Friday, October 30, 2015

A CHRISTMAS BRIDE IN PINECRAFT by Shelley Shepard Gray - Blog Tour


Enter to Win a 
Digital Download Code for
A CHRISTMAS BRIDE IN PINECRAFT



A CHRISTMAS BRIDE IN PINECRAFT
Amish Brides of Pinecraft #4
Shelley Shepard Gray
Releasing Oct 13th, 2015
Avon/Harper


Christmas
has come to Pinecraft in bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray's final Amish
Brides of Pinecraft novel, an uplifting story that proves anything is possible
when you follow your heart.

When manager Beverly Overholt's
beloved Orange Blossom Inn is broken into, she's shaken to the core. The inn
has been her whole life since arriving in the quaint Amish vacation town of
Pinecraft, Florida. Hoping to repair what's been lost, Beverly calls Eric
Wagler, the inn's handsome owner. To her surprise, he promises to be on the
next flight out of Philadelphia.

Ever since her fiancé jilted her,
Beverly's been closed off to love. However, with Eric things feel different.
She can't help but be hopeful that their work relationship will turn into
something more—even though they are from different worlds. She grew up Amish
and is now Mennonite. Eric, on the other hand, grew up on the city streets of
Philadelphia. How could they ever find common ground?

But as Beverly and Eric put the inn
back together, prepare for Christmas, and even witness romance blossoming for
another couple, the trust—and love—between them grows. Will Christmas bring a
second chance for Beverly? And if it does, will she be brave enough to take it?

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& N
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a Rafflecopter giveaway






Shelley Shepard Gray
is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the
American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Hold
Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes
too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike
trail.

Author Interview
What inspired A Christmas Bride?
I love to write Christmas-themed romances, so when I was offered the chance to write a Christmas romance set in Pinecraft, Florida, I was really excited. Though the novel features a sweet romance, the central themes in the novel center around forgiveness. Many of the characters in the book have some experiences in their pasts which they need to overcome. Throughout the book, they are learning to not only forgive others, but themselves, too.

Tell us a little about the Hero?
The hero is Eric Wagler. He’s the long-distance owner of the Orange Blossom Inn and accidental ‘boss’ of my heroine. When he learns that the inn has been broken into and that Beverly, the heroine, is scared and alone, he drops everything and flies down to Florida to help her. Eric is a little rough around the edges and has a carefully hidden past.

Tell us a little about the Heroine?
Beverly Overholt is the heroine of the book. She’s also been a central character throughout the whole series. She runs the inn and has reinvented herself since leaving Ohio and moving to Florida. In this book, she learns to trust herself and others, too.

What or who inspired you to become an author?
My love of reading inspired me to become an author. I’ve always been a voracious reader-I usually read two-three books a week. I started writing romances for fun.

How long have you been a published author?
I sold my first novel in 2000. Since then, I’ve published over 50 books for a variety of publishers. I’m still learning about the writing craft and love my job!

When not writing, what things do you enjoy doing?
Our kids are in their 20s and on their own, so now I fuss over our dachshunds! We have two that we rescued, and I like to talk them for long walks on our town’s bike trail. I also love to bake and travel. I’m always looking through guidbooks and travel magazines.

What do you like best about the Christmas season?
Now, the best part about Christmas is spending time with our kids. This year they both plan to come home, so I’m very excited! I always decorate the house (too much!) and bake gifts for people.

What’s your favorite Christmas song?
I love any version of Carol of the Bells. I have a terrible voice, but I love to pretend I can sing whenever that comes on the radio!

What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?
We go to the 9:00 pm candlelight service at our church on Christmas Eve. The music is so pretty and it always feels meaningful.






Monday, October 26, 2015

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS KNIT-OFF by Alexandra Brown - Blog Tour


Enter to Win a Print Copy of 
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS KNIT-OFF



THE GREAT CHRISTMAS KNIT-OFF
Alexandra Brown
Releasing Oct 13th, 2015
Harper Collins


The perfect seasonal tale of how
laughter, friends and wacky Christmas sweaters can mend a broken heart.

Heartbroken after being jilted at
the altar, Sybil has been saved from despair by her knitting obsession and now
her home is filled to bursting with tea cozies, beanies, and sweaters. But,
after discovering that she may have perpetrated the screw-up of the century at
work, Sybil decides to make a hasty exit and, just weeks before Christmas, runs
away to the picturesque village of Tindledale.

There, Sybil discovers Hettie’s
House of Haberdashery, an emporium dedicated to the world of knitting and
needle craft. But Hettie, the outspoken octogenarian owner, is struggling and
now the shop is due for closure. And when Hettie decides that Sybil’s
wonderfully wacky Christmas sweaters are just the thing to add a bit of
excitement to her window display, something miraculous starts to happen…

BUY NOW
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a Rafflecopter giveaway






Alexandra Brown began her writing
career as the City Girl columnist for The London Paper - a satirical diary
account of her time working in the corporate world of London. Alex wrote the
weekly column for two years before giving it up to concentrate on writing
novels and is now the author of the Carrington’s books. Set in a department
store in the pretty seaside town of Mulberry-On-Sea, the series follows the
life, loves and laughs of sales assistant, Georgie Hart. The Great Christmas
Knit Off is Alex’s fourth book and is the first in a new series set in the
fictional village of Tindledale, following the lives of all the characters
there.

Alex lives in a real village near the
south coast of England, with her husband, daughter and a very shiny black
Labrador.


Friday, October 23, 2015

The King's Man by Alison Stuart - Blog Tour + Review and Giveaway




The King’s Man

by Alison Stuart

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Historical Romance

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 


BLURB:

London 1654: Kit Lovell is one of the King’s men, a disillusioned Royalist who passes his time cheating at cards, living off his wealthy and attractive mistress, and plotting the death of Oliver Cromwell.

Penniless and friendless, Thamsine Granville has lost everything. Terrified, in pain, and alone, she hurls a piece of brick at the coach of Oliver Cromwell, and earns herself an immediate death sentence. Only the quick thinking of a stranger saves her.

Far from the bored, benevolent rescuer that he seems, Kit plunges Thamsine into his world of espionage and betrayal – a world that has no room for falling in love.

Torn between Thamsine and loyalty to his master and King, Kit’s carefully constructed web of lies begins to unravel. He must make one last desperate gamble – the cost of which might be his life.

 

Janet Greaves Review:

This is absolutely a 5+ Star book! If you are a history buff and a romantic, you will love this book! I was so taken by this story and could not put it down.  We are met by a young woman who is down on her luck and during a convoy she throws a brickbrat at the coach of Oliver Cromwell, the leader of this village. Just after throwing the brickbrat, she is grabbed from the crowd and thrust down an alley. Her savior kisses her as people pass by them to avoid her being seen. She does not want his help and he departs. Thamsine is so downtrodden and does not have a penny to her name, she feels the only means of occupation left for her is to offer her body. A burly man takes her offer but he’s harsh and beats her, however, once again her savior comes to her aid. This time she does not refuse his help and he offers her at least to take him up on the offer of a warm meal.  He takes her to a local pub and Inn and there he asks his friends to help her and offer her employment.

The twin sister Nan and Meg take her under their wing and she takes on the duties of bar maid and soon begins singing for the pub. Kit Lovell, the savior of Thamsine is not really a gambler, but is actually working for the king. Betraying his friends and Thamsine, he turns them in which also lands himself in prison at the London Tower. However, during his time in prison he frets about Thamsine and asks the leader to let her go even though she has admitted her guilt. He decides to take Kit on his offer and comes up with a plan for the beautiful Thamsine and her lovely musical talents. He wants to learn more about the French goings on and so offers her employment teaching music to a French family. Her being fluent in French, he asks her to play dumb and pretend she does not understand French and therefore spy on him. Seeing as her only other alternative is to spend the next several years in prison, she takes him up on his offer. Soon she begins to learn the underminings and sneakiness of the French and gathers her information. Also, her feelings and love for Kit Lovell being to grow and he too begins to fall for her.. but what will happen when she finds out that it was he who betrayed her and turned her over to the officials? Will she be able to forgive him?

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to any history buff!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Excerpt:

1 (Thamsine)

Thamsine Granville had not begun the day with the intention of killing Oliver Cromwell.

Around her a jovial crowd pressed against the barricades, determined to enjoy the spectacle of the Lord Protector’s ride in state to dine with the Lord Mayor of London. But from across the road, he had seen her. A triumphant smile crossed his handsome face and he raised his hand to his hat, doffing it as he bowed. She saw him mouth her name and push his way towards the barricade. Thamsine swallowed, her mouth dry with fear. She only had a few moments to make good her escape, but the press of people to her rear hemmed her in, pushing her toward the barriers.

The bells of London, silenced for so many years, rang out, and above her the flags of the City Guilds flapped in the chill wind. A roar went up from the crowd as the coach bearing Cromwell approached.

From where she stood she could see the Lord Protector, clad in a reddish-coloured suit embroidered with gold. He inclined his head to acknowledge the cheers of the crowd with all the aplomb of a man born to such a station. She could see no trace of the simple farmer he had once professed to be. Thamsine’s heart beat a rapid tattoo. Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector, the false King, was about to become Thamsine Granville’s personal protector.

She stooped and gathered up the broken piece of brick at her feet.

Oblivious to his fate, Cromwell smiled, his right hand raised in a parody of benediction as if forgiving them their sins. At the sight of his face, solid and pudding-like, framed by the open

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:
 
 

Award winning Australian author, Alison Stuart learned her passion from history from her father. She has been writing stories since her teenage years but it was not until 2007 that her first full length novel was published. Alison has now published 6 full length historical romances and a collection of her short stories.  Her disposition for writing about soldier heroes may come from her varied career as a lawyer in the military and fire services. These days when she is not writing she is travelling and routinely drags her long suffering husband around battlefields and castles.

 

BUY LINKS

Kindle:  US Store:  http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Man-Guardians-Crown-Book-ebook/dp/B013AI1HVE

iBooks:  https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/the-kings-man/id1024910529

For all other BUY links:  http://www.escapepublishing.com.au/product/9781760378141

 

Links

Website:  http://www.alisonstuart.com

Blogs:  www.alisonstuart.blogspot.com         

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/AlisonStuartWriter

Twitter:  @AlisonStuart14  https://twitter.com/AlisonStuart14

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4636079.Alison_Stuart

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Alison will be awarding a Kindle, 6" Glare-Free Touchscreen Display, Wi-Fi to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host. Additionally, Goddess Fish Productions will be awarding a $5 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn host.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0d923dde5/

 

Sunday, October 18, 2015

New Pony Day! by Jen K. Blom - Blog Tour + Review


 
 
New Pony Day!

By

Jen K. Blom

 

About the Author


Jen K Blom is an international award-winning author living in Berlin, Germany with her daughter, husband and hairless cat Yoda. Visit www.pony101.de to get all sorts of great updates and activity sheets featuring Josie, Floki and Pasta!

 

Her latest book is the children’s picture book, New Pony Day!

For More Information

        Visit Jen K. Blom’s website.

        Connect with Jen on Facebook and Twitter.

 

About the Book
 

Title: New Pony Day!
Author: Jen K. Blom
Publisher: Jen K. Blom
Pages: 28
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Today’s the day Josie gets her new pony – if she can find him, that is! Her cat Pasta’s along for the ride, too, but there’s no telling if he’ll help or not – he’s a cat!

 

For More Information

        New Pony Day! is available at Amazon.

        Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.

        Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

 

Book Excerpt:

My name is Josie and I'm happy as I can be.

My kitty Pasta and I have a job just our size, you see.

Today’s the day I choose my pony.

All mine. Only for me me ME!

I’ll know him when I see him!

I KNOW I will. Only…

 

 Janet Greaves Review:

Absolutely wonderful book for young children, ages pre-school to early elementary. The book is filled with vibrant colors and pictures that capture the young child’s eyes and helps them to relate the objects to the words they are learning. Mom and dads can point and say “Pony” and the child will soon relate the word pony with the image.  This book also contains easy words for the children to learn and for the young reader to begin reading, the rhyming is simple and flowing and not complex. I give the book a 5 star rating. I highly suggest this to all parents and for schools to add this to their libraries. Would make a wonderful Christmas present for any child!



Saturday, October 17, 2015

SNOWBOUND AT CHRISTMAS by Debbie Mason - Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway


Enter for a chance to Win a
$25.00 Amazon eGift Card



SNOWBOUND AT CHRISTMAS
Christmas, Colorado #5
Debbie Mason
Releasing Sept 29th, 2015
Forever Romance



Surviving the holidays will take a Christmas miracle . . .

Ex-cop Cat O'Connor is bored working for her sister, Chloe, as a personal assistant on the set of her soap opera. Until Chloe gets an opportunity to audition for the role of a lifetime and asks her identical twin to substitute for her on the soap with no one the wiser. It's a perfect switch-until Cat attracts the attention of the mysterious Mr. Tall, Dark, and Way-too-handsome leading man.

Grayson Alexander never thought being snowbound in the charming town of Christmas, Colorado, for the holiday would get so hot. But between working with sexy, tough Cat on set and keeping his real reason for being there under wraps, he's definitely feeling the heat. And if there's one thing they'll learn as they bring out the mistletoe, it's that in this town, true love is always in season.




Janet Greaves Review:

Absolutely a wonderful heartwarming Christmas romance! I give this a 5 star rating! Chloe gets the role of a lifetime on a popular soap opera and asks her assistant and twin sister Cat to switch with her and take the role. Cat takes the role and all goes well until she meets Grayson Alexander, the dashingly gorgeous actor who plays alongside Cat. The love the sparks on set soon sparks in real life as Cat and Grayson find themselves attracted to one another and soon falling in love. Will their love spark and ignite this holiday season?

Debbie Mason did a wonderful job writing this story, truly phenomenal. A sweet and deeply romantic plot with some twists and turns and tons of heat to light up your holiday season! The characters are well developed and the reader feels right at home in Christmas, Colorado as Mason paints a cozy and inviting town with her vivid scenery. A book all lovers of Christmas and Romance will want to read!

BUY NOW
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a Rafflecopter giveaway






Debbie Mason is the bestselling author
of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their
"likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots" (RT Book
Reviews). She also writes historical paranormals as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod
series has received several nominations for best paranormal as well as a Holt
Medallion Award of Merit. When she isn't writing or reading, Debbie enjoys
spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children,
an adorable grandbaby, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.








Cinderella's Shoes by Shonna Slayton - Blog Tour


 
 
Cinderella's Shoes

by Shonna Slayton

Release Date: 10/06/15

Entangled Teen

 


Summary from Goodreads:

The war may be over, but Kate Allen’s life is still in upheaval. Not only has she discovered that Cinderella was real, but now she's been made Keeper of the Wardrobe, her sole responsibility to protect Cinderella’s magical dresses from the greed of the evil stepsisters’ modern descendants.

But Cinderella’s dresses are just the beginning. It turns out that the priceless glass slippers might actually exist, too, and they could hold the power to reunite lost loved ones like her father—missing in action since World War II ended. As Kate and her boyfriend, Johnny, embark on an adventure from New York to Italy and Poland in search of the mysterious slippers, they will be tested in ways they never imagined.

Because when you harness Cinderella's magic, danger and evil are sure to follow...

 

Add to Goodreads

First book in the series:

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iBooks

 

About the Author
 

SHONNA SLAYTON is the author of the YA novels Cinderella's Dress, (Summer 2014) and Cinderella's Shoes (Fall 2015) published by Entangled Teen. She finds inspiration in reading vintage diaries written by teens, who despite using different slang, sound a lot like teenagers today. When not writing, Shonna enjoys amaretto lattes and spending time with her husband and children in Arizona.

 

Author Guest Post:

Changing Technology

One of the fun aspects about writing historical novels is that you get to revisit old technology. For example, when my characters travel to Europe, they don’t fly because commercial airlines didn’t really get started until the 1950s. There were some commercial flights, during the time period of Cinderella’s Shoes, but not anywhere near like we see today! Most people crossed the Atlantic via ocean liners like the Queen Mary.

Fun fact: Orville Wright, one of the inventors of the airplane was still alive during WWII. He died in 1948, the year after Cinderella’s Shoes takes place. (His brother Wilber died in 1912.)  I wonder what Orville thought about how his invention was being used in the war!

Another technology that has change since the 1940s is the camera. In Cinderella’s Shoes, Kate’s boss gives her a Kodak Brownie Flash six-twenty camera to take photos on her trip. A camera like this would have cost around six dollars, and was a bulky square shape.

You would also need to buy film, and flash bulbs. For today’s generation, with cameras built into our phones, it would seem such a hassle to take a photo. Plus, you had to pay for processing, and couldn’t see how good a shot you had until it came back from developing. Oh, and the prints were black and white. Color film was available then, but more costly, and didn’t become widely used in the 1960s.

If you are interested in these 1940’s artifacts, check out my Pinterest board where I post photos and links to articles: 1940s Home Front

 

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

 


 
Book Tour Organized by:

 
YA Bound Book Tours