Julie Arduini's Blog, page 137

Entrusted: My Interview with Heroine Jenna Anderson

This week I’m featuring interviews with the characters from my debut romance, Entrusted. If you need a stocking stuffer for the reader in your life, I hope meeting these fun characters will encourage you to purchase this Adirondack surrender read.

Entrusted starts out with you getting in a bit of trouble. Is that what you’re about, Jenna?

Not really. I think a more accurate statement is I find myself in unusual predicaments. Often. I still say that my little incident was all my GPS. Not me.

You spent most of your life in Youngstown, Ohio. What made you leave the area for the mountains?

I spent most of my childhood with an elderly neighbor who was a dear friend. Florence Owens made me promise before she passed away that I would live life to the fullest. After her death I looked around and realized my job didn’t leave room for advancement. I needed change. I found an ad in a rural magazine about a job opening and I called. When the call ended, I had a new job in Speculator Falls, NY.

One of the first people you meet is Carla Rowling. Tell us about her.

I was scared of her at first because she was meeting me on official business as the sheriff, but I quickly realized she was going to be a great friend. She’s warm, funny, sensitive and a great mom to Noah.

You seem to worry about not belonging, yet Pastor Reynolds comes to you for advice. How did that make you feel?

Honored. He’s a respected man in the community and I don’t think what I did by moving to Speculator Falls was that inspirational. And given how Ben reminds me at every chance that I’m not from the area, I’m sure there were better people to talk to than me. But I’m happy he chose me.

Speaking of Ben Regan, tell me about him.

Well, the first meeting didn’t go well. Nor did the second or probably the third. But once I realized it wasn’t so much personal against me but protecting himself from further hurt, he was easier to take. And those muscles from stocking shelves, that’s a perk to visiting JB’s. Ben also has the richest brown eyes. Like chocolate.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

Interacting with the senior citizens. They are wonderful people and I’ve learned a lot from them. At my old job in Ohio I didn’t have a lot of direct and consistent contact with them. I’m building deep relationships with everyone at the senior center and I love it.

What do you love about Speculator Falls?

That it’s like family here. The smells. I can’t begin to describe how wonderful it smells outside. The pine and air is so pure and fresh. Sara Bivins took me to the hunting cabin and showed me the journal everyone signs when they visit. That’s a precious memory for me.

What’s your biggest challenge?

I have a few. The senior center needs updating and that costs money. Ben is on the council and he’s definitely not rooting for the center to make it. Quite the opposite, actually. Howard Wheaton is a senior who is a bit grumpy with me, but I think he’s a teddy bear. Kyle Swarthmore is a mogul from New Jersey who has a summer home in the area. He’s nice to me, but I think he has an agenda. I’m on a campaign to have the food service to realize that a dessert is not a fruit cup. It’s chocolate. And, I’m homesick. I miss my parents and sister.

Jenna, thanks for sharing today. I think readers got a great glimpse of you and Speculator Falls.

Great! I hope readers take a chance on us and purchase Entrusted today.

This interview first published at Inspy Romance.

Tags: Adirondacks, character interview, Entrusted, Julie Arduini, Ohio, senior center, surrender, Upstate NY, Youngstown

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Published on December 15, 2014 20:21

Sabbath Sunday: Christmas Season Rest

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28, NIV

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Tags: Christmas, Jesus, Julie Arduini, Matthew 11:28, rest, Sabbath

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Published on December 13, 2014 21:00

Book Review: Ending Sibling Rivalry by Sarah Hamaker

Book Description

“Is your day punctuated by tattling, tears, and testiness among your children? Does your home resemble a war zone, with fights breaking out constantly among combative siblings? Do you wonder why your kids can’t get along? You’re not alone. Sibling rivalry has become one of the most

frustrating problems facing today’s parents.

Yet sibling rivalry is not an inevitable outcome. It is possible to help your children move from enemies to friends. In Ending Sibling Rivalry, Sarah

Hamaker provides common sense and practical solutions to this familiar problem, guiding parents through the roots—and remedies—of sibling rivalry.

Ending Sibling Rivalry addresses the harmful impact of competition on the sibling relationship, how to avoid the trap of favoritism and comparison, and how to teach children conflict resolution. Whether your children are toddlers or teenagers, Ending Sibling Rivalry provides the blueprint for reducing sibling conflict and building a more loving relationship between or among your children.”

Sarah Hamaker delivers a comprehensive guide involving every possible topic I can think of regarding siblings and rivalry.

Whether it’s jealousy or favoritism, the author gives suggestions, resources and information from real families with experience. It covers all ages and gives the necessary tools to raise children who will not only be siblings, but even friends.

If you are or know a frustrated family full of sibling squabbles, this book is a must.

To purchase Ending Sibling Rivalry, click here.

I received a copy of Ending Sibling Rivalry from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Tags: book review, Ending Sibling Rivalry, family, Julie Arduini, Sarah Hamaker, siblings

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Published on December 13, 2014 09:00

Entrusted Featured in This Week’s Clash of the Titles

This week there is a new clash at Clash of the Titles, COTT, and my own book is one of the contenders. What I love about this competition is that readers choose the winner. They look at a little summary of the book and the cover, and they vote.

If you love Entrusted, I’d appreciate your vote!

Clash of the Titles

Tags: Adirondack Mountains, author, Clash of the Titles, contemporary romance, COTT, Entrusted, fiction, Julie Arduini

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Published on December 12, 2014 21:00

Book Review: The Day She Died by Bill Garrison

Book Description:

A mystery. In this clean time-travel whodunit, a middle-aged coffee-shop owner always wondered what his life would have been like if he’d stayed in town the day his college fiancee disappeared, the victim of an unsolved crime.

One morning he wakes up 20 years earlier and finds himself a student at the University of Oklahoma again on the day she died. In a journey that takes months, he stumbles over people connected to Kim’s disappearance and puzzles over connecting the dots.

Oddly enough, things are different when he relives sections of his life. For example, as a teen he plays baseball and as an adult he discovers what it’s like to be a Christian pastor, things he never did before.

Can he find some answers about Kim and about his own life? Or prevent Kim’s death? And if he succeeds in changing history, what happens to his wife and kids?

I’ll admit, when I learn a book contains time travel, I’m skeptical. Flashback scenes are difficult to write and very few authors do it well. Then when I read that the book is the first from the author, I’m not sure at all.

The Day She Died and Bill Garrison proved me wrong. This time travel mystery and romance is told well, flashbacks and all. I was able to keep track of the characters and the time frame. I loved that I truly didn’t know “the bad person” until the reveal, because I usually guess and am right. The Day She Died was full of surprises but they all made sense for the plot. The author didn’t have to make it work. He told the story well enough he didn’t have to force it.

I also enjoyed the references to the teen and college/young adult years. I was that age then and those were the movies I was going to. The author made these things authentic. I especially appreciate that it’s “clean,” no profanity. Mysteries don’t have to be profane, and I liked that The Day She Died isn’t.

If you’re a mystery and/or romance fan, you’re going to enjoy this story.

To purchase The Day She Died, click here.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Tags: Bill Garrison, book review, Julie Arduini, mystery, romance, The Day She Died, time travel

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Published on December 09, 2014 21:00

Book Review: Annabelle’s Angel by Therese M. Travis

Book Description:

Annabelle Archer has been crushing on Rick Stockton for years. And now, when he notices her, it’s only because her brothers and sisters make it impossible for him to miss her. Annabelle still hasn’t decided if God’s will means she spends her life taking care of her six siblings, or if He has more in mind for her.Rick Stockton doesn’t mind that church activities and Annabelle’s brothers and sisters keep throwing Annabelle and Rick together. He just isn’t sure what it means. But as the kids keep trying to turn Rick into a snow angel—with sugar, baby powder, and more—he’ll work on figuring it out. Spending time with Annabelle’s family gives Rick a longing for one of his own…and an idea to make it happen.This Christmas, Annabelle may just find there’s a special angel in her corner, one that will stick around for a lifetime.

I’m a sucker for Christmas romances and Annabelle’s Angel has everything you want. A festive cover drew me in and a sweet story filled with children, a sibling seeking God’s will and a man open to whatever God has for for him kept me engaged. It’s impossible not to love the kids and their mischief and root for Rick and Annabelle.

This is a quick read and just the thing to put you in the Christmas spirit.

To purchase Annabelle’s Angel, click here.

Tags: Annabelle's Angel, book review, Christmas romance, Julie Arduini, novella, Therese M. Travis

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Published on December 08, 2014 21:00

COTT: Meet Suspense Author Patricia Bradley

Former Clash Contestant Patricia Bradley is in the spotlight today! A popular romantic suspense author from Mississippi, her latest book “A Promise to Protect” released this fall and garnered high praise from readers. It’s the second book in her Logan Point series, with the third releasing next summer.

A Promise to Protect:
In a steamy small town riddled with broken promises, one woman’s secret could change everything.

Acting Sheriff Ben Logan hasn’t heard from Leigh Somerall in a very long time, but it doesn’t mean he can get her—or their whirlwind romance of ten years ago—out of his head. When she calls out of the blue, it is with a strange request to protect her brother, Tony. But all too soon, Ben is charged with a different task—protecting Leigh from the people after her brother. With Leigh doing everything in her power to avoid Ben, it’s no easy task. And the secret she is keeping just may change their lives forever.

The Christian Manifesto says this about A Promise to Protect:
“Patricia Bradley definitely has a knack for creating mysteries that are tough to get to the bottom of. A Promise to Protect proves once again that Patricia Bradley has a knack for writing intriguing, complex mysteries that are difficult to solve. Fans of her first novel won’t be disappointed, and hopefully this book will endear some new readers to her as well.”

JoJo Sutis on Goodreads says:Wow! Wow! Wow! Once again Patricia Bradley has written another hit! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this one from the minute I finished the first Logan Point book. I was so excited to get to read more about Ben (a character from book 1). The interaction between the two main characters was awesome…I love when main characters have a past together. This is definitely an edge of your seat thriller, full of secrets and intrigue. I’m thrilled to have found a new fave suspense author…fans of Lynette Eason, Terri Blackstock, and Irene Hannon don’t miss Patricia Bradley!!!”

About Patricia:

Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi and is a former abstinence educator and co-author of RISE To Your Dreams, an abstinence curriculum. But her heart is tuned to suspense. Patricia’s romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series—Shadows of the Past and A Promise to Protect—and Matthew’s Choice a Heartwarming romance. Her workshops on writing include an online course with American Christian Fiction Writers and workshops at the Midsouth Christian Writer’s Conference in Collierville, TN. When she’s not writing, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.

Coming in July–the third book in the Logan Point series features Livy Reynolds and Robyn Martin’s story:

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?

COTT NEWS: Don’t forget! Submissions for the Olympia are open through next Friday, December 12th, for all unpublished novelists! Get feedback from those who count most: READERS. For submission guidelines, visit us at http://www.clashofthetitles.com/p/the-olympia.html

Tags: A Promise to Protect, author, Clash of the Titles, COTT, fiction, Julie Arduini, Patricia Bradley, suspense author

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Published on December 07, 2014 21:00

Sabbath Sunday: Christmas Season Rest

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28, NIV

Julie Arduini photo

Tags: Christmas, Julie Arduini, Matthew 11:28, rest, Sabbath, Sunday

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Published on December 06, 2014 21:00

CHRISTMAS BONUS: The Christmas Concert Disaster by Ruth O’Neil

All this week the Write Integrity Press families have been participating in Christmas blogs and specials, including last night’s Facebook party. I wanted to share a bonus post by Ruth O’Neil. I guarantee this will tickle your funny bone.

Do you have a Christmas pageant memory/choir/concert?

Boy, do I ever, but I will try to limit my Christmas disaster stories to only two. I remember one year Mom was frantically trying to get four kids ready for the Christmas program at school. She had taken her bath and in an effort to safe time, she plunked one of my little sisters and me in the tub together without changing the water. I never minded this. In fact, I remember loving to take a bath using her bath water (I know it sounds kind of gross, but I was a little kid!) Mom’s water was always so warm and it smelled so good because of whatever it was she would put in it.

While the two of us girls played around a little bit, I thought I would help Mom by washing our hair. When she came into the bathroom, presumably to wash our hair, get us out of the tub, and send us to our rooms where freshly ironed red velvet dresses awaited us, she let out a little bit of a scream.

“What are you doing?”

We just looked at her with saucer eyes, not realizing we had done anything but wash.

“Why did you wash your hair?”

“I was trying to help.” My lip probably quivered a little bit as I was the type of child that you only had to look at cross-eyed and I would never do whatever I was doing again.

“There was bath oil in the water!”

That meant nothing to me. Mom tried to rinse out our hair as best she could and as fast as she could. But it didn’t help much. Later that night I understood. Our hair never looked dry. We looked like oily, greasy messes standing up there in front of hundreds of parents and grandparents. I have pictures to prove it…somewhere.

Then there was another Christmas; the time I was in my first play. I was so excited. I was bad, I knew it, but that was okay. No one else tried out for the one female part so I got it. It was a cantata that the high school choir was singing with a little play scattered in between the music. The setting was the Civil War and my husband had been lost for good, at least that’s what my character thought. She watched her son grow up without his father. But then, low and behold, the husband came back. Now, the husband and I only had one scene together at the very end of the play. It was supposed to be very serious and touching. SUPPOSED being the operative word.

All through rehearsals I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t look him in the eye and be serious. I finally figured out that I could look at eye level, but look to the side of his face and the audience would think we were having a moment.

Then the night of the cantata/play came. Everything went fairly well. I didn’t mess up and my acting debut ended up not being all that terrible…until the end of the play. I don’t know what possessed me to try and look the poor boy in the eye, but it still didn’t work. I started giggling.

The director never cast me in a play again.

If you would like to read more about Christmas time growing up around my family and me, here is a short story available on Amazon for only ¢.99. A large portions of the story are true. I guarantee you will find at least a little bit of your family in this story. It will make you laugh, but then make you realize what it is we celebrate this Christmas season.

You can also visit me at my website and my blog.

Tags: Christmas concerts, Christmas disasters, guest blogger, Julie Arduini, Ruth O'Neil, Write Integrity Press

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Published on December 05, 2014 21:00

Write Integrity Press Christmas: Christmas Concert Memories

Write Integrity Press wraps up our Christmas week with a Facebook party tonight from 7-9 EST. I’ll be hanging out and around 8:30, participating in a chat. I’d love to connect with you. We have lots of party favors to pass out, you don’t want to miss!

My last walk down memory lane is about Christmas concerts. I asked my colleagues if they had ever been in a pageant or choir.

Tracy Ruckman:

A couple of years when I was a kid, we participated in the children’s choir at Christmas. I loved that time – and to this day, still see the songbook we used. I even remember the pictures and the order of some of the songs in the book, and standing in the choir room rehearsing. I think I was only 8 or 9, so retaining those kinds of memories surprise me at times. LOL!

Elizabeth Noyes:

Not a family event, but we always attend our grandkids’ special events. If you heard my kids and grandkids sing, you’d understand why … but they do make a joyful noise!

Phee Paradise:

When I was in school we had a Christmas program every year – sort of a talent show. I have very little of that sort of talent, but one year I translated part of The Night Before Christmas into English/Spanish and performed it. i.e. Twas the night before Christmas and all through the casa, not a creature was stirring “Carramba, que pasa?” (full disclosure – that part was common knowledge, I did the rest of it)

Betty Thomason Owens:

First grade. We wore white paper collars with black crepe paper ties and sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” – Mom still has the paper collar. It’s really old.

I remember my elementary and middle school concerts like it was yesterday. The good I recall is my clarinet playing best friend was always there. We got ready together, giggled as we waited and when our sisters had concerts we sat together and talked, getting in trouble for being disruptive. The bad was that the events carried extra stress I didn’t know how to process and I was the only female percussionist in a time where that wasn’t welcomed. At all. Bullying? You have no idea.