Cami Checketts's Blog, page 28

Book Deadlines

I've been going nuts trying to write two Christmas books, prepare for a marathon, start a new lacrosse season, and just the natural craziness of raising four boys. Sometimes I feel like I'm in an alternate reality keeping straight the characters in my book with real life. Kind of awkward when you call your son or husband the wrong name :)

Both my Christmas books are due in the next few days then hopefully while I run the St. George Marathon I'll get the plotting done for Spring in Snow Valley which I'm supposed to have a first draft done on October 10th. Hmm, going to be late on that one.

How's everything going for you? Is fall insanely busy for you or has the school schedule and being home a little more made life more manageable? Hope you all have a fabulous day.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Win one of two print copies through a fun Goodreads giveaway. Click below to enter. You can also pre-order the ebook for only $.99. Yay for awesome, cheap books.














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Goodreads Book Giveaway






Christmas Kisses


by Cami Checketts


Giveaway ends October 31, 2015.


See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.




Enter Giveaway

Slow Cooked Molasses Roast

If you're like me, a busy mom with a career, you set goals every school year to help you keep priorities in line and manage the everyday chaos. If you've made a goal to have family dinners, check out the recipe for Molasses Roast. It will slow cook in your crockpot while you tackle your to-do list and help with homework.

Another goal I've set is to get a jumpstart on the holidays. With that in mind, I'd like to let you know about a new release, Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology, which is now up for preorder at the special price of just 99 cents. The set includes five wonderful romances all based around Kenworth's Department Store at Christmas time. By pre-ordering the book now, you lock in the discount price and guarantee deliver of the book on November 3rd. Keep reading for a sneak peek at each book in the set and I hope you have a wonderful start to the new school year.







Christmas Kisses is a collection from five bestselling and award-winning authors.
Set in the snowy town of Echo Ridge in upstate New York, these inspirational romances are sure to delight while you sip cocoa by the fire and listen to Christmas carols.




***Pre-order now for only $.99***


Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Kobo * iTunes * Smashwords

Add it to Goodreads


Win amazing books by each of the authors. Enter below to win - nine different books will be given to nine lucky winners.





Slow Cooked Molasses Roast

Serves 6

The first time I made this roast, I ended up eating a good portion while standing over the slow cooker with a fork. Do not be afraid of the molasses, it creates a gorgeous color and takes the meat to a deep flavor that will have your family hovering around the kitchen in anticipation. I serve it alone or on toasted bread.

Ingredients

1 (3-4 pound) pork roast

½ cup molasses

½ cup pickle juice

1 tablespoon Grey Poupon

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon cilantro

1 teaspoon red pepper



Directions

Place the roast in a slow cooker.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the molasses, pickle juice, grey poupon, onion powder, cumin, cilantro, and red pepper. Pour over the meat and turn the meat several times to coat well. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the roast is cooked through.




Christmas Makeover by Cami Checketts Amazon bestselling author

Chelsea Jamison has been infatuated with Drew Stirling longer than she's loved playing basketball, high-top sneakers, and the Knicks. Unfortunately, all Drew sees is the kid who kicked his trash in the high school free throw contest and not the girl whose heart breaks into a fast dribble when he's near.

Drew makes an unexpected visit home to Echo Ridge and their friendship picks up where they left off as they scheme to make a teenaged boy's Christmas dreams come true. When Chelsea realizes she's fallen for her best friend, she wonders if there is any hope of a relationship with Drew or if she's stuck in buddy-status for life.

www.camichecketts.com * https://www.facebook.com/CamiCheckett...



The Candy Counter Heiress by Lucy McConnell Amazon bestselling & award-winning author

Someday Reese Gates will own The Candy Counter at Kenworth's; but someday can't come fast enough when the manager threatens to bring in a national candy provider. Reese secretly takes matters into her own hands hoping to save her parents from additional worry and prove herself capable of running the company. Her deception deepens as she ropes computer guru Andy Edwards into helping her expand the business.  Reese wanted to shake things up, but she wasn't planning on her heart getting caught in the mix by Andy's stolen kisses. If she can hold it together until after Christmas, then she can reveal her successful online company and her feelings for Andy. Unfortunately for Reese, even the best laid plans can melt like chocolate.

https://lucymcconnell.wordpress.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaDym...



Soda Fountain Christmas by Connie E. Sokol Amazon bestselling author

Keira Kenworth has one focus this holiday season: save her father's old-time department store from bankruptcy. She is not focused on Tayton Wells, the tall, dark, and genius marketing guru from downtown New York, hired to make it happen. He is as doubtful that her nostalgic connect-the-town ideas will succeed as she is about his numbers-first plan. However, it's not just their different approaches that cause sparks to fly. Working together on a fast deadline to save the store before Christmas, the unspoken connection between them grows. But will the tough decisions they face drive them back to their separate worlds, or will they lead to the beginning of love?

www.conniesokol.com * https://www.facebook.com/8basics?_rdr=p



One Winter Night by Heather Tullis Amazon bestselling author

Jonah Owens thought moving to Echo Ridge to open his art gallery would solve all of his problems. The need to sell his grandma's house adds an unexpected complication. It would be easier if his neighbor didn't have all those farm animals.

Kaya Feidler's family has owned their land for nearly a hundred years--long before the neighbors were there. There's no way she's giving up the animal therapy business she's been struggling to make profitable. She gets a temp job helping Jonah in the gallery. Spending time together is a recipe for romance, but can they overcome their own hangups to be more than friends?

http://heathertullis.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/HeatherTulli...



Hope for Christmas by Rachelle J. Christensen Amazon bestselling & award-winning author

Anika Fletcher hates Christmas--its promises of good tidings and hope for the future are as tinseled as the ornaments on Kenworth's Hope Tree. Despite her feelings, Anika wants to maintain her daughter's faith in the magic of the season and gladly accepts a second job working with the handsome Carlos Rodriguez to restore Kenworth's old fashioned soda fountain. Carlos is no stranger to hard times and slowly shares his life of light and joy with Anika as they work together. Just as her fragile soul begins to feel hope again, an ill-timed act of charity changes everything. Anika isn't sure who she can trust or if hope is worth nurturing--especially at Christmas when it's easy to enjoy a kiss and believe love can last longer than the season.

www.facebook.com/rachellechristensena... * http://rachellechristensen.com/





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Back to School

For me, fall feels like a time of renewal. I know the leaves will start to turn color and the grass will die off, but school starts in the fall and that is a time of new beginnings. For great information on Getting Back to the Basics at Back-to-school time, check out the article below written by Connie Sokol.

Crazy that Christmas is also just around the corner. I'm so thrilled this holiday season to be part of Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology , which is now up for preorder at the special price of just 99 cents. The set includes five wonderful romances all based around Kenworth's Department Store at Christmas time. By pre-ordering the book now, you lock in the discount price and guarantee deliver of the book on November 3rd.





***Pre-order now for only $.99***




Christmas Kisses is a collection from five bestselling and award-winning authors. Set in the snowy town of Echo Ridge in upstate New York, these inspirational romances are sure to delight while you sip cocoa by the fire and listen to Christmas carols.



Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Kobo * iTunes * Smashwords

Add it to Goodreads




Don't forget to enter to win nine different books through the Rafflecopter below.



Get back to basics at back-to-school time by Connie Sokol



Back to school--it's that magical time of year (for children or for parents?) When you make a few quick changes to routine, purpose and appreciation, the summer-to-fall transition can be smoother and happier.



De-stress one system

Rather than overhaul your home before school starts (was that even a goal?) organize fall one system at a time. Consider the one that bothers you most — kids’ lunches, entry way coming and going, school papers — and tackle that one first. For example, school papers can be contained in folders, magazine holders, trays, clipboards, etc.



Use the system that works best for you. I’ve used all of them and found a fit combining three: kids put to-do homework in a folder, graded homework in a tray and long-term project information in their clipboard. This may seem complex, but for whatever reason it works!



Find your focus

If you have children heading back to school, they’re going to experience mental and emotional growth (we hope). Happily, you get to, too. Consider what helps you experience “joyful contribution,” meaning, something small or big that helps you feel creative, fulfilled or joyful.



For example, on a small level of this a few years ago, my daughters and I loved tmake flower cookies: chocolate chip cookie dough pressed in a flower mold, then baked with a lollipop stick and tied with a bow. We would take these to friends and neighbors, and it absolutely brought us joy (and licking the bowl was joyful too …).



As you decide on something joyful, perhaps a medium-level adventure would include going back to school too, like a friend of mine. She is a mom doing an online program so that with little children at home, it’s more doable for her schedule. In this way, she can continue progressing toward her ultimate educational goal of receiving a college degree.



If it resonates, something on a larger scale might be a purposeful project. A few years ago, a friend of mine noticed that in the neighborhood the kids played on a solitary large rock. While fine, she wanted them to have something more interesting and that allowed more children to gather and play. She partnered with another friend, involved the community, garnered donations, and after several months had created a beautiful and functional play area. Later she shared that on a city celebration day, she looked over at the children all playing happily on the play area and felt a surge of joy.



Notch up marital appreciation

In his excellent book "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work," Dr. John Gottman shares a simple but powerful appreciation exercise. Using a list of character traits (he has a list of about 70, but you can create your own) have each spouse choose three positive traits of the other spouse. Jot down experiences where those traits were observed. Each spouse then takes a turn sharing a trait of the other spouse and sharing the related experience. This takes perhaps five to 10 minutes tops, but it’s the gift that keeps on giving.



If you like, expand that exercise to your family. We did this a few nights ago, with each child drawing a sibling’s name and then sharing three great qualities about that sibling, and one related experience. Despite the teenage boys’ obvious I’d-rather-get-my-wisdom-teeth-pulled response, they actually shared positive comments to the other person’s just as obvious delight.



Enjoy this back-to-school time by “attending” to three different but joy-giving areas.



http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1009&sid=...









Christmas Makeover by Cami Checketts Amazon bestselling author

Chelsea Jamison has been infatuated with Drew Stirling longer than she's loved playing basketball, high-top sneakers, and the Knicks. Unfortunately, all Drew sees is the kid who kicked his trash in the high school free throw contest and not the girl whose heart breaks into a fast dribble when he's near.

Drew makes an unexpected visit home to Echo Ridge and their friendship picks up where they left off as they scheme to make a teenaged boy's Christmas dreams come true. When Chelsea realizes she's fallen for her best friend, she wonders if there is any hope of a relationship with Drew or if she's stuck in buddy-status for life.

www.camichecketts.com * https://www.facebook.com/CamiCheckett...



The Candy Counter Heiress by Lucy McConnell Amazon bestselling & award-winning author

Someday Reese Gates will own The Candy Counter at Kenworth's; but someday can't come fast enough when the manager threatens to bring in a national candy provider. Reese secretly takes matters into her own hands hoping to save her parents from additional worry and prove herself capable of running the company. Her deception deepens as she ropes computer guru Andy Edwards into helping her expand the business.  Reese wanted to shake things up, but she wasn't planning on her heart getting caught in the mix by Andy's stolen kisses. If she can hold it together until after Christmas, then she can reveal her successful online company and her feelings for Andy. Unfortunately for Reese, even the best laid plans can melt like chocolate.

https://lucymcconnell.wordpress.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaDym...



Soda Fountain Christmas by Connie E. Sokol Amazon bestselling author

Keira Kenworth has one focus this holiday season: save her father's old-time department store from bankruptcy. She is not focused on Tayton Wells, the tall, dark, and genius marketing guru from downtown New York, hired to make it happen. He is as doubtful that her nostalgic connect-the-town ideas will succeed as she is about his numbers-first plan. However, it's not just their different approaches that cause sparks to fly. Working together on a fast deadline to save the store before Christmas, the unspoken connection between them grows. But will the tough decisions they face drive them back to their separate worlds, or will they lead to the beginning of love?

www.conniesokol.com * https://www.facebook.com/8basics?_rdr=p



One Winter Night by Heather Tullis Amazon bestselling author

Jonah Owens thought moving to Echo Ridge to open his art gallery would solve all of his problems. The need to sell his grandma's house adds an unexpected complication. It would be easier if his neighbor didn't have all those farm animals.

Kaya Feidler's family has owned their land for nearly a hundred years--long before the neighbors were there. There's no way she's giving up the animal therapy business she's been struggling to make profitable. She gets a temp job helping Jonah in the gallery. Spending time together is a recipe for romance, but can they overcome their own hangups to be more than friends?

http://heathertullis.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/HeatherTulli...



Hope for Christmas by Rachelle J. Christensen Amazon bestselling & award-winning author

Anika Fletcher hates Christmas--its promises of good tidings and hope for the future are as tinseled as the ornaments on Kenworth's Hope Tree. Despite her feelings, Anika wants to maintain her daughter's faith in the magic of the season and gladly accepts a second job working with the handsome Carlos Rodriguez to restore Kenworth's old fashioned soda fountain. Carlos is no stranger to hard times and slowly shares his life of light and joy with Anika as they work together. Just as her fragile soul begins to feel hope again, an ill-timed act of charity changes everything. Anika isn't sure who she can trust or if hope is worth nurturing--especially at Christmas when it's easy to enjoy a kiss and believe love can last longer than the season.

www.facebook.com/rachellechristensena... * http://rachellechristensen.com/





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology

Christmas Kisses is a collection from five bestselling and award-winning authors.

Set in the snowy town of Echo Ridge in upstate New York, these inspirational romances are sure to delight while you sip cocoa by the fire and listen to Christmas carols.




***Pre-order now for only $.99***
Release Date: November 3rd

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Kobo * iTunes * Smashwords

Add it to Goodreads


Win amazing books by each of the authors. Enter below to win - nine different books will be given to nine lucky winners.







Christmas Makeover by Cami Checketts Amazon bestselling author

Chelsea Jamison has been infatuated with Drew Stirling longer than she's loved playing basketball, high-top sneakers, and the Knicks. Unfortunately, all Drew sees is the kid who kicked his trash in the high school free throw contest and not the girl whose heart breaks into a fast dribble when he's near.

Drew makes an unexpected visit home to Echo Ridge and their friendship picks up where they left off as they scheme to make a teenaged boy's Christmas dreams come true. When Chelsea realizes she's fallen for her best friend, she wonders if there is any hope of a relationship with Drew or if she's stuck in buddy-status for life.

www.camichecketts.com * https://www.facebook.com/CamiCheckett...



The Candy Counter Heiress by Lucy McConnell Amazon bestselling & award-winning author

Someday Reese Gates will own The Candy Counter at Kenworth's; but someday can't come fast enough when the manager threatens to bring in a national candy provider. Reese secretly takes matters into her own hands hoping to save her parents from additional worry and prove herself capable of running the company. Her deception deepens as she ropes computer guru Andy Edwards into helping her expand the business.  Reese wanted to shake things up, but she wasn't planning on her heart getting caught in the mix by Andy's stolen kisses. If she can hold it together until after Christmas, then she can reveal her successful online company and her feelings for Andy. Unfortunately for Reese, even the best laid plans can melt like chocolate.

https://lucymcconnell.wordpress.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaDym...



Soda Fountain Christmas by Connie E. Sokol Amazon bestselling author

Keira Kenworth has one focus this holiday season: save her father's old-time department store from bankruptcy. She is not focused on Tayton Wells, the tall, dark, and genius marketing guru from downtown New York, hired to make it happen. He is as doubtful that her nostalgic connect-the-town ideas will succeed as she is about his numbers-first plan. However, it's not just their different approaches that cause sparks to fly. Working together on a fast deadline to save the store before Christmas, the unspoken connection between them grows. But will the tough decisions they face drive them back to their separate worlds, or will they lead to the beginning of love?

www.conniesokol.com * https://www.facebook.com/8basics?_rdr=p



One Winter Night by Heather Tullis Amazon bestselling author

Jonah Owens thought moving to Echo Ridge to open his art gallery would solve all of his problems. The need to sell his grandma's house adds an unexpected complication. It would be easier if his neighbor didn't have all those farm animals.

Kaya Feidler's family has owned their land for nearly a hundred years--long before the neighbors were there. There's no way she's giving up the animal therapy business she's been struggling to make profitable. She gets a temp job helping Jonah in the gallery. Spending time together is a recipe for romance, but can they overcome their own hangups to be more than friends?

http://heathertullis.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/HeatherTulli...



Hope for Christmas by Rachelle J. Christensen Amazon bestselling & award-winning author

Anika Fletcher hates Christmas--its promises of good tidings and hope for the future are as tinseled as the ornaments on Kenworth's Hope Tree. Despite her feelings, Anika wants to maintain her daughter's faith in the magic of the season and gladly accepts a second job working with the handsome Carlos Rodriguez to restore Kenworth's old fashioned soda fountain. Carlos is no stranger to hard times and slowly shares his life of light and joy with Anika as they work together. Just as her fragile soul begins to feel hope again, an ill-timed act of charity changes everything. Anika isn't sure who she can trust or if hope is worth nurturing--especially at Christmas when it's easy to enjoy a kiss and believe love can last longer than the season.

www.facebook.com/rachellechristensena... * http://rachellechristensen.com/





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reviewers Needed

I'm working with a fabulous new publicist, Kelley from The Book Stalker, and she has been stressing the need for more reviews on my books on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. If any of you would be willing to post reviews to these sites and share those reviews to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, I would be happy to send you a free ebook copy of any of my books. Please contact me - camichecketts(at)gmail(dot)com and let me know which book you would be interested in reviewing.


Thanks!

Freetown

Caught in the middle of a brutal civil war, six Liberian missionaries in Monrovia flee the widespread violence of their native country. Their destination: Freetown, Sierra Leone. With the help of local Church leader Phillip Abubakar (Henry Adofo), the missionaries make the difficult journey only to have their troubles compounded by a rebel fighter bent on killing one of their own. Based on true events, Freetown is a thrilling and inspiring story of hope and survival.



Amazon * Deseret Book * Seagull Book



My review:

As you all know, I'm a book lover and only watch one or two movies a year. Movies don't usually capture my attention, but this one definitely did. I was clutching my hands together and sitting upright through the entire movie. It was uplifting, terrifying, and touching. The only problem I had with the movie was I couldn't understand some of the dialogue with their accents. I would suggest using closed captions so you don't miss anything because there were funny lines in addition to the intense and tear-jerking moments.

Win your own copy of Freetown by entering the Rafflecopter giveaway below.

Thanks for stopping by!



 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Marrying Christopher by Michele Paige Holmes

From Amazon Top 100 Regency Romance author, Michele Paige Holmes, comes MARRYING CHRISTOPHER, a regency romance from the Hearthfire Romance series.



Having seen both his sisters Grace and Helen happily married, Christopher Thatcher is free to pursue his dream of life in America. With adventure in his heart and mind, he boards one of the first steamships set to cross the Atlantic in the record breaking time of only twenty-five days. Within the first two of those, his resolve—to avoid women and the complications they often bring to a man’s life—falters when he meets Marsali Abbott, a young woman with a past even more troubling than his own. Whether from years of habit protecting his sisters, or simply because he feels drawn to Marsali, Christopher chooses to help her and becomes her friend. As the truth about what awaits Marsali in America becomes evident, he is faced with a more difficult choice, one that will impact their lives far beyond four weeks together at sea.



Other Hearthfire Romances:

Saving Grace

Loving Helen



Barnes & Noble * Amazon * iTunes * Goodreads * Kobo



My Review:

This has been one of my favorite historical romance series. I love these siblings and have anxiously awaited Christopher's story. It was worth the wait - romantic, suspenseful, and fun. Marsali was full of spunk and positive attitude. I'd recommend you read the entire series.

Bondage by H.B. Moore

A gripping, historical fiction account of the events that lead to Moses’s flight into the wilderness, The Moses Chronicles: Bondage will take you back to a rich period of history replete with scandal, strife, love, and hope as God prepares a prophet to lead His chosen people.



My Review:

I'm a huge fan of Heather Moore, but her biblical fiction is my absolute favorite. I loved this book and looked for every opportunity to read, ignoring my children and my own writing deadlines. Moses and Miriam's stories came alive for me and I can hardly wait for the next book in the series. 



Amazon

B&N

Goodreads

Veils and Vengeance review

Veils and Vengeance (Wedding Planner Mysteries Book 2) Only $2.99





 





Veils and Vengeance by Rachelle J. Christensen

When wedding planner, Adrielle Pyper, goes to Hawaii to orchestrate a destination wedding, she isn't prepared for what she finds.
After the trauma of her previous event, the beautiful isle of Kauai is the perfect place for Adri to unwind and do what she does best – plan. She even lets herself indulge in the attention of the groom’s handsome brother. But just when everything seems to be perfect, an afternoon snorkeling trip turns to murder when Adri discovers the body of a young woman.
Shaken, but unable to let it go, Adri’s sleuthing leads her into more danger than she could imagine. When a number of “accidents” threaten her own life, it soon becomes apparent that someone will do anything to keep Adri from interfering with their vengeance.

 

My Review

I'm a huge fan of Rachelle Christensen's so I was expecting good things when I opened up Veils and Vengeance on my Kindle. The book was even better than I'd hoped. Mystery, romance, and I honestly felt like I was on vacation when I read it. So fun to escape to Kauai with Adri and when Luke came things just got better and better. I highly recommend Veils and Vengeance. Five stars for me.




Enter the Goodreads Giveaway here: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/139545-veils-and-vengeance 

 

 



What's that? You haven't read book #1 yet? Never fear, check it out here Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things: A Wedding Planner Mystery (Wedding Planner Mysteries)
!










Praise for Rachelle J.
Christensen




“A fun
walk-down-the-aisle cozy mystery!” – Shauna Wheelwright, reviewer




"Fans of award-winning author Rachelle Christensen will
be standing in line for her latest release. With tension, action, danger, and
definite hints of romance, this book represents everything we love to
read."  - Tristi Pinkston, author of the Secret Sisters Mysteries




“Author Rachelle J. Christensen has created likable and realistic characters. She blends the drama of a mystery with the allure of weddings mixing in a good dose of humor, suspense, and of course, a touch of romance.” –Mason Canyon, reviewer





"Here's the exact way to
turn an improbable plot into a rollicking
suspense novel, full of
surprises and twists, and wonderful characterizations."-- Jeff Needle prominent book reviewer from AML



"Don’t expect to get a lot
of sleep . . . . If the thrills of the chase don’t get you, the thrills
of the heart will."

-- Jeffrey S Savage, author of the Shandra Covington mystery series and the Mysteries
of Cove series





Photo by Erin Summerill



Author Rachelle J. Christensen
Rachelle J. Christensen is a mother of five who writes mystery/suspense and solves the case of the missing shoe on a daily basis. She graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in psychology and a minor in music. She enjoys singing and songwriting, playing the piano, running, motivational speaking, and, of course, reading.

Rachelle is the award-winning author of six books, including Wrong Number, Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things, and What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know. Her novella, Silver Cascade Secrets, was included in the Rone Award-winning Timeless Romance Anthology, Fall Collection.




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