June McCrary Jacobs's Blog: ~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~, page 89
March 10, 2019
~ MMGM BIOGRAPHY OF BLACK BART ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE
MONDAY BIOGRAPHY FEATURE ~
-- 'THE CAPTURE OF BLACK BART:
GENTLEMAN BANDIT OF THE OLD WEST' -- AUTHOR NORMAN H. FINKELSTEIN
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
Black Bart was not the Old West’s only stagecoach robber, but he was the most famous.
To many people, he was a folk hero: a robber who didn’t threaten or harm passengers. He was a bandit with a sense of humor who wrote poetry. In robbing at least 28 Wells Fargo stagecoaches across Northern California between 1875 and 1883, he never fired a shot or injured anyone. His gun, it turned out, was never loaded.
Newspaper stories about the poet robber’s exploits and about Jim Hume, the unyielding chief detective of Wells Fargo, became popular reading throughout the West. Black Bart seemed to enjoy the chase. During one robbery the driver told him, “They’ll catch you one of these days.” Bart answered, “Perhaps, but in the meantime, give my regards to J. B. Hume, will you?” For eight years, each new robbery—and each new story—made Hume even more determined to track him down.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}: Norman H. Finkelstein is the author of eighteen nonfiction books, mainly for young readers. He recently retired as a school librarian for the Brookline (Massachusetts) Public Schools but continues into his 32nd year of teaching history in the Prozdor Department of Hebrew College. Among his writing honors are two National Jewish Book Awards, the Golden Kite Honor Book Award for Nonfiction and a "highly recommended" award from the Boston Author's Club.
His interest in history and biography developed early. "I was the only kid in the sixth grade who regularly read the New York Times," he said. His books reflect an eclectic view of his world. From his love of old-time radio came Sounds in the Air: The Golden Age of Radio and from his fascination with plastics came a social and cultural history called, simple enough, Plastics. He also served as the series editor for the Jewish Publication Society's JPS Guides.He is married to Rosalind who he calls "my first-line editor". They have three grown children and three grandchildren. Finkelstein lives in Framingham, Massachusetts.
MY THOUGHTS:When I saw this book on the non-fiction shelf of the 'New Books' section in the children's collection of the local public library I grabbed it!
Besides my lifelong interest in California history, Black Bart was the subject of many campfire stories and skits when I was a teen at Young Life Camp one summer up in Marysville, California. I was never certain how many of the storyteller's tales about Black Bart were true, so I decided to get the facts from this award-winning author's biography of Charles E. Boles--Black Bart's true identity.
The book is well-researched and is supplemented with many historical documents, maps, diagrams, and photographs. The story traces the twenty-seven to twenty-nine stage coach robberies attributed to Black Bart throughout Northern California and Southerwestern, Oregon.
There is an interesting background of Wells, Fargo Express presented which provides a good foundation for the understanding of how the stage coach system operated and how Black Bart managed to steal so much money from the company over the period of July, 1875 - November, 1883.
Black Bart was known as the gentleman bandit because even though he wore a disguise consisting of a white duster, white rags tied around his feet, and a white flour bag with eye and mouth holes cut out, he never stole from the stage's passengers and he never shot his gun. Witnesses related that he spoke as if he were educated and he always used good manners. He did not speak with profanity.
Black Bart liked to write poems to leave at the scene of his crimes. He signed them 'PO8'. In one of the poems printed in the book (page 67), he uses a phrase which I consider to be cursing, so take heed if you are sharing this book with youngsters. Other than that phrase, the book is clean in language and content.
One of my favorite features in the book was the 'Stagecoach Travel Tips and Etiquette' poster reproduced from an 1877 edition of the Omaha Herald. The final tip reads: " . . . Don't imagine for a moment you are going on a picnic; expect annoyance, discomfort and some hardships. If you are disappointed, thank heaven."
There is a lot of information on the criminal investigation techniques used by James Hume who was the investigator who finally pieced together all of the clues and evidence for Black Bart's years'-long crime spree. I think middle-grade and tween readers will find the good old-fashioned common sense and logical thinking of this man to be interesting in light of today's high-tech world.
The final section of the book reveals how the investigators tracked down and captured Black Bart. I'll save the details for you to discover when you read the book. Trust me when I say this criminal was not your average bear. He was extremely clever, wily, and skilled at getting away from his pursuers. You'll also learn what happened to this unique stagecoach robber when he was finally apprehended!
Recommended to upper middle-grade, tween, teen, and adult fans of California history, US history, Wild West history, criminal justice history, and biographies.
I borrowed this book from the local public library.
****************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!
# # # # # ***THESE TWO GREAT 'MIDDLE-GRADE' GIVEAWAYS ARE OPEN FOR ENTRIES UNTIL MARCH 15th! *** 
****GIVEAWAY #1:The giveaway will run from midnight (EST) on the night of February 21st, 2019 until midnight (EST) on the night of March 15th, 2019. Entries will be made through the Rafflecopter. One winner will receive a music box (the one found in the book video: https://youtu.be/ww_RY4IVg3w) with the author’s golden signature on the bottom as well as swag (US addresses only). The second winner will receive an Amazon GC of $10 (US). The second winner must be in possession of a qualifying US Amazon account.
The contest is open to U.S. residents only, ages eighteen and over. No purchase is required for entry. All winners must claim their prize 48 hours after notification. Winners will be announced on www.tonjadrecker.blogspot.com on Saturday, March 16th, 2019, by 10:00am (EST). All addresses and personal information will be used only for prize allocation. Sponsor, Tonja Drecker, assumes no responsibility or liability of any kind. Please email all questions to tonjadrecker@gmail.com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
****GIVEAWAY #2:
Print copy of 'Music Boxes'. Giveaway sponsored by the publisher, Dancing Lemur Press Publishing, LLC.
{US residents only/must have a US mailing address. Must be eighteen years of age or older to enter. Giveaway closes at 12:00PM PST on Friday, March 15th.}
TO ENTER -- LEAVE A BLOG POST COMMENT AT:
https://authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogspot.com/2019/02/mmgm-blog-tour-stop-music-boxes.html
******************
March 7, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR STOP 'ENDURING PROMISES OF THE HEART' ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~--BLOG TOUR STOP--
-- 'ENDURING PROMISES OF THE HEART' --
AUTHOR VALERIE LOVELESS~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Links to Excerpts,Author Bio, Unique Guest Post & Giveaway~
About the Book
Genre: Adult, New Adult, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: February 8, 2019
“What if I told you there is a way that we could all be happy? That if I were to propose to you, your father couldn’t deny us?”
“What is it, John? Tell me!” Just then the basket hit the water and the sea began to stream in through the spaces between the reeds. This was the end. The year is 1887, and the small community of Pleasant View is abuzz over Penelope Pottifer’s serialized romances in the local paper.
Since the release of the first volume, the thrilling story has captured the hearts and minds of the entire town— and several towns over! Each successive edition of the Pleasant View Gazette spins a breathtaking tale of kidnappers, pirates, and forbidden love. Between volumes, however, Pleasant View resident Mary Clarence, the story’s toughest critic, hears a rumor that Penelope Pottifer is not, in fact, the author’s real name. Determined to uncover the mystery, Mary drags her friend Elizabeth Black into a hunt for the elusive author’s true identity. But fiction and reality seem to entwine when along the way, Mary and Liz discover unexpected truths, exciting adventures, and dramatic romances of their own.
GOODREADS | AMAZONAbout the Author
Valerie has a love for stories with happy endings and bright comedy. A native to the California high desert, she now considers Utah her home where she lives with her husband, three children and two chihuahuas. Growing up in a family of seven kids, Valerie learned to embrace her unique creativity and way of looking at the world and hopes it will enrich other's lives. In 2015 she published two children's books, Singing Not so Sweetly and Anabelle Loves Babies. She believes writing is the ultimate end-all for creative pursuits because there are no limits to what you can create. A picture may say a thousand words but a novel is usually around seventy-thousand.
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE
GUEST POST:
Behind-the-Scenes Facts Shared by the Author:
The most frequently asked question I have received since my book got published, (besides how can I do it too) is where did you came up with your ideas? Ideas for me are daily things I witness that spark a cascade of memories, thoughts and feelings within my brain. If they are good ideas, they will stick around and start plot mapping themselves.
One day I was watching old reruns of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. I had a little baby at home and there was not much I could to, timewise, besides have the TV running in the background of the chaos of three kids. Anyway, there’s a character that writes a little town gazette and she wrote a story in it that had details about everyone’s personal lives in it. The whole town turned against her. This is where the spark for my story began. A small-town Gazette, who writes it? What do they write about, and what happens when it interferes with everyone else’s lives? I had the potential to be dramatic, funny and clever.
Another influence was the BBC special Lark Rise to Candelford, one of my favorite series. One of the Pratt sisters reads a trashy romance that comes out in the paper every week. She is obsessed with it and as she is reading it aloud, it sounds so silly, but she just can’t help herself. She’s hooked and everyone around her becomes hooked as well.
These two images above are where the spark for Enduring Promises of the Heart began. It is not just your average romance novel-- it is about a silly, slightly scandalous newspaper serial romance and how it seeps into the lives of the whole town, and how they interact with it. Each chapter is a mix of what happens in the town and what the residents are reading in the paper.
How I chose the name of the story was simple, I strung together the most romantic and dramatic sentence I could think of.
I got stuck one day, unable to think of a turbulent and dramatic storyline for the gazette story, so I asked my 8-year-old to tell me a story and he told me about pirates, it resonated with me big time, and subsequently there’s a lot of pirates in the book!
You might call it a satire, but I’m not making fun of all romance, just the trashy romance of that era. The type you would read today and think, how could anyone ever read this and take it seriously? While I wrote the gazette stories, I just let a stream of creativity come straight out onto paper, no matter how silly it seemed. I just let my silly side lose on the page and it turned out to be great.
I wanted a contrast-- the yin and yang about how real-life romance is-- awkward, timid and not smooth versus the idealized romance that has the perfect hero, the perfect heroin and their experiences that keep them ever apart, and always yearning for each other while maintaining perfect hair.
With google, it’s easy to write an accurate period story, if you know what it is that you should be researching in the first place. One matter I struggled with was exactly what fashions were in at the time. Lucky for me, fashions didn’t change as rapidly as they do now and they were regional, therefore I could take a standard for the time and then make it my own by taking the basic form of a dress of that time period and choosing the details and stylings myself.
Hats are a big topic in this book. The Main character has a bit of an obsession over them. She buys one whenever her heart is a little tender or she is bored. So, I spent a great deal of time looking at the basic styles of hats of the time and then using my own design instincts to describe the beauties in my head.
When it came time to edit, I was quite pleased there were only a few items that the editor felt was out of time. It came down to tweaking the wording and descriptions to fit the time rather than discarding the entire scene or element.
It can take a lot of time to write a novel that you are not sure will ever be read by anyone but you. At one point the poor thing sat on my hard drive for about a year, untouched. And when it came time to have others read my works, it was apparent that I had improved the characters significantly since the beginning and had grown as a writer myself. The beginning of the novel underwent the most significant changes over the course of editing because of this. I had to go back and add in the new character development of the characters and the style of writing I had developed.
When I write, I sometimes base characters off people I know, sometimes they need to be a specific person to fit a specific part, and sometimes they are just a slice of me. My two main characters, best friends, are each about one half of my personality. I’ve never gone through all of what I put them through, but it was the best way to emulate the many feelings and responses they had to the elements in the story. It’s funny when you spend years writing a book, these characters become real to you. As if they are old friends and you can guess how they would react to different situations.
Enduring Promises of the Heart was intended to be a monthly short story that came out in succession mirroring the way it came out in the gazette in the story. But I found that the editing and the continuity was too difficult at that time. So, I just kept writing it and keeping it to myself until I had a fully formed novel. I let my mom read it and she liked it, but she usually likes anything I show her, moms are good that way. My husband was telling my father-in-law about how I was writing a novel and he offered to read it for me. You’d be surprised how hard it is to get people to read an unpublished novel, so this was a welcome offer. He loved it! I thought, wow, this older man really likes this story, and he has no business liking this type of novel, maybe I should pursue it a little more. So, I sent it to my cousin, an avid reader, and she helped me get it polished enough for submitting to publishers by giving me feedback and doing some light editing.
I sent my manuscript out to about a dozen publishers and literary agents and within 13 days I got an acceptance reply. I was so shocked! I expected to be sending out manuscripts for the rest of my days! It may not be with a big publisher, but in terms of values we are a good fit. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share my joy and laughter with others and I hope that those who do read my book are touched by the heart I put into it and can enjoy the laughs it will bring.
LINKS TO EXCERPTS:
The first 2 Chapters are available on www.mybookcave.com and Amazon.com, there is also a prequel at www.valerieloveless.info/prequel that is updated often with new volumes.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway HERE.Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.Tour ScheduleMarch 5 Heidi Reads...March 6 Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen March 7 Stephanie's Life of DeterminationsMarch 8 Reading, Writing & Stitch-MeticMarch 11 Bookworm LisaReading Is My SuperPowerMarch 12 Blooming with BooksKat’s Corner BooksMarch 13 Emily YagerMarch 14 Singing Librarian BooksMarch 15 Paulette's Papers
# # # # #
About the BookGenre: Adult, New Adult, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: February 8, 2019
“What if I told you there is a way that we could all be happy? That if I were to propose to you, your father couldn’t deny us?”
“What is it, John? Tell me!” Just then the basket hit the water and the sea began to stream in through the spaces between the reeds. This was the end. The year is 1887, and the small community of Pleasant View is abuzz over Penelope Pottifer’s serialized romances in the local paper.
Since the release of the first volume, the thrilling story has captured the hearts and minds of the entire town— and several towns over! Each successive edition of the Pleasant View Gazette spins a breathtaking tale of kidnappers, pirates, and forbidden love. Between volumes, however, Pleasant View resident Mary Clarence, the story’s toughest critic, hears a rumor that Penelope Pottifer is not, in fact, the author’s real name. Determined to uncover the mystery, Mary drags her friend Elizabeth Black into a hunt for the elusive author’s true identity. But fiction and reality seem to entwine when along the way, Mary and Liz discover unexpected truths, exciting adventures, and dramatic romances of their own.
GOODREADS | AMAZONAbout the Author
Valerie has a love for stories with happy endings and bright comedy. A native to the California high desert, she now considers Utah her home where she lives with her husband, three children and two chihuahuas. Growing up in a family of seven kids, Valerie learned to embrace her unique creativity and way of looking at the world and hopes it will enrich other's lives. In 2015 she published two children's books, Singing Not so Sweetly and Anabelle Loves Babies. She believes writing is the ultimate end-all for creative pursuits because there are no limits to what you can create. A picture may say a thousand words but a novel is usually around seventy-thousand.
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE
GUEST POST:
Behind-the-Scenes Facts Shared by the Author:
The most frequently asked question I have received since my book got published, (besides how can I do it too) is where did you came up with your ideas? Ideas for me are daily things I witness that spark a cascade of memories, thoughts and feelings within my brain. If they are good ideas, they will stick around and start plot mapping themselves.
One day I was watching old reruns of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. I had a little baby at home and there was not much I could to, timewise, besides have the TV running in the background of the chaos of three kids. Anyway, there’s a character that writes a little town gazette and she wrote a story in it that had details about everyone’s personal lives in it. The whole town turned against her. This is where the spark for my story began. A small-town Gazette, who writes it? What do they write about, and what happens when it interferes with everyone else’s lives? I had the potential to be dramatic, funny and clever.
Another influence was the BBC special Lark Rise to Candelford, one of my favorite series. One of the Pratt sisters reads a trashy romance that comes out in the paper every week. She is obsessed with it and as she is reading it aloud, it sounds so silly, but she just can’t help herself. She’s hooked and everyone around her becomes hooked as well.
These two images above are where the spark for Enduring Promises of the Heart began. It is not just your average romance novel-- it is about a silly, slightly scandalous newspaper serial romance and how it seeps into the lives of the whole town, and how they interact with it. Each chapter is a mix of what happens in the town and what the residents are reading in the paper.
How I chose the name of the story was simple, I strung together the most romantic and dramatic sentence I could think of.
I got stuck one day, unable to think of a turbulent and dramatic storyline for the gazette story, so I asked my 8-year-old to tell me a story and he told me about pirates, it resonated with me big time, and subsequently there’s a lot of pirates in the book!
You might call it a satire, but I’m not making fun of all romance, just the trashy romance of that era. The type you would read today and think, how could anyone ever read this and take it seriously? While I wrote the gazette stories, I just let a stream of creativity come straight out onto paper, no matter how silly it seemed. I just let my silly side lose on the page and it turned out to be great.
I wanted a contrast-- the yin and yang about how real-life romance is-- awkward, timid and not smooth versus the idealized romance that has the perfect hero, the perfect heroin and their experiences that keep them ever apart, and always yearning for each other while maintaining perfect hair.
With google, it’s easy to write an accurate period story, if you know what it is that you should be researching in the first place. One matter I struggled with was exactly what fashions were in at the time. Lucky for me, fashions didn’t change as rapidly as they do now and they were regional, therefore I could take a standard for the time and then make it my own by taking the basic form of a dress of that time period and choosing the details and stylings myself.
Hats are a big topic in this book. The Main character has a bit of an obsession over them. She buys one whenever her heart is a little tender or she is bored. So, I spent a great deal of time looking at the basic styles of hats of the time and then using my own design instincts to describe the beauties in my head.
When it came time to edit, I was quite pleased there were only a few items that the editor felt was out of time. It came down to tweaking the wording and descriptions to fit the time rather than discarding the entire scene or element.
It can take a lot of time to write a novel that you are not sure will ever be read by anyone but you. At one point the poor thing sat on my hard drive for about a year, untouched. And when it came time to have others read my works, it was apparent that I had improved the characters significantly since the beginning and had grown as a writer myself. The beginning of the novel underwent the most significant changes over the course of editing because of this. I had to go back and add in the new character development of the characters and the style of writing I had developed.
When I write, I sometimes base characters off people I know, sometimes they need to be a specific person to fit a specific part, and sometimes they are just a slice of me. My two main characters, best friends, are each about one half of my personality. I’ve never gone through all of what I put them through, but it was the best way to emulate the many feelings and responses they had to the elements in the story. It’s funny when you spend years writing a book, these characters become real to you. As if they are old friends and you can guess how they would react to different situations.
Enduring Promises of the Heart was intended to be a monthly short story that came out in succession mirroring the way it came out in the gazette in the story. But I found that the editing and the continuity was too difficult at that time. So, I just kept writing it and keeping it to myself until I had a fully formed novel. I let my mom read it and she liked it, but she usually likes anything I show her, moms are good that way. My husband was telling my father-in-law about how I was writing a novel and he offered to read it for me. You’d be surprised how hard it is to get people to read an unpublished novel, so this was a welcome offer. He loved it! I thought, wow, this older man really likes this story, and he has no business liking this type of novel, maybe I should pursue it a little more. So, I sent it to my cousin, an avid reader, and she helped me get it polished enough for submitting to publishers by giving me feedback and doing some light editing.
I sent my manuscript out to about a dozen publishers and literary agents and within 13 days I got an acceptance reply. I was so shocked! I expected to be sending out manuscripts for the rest of my days! It may not be with a big publisher, but in terms of values we are a good fit. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share my joy and laughter with others and I hope that those who do read my book are touched by the heart I put into it and can enjoy the laughs it will bring.
LINKS TO EXCERPTS:
The first 2 Chapters are available on www.mybookcave.com and Amazon.com, there is also a prequel at www.valerieloveless.info/prequel that is updated often with new volumes.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway HERE.Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.Tour ScheduleMarch 5 Heidi Reads...March 6 Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen March 7 Stephanie's Life of DeterminationsMarch 8 Reading, Writing & Stitch-MeticMarch 11 Bookworm LisaReading Is My SuperPowerMarch 12 Blooming with BooksKat’s Corner BooksMarch 13 Emily YagerMarch 14 Singing Librarian BooksMarch 15 Paulette's Papers
# # # # #
March 6, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR STOP GRACE & LAVENDER ~
~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'GRACE & LAVENDER' --
AUTHOR HEATHER NORMAN SMITH~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,Excerpt, Author Bio & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Grace & Lavender by Heather Norman Smith, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Grace & Lavender
Author: Heather Norman Smith
Publisher: Ambassador International
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: March 1, 2019
Recently retired Colleen Hill is always busy, constantly on a quest to make life more interesting.
When the ladies’ group at her church partners with the local children’s home, Colleen jumps in as usual, volunteering to share her passion for cooking with a troubled teenager named Grace. But Colleen must balance the new project with her pursuit of becoming a contestant on a television game show, along with all the other ideas her brain continually spins out.
Colleen’s daughter Melody is quite different. She lives a calm, simple life and is content with who she is. That is, until an unexpected opportunity to work with Grace, too, pushes her to reevaluate life and dare to take on bigger dreams. The path starts with a newly-found interest in soap-making and leads her to responsibilities she didn’t even know she wanted, including helping Grace understand the meaning of her name.
Grace & Lavender is a book for all audiences—a heart-warming story that reminds us to seek God’s purpose for our lives.
EXCERPT:
What Colleen considered interesting about a person was different from most people’s definition of interesting. People who were especially kind or jolly for no apparent reason and people who had a vast amount of knowledge about common things like birds or plants fascinated Colleen. She found people interesting who had been through difficult circumstances and yet had made something of their life, people who had suffered great heartache and yet still expressed gratitude toward their Maker. In her part of the country, it seemed those kinds of people were a dime a dozen, but, nonetheless, interesting.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heather Norman Smith aims to entertain and encourage, while illuminating the redemptive love of God through her writing. Along with Christian Fiction, she writes devotions and children’s books. She also enjoys writing songs and singing about Jesus.
Heather is proud to be a life-long North Carolinian and hopes to present the beauty of the Tar Heel State in her writing. Her home is just outside Winston-Salem, NC, where she lives with one husband, two daughters, one son, two cats, and two dogs. Heather loves words and does not enjoy math, except when it comes to counting blessings.
CONNECT WITH HEATHER : website | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win a print copy of Grace & Lavender (US only)
(4) winners will receive an ebook copy of Grace & Lavender (open internationally)
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 4, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm March 11, 2019. 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 & Giveaway for Grace & Lavender by Heather Norman Smith, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Grace & Lavender Author: Heather Norman Smith
Publisher: Ambassador International
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: March 1, 2019
Recently retired Colleen Hill is always busy, constantly on a quest to make life more interesting.
When the ladies’ group at her church partners with the local children’s home, Colleen jumps in as usual, volunteering to share her passion for cooking with a troubled teenager named Grace. But Colleen must balance the new project with her pursuit of becoming a contestant on a television game show, along with all the other ideas her brain continually spins out.
Colleen’s daughter Melody is quite different. She lives a calm, simple life and is content with who she is. That is, until an unexpected opportunity to work with Grace, too, pushes her to reevaluate life and dare to take on bigger dreams. The path starts with a newly-found interest in soap-making and leads her to responsibilities she didn’t even know she wanted, including helping Grace understand the meaning of her name.
Grace & Lavender is a book for all audiences—a heart-warming story that reminds us to seek God’s purpose for our lives.
EXCERPT:
What Colleen considered interesting about a person was different from most people’s definition of interesting. People who were especially kind or jolly for no apparent reason and people who had a vast amount of knowledge about common things like birds or plants fascinated Colleen. She found people interesting who had been through difficult circumstances and yet had made something of their life, people who had suffered great heartache and yet still expressed gratitude toward their Maker. In her part of the country, it seemed those kinds of people were a dime a dozen, but, nonetheless, interesting.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heather Norman Smith aims to entertain and encourage, while illuminating the redemptive love of God through her writing. Along with Christian Fiction, she writes devotions and children’s books. She also enjoys writing songs and singing about Jesus.
Heather is proud to be a life-long North Carolinian and hopes to present the beauty of the Tar Heel State in her writing. Her home is just outside Winston-Salem, NC, where she lives with one husband, two daughters, one son, two cats, and two dogs. Heather loves words and does not enjoy math, except when it comes to counting blessings.
CONNECT WITH HEATHER : website | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win a print copy of Grace & Lavender (US only)
(4) winners will receive an ebook copy of Grace & Lavender (open internationally)
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 4, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm March 11, 2019. 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 5, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR WITHIN THESE LINES ~
~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'WITHIN THESE LINES' --
AUTHOR STEPHANIE MORRILL~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt,Author Bio, Unique Guest Post & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog & Review Tour - and Giveaway - for Within These Lines by Stephanie Morrill, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Within These Lines Author: Stephanie Morrill Publisher: Blink YA Genre: Historical Young Adult Fiction Release Date: March 5, 2019
When Evalina Cassano and Taichi Hamasaki are torn apart by the events following the attack on Pearl Harbor, they must fight if they want any hope of returning to one another before World War II steals their future together. Within These Lines is one unflinching, haunting, historical novel you don’t want to miss; perfect for fans of Monica Hesse, Ruta Sepetys, and Elizabeth Wein.
Evalina Cassano’s life in an Italian-American family living in San Francisco in 1941 is quiet and ordinary until she falls in love with Taichi Hamasaki, the son of Japanese immigrants. Despite the scandal it would cause and that inter-racial marriage is illegal in California, Evalina and Taichi vow they will find a way to be together. But anti-Japanese feelings erupt across the country after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Taichi and his family are forced to give up their farm and move to a Japanese-American internment camp.
Degrading treatment makes life at Manzanar Relocation Center difficult. Taichi’s only connection to the outside world is treasured letters from Evalina. Feeling that the only action she can take to help Taichi is to speak out against injustice, Evalina becomes increasingly vocal at school and at home. Meanwhile, inside Manzanar, fighting between different Japanese-American factions arises. Taichi begins to doubt he will ever leave the camp alive.
With tensions running high and their freedom on the line, Evalina and Taichi must hold true to their ideals and believe in their love to make a way back to each other against unbelievable odds.
Within These Lines:
Is a young adult historical novel set in the World War II eraContains themes of love, separation, social justice, war, and diversityPerfect for junior high and high school studentsA Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selectionEXCERPT: LINK TO READ EXCERPT
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunes
GUEST POST COURTESY OF THIS AUTHOR:
--Behind-the-scenes facts about the book:
--The book idea came from a Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast. They did a two-part episode on Executive Order 9066, which is the order Franklin D. Roosevelt signed that gave the US government permission to evacuate Japanese Americans and put them in concentration camps.
--I found these episodes fascinating, and because I’ve always written for teenagers the idea popped into my head, "What would've happened if there was a Caucasian teenage girl who was in love with a Japanese American teenage boy, and his family was taken away?" As I researched a little bit, I realized the story could be even more interesting if my Caucasian teenage girl was actually an Italian American teenage girl, since Italy was aligned with Germany and Japan, yet Japanese Americans were the only people group targeted as a whole with the incarceration.
--After I named my main characters Evalina and Taichi, I went on a writing retreat with my best friend, historical romance author Roseanna White. When I told her the names, she was like, “No way! My main character’s name is Evelina.” That’s the first time we’ve ever simultaneously worked on books with characters who had the same name.
--When I first the first draft, my dad (who’s in his early 60s) was diagnosed with terminal cancer and we were told he only had months to live. For a while, I didn’t think I was going to meet my deadline with the book, but going through such a hard season enabled me to deepen the emotion-level and somehow everything stayed on track time-wise. The best part is, God worked a miracle and my dad is here to celebrate the release with me!
--Evalina’s parents are in The Lost Girl of Astor Street. They’re Alessandro, Mariano’s younger brother, and Zola, Mariano’s former fiancé.
--One of the reasons the book is set in San Francisco is originally I had a story thread in there that involved Alcatraz. That was cut in the first round of edits because it didn’t match the tone of the rest of the book.
--A park ranger at Maznanar National Park answered a question early on for me in the brainstorming process, and then when the book was ready, she fact-checked it for me! She was such a generous and knowledgeable source.
--I originally thought every chapter would end with a letter between Evalina and Taichi, but that started to feel tedious.
--When I named Taichi, I thought he would be called Tai through out the book, but I didn’t like it. It felt like it stripped away part of his Japanese heritage, so it ended up just being his best friend who calls him that.
{Note from June: A special word of thanks to this author for expediting the composition of this guest post due to my oversight in not submitting my guest post topic to JustRead until late last week. Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing such a detailed and thoughtful post here on such short notice! I truly appreciate it.} ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stephanie Morrill writes books about girls who are on an adventure to discover their unique place in the world. She is the author of several contemporary young adult series, as well as the 1920s mystery, The Lost Girl of Astor Street, and the WWII era romance, Within These Lines. Since 2010, Stephanie has been encouraging the next generation of writers at her website, GoTeenWriters.com. She lives in the Kansas City area, where she loves plotting big and small adventures to enjoy with her husband and three children. You can connect with Stephanie and learn more about her books at StephanieMorrill.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram
GIVEAWAY
(1) Grand Prize winner will win a release copy of Within These Lines & a special designed poster of Within These Lines from the publisher, Blink YA. Featured quote on poster: "Be Brave Enough to Care and Bold Enough to Act"
(5) First Prize winners will each with a special designed poster of Within These Lines from the publisher, Blink YA. Featured quote on poster: "Be Brave Enough to Care and Bold Enough to Act"
Be sure to check out each stop on the Bookstagram Tour and (upcoming) Takeover Tour, as well as this tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway began at midnight March 5, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 18, 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!
Be sure to stop at the following tours for more chances to win!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
Welcome to the Blog & Review Tour - and Giveaway - for Within These Lines by Stephanie Morrill, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Within These Lines Author: Stephanie Morrill Publisher: Blink YA Genre: Historical Young Adult Fiction Release Date: March 5, 2019When Evalina Cassano and Taichi Hamasaki are torn apart by the events following the attack on Pearl Harbor, they must fight if they want any hope of returning to one another before World War II steals their future together. Within These Lines is one unflinching, haunting, historical novel you don’t want to miss; perfect for fans of Monica Hesse, Ruta Sepetys, and Elizabeth Wein.
Evalina Cassano’s life in an Italian-American family living in San Francisco in 1941 is quiet and ordinary until she falls in love with Taichi Hamasaki, the son of Japanese immigrants. Despite the scandal it would cause and that inter-racial marriage is illegal in California, Evalina and Taichi vow they will find a way to be together. But anti-Japanese feelings erupt across the country after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Taichi and his family are forced to give up their farm and move to a Japanese-American internment camp.
Degrading treatment makes life at Manzanar Relocation Center difficult. Taichi’s only connection to the outside world is treasured letters from Evalina. Feeling that the only action she can take to help Taichi is to speak out against injustice, Evalina becomes increasingly vocal at school and at home. Meanwhile, inside Manzanar, fighting between different Japanese-American factions arises. Taichi begins to doubt he will ever leave the camp alive.
With tensions running high and their freedom on the line, Evalina and Taichi must hold true to their ideals and believe in their love to make a way back to each other against unbelievable odds.
Within These Lines:
Is a young adult historical novel set in the World War II eraContains themes of love, separation, social justice, war, and diversityPerfect for junior high and high school studentsA Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selectionEXCERPT: LINK TO READ EXCERPT
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunes
GUEST POST COURTESY OF THIS AUTHOR:
--Behind-the-scenes facts about the book:
--The book idea came from a Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast. They did a two-part episode on Executive Order 9066, which is the order Franklin D. Roosevelt signed that gave the US government permission to evacuate Japanese Americans and put them in concentration camps.
--I found these episodes fascinating, and because I’ve always written for teenagers the idea popped into my head, "What would've happened if there was a Caucasian teenage girl who was in love with a Japanese American teenage boy, and his family was taken away?" As I researched a little bit, I realized the story could be even more interesting if my Caucasian teenage girl was actually an Italian American teenage girl, since Italy was aligned with Germany and Japan, yet Japanese Americans were the only people group targeted as a whole with the incarceration.
--After I named my main characters Evalina and Taichi, I went on a writing retreat with my best friend, historical romance author Roseanna White. When I told her the names, she was like, “No way! My main character’s name is Evelina.” That’s the first time we’ve ever simultaneously worked on books with characters who had the same name.
--When I first the first draft, my dad (who’s in his early 60s) was diagnosed with terminal cancer and we were told he only had months to live. For a while, I didn’t think I was going to meet my deadline with the book, but going through such a hard season enabled me to deepen the emotion-level and somehow everything stayed on track time-wise. The best part is, God worked a miracle and my dad is here to celebrate the release with me!
--Evalina’s parents are in The Lost Girl of Astor Street. They’re Alessandro, Mariano’s younger brother, and Zola, Mariano’s former fiancé.
--One of the reasons the book is set in San Francisco is originally I had a story thread in there that involved Alcatraz. That was cut in the first round of edits because it didn’t match the tone of the rest of the book.
--A park ranger at Maznanar National Park answered a question early on for me in the brainstorming process, and then when the book was ready, she fact-checked it for me! She was such a generous and knowledgeable source.
--I originally thought every chapter would end with a letter between Evalina and Taichi, but that started to feel tedious.
--When I named Taichi, I thought he would be called Tai through out the book, but I didn’t like it. It felt like it stripped away part of his Japanese heritage, so it ended up just being his best friend who calls him that.
{Note from June: A special word of thanks to this author for expediting the composition of this guest post due to my oversight in not submitting my guest post topic to JustRead until late last week. Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing such a detailed and thoughtful post here on such short notice! I truly appreciate it.} ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stephanie Morrill writes books about girls who are on an adventure to discover their unique place in the world. She is the author of several contemporary young adult series, as well as the 1920s mystery, The Lost Girl of Astor Street, and the WWII era romance, Within These Lines. Since 2010, Stephanie has been encouraging the next generation of writers at her website, GoTeenWriters.com. She lives in the Kansas City area, where she loves plotting big and small adventures to enjoy with her husband and three children. You can connect with Stephanie and learn more about her books at StephanieMorrill.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram
GIVEAWAY
(1) Grand Prize winner will win a release copy of Within These Lines & a special designed poster of Within These Lines from the publisher, Blink YA. Featured quote on poster: "Be Brave Enough to Care and Bold Enough to Act"
(5) First Prize winners will each with a special designed poster of Within These Lines from the publisher, Blink YA. Featured quote on poster: "Be Brave Enough to Care and Bold Enough to Act"
Be sure to check out each stop on the Bookstagram Tour and (upcoming) Takeover Tour, as well as this tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway began at midnight March 5, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 18, 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!
Be sure to stop at the following tours for more chances to win!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
March 3, 2019
~ MMGM SEW WITH ME ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY NON-FICTION FEATURE ~
-- 'SEW WITH ME: 60 Fun & Easy Projects
to Make Your Own Fabulous Decor and Accessories' --
AUTHOR BRANDY NELSON
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
Want something your kids can create on their own? Sew With Me teaches kids how to be creative with fabric while honing in a lifelong skill.
Geared towards kids, or kids who might need a little help from mom, you can use both hand sewing and machines with your kids to make fantastic sewing projects that they will enjoy creating and using. Fully customizable, these unique sewing projects will give little ones pride in making something, keep them busy for hours and help them tune their fine motor skills. The best part? They can use them later on or give them as gifts!
Projects will be broken down into three categories: kids only, kids (with a little help from mom) and advanced sewers, so kids of all ages and sewing levels can enjoy! Projects include reading pillows, pincushions, sleep masks, cat toys, bookmarks, wall hangings, gift bags, hoop art, felt purses and coasters.
This book will feature 60 projects and 75 photos.
MY THOUGHTS:
This book caught my eye on the new books shelf in the children's section of my local public library because the cover and title are just so engaging! {In all fairness, I should tell you that any book about sewing catches my eye!}
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
Want something your kids can create on their own? Sew With Me teaches kids how to be creative with fabric while honing in a lifelong skill.
Geared towards kids, or kids who might need a little help from mom, you can use both hand sewing and machines with your kids to make fantastic sewing projects that they will enjoy creating and using. Fully customizable, these unique sewing projects will give little ones pride in making something, keep them busy for hours and help them tune their fine motor skills. The best part? They can use them later on or give them as gifts!
Projects will be broken down into three categories: kids only, kids (with a little help from mom) and advanced sewers, so kids of all ages and sewing levels can enjoy! Projects include reading pillows, pincushions, sleep masks, cat toys, bookmarks, wall hangings, gift bags, hoop art, felt purses and coasters.
This book will feature 60 projects and 75 photos.
MY THOUGHTS:
This book caught my eye on the new books shelf in the children's section of my local public library because the cover and title are just so engaging! {In all fairness, I should tell you that any book about sewing catches my eye!}
February 28, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR NEVER LET GO ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~-- BLOG TOUR STOP FOR
'NEVER LET GO' --
AUTHOR ELIZABETH GODDARD
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt,
Author Bio, Unique Author Interview & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Never Let Go, the first book in the Uncommon Justice series by Elizabeth Goddard with JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Never Let Go Series: Uncommon Justice #1 Author: Elizabeth Goddard Publisher: Revell Genre: Romantic Suspense Release Date: February 5, 2019
The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up.
Forensic genealogist Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from a hospital more than twenty years ago. When someone makes an attempt on Willow's life to keep her from discovering the truth, help will come from an unexpected source.
Ex-FBI agent--and Willow's ex-flame--Austin McKade readily offers to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget--and put Willow's tender heart at risk.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
June: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Elizabeth. I'm thrilled to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on the recent release of 'Never Let Go' by Revell on February 5th, 2019!
June: Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the characters for 'Never Let Go'. Are any of the characters or their personality traits or physical descriptions based on people you've come across in your own life? If yes, what prompted you to include them in the story?
Elizabeth: Setting is usually what inspires me. I love the Jackson Hole region—Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are among my favorite places. That said, I had to write a story with this unique and amazing setting as the backdrop. I guess you could say that setting is almost a character in my stories as well! Once I have the setting and start writing the story then the characters come alive and that’s how I develop them. Or rather, they come alive and develop themselves, if you will.
I don’t deliberately model characters or their personalities after people I’ve come across in my life, but I think it’s only natural that life experiences and people I’ve met will show up in some way. Take Willow’s grandfather, for instance. I didn’t model him after either of my grandfathers, but I did take the warmth and love I received from them, the connection and bond Willow has with him (even after he’s gone), from my own personal experience with my grandfathers. The wisdom and guidance they gave stays with me. In Never Let Go, her grandfather’s words stay with Willow.
June: Who is your favorite character in this story? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story, is there anyone in the story who you do not like? Why not?
Ellizabeth: Well I think I gave this one away in that first question. I love Willow because I relate to how she feels about her grandfather. As for who I don’t like—the villain. But I’m not giving that away.
June: Your website bio says you have written fortyJune: When you write a book, do you outline the entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters, etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting things down on paper, or into your computer? Do you have any particular organizational tips that you'd like to pass along to other authors and aspiring authors?
Elizabeth: Great question. When I first started, I was writing for Heartsong Presents and they required a chapter synopsis, so I definitely had to know what would happen in each chapter. For Love Inspired Suspense I also need to write a synopsis so they can approve the story. So forever I considered myself an outliner or plotter.
However, the last several novels (the longer novels for Revell) I’ve been moving across the spectrum (between plotting and pantsing) to writing without an outline—I sort of pick my way through the story or unearth the story as I’m writing.
I do have a general idea of the direction I want to go and possible plot points and possibilities for the black moment. But even with an outline, those often change as needed for the sake of the story. Admittedly, “pantsing” as it’s called slows down the writing a bit because I have to figure out what happens next. But outlining or plotting also takes significant time, and if I’m going to change directions anyway, I’d rather start writing.
In the end, I do whatever I need to do to get the story down. I don’t have organizational tips, but my tip for aspiring writers would be to get words on the page, no matter how bad. You can always fix them later, but you can’t fix a blank page. I think that’s key to getting started. June: On your website you share that you home school your children. How do you balance your life as mother, wife, teacher, and full-time author?
Elizabeth: It’s true for years I was writing and also homeschooling my four children and I can’t say it was easy. Far from it. We would homeschool in the morning and then I would spend afternoons and Saturdays writing. I’m a fast writer which is fortunate. Now my kiddoes are mostly grown, and my youngest is a special needs teenager. It’s a matter of juggling and compartmentalizing. I figure out how many words I need to write in a day or a week and I get it done.
June: You are a very busy lady! What do you like to do when you're not writing? Do you have any hobbies or interests you would like to pursue in the future?
Elizabeth: Writing full time has a way of being all-consuming. When I’m not physically at my computer and writing, I’m thinking about the story or my characters. Let’s say I’m doing the dishes or laundry or some other menial task—in my head I’m still writing.
My hobby is reading. As for future hobbies—as a writer I’m interested in everything! But for starters, I’d love to play my cello again (haven’t played in decades), and get into fiber arts. The list goes on, but honestly, I don’t see myself giving up writing or retiring even beyond the foreseeable future.
June: Thank you so much for sharing with us today, Elizabeth. I truly appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us with us about your writing career. Best wishes for you continued success in your creative endeavors.
Elizabeth: Thank you for having me! I enjoyed it!******************PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunes
DOWNLOAD & READ AN EXCERPT HERE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo Credit: Emilie Hendryx
Elizabeth Goddard is the bestselling author of more than thirty books, including the Carol Award–winning The Camera Never Lies. Her Mountain Cove series books have been finalists in the Daphne du Maurier Awards and the Carol Awards. Goddard is a seventh-generation Texan and can be found online at www.elizabethgoddard.com.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram | pinterest
GIVEAWAY
(2) winners will win a copy of Never Let Go & swag from the publisher, Revell.
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule at JustRead Tours. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 21, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on March 3, 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 costs, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policies, click HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt,
Author Bio, Unique Author Interview & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Never Let Go, the first book in the Uncommon Justice series by Elizabeth Goddard with JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Never Let Go Series: Uncommon Justice #1 Author: Elizabeth Goddard Publisher: Revell Genre: Romantic Suspense Release Date: February 5, 2019 The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up.
Forensic genealogist Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from a hospital more than twenty years ago. When someone makes an attempt on Willow's life to keep her from discovering the truth, help will come from an unexpected source.
Ex-FBI agent--and Willow's ex-flame--Austin McKade readily offers to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget--and put Willow's tender heart at risk.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
June: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Elizabeth. I'm thrilled to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on the recent release of 'Never Let Go' by Revell on February 5th, 2019!
June: Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the characters for 'Never Let Go'. Are any of the characters or their personality traits or physical descriptions based on people you've come across in your own life? If yes, what prompted you to include them in the story?
Elizabeth: Setting is usually what inspires me. I love the Jackson Hole region—Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are among my favorite places. That said, I had to write a story with this unique and amazing setting as the backdrop. I guess you could say that setting is almost a character in my stories as well! Once I have the setting and start writing the story then the characters come alive and that’s how I develop them. Or rather, they come alive and develop themselves, if you will.
I don’t deliberately model characters or their personalities after people I’ve come across in my life, but I think it’s only natural that life experiences and people I’ve met will show up in some way. Take Willow’s grandfather, for instance. I didn’t model him after either of my grandfathers, but I did take the warmth and love I received from them, the connection and bond Willow has with him (even after he’s gone), from my own personal experience with my grandfathers. The wisdom and guidance they gave stays with me. In Never Let Go, her grandfather’s words stay with Willow.
June: Who is your favorite character in this story? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story, is there anyone in the story who you do not like? Why not?
Ellizabeth: Well I think I gave this one away in that first question. I love Willow because I relate to how she feels about her grandfather. As for who I don’t like—the villain. But I’m not giving that away.
June: Your website bio says you have written fortyJune: When you write a book, do you outline the entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters, etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting things down on paper, or into your computer? Do you have any particular organizational tips that you'd like to pass along to other authors and aspiring authors?
Elizabeth: Great question. When I first started, I was writing for Heartsong Presents and they required a chapter synopsis, so I definitely had to know what would happen in each chapter. For Love Inspired Suspense I also need to write a synopsis so they can approve the story. So forever I considered myself an outliner or plotter.
However, the last several novels (the longer novels for Revell) I’ve been moving across the spectrum (between plotting and pantsing) to writing without an outline—I sort of pick my way through the story or unearth the story as I’m writing.
I do have a general idea of the direction I want to go and possible plot points and possibilities for the black moment. But even with an outline, those often change as needed for the sake of the story. Admittedly, “pantsing” as it’s called slows down the writing a bit because I have to figure out what happens next. But outlining or plotting also takes significant time, and if I’m going to change directions anyway, I’d rather start writing.
In the end, I do whatever I need to do to get the story down. I don’t have organizational tips, but my tip for aspiring writers would be to get words on the page, no matter how bad. You can always fix them later, but you can’t fix a blank page. I think that’s key to getting started. June: On your website you share that you home school your children. How do you balance your life as mother, wife, teacher, and full-time author?
Elizabeth: It’s true for years I was writing and also homeschooling my four children and I can’t say it was easy. Far from it. We would homeschool in the morning and then I would spend afternoons and Saturdays writing. I’m a fast writer which is fortunate. Now my kiddoes are mostly grown, and my youngest is a special needs teenager. It’s a matter of juggling and compartmentalizing. I figure out how many words I need to write in a day or a week and I get it done.
June: You are a very busy lady! What do you like to do when you're not writing? Do you have any hobbies or interests you would like to pursue in the future?
Elizabeth: Writing full time has a way of being all-consuming. When I’m not physically at my computer and writing, I’m thinking about the story or my characters. Let’s say I’m doing the dishes or laundry or some other menial task—in my head I’m still writing.
My hobby is reading. As for future hobbies—as a writer I’m interested in everything! But for starters, I’d love to play my cello again (haven’t played in decades), and get into fiber arts. The list goes on, but honestly, I don’t see myself giving up writing or retiring even beyond the foreseeable future.
June: Thank you so much for sharing with us today, Elizabeth. I truly appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us with us about your writing career. Best wishes for you continued success in your creative endeavors.
Elizabeth: Thank you for having me! I enjoyed it!******************PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunes
DOWNLOAD & READ AN EXCERPT HERE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo Credit: Emilie Hendryx Elizabeth Goddard is the bestselling author of more than thirty books, including the Carol Award–winning The Camera Never Lies. Her Mountain Cove series books have been finalists in the Daphne du Maurier Awards and the Carol Awards. Goddard is a seventh-generation Texan and can be found online at www.elizabethgoddard.com.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram | pinterest
GIVEAWAY
(2) winners will win a copy of Never Let Go & swag from the publisher, Revell.
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule at JustRead Tours. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 21, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on March 3, 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 costs, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policies, click HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
February 27, 2019
~ BLOG BLITZ A MOST CONVENIENT LOVE ~
~ BLOG BLITZ ~
-- 'A MOST CONVENIENT LOVE' --
AUTHOR RUTH LOGAN HERNE~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt,Author Bio & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Blitz & Giveaway for A Most Inconvenient Love by Ruth Logan Herne, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: A Most Inconvenient Love
Series: Prairie Brides #1
Author: Ruth Logan Herne
Genre: Historical/Western Romance
Release Date: February 26, 2019
Sober businessman Seb Ward may have come from a wealthy lumber-baron family in Minnesota, but he knows that appearances can be deceiving, and that his illustrious family is pretty dysfunctional. Being in another state has provided the buffer he sought from his father’s misdeeds, but when a little boy shows up on a train… a little boy who looks enough like Seb to be his own child… Seb’s faced with a dilemma. Raise the boy as his own, or let his mother suffer the embarrassment of “a brother by another mother.” And when the boy takes a shine to the Rachel Eichas, the newly contracted school teacher, Seb can’t help but do the same.
But Rachel was raised by an unloving, business-first father and there’s no way she’s looking for those same qualities in a husband. Can she see through Seb’s focus and drive to find the loving man within?
EXCERPT:
He turned to let the door swing shut softly.
Rachel was watching the boy with a look so tender and sweet that Seb’s heart stirred once more. His mother had looked at him like that, long ago. Funny, what a man remembered and what he chose to forget.
Rachel lifted her gaze again. When she met his, time paused. She didn’t drop her eyes the way proper young women did back in the city, and he’d met his share before coming west to set up shop. She studied him as if reading his features meant something.
It didn’t because no matter what she surmised, Seb Ward let few people see the tired soul within the ambitious businessman’s body. That’s the way it had always been. That’s the way it would stay.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Best-selling, multi-published, award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne is the author of nearly fifty novels and novellas through traditional publishers and her own independent works. She loves God, her family, country, coffee, chocolate and dogs, and wishes possums would leave the cat food on the side porch alone. And yet… they don’t. With over a million books in print, Ruthy is living her dream of touching hearts and souls by writing the kind of books she likes to read.
She lives on a pumpkin farm in Western New York where they grow all kinds of cool things for fall from sumptuous squashes and veggies to gorgeous stacking pumpkins. Ruthy’s farm is quickly becoming the place to be every September and October!
CONNECT WITH RUTHY: website | Facebook | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win
(1) copy of A Most Inconvenient Loveplus choice of
a treasure box of FUN (or)$25 Amazon gift cardEnter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 28, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm March 7, 2019. Open internationally except where prohibited by law. Shipping is for US residents only though; international winner will receive digital copy of the book + egift card. 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 giveaway
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Welcome to the Blog Blitz & Giveaway for A Most Inconvenient Love by Ruth Logan Herne, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: A Most Inconvenient Love Series: Prairie Brides #1
Author: Ruth Logan Herne
Genre: Historical/Western Romance
Release Date: February 26, 2019
Sober businessman Seb Ward may have come from a wealthy lumber-baron family in Minnesota, but he knows that appearances can be deceiving, and that his illustrious family is pretty dysfunctional. Being in another state has provided the buffer he sought from his father’s misdeeds, but when a little boy shows up on a train… a little boy who looks enough like Seb to be his own child… Seb’s faced with a dilemma. Raise the boy as his own, or let his mother suffer the embarrassment of “a brother by another mother.” And when the boy takes a shine to the Rachel Eichas, the newly contracted school teacher, Seb can’t help but do the same.
But Rachel was raised by an unloving, business-first father and there’s no way she’s looking for those same qualities in a husband. Can she see through Seb’s focus and drive to find the loving man within?
EXCERPT:
He turned to let the door swing shut softly.
Rachel was watching the boy with a look so tender and sweet that Seb’s heart stirred once more. His mother had looked at him like that, long ago. Funny, what a man remembered and what he chose to forget.
Rachel lifted her gaze again. When she met his, time paused. She didn’t drop her eyes the way proper young women did back in the city, and he’d met his share before coming west to set up shop. She studied him as if reading his features meant something.
It didn’t because no matter what she surmised, Seb Ward let few people see the tired soul within the ambitious businessman’s body. That’s the way it had always been. That’s the way it would stay.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Best-selling, multi-published, award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne is the author of nearly fifty novels and novellas through traditional publishers and her own independent works. She loves God, her family, country, coffee, chocolate and dogs, and wishes possums would leave the cat food on the side porch alone. And yet… they don’t. With over a million books in print, Ruthy is living her dream of touching hearts and souls by writing the kind of books she likes to read.She lives on a pumpkin farm in Western New York where they grow all kinds of cool things for fall from sumptuous squashes and veggies to gorgeous stacking pumpkins. Ruthy’s farm is quickly becoming the place to be every September and October!
CONNECT WITH RUTHY: website | Facebook | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will win
(1) copy of A Most Inconvenient Loveplus choice of
a treasure box of FUN (or)$25 Amazon gift cardEnter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 28, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm March 7, 2019. Open internationally except where prohibited by law. Shipping is for US residents only though; international winner will receive digital copy of the book + egift card. 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 giveaway
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
February 24, 2019
~ MMGM BLOG TOUR STOP MUSIC BOXES ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'MUSIC BOXES' --
AUTHOR TONJA DRECKER~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Author Bio,Unique Author Interview & Two Giveaways~
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Music Boxes
By Tonja Drecker
Middle Grade Fantasy / Performing Arts
158 pages
Dancing Lemur Press
Release date: March 5th, 2019
Ages 9 to 12
• ISBN-10: 1939844568
• ISBN-13: 978-1939844569
BOOK BLURB:
“I only desire your talent...”
Twelve-year-old Lindsey McKay's biggest dream is to be a famous ballerina. But after moving to New York, she ends up at the Community Center with a teacher who’s a burly bear in tights.
When she meets Madame Destinée, the teacher of a top dance school who offers her classes for free, Lindsey can't believe her luck. In exchange, she must perform in the school’s exclusive midnight shows, ones sure to make her a star. But something’s not right . . .
One by one, the other dancers disappear. Each time they do, a music box with a figurine just like the missing ballerina joins Madame Destinée’s growing collection. If Lindsey doesn’t discover the truth about the dance school, she might end up a tiny figurine herself.
Goodreads link : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41452109
Sale Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Music-Boxes-Tonja-Drecker/dp/1939844568
B&N : https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/music-boxes-tonja-drecker/1129391447
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/music-boxesGet a FREE envelope with Swag!
Pre-order/order your book (ecopy or print) before midnight (EST) on Friday night, March 8th, send a copy of your proof of purchase to tonjadrecker@gmail.comalong with an US mailing address, and you will receive an envelope with exclusive swag (bookmark, sticker, etc).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tonja Drecker is a writer, blogger, children’s book reviewer and freelance translator. After spending years in Germany exploring forgotten castles, she currently resides in the Ozarks with her family of six. When she’s not tending her chickens and cows, she’s discovering new adventures, nibbling chocolate and sipping a cup of tea.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
June: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Tonja. Congratulations on the upcoming release of your middle-grade novel, 'Music Boxes'!
June: Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the characters for this book.
Tonja: In Music Boxes, the dancers come from around the world. Also, Lindsey’s little sister is a music prodigy. One of the best places to mix these two elements was New York. The rest of the scenes flowed in naturally.
As to the characters—I love developing characters! It’s the characters which build the story—their personalities, desires and quirks. While Lindsey, her friends and her family are rather ‘normal’, they form the base for reality. The others (my favorite) get little quirks and oddities. It’s amazing how fond I’ve grown of each one.
June: Since this book involves ballerinas, I was wondering if you ever studied ballet? What led you to write a book about the art of ballet?
Tonja: Nope. I’ve never been able to even touch my toes, so ballet was not for me. My eldest daughter is the dancer. She started ballet lessons at four and moved into hip-hop around twelve. She was scouted by a private trainer, which meant a two-hour train ride each way three times a week for the next years. She placed in and won several national competitions.
I did consider incorporating other dance forms into Music Boxes along with ballet to bring across the various cultures, but there’s something about the spinning ballerina which creates its own magic. Plus, ballet is a dance form which extends over borders, languages and races. I found that including a common ground for the dancers was as important as expressing their differences. June: Who is your favorite character in the story? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story, is there anyone in the story who you do not like? Why not?
Tonja: I believe Broussard is my favorite. His fluffy cuteness makes him so snuggly and hard not to love. But he also has more layers than the other characters. And more secrets. He’s done wrong things with good intentions. I think his character is the most complex but can only be lightly explored in this story. So much packed into one little doggy!
I’d say Adela, since she’s the one who hits the bad attributes hard—arrogant, full of herself, and self-centered. But I don’t hate her for it. The character which irritates me the most is the mother. She’s trying her best and is stressed to make everything come together for her family and especially Bridget’s future, but she’s lost sight of something more important. You can never give a child enough love, and she oversees that a bit.
June: You have published works in two anthologies, one in the youth fantasy and the other an adult paranormal. What other fictional genres might you try? Would you ever consider writing non-fiction? If so, what subject(s) would you like to write about?
Tonja: Short stories are a treat to write, and I enjoy using them to stretch into new directions. The best way to learn is by leaving the comfort zone and experiencing new things. While Music Boxes is my first middle grade novel, it’s not the first one to take on fantasy elements. As far as children books go, I hope to always include a dash of magic. Imagination is an important part of growing up.
As to other genres, I find it amazing that authors land in one specific area and never change. It might sound odd, but I can only write those stories which come to me, and they often have little in common. I have some ideas for cozy romances, science fiction, and maybe even a dystopian someday. I’m currently in the process of writing a science-based mystery for kids—one without magic. Oh my…I guess I’m already going against my own thoughts! My historical Ubook novella, A Glowworm, was published last year, one which is based on a serious yet little known historic event. So, I’m all over the place.
As to non-fiction, I don’t believe so, but who knows?
June: What or who inspired you to become an author?
Tonja: You do have tough questions! I wrote my first story in the first grade. Like many authors, writing has always been a part of who I am—sometimes more, sometimes less. But never did I think of publishing anything outside of a school magazine or paper. It wasn’t due to fear. The idea honestly just never hit me.
When we moved to Dublin, that changed. We were there for my husband’s job, one that had him working 90-hour weeks to get a project through. I was alone with our young children, and while we toured everything I could think of, there were many hours of down time. (Ireland is gorgeous, by the way!) There was a stack of cozy romances in the house we rented, and with nothing to do, I read through most of them. And then it hit me—I could write like that. Why was I jotting down stories only to keep them in a drawer?
June: When you write a book, do you outline the entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters, etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting things down on paper, or into your computer?
Tonja: Yes and no. And no and no? Each story is different, and each story is written differently. While I would love to have the entire thing worked out before sitting down at the keyboard, it’s only worked that way once or twice. I carry notebooks with me everywhere and have stacks filled with scribbled thoughts—nothing beats paper and pen. While all stories get a little piecing through before I start, it can be anything from an entire basic plot to sparse ideas here and there. Even the end isn’t always a given.
June: When I visited your blog, I noticed you have earned a few awards for your middle-grade blog. What led you to launch a blog which focuses on middle-grade books? What is the most rewarding part of being a blogger for you?
Tonja: Book blogging has turned out to be quite the adventure! I never expected to receive any awards…not in my wildest dreams. That part still amazes me.
I concentrate on books from the youngest readers/listeners up to Young Adult. This choice probably reflects my life. I was the oldest of seven growing up, and we had foster children in the house as well. Add my own four children (two aren’t really ‘children’ any more) and I’ve never not been around kids—something I see as a blessing. I love working with kids and have used my spare time to start up several small groups for kids, including a children’s choir.
While I read and enjoy adult books, they rarely have the magical innocence, awe and imagination found in children’s literature. Life without these things is like a rain without a rainbow. Dreary. Being a blogger has had a surprising side effect; it’s introduced me to an amazing community! I can’t even begin to express how wonderful they are—authors, publishers, editors, fellow bloggers and …well, everyone. There’s so much encouragement and kindness. It’s inspiring.
June: I couldn't agree with you more about the camaraderie in the children's literature community! I have found support and acceptance there, too. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us here on my blog, Tonja. Wishing you all the best as you launch your new book on March 5th! *******************
Author website: http://tonjadrecker.blogspot.com/Review blog: https://bookwormforkids.blogspot.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TDreckerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TDrecker/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhQ1T8dLx1v9xkiLzlJSnA
****GIVEAWAY #1:The giveaway will run from midnight (EST) on the night of February 21st, 2019 until midnight (EST) on the night of March 15th, 2019. Entries will be made through the Rafflecopter. One winner will receive a music box (the one found in the book video: https://youtu.be/ww_RY4IVg3w) with the author’s golden signature on the bottom as well as swag (US addresses only). The second winner will receive an Amazon GC of $10 (US). The second winner must be in possession of a qualifying US Amazon account.
The contest is open to U.S. residents only, ages eighteen and over. No purchase is required for entry. All winners must claim their prize 48 hours after notification. Winners will be announced on www.tonjadrecker.blogspot.comon Saturday, March 16th 2019 by 10:00am (EST). All addresses and personal information will be used only for prize allocation. Sponsor, Tonja Drecker, assumes no responsibility or liability of any kind. Please email all questions to tonjadrecker@gmail.com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
****GIVEAWAY #2:
Print copy of 'Music Boxes'. Giveaway sponsored by the publisher, Lemur Press Publishing, LLC.
{US residents only/must have a US mailing address. Must be eighteen years of age or older to enter. Giveaway closes at 12:00PM PST on Friday, March 15th.}
HOW TO ENTER GIVEAWAY #2: Post a comment on this blog post telling us which of Tonja's interview answers was the most interesting to you and why.
# # # # #
ABOUT THE BOOK:Music Boxes
By Tonja Drecker
Middle Grade Fantasy / Performing Arts
158 pages
Dancing Lemur Press
Release date: March 5th, 2019
Ages 9 to 12
• ISBN-10: 1939844568
• ISBN-13: 978-1939844569
BOOK BLURB:
“I only desire your talent...”
Twelve-year-old Lindsey McKay's biggest dream is to be a famous ballerina. But after moving to New York, she ends up at the Community Center with a teacher who’s a burly bear in tights.
When she meets Madame Destinée, the teacher of a top dance school who offers her classes for free, Lindsey can't believe her luck. In exchange, she must perform in the school’s exclusive midnight shows, ones sure to make her a star. But something’s not right . . .
One by one, the other dancers disappear. Each time they do, a music box with a figurine just like the missing ballerina joins Madame Destinée’s growing collection. If Lindsey doesn’t discover the truth about the dance school, she might end up a tiny figurine herself.
Goodreads link : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41452109
Sale Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Music-Boxes-Tonja-Drecker/dp/1939844568
B&N : https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/music-boxes-tonja-drecker/1129391447
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/music-boxesGet a FREE envelope with Swag!
Pre-order/order your book (ecopy or print) before midnight (EST) on Friday night, March 8th, send a copy of your proof of purchase to tonjadrecker@gmail.comalong with an US mailing address, and you will receive an envelope with exclusive swag (bookmark, sticker, etc).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tonja Drecker is a writer, blogger, children’s book reviewer and freelance translator. After spending years in Germany exploring forgotten castles, she currently resides in the Ozarks with her family of six. When she’s not tending her chickens and cows, she’s discovering new adventures, nibbling chocolate and sipping a cup of tea.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
June: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Tonja. Congratulations on the upcoming release of your middle-grade novel, 'Music Boxes'!
June: Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the characters for this book.
Tonja: In Music Boxes, the dancers come from around the world. Also, Lindsey’s little sister is a music prodigy. One of the best places to mix these two elements was New York. The rest of the scenes flowed in naturally.
As to the characters—I love developing characters! It’s the characters which build the story—their personalities, desires and quirks. While Lindsey, her friends and her family are rather ‘normal’, they form the base for reality. The others (my favorite) get little quirks and oddities. It’s amazing how fond I’ve grown of each one.
June: Since this book involves ballerinas, I was wondering if you ever studied ballet? What led you to write a book about the art of ballet?
Tonja: Nope. I’ve never been able to even touch my toes, so ballet was not for me. My eldest daughter is the dancer. She started ballet lessons at four and moved into hip-hop around twelve. She was scouted by a private trainer, which meant a two-hour train ride each way three times a week for the next years. She placed in and won several national competitions.
I did consider incorporating other dance forms into Music Boxes along with ballet to bring across the various cultures, but there’s something about the spinning ballerina which creates its own magic. Plus, ballet is a dance form which extends over borders, languages and races. I found that including a common ground for the dancers was as important as expressing their differences. June: Who is your favorite character in the story? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story, is there anyone in the story who you do not like? Why not?
Tonja: I believe Broussard is my favorite. His fluffy cuteness makes him so snuggly and hard not to love. But he also has more layers than the other characters. And more secrets. He’s done wrong things with good intentions. I think his character is the most complex but can only be lightly explored in this story. So much packed into one little doggy!
I’d say Adela, since she’s the one who hits the bad attributes hard—arrogant, full of herself, and self-centered. But I don’t hate her for it. The character which irritates me the most is the mother. She’s trying her best and is stressed to make everything come together for her family and especially Bridget’s future, but she’s lost sight of something more important. You can never give a child enough love, and she oversees that a bit.
June: You have published works in two anthologies, one in the youth fantasy and the other an adult paranormal. What other fictional genres might you try? Would you ever consider writing non-fiction? If so, what subject(s) would you like to write about?
Tonja: Short stories are a treat to write, and I enjoy using them to stretch into new directions. The best way to learn is by leaving the comfort zone and experiencing new things. While Music Boxes is my first middle grade novel, it’s not the first one to take on fantasy elements. As far as children books go, I hope to always include a dash of magic. Imagination is an important part of growing up.
As to other genres, I find it amazing that authors land in one specific area and never change. It might sound odd, but I can only write those stories which come to me, and they often have little in common. I have some ideas for cozy romances, science fiction, and maybe even a dystopian someday. I’m currently in the process of writing a science-based mystery for kids—one without magic. Oh my…I guess I’m already going against my own thoughts! My historical Ubook novella, A Glowworm, was published last year, one which is based on a serious yet little known historic event. So, I’m all over the place.
As to non-fiction, I don’t believe so, but who knows?
June: What or who inspired you to become an author?
Tonja: You do have tough questions! I wrote my first story in the first grade. Like many authors, writing has always been a part of who I am—sometimes more, sometimes less. But never did I think of publishing anything outside of a school magazine or paper. It wasn’t due to fear. The idea honestly just never hit me.
When we moved to Dublin, that changed. We were there for my husband’s job, one that had him working 90-hour weeks to get a project through. I was alone with our young children, and while we toured everything I could think of, there were many hours of down time. (Ireland is gorgeous, by the way!) There was a stack of cozy romances in the house we rented, and with nothing to do, I read through most of them. And then it hit me—I could write like that. Why was I jotting down stories only to keep them in a drawer?
June: When you write a book, do you outline the entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters, etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting things down on paper, or into your computer?
Tonja: Yes and no. And no and no? Each story is different, and each story is written differently. While I would love to have the entire thing worked out before sitting down at the keyboard, it’s only worked that way once or twice. I carry notebooks with me everywhere and have stacks filled with scribbled thoughts—nothing beats paper and pen. While all stories get a little piecing through before I start, it can be anything from an entire basic plot to sparse ideas here and there. Even the end isn’t always a given.
June: When I visited your blog, I noticed you have earned a few awards for your middle-grade blog. What led you to launch a blog which focuses on middle-grade books? What is the most rewarding part of being a blogger for you?
Tonja: Book blogging has turned out to be quite the adventure! I never expected to receive any awards…not in my wildest dreams. That part still amazes me.
I concentrate on books from the youngest readers/listeners up to Young Adult. This choice probably reflects my life. I was the oldest of seven growing up, and we had foster children in the house as well. Add my own four children (two aren’t really ‘children’ any more) and I’ve never not been around kids—something I see as a blessing. I love working with kids and have used my spare time to start up several small groups for kids, including a children’s choir.
While I read and enjoy adult books, they rarely have the magical innocence, awe and imagination found in children’s literature. Life without these things is like a rain without a rainbow. Dreary. Being a blogger has had a surprising side effect; it’s introduced me to an amazing community! I can’t even begin to express how wonderful they are—authors, publishers, editors, fellow bloggers and …well, everyone. There’s so much encouragement and kindness. It’s inspiring.
June: I couldn't agree with you more about the camaraderie in the children's literature community! I have found support and acceptance there, too. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us here on my blog, Tonja. Wishing you all the best as you launch your new book on March 5th! *******************
Author website: http://tonjadrecker.blogspot.com/Review blog: https://bookwormforkids.blogspot.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TDreckerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TDrecker/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhQ1T8dLx1v9xkiLzlJSnA
****GIVEAWAY #1:The giveaway will run from midnight (EST) on the night of February 21st, 2019 until midnight (EST) on the night of March 15th, 2019. Entries will be made through the Rafflecopter. One winner will receive a music box (the one found in the book video: https://youtu.be/ww_RY4IVg3w) with the author’s golden signature on the bottom as well as swag (US addresses only). The second winner will receive an Amazon GC of $10 (US). The second winner must be in possession of a qualifying US Amazon account.
The contest is open to U.S. residents only, ages eighteen and over. No purchase is required for entry. All winners must claim their prize 48 hours after notification. Winners will be announced on www.tonjadrecker.blogspot.comon Saturday, March 16th 2019 by 10:00am (EST). All addresses and personal information will be used only for prize allocation. Sponsor, Tonja Drecker, assumes no responsibility or liability of any kind. Please email all questions to tonjadrecker@gmail.com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
****GIVEAWAY #2:
Print copy of 'Music Boxes'. Giveaway sponsored by the publisher, Lemur Press Publishing, LLC.
{US residents only/must have a US mailing address. Must be eighteen years of age or older to enter. Giveaway closes at 12:00PM PST on Friday, March 15th.}
HOW TO ENTER GIVEAWAY #2: Post a comment on this blog post telling us which of Tonja's interview answers was the most interesting to you and why.
# # # # #
February 21, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR HER HOPE DISCOVERED ~
~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'HER HOPE DISCOVERED' --
AUTHOR CYNTHIA HERRON~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, AuthorBio, Unique Author Interview &Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Her Hope Discovered by Cynthia Herron, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Her Hope Discovered
Series: Welcome to Ruby #1
Author: Cynthia Herron
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 31, 2018
Is the sure thing worth risking for the possibility of maybe?
Charla Winthrop, a savvy business woman seeking a permanent lifestyle change in small-town Ruby, learns that things aren’t always what they appear when she takes up residence in a house steeped in charm and a hint of mystery. Rumor has it that Sam Packard the town carpenter is her go-to guy for home remodeling, but can Charla convince him to help her—with no strings attached, of course?
Alone far too long, Sam’s prayed that God would send him a wife and a mother for his daughters. However, the new Ruby resident is hardly what he imagined. A new place to call “home,” the possibility of what might be, and the answer to someone’s prayers unite this unlikely pair with the help of the town’s residents.
Nestled in the Ozarks’ hills and hollows is Ruby, Missouri, a quaint, cozy town where “neighbor” is merely another word for “friend.” Ruby will charm and delight as will her quirky, lovable characters who will steal your heart, but hand it right back—with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Savor your new friends’ sorrows and successes in the community where offbeat is perfect and mishaps and mayhem never tasted so good.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cynthia writes Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction from the beautiful Ozark Mountains. A hopeless romantic at heart, she enjoys penning stories about ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Her Hope Discovered , her début novel and the first in a three-book series, released December 2018 with Mountain Brook Ink.
'Cindy' has a degree in psychology and a background in social work. She is a member of ACFW, ACFW MozArks, and RWA.
She is a 2017 ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2016 ACFW Genesis (Double) Finalist, and a 2015 ACFW First Impressions Winner. Her short story Words from the Heart appears in The Story Anthology (Karen Kingsbury/Family Fiction) via Salem Publications, 2014. Her work is represented by Sarah Freese at WordServe Literary.
Besides writing, Cindy enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has a fondness for gingerbread men, miniature teapots, and all things apple. She also adores a great cup of coffee and she never met a sticky note she didn’t like.
Cindy loves to connect with friends at her online home . She also hangs out on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest , and Instagram .
For love, fun, and encouragement ~ Sign up for Cindy’s monthly e-NEWSLETTERS
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
JUNE: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Cynthia. I'm delighted to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on your debut release, 'Her Hope Discovered', in December, 2018!
CYNTHIA: Thank you so much! I’m delighted to join you!
JUNE: This book is the first in your 'Welcome to Ruby' series. Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the characters for this series. Are any of the characters or their personality traits or physical descriptions based on people you've come across in your own life? If yes, what prompted you to include them in the 'Her Hope Discovered'?
CYNTHIA: Because I grew up in Small-town, USA, I'm drawn to close-knit communities that offer just the right blend of nostalgia, humor, and homespun charm. Add to that my penchant for romance, conflict, and hope-filled endings, and HER HOPE DISCOVERED was born. It's the story that tugged my heartstrings, a story of second chances that became book one in my Welcome to Ruby series.
There are, indeed, traits and characteristics unique to my heritage and the Ozarkian culture. I wanted to include some of these things in my fictional characters and story so that readers from other walks of life could live vicariously through their new friends and neighbors.
JUNE: Who is your favorite character in this story {or series}? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story {or series}, is there anyone in the story {or series} who you do not like? Why not?
CYNTHIA: Well, of course, I love Sam and Charla, our main characters, but I also adore Ida Mae Hoscutt, local proprietress of the Come and Get It Diner. Ida Mae’s a colorful, down-home character who’s never met a stranger. She’s a total people-person and a woman I could easily sit down with and have a cup of coffee.
Someone I’m not particularly fond of? Hmm…
Charla’s mother, Ellen Winthrop, does try one’s patience with her sharp tongue and domineering ways…but she may redeem herself. Keep reading!
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Her Hope Discovered by Cynthia Herron, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Her Hope Discovered Series: Welcome to Ruby #1
Author: Cynthia Herron
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 31, 2018
Is the sure thing worth risking for the possibility of maybe?
Charla Winthrop, a savvy business woman seeking a permanent lifestyle change in small-town Ruby, learns that things aren’t always what they appear when she takes up residence in a house steeped in charm and a hint of mystery. Rumor has it that Sam Packard the town carpenter is her go-to guy for home remodeling, but can Charla convince him to help her—with no strings attached, of course?
Alone far too long, Sam’s prayed that God would send him a wife and a mother for his daughters. However, the new Ruby resident is hardly what he imagined. A new place to call “home,” the possibility of what might be, and the answer to someone’s prayers unite this unlikely pair with the help of the town’s residents.
Nestled in the Ozarks’ hills and hollows is Ruby, Missouri, a quaint, cozy town where “neighbor” is merely another word for “friend.” Ruby will charm and delight as will her quirky, lovable characters who will steal your heart, but hand it right back—with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Savor your new friends’ sorrows and successes in the community where offbeat is perfect and mishaps and mayhem never tasted so good.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cynthia writes Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction from the beautiful Ozark Mountains. A hopeless romantic at heart, she enjoys penning stories about ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Her Hope Discovered , her début novel and the first in a three-book series, released December 2018 with Mountain Brook Ink.
'Cindy' has a degree in psychology and a background in social work. She is a member of ACFW, ACFW MozArks, and RWA.
She is a 2017 ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2016 ACFW Genesis (Double) Finalist, and a 2015 ACFW First Impressions Winner. Her short story Words from the Heart appears in The Story Anthology (Karen Kingsbury/Family Fiction) via Salem Publications, 2014. Her work is represented by Sarah Freese at WordServe Literary.
Besides writing, Cindy enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has a fondness for gingerbread men, miniature teapots, and all things apple. She also adores a great cup of coffee and she never met a sticky note she didn’t like.
Cindy loves to connect with friends at her online home . She also hangs out on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest , and Instagram .
For love, fun, and encouragement ~ Sign up for Cindy’s monthly e-NEWSLETTERS
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
JUNE: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Cynthia. I'm delighted to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on your debut release, 'Her Hope Discovered', in December, 2018!
CYNTHIA: Thank you so much! I’m delighted to join you!
JUNE: This book is the first in your 'Welcome to Ruby' series. Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the characters for this series. Are any of the characters or their personality traits or physical descriptions based on people you've come across in your own life? If yes, what prompted you to include them in the 'Her Hope Discovered'?
CYNTHIA: Because I grew up in Small-town, USA, I'm drawn to close-knit communities that offer just the right blend of nostalgia, humor, and homespun charm. Add to that my penchant for romance, conflict, and hope-filled endings, and HER HOPE DISCOVERED was born. It's the story that tugged my heartstrings, a story of second chances that became book one in my Welcome to Ruby series.
There are, indeed, traits and characteristics unique to my heritage and the Ozarkian culture. I wanted to include some of these things in my fictional characters and story so that readers from other walks of life could live vicariously through their new friends and neighbors.
JUNE: Who is your favorite character in this story {or series}? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story {or series}, is there anyone in the story {or series} who you do not like? Why not?
CYNTHIA: Well, of course, I love Sam and Charla, our main characters, but I also adore Ida Mae Hoscutt, local proprietress of the Come and Get It Diner. Ida Mae’s a colorful, down-home character who’s never met a stranger. She’s a total people-person and a woman I could easily sit down with and have a cup of coffee.
Someone I’m not particularly fond of? Hmm…
Charla’s mother, Ellen Winthrop, does try one’s patience with her sharp tongue and domineering ways…but she may redeem herself. Keep reading!
February 19, 2019
~ BLOG TOUR STOP MENDING FENCES ~
~ BLOG TOUR STOP --REVELL READS ~
-- 'MENDING FENCES' --
AUTHOR SUZANNE WOODS FISHER~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt,Author Bio, My Thoughts~
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future.
Luke Schrock is a new and improved man after a stint in rehab, though everyone in Stoney Ridge only remembers the old Luke. They might have forgiven him, but nobody trusts him. He has been allowed to live at Windmill Farm under two conditions. First, he must make a sincere apology to each person he's hurt. Second, he must ask each victim of mischief to describe the damage he caused.
Simple, Luke thinks. Offering apologies is easy. But discovering the lasting effects his careless actions have caused isn't so simple. It's gut-wrenching.
And his list keeps growing. Izzy Miller, beautiful and frustratingly aloof, also boards at Windmill Farm, and Luke's clumsy efforts to befriend her only insult and annoy her. Eager to impress, Luke sets out to prove himself to her by locating her mother. When he does, her identity sends shock waves through Stoney Ridge.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"A funny, heartwarming story of friendship, love, and the possibility of happily ever after."--Amy Clipston, bestselling author of Seat by the Hearth
"Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a sweet and poignant story you won't want put down. Definitely a must read!"--Kathleen Fuller, bestselling author of the Amish of Birch Creek series
LINK TO EXCERPT {courtesy of the Publisher}:
EXCERPT FROM 'MENDING FENCES'
BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
ChristianBook.com
Goodreads
Suzanne's Website
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop's Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.
MY THOUGHTS:
I have read dozens of Amish romance novels in the past two decades or so, and this book is in my Top 5 of my favorites in this genre!
The story begins with the main male character, Luke Schrock, exhibiting arrogant, obnoxious, and self-centered behavior in just about every encounter he has with others. He is an alcoholic who has been in and out of rehab three times.
When he is released this time, he moves back to his Amish community to live with a middle-aged couple, Amos and Fern Lapp, who believe it is their mission to help individuals who are struggling with in their lives and/or battling inside themselves with addiction issues and questions about their faith and place/purpose in the world.
The lead female, Izzie Miller, has demons of her own. She and Luke clash over and over again throughout the story as they each try to find their way in the world without relying on alcohol to ease their pain. It seems as if both of these characters take two or three steps backward for every step they take forward for much of the book.
As always, this author has built a strong setting in this first installment of her 'The Deacon's Family' series. Her characters are flawed, believable individuals who deal with real life problems--even though they are followers, were once followers, or want to be followers of the Amish faith.
This book kept my attention from page one until the last word. The last few chapters of the book were extremely fast-paced as secret after secret was revealed, mystery after mystery was solved, and question after question was answered. The author's plot was masterful, and she has crafted one of the finest pieces of Amish fiction I have ever read.
I plan to read this novel again in the future, and I will definitely be seeking to read more books written by this fabulous author!
Highly-recommended to fans of Amish fiction, Amish romance, historical fiction, clean romance, clean fiction, and fiction where issues of addiction are addressed in a straight-forward and accurate/realistic manner.
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:Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future.
Luke Schrock is a new and improved man after a stint in rehab, though everyone in Stoney Ridge only remembers the old Luke. They might have forgiven him, but nobody trusts him. He has been allowed to live at Windmill Farm under two conditions. First, he must make a sincere apology to each person he's hurt. Second, he must ask each victim of mischief to describe the damage he caused.
Simple, Luke thinks. Offering apologies is easy. But discovering the lasting effects his careless actions have caused isn't so simple. It's gut-wrenching.
And his list keeps growing. Izzy Miller, beautiful and frustratingly aloof, also boards at Windmill Farm, and Luke's clumsy efforts to befriend her only insult and annoy her. Eager to impress, Luke sets out to prove himself to her by locating her mother. When he does, her identity sends shock waves through Stoney Ridge.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"A funny, heartwarming story of friendship, love, and the possibility of happily ever after."--Amy Clipston, bestselling author of Seat by the Hearth
"Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a sweet and poignant story you won't want put down. Definitely a must read!"--Kathleen Fuller, bestselling author of the Amish of Birch Creek series
LINK TO EXCERPT {courtesy of the Publisher}:
EXCERPT FROM 'MENDING FENCES'
BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
ChristianBook.com
Goodreads
Suzanne's Website
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop's Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.
MY THOUGHTS:
I have read dozens of Amish romance novels in the past two decades or so, and this book is in my Top 5 of my favorites in this genre!
The story begins with the main male character, Luke Schrock, exhibiting arrogant, obnoxious, and self-centered behavior in just about every encounter he has with others. He is an alcoholic who has been in and out of rehab three times.
When he is released this time, he moves back to his Amish community to live with a middle-aged couple, Amos and Fern Lapp, who believe it is their mission to help individuals who are struggling with in their lives and/or battling inside themselves with addiction issues and questions about their faith and place/purpose in the world.
The lead female, Izzie Miller, has demons of her own. She and Luke clash over and over again throughout the story as they each try to find their way in the world without relying on alcohol to ease their pain. It seems as if both of these characters take two or three steps backward for every step they take forward for much of the book.
As always, this author has built a strong setting in this first installment of her 'The Deacon's Family' series. Her characters are flawed, believable individuals who deal with real life problems--even though they are followers, were once followers, or want to be followers of the Amish faith.
This book kept my attention from page one until the last word. The last few chapters of the book were extremely fast-paced as secret after secret was revealed, mystery after mystery was solved, and question after question was answered. The author's plot was masterful, and she has crafted one of the finest pieces of Amish fiction I have ever read.
I plan to read this novel again in the future, and I will definitely be seeking to read more books written by this fabulous author!
Highly-recommended to fans of Amish fiction, Amish romance, historical fiction, clean romance, clean fiction, and fiction where issues of addiction are addressed in a straight-forward and accurate/realistic manner.
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.# # # # #
~ 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
