Freebie for Romance Fans!

If you love a romance where the hero and heroine start out as enemies, A is for Author is FREE today. I haven't read this one, but it looks cute!

Download your free copy here

Here's the back copy:

He’s the guy she loves to hate.

Emma Lindsor writes beautiful books adored by literary critics, even if readers don’t exactly line up for them. Aidan Maxwell writes heart-pounding thrillers with explosions and car chases. And thanks to his handsome face, readers line up for blocks to buy his novels.

Aidan Maxwell stands for everything Emma loathes, and when professional circumstances throw them together, sparks fly—angry ones. But as their paths keep crossing, will they see past their own hardwired ideas to star in a love story all their own? .

Book Review for Love, Sidelined

 

I haven't read a college sports romance in a while and when I read the back of Tiffany Odekirk's new book, I jumped at the chance to read it.

In Love, Sidelined, we meet Jason Jennings, the star quarterback for UCAL when he comes across a guy hitting on cheerleader Allie Hollis. He "saves" her from a guy-who-won't-take-no-for-an-answer and then they do the dishes together. He's intrigued by her, but she gives him the friend card and leaves it at that. But Allie's best friend and Jason's cousin are dating, so Jason and Allie are thrown together a lot and feelings start to develop. But Jason is trying to live down the bad boy reputation he had before he served an LDS mission and prove that he's a changed man, and Allie is not only waiting for a missionary, but also still dealing with trauma she suffered in high school. There is a lot of cute dates and fun moments, but the characters also have secrets that are slowly revealed to each other and the reader.

I really liked how three-dimensional Allie and Jason are. Neither of them have had the perfect life and they've made decisions that have far-reaching consequences. They are both trying to figure out where they stand and there are some assumptions made on both parts which lead to some funny---and some sad---misunderstandings. At first, the story may seem like a fluffy bad-boy-turned-good romance, but there are also some pretty heavy themes including drinking and sexual assault. The author doesn't go into details, but the reader can still feel the lasting effects of an attack that happened years before that affected the life of our heroine and those around her. For me, this was a well-told redemption story from an LDS perspective that has a good balance of real issues facing so many people today, mixed with light-heartedness and spiritual themes. Very well done.

You can get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Jason Jennings made a tough call two years ago when he left behind his status as a hard-partying star quarterback in order to serve the Lord. Recently returned from a mission now, he's ready to get back on the football field at UCAL. But despite turning his life around, his bad-boy reputation is proving hard to shake.

Allie Hollis is everything a cheerleader should be—beautiful, outgoing, and smart—but her brilliant smile hides a devastating secret. So when Jason begins to show interest in her, there's no question: her answer is no.

Yet, in the face of Allie's chilly response, Jason's gentle persistence pays off, and a tentative friendship grows. Their chemistry is obvious, but Allie's determination to steer clear of a relationship with Jason goes deeper than he realizes. When the truth of her painful history comes to light, the couple must decide whether they will remain on the sidelines or jump back into the game of love.

A Little Inspiration---Review of The Best is Yet to Come & a Giveaway!

I was really excited to be part of the tour and giveaway for Clint Pulver's new inspirational talk on CD The Best is Yet to Come. Even though this is geared for teens, I actually gained insight into things I can do differently in order to design a life of significance. (I really like that idea) Mr. Pulver outlines four areas in his talk and uses personal stories to illustrate each point he makes. I thought he had an easygoing and friendly style that would appeal to all ages and a perspective that will make you think of ways you can improve your life and decision-making long after the talk is over. As a mother of teens, I know I'll be using this one in our home and talking about the principles Mr. Pulver teaches.

So, if you are looking for inspiration mixed with a little laughter and fun, for you or your teen (the twenty seconds of insane courage story was funny!) then you should pick up this talk today.

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

Get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Making decisions in life can be extremely challenging. The toughest part is knowing which choice is the right one, especially during times of doubt, uncertainty, and pressure. We sometimes find ourselves asking questions like, "What if I make the wrong choice? What if I fail? What if things don't work out?" In this high-energy and inspiring talk, Clint Pulver outlines a road map for how to live a life by design and not by default. With hilarious stories and examples from his own life, he shares simple and effective tools, strategies, and ideas for anyone who is trying to find direction and wants to get on track and on purpose with the Lord. Clint says that sometimes our best plans hit roadblocks, but often in life, "good things fall apart so that better things can fit together." He says that with the help of our Heavenly Father, we can design a life of significance, not just success, and we can know that when things look bleak, the best is yet to come.

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Historical Romance Freebie!

I recently had Elizabeth Camden's books recommended to me, so I was excited when I saw that her book, A Dangerous Legacy, is being offered for free today! If you need some holiday weekend reading, this one might be for you!

Download your free Kindle copy here

Here's the back copy:

Lucy Drake's mastery of Morse code has made her a valuable asset to the American news agencies as a telegrapher. But the sudden arrival of Sir Colin Beckwith at rival British news agency Reuters puts her hard-earned livelihood at risk. Newly arrived from London, Colin is talented, handsome, and insufferably charming.

Despite their rivalry, Lucy realizes Colin's connections could be just what her family needs to turn the tide of their long legal battle over the fortune they were swindled out of forty years ago. When she negotiates an unlikely alliance with him, neither of them realizes how far the web of treachery they're wading into will take them.

In The Non-Fiction Corner---Deep Conviction

In The Non-Fiction Corner With Lauren

Deep Conviction: True Stories of Ordinary Americans Fighting for the Freedom to Live Their Beliefs by Steven T. Collis is a powerful book about citizens who have helped pave the way for us to have the religious freedoms we all enjoy. As Americans, we know that we have religious freedoms, but what exactly does that mean? Where is the line? Collis explores exactly that. In this well-researched and riveting read, Collis recounts four cases in America that have helped shape religious freedom laws. I was curious to see how all the cases ended, so this book was hard to put down!

My favorite was the first and oldest case. A Catholic priest in 1813 was brought into court after refusing to give the name of a criminal, because the criminal admitted to the crime during a sacramental confession with the priest. It had never occurred to me before that this would be a problem, as I was not familiar with Catholic sacraments. However as I got into the case, I found myself wondering and worrying what the outcome would be. A later case that was more familiar to me involved a gay couple and a bakery in Colorado. It was great to read the case in a way that was a captivating story and was also fair to both sides. Religious freedom is important to all of us, and I think sometimes we take it for granted. I would recommend this book as an excellent read for learning about who helped us gain those freedoms that we all enjoy.

You can get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Deep Conviction features four ordinary Americans who put their reputations and livelihoods at risk as they fought to protect their first amendment right to live their personal beliefs. Though these individuals couldn’t be more different, they share a similar conviction and determination, and the principles of religious freedom apply equally to all of them.

In 1813, a Catholic priest in New York City faced prison after a grand jury subpoenaed him for refusing to divulge the identity of a jewelry thief who admitted to the crime during the sacrament of confession.

In 1959, an atheist in Maryland was forced to choose between his job and his beliefs when the state required him, as part of the hiring process, to sign an oath that said he believed in God. The United States Supreme Court would decide his fate.

In 1989, a Klamath Indian man walked into the highest court of our nation to fight for the right to practice the central sacrament of the Native American Church after the state of Oregon had declared it illegal.

And, finally, in 2017, a Christian baker and a gay couple took their cases to the United States Supreme Court after the baker declined to create a custom wedding cake to celebrate the couple’s same-sex marriage, fearing it would violate his duty to God.

Chosen for their universality and for the broad principles they represent, these true stories reflect the diversity of beliefs in the United States, the conflicts between religious freedom and other interests, the perils individuals face when their right to live their beliefs is threatened, and the genius of America’s promise of religious liberty for all.

Do You People Watch?

I've mentioned a game before that I sometimes play with my kids while we're waiting in line or at carpool or whatever. We people-watch and try to make up stories about what people are doing and why. Like, maybe that guy is wearing bright purple socks because he's just learning how to use his new magical powers and instead of reciting the spell that would help him fly, it turned his socks neon purple, things like that. We've come up with some really awesome stories that way, laughed a lot, and made fun memories.

The more I think about it, though, the more I realize how much I love people watching and thinking about characters who might look like them. For example, I went to the grocery store early one morning and in the produce section there was this beautiful woman, her hair done up, she had a gorgeous dress on with five inch heels. I mean, this woman looked amazing, like she was about to go for a night on the town. As I quickly grabbed the stuff I was there to get, I kept thinking about her. Why would someone come to the store first thing in the morning dressed to the nines? Was she hoping to pick up a cute guy in the produce section? Had she just come from a party? A funeral? Maybe she was a model heading off to a shoot and forgot her breakfast. My mind was going in all directions as I left the store and I thought, I'm going to put her in a book someday.

For writers, I think it pays to be observant. People watching can spark character development. It's an exercise that can really keep your imagination healthy and working. Then, when you need that imagination for your story, it will be ready. Not to mention, people-watching and thinking of stories that might explain their circumstances is fun!

Do you people-watch? Or am I just weird?

Freebie for Sports Romance Fans!

If you love sports romance, Charming the Shortstop, is free today! I haven't read it, but it looks like a fun read.

Download your free Kindle copy here

Here's the back copy:

He’s not looking. She’s been burned. But sparks fly, and they decide to go on a date. Just this once.

When professional baseball player Axel Diaz travels back to Belltown University for a friend’s wedding, he’s not planning on bringing a date. Until he meets Brighton West, the flight attendant who he can’t get off his mind. Although dubbed “Cold Axe” by some of his female fans, Axel asks Brighton to be his date to the wedding, all the while wondering why of all times and places he is breaking his no-dating streak. But the more he gets to know Brighton, the more he realizes she may be the one woman who can melt his cold heart.