A Sister’s Wish and An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray | Blog Tour and 5-Book Giveaway

Don’t miss books three (A Sister’s Wish) and four (An Amish Family Christmas) in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Charmed Amish Life series. In A Sister’s Wish, when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces Amelia and Simon to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love . . . but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past. In An Amish Family Christmas, Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together . . . in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.
Enter to win a book pack (a copy of A Sister’s Wish and a copy of An Amish Family Christmas) from Shelley. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced November 7th on Shelley’s blog!

 

A Sister’s Wish (Avon Inspire, September 2016)
In Shelley Shepard Gray’s third book in her Charmed Amish Life series, a respectable young woman finds herself falling for an Amish man from the wrong side of the tracks.
Amelia Kinsinger is the perfect Amish woman—at least according to her neighbors. And while Amelia takes pride in her role as homemaker, she’s also harboring a secret: She’s been in love with bad boy Simon Hochstetler for as long as she can remember. Too bad he’s about as far from “perfect” as an Amish man could get… but that’s exactly why she’s so drawn to him.
Life hasn’t been kind to Simon. He ran away from an abusive home at fifteen and things went downhill from there. Eventually, Simon landed in prison. But the experience changed him. Now back in Charm as a grown man, he’s determined to make a new life for himself and not think too much about his wild past…unless it pertains to Amelia.
He’s loved Amelia for years. To him, she represents everything good and kind in the world. When he realizes that she returns his affections, he starts calling on her in secret, even though her older brother Lukas—who just happens to be Simon’s best friend—has made it perfectly clear that Amelia deserves better. Simon disagrees and believes he’s the only one who can truly make her happy.
But when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love… but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past.
Learn more and purchase a copy.

An Amish Family Christmas (Avon Inspire, October 2016)
In Shelley Shepard Gray’s fourth book in her Charmed Amish Life series, an unlikely Amish romance reveals that Christmas is a time for family, miracles—and love.
Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Newly returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi is trying to fit into his old life, only to discover he seems to have outgrown it.
But when Julia, his young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, Levi finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a job Levi takes personally. Soon enough, friendship grows into attraction, but Levi can’t help having doubts. There’s something about Julia that doesn’t ring quite true…
Like Levi, Julia Kemps has survived her fair share of hardships—but only by hiding the truth of her past. Being an unmarried mother in an Amish community was unthinkable. Feeling hopeless, Julia did the only thing she could do: she moved to a new town and pretended to be a widow. But meeting Levi, she’s hopeful for the first time. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret, and eventually…perhaps even sharing her life with him.
Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together…in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.
Learn more and purchase a copy.


About The Author

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 HOLT 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.
Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.




My Reviews

A Sister's Wish (The Charmed Amish Life, #3)


We are back in Charm Ohio and with the Kinsinger family, and this time the book focus is on Amelia, the younger sister in this family. We are also going to focus on Simon, and badly bruised and hurt young man who because of the family he was born to, has been around the block a few time and even served time in prison.
Simon has received forgiveness from his church for his sins, and has turned his life around, he does have nightmares from his past and others who offer forgiveness, haven’t let it go from their hearts. As in real life forgiveness is one of the hardest and a basis for our Christian faith, and yet so many struggle with it.
Simon has cared for Amelia since she was just a little girl, but is he worthy of her, after her family throws his past in his face, can he ever get his pride back?
I loved how strong a young woman Amelia is, and she sure has a lot of spunk, and adores her family, but she puts them in their place.
A wonderful Amish read, that will linger, and quickly become a page-turner.

We are back in Charm, Ohio and Levi Kinginger is back and again working in the family lumber business, he just got back from Florida, trying to get back to his life and dealing with the death of his father in the fire.
Julia Kemp and her five year old daughter Penny are new in town and attempting to acclimate themselves into the Amish community. Julia works at the local fabric store, and Penny attends the local Amish school. Julia is still coming to terms with her past, and how to best move on with their lives.
Of course our two main characters are bound to meet, but sparks soon seem to fly between them, and how will Julia be able to deal with this new person in her life? She is trying to put the past away, but Penny is a constant reminder, and the love of her life. Will Julia be able to trust another man, how about Penny she doesn’t have a father, will Levi be able to fill this void?

This is a fast pace story that begins on December 3rd and ends on Christmas Day December 25th, and once you start you will be quickly turning the pages to get to the answers.

I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
 

The Devoted (The Bishop's Family #3) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Fan Favorite Suzanne Woods Fisher Offers Readers Tender Romance, Humor, and Plenty of Surprises
Bright, curious, and restless, Ruthie Stoltzfus loves her family but is stuck in a sea of indecision about her future: Should she stay Amish? Or should she leave? She's done all she can to prepare to go--passed the GED, saved her money--but she can't quite set her journey into motion.
Patrick Kelly is a young man on a journey of his own. He's come to Stoney Ridge to convert to the Amish and has given himself thirty days to learn the language, drive a buggy, and adapt to "everything Plain." Time, to Patrick, is of the essence. Every moment is to be cherished, especially the hours he spends with Ruthie, his Penn Dutch tutor.
Ruthie's next-door neighbor and cunning ex-boyfriend, Luke Schrock, is drawn to trouble like a moth to a flame. Rebellious, headstrong, defiant, Luke will do anything to win Ruthie back--"anything"--and Patrick Kelly is getting in his way.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites readers back to Stoney Ridge for a story of dreams deferred and hopes fulfilled--complete with Fisher's signature twists that never fail to leave readers delighted.


Amazon



About The Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including "Amish Peace." She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California.

For more information, please visit suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher.




My Review

The Devoted is the third book in The Bishop’s Family series, and we get caught up in the lives of the Stoltzfus family. Lives have moved on, and now David is married to Birdie, so glad, and there are going to be new additions to the family with Katrina and Andy. Jessie is still pining for Min, and we hope he will move on, and lastly we have Ruthie still giving Luke second chances.
Some very horrendous acts are committed here, and you will really be shocked by some of them, I know I was. There is also a new fellow in town, and he of course, is keeping a secret, Patrick Kelly, he desires to become Amish in one month, huh?
You will soon be wrapped up in this book and page-turning to find out the answers to all of the questions that you are going to have. The end of this book will answer a lot of questions, but I could go on forever with this dear family, sad to have a series end.
Pick this one up and you won’t be disappointed, I recommend that you read the other equally great books, but this one can be read alone.
I received this book through the Publisher Revell’s Blogger Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.

Coffee, Tea or Me by Rich Amooi Blast and $100 Gift Card

 

Coffee, Tea or Me by Rich Amooi Susie opens a tea shop next to Jack’s coffee shop and the war begins. Jack Robbins has a booming coffee business, an eighty-year old customer who can’t keep his clothes on, and a rescue Chihuahua named Chimichanga that likes to kiss on the mouth. Life is good until the new business next door takes a bite out of his sales. Susie McKenna has the new tea shop everyone is talking about, an over-protective brother, and a stubborn, good-looking neighbor who is trying to steal her customers. Things really start to percolate when Jack and Susie both volunteer to help plan the downtown festival. They have to work together and soon Jack won't be able to get by without his daily fix of Susie. But can a coffee lover and a tea devotee put their competition aside to get their happily ever after?

 Praise for Coffee, Tea or Me "Fun, fun, and more fun!" "Sweet, heartwarming and good for the soul!" "Always funny, always entertaining." "A sweet romantic comedy."

   Author Rich Amooi

 Rich Amooi is a former Silicon Valley radio personality and wedding DJ who now writes romantic comedies full-time. He is happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain. Rich believes in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.

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$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 11/10/16 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.  


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40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood: Devotions and Coloring Book to Nourish Mom by Sarah Humphrey

Wouldn't it be marvelous if mothering came with a concrete set of instructions--an easy recipe we could follow? Instead, motherhood challenges women to find their faith, their true selves, and their family through daily doses of trial and error. It is a brilliant and healing time of life that is full of joy, pain, and beauty with a small side of crisis (and humor). What mothers do not know, they learn. And through this lifelong process of learning, they nurture and care for the most precious gifts on earth: children.
In a modern society where moms often have a full and busy plate, these 10 minute daily devotions focus on six key topics of motherhood:
- Self-acceptance
- Self-care
- Reconciling with grief, hope and expectations
- Generosity
- Presence
- Forgiveness
In addition to the devotions, these beautiful pages are adorned with handmade illustrations to help you refresh from long days or even occasional sleepless nights. So, grab your colors and a little quiet time for yourself while doodling at the kitchen table. You will be grateful you did!

Do you ever wish mothering came with a concrete set of instructions—an easy recipe to follow? Take a spiritual and creative breather from motherhood and invest ten minutes daily into the devotions found in Sarah Humphrey’s 40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood. In a modern society where moms often have a full and busy plate, these devotions focus on six key topics of motherhood. In addition to the devotions, the beautiful pages are adorned with handmade illustrations to help you refresh from long days or even occasional sleepless nights. So, grab your colors and a little quiet time for yourself while doodling at the kitchen table. You will be grateful you did!


Learn more and purchase a copy.

About The Author

 

Often considered a dreamer and silly heart, Sarah Humphrey uses inspiration from her most beloved career, motherhood, to fuel her passion for writing, creative movement and teaching. She has and is authoring several books and children’s books. Sarah currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three beautiful, bouncy kids.
Find out more about Sarah at http://sarahhumphrey.com.

My Review

Once I received my copy of this Devotional Coloring Book, I knew it was a blessing to share, and have given this to a new mother, and it was gratefully received. Knowing how hard it will be to find time for herself, this book lets a mom stop and think, with daily devotions keyed to a mom, and a place to be a bit creative, if only for herself to enjoy.
The book is set up for 40 days of doodling and devotion, a time for reflection, and a time to spend with God. Each day is set up with a short prayer, a bible verse, a place to color or doodle and a few devotional paragraphs.
Knowing how little time a new and seasoned mom has, and yet wanting to spend time in reflection and prayer, this little gem is really a great answer. A must have gift for any mom that you know.
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.

Amish Christmas Blessings: The Midwife's Christmas Surprise\A Christmas to Remember (Love Inspired) by Marta Perry Jo Ann Brown

Holiday Greetings From Amish Country 
The Midwife's Christmas Surprise by Marta Perry 
Three years ago, the man Anna Zook hoped to marry left her and their Amish community for the English world. Now devoted to proving her abilities as a midwife, Anna has given up on marriage and children for herself. But when Benjamin Miller returns, now a changed man, can delivering a Christmas baby reunite these two hurting hearts?
A Christmas to Remember by Jo Ann Brown  
When a little girl leads shop owner Amos Stoltzfus to an Amish woman in distress, he rushes them to his family's farm. "Linda" has no memory and doesn't know if the sweet child is her daughter or even her kin. As Christmas arrives and Linda's identity is revealed, will Amos be able to claim his holiday guests as his own?

Amazon

About The Authors

Marta Perry is a Pennsylvania-based author of over 35 novels, many of them inspirational romances. She uses her rural Pennsylvania life and her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in writing her books, especially in her Pleasant Valley Amish series for Berkley Books and her new Amish-set suspense series for HQN Books.

Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.

Website 

Jo Ann Brown has been creating characters and stories for as long as she can remember. Her first stories were populated with her friends and sisters. She wrote her first novel in high school, and it happily resides in the very back of her file cabinet. Fast forward through college, serving in the Army as a quartermaster officer, getting married, and increasing her blessings with three children...and Jo Ann sold her first book (a western historical romance) in 1987. Since it was published in 1988, she has sold over 100 titles and has become a best-selling and award-winning author. Romantic Times called her "a truly talented author." She writes romance, mystery, and paranormal under a variety of pen names. She currently writes for Harlequin Love Inspired Historical and Guideposts mystery series as Jo Ann Brown, and she writes paranormal, Regency romances, and mysteries for ImaJinn. She also is co-authoring an Amish series for Berkley with Cameron Dokey. They write as Marianne Ellis.
Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages and are sold on every continent except Antarctica. A sought-after speaker, she has been teaching creative writing for over 20 years, and she established several popular fiction courses at Brown University.
She has always lived on the east coast, but now resides in Nevada with her husband and two chubby cats.

Website 


My Review

With this book you get a double treat, and answers come quickly with these slightly over 100 page novellas, but they pack a lot in a small amount of pages.
With the first we are with Amish midwives, partners, in a clinic run at the Miller farm. Anna Zook lives her with Elizabeth Miller and her family and is gradually taking over more and more of the practice. The family is also living with the pain of having one son leave, but Ben shows up and how he is received and tries to put his life together is a big part of this book.
The second is the story of a woman Linda, a young girl, found by Amos Stoltfus, but the woman does not seem to remember anything except where she is now. As this story unravels, we fall in love with the little girl, and try to put ourselves in Linda’s shoes. We also find Amos caring more and move about this family, but what if she has a husband?
Great holiday stories and quick evening reads enjoy!
I received this book through Love Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review.

 

The Emerald Key by Mark Frederickson & Melora Pineda & $25 Gift Card

The Emerald Key by Mark Frederickson & Melora Pineda
Penny and Laci are headed for a mundane summer vacation until a mysterious journal unlocks a portal to another world and they find themselves face to face with a baby dragon. In an attempt to send their new acquisition back to its home, the girls, along with two neighborhood friends, get sucked through to a mythical world. In this land, they must battle foes seen and unseen, pushing them to both their physical and mental limits. If they fail to stop the powers they’ve unleashed, it could not only destroy this strange world, but also annihilate their own.

Praise for The Emerald Key
“In The Emerald Key, authors Mark Frederickson and Melora Pineda take readers on a fast-paced journey sure to enthrall not only middle-grade readers but their parents, as well. Laci and Penny will appeal to anyone looking for strong, resourceful female characters and the side characters are well-developed and hilarious, too (my favorite might be Buzz!).”
– Author Julie Gardner
“If you like fantasy and want adventure, this book is for you! It is entertaining for adults as well as middle-grade students…Just when you think there’s nothing new anyone could offer in a fantasy, these two authors prove you wrong. They have created a very believable new world fraught with danger and excitement at every turn. I couldn’t put it down.”
– Dani B
“I love the vivid characters and the way you can picture all the action…I would recommend this book for any age and it is a book that grandparents can buy for their grand kids and know that it is an exciting story and a safe read.”
– Amazon Customer
“A real page turner, loved it. This book is funny and an adventure story for both young and old readers. I’m looking forward to the next book!”
– MJP

Excerpt: 

WYVERNS ATTACK

Shooting flames and screeching at a pitch higher than should be possible, the Hellblaze Wyverns came in for the kill. With talons outstretched at the end of its muscular legs, one of them aimed for Hallvard and Laci. The pressure of the down draft from its massive wings bore upon them. Hallvard pulled Laci to his chest and lunged into the tall grass, rolling away from the beast. The Wyvern dove and grabbed at them, but was unable to secure a grip. One talon, however, made contact with Laci’s leg, ripping a gash into her thigh, twelve inches long and half an inch wide. It felt like her leg had caught fire, and she screamed accordingly. Hallvard threw his jerkin over them, in an attempt to make them look like a mound of dirt in the tall grass.

The other Wyvern shrieked a victory cry as it impaled its prey and lifted it off the ground.

Penny, who labored to keep up with their guide, stopped and looked in horror, trying to identify who became the Wyvern’s victim. In the darkness, she couldn’t make out the figure as it sailed away in the sky and landed on the other side of the hilltop. She turned around to count her friends, but the man yanked her arm again, jerking her head forward.

 

Blog Tour Schedule 

 


Mark Frederickson
Mark was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated UC Santa Barbara with a degree in film and has worked in the film industry for years. He has written several screenplays and had a show optioned by MTV. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Rebecca and his daughter Sara. This is his first novel, and hopefully not his last.

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Melora Pineda
After Melora graduated from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, she worked in the television industry for several years before becoming a library volunteer at her daughters’ school. Her passion for both reading and entertainment inspired her to write. This is her first novel. She currently lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and a pet bunny and a fish. Oh…never mind, the fish died.

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$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 10/30/16

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

Love in an Elevator Book Blast and $50 Giveaway

    

 Love in an Elevator: A Romantic Comedy Anthology Laugh, swoon, and escape with this romantic comedy anthology! Will an elevator ride change her life? In HOLD THE LIFT by Aven Ellis, Sierra Crawford ends up meeting sexy British hockey player Jude Parker after their elevator sticks. Sierra finds herself getting to know Jude—and she likes what she sees. But he wouldn’t be interested in a food-obsessed assistant editor right? Sierra knows she’s quirky—her fondness of Magic 8 Balls is proof of that—so there’s no way he could look her way. Or can he?
 In DOWN, THEN UP by Beth Labonte, Lauren Oswald never expected to see her college love, Jamie, again. Not after the way things ended. She certainly doesn’t expect to see him ten years later at a bachelorette party in Vegas, waiting inside a hotel elevator. Slightly older. Different haircut. No wedding ring. Same eyes. As the pair embark on a late night errand, Lauren is flooded with memories of how Jamie became the one that got away—and she realizes that this one night could be their last chance to make things right.
 In GOING UP? by Whitney Dineen, Fiona Kitchen had a dream when she moved to New York and it wasn’t taking a job as an elevator operator in a posh, West Side, apartment building. She also didn’t expect to meet a hot handyman, a Columbian drug lord and a notorious mob boss and then fall for one of them in a big way. Life in the Big Apple isn’t quite turning out the way she planned, but who said that was a bad thing?
In Becky Monson’s TAKING A CHANCE, Liza Parker has a fear of heights, crowds and small spaces. So what’s a girl like her doing on a crowded elevator going to the top of the Empire State Building? Freaking out, that’s what she’s doing. Enter Jay Sanders, a tourist who thinks he might be able to help Liza face her fears, but she has to be willing to spend the day with a complete stranger. Maybe taking a chance on Jay is just what Liza needs.
In HAPPY TO BE STUCK WITH YOU by Rich Amooi, Becca has had an office crush on Daniel—Mr. Delicious—for over a year. Getting stuck in an elevator with him was the last thing she expected. If only she can control her claustrophobia. To make matters worse, they're also stuck with an eighty-year-old man who has a weak bladder, and a penchant for playing cupid. But life is unpredictable. Sometimes, getting stuck is the best thing that can happen.
Computer genius Maisy Potter crosses an ocean to take her dream vacation at an English country estate … where the winsome Mark Prebys works below stairs. With him, Maisy discovers a carefree happiness she's never known. But will the troubles dogging her from back home, a secret or two whispered behind the parlour curtains, and misunderstandings to beat the band extinguish the magic they think they've found in each other? And if not, what happens when Maisy's enchanting holiday ends? Find out in UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS … AND THE LIFT IN BETWEEN by Geralyn Corcillo.
In THE ONLY WAY IS UP by Lindy Dale, Meet Bailey Burns: hottest thing on the literary circuit. And the most reluctant. After fainting in a lift and regaining consciousness to find herself kissing a stranger, Bailey thinks her week can’t get much worse. But it can. Much worse. Bailey is about to be proposed to by a crazed fan wearing a vampire costume. She’s about to discover she’s in relationship with the guy she kissed. Not only that, but said guy happens to be her new PR manager. Oh dear!
In OUT OF ORDER, by Dee Ernst, Grace has sworn off good-looking men. As soon as she starts dating one of them, she transforms from a mature, confident woman to a needy teen-aged girl. So when she meets Seth, the best-looking man she’s ever seen, she makes the right choice — forget all about him. But a neurotic golden retriever and a broken elevator keep bringing them together. Is the world working against her… or maybe the gods are finally smiling?

 

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Praise for the Book "...fun, easy, and highly entertaining reads, perfect for when you have a night in and need a little hit of frivolity and a happily ever after."-Author Jennifer Collin "Touching, funny, and--true to the elevator theme--an uplifting and wonderful ride." -Author Jo Perry

Grab a copy of Love in an Elevator for just 99 cents this week only!

 

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 11/2/16 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.




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