Book Review & Giveaway: Not A Word

I have had some spooky experiences when I've been reading Stephanie Black's books in the past (one time my rocking chair started rocking all on its own while I was reading one of her books. Freaked me out! But, in the end, it was just my cat.) Stephanie writes nail-biting suspense where the tension just keeps ratcheting higher and higher until I can hardly stand it! But I like it and Stephanie Black is an auto-buy author for me.

Her new novel, Not A Word, is fantastic for suspense fans. Psychologist Natalie Marsh has been disinherited by her mom and it's a tender topic for her no matter how hard she tries to move past it. But the more we delve into Natalie's world, the more strange it gets. She has a best friend who believes she's being stalked, a new patient who won't really let Natalie help her, and a mother figure friend with a stepson named Gideon who calls on Natalie to help his stepmom accept her husband's death. But the more Gideon and Natalie try to help and get closure for her, the more danger they all seem to be in. There are so many twists and turns, and the stories weave together so seamlessly, it's like a beautiful braid of suspense leading you down the path of peril. Readers will get all the butterflies of dread as they try to figure out who the bad guy is along with the characters.  This book is un-put-down-able! You will HAVE to know what happens, so you need a block of time for reading this one. It was amazing!

Here's the back copy:

Psychologist Natalie Marsh is a pro at keeping secrets. She not only guards her clients’ confidences but also expertly hides her own pain after being disinherited by her dying mother. As fresh personal challenges begin heaping on top of professional ones, Natalie’s best friend, Camille, confides that she thinks someone is stalking her. Natalie suspects that stress, not a stalker, is shadowing Camille—but Camille’s fear only continues to grow when the widow of a local businessman starts whispering that her husband was murdered and a new client of Natalie’s seems to be concealing something much more frightening than her inability to stand up for herself. Soon a shattering crime proves the danger is real. But when everyone has something at stake, is there anyone Natalie can trust? Or will she fall victim to a killer who will do anything to keep secrets hidden?

You can buy your Kindle copy here

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

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Blog Tour Schedule:

*Nov. 7th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://rockinbookreviews.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

*Nov. 8th:http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/,http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://justcommonly.blogspot.com/

*Nov. 9th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/,http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

*Nov. 10th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

*Nov. 11th: http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

Election Day and Family Pictures

LaBar brothers and wives via photopin (license)

Yesterday and today have been very stressful for me. Not only because we are choosing a new president in the United States, but I had scheduled family pictures on the same day as election Tuesday! What was I thinking?

Family pictures shouldn't be stressful, but when you have eight children in your family, and you want them to coordinate somewhat, it becomes a huge undertaking! Yesterday alone I went to the mall twice with two different children and hiked over to Kohl's and then finished up with two trips to Wal-Mart. It was crazy! We first decided to have the boys in blue and grey and the girls in pink. But it's not the right season for pink, so we were having a terrible time finding something pink. After several stores, I finally found a purpley-pink shirt that I loved and looked good in, so I bought it. 

But when I brought it home, it clashed with the other pink.  I might have gotten a little annoyed/frustrated/teary when I realized how badly it clashed and I was back to square one. I was just over the whole thing by this point and thinking we should all just come in our favorite jeans and a t-shirt.

Once I'd had a good night's rest, I ended up wearing a bright blue shirt I already had and we all coordinated. A miracle, really. Although I'm sure there will be more than one awkward family pose. Which we'll all laugh about later, right? Have you ever had an awkward family photo? 

In between the shopping and pictures, I went and voted for a new president. It was a 45 minute wait in line for me, and the saddest thing that happened was the lady in front of me waited all that time, then when she got to the front was told she was in the wrong place. I felt so bad for her! She was mad. The other odd thing was the music playing overhead the speakers while we voted was kind of angry-sounding music. I wondered if that was supposed to be sending us a message.

Tonight we've been glued to our TV, sitting here watching the results come in. One thing is clear, no matter who wins, it is always gratifying to see the power of the people in action. Every vote counts. Every vote matters.

Did you vote?

Book Review: Kisses Between the Lines

I've been reading the Echo Ridge Anthology: Kisses Between the Lines, by six best-selling authors. Each novella is from the perspective of a different person in the small town of Echo Ridge. They're all getting ready for the Harvest Hurrah in town and that's what the stories center around. It was actually kind of fun seeing the same set of events through a different couple's experience.

I thought each author did a good job keeping the continuity going and they all had talent in writing a clean romance that kept my attention. I did have my favorite stories among the six, only because there were a couple that dragged a bit for me. But I loved the small town setting, and the fact that each story was well-developed for a novella and left the reader with a smile. I really enjoyed the couples and the fun, yet bumpy, journey to happily-ever-after.

So, if you are looking for a fun autumn-filled little bit of romance, this is definitely the anthology for you!

You can download your Kindle copy here

Here's the back copy:

Welcome to Echo Ridge, New York where romance finds its way into the hearts and lives of the people who walk the streets of the close-knit community.

In these five novellas, readers will experience the power a book has to change a life, make dreams come true, and bring two hearts together as the characters work to fill the classic section of the library. Filled with charm, wit, secrets, and hope, each story is a sweet romance with a promise to keep you turning pages into the night. We hope you enjoy this book and the kisses between the lines.

The Kiss Thief by Rachelle J. Christensen

As the head librarian of the Echo Ridge Library, Britta Klein thrives on order and categorization. Unfortunately, the old church-turned-library is in desperate need of a renovation. The Harvest Hurrah fundraiser seems to be the answer, but plans keep going awry. With help from Milo Geissler, accomplished musician, piano tuner, and kiss thief, each catastrophe is narrowly avoided. When Milo goes to great lengths to help Britta find a key classic book, she begins to wonder if there is more to life than books and order. Can she allow this man who speaks the language of music to tune her heart to a new song?

The Lion, The Witch, & The Library by Lucy McConnell

Jennifer Solomon's birthday wish is for the one thing she's been too shy to go after: Kirke Staples, Echo Ridge’s resident playwright, an avid mountain biker, and her best friend. Friend, as in don’t kiss, don’t covet, and don’t under any circumstances fall in love with the man. But it’s too late—she’s already fallen in love. Hoping for a birthday kiss that will change everything, she arranges an "accidental" meeting with the handsomest man on the library board. Her carefully laid plans are thrown off track when the beautiful Bay Barington sweeps into town and casts a spell over Kirke. In her efforts to win Kirke’s heart, Jennifer is forced to take a look at her inner self and decide what type of woman she wants to be, a lion or witch.

The Last of the Gentlemen by Cami Checketts

Despite the hardships she’s faced, Emma Turner, is determined to make a good life for her three children. Working nights and struggling through life doesn’t leave much time for romance, which is just fine as far as Emma is concerned. But when her son's good-looking lacrosse coach takes an interest in her children, Emma has to fight off the smolder in her stomach and banish her daydreams. This school-girl crush needs to end before she embarrasses her son and herself. If only she could tell that to her heart.

Much Ado About a Kiss by Heather Tullis

Fay’s life is just fine, thank you. Running the café she’d practically been raised in: Check. Her artwork in a gallery: Check. Volunteering on the library board: Check. The one thing she doesn’t need right now is a guy in her life—especially her brother’s irritating best friend from high school, so when the two men announce that they are moving home to start a ski and mountain bike shop in town, she isn’t pleased. If only she could completely forget that one kiss she and Austin shared in high school. Why does he have to upset her just-fine world? Not this time. Not if she can help it. But can she?

Pride & Persuasion by Connie E. Sokol

Lindy Marchant has left heartbreak and downtown L.A. to help her cousin kickstart an antique shop in sleepy Echo Ridge. That is, until she's roped into the library fundraiser to become an assistant for Armand D. Beaumont, the French bestselling detective writer. The two have met before, and Lindy hasn't forgotten the disastrous outcome. Now Armand's celebrity quirks threaten to upset her life yet again. Or, is there a deeper reason for his unpredictable choices? While Armand inadvertently assists Lindy with the shop, she uncovers his painful truth and an inconvenient growing attraction. Can Armand let go of his pride and face his fears? And can Lindy be persuaded to take the untried road, even together?

Freebie Friday

Today's Freebie Friday Pianos and Promises looks like a fun romantic novella. I've enjoyed other stories by Jennifer Peel and I'm excited to read this one!

Here's the back copy:

Doesn't everyone say you should marry your best friend?

Jaime Seger has two goals in life: marry her best friend, the man that owns her heart and soul, and buy her very own grand piano. But Christopher McKay, who has no idea Jaime's been in love with him since she was eleven years old, never gets the memo and marries someone else.

When Christopher's wife dies, Jamie finds herself helping him raise his young daughter. A year later, she is on the other end of a very unlikely proposal, promising everything she thought she ever wanted.

But can their friendship endure a marriage of convenience?
You can download your free Kindle copy here

Popsicle Stick Sled Ornaments And A New Review!

I got another review of Love's Broken Road today from Getting Your Read On!

My favorite part of the review was, "This book was easy to fall into and felt so good around my heart. I really enjoyed it!"

I loved that! You can see the entire review here

So, if you know me very well, you know I'm not very good at crafts. But tonight, I spent four hours with some of my neighborhood ladies making 23 popsicle stick ornaments.

I haven't glued the pictures of my children on them, yet, so they're decorated, but not quite done. Here's what they look like so far:

All I have left to do is to paste on a small picture of my children in the middle. So it will eventually look like this:

Photo courtesy of the Craft Patch blog. 

This is a super fun and easy craft, perfect for teachers to make for students, or families to make for an ornament exchange. Ours wasn't exactly the same as the one on the Craft Patch blog, but it was pretty close. If you want to make your own, you can get all the instructions at the Craft Patch blog here 

I think it's going to be awesome when it's all done and perfect for my family Christmas tree!

What I'm Reading Wednesday

This week I'm reading the new novella by Nancy Campbell Allen called From Cairo, With Love. I am a big fan of Nancy's work and I've been looking forward to this one!

In this story, we meet Valentine Baker who wants to have an adventure, so she goes to Venice to meet up with her cousin Evangeline. While there, she is invited to be a companion for Evangeline's mother-in-law as she travels to Egypt to assess some thievery that's been going on at one of the archaeological digs that she sponsors. Valentine is thrilled, especially when she finds out handsome Mr. Maxwell will be accompanying them for protection.

Max and Valentine have already had some misunderstandings, but the ship voyage allows them to become friends and maybe more. This story has me riveted and I can't wait to find out if they get their happily-ever-after!

If you love romance and adventure, this is definitely the story for you. And since it's a novella, it's the perfect length to keep you captivated, but still able to make dinner for the family.

Here's the back copy:

Valentine Baker longs for adventure, so when the opportunity comes to travel to Venice and be a companion for the unconventional Contessa, she takes it--but they don’t stay in Venice long. Valentine finds herself on a ship bound for Cairo so the Contessa can hunt down a thief at one of her archaeological digs there. Before they ever get close to the coast of Egypt, however, the ship is threatened by a violent storm and someone has an ulterior motive for sticking close to the Contessa and her traveling companions.

Mr. Maxwell is assigned to protect the Contessa and the charming Valentine. He tries to keep his distance, but her warm nature and easy laugh draw him in. He soon comes to cherish their time together, until someone attempts to drug him, and the aftermath reveals serious consequences for Valentine. He’ll do anything to keep her safe and her reputation intact, yet with treachery on board and his heart at stake, Mr. Maxwell must make a choice that will change his life forever. Can he win the woman of his dreams or will whoever wants to hurt them get close enough to take away his one chance for love?

You can download your copy here

My First Two Reviews of Love's Broken Road!

I got two reviews of my new romance, Love's Broken Road, today!

Julia from Book Reviewing Rocks said in part: "I loved this book! Some of my favorite stories to read are the not so fairy tale type. I love when an author writes about real life issues like death, abuse and anxiety. This book was a nice change for Julie I know she doesn't write this type very often and I am glad she went with her gut and her story and wrote it!:

You can see her entire review here

The second review was from Jodi and she said in part: "Julie hit a home run! I loved the characters, Drew was amazing, and Tori was too! I loved how their story developed!! I'll be reading this one again!"

I've been sitting on pins and needles for weeks hoping people would like this book. It's a different genre for me than what I've done in the past and it was definitely out of my comfort zone. Having the initial reviews be so positive really made my whole week! I'm thrilled that people are enjoying it so far.  Whew!

I was also excited to see that my book's ranking has been climbing all day! I'm currently #158 in Christian Romance Contemporary! That's a huge cause for celebration considering how many romance books are on Amazon. It's been a fantastic day for me. Thank you, thank you to everyone who has supported me.

And to keep the party going, don't forget to enter my giveaway to celebrate the release of my new book. You can find it here