June McCrary Jacobs's Blog: ~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~, page 93
December 6, 2018
~ BLOG TOUR STOP REASON TO BREATHE ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'REASON TO BREATHE' --
AUTHOR DEBORAH RANEY~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,Author Bio, Author Interview & Giveaway~ 
We are excited to introduce Deborah Raney's new 'Chandler Sisters' series with a blog tour and giveaway for book #1 - Reason to Breathe - hosted by JustRead Tours.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Reason to Breathe
Series: Chandler Sisters #1
Author: Deborah Raney
Publisher: Gilead Publishing
Release Date: October 23, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction/Romance
Phylicia thought life was passing her by, but maybe this was love’s plan all along. . .
At twenty-nine, Phylicia Chandler put her life on hold to care for her dying mother with her sisters, Joanna and Britt. Now Mom is gone and their father stuns them all by running off with a woman young enough to be their sister. Life is moving forward all around her, but Phylicia feels stuck—until her father’s protégé, Quinn Mitchell, presents the sisters with an intriguing business opportunity to purchase a trio of cottages just outside of Langhorne, Missouri. Joanna and Britt are convinced the three of them should launch a vacation rental venture, but Phylicia remains skeptical.
To complicate matters, Quinn soon finds himself falling hard for Phylicia. But how can he pursue this beautiful, talented woman twelve years his junior when she’s still reeling over her father’s hasty engagement to a younger woman? Quinn is determined to give Phylicia her happily-ever-after. But first, he must help her come to terms with her discovery of long-held family secrets and persuade her that true love can transcend their differences.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DEBORAH RANEY dreamed of writing a book since the summer she read Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books and discovered that a Kansas farm girl could, indeed, grow up to be a writer. Her 30-plus books have garnered multiple industry awards including the RITA® Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Carol Award, and have three times been Christy Award finalists. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, shed light on the ravages of Alzheimer's disease and inspired the highly acclaimed World Wide Pictures film of the same title. A Vow to Cherish continues to be a tool for Alzheimer's families and caregivers. Deborah is on faculty for several national writers' conferences and serves on the executive board of the 2600-member American Christian Fiction Writers organization. She and her husband, Ken Raney, traded small-town life in Kansas—the setting of many of Deb's novels—for life in the city of Wichita. They often travel to teach at writers conferences across the country and to visit their four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away.
CONNECT WITH DEB: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
JUNE: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Deborah. I'm thrilled to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on the recent release of 'Reason to Breathe'!
DEBORAH: Thanks so much! It’s great to be here.
JUNE: Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the characters for 'Reason to Breathe'. 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?
DEBORAH: I chose to set my novel near Cape Girardeau, Missouri because our two daughters live in the area and besides being a beautiful part of the state of Missouri, I liked the fact that research would require me to go visit our kids and grandkids. Haha! My characters are never based closely on real people, but of course, the sisters in my story have traits of my own sisters, and all my heroes share qualities of my own hero husband, Ken.
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?
DEBORAH: Quinn is my favorite character in this story. I love the way he takes all the sisters under his care and, in a sense, stands in as a father figure when their own father has failed them. There really isn’t a villain in this series, but certainly there are characters who aren’t people of integrity. Some of those people are “offstage” characters who we only know because of the havoc they have wreaked that carries through the years. I hope that carries a message that our actions can hurt others with long-ranging repercussions.
JUNE: Your first novel, 'A Vow to Cherish', was made into a movie by World Wide Pictures. Please tell us how this collaboration came about and share with us how you were involved in the making of the film.
DEBORAH: I can brag on the film because really, my only involvement was to have written the novel that inspired it. At that time, Bethany House had never had a novel turned into a movie, but after my novel was published, I asked my publisher's permission to send the manuscript to several film companies.
I got a few very nice rejections. Hallmark Hall of Fame wrote that they’d seriously considered the story before deciding that it was too similar to another project they were working on. And World Wide Pictures also rejected the story. But a year later, they came back to Bethany House saying that they were looking to make a film on the topic of commitment in marriage and the administrative assistant to the head honcho at WWP just happened to remember that A Vow to Cherish had come across her desk and she’d read and enjoyed it.
My novel was one of 10 books or scripts they were considering. A few days later, they let Bethany House know that they had narrowed it down to seven and A Vow to Cherish was still in the running. The following day, they made their decision and it was my novel they chose! That was a day for dancing at our house!
JUNE: Your long and growing list of published books and other works stretch across several genres--an historical holiday prairie romance novella, contemporary romance, your autobiography, and two books of children's sermons, just to mention a few. If you were not writing in those genres, what other fictional genres might you try? Would you ever consider writing more non-fiction? If so, what subject(s) would you like to write about? Does writing children's literature (picture books, middle grade, or young adult) interest you?
DEBORAH: I’ve written a humorous essay about why Circle of Blessings was the first—and last—historical piece I will ever write! The research for that little novella about killed me! I’d much rather be playing with words than trying to find out what they called a purse in 1864 in the Dakota Territory! Haha! That said, I can see stretching myself and writing something different than I have before. I always think of great ideas for romantic suspense, but I’m not sure I could carry the plot through believably. I wouldn’t mind writing non-fiction, especially on the topic of the craft of writing. Children’s literature isn’t something I really feel drawn to, but I have worked with my husband to write some middle-grade books. He’s the creative one when it comes to kids!
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?
DEBORAH: I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer…or as some prefer to call it, an intuitive writer. I like discovering my story as I write. I usually start with a cast of characters, a compelling setting, and a general idea of the dilemma of my story. From there, I just start writing and see what happens! I figure if I’m surprised by what happens, my reader will be too. I don’t always know the exact ending, but I usually know what the basic ending will be…and that it will be, if not completely happy, at least satisfying and hopeful.
JUNE: On your website you share that you and your husband have four adult children and eight (and counting!) grandchildren. With the hope that all of you (or at least some of you) will be able to gather together to celebrate this holiday season, please share some of your family's favorite Christmas and/or New Year's traditions, recipes, church activities, decorations, etc., with us.
DEBORAH: We almost always have all the kids and grandkids home and under our roof for about a week during the holidays. Since our kids are scattered all over the U.S., we look forward to all being together with great joy! Our house is filled to overflowing with sixteen people under one roof! It’s especially fun to see the cousins get to know each other.
Our kids are so great about helping out with the cooking and cleanup. We each have recipes we like to make…our youngest daughter makes her amazing cinnamon rolls for one breakfast, our daughter-in-law makes great Chicago style pizza with homemade crust, the kids all request my lasagna and homemade French bread, and we usually have a Mexican food night. When our oldest son lived in Berlin, he came home with the supplies to make us German Kaesespaetzle.
We are a game-playing family, so the afternoons and evenings are filled with board games like Mexican Train, Sequence, Qwixx, and other favorites, along with card games and jigsaw puzzles. Sometimes we decorate Christmas cookies, but a new tradition that the kids young and old enjoy is decorating gingerbread houses. We seem to make everything a contest in this family, so prizes are awarded in all kinds of categories, and the grandkids take turns serving as MC to announce the winners. It makes for such a fun evening with lots of laughter!
JUNE: Thank you so much for sharing with us today, Deborah. I truly appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us with us about your writing career. Best wishes for your continued success in your writing and public speaking endeavors. Happy Holidays!
DEBORAH: It was my pleasure, June
TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive (US only):
a print copy of Reason to Breathe $15 Amazon gift cardEnter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight December 3, 2018 and last through 11:59pm December 10, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week 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!
*************YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A '12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS' EVENT PRESENTED BY THE READERS & WRITERS OF CLEAN FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP.
YOU'LL NEED TO PLAN AHEAD TO ATTEND BECAUSE YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE CLOSED GROUP TO PARTICIPATE. HERE'S THE LINK TO THE PAGE SO YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO THE MODERATOR'S THREE QUESTIONS AND BE APPROVED AHEAD OF TIME. LINK TO READER & WRITERS OF CLEAN YOUTH FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP
We are excited to introduce Deborah Raney's new 'Chandler Sisters' series with a blog tour and giveaway for book #1 - Reason to Breathe - hosted by JustRead Tours.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Reason to Breathe Series: Chandler Sisters #1
Author: Deborah Raney
Publisher: Gilead Publishing
Release Date: October 23, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction/Romance
Phylicia thought life was passing her by, but maybe this was love’s plan all along. . .
At twenty-nine, Phylicia Chandler put her life on hold to care for her dying mother with her sisters, Joanna and Britt. Now Mom is gone and their father stuns them all by running off with a woman young enough to be their sister. Life is moving forward all around her, but Phylicia feels stuck—until her father’s protégé, Quinn Mitchell, presents the sisters with an intriguing business opportunity to purchase a trio of cottages just outside of Langhorne, Missouri. Joanna and Britt are convinced the three of them should launch a vacation rental venture, but Phylicia remains skeptical.
To complicate matters, Quinn soon finds himself falling hard for Phylicia. But how can he pursue this beautiful, talented woman twelve years his junior when she’s still reeling over her father’s hasty engagement to a younger woman? Quinn is determined to give Phylicia her happily-ever-after. But first, he must help her come to terms with her discovery of long-held family secrets and persuade her that true love can transcend their differences.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DEBORAH RANEY dreamed of writing a book since the summer she read Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books and discovered that a Kansas farm girl could, indeed, grow up to be a writer. Her 30-plus books have garnered multiple industry awards including the RITA® Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Carol Award, and have three times been Christy Award finalists. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, shed light on the ravages of Alzheimer's disease and inspired the highly acclaimed World Wide Pictures film of the same title. A Vow to Cherish continues to be a tool for Alzheimer's families and caregivers. Deborah is on faculty for several national writers' conferences and serves on the executive board of the 2600-member American Christian Fiction Writers organization. She and her husband, Ken Raney, traded small-town life in Kansas—the setting of many of Deb's novels—for life in the city of Wichita. They often travel to teach at writers conferences across the country and to visit their four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away.
CONNECT WITH DEB: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
JUNE: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Deborah. I'm thrilled to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on the recent release of 'Reason to Breathe'!
DEBORAH: Thanks so much! It’s great to be here.
JUNE: Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the characters for 'Reason to Breathe'. 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?
DEBORAH: I chose to set my novel near Cape Girardeau, Missouri because our two daughters live in the area and besides being a beautiful part of the state of Missouri, I liked the fact that research would require me to go visit our kids and grandkids. Haha! My characters are never based closely on real people, but of course, the sisters in my story have traits of my own sisters, and all my heroes share qualities of my own hero husband, Ken.
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?
DEBORAH: Quinn is my favorite character in this story. I love the way he takes all the sisters under his care and, in a sense, stands in as a father figure when their own father has failed them. There really isn’t a villain in this series, but certainly there are characters who aren’t people of integrity. Some of those people are “offstage” characters who we only know because of the havoc they have wreaked that carries through the years. I hope that carries a message that our actions can hurt others with long-ranging repercussions.
JUNE: Your first novel, 'A Vow to Cherish', was made into a movie by World Wide Pictures. Please tell us how this collaboration came about and share with us how you were involved in the making of the film.
DEBORAH: I can brag on the film because really, my only involvement was to have written the novel that inspired it. At that time, Bethany House had never had a novel turned into a movie, but after my novel was published, I asked my publisher's permission to send the manuscript to several film companies.
I got a few very nice rejections. Hallmark Hall of Fame wrote that they’d seriously considered the story before deciding that it was too similar to another project they were working on. And World Wide Pictures also rejected the story. But a year later, they came back to Bethany House saying that they were looking to make a film on the topic of commitment in marriage and the administrative assistant to the head honcho at WWP just happened to remember that A Vow to Cherish had come across her desk and she’d read and enjoyed it.
My novel was one of 10 books or scripts they were considering. A few days later, they let Bethany House know that they had narrowed it down to seven and A Vow to Cherish was still in the running. The following day, they made their decision and it was my novel they chose! That was a day for dancing at our house!
JUNE: Your long and growing list of published books and other works stretch across several genres--an historical holiday prairie romance novella, contemporary romance, your autobiography, and two books of children's sermons, just to mention a few. If you were not writing in those genres, what other fictional genres might you try? Would you ever consider writing more non-fiction? If so, what subject(s) would you like to write about? Does writing children's literature (picture books, middle grade, or young adult) interest you?
DEBORAH: I’ve written a humorous essay about why Circle of Blessings was the first—and last—historical piece I will ever write! The research for that little novella about killed me! I’d much rather be playing with words than trying to find out what they called a purse in 1864 in the Dakota Territory! Haha! That said, I can see stretching myself and writing something different than I have before. I always think of great ideas for romantic suspense, but I’m not sure I could carry the plot through believably. I wouldn’t mind writing non-fiction, especially on the topic of the craft of writing. Children’s literature isn’t something I really feel drawn to, but I have worked with my husband to write some middle-grade books. He’s the creative one when it comes to kids!
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?
DEBORAH: I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer…or as some prefer to call it, an intuitive writer. I like discovering my story as I write. I usually start with a cast of characters, a compelling setting, and a general idea of the dilemma of my story. From there, I just start writing and see what happens! I figure if I’m surprised by what happens, my reader will be too. I don’t always know the exact ending, but I usually know what the basic ending will be…and that it will be, if not completely happy, at least satisfying and hopeful.
JUNE: On your website you share that you and your husband have four adult children and eight (and counting!) grandchildren. With the hope that all of you (or at least some of you) will be able to gather together to celebrate this holiday season, please share some of your family's favorite Christmas and/or New Year's traditions, recipes, church activities, decorations, etc., with us.
DEBORAH: We almost always have all the kids and grandkids home and under our roof for about a week during the holidays. Since our kids are scattered all over the U.S., we look forward to all being together with great joy! Our house is filled to overflowing with sixteen people under one roof! It’s especially fun to see the cousins get to know each other.
Our kids are so great about helping out with the cooking and cleanup. We each have recipes we like to make…our youngest daughter makes her amazing cinnamon rolls for one breakfast, our daughter-in-law makes great Chicago style pizza with homemade crust, the kids all request my lasagna and homemade French bread, and we usually have a Mexican food night. When our oldest son lived in Berlin, he came home with the supplies to make us German Kaesespaetzle.
We are a game-playing family, so the afternoons and evenings are filled with board games like Mexican Train, Sequence, Qwixx, and other favorites, along with card games and jigsaw puzzles. Sometimes we decorate Christmas cookies, but a new tradition that the kids young and old enjoy is decorating gingerbread houses. We seem to make everything a contest in this family, so prizes are awarded in all kinds of categories, and the grandkids take turns serving as MC to announce the winners. It makes for such a fun evening with lots of laughter!
JUNE: Thank you so much for sharing with us today, Deborah. I truly appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us with us about your writing career. Best wishes for your continued success in your writing and public speaking endeavors. Happy Holidays!
DEBORAH: It was my pleasure, June
TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive (US only):
a print copy of Reason to Breathe $15 Amazon gift cardEnter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight December 3, 2018 and last through 11:59pm December 10, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week 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!
*************YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A '12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS' EVENT PRESENTED BY THE READERS & WRITERS OF CLEAN FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP. 
YOU'LL NEED TO PLAN AHEAD TO ATTEND BECAUSE YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE CLOSED GROUP TO PARTICIPATE. HERE'S THE LINK TO THE PAGE SO YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO THE MODERATOR'S THREE QUESTIONS AND BE APPROVED AHEAD OF TIME. LINK TO READER & WRITERS OF CLEAN YOUTH FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP
December 5, 2018
~ SANTA'S SWEET READING LIST ~
~ SANTA'S SWEET READING LIST ~
Author Grace Roberts has graciously published a list of clean & wholesome, sweet & heartwarming holiday-themed romance books written by an assortment of authors. I'm honored to have my 'A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom' novella included on this list!
Follow the below link to visit Grace's website to read the entire list and view the beautiful holiday-style covers:
Santa's Sweet Reading List
*****************
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A '12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS' EVENT PRESENTED BY THE READERS & WRITERS OF CLEAN FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP.
YOU'LL NEED TO PLAN AHEAD TO ATTEND BECAUSE YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE CLOSED GROUP TO PARTICIPATE. HERE'S THE LINK TO THE PAGE SO YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO THE MODERATOR'S THREE QUESTIONS AND BE APPROVED AHEAD OF TIME. LINK TO READER & WRITERS OF CLEAN YOUTH FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP
Author Grace Roberts has graciously published a list of clean & wholesome, sweet & heartwarming holiday-themed romance books written by an assortment of authors. I'm honored to have my 'A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom' novella included on this list!
Follow the below link to visit Grace's website to read the entire list and view the beautiful holiday-style covers:
Santa's Sweet Reading List
*****************
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A '12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS' EVENT PRESENTED BY THE READERS & WRITERS OF CLEAN FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP.
YOU'LL NEED TO PLAN AHEAD TO ATTEND BECAUSE YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE CLOSED GROUP TO PARTICIPATE. HERE'S THE LINK TO THE PAGE SO YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO THE MODERATOR'S THREE QUESTIONS AND BE APPROVED AHEAD OF TIME. LINK TO READER & WRITERS OF CLEAN YOUTH FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP
December 4, 2018
~ BLOG TOUR STOP MISSTAKEN IDENTITY ~
~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'MISS TAKEN IDENTITY' --
AUTHOR KIMBERLY WOODHOUSE~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Author Bio,Author Interview & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for MissTaken Identity by Kimberley Woodhouse, a novella included in The MissAdventure Brides Collection, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: MissTaken Identity
Collection: The MissAdventure Brides Collection
Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: Barbour
Release Date: December 1, 2018 (print)
Genre: Historical Romance
Love Is One of Life’s Greatest Adventures
Seven daring damsels don’t let the norms of their eras hold them back. Along the way these women attract the attention of men who admire their bravery and determination, but will they let love grow out of the adventures?
MissTaken Identity by Kimberley Woodhouse
1883 Texas
Headstrong, bubbly, accident-prone Abigail Monroe is on a quest for adventure away from society’s expectations. But her pursuits are unexpectedly thwarted when she is arrested by a handsome Texas Ranger.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than fifteen fiction and nonfiction books. A popular speaker and teacher, she’s shared her theme of “Joy Through Trials” with more than half a million people across the country at more than 2,000 events. Kim and her incredible husband of twenty-five-plus years have two adult children. She’s passionate about music and Bible study and loves the gift of story.
CONNECT WITH KIM: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
***********
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
JUNE: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Kimberley. I'm thrilled to have you as my guest. If I counted correctly, 'MissTaken Identity' will be your third publication this year. Congratulations on having two books and this novella released in 2018!
KIMBERLEY: Thank you so much for having me. It's actually my fourth release this year: Out of the Ashes, The Mayflower Bride, The Patriot Bride, and now this collection. Thank you so much!
JUNE: I apologize for missing 'Out of the Ashes'. I'll have to talk to my 'assistant' (I wish!
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for MissTaken Identity by Kimberley Woodhouse, a novella included in The MissAdventure Brides Collection, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: MissTaken Identity Collection: The MissAdventure Brides Collection
Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: Barbour
Release Date: December 1, 2018 (print)
Genre: Historical Romance
Love Is One of Life’s Greatest Adventures
Seven daring damsels don’t let the norms of their eras hold them back. Along the way these women attract the attention of men who admire their bravery and determination, but will they let love grow out of the adventures?
MissTaken Identity by Kimberley Woodhouse
1883 Texas
Headstrong, bubbly, accident-prone Abigail Monroe is on a quest for adventure away from society’s expectations. But her pursuits are unexpectedly thwarted when she is arrested by a handsome Texas Ranger.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than fifteen fiction and nonfiction books. A popular speaker and teacher, she’s shared her theme of “Joy Through Trials” with more than half a million people across the country at more than 2,000 events. Kim and her incredible husband of twenty-five-plus years have two adult children. She’s passionate about music and Bible study and loves the gift of story.
CONNECT WITH KIM: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
***********
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
JUNE: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Kimberley. I'm thrilled to have you as my guest. If I counted correctly, 'MissTaken Identity' will be your third publication this year. Congratulations on having two books and this novella released in 2018!
KIMBERLEY: Thank you so much for having me. It's actually my fourth release this year: Out of the Ashes, The Mayflower Bride, The Patriot Bride, and now this collection. Thank you so much!
JUNE: I apologize for missing 'Out of the Ashes'. I'll have to talk to my 'assistant' (I wish!
~ COVER REVEAL AFTER THE RAIN ~
~ COVER REVEAL ~
-- 'AFTER THE RAIN' --
AUTHOR BRANDY BRUCE
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Author Bio,
Cover Reveal & Giveaway~
About the BookGenre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romance, ChristianPublisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the CarolinasPublication date:February 4, 2019
A heartfelt, emotional story of the beauty and pain found in picking up the pieces and starting over after disappointment.
About the Author
Brandy Bruce is a mom, a wife, a book editor, an author, and someone who really loves dessert. She’s the author of the award-winning novel The Last Summer, Looks Like Love, and The Romano Family Collection. Brandy, her husband, and their children make their home in Colorado.
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | BLOGCover RevealAre you ready for the cover reveal?……………………And here it is!!What do you think?
GiveawayGiveaway details: (1) Winner will receive thier choice of a print (US only) or e-copy (International) of The Last Summer.Enter the giveaway HERE.Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.Tour StopsAmong the Reads
Blooming with Books
Book by Book
Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
Fiction AficionadoHeidi Reads…
Jorie Loves A Story
Life Is What It’s Called
Mindy Houng
The Power of Words
Reading Is My SuperPower
Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
Remembrancy
Wishful Endings
*************
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A '12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS' EVENT PRESENTED BY THE READERS & WRITERS OF CLEAN FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP.
YOU'LL NEED TO PLAN AHEAD TO ATTEND BECAUSE YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE CLOSED GROUP TO PARTICIPATE. HERE'S THE LINK TO THE PAGE SO YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO THE MODERATOR'S THREE QUESTIONS AND BE APPROVED AHEAD OF TIME. LINK TO READER & WRITERS OF CLEAN YOUTH FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Author Bio,
Cover Reveal & Giveaway~
About the BookGenre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romance, ChristianPublisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the CarolinasPublication date:February 4, 2019A heartfelt, emotional story of the beauty and pain found in picking up the pieces and starting over after disappointment.
About the Author
Brandy Bruce is a mom, a wife, a book editor, an author, and someone who really loves dessert. She’s the author of the award-winning novel The Last Summer, Looks Like Love, and The Romano Family Collection. Brandy, her husband, and their children make their home in Colorado.FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | BLOGCover RevealAre you ready for the cover reveal?……………………And here it is!!What do you think?
GiveawayGiveaway details: (1) Winner will receive thier choice of a print (US only) or e-copy (International) of The Last Summer.Enter the giveaway HERE.Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.Tour StopsAmong the ReadsBlooming with Books
Book by Book
Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
Fiction AficionadoHeidi Reads…
Jorie Loves A Story
Life Is What It’s Called
Mindy Houng
The Power of Words
Reading Is My SuperPower
Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
Remembrancy
Wishful Endings
*************
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A '12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS' EVENT PRESENTED BY THE READERS & WRITERS OF CLEAN FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP.
YOU'LL NEED TO PLAN AHEAD TO ATTEND BECAUSE YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE CLOSED GROUP TO PARTICIPATE. HERE'S THE LINK TO THE PAGE SO YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO THE MODERATOR'S THREE QUESTIONS AND BE APPROVED AHEAD OF TIME. LINK TO READER & WRITERS OF CLEAN YOUTH FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP
December 3, 2018
~ BOOK BLAST THE SONGS THAT BROUGHT ME BACK ~
~ BOOK BLAST ~
-- 'THE SONGS THAT BROUGHT ME BACK' --
AUTHOR MYLISSA DEMEYERE~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,Author Bio, Excerpt & Giveaway~
The Songs That Brought Me Back by Mylissa Demeyere
Have you ever made a mistake? One so monumental you lost everything? I did, and I hate myself for it! All I want to do is close my eyes, and let the darkness consume me. Make it all go away. The end.
Ainsley is drowning in the depth of her despair. One wrong decision left her alone, with only regret as her constant companion. To escape it all, she makes another choice. One she hopes will end everything. Instead, she’s thrown into a whole new world filled with opportunities she doesn’t believe she deserves.
Ethan gives the appearance of breezing through life. But underneath his bright facade, he’s scarred by loss. When fate leads him into Ainsley’s world at the exact moment she needs someone the most, he can’t ignore the chance to right the wrongs of his past.
Ainsley and Ethan will struggle to help each other heal and start anew. They’ll learn that the secret to conquering their pain lies within their power, if only they can do it together. Always together. Sometimes the ending is really the beginning.
EXCERPT:
AINSLEY Beep… Beep… Floating…I was floating. My body…weightless. For the first time in almost three years, the constant pain that had been pushing on me, threatening to suffocate me…lifted and was gone. I felt… free . Beep… Beep… Finally, I was done and untied, drifting in this place that no longer held me in its terrible grip. Beep… Beep… I hovered near the edge, staring down at that empty shell as the doctor and nurses fought to save me. The scene should have sent more anguish through me.
The ripped clothes, the chaos, but all I felt was peace. The body left behind looked like me, but it wasn’t, not really. It hadn’t been me for so long. I had lost myself in that person ages ago. Something tugged at me, pulling me down, away from the peacefulness I felt and back toward that cold, empty body. My prison . I grasped out around me but only caught handfuls of air. Nothing to hold on to.
The pull got stronger. Dread washed over me as I realized what was happening. I had to go back. “Push a dose of ketamine, now!” The weightlessness was out of reach, leaving me confused and exhausted. A new, heavy sensation pushed down on me. No! I screamed, but no noise left my mouth. Even as the weight of my body and my illness pressed down on me, I longed for the weightlessness I’d felt, the brief glimpse of freedom. I wanted it back.
“Give me a laryngoscope.” A sharp pain coursed through me, down my mouth, into my throat. I tried to raise my hand, trying to yank whatever was there away. But it wouldn’t move. The weight was pushing on my hand as well. No! I screamed again, but no one heard me. It was pointless.
“ I’m in. Tube her .” Finally, I surrendered to the darkness as it closed in, and everything went completely black.
What Readers are Saying:
~A heartfelt romance with a powerful message about the sanctity of human life. If you've ever simply needed a friend, The Songs That Brought Me Back will resonate--and leave you thankful for the people in your life. -Taylor Dean, author of I’m With You and Chasing Fireflies.
~Another remarkable read by Mylissa Demeyere. Ethan and Ainsley had me laughing and crying as they face their own demons and fall in love while doing it. This book adds even more depth as it confronts suicide head on. Suicide has become an epidemic that some are afraid to address; Demeyere brings it to light from both the victims and the survivors giving us insight on the struggles of so many. It does not disappoint and I, again, am excited to see what comes next from this talented writer. – Amazon Reviewer
~A beautiful sequel to The Songs of You and Me that cleverly illustrates that there are always two sides to every story and that it is never too late for love to overcome any challenge. – Amazon Reviewer
~“This poignant redemption story about second chances and forgiveness yanked my emotions all over the place. I cried, I yearned, I hoped. A beautiful story about what true love is and does.” - Charissa Stastny, author of Between Hope and the Highway and The Ruled Out Romance Series
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mylissa Demeyere was born in Belgium, and resides in the beautiful city of Ghent. She lives in a somewhat organized home with her four beautiful children and the love of her life. If she isn’t working, she’s writing, running, reading, or enjoying time with her kids, who are growing up way too fast.
The Songs That Brought Me Back is her second novel in The Songs Series, with a third book releasing in the middle of 2019.
Website * BookBub * Facebook * Instagram * TwitterAmazon * Goodreads * Pinterest
******Also By Mylissa******
The Songs of You and Me -- A SECOND CHANCE AT FIRST LOVE. Jane Hartford fell head over heels for Jackson at the tender age of fifteen. She spent most of high school pining for him, until she realized he wasn't going to see her as anything more than his baby sister's best friend. Now she finds herself single with a daughter, a broken heart, and songs that remind her of a long lost love.
Jackson Wright is a man living with regret. His biggest one, never acting on his feelings for Jane. When he returns to Bellebrook, the town they grew up in, he literally runs into her and his world gets tossed upside down and sideways. This time, Jackson isn't willing to give up. With a meddling sister eager to push both of them together, he believes things might actually work out. That is, if they can overcome the heavy baggage they both carry.
Follow Jackson and Jane as they revisit their past, figuring out what went wrong so long ago. Will they learn they have the power to make things right in the present?
Just 99 Cents this week! Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited
$50 Amazon Gift Code or $50 in PayPal Cash Ends 12/30/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway
# # # # #
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A '12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS' EVENT PRESENTED BY THE READERS & WRITERS OF CLEAN FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP.
YOU'LL NEED TO PLAN AHEAD TO ATTEND BECAUSE YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE CLOSED GROUP TO PARTICIPATE. HERE'S THE LINK TO THE PAGE SO YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO THE MODERATOR'S THREE QUESTIONS AND BE APPROVED AHEAD OF TIME. LINK TO READER & WRITERS OF CLEAN YOUTH FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP
The Songs That Brought Me Back by Mylissa Demeyere
Have you ever made a mistake? One so monumental you lost everything? I did, and I hate myself for it! All I want to do is close my eyes, and let the darkness consume me. Make it all go away. The end.
Ainsley is drowning in the depth of her despair. One wrong decision left her alone, with only regret as her constant companion. To escape it all, she makes another choice. One she hopes will end everything. Instead, she’s thrown into a whole new world filled with opportunities she doesn’t believe she deserves.
Ethan gives the appearance of breezing through life. But underneath his bright facade, he’s scarred by loss. When fate leads him into Ainsley’s world at the exact moment she needs someone the most, he can’t ignore the chance to right the wrongs of his past.
Ainsley and Ethan will struggle to help each other heal and start anew. They’ll learn that the secret to conquering their pain lies within their power, if only they can do it together. Always together. Sometimes the ending is really the beginning.
EXCERPT:
AINSLEY Beep… Beep… Floating…I was floating. My body…weightless. For the first time in almost three years, the constant pain that had been pushing on me, threatening to suffocate me…lifted and was gone. I felt… free . Beep… Beep… Finally, I was done and untied, drifting in this place that no longer held me in its terrible grip. Beep… Beep… I hovered near the edge, staring down at that empty shell as the doctor and nurses fought to save me. The scene should have sent more anguish through me.
The ripped clothes, the chaos, but all I felt was peace. The body left behind looked like me, but it wasn’t, not really. It hadn’t been me for so long. I had lost myself in that person ages ago. Something tugged at me, pulling me down, away from the peacefulness I felt and back toward that cold, empty body. My prison . I grasped out around me but only caught handfuls of air. Nothing to hold on to.
The pull got stronger. Dread washed over me as I realized what was happening. I had to go back. “Push a dose of ketamine, now!” The weightlessness was out of reach, leaving me confused and exhausted. A new, heavy sensation pushed down on me. No! I screamed, but no noise left my mouth. Even as the weight of my body and my illness pressed down on me, I longed for the weightlessness I’d felt, the brief glimpse of freedom. I wanted it back.
“Give me a laryngoscope.” A sharp pain coursed through me, down my mouth, into my throat. I tried to raise my hand, trying to yank whatever was there away. But it wouldn’t move. The weight was pushing on my hand as well. No! I screamed again, but no one heard me. It was pointless.
“ I’m in. Tube her .” Finally, I surrendered to the darkness as it closed in, and everything went completely black.
What Readers are Saying:
~A heartfelt romance with a powerful message about the sanctity of human life. If you've ever simply needed a friend, The Songs That Brought Me Back will resonate--and leave you thankful for the people in your life. -Taylor Dean, author of I’m With You and Chasing Fireflies.
~Another remarkable read by Mylissa Demeyere. Ethan and Ainsley had me laughing and crying as they face their own demons and fall in love while doing it. This book adds even more depth as it confronts suicide head on. Suicide has become an epidemic that some are afraid to address; Demeyere brings it to light from both the victims and the survivors giving us insight on the struggles of so many. It does not disappoint and I, again, am excited to see what comes next from this talented writer. – Amazon Reviewer
~A beautiful sequel to The Songs of You and Me that cleverly illustrates that there are always two sides to every story and that it is never too late for love to overcome any challenge. – Amazon Reviewer
~“This poignant redemption story about second chances and forgiveness yanked my emotions all over the place. I cried, I yearned, I hoped. A beautiful story about what true love is and does.” - Charissa Stastny, author of Between Hope and the Highway and The Ruled Out Romance Series
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mylissa Demeyere was born in Belgium, and resides in the beautiful city of Ghent. She lives in a somewhat organized home with her four beautiful children and the love of her life. If she isn’t working, she’s writing, running, reading, or enjoying time with her kids, who are growing up way too fast.
The Songs That Brought Me Back is her second novel in The Songs Series, with a third book releasing in the middle of 2019.
Website * BookBub * Facebook * Instagram * TwitterAmazon * Goodreads * Pinterest
******Also By Mylissa******
The Songs of You and Me -- A SECOND CHANCE AT FIRST LOVE. Jane Hartford fell head over heels for Jackson at the tender age of fifteen. She spent most of high school pining for him, until she realized he wasn't going to see her as anything more than his baby sister's best friend. Now she finds herself single with a daughter, a broken heart, and songs that remind her of a long lost love.
Jackson Wright is a man living with regret. His biggest one, never acting on his feelings for Jane. When he returns to Bellebrook, the town they grew up in, he literally runs into her and his world gets tossed upside down and sideways. This time, Jackson isn't willing to give up. With a meddling sister eager to push both of them together, he believes things might actually work out. That is, if they can overcome the heavy baggage they both carry.
Follow Jackson and Jane as they revisit their past, figuring out what went wrong so long ago. Will they learn they have the power to make things right in the present?
Just 99 Cents this week! Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited
$50 Amazon Gift Code or $50 in PayPal Cash Ends 12/30/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway
# # # # #
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A '12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS' EVENT PRESENTED BY THE READERS & WRITERS OF CLEAN FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP.
YOU'LL NEED TO PLAN AHEAD TO ATTEND BECAUSE YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE CLOSED GROUP TO PARTICIPATE. HERE'S THE LINK TO THE PAGE SO YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO THE MODERATOR'S THREE QUESTIONS AND BE APPROVED AHEAD OF TIME. LINK TO READER & WRITERS OF CLEAN YOUTH FICTION FACEBOOK GROUP
December 2, 2018
~ MMGM MULTI-CULTURAL CHRISTMAS BOOK ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY MULTI-CULTURAL
& S.T.E.A.M. CHRISTMAS
BOOK FEATURE ~ -- 'A WORLD OF COOKIES FOR SANTA' -- AUTHOR M. E. FURMANILLUSTRATOR SUSAN GAL~Post Includes: Book Spotlight & Review~
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK: {from Goodreads}
A World of Cookies for Santa takes readers across the globe to see all the treats that await Santa on Christmas Eve.
Head to the Philippines, where children leave out puto seko cookies and ginger tea for Santa; jet to Russia for a honey-spice cookie; then set out for Malawi for a sweet potato cookie! When you've returned home, the journey's still not over—M. E. Furman provides recipes for children to bake some of Santa's cookies for themselves.
A World of Cookies for Santa is a multicultural celebration that families will return to year after year.
MY THOUGHTS:
This book seems perfect for a family read-aloud during the holidays! It contains excellent cultural information about Christmas customs and traditions in thirty different countries from around the globe plus Alaska and Hawaii.
The journey begins on Christmas Island--Kiritimati--and finishes up in Hawaii. There is a color world map on the inside front cover pages which shows the route Santa takes in his journey around the world on Christmas Eve. The blurb about each country includes information about what the country calls Santa Claus, a bit about the country, and what treat the children there like to leave for Santa's visit to their home.
The art work in this book is exceptional! The children, Santas, and scenery depicted for each country/state are realistic and true to the diversity we are fortunate to have in our world. I enjoyed looking through the illustrator's renderings to see many images which are historic icons of the various Christmas customs of particular countries included in the book. For instance, in the illustration about Germany you will find a nutcracker and a Christmas tree. On the Mexico page there is a colorful pinata. The Bethlehem page features a drawing of Joseph walking next to the donkey on which Mary is riding as they search for a place to stay for the night.
I think this would be a great 'I Spy' book for children, middle-graders, and even tweens as they search for various symbols of the holiday season. The back matter includes an Author's Note with some additional details not included in the main text. The author graciously shares nine cookie recipes for families to make for Santa's visit on Christmas Eve! Baking is an excellent culminating activity for this fine book.
Finally, the back cover facing pages feature another copy of the world map mentioned above, except this time each country/state is coded with a number that matches an illustration of one of the cookies surrounding the map. Fun for everyone in the family!
Note: Several of the countries leave an alcoholic beverage for Santa to drink with his cookies while he is on his long journey. For instance, in Australia they leave him a glass of beer and in Great Britain they leave him a glass of sherry. I always left Santa a glass of milk and some homemade chocolate chip cookies when I was a child . . .
& S.T.E.A.M. CHRISTMAS
BOOK FEATURE ~ -- 'A WORLD OF COOKIES FOR SANTA' -- AUTHOR M. E. FURMANILLUSTRATOR SUSAN GAL~Post Includes: Book Spotlight & Review~
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS ABOUT THE BOOK: {from Goodreads}
A World of Cookies for Santa takes readers across the globe to see all the treats that await Santa on Christmas Eve.
Head to the Philippines, where children leave out puto seko cookies and ginger tea for Santa; jet to Russia for a honey-spice cookie; then set out for Malawi for a sweet potato cookie! When you've returned home, the journey's still not over—M. E. Furman provides recipes for children to bake some of Santa's cookies for themselves.
A World of Cookies for Santa is a multicultural celebration that families will return to year after year.
MY THOUGHTS:
This book seems perfect for a family read-aloud during the holidays! It contains excellent cultural information about Christmas customs and traditions in thirty different countries from around the globe plus Alaska and Hawaii.
The journey begins on Christmas Island--Kiritimati--and finishes up in Hawaii. There is a color world map on the inside front cover pages which shows the route Santa takes in his journey around the world on Christmas Eve. The blurb about each country includes information about what the country calls Santa Claus, a bit about the country, and what treat the children there like to leave for Santa's visit to their home.
The art work in this book is exceptional! The children, Santas, and scenery depicted for each country/state are realistic and true to the diversity we are fortunate to have in our world. I enjoyed looking through the illustrator's renderings to see many images which are historic icons of the various Christmas customs of particular countries included in the book. For instance, in the illustration about Germany you will find a nutcracker and a Christmas tree. On the Mexico page there is a colorful pinata. The Bethlehem page features a drawing of Joseph walking next to the donkey on which Mary is riding as they search for a place to stay for the night.
I think this would be a great 'I Spy' book for children, middle-graders, and even tweens as they search for various symbols of the holiday season. The back matter includes an Author's Note with some additional details not included in the main text. The author graciously shares nine cookie recipes for families to make for Santa's visit on Christmas Eve! Baking is an excellent culminating activity for this fine book.
Finally, the back cover facing pages feature another copy of the world map mentioned above, except this time each country/state is coded with a number that matches an illustration of one of the cookies surrounding the map. Fun for everyone in the family!
Note: Several of the countries leave an alcoholic beverage for Santa to drink with his cookies while he is on his long journey. For instance, in Australia they leave him a glass of beer and in Great Britain they leave him a glass of sherry. I always left Santa a glass of milk and some homemade chocolate chip cookies when I was a child . . .
November 30, 2018
~ CWR 12 DAYS OF CLEAN ROMANCE KICKOFF GIVEAWAY ~
~ CLEAN WHOLESOME ROMANCE12 DAYS OF CLEAN ROMANCE EVENT ~$100 KICK-OFF GIVEAWAY
November 29, 2018
~ BLOG TOUR STOP FOR WHEN THE HEART SINGS ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
-BLOG TOUR STOP- -- 'WHEN THE HEART SINGS' -- AUTHOR LIZ TOLSMA~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,Author Bio, Author Interview &Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for When the Heart Sings by Liz Tolsma, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: When the Heart Sings
Series: Music of Hope #2
Author: Liz Tolsma
Publisher: Gilead Publishing
Release Date: October 9, 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Natia has a secret, and she’s hiding him right beneath her captor’s nose...
The Nazis have forced Natia and Teodor from their Polish farm to a labor camp. When the couple is separated, Natia is chosen to be the housekeeper for the camp’s overseer, and Teodor is sent to work in the factory. Despite the strict camp rules—and the consequences for disobeying them—Natia finds a way to communicate with Teodor by sending messages through song as she passes Teodor’s dormitory.
The stakes get higher when Natia finds a Jewish orphan on the overseer’s doorstep. She is determined to protect the boy and raise him as the child she and her husband were unable to bear— but if her German captors discover how much she’s hiding, both she and Teodor may pay the ultimate price.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Christian Book | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Passionate might best describe Liz Tolsma. She loves writing, research, and editing. Her passion shone through in her first novel which was a double award finalist. On any given day, you might find her pulling weeds in her perennial garden, walking her hyperactive dog, or curled up with a good book. Nothing means more to her than her family. She's married her high-school sweetheart twenty-eight years ago. Get her talking about international adoption, and you might never get her to stop. She and her husband adopted three children, including a son who is a U.S. Marine, and two daughters.
CONNECT WITH LIZ: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
JUNE: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Liz. I'm pleased to have you as my guest here. 'When the Heart Sings' is Book Two in your 'Music of Hope' World War II series. Congratulations on having both of these books released in 2018!
JUNE: Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the characters for this book, 'When the Heart Sings'. Since this is an historical novel set in Europe during World War II, what types of research did you perform prior to or while working on the story?
LIZ: The labor camp is a compilation of several different labor camps I read about. The research was very difficult, because once the Soviets came into Poland, they didn’t allow WWII to be taught or talked about. There is very little out there to draw from. While I wanted to use a true camp, there wasn’t enough information to do that.
My characters end up coming to me. As I write, they reveal themselves to me, and I get to know them better as you get to know them. That’s one of the most fun things about writing – the surprises your characters have for you.
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?
LIZ: I really identify with Natia, but Elfriede was a character that I came to really like. She started out as someone I didn’t want to like, but the more I got to know her and the more she showed me about who she was, the more I liked her.
Without giving anything away, I do not like her husband. I’m sure you won’t either, but every story has to have a villain
-BLOG TOUR STOP- -- 'WHEN THE HEART SINGS' -- AUTHOR LIZ TOLSMA~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,Author Bio, Author Interview &Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for When the Heart Sings by Liz Tolsma, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: When the Heart Sings Series: Music of Hope #2
Author: Liz Tolsma
Publisher: Gilead Publishing
Release Date: October 9, 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Natia has a secret, and she’s hiding him right beneath her captor’s nose...
The Nazis have forced Natia and Teodor from their Polish farm to a labor camp. When the couple is separated, Natia is chosen to be the housekeeper for the camp’s overseer, and Teodor is sent to work in the factory. Despite the strict camp rules—and the consequences for disobeying them—Natia finds a way to communicate with Teodor by sending messages through song as she passes Teodor’s dormitory.
The stakes get higher when Natia finds a Jewish orphan on the overseer’s doorstep. She is determined to protect the boy and raise him as the child she and her husband were unable to bear— but if her German captors discover how much she’s hiding, both she and Teodor may pay the ultimate price.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Christian Book | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Passionate might best describe Liz Tolsma. She loves writing, research, and editing. Her passion shone through in her first novel which was a double award finalist. On any given day, you might find her pulling weeds in her perennial garden, walking her hyperactive dog, or curled up with a good book. Nothing means more to her than her family. She's married her high-school sweetheart twenty-eight years ago. Get her talking about international adoption, and you might never get her to stop. She and her husband adopted three children, including a son who is a U.S. Marine, and two daughters.
CONNECT WITH LIZ: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
JUNE: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Liz. I'm pleased to have you as my guest here. 'When the Heart Sings' is Book Two in your 'Music of Hope' World War II series. Congratulations on having both of these books released in 2018!
JUNE: Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the characters for this book, 'When the Heart Sings'. Since this is an historical novel set in Europe during World War II, what types of research did you perform prior to or while working on the story?
LIZ: The labor camp is a compilation of several different labor camps I read about. The research was very difficult, because once the Soviets came into Poland, they didn’t allow WWII to be taught or talked about. There is very little out there to draw from. While I wanted to use a true camp, there wasn’t enough information to do that.
My characters end up coming to me. As I write, they reveal themselves to me, and I get to know them better as you get to know them. That’s one of the most fun things about writing – the surprises your characters have for you.
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?
LIZ: I really identify with Natia, but Elfriede was a character that I came to really like. She started out as someone I didn’t want to like, but the more I got to know her and the more she showed me about who she was, the more I liked her.
Without giving anything away, I do not like her husband. I’m sure you won’t either, but every story has to have a villain
November 27, 2018
~ RELEASE DAY BLAST MY BROTHER'S BRIDE ~
~ RELEASE DAY BOOK BLAST ~
-- 'MY BROTHER'S BRIDE' --
AUTHOR RACHAEL ANDERSON~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,Excerpt & Giveaway~
ABOUT THE BOOK:
'My Brother’s Bride' by Rachael Anderson
Abigail Nash leads a lonely existence. Her mother died giving birth to her, her father’s business dealings took him away more often than not, and her ailing great-aunt, unable to provide much in the way of companionship, was a lack-luster guardian at best. So when her dear friends offered to launch her into London society, it appeared Abby’s life was taking a turn for the better, with suitors and social engagements aplenty.
When she marries a proclaimed darling of the ton, it seems she will at last settle into the life of her dreams. But appearances aren’t always what they seem, and dreams often become disappointments. Just months into her marriage, Abby finds herself widowed, penniless, increasing, and determined to never hope again. But when her late husband’s brother, the Earl of Brigston, attempts to thaw the numbness surrounding her heart, Abby must decide if she has it in her to risk another chance at happiness, knowing the odds are not in her favor.
Get your copy from Amazon Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
EXCERPT:
When Brigston entered the kitchen, Abby’s back was partially to him, so she didn’t immediately see him. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she whipped something in a bowl. She paused to lift the spoon, only to frown at the white liquid dripping from it.
“Are you certain this will thicken into a cream?” she asked.
A flash of irritation crossed Monsieur Roch's face until he spotted Morgan and seemed to think better of it. He managed a patient tone in his accented French. “It takes time, my lady.”
Morgan stifled a chuckle as Abby examined another spoonful of the liquid.
“I’ve been whipping it for several minutes, but it doesn’t seem even a little thicker to me. Have I forgotten to add something?”
“No,” said the cook in clipped tones.
Morgan stepped forward and leaned in close. “If your arm is tired—”
Abby jumped, and what liquid remained on the spoon splattered across Morgan’s face. She spun around, her eyes growing wide with horror when she saw what she’d done.
He wiped a dab from his nose and tasted it. “A little more sugar, perhaps?”
“Brigston! I’m so dreadfully sorry.” She dropped the spoon into the bowl and grabbed a rag from a nearby wash basin, dabbing it across his face.
“Not that rag!” cried the cook. “It was only just used to mop the floors.”
Abby dropped it as though it had burned her, and Morgan tried not to cringe at the thought of filthy water coating his face. Monsieur Roch retrieved a clean rag and held it out to him, appearing apologetic. He flicked another irritated glance at Abby before returning to his work.
As Morgan wiped the cream from his face, he wondered what Abby would do or say next. Offer another fumbled apology? Make her excuses and flee? Pretend the incident never happened and return to her labors? He never knew what to expect from her.
Her face scarlet, she cleared her throat and lifted her adorably determined chin. “You are most welcome, my lord.”
He raised a brow. “For what, my lady?”
“I have heard that cream does wonders for one’s complexion, and it seems the rumors are correct. Your skin appears much . . . creamier.”
Praise for 'My Brother's Bride':
I found this book to be completely unexpected. I have read all the historical novels by this author and they have all been fun and delightful reads and even though this book had those elements as well, it was definitely more emotional than I was expecting... I loved Abby’s quiet strength and Morgan’s protectiveness. These two were great together. ~Melanie
My to-read list is long but Rachael is one author I always bump to the top and put all other books on hold for. She never disappoints so it's no surprise that this is another top-notch offering from Rachael. I loved these characters and cheered for them as they overcame obstacles and circumstances that tried to keep them apart. My Brother's Bride is an awesome and needed addition to the clean romance genre. So many authors pump out books so fast that often I find the quality of their work is lacking. Since I read for entertainment I'm able to forgive a lot and typically just overlook the shortcomings that are prevalent with so many books in this genre. Thankfully that is not the case with Rachael's books. I'm grateful for the time she takes to ensure she offers her readers quality books with original storylines that won't disappoint. ~Kathy
Giveaway Details $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/16/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL BLOG READERS: I HAVE SEVERAL GREAT GIVEAWAYS LISTED ON MY CURRENT GIVEAWAYS PAGE HERE ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC' WHICH WILL BE ENDING LATER THIS WEEK. TAKE A MOMENT RIGHT NOW TO CLICK OVER TO POSSIBLY DISCOVER A PRIZE THERE THAT INTERESTS YOU. HERE'S THE LINK: CURRENT GIVEAWAYS
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
'My Brother’s Bride' by Rachael Anderson
Abigail Nash leads a lonely existence. Her mother died giving birth to her, her father’s business dealings took him away more often than not, and her ailing great-aunt, unable to provide much in the way of companionship, was a lack-luster guardian at best. So when her dear friends offered to launch her into London society, it appeared Abby’s life was taking a turn for the better, with suitors and social engagements aplenty.
When she marries a proclaimed darling of the ton, it seems she will at last settle into the life of her dreams. But appearances aren’t always what they seem, and dreams often become disappointments. Just months into her marriage, Abby finds herself widowed, penniless, increasing, and determined to never hope again. But when her late husband’s brother, the Earl of Brigston, attempts to thaw the numbness surrounding her heart, Abby must decide if she has it in her to risk another chance at happiness, knowing the odds are not in her favor.
Get your copy from Amazon Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
EXCERPT:
When Brigston entered the kitchen, Abby’s back was partially to him, so she didn’t immediately see him. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she whipped something in a bowl. She paused to lift the spoon, only to frown at the white liquid dripping from it.
“Are you certain this will thicken into a cream?” she asked.
A flash of irritation crossed Monsieur Roch's face until he spotted Morgan and seemed to think better of it. He managed a patient tone in his accented French. “It takes time, my lady.”
Morgan stifled a chuckle as Abby examined another spoonful of the liquid.
“I’ve been whipping it for several minutes, but it doesn’t seem even a little thicker to me. Have I forgotten to add something?”
“No,” said the cook in clipped tones.
Morgan stepped forward and leaned in close. “If your arm is tired—”
Abby jumped, and what liquid remained on the spoon splattered across Morgan’s face. She spun around, her eyes growing wide with horror when she saw what she’d done.
He wiped a dab from his nose and tasted it. “A little more sugar, perhaps?”
“Brigston! I’m so dreadfully sorry.” She dropped the spoon into the bowl and grabbed a rag from a nearby wash basin, dabbing it across his face.
“Not that rag!” cried the cook. “It was only just used to mop the floors.”
Abby dropped it as though it had burned her, and Morgan tried not to cringe at the thought of filthy water coating his face. Monsieur Roch retrieved a clean rag and held it out to him, appearing apologetic. He flicked another irritated glance at Abby before returning to his work.
As Morgan wiped the cream from his face, he wondered what Abby would do or say next. Offer another fumbled apology? Make her excuses and flee? Pretend the incident never happened and return to her labors? He never knew what to expect from her.
Her face scarlet, she cleared her throat and lifted her adorably determined chin. “You are most welcome, my lord.”
He raised a brow. “For what, my lady?”
“I have heard that cream does wonders for one’s complexion, and it seems the rumors are correct. Your skin appears much . . . creamier.”
Praise for 'My Brother's Bride':
I found this book to be completely unexpected. I have read all the historical novels by this author and they have all been fun and delightful reads and even though this book had those elements as well, it was definitely more emotional than I was expecting... I loved Abby’s quiet strength and Morgan’s protectiveness. These two were great together. ~Melanie
My to-read list is long but Rachael is one author I always bump to the top and put all other books on hold for. She never disappoints so it's no surprise that this is another top-notch offering from Rachael. I loved these characters and cheered for them as they overcame obstacles and circumstances that tried to keep them apart. My Brother's Bride is an awesome and needed addition to the clean romance genre. So many authors pump out books so fast that often I find the quality of their work is lacking. Since I read for entertainment I'm able to forgive a lot and typically just overlook the shortcomings that are prevalent with so many books in this genre. Thankfully that is not the case with Rachael's books. I'm grateful for the time she takes to ensure she offers her readers quality books with original storylines that won't disappoint. ~Kathy
Giveaway Details $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/16/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL BLOG READERS: I HAVE SEVERAL GREAT GIVEAWAYS LISTED ON MY CURRENT GIVEAWAYS PAGE HERE ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC' WHICH WILL BE ENDING LATER THIS WEEK. TAKE A MOMENT RIGHT NOW TO CLICK OVER TO POSSIBLY DISCOVER A PRIZE THERE THAT INTERESTS YOU. HERE'S THE LINK: CURRENT GIVEAWAYS
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November 26, 2018
~ NEW GROWTH PRESS MG & YA BOOK GIVEAWAY ~
~ MIDDLE-GRADE &YOUNG ADULT YOUTHBOOK PACKAGE GIVEAWAY ~
**New Growth Press’s Spirit of Giving Youth Book Giveaway**
Last week, I shared about books from New Growth Press for the youngest members of the family. Maybe your kids have outgrown that stage and are now preteens or teens.
Books are a great gift for everyone in the family, by the way!
Even if there aren’t kids in your own house, I’m sure you know some young people who would enjoy these books. Maybe you are a youth leader or teacher with young people on your Christmas list.
This week, New Growth Press is giving away THREE gift boxes of books for tweens and teens. From November 26-December 2, you can enter to win one of three gift boxes of books (retail value of $114).
LINK TO GIVEAWAY ENTRY FORM
Each gift box includes the following titles for youth:
The complete Rwendigo Tales series by J. A. Myhre: A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue A Forest, a Flood, and an Unlikely Star A Fever, a Flight, and a Fight for the World Written by J. A. Myhre, a doctor living and working in East Africa, this adventure series teaches readers of all ages important truths about justice, overcoming evil, and the courage to make a difference. The latest release is A Fever, a Flight, and a Fight for the World, a compelling African adventure story that will enthrall eight- to fourteen-year-old youth who love adventure and learning about faraway places. In the exciting fourth and final book in the Rwendigo Tales Series, readers will be inspired by ordinary people who make the extraordinary choice to stand against great evil.
Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski An angry teen, a desperate mother, a missing father, and a shadow lurking in the background. Things were going from bad to worse for Nick and his family. Tempted to run away after yet another argument with his mom, Nick receives a handwritten, leather-bound copy of an old book—a family legend passed down to him from his great grandfather. The book, called Dragon Seed, leads Nick deep into his family’s history and introduces him to another angry young man who lived in the shadows (the shadows of the tombs). Like Nick, you’ll be shocked to discover where he fits in this story of epic proportions!
The Biggest Win: Pro Football Players Tackle Faith by Joshua Cooley The Biggest Win gives athletes and sports fans of all ages a unique, insider's look into the lives and faith of six Christian NFL players from the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl team. Through the ups and downs of their experiences, author Joshua Cooley shows how these high-profile athletes remain committed to God's Word, genuine Christian discipleship, and sharing their faith. Using their voices and stories, The Biggest Win gives sports-minded readers hope and direction for living out their faith while competing. See your youth athletes' faith grow as they hear and learn from the amazing stories of these Super Bowl Champions.
Between Us Girls: Walks and Talks for Moms and Daughters by Trish Donohue Between Us Girls was written for mothers with daughters between the ages of seven and fourteen. These twenty-six gospel-driven talks are a fun and easy guide for mothers who want to disciple their daughters but don’t know where to start. In each short chapter, moms and daughters read God’s Word, ask one another questions about their thoughts and experiences, get honest about their struggles with sin, brainstorm ways to live out their faith, and build genuine fellowship into their relationship.
( Between Us Guys for dads and sons will be available in May 2019!)
In case you don’t win the prize pack, sign-up for New Growth Press’s e-news at https://newgrowthpress.com/ to receive information about their Countdown to Christmas discounts so that you can order copies. Be sure to follow them on social media as well where they will be sharing daily deals throughout the Christmas season:
facebook.com/ngpbooks
twitter.com/newgrowthpress
instagram.com/newgrowthpress
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SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL BLOG READERS: I HAVE SEVERAL GREAT GIVEAWAYS LISTED ON MY CURRENT GIVEAWAYS PAGE HERE ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC' WHICH WILL BE ENDING LATER THIS WEEK. TAKE A MOMENT RIGHT NOW TO CLICK OVER TO POSSIBLY DISCOVER A PRIZE THERE THAT INTERESTS YOU. HERE'S THE LINK: CURRENT GIVEAWAYS
***************GOOD LUCK!******************
# # # # #
**New Growth Press’s Spirit of Giving Youth Book Giveaway**Last week, I shared about books from New Growth Press for the youngest members of the family. Maybe your kids have outgrown that stage and are now preteens or teens.
Books are a great gift for everyone in the family, by the way!
Even if there aren’t kids in your own house, I’m sure you know some young people who would enjoy these books. Maybe you are a youth leader or teacher with young people on your Christmas list.
This week, New Growth Press is giving away THREE gift boxes of books for tweens and teens. From November 26-December 2, you can enter to win one of three gift boxes of books (retail value of $114).
LINK TO GIVEAWAY ENTRY FORM Each gift box includes the following titles for youth:
The complete Rwendigo Tales series by J. A. Myhre: A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue A Forest, a Flood, and an Unlikely Star A Fever, a Flight, and a Fight for the World Written by J. A. Myhre, a doctor living and working in East Africa, this adventure series teaches readers of all ages important truths about justice, overcoming evil, and the courage to make a difference. The latest release is A Fever, a Flight, and a Fight for the World, a compelling African adventure story that will enthrall eight- to fourteen-year-old youth who love adventure and learning about faraway places. In the exciting fourth and final book in the Rwendigo Tales Series, readers will be inspired by ordinary people who make the extraordinary choice to stand against great evil.
Dragon Seed by Marty Machowski An angry teen, a desperate mother, a missing father, and a shadow lurking in the background. Things were going from bad to worse for Nick and his family. Tempted to run away after yet another argument with his mom, Nick receives a handwritten, leather-bound copy of an old book—a family legend passed down to him from his great grandfather. The book, called Dragon Seed, leads Nick deep into his family’s history and introduces him to another angry young man who lived in the shadows (the shadows of the tombs). Like Nick, you’ll be shocked to discover where he fits in this story of epic proportions!
The Biggest Win: Pro Football Players Tackle Faith by Joshua Cooley The Biggest Win gives athletes and sports fans of all ages a unique, insider's look into the lives and faith of six Christian NFL players from the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl team. Through the ups and downs of their experiences, author Joshua Cooley shows how these high-profile athletes remain committed to God's Word, genuine Christian discipleship, and sharing their faith. Using their voices and stories, The Biggest Win gives sports-minded readers hope and direction for living out their faith while competing. See your youth athletes' faith grow as they hear and learn from the amazing stories of these Super Bowl Champions.
Between Us Girls: Walks and Talks for Moms and Daughters by Trish Donohue Between Us Girls was written for mothers with daughters between the ages of seven and fourteen. These twenty-six gospel-driven talks are a fun and easy guide for mothers who want to disciple their daughters but don’t know where to start. In each short chapter, moms and daughters read God’s Word, ask one another questions about their thoughts and experiences, get honest about their struggles with sin, brainstorm ways to live out their faith, and build genuine fellowship into their relationship.
( Between Us Guys for dads and sons will be available in May 2019!)
In case you don’t win the prize pack, sign-up for New Growth Press’s e-news at https://newgrowthpress.com/ to receive information about their Countdown to Christmas discounts so that you can order copies. Be sure to follow them on social media as well where they will be sharing daily deals throughout the Christmas season:
facebook.com/ngpbooks
twitter.com/newgrowthpress
instagram.com/newgrowthpress
# # # # #
SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL BLOG READERS: I HAVE SEVERAL GREAT GIVEAWAYS LISTED ON MY CURRENT GIVEAWAYS PAGE HERE ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC' WHICH WILL BE ENDING LATER THIS WEEK. TAKE A MOMENT RIGHT NOW TO CLICK OVER TO POSSIBLY DISCOVER A PRIZE THERE THAT INTERESTS YOU. HERE'S THE LINK: CURRENT GIVEAWAYS
***************GOOD LUCK!******************
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~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~
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