Letters from Santa (O Little Town of Christmas #7) by Becca Whitham

Army intelligence officer Alex Stevens has been trying to prove his father didn’t desert during WWII so his mother can receive survivor benefits. He’s followed every lead until it ran dry. Then Violet Poplovich, the daughter of another soldier who deserted at the same time as Alex’s father, walks into his office with a check she thinks came from the army. But the army doesn’t issue checks from the First National Bank of North Pole, Alaska. All Alex wants is the truth, and he wants Violet to help him find it.

Violet doesn’t want to believe her father’s a deserter, and she certainly doesn’t want to believe he’s been sending cashier’s checks for fifteen years without ever trying to contact her. Except maybe he has...disguised as Santa. When she receives some mysterious gifts, Violet is forced to consider that her father may be alive.

Both of them are looking for the same man, and the only person who can help is Santa. 

Amazon


About The Author

In addition to writing, I enjoy singing, playing the violin, and

papercrafting.  You can see some of my cards and other projects over

at http://becca-expressions.blogspot.com.

My Review

Living without your father for most of your life, and also living with the stigma of desertion during wartime, and meeting a person who has gone through the same. There is a twist here, in that one believes the others father is responsible for their father being blamed.
When these two hurting souls are drawn together, and decided to work together, there are answers to be found, and good to be done for others. Loved how everyone ends up at the same place in Alaska at the same time, and even more information just happens to become available while they are there.
Come and see a spark of romance between foes, and see the spirit of Christmas come to prevail, and maybe a bit more. A sweet free read.
I received this book free though Amazon, and was not required to give a positive review.

Titus Returns (Wells Landing #5) by Amy Lillard

In Wells Landing, Oklahoma s warm and welcoming Amish community, there s always hope for a new beginning and a second chance "
Five tumultuous years have changed Titus Lambert in every way. Back then, Titus was preparing to marry his longtime sweetheart, Mandy Yoder. Then came the unthinkable a tragic car wreck that left Titus serving time for vehicular manslaughter.
Titus isn t sure he belongs in this peaceful place anymore, but he must make amends. When he goes to visit the Kings, whose son, Alvin, died that terrible night, he s shocked to see that their farm has fallen into disrepair. Alvin s sister, Abbie, resents Titus s reappearance, but there s no denying she needs his help. Honest toil and their evolving friendship slowly help his soul to heal. But with his feelings for Mandy still strong, Titus must choose between two very different futures, and find the strength and faith to claim the surprising gift of a fresh start.

Praise for Amy Lillard
An inspirational story of romance, faith, and trust will appeal to fans of Wanda Brunstetter and Beverly Lewis.

Amazon


About The Author

I'm a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.

I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I've retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I'm from Texas. (?) Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son--a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course!

I love homemade tacos, nail polish, and romance novels--not necessarily in that order. I'm a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I'm shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.

I believe that God is love. I guess that's why I adore romances.

I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) But until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my penchant for romance. Okay, okay, I'm a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture. I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that's me June Cleaver with a laptop.

Website  



My Review

As you see by reading about this book, Titus has returned from jail, still full of guilt, and feeling that he has wronged everyone in his community. He decides to put his guilt to a purpose he takes it upon himself to help the Kings, Alvin had been his best friend, and his twin Abbie has not been able to forgive.
We see the consequences of others actions here, and what a reminder, and unfortunately the domino effect of how so many lives are touched. Now he has to face his demons and ask his Amish Community for forgiveness, part of their faith, easy to say, but hard to do.
Just when I felt the book was wrapped up, wow, a whole new set of problems show up, and this time, I felt that maybe the real catalyst for his leaving has presented itself.
This book is really going to make you think, and is very unusual as you we don’t hear of Amish in prison, and the mind pictures of that is hard for me to conjure. This book is going to make you think, enjoy!
I received this book through Net Galley and Kensington Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review. 

FREEBIE!!! Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson

 Don't miss this fabulous freebie! Grab your copy of Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson
 today!!

   



Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson After years of pinching pennies and struggling to get through art school, Emma Makie’s hard work finally pays off with the offer of a dream job. But when tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to make a cross-country move to Colorado Springs to take temporary custody of her two nieces. She has no money, no job prospects, and no idea how to be a mother to two little girls, but she isn’t about to let that stop her. Nor is she about to accept the help of Kevin Grantham, her handsome neighbor, who seems to think she’s incapable of doing anything on her own. Prejudice Meets Pride is the story of a guy who thinks he has it all figured out and a girl who isn't afraid to show him that he doesn't. It’s about learning what it means to trust, figuring out how to give and to take, and realizing that not everyone gets to pick the person they fall in love with. Sometimes, love picks them.


   

Playlist for a Paper Angel by Jacqueline Ward

One child found, one child missing – what's the connection?

DS Jan Pearce is still searching for her missing son. When she finds a little girl, Elise, alone in a pram in a busy town centre, she must unravel a mystery that takes her to the edge of her emotions. Then another child, Dara Price, goes missing.

Lisa Connelly, Elise's mother, has been forced into a life of prostitution and has been leaving her little girl alone. Her gangland boss is holding her prisoner but she wants her little girl back.

Jan finds herself balancing her search for her son with finding Dara. Her right hand man, Mike Waring, is on another case so she and her temporary partner, profiler Damien Booth, must solve the puzzle and find Lisa before time runs out for Dara.

Playlist for a Paper Angel is the second in the DS Jan Pearce series of novels and is the sequel to Random Acts of Unkindness.

About The Author

I’m a writer from Manchester in the North West of England.
I’ve been writing all my life and have had articles and short stories published in different magazines and anthologies, but it’s only in the past five years that I have started to write novels.
It’s been a very interesting five years. I’ve learned so much through talking to others, attending book launches, from online forums and by, of course, reading books.
I’m interested in the publishing industry and all its twists and turns, and I’m interested in writers and how they work. But I’m also interested in readers and how they perceive work. My deeper interests lie in how storytellers construct themselves and, given that everyone’s lives are constructed with stories, how people understand the concept of truth.
I had a break from writing novels and studied storytelling from a psychological perspective, and this interest permeates all my work and all my life.  I am fascinated by the interface between the mind and the external world, the inner and the outer, and where writing sits on that interface as meaning making.  In my own writing I hope that I am forming a bridge with the reader that communicates not only words, but the silent messages that punctuate our world and bring vivid images to stories that are about war, crime, its perpetrators and its victims.
How does all this translate into my writing? I arrived at the place I am now, with my completed novels, by really working on communicating how the world is through my characters, how it is for them when they are caught up in the currents between good and bad. I want to tell stories of what these events are, how the mind works, how those who solve problems are really just ordinary people as well as heroes, and how those on the outskirts are often left with the burden of shame and regret.
I also write screenplays. I’ve completed several screewriting courses and I absolutely love writing scripts. I have two in development right now and I have received some very good feedback – this will be a major focus of my 2016 writing life.
Fitting writing into my busy life isn’t easy, but for me it’s essential –  I just have to write. I hope you feel that you just have to read it!


My Review

While I was reading this book I realized that this was the second book in the series, but I didn’t need to read the first one, to enjoy this one, now I need to go back as I can see there is going to be a third.
This book has the unthinkable, and the things that happen are things that we never want to even consider, and yet the author made it so real, that sadly I believe it could be going on.
The story takes place in England, but I had no problem imaging the horror that takes place happening anywhere. A book that once you start with the first page you will be page turning and hoping for the best. The perpetrators of these crimes are the personification of pure Evil, and you will be rooting for them to burn in hell.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kindle, and was not required to give a positive review.

House of Silence by Sarah Barthel

Oak Park, Illinois, 1875. Isabelle Larkin s future like that of every young woman hinges upon her choice of husband. She delights her mother by becoming engaged to Gregory Gallagher, who is charismatic, politically ambitious, and publicly devoted. But Isabelle s visions of a happy, profitable match come to a halt when she witnesses her fiance commit a horrific crime and no one believes her.
Gregory denies all, and Isabelle s mother insists she marry as planned rather than drag them into scandal. Fearing for her life, Isabelle can think of only one escape: she feigns a mental breakdown that renders her mute, and is brought to Bellevue sanitarium. There she finds a friend in fellow patient Mary Todd Lincoln, committed after her husband s assassination.
In this unlikely refuge, the women become allies, even as Isabelle maintains a veneer of madness for her own protection. But sooner or later, she must reclaim her voice. And if she uses it to expose the truth, Isabelle risks far more than she could ever imagine.
Weaving together a thread of finely tuned suspense with a fascinating setting and real-life figures, Sarah Barthel's debut is historical fiction at its most evocative and compelling.


About The Author

Being raised on classic films and old time musicals, it isn’t surprising that Sarah Barthel found her passion in writing historical fiction. She often says she was born out of time, but appreciates modern toothpaste and chocolate! Her hometown, just outside Chicago, is full of old-fashioned charm and serves as inspiration for much of her work. Before writing House of Silence, she drove past Bellevue Sanitarium often and wondered what life was like there for women like Mary Lincoln. After many years of wondering, Isabelle’s story was born. She lives with her two beautiful daughters and loving husband. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter or Sarahebarthel.com.  

My Review

Talk about saving face, Isabelle Larkin’s mother will go to all extreme’s to stay in societies graces. At least that is how it appears when she is looking for a husband for her daughter, and once found, she will not give up until they are wed.
Gregory Gallagher has Oak Park, Illinois society falling all over him, but he has chosen Isabelle, and life looks good for all. When Gregory shows a sign of himself that Isabelle has never seen, and would never want to see again, she knows she must be rid of him. Her Mother of course, will hear nothing about her not marrying, and she tries her best to snap Isabelle back into the person she wants her to be and do what she wants.
Wow, maybe having money is really not worth it, but this is another era in America and 1875 is a very different time that current time, but if you don’t have your mother on your side, we see what Isabelle is determined to do.
She is one smart and clever girl, and when she is at the sanitarium, she is one good actress. The author has put a bit of history into this book by including Mary Todd Lincoln, and yes she was actually present at the time this fictional character was also here.
As you turn the pages you never know what is going to happen next, and I kept hoping that they will all survive.
I received this book through Net Galley and Kensington Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

Conspiracy of Silence (Tox Files #1) by Ronie Kendig

Four years after a tragic mission decimated his career and his team, Cole “Tox” Russell is persona non grata to the United States. And that’s fine—he just wants to be left alone. But when a dormant, centuries-old disease is unleashed at an archaeological dig where three Bronze-era censers are found, Tox is lured back into action. Partnered with an archaeologist and an FBI agent who’s an expert in deception, Tox and his team are pitted against a secret society, a plague dubbed the New Black Death, and a revered codex—which may hold the key to stopping the deadly outbreak.

Amazon


About The Author

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. She married her own hunky hero, who’s an Army veteran. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her husband have a full life with four children and two dogs. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of raw, broken characters. Since launching onto the publishing scene, Ronie’s Rapid-Fire Fiction has hit the CBA Bestseller List, won the prestigious Christy Award, finaled in numerous contests and reader awards, including ACFW Carol Awards, RWA’s Faith, Hope, & Love’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Awards, Christian Retailing’s Readers’ Choice Awards, INSPY Award, The Christian Manifesto Lime Awards, and FamilyFiction’s Readers’ Choice Choice Awards. Ronie loves people and helping other writers through speaking, workshops, and/or mentoring. Find Ronie at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction) , Twitter (@roniekendig), and GoodReads.  


My Review

For a person that people think is dead Tox is a very active from beginning to the end of this book, but there are those that were close to him that have trouble with all that happened before.
The story begins at an archeology dig and the finding of what could be the end of society, and crossing the globe to retrieve and try to end what could happen.  If you are a person who enjoys action, this book will keep you on the end of you seat, and linger for a long time, all the while making you think that this seems so very real.
The author has done a wonderful job of bringing this story from Biblical times to the present, and I can just imagine how awesome it must have been at that dig, at least in the beginning. We all know that Evil lurks, and you will feel like you at an Indiana Jones movie, with that big stone coming at you.

I received this book through the Publisher Bethany House and their Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop ~ $10 Amazon Gift Card

Welcome to my last Giveaway Hop of 2016, for this one I'm giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card, to add to your celebration. Just fill in the attached Rafflecopter, and make sure I have a way of reaching you. Good Luck!

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED



a Rafflecopter giveaway

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Pressents: The Battle for Christmas by Jeremy Hinshaw & Giveaway

   


The Battle for Christmas by Jeremy Hinshaw After training and practicing for the auditions, Andy's friends excelled. Andy, however, failed miserably. When the positions were posted, his worst fears came true - he was the only angel not given a job for the birth of Lord Jesus. Would Andy be the only angel not to have an assignment for this climactic event? How did Heaven defend Bethlehem from the onslaught of Lucifer and his horde of demons?



 



 Praise for the Book This was a great book to bring alive the story of Jesus birth, especially for those who have heard it many times before. Although fiction, it challenges us to remember that we are not doing this on our own. There is a whole army of angels at our disposal. Thank you Jeremy for captivating my thoughts and painting such a glorious picture, not often considered when thinking of that blessed day. From the very beginning as you described the landscapes I was hooked. The details breaking out the characters and each one's place in the story are masterfully woven. The story is packed with enough intrigue, adventure, and truth to be enticing to readers of all ages, and especially the youth of today. Compared to other books I have read on the subject, this one takes the cake with its creative story-line that is jam packed with adventure, humor, and close-calls. I recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of adventure. A fresh take on the matter that is certain to wow its readers. Especially those interested in a view behind the veil that we all know exists! I loved The Battle for Christmas. Not only is it a book I’ll read again, but it’s also a book I can’t wait to share with my children and nieces and nephews. In The Battle for Christmas we get a great fantasy paired with reminders of our hope and our faith. Plus, what an adventure! I really liked Andy. He’s the type of character young readers will want to emulate, and one we’ll want our children to emulate. I think his gift is one we all struggle with and one of the most important.



 

  “We had to send angels to Earth to speak to people in dreams. Because of what was going to happen, some of the humans needed direct communication from Heaven to prepare for His Majesty’s birth. IDTs would be needed as guards for John the Baptist, Elisabeth, and Zechariah, not to mention Herod, the scribes, the wise men, the shepherds, and the …” “The shepherds needed guards?” “What about Mary and Joseph?” “Well, of course, the shepherds needed protection. What would happen if the Heavenly Host showed up to proclaim the Lord’s birth and no one was there? Everyone needed protection. The day Lucifer tricked Eve, the Lord Almighty cursed Lucifer. The Lord Almighty warned Lucifer that Lord Jesus was going to crush his head and Lucifer would be lucky to strike at Lord Jesus’s foot. Lucifer didn’t want this to happen. He knew if Lord Jesus was going to be born, it would be another step closer to his demise.



    



Author Jeremy Hinshaw Jeremy Hinshaw grew up in central Indiana. He graduated from Olivet Nazarene University, and now resides in Muncie, Indiana.

Website * Facebook

 


Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/3/17 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  


  a Rafflecopter giveaway

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Presents: Guardian Of The Way by Diane Moat Book Blast & Giveaway

 

Guardian of the Way by Diane Moat It’s been two centuries since someone murdered the last Guardian of the Way, closing off this world from the many realms of magic and fae. Cassiopeia “Cass” Wilson is an eighteen-year-old living on her own for the first time. The only magic she’s interested in is the kind that will help her pay the bills on time. Little does she know that a trip to the hospital after a fainting spell will change her life forever. Cass soon learns she may be fae, and everything points to her being the next Guardian of the Way. There’s just one problem: whoever—or whatever—killed the last Guardian wants Cass dead too. Cass quickly runs into problems, and an attack by djinn is just the first. But Cass joins forces with a wrath daemon, were-creatures, and fae on a quest to reach the Lighthouse—the site of the Way. Cass soon learns about wizards desperate to keep the Way closed to serve their dark purposes, and she comes to a crossroads: will she take the test to become the new Guardian and leave her normal life behind? Or will the Way remain closed to all who need it?


   


Praise for Guardian of the Way "Cass Wilson takes us right along with her in this journey, revealing a world she never knew existed, with a diverse new tribe of companions, protectors, and friends. A must read for anyone who wonders what else is out there beyond what we can see." by C.S. "A strong story, full of surprises. Getting there is half the fun, but is she meant for this challenging job between many worlds? Quite worth a read." by M. Hayden


 

Excerpt A massive lighthouse sits off the coast of Maine near the town of Cutler. The building has stood empty for over two-hundred years. Those who can make out the edifice view a tower of stone and paned glass unlike any other lighthouse they have ever seen. The specific dimensions are hard to determine as this structure, unlike most lighthouses, is not a single tower. Instead, it has a broader base than usual, with what appear to be turrets at the top. The construction may even consist of two buildings connected at the middle. But not many people question this odd lighthouse, or even wonder why it remains vacant. This is because most Humans can’t actually see the Lighthouse. A few who have a drop of Fey, Were or “Other” blood may perceive an ordinary lighthouse. And some instinct guides these souls to avoid the building, though they wouldn’t be able to voice why if they were asked. True Fey, Were, Vampires, and other supernatural beings can certainly identify the building known to them as the Lighthouse, but none of them dare try to enter. Those genuine descendants know the Way is blocked, and has been for the two-hundred years the Lighthouse has stood dark. The place has sat empty since the most recent Lighthouse Guardian died one horrible night at thepinnacle. The Guardian had only been Guardian for four-hundred years and was killed well before his time. Inside the Lighthouse lies the only permanent causeway (the “Way”) between the worlds of magic and the world of the mundane. Fey, Were, Vampires and other non-Humans, despite the barrier to journeying across from inside the Lighthouse, could still travel between these two worlds using costly magic spells—but such a trip is difficult and dangerous. The entrance to the Way closed at the time of the Guardian’s death, and neither magic nor mundane had been able to open it since. On one late evening in particular, a large man sat under a tree just outside of Cutler, eating the stew his mate had made earlier and placed in a storage dish. The season was early fall, but already the nights had a bite to them. The man was on his third shift of watch duty in a row. He had pulled this job ten months previously and was glad the rotations were only a year long. He would be back home in Louisiana before the truly bitter winter was well underway. The man was suddenly blinded by a light coming from the very top of the Lighthouse. The man’s reflexes were frighteningly quick, but even so he dropped his stew. Flabbergasted, he stared directly at the light for a full twenty seconds, until he no longer cared about the meal. He turned away from the brightness, and shedding his clothes, he found his legs shortening and his arms lengthening. In less than a minute, a large dark-grey Wolf shook himself once, then again. Glancing back for a final look at the Lighthouse, the Wolf began running toward the town. He wouldn’t stop running until he was at his pack leader’s house. From there, word would spread like a virus. Everything was different now. For somewhere in this ordinary domain, two minutes before, a brand-new Guardian had been born.

     



Author Diane Moat When not creating fantastical worlds of young adult fiction, Diane Moat spends her time in Tennessee as an animal rescuer and nurse. Her various rescue dogs often assist her in the creative process.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Blog Tour Schedule

   


$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 1/1/17 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  


 a Rafflecopter giveaway

ScriptureDoodle God’s Promises: A Six-Week Devotional Experience by April Knight

ScriptureDoodle God’s Promises refreshes believers who are feeling burned out or stuck in a rut in their relationship with God. Each of the creative worship prompts in this interactive guide includes biblical encouragement and ideas for worship through art. Artist April Knight includes creative lettering tips, color ideas, and completed examples to inspire readers to respond to promises in Scripture related to trust, faith, and the power of God’s Word in all circumstances.

This unique blend of Bible study and creative expression provides the opportunity to connect with God as Creator in a new, life-changing way.

Often, in the busyness of life, Christians forget that God created them to enjoy creativity. With guided instruction and completed examples, this beautiful book invites readers to draw closer to God through their own art.

More than a coloring book, ScriptureDoodle is a combination of Bible study, creative expression, and artistic community with artwork shared online at #scripturedoodle. Exploring topics such as being generous, finding rest, and facing grief, ScriptureDoodle gives the heart the creative space it needs. This book stimulates the reader’s imagination and helps integrate God’s Word into everyday life.


About The Author

April Knight is a worship artist based in Asheville, North Carolina. Knight’s work includes live worship painting and leading ScriptureDoodle workshops online and at conferences and retreats around the country and internationally. Her family of four is her greatest joy, along with serving alongside her husband at their local church.


My Review

Scripture Doodle is awesome to use in your devotional walk with God, and as you turn the first few pages there is a page that tells you how to use. There are two six-week devotionals to choose from, and each will bring you deeper in your worship and relationship with God.
What a great way to begin each day with a bible verse, and reflection and a way to put yourself in that verse, and then adding a doodle or drawing of your own, showing how you have been touched, and add to your own personal journey with God.
These would make a wonderful gifts for that special person, a unique present that actually keeps on giving, or keep for your own personal use, and grown your own spiritual life.
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Virtual Book Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.


  

Write Now Literary Presents: Never Book Release Tour by Joy Avery

Write Now Literary is pleased to announce Never, Book Release Tour with author Joy  Avery on December 13, 2016.

Publication Date: November 14, 2016.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

ASIN: B01MSLP8FO

About The Book

Never say what love can't—or won't—do.

Balloon Artist Gadiya Lassiter never imagined waking up without the love of her life, small-town fire chief Nico Dupree. Then one day, it becomes her tortured reality. Fast-forward two years…he's back and making his intentions to rekindle their flame known. But she vows to never love him again. As determined as she is to keep her heart out of his hands, love seems to have its own agenda.

For Nico, returning home to Mount Pleasance, North Carolina is not without its benefits. The most valuable, Gadiya. He’s determined to reclaim her heart—despite her obvious goal to hate him. But he’s not giving up on her; not again. He’ll just have to convince her the disdain she harbors for him is far less potent than the love he knows she still has for him. And he'll do it one scorching kiss at a time.

As their attraction grows hotter and hotter, will Gadiya be able to escape the flames, or will Nico's fire consume her?

About The Author

By day, Joy Avery works as a customer service assistant. By night, the North Carolina native travels to imaginary worlds—creating characters whose romantic journeys invariably end happily ever after.

Since she was a young girl growing up in Garner, Joy knew she wanted to write. Stumbling onto romance novels, she discovered her passion for love stories; instantly, she knew these were the type stories she wanted to pen.  Real characters. Real journeys. Real good love is what you’ll find in a Joy Avery romance.

Joy is married with one child. When not writing, she enjoys reading, cake decorating, pretending to expertly play the piano, driving her husband insane, and playing with her two dogs.

Joy is a member of Romance Writers of America and Heart of Carolina Romance Writers.

Excerpt

Nico allowed Gadiya to escape his hold. He may not have broken her shell, but he’d surely cracked it. As she made her way across the floor, he said, “I’ll tell you what’s a waste of time. Your fighting this. You have a right to be pissed at me, Gadiya, but you can’t deny you still feel something for me.”

This stopped her in her tracks. Whipping around, she charged him like a raging bull. “Anything I may have felt for you in the past is long gone. I feel nothing for you now, Nico Dupree. Nothing. And I never will.”

“Is that why you’re still single?” He regretted the words the moment they escaped. There could have been a myriad of reasons why she wasn’t in a relationship, none of them having anything to do with him.

Gadiya slowly shook her head, something in her expression turning sad. “The reason I’m still single has nothing to do with you. But if you must know, I decided to never give my heart to another man, because the one man I trusted with it, shattered it into tiny pieces. I loved that jerk, that coward, far more than he deserved. I loved him far more than breathing, which was okay, because, with him, I never feared suffocating. He gave me life. Then he took it away.”

Nico hadn’t expected her powerful summation. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t move toward her, could hardly breathe. All he could do was dumbly stare into her glistening eyes, then at her back as she turned to leave.

Gadiya stopped at the door. Over her shoulder, she said, “On second thought, I guess my being single has everything to do with you. I never want to see you again, Nico. You are dead to me. Just like the idea of me ever loving you again.”

With that, she was gone.

Amazon

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Tour hosted by Write Now Literary Book Tours 

www.wnlbooktours.com

Click here To Follow the Tour 

Photographs from the Edge: A Master Photographer's Insights on Capturing an Extraordinary World by Art Wolfe

With more than 500,000 books sold, celebrated nature photographer Art Wolfe recounts the stories and techniques behind the images of his forty-year career around the world.
Legendary photographer Art Wolfe presents an intimate behind-the-scenes guide to the experiences, decisions, and methods that have influenced forty years of stunning images captured around the world. Wolfe and co-author Rob Sheppard transport readers on a global journey, while carrying on a dialog about photography, tools and process, world travel, close calls, and photographic opportunities both taken and missed. From the rich sights and smells of the Pushkar Camel Fair to the exact moment when a polar bear and her cubs leave their arctic den, Photographs from the Edge represents the instances when circumstance, light, and subject miraculously collide to form an iconic image.  Many of these photographs can never be duplicated as cultures and landscapes are transformed and wildlife diminishes or disappears all together. No matter his subject, Wolfe regales us with the stories behind the photographs and helps us experience life on the world's most unique photo safari. Photographs from the Edge is a lifetime of experience distilled into a rich photographic education.

Amazon



About The Author

Over the course of his forty year career, photographer Art Wolfe has worked on every continent and in hundreds of locations. His photographs are recognized throughout the world for their mastery of color, composition and perspective. Wolfe's photographic mission is multi-faceted: art, wildlife advocacy, education, and journalism inform his work.

Wolfe is the host of the award-winning television series Art Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge, an intimate and upbeat series that offers insights on nature, culture, and the realm of digital photography. It now airs worldwide. He was also featured in the 2015 Canon Australia/National Geographic Channel production Tales by Light, now streaming globally on Netflix.

Since his first publication in 1978, Wolfe has released 100 books in all editions; 2014 saw the release of his magnum opus Earth Is My Witness; this mega project features Wolfe's favorite photos taken so far and is garnering international accolades and awards. In 2015 it was published by National Geographic in France (Hymne à la Terre) and Germany (Eden). Published in 2016 are a revised edition of Migrations and Photographs from the Edge: A Master Photographer's Insights on Capturing an Extraordinary World.

Website 


My Review

This book is the next best thing to being there myself, and it makes me want to travel. Art Wolfe has gifted us with this genius, and forty years of experience.
Not only are we given the beautiful photo, we are told about the nature of the picture, such as the one on polar bears. Then there is a photo tip along with the camera, lens and film used. He shares with us the time of the day, and other tidbits that were used, fascinating.
There are decades of work here from the 1980’s concluding in 2015. Found myself turning the pages, and seeing images, through the author’s eyes, and yet marveling what I might not have seen if I had been there.
What a wonderful gift this book is, and one I began turning pages, I couldn’t stop looking and then I wanted more, and went on to the next, a keepsake for sure.
I received this book through Blogging For Books, and was not required to give a positive review. 

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Presents: Felicity and the Fire Stoppers Book Blast & Giveaway

 


Felicity and the Fire Stoppers by Loralee Evans


 Felicity is no stranger to adventure, and not much surprises the little sparrow any more. Even if it’s a visit from an old enemy! But when she sees something that looks suspiciously like…smoke in the mountains near her home, Felicity realizes that she’ll need to use all her smarts and courage to help her friends. Especially when a group of fire fighters, or as the animals in the Wildwood say, fire stoppers, needs her help!


 

Praise for the Book:

“This new adventure is both novel and exciting with language, dialogue and plotline very well arranged and pitched, in my opinion, for the target audience of children 6 to 10 years.” –PFID, Amazon Reviewer

“Reading this story was a real treat. I loved the simplicity of the writing and will certainly read this story to my children.” Sheena Perry, Amazon Reviewer

"Felicity’s bird's-eye view of the world is fun, charming, and traverses the magic of human and nature alike…” D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Author Loralee Evans

 Some of Loralee Evans' earliest memories are of sitting with her mom or dad while they read her stories like The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, or Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. These memories, along with many great teachers who got her excited about reading are what helped her develop a love of books, and of writing. She has lived in Missouri, Texas, and Utah, and even spent a year and a half in Japan! Some of her favorite authors are James Dashner, C.S. Lewis, Heather B. Moore, and J.R.R. Tolkien. Felicity and the Fire Stoppers is her sixth book.

 Website * Facebook * Twitter * Blog

  Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Code or Paypal Cash Enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/1/17 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pursuing Gold: A Novel of the Civil War by Cynthia L Simmons

With his father dead and his business partner incapacitated, Peter Chandler inherits the leadership of a bank in economic crisis.
With only a newly-minted college degree and little experience, Peter joins his partner’s daughter, Mary Beth Roper, in a struggle to keep C&R Bank afloat while the Civil War rages around Chattanooga. Political pressure for unsecured loans of gold to the government stirs up trouble as tempers and prices rise. Their problems multiply when Mary Beth discovers counterfeit money with Peter’s forged signature. Can they find the forger before the bank fails? The two friends must pursue gold on behalf of their business, as they learn to pursue their heavenly Father to find hope and peace.
Learn more and purchase a copy.


About The Author

Cynthia L Simmons and her husband, Ray, have five children and reside in Atlanta. She has taught for over thirty years as a homeschool mother and Bible teacher. She’s a columnist for Leading Hearts Magazine and she directs Atlanta Christian Writing Conference. Cyndi has a heart for encouraging women in today’s crazy, upside-down world. She loves history and peppers her speaking and teaching with fascinating vignettes from the past. Her first book, "Struggles and Triumphs," was nominated for 2008 Georgia Author of the Year. She co-founded Homeschool Answers and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio.


My Review

Peter Chandler is reluctantly, but doing all he has, running his father’s bank after his untimely death. His father’s partner is also on his deathbed, and his daughter Mary Beth, is near exhaustion taking care of him.
The bank is backed by gold, yes they do not print currency, and when some shows up they know that this is counterfeit, but what to do, and these two are about to put their lives on the line trying to save this bank. They are also thrown together when Mary Beth’s father asks a favor of Peter, and it is one he has always wanted to do.
A very fast pace book, that was read in no time, but lingers and makes you want more, as we become absorbed in the Civil War in Chattanooga TN. You will find yourself ducking as the shells begin to drop. All the while we are looking for clues, even in a hospital, full of injured soldiers. With all the danger we wonder if all we care about will survive, and if the gold from the bank and the golden scripture from God will lead them.
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.