Brenda S. Anderson's Blog, page 29
July 20, 2015
Winners of Rodeo Reunion
Melissa Henderson
Deana Dick
Britney Adams
Congratulations, ladies! And thank you from Shannon Taylor Vannatter for participating in her blog tour for Rodeo Reunion!
Note: Ten winners total were chose from Shannon’s blog tour. The four readers listed above visited my blog on:
http://brendaandersonbooks.com/2015/06/23/more-with-shannon-taylor-vannatter/
or
http://brendaandersonbooks.com/2015/06/25/meet-the-hero-heroine-from-rodeo-reunion/
And the Winner of Destination is …
*** Deanna S ***
Congratulations, Deanna! I know you’ll love Destination by Nicole Petrino-Salter!
Chosen from blog posts:
http://brendaandersonbooks.com/2015/07/16/eitheror-with-nicole-petrino-salter/
http://brendaandersonbooks.com/2015/07/14/chatting-with-nicole-petrino-salter/
Winner drawn via Random.org
July 15, 2015
Either/Or with Nicole Petrino-Salter
See contest rules below
I’m happy to welcome Nicole Petrino-Salter back today, and she gets to be the first guest ever in my Either/Or segment. It’s always fun trying something new, don’t you think?
(BTW – If you missed Nicole’s interview on Tuesday, you can find it >hereDestination. Don’t you love the cover?!)
And Readers, I’d love to know your Either/Or preferences too! Just mention them in the comments below.
Loud or Quiet: Quiet
Milk chocolate or Dark chocolate: Milk Chocolate
City or Country: Country
Cat or Dog: I love animals, but at heart, I ‘m a horse and dog person.
Country or Rock ‘n Roll: Rock ‘n’ Roll – I don’t do Country.
Book or Movie: Both, but mostly books because movies in recent times have an agenda.
Introvert or Extrovert: Somewhere in between most of the time.
Northern states or Southern states: How ‘bout the Northwest? 
July 13, 2015
Chatting with Nicole Petrino-Salter
See contest rules below
A few years back I ran across a blogger who shared my affinity for Vince Flynn novels and gritty, Christian fiction. Since then, Nicole Petrino-Salter has become the best of cyber-friends. While we don’t always agree when it comes to books, I don’t think there’s anyone whose literary tastes are more similar to mine.
I’m so thrilled for Nicole as she’s just released another novel, Destination. Nicole writes romance, but it is not your ordinary romance. And with her new release, I just had to invite Nicole to visit my blog this week: today and Thursday.
Thanks, Nicole, for coming by today! And congratulations on your new release! (Another gorgeous cover, BTW.) Can you tell my readers about DESTINATION?
The best way to do this is to give you the complete back cover copy which you don’t see on my ebook:
Life leads us to and from many places, but when it comes to eternity there are only two choices for our destinations . . .
An unlikely felon returns to his roots and the friendship of a fiery old widow. The last things he expects to find are true love, a ministry to youth, and the unusual burden for his new love’s ex-fiancé.
Do you see yourself in any of your characters?
I see myself in all of my characters injecting pieces of my humanity into most and some of my spirituality into others. We all carry with us the human stain, and although we don’t all think or act the same, or become enraged, joyful, or ambivalent to the same issues, our capabilities to act badly or perform well and kindly can intersect.
Well said, Nicole. What are you working on right now?
Right now I have three novels in various places of their development. One of them is a huge stretch for me because it’s my first attempt at a mystery with a thread of romance. Another is a contemporary sort of Redeeming Love, and the third is just beginning to reveal itself to me but was begun/inspired by the lyrics to a song by the Marshall Tucker Band called “Heard It in A Love Song.” My title is . . . in a love song.
Love that title! And I’m very eager to read your contemporary Redeeming Love Which authors do you enjoy reading? Have any influenced your writing?
I enjoy too many to name, but I can say they haven’t influenced my writing so much as they have inspired me to write deeper.
Thanks again, Nicole, for dropping by!
~~~
About Nicole~
Nicole Petrino-Salter writes love stories with a passion. After spending over 30 years in Thoroughbred horse racing, she wrote her first novel Hope of Glory about racing and life on the track. Since then she has written several books. Nicole lives just south of Seattle, Washington, and is devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, her family, friends, and writing novels for His glory.
Nicole writes Love Stories and Romance.
Connect with Nicole~
Website | Twitter | Novel Rocket
Purchase Destination~
~*~*~
>>>eBook Giveaway<<<
Nicole has graciously offered to give away one ebook copy of Destination. To enter, leave a comment on today’s post (July 14, 2015) and/or Thursday’s post (July 16, 2015).
This contest ends Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 11:59 pm CST. I will post the winner on Monday, July 20, 2015. Winner will be chosen via Random.org.
July 6, 2015
Novel Anticipation – July 2015
Nothing sounds better than bringing a book lake or poolside to wile away a summer afternoon, does it? If your to-read pile is running low, here are books by three authors I highly recommend:
GONE WITHOUT A TRACE
(Logan Point Series #3)
by Patricia Bradley
Revell
It’s been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds’s cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts Livy concerning a missing senator’s daughter who was last seen in Logan Point, she notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. But with self-doubt plaguing her and an almost instant dislike of Jennings, Livy is finding this investigation an uphill battle. With her future in law enforcement on the line, can she find a way to work with a man who is her polar opposite?
LADY MAYBE
by Julie Klassen
Berkley
A woman’s startling secrets lead her into unexpected danger and romance in Regency England…
One final cry…“God almighty, help us!” and suddenly her world shifted violently, until a blinding collision scattered her mind and shook her bones. Then, the pain. The freezing water. And as all sensation drifted away, a hand reached for hers, before all faded into darkness…
Now she has awakened as though from some strange, suffocating dream in a warm and welcoming room she has never seen before, and tended to by kind, unfamiliar faces. But not all has been swept away. She recalls fragments of the accident. She remembers a baby. And a ring on her finger reminds her of a lie.
But most of all, there is a secret. And in this house of strangers she can trust no one but herself to keep it.
DESTINATION
by Nicole Petrino-Salter
Redemption Press
An unlikely felon returns to friendship with a fiery old widow, real love, ministry to youth, and the unusual burden for his new love’s ex-fiancé.
June 29, 2015
HUNGRY FOR HOME Cover Reveal
My amazing cover designer has done it again! I think this is my favorite!
And here’s the entire cover. Don’t you love the contrast between the despairing young man on the front cover and the happy toddler on the back?
(Tweaks need to be made to the barcode yet, but otherwise, it’s perfect!)
About Hungry for Home (Coming Home Series #3)~
(Coming September 2015)
After a troubling encounter with a pregnant teen, Sheila Peterson-Brooks hurries from the crisis pregnancy center into the frigid Minnesota winter where she is mugged and left for dead. After a frantic search, Richard, her husband, finds her, and the police quickly nab the mugger …
A hungry, homeless teen.
The brother of the pregnant girl Sheila had just counseled.
The girl pleads for her brother, and Sheila and Richard choose not to press charges. Instead, they open their home to the boy, a move that could cost them their possessions, and their hearts.
And, in the process, teach them the true meaning of home.
Thank you, Think Cap Design Studios, for designing this entire series. I couldn’t be prouder to display my books!
Book Award Day
There are so many book award announcements flying around today, I just had to take a moment to tell you about them.
First–and most exciting to me–is the announcement of the ACFW Carol Awards Finalists, because WHILE LOVE STIRS by my friend and critique partner, LORNA SEILSTAD, is a finalist!!! I haven’t stopped Snoopy Dancing since Lorna told me. 
Congratulations Lorna and all the other Carol Award Finalists! (See the list >here
Second, the INSPY Award Winners were announced today. Congratulations to all the winners! (See winner list >here
And finally, tonight the Christy Award winners will be announced, and I’m rooting for friend and fellow Minnesotan, John Otte, for FAILSTATE: NEMESIS. Go John! (See nominee list >here
Tomorrow, I’ll have a different kind of book announcement. I’ve recently received the cover for HUNGRY FOR HOME, the final book in my Coming Home Series, and my Street Team tells me it’s the best cover yet–I agree. I revealed it to my newsletter subscribers today and tomorrow I’ll reveal it here on my blog. (You can subscribe to my e-newsletter >here
June 24, 2015
Meet the Hero & Heroine from RODEO REUNION
See details below
On Tuesday you got to know author Shannon Taylor Vannatter‘s Favorite Things, and today you get to meet Slade Walker and Raquel Marris, the hero and heroine from Shannon’s latest release, Rodeo Reunion. I’m certain this interview will compel you to hurry over to your bookstore and pick up Shannon’s books.
Raquel and Slade, are you open to your own romance?
Raquel: I know my deceased husband wanted me to marry again and I know my son needs a father figure, but knowing and acting on it are two different things. I figure if God wants me to marry again, he’ll lead me in the right direction.
Slade: I used to love the travel involved in being a rodeo chaplain on the Texas circuit. But lately, I’ll admit I’ve been lonely. I’d love to settle down, get married, have a family. But I can’t settle down and travel the circuit, so I’m waiting on God to help me figure it out.
What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
Raquel: He’d have to be a committed Christian.
Slade: She’d have to be a committed Christian.
What’s the number two quality you’d require in a mate?
Raquel: He’d have to be home every night, have a safe job, and love my son as much as I do. Since my first husband, a Texas Ranger, died three years ago, I’m ready for safe.
Slade: She’d have to support my ministry. And my ministry includes riding broncs. Getting dirty right along with the cowboys helps me to get on the same page with them and gives me the opportunity to witness to them.
Where is the best place you can think of to find a mate?
Raquel: Church
Slade: Church
Where is the worst place you can think of to find a mate?
Raquel: Anywhere dangerous.
Slade: A bar.
What type of character traits are you attracted to?
Raquel: Stability, loyalty, and good with kids.
Slade: Someone loyal since I never knew my dad and my mom split when I was young.
What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
Raquel: Anything dangerous.
Slade: A woman focused on everything other than her child.
RODEO REUNION blurb~
RAQUEL MARRIS NEEDS A MAN WHO’LL STAY PUT
And Slade Walker’s not a likely candidate. Even if the former major league pitcher just agreed to coach her son’s little league team. The single mom can’t risk everything on a bronc-riding chaplain who’s only passing through Raquel’s small Texas town.
Slade is taking a hiatus from the rodeo circuit to meet the sister he never knew he had. But the pretty widowed nurse next door is making him think twice about hitting the road again. He can’t turn his back on the cowboys who need him, but Raquel and her boy need him, too. Can Slade fulfill his calling and finally find a place to hang his hat?
Purchase RODEO REUNION~
Amazon | CBD | B&N | Harlequin
About Shannon~
Award winning, central Arkansas author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife. She lives in a town with a population of around 100, if you count a few cows and once climbed a mountain wearing gold wedge-heeled sandals which became known as her hiking boots.
She has eleven published titles and is contracted for four more. Her books are available at Christianbook.com, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Harlequin, and Barbour. Learn more about Shannon and her books at http://shannonvannatter.com and check out her real life romance blog at http://shannonvannatter.com/blog/.
Connect with Shannon~
Website | Inkslinker Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Twitter
Giveaway Details:
Here’s something special to commemorate the Heartsong Presents line since it’s ending this month. Comment below to enter the drawing for a copy of Rodeo Reunion. Ten copies will be split among names drawn during the blog tour listed below from June 1 – July 1, 2015. One winner will receive a baseball-themed memory board personally crafted by Shannon. Winners will be revealed on Shannon’s blog on July 22, 2015.
Shannon’s Blog Tour:
June 1: http://www.gailkittleson.com/blog/
June 4: http://susannedietze.blogspot.com
June 5: http://lindarondeau.blogspot.com/
June 9: http://workingwritersandbloggers.com
June 11: http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com/
June 12: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com
June 13: http://writingpromptsthoughtsideas.wordpress.com
June 17: http://sarahruut.com/
June 18: http://www.maryhamiltonbooks.com/blog/
June 19: http://junefoster.com/
June 23: http://gailpallotta.blogspot.com/
June 23 & 25: http://brendaandersonbooks.com
June 25: http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/
June 26: http://writersonreading.blogspot.com
July 1: http://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com/
More info at: http://shannonvannatter.com/shannon-taylor-vannatter-romantic-excerpt-part-3-of-3-8/
June 22, 2015
More with Shannon Taylor Vannatter
See details below
I’m so excited to welcome back friend and critique partner, Shannon Taylor Vannatter. Shannon chatted with me back in September 2013 and we met her hero and heroine from RODEO FAMILY this past March 2015. Now Shannon has another new release, RODEO REUNION (book #11, I believe!), so she’s visiting with us today and Thursday (June 25).
Hi Shannon! Thanks for visiting my blog again! I love having you. And I’m so excited about your new book, Rodeo Reunion! Congratulations on #11! Woo hoo! And thanks for answering a few fun questions.
What is your favorite Bible Verse?
I have so many. But one is: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 KJV)
What is your favorite beverage?
Sweet tea. It’s so thirst-quenching and I drink it at every meal. I usually don’t listen to Country music, but Scotty McCreery’s song, “Water Tower Town” must have been written about where I live. My favorite line—”sweet tea goes good with anything.”
Sugar is added as an afterthought after the tea is brewed and cold, so the sugar settles at the bottom in a cloud is not what I call sweet tea.
I just don’t understand the purpose of unsweet tea. But since sweet tea includes calories, when I’m not eating, I drink my second favorite beverage—water.
Now in Minnesota, we don’t drink sweet tea, but tea in general is very popular and tea stores are becoming as plentiful as coffee shops.
What is your favorite hymn?
“The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace.” I used to sing “Amazing Grace” to my son to put him to sleep when he was a baby and toddler. He hated to sleep, so he hated that song for a while.
Those are two of my favorites! Love old hymns–their words have so much more depth than so many songs today.
What do you collect?
Seashells. Among countless other things, to me, they’re proof of God’s existence. Only God could create something so intricate for some unimportant sea creature to live in. My office is decorated with seashells.
What is your favorite color?
Thistle. It’s a plant with horrible stickers on it, but the flower is pretty and it used to be in the Crayola box. It’s a pinkish lavender.
I had to go look it up. It is a pretty color with a not-very-pretty name!
Do you have a hobby?
Reading, walking, crafts, and sewing home interior items like curtains, toppers, and bedspreads. Clothes frustrate me, so I don’t sew them.
What is your favorite flower?
Thistle-colored roses.
What is your favorite magazine?
Just about any decorating magazine. I like cottage style, shabby chic, and elegant decor. I love pastels and white. If left up to me, my house would be furnished with white wicker. As it is, my office has white wicker furniture and shelves.
What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas and Easter. My husband calls Easter—Resurrection Day.
Love that!
Thanks again, Shannon, for dropping by this week! It’s fun getting to know all your favorites.
RODEO REUNION blurb~
RAQUEL MARRIS NEEDS A MAN WHO’LL STAY PUT
And Slade Walker’s not a likely candidate. Even if the former major league pitcher just agreed to coach her son’s little league team. The single mom can’t risk everything on a bronc-riding chaplain who’s only passing through Raquel’s small Texas town.
Slade is taking a hiatus from the rodeo circuit to meet the sister he never knew he had. But the pretty widowed nurse next door is making him think twice about hitting the road again. He can’t turn his back on the cowboys who need him, but Raquel and her boy need him, too. Can Slade fulfill his calling and finally find a place to hang his hat?
Purchase RODEO REUNION~
Amazon | CBD | B&N | Harlequin
About Shannon~
Award winning, central Arkansas author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife. She lives in a town with a population of around 100, if you count a few cows and once climbed a mountain wearing gold wedge-heeled sandals which became known as her hiking boots.
She has eleven published titles and is contracted for four more. Her books are available at Christianbook.com, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Harlequin, and Barbour. Learn more about Shannon and her books at http://shannonvannatter.com and check out her real life romance blog at http://shannonvannatter.com/blog/.
Connect with Shannon~
Website | Inkslinker Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Twitter
Giveaway details:
Here’s something special to commemorate the Heartsong Presents line since it’s ending this month. Comment below to enter the drawing for a copy of Rodeo Reunion. Ten copies will be split among names drawn during the blog tour listed below from June 1 – July 1, 2015. One winner will receive a baseball-themed memory board personally crafted by Shannon. Winners will be revealed on Shannon’s blog on July 22, 2015.
Shannon’s Blog Tour:
June 1: http://www.gailkittleson.com/blog/
June 4: http://susannedietze.blogspot.com
June 5: http://lindarondeau.blogspot.com/
June 9: http://workingwritersandbloggers.com
June 11: http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com/
June 12: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com
June 13: http://writingpromptsthoughtsideas.wordpress.com
June 17: http://sarahruut.com/
June 18: http://www.maryhamiltonbooks.com/blog/
June 19: http://junefoster.com/
June 23: http://gailpallotta.blogspot.com/
June 23 & 25: http://brendaandersonbooks.com
June 25: http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/
June 26: http://writersonreading.blogspot.com
July 1: http://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com/
More info at: http://shannonvannatter.com/shannon-taylor-vannatter-romantic-excerpt-part-3-of-3-8/
The Winner of The Captive Imposter is …
*** Mary Tomatz ***
Congratulations, Mary, on winning an ebook copy of Dawn Crandall‘s THE CAPTIVE IMPOSTER! I know you’ll enjoy the story!
Winner chosen via Random.org
