Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Blessed Assurance Blog Tour–Excerpt + Giveaway!

 



Who doesn't like a good mystery? I'm sure there are a few, but most people do like mysteries. What about a mystery within a mystery. Faith Blum's new novella is just that. First there's the mystery of who tried to dupe five mail order brides. Then Adelaide finds out someone is claiming she's a runaway bride. What happens to her? Find out in Blessed Assurance.

About the Book

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
 
Adelaide lost her parents a year before and now a rich man in town is making unwanted advances toward her. Desperate, she writes to two men and quickly accepts the one from Cheyenne, Wyoming. On the final leg of her journey, in a stagecoach with four other mail order brides, her suspicions are confirmed. Will she ever find a man she can truly trust?
 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IIU5XPK

About the Author  

Faith Blum started writing at an early age. She started even before she could read! She even thought she
could write better than Dr. Seuss. Now that she has grown up a little more, she knows she will probably never reach the success of Dr. Seuss, but that doesn’t stop her from trying.

When she isn’t writing, Faith enjoys doing many right-brained activities such as reading, crafting, playing piano, and playing games with her family. One of her dreams is to visit Castle City, Montana, someday to see the ghost town she chose for her characters to live in. She currently lives on a hobby farm with her family in Wisconsin.
There are many ways to connect with Faith online. All of them can be found in one convenient place: http://FaithBlum.com. On her website you can find links to her various social media sites and both of her blogs as well as learn about any events she has coming up. 
 

Excerpt

Adelaide adjusted to the new house quickly. It helped that Mr. Reese put her immediately at ease with his gentle, hospitable manner. After a few days, Adelaide went to his den.

“Come in,” he called. When he saw who it was, he set down his pen and smiled. “Miss Adelaide. What can I do for you?”

“You are the one who will be approving or not approving of any young man who wants to court us, correct?”

Mr. Reese nodded. “If that is acceptable to you.”

“It is.” She sat down across the desk from him. “Do you mind if I give you my list of expectations in a husband?”

Mr. Reese blinked in surprise. “You have one?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Did the man you wrote to fulfill them?”

Adelaide bit her lip. “No. I didn’t have the list then. This is something I started putting together after I arrived in Cheyenne. When I left my hometown, I just needed to get away and wasn’t as worried about it. Now that I can have more of a choice—” Her voice trailed off.

“I understand. Can I see the list?”

Adelaide stood up and handed him a piece of paper with five things written on it. Mr. Reese read it carefully while Adelaide sat back down. “This doesn’t look too hard to fulfill.”

Adelaide shrugged. “I didn’t want to make it too hard and these are the most important things to me.”

Mr. Reese nodded. “I’ll make sure no one slips past me without first meeting these.”

“Thank you.” She stood up. “Don’t go out of your way looking for them, though. I’m not in a hurry.”

“You’re sure?”

Adelaide nodded. “I’m sure.”

“All right. I’ll try not to do any matchmaking yet.”

“Thank you for everything, Mr. Reese. It takes a special man to allow five young women to live in the same house as him.”

“I always wanted children. This is one way to get them.”

Adelaide smiled. “And grandchildren, I’m sure.”

Mr. Reese chuckled. “Probably.”

 

Giveaway



Faith’s sister, Naomi, graciously hand painted two beautiful bookmarks for this giveaway. There will be one lucky winner. The bookmarks are made with Adelaide in mind. Aren’t they gorgeous?


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule 

 
August 26
BookishOrchestrations-Tour Introduction
 
August 27
Blue-Brown Books-Author Interview
 
August 29
 
August 30
 
August 31
 
September 1
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Character Interview (Adelaide)
 
September 2
Bookish Orchestrations-Tour Conclusion and Winner

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Book Spotlight–Rainland

Today I’m happy to spotlight Sarah Allerding’s debut book, Rainland!

Rainland_KINDLE

About the Book

When Thomas gets caught in a summer storm, he is sucked into the world of raindrops through a tornado. He learns he will not be allowed to return until he can defeat the lightning, which has been hurling raindrops from the clouds. Many adventures await him in this strange land. Is everything just as the raindrops say it will be? Is it the lightning they need to defend themselves against, or is there a much greater foe behind the disturbing disappearances?

Buy Now

goodreads-badge-add-plus-d700d4d3e3c0b346066731ac07b7fe47

About the Author

MeSarah is a homeschool graduate who enjoys using her imagination to write fiction. She is working on a degree in theology and hopes to eventually work in the church. She also enjoys umpiring baseball, writing devotions and Bible studies, reading fiction, and playing the guitar.

Visit Sarah and her website and on Goodreads!

Saturday, August 13, 2016

What do you want to see in an author newsletter?

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Some of you may have noticed that I’ve completely neglected my emailing list for a long time now. Adult life has kind of hit me out of nowhere and left me scrambling to keep up with everything. As I attempt to better organize, one of the things I’m trying to get going is a bi-monthly newsletter. That has led me to ask, what do readers want from an author newsletter? I’ve done a little research and have a few ideas, but since you all are the ones who will be reading it, I wanted to ask you. I’ve created the little survey below. In the first box you can give suggestions of what you would love to see in my newsletter. Below that, you can pick the ideas that are most interesting to you. I plan to have the first of my new newsletters out next month, so your help and suggestions are greatly appreciated! And if you haven't signed up for my emailing list, but would like to, you can do so here. :)

Friday, August 12, 2016

Book Review—The Beautiful Pretender

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About the Book

After inheriting his title from his brother, the margrave has two weeks to find a noble bride. What will happen when he learns he has fallen for a lovely servant girl in disguise?

The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble born ladies who meet the king’s approval to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn’t select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

My Review: 5

The fact that I’m reviewing The Beautiful Pretender is surprising. You see, I never finished the first book in the series, The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest. For some reason, it just didn’t grab me at all and I had to put it aside. I didn’t expect to read any further in the series, however, after seeing the glowing reviews of The Beautiful Pretender that my friends were sharing, I was intrigued. I still didn’t think I would take the time to check it out, but, on a whim, I picked it up. I was very pleasantly surprised. This one drew me in very quickly held my interest all the way through. I really liked the characters and enjoyed the storyline. I’m so glad I took a chance with this one.

I received a copy of this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Book Review—No Other Will Do

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About the Book

Men are optional. That's the credo Emma Chandler's suffragette aunts preached and why she started a successful women's colony in Harper's Station, Texas. But when an unknown assailant tries repeatedly to drive them out, Emma admits they might need a man after all. A man who can fight--and she knows just the one.

Malachi Shaw finally earned the respect he craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma's plea arrives, he bolts to Harper's Station to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she's not a girl any longer. She's a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn't deserve.

As the danger intensifies, old feelings grow and deepen, but Emma and Mal will need more than love to survive.

My Review: 5

I am so behind in reviewing this book, but you know, life. Anyway, as I always say, Karen Witemeyer is one of my top favorite historical writers. I look forward to every one of her books. I really enjoyed No Other Will Do. I probably liked it even better than the last two books that came out. I loved Malachi, and Emma was one of the more likeable heroines I’ve read about. (I always seem to have issues with the heroines. I’m just weird that way.) This book was particularly interesting because it took place in a women’s colony. That is something I’ve never read about before.

I think the only disappointment I actually had with this book was the cover. I miss how the old covers looked. I thought it made Karen’s books more unique. This one looks too much like so many other historical romances. But that’s just me, and it did nothing to detract from the story. Seriously, if you enjoy historical romance and haven’t checked out Karen Witemeyer’s book yet, you absolutely must.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Friday, August 5, 2016

Song of the Sword Blog Tour–Sneak Peek and Spotlight + Giveaway!

Song of the Sword Blog Tour

Welcome to the launch of Song of the Sword, the second novella in the Legends of Light series! Although the history of Aslaria and the conflict between the Prince and the rebel, Tauscher, flows chronologically though the series, each novella is a stand-alone retelling of a favorite fairy tale. Each story in this nine novella series focuses on one of the nine aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit while also retelling popular fairy tales in a clean, exciting, and inspiring manner.

Song of the Sword August 5-7

A glittering sword.

An ancient oath.

A blackened rose.

And a melody which ties it all together.

Evrard and Roinette, twins separated at birth, are caught in a battle beyond their own limited powers. With their ability to walk in the melody realm, catching glimpses of the light and darkness underlying Aslaria, comes even more danger.

Deadly mistbenders. Writhing walls of blankness. Hateful drumbeats. As a warrior in the Melody, Evrard has seen it all. But his own ability in the melody realm pales in comparison to the Prince’s melody, the legendary prowess of past Wingmasters, and even the depth of his sister’s song.

To rescue Roinette and evade the trap almost certainly set for him by those who want his power, Evrard knows he’ll have to be careful. Even if he can find the Wingmaster’s sword, there’s no assurance he’ll be able to defeat a mistbender on his own. In the end, will his and Roinette’s efforts matter if the Prince brings an ancient oath to fulfillment, shaking the very foundation of Aslaria?

Available on Kindle, iTunes, and Smashwords

Add on Goodreads

Sneak Peek

Weary, with the claim that he has a sister still running through his mind, Evrard collapses into sleep as dusk closes over the recent battlefield.

Darkness swept about him as soon as he closed his eyes. Fragmented memories sifted through his mind. Rough gray buildings. Curtains of falling rain. Cold and mud and the predawn chill. Icy fingers and rough blows. The chafe of coarse rope. Over it all rose the distant sound of weeping.

The dream shifted to the present. To the Melody.

He was alone, standing once more on the knoll where he’d watched the battle. Death cloaked the field in shifting black shades, but pale stars glittered through ragged clouds and the waxing moon set the shadows in stark relief with silver slopes.

And Evrard was running, springing through the cool air, catching wisps of melody, drawing them in as he leapt from hilltop to hilltop.

East, always east. Toward the source of the song. Toward her. A wide valley opened up, but the mist he’d remembered from scouting expeditions was absent. Still he continued with a rush, up the hills along the borders of the Shadowfen.

Flickering pictures mixed with the low hissing hum of the mist which still lingered, thick and smothering. Evrard’s steps barely slowed as he skirted it, now springing through the fen itself, brushing aside reeds and serpent vines.

A light gleamed. The remnant of a song.

Evrard slowed, his steps faltering. Ruins. A sunken castle. Relics of an ancient settlement from the first age.

A string of notes swept across his ears and Evrard caught his breath, twisting around. On the edge of the billowing mist an old watchtower rose with windows facing the four winds.

A figure stood there, lit from within by a golden haze. Tall, firm, serene. Fair hair swept out of sight below the window’s ledge, and crystal blue eyes fastened on his.

For a moment Evrard stared, the lingering notes of song fading away into the dark drumbeat which had encroached upon his consciousness so slowly he’d been barely aware of its presence.

A tendril of mist swept across Evrard’s boot and he jerked back, shivering. The misty wall writhed and billowed like a living creature, then swept between him and the tower, deafening him with a thunderous roar. A figure rose up. Dark, grim with eyes glinting a steely gray.

His lips curled upwards as Evrard stared.

“Looking for your sister?” His voice was gravelly.

Evrard opened his mouth, but the figure vanished and mist swept over him with the force of a gale wind, leaving nothing but the echo of a laugh and the malicious choking grayness which itched through his mind, streaming along the songs connecting him with the falcons, silencing the notes, shattering the lines of song.

Spotlight

Evrard:

930b8859304ba90bf7439e53be470de0At nineteen, Evrard is one of the youngest officers in the Prince’s army. That he holds any position at all is due entirely to his ability as a Wingmaster, and he knows it. He also knows that he’s failing.

Wingmasters are the stuff of legend. With only one per generation, and the position passing on to the eldest child of the Wingmaster family, Evrard knows it’s through no skill of his own that he holds the abilities surging though his blood. Evrard can speak with the messenger falcons, organizing the reports they carry, as well as any other. But when it comes to his main duty in the underlying dimension of the Melody, that of battling the mist which seeps through portions of Aslaira, his strength can’t compare to the feats of his ancestors.

Still, with the falcon Andrinian on his shoulder, Evrard does the best he can to forget his past and draw strength from deep inside himself. With the climaxing battle of the war against the rebels breaking upon them, he can only hope his strength will be enough.

About the Author

Hope-Ann

Hope Ann is a Christian authoress who lives on a small farm in northern Indiana. She was homeschooled and now helps teach several of her eight younger siblings.

She has been writing for over five years, and has so many story ideas that she doubts she will ever stop. Her favorite genre to write is high fantasy with a touch of the allegorical. A close second is futuristic suspense. Her goal is to not only entertain with her stories, but to provide inspirational fiction for young adults.

Predictably, she loves reading fantasy, fairy tales, mythology, and futuristic suspense. Her favorite authors include J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Dickens, Frank Peretti, Mark Twain, and Serena Chase.

Her hobbies include photography, movie making, knitting, tree climbing, writing e-mails to friends, listening to Celtic music, and collecting shiny trinkets for story inspiration.

You can visit Hope’s blog at authorhopeann.com, or follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter.

Giveaway!!!

giveaway

I’m giving away a beautiful, one-of-a-kind mug with the Legends of Light logo emblazoned on its side, along with a Song of the Sword bookmark. Due to shipping costs, at this time the mug giveaway is limited to the USA. However, I do have a second giveaway of a $10 Amazon gift card, along with another Song of the Sword bookmark, for international readers! Please only enter one of the giveaways.

USA Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

International Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Blog Tour Schedule

August 2

Jennifer Kibble – Review and interview

Faith Blum – Spotlight on Andrinian

August 3

Keturah – Review and interview

Heidi Burke – Interview and sneak peek

August 4

Rebecca Morgan – Interview and spotlight on Punzel

Claire Banschbach – Sneak peek

August 5

Jaye L. Knight – Spotlight and sneak peek on Evrard

August 6

Ivy Rose – Review and interview

Kendra E. Ardnek – Review and interview

August 7

Bethany Smith – Review and spotlight on Roinette

August 8

Anna S. Brie – Review and interview

Olivia – Sneak peek

Amanda Tero – Review

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Cover Reveal—Lady Dragon, Tela Du

Lady Dragon, Tela Du Final-001

Today I’m taking part in the cover reveal for Kendra E. Ardnek’s upcoming book, Lady Dragon, Tela Du! I’m also sharing an image and snippet from the story. Here’s a bit about the book, and then, the cover!

Two girls with one face
Two girls with twisted fate
One in purple, one in red
One shall speak the other’s death
Who shall win their final war?
Lady Dragon or Tela Du?

Amber, the Lady Dragon, has been promised a fifty-year reign over Rizkaland and nothing can stop her from claiming it. But when you've lived six thousand years, fifty is such a pitiful number. Only one person can keep her from making this reign permanent - the Tela Du, a girl who shall share Amber's face.

The last thing Petra wants is a magical world interrupting her plans for a normal life, let alone an ultimate battle against the Lady Dragon with only one prophesied survivor. She has her childhood best friend, Reuben, at her side, but she's not sure if he's more of a help or a hindrance right now. Though she'd much prefer to just return home and forget about this whole crazy affair, things change when she discovers that the world has surprising connections to her own family - including her sister who disappeared without a trace two years before. Still, Rizkaland can't possibly expect her to risk her very life, can it?

Lady Dragon, Tela Du Final

Author Bio:
47-IMG_5944Kendra E. Ardnek is a homeschool graduate who picked up a pen at an early age and never put it down. The eldest of four, she makes her home in the Piney Woods of East Texas with her parents, younger siblings, giant herd of giraffes, and honor guard of nutcrackers. 

 

 

Blog: knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com

Official Website: kendraeardnek.weebly.com

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25873539-lady-dragon-tela-du

Preorder Book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JFUF3XE

Get the first book of the series, Water Princess, Fire Prince free today!

https://www.amazon.com/Water-Princess-Prince-Rizkaland-Legends-ebook/dp/B00YTQBTDI/

And CinderEddy:

https://www.amazon.com/CinderEddy-Kendra-E-Ardnek-ebook/dp/B00KZNW2TO/

Cover Design Credit: Benjamin Ingalls - https://www.behance.net/BenjaminIngalls

Story Image

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Note from Kendra: Even though Amber’s the villain and Granite still follows Alphego wholeheartedly, there’s still a lot of love between them. Mostly on his end, but she still very much relies on him. I love the expressions on their faces in this gif, her almost-expressionlessness, and his almost-smile.

Snippet

“Reuben, we are not going to follow a random stranger to his house!” Petra protested, realizing that Reuben was about to do just that.

“Petra, it’ll be fine,” said Reuben, confirming Petra’s fear. “We need answers about what we’re supposed to do here in this world, and we may as well get them at a house than standing here in nature. Besides, in books…”

“You do realize how often in books, the first person the hero meets is an agent for the enemy? Seriously, Reuben, show some discretion. We don’t even know this guy’s name, and you’re already agreeing to visit his house.”

“My name is Noraeto, if that makes you feel any better, ma’am,” the guy spoke up.