Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Month in Review -- September

Wrote everyday at least a minimum of 100 words? Yes
Number of days that I wrote 500 words a day: 1
Wrote 3933 words this month
Be creative

Tat 1 cross
Crochet
Knit
Sculpt
Sewed 2 sock monkeys

Exercise 5 days a week? Yes
Read my Bible everyday? Yes
Blog posts that weren't book reviews: 1
Read 8 books

Sunday, September 27, 2020

"Spies and Sweethearts" by Linda Shenton Matchett --Book review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Spies & Sweethearts

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: April 15, 2020

SpiesandSweetheart eBook Cover jpg A secret mission. A fake bride. A run for their lives.

According to the OSS training manual, the life expectancy of a radio operator in Nazi-occupied France is six weeks. Partnered with one of the agency’s top spies, Gerard Lucas, newly-minted agent Emily Strealer plans to beat those odds. Then their cover is blown and all bets are off.

The border to neutral Switzerland is three hundred miles away—a long way to run with SS soldiers on their heels.

Will Emily and Gerard survive the journey?

And what about their hearts? Nothing in the manual prepared them for falling in love.

My Thoughts

I enjoy reading WWII books and was excited about this book. It kept my attention and had twists and adventure I didn't see coming. The biblical faith thread was well done and both of the main characters had growth in their lives. There were some errors and typos that I found, but I seem to find this type of thing easier than most people. There were some loose threads that were never wrapped up, (but they didn't make much of a difference to the story) and some inconsistencies (Emily wins the first hand of gin rummy against Gerard, but then says she's never won and then later she translated 2 kilometers as being almost 8 miles when it is only a mile and a quarter.) I was really intrigued with the premise of spies needing to escape from Nazi occupied lands. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

About the Author

Linda Matchett Head Shot Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is also a trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

Dear Reader,

Take a moment to travel back to an era when ordinary women did extraordinary things. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, stalwart American gals stepped out of their comfort zone to take jobs never before held by women…sometimes dangerous jobs. Jobs in which they could lose their lives.

As a docent at the Wright Museum of WWII, I meet people from all walks of life who lived and served during the second “war to end all wars.” Many of these people haven’t shared their stories with loved ones for myriad reasons, but when they arrive at the museum, the floodgates of memories open, and words begin to pour out.

I’ve listened as ladies shared the stress of working outside the home, and juggling finances and childcare issues while their husbands were away in the armed forces. I’ve heard some speak about the excitement of learning new skills and gaining confidence. However, others were not as forthcoming because what they did was not only perilous, but secret. Fortunately, in the last few years, documents been declassified to shed light on the undercover work and projects performed during the war.

It is my hope that Spies & Sweethearts, book one in my Sisters in Service trilogy, will honor these brave women in some small way.

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

Blog Stops

Hebrews 12 Endurance, September 15

lakesidelivingsite, September 15

Worthy2Read, September 16

deb’s Book Review, September 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 17

Genesis 5020, September 17

Betti Mace, September 18

Emily Yager, September 18

Texas Book-aholic, September 19

The Book Chic Blog, September 19

Inklings and notions, September 20

Get Cozy Book Nook, September 20

For Him and My Family, September 21

Where Faith and Books Meet, September 21

She Lives To Read, September 22

As He Leads is Joy, September 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 23

CarpeDiem, September 23

Artistic Nobody, September 24 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 24

Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 25

Connect in Fiction, September 25

Connie’s History Classroom, September 26

Mary Hake, September 26

Blossoms and Blessings, September 27

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, September 27

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 28

Life, Love, Writing, September 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed copy of Spies & Sweethearts, an autographed copy of WWII Word Find, hand cut wood fleur de lis earrings, pewter Eiffel tower ring holder, and a fleur de Lis Coaster!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/100e4/spies-sweethearts-celebration-tour-giveaway

"Spies and Sweethearts" is available in paperback:

Item Weight : 1.03 pounds
Paperback : 318 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1734708516
ISBN-10 : 1734708514
Publisher : Linda Shenton Matchett, Author (April 15, 2020)
Product Dimensions : 5.98 x 0.71 x 9.02 inches

and in Kindle edition:

File Size : 505 KB
ASIN : B086696351
Word Wise : Enabled
Print Length : 248 pages
Publication Date : April 15, 2020

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

"Go Teen Writers: Write Your Novel" by Stephanie Morrill, Jill Williamson, and Shannon Dittemore -- Cover Reveal

I am excited to be part of the cover reveal for Go Teen Writers: Write Your Novel by Stephanie Morrill, Jill Williamson, and Shannon Dittemore. If you’re new to writing or struggle to finish books all the way to the end, this book is for you. Here’s the book description:

You have a story to tell, don’t you? Or maybe you simply want to try your hand at fiction writing. Perhaps you’ve given it your best effort, but simply didn’t have enough tools in your tool box to finish that first draft. Wherever you’re at with this novel-writing thing, popular bloggers Stephanie Morrill, Jill Williamson, and Shannon Dittemore totally understand.

They know it’s hard to finish a first draft. To stay motivated until the end. To feel like a “real” writer. They know because they’ve been there too.

In Go Teen Writers: Write Your Novel, you’ll learn:

There is no such thing as one right way to write a novel.
How to take an idea and give it a beginning, middle, and end.
What story structure means and how it strengthens a book.
Different approaches to plotting a novel.
How to develop characters worth reading about.
Strategies for creating memorable storyworlds and settings.
What theme is and how to use it to enrich your story.
What to do when your first draft is finished.

There’s no doubt about it. Learning to write a novel from beginning to end is a challenge. But with this book as your guide, you’ll see that when you’re in possession of the right tools, you’re capable of finishing what you start. You’ll be empowered and encouraged—as if you had a writing coach (or three!) sitting alongside you.

To learn more or preorder, go to: GoTeenWriters.com/WriteYourNovel

Monday, September 21, 2020

"When Hearts Collide" by Sara Beth Williams -- Author Interview, Blog Post, and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: When Hearts Collide

Author: Sara Beth Williams

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: September 10, 2018

When Hearts Colide A reckless mistake landed Jacob “Jay” Mathews behind bars, but it was his inescapable guilt that led him to God. Upon his release, with the help of a spiritual mentor and friend, he strives to move forward with his life. Determined to graduate college, get a job, and follow God’s word, the last thing Jay needs or wants is a girlfriend. Until he meets Lacey Bennett.

When fervent prayers for reconciliation between her divorced parents go unanswered, and her older sister tragically dies, Lacey questions how God could allow such tragedies to befall her family. Turning her back on her past and God, she focuses on her future. College and theater are her ultimate goals; falling for the one type of guy she swore to avoid—a Christian—is not. No matter how much she wants to resist, Jay is irresistible.

As their relationship deepens, Jay struggles with Lacey’s unresolved anger and her unwillingness to even discuss faith. All he wants to do is reveal how God changed his life, but doing so would mean revealing his status as an ex convict. Finally, as she begins to rekindle her faith, past secrets collide, threatening to destroy everything they’ve built. Now, Jay must rely on his faith more than he ever has before. Can they learn to forgive—or is their relationship fractured beyond repair?

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

1. Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?

I prefer to free-write when I am in the beginning of a new story. If it’s part of a series, it’s less free-writing and more paragraph-plotting, if you will. Because I already know the main characters (unless I’m adding a brand new character)

But if I’m beginning a brand new story with brand new characters, free-writing is the easiest, most exciting way for me to get to know the characters, and to be able to listen to the characters, as well as to generate new ideas that will help progress the story forward.

2. Do you pen down revelations and ideas as you get them, right then

and there? – if I have a notebook, yes. I try to carry a little notebook around with me. I also try to use my phone but that’s not always reliable and then I never go back to look at the notes. A notebook stays on my bookcase or in my purse until I’m ready to go back to look at it.

3. When did it dawn upon you that you wanted to be a writer?

I think I’ve wanted to be a writer since junior high. However, after high school I recognized that the publishing industry was rapidly changing, and that it was going to be very difficult to get into it without some research. Also, directly after high school, as I began the skeleton draft of When Hearts Collide, I warred with myself for years as to what genre I actually wanted to write. I could not pin one down – so I abandoned the entire idea for quite a while.

4. How long does it usually take you to write a book?

It really depends on what you mean by ‘write a book’. How long does it take to finish my first draft? Probably about 3 to 4 months. How long does it take to finish a manuscript to where it’s ready to pitch to agents/editors/publishers? About a year – if I work at it consistently. Generally longer, because I don’t have time to work on it constantly. I go through a lot of drafts haha.

5. Do bits of yourself/friends show up in your characters?

Yes!! Especially in When Hearts Collide. I think Matt is the only character out of the 6 who does not have attributes and characteristics of friends or family. I used to love theater in college – and a lot of Lacey’s personality as well, resembles me. A lot of Tara’s personality reflects that of one of my best friends. Not everything is exactly the same of course. Joel’s personality and likes/dislikes resemble a combination of my brother, and my husband. All the characters have a mix and match of physical characteristics from friends and family.

About the Author

Sarah Beth Williams Sara Beth Williams is a wife, mother of two daughters, and temporary caretaker of a lovable old lady pit and a spunky Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix. She lives in Northern California. When she’s not held hostage by the keyboard, she enjoys music, teaching, reading and spending time with her family. She is all about connecting with readers! Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, Bookbub and AllAuthor.

More from Sara Beth

I’d had the beginnings of the story that is When Hearts Collide, in my mind for many years after I graduated high school. There are a number of personal experiences both from high school and after, which have influenced this story. Attending a memorial service for a fellow high school student who died in a car accident heavily influenced the early drafts of my novel; however, over time the accident itself, and the surrounding circumstances morphed into something else entirely.

The more books I read, no matter the genre, the more I am drawn to authentic, broken characters, who long for (and hopefully achieve) a second chance – both in love and in life. This is the essence of When Hearts Collide. Both Lacey and Jay long for a second chance in many aspects of their lives.

One of the key components in my writing and storytelling is creating authentic characters who experience real life challenges while embarking on a journey of faith.

I hope you truly enjoy this story of romance, faith, forgiveness, and second chances.

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, September 9

Remembrancy, September 10

Simple Harvest Reads, September 11 (Author Interview)

Godly Book Reviews, September 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 13

Artistic Nobody, September 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Texas Book-aholic, September 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 16

A Baker’s Perspective, September 17 (Author Interview)

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, September 17

For Him and My Family, September 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 19

Sara Jane Jacobs, September 20

Blossoms and Blessings, September 21 (Author Interview)

Cultivating Us, September 21

Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sara is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the winner’s choice of one of Sara’s books!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10096/when-hearts-collide-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, September 19, 2020

"Almost a Bride" by Jody Hedlund -- Book Review

About the Book

Always close, but never a bride.

Longing to find true love, Kate Millington arrives in British Columbia on a bride ship. With countless men waiting to snag a bride, Kate has no trouble getting engaged. It’s staying engaged that’s the problem. After traveling to the remote mining town of Williamsville to marry her newest fiancé, she finds herself single again.

As the prosperous owner of a gold mine, Zeke Hart has everything he’s ever wanted except for a wife. At Kate’s arrival, he takes it upon himself to protect his childhood friend from the men clamoring to court her. The more he renews her friendship, the more he wants to win her for himself. But as much as Kate admires Zeke, she’s resolved not to marry someone who doesn’t share her faith.

When Zeke begins receiving anonymous threats, he unwittingly puts them both in grave danger. In the midst of peril, the past rises up to haunt them both, and Zeke realizes the fight for Kate’s affection may be his biggest challenge yet.

My Thoughts

"Almost a Bride" is the 4th book in the Bride Ships series but could be read as a standalone. Some of the characters from the other books are mentioned, especially from the 3rd book (A Bride of Convenience) as it was about Zeke's twin sister. I think that the first 2 books were more closely tied together and the then the last 2 books. I enjoyed reading this series and the history behind the bride ships Thus book did not have anything from on the ship itself unlike the other books. Biblical faith played a big roll in this story and there was nice character growth. The characters don't do anything more than kissing, but the kisses at times were quite passionate. I look forward to reading more books by Jody Hedlund.

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teensand is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

"Almost a Bride" is available in paperback:

Paperback : 312 pages
ISBN-10 : 1733753443
ISBN-13 : 978-1733753449
Product Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.78 x 8.5 inches
Publisher : Northern Lights Press (August 25, 2020

and in Kindle edition:

File Size : 630 KB
Publication Date : August 25, 2020
Word Wise : Enabled
Publisher : Northern Lights Press (August 25, 2020)
Print Length : 184 pages
ASIN : B083K1LWQV

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

"To Love a Prince" by Rachel Hauck -- Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: To Love a Prince

Author: Rachel Hauck

Genre: Royal Romance

Release Date: August 11, 2020

An enchanting new royal romance from NYT bestselling author Rachel Hauck

Daffodil Caron is not a princess, even though she once dreamed of being one. After all, she grew up as a playmate to royal princes, running through the halls of Perrigwynn Palace and dining with the queen. But the day she stumbled upon a royal secret, everything changed.

Flash forward eighteen years, and Daffy’s living a sweet, non-royal life. A skilled art curator for the Royal Trust, she has friends, a flat in the heart of the city, and a handsome, successful fiancée. The last person on her mind is Gus, a prince she once called her best mate.

HRH Prince Augustus is no longer “Prince Pudgy,” as caricaturized by the press, he’s charming and gorgeous, possessing a world-famous smile. But when he’s jilted at the altar by an American heiress as millions of people around the world watched, the spare heir to Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue escapes, finding solace on a Florida beach.

A year as a regular bloke allows him to rethink his purpose. He’s half decided his calling is to pour pints at a tiki bar, rather than serving his country and the Family.

Until an accident on the beach with a Frisbee changes his course.

Despite his long hair and beard, Daffy recognizes her prince, and their childhood friendship is renewed. She assures Gus Lauchtenland needs him, giving him the courage to return home.

When Daffy and Gus find themselves on assignment to Hadsby Castle in preparation for his brother’s wedding, their friendship blooms into affection.

But Gus cannot, will not, trust his heart again. Daffy’s engaged. And she also remains a royal family outcast because she knows the Queen’s secret.

When affection grows into love and secrets are exposed, trust is destroyed. Gus must choose which is stronger: the lies of his past or the hope of his future. And Daffy must face every fear to prove she will forever love a prince.

“Another compelling royal story by the master of princely tales!” Susan May Warren, USA Today bestselling, RITA award-winning novelist

My Thoughts

I like reading royal stories, so I was happy to read "To Love a Prince". I found the book to be well written. I was disappointed with the lack of a clear biblical thread throughout most of the book with characters wondering if I was time to " take the relationship to the next level" as if it was not a big deal. I was happy when the end had more about God. It was fun to see characters from some of Rachel Hauck's other books.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times Book Reviews. She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award Winner.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, first in the Royal Wedding Series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie.

Rachel has been awarded the prestigious Career Achievement Award for her body of original work by Romantic Times Book Reviews.

A member of the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, she teaches workshops and leads worship at the annual conference. She is a past Mentor of The Year.

At home, she’s a wife, writer, worship leader and works out at the gym semi-enthusiastically.

A graduate of Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism, she’s a former sorority girl and a devoted Ohio State football fan. Her bucket list is to stand on the sidelines with Ryan Day.

She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat.

More from Rachel

Hello Royal Rockstar Readers!

I’m thrilled to share To Love A Prince with you. So many of you who loved the Royal Wedding Series have asked for more royals so as I noodled over new story ideas, my thoughts drifted toward princes and princesses. What’s more romantic than a royal wedding?

This royal story, the first book in a new series, True Blue Royal, is set in a new fictional country, Lauchtenland, in the North Sea. I’m really squeezing all those oil wells currently occupying that body of water.

The beauty of royal stories is they remind us of who we really are: princes and princesses. There is always a point in the story where the royal character, as well as the commoner, must come to grips with his and her true identity! Who God says we are!

Stories are a powerful reflection of life and it’s fun to insert ourselves into the tale. While fiction employs a lot of hyperbole we can find ourselves on the page somewhere, somehow.

Thanks for going on this little tour with me and To Love A Prince. You are so vital to my story as an author. Thank you!

Yours,

Rachel