Brenda S. Anderson's Blog, page 10

My Favorite Things with Shannon Taylor Vannatter + Giveaway

I’m excited to welcome back my friend, award-winning author Shannon Taylor Vannatter! Shannon’s visited my blog numerous times, having over a dozen novels published. Wow! I remember when we were newbies hoping for a contract. Now, her books will soon occupy an entire shelf in my personal library.

Shannon’s latest will certainly be a hit as it mixes cowboys and Christmas. Below is the blurb to pique your interest further:

A Texas Holiday Reunion

With her foreman out of commission, Resa McCall needs horse trainer Colson Kincaid to run her family ranch through the holidays. But having the handsome single dad back in Bandera, Texas, is unsettling. Colson broke Resa’s heart years ago, and she can’t risk getting close again. Still, working with him and bonding with his sweet little girl is making the ranch feel merry and bright. Being at Resa’s side stirs up emotions Colson thought were long gone. But he has a powerful secret that could keep them apart forever. Can Colson give Resa the one Christmas present that might finally bring them back together—the truth?

Sounds like another winner from Shannon, doesn’t it?

Now, let’s get to know Shannon a little bit better…

Shannon’s Favorite Things

Type of Book – Contemporary Romance
Book – A tie between Convenient Groom and Driftwood Lane by Denise Hunter
Author – Denise Hunter, Melissa Tagg, Lenora Worth, & Becky Wade. Don’t make me choose just one.
Movie – Seven Year Hitch. It’s a Hallmark movie about friends who end up falling in love. I love friend-to-love transition stories.
Entrée – Grilled shrimp anything. Pasta, salad, or alone.
Dessert – Pie. Either blueberry or turtle. And I like my pie cold. Even blueberry. My husband always wants his pie warm, so he thinks I’m weird. But he’s the weird one.
Season – Fall. With winter a close second. I hate being hot.
Animal – I’m equally a dog and cat person. Right now, I only have cats. Two outside – both scaredy-cats, but I can cuddle them if no one else is around. My 11-year-old neutered male used to be outside until recently. He was missing for 8 days and I thought he was gone. I mourned him and missed him. But then he showed up in our shed with a broken back leg and a ruptured hip muscle.

The vet said it was probably coyotes. He’s healed now. He limps, but he can jump up on the furniture. I let him out in our fenced back yard since he can’t climb. As long as he can’t climb, I can’t bring myself to let him out loose, so I probably have the world’s only fenced cat. Even though he really wants his prowling, hunting life back, he’s skittish now so I’m not sure he’d go very far. But I’m not taking the chance.
Type of Music – In church, hymns. Out of church, Contemporary Christian
Song – “Martyr’s Song” by Todd Agnew
Musician – Todd Agnew
Bible Verse – Oh, there are so many. I can narrow it down to two – Romans 8:38-39:

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Amen to that!

Thank you, Shannon, for visiting! And congratulations on another new release!

About Shannon ~

Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does.

She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.

Connect with Shannon ~

Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Twitter | Amazon Author Page

Purchase A Texas Holiday Reunions ~

Love Inspired | Amazon | CBD | B&N | BAM

Giveaway details ~

Comment below to enter the drawing for a copy of A Texas Holiday Reunion. Six copies will be split among names drawn during the blog tour from Oct 18 – Dec 8. One winner will get to pick the theme for a custom-made memory board personally crafted by the author. Deadline Dec. 8, 2017. Winners will be revealed on the author’s blog on Dec 10th. Go to Shannon’s website http://shannontaylorvannatter.com and sign up for her newsletter to enter more giveaways and receive a free book download.

Follow Shannon’s blog tour for more chances to win A Texas Holiday Reunion ~

Oct 18 – https://allbettsareoff.wordpress.com/
Oct 19 – http://www.inspyromance.com/
Oct 24 – http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/
Oct 24 – http://brendaandersonbooks.com/blog/
Oct 24 & 27 – http://shannontaylorvannatter.com/inkslinger-blog/
Oct 26 – https://saralfoust.com/blog/
Nov 2 – https://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/about/blog/
Nov 3 – http://chirpnchatter.blogspot.com/
Dec 1 – http://sarahruut.com/tag/author-interview/

The post My Favorite Things with Shannon Taylor Vannatter + Giveaway appeared first on Brenda Anderson Books.

A Time to Listen

I recently finished reading Crisis Shot, a thought-provoking book by Janice Cantore, a retired Long Beach, CA police officer. The story was about a cop who, in the line of duty, fatally shoots an unarmed teen. It was quite the hot-button issue for the author to tackle, but she did it very well, with grace, and I’d highly recommend the book.

Throughout the story, the heroine quotes rules that keep her grounded at work. A lot of wisdom is relayed in those rules, but one simple rule stuck out at me, because our society is doing a very poor job of it lately: Listen. Think. Speak. In that order.

It’s simple, yet profound and very wise.

Let’s break that down a bit.

Listen. That means don’t talk. Don’t interrupt. Don’t be thinking about how you’re going to reply. Don’t be doing other things while they’re talking. Rather, listen to their story. Hear their perspective. See the heart of the person that God sees. Don’t try to outshout someone. And absolutely do not call someone names because you disagree with them! When our kids were growing up, I taught them that the first person to call another person a name was the loser. That holds true for adults as well. So listen. Really listen.

“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”

Proverbs 18:13

Think. This goes beyond contemplation. This means do your research. If someone makes a statement about an issue, and represents it as fact, before spreading it around, first find out if what they stated is true. Oftentimes, what is shared on social media has some basis in truth, but does not give the entire story. Find out what the story is first before speaking out, before reacting. Then, setting your emotions and first impressions aside, contemplate what you’ve learned.

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

Proverbs 18:2

Speak. Or, as I prefer to say, React. After you’ve listened. After you’ve thoughtfully considered/researched what someone has told you, now you can react to it. Keep in mind, though, there are ways to react that work better than others.

If you point a finger and accuse, guess what? The person you’re pointing at will react adversely. I know I do.
Avoid using “You.” The word has the same affect as a pointed finger.
Using the phrase, “You’re wrong” is a perfect way to shut down dialogue, and the person you disagree with will most likely not hear you or listen back.
Avoid lumping people into a group because of the actions of one or a few.
Instead of vitriol, respond with kindness (and I don’t mean passive aggression, which I’m far too good at). Ephesians 4:15 exhorts us to speak the truth in love.
Disagreeing with someone is perfectly fine. And it’s normal! We’re all human. We all have different backgrounds, different stories, and we’ll all come at issues from our own perspectives.
Having a civil discussion or debate is an excellent way to gain respect while letting your voice be heard.
Don’t forget that Silence is also a reaction. Sometimes that speaks loudest.

When I wrote my first novel, Chain of Mercy, I knew I wanted my heroine to be pro-choice. As someone who is staunchly pro-life, I also knew that portraying my heroine with any level of realism meant that I needed to listen to someone who held the same beliefs as my heroine., So, I took a friend out for lunch and asked her questions. I listened. I heard what she was telling me. And then I spoke by writing that heart into my character.

Did my friend change my mind? Not even close. BUT, she did help me understand the heart of someone who would make that choice. She helped me see the broken heart that God sees and only He can mend.

One of the most frequent comments in reviews for Chain of Mercy is that I presented both sides of the abortion issue fairly, and I helped readers see a perspective they hadn’t looked at before. Did I change any minds? Only God knows. I do know that I did my best to be fair, and I did that by listening first.

Listening, hearing, and becoming educated doesn’t mean you’ll change your mind, but it does offer the gift of respect to the speaker, and it just might open doors for you to speak as well.

It’s no surprise that the Bible has much to say about listening. To find additional Bible verses on listening, check out this webpage:

https://www.openbible.info/topics/listening_to_others

The post A Time to Listen appeared first on Brenda Anderson Books.

ACFW October 2017 New Releases

October 2017 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Contemporary Romance:

The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner — Becoming a Christian is the best and worst thing that has ever happened to Sarah Hollenbeck. Best because, well, that’s obvious. Worst because, up to this point, she’s made her very comfortable living as a well-known, bestselling author of steamy romance novels that would leave the members of her new church blushing. Now Sarah is trying to reconcile her past with the future she’s chosen. She’s still under contract with her publisher and on the hook with her enormous fan base for the kind of book she’s not sure she can write anymore. She’s beginning to think that the church might frown on her tithing on royalties from a “scandalous” book. And the fact that she’s falling in love with her pastor doesn’t make things any easier. (Contemporary Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

A Waltz for Amber by Kimberly Rose Johnson — Amber, a struggling dance teacher, is desperate to make a success of her studio. The quickly approaching Christmas recital should help except for one problem—the high school music teacher scheduled the holiday program on the same night, causing a conflict for her students. Will she be able to sustain her business or will she lose everything in the pursuit of her dream? Chris is thrilled to be back in his hometown. However, his past won’t stay in the past, and the pretty dance instructor is a constant reminder of his failings. He wants to make up for his youthful mistake directed at her, but how? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Secret Christmas Twins by Lee Tobin McClain — Christmas came early for Erica Lindholm! Suddenly a mom to adorable twin baby boys and part owner of a snowy small-town Pennsylvania farm, Erica is living her dream. Until the boys’ estranged uncle, Jason Stephanidis, comes home to celebrate the holidays. The handsome, brooding detective turns out to be a natural with the babies…and with Erica’s wounded heart. But if Jason knew the truth about their identities, her picture-perfect life could melt away. Will Erica’s secret cost her everything? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Fall Into Romance by Melanie D. Snitker Surround yourself in the romance of the autumn season with 10 heartwarming, sweet novellas from USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. Each story takes you inside the heart of a small town—its people—and features adorable animal friends in need of a forever home.

Take a trip to Romance, Oregon, where falling in love has never been easier and happily-ever-after is guaranteed! (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

A Texas Holiday Reunion by Shannon Taylor Vannatter — With her foreman out of commission, Resa McCall needs horse trainer Colson Kincaid to run her family ranch through the holidays. But having the handsome single dad back in Bandera, Texas, is unsettling. Colson broke Resa’s heart years ago, and she can’t risk getting close again. Still, working with him and bonding with his sweet little girl is making the ranch feel merry and bright. Being at Resa’s side stirs up emotions Colson thought were long gone. But he has a powerful secret that could keep them apart forever. Can Colson give Resa the one Christmas present that might finally bring them back together—the truth? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

The Gift of Christmas Past by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall — Arson wasn’t the only fire that ignited between them. Promises shattered. Lies spoken. She was arrested. He returned to the safety of his wealthy parents.

Almost ten years later, Hadley and Monroe are both specialists in the field of speech therapy. They meet again . . . thrown together to help a four-year-old-girl rendered mute after being rescued from a fire. Years of secrets and anger beg to be set free as Hadley and Monroe try to push aside past hurts and find common ground in order to help the traumatized child and her family. Can the love of Christmas past drift into the present, bringing healing and hope for all? (Contemporary Romance from Woodsmall Press)

General Contemporary (includes Women’s Fiction):



Piper’s Passion by Lee Carver — Piper Jordan, an American reared in Brazil, had her pilot’s license before she could drive and her aviation maintenance certificate before her business degree. Pulled between two countries, two career paths, and separated parents, she strives to determine what is significant and what to do with her life.

Kyle Chamberlain, pilot with Outreach for Christ, wears a wedding ring that says he’s not ready to date again after Rosanna’s death. Wielding a wrench with the cutest pilot/mechanic he’s ever seen turns his head. But would a dynamic woman with her talents and eventual inheritance accept his missionary life in the Amazon? (Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Independently Published)

Grace in Strange Disguise by Christine Dillon — Physiotherapist Esther Macdonald is living the Australian dream, and it doesn’t surprise her. After all, her father has always said, “Follow Jesus and be blessed.” But at twenty-eight, her world shatters. Everyone assures her God will come through for her, but what happens when he doesn’t? Has she offended God? Is her faith too small? So many conflicting explanations. Will finding the truth cost her the people closest to her heart? (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

Historical:

Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano — When Aurelie Harcourt’s father dies in debtor’s prison, he leaves her just two things: his wealthy family, whom she has never met, and his famous pen name, Nathaniel Droll. Her new family greets her with apathy and even resentment. Only the quiet houseguest, Silas Rotherham, welcomes her company. When Aurelie decides to complete her father’s unfinished serial novel, writing the family into the story as unflattering characters, she must keep her identity as Nathaniel Droll hidden while searching for the truth about her mother’s disappearance–and perhaps even her father’s death. (Historical from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Other Side of Freedom by Cynthia T Toney — In 1925, a thirteen-year-old boy witnesses a crime—the murder of a family friend—and must choose whether to remain silent as his father asks or defy mobsters and corrupt police to save his family. (Historical from Write Integrity Press)

Historical Romance:

Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander — In the midst of war and the fading dream of the Confederacy, a wounded soldier and a destitute widow discover the true meaning of Christmas, the cost of love . . . and of loving again. (Historical Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

The Captive Brides Collection by Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Lucy Thompson, and Gina Welborn — Journey along as nine historical women are about to make their escape from some of life’s greatest challenges. Can their captive hearts be freed to dream, to dare, to love? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

A Mountain Christmas Romance by Misty M. Beller — Stripped of the family so important to his Viking heritage, Matthias Bjork is now on the hunt for his sister. Despite combing the entire Wyoming Territory, he hasn’t found any substantial leads regarding his sister’s whereabouts, but he has discovered a most unusual woman.

Opal Boyd has finally found the haven she’s longed for all her life, in a most unlikely place—working for a German couple in this remote Wyoming mountain town. She learned long ago that most men couldn’t be trusted, but when a mountain man stops in the boarding house where she works, he seems to have the respect and affection of the two people she’s learned to trust implicitly.

But when Matthias’ search for his sister takes an unexpected twist, Opal is forced to make a choice that will alter the course of her life—no matter which answer she chooses. When Matthias’ decisions land Opal in danger, what must he sacrifice to rescue her? (Historical Romance, ACFW Qualified Independently Published)

Fool’s Notion by Lisa J. Flickinger — Feisty Alda Lealand braves fifteen hundred miles with a pack string of mules—and the help of an unexpected cowboy–to save the family farm. (Historical Romance from Forget Me Not Romances [Winged Publications])

Playing by Heart by Carmela A. Martino — Emilia Salvini dreams of marrying a man who loves music as she does. But in 18th-century Milan, being the “second sister” means she’ll likely be sent to a convent instead. Ironically, Emilia’s pious older sister, Maria, would gladly become a nun. But Father won’t allow it—her brilliant language skills are too important to his quest for noble status. Emilia’s only hope is to prove her musical talents are as indispensable as her sister’s skills. First, though, Emilia must win over her music tutor, who disdains her simply for being a girl. Before she can carry out her plan, though, Emilia’s mother dies in childbirth. In her sorrow, Emilia composes a heartrending sonata that causes the maestro to finally recognize her talent. He begins teaching her music theory alongside handsome violinist Antonio Bellini, the great-nephew of a wealthy marquis. The two begin as rivals, but Emilia gradually falls in love with him. (Historical Romance from Vinspire Publishing)

Historical Western:

Too Far Down by Mary Connealy — A citified mine operator and a tough western cowgirl are the most unlikely couple of all as they team up to fight the outlaws that want the Cimarron Ranch. (Historical Western from Bethany House [Baker])

Romantic Suspense:

Dangerous Ground by Gayla K. Hiss — Deputy Marshal Kate Phillips comes to the Great Smoky Mountains in search of answers concerning her uncle’s suspicious death, and finds herself in the middle of an ancient family feud and a land dispute with handsome first responder, David Jennings. (Romantic Suspense from Mountain Brook Ink)

Christmas Captive by Liz Johnson — On his cousin’s Christmas cruise wedding, navy SEAL Jordan Somerton anticipated having the typical best man duties—not facing down criminals boarding the ship. But when the luxury liner is infiltrated by men determined to kidnap the flower girl, he’s plunged into an unexpected mission. Maid of honor and DEA agent Amy Delgado hasn’t forgiven Jordan for a misunderstanding in their pasts. But with her young niece targeted, she must draw on Jordan’s skills as a protector. Signs point to an inside job. With a traitor in their midst, can they ensure that every passenger returns home safely for the holidays…even as they find love amid deepening danger? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Speculative:

Transfusion by Victoria Buck — The world’s first transhuman must save the world, or save the woman he loves. (Speculative from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])

Suspense:

Kill Zone by Rick Acker, Christy Barritt, Patricia Bradley, Braxton DeGarmo, Luana Ehrlich, Heather Day Gilbert, Heather I. James, Robert Liparulo, Jordyn Redwood, and Jan Thompson — Espionage, hacking, police procedural, international crime and intrigue, covert action, spy, secret police, revenge, snipers…and so much more! Ten brand-new, never-before published novellas of suspense, intrigue, and thrills from ten bestselling Christian thriller authors, all packed into this one anthology. (Suspense from Georgia Press LLC)

The post ACFW October 2017 New Releases appeared first on Brenda Anderson Books.

Around the Blogosphere with Planting Hope

Around the Blogosphere with Planting Hope

Thanks to all who’ve joined in my Book Release Celebration! It’s still going on, and I’ve got plenty of treats left to share, so stop on over!

Happy Release Day, Planting Hope! +Giveaway!

With the release, Planting Hope has been circling the blogosphere, and that means you have several more opportunities to win books! I’d love it if you’d come visit with me at the following sites:

Book Giveaways ~

September 18 ~ At Sarah Ruut’s Fiction, Faith, and Fun (http://sarahruut.com/2017/09/18/planting-hope-brenda-anderson-giveaway/) I hint at what’s next on my writing list.
September 20 ~ At Writing Prompts & Thoughts & Ideas, they ask three fun questions, including What Color Crayon Would I Be. https://inspiredprompt.com/2017/09/20/3-questions-wednesday-with-brenda-s-anderson/
September 21 ~ Tomorrow I’ll be visiting with Meez Carrie at her fabulous Reading is My SuperPower blog: http://readingismysuperpower.org/
September 26 & 29 ~ I’m back visiting with Shannon Taylor Vannatter at her Inkslinger-Romance blog: http://shannontaylorvannatter.com/inkslinger-blog/

Looking Ahead ~

October 13  ~ I’ll be back at Seriously Write: http://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com/
October 26 ~ My first post at Inspy Romance! http://www.inspyromance.com/ (I’m certain another book giveaway will be involved…)

Blog Reviews ~

Christian Bookaholic ~ Julia Wilson always writes the most gracious, encouraging reviews! http://www.christianbookaholic.com/2017/09/19/planting-hope-by-brenda-anderson/

About Planting Hope ~

When flowers and chocolate collide,

romance is sure to bloom!

Family has always been the one constant in Jess Beaumont’s messy life, so when her parents separate, she puts “Operation: Planting Hope” into action. All she has to do is recreate the circumstances that helped her parents fall in love. Unfortunately, that includes the daunting task of restoring the family cabin’s gardens. When the handsome candy store owner shows up to help, she’s certain she has all the elements required for her parents’ love to bloom again. After all, flowers and chocolate are the perfect ingredients for romance.

Luke Harrison has spent his life trying to win his father’s approval, and a promotion in the family land development business would be a step in that direction. But when he inherits Gran’s candy store, his dreams of being promoted start melting away. Then his dad dangles a Vice President position in front of Luke, with one caveat—acquire the land on both sides of Gran’s store within five months, including the Beaumont cabin, and the promotion is his.

What at first seemed a simple challenge for Luke becomes a tangled mess. Buying the Beaumont cabin and land will nip his blossoming romance with Jess in the bud. Even worse, it could end her parents’ marriage. But if he doesn’t succeed, he could be trading in his corner office for the corner candy store.

Purchase Planting Hope ~

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Other

Thank you all for your support and encouragement!
Brenda

The post Around the Blogosphere with Planting Hope appeared first on Brenda Anderson Books.

Happy Release Day, Planting Hope! +Giveaway!

Happy Release Day, Planting Hope!

Welcome Everyone! Thank you for joining in my celebration of Planting Hope‘s Book Birthday! As always, I have plenty of treats on hand, including several varieties of chocolate! My hero, Luke, who owns a candy store, insisted on only serving the best! The credit for decorating my tables with beautiful floral creations goes to my heroine, Jess, who has a gift for creating eye-catching gardens.

And, what’s a celebration without a giveaway?! One that would make for a delightfully romantic evening, in my humble opinion.

See below for giveaway details

The giveaway  includes:

1 – autographed, paperback copy of Planting Hope
1 – “In the Garden” CD by the amazing Kari Jobe
1 – Edible Flower Garden from Holiday Confections
1 – 8 oz Bath & Body Works Love & Sunshine Body Cream

So, how do you enter to win this romance-worthy prize? Just use the Rafflecopter form below which includes answering both of these questions in the comments section:

What is your favorite type of chocolate?

What is your favorite flower?

Naturally, my favorite chocolate comes from Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen, a quaint, family-owned candy store along Lake Superior’s North Shore in Minnesota that was the inspiration for Planting Hope.

My favorite flower is the lilac, the flower that ushers in gorgeous spring fragrance!

Thank you for celebrating with me!

~ Brenda

About Planting Hope ~

When flowers and chocolate collide, romance is sure to bloom!

Family has always been the one constant in Jess Beaumont’s messy life, so when her parents separate, she puts “Operation: Planting Hope” into action. All she has to do is recreate the circumstances that helped her parents fall in love. Unfortunately, that includes the daunting task of restoring the family cabin’s gardens. When the handsome candy store owner shows up to help, she’s certain she has all the elements required for her parents’ love to bloom again. After all, flowers and chocolate are the perfect ingredients for romance.

Luke Harrison has spent his life trying to win his father’s approval, and a promotion in the family land development business would be a step in that direction. But when he inherits Gran’s candy store, his dreams of being promoted start melting away. Then his dad dangles a Vice President position in front of Luke, with one caveat—acquire the land on both sides of Gran’s store within five months, including the Beaumont cabin, and the promotion is his.

What at first seemed a simple challenge for Luke becomes a tangled mess. Buying the Beaumont cabin and land will nip his blossoming romance with Jess in the bud. Even worse, it could end her parents’ marriage. But if he doesn’t succeed, he could be trading in his corner office for the corner candy store.

Purchase Planting Hope ~

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Other

Giveaway Details ~

To win (1) autographed copy of PLANTING HOPE, (1) Kari Jobe “In the Garden” CD, (1) Edible Flower Garden, & (1) 8 oz Love & Sunshine Body Cream, fill in the Rafflecopter form below. Contest ends at 12:00 am on September 26 (midnight on February 25). Contest is open to residents of the continental US only. Must be 18 years old to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Happy Release Day, Planting Hope! +Giveaway! appeared first on Brenda Anderson Books.

Photo Tour of Planting Hope

This past week I was in Duluth, Minnesota with my husband for a conference. While he was conferring. I was editing. Then when the conference ended, we joined with Jess and Luke from Planting Hope to tour a few of the places they visited during the book. Join us on the visual tour!

Jess’s parents own an old brick building in Canal Park in Duluth that they’ve re-purposed as a retail and office space. The building in the heart below, the over-century-old Dewitt-Seitz Marketplace, is what inspired the Beaumont-owned building.

In one scene, Jess and Luke walk through Fitger’s, a re-purposed brewery that was begun in 1857.

Now the building houses shops, restaurants, a hotel, and yes, a brewery.

Here are Jess and Luke on the Lakewalk in Duluth that borders Lake Superior

They make a brief stop at this quaint amphitheater in Leif Erikson Park.

And here are Luke and Jess by the statue of Leif Erikson.

The statue proclaims that Erikson discovered America  in 1000 AD.

And now they’re in Jess’s happy place, Duluth’s Rose Gardens.

The camera can’t even begin to capture the beauty of the gardens!

Isn’t this gorgeous?!

The little guy below thought the flowers were pretty nice too!

I won’t give any spoilers, but an important scene (or two) takes place at this Rose Garden gazebo…

Walking back on the Lakewalk gives you a nice view of Duluth’s famous lift bridge

Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen isn’t Luke’s candy store, but it was my inspiration for the story.  You’ll find this quaint family-owned store on the Scenic Drive in the barely-there town of Knife River. If you’re ever in the Duluth area, but sure to make the short jaunt up to the store. Not only will you see breath-stealing views of Lake Superior, but you’ll get to taste can’t-eat-just-one-piece chocolates!

(FYI – that’s my handsome husband holding up the book.)

Jess’s cabin is just up the road from my fictional candy store, Superior Sweets.  The pictures below were taken at the home of a friend who lives on Lake Superior, on the most amazing lot! I imagined the Beaumont cabin sitting on the land above the inlet–the pics don’t do the place justice at all, but it gives you an idea of the setting.

Thank you for joining me on this quick tour with Jess and Luke! I hope you enjoy their story!

And remember to join me, Jess, and Luke for the Planting Hope Book Birthday Party on Tuesday, September 19! Yes, chocolate will be served, and I will have giveaways!!!

About Planting Hope ~

Family has always been the one constant in Jess Beaumont’s messy life, so when her parents separate, she puts “Operation: Planting Hope” into action. All she has to do is recreate the circumstances that helped her parents fall in love. Unfortunately, that includes the daunting task of restoring the family cabin’s gardens. When the handsome candy store owner shows up to help, she’s certain she has all the elements required for her parents’ love to bloom again. After all, flowers and chocolate are the perfect ingredients for romance.

Luke Harrison has spent his life trying to win his father’s approval, and a promotion in the family land development business would be a step in that direction. But when he inherits Gran’s candy store, his dreams of being promoted start melting away. Then his dad dangles a Vice President position in front of Luke, with one caveat—acquire the land on both sides of Gran’s store within five months, including the Beaumont cabin, and the promotion is his.

What at first seemed a simple challenge for Luke becomes a tangled mess. Buying the Beaumont cabin and land will nip his blossoming romance with Jess in the bud. Even worse, it could end her parents’ marriage. But if he doesn’t succeed, he could be trading in his corner office for the corner candy store.

Available for pre-order at ~

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Universal Link | Paperback

The post Photo Tour of Planting Hope appeared first on Brenda Anderson Books.

Planting Hope ~ Coming Soon!

Planting Hope ~ Coming Soon!

Less than two weeks from now Planting Hope, a Where the Heart Is Romance, hits the shelves! I can’t wait to introduce you to candy man, Luke Harrison, and flower girl, Jess Beaumont! As you know, when flowers and chocolate collide, romance is sure to bloom!

I’m currently offering a special pre-order price of only $2.99 for the Kindle version. On September 19, the price will go up to $5.99, so order now!

Here’s the link: http://amzn.to/2uWXJuz.

On release day, I will be having a big giveaway that involves books, flowers, chocolate, and more, so be sure to come back and visit on September 19!

In other news…

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve been invited to be a contributing blogger, along with many other notable inspirational romance authors, on the popular site, http://www.inspyromance.com/! My first post will appear on October 26.

Readers have been asking, “What’s Next?” I assure you, I have several stories in the works including a new standalone that I’m very excited about, plus a short story, and one big writing announcement that is in the works. I look forward to letting you know what that is.

ACFW September 2017 New Releases

September 2017 New Releases

September looks to be a great month for new books–and I’m please to see Planting Hope at the top of the list here.

Where Do You Place Your Hope?

Where do you place your hope?

Be honest now.

Think about where you are right now. What you’re doing. Do you place your hope in your job? Your marriage? Children? Friends? The weather? For me, too often my hope is placed in having a good day of sales, or receiving a positive review.

No doubt, those things lift our spirits, but they are all fleeting. Even our closest family and friends will disappoint us at times.

But Christ will never let us down.

In Planting Hope, my characters struggle with where they’re placing their hope. He longs for approval from his father. She wants her parents to stay together, and that’s where they focus their time and energy. Until they take to heart that Christ is their one true hope.

I love the lyrics to the song, “In Christ Alone,” as they speak to where our hope is really found. Listen and be blessed!

“In Christ Alone” by Geoff Moore and Adrienne Liesching

PLANTING HOPE Kindle version available for pre-order on Amazon

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Denouncing Evil

Denouncing Evil

Evil happened this past weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. Racism is wrong. Always. And it’s sad, unbelievable, horrific that racism still exists.

Many took to social media denouncing what happened, and rightly so. Others pointed fingers at those who weren’t vocalizing  their anger at what happened, claiming that those who remained silent were part of the problem. As this quote–often attributed to Dietrich Bonhfoeffer, but not verified–says:

Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.

Which is why I’m going to share this article/video from CBS News (CBSN on Assignment) dated August 14, 2017: “What kind of society do you want to live in?”: Inside the country where Down syndrome is disappearing“.

According to that report, In Iceland, 100% of prenatal diagnoses of Down syndrome resulted in abortion.

One-hundred Percent!

According to this story, other countries are nearing the 100% abortion mark of those tested positive for Down syndrome. Denmark – 98%, United Kingdom – 90%, France – 77%, US – 67%. Now, that’s what I call evil. Horrific. Racist. Genocide.  Heartbreaking.

I can’t remain silent about that.

People with Down syndrome are still born in Iceland as not all pregnant women choose to take the screening test. But even the number who are tested is high at 80 – 85%.

What I want to know is, where is the outrage on social media? On the news? Why aren’t people screaming about this? Marching ? Protesting? Is genocide—“the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group”, Merriam-Webster.com—not worth their time? Is it not equally as evil as what happened in Charlottesville? Is it too not worth denouncing?

I’ll let you decide.

Also read:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/01/life-down-syndrome-improving/2054953/

http://brendaandersonbooks.com/2017/03/21/world-down-syndrome-day/

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