Tara Ellis's Blog: Making Progress, page 4

Life changes and a FREE ebook!

This summer has been all about closing out chapters and starting a new one. Or, maybe I should say finishing one book and starting the next! After a lot of soul-searching, our home was put on the market and my husband moved back to his home state while I stayed here in Washington. My son was already away at college, and my daughter, after turning 18, has ventured out to be her own adult/person. So. Here I am.

Where, exactly is that? Well, at the moment, I'm sitting in my beach cottage on the shores of the Pacific Northwest, facing the glorious San Juan Islands. After owning my own home since I was 19, I am renting this gem for the next ten months. Finding myself? Maybe. Although, I think at my age I am already quite confident in who I am. It's more of a slow metamorphosis into singleness. ;) My goal is to eventually write full time, and I think this beach house is the perfect setting!

 This is literally my backyard (don't hate me)
This is why I've been lacking the past few months in both posts and publications. However, I plan on changing that! Starting with a free run for book #7 in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries!
Click here for your free download on Amazon
The Case of the Curious Canine
The next best thing to owning your own dog is having a job where you get to take care of them. That's what Sam figures when she, Ally, and Cassy all volunteer at a local animal shelter. But they don't expect the trouble that comes along with the work.

When dogs start showing up at the shelter with odd symptoms, the director doesn't seem concerned. However, strange coincidences start to happen and Sam doesn't believe that they're random.

Confronted with the hard decision of following either her heart or her nose for a good mystery, Sam faces an emotional dilemma. Sometimes, the right path is the most difficult and this is one challenge that's going to take all of her friends to help solve.

Now, while this is book #7 in the series, it can absolutely be read as a stand-alone. If you would like to start with book #1, The Mystery of Hollow Inn, take a peek at my author page where you have a couple of options. (individual ebook @ 2.99 free w/Kindle Unlimited OR a box set)AUTHOR PAGE
Stay tuned for several announcements over the next month. I have some 'stuff' in the works that's pretty exciting!

Pick Up A Free #RomanticSuspense!

ECHO OF FEAR

FREE!!!

This is book #1 in a romantic suspense series I've started under my maiden name of Tara Meyers. While PG-13, it is still a clean read. For readers who enjoy a good suspense thriller with a hint of romance, you'll want to pick this one up! And why not, it's free??!!




Chris Echo thought a private island in the South Pacific would be the perfect escape from the terrors of her life as a CSI profiler. But shortly after retreating to the tropical setting, she finds herself trapped in the middle of something far more dangerous.
Kyle Stone is battling his own demons. And it isn’t anything a remote luxury island can fix. After a long undercover mission, he and the guerrilla band he’s infiltrated are traveling to an exchange when a storm washes them ashore. The resort’s guests are taken hostage, and he can either keep his cover intact or save their lives. To complicate matters even further, there’s a beautiful captive who may just be his salvation.
Each of the visitors to the island arrives harboring different fears, but they are about to confront the ultimate fear of all, a struggle between life and death. In the midst of the turmoil, Chris begins to realize that perhaps death isn’t her greatest challenge after all.
PG-13 for coarse language, violence, and adult situations



click here to begin your adventure!

Find Out How It All Began! The Samantha Wolf Mysteries Box Set For Only .99!

The Samantha Wolf MysteriesBox SetBooks 1-3



CLICK HERE TO BUY

100 combined reviews with a 4.5 rating! 
- An endearing series perfect for fans of Nancy Drew!

Whether you're craving a good, old-fashioned mystery or you're looking for a clean read for your child, this is the series for you!

Sam and Ally are two twelve-year-old girls growing up on the coast of the Pacific Northwest, in Washington State. While they encounter and battle all the normal, preteen issues in today's world, they also manage to always find a good mystery to solve!

Unlike so many of the novels and series out there on the market, The Samantha Wolf Mysteries are clean, light-hearted tales that involve likable, realistic characters. Sam and Ally prove that you can be a good friend, have sibling rivalry and family issues, while at the same time being intelligent and kind. Not only that, but they use their uncanny intuition for trouble to help others, and have a good time while doing it!

Get the first three books of this fun, mystery series!
The Mystery of Hollow Inn - 151 pages 5-star Reader's Favorite *Winner, Gertrude Warner Book Award!
The Secret of Camp Whispering Pines - 216 pages 5-star Reader's Favorite
The Beach House Mystery - 225 pages 4-star Reader's Favorite



With eight books now out in the series, this is a great way to start! Then, pick up the next three in a set for under six dollars! The Samantha Wolf Mysteries is fun for the whole family, both young and old.


CLICK HERE FOR THE WHOLE SERIES!

#NewRelease and a Free Ebook!

I've been super busy this past month with my 'real' job, getting my home up for sale, and writing book #8 in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries. I'm SO happy that today is RELEASE DAY!


The Legend of Shadow Mountain


BUY IT ON AMAZON

Spring break starts with a surprise, when Sam and her friends get an unexpected trip to the Alaskan wilderness. They're always prepared for an adventure, but not a plane crash! Plunged into the unforgiving terrain, they must rely on their instincts and each other to reach the top of Shadow Mountain and the help they desperately need.

But standing between them and their destination is more than the terrain. Giant Kodiak bears protect the sacred land and her secrets, and a local legend shrouds the mountain in mystery. As a series of events unfold, Sam suspects that the answer to both the mystery and their salvation lies at the heart of Shadow Mountain.


If you're a fan of Samantha Wolf, you're going to notice right away that there's something different about this story. While there is still a legend/mystery element (a fun one!), Shadow Mountain is all about the non-stop action and adventure! Trust me, you're going to have a hard time putting this one down.

To celebrate the release, I've made A Mysterious Christmas on Orcas Island FREE for two days. So, if you don't already have a copy of it, go grab one and be sure to get the latest edition TODAY!!!!

A Mysterious Christmas On Orcas Island

GET YOUR FREE COPY NOW

Cover Reveal and pre-orderl!!! - Book #8 in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries -

IT'S HERE!!The Legend of Shadow Mountain
Spring break starts with a surprise, when Sam and her friends get an unexpected trip to the Alaskan wilderness. They’re always prepared for an adventure, but not a plane crash! Plunged into the unforgiving terrain, they must rely on their instincts and each other to reach the top of Shadow Mountain and the help they desperately need.
But standing between them and their destination is more than the terrain. Giant Kodiak bears protect the sacred land and her secrets, and a local legend shrouds the mountain in mystery. As a series of events unfold, Sam suspects that the answer to both the mystery and their salvation lies at the heart of Shadow Mountain.
Available now for pre-order!


I'm super excited about this one! Book number eight in The Samantha Wolf Mysteries is full of everything you have come to love from the series. Adventure, danger, mystery, friendship, and family bonds. After finding themselves stuck in the deep wilderness of Alaska, Sam, Ally, Cassy, Hunter, and John must hike to safety. Along the way, they encounter multiple challenges, including the mystery surrounding a local legend that may just be the key to solving a current problem Sam's dad is facing. Buckle up, this one is going to take you for a ride!!!

Each book from the Samantha Wolf Mysteries can be read on their own, or you can choose to read them in order, starting with The Mystery of Hollow Inn, which has won multiple awards! Having hit the Amazon best seller list several times, the series is often compared to Trixie Beldon, or Nancy Drew. Fun for the young or the young at heart, there's something in them for everyone!
The Samantha Wolf Mysteries

Gertrude Warner Award Winner!

This past weekend I was honored to receive first place for the Gertrude Warner Mystery Chanticleer Book Award, 2016, for my book, The Mystery of Hollow Inn!



The Chanticleer writing contest is a highly competitive, international contest with blind, independent judging by a panel. To have my book recognized is amazing, and I love that they have a category specific to middle grade books!
Have you read The Mystery of Hollow Inn, yet? It's the first in a seven book series, and I'm currently working on book number eight! Although the stories are sequential, each can be read on their own. However, The Mystery of Hollow Inn is only .99, so it's the perfect place to start!
Always FREE with Kindle Unlimited!



For those craving a good, old-fashioned mystery or a clean read for their child!   "An endearing series perfect for fans of Nancy Drew!"   Twelve-year-old Samantha Wolf, and her best friend Ally, are excited to spend part of their summer break in the mountains of Montana. But unbeknownst to them, Hollow Inn is bathed in mystery and legend. After arriving, they soon discover that things are not going well for Sam's Aunt and Uncle, who own the Inn. There's vandalism, ghostly sightings, and rumors of lost treasures. Determined to help, Sam and Ally embark on a challenging journey to discover the truth. 

Dating the It Guy - A New Release!

I'm happy to introduce this new, clean romance by my friend, and author, Krysten Lindsay Hager!

Dating the It GuyBy Krysten Lindsay Hager
YA contemporary romancePublished by Clean Reads




Blurb: Emme is a sophomore in high school who starts dating, Brendon Agretti, the popular senior who happens to be a senator's son and well-known for his good looks. Emme feels out of her comfort zone in Brendon's world and it doesn't help that his picture perfect ex, Lauren seems determined to get back into his life along with every other girl who wants to be the future Mrs. Agretti. Emme is already conflicted due to the fact her last boyfriend cheated on her and her whole world is off kilter with her family issues. Life suddenly seems easier keeping Brendon away and relying on her crystals and horoscopes to guide her. Emme soon starts to realize she needs to focus less on the stars and more on her senses. Can Emme get over her insecurities and make her relationship work? Life sure is complicated when you're dating the it guy.



Excerpt:
He put the magazine between us, and when I moved forward to see it, he put his arm across the back of my chair. Now lots of guys did put their arms on chair backs, even Kirk did that with Rory, and he definitely wasn’t interested in her, but I couldn’t help but hope it meant something. I got this shivery feeling, and he asked if I was cold. I shook my head. I always got a feeling before something major was about to happen, and it has nothing to do with being cold, but I didn’t know why I got the feeling. Grandma used to do the same thing and always said, “Somebody just walked across my grave.” Somehow I didn’t think Brendon would understand if I told him I needed to move my future burial plot to a less high-traffic area.“Are we still on for the art fair?” he asked.I had only been circling it with hearts on my calendar since he asked.“Sure, I think I’m still free,” I said.We finished up our work, and he walked me out to meet Kylie.“Okay, I’ll pick you up at three tomorrow,” he said, walking off.“Can I ask a stupid question?” Kylie asked as soon as Brendon was out of earshot. “What’s he like? Because he’s so well-known, and I can’t imagine what it’d be like to grow up with your whole life under a microscope. I mean, my mom remembers his first birthday party pictures being shown on the news. And he’s hot, but he’s not like I-know-I’m-a-hottie hot, but more like a confident, ‘Yes, I am hot. Any questions?’ I mean, he has to have noticed there aren’t any guys who look like him walking around.”“I should tell him what you said.” “Don’t you dare,” Kylie said.“I get what you mean—he’s grown up with everybody knowing his dad and watching him, but he’s pretty down to earth.”“So what’s up with you two? You guys didn’t do any work last Saturday, and now you’re going to an art fair.”“I dunno. He just asked me to go with him.”“Asked you to go with him as his study buddy or asked you to go with him because he’s desperately in love with you?” she asked.I said we were just friends, but she wouldn’t let it go.“Okay, duh, obviously I like him, but let’s be honest. He’s out of my league. He’s out of most people’s league. It’s weird because normally if I like a guy then one of two things happens—either he likes me and asks for my number…or I find out he’s not into me and I cry in my pillow and listen to man-hating music for at least three days,” I said. “But this time’s different because he’s, I dunno, not just ‘some guy.’ I mean, I’m not putting up a shrine to him in my room, and I haven’t rooted though his garbage can, but I have as much chance of going out with him as Kirk does of getting an ‘A’ in this class.”“You listen to man-hating music?” she asked, and I narrowed my eyes at her. “Whatever. Anyway, Em, he’s asked you out once already, and you are seeing him tomorrow. Plus, he’s always staring at you.”I said he was probably just bored in class today, but she wouldn’t let it go.“I’m not just talking about today. When we watched the movie on Monday, he watched you instead, and whenever I see you guys, he acts like there’s no one else in the room,” she said.I couldn’t hold back the big, stupid smile spreading across my face. “He does? For real?”She nodded. “You know, it’s weird. Here you were all upset you didn’t have a partner at the beginning of the semester, and then you ended up with like, Mr. Perfection, as your partner.”


Purchase: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XBFRX47Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/2m5y9OC​itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dating-the-it-guy/id1208876011?mt=11Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dating-the-it-guySmashwords:  www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Dating+the+It+Guy

 Follow KrystenWebsite: http://www.krystenlindsay.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystenlindsay/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrystenLindsayHagerAuthorPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/krystenlindsay/Twitter: https://twitter.com/KrystenLindsayYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIQCsRcKc97-25oXvabZ8A





Bio: Besides mining her teen years and humiliating moments for her novels, ​Krysten is a also a book addict who has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and writes young adult, middle grade, new adult, and adult fiction as well as humor essays. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in Portugal, South Dakota, and currently resides in southwestern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing when she’s not catching up on her favorite shows (she's addicted to American Dad to the point where she quotes episodes on a daily basis and also loves Girl Meets World). She's also a third generation Detroit Lions fan. Krysten writes about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, frenemies, crushes, fame, first loves, and values. She is the author of True Colors, Best Friends...Forever?, Next Door to a Star,  Landry in Like, and Competing with the Star (The Star Series: Book 2). Her debut novel, True Colors, won the Readers Favorite award for best preteen book. Krysten's work has been featured in USA Today, The Flint Journal, the Grand Haven Tribune, the Beavercreek Current, the Bellbrook Times and on Living Dayton.

Praise for Dating the It Guy: “A sweet, endearing story—you’ll fall in love with Emme just like I did!” --Kimber Leigh Wheaton, YA/NA author
"Hager's authentic characters will resonate with readers of all ages as they are immersed in the story  - complete with teen drama and angst, but also the relationships which make it all worthwhile." --  Leslie L. McKee, book reviewer, Edits and Reviews by Leslie





What people are saying about Krysten’s work:

From Teenage Book Recommendations in the UK: "This is a fantastically relatable and real book which I feel captures all of the insecurities and troubles which haunt the modern teenage girl. It is about a young model who has to go through tough times when she is torn between a life as a model and managing her friendships. You learn which friends she can most trust and which will create the drama typical of teenage life. Follow the life of Landry and try to see if you can find out which are her true friends before their true colours are revealed. This book is all about relationships, hopes and truth. I loved this book!" From Books & Authors Spot: “This book is such an inspiration for those who just care about their looks and are tensed about them. This thing is looks aren't everything. This book is related to every teen's problem. Hager has written a very inspiring novel.”“Krysten captures the teenage girl today. The struggles are real, the issues are something children have been dealing with since before I was a teen, and oddly-Krysten captures the readers! I was prepared for another "Mean Girls" story. This is NOT that. This is the real story of teenage girls! You watch Landry flower into a young woman who finds out trust is an invaluable item to find, and friendships are hard to seek genuine realism in. You will learn about relationships with not just friends, but peers, boys, and others. The details put into the book will draw you, and make the story so much more realistic. Krysten expresses emotions beautifully through her writing, and the story flows flawlessly…” By Candice J. Conway Simpson“True Colors, is just a dazzling story of how middle school kids show their true colors of jealousy, drama, loss and gains of friendship. However, the way Krysten wrote her story; she wrote it with passion, creativity and honesty that this story line could be placed in anyone's life at any age.” Review by Double Decker Books “Krysten Lindsay Hager understands what it means to be a teen today, and she writes with an authentic voice. Landry, the main character, is funny, lively, and very real. Readers will relate to her struggles with friends and family, self-esteem and self-discovery, boys and school and life in general. It's fun to read about Landry's blossoming modeling career and the changes it brings.” Review by Author Diana Jenkins

Local 9-Year-Old Credited With Saving Mom's Life

-Story by Tara Ellis, Staff Writer with Skagit Breaking News
 (Cross-posted from Skagit Breaking News)

When Kimberly Smith woke up on March 2nd, 2017, she knew that something wasn’t right. Her chest hurt. It was hard to catch her breath, and her arms felt heavy. But she didn’t have time to be sick. She had just had a baby by C-section on February 6th, and as a single mother of three boys, she decided to just ‘shake it off’.

However, as the day wore on, her symptoms only got worse. By the time her nine year old son, Camdyn, got home from school, she was clasping at her chest. It felt like she was being stabbed each time she took a breath. Camdyn was concerned. Sitting next to his mom on the couch, he offered to take his baby brother. Kimberly reassured Camdyn that she just needed to rest. That she could put the baby down to sleep, and take a nap.

  Camdyn with baby Dylan
Camdyn didn’t think that was a good idea. Now this is where the story turns into one of heroism. Because most nine year olds would have just shrugged, and figured their mom knew best. But instead, Camdyn gave her a very convincing argument.

“Mom,” he implored. “My health teacher said if someone grabs their chest like that, I should call 911. I’m going to get my shoes on. We need to get to a hospital.” With that, her middle child that normally fought getting ready to leave the house, actually went and put his shoes on.

Moved by her son’s pleas, Kimberly didn’t take a nap. Instead, she called her doctor’s office to make an appointment, thinking she might have pneumonia. However, when they heard what her symptoms were, they decided to call an ambulance.

Camdyn went with his mom in the ambulance, charming the paramedics with both his interest in the apparatus, as well as the wise advice he gave his mom. Kimberly was thankful for the kind nature of the medics, and how they put her son at ease during a very scary time.

Once at Skagit Valley Hospital, it didn’t take long for a diagnosis: bilateral pulmonary embolisms. Kimberly’s lungs were full of blood clots. A blood test revealed that she had a genetic pre-disposition, and the recent C-section put her at an increased risk. The doctor was blunt; if she had taken that planned nap, there was a good chance she would have never awakened from it.

Kimberly with Dylan while recovering in the hospital“I feel like he’s my son, but he’s also my hero,” Kimberly now says of her son, Camdyn. “I can’t even imagine if he hadn’t said what he did. What would have happened. I want to bring awareness about blood clots. I’m thirty-two, and I didn’t even know what a pulmonary embolism was.”While spending seven days in the hospital, Kimberly had plenty of time to study up on blood clots, and discovered that March is Blood Clot Awareness month. According to the National Blood Clot Alliance, a blood clot is diagnosed once every minute, and someone dies from a blood clot every six minutes.

Some of the signs and symptoms of a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism) are:

- Sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Sharp, stabbing, worsens with breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Unexplained cough; sometimes with bloody mucus

Camdyn doesn’t think he’s a hero, but sometimes, a hero is simply defined by being the one person to speak up. If he hadn’t, the story might not have such a happy ending. Kimberly has a long road to recovery, but she’s thankful to still be there for her kids. It will take three to six months for the blood clots to be completely resolved, and up to two years to heal. Meanwhile, Camdyn and her oldest son, Bryson, are going out of their way to help their mom. Skagit Breaking would like to recognize Camdyn’s heroic actions that day, and help Kimberly with her desire to spread awareness.


        Big brothers, Camdyn and Bryson, helping to care for their little brother.
If you would like more information about blood clots, or Blood Clot Awareness Month, please follow this link: https://www.stoptheclot.org/blood-clot-awareness-month-2017.htm

A GO FUND ME account has been set up for the family, if you would like to help.



Tara Ellis is a staff writer for Skagit Breaking, as well as a local author. You can find all of her novels on her Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Tara-Ellis/e/B00IVF1JQK    

A New #RomanticSuspense for only .99! & #FREE short story!

Well ... I did it. I published the first book in a new series in a brand-new genre, Romantic Suspense! Because it's such a different theme, I created a new platform and pen name, Tara Meyers.

ECHO OF FEAR


Chris Echo thought a private island in the South Pacific would be the perfect escape from the terrors of her life as a CSI profiler. But shortly after retreating to the tropical setting, she finds herself trapped in the middle of something far more dangerous.
Kyle Stone is battling his own demons. And it isn't anything a remote luxury island can fix. After a long undercover mission, he and the guerrilla cartel he's infiltrated are traveling to an exchange when a storm washes them ashore. The resort's guests are taken hostage, and he can either keep his cover intact or save their lives. To complicate matters even further, there's a beautiful captive who may just be his salvation.
Each of the visitors to the island arrives harboring different fears, but they are about to confront the ultimate fear of all, a struggle between life and death. In the midst of the turmoil, Chris begins to realize that perhaps death isn't her greatest challenge after all.


**Note: Go to my Facebook page now and comment on my post about the new release to get your FREE COPY!!!!!

Check it out, and let me know what you think. I have several books planned for this series!! 

To get you started, you can read the free short story lead-in, A Distant Echo.
A Distant Echo



Find me as Tara Meyers on Amazon!   Tara Meyers Amazon ProfileTwitter:   @TaraMeyersAuthFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TaraMeyersAu...

Book Tour - Historical Western + a Giveaway!

Have you ever wondered what it was like for orphans born in the Wild West? Faith Blum has a new book that explores the life of three orphans born during that time. She’s with us today to tell us a little about her book. Make sure you read to the end to see the super fun giveaway she has going on, too!
About the BookThe ground shook and a rumble sounded through the air as the train squealed to a stop. Maybe, just maybe, I could carry someone’s bags without the porter taking notice. And then there was the even bigger maybe: Maybe I could get enough money to at least buy a crust of bread for Trevor and Tabitha to share.I hid behind the boxes in the freight yard and kept one eye on the porter, and the other on the second class passenger car. The porter had his attention on the first class car, so I slipped into the gathering crowd.
Titus Hine has always taken care of others. First in protecting his brother and sister from the men his mother entertained. Even more so after her death, when the townspeople refused to help the orphans of a town prostitute. He’s been protector and provider, despite the hardships. He’s learned that no one will help, no one cares and if he wants to survive he’ll have to rely on his own strength not just for himself but his family as well.
Then a stranger shows him the kindness and help no one else seems willing to. Between her kindness and the lecture she gives the Christian Leaders, Titus’s life takes an unexpected turn for the better. With help and provision from the local believers things should be easier, his burdens are lifted. So why does it feel like life is spinning out of control?
Can Titus learn that while man may fail him there is One who will never fail? Can he learn to allow God to be the Shepherd of his life and lead him? Or will life continue to push him every which way?
Buy now on your favorite eBook platform: www.books2read.com/saviorlikeashepherd About the Author Faith Blum is a 20-something author of multiple books in various genres. She loves to write, read, play piano, knit, crochet, sew, watch movies, and play games with her family.  She lives in Wisconsin with her family on a small family farm where they raise goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and have 2 dogs and a varying number of cats.
Faith’s goal in her writing is to encourage Christians in their walk with Christ. If you want to know when her latest book comes out, go to her website to sign up for her New Releases Newsletterso you can get an email when her next book in the series comes out. You will also find links to her other Social Media sites on her website. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to contact her.Giveaway
I am giving away EIGHT prizes! I have two paperbacks and two eBooks of Savior, Like a Shepherd up for grabs as well as one paperback and three eBooks of my Hymns of the West Novellas: Volume Two. The novella collection contains the novella that inspired my latest series as well as my new novel. Fill out the rafflecopter for the chance to win one of the prizes:a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt

All too soon, I got to the station and knocked on the door with three quick raps, then paused and did four slow taps.Trevor opened the door, a frown on his face. “What took you so long?”I went in and sat in the middle of the darkening room. “Pastor Barnes stopped me. He’s offered us a place to stay. He claims it’s forever. I told him we’d give them a week and see what happens. After that, if we decide to stay, we’ll stay; but if they ever try to do something real bad, we’ll leave.”“Why would we leave?” Tabitha asked.Trevor put a hand on her arm. “I know a lot of people seem nice, but not everyone is. We have to look out for ourselves. Like with those people who throw things at us.”I sighed. Everything Trevor had said was true, but oh how I wished it could be different for Trevor and Tabitha. That they wouldn’t have to do what I did, see what I’d seen, hear what I’d heard. I swallowed hard and pushed the sudden memories forcefully back into the deepest, darkest corners of my mind.With a slightly shaky hand, I started folding the blankets.“Should we write Mr. Hodges a note telling him why we aren’t here anymore?” Trevor asked.I glanced at the desk. The pen and ink bottle sat there, an imposing force taunting me. “No,” I said more harshly than I intended. I softened my voice. “No, I’ll stop by in the morning and tell him.”I picked up the blankets and headed for the door. “Let’s go.”Trevor opened and held the door for Tabitha and me and then made sure it latched securely. A pang of regret and longing hit me suddenly. Despite the office feel to the place, it had been our home for almost a month. Would we ever have a place that would always feel like home? If the Barneses kept their promises, Trevor and Tabitha might. Me? I doubted I would ever find a permanent home.

Tour Schedule Bonus Post from February 10 Petticoats and Pistols – The History of Paint (Note: the giveaway on that post is closed)
February 16 Bookish Orchestrations-Tour IntroductionPeggy's Hope 4U- Character Spotlight of Titus
February 17 Leah's Bookshelf- Book SpotlightRebekah Lyn Books- Character Spotlight of Tabitha
February 18 Zerina Blossom's Books- Guest Post – About the Town
February 20 Sarah Allerding- Author Interview
February 21 Tara Ellis Author- Book SpotlightMelanie D. Snitker, Author – Character Spotlight of Trevor
February 22 Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections- Character Interview
February 23 Reveries Reviews- Character Spotlight of Titus HineKelsey's Notebook- Guest Post – My Kind of Romance
February 24 With a Joyful Noise- Book Review
February 25 Writing Dreams- Guest Post – Why Orphans?Zerina Blossom's Books – Book Review
February 27 God's Peculiar Treasure Rae- Character Spotlight of Trevor Hine
February 28 Homeschooled Authors- Author InterviewRachel Rossano's Words- Guest Post – What’s the Inspiration and song connection?