"Focused Backstory" by Carol Alwood -- Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

About the Book

Book:  Focused Backstory

Author: Carol Alwood

Genre: Non-fiction, writing resource

Release Date: June 26, 2019

Learn how to write characters readers will love.

Has an industry professional told you not to dump character history at the beginning of your story? If so, you aren’t alone. But what’s the solution to this common advice? Most writers take the time to design interesting characters with troubled pasts. They long for readers to care about the characters’ lives. However, the sad truth is on page one, readers don’t care—yet. That’s why industry gurus tell writers to stop overusing character history, also called backstory, at the beginning of stories. Have you ever wondered… How to use backstory correctly? What are the ways other writers successfully incorporate backstory into their work? Do tools exist to help writers better plan stories so the backstory isn’t such a problem? In Focused Backstory: The Key to Writing Deep Character Journeys, you’ll find answers to these questions and more. You’ll learn how to avoid the dreaded info-dump and instead, harness curiosity so readers keep turning pages. This resource breaks down focused backstory into simple pieces to use flexibly in any story no matter what genre or length. Worksheets, tables, questionnaires, and templates will help you plan an engaging story with deep characters. Examples from popular stories will help you understand this method.

You’ll learn how to

• design a character around a troubled past.

• create additional characters around the main character.

• weave interesting sub-plots within a characters’ journey toward healing.

• design proper obstacles which interfere with characters’ goals.

• guide readers’ emotions so they have a satisfying reading experience.

No matter what kind of writer you are, if you take the time to analyze the use of backstory, it will enhance your style. Focused Backstory: The Key to Writing Deep Character Journeys is the missing gadget in your writing tool kit.

My Thoughts

This book was helpful and insightful. It gives information about what focused backstory is and how best to use it. There were charts with helpful information and questions to ask about your character to see what their pain and one big lie are. The book is sort of like a workbook with the blanks for you to fill in with the information about your book. I was able to see how I could apply this information to my books.

About the Author

Carol Alwood has an unending passion for fiction, and she can’t think of a better way to spend her life than writing books for young adults and teaching about techniques she has learned along the way. With a Master of Education, experience as a content editor, and over a decade of establishing and working with critique groups, she is an excellent resource. An award-winning author, Carol finds joy in helping writers find the right tools to plan, draft and revise their novels so they can achieve excellence in storytelling.

More from Carol

Focused Backstory resulted from a personal quest to please industry critics who suggested I keep character history out of the first pages of my novels. My initial questions to this advice were: What? Why? I searched for resources to figure out how to write a more powerful beginning without relying on the past but found little help. On a mission to find answers, I studied popular books, television and movies to abstract what made stories work and — boom! I found it! We can break down backstory into simple pieces to use flexibly in any story without compromising artistry. This book provides definitions, examples, worksheets, templates, and comics to help writers study the art of using powerful character histories to keep readers turning pages. I’m so excited to offer this resource and hope it will empower your writing as it has mine.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 28

Holly Jo Morris, December 28

janicesbookreviews, December 29

CarpeDiem, December 29

Jacquelyn Lynn, December 29

For the Love of Literature, December 30

Mary Hake, December 30

Blogging With Carol, December 31

All-of-a-kind Mom, December 31

Genesis 5020, January 1

April Hayman, Author, January 1

Pause for Tales, January 1

Through the Fire Blogs, January 2

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 3

Emily Yager, January 3

Remembrancy, January 4

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, January 4

A Reader’s Brain, January 5

Spoken from the Heart, January 5

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 5

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 6

Godly Book Reviews, January 6

Blossoms and Blessings, January 7

With a Joyful Noise, January 7

Inklings and notions, January 8

Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 8

A Diva’s Heart, January 8

Artistic Nobody, January 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 9

Hebrews 12 Endurance, January 9

Texas Book-aholic, January 10

Stories By Gina, January 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carol is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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/f384/focused-backstory-celebration-tour-giveaway

"Focused Backstory" is available in paperback:

Paperback: 178 pages

Publisher: BookBaby (July 22, 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1543972551

ISBN-13: 978-1543972559

Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 12986 KB
• Print Length: 184 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: BookBaby; 1 edition (June 18, 2019)
• Publication Date: June 18, 2019
• Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07TB9LYD3

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.

"On Wings of Devotion" by Roseanna M. White -- Book Review & Giveaway

About the Book  

All of England thinks Phillip Camden a monster--a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But as nurse Arabelle Denler watches the so-dubbed "Black Heart" every day, she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their paths twist together and he declares himself her new protector, she realizes she has her own role to play in his healing.

Phillip Camden would have preferred to die that day with his squadron rather than be recruited to the Admiralty's codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved. What comes as a shock is the reborn desire to truly live that Arabelle inspires in him.

But when an old acquaintance shows up and seems set on using him in a plot that has the codebreakers of Room 40 in a frenzy, new affections are put to the test.


My Thoughts

"On Wings of Devotion" is the second book in the Codebreakers series. You meet Arabelle Denler and Phillip Camden in the first book, but it isn't totally necessary to have read it first. I still would encourage people to read the first book before reading this book to get the full backstory. Several other characters also appear that were from Roseanna M. White's previous series, 'The Ladies of the Manor' and 'Shadows over England', and it was fun to see them again. I found the book to be well written with a nice pace and flow. There is a solid spiritual faith element woven through the story. I loved Ara and her kindness and giving nature. Phillip was also well written and while rough around the edges, he also had a soft side for those he cared for. There were a couple of things that I wanted to tell the characters not to do something because I could see how it would play out, but I was unsure how things were going to turn out in the end. I loved reading about the activities of Room 40 and how Roseanna M. White worked historical elements into the book for a realistic experience. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and can't wait until we get Lily and Zivon's story (we meet them in this book).

About the Author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

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  Grand Prize
  
  
  
  
  
  Grand Prize:
  
  
  • 1 (ONE) signed copy of The Number of Love
  • 1 (ONE) signed copy of On Wings of Devotion
  • 1 (ONE) sampler of 3 loose leaf teas from the Georgia Tea Company (flavor options will be given to the winner)
  • 1 (ONE) mini globe
  • 1 (ONE) Cadbury chocolate bar box.
  
  
  Prizes subject to change due to availability. Open to US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited. Giveaway open 1/7/2020 - 1/14/2020. One (1) winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and will be notified via the email provided.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  International Giveaway
  
  
  
  
  
  International Prize Includes:
  • One (1) print copy of On Wings of Devotion (shipped from the Book Depository)
  • One (1) $10 gift card to an online retailer of your choice

  Prizes subject to change due to availability. Open to residents outside the USA only. Void where prohibited. Giveaway open 1/7/2020-1/14/2020. One (1) winner will be chosen at random and will be notified via the email provided.
  
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"On Wings of Devotion" is available in paperback:

• Series: The Codebreakers (Book 2)
• Paperback: 400 pagesGiveaways open through 1/14/2020. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. 

• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 7, 2020)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764231820
• ISBN-13: 978-0764231827
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 7972 KB
• Print Length: 390 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 7, 2020)
• Publication Date: January 7, 2020
• Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07VNHD9PG

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.

"End Game" by Rachel Dylan -- Book Review & Giveaway

About the Book

When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper whom Bailey refuses to believe is guilty.

When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.

With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there's a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them.

My Thoughts 

"End Game" is the first book in the Capitol Intrigue series. It was an entertaining read that kept me turning pages. I loved the action and twisting plot that kept me guessing what was going on right up until the very end. It isn't often that I don't figure out the mystery before the book tells you what is going on, so it was nice to be surprised. I found the book to be well written, with a nice pace. Faith was a big part of both Marco's and Bailey's lives and how they dealt with situations they found themselves in. I liked the secondary characters and look forward to getting to know them more as the series progresses.

About the Author  

Rachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade including being a litigator at one of the nation's top law firms. Rachel writes the Atlanta Justice Series which features strong, female attorneys in Atlanta. Deadly Proof, the first book in the Atlanta Justice series, is a CBA bestseller, an FHL Reader's Choice Award winner, a Daphne du Maurier Finalist, and a Holt Medallion Finalist. Lone Witness is the winner of a Holt Medallion, the Maggie Award, and is a Selah Finalist. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids--two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. You can find Rachel at racheldylan.com.

It's here! It's here! It's officially release day for End Game! If you think it takes forever for a book to come out as a reader, try being the author! I'm excited that I finally get to share my new series with you! In this launch day newsletter, learn more about the Capital Intrigue series and how to enter the giveaway currently running on my website. I'm also starting a new feature to let you know about other romantic suspense releases I am sure you will want to read.  Introducing the Capital Intrigue series! My new series features three friends who all went to Georgetown Law School, but ended up taking different career paths—an FBI agent, a CIA analyst, and a State Department lawyer.  About End Game:    Each New Clue . . . Every Crime Scene . . . Brings Them Closer to Discovering the End Game When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper whom Bailey refuses to believe is guilty. When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets. With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there's a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them. All of the links to purchase the paperback or e-book from your favorite online retailers are available at https://www.racheldylan.com/end-game/.  Giveaway Head over to Rachel's website to enter the giveaway for an End Game prize pack and a Cross My Heart Necklace from Dana Michael’s Premier Designs. www.racheldylan.com/end-game-release-giveaway/ The giveaway ends January 15.

"End Game" is available in paperback:

• Series: Capital Intrigue (Book 1)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 7, 2020)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764234307
• ISBN-13: 978-0764234309
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 5771 KB
• Print Length: 319 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0764234307
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 7, 2020)
• Publication Date: January 7, 2020
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07VNHCYQW

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.

"Common" by Laurie Lucking -- Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

About the Book

Book:  Common

Author: Laurie Lucking

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: February 14, 2018

Only one person knows of the plot against the royal family and cares enough to try to stop it—the servant girl they banished.

Leah spends her days scrubbing floors, polishing silver, and meekly curtsying to nobility. Nothing distinguishes her from the other commoners serving at the palace, except her red hair.

And her secret friendship with Rafe, the Crown Prince of Imperia.

But Leah’s safe, ordinary world begins to splinter. Rafe’s parents announce his betrothal to a foreign princess, and she unearths a plot to overthrow the royal family. When she reports it without proof, her life shatters completely when the queen banishes her for treason.

Harbored by an unusual group of nuns, Leah must secure Rafe’s safety before it’s too late. But her quest reveals a villain far more sinister than an ambitious nobleman with his eye on the throne.

Can a common maidservant summon the courage to fight for her dearest friend?

My Thoughts

I enjoyed reading this book. It drew me in and carried me along. I liked Leah and wanted her to find her happily ever after. There was a faith thread with God being called Luminate. Leah has many unexpected adventures and she experiences growth though her experiences. I also like Rafe and his faithful steadfastness. I look forward to reading more books in this series and by Laurie Lucking.

About the Author

An avid reader practically since birth, Laurie Lucking discovered her passion for writing after leaving her career as an attorney to become a stay-at-home mom. When she gets a break from playing board games and finding lost toys, she writes young adult fantasy with a strong thread of fairy tale romance. Her debut novel, Common, won the Christian Editor Connection’s Excellence in Editing Award, placed third in the Christian Women Reader’s Club Literary Lighthouse Awards, and is a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards. She has short stories published in Mythical Doorways, Encircled, and the upcoming Christmas Fiction off the Beaten Path. Laurie is the Secretary of her local ACFW chapter and a co-founder of Lands Uncharted, a blog for fans of clean young adult speculative fiction. A Midwestern girl through and through, she currently lives in Minnesota with her husband and three children. Find out more by visiting www.laurielucking.com.

More from Laurie

Common started with the simple premise that I wanted to write a friendship-first romance that would be innocent enough for pre-teen readers, but complex enough for teens and adults to enjoy it, too! My love for fairy tales soon kicked in, inspiring a Cinderella-type dynamic of a secret friendship between a maid and a prince. Then came the “what if” questions. What if the king and queen arranged a betrothal between the prince and a foreign princess? What if the maid tried to help the prince find happiness with his new fiancée, but accidentally made things worse? What if she then discovered a plot against the royal family and was the only one who could stop it?

Looking back, it’s fascinating to see how my story expanded from a sweet romance to so much more. The romance is still there, prominent enough to satisfy any reader who loves rooting for a fun couple. But there’s also so much personal growth for my main character, who learns though her journey that even a lowly maid is anything but common and that the biggest challenges and disappointments we must overcome are preparing us for something better. I didn’t set out to include a spiritual thread, but my protagonist kept contemplating and reaching out to God until I finally realized her story wouldn’t work without a faith component. And that faith component led to an entire group of characters – spunky, mysterious nuns who now form the backbone of my entire Tales of the Mystics series.

The end result is an inspirational, romantic fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Melanie Dickerson, Anne Elisabeth Stengl, and Jody Hedlund’s new Lost Princesses series. Book Two is in progress, and I can’t wait to see how much it will change and develop along the way!

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, December 31

Books, Life, and Christ, December 31

My Devotional Thoughts, January 1

For the Love of Literature, January 2

Rory Lemond, January 2

Pause for Tales, January 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 3

Through the Fire Blogs, January 4

Texas Book-aholic, January 5

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 6

Rebecca Tews, January 6

Blossoms and Blessings, January 7

Emily Yager, January 7

Reading Is My SuperPower, January 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 9

Avid Reader Nurse, January 9

janicesbookreviews, January 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 11

For Him and My Family, January 11

Inklings and notions, January 12

A Reader’s Brain, January 13

Mary Hake, January 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Laurie is giving away a themed basket with a signed paperback copy of Common, a beaded velvet bookmark, a handmade book sleeve, and a wooden “Have courage & be kind” sign!!

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/f38c/common-celebration-tour-giveaway

"Common" is available in paperback:

• Series: Tales of the Mystics (Book 1)
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Love2readlove2write Publishing, LLC (February 14, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1943788278
• ISBN-13: 978-1943788279
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 2340 KB
• Print Length: 304 pages
• Publisher: Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, LLC; 1 edition (February 14, 2018)
• Publication Date: February 14, 2018
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07958ZV6X

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.

Extended Family Christmas / Music Recital

My dad had a replacement knee replacement shortly before Christmas, so we did our extended family Christmas on Jan 4th.

Grandpa reading the Christmas Story from Luke.

Most of the grandkids are musical, so we had a mini recital.

Goals for 2020

For the last few years, I've done goals for what I want to do in the year.  I schedule blog posts to post on the last day of each month, but half of the months, I didn't remember to go in and enter the amounts for the things I did! I'm going to alter my goals for this year to be a little more generic since I had put specifics like "Sculpt x babies, tat x crosses, knit x hats..." but then I don't do those specific things, but I crochet 5 teapots and knit 4 pairs of socks, but they aren't "counted" because I didn't put them on my goal list. I want to be more specific in my writing goals, however, and not just that I want to write each month.

My goals for 2020:

• Write everyday at least a minimum of 100 words
• Write 500 words a day
• Write 12,000 words a month
• Be creative
• Tat
• Crochet
• Knit
• Sculpt
• Exercise 5 days a week
• Read my Bible everyday
• Blog more than book reviews
• Read books