Romance Author Spotlight and a $25 Giveaway!

 

 

   

Here's the back copy:

When Natalie Boyd inherits an old cabin in the north Georgia mountains, she thinks it could be the answer to all of her problems. She’s ready to start over after a heart-breaking divorce, and the cabin on the banks of a river once mined for gold is the perfect hideaway for her new, reclusive life. No sooner does she settle in, and Natalie realizes that living in the shadow of Good Hope Mountain isn’t what she expected. Her new neighbor, Jonathan Wilby, has plans for his property as soon as winter’s over, and that means noise, traffic, and people. To make things worse, he’s drop-dead gorgeous and could charm the skin off a snake. Natalie braces herself to do battle over the land and to resist Wilby’s charms, but her healing heart, an incredible discovery, and unexpected friendships along the way bring a gold mine of change she never expected – and just in time for Valentine's Day. 

   

 

 

This story reels you in from the beginning. Natalie and Jonathan's story is relatable. The story was sweet and I couldn't put it down! I highly recommend this book! I liked how the author went beyond a mere romance. A sweet romance that uplifts and helps you remember the nuances to falling in love 

    

   

     

 

Danielle Thorne is the author of classic romance and adventures in several genres. She loves Jane Austen, pirates, beaches, cookies, antiques, cats, dogs, and long naps. She does not like phone calls or sushi. A graduate of BYU-Idaho, Danielle saw early work published by Every Day Fiction, Arts and Prose Magazine, Mississippi Crow, The Nantahala Review, StorySouth, and… you get the idea. Besides writing, Danielle has edited for both Solstice and Desert Breeze Publishing. Her growing blog, The Balanced Writer, focuses on writing, life, and the pursuit of peace and happiness. Currently, Danielle freelances as a non-fiction author while waiting to hear from readers like you through her website. During free time, which means when Netflix is down, she combs through feedback and offers virtual hugs for reviews. Her next historical romance is coming soon.

 

 

 

  

  

  Giveaway Details $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 3/12/19 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. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from Clean Wholesome Romance and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   

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Middle Grade Book Review and a Giveaway

 

I was excited to be a part of the blog tour for Carol Lynch Williams and Cheri Pray Earl's new middle grade book, Just in Time, since I have kids in their audience.

This book introduces us to George and Gracie and their grandfather. They run an unusual museum that also features a hidden time machine. George and Gracie's parents have run into some trouble and are stuck back in 1776. When a mysterious stranger appears, saying he can help rescue their parents, George and Gracie decide to go on the rescue themselves. But when things go wrong, will George and Gracie get stuck in the past, too?

I really enjoyed the adventure story, and the little bits of unknown U.S. history that were included. The book was engaging for my young children. At times it was a little hard to figure out who was speaking since the chapters sort of rotate between George and Gracie's point of view, but it was fun to see the events from both a girl and a boy's perspective. The little glitches of the time machine turning people into animals was a nice twist and we are excited to continue reading this series. 

You can get your copy here

Don't forget to scroll down and enter the giveaway

Here's the back copy:

Dover, Delaware 1776: George and Gracie need to rescue their parents. Instead they find themselves time-traveling into the middle of the American Revolution. Not only that, but one of the twins changes into an animal with each time travel. This time Gracie is a horse. They end up helping Caesar Rodney make his famous ride into Philadelphia to vote “yes” for the Declaration of Independence. But time is running out to rescue their parents.

About the Authors:

Cheri Pray Earl graduated with her master's degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1995 and has taught creative writing and literature courses for the BYU Honors Program and the English Department for more than 25 years. She was awarded BYU Honors Professor of the Year in 2005 which she brags about every chance she gets. Cheri writes the middle-grade novel series, Just In Time, with Carol Lynch Williams and published a non-fiction children’s book for American Girl in 2009, co-authored with the late Rick Walton. But in real life she writes young adult and adult novels. She won her first real writing contest, the Utah Original Writing Competition, in 1994 for her YA novel, Flat Like Me, and took Honorable Mention in 1997 for her YA novel, The Swan. She’s currently working on an adult mystery novel and a contemporary adult novel. Cheri’s most recent children’s book, Mr. Dietsche, is a middle-grade novel based on her childhood in Dodge City, Kansas that her agent, Steve Fraser from JDLIT, is this very minute shopping around. That’s Secret Agent Steve.

See more of Cheri's stories at dustingforfingerprints.wordpress.com

Carol Lynch Williams is the author of more than 30 books for middle grade and young adult readers. Her novels include The Chosen One, Never that Far, Messenger and Never Said. Her most recent book is the novelization of the movie Once I Was a Beehive. Carol has an MFA from Vermont College in Writing for Children and Young Adults and teaches creative writing at BYU. She runs Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers, a week-long writing conference for the not-faint-of-heart writer (www.wifyr.com). As well she is a mentor for those who want to write for kids and teens. Her best creative effort, however, are her five daughters.

Put this one on your Goodreads here

Blog Tour Schedule:

Feb 18: Bloggin' Bout Books / Peggy Urry Writer
Feb 19: Min Reads and Reviews
Feb 20: LDS Writer Mom
Feb 21: My Book a Day
Feb 22: Literary Time Out / The Bibliophile Files

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Spotlight on Author Lucy McConnell and a Giveaway!

 

  Her Beast of a Billionaire Boss by Lucy McConnell When Bella Creer’s father has a heart attack and is unable to finish his contract for Adam Moreau, a ruthless lawyer based in Seattle, she steps in to take his place and save The Cove Phase II. Adam, a billionaire who lives in a secluded castle on a cliff, is gruff, demanding, brilliant, and injured. An acid attack left its mark on Adam’s face but it’s his heart wounds that Bella sees clearly. As she takes on the management of a multi-billion-dollar project, Bella’s confidence in herself strengthens and her attraction to Adam grows. But Adam didn’t become the best lawyer in the state by making friends and the wolves circle, ready to attack him at his weakest. Bella will have to be stronger than she’s ever been just to survive. And, before it’s too late, she’ll need to realize that her true power lies in her ability to love beyond measure.   This clean romance will sweep you away to a castle where maids do your laundry, a cook makes lobster for dinner, and there's a beauty parlor in the basement. Welcome to The Cove With heavy iron gates, two security stations, and a groundskeeper's cottage, The Cove has everything a billionaire could ask for in a home. Dubbed Billionaire Bachelor Cove because of the resident's single status and income portfolios, The Cove is the perfect place to hide away from the world. But, as the residents soon find out, they can't hide from love.  

  

"I loved this story and the authors style of writing. The story flowed easily and held my attention. Good , clean with no sex or swear words. Would recommend to all ages."

"Brilliantly scripted and a fun read! The characters are engaging and strong. They draw you in and have deep chemistry in this sweet and clean read. I didn't want this story to end though I was itching to see how the nicely crafted story concluded. I especially love that the story seemed to occur over a long time span and conversations/interactions were not superficial. Am glad it's part of a series and hopefully we'll encounter the characters again."

"I really enjoyed the characters, the subtle plot twists, and the growth of the main characters' relationship. It was a fun read and hard to put down."

  

 

Author Lucy McConnell Award-winning author, Lucy McConnell, loves Christmas, romance, chocolate and Elvis. After graduating from the University of Utah, she became an editor at an advertising agency before moving on to teach in the marketing department of the local community college. She loved teaching and often misses the academic environment. Lucy retired from teaching and began to write articles and sweet romance novels. She has been published in national magazines, newspapers, short story compilations, and she writes cookbooks under the name Christina Dymock. If she's not at the computer, you can find her trying to keep up with her husband and four kids on the ski slopes, on a bike, in the kitchen, or on a horse.

 

 

  Giveaway Details $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 3/11/19 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. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from Clean Wholesome Romance and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   

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Holiday Freebie for Romance Fans!

 

One more freebie for you this holiday weekend. If you love romance and need a little fix today, Heather B. Moore is offering Finding Us for free today! (It's part of a series, but can be read stand-alone.)

You can download your free copy here

Here's the back copy:

Happily Ever After is just what Felicity is searching for, but she never dreamed Officer Russo could fulfill that wish.

USA Today bestselling author Heather B. Moore welcomes you to Pine Valley!

Felicity Miner is not normally an anxious person, and she’s been on her own since high school. But after a shoplifter steals from her bookshop, she calls the cops. When Officer Leo Russo shows up, Felicity has to tell herself that just because the romance novel she’s been reading has a hero police officer doesn’t mean she needs to project her imagination onto the real man. Yes, Officer Russo is unexpectedly generous, and he helps make Felicity’s home more secure when her worries won’t settle down. But the more Felicity is around Officer Russo, the more she imagines a future between them. Is he merely doing his duty, protecting and serving the citizens of Pine Valley, or is there potential for something more?

In the Non-Fiction Corner: Peace Be Unto You

In the Non-Fiction Corner With Lauren

I really loved this book. But before I get to that, David Morgan is the kindest ever. He wrote a note in the front of the book thanking us for doing the review. I have never seen someone do this before! So if you want to read this book simply because the author is kind and thoughtful, I fully support your decision. However, if you are more interested in reading books because of the subject matter, this book will not disappoint in that arena either. All around it is a well-researched and thought out book about a topic that affects every person. By reading it, I have come to understand those with anxiety better and even learned how to cope with my own worries and doubts.

I will admit, I have been one of those people who doesn’t understand anxiety that well. I have wondered why people can’t just give a lesson or do their ministering, no one feels comfortable with it, its just something that we all have to do. Morgan gives a great description of what anxiety feels like. He talks about when the Savior is asleep on the boat during the storm. His Apostles believe that it doesn’t matter to Him whether they perish or not, because he isn’t even helping throw water out of the boat, He is just sleeping! But Morgan points out that the Savior is able to sleep because he knows the outcome. He knows they aren’t going to die that day, and because of that knowledge, he is calm (and apparently very tired.) The apostles, like us, do not know the outcome. We cannot control our surroundings, and sometimes the thought of things not going how we plan causes us anxiety. The feeling that you need to be in control of every aspect of your life, even when that’s not possible, is sometimes so overwhelming for people that they cannot function. I had never thought of living like this. From Morgan’s career in counseling, he is able to give real-life examples and shares techniques that he has found effective for himself and for those he helps. This book almost made me wish I was having some anxious feelings so I could test out some of the things he was suggesting!

I also enjoyed the chapter on Jacob from the Book of Mormon. I didn’t realize how many times Jacob uses the word anxiety, and the author uses Jacob as a case study for things that we can all do when we start to have these feelings. He bases them all in scripture, quoting Jacob all along the way, and gives ideas like try hard things, accept counsel, and give up the need to be perfect all the time. This book is well worth your time, and if you or someone you know suffers from anxiety, this is the perfect read to bring peace to your soul.

You can get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Have you ever been out for a walk, minding your own business, and then out of nowhere a dog rushes out and starts barking at you…What did you feel like?’ My heart rate jumped, breathing grew shallow, and I felt great fear. It was an automatic and immediate response, requiring no thought on my part, an uncomfortable feeling as well. She sighed and said, ‘I feel like that all the time.’” Just as one of Dr. David Morgan’s patients describes in his book, all of us experience anxiety to varying degrees. Whether you feel anxiety all of the time, or occasionally when stressful situations arise, there’s something to learn in his new book, Peace Be Unto You: anxiety management through gospel principles. With anecdotes from years of practice as a psychologist, stories from the scriptures, and powerful life metaphors, Dr. Morgan delivers an insightful look into human psychology and how we can overcome anxiety through thought work and trusting in God. He gives specific insight and counsel in how to deal with anxious feelings, how to overcome the obstacles anxiety creates, and how to help those you love deal with anxiety. This book will give you specific, applicable tools, both psychological and spiritual, and immediately lift your spirit and give you hope that you can conquer any anxiety in your life.

In eleven thoughtful chapters, Dr. Morgan teaches that anxiety is a part of life that we should expect to experience, but that we are in control and can develop personal power through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He creates a case study from the book of Jacob in the Book of Mormon, showing through a close reading that this powerful prophet suffered from anxiety, while identifying how he overcame his difficulties. Dr. Morgan teaches psychological tools such as mindfulness, visualization, thought work, and coping strategies that offer immediate solutions readers can apply to their lives, as well as teaching how feelings of love and confidence can empower those who struggle with anxiety. Finally, he offers guidance to those who want to help others suffering from anxiety, offering profound wisdom from his years of experience in the field. Dr. Morgan’s psychological expertise, combined with his mastery of the doctrine of Jesus Christ, make him the ideal mentor for anyone who wants to learn how to understand anxiety and its purpose in our progress in life.