Robin E. Mason's Blog: Robin's Book Shelf, page 103

BLOGWORDS – Monday 3 June 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMJUNWRIMO 2019

BLOGWORDS – Monday 3 June 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMJUNWRIMO 2019

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SPECIAL EDITION – REMJUNWRIMO 2019
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“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

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April was rough. May was rougher!

But I am determined to finish this book. I will finish this book, this series. It’s what I do, write. And I’m bringing you along for the journey. I created my own WriMo challenges as just that, the challenge to get it done, to make daily progress. And as an accountability tool.

 

There are days, of course, when writing doesn’t happen. Life happens, stuff interferes. And living with chronic illness every day is a toss-up how I’ll feel… But I’ve completed seven stories, and I’ll finish this one. And the one after that, and the one after… I have to. The voices—characters—won’t be still until I do!

 

 

            “You got glatheth!” Mere’s words were still tangled over the new hardware in her mouth.

            “Well you got braces.” Bethy retorted and tapped the unfamiliar frames up the bridge of her nose.

            “It’th not like I wanted them.” The offence of it—and the discomfort—was still fresh in Mere’s mind, and in her mouth.

            “At least I can take my glasses off.” Bethy squinted as she proved her point. “Can’t do that with braces!” And she stuck her tongue out at her sister.

            “It’th not my fault!”

            “Girls!” Beverly Elliot scolded. “Maybe me and your dad can tell you apart for a change,” she snarked over her shoulder as her tennis shoes squealed on the polished tile floor.

            “What are we going to do?” Mere whithpered when they had climbed in the far back of the mini-van. “And don’t thay thuck it up buttercup.” She huffed. Then moaned. “I’m going to flunk my hithtory tetht tomorrow.”

            “Well I have a math test on Friday!” Bethy hissed. “And you were supposed to take it for me.”

            Mere snugged her arms across her chest and glared out the window.

            “I’ll help you study,” Bethy whispered. “But you have to show me this stupid math, too.”

            “Hmpth.” Mere’s whisper dribbled down her chin.

 

My new series, FourSquare, is a change-up for me—RomCom. Maybe. They all have some pretty heavy issues they’re dealing with, or causes that are personal for some reason.

The first story, One for the Price of Two, has been tumbling around in my mind for several years, and I can’t wait to move the story forward, and get to know Elizabeth and Meredith—and share their story with you.

 

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BLURB

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.

Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.

They lived and breathed on pranking their family and friends. All in good fun, of course.

Until love waltzed in and turned their game on end. And Bethy and Mere—masters of the prank—get pranked.

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

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#Blogwords, Special Edition, #RemJunWriMo, One for the Price of Two, FourSquare, Double Double Who’s in Trouble, The Lady and the Tomboy, Author and a Gentleman

 

BLOGWORDS – Monday 3 June 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – DANA PRATOLA

BLOGWORDS – Monday 3 June 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – DANA PRATOLA
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NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – DANA PRATOLA
 

Why I Write What I Write

 

My first experience with the world of Romance novels came in the 1970’s, via word-of-mouth promo of a new book. I was in seventh or eighth grade (Catholic school) and all the girls were hyping this book as “must read,” “you won’t believe it,” “I hope my mother doesn’t find it in my room.” So, of course I had to check it out. I’d heard it was racy, and there was no way I was going to walk into a book store and buy it myself, so I waited patiently to borrow it from a friend. The book was Forever by Judy Blume, and it explored the first love of a high school senior girl. It was the first “romance” I ever read, and I was hooked from that day on. (*Let me say here that you don’t have to go buy the book, lol. I’m not endorsing it. In fact, I can’t even remember if it was a “good” book, only the impressions it left with me. *)

 

I suppose it was fortunate that my initiation into the world of romance was a book about a teenage couple’s initiation into the world of love (including sex). I mean, we were Catholic school girls and we had questions, but for me, even the enticement of reading something we perceived as scandalous, wasn’t the real draw. It wasn’t about the sex, for me, but the emotions. The fact that they were kids, but experiencing “grown-up” love. Finding that there could be joy, yes, but also heartbreak that didn’t have to be anyone’s fault. Just what was. Real life as told by fictional characters. Wow!

 

For a girl who grew up reading fairy tales, and the classic dichotomy of Good vs. Evil, that was amazing to me. In children’s books there was a hero and a villain. The villain did villainous things, and the hero, heroic things. Sometimes the villain wasn’t even a person, but a situation—a company about to shut down and put hundreds out of work, or a volcano threatening to erupt. But the main thrust of the story came down to choices people made, and the consequences of those choices.

 

In children’s books, the characters act according to their roles. Good kid always acts good. Bad kid always acts bad. And if a good kid does act badly, there is enough guilt to soon have him apologizing and falling back in line with some great lesson learned. Adult fiction isn’t like that. Adults have the capacity to make the same mistakes over and over and never learn from them!

 

Also, quite often, there is no clear Good or Evil. Most people can have elements of both, and that seems to me to present itself in romantic fiction more than any other genre, where the whole point of the story is uncovering the complexities of human behavior. Once hooked on romance, there was nothing else for me to do but put my own imaginings on paper, populating my stories with real people making choices. Sometimes right choices. Sometimes bad, destructive ones, and not always being held accountable or learning anything. Sometimes an ass is just an ass and there’s nothing you can do about it.

 

But I guess what appeals to me most is Hope. Though my male lead characters tend to be the quintessential Romance Heroes as far as looks, I try to illuminate the qualities every woman wants to find in the real-life male: someone who understands us. Really gets us. Fights for us. Is willing to die for us, but above all, live for us. What is the point of a romance novel if not to perpetuate that Hope?

 

To me, a romance novel is a tactile Hope that we can hold up and shake in the face of a topsy-turvy world and say, “Yes, people can suck. They can be cruel and selfish, but that’s not all there is. They can be caring and selfless, too. Even in the real-world love can still thrive, and I can prove it. Just turn the page.”

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 1 June 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMJUNWRIMO 2019

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 1 June 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMJUNWRIMO 2019

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SPECIAL EDITION – REMJUNWRIMO 2019

 

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

[image error]

April was rough. May was rougher!

But I am determined to finish this book. I will finish this book, this series. It’s what I do, write. And I’m bringing you along for the journey. I created my own WriMo challenges as just that, the challenge to get it done, to make daily progress. And as an accountability tool.

 

There are days, of course, when writing doesn’t happen. Life happens, stuff interferes. And being sick each day is a toss-up how I’ll feel… But I’ve completed seven stories, and I’ll finish this one. And the one after that, and the one after… I have to. The voices—characters—won’t be still until I do!

 

 

      “You got glatheth!” Mere’s words were still tangled over the new hardware in her mouth.

      “Well you got braces.” Bethy retorted and tapped the unfamiliar frames up the bridge of her nose.

      “It’th not like I wanted them.” The offence of it—and the discomfort—was still fresh in Mere’s mind, and in her mouth.

      “At least I can take my glasses off.” Bethy squinted as she proved her point. “Can’t do that with braces!” And she stuck her tongue out at her sister.

      “It’th not my fault!”

      “Girls!” Beverly Elliot scolded. “Maybe me and your dad can tell you apart for a change,” she snarked over her shoulder as her tennis shoes squealed on the polished tile floor.

      “What are we going to do?” Mere whithpered when they had climbed in the far back of the mini-van. “And don’t thay thuck it up buttercup.” She huffed. Then moaned. “I’m    going to flunk my hithtory tetht tomorrow.”

      “Well I have a math test on Friday!” Bethy hissed. “And you were supposed to take it for me.”

      Mere snugged her arms across her chest and glared out the window.

      “I’ll help you study,” Bethy whispered. “But you have to show me this stupid math, too.”

      “Hmpth.” Mere’s whisper dribbled down her chin.

 

My new series, FourSquare, is a change-up for me—RomCom. Maybe. They all have some pretty heavy issues they’re dealing with, or causes that are personal for some reason.

The first story, One for the Price of Two, has been tumbling around in my mind for several years, and I can’t wait to move the story forward, and get to know Elizabeth and Meredith—and share their story with you.

 

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BLURB

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.

Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.

They lived and breathed on pranking their family and friends. All in good fun, of course.

Until love waltzed in and turned their game on end. And Bethy and Mere—masters of the prank—get pranked.

 

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

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#Blogwords, Special Edition, #RemJunWriMo, One for the Price of Two, FourSquare, Double Double Who’s in Trouble, The Lady and the Tomboy, Author and a Gentleman

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 1 June 2019 – WREADING WEDNESDAY-on-SATURDAY – FEATURED BOOK and GIVEAWAY– CAMEO COURTSHIPS

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 1 June 2019 – WREADING WEDNESDAY-on-SATURDAY – FEATURED BOOK and GIVEAWAY– CAMEO COURTSHIPS
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WREADING WEDNESDAY-on SATURDAY – FEATURED BOOK and GIVEAWAY – CAMEO COURTSHIPS
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Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2YMy5WX

 

 

THE BLURBS

A Family Heirloom Inspires Romance

In 1851, a special cameo is gifted by Queen Victoria to Letitia Newton, who though considered an old maid, meets the perfect gentleman minutes after donning. Told by the Queen the cameo is to be shared, Letitia gifts the “Victoria Cameo” to a woman in her family, hoping adventure and romance will follow each of its subsequent wearers.

PINNED ABOVE HER HEART by Susanne Dietze

1851 – Pittsburgh, PA

After receiving the Victoria Cameo, aspiring journalist Clara Newton works to expose a smuggler, but reporter Byron Breaux must break the story first or lose his job. Working together is out of the question until they learn secrets that threaten Clara’s father. . .and her heart.

TAMING PETRA by Jennifer Uhlarik

1875 – Colorado Territory

Trouser-wearing frontierswoman Petra Jayne Hollingsworth has no intention of donning the heirloom cameo, but when a crooked brothel owner steals the treasure, securing its return becomes Petra’s highest priority. Assisting her, Reverend Dustin Owens is appalled to learn the price of its ransom is that Petra must work in the brothel. He may save the woman’s virtue, but can he help Petra regain her cameo and rediscover her faith?

MEET ME AT THE FAIR by Kathleen Y’Barbo

Spring 1885 – New Orleans during the 1884 World’s Fair and Cotton Exposition

It takes a Pinkerton to find a Pinkerton, and Ethan Butler has been charged with finding Elizabeth Newton. Just when he locates her, the cameo he is to deliver is stolen. It appears his previous case has discovered his presence in New Orleans, but he can’t return to that case until the cameo is found. With Miss Newton as a reluctant partner in crime fighting, can Ethan Butler locate the cameo and its thieves without losing his heart?

LENDING MY HEART by Debra E. Marvin

1895 – Pittsburgh, PA

The arrival of a handsome Scottish administrator ruins Miss Bertie Hart’s dream to oversee the new Carnegie Library children’s department. Yet bristly Mr. Russell Smart’s working-class determination and his love of books make him the perfect partner to better the lives of Pittsburgh’s poor. As for a partner in life? Not even her Victoria Cameo can narrow the social chasm he and her father keep between them.

 

THE AUTHORS
Susanne Dietze

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Susanne Dietze began writing love stories in high school, casting her friends in the starring roles. Today, she’s the award-winning author of over a dozen romances with Timeless Heart. A pastor’s wife and mom of two, she loves fancy-schmancy tea parties, the beach, and curling up on the couch with a costume drama. Visit her website, http://www.susannedietze.com, and sign up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bRldfv

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Uhlarik

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Jennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a pre-teen, when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a B.A. in writing, she has won five writing competitions and finaled in two other competitions. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite–a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers and lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, teenaged son, and four fur children.

 

 

 

 

 

Kathleen Y’Barbo

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Bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee of more than eighty titles with over two million copies of her books in print in the US and abroad. Her novel Sadie’s Secret was named the Romantic Times Magazine Inspirational Romance Book of the Year.

A certified paralegal and tenth generation Texan, Kathleen has also been nominated for a Career Achievement Award as well a Reader’s Choice Award and several Top Picks by Romantic Times magazine.

To find out more about Kathleen or connect with her through social media, check out her website at www.kathleenybarbo.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Debra E. Marvin

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An #AmateurSleuth herself, Author Debra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides, the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. If you’re like her, you prefer your fiction to be an escape. Like #SweetRomance #cozyMystery and #Historical–as long as they are fun and entertaining!

She’d like to live a wee bit closer to her grandchildren, but is thankful that God is in control, that He chooses to bless us despite ourselves and that He has a sense of humor.

Other than writing light-hearted romances and gritty gothics, she has rather normal obsessions such as fabric, peanut butter, vacations, British dramas, and whatever mystery series she’s currently stuck on.

www.debraemarvin.com

Inkwell Inspirations Blog, Colonial Quills Blog

Pinterest @debraemarvin

Facebook debra e marvin

Instagram Debra E Marvin… you get the drift. She’s not hard to find!

 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

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(1) winner will win a “Cameo Prize Pack” with a pair of fluffy ‘reader’ socks, Cameo bookmark, Cameo necklace, $10 Amazon Gift Card, Cameo Courtships (paperback)and a “Victorian” Book Cozy

TOUR LANDING PAGE & GIVEAWAY INFO

http://bit.ly/CameoCourtshipsNovella

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#Blogwords, Wreading Wednesday-on-Saturday, Featured Book, Cameo Courtships, Susanne Dietze, Jennifer Uhlarik, Kathleen Y’Barbo, and Debra E. Marvin
#justreadtours #CameoCourtships #novella #historicalromance 
Additional ones to us:  #bookstoread #booklover #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #igreads #bookworm #toread #ilovebooks #booknerdigans #comedy 

 

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 1 June 2019 – WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN YOUR KITCHEN – RANDOM RECIPES – SPRINKLE COOKIES

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 1 June 2019 – WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN YOUR KITCHEN – RANDOM RECIPES – SPRINKLE COOKIES
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WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN YOUR KITCHEN – RANDOM RECIPES – SPRINKLE COOKIES

 

I like to cook. And I like to invent my own recipes. And I like to try other people’s recipes. And now I’m going to share them with you.

 

 

SPRINKLE COOKIES

Recipe provided by writer (and baker extraordinaire) friend, Janice Thompson.

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INGREDIENTS

1 cup               shortening

2                      eggs

1 cup               sugar

 

2 ¾ cups          flour

1 heaping tsp   baking powder

1 heaping tsp   baking soda

½ tsp               salt

 

1/2 cup            sprinkles

 

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°

 

Place the shortening, eggs, and sugar in a bowl, and mix together.

In a separate bowl, sift the dry ingredients together.

Combine ingredients.

Add sprinkles, mixing thoroughly.

 

Shape dough into 1” balls.

Place 2 inches apart on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.

 

Place in oven and bake for 1- 12 minutes.

 

 

 

If you’ve a recipe you’d like to share leave a comment below or email me at robinemason212@gmail.com

NOTE: All recipes must be original or used with permission.

#Blogwords, What’s Cookin’ in Your Kitchen, Sprinkle Cookies, Janice Thompson, #RandomRecipes, #AuthorsEat #AuthorsCook

BLOGWORDS – Friday 31 May 2019 – FIRST LINE FRIDAY – THE ABC MURDERS by AGATHA CHRISTIE

BLOGWORDS – Friday 31 May 2019 – FIRST LINE FRIDAY – THE ABC MURDERS by AGATHA CHRISTIE
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FIRST LINE FRIDAY – THE ABC MURDERS by AGATHA CHRISTIE

 

Welcome to First Line Fridays, hosted by Hoarding Books!!!

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Tell us your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

 

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THE BLURB

There’s a serial killer on the loose, bent on working his way through the alphabet. There seems little chance of the murderer being caught — until her makes the crucial and vain mistake of challenging Hercule Poirot to frustrate his plans …

 

THE AUTHOR

[image error]Agatha Christie was born in 1890 and created the detective Hercule Poirot in her debut novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920). She achieved wide popularity with The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926) and produced a total of eighty novels and short-story collections over six decades.

THE FIRST LINE

It was June of 1935 that I came home from my ranch in South America for a stay of about six months.

 

MY THOUGHTS

Like most of Dame Christie’s stories that I’ve read, it was so long ago I don’t remember much about it—except how much I liked it!

 

 

#Blogwords, First Line Friday, #FLF, The ABC Murders, Agatha Christie

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 30 May 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW – WINNIE GRIGGS – GIVEAWAY WINNER

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 30 May 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW – WINNIE GRIGGS – GIVEAWAY WINNER
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CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW – WINNIE GRIGGS – GIVEAWAY WINNER

“Small towns, big hearts, amazing grace.”

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““Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all.”  ~Dale Carnegie

 

 

WINNER! WINNER!

 

Congratulations to

VIVIAN FURBAY

Winnie will be in touch with you to send your gift!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Winnie Griggs is the award-winning author of Historical and Contemporary romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She has released over 25 titles since her debut in 2001 and her work has won a number of regional and national awards, including a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Winnie also pens a regular writing how-to column for a regional publication, The Minute Magazine.

On a personal note, Winnie grew up in southeast Louisiana in an area her friends thought of as the back of beyond. She and her siblings spent many hours exploring the overgrown land around her home, cutting jungle trails, building forts and frontier camps, and looking for pirate ships on the nearby bayou. Once she ‘grew up’ she found other outlets for dealing with all those wonderful, adventurous, imaginary friends by filling notebooks with their stories.

Eventually, she found her own Prince Charming, a rancher whose white steed takes the form of a tractor and whose kingdom is situated in a small rural community she loves to call home. Together they built their own storybook happily-ever-after, one that includes four now-grown children who are happily pursuing adventures of their own.

https://www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author

https://twitter.com/GriggsWinnie

https://www.winniegriggs.com/

http://seekerville.blogspot.com/

https://www.pinterest.com/wdgriggs/

https://smile.amazon.com/Winnie-Griggs/e/B001KI76KI

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/winnie-griggs

 

 

“Your contract with your readers is to entertain and engage them, perhaps even challenge them, and most of all to provide them with a world they can immerse themselves in to forget their own cares for a while.”

 

GIVEAWAY

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Winnie is offering a print book – winner’s choice of any book from her backlist. (U.S. addresses only.) Titles can be found at https://www.winniegriggs.com/books.php

 

 

 

 

“Writing can be a lonely, solitary business. Savvy writers will take the time to make personal connections, to be supportive of other writers and to maintain connections with friends outside of the writing community.”

 

 

#Blogwords, Chat Thursday Seekerville Blog Blitz, Author Interview, Winnie Griggs, Giveaway Winner, #WINNER

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 30 May 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY SEEKERVILLE BLOG BLITZ– BLOGGER-REVIEWER MINI-INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY – SEEKERVILLE BLOG BLITZ – BETH ERIN AND CARRIE SCHMIDT

BLOGWORDS – Thursday 30 May 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY SEEKERVILLE BLOG BLITZ– BLOGGER-REVIEWER MINI-INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY – SEEKERVILLE BLOG BLITZ – BETH ERIN AND CARRIE SCHMIDT
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CHAT THURSDAY – BLOGGER-REVIEWER MINI-INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY– SEEKERVILLE BLOG BLITZ  – BETH ERIN AND CARRIE SCHMIDT

“Sharing all things bookish and whatever comes to mind.” – Annie on Just Commonly

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 “Do you adore stories? Always need to read just one more chapter? Me too!” – Beth Erin

Wrapping up the Seekerville Interview Blog Blitz with the blogger team members.

Please give a warm feathered welcome to Beth Erin and Carrie.  NOTE: Annie JC is not able to join us today but she’s still here in spirit.

 

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rem:  Hullo, Ladies! Welcome to my little nest! Tell us a little about yourselves. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?

BETH:  My family has lived in Southern Illinois for generations.

CARRIE:  I grew up in Illinois, and for the moment I live in Kentucky.

rem:  So, y’all are close in proximity, too. Not just readerly-ish. Tell us three things about yourself.

CARRIE:  I used to teach 3rd grade, William Shakespeare is my first cousin (14 times removed), I have 10-going-on-11 nieces and nephews!

rem:  I can totally see you teaching! I’d love to have had a teacher like you. Also, how awesome is that—to be related to William Shakespeare! How did you become a Seekervillian, and what do you like best about it?

BETH: The best part about being invited to join Seekerville are the friendships we’ve built and strengthened.

CARRIE: I have no idea … but when they asked me, I said yes really quick before they changed their minds! I love the behind-the-scenes friendships and being able to help authors in various stages of the journey to publication.

rem:  Oh, Beth, even as “just” a follower of the blog, I can see the friendships and the bond you all have. And Carrie! You so silly. I can totally see why they invited you. What was your first Seekerville post?

BETH:  I used my blog tagline as inspiration for my first solo Seekerville post, Connecting and Encouraging

http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2018/02/connecting-and-encouraging-plus.html

CARRIE: My first post as a Seeker was – https://seekerville.blogspot.com/2018/01/your-story-matters-or-what-reader-wants.html  but I had been a guest blogger a couple of times before that.

 

rem:  Both of your blogs are fabulous, as are any of your posts—no matter where they appear. What do you think is significant about Christian fiction?  How has being a reader impacted your relationship with Christ?

BETH:  Stories impact our hearts in a unique and lasting way. When those stories inspire us and point us to Jesus, they help shape our perspectives and lives and draw us closer to Him. Christian fiction motivates and challenges me to examine my heart regularly and intentionally learn and grow personally and in empathy.

rem:  Beth, you are so right!

CARRIE: I think all fiction (well… ok … most fiction) reflects THE Story in one way or the other, even if the author isn’t aware he/she is doing so. The one that starts with the ultimate ‘once upon a time’ – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) – and ends with the best ‘happily ever after’ ever (Revelation 21:4). Christian fiction is set apart because the writer is writing with THE Story in mind, however subtly the message is presented, and it is ‘allowed’ to present the HOPE to the mess of life in a way that other genres aren’t. Being a reader has impacted my relationship with Jesus by continuing to open my eyes to the fact that I am part of the greatest Story in the world. And so are you. The Author and Finisher of my Faith is telling a Story about me and about you. And He has promised to keep writing it until it’s completed – not when I die or when you die, but until the day Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6)

 

rem:  So beautifully said, Carrie. I can “see” THE message sometimes even in the most secular stories. When reading, what makes or breaks a story for you? Your fiction pet peeve?

CARRIE: The characters and how connected I am to them makes or breaks the story for me; also, the writing style. And usually those two go hand in hand. My pet peeve (one of them) is narrative masquerading as dialogue.

 

rem:  Ya, that bit about hokey dialogue gets me, too, and can destroy a story for me real quick. What gets your attention in a new story? Where do you find / look for new books to read and review?

BETH:  I’m a big fan of well-written accents and bearded heroes so those are good hooks for me. I started by ordering books from my local library. Now that I’ve been reviewing and blogging for a few years, I participate in blogger programs, author influencer groups, NetGalley, and publicity group tours. Unfortunately, there’s never enough time to read all the books!

rem:  Aye, I’ve got me accents in me head and I do like writin’ them when I can, don’tcha know?  #winkwink

CARRIE:  In a new story, the first chapter is what will get my attention and hold it. If I’m invested in the story by the end of that first chapter, I’m probably going to love it. Publishers and authors keep me pretty busy with requests so I am fortunate enough not to have to really hunt for new books to read/review. (That’s also a bad thing – I have two full bookcases of books I need to review yesterday.) Otherwise, I scour publishers’ catalogs for what’s coming up in the next season because I clearly don’t have enough to read yet #sarcasm

 

rem:  My TBR “list” is now a tome in its own right, and includes authors, not just book titles. Have you ever read a book you couldn’t finish? Why?

BETH:  I have chosen not to finish a book on rare occasions because I wasn’t enjoying it which means I am probably am not a member of its intended audience. I would much rather read books I enjoy and write positive reviews than force my way though a book I don’t enjoy then agonize over a single review.

rem:  Totally agree with ya, Beth.

CARRIE:  Yes. I was assured that a book was free of profanity and/or ‘sexplicity’ and uh… let’s just say it wasn’t. rem: YIKES! Typically as long as a book is free of those things, I’ll keep reading even if I don’t like it… however, lately I’ve had to DNF (* Did Not Finish) a few books because they weren’t grabbing me, they weren’t a review I had committed to, and I have those two full bookcases of books I need to review yesterday.

 

rem:  I’ve had to do that a couple of times myself. If you could spend an evening with a fictional character, who would it be and why?

CARRIE:  Ummm… am I allowed to say #myJames (Carla Laureano’s Five Days in Skye) here without anyone telling my husband??

BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 29 May 2019 – WREADING WEDNESDAY – FEATURED BOOK– LIBBY’S CUPPA JOE by REBECCA WATERS

BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 29 May 2019 – WREADING WEDNESDAY – FEATURED BOOK– LIBBY’S CUPPA JOE by REBECCA WATERS
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WREADING WEDNESDAY – FEATURED BOOK – LIBBY’S CUPPA JOE by REBECCA WATERS

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Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Libby’s Cuppa Joe by Rebecca Waters with JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Libby’s Cuppa Joe

Author: Rebecca Waters

Publisher: Ambassador International

Release Date: March 8, 2018

Genre: Women’s Fiction

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THE BLURB

Can grace and love be found amongst coffee grounds?

Sonja Parker is about to find out.

Excited to leave her stale life in the big city behind, Sonja takes the money her grandmother left her and purchases Libby’s Cuppa Joe, a thriving coffee shop in a small community in Wisconsin’s Door County. Sonja may have business sense, but is she ready to face the world on her own?

Sonja soon discovers owning a business requires more than offering a good cup of coffee. She must make major repairs to the building as well as major

repairs to her heart. Do the former owners, Libby and Joe hold the answer? As Sonja seeks to make Libby’s Cuppa Joe a viable business, can she also find herself and the God she has abandoned?

Libby’s Cuppa Joe is a riveting tale of second chances, forgiveness, and not living on borrowed faith.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | ChristianBook

 

THE AUTHOR

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Rebecca Waters has been a writer most of her life. Her first published work was a story in the school newspaper she wrote in second grade. For many years Rebecca used her stories as illustrations in church settings and to entertain her own three daughters. Her professional writing included educational articles and research.

Following her retirement as a professor of education from Cincinnati Christian University, Rebecca turned her pen to the world of fiction. She has also published several articles in Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Lookout Magazine, and Home Health Aide Digest. Her first novel, Breathing on Her Own, was released in 2014.

CONNECT WITH REBECCA: Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

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(1) winner will receive a print copy of Libby’s Cuppa Joe and (1) winner will receive an ebook copy.

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below.

Giveaway will begin at midnight May 28, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm June 4, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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#Blogwords, Wreading Wednesday, Featured Book, Libby’s Cuppa Joe, Rebecca Waters

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 28 May 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – UNCHARTED DESTINY by KEELY BROOKE KEITH

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 28 May 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – UNCHARTED DESTINY by KEELY BROOKE KEITH
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TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – UNCHARTED DESTINY by KEELY BROOKE KEITH
                                                                             

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THE BLURB

Bailey Colburn is safe in the Land, but her father figure, Professor Tim, never made it to Good Springs. When Bailey discovers Tim is lost in the Land’s dangerous mountain terrain and out of his life-saving medication, she sets out to rescue him. Even with the help of intriguing native Revel Roberts, Bailey faces an impossible journey to save Tim. The mountains are shrouded in dark folklore and full of deadly surprises.

Revel Roberts never stays in one place too long. No matter where he travels in the Land, he avoids the Inn at Falls Creek, his boyhood home and the business he will inherit. But when fearless newcomer Bailey Colburn needs Revel’s help to find her friend, he joins the mission and is forced to return to the place he’d rather forget.

Bailey and Revel’s friendship strengthens as they need each other in ways neither of them imagined. But nothing can prepare them for what awaits in the Land’s treacherous mountains.

Uncharted Destiny, the seventh installment in the beloved Uncharted series, weaves faith and adventure while delivering long-awaited answers in this inspirational story of life in a hidden land.

 

THE AUTHOR

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Keely Brooke Keith writes inspirational frontier-style fiction with a futuristic twist, including The Land Uncharted (Shelf Unbound Notable Romance 2015) and Aboard Providence (2017 INSPY Awards Longlist).

Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely was a tree-climbing, baseball-loving 80s kid. She grew up in a family who moved often, which fueled her dreams of faraway lands. When she isn’t writing, Keely enjoys teaching home school lessons and playing bass guitar. Keely, her husband, and their daughter live on a hilltop south of Nashville, Tennessee.

 

 

 

 

 

MY REVIEW

Talk about culture conflict!! Bailey Colburn has lived in a post-apocalyptic America—or what’s left of it—all her life. To say arriving in The Land is a culture shock is an understatement. And for all her fierceness, the caring and compassion of those she meets begins to penetrate the steel shell around her heart.

I read this book with the urgency of Bailey’s trek across the land to find her friend and professor, Tim. So many hurdles, such hidden dangers—and that it took so long had this reader frustrated, a curse of our hurry up, results-on-demand world. The distance was greater, the going slower than I had realized, even for having read all (but one) of The Land Uncharted books.

I appreciate the consistency of Ms. Keith’s stories, always true to the land she created, a new character the focus of each book. Reading The Land Uncharted series is like visiting family, and the tumults and trials and joys, though cast in a primitive setting, are universal and familiar.

Bailey’s reticence to accept the ways of The Land were understandable. That her hesitation ebbed away an authentic and realistic progression to accepting the thoughtfulness of those around her.

 

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

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I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

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#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Uncharted Destiny, Keely Brooke Keith, The Land Uncharted Series