"The Sound of Silver" by Rachelle Rea...and a GIVEAWAY!

Hello and welcome to The Sound of Silver birthday blog tour! I’m posting today about Rachelle Rea Cobb’s second installment in the Steadfast Love series, an inspirational historical romance set during the 16^th century!

Rachelle is also the author of The Sound of Diamonds, the first book in the series, and a newlywed! This summer, she married a man with the same first name as the hero of the series! I’m joining in this blog tour to tell you a little more about Silver and spread the news about the rocking giveaway Rachelle is hosting—make sure you enter using the Rafflecopter form below to win the lovely necklace pictured and your choice of any of the Steadfast Love titles!

ABOUT The Steadfast Love SERIES

In 16th century Europe, the Reformation rages between Protestants and Catholics. Gwyneth, half-Dutch, flees from England to Holland to escape the man who murdered her parents. When he follows her there and insists he came to rescue her, will she trust this man called Dirk? When tragedy strikes, will their steadfast love the erode?

A song I was listening to on the radio inspired the title of the first book. So I wrote Diamonds, but when I finished it, I realized to my great frustration that the characters weren’t done with their story, even though I had been quite adamant that I would write a stand-alone novel. But the story wasn’t finished, so I kept writing.

ABOUT The Sound of Silver

The stalwart saint and the redeemed rebel. One fights for faith, the other for honor…

After Dirk rescues Gwyneth from the Iconoclastic Fury, she discovers that faith is sometimes fragile — and hope is not as easy as it may seem. Gwyneth continues her quest to learn more about the love of God preached by Protestants she wants distrusted.

Meanwhile, Dirk's quest is to prevent his sullied name from staining hers. Will his choice to protect her prove the undoing of her first faltering steps toward a Father God? Once separated, will Dirk and Gwyneth's searching hearts ever sing the same song?

Amazon link for purchase...

http://amzn.to/2e1BhYR

Enter using the Rafflecopter form below to win a beautiful necklace created by Baubles, Beads, and Stuff and your choice of any one of Rachelle’s three books (the series begins in Book One, of course, but in case you have one or two of her books already, Rachelle will gladly send you the next one to read!).

International friends, the paperback & necklace giveaway is open to continental U.S. addresses only (sorry!). But do still enter, because one international winner will also be chosen to receive an e-book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Rachelle...

Times gone by snatch Rachelle Rea Cobb close, so she reads and writes about years long ago — her passions include the Reformation, Revolutions, and romance. Rachelle wrote the Steadfast Love series during college. Five months after she graduated, she signed a three-book deal with her dream publisher, WhiteFire. She's a homeschool grad, Oreo addict, and plots her novels were driving around her dream car, a pick-up truck. In June 2016, she married a man with the same name as her fictional hero, and they live happily ever after in Small Town, South.

Where to Rachelle online...

Website      http://RachelleReaCobb.com/

Facebook   http://facebook.com/RachelleReaCobb

Twitter       https://twitter.com/RachelleReaCobb

Pinterest    http://www.pinterest.com/RachelleReaCobb/

Instagram  @RachelleReaCobb

Writing Prompt Wednesday

If you're feeling stuck in your WIP (work in progress) or just want to shake things up a bit, here's something different to try today:

"I'd love to______, but______." (Finish the sentence and write a story to go with it.)

Happy writing!

Monday Motivation

Some motivation to begin your week:

"And what, you ask, does writing teach us? First and foremost, it reminds us that we are alive and that it is a gift and a privilege, not a right."

— Ray Bradbury

Have a wonderful week!

"Buying Love: A Maple Run Novel (The Maple Run Series Book 1)" by Toni Shiloh

About the book...

Will money ruin everything?

Nina Warrenton is ready for the next step in her life plan—marriage, but no one has proposed. Taking matters into her hand, she places an ad in the newspaper hoping to entice a willing stranger. But when she begins to fall for the small-town chef, she realizes how much she wants him to love her and not her money.

Dwight Williams needs fast cash to save the family restaurant. When he sees Nina’s monetary offer for a husband, he goes for it. He’s determined to save the legacy his dad left him, but can he let it go to prove his love for her?

Can Nina and Dwight find true love, once money has entered the equation?

Amazon link for purchase...

http://amzn.to/2deXj91 

Q&A with Toni...

Q:  What advice do you have for new authors?

A:   Finish a book! For me, that was the hardest part. I had all these great ideas but never finished one. Once I finally did, it was like I couldn’t stop writing. After that, finishing a book was easier.

Q:   That's definitely good advice. If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be?

A:   Elizabeth Bennet! Pride & Prejudice is my favorite book. I’ve reread it dozens of times and watched every movie version available (and own a few). She’s such a fiercely loyal friend and sister.

Q:   Great choice! Who are some of your favorite authors to read?

A:   I love anything with a romance thread in it, and if the writing is superb enough for me to reread it, then you’ve made a fan of me for life. My favorite authors to reread are Becky Wade, Pepper D. Basham, Dawn Crandall, JC Morrows, Joanne Bischoff, Lynette Eason, and Ronie Kendig. And that’s in not particular older…don’t make me rank them. ;)

Q:   I wouldn't dream of asking you to rank them! You have some wonderful writers on that list. Many are some of my favorites, too. What is something about yourself that would surprise your readers?

A:   Most people are surprised to find out I served six years in the Air Force. I went to basic training a few months after graduating high school. It was a great experience and I made life-long friends. Plus, traveling to different places was definitely a perk. 

About Toni...

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.

She spends her days hanging out with her husband and their two boys. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the local Virginia Chapter.

Where to find Toni online...

Website: http://tonishiloh.weebly.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortonishiloh

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/116452363653059921235/posts

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tonishiloh

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tonishiloh

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonishiloh

Blog I’m part of: http://puttingonthenew.com  ; http://heartwingsblog.com  

"The Cautious Maiden" by Dawn Crandall

Dawn is hosting a giveaway. You can find the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of this post. Good luck!

My review...

Due to circumstances beyond her control, Violet Hawthorne finds herself in a compromising position which leads to a forced engagement with Vance Everstone in order to save her name. In an attempt to escape the dangerous situation Violet’s brother placed her in, Vance feels it is in their best interest to leave town and head to Boston. Violet has heard many rumors about Vance, and she is not sure how much she can trust him, particularly when she learns the truth about his past. Will Vance be able to keep her safe and give her the life she has always dreamed of, or will newfound rumors destroy her? What will happen when her past troubles become her present circumstances?

Crandall’s latest is set in 19^th century New England and is a truly engaging and beautifully written story. The transforming power of Christ is evident in her characters’ development. The reader is likely to fall in love with Violet, as well as the handsome rogue. Crandall continues to shine with her first person POV historical romances. The hope-filled story contains engaging dialogue and wonderful chemistry, making this a true page turner.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. Opinions in this review are my own. 

Amazon link for purchase...

http://amzn.to/2dVq6kc

About Dawn...

Dawn Crandall is an ACFW Carol Award-nominated author of the award-winning series The Everstone Chronicles, which currently consists of: The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart, and The Captive Imposter.  The Cautious Maiden is her fourth book and released October 4, 2016.

Apart from writing, Dawn is also a mother of two little ones and serves with her husband in a premarital mentorship program at their local church in Fort Wayne Indiana.

A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education and a former bookseller at Barnes and Noble, Dawn Crandall didn't begin writing until 2010 when her husband found out about her long-buried dream. It didn't take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do. Dawn is a member of  American Christian Fiction Writers, the secretary for the Indiana ACFW Chapter (Hoosier Ink), and an associate member of the Great Lakes ACFW Chapter. She is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Writing Prompt Wednesday

If you're feeling stuck in your WIP (work in progress) or just want to shake things up a bit, here's something different to try today:

You wake up for work one day and find that you're unable to speak. You get to work to find that no one else is talking. What happened?

Happy writing!

Monday Motivation

Some motivation to begin your week:

"When writing the story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen.

— Jack Kerouac

Have a wonderful week!

"The Trickster" by L.G. Miles and Amy Miles ... and a GIVEAWAY!

In celebration of  this release, L.G. and Amy have graciously offered to give away THREE hard copies of the book and treat bags!  (US Only). To enter, see the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends October 14, 2016.) If you are one of the the randomly chosen winners, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!

Q & A with L.G....

Q:  Welcome, L.G. I'm very excited to have you on my blog. I know this is a book you wrote with your mother, but my questions are for you. This is your  debut novel. How did you come up with the idea for your book?

A:  I was watching a movie called Ghost Squad and it just popped up in my mind. I love the Joker and Scooby Doo, so it worked.

Q:  I love Scooby Doo, too! Are you planning a sequel?

A:  Yes. It tells more about the Trickster's story and how he wants to come back to life.

Q:   I'm glad to hear there will be a sequel! What are some of your favorite books?

A:   Goosebumps, Beast Quest, Magic Tree House, and I really love Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Q:   Those are some great books. What is your favorite subject in school?

A:   History because there's a lot of stuff that's really interesting. I like science, too, because there's a bunch of cool stuff about animals.

Q:  What is your least favorite subject in school?

A:   I don't really like grammar because it's a little hard to understand.

Thanks so much L.G. for being on my blog. You are the first  young author I have had on here, but I hope you will not be the last! I was really impressed with your book, and I look forward to reading many more from you.

My review...

In 1905, strange happenings occurred around a traveling carnival in the town of Roselake, S.C. Rumors of dark magic and a curse concerning a dragon staff surfaced. That ancient artifact has just arrived at the Roselake Natural History Museum. Museum guard Dave West is fascinated with it, but he is not prepared for what happens when he touches it.

Tommy Hickelson and his class were supposed to have a field trip to the Museum to see the unveiling of the dragon staff. However, plans change when the trip is cancelled at the last minute. Tommy and his friends decide to investigate the rumors they’ve heard about all their lives. Their search takes them to the abandoned Mill House, which is rumored to be haunted. Will they be able to solve the mystery? Will they find The Trickster Ghost, or will things stay buried?

This is an enjoyable debut from a young author. It contains vivid descriptions and is a quick read, which will make it a great choice for young readers. The mystery is well-developed, as are the characters. It appears that L G Miles has a bright future as a writer ahead of him.

About the authors...

L.G. Miles is a lover of all things Minecraft, Angry Birds, and Teen Titans Go. When he's not at school, he can be found on the golf course, drawing, or building with Legos. The Trickster is L.G.'s debut novel. Amy Miles is the author of seventeen novels, including her bestselling YA paranormal romance, The Arotas series, and she is the proud mother of L.G. Miles.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"The Wedding Shop" by Rachel Hauck

My review...

Cora Scott inherited her aunt’s wedding shop and is biding her time until her love returns so they can marry. However, things are not going quite as she planned. Many years later, Haley Morgan has her heart set on reopening Cora’s wedding shop, in fulfillment of a childhood dream. It appears that this task is going to be much more challenging than she anticipated.

Hauck is a master at dual storylines. Though years apart, both women encounter similar relationship challenges along the way to following their dreams. The past and present are seamlessly woven together. This book is part of Hauck’s “Wedding Collections” series, and it was truly a joy to see characters from The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel included with the latest cast. While the character’s lives parallel each other, the reader is able to see God’s grace at work. Themes of love, forgiveness, hope, and faith are key to the message in this beautiful tale.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the BookLook Bloggers program. A positive review was not required, and the views expressed are my own.

Amazon link for purchase...

http://amzn.to/2dVQVoH

About Rachel...

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, bestselling author of critically acclaimed novels such as "The Wedding Dress," "Love Starts with Elle," and "Once Upon  A Prince." She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, "Softly in Tenderly," one of 2011's Top 10 Inspirationals. She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy and a conference speaker. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets.

You can find Rachel online at:

Website:       www.rachelhauck.com

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/rachelhauck/

Twitter:        @RachelHauck

Link for blog tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/rhauck

Tuesday Tip: "that" vs. "which"

Are you confused about "that" vs. "which"?  Here are some tips to help you remember when to use "that" and when to use "which."

That is used with "restrictive clauses." These are phrases that narrow down a category or refer to a particular item in that category.  For example:

• "Applications that are not submitted electronically will not be considered." 

          In this example, the category is "applications." the phrase "not submitted electronically" narrows down that category. If you remove that phrase, it changes the meaning of the sentence, as it would become: "Applications will not be considered."

Which is used with "nonrestrictive clauses." These phrases add something extra about an item already specified. For instance:

• "My application, which was not submitted electronically, was not considered."

In that example, the "not submitted electronically" phrase adds information. The sentence would have the same meaning is that phrase was removed. The new sentence would become: "My application was not considered."

One final tip:  Clauses using which require commas. Clauses using that do not use commas.