Friday, March 30, 2018

Friday Freebie for Romance Fans!


I love Taylor Hart's books and noticed that Last Play is free today! It looks like the perfect weekend read.

Here's the back copy:

Roman Young, quarterback for the Dallas Destroyers, doesn’t expect to get a gun shoved in his face by the beautiful red head, Katie Winters, when he arrives to sell the Inn he inherited from his uncle in Wolfe Creek, Utah. But, he’s not surprised, either. It’s the way his life has been lately. Just ask the tabloids that have happily reported his shattered knee, his wife's affair, and the car accident.

Unfortunately, Katie is wearing a wedding ring. Not that he noticed. He doesn’t know why he doesn’t tell her about the fact he’s selling the Inn, even after she shoves a list of supply demands into his chest and rambles on and on about all the projects they have to do.

When he discovers her husband passed away a year ago, and her seven-year-old son asks him to come to dinner and movie night, things start to change. Or did they start to change when Katie took him sledding? Or when all he could think about was kissing her? Now he has to make a choice—keep ignoring the truth—or try one Last Play.

You can download your Kindle copy here

Thursday, March 29, 2018

This Image Stunned me


I saw this picture on Facebook today (the artist is Kylie Parker) and I was so struck by how thought-provoking it is. Not only is it beautifully done, it captures so many of my feelings. When I start reading a book that pulls me in the story and transports me to another world, this is exactly how I feel. I would think the artist would have to be a reader herself to create something that resonates so deeply.

Isn't it amazing? I think I'll have this in my mind's eye when I'm reading from now on. 

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

I've Realized My Writing Process is Weird


Most of you know that I'm a mother of eight children. In order to carve out time for writing with a lot of kids, I usually had to think through my scenes while I was changing diapers and washing dishes, then, when Barney or Paw Patrol came on, I would rush to the computer and write down everything I'd been thinking about. I had half-hour increments to get any writing done and it worked for a lot of years.

Fast forward to this year, when my youngest is in school all day and I have HOURS to write. I could write for six hours a day if I wanted to! I had big plans for this year and was going to be so super productive.

But, I've realized over the last two months when I was under some hard deadlines, that my writing process is super weird. I'll be sitting at my computer, typing away, but after half an hour, my brain just has to get up and go do some housework or something. I tried to work through it, but my brain has just been trained to stop working after half an hour!

My workaround is that I go ahead and take a break to do some household chores, put in laundry, sweep the floor, or whatever, and then go back to writing. Oddly, my brain just picks back up and I go on my merry writing way! And the upside of it is, I'm getting a lot of writing done AND my house is looking great!

I wonder if time goes on, that my brain will eventually be able to adjust and just write for longer than half an hour. I hope so! But until then, I'll just keep trying to balance this strange process.

Do you believe brains are trained in certain habits?

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Book Review: Celebrating A Christ-Centered Easter





Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter is a book for the family that is looking to center their Easter holidays on the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

 

Each part of the book has beautiful illustrations, the story from the scriptures, as well as what's happening in a more story-like format, perfect for children.


But what makes it different from other books, is how it suggests ways we can focus on Jesus after we've read the stories by tying the principle being taught to how we can apply it, for example, by reaching out to others or thinking of what brings you joy.


There are also activities like making a palm branch, writing personal and meaningful scriptures down and putting them in Easter eggs to hang from your Easter branch, and other simple, yet profound ways to turn the family's thoughts toward Christ.


I really liked the simple Easter ornaments that were pictured on the bottom of the pages that had thought-provoking questions. Families can go to christcenteredcelebrations.com for more ideas!

Aren't the page examples cute? I really enjoyed this book and know we'll be using it every year!


You can get your copy from Deseret Book here

Here's the back copy:

This is a children's picture book edition of the best-selling adult book of the same title. Using illustrations and age-appropriate text, this children's edition features passages of scripture along with original text to tell the Easter story and provides ideas for family traditions that young children can understand to make the holiday more Christ-centered. Each spread uses at least one person from the Easter story--including Simon, Joseph and Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and Thomas--to illustrate a theme.

For example, the story begins with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem before Passover and describes the scene as Jesus' followers filled His path with palm branches and leaves. Then the book presents a question for the child to ponder: "On the first Easter, people found ways to celebrate Jesus. Could you?"

Combining biblical text with a beautiful story line and wonderfully charming, full-color illustrations, this book will help make Christ the focus of your celebrations this year.

Monday, March 26, 2018

My Sister's Intended Release Day--With A $50 Giveaway!

Happy Release Day to My Sister's Intended by Rachael Anderson.
We're celebrating with a $50 Giveaway!

 

  My Sister's Intended by Rachael Anderson For as long as Prudence can remember, it has been understood that her sister will one day wed the eldest son of their nearest neighbor. Such an alliance will benefit both families and bring a great deal of joy to all parents involved. Unfortunately, Prudence has never been able to feel as joyful. She believes her sister is mad to consider marrying a man she hardly knows, even if he will one day make her a countess. Titles and wealth shouldn't factor into matters of the heart, and as an aspiring romance novelist, Prudence cannot fathom how anyone could even think of settling for less than love. She certainly wouldn’t, and she doesn't want her sister to either. Unable to stand by and do nothing, Prudence sets out to help the awkward couple discover the best in each other with the hope that they will eventually find love. What she neglected to foresee, however, was the possibility that she might fall in love with Lord Knave herself.

 



 

Author Rachael Anderson A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.  


 

Blog Tour March 28th to April 12th

 

  Release Day Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Code or $50 in Paypal Cash Ends 4/13/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   

Friday, March 23, 2018

Teaching at the Writing Conference Today!


I had so much fun presenting at the Utah Book Marketing Symposium today! There is just something about the energy at a writing conference that is so motivating. 

I taught a class about how to write great back copy and turn browsers to buyers. I think that sometimes it can be overwhelming to authors to try and "condense" their book into compelling back copy and I hope the people in my class walked away with foundational steps of where to start and how to get it done. I had a lot of great feedback and really enjoyed myself.

So, thank you so much to everyone who came and all those who asked questions. Meeting and chatting with so many authors was definitely the best part! 


Thursday, March 22, 2018

Sometimes Life Is Hard And Then You Get A Surprise That Makes It Worth It


Sometimes balancing life is hard. I had an extremely busy day today and things were pretty hectic. I was stressed out, but when I got home and sat down, this what I found on my desk. It touched my heart to think of my little girl going out to pick those dandelions for me and how excited she was to see my reaction. I love being a mom. I think I might keep this note forever and maybe press one of those "flowers." Love my sweet girl so much!

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Need a Fun Family Book? Wizard for Hire Spotlight


My husband and I love to read to our kids at bedtime and this is the perfect book for that! We are having so much fun learning more about Ozzy and Rin. Ozzy's parents have been kidnapped and he's living with a robotic raven named Clark (who steals all the scenes!) while Rin may or may not be a real wizard. There are a lot of questions still to be answered and Ozzy has a pretty important quest to go on. Our family can't wait for the adventure to really ramp up!

I'll let you know what we think when we're done, but so far, this book has been funny and clever and leaving everyone wanting to read just one more page!

 

You can download your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Fourteen-year-old Ozzy lives near Portland, Oregon, and is desperate for help. His scientist parents have been kidnapped after discovering a formula that enables mind control. Their work was so top secret Ozzy is afraid to go to the police, but without help, he fears he'll never find his parents. Then he stumbles across a classified ad in the local newspaper that says "Wizard for Hire. Call 555-SPEL." Ozzy has read about wizards in books like Harry Potter, but wizards couldn't actually exist today, could they? After Ozzy meets the wizard Labyrinth--aka Rin--he's even more skeptical.

Sure, Rin dresses like a wizard, but the short robe and high-top tennis shoes seem unorthodox, as does Rin's habit of writing notes on his shoes and eating breakfast for every meal. Plus, Rin doesn't even cast any magic spells, which means that the unexplained coincidences that start happening around Ozzy are just that--coincidences.

With the help of a robotic-talking raven invented by Ozzy's father, a kind and curious girl at school who decides to help Ozzy, and, of course, a self-proclaimed wizard who may or may not have a magical wand, Ozzy begins an unforgettable quest that will lead him closer to the answers he desperately seeks about his missing parents.

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Book Marketing Conference! Learn to Market Your Books


If you are an author and aren't sure how to best market your books, I have a conference for you! THe Utah Book Marketing Symposium is THIS FRIDAY and they are offering classes targeted specifically to marketing your books. There are some amazing presenters and this is one conference you really shouldn't miss.

If you go, I'm teaching "Five Secrets to Great Back Cover Copy: Turning Readers From Browsers to Buyers." There will also be vendor tables and tons of people to network with. If you're there, come find me and introduce yourself!

You can check out the complete class line up here. It's open to the public. Registration required.

Monday, March 19, 2018

Book Review: The Orient Express


I love the Timeless Romance anthologies. There are always some of my favorite authors and new ones to discover and the stories are just long enough to give me my romance fix!

The new one is The Orient Express and each story takes place in Victorian times aboard what else? The Orient Express!

The first story is by Elizabeth Johns. She is a new author to me, but I'll definitely be looking for more from her! We are introduced to Kate who has lived with her father in India for most of her life, but after her father's recent death, she is traveling to England. Her father had made a betrothal contract for her to Lord Darlington, but Kate is determined to break it. She met her betrothed once when she was nine years old and he was seventeen and he seemed like an arrogant jerk, so she just wants to break the contract and run her father's business. Aboard the Orient Express, she meets an army officer who intrigues her. Unbeknownst to her, he is working for the Crown, trying to find a female spy and he suspects her! A fun story of cat and mouse, mistaken identities, and risking it all for love.

The second story is by Annette Lyon about a jaded female detective, Grace Thompson. She meets a man onboard the Orient Express who seems trustworthy and likable. Grace allows herself to trust him, only to find out he isn't who he's purported to be. Marshall Bailey is traveling incognito for good reason, but he meets a beautiful young woman who seems to see through to his very soul. Both of them are keeping secrets, but when they come out, will they be able to trust each other enough to find love?

The last one is by Nancy Campbell Allen. She's one of my favorite authors and this story did not disappoint! Emily Grant's brother has a few vices that include gambling. He wins an Egyptian artifact in a card game and gives it to her, not realizing that an organized crime ring is after it! Emily must travel to Constantinople to exchange the artifact for her now kidnapped brother. Vincent Brady, a detective who is trying to catch the ringleaders of this crime ring follows Emily and comes to her aid in getting her a seat on the Orient Express---posing as his wife! She has no choice but to agree and comes to find out her new "husband" is an honorable man that she could very well lose her heart to. A sweet tale of love.

I really enjoyed all the stories in this anthology. The plots were developed and the characters memorable which is especially nice for novellas. A great afternoon read!

This anthology will be released next week, but you can preorder your copy here

Friday, March 16, 2018

Interview With #StarStruck Author Sariah Wilson!

I was thrilled to welcome one of my favorite authors, Sariah Wilson, to book club this month! She was so gracious and brought us spice cookies, like the ones Zoe makes for Chase in the book, #Starstruck. They were delicious! She also took a minute to answer some questions that were submitted to her, like what is she reading now? Where did she get her inspiration? When is her next book coming out? If she could meet anyone, who would it be? And who is her celebrity crush?

You can see the first three answers here:



and the last two here!



And if you haven't read #Starstruck, you totally should! 




Here's the back copy:

“You’ve done better.”

With one uncharacteristically sassy tweet to her longtime celebrity crush, Zoe Miller’s life turns upside down. Ultrahot A-lister Chase Covington doesn’t just respond to Zoe’s tweet, he does the unthinkable: he messages Zoe directly. Now she must decide between walking away or meeting her crush in person.

Chase knows better than to trust anyone from the Internet, but Zoe’s saucy challenge has totally caught his interest—and her girl-next-door personality is keeping it. He’s been burned enough to know he needs to keep his heart close. But his feelings for Zoe might be a lot more than just an online flirtation. He just has to convince her…

When the press gets wind of Zoe and Chase’s secret relationship, their romance turns into tabloid headlines. Will they be able to hold on to their Hollywood love story?

Download your copy here



Thursday, March 15, 2018

Hawaii Five-O Recap & Review: The Ep Where Adam Freaks Out

This ep had a lot of odd emotion to it, but Eddie was in it and Odell, who definitely stole the show for me.

We start out with two masked people breaking into a chemical storage facility that has terrible security. Our masked duo manages to load up ten canisters of chlorine before a guard moseys through and catches them. But, he didn't bring back up and so our thieves easily knock him out and run away, barely getting the canisters on the truck and driving to safety. They take their masks off and surprise! It's Adam and Jessie. Now why would they be stealing chlorine gas? Hmmm... (Also, Adam is a really good thief with Hidecki's car and now chlorine gas. Where did he learn that sort of thing? Do they teach all the crime boss's kids to do that?)

Cut to the Blue Room of Doom where our team is gathering for a safety drill. McG has Eddie (awww), Jerry has his Doomsday Survival Pack, Tunior's on the floor, and Lou is in the suspect chair, but Danny strolls in late. Steve is annoyed and wants him to take the drill seriously, but Danny drones on about how the room won't withstand a nuclear attack anyway, and, if it does, there will be a nuclear winter and it would be worse than death to be stuck with them. Steve isn't impressed and tells him he's the opposite of a motivational speaker because, if it came down to that, they would rebuild. But, in the end, the rest of the team also wants nuke death, even Eddie. Poor Steve. (I'll rebuild with you, Commander!)

Danny and Steve go upstairs and are talking about the restaurant's books since Danny is giving Vito a per diem because he's "working." Steve points out how Vito's blown the budget on a statue, bribed an official, done things that aren't really working. Danny promises he'll be saying thanks for Vito on opening night. (Somehow I doubt that. Thankfully that's the only restaurant mention we get this ep. Whew!)

Adam is waiting for Steve in his office and shows him a newspaper headline (who buys newspapers anymore?) of the break in at IX Chemical and admits that it was him and Jessie. Hidecki has expanded his Yakuza crime arm and moved into meth production. But he chose NewbieJessie to restock the chlorine gas. (Why would he tell her to do that alone when he has a dozen men to do it? Same with the enforcer deal and having her go in alone. None of it makes sense. Well, except the whole plot point thing of having Adam be there with her. So, there's that.) Of course Adam tracked the gas to a meth house, but two canisters are missing and were sold. Adam is worried because those two canisters are enough to make a weapon to kill thousands of people. Steve doesn't look happy, but says he'll loop in governor and Adam should go fill in the team.

Next we see a bunch of arrests at the meth house while Lou and Adam look on from a vehicle. Adam's feeling guilty and worried, but Lou tells him to keep his emotions in check. (He definitely doesn't take that advice later on.) Lou and Tani get the head honcho meth guy Himoto into the Blue Room of Doom and Lou is telling him he got the affable members of the task force that will give service with a smile. Himoto doesn't want to talk, so he listens while they run down his crimes. He's pretty cocky that nothing they have will stand up in court, even with one of his crew confessing, so Lou says they'll just make sure Hidecki finds out and make him a marked man. With that threat, Himoto immediately caves and says he'll tell them where he dropped off the canisters and how it was to some haoles who looked like accountants or gym teachers.

And those four GasGuys are currently loading the stolen chlorine gas tanks, but these ones are super heavy and it takes three of them to load it. (Or, these GasGuys are wimps because even tiny Jessie could heft them!) One GasGuy drops it and the lid comes off. Gas starts to slowly leak out, but instead of helping their friend get away as quickly as possible, the other three GasGuys lock him in the truck instead. He is suffering, but they keep him in and listen to his screams. Ew. Five-O has arrived at the house and they go in with Danny at head. (Steve must still be looping the governor in I guess.) They find the van with the guy still inside but now the poor man has horrible boils, blisters, and burns all over him, but he's still alive.

The team watches the blistered guy get loaded into the ambulance and are theorizing that maybe the guy was trying to back out. Or, maybe he mishandled the tank and the other three guys leap out. (Yep, that's why they're an elite task force!) Danny is a tad worried about being exposed to the gas, but both Junior and a Hazmat lady reassure him. The team goes inside and while CSU gets prints, none are in the system. Thankfully the GasGuys left their laptop behind.

The hospital must be around the corner because Adam and Junior get there very quickly and call to say that the GasGuy is probably going to make it, but he's in a medically induced coma so they can't talk to him right now. Junior has the man's cell phone and wallet and they figure out his last call was to his wife, Denise. Lou and Tani go see her, but she doesn't know anything about what's happened. Once she listens to his last sad voice mail, she wants to go to the hospital, but they still need to question her. Turns out she has cancer and they don't have insurance. It's been hard but her husband has an online support group.

Jerry unlocks BurnedGasGuy's computer that shows internet searches for how much chlorine gas it would take to kill 200 people. So weird because it's specific and much smaller than an attack would be. Obviously they're trying to hold someone responsible for Denise's cancer. They look at buildings with similar schematics for an HVAC system like the one on the computer. There are hundreds. Adam is trying to get the doctor to bring BurnedGasGuy (whose name is Kevin) out of the medically induced coma, but the doctor is firm and says no. Adam pressures him with Junior and says that thousands could come to hospital like him. If he doesn't help, he'll have to live with that. The doctor is okay with living with that, apparently and still says no.

Oddly, it's decided that the whole thing is somehow related to the governor so they evacuate all buildings within six blocks of governor's office and use lots of police presence. Steve finally returns and comes into Danny's office. To sum up, it didn't go well with the governor, the doctor won't budge, and Adam is blaming himself. Jerry calls and says he found a subpage on Reddit, and GasGuyKevin and some others believe they are part of a cancer cluster and are talking about a class action lawsuit, using a lawyer Five-O knows. They head to a Law Library and find Odell. He gets introduced to Tani and seems impressed. He's trying to help out the little guy, but can't say much with attorney client privilege. They are all talking loudly and a woman asks them to be quiet and Tani is rude to her so Lou hustles them into the stacks for more privacy. (They're still in the library, though. I don't think the stacks is necessarily better, but oh well.) Odell tells them Kevin and his GasGuy friends wanted to sue Agrocore a company that makes GMOs and pesticides. They're convinced chemicals went into groundwater, but suing them would be like David taking on Goliath with no slingshots. A lawsuit could take years with no proof. Odell tells them that Agrocore lead counsel Marshall Friedkin (it sounds like they call him Freakin in the show, haha) threatened to countersue as long as the families went bankrupt, so they're mad at him and he might be their target. There are five corporate Agrocore offices, so Five-O is going to contact the governor's office to activate nuclear emergency drill at those offices. (I had no idea you could localize drills like that! Handy.)

The three remaining GasGuys pull up to an Agrocore office in a van. Lead GasGuy (named Doug) wants to go over the plan again, but the other two GasGuys want to bail. They don't want two hundred people going out like GasGuyKevin. GasGuyDoug (has there ever been a good guy named Doug?) wants Agrocore to pay. Don't forget what they did! The other two GasGuys are like nah bro, so GasGuyDoug goes in alone. Steve is racing to the scene with the alerts activated and Hazmat units headed to all five offices. People are slowly filing to the basement to gather in the Safety Drill Room. When Steve and Adam roll in, they can't find Freakin because, oops, he's at the corporate office downtown this week. (Dangit. I hate it when that happens.) They head over there.

Jerry calls a random lady to find out where Freakin is and lo and behold he didn't come down with everyone else since someone showed up to meet with him last minute. Steve and Adam go up to the  ninth floor, with that annoying siren going. They hear a gunshot and see GasGuyDoug running away. (He didn't even use the chlorine gas after all their efforts to research it, buy it, and get it ready to go!) Steve chases him, while Adam helps Freakin and calls for the paramedics. DidntUsetheGasGuyDoug is trapped and Steve doesn't want to shoot him so he says very nicely to put the gun down. If they're going to get justice for their families, DidntUsetheGasGuyDoug needs to stay alive. They walk out with DopeyDoug cuffed and Adam watches the lawyer loaded into the ambulance with a sad/worried/guilty look on his face.

Odell and some of the team meet in Steve's office to say that GasGuyKevin is coming out of his coma and GasGuyDoug is being arraigned. Odell is frustrated that so many regular people suffered and turned to system for help, but the deck was stacked. Steve tells them the State of Hawaii is launching a full investigation into Agrocore, so they're hopeful it will uncover the ammunition needed to get justice. Odell initiates a group hug and tells Steve his hair is a travesty. (It is. Can he grow it out now?)

Adam knocks at Jessie's door and she nervously gets her gun before she lets him in. He storms in and asks her why she didn't answer his calls and did she know what was happening today? She's worried Hidecki is watching. Adam is wrapped up in how they stopped a chemical attack today (although DidntUsetheGasGuyDoug didn't look like he tried to do anything with the tank, but okay.) Jessie had no idea and Adam asks whose side she's on. There was a gap in the surveillance tape she submitted and she admits that she was talking about something personal with Himoto. Adam guesses she's sleeping with him and tells her that's dangerous and stupid. She says it's not his business, she can handle herself, and if he doesn't like it he can get another CI. Adam leaves mad, peeling out. He's driving down the highway like a crazy person, thinking about everything that's happened with Hidecki and his "task force." He's pretty worked up and freaking out a bit, screaming in the car. It's a very strange scene and more than a little awkward, but that's the end!

So, a little twist in that there really wasn't a dirty bomb! Of course nothing turned out well for GasGuy Kevin who is scarred forever with chlorine gas burns and his wife has cancer. Oh, and Freakin was shot. But other than that, no one got hurt! For me, the highlight was Odell and Eddie.

Did you watch? What did you think?

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Book Review: Ashes on the Moor


I couldn't wait for Sarah Eden's new book, Ashes on the Moor, to come out. I am a huge fan of hers and I can't think of a book she's written that I didn't like. This one was no exception!

In Ashes on the Moor, we meet Evangeline Blake who has just lost her family. With only her sister left, she clings to her as they face an uncertain future with an aunt and uncle. But a cruel twist of fate separates them and throws Evangeline into circumstances that she's unprepared for. Forced to be the town's new schoolteacher and live in a humble home in need of a lot of care, Evangeline is lost and overwhelmed. The only person who shows her a bit of kindness is an Irishman named Dermot McCormick. He's also trying to figure out his place in the world since his heritage is looked down upon no matter what he does. But as Dermot and Evangeline build a friendship, stronger feelings flare and they must decide if love is worth fighting for.

I loved this book. It's not a light romance, but a look back in time when a woman had few choices and your birth and heritage could prevent you from having life's basic necessities. Ms. Eden has obviously done an incredible amount of research as the town of Smeatley with its Yorkshire residents comes to life, fairly jumping off the page. So many language, dress, and food details add to the amazing setting, giving the characters even more depth. Our heroine, Evangeline, will draw on all a reader's emotions as she deals with so many losses and has to keep picking herself up over and over.  I wanted her to not only get her happily-ever-after, but to stand up and make a few people accountable for what they'd done! Dermot is also a character that will stay with you after the book is finished. He's suffered and risen above it, and all the while built a foundation of love and care for others, instead of bitterness as to his lot in life. He was the perfect match for Evangeline and their romance was a sweet, slow burn, that will give you all the feels. Definitely another one for my keeper shelf!

I think the best thing about Sarah Eden's books is that they aren't just stories, they are an experience. She pulls you into another time and place and takes you on an adventure that you won't soon forget!

You can download your copy here


 

Here's the back copy:

The life of an impoverished schoolteacher is not one Evangeline Blake would have chosen for herself. Torn from her home and her beloved sister and sent to work in the gritty factory town of Smeatley, Evangeline must prove herself to her grandfather, a man who values self-reliance above all else, before he will grant her access to her inheritance. Raised to be a lady of refinement, she hasn't any of the skills necessary to manage on her own nor does she have the first idea how to be a teacher. But failure means never being with her sister again.

Alone and overwhelmed, she turns to the one person in town who seems to know how she feels—Dermot McCormick, an Irish brick mason who is as far from home and as out of place as she is. Despite the difference in their classes and backgrounds, Evangeline and Dermot's tentative friendship deepens and grows. Her determination and compassion slowly earn her the faith and confidence of the skeptical residents of Smeatley, who become like the family she has lost.

But when a secret from her past comes to light, Evangeline faces an impossible choice: seize the opportunity to reclaim her former life and rejoin her sister or fight for the new life she has struggled to build for herself—a life that includes Dermot.

Ashes on the Moor is the inspiring love story of one Victorian woman's courage to fight against all odds, and the man whose quiet strength gives her the confidence to keep trying.

In The Non-Fiction Corner--You Are Magnificent & A Giveaway!

In the Non-Fiction Corner With Lauren


Being enough. This is something we have all pondered on time and time again. I know that I have, and I know that I have preached to hundreds of youth that thought they weren't pretty enough, smart enough, spiritual enough, or whatever it is, thoughts that only come from Satan. However, Ganel-lyn Condie was the one smart enough to write a book on it. The premise and thoughts behind this book are really good, and you feel Condie is talking to a friend or a daughter who she cares about.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book is that the beginning of every chapter is very engaging. The titles make you want to learn more, because you start to think "Am I courageous enough? Am I faithful enough?" and then Condie reels you in with a good story or attention grabber. She also uses many current events that people can relate to. I loved when she referenced things like the eclipse or the hurricane in Texas, because those were recent enough that I remember how I was feeling during those events and I have never seen them in a book before. 

I love her scriptural examples and uplifting quotes, and she also shared stories about women who shine in the areas she was addressing. Sometimes it's hard to read these stories about women who give everything they have and have to use their counter as an ironing board because they no longer have one, never get upset and have the utmost amounts of patience, or literally give the shirts off their back. If I am not doing these things that she mentions in the book, am I really enough? There is always someone doing more than me and I can always do better, as I have seen through the several examples given. Condie told a story of when she was called to primary chorister and she felt inadequate. She said there were tears and temple visits, anxiety and an outbreak of hives. It made me wonder if a woman who speaks to thousands feels that uncomfortable with 40 children, should I be more self-conscious when I get up to do my calling? She is clearly a better speaker and more creative than me, but the amount of distress this caused her made me wonder if I should stress more like I just got asked to speak in conference.

Overall I learned that no one can convince you that you are enough. Someone can tell you you are beautiful until they are red in the face, but it doesn't matter until you believe it. At the end of all her chapters, Condie has takeaways that turn the reader to the Savior. And that's where the difference comes, when your relationship with Him tells you that you are enough in every aspect in your life, but to never stop improving. I'm glad that I read this book and that I was reminded to build up those around me, but especially myself.

You can get your copy of the book here

Don't forget to scroll all the way down and enter the giveaway!

Here's the back copy:

In a world where many women wonder if they measure up, the quest for perfection can be exhausting! For those who are overloaded and overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy comes an authentic and powerful lifeline of reassurance by best-selling author and popular motivational speaker Ganel-Lyn Condie. Featuring lessons taught through scripture, Church leaders, and personal experience, this inspirational book highlights the eternal strength inherent in and available to every woman.

Readers will laugh, cry, and feel supported as they live their earthly missions with renewed peace and confidence. From the innate beauty of daughters of God to the gift of self-acceptance to the transcendent power of Christ’s grace, sisters in every stage of life will be inspired to live more freely and fearlessly by learning to embrace their eternal potential and realize they are already more than enough—they are magnificent.



Blog Tour Schedule:

*March 12th: https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

*March 14th: http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/adults

*March 15th: http://empowermoms.net/, http://www.iamareader.com/

*March 16th: https://brightlystreet.com/

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

I've Got A Free Romance For You Today!


I just noticed that Jennifer Peel's romance, Paige's Turn, is free today and thought I'd pass the deal along!

Here's the back copy:

With the encouragement of her beloved Aunt Mitzi, plain and overlooked Paige James left her hometown of Bella Port ten years ago and never looked back. But free-spirited Aunt Mitzi had plans for Paige to stop being pushed into the background. Those plans included leaving Paige as sole heir to her fortune and owner of her bookstore, Paige’s Turn. Begrudgingly, Paige returns home to fulfill her aunt’s last wishes, no longer the girl who’d left in baggy jeans and an ill-fitting t-shirt.

Paige discovers, though, that Mitzi’s last wishes include a lot of meddling in her love life. From the grave, and with the help of some friends, Mitzi has set out to make sure Paige and Bella Port’s most eligible bachelor, Sam Kennedy, find true love together. What Mitzi didn’t foresee is the firestorm and gossip she created that paints Paige as a swindler and liar, leaving Sam to wonder about the grown woman Paige has become. It doesn’t help when Paige fires him after their first meeting. But as friendship blossoms between Paige and Sam, they find each other hard to resist.

Was Mitzi right about the two of them? Will Paige finally have her turn?
You can download your free Kindle copy here

Monday, March 12, 2018

Book Review: Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty


I was so excited to be part of the blog tour for Stacy Juba's new book, Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty. I had really enjoyed Fooling Around With Cinderella, and wanted to see more of Storybook Valley.

The new one starts out with a peek into Rory's life when she believes her boyfriend is proposing, but he isn't. We also get to see her job as a dance instructor and how much pressure she's under to perform. Her life is predictable, safe, and not all that fun. When she meets Kyle, however, some things start to "fall" into place---until she realizes he's the grandson of her family's arch rival. That little detail starts off a series of events that will keep you turning pages to see what Rory will choose---keeping on with the safe life she's built or taking a chance on love.

I really loved Kyle's character and how easygoing he was. He knew what he wanted out of life and he was going after his dreams. He had some really cute scenes with his niece and the animals from Duke's Animal World that were awww moments. Our heroine, Rory, (aka Aurora Rose) has a really hard time being honest with herself and managing her own life. She makes a lot of decisions that will have you shaking your head, but still hoping she'll figure it out. The romance was fun and flirty, but at times got overshadowed by the overabundance of details and secondary characters. The peripheral stories involving the secondary cast slowed down the pacing considerably and took away some of the oomph of the romance for me, but there was still enough to keep me reading and hoping for a good ending. I was really rooting for Kyle and Rory to get their happily-ever-after! And since I enjoyed the first book so much, it was great to see Dylan and Jaine again and catch up on where they're at now as well as revisit the theme park.

This is a fun afternoon read that will take you back to warm summer days of cotton candy, rides, and being with the one you love.

 
You can download your copy here

Here's the back copy:

This Sleeping Beauty isn’t sure she wants to wake up…

Dance instructor Rory Callahan likes to play it safe. When she meets Kyle, he’s impulsive, persistent, and her exact opposite. He’s pushing her to tango way past her comfort zone and keeping Rory on her toes more than twenty years of dance teachers ever had.

Unfortunately, he’s the grandson of her family’s archrival and she doesn’t want to disappoint them. After all, her parents imagine her as a proper princess - hence her namesake Aurora, AKA Sleeping Beauty. Complicating matters, Rory’s also dealing with a surgeon boyfriend who’s perfect for her (sort of), an obnoxious boss, and desperate dance moms. Kyle wants to change her whole life, but Rory doesn’t like the stakes. After all, princesses are the ones who get the happy endings. . .aren’t they?