Sunday, September 24, 2023

"Zuggy the Rescue Pug -- Happy Howl-idays" by Jean Marie Alfieri -- Author Interview

About the Book

Book: Zuggy the Rescue Pug – Happy Howl-idays

Author: Jean Marie Alfieri

Genre: Kid-lit Activity Book

Release Date: June 17, 2023

Three fun Zuggy the Rescue Pug stories in one action-packed activity book! First, Zuggy goes ‘Costume Crazy.’ How many does he model before finding the perfect Halloween outfit? Color them all. Then, Zuggy must save dinner from racing out the door, in ‘The Great Turkey Chase.’ Finally, Zuggy can’t stand the thought of the family having no presents this holiday. Can he work some Christmas magic? Only if the cat keeps his secret.

Packed with book club questions, puzzles, and games, this activity book makes a paws-itivly perfect gift for parents, teachers, and kiddos!

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

1. Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?
I go wherever an idea takes me… which is usually into a corner. I try to
make that corner my ‘plot twist.’ It’s a fun (if not frustrating!) approach.

2. Do you need to be in a specific place or room to write, or you can
just sit in the middle of a café full of people and write?
Just about anywhere works for me. A few years ago (pre-Covid), I
regularly traveled for business. Airports and planes were my most
common writing spaces. Now, my writing time is limited to weekends and
I’m usually on the couch with my pug, Princess Zoey, by my side, or
(more often) on my lap.

3. When did it dawn upon you that you wanted to be a writer?
I loved writing as a kid. I had a diary and would sometimes embellish
events or situations to make them more exciting. I never thought of it as
a way to earn a living but fell into a career that was heavy on technical
writing and communications. That background allowed me to lean into
both the children's and non-fiction genres I write now.

4. How long does it usually take you to write a book?
Writing the content of a Zuggy book may take a couple months, but the
process also includes illustrations, print-design and lay-out before it can
be published. I’m fortunate to have a power-house team that helps me
put it all together.
I try to consistently have a story-project in one of those stages so I can
publish at least one book a year.

5. Where do you get your ideas for your books?
I journaled for three years (grieving the loss of my first pug, Wyatt) before
I realized the stories were a great foundation for a book collection. I
named that often mischievous and always adorable rescue pup ‘Zuggy,’ so
any future pugs I may be blessed with caring for could be my muses.

About the Author

When Jean’s eyes locked with those of a smooshy-faced little dog who sat inside a kennel at the Humane Society, it was love! He captured her heart. She captured their many adventures in short story poems starring Zuggy the Rescue Pug. An author, speaker, and advocate for the adoption of senior dogs, Jean and her husband currently live with their three fur-kids in Colorado. They joke that although the humans pay the mortgage, it’s really the dogs’ house! Jean finds much of her writing inspiration from her “vintage puppies” and work at the Pikes Peak Humane Society.

More from Jean

Pug-Lovers Magazine recently sat down with America’s favorite rescue pug to interview him on the new trio of Howl-iday stories and activity books that were released last month. Here’s what Zuggy had to say.

Q: This is book #11 in an award-winning collection. How do you continue to be your Mom / Jean’s most influential writing inspiration?

Zuggy: Oh, that’s easy. I just jump on her lap and wiggle around until I almost fall off and she tells me to settle down. Then I sit and stare deeply into her eyes and subliminally ask for a snack. She thinks I’m giving her story ideas, but it works for her, so I don’t ruin it.

Q: What is the best activity in these special edition books?

Zuggy: The puzzles and games and coloring pages where you can decorate me! The book club questions are also a great feature. (Mom said she got the idea from her own reading club – thanks, Auntie Karen!)

Q: What is your favorite holiday?

Zuggy: This pug is all about love and hugs, so Valentine’s Day is my fave. (I should have been named Very-Valentino, or Vee-vee for short! It’s so Ooo-la-la.)

Q: Do you ever get writer’s block?

Zuggy: Every day around breakfast and dinner time I simply can not focus. I scour the kitchen for lost and forgotten kibbles and wait impatiently for my chef (I mean, Momma Jean) to prepare my next meal. Who could write in such conditions?

Q: Which story from this collection is your favorite?

Zuggy: That’s ruff. ‘Costume Crazy’ is based on a true story and I really enjoyed all the belly-rubs between wardrobe changes. ‘The Great Turkey Chase’ starts out sad but is so exciting, and I score a drumstick in the end, so that’s a super story. And ‘Santa Paws’ is full of surprises. I love them all!

Q: Where can friends and fans get this new book?

Zuggy: The whole collection is available on Amazon and Jean will be signing copies on September 16, 2023, at the Humane Society’s Pawtoberfest, in Colorado Springs. Grab a beer and a book! And remember, she loves visiting schools (in person or remotely) so drop us an email to schedule a class visit: ZuggythePug@gmail.com

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 18

lakesidelivingsite, September 19

Texas Book-aholic, September 20

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 22

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 23

Blossoms and Blessings, September 24 (Author Interview)

The Book Club Network, September 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 25

Blogging With Carol, September 26

For Him and My Family, September 27

Artistic Nobody, September 28

Cover Lover Book Review, September 29

Guild Master, September 30

Vicky Sluiter, October 1 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, October 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jean is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a print-copy of the newest special-edition activity book, “Zuggy the Rescue Pug – Happy Howl-idays”!!

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/27fb2/zuggy-the-rescue-pug-happy-howl-idays-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, September 18, 2023

"Expired Vows" by Laura Conaway

About the Book

Title: Expired Vows
Series: Last Chance Fire and Rescue #4
Author: Laura Conaway & Lisa Phillips
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: September 12, 2023
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Fire. Family. Faith.
Last Chance Fire and Rescue

She sees the promise of freedom. He vowed to always be the hero.

EMT Trace Bently came back to Last Chance County to escape his past. After the loss of his wife, he gave up a promising career as a police officer for the chance to save lives every day as part of the Fire Department. When a hostage situation demands the help of a local counselor, Trace realizes the past he left behind has found him. He’s being given a second chance to save the life of someone he cares about.

If he can face the grief he buried.

Family Counselor Kelsey Scott has to secure this grant or admit failure. She can’t afford to lose any more pieces of the life she wants because of her own choices. When Kelsey becomes the target of a series of dangerous attacks, Trace steps in determined to protect his wife’s best friend. This hero breaks down all her resistance, but Kelsey can’t risk her own heart.

Even if it’s what will set them both free.

Another thrilling installment in the Last Chance Fire and Rescue series.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

Expired Return

My Thoughts

I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the characters and found them to be believable and realistic. There was a nice biblical faith thread woven through the story and the characters grew and changed through the book. I did figure out who was behind the attacks against Kelsey fairly early on in the book, but I do tend to figure out the "who-done-it" ) I liked being able to see the other characters that we've gotten to know from the other books in the series. The epilogue was especially nice to wrap up the series and see everyone one more time and their happily ever afters. I look forward to reading more books by Lisa Phillips and Laura Conaway.

About the Author

Lisa Phillips Laura Conaway

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 50 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). As a worship leader for Calvary Chapel churches in her local area, Lisa has discovered a love for mentoring new ministry members and youth worship musicians.

Connect with Lisa by visiting authorlisaphillips.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates. Discover the world of Last Chance County at www.lastchancecounty.com.

Laura Conaway grew up in the suburbs of Pennsylvania as an avid reader and writer while making every adventure a mystery to solve like Nancy Drew. As a former school librarian, she’s always on the hunt for the next best read but now spends her time creating stories that leave readers on the edge of their seat with a healthy dose of suspense and happily ever afters. When she’s not typing away or inhaling sweet potato fries to motivate writing, Laura spends her time playing violin and guitar and sharing about the Greatest Story ever written.

Connect with Laura by visiting lauraconawayauthor.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will a print copy of Expired Vows and a $10 gift card to the Sunrise Shop

Expired Vows JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 13, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 20, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

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.

Sunday, September 17, 2023

"Moving to the Peaceable" by Grami McAdoo - Author Interview

About the Book

Book: MOVING to The Peaceable

Author: Grami McAdoo (Caryl McAdoo)

Genre: Children’s Animals Picture Book

Release Date: December 22, 2022

Moving can be hard for any age, but the wise old hens might make it easier for the little ones in your life! Follow their journey!

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

Do you pen down revelations and ideas as you get them, right then and there?

Well, I don’t but I should! I keep saying I need to learn how to use my phone for remembering things like that. A grandsugarSon showed me, but he went to fast and I didn’t do it myself, he did it, so it didn’t stick at all. Next time he comes, maybe I’ll get him to walk me through it taking baby steps!

Do you need to be in a specific place or room to write, or you can just sit in the middle of a café full of people and write?

No, ma’am, I don’t need to be anywhere special, I can write anywhere.

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

So that totally depends on how long the book is. I wrote MOVING To The Peaceable in a couple of days. I can write a book that’s less two hundred pages in three or four weeks. To write a full-length novel, it takes two or three months.

I average writing a thousand words a day. On the average, that’s four pages a day, twenty-eight pages a week, one hundred twenty pages a month. Then there’s editing and proofreading and formatting and dealing with the cover!

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Most ideas come from life. Things I hear or read or experience. For MOVING To The Peaceable, it was the experience of moving twenty-one hens from the home where they’d lived eight years to my home, The Peaceable, about fifteen miles away. Getting them settled in and on their new routine.

What is your work schedule/routine when you write?

I almost always write in the early morning after I’ve spent an hour or so with the Lord. Sometimes maybe only five hundred words, sometimes two thousand or more. I write through to the end of a scene usually. That’s a daily routine, seven days a week. It never seems like work, and I never get writer’s block. I only miss writing when I’m traveling or in the hospital or something like that—I don’t write when I have company . . . Those are about the only days I ever miss.

About the Author

Award-winning, Christian author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory. Of her best-selling novels, readers love her historical Christian romance family sagas most, but also enjoy their contemporary cousins, Caryl’s Biblical fiction, her new historical mystery series, and tales for young adults and mid-grade booklovers. The majority of reviewers award her stories five-stars and praise Caryl’s writing style and the depth of her characters, feeling as though they get to know them well.

The prolific writer loves singing the new songs God gives her almost as much as penning new novels—hear a few at YouTube! She’s been married to Ron fifty-four years, and they share four children and twenty-four grandsugars. The McAdoos live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl

This is the story of how I became a Chicken Lady from start but not the finish! I have two more “chicken”! books planned based all on the true story! Before we had “backyard birds”—except mine are also front and side yard!—I called our back in the woods twenty acres in Red River County The Peaceable. After the chickens, I added “Farm & Bookery”.

My husband of fifty-five years Ron and I now incubate purebred chicks and raise them to laying age—usually four to five months—then sell them. We both love being around our flock, and the supplemental income is nice as well. They grow so fast; watching them is both so much fun and also relaxing!

I know each hen and rooster by name, and they all are so affectionate! They come running whenever I head out the door (mostly because they want to see if I brought any food! ) I love thinking about what they are saying to each other with all their clucking and purring and cackling!

This is why the books are partially written from the hens’ point of view as our first animals’ series, The River Bottom Ranch Stories featuring horses and goats and dogs among other wild animal characters. And all those farm animals were real ones that we owned and loved, too—like the chickens!

This series ‘Grami’s Stories for Children’ also has a narrator’s story throughout, and that’s me, Grami McAdoo! I talk to the children through a few pages full of dialogue to teach them about poultry and things of God. In MOVING to the Peaceable, I talk about changes and how they can be scary, but God is always with us wherever we go.

The illustrations are photographs of our real chickens and The Peaceable Farm & Bookery. In the back of the book, there are a few pages of “Chicken Terminology” and fun “Chicken Facts” to teach the little ones more about the wonderful world of chickens!

I pray they will love the story and be blessed by it!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 9

The Book Club Network, September 10

Texas Book-aholic, September 11

Guild Master, September 12 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, September 12

Girls in White Dresses, September 13

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 14

A Reader’s Brain, September 15 (Author Interview)

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

Blossoms and Blessings, September 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, September 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 18

Cover Lover Book Review, September 19

For Him and MY Family, September 20

Artistic Nobody, September 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and signed copy of the book!!

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/27a6f/moving-to-the-peaceable-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, September 15, 2023

"Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows" by Jody Hedlund, Lacy Williams, and Misty M. Beller

About the Book

Book: Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows – A Marriage of Convenience Anthology

Authors: Jody Hedlund, Lacy Williams, and Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: September 26, 2023

From bestselling and award winning authors, experience Christmas on the rugged western frontier with three novellas filled with unforgettable adventures, enduring romance, and the timeless message of hope found in the Savior’s birth.

Claiming the Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund

Serena Taylor is hiding in Colorado’s high country to keep her son safe, and she knows the best way to protect him is by marrying again and giving him a father. Weston Oakley needs a wife by Christmas to placate his meddling family, but after being spurned one too many times in love, he’s reluctant to give his heart away again. When they agree on a marriage of convenience, both of them get much more than they bargained for.

Doctor’s Snowflake Bride by Lacy Williams

Minnie steps off the train ready to become a mail-order bride, but she finds the well-dressed man waiting for her isn’t her intended husband. The protective oath Jed took when he became a doctor doesn’t cover stranded women, but he can’t leave the beautiful stranger alone in a building blizzard two days before Christmas. When circumstances force them into close proximity, Jed and Minnie find that their growing feelings aren’t convenient at all.

Marrying the Mountain Man’s Best Friend by Misty M. Beller

Two Stones, a Salish warrior accustomed to navigating between tribes and miners, unexpectedly finds himself summoned to the side of a dying friend in Virginia City. Sworn to honor the miner’s last wish, Two Stones agrees to marry his daughter, Heidi, but plans to take her to live with his parents. He’ll provide all her needs, make sure she’s safe, and visit her on occasion when his path leads him that direction. As they set out on the journey, their path is fraught with challenges that defy Two Stones’ plans and reveal a surprising depth to Heidi’s character. As they near the end of their trail and join the Christmas festivities at the Coulter Ranch, Two Stones begins to realize this inconvenient marriage might really be a Christmas gift he’ll always treasure.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

**All three of the stories contained in this book are set around Christmas and feature marriage of convenience/unexpected marriage. They all are also tied to a series by the author. They are not connected to each other in anyway. **

"Claiming the Cowgirl" by Jody Hedlund

After having met Weston and Serena in "Captivated by the Cowgirl", I enjoyed getting to read this story and finding out what Serena was hiding and to see Weston find his happily ever after. I found the story to be well written and easy to read. I liked watching Weston interact with Tate and how Tate warmed up to him. I hope to be able to get to know Weston's family more.

"Doctor's Snowflake Bride" by Lacy Williams

I enjoyed reading this story. It was well written and flowed well. I liked the characters and how the things they were going through and the way they handled them seemed realistic. The romance happens really fast, but it didn't really feel that rushed. I just wished we would get to spend more time with the characters, but the novella ended.

"Marrying the Mountain Man's Best Friend" by Misty M. Beller

I loved that we got to read Two Stones's story. I liked him when I met him in the first book of the Brothers of Sapphire Mountain Ranch series, so it was nice to get to know him a little more. It was also nice to see the Coulter family again. There was a nice biblical faith thread. The romance didn't feel rushed but developed naturally. There were several typos/wrong version of a word or editing issues, but my copy might have been an early version. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

About the Authors

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over forty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle.

USA Today bestselling author Lacy Williams is devoted to bringing her readers heartwarming love stories about cowboys and the women that tame them.

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

More from Misty

When Friends Join Forces…Magic Happens!

For me, joining with my good friends Jody Hedlund and Lacy Williams resulted in Christmas magic!

Ever since I was young, Christmas stories have held a special place in my heart. The charm and warmth they exude, coupled with the enchantment of the holiday season, are a captivating combination I find irresistible. Can you relate?

I’ve also long been a HUGE fan of Jody Hedlund and Lacy Williams. I’ve read so many of their books over and over!

Joining them for this Christmas novella collection has been a dream come true for so many reasons. And not only are these three marriage of convenience stories set on the Rocky Mountain frontier (my favorite place!), each of these novellas is an exciting extension of the current series we’re each writing.

Jody’s novella is the finale to her Colorado Cowgirls series. We meet both the hero and heroine of this Christmas story back in book 4. You don’t have to have read Jody’s series to fall in love with them here though!

Lacy’s novella tells the story of a character from a new mail order bride series she has coming soon. This prelude is a fantastic taste that will have you swooning as you eagerly await the rest of the books!

My own contribution features Two Stones, the Coulter family’s best friend from the Brothers of Sapphire Mountain Ranch series. I love having the chance to tell his story, even though he’s not ‘officially’ one of the brothers. 

If you’ve read any of these series—or if you just love Christmas books like I do!—you’ll definitely want to read the novellas in Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows. It’s our collective holiday gift to you, the readers—intertwining familiar settings and characters with the joy and love that the festive season brings. We hope these tales bring you the same warmth and joy we’ve felt while penning them.

Blessings!

Misty