Thursday, December 9, 2021

#FantasyforChristmas21 • Grand Finale!

On tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops, you can
see snippets and the link to each full post, as well as the giveaway below...

November 28th: Launch

November 29th: Elayne Audrey Becker - Forestborn


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads Twitter Instagram
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | Book Depository
B&N | Target | IndieBound | BAM | Powells

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):

Finley’s eyes are glazing over, far too fast, the pupils dilating as if he’s concussed. He shakes his head, holds out a hand, clutches mine when I step close to steady him. “I think—”

“Finley!” I cry, catching him when his knees suddenly give way. I’m dismayed at how easy it is to support his weight, considering he’s only one year younger than me. Or two, or three. It’s all a guess, really. “Fin, talk to me,” I say, my heart flinging itself wildly against my ribcage as I watch his eyes lose focus once more. His hand loosens its grip on mine, and both of us sink to the forest floor.

November 30th: Michelle Diener - The Turncoat King


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | BookBub | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | B&N | Book Depository

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):

The guard assigned to lead them to the Skäddar warrior paused to speak to someone in low tones. When he turned back to Luc and Dak, he was grinning.

“The Skäddar warrior is this way. He's sparring with one of our best fighters and we're hoping he wins.” His smile widened as he led the way.

December 1st: Jes Drew - Agents Adam and Eve


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads Pinterest
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | Book Depository

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):

I teleport the door toward the motorcycles, causing them to crash into each other and knocking off those still on them. Then I drop down and teleport myself to the nearest gunman and wrestle his weapon from his hand. I elbow him in the face and his grip loosens enough for me to take it and shoot at the engine of one of the motorcycles, making it blow up into an inferno that the men scurry to avoid.

December 2nd: Sharon Hinck - Windward Shore


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | BookBub | Facebook Twitter Instagram
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | B&N | Book Depository | Christianbook

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):

Chapter One

Where could he be? I squinted toward the horizon, where stormy sky met turbulent sea. Brantley had planned to be back by midday, but the primary sun was already lowering beyond the churning waves. Not a good sign. Wind howled from the ocean, and the ground bobbed. A gust slapped into me, rippling my tunic and forcing me to lean forward to keep my footing. My toes dug into the tangleroot.

December 3rd: Kara Linaburg - The Broken Prince


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads Facebook Pinterest | Instagram
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | Book Depository

Snippet from the Author Interview (find the full post here):

Three words to describe your writing process of “The Broken Prince”?

Crazy. Crazy. Crazy. I wrote this book in a crazy place mentally back in high school, and the whole manuscript was just a mess starting out.

December 4th: Cathy McCrumb - Recorder


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads Facebook Instagram
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | B&N | Book Depository Christianbook

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):

The moon’s moon gleamed clear and bright, and I stood transfixed by the canopy of stars, their faint colors shining against the velvet vastness of space. Ceres hovered above the horizon, a pale, blue speck, while Thalassa’s lights flashed overhead, only a few degrees below the orange point of New Triton. My drone’s tendril gently twined about my shoulders, and my implant magnified the deep sounds of space. The stars’ dissonance rumbled underneath the team’s voices and my own pounding heart. I smiled at the beauty of it—

December 5th: Sandra Fernandez Rhoads - Realms of Light


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads Facebook | Twitter Instagram
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | B&N | Book Depository | Christianbook

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):

Chapter One - Uriel’s Sunbeam

I bounce my foot as Devon drives us deeper into the forest at a crawling pace. Maddox sits beside me, tapping a restless beat on his knee as the rumbling engine fills the growing silence. Autumn leaves blanket our path, and the bleak horizon blocks out the rising sun, but I know it’s there, hiding behind the clouds, waiting to break through.

December 6th: Chawna Schroeder - The Vault Between Spaces


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | BookBub | Facebook
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | B&N | Book Depository | Christianbook

Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):

It started with a dream.

Yes, I know how completely clichéd that sounds, but that’s the truth. I happened to dream vividly, and when my creative brain has had insufficient exercise, those dreams often take a story bent with lots of action and conflict. And since dreams don’t have to be particularly logical, my mind enjoys experimenting with some unique—and often bizarre—combinations.

December 7th: Melissa Wright - Beneath Stone and Sacrifice


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | BookBub Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Apple Books | Kobo

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):

Rhen leaned forward on the fireplace iron as if it were a cane. “Nimona, my dear, you do see that I have just saved you from certain peril, do you not?” He gestured vaguely toward Wes with his chin. “Though the boy might be able to prevent a direct attack by magic, he certainly has no power to keep a serpent from puncturing your precious skin.”

December 8th: Kristen Young - Elite


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | BookBub | Facebook | Twitter Instagram
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | B&N | Book Depository | Christianbook

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):

My name is Kerr Flick. Or Cadence. Or . . . something. I don’t know. A month ago, if anyone told me that my Dorm Leader would be offering to break the law for me, I would have laughed. No—worse than that. I probably would have reported them for losing their minds.

Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a $50 (USD) Amazon eGift Card

Open internationally
Ends December 13, 2021

ENTER HERE

Grab Our Button!






Spotlight & Giveaway: Deep Haven Collection presented by Susan May Warren

Deep Haven Collection JustRead Takeover Tour

Welcome to the Takeover Tour for Deep Haven Collection presented by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOKS

Titles: Still the One by Rachel D. Russell, Can't Buy Me Love by Andrea Christenson, Crazy for You by Michelle Sass Aleckson, Then Came You by Rachel D. Russell, Hangin' by a Moment by Andrea Christenson, Right Here Waiting by Michelle Sass Aleckson 
Series: Deep Haven Collection #1-6 
Lead Author: Susan May Warren 
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing 
Release Date: 2021 
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Still the One Can't Buy Me Love Crazy for You

Then Came You Hangin' by a Moment Right Here Waiting

Deep Haven…a town in beautiful Minnesota where everyone escapes for a second chance and a fresh start - everyone from local artists, off-the-grid homesteaders, resort owners, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts who love to canoe, hike and camp in the north woods. Of course, every town has its café owners, police and fire-fighting force, the hospital staff, the school, the local football team and, well, people from every walk of life. 

They also have trouble. Crime. Disasters. Tragedy. Family drama… heartbreak. 

But in Deep Haven, there is no problem so deep that God’s love isn’t deeper. 

It’s time to return to Deep Haven. 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Christianbook

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Susan May Warren Rachel Russell

Michelle Sass Aleckson

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | FacebookInstagram | Twitter

Rachel D. Russell is a member of Oregon Christian Writers and My Book Therapy’s Novel Academy, and is a regular contributor to the Learn How to Write a Novel blog. The mother of two teenagers, she often interrogates her husband on his own military and law enforcement experience to craft believable heroes in uniform. The rest of her time is spent cantering her horse down the Oregon trails. Visit Rachel at www.racheldrussell.com.

CONNECT WITH RACHEL: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Andrea Christenson lives in a Minneapolis, MN suburb with her husband and two daughters. When she is not busy homeschooling her girls, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on. She believes that a great loaf of artistic bread can turn a meal into a masterpiece. Andrea’s prayer is to write stories revealing God’s love.

CONNECT WITH ANDREA: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 

After growing upon both the east and west coasts, Michelle Sass Aleckson now lives the country life in central Minnesota with her own hero and their four kids. She loves rocking out to 80’s music on a Saturday night, playing Balderdash with the fam, and getting lost in good stories. Especially stories that shine grace. And if you’re wondering, yes, Sass is her maiden name. Visit her at www.michellealeckson.com

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 

Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills. 


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive the Deep Haven Collection (6 books, print US only, ebook available internationally) (1) winner will receive the Deep Haven Collection audiobook set (6 audiobooks)

Deep Haven Collection JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight December 9, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on December 16, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. print US only, international ebook. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.






Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Cowboy's Amish Haven by Pamela Desmond Wright

The Cowboy's Amish Haven JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Cowboy's Amish Haven by Pamela Desmond Wright, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Cowboy's Amish Haven
Title: The Cowboy's Amish Haven
Author: Pamela Desmond Wright
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: August 24, 2021
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance 

Her home and her heart are on the line… 

On the same day Gail Schroder’s faced with losing her Amish family ranch, her old crush Levi Wyse shows up on her doorstep. He doesn’t know that when he left ten years ago he'd taken Gail’s heart with him. Now Levi’s her only hope of keeping a roof over her head. But can this cowboy teach Gail the ropes in time to save her home? 

 
 
 
 
 
EXCERPT

Hardly paying attention to where she was going, she plowed straight into Levi. His straw hat went flying.

"Oh!" Her voice squeaked with surprise and heart slammed against her chest. As she attempted to get out of his way, her heel snagged on a paving stone lining the walkway. Arms pinwheeling, she landed in a heap.

"Are you all right?"

Dazed, Gail pressed a hand to her forehead. What a way to start the day, flat on her backside.

Embarrassment heated her cheeks. She wasn’t sure if she should laugh or cry. Her breath caught in a hitch. "I—I’m fine."

Levi leaned down, reaching out to her. Slowly, he helped her get to her feet. "I’m such an oaf," he said by way of an apology. "I should have been watching where I was going."

Surprised by his strength, Gail tilted her head back and gazed up at him. Eyes the color of a clear morning sky gazed down on her. His irises were not just blue, they were dotted with flecks of gold. How had she never noticed this before? 
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

pamela desmond wright 

Pamela Desmond Wright grew up in a small, dusty Texas town. Like the Amish, Pamela is a fan of the simple life. Her childhood includes memories of the olden days; old-fashioned oil lamps, cooking over an authentic wood-burning stove and making popcorn over a crackling fire at her grandparent’s cabin. She also loves needlepoint and has dozens of projects to work on! Someday, she hopes to move into van life, living on the road as a traveling writer.

CONNECT WITH PAMELA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

Grand Prize: (1) winner will receive a Kindle eReader 1st runner up: (1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card 2nd runner up: (1) winner will receive a signed print copy of The Cowboy's Amish Haven and King James Version of the Bible

The Cowboy's Amish Haven JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight December 7, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on December 14, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.






Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Book Tour, Review & Giveaway: The Accidental Romance by Karen Tuft




My rating: 3 stars / I liked it



Synopsis

Rebecca Jennings’s first London Season has been absolutely ruined, and one person alone is responsible: Mr. Ben Fortescue. If her new neighbor hadn’t startled her, she would never have broken her ankle, leaving her bored and frustrated at home in the country while her sister enjoys the London Season alone. Although, it was rather gallant of him to carry her home.

For his part, Ben feels terrible about the role he played in Miss Rebecca Jennings’s accident. In the days that follow their first disastrous meeting, he finds himself inexorably drawn to the surprising young woman—first out of guilt and then out of a stirring affection. But Ben hides a secret: he has not been completely forthright about his identity or about the dark secrets of his past that would make it impossible for romance to blossom with Miss Jennings. Despite his love for her, he knows he must let her go. With her ankle finally healed but her heart now broken, Rebecca is left with little choice but to throw herself into the Season. With eligible men circling this late addition to the Marriage Mart, it seems that Rebecca will have no shortage of suitors. If only her heart were free to give.


My Review

Slow paced with plenty of day to day life detail, this book explores Rebecca's growth as she copes with disappointment and learns to look outside herself. Ben is a tortured hero in search of respite and anonymity, but discovers an unlikely friend in Rebecca. They each have plenty of angsty moments, but my favorites were their interactions as they gradually become aware of their mutual attraction. It was frustrating for them to believe their romance is impossible, when it seems to be entirely possible if they would sacrifice for it. This story is more of a journey that follows the long healing process of their hearts, both separately and together. Readers of the first two books will be happy with plenty of characters in Rebecca's family and beyond that come together and in turn support and frustrate her during her recovery. I feel like the amount of "filler" details and scenes made my interest wane as well as the chemistry that the author had built between Rebecca and Ben. I was invested enough to read through to the end, and overall it was a pleasant diversion.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
 
 

The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen #CleanRomanceforXmas21 #Giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart
By Nancy Campbell Allen
Historical Romance
Paperback, E-book & Audiobook, 313 Pages
September 7, 2021 by Shadow Mountain

Amelie Hampton is a hopeless romantic, which makes her the perfect columnist to answer lonely heart letters in The Marriage Gazette. When Amelie plays matchmaker with two anonymous lonely hearts, she also decides to secretly observe the couple’s blind date. To her surprise, the man who appears for the rendezvous is Harold Radcliffe—a grieving widower and a member of Amelie’s book club. 
 
Police detective Michael Baker has been struggling ever since his best friend and brother-in-law dies in the line of fire. Because he knows the dangers of his job, he has vowed never to marry and subject a wife and family to the uncertainty of his profession. But when he meets Miss Hampton, he is captured by her innocence, beauty, and her quick mind. 
 
When a woman’s body is pulled from the river, Michael suspects the woman’s husband—Harold Radcliffe—of foul play. Amelie refuses to believe that Harold is capable of such violence but agrees to help, imagining it will be like one of her favorite mystery novels. Her social connections and clever observations prove an asset to the case, and Amelie is determined to prove Mr. Radcliffe’s innocence. But the more time Amelie and Michael spend together, the more they trust each other, and the more they realize they are a good team, maybe the perfect match. 
 
They also realize that Mr. Radcliffe is hiding more than one secret, and when his attention turns toward Amelie, Michael knows he must put an end to this case before the woman he loves comes to harm.

(Affiliate links included.)

Guest Post: Inspiration for The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart

I have my editor, Lisa Mangum, and the podcast “Lore,” by Aaron Mehnke, to thank for the inspiration for The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart. Lisa had been listening to Lore and mentioned an episode I’d also heard (because you can’t listen to only one Lore episode, you have to binge them all). The episode was about a gentleman whose wife died of a mysterious illness, and then his second wife tragically died…a string of sick and dying wives began to arouse suspicion among locals and law enforcement alike.

One of the fun details we’d also discovered about the Victorian era was the popularity of personal ads in local papers and magazines. I combined the idea from the Lore episode with an imagined character who works for a newspaper, has an insatiable sense of curiosity, and is a voracious reader of mystery and romance novels.

Et voila! A new Victorian series was born, featuring three cousins who live in London and are determined to become modern Women of Independent Means. My books almost always feature a healthy dose of mystery along with the romance, and I believe people who have enjoyed my work in the past will not be disappointed here!

About the Author


Nancy Campbell Allen is the award-winning author of 19 published novels and several novellas, which encompass a variety of genres ranging from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. Her most recent books, which include Regency, Victorian, and steampunk romance, are published through Shadow Mountain's Proper Romance line, and the What Happens in Venice novella series is part of the Timeless Romance Anthology collection published by Mirror Press. 
 
Nancy loves to read, write, travel, and research, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She nurtures a current obsession for true crime podcasts and is a news junkie. She and her husband have three children, and she lives in Ogden, Utah with her family, one very large Siberian Husky named Thor, and an obnoxious but endearing YorkiePoo named Freya.


Tour Schedule
(Posts go live on the day they're scheduled.)

December 7th: Launch
December 8th: Nancy Campbell Allen - The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart
December 9th: Rachael Anderson - Five Kisses
December 10th: Sarah M. Eden - The Merchant and the Rogue
December 11th: Arlem Hawks - Georgana's Secret
December 12th: Jess Heileman - The Nabob's Daughter 
December 13th: Krista Jensen - Miracle Creek Christmas
December 14th: Jen Geigle Johnson - A Christmas Kiss
December 15th: Josi S. Kilpack - Love and Lavender
December 16th: Carla Laureano - Discovered by Love series
December 17th: Sarah L. McConkie - Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough
December 18th: Carol Ross - His Hometown Yuletide Vow
December 19th: Nichole Van - Brotherhood of the Black Tartan series
December 20th: Anneka R. Walker - Brides and Brothers
December 21st: Camron Wright - Christmas by Accident
December 22nd: Julie Wright - A Captain for Caroline Gray
December 23rd: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a $75 (USD) Amazon E-Gift Card

Open internationally
Ends December 29, 2021


Grab Our Button!






#FantasyforChristmas21 • Elite by Kristen Young

On tour with Prism Book Tours

Elite
(Collective Underground, #2)
By Kristen Young
Young Adult Sci-Fi, Dysopian, Christian
Paperback & ebook, 268 Pages
September 14, 2021 by Enclave Escape

Where do you find safety when your world is falling apart?

Apprentice Flick thought the Elite Academy was the answer to all her problems. But the revelation of her past turned everything upside down. Now, she is caught between two worlds set on a collision course.

Will she embrace the chaotic memories that flood her every waking moment? Or will she run to the security of her Elite training?

Discovering her parents’ identities takes her to a secret underground bunker where she finds new friends, opportunities, and maybe even love. But Flick must decide where her allegiances lie soon, or the Triumph of Love festival might bring about her demise.

(Affiliate link included.)

Excerpt

My name is Kerr Flick. Or Cadence. Or . . . something. I don’t know. A month ago, if anyone told me that my Dorm Leader would be offering to break the law for me, I would have laughed. No—worse than that. I probably would have reported them for losing their minds.

But that was before.

Before the Filtering exam.

Before my best friend became an alien.

Before I discovered that I’m not actually Kerr Flick at all.

On all the infotab entertainment streams, you always get some kind of warning about bad things ahead. Ominous music builds. The shadows lengthen onscreen. The hero walks down the darkening street while the camera flicks to the nightmare waiting around the corner.

All I got was a cold, grey concrete bunker and a rush of unwanted memory.

“My mother was a Hater . . .”

Like a starving waif I snatched at Akela’s solution before I could think. Would I have jumped so quickly to retrieve my memory if I’d known what I would find? Would it have made a difference if I knew what was going to happen next?

Excerpted from Elite by Kristen Young. Copyright © 2021 by Kristen Young. Published by Enclave Escape.

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to an Amazon affiliate link.)

About the Author


Kristen Young is an award-winning Australian author who loves disappearing into imaginary worlds. Pastoral work is her calling, writing is her passion, and her family is her love. In her spare time she likes curling up with her 'writerdog' Oscar, a cup of coffee and a good book. If she was in an RPG, her weapons of choice would be a notebook and pen, so it’s pretty safe to say she wouldn’t last all that long… You can catch up with all of Kristen’s writing at www.krisyoungwrites.com.
Tour Schedule
(Posts go live on the day they're scheduled.)

November 28th: Launch
November 29th: Elayne Audrey Becker - Forestborn
November 30th: Michelle Diener - The Turncoat King
December 1st: Jes Drew - Agents Adam and Eve
December 2nd: Sharon Hinck - Windward Shore
December 3rd: Kara Linaburg - The Broken Prince
December 4th: Cathy McCrumb - Recorder
December 5th: Sandra Fernandez Rhoads - Realms of Light
December 6th: Chawna Schroeder - The Vault Between Spaces
December 7th: Melissa Wright - Beneath Stone and Sacrifice
December 8th: Kristen Young - Elite
December 9th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a $50 (USD) Amazon eGift Card

Open internationally
Ends December 13, 2021

ENTER HERE
Grab Our Button!