Friday, January 6, 2017

Orphans of the West Cover Reveal


About the Series


Genre: Christian Western Coming of Age
Logline: Through God’s leading, four orphans grow up to be important members of their communities.

The Orphans of the West series is a continuation of the stories of 4 orphans that were introduced in either a Hymns of the West novel or novella and goes through each orphans life.

Savior, Like a Shepherd is about Titus Hine who was introduced in Blessed Assurance (Hymns of the West Novellas #6) and how he must take care of his sister and brother as winter approaches, all while not being allowed to work anywhere.

All the Way is about Henry Salisbury, the only orphan in the series not directly introduced in a previous book, but it has other characters you will recognize from the books about the Brookings family.

He Hideth My Soul is also attached to the Brookings family and Otis Miller as Otis finds out that his grandfather left him a large inheritance and he can finally follow his dream.

He Leadeth Me takes up Gage Wilhelm’s story. Gage was introduced in I Love Thee (Hymns of the West Novellas #1) and tells how he is given the deed to his farm and told to go back to his farm. Gage gladly accepts only to have someone show up claiming his long-dead father owed another man a large sum of money and now there’s 10 years of interest added on.

About the Author



Faith Blum is a 20-something author of multiple books in various genres. She loves to write, read, play piano, knit, crochet, sew, watch movies, and play games with her family.  She lives in Wisconsin with her family on a small family farm where they raise goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and have 2 dogs and a varying number of cats.

Faith’s goal in her writing is to encourage Christians in their walk with Christ. If you enjoyed this book, go to her website to sign up for her New Releases Newsletter so you can get an email when her next book in the series comes out. You will also find links to her other Social Media sites on her website. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to contact her.

Reveal Time!

He Hideth My Soul

Logline: An aspiring doctor finds out he is the willed heir of his rich grandfather, but when he finishes his schooling and goes to his silver mine, he must make tough decisions that could mean life or death for those working in his mine.

To gain access to the secret web page so you can see the other three covers, go here to find options for Facebook post, tweet, Instagram, and email wording. Each option shares the pre-order link to the first book in the Orphans of the West series, Savior, Like a Shepherd. In each post is a word in ALL CAPS. That word is the case sensitive password to gain access to the covers.

Monday, December 28, 2015

The Sugar Free Cakebook

I hope you all had a delightful Christmas! Mine was wonderfully relaxing.

Near the beginning of this year, I began eating sugar free. As someone with a huge sweet tooth, this wasn't always easy, but something that helps is sites like Andrew's that provide sugar free dessert recipes: www.sweetsmarts.com

Andrew recently released The Sugar Free Cakebook, a book of 40 recipes using alternate - but still natural - sweeteners, like agave and erythritol. It's available in digital formats (PDF, ePub, and Kindle) for $20 here.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Tour: The Bartered Bride


THE BARTERED BRIDE


COLORADO 1880


Jem Wheeler has always been a survivor. He just wants to make a fresh start in Colorado Springs after the loss of his wife. But then he happens upon a young mute woman being sold off to the highest bidder. He wasn’t looking for a mail-order bride. He wasn’t looking to rescue anyone either. But desperate circumstances can drive a good man to do things he hadn’t planned on doing... 

When Jem steps into Annie’s life, she’s not expecting anyone to save her. Mute from birth, she’s just using all her wits to survive. All she’s ever really wanted is a family of her own. For someone to see her. To look at her long enough to hear the things she can’t say.

Can a rescued bride who can’t speak communicate her love for a grieving widower and his little girl? Will her love ever be returned?

The Brides Series #3

Note: Each book in The Brides Series can be read as a stand-alone novel, but reading in order will provide a more complete reading experience.


EXCERPT

Jem took the apple core from his daughter and passed her one of the remaining crackers with a piece of cheese on it. Mae munched that down and looked to him immediately for another, the last one.

He gave it to her, then showed her his empty hands.

She frowned. “More?”

“No more,” Jem said, and showed her his empty hands again, making a bigger gesture out of it, as if the little girl was accusing him of hiding some.

If Annie weren’t so intent on eating her share of cheese and crackers she might have smiled at the sight of them, one of the most dangerous men she’d ever seen sitting side by side with that tiny little girl. They made quite a mismatched pair.

Mae looked over at Annie, at the last cracker in her hand and the last bit of cheese.

Annie gulped down the mouthful she was chewing. She looked down at the last of her meal and back at the little girl. To her shame, she didn’t want to give up her last cracker. She could barely remember the last meal she’d eaten.

“That’s Annie’s food,” Jem admonished the little girl. “You’ve had yours.”

Mae bit her lip. She glanced down at her lap, then back at Annie again.

I can share, Annie attempted to tell Mae with her eyes alone. She snapped her cracker in half—simply unable to bear parting with the whole thing—and passed it across to the little girl. Mae took it and popped the whole thing in her mouth, making Annie smile.

“Mae!” her father said.

She looked at him wide-eyed, her mouth full of cracker. “Whaf dafdda?” she said, muffled, spraying a few cracker crumbs onto his trousers.

He closed his eyes briefly and brushed them off. “You didn’t have to give her any,” he said to Annie, “but thanks.”

Annie grunted, her way of saying she didn’t mind that much. She looked down quickly and finished her last bit of food. The crackers had been crispy and the cheese silky and smooth. They’d tasted like heaven.

“You must be thirsty,” he said. “Do you mind sharing?”

She shook her head and automatically lifted two fingers.

“Two’s no?” he asked.

She nodded, pleased, and lifted one finger. She’d grown up sending signals through the floor of the Ruskins’ house, one stomp for yes, two for no. It came natural as rain now.

“And one’s yes,” he said, catching on quick.

Annie drank deep when he passed her the flask of water, amazed he’d let her drink from it. She tried her best to pour it down her throat without touching her lips to the flask, so he wouldn’t regret giving it to someone so dirty. She wished she could tell him thanks, but after Mae had her fill and he took his own swallow, he was back under his hat, likely going over the events of the day.

How he’d stuck himself with her.

How he probably regretted even stepping off the train at the last stop.

She couldn’t say she blamed him.

She hadn’t much wanted to marry a stranger herself.

BOOK LINKS

THE BARTERED BRIDE

THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE

SLEIGH BELLS & MISTLETOE

AUTHOR BIO

LENA GOLDFINCH writes sweet Historical Western Romance / Inspirational Romance and books for teens. She’s always been a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it’s a novel or short story, young adult or adult, fantasy or realistic, contemporary or historical. Lena has been a finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests. She enjoys life in a quiet, small town with her husband, two kids, and two very spoiled Black Labs.

SOCIAL LINKS

Website: www.LenaGoldfinch.com
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/lenagoldfinch
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/LenaGoldfinchAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lena_goldfinch
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lenagoldfinch/

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

In celebration of the release of The Bartered Bride, Lena is giving away some awesome prizes! 
  • Grand Prize: $25 gift card (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, or Google Play—winner’s choice) + all three ebooks in The Brides series (Open internationally)
  • Second Prize: Paperback copy of The Bartered Bride (Open to US residents only)
  • Third Prize: All three ebooks in The Brides series (Open internationally)

To enter these drawings, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Winners will be chosen after the end of the blog tour (December 19, 2015).

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Release Day Blitz! While You're Awake

About the Book 

Sweet New Adult Contemporary Romance Novelette 

There’s no rest for the fearful. 

Ava always knew the bees would come. Just when she’s settled into a place of her own, freelance editing and savoring her independence, her rental house is invaded by a swarm of honey bees. And with their arrival, her lifelong fear morphs into a full-fledged panic that steals her sleep—and her peace of mind. 

Keegan knows all about fear. When he meets Ava at the coffee shop where he works, he can’t help but come to her rescue. Together with his German shepherds, Sun and Moon, he sets out to break the “curse” that hovers over Tired Girl. But is it possible to conquer nightmares and live a dream while you're awake? 

This sweet novelette is a contemporary re-imagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale that sheds light on the worries that bind us and the love that leads to peace. 


Author Bio 

Amber Stokes works as a marketing content writer for a Christian publisher. On the side, she self-publishes inspirational fiction depicting the seasons of life and love. Her passion for books compelled her to earn a bachelor's degree in English and run her own freelance editing and publicity business for over a year. Happily, this chapter of her career takes place in the Pacific Northwest—a part of the world she's always considered home. 

You can learn more about Amber’s books, sign up for her author newsletter, join the Amber’s Gems street team, and more at www.SeasonsofaStory.blogspot.com

Social Media Links 

Goodreads: Amber Stokes 
Twitter: @SeasonsHumility 

Giveaway! 

Enter to win a little something sweet from Ava, Keegan, and the author! One winner will receive a lovely yellow and gold flower necklace & earrings set from Baubles, Beads and Stuff; a $10 Starbucks gift card (delivered electronically); and a Kindle copy of While You’re Awake (can be gifted to a friend, if desired!). Open to US residents only due to shipping costs. 

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MTVjZWUzOTdmNzNhZTBkM2QzNmI4OTkwN2ZjZDVhOjQ0/

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Cover Reveal: While You're Awake

Coffee, romance, and elements of  Sleeping Beauty? This sweet novelette is definitely on my "to read" list!


About the Book


Sweet New Adult Contemporary Romance Novelette

There’s no rest for the fearful.


Ava always knew the bees would come. Just when she’s settled into a place of her own, freelance editing and savoring her independence, her rental house is invaded by a swarm of honey bees. And with their arrival, her lifelong fear morphs into a full-fledged panic that steals her sleep—and her peace of mind.

Keegan knows all about fear. When he meets Ava at the coffee shop where he works, he can’t help but come to her rescue. Together with his German shepherds, Sun and Moon, he sets out to break the “curse” that hovers over Tired Girl. But is it possible to conquer nightmares and live a dream while you're awake?

This sweet novelette is a contemporary re-imagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale that sheds light on the worries that bind us and the love that leads to peace.




Author Bio

Amber Stokes works as a marketing content writer for a Christian publisher. On the side, she self-publishes inspirational fiction depicting the seasons of life and love. Her passion for books compelled her to earn a bachelor's degree in English and run her own freelance editing and publicity business for over a year. Happily, this chapter of her career takes place in the Pacific Northwest—a part of the world she's always considered home.

You can learn more about Amber’s books, sign up for her author newsletter, join the Amber’s Gems street team, and more at www.SeasonsofaStory.blogspot.com.

Social Media Links

Blog: www.seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com

Goodreads: Amber Stokes

Pinterest: pinterest.com/seasonshumility

Twitter: @SeasonsHumility

Personality Quiz

Are you Sleeping Beauty, a barista, or an angel? This fun and quirky personality quiz takes some of the personality types from While You’re Awake and offers you a chance to discover how you inspire others. Hopefully you’ll be encouraged to keep being awesome, wonderful you!


*Disclaimer: This is just a for-fun quiz. The results are designed to encourage but not to diagnose! ;)

Friday, June 19, 2015

Cover Reveal: Water Princess, Fire Prince

Today I got to interview Kendra E. Ardnek, author of the upcoming book, Water Princess, Fire Prince!


Author Interview

What was your favorite scene to write? 

This book ended up with over 130,000 words, which made for a lot of fun scenes that I loved writing, so it's kinda hard for me to pick a favorite. I suppose, if I must, I really liked a scene in chapter 3 of part 3 where she's ascertaining his skills and . . . kinda showing off. It was fun to write. 

Is this book connected to others you've written? 

Pretty much all of my books are connected at some level or another. Of my published books, the short story Saffron's Big Plan has the most direct connection, but even that's difficult to explain at this moment. Although, there is an Bookania Easter Egg or two hidden in part 1 . . . 

Where did you get the idea to write Water Princess, Fire Prince? 

From the shower, oddly enough. I'd been looking for doors to Narnia for several weeks, when, while showering, the thought occurred to me that it'd be really neat if I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, I was standing under a waterfall, and was declared a Water Princess. I later moved her to a swimming pool, added a Fire Prince, and decided it was part of my Rizkaland legends. It grew from there.

Book Description


When the Lady Dragon does come,
Hold fast, do not fear, do not run. 
Your Water Princess will fight, 
Fire Prince will set all to right. 
Each shall come from a Fall, 
Their union will save you all. 

Despite the fact that she's on track for competing in the Olympics, and he's practically raised his younger brothers since they lost their mom in a car accident, Clara Mandras and Andrew Stevenson are pretty much normal teens. They have normal hopes, normal dreams, and they live in a normal world. 

All this is torn away from them when they are thrust into another world and declared Water Princess and Fire Prince. With no experience ruling a country, meeting each other for the first time, and being expected to fight the Lady Dragon – an evil sorceress plaguing the world of Rizkaland – Clara and Andrew are underprepared and inexperienced. Unless they learn to work together despite their standing opposition, Rizkaland's hope will be lost. 

What is to come will change their lives forever. 

Author Bio

Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairy tales and twisting them in new and exciting ways. She's been practicing her skills on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years, "Finish your story, Kendra", is frequently heard at family gatherings. Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that also glorify God and his Word. You can read more about her on her blog, knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com. 



 Available for kindle preorder: $2.99 the 19th and 20th ONLY (regular price: $3.99) 



Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Character Spotlight: Harrison Vane from Dare by Tricia Mingerink


Today we have a guest post from Tricia Mingerink, author of an upcoming book, Dare


Character Spotlight: Harrison Vane


Occupation: First Blade in the King’s Blades
Appearance: Twenty-two years old, 5’10” with brown hair and blue eyes. 

Image found on Yahoo.com
Character: He enjoys his powerful position in the Blades. He likes to have power over others, especially the power of life and death. The more helpless his victims are, the more powerful he feels. 

Author’s Note: Harrison Vane even gives me the creeps. He is a villain who truly enjoys being a villain. Developing his backstory proved difficult because he isn’t the type of person to have a normal conversation with anyone. Or tell anyone the one thing that makes him feel vulnerable. I hinted at a few things, but most of his backstory isn’t fully revealed. I like the mystery surrounding his backstory. It  leaves a lot up to the imagination of the reader. 

First Draft Trivia: Harrison Vane wasn’t the main antagonist. In fact, all of the scenes with him except for the scenes leading up to the climax weren’t in the first draft. I didn’t even have a name for him. When I reached the climax, I realized that Vane had pulled a fast one on me and claimed the spot of antagonist. It took a lot of revisions to add in all the earlier scenes and develop what turned into a duel between Leith and Vane that extended all the way back into their childhoods. Now it’s hard to imagine the book without his creepy sneakiness.

About the Book

Courage could cost him everything. 

Third Blade Leith Torren never questions his orders or his loyalty to King Respen until an arrow wound and a prairie blizzard drive him to the doorstep of the girls whose family he once destroyed. 

Their forbidden faith and ties to the Resistance could devastate their family a second time. 

Survival depends on obedience, but freedom beckons. How far does he dare go to resist the king and his Blades? 

No matter what Leith chooses, one thing is certain. 

Someone will die. 

About the Author
Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn't writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country. 

You can connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, and her blog

Giveaway!

Enter to win a Grand Prize giveaway to celebrate the release of Dare! Prize includes an autographed paperback of Dare, a necklace like the one Renna has in the book with a sterling silver cross pendant, a medieval dagger (not sharp) like the one Leith carries, and Dare-themed bookmarks! (Due to the difficulties in shipping weapons across international borders, this giveaway is open to US residents only). The winner of the giveaway will be announce at the end of the Facebook party on June 10.