTHOR LAUREN K. DENTON~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,Author Bio, Unique Guest Post Sharedby the Author & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton with JustRead Publicity Tours! We continue the Glory Road celebration on social media starting March 26.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Glory Road Author: Lauren K. Denton Publisher: Thomas Nelson Genre: Women's Fiction/Southern Fiction Release Date: March 19, 2019
Written in Lauren Denton's signature Southern style, Glory Road tells the story of three generations of women navigating the uncertain pathways of their hearts during a summer that promises to bring change--whether they're ready for it or not.
At thirty-eight, garden shop owner Jessie McBride thinks her chances for romance are years behind her and, after her failed marriage, she's fine with that. She lives contentedly with her fiery mother and her quiet, headstrong daughter. But the unexpected arrival of two men on Glory Road make her question if she's really happy with the status quo. Handsome, wealthy Sumner Tate asks her to arrange flowers for his daughter's wedding, and Jessie finds herself drawn to his continued attention. And Ben Bradley, her lingering what-could-have-been from high school days who's known her better than anyone and whom she hasn't seen in years, moves back to the red dirt road. Jessie finds her heart being pulled in directions she never expected.
Meanwhile, Jessie's fourteen-year-old daughter, Evan, is approaching the start of high school and trying to navigate a new world of identity and emotions--particularly as they relate to the cute new guy who's moved in just down the road. At the same time, Jessie's mother, Gus, increasingly finds herself forgetful and faces a potentially frightening future. As all three women navigate the uncertain paths of their hearts and futures, one summer promises to bring change--whether they're ready for it or not.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book |B&NABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren now lives with her husband and two young daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. In addition to her fiction, she writes a monthly newspaper column about life, faith, and how funny (and hard) it is to be a parent. On any given day, she’d rather be at the beach with her family and a stack of books. Her debut novel, The Hideaway, is USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestseller. Her second novel, Hurricane Season, released in April, 2018, and was listed on BookPage's 2018 list of Most Anticipated Fiction.
GUEST POST:
Eight 'behind-the-scenes facts' about the book shared by the author ~
1. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter were written by me, not gardening experts. I wanted the quotes to give readers a little glimpse into what would be happening in each chapter. It was fun researching various plants and plant ailments and figuring out how to apply them to my characters.
2. Along those lines, I wrote the quotes to be as accurate as possible. For example, at the beginning of chapter two, I wrote about tomatoes. It is true that tomatoes need consistent moisture, and problems can occur if you don’t water enough then overcorrect and water too much. If I gave gardening advice in the quotes, I wanted to make sure I didn’t steer anyone wrong if he or she actually follows the advice!
3. Most of the names I used in the quote attributions are mash-ups of friends’ and family members’ names! For example, the quote in Chapter 14 is attributed to Virginia Pearce—Virginia is my niece’s name and Pearce is the name of my nephew. And I used Katherine Grace of Your Daily Daisy as an attribution—Katherine Grace is my oldest daughter’s name.
4. The idea of setting the story on a red dirt road came from the actual red dirt road where my maternal grandparents lived for my entire childhood. As a child, I loved how the dirt road made the place feel separated from the real world, and I knew I wanted these three women to enjoy that same peace and quiet.
5. For readers of my first novel, The Hideaway, I included in Glory Road a brief glimpse of Major Greggs, who was one of Mags’s best friends. I won’t spoil it for you and tell you where he is, but I’d love to know if readers pick up on it when they read Glory Road!
6. In one scene in the book, Jessie leans her hand against a tree and finds the trunk is crawling with worms. She didn’t realize it, but many of the tree’s branches were encased in webbing created by caterpillars. It’s kind of gross, but it’s a memory that’s so ingrained in my mind, I wanted to include it in this particular chapter. I was out at my grandparents’ house out in the country (on the red dirt road I mentioned above) and it was late in the evening and already getting dark. I’d been playing outside and stopped to rest, propping my hand up against a tree trunk. Immediately I felt things writhing under my hand and I pulled my hand away only to see caterpillars all over the trunk. It still gives me the heebie-jeebies decades later!
7. One of my favorite things about writing novels is including things I love in the hopes that readers will enjoy those same things. In Glory Road, I loved including some of my favorite music from over the years. Music plays a big part in this story, from Gus loving old country music, especially Johnny Cash; to Nick sharing new musicians with Evan (including one of my very favorites, Josh Ritter); to Jessie and Ben listening to CDs from his high school music collection, which just so happens to include many of my favorites from high school.
8. I like to find images that look like my characters look in my mind. Sometimes it’s an actor or actress, sometimes it’s a mixture of people I know. Occasionally it’s in a clothing catalog, as was the case with Sumner Tate. I knew he was a handsome older man—wealthy, wears nice clothes, has a house on the water so he spends time outside. Over Christmas one year while I was working on the story, I happened to flip through a Lands End catalog and saw this man who practically yelled at me, “I am Sumner Tate!” I tore the page out, wrote his name at the top, and stuck it to my bulletin board. That man, whoever he was, is forever branded in my mind as Sumner.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram | pinterest
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(2) winners will each win a print copy of Glory Road.
Be sure to check out each stop on the Blog and Takeover tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway begins at midnight March 23, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 30, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of blog stops!
AND
Be sure to stop at the takeover tour, starting on March 26, for more chances to win!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton with JustRead Publicity Tours! We continue the Glory Road celebration on social media starting March 26.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Glory Road Author: Lauren K. Denton Publisher: Thomas Nelson Genre: Women's Fiction/Southern Fiction Release Date: March 19, 2019Written in Lauren Denton's signature Southern style, Glory Road tells the story of three generations of women navigating the uncertain pathways of their hearts during a summer that promises to bring change--whether they're ready for it or not.
At thirty-eight, garden shop owner Jessie McBride thinks her chances for romance are years behind her and, after her failed marriage, she's fine with that. She lives contentedly with her fiery mother and her quiet, headstrong daughter. But the unexpected arrival of two men on Glory Road make her question if she's really happy with the status quo. Handsome, wealthy Sumner Tate asks her to arrange flowers for his daughter's wedding, and Jessie finds herself drawn to his continued attention. And Ben Bradley, her lingering what-could-have-been from high school days who's known her better than anyone and whom she hasn't seen in years, moves back to the red dirt road. Jessie finds her heart being pulled in directions she never expected.
Meanwhile, Jessie's fourteen-year-old daughter, Evan, is approaching the start of high school and trying to navigate a new world of identity and emotions--particularly as they relate to the cute new guy who's moved in just down the road. At the same time, Jessie's mother, Gus, increasingly finds herself forgetful and faces a potentially frightening future. As all three women navigate the uncertain paths of their hearts and futures, one summer promises to bring change--whether they're ready for it or not.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book |B&NABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren now lives with her husband and two young daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. In addition to her fiction, she writes a monthly newspaper column about life, faith, and how funny (and hard) it is to be a parent. On any given day, she’d rather be at the beach with her family and a stack of books. Her debut novel, The Hideaway, is USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestseller. Her second novel, Hurricane Season, released in April, 2018, and was listed on BookPage's 2018 list of Most Anticipated Fiction.
GUEST POST:
Eight 'behind-the-scenes facts' about the book shared by the author ~
1. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter were written by me, not gardening experts. I wanted the quotes to give readers a little glimpse into what would be happening in each chapter. It was fun researching various plants and plant ailments and figuring out how to apply them to my characters.
2. Along those lines, I wrote the quotes to be as accurate as possible. For example, at the beginning of chapter two, I wrote about tomatoes. It is true that tomatoes need consistent moisture, and problems can occur if you don’t water enough then overcorrect and water too much. If I gave gardening advice in the quotes, I wanted to make sure I didn’t steer anyone wrong if he or she actually follows the advice!
3. Most of the names I used in the quote attributions are mash-ups of friends’ and family members’ names! For example, the quote in Chapter 14 is attributed to Virginia Pearce—Virginia is my niece’s name and Pearce is the name of my nephew. And I used Katherine Grace of Your Daily Daisy as an attribution—Katherine Grace is my oldest daughter’s name.
4. The idea of setting the story on a red dirt road came from the actual red dirt road where my maternal grandparents lived for my entire childhood. As a child, I loved how the dirt road made the place feel separated from the real world, and I knew I wanted these three women to enjoy that same peace and quiet.
5. For readers of my first novel, The Hideaway, I included in Glory Road a brief glimpse of Major Greggs, who was one of Mags’s best friends. I won’t spoil it for you and tell you where he is, but I’d love to know if readers pick up on it when they read Glory Road!
6. In one scene in the book, Jessie leans her hand against a tree and finds the trunk is crawling with worms. She didn’t realize it, but many of the tree’s branches were encased in webbing created by caterpillars. It’s kind of gross, but it’s a memory that’s so ingrained in my mind, I wanted to include it in this particular chapter. I was out at my grandparents’ house out in the country (on the red dirt road I mentioned above) and it was late in the evening and already getting dark. I’d been playing outside and stopped to rest, propping my hand up against a tree trunk. Immediately I felt things writhing under my hand and I pulled my hand away only to see caterpillars all over the trunk. It still gives me the heebie-jeebies decades later!
7. One of my favorite things about writing novels is including things I love in the hopes that readers will enjoy those same things. In Glory Road, I loved including some of my favorite music from over the years. Music plays a big part in this story, from Gus loving old country music, especially Johnny Cash; to Nick sharing new musicians with Evan (including one of my very favorites, Josh Ritter); to Jessie and Ben listening to CDs from his high school music collection, which just so happens to include many of my favorites from high school.
8. I like to find images that look like my characters look in my mind. Sometimes it’s an actor or actress, sometimes it’s a mixture of people I know. Occasionally it’s in a clothing catalog, as was the case with Sumner Tate. I knew he was a handsome older man—wealthy, wears nice clothes, has a house on the water so he spends time outside. Over Christmas one year while I was working on the story, I happened to flip through a Lands End catalog and saw this man who practically yelled at me, “I am Sumner Tate!” I tore the page out, wrote his name at the top, and stuck it to my bulletin board. That man, whoever he was, is forever branded in my mind as Sumner.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram | pinterest
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(2) winners will each win a print copy of Glory Road.
Be sure to check out each stop on the Blog and Takeover tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway begins at midnight March 23, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 30, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of blog stops!
AND
Be sure to stop at the takeover tour, starting on March 26, for more chances to win!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
March 21, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR STOP WAR-TORN HEART ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~-- BLOG TOUR STOP FOR:
'WAR-TORN HEART' --
AUTHOR ALLISON WELLS~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Author Bio,Guest Post, Excerpt & Book Giveway~
Welcome to the Blog & Review Tour – and Giveaway – for War-Torn Heart by Allison Wells, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: War-Torn Heart
Author: Allison Wells
Publisher: Ambassador International
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: March 20, 2019
Abigail Walker, a young woman from rural South Carolina, is on the cusp of womanhood, aching to be able to run wild as the younger children do, yet yearning for things she has yet to understand.
Awkward and unsure of herself, Abby is flustered when she meets Harvey Nicholas, a cadet from Clemson College. As summer begins, Abby finds herself constantly in the company of Harvey and falling quickly in love with him.
As rumors of war begin to reach the States, Abby begins to fear what may come for her older brother and Harvey.
Once Pearl Harbor is bombed, the boys are eager to protect their home and the women they love. But will Abby and Harvey's love be able to withstand distance, rumors, loss, and hurt? Or will the war be what tears apart Abby's heart?
War-Torn Heart is a kleenex-box book with a story of hope, of love, and of perseverance through World War II, which will make the reader cry, scream, and long for more.
EXCERPT:
Looking up, Abby asked, “It’s important to have someone at home waiting, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” he sighed. “It’s what motivates you to get the job done and come home in one piece.”
“Well, Harvey, you don’t have to worry,” she reassured him. “You have me to come home to when this war is over.”
“Do I?”
“Of course.”
“Will you be waiting at home for me?”
“I’ll be right here waiting every day,” she said with gusto. I promise.
“Do you have to wait here?”
“Where else would I wait?” she laughed, not knowing what he meant.
Harvey looked her right in the eyes. “In Charleston, my home.”
Abby giggled again, this time out of nerves. “Harvey, really. Where would I live in Charleston? My home is here; my family is here.”
“What if my family was your family?” He was very serious, his eyes dark, his mouth drawn.
“What do you mean, Harvey?”
Harvey ran his hand over his hair and held Abby’s hand. He was nervous. “Marry me.”
“What?” Alarm bells sounded in Abby’s head. Marry him? Now?
“Marry me, Abby,” he said in a burst of air and excitement. “Marry me after Christmas. Marry me before I leave. I want you to be Mrs. Nicholas before I go.”PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository |CBD
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Allison Wells is a new author, but for the most part she’s a Southern wife and mother. With four active children, she spends most of her time in the car, but when she can she loves to sit down and read or write. Allison is a graduate of Clemson University in the beautiful foothills of South Carolina and she still lives close enough to hear football games on Saturdays.
GUEST POST ABOUT HER RESEARCH METHODS WHEN WRITING THIS BOOK:
I wrote War-Torn Heart several years ago, so I really don't remember my research methods! I did a lot of looking into fashion with old McCall's patterns, I looked up when things were done at Clemson College. I went as far as to check the football schedule and I had to determine where football games were played in 1941. Certain elements of what happened during the war, both abroad and state side, were also looked into. It was fun to look back and see how and why things were done in the 1940s. It really makes one appreciate how far we've come.
CONNECT WITH ALLISON: website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win a print copy of War-Torn Heart (US only)
(1) winner will win an ebook copy of War-Torn Heart (open internationally)
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 18, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm March 25, 2019. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
# # # # #
Welcome to the Blog & Review Tour – and Giveaway – for War-Torn Heart by Allison Wells, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: War-Torn Heart Author: Allison Wells
Publisher: Ambassador International
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: March 20, 2019
Abigail Walker, a young woman from rural South Carolina, is on the cusp of womanhood, aching to be able to run wild as the younger children do, yet yearning for things she has yet to understand.
Awkward and unsure of herself, Abby is flustered when she meets Harvey Nicholas, a cadet from Clemson College. As summer begins, Abby finds herself constantly in the company of Harvey and falling quickly in love with him.
As rumors of war begin to reach the States, Abby begins to fear what may come for her older brother and Harvey.
Once Pearl Harbor is bombed, the boys are eager to protect their home and the women they love. But will Abby and Harvey's love be able to withstand distance, rumors, loss, and hurt? Or will the war be what tears apart Abby's heart?
War-Torn Heart is a kleenex-box book with a story of hope, of love, and of perseverance through World War II, which will make the reader cry, scream, and long for more.
EXCERPT:
Looking up, Abby asked, “It’s important to have someone at home waiting, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” he sighed. “It’s what motivates you to get the job done and come home in one piece.”
“Well, Harvey, you don’t have to worry,” she reassured him. “You have me to come home to when this war is over.”
“Do I?”
“Of course.”
“Will you be waiting at home for me?”
“I’ll be right here waiting every day,” she said with gusto. I promise.
“Do you have to wait here?”
“Where else would I wait?” she laughed, not knowing what he meant.
Harvey looked her right in the eyes. “In Charleston, my home.”
Abby giggled again, this time out of nerves. “Harvey, really. Where would I live in Charleston? My home is here; my family is here.”
“What if my family was your family?” He was very serious, his eyes dark, his mouth drawn.
“What do you mean, Harvey?”
Harvey ran his hand over his hair and held Abby’s hand. He was nervous. “Marry me.”
“What?” Alarm bells sounded in Abby’s head. Marry him? Now?
“Marry me, Abby,” he said in a burst of air and excitement. “Marry me after Christmas. Marry me before I leave. I want you to be Mrs. Nicholas before I go.”PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository |CBD
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Allison Wells is a new author, but for the most part she’s a Southern wife and mother. With four active children, she spends most of her time in the car, but when she can she loves to sit down and read or write. Allison is a graduate of Clemson University in the beautiful foothills of South Carolina and she still lives close enough to hear football games on Saturdays.
GUEST POST ABOUT HER RESEARCH METHODS WHEN WRITING THIS BOOK:
I wrote War-Torn Heart several years ago, so I really don't remember my research methods! I did a lot of looking into fashion with old McCall's patterns, I looked up when things were done at Clemson College. I went as far as to check the football schedule and I had to determine where football games were played in 1941. Certain elements of what happened during the war, both abroad and state side, were also looked into. It was fun to look back and see how and why things were done in the 1940s. It really makes one appreciate how far we've come.
CONNECT WITH ALLISON: website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win a print copy of War-Torn Heart (US only)
(1) winner will win an ebook copy of War-Torn Heart (open internationally)
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 18, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm March 25, 2019. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
# # # # #
March 20, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR ALMOST HOME ~
~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'ALMOST HOME' --
AUTHOR VALERIE FRASER LUESSE~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, AuthorBio, Link to Excerpt & Review~
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The things that tear us apart can also bring us together.
With America's entrance into World War II, the town of Blackberry Springs, Alabama, has exploded virtually overnight. Workers from all over are coming south for jobs in Uncle Sam's munitions plants--and they're bringing their pasts with them, right into Dolly Chandler's grand but fading family home turned boardinghouse.
A struggling young couple from the Midwest, unemployed professors from Chicago, a widower from Mississippi, and a shattered young veteran struggling to heal from the war are all hoping Dolly's house will help them find their way back to the lives they left behind. But the house has a past of its own.
When tragedy strikes, Dolly's only hope will be the circle of friends under her roof and their ability to discover the truth about what happened to a young bride who lived there a century before.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"This is the kind of book you can't wait to get home and read every night--to meet up with characters you genuinely like in a feels-so-real place you want to be."--Sara Peterson, editor in chief, HGTV Magazine
"A story of kindness, friendship, and healing, Almost Home shines."--Nancy Dorman-Hickson, coauthor of the award-winning Diplomacy and Diamonds
"Witty, wise, and moving. . . . Almost Home abundantly reveals how friendship and faith endure in spite of--and sometimes because of--trying times."--Jim Baker, journalist and author of The Empty Glass
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Valerie Fraser Luesse is the bestselling author of Missing Isaac and is an award-winning magazine writer best known for her feature stories and essays in Southern Living, where she is currently a senior travel editor. Specializing in stories about unique pockets of Southern culture, Luesse has published major pieces on the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Delta, Louisiana's Acadian Prairie, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Her editorial section on Hurricane Katrina recovery in Mississippi and Louisiana won the 2009 Writer of the Year award from the Southeast Tourism Society. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama.
EXCERPT: LINK TO EXCERPT COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHER
MY REVIEW:
I enjoy historical Southern fiction, so when this book came up for review I knew I wanted to read it. I am so glad I did!
This author is simply a master storyteller. The words of her narrative and the characters' dialogue is seamless, realistic, and engaging.
I spent a many of my childhood summer vacations surrounded by people who were in the various age groups of this ensemble of characters. This story is set in Alabama; my family was raised in Louisiana and Mississippi. Reading the vocabulary and idioms used by the characters in this novel was like attending a family reunion. {A lifetime favorite saying of mine which is included on page 66 of this manuscript is: "It's time to fish or cut bait."}
There are two stories going on simultaneously in this book. The present-time story set in 1944 and the legend of Catherine and Andrew set a century earlier in the 1840s. The women of the present-day ensemble--Dolly, Anna, Daisy, and Evelyn--become entranced by Catherine and Andrew's love story as they read Catherine's journals.
Another unique and treasured character is an elderly blind woman, Lillian, who is a neighbor on 'the loop' -- the rural neighborhood where the story takes place. Miss Lillian offers her keen insight and advice to the younger characters. She seems to have an intuition about people and love which astonishes those with whom she comes in contact.
I don't want to spoil the story, so I won't give any more details about how the plot progresses or which secrets are revealed as the women delve into the journals and discuss the contents. Suffice to say this is a beautifully-written story whose characters and plot I will be pondering for a long time to come . . . I look forward to reading more work by this author, including her previous award-winning novel entitled, 'Finding Isaac'.
This book is highly-recommended to fans of historical fiction, WWII fiction, Southern fiction, women's fiction, and inspirational romance.
*******************
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.
# # # # #
ABOUT THE BOOK:The things that tear us apart can also bring us together.
With America's entrance into World War II, the town of Blackberry Springs, Alabama, has exploded virtually overnight. Workers from all over are coming south for jobs in Uncle Sam's munitions plants--and they're bringing their pasts with them, right into Dolly Chandler's grand but fading family home turned boardinghouse.
A struggling young couple from the Midwest, unemployed professors from Chicago, a widower from Mississippi, and a shattered young veteran struggling to heal from the war are all hoping Dolly's house will help them find their way back to the lives they left behind. But the house has a past of its own.
When tragedy strikes, Dolly's only hope will be the circle of friends under her roof and their ability to discover the truth about what happened to a young bride who lived there a century before.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"This is the kind of book you can't wait to get home and read every night--to meet up with characters you genuinely like in a feels-so-real place you want to be."--Sara Peterson, editor in chief, HGTV Magazine
"A story of kindness, friendship, and healing, Almost Home shines."--Nancy Dorman-Hickson, coauthor of the award-winning Diplomacy and Diamonds
"Witty, wise, and moving. . . . Almost Home abundantly reveals how friendship and faith endure in spite of--and sometimes because of--trying times."--Jim Baker, journalist and author of The Empty Glass
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Valerie Fraser Luesse is the bestselling author of Missing Isaac and is an award-winning magazine writer best known for her feature stories and essays in Southern Living, where she is currently a senior travel editor. Specializing in stories about unique pockets of Southern culture, Luesse has published major pieces on the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Delta, Louisiana's Acadian Prairie, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Her editorial section on Hurricane Katrina recovery in Mississippi and Louisiana won the 2009 Writer of the Year award from the Southeast Tourism Society. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama.
EXCERPT: LINK TO EXCERPT COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHER
MY REVIEW:
I enjoy historical Southern fiction, so when this book came up for review I knew I wanted to read it. I am so glad I did!
This author is simply a master storyteller. The words of her narrative and the characters' dialogue is seamless, realistic, and engaging.
I spent a many of my childhood summer vacations surrounded by people who were in the various age groups of this ensemble of characters. This story is set in Alabama; my family was raised in Louisiana and Mississippi. Reading the vocabulary and idioms used by the characters in this novel was like attending a family reunion. {A lifetime favorite saying of mine which is included on page 66 of this manuscript is: "It's time to fish or cut bait."}
There are two stories going on simultaneously in this book. The present-time story set in 1944 and the legend of Catherine and Andrew set a century earlier in the 1840s. The women of the present-day ensemble--Dolly, Anna, Daisy, and Evelyn--become entranced by Catherine and Andrew's love story as they read Catherine's journals.
Another unique and treasured character is an elderly blind woman, Lillian, who is a neighbor on 'the loop' -- the rural neighborhood where the story takes place. Miss Lillian offers her keen insight and advice to the younger characters. She seems to have an intuition about people and love which astonishes those with whom she comes in contact.
I don't want to spoil the story, so I won't give any more details about how the plot progresses or which secrets are revealed as the women delve into the journals and discuss the contents. Suffice to say this is a beautifully-written story whose characters and plot I will be pondering for a long time to come . . . I look forward to reading more work by this author, including her previous award-winning novel entitled, 'Finding Isaac'.
This book is highly-recommended to fans of historical fiction, WWII fiction, Southern fiction, women's fiction, and inspirational romance.
*******************
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.# # # # #
March 17, 2019
~ MMGM STEAM ASIAN KITES FOR KIDS ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY S.T.E.A.M. FEATURE ~
-- 'ASIAN KITES FOR KIDS' --
AUTHOR WAYNE HOSKING
March 14, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR STOP BECOMING MRS. LEWIS ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~BLOG TOUR STOP FOR
-- 'BECOMING MRS. LEWIS' --
AUTHOR PATTI CALLAHAN~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt,Author Bio, Unique Guest Post Sharedby the Author & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan with JustRead Publicity Tours! We continue the Becoming Mrs. Lewis celebration on social media starting March 14.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Becoming Mrs. Lewis Author: Patti Callahan Publisher: Thomas Nelson Genre: Historical Fiction Release Date: October 2, 2018
From New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan comes an exquisite novel of Joy Davidman, the woman C. S. Lewis called “my whole world.”
When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C. S. Lewis—known as Jack—she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Love, after all, wasn’t holding together her crumbling marriage. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford don and the beloved writer of Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters. Embarking on the adventure of her life, Joy traveled from America to England and back again, facing heartbreak and poverty, discovering friendship and faith, and against all odds, finding a love that even the threat of death couldn’t destroy.
In this masterful exploration of one of the greatest love stories of modern times, we meet a brilliant writer, a fiercely independent mother, and a passionate woman who changed the life of this respected author and inspired books that still enchant us and change us. Joy lived at a time when women weren’t meant to have a voice—and yet her love for Jack gave them both voices they didn’t know they had.
At once a fascinating historical novel and a glimpse into a writer’s life, Becoming Mrs. Lewis is above all a love story—a love of literature and ideas and a love between a husband and wife that, in the end, was not impossible at all.
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO READ AN EXCERPT: EXCERPT FROM 'BECOMING MRS. LEWIS'
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunesABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patti Callahan (who also writes as Patti Callahan Henry) is a New York Times bestselling author. Patti was a finalist in the Townsend Prize for Fiction, has been an Indie Next Pick, twice an OKRA pick, and a multiple nominee for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) Novel of the Year. Her work has also been included in short story collections, anthologies, magazines, and blogs. Patti attended Auburn University for her undergraduate work and Georgia State University for her graduate degree. Once a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, she now writes full time. The mother of three children, she lives in both Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Bluffton, South Carolina, with her husband.
GUEST POST SHARED BY THE AUTHOR:
TOPIC: What inspired you to write this book? Are you a fan of C.S. Lewis's writings which caused you to seek more insight into his marriage and relationship with Joy Davidman?
We all fall into our own kind of love with C. S. Lewis, and I had fallen into mine at twelve years old when I read The Screwtape Letters and then the Narnian Chronicles. But Lewis, known as Jack, only loved one woman enough to marry, only one woman he called “the whole world (stars, water, air, And field, and forest, as they were reflected in a single mind.” Her name was Joy Davidman.
When she died, he wrote one of the most moving pieces of the twentieth century on grief – A Grief Observed. What kind of love was this? That is what I wanted to know as I began this novel. Who was this woman who so enraptured Lewis that her death nearly destroyed him and his faith? I didn’t want to know just the facts – most of those are disputed anyway as everyone has their own opinion on who she was and how she lived – I wanted to know her story, the narrative, even if I had to write it.
Joy was not interesting merely because C. S. Lewis fell in love with her. Not even close.
Joy was a firecracker of a woman, a brilliant writer, a multi-award winning poet, a novelist, a critic, a protégé of The MacDowell Colony and much more. She was often called a child prodigy. She graduated graduate school at Columbia at nineteen-years-old. She won the Yale Younger Poet’s award for her collection inspired by the Spanish Civil War titled A Comrade in Arms. She was taken on by Brandt and Brandt, a literary agency and then by MacMillan publishing where her first novel, Anya was released. Yet even with this resume, she lived in an age when women were often silenced and shamed for stepping outside the family for professional or personal satisfaction.
Jack and Joy’s Eros-story led to some of C. S. Lewis’s greatest works on love, grief, the true self behind the veil, and of course faith, yet Joy is rarely acknowledged for the muse, editor, best friend and beloved wife she was to this revered author. Joy loved Jack fiercely, unabashedly and without reservation, as he did her.
With intense curiosity, I began to read Joy’s work. Her poetry, essays, books and letters flamed with talent, pain and insight. Her words a force of beautiful prose that many tried to squelch and inhibit.
Joy often seemed not to care what others thought of her – but I did. Therefore, I began a novel in what I call “the key of empathy” – I wrote her story from her instead of CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(2) winners will each win a hardcover release copy of Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
Be sure to check out each stop on the Blog and Takeover tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway began at midnight March 12, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 19, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
AND
Be sure to stop at the following tours for more chances to win!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan with JustRead Publicity Tours! We continue the Becoming Mrs. Lewis celebration on social media starting March 14.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Becoming Mrs. Lewis Author: Patti Callahan Publisher: Thomas Nelson Genre: Historical Fiction Release Date: October 2, 2018From New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan comes an exquisite novel of Joy Davidman, the woman C. S. Lewis called “my whole world.”
When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C. S. Lewis—known as Jack—she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Love, after all, wasn’t holding together her crumbling marriage. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford don and the beloved writer of Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters. Embarking on the adventure of her life, Joy traveled from America to England and back again, facing heartbreak and poverty, discovering friendship and faith, and against all odds, finding a love that even the threat of death couldn’t destroy.
In this masterful exploration of one of the greatest love stories of modern times, we meet a brilliant writer, a fiercely independent mother, and a passionate woman who changed the life of this respected author and inspired books that still enchant us and change us. Joy lived at a time when women weren’t meant to have a voice—and yet her love for Jack gave them both voices they didn’t know they had.
At once a fascinating historical novel and a glimpse into a writer’s life, Becoming Mrs. Lewis is above all a love story—a love of literature and ideas and a love between a husband and wife that, in the end, was not impossible at all.
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO READ AN EXCERPT: EXCERPT FROM 'BECOMING MRS. LEWIS'
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunesABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patti Callahan (who also writes as Patti Callahan Henry) is a New York Times bestselling author. Patti was a finalist in the Townsend Prize for Fiction, has been an Indie Next Pick, twice an OKRA pick, and a multiple nominee for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) Novel of the Year. Her work has also been included in short story collections, anthologies, magazines, and blogs. Patti attended Auburn University for her undergraduate work and Georgia State University for her graduate degree. Once a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, she now writes full time. The mother of three children, she lives in both Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Bluffton, South Carolina, with her husband.
GUEST POST SHARED BY THE AUTHOR:
TOPIC: What inspired you to write this book? Are you a fan of C.S. Lewis's writings which caused you to seek more insight into his marriage and relationship with Joy Davidman?
We all fall into our own kind of love with C. S. Lewis, and I had fallen into mine at twelve years old when I read The Screwtape Letters and then the Narnian Chronicles. But Lewis, known as Jack, only loved one woman enough to marry, only one woman he called “the whole world (stars, water, air, And field, and forest, as they were reflected in a single mind.” Her name was Joy Davidman.
When she died, he wrote one of the most moving pieces of the twentieth century on grief – A Grief Observed. What kind of love was this? That is what I wanted to know as I began this novel. Who was this woman who so enraptured Lewis that her death nearly destroyed him and his faith? I didn’t want to know just the facts – most of those are disputed anyway as everyone has their own opinion on who she was and how she lived – I wanted to know her story, the narrative, even if I had to write it.
Joy was not interesting merely because C. S. Lewis fell in love with her. Not even close.
Joy was a firecracker of a woman, a brilliant writer, a multi-award winning poet, a novelist, a critic, a protégé of The MacDowell Colony and much more. She was often called a child prodigy. She graduated graduate school at Columbia at nineteen-years-old. She won the Yale Younger Poet’s award for her collection inspired by the Spanish Civil War titled A Comrade in Arms. She was taken on by Brandt and Brandt, a literary agency and then by MacMillan publishing where her first novel, Anya was released. Yet even with this resume, she lived in an age when women were often silenced and shamed for stepping outside the family for professional or personal satisfaction.
Jack and Joy’s Eros-story led to some of C. S. Lewis’s greatest works on love, grief, the true self behind the veil, and of course faith, yet Joy is rarely acknowledged for the muse, editor, best friend and beloved wife she was to this revered author. Joy loved Jack fiercely, unabashedly and without reservation, as he did her.
With intense curiosity, I began to read Joy’s work. Her poetry, essays, books and letters flamed with talent, pain and insight. Her words a force of beautiful prose that many tried to squelch and inhibit.
Joy often seemed not to care what others thought of her – but I did. Therefore, I began a novel in what I call “the key of empathy” – I wrote her story from her instead of CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(2) winners will each win a hardcover release copy of Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
Be sure to check out each stop on the Blog and Takeover tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway began at midnight March 12, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 19, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
AND
Be sure to stop at the following tours for more chances to win!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~
Welcome to my Goodreads blog!
Follow me on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/June-McCrary...
Follow me on Pinterest at: https://www.pinterest.com/junemccrary...
View and subscribe to my 'Reading, Wri ...more
Follow me on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/June-McCrary...
Follow me on Pinterest at: https://www.pinterest.com/junemccrary...
View and subscribe to my 'Reading, Wri ...more
- June McCrary Jacobs's profile
- 153 followers
