Melanie D. Snitker's Blog, page 10

Getting to Know Theresa Lynn Hall

Author Theresa Lynn Hall's newest title, Ransom in Rio, came out in June. She's here to tell us a little more about herself and her book. 

As a native Texan, Theresa loves to write suspenseful stories that happen in small Texas towns with old fashioned Southern values. She’s an elementary teacher and mom to two boys—the oldest being in law enforcement, which comes in handy when she’s researching. When she’s not teaching kids or writing, she loves to cook, read a good suspense, and binge-watch episodes of Dateline. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She actively promotes fellow Christian Fiction authors on her blog. She also loves to hear from readers who enjoy Christian Fiction Connect with Theresa:
Website | Facebook
Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Private Investigator, Braden McCoy wants nothing more than to finish out the week doing a little fishing from his boat.  The ex-special ops vet enjoys his peaceful life and loves his new career.  He’s learned to put his past behind him and enjoy his blessings.  Until a mourning redhead walks into his office and changes his plans. 
Lexi Ramos always knew her family was dysfunctional.  Until the sudden death of her brother, she never knew exactly how much.  Consumed with questions surrounding his accident, she seeks the help of a private investigator.  What starts out as a murder investigation in Cozumel, quickly crosses borders and escalates into a race against time to save them both from Brazilian kidnappers, who somehow know more about her family secrets than she does.  Lexi soon realizes that life comes with a price. GET YOUR COPY Author Interview Me: Welcome, Theresa. Thanks so much for joining us today. What inspired you to write your newest release?
Theresa: My publisher, Pelican Book Group, began a series called Passport to Romance.  They posted a list of international cities with a list of three things that had to be written into each book. My husband had recently traveled to Rio on a business trip and I knew that was the book I wanted to write.  When you’re reading Ransom in Rio, be on the lookout for an emerald necklace, a formal event, and a family secret.

It sounds intriguing! 

Me: If there’s one thing you hope readers come away with after reading your book, what would it be?
Theresa: The one thing I want all readers to come away with is a sense of hope. One of my favorite verses that I live by is Philippians 4:13--I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Lexi’s life hasn’t been easy and it only gets harder. She has to learn that there is always hope and she has to find the strength to keep going.

Me: Is there a special treat or drink that helps you during your writing process?
Theresa: Oh, my goodness, yes! Coffee and chocolate!!

Me: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Theresa: I would have to say that I’m in introvert. Even though I’m a teacher, I don’t like to be the center of attention or be in a crowd of people. Unfortunately, I think that with being an introvert comes the self-esteem issues. As much as love to write, I always cringe when I know someone is reading my books. Crazy, I know!! I wish I could be more outgoing, but forcing it doesn’t help much. Once I get to know people, I’m more at ease, but it does take me a while.

I completely understand what you mean! I'm also an introvert and struggle with putting myself out there and worrying about what other people think. 
 
Me: What project are you working on now?
Theresa: I’m working on a suspense novella set in central Texas. It’s about a young woman who sees something she never should have seen and now is running for her life. The police officer trying to keep her safe is torn between running from his own past and helping her, which puts her in even more danger.  I can’t give too much away, but hopefully it will be contracted soon!

Me: What inspired the cover for your latest book?
Theresa: I absolutely love the cover of Ransom in Rio. Nicola Martinez at Pelican Book Group produces the most amazing covers. I sent her a picture my husband took of the Christ the Redeemer statue when he was in Rio and they incorporated it into the cover.  It turned out amazing!

Me: Thanks again for joining us, Theresa. It’s been fun chatting with you!
Theresa: Thank you so much for having me here today, Melanie. I enjoyed it!

Book Your Summer Vacation Giveaway!

Are you looking for a relaxing way to spend the rest of your summer vacation? How about a collection of 35 books to read? Enter the Book Your Summer Vacation Giveaway and you could win all of the books shown above!
Finding Peace My book, Finding Peace , is one of the titles you could win. Here's a little more about it:

Police Officer Tuck Chandler is good at his job. He’s also good at holding women at arm’s length. Jilted by his fiancée for his dedication to his job, he’s not about to open himself up to hurt like that again.

Laurie Blake is a struggling photographer. After growing up in a wealthy family, she’s determined to make it on her own, even if it means doing it the hard way. 

When Tuck is assigned to a puzzling burglary involving Laurie’s fledgling photography business, he goes into it with his usual perseverance. He wants to help her – if she’ll let him. As the case unfolds and the mystery deepens, another question arises. 

Will the past get in the way of their future? CHECK OUT THE WHOLE SERIES Click here  to enter or see the form belowa Rafflecopter giveaway

Please Vote for Finding Peace

Hi Everyone! I could use your help. I've submitted  Finding Peace for Christian Women Reader's Club's Literary Lighthouse Award . All submissions are open for voting through August. 

You don't have to sign up for anything to enter. But if you'd like to register for CWRC's newsletter, you'll be entered for a chance to win a Kindle Fire. 

If you've read Finding Peace and enjoyed it, I'd really appreciate your vote. 

Thank you so much!  PLEASE VOTE

Fall Into Romance: Meet Liwen Y. Ho

I can't begin to tell you what a blessing it's been to work with the wonderful authors involved in the Fall Into Romance collection. I'm going to be chatting with one of these amazing people each week leading up to the release of Fall Into Romance. I hope you enjoy these interviews as much as I have!  Chatting with Liwen Y. Ho​
Author of Chasing Romance Hi, Liwen! Your novella, Chasing Romance, is such a fun story. I can't wait for everyone to meet Izzy and Chase! 

Me: Romance, Oregon is a beautiful place with a small-town atmosphere and big personalities. If you could visit Romance yourself, what one shop or person would you want to make sure was on your itinerary?

Liwen: Great question! After researching Oregon for my story and also reading some of the other stories in the set, I almost feel like Romance is a real place. J If I could visit this small town, I’d definitely want to meet Mrs. Cooper, the all-too-helpful and curious neighbor from my book. She was such a fun character to write. She also wins the pumpkin pie contest every year at the Fall Festival, so I’d have to try a slice of her pie.

Me: Animals are a big part of the stories that make up our Fall Into Romance compilation. Tell us a little about the critter in your novella.

Liwen: The animal friend in my story is a black lab/pit bull mix named Thor. He’s actually based off the dog my sister and brother-in-law adopted two years ago whom I lovingly refer to as my fur-nephew. He’s a sweet dog with the softest, velvety ears.

Me:  Which of the characters in your story do you relate to the most? Why is that?

Liwen: This is a hard one. I think I’d have to say the female main character, Izzy, only because she’s a songwriter and I used to write song lyrics back in the day. A couple of college friends and I wrote a song together that became the official song for our church’s college group. I heard they were still singing the song years after we graduated! Bonus fact: I let my inner songwriter loose again when I wrote this story and included some song lyrics. Unfortunately, I don’t write music, but if there’s someone who wants to put the words to a melody, I’d be thrilled!

Me: What’s your favorite snack food or drink to have on hand when you’re writing?

Liwen: I always drink tea when I write. During the colder months, I drink chai or peppermint tea; during the warmer months, I like something more fruity and sweet. When I splurge on tea, it’s usually from a local boba place that sells tea with toppings (my favorite is crystal boba, which is also known as white boba).

Me: What was your favorite part about writing your novella?

Liwen: My favorite part about writing this story was getting inspiration from music. I based the male main character off a real artist, Shawn Mendes, who’s a bit younger than Chase, but is just as passionate and charming. I listened to his songs non-stop and even watched interviews of him online so I could get a good sense of who he is. If you haven’t heard of him or his songs, you need to check him out!

Me: What about writing your novella was the most challenging?

Liwen: The most challenging part was writing about a relationship between a younger man and an older woman. I have no experience in this area, but I did ask my hubby for a male perspective and also researched some celebrity couples who are in similar relationships. (Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness are a great example of one).

Me: If you had to describe the town of Romance with one word, what would it be?

Liwen: Familiar. Familiar because it’s a small town and everyone knows everyone else, but also because the people who live there are like the people you’d meet in your town/city. Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay at home mom) and a romance writer by night. In her pre-author life, she received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary, and she loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children, and blogs about her adventures as a recovering perfectionist atwww.2square2behip.com. Connect with Liwen
Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter Chasing Romance Izzy Sutton shelved away her own needs when her ex-boyfriend left town eighteen years ago, leaving her to raise their daughter alone. With Gracie away at college now, she has time to invest in her Bed and Breakfast, as well as her secret job as a songwriter. Trouble starts though when a handsome singer comes looking for a room, forcing Izzy to decide if it’s worth opening up her heart again, especially to a much younger man.

Pop sensation Chase Lockhart owes his overnight fame to one song penned by an anonymous writer. Desperate for more chart-toppers, he travels to Oregon to collect the other songs she owes him. Finding her is the least of his troubles; getting past her defenses, including her dog who hates him, proves to be the real challenge.
​
Can a shared love of music lead a young singer and a single mom to fall in love? Anything’s possible in the small town of Romance. Fall Into Romance - Pre-Order for Only $0.99! Chasing Romance by Liwen Y. Ho is one of ten sweet novellas in the Fall Into Romance collection.  Surround yourself in the romance of the autumn season with 10 heartwarming, sweet novellas from the 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!
Available for Pre-order Now!
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  | iTunes |  Kobo  | Google Like our Facebook page
​ and stay up-to-date with news
​about Fall Into Romance

Get Ready to Fall Into Romance!

What happens when you mix together a group of authors, add laughter, lovable pets, and a dash of pumpkin spice? The perfect combination resulting in ten sweet novellas that'll have you falling in love all over again! Surround yourself in the romance of the autumn season with 10 heartwarming, sweet novellas from the 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!
Available for Pre-order Now!
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  | iTunes |  Kobo  | Google Stories and Authors We can't begin to tell you how much fun we've had working together on this project. It's our hope that you'll fall in love with Romance, Oregon and the people who live there just like we did! Lost in Romance by Stacy Claflin
At Second Glance by Raine English
Blown Into Romance by Shanna Hatfield
Wired for Romance by Franky A. Brown
Restoring Romance by Tamie Dearen
Finding Dori by J.J. DeBenedetto
Katie’s Chance for Romance by Jessica L. Elliott
Chasing Romance by Liwen Y. Ho
Lessons in Romance by Kit Morgan
Finding Forever in Romance by Melanie D. Snitker​ Welcome to Romance Facebook Page Like and follow us on Facebook! You'll stay up-to-date on release news, author interviews, future projects, and more!  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Finding Forever in Romance
by Melanie D. Snitker Being a part of this boxed set has been an amazing experience and a blessing. My novella, Finding Forever in Romance , was so much fun to write and I can’t wait for you all to read it! 

From the time he was a child, Brent Todd has helped lost pets find healing and homes. Now, he runs Romance's Finding Forever Animal Rescue. Amid the dogs, cats, donkeys, goats, and exotic animals in his care, he convinces himself he has everything he needs. Then a beautiful woman and her son volunteer to help at the shelter. Brent soon realizes he needs more than the rescue animals to fill the empty spaces in his heart and home.

Dedicated to raising her son, Nicole Crawford views romance as a lovely idea. But between being a single mom and the pain of her past, she refuses to dwell on something so out of reach. To teach her son about helping others, they volunteer at Finding Forever on a temporary basis. But the more time she spends with Brent, the more she realizes it'll be impossible to walk away from him and the shelter with her heart intact.

Together, maybe Brent and Nicole will discover a forever family of their own.  Don't forget to pre-order your copy of Fall Into Romance!  PRE-ORDER NOW!

New Releases - August 2017

Here's a nice selection of new releases from my fellow authors. I hope you'll load up your Kindle with some of these great titles!

July 29th
Her Blue-Eyed Lieutenant by Linda Ellen

August 1st
The Soldier's Secret Child by Lee Tobin McClain
​Texas Daddy: A Single Dad Romance by Jolene Navarro
The Alora Chronicles: The Complete Series by Lara Ann

August 8th
Flight 359 by Staci Stallings

August 11th
One Night of Moonlight by C.S. Johnson

August 14th
Beauty's Gift  by C. S. Johnson Check out these new releases from authors involved with  American Christian Fiction Writers . You're sure to find a new favorite! ​​​​ TBA - Check back soon! 

Available for Pre-Order: Home of Her Heart

Shanna Hatfield's newest book, Home of Her Heart, is available for pre-order! I absolutely loved the first title in this series, and cannot wait to read this one.  If you enjoy historical romance set in World War II, then you'll definitely want to give her Hearts of the War series a try! Home of Her Heart by Shanna Hatfield
Editor: Eliza Dee from Clio Editing
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PRAll he needed was a bride…
​Who said anything about falling in love?
     Orphaned at birth and a loner all his life, the last thing Sergeant Klayne Campbell needs is for feisty Delaney Danvers to entangle his thoughts.  Bravely volunteering for a top-secret mission almost certain to get him killed, Klayne can’t bear the thought of dying utterly alone. All he wants is to face death knowing his life meant something to at least one person. Offering Delaney a marriage of convenience, he plans to leave behind a war bride as his beneficiary. After just one night as her husband, Klayne realizes he’ll do anything to survive and return to her.
     The moment she met handsome Sergeant Campbell at a holiday party, Delaney’s whole world shifted off kilter. Full of fun with an unquenchable zest for life, she isn’t afraid to go after what she wants. And what she wants is Klayne. When he prepares to join a hazardous mission, she seizes the opportunity to give him a reason to fight his way back home — to her heart.
     A tender, sweet romance rich with history and enduring love, Home of Her Heart captures the era and emotions prevalent during America’s entry into World War II.PRE-ORDER NOW! Home of Her Heart Facebook PartCelebrate the release of Home of Her Heart, Book 2 in the Hearts of the War series, and participating in hours of fun, games, giveaways, and opportunities to meet authors!JOIN THE PARTY!Help Spread the Word!We've love your help spreading the word about Shanna's new release. You can share her book with others through Thunderclap.  USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”
 
Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, this hopeless romantic is out to make it happen one story at a time. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
 
Shanna is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Romance Writers of America, Sweet Romance Reads, Cowboy Kisses, and Pioneer Hearts.Connect with Shanna: 
Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Pinterest
Goodreads | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon
     ​Delaney gazed at the ring, holding it up so it caught the afternoon sun streaming in the window behind her. A sunbeam refracted in the diamond, sending splinters of luminescent light dancing on the wall near the fireplace. She released a long breath then pinned Klayne with an angry glare.
     “How could you? How could you buy the most perfect ring I’ve ever clapped my eyes on and ask to marry me with such a pathetic, stupid, horrid proposal. No, I won’t marry you just so you can go off and get yourself killed. Don’t be an idiot!” The length of several heartbeats passed as she glowered at him. His eager look of expectation wilted into one of wounded surprise.
     Finally, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek, softening her harsh tone. “If you can come up with a better, more compelling, convincing reason for me to marry you, I might change my answer.”
 
Garden of Her Heart (Hearts of the War: Book 1)
Home of Her Heart (Hearts of the War: Book 2) a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway: Pirates vs Cowboys

Whether you ride the range or stalk the seas, we all have our little quirks. But there’s one really important thing I bet we all have in common: WE LOVE BOOKS! And you know what? Winning prizes rocks, too.

Welcome to LitRing’s Pirates Vs. Cowboys Giveaway! We’ve assembled a team of 50 authors brave enough to take a stance on such a divisive issue: Pirates or Cowboys?

What’s more, by picking sides and entering our giveaway, you could win prizes for yourself AND a pretty awesome promo pack for your favorite author too! ​ ENTER NOW! What's Better Than a Sweet Texas Romance? When it comes to choosing between Pirates and Cowboys, it was no contest: Cowboys all the way! Of course, I may be a little biased. I live in the great state of Texas, and I'm married to my own handsome cowboy, so there was no way pirates were going to win here. lol

Do you enjoy reading heart-warming romance novels? How about one that takes place on a Longhorn ranch in Texas? Then Finding Joy  might be the book for you!

Sometimes, what looks like a dead end, is really a new beginning. 

A horrific accident changed everything for Parker Wilson. The beautiful new employee his mom hires is the last thing he needs and he'll do whatever it takes to make the girl quit and regain the peace and quiet he prefers.

Nothing short of desperation would force Chelsea Blake to work on a local cattle ranch. She may not be cut out for ranch life, but her determination to succeed is stronger than her handsome employer’s efforts at forcing her to leave. 

Unprepared to discover all they have in common, if they set aside their initial dislike, they might find joy beyond measure. GET A COPY!

Photography: Pictures from the Zoo

I had the opportunity to visit our local zoo a couple of times last week. During one trip, my daughter and I went with the purpose of taking photographs of the animals and their personalities. I got a lot of photos I really like, and thought I'd share a few of them with you. Thanks for looking! 

Summer Shelf Stock-Up Party!

July 13th ~ 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. EDT Looking to add some new books to your summer reading list? Come and meet some awesome Christian indie authors and stock up your bookshelf. The party is on Facebook and you can attend in the comfort of your own home. We will have games, giveaways, and more!  Here are your party hosts
(all times are EDT): 
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. - Kandi Wyatt
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Kate Willis
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Sharon D. Tweet & Margaret Skea
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Faith Blum & Amanda Tero
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Audrey Rich & Kellyn Roth
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - EJ McCay 
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Melanie D. Snitker
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Julie Spencer & Liwen Ho
Join the Party!