Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Book Review—A Worthy Pursuit

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About the Book

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan’s Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the little girl entrusted to her care after her mother’s death. Charlotte promised Lily’s mother she’d keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When the teacher he’s after produces documentation that shows she’s the little girl’s legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he’s been led to believe. Is Miss Atherton villain or victim? She acts more like a loving mother than an abductress, and the children in her care clearly adore her. Should Stone break his perfect record?

Then a new danger threatens, and Charlotte is forced to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone becomes determined to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he’s ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte’s heart.

My Rating: 5 Stars

So, if you’ve been following me for any length of time, you probably know already that Karen Witemeyer is one of my top favorite authors. She’s just so good. Of course, I jumped at the chance to get a copy of A Worthy Pursuit to read and review. After all, I’d been waiting for it for months. It definitely did not disappoint. I love how all of Karen’s books and characters are so different. And I almost always love her male characters. Stone Hammond was no exception. I loved how rugged he was, yet such a softie. ;) I wouldn’t mind meeting my own Stone Hammond. Lol! But anyway, I very much loved the story, and I highly recommend looking into Karen Witemeyer’s books if you haven’t already. Really. Do it. Even if you don’t normally read Western/historical fiction, Karen is such a fantastic writer that I’m sure you’ll enjoy it anyway. And if you’re a writer like me, then definitely read them. There’s a lot to learn from her writing style. :)

I received the book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Water Princess, Fire Prince—Cover Reveal

I’ve got another cover reveal for you all today! This one is for Kendra E. Ardnek’s upcoming novel, Water Princess, Fire Prince! And let me tell you, I’ve heard nothing but fantastic things about it.

Water and Fire

About the Book

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.

* * *

Available for kindle preorder: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Princess-Prince-Rizkaland-Legends-ebook/dp/B00YTQBTDI/ Get it on sale for $2.99 today and tomorrow! After that it will go up to $3.99 

Add it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24022364-water-princess-fire-prince

Part 1’s first chapter: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2014/12/water-princess-chapter-1.html

Part 2’s first chapter: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2014/12/fire-prince-chapter-1.html

About the Author

100_1992Kendra 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.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

A Special Unveiling

On Facebook a couple of days ago I mentioned that I woke up on Monday with terrible neck and shoulder pain from spending too much time on the computer over the weekend. Well, there was a good reason for it. Those hours I spent ruining my back was on account of this:

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That’s right, I have started a forum! I’ve had ideas for this for quite a long time. I wasn’t sure if it would ever amount to anything, so I never did anything about it. Instead, I set up a group on Goodreads to sort of test the waters. That group has grown into an incredibly fun place to interact with readers. I’m sure it will grow even more as I release more Ilyon Chronicles books.

However, I do know that a lot of readers are not on Goodreads. So, considering the fun we’ve all had on Goodreads, I decided to try out a forum for any readers who would like the same sort of experience. Even readers who are already part of the Goodreads group are welcome to join if they wish. There’s tons of fun to be had, so don’t be shy about joining in and letting your friends know about the new forum. In time, I hope to see it grow to be as active as the Goodreads group. I’d love to see you there! :)

www.jayelknight.boards.net

Monday, June 15, 2015

Amazing Grace Blog Tour - Character Spotlight


Here I am with another character spotlight! This one is for a character in my friend Faith Blum's new book, Amazing Grace. I had the privilege of beta reading this book, and I always enjoy her sweet stories. Now, before I get to the character spotlight, here's a little about the book.

About the Book

Caleb hurried to the post office. He had to get in and out before his sister finished at the general store. “Any mail for the Stuarts?” he asked the postmaster.
The postmaster took a lazy look at him over the top of his eyeglasses and gave a heaving sigh as he turned around to check. “Yep. Somethin’ from Ohio and somethin’ from Montana.”
Tapping his foot, Caleb waited until the large man put the letters lazily in his hand. As he left he wondered why Anna had written someone in Montana and who she knew in Montana. It was really none of his business, but he was still curious. He folded the Ohio letter in half and stashed it in his back pocket. It would get wrinkled, but at least Anna wouldn’t know about it.

As Caleb struggles through some inner battles, he secretly starts a correspondence with a widow and her daughter. Their unabashed faith in God convicts him and increases his inner struggles.

Unable to find a steady job, Maggie places an advertisement to become a mail-order bride. Her daughter, Rachel, is her motivation and encouragement, but if Maggie doesn’t find a job or husband soon, Rachel might not survive through the next year.

Can Caleb learn to trust God despite his past? Can Maggie and Rachel hold onto their faith despite all their trials? What will happen when they meet in person?




Character Spotlight: Maggie McDougall

Name: Maggie McDougall
Age: 30 years old
Appearance: Thick brown hair, brown eyes, and above average height
History: Maggie was widowed when she was twenty-eight. Her husband died when he fell from a roof onto his back. For two years, Maggie struggled to support herself and her daughter, now ten years old. Out of desperation, and pleading for God’s leading, Maggie advertises as a mail order bride.

Author’s Notes: Maggie was actually a challenging character to write. She is complicated and private. There were many times when it was hard to get into her head to know what she was thinking. But then there were other times when she opened up completely.

I think part of the problem I had was that Maggie is so different from me. She’s been married, she has a daughter, and she has been through so much tragedy in her life. Both her parents and her husband’s parents are dead, and she lost her husband. But through it all, she taught me how to graciously be content in all circumstances and prayerfully submit to God.

Here’s a somewhat long excerpt to give you a little hint of what Maggie is like:

Maggie trudged home after another long day looking for a decent job to do and failing again. It would be another supper of thin cabbage soup for them tonight. God, Maggie prayed, please help me provide for my daughter. She’s getting too thin. If we don’t get some decent food, she’ll grow up to be motherless and probably end up working in a brothel or dying of starvation. Please, I beg of You, give me something. Some kind of hope to help me get through this. I can’t handle it much longer.

She took a deep breath to steady her anguish before turning the doorknob to enter the apartment.

“Mum!” Rachel exclaimed as soon as the door opened a crack. “We’ve got three letters today! THREE!”

A smile flirted with Maggie’s mouth despite the exhaustion seeping through her bones. “I suppose you would like me to read them?”

Rachel rolled her eyes. “Mu-umm.”

Maggie smiled tiredly. “Okay, why don’t you make us some soup while I read the letters?”

Rachel bounced into the kitchen and started to cut up the cabbage with a vengeance. Maggie sank into the only upholstered furniture in the room—the upright chair Duncan had given her as an anniversary present.

Please God, don’t let these three men be as demanding or desperate as the last two letters.

Dear Maggie,
It warmed my heart to read your advertisement. I need the help of a woman to raise my two nieces and two nephews. They are all younger than your daughter and adding your daughter in the mix, there would be children ages 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2. A bit hectic, I know. I’ve been trying to care for the four children with very little help since my sister and her husband died a week ago.
I am a God-fearing 38 year old man who has never been married. I am the owner of a ranch in Kansas. The ranch does quite well and I am rarely needed to help with the stock. That is the only thing that has helped me and the housekeeper stay sane with my nieces and nephews around. I do have a housekeeper and would be able to support a rather large family. Come to think of it, I already do.
I have blond hair and green eyes, I’m somewhere under six foot, have an average education, and was raised on this ranch. As the oldest son in a family of two sons and one daughter, I inherited the ranch. As I mentioned before, my sister and her husband died in a horrific accident. My brother is off wandering the Wild West somewhere. I lost track of him years ago.
I don’t think there’s anything more you need to know. If there is, ask and I’ll try to give you an answer.
If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you been widowed? Would your daughter be okay with having four instant siblings?
Anxiously awaiting your response,Cole Baxter

Maggie leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling. Yes, this man was a little desperate, but he had four good reasons to be. It would definitely be a big change. Maggie set the letter aside to read to Rachel later in the evening. The next letter had just a few lines on it and most of the words were barely legible, so she set it aside to be burned in the wood stove during supper.

The third letter tugged at her more than the first. She closed her eyes as she thought about it. She couldn’t figure out why this letter would affect her when the first one should have been the one to really make her want to jump up and go help the poor man. But the second one had an air of longing, and a desire to reach out to this man filled her…

“Mum?” Rachel’s quiet whisper woke her from her thoughts.

“Yes, Rachel?”

“You weren’t asleep, were you?”

“No, Dear. I was just thinking. Is supper ready?”

Rachel nodded.

Maggie rose from the chair and stretched. “Here, burn this letter. We can read the other two while we eat.”

A grin spread over Rachel’s face with the rapidity of a flash flood. “Really?”

Maggie gave a sad smile. “Yes, Rachel, really.”

Rachel spun around and raced for the kitchen. “It’s already dished up and ready to eat, Mum,” she called from the table.

Maggie took two steps and stopped in the kitchen doorway. There was a tablecloth and two unlit candles between the two china bowls. Rachel must have found some wildflowers somewhere because there was a cup of flowers on the table and a small dogwood violet in each bowl of soup as a garnish. Maggie’s hand went to her mouth as a gasp of pleasure and surprise escaped her mouth.

Rachel’s shy smile told her she had planned this as soon as she got the letters. “Do you like it?”

Maggie took a quick step toward her daughter and enveloped her in a big hug. “I love it, Baby Girl. I absolutely love it.” She let go of Rachel and stepped back, tears still in her eyes. “Now let’s eat before the soup gets any colder.”
* * *
About the Author

An avid reader, Faith Blum started writing at an early age. Whether it was a story about the camping trip that summer or a more creative story about fictional characters, she has always enjoyed writing. When not writing, Miss Blum enjoys reading, crafting, playing piano, Captaining on the Holy Worlds Historical Fiction Forum and playing games with her family (canasta, anyone?).
As a history enthusiast who has been fascinated for years with the Old West, Faith has endeavored to create a clean, fun, and challenging Western story. Faith lives with her family on a hobby farm in the Northern Midwest, where she enjoys the many cats they have.
You can find Faith on her Website, Blog, Facebook, and Twitter

Tour Schedule

April 27………Faith Blum……………….Introducing the Tour

April 30………Jess Strong……………….Book Spotlight
May 4………...Annie Douglass…………..Character Interview
May 7…………LeAnne           Douglas………...Book Review
May 11……….Shanna Hatfield………….Character Interview
May 14            ……….Dee Strawbridge…………Book Spotlight
May 18            ……….Dawnita Fogleman………Book Review/Author Interview
May 21            ……….Elizabeth Kaiser…………Author Interview
May 25            ……….Emily Kopf………………Book Review
May 28            ……….Kathryn Fogleman……….Author Interview
June 1…………Raechel…………………..Author Interview
June 4…………Faith Blum……………….Novella Cover Reveal
June 8…………Carlene Havel……………Book Spotlight
June 11            ……….Amanda Tero……………Book Review/Author Interview
June 15……….Jaye L. Knight……………Character Spotlight
June 18            ……….Claire Banschbach………Author Interview
June 22            ……….Tricia Mingerink…………Book Spotlight
June 25            ……….Karilyn Putt………………Book Spotlight
June 29            ……….Morgan Huenke…………..Book Review/Author Interview
July 2…………Faith Blum………………..The Wrap Up

Friday, June 12, 2015

Favorite Screen Characters Tag

I was tagged by Shantelle for the Favorite Screen Characters Tag. Normally I’m really bad at getting around to doing blog posts that involve being tagged, however, gushing over favorite characters is way too much fun to pass up. So, here are my top 10 favorite movie/TV characters (in no particular order except for the first one). And, trust me, narrowing it down to ten was hard. I do so adore characters.

Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings)

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He’s Aragorn. ‘Nuff said. ;) But seriously, Aragorn has been my top favorite fictional character since I first watched The Fellowship of the Ring. He’s everything I love in a great hero.

Robin Hood (BBC’s Robin Hood)

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I’ve seen a couple different Robin Hoods now, but Jonas Armstrong will always be the Robin Hood to me. He’s adorable, brave, sacrificial, and wonderfully mischievous.

Marian (BBC’s Robin Hood)

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I wasn’t sure if any female characters would make it into the list when I first started thinking about. I find it very, very difficult to find female characters I really love. Then I remembered that Marian is definitely one of them. It helps that she and Robin are just so cute together. I don’t know exactly why I love her so much, but yeah, she’s a favorite. ;)

Killian Jones/Captain Hook (Once Upon a Time)

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So, like Robin, Killian is just adorable. (I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that they’re both actually Irish . . . oh, but I swear, I’m not basing this all on looks! XD ) But, besides that, his storyline has been probably my favorite part about Once Upon a Time. I mean, who would have thought Captain Hook would turn out to be a good guy? I just love the twist on his story and watching him turn from selfish pirate to hero.

Connor Kenway (Assassin’s Creed III)

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Okay, so Connor is not a movie or TV character, but since he’s from a video game, I think “screen character” applies. ;) I adore Connor’s character and totally agree with that last graphic. Maybe I just get brooding characters (Jace, anyone?) more than some other people. I love how fierce Connor can be, but he’s very kind. He’s also determined to do what’s right, even if it’s not popular.

Toby (Scorpion)

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How could anyone not love Toby? He’s hilarious, sweet, clever, can be a total child one minute, and then do something heroic the next. I totally wish he was my best friend or older brother or something.

Raymond “Red” Reddington (The Black List)

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So Red wouldn’t exactly fit in the “hero” category, but I find his character so incredibly fascinating that he quickly found a high up spot on my favorite characters list. As a writer, I would die to be able to write some of the insanely clever, hilarious, and brilliant lines that come out of his mouth.

Flynn Rider (Tangled)

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My list just wouldn’t feel complete without Flynn in it. Don’t get me wrong, I love Rapunzel too, but Flynn is . . . well, Flynn. I don’t think I need to say more. ;)

Hawkeye/Clint Barton (The Avengers)

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Age of Ultron. Need I say more? How can you not adore Hawkeye after that movie? I always loved him, but yeah, that movie…

Bilbo (The Hobbit)

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Dear Bilbo. Again, I don’t think words are quite necessary at this point.

So there you have it. My top 10 favorite fiction screen characters. There are a few who could be switched with other characters, but I had to eventually settle.

Now for the bloggers I tag:

Morgan Elizabeth Huneke
Faith Blum
Kendra E. Ardnek
Tricia Mingerink
Alea Harper
Sarah Holman
Melody Jackson
Tialla Rising
Claire M. Banschbach
Athelas

If you’ve already been tagged or want to skip this tag, just ignore me. ;) Otherwise, you can write up your post and tag ten more bloggers (or however many you can). Share your link in the comments if you do it! I’d love to see your picks. And for anyone who isn’t tagged, consider yourself tagged! It’s quite fun. :D

Or, if you don’t have a blog, which of my ten favorites do you love?

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Creighton Hill Blog Tour - Character Spotlight

I'm back with another post for the Creighton Hill Blog Tour! You can see my first post with my review of the book here (it also has the giveaway and all the information about the book!). Today I'm sharing a spotlight for a character I found especially intriguing in the book. What can I say? I'm partial to elves. ;)

Character Spotlight: Camthalion

Race: Elf

Appearance: Tall and fair, long blond hair, blue eyes and pointed ears.

History: Camthalion was originally from the Forest of Olithea, the traditional home of the elves, but was imprisoned in Crannig Castle after the Great War in which the strytes took over Calhortz. He is a great scholar.

Author’s Notes: I suppose there may be a question of why I chose Camthalion to spotlight, since he gets little actual page time, but at the same time, he is rather a pivotal character. He’s not actually the first elf I met while writing, but he is the first one readers will meet. The elves intrigue me, and I was happy to hear that certain beta readers were intrigued by them as well.

Camthalion is the sort that holds in his past rather than sharing it, but he’s very matter-of-fact about things. I love his wisdom and strength. He protects the Time Captives from being truly found out, and helps them cope with what they have to deal with, being Time Captives. His presence is sort of reassuring. I feel like there’s so much more to him than he lets on. He has a strong sense of honor and consistency, stronger than George’s, even, though they are friends. I wish I could say more about the role he plays, but his part is a bit spoilery, since it’s an important part, so you’ll just have to read Creighton Hill to find out.

I actually just randomly threw him into the story. I hadn’t even been planning on George ending up in the Tower at Crannig Castle, but he did, and it turned out there was an elf there. Someone had to befriend George, I guess, and this mysterious elf with his hidden past showed up to do it. Now I’m wanting to write a short story about Camthalion’s past, but it’ll probably have to wait. Camthalion is willing only to divulge little about himself, the air of mystery is part of his charm.

Click here to see the other blogs participating in the tour.


Monday, June 8, 2015

Creighton Hill Blog Tour + Giveaway!

Hey, everyone! Lot's of cover reveals and blog tour posts lately! It's so exciting to see what everyone is working on and help them introduce their "babies" to the world. ;) Today I get to participate in the blog tour for Creighton Hill, the beginning of a new fantasy trilogy by my good author friend, Morgan Elizabeth Huneke! I also have a character spotlight for the book coming up on Thursday, but today I'm sharing my review of the book. First, however, a bit about the story.


About the Book

“No one can mysteriously disappear leaving no trace. It isn’t realistic.”
“You’re right, Emily,” her grandfather said thoughtfully. “It isn’t realistic. However, a good many things happen in this world that are not realistic, things supernatural.”

Emily, Allan, Jill, Joey, and Anna have grown up on their grandfather’s tales of ancestors who mysteriously disappeared from Creighton Hill, the plantation home that has been in their family for centuries. When Grampa’s death forces them to move into Creighton Hill, the truth about the supposed disappearances is the first thing on their minds. Allan, Jill, Joey, and Anna’s, that is. As for Emily, why must they keep at their supernatural hogwash?

Could it be that their family really does just have an unusual history of early deaths? Most people seem to think so. But Grampa’s research has uncovered something different.

When mysterious writing matching descriptions found in ancient accounts begins appearing to the children, they know something’s up. They must find out what really happened to their ancestors, and work together to discover the reason behind the mysterious writings.

Creighton Hill is the first book of the Time Captives trilogy, a tale of faith, family, fantasy, and a fight for truth and freedom.

Buy Now


My Review

I almost never read children's or middle grade fiction, but I've enjoyed Morgan's book, so when I had an opportunity to beta read Creighton Hill, I was very interested. I very much enjoyed it and can't wait to read the next books in the trilogy. I loved how Morgan combined a bit of history with the fantasy, since those are my two favorite genres. I actually enjoyed this story more than The Chronicles of Narnia. *ducks for cover from flying objects and gasps of horror* Seriously though, I recommend Creighton Hill to anyone looking for a good adventure story, especially younger readers. I know I would have loved it as a child.

About the Author

Morgan Elizabeth Huneke is a homeschool graduate who lives in Georgia. She has enjoyed creating characters and writing stories since early childhood. Her other interests include reading, playing the piano and violin, and politics. She is the author of Across the Stars and The Experiment.

You can connect with Morgan on her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Across the Stars Free on Kindle

To celebrate Across the Stars’s second anniversary, and Creighton Hill’s release, Across the Stars is free on Kindle June 8th-12th! Check it out on Amazon!

Giveaway

Join in the excitement of Time Captives and enter to win a special prize! The first prize winner will receive a signed copy of Creighton Hill as well as a signed copy of Across the Stars, for its anniversary. Second prize is a signed copy of Creighton Hill. The third prize winner will receive an eCopy of Creighton Hill in the eBook format of his/her choice. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.


Tour Schedule

Monday, June 8th

·        Tour Introduction at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke
·        Book Review at Author Jaye L. Knight
·        Character Interview at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections ~ Joey Hubbard
·        Author Interview at Maddy’s Digital Diary

Tuesday, June 9th

·        Book Review at Spell Out Loud
·        Author Interview at Bring Your Own Books
·        Character Interview at Knitted by God’s Plan ~ Emily Hubbard
·        Creighton Hill Inspirations at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Wednesday, June 10th

·        Book Review at The Overactive Imagination
·        Character Interview at Bring Your Own Books ~ Abigail Hubbard
·        Guest Post at The Destiny of One ~ Historical Research for Fantasy Worldbuilding
·        Surprise Post at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Thursday, June 11th
·        Book Review at O’ Scarlett Reviews
·        Author Interview at Inklings Press
·        Character Spotlight at Author Jaye L. Knight ~ Camthalion
·        Time Captives Trivia at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Friday, June 12th

·        Book Review at Bring Your Own Books
·        Character Spotlight at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections ~ George
·        Guest Post at Girls Living for God’s Glory ~ Keeping God in Christian Fantasy
·        Across the Stars to Time Captives: A Writing Journey at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Saturday, June 13th

·        Book Review at Maddy’s Digital Diary
·        Author Interview at Knitted by God’s Plan
·        Guest Post at Inklings Press ~ Pinterest as a Time Captives Writing Tool
·        Tour Conclusion at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Monday, June 15th

Friday, June 5, 2015

Faith Blum Novellas Cover Reveal + Giveaway!

I have another cover reveal for you all today! Actually, it's three cover reveals! My friend, author Faith Blum, has three new novellas, I Love Thee, Pass Me Not, and Redeemed, coming this summer! Instead of doing three separate reveals, she chose to do one reveal for all three. To learn how these novellas came into being, check out Faith's blog post today. Read on to see the covers and learn about each of the stories. Don't forget to enter to win the novel that started it all!

Synopses

I Love Thee
Mom and Dad dead STOP Please come STOP Gage Confirmed bachelor, Cole Baxter, finds himself raising his sister's four young children. After one week of leaving his ranch in the hands of his foreman to take care of the grieving, needy children, he has to admit the task is beyond him and he needs help. But hired help won't suffice: those children need a mother's hand. Cole needs a wife. Approximately 17,800 words.



I Love Thee Preorder 

goodreads


Pass Me Not
Let me at Thy throne of mercy/Find a sweet relief/Kneeling there in deep contrition/Help my unbelief Timothy is at his wit's end. His twelve year old half-sister has run off five housekeepers in almost a year. Since their parents died, she has grown wilder than ever. What can he do? As he looks for a new housekeeper, his eye catches sight of a mail order bride advertisement. One young lady has a younger sister and sounds like a God-fearing woman. Could this be the answer to his dilemma or will Louise run her off, too? Approximately 15,300 words


Redeemed
Mail Order bride seeks wealthy Western man. Write Mona Sommers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Alexander Granger is tired of his father’s lectures and sermons. It’s time for payback. His plan is to pretend to marry a woman and scandalize his father when he finds out they aren’t really married. Will Mona accept his offer? Can Alex get away with his plan? Approximately 11,600 words.






About the Author
An avid reader, Faith Blum started writing at an early age. Whether it was a story about the camping trip that summer or a more creative story about fictional characters, she has always enjoyed writing. When not writing, Miss Blum enjoys reading, crafting, playing piano, Captaining on the Holy Worlds Historical Fiction Forum and playing games with her family (canasta, anyone?). As a history enthusiast who has been fascinated for years with the Old West, Faith has endeavored to create a clean, fun, and challenging Western story. Faith lives with her family on a hobby farm in the Northern Midwest, where she enjoys the many cats they have. You can find Faith on her Website, Blog, Facebook, and Twitter

Giveaway
How would you like your very own copy of the book that started it all? Well, at least started it all for the novellas. Enter the giveaway below and you could win a signed paperback copy of Amazing Grace.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
Or, if you would like another chance to win a signed copy, you can also enter the Goodreads giveaway that is open today through July 2nd!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Amazing Grace by Faith Blum

Amazing Grace

by Faith Blum

Giveaway ends July 02, 2015. See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to Win
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Thursday, June 4, 2015

Dare Blog Tour—Character Spotlight

Hey, everyone! I have another blog post, a character spotlight, for Tricia Mingerink’s tour for her book, Dare!

Leith Torren
Occupation: Third Blade in the King’s Blades

Appearance: Eighteen years old, 5’8” tall with black hair and green eyes. He has a slim, wiry build.

History: He grew up in Blathe. Lord Respen Felix took him in when Leith was nine and began training him to be a Blade. At fourteen, he was one of the eight Blades who helped Respen overthrow King Leon and take the throne of Acktar.

Character: Leith is a mix of tough fighter and inner softie, though he doesn’t realize it at first. He fears failure, and that fear of failure sometimes pushes him to do things he’d rather not do, both in a good and bad way.

Author’s Note: When the idea for Dare struck, the first image I got was a dark room with black-clothed men sitting around a table. And I knew one of them was named Leith Torren, and he no longer wanted to be there. The rest of the story came from there.
Of all the characters in Dare, Leith was one of the easiest to write. I usually knew what he was thinking and feeling, though getting that on the page was tricky. In the first draft, I thought he was going to have his final change of heart earlier than he did. But when I sat down the write the scene, Leith kept getting angrier and angrier and suddenly burst out a line about his father. Yep, three-quarters of the way through the first draft and I finally figured out the main piece of Leith’s backstory.

First Draft Trivia: In the original first draft, Leith actually spent a good chunk of the middle of the book locked in a dungeon until a certain lord believed him. But I got halfway into the book and realized I’d written myself into a corner. I called up my main brainstorm buddy, and she helped me rework the plot. By the time we were done, I had to rewrite about half of what I had written but the result was much better than that early version. All of you have her to thank for the events in much of the middle of the book.

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