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! May 29th: An Encore for Estelle (Melodies of Love 2) by Kimberly Rose Johnson June 1st: Falling for the Rancher (Aspen Creek Crossroads) by Roxanne Rustand Illuminating Days of Discover by Sharon D. Tweet 5 Steps to Better Blurbs by Julie C. Gilbert June 3rd: Rose of the Oath: A Beauty and the Beast Novella by Hope Ann June 6th: Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer Echo of the Cliffs by D. G. Driver June 8th: Once Upon a Time (Serendipity, Indiana Book 8) by Magdalena Scott June 10th: Thinking About Love by Audrey Rich June 13th: Clair (Beach Brides Book 4) by Grace Greene June 15th: Coiled by H. L. Burke June 17th: Between Heroes and Villains: A Superpower Anthology by Heather Hayden and 11 Other Authors June 20th: The Cowboy’s Baby Blessing (Cowboy Country) by Deb Kastner Jenny (Beach Brides Book 5) by Melissa McClone June 27th: Lisa (Beach Brides Book 6) by Denise Devine Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Contemporary Romance:
Amish Brides by Jennifer Beckstrand, Molly Jebber, Amy Lillard — Under bright blue skies, wedding bells ring–fulfilling sweet dreams, impossible wishes, and joyous new beginnings among these three new stories. (Contemporary Romance from Kensington Publishers) Sprouts of Love by Valerie Comer — An overzealous community garden manager delivers more than the food bank manager can handle. Can love sprout amid the tsunami of vegetables? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) Summer Dreams by Delia Latham — God’s love…reflected in the waters of the Pacific, and in the eyes of a young couple who walk its moonstone shores. (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican]) Right Where We Belong by Deborah Raney, Melissa Tagg, Courtney Walsh — Three sweet stories of small-town romance by three tried-and-true authors. Whether in a quaint home bakery in Langhorne, Missouri, a cozy boho coffee shop in Maple Valley, Iowa, or a charming lakeside cottage in Sweethaven, Michigan, love grows best in small towns just like this! (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) A Spring of Weddings by Toni Shiloh and Melissa Wardwell — Two Spring wedding novellas, “A Proxy Wedding,” and “Hope Beyond Savannah.” (Contemporary Romance from Celebrate Lit Publishing) True to You by Becky Wade — Former Navy SEAL John Lawson hires genealogist Nora Bradford to help him to uncover the identity of his birth mother. As they work side-by-side, this pair of opposites begins to suspect that they just might be a perfect match. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing) Cozy Mystery: What the Bishop Saw by Vannetta Chapman — A fire blazes out of control in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, leaving an elderly, Amish bachelor dead. Bishop Henry Lapp rushes to the scene, and he learns the fire was no accident. When the police point the finger at a suspect Henry knows is innocent, the bishop must decide whether or not to use his mysterious, God-given gift—one he’s tried desperately to ignore all these years—to try and set the record straight. (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House Publishers) General Contemporary:A Season to Dance by Patricia Beal — The heart wrenching love story of a small town professional ballerina who dreams of dancing at the Met in New York, of the two men who love her and of the forbidden kiss that changed everything. (General Contemporary from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) Looking Glass Lies by Varina Denman — A poignant and relatable novel, Looking Glass Lies captures the war women wage against themselves, and the struggle to see beauty reflected in a mirror not distorted by society’s unrelenting expectations. (General Contemporary from Waterfall Press) Historical: Blind Ambition by Carol Ashby — What began as a bored man’s decision to try a different road turns into an emotional and spiritual quest that changes the direction of his entire life. (Historical from Cerrillo Press) Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette — A broken and bitter Canaanite woman dresses as a man to fight against the invading Hebrews, never expecting that she would live to be captured and married to one of her enemies, and certainly not to find love and healing among the very people who killed her family. (Biblical/Historical from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing) Historical Romance: The Secret Admirer Romance Collection by Amanda Barratt, Lorraine Beatty, Molly Noble Bull, Anita Mae Draper, CJ Dunham, Jennifer Uhlarik, Becca Whitham, Kathleen Y’Barbo, Penny Zeller — Shy expressions of love lead to nine historical romances. Declaring one’s love can be hard–even risky–especially when faced with some of life’s greatest challenges. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson — She lost everything to an evil conspiracy . . . but that loss may just give her all she ever wanted. (Historical Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing) My Heart Belongs in Ruby City, Idaho: Rebecca’s Plight by Susanne Dietze — It’s a mail-order disorder when newlyweds realize they’ve married the wrong partners with similar names. An annulment seems in order–and fast. But when the legalities take longer than expected, Rebecca Rice wonders if Tad Fordham wasn’t the right husband for her all along. . . . (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) A Love So True by Melissa Jagears — They begin with the best of intentions, but soon the complications pile up and Evelyn and David’s dreams look more unattainable every day. When the revelation of a long-held secret creates a seemingly insurmountable rift between them, can they trust God still has a good plan for them despite all that is stacked against them? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing) Road to Harmony by Sherry Kyle — When Jonas returns to Harmony, Elena’s heart is torn between her secret love, and the storeowner her parents hope she marries. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) Hills of Nevermore by Janalyn Voigt — Can a young widow hide her secret shame from the Irish preacher bent on helping her survive? (Historical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink) Romantic Suspense: Fatal Mistake by Susan Sleeman — Each day could be her last…but not if he can help it. An FBI agent must protect the woman who can identify a terrorist bomber in bestselling author Susan Sleeman’s riveting romantic suspense novel. (Romantic Suspense from Faith Words [Hachette])
0 Comments
For the first time in over a year, Finding Faith is on sale! Pick up your copy for only $0.99 through June 1st.
Single mom Serenity Chandler is determined to do anything to provide better opportunities for her son, Gideon. Moving away from her family support system so Gideon can attend a special school seems like the right choice, even if it means her entire life is about to change. The satisfaction of helping children and being a part of their lives is one reason Aaron Randall loves his job as a music therapist. When Hope Academy instills a dating policy, he doesn't give it a second thought. Until the new coworker who'd caught his attention turns out to be the parent of one of his students. Any relationship between them will put his job at risk. The more time Aaron spends with Serenity and Gideon, the harder it is to ignore what they could have together. With Aaron's job and Gideon's education hanging in the balance, they'll have to rely on faith to find their way. We’ve assembled a team of 80 authors brave enough to take a stance on a divisive issue: Dragons or Unicorns? Choose a side, enter our giveaway, and you could win an awesome prize for yourself. Your favorite author has a chance to win a promotional pack as well. Doesn't that sound like fun? What are you waiting for? Bonus Giveaway As you can see, I'm Team Dragon all the way. Not that Unicorns aren't cute and all, but come one. Dragons. DRAGONS! lol To celebrate, like my Facebook page and then comment on my pinned dragon post. I will randomly choose one winner once the main giveaway as ended. The winner will have his or her choice of one (1) of the following prizes: $5.00 Amazon gift card $5.00 Starbucks gift card Any 2 of my books (digital) A little FlipZees Dragon/Unicorn toy * The FlipZees toy is only available to ship within the USA. If you win and are outside of the USA, one of the other prizes must be chosen. * May the best creature win! Check out this adorable FlipZees toy. It can transform from a dragon to a unicorn and back. lol This is one of the prizes you can choose from in the bonus giveaway!
Do first impressions matter? You bet they do. I was recently reminded of this when a restaurant chain redesigned their logo. Since our son could speak, he's been drawn to IHOP's logo. As a little boy riding along in the backseat of the car, his sweet face would fall in a frown, and he'd point to the IHOP sign and say, "Awwww. IHOP is sad." As a collector of logos (see my post here), the boy knows most of them, as well as their sayings or jingles, by heart. For years, he's talked about how unhappy IHOP looks. Until a couple of weeks ago when we discovered that IHOP had redesigned their logo. In the words of our son, "IHOP is happy!" Even our daughter said, "I'm glad IHOP is smiling!" And you know what? I have to admit the restaurant as a whole looks a lot more welcoming now. In this case, changing IHOP's logo was a brilliant marketing decision. IHOP's logo change, and my kids' immediate reactions to it, was a reminder of just how important first impressions are. Being an author and publishing independently involves a whole lot more than just putting words to paper. I knew this before I published my first book, Calming the Storm. But until I jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire, I had no idea what that really meant. I had no plan in place and quickly discovered there was a lot more to marketing a book than simply publishing it and watching the copies fly off the shelves, so to speak. In order to have my books read, readers actually had to find them first. It all starts with the cover. Those first impressions are crucial and can make the difference between whether a potential reader chooses your book or not. You can have a great cover, but if it doesn't tell the reader what kind of book it is, your story won't always fall into the right hands. In my case, Calming the Storm went through three covers before I felt like I had the right packaging for my story. I shot the images for the first cover and put it together myself. Even now, three and a half years later, I love how it turned out. But the storm and sunflowers gave the impression of a devotional rather than a romance novel. After that, I worked with friend and fellow author, Victorine E. Lieske. She runs Blue Valley Author Services and designs a lot of amazing covers. Since then, we've changed the cover twice, and it's this last design I feel perfectly conveys the story to potential readers. Now, when readers see Calming the Storm, I feel like they'll get the right first impression. Publishing independently, just like anything else, is a learning process. If it's something you're considering, talk to others who have been in the business for a while. Learn from their mistakes. Most of all, don't be afraid to take that step and put yourself out there. What you write matters! If you're an author - whether published independently or traditionally - is there one thing you've learned along the way that you wish you knew before? I'd love for you to comment and share your wisdom! I want to give a big shout out to Lia London and all of the amazing authors at Clean Indie Reads. I found this group when I was first considering publishing independently. I've met a number of author friends, and I continue to learn from the talented individuals there.
Cancer.
That one word has rocked Lexi Chandler's life to the core. Her focus has always been to help others. She loves being a nurse and enjoys spending time with her family. Things had been going according to plan. Now she’s struggling to pick up the pieces and make sense of the changes in her life. Lance Davenport has cared for Lexi since they were kids. Between their age difference and bad timing, he's turned burying his feelings into an art. Now, watching Lexi battle with cancer has made him realize just how much he's missed. He doesn't know what their future holds, but he's determined to not waste another minute. The people closest to Lexi pull together as she tries to navigate her way down a path none of them ever dreamed she’d have to travel. This is a book about a tough subject and a happy ending. Join us as we celebrate the release of my newest book, SOMEONE TO TRUST (Life Unexpected: Book 2). There will be three hours of fun including guest authors, games, giveaways, prizes, and more! Saturday, May 20th, 2017 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. CDT Author Lineup
1:00 - Shanna Hatfield 1:30 - Author Franky A. Brown 2:00 - Crystal Walton, Author 2:30 - Melissa Storm - The Authors Storm 3:00 - Valerie Comer 3:30 - Kristin Holt, Sweet Victorian Western Romance Every year, Melissa McClone puts together Mother's Day tote bags to send to the Fisher House, a wonderful organization that is dedicated to helping military families. This year, I was blessed with the opportunity to sponsor one of those tote bags. It was fun watching Melissa's Facebook page as she gathered donated books, swag, treats, and more, filling the Thirty-One thermal tote bags to the brim. Check out the photo below (courtesy of Melissa McClone) to see the contents of the bag I sponsored. How fun! I pray the bag was a blessing to someone this Mother's Day. This year, four additional Thirty-One thermal totes are being given away! For your chance to win one of those totes, head over to Melissa's blog.
Only two more days until the release party for Someone to Trust! Invite your friends, post on this thread, and you'll be entered for a chance to win a $15.00 Amazon gift card!
Hi Everyone!
I'm excited to be a part of this BookSweeps giveaway. Follow these Christian/Inspirational romance authors on BookBub and Amazon (including yours truly!) for your chance to win a bundle of books, bookstore gift cards, and more! Along with other great books, you can win my novel FINDING PEACE, plus books from authors like Juliette Duncan and Leah Atwood. Enter the giveaway below and good luck! How would you like a chance to learn about some indie authors and their books? What about entering for your chance to win 60 books? Carrie from Reading is My Superpower and Sarah Monzon have worked together to organize the Excellence in Indie Publishing Mega Giveaway.
There are four different giveaways associated with the following categories: Historical, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense, YA/Speculative. You can enter for your chance to win books from a specific category, or feel free to enter all four! Celebrate Mother's Day with the authors of Sweet Romance Reads. There'll be books, giveaways, and lots more. And you just might win one of three Amazon gift cards: $25, $10, $5. Hostess Schedule
Times are EDT 2:00 - 3:00 PM Raine English, Kristin Holt, Milou Koenings, Julie Jarnagin 3:00 - 4:00 PM Shanna Hatfield, Patricia Forsythe, Magdalena Scott, Rachelle Ayala 4:00 - 5:00 PM Mona Risk, Josie Riviera, Christine Bush, Jean C. Gordon 5:00 - 6:00 PM Melanie D. Snitker, Victoria Pinder, Lyn Cote, Mary Alford 6:00 - 7:00 PM Margaret Daley, Cindy Flores Martinez, Grace Greene, Pat Simmons 7:00 - 8:00 PM Denise Devine, Melinda Curtis, Ciara Knight, Roxanne Rustand, Liwen Y. Ho All threads remain open for 24 hours. Prize winners will be posted by noon on Saturday. Please join me in welcoming Angela K. Couch to my blog. Angela has a new release, THE PATRIOT AND THE LOYALIST, which happens to have one of my favorite covers I've seen this year. Read on to learn more about Angela and her new book. To keep from freezing in the Great White North, Angela K Couch cuddles under quilts with her laptop. Winning short story contests, being a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards also helped warm her up. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after three munchkins. Completing his three years in the Continental Army, Daniel Reid still has no desire to return home-not after losing the woman he loves to a British Captain-so he volunteers to ride south through enemy lines and deliver a message to Colonel Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. With his temper needing a release and a dark haired beauty finding her way into his broken heart, Daniel decides to join the Swamp Fox's efforts against the British. Little does he know the British still have the upper hand. Lydia Reynolds has learned that love comes at a price, and she refuses to pay. Better to close her heart to everything and everyone. When her brother-in-law won't grant her passage to England, where she hopes to hide from her pain, New Englander, Daniel Reid, becomes her only hope-if she can induce him to give her information about the notorious Swamp Fox and his troops. When the British grow impatient and Daniel evades her questions, Lydia must decide how far to take her charade. The poor man, already gutted by love, hasn't grown as wise as she. Or so she supposes. . . Until the truth is known, the muskets are loaded. . .and it is time to decide where true loyalties lie. Author Interview Hi, Angela! I’m excited to have you on my blog today. Your new release, THE PATRIOT AND THE LOYALIST sounds really good. And I’ve got to say, that cover is one of my favorites. It definitely makes me want to pick the book up and read it!
Me: What inspired you to write THE PATRIOT AND THE LOYALIST? Angela: After writing the first book in the series, The Scarlet Coat, I really wanted to redeem one of the secondary characters…and give him a chance at happiness. One of my favorite American Revolution heroes was Francis Marion – The Swamp Fox, who had fought the British in South Carolina. The rest of the story fell easily into place from there! Me: What is your favorite thing about being an author? Angela: Creating something from just an idea. That and living vicariously through my characters. Feeling their pain and joy and everything in between with them. Me: If there was one place you could go to research a book, where would it be? Angela: I actually have my first research trip planned for June. I will be going to Virginia! Look forward to seeing Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, and then some Civil War sites. (Think this will be my next era.) So excited! That sounds so exciting! I hope you have a wonderful time! Me: What do you usually use when you’re writing? A computer? Paper and pen? Angela: I started with paper and pen as a teenager, but have since fallen in love with spellcheck, cut and paste, and other wonderful features of the computer. It's pretty hard to let those go once you've used them, isn't it? I'm the same way! Me: Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Angela: Technically I’m an introvert, but not by much. I sit very close to the line on this one. I like some alone time, but being around people is fun, too. Me: If time and money were not a concern, what one skill would you like to learn? Angela: So many to choose from! I think I would love to learn now to paint people. I can do trees and buildings, but someday would love to paint the people I love…including my Savior. I'm impressed you can paint trees and buildings! I can barely draw a smiley face. LOL I hope you'll learn how to paint people one day. Me: What project are you working on now? Angela: I am doing a rewrite/edit of the fourth and final book of the Hearts at War series, The Return of the King’s Ranger. Loving this story! Thanks so much for being a guest on my blog today. Congratulations again on your new release! Finding Courage is FREE! May 3rd, 4th, and 5th It takes courage to ask for a second chance…even more to extend one.
For Duke and Avalon McNeil, it was love at first sight. Married within months of meeting, their feet hardly touched the ground until the reality of their haste hit home with startling clarity. Duke's heart shattered when Avalon vanished for nearly three weeks, fleeing their arguments and misunderstandings. Now she's back. He's happy she's home and safe, but he isn't ready to risk everything again when their bond was so easily broken. Avalon's relieved to be home. She's desperate to make peace between them, but returns with a secret. She can't reveal anything to Duke until she proves to him she came back to restore their relationship. As outside pressure continues to threaten Duke and Avalon's fragile foundation, they must find the strength to prove to each other their marriage is worth fighting for. Find a great book (or two or three) this spring by picking up a new release! All of these are new in the last couple of days or coming out in May. April 29th Taste of Tara by Shanna Hatfield Right This For Me by E. B. Taylor May 12th Become: Brothers by Meredith Mansfield The Wayward Heart by Nerys Leigh May 15th Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians' Rivalry by H. L. Burke May 16th Dance with Me by Staci Stallings Sprouts of Love by Valerie Comer Wedding Pets and Kisses by Donna Fosano, Denise Devine, Raine English, Cheryl Harper, Cindy Flores Martinez, Mimi Milan, Mimi Barbour, J. L. Campbell. Fallen Stone by Jana S. Brown When Your Melody Fades by Rebekah DeVall A Book to Die For - Audio Book by Richard Houston Sweet Dreams by Stacy Claflin May 17th Still Falling: A Novella - Crystal Walton May 18th Dally (Pendleton Petticoats Book 8) by Shanna Hatfield Secrets and Sacrifice by Juliette Duncan May 19th Mercy's King by Katy Huth Jones Matchmaker for Hire by Rachel John May 20th Someone to Trust (Life Unexpected Book 2) - Melanie D. Snitker Check out these new releases from authors involved with American Christian Fiction Writers. You're sure to find a new favorite! Contemporary Romance:
Amish Brides by Jennifer Beckstrand, Molly Jebber, Amy Lillard — Under bright blue skies, wedding bells ring–fulfilling sweet dreams, impossible wishes, and joyous new beginnings among these three new stories. (Contemporary Romance from Kensington Publishers) Sprouts of Love by Valerie Comer — An overzealous community garden manager delivers more than the food bank manager can handle. Can love sprout amid the tsunami of vegetables? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) Summer Dreams by Delia Latham — God’s love…reflected in the waters of the Pacific, and in the eyes of a young couple who walk its moonstone shores. (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican]) Right Where We Belong by Deborah Raney, Melissa Tagg, Courtney Walsh — Three sweet stories of small-town romance by three tried-and-true authors. Whether in a quaint home bakery in Langhorne, Missouri, a cozy boho coffee shop in Maple Valley, Iowa, or a charming lakeside cottage in Sweethaven, Michigan, love grows best in small towns just like this! (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published) A Spring of Weddings by Toni Shiloh and Melissa Wardwell — Two Spring wedding novellas, “A Proxy Wedding,” and “Hope Beyond Savannah.” (Contemporary Romance from Celebrate Lit Publishing) True to You by Becky Wade — Former Navy SEAL John Lawson hires genealogist Nora Bradford to help him to uncover the identity of his birth mother. As they work side-by-side, this pair of opposites begins to suspect that they just might be a perfect match. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing) Cozy Mystery: What the Bishop Saw by Vannetta Chapman — A fire blazes out of control in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, leaving an elderly, Amish bachelor dead. Bishop Henry Lapp rushes to the scene, and he learns the fire was no accident. When the police point the finger at a suspect Henry knows is innocent, the bishop must decide whether or not to use his mysterious, God-given gift—one he’s tried desperately to ignore all these years—to try and set the record straight. (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House Publishers) General Contemporary: A Season to Dance by Patricia Beal — The heart wrenching love story of a small town professional ballerina who dreams of dancing at the Met in New York, of the two men who love her and of the forbidden kiss that changed everything. (General Contemporary from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) Looking Glass Lies by Varina Denman — A poignant and relatable novel, Looking Glass Lies captures the war women wage against themselves, and the struggle to see beauty reflected in a mirror not distorted by society’s unrelenting expectations. (General Contemporary from Waterfall Press) Historical: Blind Ambition by Carol Ashby — What began as a bored man’s decision to try a different road turns into an emotional and spiritual quest that changes the direction of his entire life. (Historical from Cerrillo Press) Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette — A broken and bitter Canaanite woman dresses as a man to fight against the invading Hebrews, never expecting that she would live to be captured and married to one of her enemies, and certainly not to find love and healing among the very people who killed her family. (Biblical/Historical from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing) Historical Romance: The Secret Admirer Romance Collection by Amanda Barratt, Lorraine Beatty, Molly Noble Bull, Anita Mae Draper, CJ Dunham, Jennifer Uhlarik, Becca Whitham, Kathleen Y’Barbo, Penny Zeller — Shy expressions of love lead to nine historical romances. Declaring one’s love can be hard–even risky–especially when faced with some of life’s greatest challenges. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson — She lost everything to an evil conspiracy . . . but that loss may just give her all she ever wanted. (Historical Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing) My Heart Belongs in Ruby City, Idaho: Rebecca’s Plight by Susanne Dietze — It’s a mail-order disorder when newlyweds realize they’ve married the wrong partners with similar names. An annulment seems in order–and fast. But when the legalities take longer than expected, Rebecca Rice wonders if Tad Fordham wasn’t the right husband for her all along. . . . (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing) A Love So True by Melissa Jagears — They begin with the best of intentions, but soon the complications pile up and Evelyn and David’s dreams look more unattainable every day. When the revelation of a long-held secret creates a seemingly insurmountable rift between them, can they trust God still has a good plan for them despite all that is stacked against them? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing) Road to Harmony by Sherry Kyle — When Jonas returns to Harmony, Elena’s heart is torn between her secret love, and the storeowner her parents hope she marries. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) Hills of Nevermore by Janalyn Voigt — Can a young widow hide her secret shame from the Irish preacher bent on helping her survive? (Historical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink) Romantic Suspense: Fatal Mistake by Susan Sleeman — Each day could be her last…but not if he can help it. An FBI agent must protect the woman who can identify a terrorist bomber in bestselling author Susan Sleeman’s riveting romantic suspense novel. (Romantic Suspense from Faith Words [Hachette]) I'm excited to have Author Dawn V. Cahill on my blog as we learn more about her brand new release, MOONSTONE SECRETS. Continue reading for an author interview! Ms. Cahill pens “Stories of Victorious Faith for the 21st Century,” nearly always with a crossword puzzle, sudoku, or dark chocolate nearby. “The characters in my stories face situations that would have been unthinkable even 20 years ago. We live in a vastly different world than our parents did, and that’s the world I write about.” Ms. Cahill also blogs about puppies, substance abuse, and single parenting…sometimes all in the same day. She’s going to finish that novel she started at age 11 called Mitch and the Martians…someday. She has written several newspaper articles, three Christian contemporary novels, and more limericks than she can count. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). About Moonstone Secrets: As the Christmas season sparkles around her, DeeDee McCreary eagerly anticipates visiting magical Victoria, BC, with her boyfriend, Nick, and meeting his family. But the trip proves disastrous. First, Nick finds his bank account cleaned out. Then he disappears. Frantic, she determines to uncover what happened. When she discovers something far worse than she anticipated, she questions everything she believes to be true about him. With the man she loves in jail for an unspeakable crime, DeeDee knows the truth lies somewhere in Nick and his ex-wife’s past. But if she pursues their secrets, will she put herself in danger, too? What are readers saying about Moonstone Secrets? “I couldn’t put it down. The vivid descriptions and the setting pulled me into the story.” – reader Joy “The sisterly bond was wonderful to see, how they stuck by each other. It was good to meet up with DeeDee and Livy again.” – reader Julia Welcome, Dawn! Thank you so much for joining me on my blog today. Congratulations on your new release!
What inspired you to write MOONSTONE SECRETS? Dawn: It’s actually a sequel – Book II in my Seattle Trilogy. My husband & I went to Victoria BC on our honeymoon, and I always thought it would make a wonderfully romantic setting for a book! For those of you who’ve read Book I, Sapphire Secrets, I invite you to beautiful Victoria where the McCreary twins find themselves in danger…again! Learn more here: https://www.amazon.com/Moonstone-Secrets-Christian-Contemporary-Seattle-ebook/dp/B06Y1P9R3Z If there’s one thing you hope readers come away with after reading your book, what would it be? Dawn: I want them to remember what it’s like when they first came to know God, how He brought their dead hearts to life. For non-Christians, I want them to see what they’re missing, and maybe start seeking God for themselves. I think that's awesome! Is there a special treat or drink that helps you during your writing process? Dawn: Not really. Believe it or not, puzzles have a calming effect on me. Like Crosswords or sudokus. When I turn my attention away from my source of stress, it really helps. Tell us about one of your hobbies. Dawn: I love limericks, and while in college I discovered this latent talent for whipping out a cute rhyme. In fact, my heroine in When Lyric Met Limerick, Luna, has turned the same hobby into a money-making enterprise: she writes personalized limericks for people at Pike Place Market in Seattle – something I once dreamed of doing. But since it never panned out, I wrote about it instead. Putting your own dreams into your characters is wonderful therapy! (Read more about my free short story here: https://www.amazon.com/When-Lyric-Met-Limerick-Novelette-ebook/dp/B015DJU5AW) How fun! I'll have to check that out - thank you! Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Dawn: I’m an introvert that is often mistaken for an extrovert, because I enjoy people and I’m friendly. But I need lots and lots of personal space, and prefer my alone times. If time and money were not a concern, what one skill would you like to learn? Dawn: Can’t think of a thing. I’ve spent a lifetime pursuing my interests. If I haven’t done it by the time I’m this age (almost 60), I’m not interested. :-) That's awesome - good for you! What project are you working on now? Dawn: I’m working on Book II of my other series, Golden State Trilogy. I published Book I, Paint the Storm, last October. My WIP is called Paint the Valley. This is the series that tackles tough contemporary topics like same-sex marriage and school shootings. You can learn more here: https://dawnvcahill.com/my-books/ What inspired the cover for your latest book? Dawn: Picture this—a remote cabin in the Canadian bush. Howling wind. A barking dog and a dead body…. It sounds intriguing! Thanks again for joining us and congratulations again on MOONSTONE SECRETS. I wish you all the best with your new release.
Hi, everyone! Please join me in welcoming Faith Blum. She has a new release, Christ Arose, which is an interesting story about the resurrection from the viewpoint of the tomb that held Jesus Christ. Scroll down to learn more, read an excerpt, and make sure you enter the giveaway as well!
About Christ Arose: A Tomb's Tale
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
No longer could I say I was lonely. But oh, how I wish I could! Who could have done such a thing to the Creator of the world? Who had so much hatred for Him?
Excerpt
As the day slowly drags on, more men approach. Are they here to lend aid or to harm the body of my Creator? Oh, Creator! Give me a way to defend Your Son's body if need be!
The Jewish guards come near and take some wax and put a Roman seal on the stone. Doubly safe. No one could take my Creator’s body without facing whatever penalty the Roman’s gave. I should never have doubted You, Creator and Provider! Two of the guards stay behind and stand on either side of the rock. As the day creeps by again, every few hours, new guards replace the ones already there.
About the Author
Faith Blum is a 20-something author of multiple books in various genres. She loves to write, read, play piano, knit, crochet, sew, watch movies, and play games with her family. She lives in Wisconsin with her family on a small family farm where they raise goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and have 2 dogs and a varying number of cats.
Faith’s goal in her writing is to encourage Christians in their walk with Christ. If you enjoyed this book, go to her website to sign up for her Monthly Newsletter so you can get an email with fun facts, giveaways, and so much more every month. You will also find links to her other Social Media sites on her website. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to contact her.
Giveaway
Faith is offering a really neat giveaway for this tour. The ParLaGrace etsy seller has an April special right now for a really beautifully made block that says He Lives. Isn’t it pretty? You can enter the giveaway here:
Blog Tour Schedule
April 22
Bookish Orchestrations-Intro Post Letters from Annie Douglass Lima-Book Spotlight Written Rest-Book Spotlight and Review April 24 Leila Tualla-Book Spotlight God's Peculiar Treasure Rae-Book Spotlight In the Bookcase-Book Spotlight and Review April 25 With a Joyful Noise-Book Spotlight and Review Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Book Spotlight Melanie D. Snitker-Book Spotlight April 26 Frances Hoelsma-Book Spotlight Perpetual Indie Perspective-Book Spotlight and Review Zerina Blossoms Books-Author Interview April 27 Bookish Orchestrations-Giveaway Winner Brooke Pierce thought she'd perfected the art of hiding her feelings from Chess, her best friend and surrogate brother. Then, in a moment of weakness, she reveals the truth. His immediate rejection shatters her heart. After years of waiting for something that clearly wasn’t meant to be, it’s time to break away. Knowing she needs to move on, she must rely on the faith that’s always sustained her.
Chess Summers can’t be the person Brooke needs, even though his heart demands otherwise. Determined to protect Brooke from his past, he's refused to tell her about the family he came from or the painful way it fell apart. He’ll do anything to give her the future she deserves, even if it means keeping his distance to prevent history from repeating itself. As they grapple with the changes in their friendship, they realize moving apart won’t end their struggles. Only by taking the journey together can it lead to the redemption and love they both so desperately seek.
Please welcome Jodie Wolfe to my blog today. She's going to be telling us about her newest release. Scroll down for a fun interview and make sure you enter the giveaway as well!
Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She's been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie.
Jodie's new release, An Angel for the Cowboy, is part of the Let Love Spring: A Historical Spring Collection.
When the bank threatens foreclosure on Essie Love's home, it's up to her to provide for her sisters. She’ll do whatever it takes to save them, even if it means marrying a stranger. Jud Steele is wanted for a crime he didn't commit. Wounded and left for dead, he lands on Essie's doorstep. While she nurses him back to health, he finds himself longing for a home and family. Can two desperate people find a path that leads to what they both need?
Hi, Jodie! Congratulations on your new release!
Jodie: Thank you. I'm truly blessed to have another story published. I appreciate you having me here today. :) What inspired you to write AN ANGEL FOR THE COWBOY? Jodie: My heroine, Essie Love, is a dime novelist. I've always wanted to create a character who also wrote novels. :) If there’s one thing you hope readers come away with after reading your book, what would it be? Jodie: The overlying theme in all my stories is the hope we can have in Christ. In An Angel for the Cowboy both Essie Love and Jud Steele have to learn the importance of not hiding things. They both have a secret of sorts and when they choose not to share it, things don't go the way they'd hoped. Your story sounds great! What is one of the most challenging things you’ve faced as an author? Jodie: My biggest struggle is staying organized. Sometimes time fritters away and I don't have much to show for my day. I'm thankful that God gives me a chance each new day to make better choices in regard to how I spend my time. That's something I struggle with as well. It doesn't matter how well I have things scheduled, it always falls apart at some point during the week. Ha! Praise God for new beginnings each and every day! What is your favorite thing about being an author? Jodie: For me, writing is a ministry—something God has called me to do. When I hear from readers (reviews) that they were touched by a story I wrote, I can't help but thank God and give the glory to Him. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Jodie: Most definitely an introvert. I love being home. Do you have any fun or unusual quirks? Jodie: I'm not sure if it counts as a quirk or not, but come fall through spring, you'll find me praying for snow. :) I have to admit I'm not a huge fan of snow. Within a week of Christmas is great, otherwise I'm good without it. I hope you get a lot of snow where you live! I’m so glad to host you on my blog and wish you all the best with your new book! Jodie: Thanks again.
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a digital copy of HEARTS TIGHTLY KNIT (USA only) or a digital copy of LET LOVE SPRING (international).
You can enter below or click here Hi everyone! Thanks for joining me as I welcome author Sarah Monzon to my blog today. I absolutely loved her book, The Isaac Project, and highly recommend it! Sarah is a Navy chaplain's wife and a stay at home mom to the two cutest littles in the world. Playing pretend all day with them isn't enough, she spends the evenings after their heads hit the pillow to create her own imaginary characters. When she isn't in the world of make believe, she can be found in the pine forests of western Washington taking care of her family, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the adventures each day brings. Her debut novel, The Isaac Project, skyrocketed to Amazon bestseller status while her sophomore book, Finders Keepers, has finaled in contests such as the Inspy Awards and received a 4 star review from Romantic Times. Sarah's newest book, All of You, is available for pre-order now and will be release May 15, 2017. All royalties made from pre-orders will be donated to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Maryland, Present Day Jacqueline Rogers can rebuild anything...except the shambles of her past. A restorer of vintage planes, she's worked hard to earn the reputation of being one of the guys. The last thing she needs is a former Navy pilot fighting his own inner demons stepping in to defend her from dangers she thought she’d outrun long ago. Some battles must be fought alone. After a freak accident severs Lieutenant Michael “Finch” Carrington’s dreams, as well as two limbs, he’s left with nothing but a fragile faith and a duty-bound promise to watch out for his friend’s baby sister. A promise she insists is as unnecessary as it is unappreciated. But when she turns the tables and begins to weld together the broken parts of his life, it may be his heart that is in need of protection. England, 1942 With the world at war yet again, Alice Galloway rejects her father’s traditional expectations and offers her piloting expertise to the Air Transport Auxiliary. She may be a woman in a man’s world, but when she overhears key intelligence, she must find the strength to transcend boundaries and her own fears. Or countless people may die. Sometimes the past reaches forward to bring hope to the future. Welcome, Sarah! I’ve read the blurb for ALL OF YOU and it sounds like such a great book. I understand that you’re donating all the proceeds from the pre-orders. Can you tell us a little about that?
Sarah: Absolutely! While writing ALL OF YOU, and specifically the character of Michael Carrington, doing the research on amputees and veterans, my heart really went out to those among us who served and sacrificed in the military. In the middle of writing ALL OF YOU, my husband joined the navy as a chaplain and now I’m a part of that knit community of service families. I feel a burden and love for service men and women and their families and wanted to give back in a small way. The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is a leader in supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. They serve the Unites States military personnel wounded or injured in service to our nation and their families. All royalties made from pre-orders of ALL OF YOU will be donated to this charity. That's such a wonderful thing to do, Sarah. It sounds like The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund makes a huge difference in the lives of those serving our country in the Armed Forces and their wonderful families. What do you usually use when you’re writing? A computer? Paper and pen? Sarah: I usually write on my iPad at the gym. My “desk” is a stationary bike. I sit and peddle and type away with my thumbs on the handheld device. I write while my oldest is in preschool and my youngest is at the gym’s childcare. That's awesome! I love that you're able to work out while writing. I'm not sure I could be as coordinated lol Is there a special treat or drink that helps you during your writing process? Sarah: Haha. Since I usually write at the gym, the drink I have handy is water. Tell us about one of your hobbies. Sarah: We love to go hiking as a family. Right now we live in a great area to hike and explore. Lots of trees and mountains. One of my friends commented on it being like living in a Bob Ross painting, and it really is. The spring rains has kept us indoors a lot, but I’m looking forward to summer and exploring all the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Sarah: I’m an ambivert with more introvert tendencies. I don’t like large crowds of people. I don’t like being the center of attention. I don’t like meeting new people. I have absolutely no idea how to do small talk and am really awkward. However, being a stay at home mom for the last five years I’ve noticed I crave being around adult humans every now and again, too. As a stay at home mom, I completely understand that need to get out and be around adult humans from time to time. lol If time and money were not a concern, what one skill would you like to learn? Sarah: I’m not sure there is really a skill I’d want to learn, per se, but there are a lot of things I’d like to do, places I’d like to discover, and experiences I’d love to have. I love doing and trying new things. Having adventures. And I love to travel but of course don’t get to do much of it because of money restrictions. What part of writing is your favorite? Plotting, writing, editing, etc. Sarah: I’m not a plotter by any stretch of the word so I love just sitting and listening to my characters as they tell me their story. I guess you could say my favorite stage is the rough draft stage. Getting that story down on paper so the characters can stop talking to me in my head. Haha. Thanks so much for being a guest on my blog today and congratulations on your upcoming new release!
Spirit Filled eBooks is giving away a 7" Kindle Fire
or $50 Cash via PayPal!
to one lucky winner on April 18th!
Check out these great reads from our SPONSORSConsider supporting an author or few by buying their books Many of these books are available FREE with Kindle Unlimited, so you can Read them for FREE with your FREE 30 Day Kindle Unlimited Trial! |
ACFW Member
Archives
July 2023
Categories
All
|