Freebie for YA Romance Fans!

I don't usually read YA Romance, but Dating the It Guy pulled me in and it's free today! If you're looking for a weekend read and love a good YA, this might be the book for you.

(You can see my review of it here.)

You can download your Kindle copy here

Here's the back copy:

Emme is a sophomore in high school who starts dating, Brendon Agretti, the popular senior who happens to be a senator's son and well-known for his good looks. Emme feels out of her comfort zone in Brendon's world and it doesn't help that his picture perfect ex, Lauren, seems determined to get back into his life, along with every other girl who wants to be the future Mrs. Agretti. Emme is already conflicted due to the fact her last boyfriend cheated on her and her whole world is off kilter with her grandpa's health issues. Life suddenly seems easier keeping Brendon away and relying on her crystals and horoscopes to guide her. Emme soon starts to realize she needs to focus less on the stars and more on her senses. Can Emme get over her insecurities and make her relationship work? Life sure is complicated when you're dating the it guy.

My New Tote Bag Design is Here!

I got the first of my Julie Coulter Bellon tote bag designs. I am so thrilled with how well it turned out! It's such a nice size and, well, I think the saying is pretty close to the truth at my house. Haha! If you'd like to order your own book bag, you can click here

In the Non-Fiction Corner: Holy As You Are

In the Non-Fiction Corner With Lauren

In the book “Holy As You Are” by Christie Gardiner, the author explores what it means to have a holy life, shows how other people have accomplished this, and gives real life advice on what we can do to feel like we are enough. Her chapters include habits to form to make your life holier, the importance of ministering, having questions (although I believe you can have very few questions about our religion and still be an avid reader) and letting go of the noise and the judgments that clog up our lives from feeling the Spirit. The most eye-opening part of the book for me was Gardiner’s section on excuses. She went through many excuses we have for not doing more, or not leading a holy life. We often say we are too busy. We all have careers, families, callings, we may be too old or too young, but we all have holy ministries to fulfill. The Lord gave us these ministries, even though he knew the limitations we face. This really made me ponder what I can do to give more to The Lord in my everyday life.

In the first few pages, the author spends a couple of paragraphs talking about how she is inadequate to write this book. Do not let this deter you from reading it, as it almost did for me. She has a fun personality and a few really good points in the book. At one point, though, the author is listing some of the things she could struggle with, from family and friends, to what she says is the “biggest villain of all: cultural expectations heaped on Latter-day women.” I felt uncomfortable with this phrasing because, for me, as I am sure it is for the author, being a Latter-saint woman is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Call the biggest villain comparison, or self-doubt, or even Satan himself, but even within the “culture” of the Church I believe that it is our greatest blessing in every way, shape, and form. It is also hard to feel holy as I read about all the women in the author’s life who are seemingly perfect. As a teacher, I will never have the funds to go on five humanitarian trips a year or have a pool in my backyard to teach children with disabilities to swim. While I am grateful for these examples and the good that is in the world, it’s extremely difficult to read lists of people who are always going to be doing more than me and still consider my life “holy as it is.”

I appreciate the author sharing her personal experience and making her book relatable to everyone. I love how much research she put in, especially her use of Church History and current issues facing the church. Her goal was to turn people toward Christ and His Atonement, and I think it does exactly that.

Don't forget to scroll down and enter the giveaway

You can get your copy here

Here is the back copy:

When referenced in the scriptures, the word holy means to “set apart for a sacred purpose.” It is a description all women who seek to follow Christ want to embody—but the struggle between the ideal of a holy life and reality can seem far apart. In Holy As You Are, best-selling author Christie Gardiner seeks to close the gap reminding women of the holy attributes they already possess and how they can accomplish extraordinary ordinary things that will forever change the landscape and heart-scape of their worlds.

With a wealth of spiritual guidance and upbeat wisdom that doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, this inspired volume challenges readers to look at their tragedies and triumphs and everything in between as sacred opportunities to choose holiness. What if ordinary is extraordinary? What if you are Holy As You Are?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule:

*March 25th: http://mybookaday.com/

*March 26th: http://empowermoms.net/

*March 27th: https://rachellechristensen.com/blog/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

*March 28th: https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

*March 29th: https://brightlystreet.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

Interview with Romance Author Michele Ashman Bell!

I was so excited to have romance author Michele Ashman Bell as our book club guest author this month! She is so sweet in person and has an incredible story of her journey to publishing. It took her eleven years and dozens of rejections, but she hung in there and finally realized her dream. She is amazing.

Michele very graciously answered a few questions for us, including her big announcement!

And in this one she tells us where she gets her ideas . . .

There were a few more questions, and you can see them all over on my Facebook author page. Don't miss finding out if she uses real people as a basis for her characters and when her next book is coming out! Click here to see the rest of the interview

If you haven't checked out Michele's books, you can see a list of them here

Book Deal for Regency Romance Fans!

I really enjoyed this regency romance, The Roses of Feldstone, by Esther Hatch. A sweet afternoon read! (You can see my review of it here)

You can download your .99 cent Kindle copy here

Here's the back copy: 

Standing before Feldstone Manor, site of so many happy memories, Rose Davenport feels nothing but dread. Her family’s annual visit to the stately home was once brightened by her friendship with the earl’s youngest son, William, but everything changed the day his elder brother was disinherited and William became heir to his father’s earldom. From that moment, William made it clear he has no interest in continuing an acquaintance with Rose. Heartbroken, she sets out to prove that she will simply not be ignored—or outdone—by the arrogant future lord of the manor. When his elder brother marries for love, William’s entire life changes in an instant. He does not have the same option to marry whom he chooses, and he must let go of the feelings he has harbored for his dear friend, Rose. He steels himself against her annual visits, determined to keep his feelings for her a secret. But when he makes the hasty promise to marry within six months, he never dreams that his actions will lead Rose to impulsively undertake the same challenge.

Steve's Journal After the Dissident Artist Case

This is just for fun, for my McRoll fan friends.

Steve's Journal after the Dissident Artist Case

Had to call one of Joe’s contacts in Nicaragua today for a case we were working on. I met him once, back on a SEAL mission. Nice guy, dedicated to the job. He didn’t ask a lot of questions, just contacted his people.

While we were waiting for confirmation on the intel I needed, he mentioned that he’d heard Cath had broken up a Libyan arms deal and had won some serious respect from her superiors. I was surprised to hear her name come up, but not that she was in Libya. Part of me wanted to be there with her. I know she doesn’t need my protection, but I think I’ll always want to make sure she's safe. I kept it casual on the phone, told the guy that was good to hear. I really wanted to ask questions, though, to know more about what the mission was and if there had been any casualties. Had she been injured at all? Where was she now? But I knew if I asked the answers wouldn’t be good enough and I’d want to contact her and see for myself. I can’t do that. Not right now. So I hung up and tried to focus on my case, using the intel I'd gotten to find the dissident and bring her in. I feel bad I was a little short with Jerry when he was trying to load the link we'd gotten, but it wasn’t about him. It was about wanting to be in my office, tracking down Cath to talk to her. Listen to her laugh. Make sure she was good. I got it together, though, and stayed late arranging asylum for the Nicaraguan woman and her grandma. If I couldn’t make sure Cath was safe, I’d make sure I’d do what I could for someone who needed my help. Okay, yeah, I took out my phone a thousand times and thought hard about getting in touch, but in the end I never dialed. As soon as I could I took an extra long swim, pounding the surf until I was tired enough to lock away any worries I have for Cath into the corner of my mind. It took a lot longer than usual.

I put on my blue shirt afterward. It helps me feel close to her since it was one of her favorites of mine to wear. Sometimes I think I can even smell her shampoo scent on my collar.

I miss her. 

Bestselling Romantic Suspense Sale!

Have you read my bestselling romantic suspense novel, The Capture yet? It was a Whitney Award finalist for Best Suspense and it's on sale today for only .99 cents! Get your copy here