I hope all you had a happy Thanksgiving! Today through Cyber Monday, December 2, there is a massive sale for clean indie-authored ebooks at blackfridaybooksale.com, hosted by Perry Kirkpatrick.
Let me know in the comments if you picked up any books that you're excited about!
I'm thrilled to be participating in the cover reveal for Virginia Henderson's novel Peace, Be Still. Isn't it beautiful and atmospheric? I love blue-themed winter scenes. Read on to find out more about the book and Virginia herself!
True peace doesn't always mean that God calms the storms
surrounding us. Sometimes He calms the storms within us.
William insists on taking his family to a cabin in the mountains for Christmas.
It is supposed to be a quiet getaway from distracting electronics and
civilization, where he and Rachel can finally share their exciting news with
their daughter, Peggy.
However, 13-year-old Peggy has other ideas, including flying to California
alone to meet her biological father, Ryan. Unfortunately, her trip goes sour,
and it might cost her more than she bargained for.
Shady characters, flashy casinos, unexpected friendships, and
a lesson in learning who your real family is. This is one Christmas the Hamlets
and Hughes will never forget!
A perfect read for the Christmas season! Great for fans of Christ-centered
reads that deal with sensitive topics. Clean & Christian romance with a few
kisses between married couples. No swearing, smut, or gore.
Content warnings: Drinking/drunk character, mild physical
abuse, gambling, kidnapping, and human trafficking.
The Abundant Blessings series:
#1- It's Called Grace
#2- A Stolen Heart
#3- Peace, Be Still
Book & Sign-Up Links
ARC Review Sign-Ups (Sent out on Oct 15th – Review deadline is preferably Dec 6th)
Launch Tour Sign-Ups (Dec 2nd - Dec 6th)
About the Author
Originally from Ohio, I now reside in Texas with my folks and little sister. I’m a born-again Christian and I want to give all the glory to God. He’s gifted me with this passion for writing and I want to give it back to Him.
I’m a multi-genre author with an interest in suspense, thrillers, and the occasional wholesome Christmas story. Down the road, I would like to try my hand at fairy-tale retellings and historical fiction.
Aside from writing, I’m always reading. I love the classics (Treasure Island and Peter Pan being my top favorites), historical fiction, survival, adventures, fairy-tale retellings, suspense, and all things Newsie-related. That particular time period (turn of the century New York) is one that I find very interesting.
I very much enjoy plays and musicals, embroidery, road trip adventures with the fam, retro arcade games, and board games. I’m also very interested in weaponry (archery, swordsmanship, etc).
Find Virginia in all these places!
Today I'm shining a spotlight on a new release by Christian historical fiction author Jayna Baas.
I have an exciting announcement! Last year, my novella The Prayer Garden was published in A Very Bookish Easter. Since that collection is no longer available, I am publishing The Prayer Garden as a standalone. The ebook is now available for preorder and releases on April 21!
About the book:
Will she ever find the peace her life has been missing?
Uprooted from her dream job at a New York publishing house, Nyree
Thistle moves to Florida to care for her grandparents’ old house.
Fearing her life is going nowhere, she focuses on the small
things—connecting with her grandmother who has dementia, exploring the
woods behind the old house, making friends with locals including a
certain young man, and rereading her favorite book, The Secret Garden.
When she stumbles upon an overgrown garden, it could hold the key to
everything she’s been searching for—but only if she can let go of what
she thinks her life should be.
~*~
For those of you who read the story in A Very Bookish Easter, this is the same story with a few tweaks plus a slightly expanded ending...plus an announcement about the sequel!
Find it on Amazon here for a special preorder price of 99 cents. (Price goes up on release
day.) You can find it and add it to your to-read shelf on Goodreads here.
I read it! Here is my review of this final collection from A Very Bookish Holiday. You can see my review and add this book on Goodreads here, or you can buy it on Amazon here.
~*~
I loved all of these well-written and heart-warming novellas. They were all relatively light on the romance angle but with a focus on what a real relationship should be. They had a cozy feel, mostly set in late winter when the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over and everyone is settling into normal life. (Though a couple of the stories had a longer time frame that included other holidays.)
-Daisy's Heart. I was so curious to see how Charlotte's Web would be used since it's a children's classic and the main characters in that book are animals. It was so loveable! Daisy's little brother, Will, adores that book. Daisy is such a good big sister, and her plight with the family farm had my full sympathy. That's one of my favorite story lines, trying to save the place you love. The other characters in this story are well crafted, too, and the nods to Templeton the rat in one certain person made me grin in satisfaction. I enjoyed seeing characters from Abigayle Claire's story in A Very Bookish Easter and realizing how her three stories for this series tie together.
-A String of Paper Hearts. All the Pride and Prejudice tie-ins were a delight to behold, especially since the characters themselves were so conscious of them. I was amazed at how Sarah Holman made the lead characters, Jeremiah and Pace, so likeable and sympathetic once we understand them, since when these characters appeared in an earlier Bookish Holiday story, they weren't so likeable and aren't typically the kind of characters I enjoy being around much. Bravo, Ms. Holman! The spiritual lessons, as always in her stories, are very impactful.
-Southeaster Lodge. We get two Jane Austen retellings in this collection! Northanger Abbey is one of the more neglected Austen novels when it comes to retellings, so I'm glad this fun novel got its spotlight here. It translated perfectly into this modern-day story. Katy is an endearing young woman with a few lessons yet to learn, and I think it was a genius twist how she went to work at a fancy lodge that contains a hallway that's been mysteriously "under construction" for years. I'm familiar with the area where Southeaster Lodge is fictionally located, so I really enjoyed that aspect as well.
-The Artist of Hearthstone Cottage. I can always expect great historical fiction from Kellyn Roth, and this novella, set in WW2 England, is no exception. I enjoyed how June's story enfolded bit by bit, almost like a mystery; she was definitely a mystery to those around her, like the heroine in her favorite book, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, though we as readers had a few more insights into her. Speaking of her favorite book, I was thrilled that this comparatively lesser-known classic was used in this collection. It worked really well!
-Lore in Love. This story was so sweet! Little Town on the Prairie is my favorite Little House book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the tie-ins. The story is full of family love, toddlers, delicious food, and inviting traditions. Lore and Mish are relatable and loveable characters, and watching their friendship develop was so much fun.
The final A Very Bookish Holiday novella collection will release on January 14, 2024! It's available now for a special preorder price of $2.99. Paperbacks will be available on January 15.
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About the Collection
Daisy is determined to help her brother thrive,
Jeremiah seeks a second chance with Pace,
Katy longs for adventure and romance,
June finds herself seeking solace at church,
Lore makes a new friend…
…all at Valentine’s Day.
Join
Abigayle Claire (inspired by Charlotte’s Web), Sarah Holman (inspired
by Pride and Prejudice), J. Grace Pennington (inspired by Northanger
Abbey), Kellyn Roth (inspired by The Tenant of Wildfell Hall), and Kate
Willis (inspired by Little Town on the Prairie) as they share stories
full of hope, faith, and love.
Find it HERE on Amazon.
Add it on Goodreads HERE.
Click HERE to join the Facebook party on release day.
My Thoughts
I've read two of the stories so far, and they are the epitome of sweet romance! Not to mention a celebration of bibliophiles, which you can expect in A Very Bookish Holiday collections. I did not author a novella in this collection, unlike the previous three collections, and I'm rather sad that this is the last one. It's a beautiful conclusion to a wonderful set of anthologies. Don't miss it!
Welcome to the Springtime in Surrey Blog Tour!
I’m thrilled to be participating in the blog tour and giveaway for a new novella
collection, Springtime in Surrey: A Wild
Blue Wonder Press Anthology. I will post my review soon, but for now here is all the information you need to get excited about this collection!
The genre is … Christian Women’s Fiction, both Historical and Contemporary
It’s launching … Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Some important dates are …
Blog Tour — Monday, July 24, through Tuesday, July 29
Instagram Tag — July 2023
About the Book
This collection of novellas, set in County Surrey, England, features both historical and contemporary stories by new and old authors!
Springtime in Surrey contains the following eight novellas:
Jesus, I Am Resting by Faith Blum
Elinor Chapman, an orphaned laundry woman, must fight to survive after WWI breaks out. She prays her beau doesn’t die on a foreign battlefield like her father did 14 years ago. She is forced to take on nursing, but her passion for helping other orphans distracts her from this job, leaving her little time for rest. Will she run herself into the ground … or will she learn to rest in Jesus?
The Cottage on the Hill by Andrea Renee Cox
During every teatime at her cottage hideaway, Moira struggles to discover hope amongst her lost ballerina dreams. Unsettled by elusive goals of his own, sheep farmer Adrian observes his uncle’s neighbor crying into her tea and wonders why… and what he can do to cheer her up. While facing their regrets, can Moira and Adrian trust that God has a good plan despite crushed dreams and far-off hopes?
If I Knew You Were Coming by Bailey Gaines
With her husband off to war and two evacuee children staying in her home, Joan feels duty-bound to contribute to the war effort via her participation in the Women’s Land Army. She is thrilled to learn that her husband has leave. But when the London Blitz ruins her plans to see him, Joan must decide what is most important in her life: her contribution to the war effort or her calling as a mother?
Her Heart’s Home by Grace A. Johnson
Forced from her childhood home after her father was killed in action, Meredith Tate is forced to seek employment at the Deepdene Hotel until she discovers the next step. Which most certainly does not include the brooding Captain Trevor Seaton, a guest who always manages to catch her at her worst. Despite his gentle magnetism, Meredith is determined not to fall for a military man—but God may have other plans.
The Tussie-Mussie by Katja H. Labonté
Caitrìona is determined to rescue her family from poverty by making a brilliant match. She is on the verge of success when her brother is arrested for a sensational crime. Banished to the country, she meets Ewart, a fearful recluse with a younger sister in need of aid. Ewart and Caitrìona grow together through shared goals—but as mysteries are uncovered and characters tested, what truth will be revealed?
The Odd Duck Society by Rachel Leitch
Jessamy Aubertine is too much for her university classmates, too little for her overstressed mum, and nothing in between. Then a mysterious letter signed by Jane Austen brings her back to her family’s fading tea shop and a pair of unlikely comrades. Will they find the letter writer—and perhaps discover themselves along the way? Or will their friendship fade with The Muses?
Fear Not Tomorrows by Erika Mathews
Hardworking Margaret Enfield is thrilled with her engagement to her lifelong best friend Lester. When his brother’s sudden illness forces Lester’s prolonged and indefinite absence, every tomorrow feels bleak to Margaret as lonely drudgery overtakes the once-rosy springtime. As she throws herself into her tasks, can she learn to trust her tomorrows with Jesus—one day at a time?
Courage to Stay by Kellyn Roth
Rosalind finds herself engaged to Matthias after her former fiancé, his brother, perishes in battle. Determined to forge a connection, she embarks on a risky mission. When Matthias retreats into his own turmoil on a hunting trip, Rosalind disguises herself as a man and follows him to the forest, vowing to fight for their love. Will Matthias summon the courage to stay, or will his fractured mind drive them apart forever?
Where to Find It
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5QG75DK
Website: https://wildbluewonderpress.com/springtime-in-surrey/
Add it to your TBR stack on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157492074-springtime-in-surrey
Or on Bookbub:
What about this giveaway, though?!
The authors of Springtime in Surrey are hosting a huge giveaway with not one but two winners—a US winner and an international winner—over the course of the blog tour!
From July 25 to July 31, follow the tour, comment on posts, and subscribe to the authors’ newsletters and blogs. The winners will be announced on August 1 and contacted by email.
US Prizes
A print copy of Springtime in Surrey, two bookmarks and a quote sticker, a spring-themed mug, a bookish ornament, a spring-themed candle, an inspirational journal, and tea.
International Prizes
An ebook copy of Springtime in Surrey, two bookmarks and a quote sticker, a gift card, an ebook of choice by Erika Mathews, an ebook from the winner’s Amazon wishlist, an exclusive epilogue of The Tussie-Mussie, and a phone wallpaper.
Rules
Entrants must be 18+ or have parental permission to enter. Two winners—one US and one international—will be randomly selected at the end of the giveaway and contacted by email. The winners must be comfortable sharing their shipping addresses. Any and all information provided through the giveaway will be used only for the purposes stated.
ENTER BELOW:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1956f7e911/?
Feel free to check out Wild Blue Wonder Press on Instagram and Facebook, participate in the social media bookish challenge, or browse the other posts on the blog tour using our …
Monday, July 24th
Kickoff Post at Lilacs & Reveries
Interview with Katja H. Labonté at Sheep Among Wolves
Interview with Faith Blum at Library Lady’s Kid Lit
Launch Announcement at Writing to Inspire
Interview with Rachel Leitch at Words & Wildflowers
Three-Novella Review at Miraculous Homeschool
Tuesday, July 25th (LAUNCH DAY)
Collection Spotlight at Of Blades and Thorns
Collection Spotlight & Single-Novella Review at Review from the Stacks
Collection Review at Emily Yager
Collection Review at The Book Dragon’s Alcove
Collection Review at Story of a Christian Girl
Wednesday, July 26th
Two-Novella Review at H.S. Kylian
Collection Review at Abbigail B.
“Tips from Editing 7 Novellas in a Month,” a Guest Post by Kellyn at Joyfully Natasha
Collection Review at Imperial Scribis
Thursday, July 27th
“Why We Wrote Stories Set in Surrey,” a Guest Post from Kellyn at A Handful of Quietness
Collection Review at Library Lady’s Kid Lit
Collection Spotlight at Kelsey’s Notebook
Single-Novella Review at Vanessa Hall
Interview with Andrea Renee Cox at Story of a Christian Girl
Friday, July 28th
Two-Novella Review at Read Review Rejoice
Collection Spotlight at Writing to Inspire
Single-Novella Review at Joyfully Natasha
Collection Review at Graceful Reflections
“Why I Love Writing Women’s Fiction,” a Guest Post from Kellyn at Abbigail B.
Saturday, July 29th
Collection Review at Saraina Whitney
Collection Review & Collection Spotlight at Little Blossoms for Jesus
“Children’s Books I Drew Inspiration From,” a Guest Post from Kellyn at Library Lady’s Kid Lit
Wrapup Post at Lilacs & Reveries
