Showing posts with label guest post. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guest post. Show all posts

Monday, May 7, 2018

Book Tour Guest Post & Giveaway: Virginia McCullough, author of Love, Unexpected


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

https://amzn.to/2JYxaLZLove, Unexpected
(Two Moon Bay #3)
By Virginia McCullough
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
May 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Moving to a new place isn’t easy…

Until a neglected ship and its owner make her feel at home

After spying a boat in need of some TLC, single mom Andi Sterling strikes a deal with its owner, Zeke Donovan, who shares her passion for restoring old things. Uncovering the legendary ship’s secrets draws them closer. Is it too soon for Andi to open her heart to the chance to build new dreams?

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Guest Post by Author Virginia McCullough


Drifting Dreams

        Like Andi says in LOVE, UNEXPECTED, someone (they don’t yet know who) named the wooden motor yacht Drifting Dreamer for a reason. For me, the name brings to mind the old song “Moon River,” with “two drifters off to see the world.” As Zeke observed, in 1939 no one built a 50-foot yacht if they didn’t have some big dreams.

        Drifting Dreamer comes into Zeke’s life as a big surprise—and not a welcome one. It shows up unexpectedly at his dock one day. And not in all its glory. With peeling varnish, cracks in the once pristine mahogany cabin, and bronze fittings turned green, nightmares come to mind, but certainly not dreams. It seems Zeke’s dad, Art, inherited this eyesore to settle a twenty-year-old debt. Zeke’s first thought is to dismantle it and sell off the pieces of this boat, which is already dying of neglect. But luckily—for the boat and Zeke—Andi shows up with an idea, and Zeke’s initial impulse suddenly doesn’t seem so appealing anymore.  

Spinning dreams is at the heart of LOVE, UNEXPECTED. Zeke Donovan has an old dream he was on the way to fulfilling, but his commitment to look after his dad led him to set aside what he wanted for himself. On the other hand, Andi gradually discovers the possibility of having something wonderful she’d never dared to dream she could have.  

As they find themselves attracted, becoming fast friends who fall in love along the way, they uncover hints about Drifting Dreamer’s first owners, whose story is linked with the coming the Second World War. Charles and Mary Peterson have plenty of dreams and maybe a few conflicts to deal with, too. (Families are good at bringing in a little conflict, aren’t they?) At first these discoveries lead to more questions than answers, but Zeke and Andi aren’t inclined to quit until they piece together almost eight decades of the boat’s life.

As Andi and Zeke begin to nurture their individual desires, they’re inspired by Charles and Mary and they understand why Drifting Dreamer is an apt name for the yacht. They also come to identify with Charles and Mary’s dreams—even those unfulfilled—as they begin to fill in the blanks of the couple’s joys and sorrows. And it might be that no one in the boat’s long life ever felt the same way about Drifting Dreamer than her first owners—at least until now.

Andi and Zeke soon learn that one summer can bring big life changes. By bringing the boat back to life, they open up to possibilities and dreams that take their lives in new directions. So, just as love was unexpected, so were the dreams.

Writing Andi and Zeke’s story, I realized once again that given a choice I’ll always choose to believe in the value of dreams, even knowing they might change their form over time or a few might not ever come true. But some do come to fruition—if we work for them. No wonder so many of us keep on believing in the power of dreams.

Other Books in the Series

https://amzn.to/2JWqY7aGirl in the Spotlight
(Two Moon Bay #1)
By Virginia McCullough
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
June 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

The daughter they never knew

When Miles Jenkins sees the graceful young figure skater on TV, he can't believe how much she resembles Lark McGee, the girl he dated briefly in college. Could this aspiring star be the child Lark gave up for adoption eighteen years ago? He has to find out.

Locating Lark ignites conflicting emotions in Miles—including regrets for what might have been and romantic feelings that take the two single parents by surprise. As they prepare to meet their daughter, this deeper connection between the two just might be the chance at love they never got.

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https://amzn.to/2HQGxk1Something to Treasure
(Two Moon Bay #2)
By Virginia McCullough
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
January 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming

If anyone can save him, she’s the one

Jerrod Walters hopes relocating to the coastal town of Two Moon Bay can be the fresh start he and his young daughter need. But the single dad is caught off guard when a beautiful PR professional offers to promote his diving excursions to legendary shipwreck sites. There’s so much he admires about Dawn Larson, starting with the woman’s upbeat, can-do personality. Dawn’s boundless capacity for joy might be the only thing capable of bringing him back to life after his tragic loss…


About the Author

A writer all her adult life, Virginia McCullough has had the opportunity to write the stories of her heart in her novels, including Girl in the Spotlight, the first book in her Two Moon Bay series for Harlequin Heartwarming. (Book 2 is scheduled for release in January 2018). Her award-winning romance and women’s fiction titles include The Jacks of Her Heart, Amber Light, Greta’s Grace, The Chapels on the Hill, and Island Healing.

Born and raised in Chicago, Virginia has been lucky enough to develop her writing career in many locations, including the coast of Maine, the mountains of North Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and currently, Northeast Wisconsin. She started her career in nonfiction, first writing articles and then books as a ghostwriter and coauthor. She’s written more than 100 books for physicians, business owners, professional speakers and many others with information to share or a story to tell.

Virginia’s books feature characters who could be your neighbors and friends. They come in all ages and struggle with everyday life issues in small-town environments that almost always include water—oceans, lakes, or rivers. The mother of two grown children, you’ll find Virginia with her nose a book, walking on trails or her neighborhood street, or she may be packing her bag to take off for her next adventure. And she’s always working on another story about hope, healing, and second chances.
Tour Giveaway


1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card and the pictured Handfelted Wool Bowl and Gemstones (US only):

Description: A beautiful handfelted wool bowl filled with colorful gemstones to add a little beauty to your home. The bowl contains a small amethyst cluster from Uruguay which is generally used in rooms where people tend to congregate such as kitchens and family rooms. It is said to bring about peace and open communication. The bowl also includes a pink chunk of rose quartz from Brazil as a reminder of love and healing, a candle quartz crystal crystal from Madagascar said to make anyone who enters your home feel welcome, a pretty piece of blue lace agate from Southwest Africa to help create relaxing and accepting energy near your front door, a deep blue apatite heart from Sri Lanka to encourage the sharing of feelings and tangerine quartz from Brazil for information retention and perfect for your office, study or a student's room.

Ends May 16th

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Thursday, June 1, 2017

Guest Post & Giveaways: Carrie Fancett Pagels





Genre: Christian, Historical
Publisher: Barbour
Publication date: June 1, 2017
Number of pages: 448
​
Dime Novel Suitor by Carrie Fancett Pagels
When a British dime novel enthusiast finds himself flat broke in Kansas, he discovers what western life and true love are all about. Barden Granville IV grew up at Cheatham Hall, Kent, England, devouring cowboy stories and dreaming of the day he, with no prospects of inheriting estate nor title, could escape to the American frontier. Educated and ordained an Anglican priest, his trip to America is his “last hurrah” before accepting a vicarage in a small town far from his aristocratic family’s estate. When a series of misadventures leaves him without money and stranded, he must take up employment immediately.
​After her father dies, widow Caroline Kane becomes the owner and proprietor of a restaurant and inn. She also assumes responsibility for her five teenaged siblings. Caroline’s busybody married sister insists that an Englishman who purports to answer an ad for help, is the perfect candidate for Caroline’s next husband. While she’s relieved to have help, Caroline finds Barden’s primary asset to be his silver tongue. When his efforts finally bring fruit, Barden receives word from England that could leave Caroline worse off than before, for her heart will leave with him. Will Barden answer his heart and God’s call in Kansas, or will his family responsibilities compel him to leave his dreams behind?
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Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is an ECPA bestselling and award-winning author. With a dozen Christian historical romances published, this former “Yooper” writes Christian historical romances about overcoming. She grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where many of her stories are set. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn’t “cured” by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, which is perfect for her fascination with history. Carrie enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and beading-but not all at the same time!
​
Her short story, The Quilting Contest, was Historical Fiction Winner of Family Fiction’s “The Story” national contest. Her novella, The Substitute Bride was a 2016 Maggie Award published finalist for Romance Novellas. Grand Exposé was a 2014 Maggie Award honorable mention for a novel set on Mackinac Island (now entitled My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring, Barbour, July 2017). All three of her Christy Lumber Camp books were long list finalists for Family Fiction’s Book of the Year and The Fruitcake Challenge was a Selah Award finalist. Her novel, Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter (White Rose/Pelican, June, 2016) received a Starred Review by RT Book Reviews.
​GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER  | PINTEREST | AMAZON |WEBSITE
OVERCOMING WITH GOD | COLONIAL QUILLS


The Story Behind the Names 

Dime Novel Suitor by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Caroline Kane, my heroine, had her name borrowed from Pagels’ Pals member Caryl Kane. Caryl is a sweetheart who supports and promotes many Christian fiction writers’ work. Caryl brings (virtual of course!) food and flowers to our online Facebook parties. Her last name has a nice strong-sounding quality to it, don’t you think? Her maiden name was borrowed from a business in Charleston, South Carolina, where I used to live. Tumbleston was used because I wanted the inn, that Caroline’s family owned, to be named after the Tumble Inn, a hotel near where I grew up. My mom always loved to tease that you would “Tumble Inn and roll out.”  So I had fun using that.

My hero, Barden Granville IV, is got his moniker from two of my friends. Libbie (Barden) Cornett is one of my best friends and is the one who got me interested in Christian fiction almost three decades ago. Chris Granville is one of my Pagels’ Pals group members and has been such a support, doing Beta reading and advance reading of my books. Doesn’t Chris’s married name sound posh? And no, I didn’t “borrow” from Lord Granville on Downton Abbey!

I like to use friends’ names in my story. So my readers Deanna, Lorraine, and Virginia had their names used for my heroine’s sisters. And I use family names. My husband’s uncle Alvin passed away the previous year as had my cousin Leonard. I used their names as Carolyn’s brothers, in a nod to their memories. Henry was my father’s middle name and I really like that name. He’s Caroline’s third brother.

I sometimes use the names of real life people from an era. When I came upon research showing that the soldiers at Mackinac Island, in this era, had been injured Army veterans of the Civil War, and that they’d come from out west to the fort in Michigan (no evidence they went through Kansas so I took fictional liberties), I decided to use some of their real names, documented in a book.

Giveaway: An autographed paperback copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Brides. There must be ten unique comments on this blog post from different readers for the giveaway, so please share with your friends and on social media!


Grand Prize Giveaway: Kindle Fire + Postcards of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order, bookmarks from upcoming release My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring, print copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands, cowboy-themed earrings, and an e-book copy of Holt Medallion finalist “The Steeplechase.”

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May 29
 Reading Is My SuperPower | Soulfully Romantic | Zerina Blossom's Books
May 30
 Puddletown Reviews | Wishful Endings | Bookworm Lisa
May 31
 Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen | Mel's Shelves  | Blossoms and Blessings​
June 1
 Singing Librarian Books | Heidi Reads... | Bookworm Lisa
June 2
 Cafinated Reads | Smiling Book Reviews | A Baker's Perspective
June 3
 aTransParentMom | Paulette's Papers
 
 
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Thursday, December 15, 2016

Book Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway: Christmas in the Cove by Carol Ross


On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Christmas in the CoveChristmas in the Cove
by Carol Ross
Adult Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
December 1st 2016 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Nobody is going to hurt her—not on his watch

A DEA stealth mission has brought coast guard Lt. Commander Eli Pelletier home. But when he ends up aiding rescue swimmer Aubrey Wynn during her own harrowing mission, powerful emotions reignite between them. Except Aubrey doesn't want Eli's protection. She wants answers.

Twelve years ago, Eli broke up with Aubrey without telling her the real reason he was leaving Pacific Cove. How can he try for a second chance if he's forced to deceive her again? Amid suspected drug trafficking and a sabotaged Christmas contest, Eli must find a way to regain Aubrey's trust without compromising his career or endangering the woman he loves.



Carol Ross lives with her husband and one loveable miscreant of a dachshund in a small town in Washington close to both the ocean and the mountains. She adores the Pacific Northwest because it provides her with endless opportunities for the activities she loves—hiking, running, skiing, and spending time outdoors. Although she enjoys reading in many genres, she writes what she loves the most—romance, especially light-hearted stories about the fun, flirty, and often-tumultuous path toward a happily ever after.


Other Books by the Author

Mountains Apart (Seasons of Alaska #1) A Case for Forgiveness (Seasons of Alaska #2) If Not for a Bee (Seasons of Alaska #3) A Family Like Hannah's (Seasons of Alaska #4)

Guest Post by Carol Ross

Crab Dip & Excerpt

One of my favorite scenes in Christmas in the Cove involves a crab feed. If you live near a coast, chances are you’ve probably been to one of these types of seafood feasts. Whether it’s crab, shrimp, lobster, clams, fish, or oysters for some reason seafood just begs to be feasted on.

Even though Pacific Cove is a fictional town, its would-be location on the Oregon Coast means that I had to give the Dungeness crab its due. Heroine Aubrey is heading up a Christmas contest with the hope of winning the cash prize so she can use it to refurbish the community’s swimming pool. (She’s a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and this pool is near and dear to her heart.) When the chef falls ill, hero Eli volunteers to fill in and cook the crab. Of course, the gesture softens Aubrey’s own crabby shell and leaves her feeling a bit mushy inside.
Here's an excerpt from the scene:

“Hey, you,” she said when she approached.

“Hi. Looks like this is a huge success. Congratulations.”

Her smile could rival the Christmas star for sheer brightness. “Thank you. Gabby did an amazing job. I helped her plan it, but I was just one of the support people on this one. I have to say, so far I’ve attended a pizza feed with Alex in Remington—no contest.

“Nina and I went to a salmon bake last week in Lewis Point. There was a decorated tree in the corner where you chose a souvenir Christmas ornament to take home, which I thought was a nice touch. But it did not compare to this. The mayor went to a clam chowder feed in Tiramundi on Wednesday night. The chowder made him and fifty-three other people sick. Of course, I wouldn’t wish food poisoning on my worst enemy, but my point is—this is going to be tough to beat.”

“I think you’re right about that.”

She reached out and laid a hand on his forearm. “Thank you so much, Eli. When you said you wanted to help, I didn’t expect this… This is above and beyond what I expected.”

One look at the expression on her face and Eli was pretty sure he’d do anything she asked of him. Their eyes met and held, twelve years falling away as spark-filled affection crackled between them. He’d always liked looking at her face. Especially when her moss-green eyes were brimming with happiness the way they were now. The sound of laughter broke into their bubble. They both looked up to see Gale in his crab suit standing off to one side of the ballroom juggling for a group of kids.

“Even I didn’t expect that,” Eli quipped and they chuckled together.

“Seriously, Eli, the fact that you’d do this for me…I mean, I know the pool is a good cause and everything, but I can’t help think that…” She paused, a touch of pink tingeing her cheeks. “That you wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me.”

“You’re right about that,” he said, a cold blast of guilt immediately following. He didn’t like the way it swamped the warmth that had only seconds ago been flooding through him. His answer was the truth, he reassured himself. He just wished it was the only truth that mattered.

Dungeness crab season opens here during the month of December. Whether it’s boiled (then cracked and eaten with melted butter) or included in a more complicated recipe, crab is always a part of our holiday celebration. Following is one of my favorite recipes. If you have a favorite crab (or other seafood) dish, I’d love to hear about it. Really, I would. And I want to know your recipe, too.

— Carol

C:\Users\ross_\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCacheContent.Word\Hot crab dip2.png


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card and a copy of Christmas in the Cove (signed copy if US, ebook if international)
- Ends December 24th

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