"Raising Honor" by Jill Lynn ... and a GIVEAWAY!

Stop by to learn about the latest release from Jill Lynn and enter to win a print copy of the book (US ONLY).

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“THE BEST WE’VE BEEN” BY BETH K. VOGT … AND A GIVEAWAY!

Beth's publisher has agreed to give away a print copy of The Best We've Been. (US ONLY) You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of my blog post. (Giveaway ends June 30, 2020.)

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"The White Rose Resists" by Amanda Barratt ... and a GIVEAWAY!

It's #FridayReads, and I'm featuring the latest release from Amanda Barratt, The White Rose Resists. Stop by to read an excerpt and enter to win a print copy of the book (US ONLY).

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"Lizzie's Heart" by Susan Lantz Simpson ... and a GIVEAWAY!

Stop by to learn about the latest release from Susan Lantz Simpson, Lizzie's Heart. Read my review, and enter to win a print copy of the book. (US ONLY)

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"Untraceable Evidence" by Sharee Stover ... and a GIVEAWAY!

Stop by my blog to learn about this great new release and enter to win a copy (US ONLY)

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"Pockets of Promise" by Laurie Stroup Smith ... and a GIVEAWAY! (blog tour)

I'm participating in the blog tour for Laurie Stroup Smith's debut novel, "Pockets of Promise." Stop on by to learn about the book, read my review, and enter the tour-wide giveaway!

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"Yellowstone Yondering" by Kristen Joy Wilks

Stop by my new site to learn about the latest release from Kristen Joy Wilks. Enter to win an electronic copy of the book. 

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"The Sheriff's Second Chance" by Tanya Agler ... and a GIVEAWAY!

Stop by my new website to learn about Tanya Agler's latest release, The Sheriff's Second Chance. You can learn about the book, read an excerpt, and enter to win a print copy of the book (US ONLY).

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"Misleading Miss Verity" by Carolyn Miller ... and a GIVEAWAY!

Carolyn's publicist has agreed to give away a complete set of the "Daughters of Aynsley" trilogy (all three books!) to one lucky blog reader (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends December 13, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.) 

My review...

This is the final installment in the “Daughters of Aynsley” series, but it could be read as a standalone (which is what I did).

The cover catches the reader’s eye, and the characters quickly pull them in to this charming tale. It’s the first book I’ve read my Miller, and I found it to be engaging and filled with vibrant descriptions. The book has a little bit of something for just about everyone, including castles, horse races, pirates, and foreign settings. Verity’s vulnerability made her easy to relate to adore. In general, characters (including the secondary ones) and scenes were well-developed, and things moved along at a realistic pace. There is a spiritual element woven throughout the story, so it’s not overwhelming. Faith, hope, and love are key themes. Fans of Regency novels (and those wanting to check out the genre) should pick this one up!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Excerpt...

Chapter One Bath, Somerset January 1820 

     It was the sobbing that decided her. 

     The Honorable Verity Hatherleigh eased from her bed and stole across the room to the disconsolate girl whose snuffling and muffled weeping made sleep impossible. She touched her roommate on the arm. “Lucy, dear. What is wrong?” 

     The shrouded figure shifted, lowering the heavy blankets whose inability to stifle the sounds of sadness had perturbed Verity’s slumber. Clouded moonlight streamed pale from the window, framing a plain, round face made less lovely by red eyes and blotched cheeks. “It’s Papa. He . . . he’s—” Lady Lucinda Wainbridge gulped, her chin quivering, a sure sign more waterworks were in the offing.  

    “Now, Lucy, stop, take a deep breath”—Verity waited as the older girl complied—“and tell me what has happened.”  

     After another shaky breath, Lucinda exhaled noisily, then blew her nose with a honk reminiscent of a startled goose. 

     “If you don’t want Miss Pelling to check in here, you might want to do that more quietly.” 

     Lucy’s eyes flashed accusingly. “You weren’t here when I was telling the others.”

     “No, because I was in Helena’s room, helping her with her French for tomorrow’s examination, as you well know.” Verity dashed back 10 Misleading Miss Verity to her bed and pulled on her padded dressing gown. These rooms, for all the exorbitant fees paid, were never heated properly. She returned, wrapping a woolen blanket around her shoulders. “Now, what happened to your father?” Had the Earl of Retford sickened? Her heart quickened. Had he died? Poor Lucinda . . . 

     Lucinda shook her head. “Nothing has happened to Papa. It’s what he will do.” 

     “Which is?” 

     “Remove me from Haverstock’s!” 

     This was a bad thing? “Why are you so certain he will?” 

     Lucinda wiped her eyes. “He’s bound to as soon as Haverstock sends him the letter she found from William.” 

     “She found it? I thought you had it well secured. Didn’t you place it under the floorboard as I suggested?” 

     “I was going to . . .” 

     Lucinda’s shoulders slumped, and she looked so miserable, Verity didn’t have the heart to scold her roommate’s folly. Dear foolish Lucy, with her silly infatuation for a squire’s son of whom her fastidious parents would never approve. Many had been the confidences Lucinda had whispered, ever since Verity had been forced to leave the room she had previously shared with Helena. Many a dull evening spent listening to Lucy prattle on about William’s inestimable qualities, whilst Verity strained to hear the telltale creaks in the hall that told of vigilant staff, waiting until the creaks had quite faded away before stealing across to the room which had fostered a friendship more dear than that of her family’s. 

     Helena Chisholm was the most loyal and encouraging person Verity had ever met, filled with a zest for life and mischief that rivaled Verity’s own. When Miss Haverstock had been informed about one of Verity’s previous secret visits to the headmistress’s study by the not-so-honorable Prudence Gaspard, Verity’s separation from Helena had been swift, painful, and irrevocable. Her punishment was to be bored by Lucinda’s ill-advised romance for the remaining weeks until their schooling was considered complete. 

     Not that Verity was against romantic attachments as such; more Carolyn Miller 11 that with such opposites involved, this particular attachment seemed a complete and utter waste of emotions, when anyone could see it was an attachment doomed to futility and failure. Her lips twitched. Although, judging from Lucinda’s descriptions of her beau, he seemed as dull as she, so perhaps they were well-matched. 

     “This is not funny, Verity. What am I going to do? When Papa sees what we have been writing to one another, he’ll have a fit, and threaten to marry me off to old Lord Winchester. I’d rather die than marry him!” Lucinda sniffed, as another tear tracked down her face.

     “What did William write that is so concerning?” Normally Lucinda shared every phrase over and over until Verity could mouth along too, but lately she had been too busy helping some of the younger girls prepare for their upcoming examinations. “Surely it cannot be so bad.” 

     The moonlight revealed a faint blush on Lucinda’s cheeks. “It was most poetic. William was describing me, you see. He said I am beautiful.” She smiled a wobbly smile. 

     “And if he loves you, then I suppose he should.” Verity nodded her affirmation, while wondering at how men could be so blind. Lucinda, beautiful? Even at her best she could only be described as somewhat attractive. Verity knew herself to hold no pretensions to beauty—her hair was too black, her eyes too pale, her eyebrows too slanted, her chin too pointed, the whole effect considered to be odd-looking rather than attractive, or so her mother said. But it had always surprised her how men could see what they wanted to see, such as the men who loved her elder sisters and openly admired their golden beauty, most recently at last month’s Boxing Day Ball during which Cecy’s betrothal had been announced. In Verity’s mind, Helena was more attractive, her smile even brighter than the red curls that adorned her head. “Titian-haired” their drawing master had once remarked.

      Lucinda sighed, reclaiming Verity’s attention. “I suppose he did get a little carried away.” She smiled coyly, clearly inviting Verity to enquire further. 

     Verity stifled the yawn. “It’s very late—” 

     “He said my lips are like a scarlet ribbon!”

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About Carolyn...

Caroloyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Miller has won a number of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers awards. Her debut series, Regency Brides, is now available in German and Dutch translations and on audiobook. She's a memeber of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. See more at carolynmillerauthor.com.

Where you can find her online...

Pinterest

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Takeover Thursday with Kathy McKinsey

Kathy has agreed to give away one electronic copy of  the book to one lucky blog reader. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends November 21, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.) 

The story behind the story...

Millie’s Christmas was a lovely surprise to me as a writer.

I didn’t want to try yet to do NaNoWriMo, a program where writers try to write an entire novel in the month of November. But I did want to work on a project where I would make myself write every day.

It was December, so I decided to do a Christmas story.

I’m more of a pantser than a plotter, but usually, I do have a basic idea in mind of how the story will unfold. This time, at first anyway, I just sat down and wrote whatever came to me.

I write women’s fiction. I enjoyed reading to my kids when they were little, and even making up stories, but I’m not a children’s story writer. For this, however, I thought I’d write a story told in the point of view of a kitten.

And before I knew it, God gave me this fun story. A kitten and her two best friends, the family dog and the six-year-old girl of the family.

In no time, God took this project of forcing myself to write daily and turned it into one of my favorite stories.

I always have to say at this point that I in no way set myself up as comparing with C. S. Lewis in talent. However, I see Millie's Christmas appealing to readers of all ages, as the Chronicles of Narnia do.

For children, there is the fun of the cats and dog, the delights of Christmas celebration, the comfort of parents, and the joy of Jesus. For adults, there is the hope of Jesus, the relationships between all members of the family, and the fun of the cats and dog.

Millie’s Christmas will be released October 22, 2019.

Blurb...

Ruthie says Millie will love Christmas. Ruthie is Millie’s best friend, so she’s sure Ruthie’s right, but why does Millie keep finding Ruthie and her brother Jake crying?

Millie, an orange kitten, shares about her first Christmas. Her best friend Ruthie, six years old, teaches Millie about Christmas—food, decorations, music, presents, and Jesus!

Millie’s friend Bruce, the family dog, also helps her celebrate Christmas, and sometimes gets her in trouble.

When Ruthie’s big brother Jake breaks his ankle, Millie learns about sad things, like divorce, when Jake can’t visit his mommy for Christmas. Millie watches Ruthie’s family love each other through the sadness and find joy in Christmas.

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About Kathy...

Kathy McKinsey grew up on a pig farm in Missouri, and although she’s lived in cities for nearly forty years, she still considers herself a farm girl.

She’s been married to Murray for 32 years, and they have five adult children.

She’s had two careers before writing—stay-at-home-Mom and rehabilitation teacher for the blind.

She lives in Lakewood, Ohio with her husband and two of her children. Besides writing, she enjoys activities with her church, editing for other writers, braille transcribing, crocheting, knitting, and playing with the cat and dog.

Where you can find Kathy online...

Email: Kathy.mckinsey@gmail.com

Website: https://www.kathymckinsey.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathy.brinkmann.mckinsey

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathymckinsey

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"The Dating Charade" by Melissa Ferguson

The story behind the story...

This story is a twist on The Brady Bunch, where two people individually have three children dropped in their laps unexpectedly. As a mother of young twins and an even younger daughter, many of my humorous mothering misadventures played a direct role in the comedic parts of my story! I guess some people scrapbook, and some people turn their embarrassing parenting stories into books. Whatever works, right?

My heart in this book was to also share about foster care and the reality of hardship for those in foster care or a part of foster care--whether biological parents, foster parents, children, or staff--and this book came out of that God-breathed desire. This book changed my heart and my family's heart, and I hope it will help change other people's hearts, too.

Blurb...

Just when you think you've met your match ... the charade begins.

Cassis Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband--and children--altogether.

But, fate has other plans, and Cassie's online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett's memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game. 

No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout. But when they both go home and find three children dropped in their laps--each--they independently decide to do the right and mature thing: hide the kids from each other while sorting it all out. What could go wrong?

Melissa Ferguson's hilarious and warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages--and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren't nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.

Click here to read an excerpt

Purchase links...

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Target

About Melissa...

Melissa Ferguson lives in Bristol, Tennessee, where she is an assistant professor at King University and pens books that make her laugh and grow. She used to have hobbies like running and backpacking the Appalachian Trail outside her door. Now she and her husband are outnumbered, and her hobbies include diaper changes, chasing toddlers in parking lots, and admiring the Appalachian Trail out her minivan window while singing "Winnie the Pooh." She survives by Jesus, rom coms, and roughly two espresso shots a day. The Dating Charade is her debut novel.

Links...

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Takeover Thursday with Kristen Terrette ... and a GIVEAWAY!

Kristen has agreed to giveaway one electronic copy of  each book in the series (#1 - Safe Harbor, #2 - Time and Tide, and #3 - Morning Star) to one lucky blog reader. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends October 24, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.) 

Book blurb...

Addie McHenry, restoration home builder extraordinaire, catches her big break when the House to Home network contracts her to film a reality TV show focusing on how she brings homes back to life. She sets her sights on one of the oldest on Moanna's beach and to risk everything just to get it.

Shane Armstrong from Savannah to his mother's Moanna oceanside house when his world shattered five months before. He went on leave from his job as a Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer, hopeful his grandmother's peaceful street will help heal him. The reality TV show's arrival threatens his security.

But the construction camera crews are nothing compared to Addie herself. She's tough as nails, challenging, and superbly bossy as she works to get her way. But she's also kind, hardworking, and has a relationship with God Shane can't begin to understand.

With each encounter, Shane's walls start to crumble as Addie brings more than just the historical home back to life, but him as well. Addie tries desperately not to enjoy spending time with the irritable and scowling boy from next door. He hides his heartache well, but she sees it there behind his prickly exterior. Soon she begins to uncover the sacrificial hero underneath the façade.

With both of them only temporary residence on Moanna Island, their thin ice relationship crashes to a halt. Can Shane return to his risky job with the Coast Guard? Does he even want to? And can Addie let him go and follow her dreams even when tragedy strikes?

The story behind the story...

While I was writing the first Moanna story, I was already plotting the second, and the same happened while writing the third. The setting of the series was too hard to resist bringing more characters to! Moanna is much like the island of Hilton Head off the coast of South Carolina, where I vacationed as a kid. It's the perfect getaway location for love to catch one off guard. Plus, I enjoy reading book series that focus on a small town or a family, so I think it was natural to think of how to interweave my new and previous characters so my readers could catch up on old friends.

As the time approached for me to sit and type away at my computer, I began developing the characters. I knew early on that Addie was going to restore a historic home on Moanna--think Nicole Curtis on Rehab Addict--and that Shane would be some kind of soldier. I settled on him being in the Coast Guard because there is an Air Station in Savannah. While researching this area, I became fascinated with helicopter rescue swimmers. They jump off a chopper into the ocean during storms to save people! It also helped that the movie, The Guardian, with Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Costner came on television. After watching it again, it was settled. Shane was an AST, aka a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer. I watched probably thirty YouTube videos on the Coast Guard, the types of helicopters they use, AST training, and live rescues caught on film. I also read many newspaper articles to get a feel for the types of calls they get day in, day out.

Addie's career and character traits came a bit more easily. I worked real estate, namely new homes construction, for many years, so I knew the process of building a home from the ground up. But Addie revives old homes, so it was fun to explore Pinterest and find houses that represented the southern/old world style. I found my imagination closely resembled Second French Empire architecture. I pinned many homes like this and even searched the hip colors of 50s decor and its furniture style.

You can check out Morning Star's Pinterest page here to see what I landed on for this story. 

Something fun...

Every book I write has some playlist. I listen to their songs over and over, and they usually find their way somehow into the story. Here's Addie and Shane's playlist. Check out the songs on iTunes or YouTube.

About Kristen...

Kristen cherishes her Southern roots and lives forty-five minutes outside of Atlanta, GA. She served as a Children's Ministry Director for many years, and wit the support of her husband and two children she now stays home writing Christian fiction and nonfiction. She's passionate about storytelling and helping people take their next steps in their relationship with Jesus. She also serves on the women's leadership team at her local church and blogs for Crosswalk and Wholly Loved Ministries. You can check out her articles and novels on her webiste.

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