Monday, November 18, 2019

Book Tour & Giveaway: The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby by Cathy McDavid

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

ARE YOU IN THE HOLIDAY MOOD YET?

Hopefully, I can help you get your jingle on 🙂 Come join me on my blog tour for THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS BABY, book three in my series, The Sweetheart Ranch. . . . I promise you, my blog tour will be tons of fun. Besides sharing not only excerpts from the books, there’ll also be some fun holiday trivia and a giveaway at the end for one lucky winner. So, grab your tinsel and let’s get started!

—Cathy

Remembrancy - Review

"The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby proves that relationships are difficult, and that compromise is necessary to sustain said relationship. . . . in the end, she realizes what’s most important to her and her own culpability in the situation.

Plus, there’s this big, handsome ex-bull rider whose four-month-old daughter has him wrapped around her teeny tiny fingers, and that is worth picking up this book to read about."

Hallie Reads - Review

"Complicated and sweet, The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby is a contemporary romance perfect for this time of year. If you’re in need of a fun Christmas story, grab a copy of this book (especially if you’ve enjoyed other Sweetheart Ranch books)!"


Hearing a noise, she glanced over to see a man half hidden by the shadows and pushing a wheelbarrow into the horse barn from the opposite end of the aisle. She didn’t pay much attention, not until he drew closer.

She sensed more than saw him come to a stop, and she slowly turned to face him. The hairs on the back of her neck inexplicably rose.

Whatever words she’d been about to utter lodged in her throat as the man emerged from the shadows and his features took shape beneath the weathered cowboy hat he wore. A wild rush of shock and then alarm coursed through Jewel, and she involuntarily tightened her grip on Ava.

She couldn’t have been more stunned if she’d seen a ghost. Then again, she supposed she had, for Tanner Bridwell stood before her.


"My goodness!!! I have enjoyed this Sweetheart Ranch series a lot, but the author absolutely knocked one out of the park with this newest story! I love second chance romances and this one was especially wonderful. . . . This book was a joy to read from start to finish, and I recommend it even to those who have not read the first two books in the series. It can be read as a stand alone novel."


"The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby by Cathy McDavid is an enjoyable romance for any time of the year, but especially during the Christmas season. Those who have read the previous two books in this series will enjoy returning to Arizona’s Sweetheart Ranch, but this story easily stands alone."


"I enjoyed this book. . . . I recommend reading this book. It is book three of a series but is a stand-alone. I love reading stories based on a ranch. I never lived on one but just fun to read about them."


"This was my first visit to Sweetheart Ranch and I enjoyed the setting and family. The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby steps out of the main ranch family and expands to include Jewel and her daughter. Unbeknownst to her, her ex-fiance, Tanner, has been hiding out on the neighboring ranch, which creates tension right from the start. . . It made me smile the way Tanner stepped right into daddy role, even though Jewel was hesitant, he didn’t let her push him away from his daughter."


"The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby is a very cute book, and it’s a perfect read for the holidays. . . . If you haven’t read the others, no worries! You can absolutely read this as a stand alone. . . . I think you’ll love Tanner and Jewel’s story. Read it this Christmas!"

Pause for Tales - Review

"This was a sweet second chance romance with a solid history behind these two. I did like watching them fall in love again. This was a nice little holiday read."


"This is a poignant story of love, betrayal, judgement, redemption, family values, and integrity. It steadily moves along, keeping the reader captivated. Although the story is somewhat predictable, there are enough twists to make it emotionally touching and interesting."


"I felt McBride wrote a dearly realistic story-line which has a lot of hidden layers - she pulls apart her character's emotional states by placing you centre-fold into their lives. . . . You get to re-visit with beloved characters, re-settle into the time-line of Sweetheart Ranch and find new characters you're drawn into reading about due to their aspirations and the stories they have to share with us all."


JEWEL’S FACE HAD always been easy to read, the subtle nuances clearly telegraphing her every emotion. There was hardly a time Tanner had been unaware of her thoughts, especially when it came to her feelings for him.

Today was no different. Except trepidation had replaced the love he’d once seen.

He’d reconciled himself to Jewel no longer being a part of his life. Spotting her standing at the end of the barn aisle, a baby in her arms, he’d sworn his imagination was playing tricks on him. As he’d approached, he’d realized it wasn’t his imagination, and the wall enclosing his heart had split wide open to release a flood of emotions. Surprise. Shock. Confusion. Joy. Hurt. Even anger. How dare she have a baby, their baby, and not tell him! Regardless of what had passed between them, he deserved to know. He had a right to know.


"Cathy McDavid has absolutely done it again! She has created a wonderful, heart warming novel that is perfect for the Christmas romance lovers! She creates fantastic plot lines, throws in yummy cowboys, and beautiful women and lots of surprises along the way. . . . This book had me up late into the night turning page after page. This is an unforgettable, heart warming holiday read and has me wanting to put up my tree now. Run, don’t walk, and grab this one up!"

EmpowerMoms - Review

"I liked reading about the ranch, barrel racing and the horses. The setting of the book was beautiful and I especially loved that it centered around the holidays. I really enjoyed it!"

Becky on Books - Review

"Tanner and Jewel’s story has it all–an adorable baby, the holiday season, a second chance at romance . . . . Ms McDavid kept this reader turning the pages, desperately hoping that the two of them would be able to get back together, but worrying that they wouldn’t actually be able to resolve the issues–most of which didn’t only involve or were even up to just them–in order to get to a satisfying HEA. Fortunately, they managed to pull it off, and I put the book down with a huge smile on my face."

Splashes of Joy - Review

"Another sweet heartwarming story from author Cathy McDavid. Both characters were right at home around a barn with the horses, bull riding, barrel racing lessons. . . . And as the story unfolds, it did well to keep my interest. There was enough going on in the story till the very end too keep me reading. . . . If you are looking for a nice, clean Christmas read, this is one you will enjoy."


"I love the Sweetheart Ranch series. I always get lost in these books. It gives all the feels I'm looking for. . . . I also liked catching up with previous characters in the series. I love seeing them enjoying their HEAs. Plus how can you pass up a cover like the one for this book. That hooks you in all on is own."


"I love a good clean read like these little books!! They leave your heart feeling full long after you are finished with them. . . . I really enjoyed this story and the way the way this author writes will surely have you hanging onto the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens to our two lovebirds? Who knows! I encourage you to pick up this book and read it. It will set your heart to racing against time. I just loved it!!"



"This emotional journey of forgiveness will catch your attention quickly! With the third book in her The Sweetheart Ranch series, Cathy McDavid brings us THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS BABY … a reunion story between two former rodeo contenders. . . . I recommend this book to anyone loving a sweet romance filled with emotional strife and secrets to uncover. Really enjoyed their story!"


"I highly recommend The Cowboy's Christmas Baby for readers who love to read cowboy romance. I am giving it five plus stars. I believe this one should not be missed and definitely a must read."

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...

https://amzn.to/2rO01yAThe Cowboy's Christmas Baby
(The Sweetheart Ranch #3)
By Cathy McDavid
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
November 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

She gifted him with a daughter

He stunned her with the truth

When Tanner Bridwell discovers he’s a father, he gains some much needed hope. A year ago, Tanner lost his livelihood as a champion bull rider, and—more important—Jewel Saunders, the love of his life. Now this cowboy wants to do right by his family. But first he must reveal a stunning secret that will send Jewel and his beloved daughter either packing…or into his arms forever!

(Affiliate links included.)

Other Books in the Series

https://amzn.to/358aa7G

About the Author

As a sophomore in high school, NY TimesUSA Today, and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid won a local writing competition with her self-illustrated children’s book. Who knew that small triumph would eventually lead to a career writing contemporary romances with over 1.3 million books sold? With forty-seven titles to date, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins recently married her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world four years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking men who ride the range or fight fires or hunt creatures all while sweeping the girl off her feet. It’s a tough job but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.


Tour Giveaway


- One winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card and one of Cathy's backlisted titles, winner's choice of print (US only) or ebook
- Three winners will each receive one of Cathy's backlisted titles, winner's choice of print (US only) or ebook
- Open internationally
- Ends November 20, 2019

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Sunday, November 17, 2019

Book Tour & Giveaway: A Silver Willow by the Shore by Kelli Stuart

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Author Interview

What is your motivation behind A SILVER WILLOW BY THE SHORE? Why did you want to write it?

I have had a decades-long fascination with the former Soviet Union and their rich, layered history. As a Russian minor in college, I spent a semester in Ukraine studying and traveling, and I realized that there are a world of stories to be told from that region. Fast forward twenty years, and after the release of my award-winning debut novel, Like a River From Its Course, set in World War II Soviet Ukraine, I began combing through books for the next story that I felt needed to be told. . .

Remembrancy - Review

"Stuart’s prose pulled me right in, and I quickly became invested in the three women in this family who are hurting and longing for acceptance in their own ways. The Russian history and way of life were captivating, and the secondary characters (James and Viktor) enrich this story further."


I know when someone’s holding a secret. There’s a certain nuance that cannot be fully disguised when one is harboring hidden news.


"Oh, my, this book! This story of three generations of women gripped me right from the beginning. Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie are mother, daughter, and granddaughter all living under the same roof, but as the story begins, they couldn't be farther apart. Each woman carries a secret, and it's in the revealing of these secrets that they find healing. . . . Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie worked their way into my heart, and this is a story that will stick with me."


"Thought-provoking and heart-rending, A Silver Willow by the Shore is a book that will pull you in and leave you feeling better for it. I don’t give out five-star reviews lightly. . . . Kelli Stuart has impressed me with her masterful storytelling and gift of character. You will feel both happiness and heartache with these characters as they live and relive their journeys. Here is a book that dares to question what’s truly important, to push beyond our fears and hatred and not only forgive others but ourselves."


“It’s okay, Ninochka,” her mother would answer. “You simply have to think of warm things, and you will be warm. Quick, let’s think of warm things together.” And they’d take turns listing all the warm things they could think of: Fire, borsch, a summer night, a cup of hot chai. They’d make their list as the line crawled along, and somehow it had worked—Nina had felt warm.


"If you like a good historical fiction type read then this is the book for you! . . . A great read that I highly recommend."

By The Book - Review

"Wow! What an incredible story from a gifted author. An emotional read, the story takes you into the lives of three women who should have a strong connection through family ties, but find themselves isolated from each other, struggling to find an identity amidst the secrets kept by each generation. A thoughtful and poignant book, I had to force myself to slow down in its reading. It is a book to be savored, but I just could not put it down!"

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Toska. It was an untranslatable word—a word that could hardly be conveyed in the English language. Toska communicated anguish. It was a soul-crushing heartache that couldn’t be quelled. . .

Pause for Tales - Review

"You will be immersed in this story as you walk along with these women on their journey to freedom from shame and guilt. This is a heart tugging bittersweet novel."


"Wow! A Silver Willow by the Shore blew me away. . . . I would give A Silver Willow by the Shore one hundred stars if I could. It is being placed among my favorite reads of the year."


"To me, this is a very powerful book. . . . These histories and these stories intertwine to weave a tragically beautiful story that does involve love and loss, but also some redemption and second chances in life. I relished every single page."


"A Silver Willow by the Shore begs to be read slowly and savored, although I found it hard to put down as I watched everything unfold. This poignant, bittersweet story will be enjoyed by all who enjoy relational, character-driven stories. A “best of the best” read for me with the highest of recommendations."

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

Walking to the large window that overlooks the city, Nina takes in the lights. She focuses in on her reflection in the window. She’s older now than she was then. Her face is more drawn, eyelids a little heavier. Gone is the innocence of that young girl who came to America . . .


"As the year draws to a close, I can honestly say Silver Willow by the Shore is one of my favorite reads from 2019. . . . This book was quite unique, as it’s an engaging multi-generational tale told via three POVs: Annie, her mother Nina, and her grandmother Elizaveta. They’re equally well-developed, and easy to root for and invest in."


I wake with a start and immediately pull the covers up to my chin. I heard a cry. Who was it? There is a knocking sound above me. My eyes shift up and down, left and right, trying to discern what is causing the sound. I hear muffled voices, and I shut my eyes tight, then open them back up. The small night- light in my room casts shadows across the walls, and suddenly I am a child again hovering under the sheets of our small home in Ukraine. The fire in the hearth dances across the dark walls, as I lay warmed from underneath by the oven that mama keeps lit. Dima and Tanya lay beside me on our little bed, and I hear Dima’s breathing grow unsteady.


Another bump outside our door and my eyes shift across the wooden room, a knot growing in my stomach. I take in all the sights, stitched together in my memory like one of Mama’s blankets, and I begin picking at them, unraveling to this particular moment. I’m frightened, and I whimper softly.

“Shh, dochinka,” Mama whispers in my ear. Her voice sends a shiver down my spine. “Don’t move. Don’t make a sound.” She glances behind her, then pulls up the small icon of Saint Maria holding the Christ child and slips it under my pillow. “You will keep this safe for us,” she says. “Keep your head down no matter what happens.”


"I was blown away by this book! How amazing is it that three generations of women who have kept secrets forever changing future generations of women to come. . . . This book is so powerful and I think I will add it to my 2019 list of reads on my blog that is coming up.

I enjoyed this book so much! I strongly recommend it!"


"My first thought when reading the last few lines of A Silver Willow By The Shore was. “Wow. This is one touching story.” And I can’t think of any other way to say it. This book really left me thinking about my own family, about my wonderful mother and my many sisters, and how they are all just so special to me, and how important family is."


“Don’t be silly, Nina,” her mother would chide. “What would we do with a dog? I am working all day, and you are in school. And besides, then we would have to stand in another line just to get food for the dog. I will not stand in more lines.”


"What a wonderful cast of characters with a unique set of storylines! . . . Kelli Stuart is a brilliant storyteller. It is evident that she has researched Russian history and customs, breathing life and authenticity into her characters with confidence and elegance.

I love, LOVE, LOVE this story!"


Nina opens her eyes and stares a moment longer at the picture, crossing her arms tight over her chest. Her childhood memories are comprised of standing next to her mother in lines. She turns to look at Elizaveta who sleeps soundly in her chair in the corner, a book in her lap. Her chin rests on her chest and she breathes slowly.


"A Silver Willow by the Shore was so well-written, and it is obvious that the author researched Russian history in depth. Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie have so much depth to their characters that I could swear if I drove down to Tennessee, I could visit them.

A Silver Willow by the Shore is a book that will stick with you long after you’ve read the end. I loved it and think you will too."


I can’t speak of the memories, of course. Not to anyone. The key to keeping a secret is to replace the hidden news with something different, and then to make yourself believe the new story. Roll the facts through your head until they’ve muddled the reality of events. This is what I’ve done. What I’ve tried to do. This is what she’ll try to do.

Keep it hidden. Share as little as possible. She and I are not so different after all. We’re both rewriting our own history.

Hallie Reads - Review

"A beautiful story, perfect for fans of mother-daughter relationships and well-told history, A Silver Willow By the Shore is one book I am sure will stick with me for years to come. I highly recommend reading it."


Nina wraps her arms around her trembling daughter and pulls her in tight. Annie presses her face into Nina’s neck, and Nina closes her eyes remembering the way Annie would crawl into her lap as a child and fall asleep in this same position.

Putting her arm around Annie’s shoulders, Nina walks her to the couch and sits down with her. Annie lays her head in her mother’s lap and Nina strokes her hair. “Ssshhh,” she croons. Annie’s shoulders heave as she releases months of pent up emotion and heartache. Nina closes her eyes and rocks gently back and forth as another memory slides over her.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...

https://amzn.to/35buK76A Silver Willow by the Shore
By Kelli Stuart
Adult Historical, Contemporary, Time-Slip
Paperback & ebook, 380 Pages
October 15th 2019 by Fine Print Writing Press

How do you face the future if you don’t know your own past?

When an unexpected pregnancy changes her dreams, seventeen-year-old Annie tries to keep it from her mother and her grandmother. But secrets have a way of coming out. In a household of strong women, the arrival of a new life sets off a spiral of truth that reveals a past full of whispers and lies—a past that existed in another world under the heavy hand of Soviet oppression. This history has dictated the circumstances of the present, but hope, redemption, and forgiveness will grow in the rocky places of these generational differences.

A Silver Willow by the Shore is the story of the unshakeable love between mothers and daughters and of the impact that past decisions can have on present day circumstances. This novel weaves together the stories of generations of women, from the gulags of 1930’s Siberia, to the quiet oppression of 1980’s Soviet Moscow, to present day Tennessee. It is an unforgettable narrative of the treachery of secrets, and of the light that unites the heart of a family.

(Affiliate links included.)
About the Author


Kelli is a wife, mother, novelist, and the driver of a smoking' hot minivan. When she isn't wrangling her five children, she can be found tapping away at the keyboard. Kelli is the award winning author of Like a River From Its Course, her debut novel which won the ACFW Carol Award for Best Historical and was nominated for two Christy Awards. Kelli is also the co-author of Life Creative: Inspiration for Today's Renaissance Mom with Wendy Speake. You can find more information on her life and writings at www.kellistuart.com.


Bookstagram Tour


This had its own giveaway. You can check out the tour here.


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a Kindle Fire Tablet with Alexa Hands Free + $50 Amazon Gift Card
US only
Ends November 13, 2019

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Friday, November 15, 2019

Book Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway: Home for Christmas by Catherine Lanigan

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

https://amzn.to/32RKz1oHome for Christmas
(Shores of Indian Lake #12)
By Catherine Lanigan
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
November 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Can a magical Christmas under glass…

…bring them back together for good?

Widowed dad Adam Masterson still doesn’t understand why Joy Boston left Indian Lake and broke his heart all those years ago. Now she’s returned to sell her grandfather’s beloved poinsettia greenhouse—and Joy and Adam’s connection is as strong as ever. But Joy has a life in New York. And Adam has only until Christmas to convince Joy that she belongs in Indian Lake—with him.

(Affiliate links included.)

Guest Post from Author Catherine Lanigan



                             THE CHRISTMAS POPS CONCERT

What is Christmas without music? After all, at the first Christmas, the angels sang.  Though this is early October as I write this, I have to confess, I fight the urge to put my Johnny Mathis Christmas album on every day. I know. But I love, love, love Christmas. I do believe it’s a time of magic and miracles. Love and giving.

Even the saddest Christmases I’ve had, and there have been many in my years, there is still that hope that everything will be all right. That Love will find a way and that if you have faith and believe, dreams really do come true.

In my hometown, we have a Christmas concert the second Saturday of every December. This concert was another of my sister, Nancy’s, favorite organizations to chair. To this day, I still don’t know how she managed her time to create, orchestrate and plan so many events, especially since many of them were at Christmas. But she did.

The Christmas Pops is truly unique. It’s held at our Civic Auditorium, built in the 1920’s and houses over 3,000 people. The main floor, where basketball used to be played when I was in high school, is filled with linen covered tables and chairs, decorated with flowers and candles and the ceiling is draped, flung and crisscrossed with thousands of Christmas lights. The La Porte County Symphony plays as various choral groups, the Children’s Choir, soloists and local harmonizing groups perform.  The night is upbeat and fun. Everyone dresses up, lots of tuxes and gowns; Christmas dresses and fun Christmas ties, I have to say.

Before the Pops, I gave a pre-party and again, pulled out as many “stops” as I could.

In HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, Adam rents a horse-drawn carriage to take Joy to the concert. It’s only five blocks from the greenhouses to the Civic Auditorium, (true) but the night is romantic and fun. On the way back, Adam finally asks Joy to stay in Indian Lake with him and not go back to New York and her fiancé, Chuck.  Can you guess her answer?  You’ll have to delve into the pages of the book for that. Until then….
Merry Christmas to all!!!
Catherine



Other Books in the Series


About the Author

Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of over forty-five published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into over twenty-four languages. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid foundation to pen a collection of compelling and informative true stories of teen addicts. Ms. Lanigan’s SHORES OF INDIAN LAKE series for HARLEQUIN HEARTWARMING includes LOVE SHADOWS, HEART’S DESIRE , A FINE YEAR FOR LOVE, KATIA’S PROMISE, FEAR OF FALLING, SOPHIE’S PATH, PROTECTING THE SINGLE MOM, FAMILY OF HIS OWN, HIS BABY DILEMMA, RESCUED BY THE FIREFIGHTER and HERS TO PROTECT (2019).

Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs. She writes a monthly blog for Heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


- One winner will receive a $100 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
- Two winners will each receive a signed copy of Home for Christmas with a bookmark (US only)
- Ends November 27, 2019

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