Thursday, November 30, 2017

'Christy' Giveaway, Blog Tour, and Facebook Live Party

Some stories are evergreen, their themes and lessons standing the test of time and connecting with readers generation after generation. Reconnect with Catherine Marshall's beloved Christy as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new edition! As nineteen-year-old teacher Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home of Cutter Gap, some see her-and her one-room school-as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove. Yearning to make a difference, will Christy's determination and devotion be enough?

Celebrate the new 50th anniversary edition of Christy by entering to win one of TWO $50 Visa cash cards (details below) and by attending a Facebook Live party on December 5!


TWO grand prize winners will receive:
  • One copy of Christy
  • One $50 Visa Cash Card
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 5. The winner will be announced at the Christy Facebook Live Party. RSVP for a chance to connect with authors who've been impacted by Christy and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word-tell your friends about the giveaway and Facebook Live party via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 5th!

Review - Christy by Catherine Marshall


Evergreen Farm; 514 pages; Buy Link; Blog Tour
There's a long list of classic novels that I've always wanted to read (I even own a few of these titles.), but for some reason or another, I've never gotten around to actually reading them. One of these titles is Christy by Catherine Marshall. I recall watching a few episodes for the short-lived television series based on the book during the mid-'1990s, and I've always wanted to read the book. I finally got the opportunity to read the novel when I signed up to review the new hardcover edition from Evergreen Farm (an imprint of Gilead Publication).

The novel centers on an nineteen-year-old Christy Huddleston, who leaves her home in Asheville, North Carolina and travels to the Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap in the eastern Tennessee to teach children as part of the Appalachian mission program.

Upon arriving, she quickly realizes that the way of life there is completely different than from back home in North Carolina. She befriends a Quaker named Alice Henderson, David Grantland, a minister who's also trying to teach the Cutter Gap children, and a widowed physician Neill MacNeill, who was married to Alice's late daughter.

While working with the children of Cutter Gap, Christy's faith is put the ultimate test!

Christy pin1

Final Thoughts

Holiday Gift Guide: Kansas Troubles Quilters: Cozy Quilts & Comforts 


Kansas Trouble Quilters: Cozy Quilts & Comforts
by Lynn Hagmeier


Publisher
That Patchwork Place
(an imprint of Martingale)

Retail
$27.99

Pages
96

Where to Purchase

Description
Sew quilts in the instantly recognizable style of Kansas Troubles Quilters--two ways! Some designs are traditionally pieced, simplified for smooth and easy piecing. Others use Lynne's clever layered-patchwork technique, where pinked-edge precuts reduce cutting time, minimize bulky seams, and skip pressing steps. The raw edges of layered-patchwork blocks barely fray when washed, giving a fluffy, snuggly finish. You'll love the look of both kinds of quilts: cozy, country-style designs that call out "cuddle me!"

About the Author

Lynne Hagmeier and her husband, Robert, live outside of Bennington, Kansas, where she grew up. They work together at the KT Quilt Shop, hosting quilting retreats, traveling to quilt guilds and shops across the United States, and teaching on quilting cruises. Downtime is spent relaxing with their brood of six kids and nine grandkids scattered across the Midwest. A social worker in her first life, Lynne feels blessed to work in a business with creative women who live their dreams through fabric and quilts. Visit Lynne's website at: www.ktquilts.com


My Thoughts

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Holiday Gift Guide: Friday Night Lights: The Complete Series DVD


Friday Night Lights: The Complete Series DVD


Studio
Mill Creek Entertainment

Rating
NOT RATED

Running Time
55 hours 18 minutes

Number of Discs
13


Retail
$69.98

Where to Purchase

Description
When they struggled, we held our breath. When they lost, we felt their pain. And when they won, we cheered them on again and again.

Coach Eric Taylor is the newest hire at a small town high school in Dillon, Texas. After a series of events leading to his release, Taylor is forced to build a football team from the ground up at the rival high school. His wife Tami, high school principal, faces scrutiny of her own as she takes constant blame from angry parents. But even through the hardships at work, challenges at home with teen daughter Julie, and endless drama, only one thing matters: Friday night.

Through five extraordinary seasons, the residents of Dillon, Texas, kept viewers captivated with the small-town struggles, victories, and heartbreaks that resonated across America with breathtaking realness, and made Friday Night Lights, a Primetime Emmy® award-winning drama. Relive the spirit of this small town with a big heart: from the pride and pitfalls of high school football to the intimate relationships between lovers, parents and friends.

CLEAR EYES, FULL HEARTS, CAN’T LOSE. 



My Thoughts

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Cheerful Christmas Gift Ideas!


Hopefully, everyone survived Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

Today, my blog's Holiday Gift Guide is taking a slight-break, so I can feature my holiday-themed post, titled "Cheerful Christmas Gift Ideas."

"A Teddy Bear Will Do"


While giving a teddy bear as a gift might seem a bit of a cliche, a simple stuffed toy can put a smile on just about anyone. There are many different styles, colors, and brands of teddy bears, but for this post, I'm going with the Plush 9" Brown Christmas Bear, which retails for only $5.99 on Oriental Trading.

My Thoughts: This a cute and soft little teddy bear that's wearing a Santa stocking cap and a green and red scarf. It would make a great stocking stuffer for just about anyone.


"Everyone Needs A Calendar"


It's not easy finding the perfect gift for everyone, as there are someone individuals who are just hard to buy for. Let me give you some advice - get them a calendar!

Everyone needs a calendar! Right?

There are wall calendars, desk calendars, and day-to-day calendars, all in a variety of different themes (cartoon characters, TV series, Movies, sports, animals, hobbies etc.). 

For this post, I'm recommending the "365 Coloring Designs Spiral Perpetual Calendar," which retails for $9.99 on Oriental Trading. Measuring 4 1/2" x 3 3/4", the little calendar contains 365 verses and sayings along with fun illustrations that be colored with crayons, colored pencils, or makers.

My Thoughts: This calendar should appeal to any quilter, crafter, or art lover. The illustrations are cute, and since there are 365 days in a year, there are plenty of designs to color.


"Snowmen Decor Is Popular"


It seems like snowmen decor keeps getting popular every year. That's why I'm recommending the "Sing for Joy" Snowman with Rustic Tree from Oriental Trading. Retailing for $12.99, the resin snowman figurine measures 8 1/2"H. The figurine is clutching a rustic metal Christmas tree. Printed on the base is the Biblical scripture Psalm 96:12, "The trees of the forest will sing for Joy."

My Thoughts: The figurine is much bigger than what I thought it would be. It's also made really well with a detailed design. It would make a cute little present for anyone who likes snowmen.


"A Cheerful Hat"


Monday, November 27, 2017

Holiday Gift Guide: That Patchwork Place 2018 Quilt Calendar


That Patchwork Place 2017 Quilt Calendar


Publisher
Martingale

Retail
$18.99

Where to Purchase

Description
It's time for a brand-new year filled with cheerful quilts and pretty sewing projects shown in all their fabulous, full-color glory. You'll find a wide variety of designs to tempt you, including scrappy patchwork, simple embroidery, primitive accents, and more. Complete instructions for each project are included so you can sew along all 12 months with That Patchwork Place.




My Thoughts

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Holiday Gift Guide: STAR WARS™ Chewbacca Slippers


STAR WARS™ Chewbacca Slippers


 
Retail
$29.95

Where to Purchase

Sizes Available
Men's Small (6-8)
Men's Large (8-12)

Description
A Wookie is probably the best sidekick a person could have. And now you can have one for each foot! Unlike those droids, these are the slippers you're looking for. These wonderfully furry slippers are as warm and cuddly as Chewbacca himself, except the slippers won't rip your arms off if they lose in a game of space-chess. Plus, you can yawn and make incoherent grunting noises to pretend your feet are talking to one another. If your toes sometimes feel like they're frozen in carbonite, you'll love the comfy warmth of these slippers! Rrrrrrr-ghghghghgh! - (from www.bunnyslippers.com)



My Thoughts

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Holiday Gift Guide: Quilting Block & Pattern-A-Day 2018 Calendar


Quilting Block & Pattern-A-Day Calendar
by Debby Kratovil


Publisher
Andrews McMeel Publishing

Retail
$16.99 (USD)
$21.99 (CAD)
$26.99 (AUD
$29.99 (NZD)
£12.99 (UK)

Where to Purchase


Description
Quilters will be delighted with this calendar's 50-plus quilt designs, more than 260 quilt blocks, and the fabric requirements to create them all. This extraordinary collection will bring hours of enjoyment all year long, and the results will be treasured far beyond. 




My Thoughts

Friday, November 24, 2017

Artificial Intelligence Would Make Black Friday Shopping Easier!


I hope everyone survived through all the Thanksgiving dinners yesterday. For me, I got up at 1AM, so I could attempt to buy a carpet cleaner that was going to be on sale during the Black Friday event at Walmart.com. Unlike last year, there I didn't have a bit of trouble accessing the website, and I was able to order the carpet cleaner. While I was on the website, I went ahead and searched for several of the DVDs and Blu-rays that were supposed to be on sale, but none of them were listed. I later found out the movies are available to purchase in stores only.

Instead of going back to bed, I decided to work on a few blog posts and I watched one episode of Friday Night Lights, which I recently started watching on DVD. At 4AM, I went into the kitchen and began cooking the Thanksgiving meal. Thanks to a few zero calorie energy drinks, I was able to get through the day, survive three loud cousins, and drag myself to the Black Friday sale at my local Walmart store prior to the event's start time at 6PM. After squeezing myself through the crowd of shoppers, I was able to get a few of the DVDs and Blu-rays on my list. I ended up going back the next morning to see what movies were leftover, and I was able to get all the others, minus the Warcraft DVD that I wanted.

Now as I'm writing this post, I am feeling a bit under the weather. Mostly, I'm just worn out, but I believe I've caught a bug, as my throat is sore. I keep wondering to myself about why Walmart and other stores won't list all their Black Friday items on their websites. It would be so much easier for those of us who just don't want to go shopping in a store on Thanksgiving!

Holiday Gift Guide: Whitman Ultimate Coin Supply Kit


Whitman Ultimate Coin Supply Kit


Publisher
 Whitman
Retail
$29.95

Where to Purchase
Whitman Books

Description
Whitman's 629 piece - Ultimate Coin Supply Kit is loaded with value! 


Kit Includes
2018 Red Book price guide
Statehood Quarters Folders Volumes I, II & III 
300 Nickel - Quarter Mylar holders
300 Cent - Dime Mylar holders
5 Quarter Storage Tubes
5 Cent Storage Tubes
Whitman 2x2 Storage Box
5 Quality Thumb-cut Pages
8 Plastic 2x2 Quarter holders
3" Round Magnifier



My Thoughts

Coin collecting is a wonderful hobby that can be enjoyed by just about anyone, which is why I'm featuring the Whitman Ultimate Coin Supply Kit on the first day of my blog's Holiday Gift Guide. Whether you're a newbie or an expert at coin collecting, this would make a great gift for any collector.

Yes, the kit's price tag is nearly $30, which might seem a bit steep at first, but once you start adding up the price of each item, you'll realize you're getting a bargain. The retail value of everything in the kit adds up to over $70!

The kit featured in the photo up above in this post is of the kit that was sent to me last month. The only difference between the kit now listed on the Whitman website is the addition of the 8 Plastic 2x2 Quarter holders, which I didn't receive with my kit. Nevertheless, this is still a great kit to give as a present for Christmas.

Everything you would need to start collecting coins is in the kit, which includes cardboard Mylar holders, a coin box, a magnifier, coin storage tubes, plastic 2x2 quarter holders, and thumb cut pages (can be used in a coin binder).

Tip: Don't staple the Mylar holders! Only use scotch tape, as this way you can remove the coins without damaging the holders.

Of the course the big highlights in this collection are the Statehood Quarters Folders Volumes I, II & III, which holds both the Denver and Philadelphia Statehood mints from 1999 to 2009.
An inside look at the coin book.
The 2018 Red Book!
I'm saving my favorite item from the kit for last - the 2018 Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins, which is a must have for any coin collector.

There are different editions of the Red Book, but the one in the kit is the spiral version. It has 464 pages and features many detailed colored photos throughout the book. Like the previous Red Books, the 2018 edition begins with an introduction to coin collecting and followed by a bit of history of each types of coins (1793 to 2017) along with the current price guide. The book retails for $15.95

A sneak peek at the Red Book.
Overall, the Whitman Ultimate Coin Supply Kit is a great kit to own. It will make a great gift for any coin collector.


*Note - I received a complimentary kit from the publisher. All opinions are my own.





Book Blogger Hop: November 24th - 30th




Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML


Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

If you want schedule next week's post, click here to find the next prompt question. To submit a question, fill out this form.

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Maria @ A Night's Dream of Books!

What's your immediate feeling when entering a bookstore, as compared to how you feel when entering a department store?

2. Enter the link to your post in the linky list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in removal of your link).


3. Visit other blogs in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new follower.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
  

My Answer:

Shopping in a department store makes my anxiety and stress levels skyrocket. However, I'm much more relaxed when I'm in a bookstore.


Linky List:

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Fall Reads: Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan


Bethany House; 318 pages; Blog Tour; Buy Link

Now available from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is the legal thriller Deadly Proof, book one in the Atlantic Justice series, by Rachel Dylan.

The novel centers on Kate Sullivan, a lawyer who finds herself as the lead council for a corporate cover-up lawsuit against Mason Pharmaceutical. Yes, this is a big case for her, but she wants to get justice of the victims whose lives were ruined the company's new drug. The case seemed to be going fine, well, until things become deadly. A "whistleblower" for the case turns up dead, and Kate could be the next victim.

This brings in Landon James into the story. He's a former Army Ranger turned private investigator who joins the case to handle security for Kate. His goal is to keep Kate safe, so the case can go trial. The last thing he wanted to do was to fall in love with her.

Dylan pin2

Final Thoughts

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Fall Reads: Lady Jayne Disappears


Revell; 416 pages; $14.99; Amazon


Now available from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is the historical mystery novel Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano.

Set in Victorian England in 1861, the novel centers on Aurelie Harcourt, a young woman who inherits very little from her late father, except for his pen name, Nathaniel Droll, as well as his wealthy relatives that she has never met before the funeral. 

Aurelie decides to complete her father's unfinished serial novel, which she would publish under his pen name. The story is about her mother's mysterious disappearance from their family's home years ago. To finish the story, she will have to unravel the mystery of what happened to her mother, which involves extracting clues from her relatives. 



Final Thoughts 

Review Catch Up Marathon: Treasured Grace by Tracie Peterson


Bethany House; 320 pages; $15.99; Amazon

It's been a busy week for me, as most of my free time has been used to get the house ready for Thanksgiving Day, which wasn't an easy task when I had an ear infection and caught a flu bug (again). Tonight, I'm going to try and write and schedule several posts for next week, which, hopefully, will include all my Review Catch Up Marathon posts.

Earlier this year, Bethany House Publishing (a division of Baker Publishing Group) released Treasured Grace, book one in the Heart of the Frontier series) by Tracie Peterson.

Set in 1847, the novel centers on Grace Martindale, a young woman who took the responsibility of raising her younger sisters, Hope and Mercy, after their parents had died. As head of the household, she makes the decision to travel with a missionary, Dr. Marcus Whitman, and his wife, as they head west for a mission for the winter.

Life at the mission, doesn't exactly go as planned when a measles outbreak occurs, threatening to kill everyone. Grace must help a Cayuse native, and a fur trapper named Alex Armistead use natural remedies to aid the sick, despite the objects of Dr. Whitman.

As the death roll rises, so does the tensions between the settlers and the natives.

Final Thoughts

Friday, November 17, 2017

Book Blogger Hop: November 17th - 23rd




Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML


Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

If you want schedule next week's post, click here to find the next prompt question. To submit a question, fill out this form.

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Kristin @ Lukten av Trykksverte!

If you had an author-only Thanksgiving party, who would you invite?

2. Enter the link to your post in the linky list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in removal of your link).


3. Visit other blogs in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new follower.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
  

My Answer:

I would invite Stephen King, Diana Gabaldon, James Patterson, R.L. Stine, and John Saul.


Linky List:

CARS 3 Blu-ray Review

Disney/Pixar; G; 103 mins; Amazon

Now available on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo pack is Disney & Pixar's CARS 3, which includes the Pixar short film "Lou," and the mini-movie "Miss Fritter's Racing Skoool."

Directed by Brian Fee, the computer-animated film features the voice-talents of Owen Wilson, Cristela Alonzo, Chris Cooper, Armie Hammer, Larry the Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, Nathan Fillion, Lea DeLaria, and Kerry Washington.

CARS 3 opens up with the seven-time Piston Cup winner, Lightning McQueen, crashing on the race track, which leads to the rookie Jackson Storm to win the race. After mending his wounds in Radiator Springs, McQueen decides to enter the final race of the season in Florida.

Being sponsored by Sterling, the new owner of the Rust-eze racing team, McQueen is ready to train for the big race. Things don't exactly go as planned, as he has a new trainer, Cruz Ramirez, who prefers to use new technology to train him instead of the old-fashioned ways.

With determination, and encouragement from his friends, Lightning McQueen heads to Florida to prove to himself that he can still race.

Bonus Features on Blu-ray & Digital:
  • Miss Fritter’s Racing Skoool (Exclusive new mini-movie)Enjoy blindsided testimonials from the Crazy 8’s, touting the transformative impact Miss Fritter’s Racing School has had in reshaping the direction of their lives.
  • Theatrical Short: “Lou” When a toy-stealing bully ruins recess for a playground full of kids, only one thing stands in his way: the “Lost and Found” box. (also on the DVD)
  • Let’s. Get. Crazy.Get schooled in the world of demolition derby, the “rules” of figure 8 racing, and how Pixar puts the crazy in the Thunder Hollow Crazy 8 race. This piece is hosted by Lea DeLaria.
  • Legendary a close, historical look at the racing legends Wendell Scott and Louise Smith, whose tenacity and perseverance got them into the race even when they weren’t invited.
  • Ready for the Race Disney Channel’s Olivia Rodrigo and NASCAR Racer William Byron check out the Hendrick Motorsports campus to showcase how real-world race training influenced the filmmakers.
  • World’s Fastest Billboard Blink and you will miss all of the graphics and “car-ified” advertisements created by Pixar’s Art team to make the ”Cars 3” world as believable as possible.
  • Cruz Ramirez: The Yellow Car That CouldJoin Cristela Alonzo and the filmmakers on their journey to create a race-car trainer turned champion racer.
  • Generations: The Story of “Cars 3” For the story team, creating Lightning McQueen’s next chapter didn’t involve just a tune-up, but a complete overhaul.
  • My First Car A collection of illustrated first-car stories as narrated by members of the “Cars 3” cast and crew. “A Green Car on the Red Carpet with Kerry Washington,” “Old Blue,” and “Still in the Family.”
  • 5 Deleted Scenes Each deleted scene is set up with an introduction as to why it was removed from the film. Deleted scenes include “The Boogie Woogie,” “The Jars of Dirt,” “Lugnut,” “The Bolt,” and “More Than New Paint.”
  • Cars To Die(cast) ForTake a look at the phenomenon of die-cast toy collecting and the more than 1,000 unique designs that exist in the Cars universe.
  • CommentaryBrian Fee (Director), Kevin Reher (Producer), Andrea Warren (Co-Producer) and Jay Ward (Creative Director). (Also On the DVD)
  • And more…


Final Thoughts

Music Review: KUTLESS: ALPHA / OMEGA


Buy Link
Now available from BEC Recordings is the newest album from the Christian rock band KUTLESS, titled ALPHA / OMEGA.

KUTLESS was first formed as a modern rock/worship band at Warner Pacific College in Portland in 2000 by original members Jon Micah Sumrall (lead vocals) and guitarist James Mead. The band first signed with BEC Recordings in 2001, and since then they have had top-charting hits, sold millions of records and more than eight million streams!

KUTLESS has two RIAA Gold-selling albums for Strong Tower and Live from Portland. They have had 12 No. 1 radio singles across all formats including the songs "Strong Tower," "What Faith Can Do" and "Carry Me To The Cross."

ALPHA / OMEGA is a collection of rock worship songs of both original and cover tracks. The album features a new version of "Strong Tower" as well as the debut radio single "King of My Heart."



Tracks/Songs on the album include:

Your Great Name
Strong Tower (Reprise)
King of My Heart
Cornerstone
You Are Love
Great Are You Lord
Your Love Awakens Me
Shepherd Of My Soul
Gave It All (I Surrendered All)
No Wonder (Roar of the Rugged Cross)



Final Thoughts

Thursday, November 16, 2017

5 Fun Apps To Help You Survive Thanksgiving!

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% mine.


Thanksgiving is only one week away. While it's a wonderful holiday to spend with your family and friends, it can also be a stressful one, especially if you have to travel a long way just for a turkey dinner.

In this post, I'm featuring 5 fun apps (and games) that will help kill the time till Thanksgiving Day.

The Simpsons: Tapped Out

Available on Google Play is the Android App "The Simpsons: Tapped Out." While the game is several years old, don't let the age fool you, as it's just as fun as ever. In the game, you can create your own version of Springfield using characters and buildings. The game is updated regularly with holiday-themed content.

Star Wars: Commander

Another game app that's been around for awhile is Star Wars: Commander. The war-strategy game let you play for either the Rebels or the Empire. You get to build a base, weapons, ships, and train soldiers. Then you can attack other players' bases. It's the perfect game app for any Star Wars fan!



Available on Google Play and the App Store, is one of the newer apps on my list, titled "Ask Bongo." What is Bongo? Well, Bongo is a super intelligent monkey from the shores of Borneo. Bongo knows everything about everyone and anything! So, just Ask Bongo anything you want to and get an answer.

Quilting Book & Calendar Unboxing!

Interview & Giveaway with Justine Avery


Being released on December 4th is the supernatural novel The One Apart by Justine Avery.


Pre-Order on Amazon


The author has taken a few minutes out of her busy schedule to talk about her new novel "The One Apart."


When did you become interested in storytelling?

When I was seven years old, I hadn’t even “found” the first genre that would help me fall in love with reading and turn me into an avid reader for life (the genre was stories of girls my age with horses and ghosts—don’t laugh!), but my 2nd grade English teacher asked all of her students to write a new story every single week. Mine were all true, from whatever adventure I had that week or interesting thing I witnessed, but the teacher praised my stories the most and begged me to read them to the class each week. I guess that made me realize I had a knack for telling a story, or at least spotting what makes real life most interesting.

What was your first book/story published?

My very first stories published were travel articles for print magazines—a long time ago. My first fiction story published was Last Shot, published as a single on Amazon: a very dark, psychological tale about a man trying—and failing—to successfully commit suicide, over and over, and how he changes in the process. It’s intense, but ultimately a comedy.

What inspired you to write The One Apart?

It was time to finally sit down and write a novel-length story, whether or not I felt ready for the challenge. I picked up the first few pages I’d already written for a story I knew was going to be “a long one,” based on one sentence I woke up with one morning: “he remembered everything.” I knew the main character remembered things he shouldn’t, things that surprise him, things that might make other people upset, and I started writing to discover what all those mysteries were. I hoped to at least get to 50k words, but the story ended up requiring 117k words to tell it!

What character in The One Apart is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

Tres, the main character, is probably most like me; I think he’s like all of us. He has very specific struggles and gifts, but when it comes down to it, he’s just someone trying to find his place in the world, to fit in with everyone around him, to discover what makes him different but not wanting to be too different. He wants to belong, and he wants to know what he’s supposed to do with the life he’s been given. He’s not afraid to change his mind or his direction, try different things, and explore different things in finding his answers.

What is your favorite part in The One Apart?

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Fall Reads: The Gift by Shelley Shepard Gray


Avon Inspire; 272 pages; $12.99; Buy Link; Blog Tour

Now available from Avon Inspire (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) is the third book in The Amish Of Hart County, titled The Gift by New York Bestselling Author Shelley Shepard Gray.

The novel centers on Susanna Schwartz, a young woman who's excited to be spending Christmas with her family on their new farm in Hart County. Well, that is until a series of accidents occur. Sounds of gunshots causes her buggy to overturn, and her little sister falls through a wooden bridge into a creek. Are these accidents just 'accidents'? Or is someone trying to harm them?

The other main character is Neil Vance (aka- Susanna's possible love interest). His family loss their farm and his father blames the Schwartzs, though they're not at fault.

Neil believes the accidents that are happening to the Schwartzs are just accidents, but Susanna's father thinks otherwise, as he believes the Vance family is involved.

Final Thoughts

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Review Catch Up Marathon!: The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling


Bethany House; 384 pages; $15.99; Amazon


I meant to have this review posted yesterday, but I'm under the weather with the flu, so my plan is to write this post and a couple of other posts (that were meant to posted today) tonight.

Anyway, I'm reviewing The Promise of Dawn, book one in the Under Northern Skies series, by Lauraine Snelling. The novel centers on Rune and Signe Carlson, a poor married couple living in Norway who receive a loan from a relative, Einar Strand, for passage to the United States. Upon arriving in Minnesota with their three sons, they quickly learn that Uncle Einar and his wife, Gird, are difficult to get along with. To pay back the cost of their voyage, they have to help clear the family's land.

Rune and Signe both dream of owning their own land and building their own home, but as long as their in debt to the Strands, their dreams will never come true.




Final Thoughts

Monday, November 13, 2017

Whitman Ultimate Coin Supply Kit Unboxing!

Interview & Giveaway with Meredith Allard


Now available from Copperfield Press is the historical-paranormal romance Her Dear & Loving Husband by Meredith Allard.


Buy Links


The author has taken a few minutes out of her busy schedule for to talk about her newest novel.



When did you become interested in storytelling?

I started writing stories in college. I read David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, and I decided I wanted to write stories that were entire worlds unto themselves.

What was your first book/story published?

My first story published was called “Keats House” in a journal called Moondance in 2003. Her Dear and Loving Husband was my first novel published in 2011.

What inspired you to write Her Dear and Loving Husband?

I had read the Twilight books and watched True Blood and I began wondering what it might be like for a vampire who loses the only woman he’s ever loved.

What character in Her Dear and Loving Husband is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

James is most like me because he’s very bookish and very loyal. The character least like me would be Kenneth Hempel, the reporter out to prove that James is a vampire. Kenneth isn’t very generous or understanding.

What is your favorite part in Her Dear and Loving Husband?