Wednesday, May 31, 2017

"A Ruby Glows" by Kari Trumbo Blog Tour and give Away


 
Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book


 
Book: A Ruby Glows  
Author: Kari Trumbo  
Genre: Historical Christian Romance
Release Date: Jan 3, 2017  

Ruby’s heart froze as she threw her dead husband over the cliff.When Beau walks into her life, one glance has her running from her past. He couldn’t want someone like her. It should be easy to avoid his quiet charm.If he can convince her she’s a prize, not prey, he might have a chance. Beau’s captivated when Ruby scrambles from him whenever he gets too close. Her sweetness is an allure he can’t fight. Can Beau convince Ruby she is beloved?

My Review!
"A Ruby Glows" by Kari Trumbo is the 15th book in the  (Cutter's Creek) saga, There are 19 books in the saga.  Ok, here is a shock for my blog followers, I have not read the first 14 books only the first three, but I am going to say if "A Ruby Glows" by Kari Trumbo is the only book you read in this saga I believe you will enjoy the series and get the full effect of the book. There are mentions of characters  from the other books written by Kari Trumbo for this saga but it didn't leave me feeling like I had missed anything by not knowing these character's story  before reading "A Ruby Glows".   See, the shock!

This paragraph is from part of Kari's Trumbo's guest post on my blog ( I know if you follow my blog, you will get the whole post, but for my review on Amazon and Goodreads, I am including this.)
"Cutter’s Creek is a series written by myself and three other Christian authors. Though there are numbers on each book, you don’t have to read them in order to get into the series, in fact, since each author writes in their own time period it might be somewhat confusing. Especially if you like a consecutive story. However, they are all stand-alone books and can be read in any order. If you like to read them in date order, you’ll want to read Kit Morgan’s books first, then Vivi Holt, Annie Boone, and finally mine, that will put them roughly in time order."

I have read the first three of Kit Morgan's and I will finish the series because that is how I am.

This book is a western love story but first Ruby must believe that she can trust Beau with her past secrets.  I really like the name Beau for the hero in this story because he wants to be Ruby's beau( a play on words, I think it fits well.)   This book mentions alcohol addiction and spousal abuse, not really in a lot of details but it is there!

There is another story developing within this story about a missing wife,  and seven sisters that is left with a cliff hanger but I think we get the rest of those stories in book 19.

I think Beau is my favorite character in this story because he searches for the truth and the character I hate is Ruby's father ( hey, it is fiction so I can hate someone right).

This book leaves you feeling that love can come after a bad childhood!

I am giving "A Ruby Grows" by Kari Trumbo 5 stars.

I was given a complimentary copy by Celebrate Lit and the author. These opinions are my own.







About the Author



Kari Trumbo is an inspirational romance author, blogger and proud home schooling mother to four great kids. She interacts often on reader groups on Facebook and volunteers at the local library when needed. When she isn’t writing, she is obsessively reading and expanding her skills as a wordsmith. Kari lives in her great-grandfather’s remodeled 1890-built home in central Minnesota with her husband, children, cats, and one hungry wood stove.

Guest post from Kari Trumbo

Greetings! I hope this isn’t your first introduction to Cutter’s Creek, but if it is, let me explain a bit about it. Cutter’s Creek is a series written by myself and three other Christian authors. Though there are numbers on each book, you don’t have to read them in order to get into the series, in fact, since each author writes in their own time period it might be somewhat confusing. Especially if you like a consecutive story. However, they are all stand-alone books and can be read in any order. If you like to read them in date order, you’ll want to read Kit Morgan’s books first, then Vivi Holt, Annie Boone, and finally mine, that will put them roughly in time order.

The Cutter’s Creek series has been a huge blessing to me. I’ve gotten to write with some wonderful authors and learned so much about writing a series together. So, out of my Cutter’s Creek books, why did I choose Ruby over Lily, Ivy, or Carol…well, I hate to play favorites, but Ruby is my favorite. She’s quiet, and her strength is surprising. She has a big trial, and some hurt to work through, but when you find the right person to help you through it, that’s a gift more precious than anything.

 I hope you love Ruby as much as I do. Blessings, Kari

Blog Stops

May 26: A Greater Yes
May 27: Carpe Diem
May 29: Bigreadersite 
May 31: Mary Hake


Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Kari is giving away signed print copies of A Lily Blooms, A Penny Shines, and A Ruby Glows!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b3de
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Monday, May 29, 2017

"Mighty To Save" by Caryl McAdoo Book Tour and Give Away


 
Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book



Book: Mighty to Save  

Author: Caryl McAdoo  

Genre: Christian Historical Romance  

Release Date: May 15, 2017

Contrary to her parents’ wishes, Evelyn married a nonbeliever, but it all works out . . . or does it? Not only did the love of her life accept Christ, Nathaniel got baptized by fire and became a minister of the gospel. Woven into the breathtaking tale of love and redemption are two additional stories, Evelyn’s novels of faith, family, and forgiveness.


My Review: 
This first paragraph isn't part of the review that I am going to be posting on Amazon or Goodreads, but I am saying it on this blog, make sure you sign up to be entered in the giveaway. I am saying that because I have read the entire series, except the tenth one and the only reason I haven't read it is because it isn't out yet.  Even though I have read all nine books, I want the entire series in print signed by Caryl McAdoo and that is the grand prize in the giveaway.

"Mighty To Save" by Caryl MCAdoo is the ninth book in the "Texas Romance Family Saga" and sometimes when a series continues with more than three or four books, the stories begin to get boring, but I say with all honesty these books are not boring and doesn't seem to be getting old.

The other books, I think can be enjoyed as standalones, but I personally recommend reading them all in the order they were written. I don't think I would have enjoyed "Mighty To Save" as much if I hadn't read the other first. I know other reviewers have stated they liked it as a standalone , so I guess it is a matter of preferences.

"Mighty to Save" is written in a different style than the other eight books in the saga. This story is told by Evelyn Eversole Nightingale who is an author like her grandma May from the previous books. "Mighty To Save" is really two stories, one is Peril's story and how she was rescued by her true love and the other is about Evelyn and Nathaniel Nightingale's marriage.

This book is not your happily ever after fairy tale.  This books shows that God doesn't give his children all they hope and desire. It also shows that if we call on Him, He is Mighty To save.  But it also shows that we are all weak in our own strength if we don't rely on Him.

Oh. I liked reading a Facebook friend's name in the story. That is really neat when an author does that!

This book leaves me waiting to read the next book now because I feel it ended in somewhat of a cliff hanger.

I am giving "Mighty to Save "by Carly McAdoo five stars.

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

 About the Author




Caryl McAdoo loves writing stories for all ages that glorify God and is thrilled Christian fiction fits her life purpose so well. Bold not bashful, she’s quick to share the Bible principles she lives by through her characters and hopes each title ministers His love, mercy, and grace. Known as the “Singing Pray-er”—with a YouTube channel to prove it—the prolific hybrid author also loves praising Him with new songs He gives her. Her high-school-sweetheart-husband moved the family from the DFW area—home for fifty-plus years—to the woods and seat of Red River County. After Ron, Caryl counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings. The McAdoos live a few miles south of Clarksville in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State with two grandsons.

Guest Post from Caryl McAdoo

Mighty to Save, book nine, is unlike all the other stories in the Texas Romance family saga as the heroine, Evelyn Eversole—you’ll remember her as little Evie in book eight, Covering Love—and hero, Nathaniel Nightingale, are already married in Chapter One. Where’s the romance, Caryl? You may ask. But I think you’ll see that Mighty to Save is brimming with all the stuff love is made of!

The depth of the Nightingales’ love is revealed and tested, and because Evelyn is a novelist like her MayMee (May Meriwether), we are privileged to experience the love of another couple whose progeny is intertwined with the Nightingales’ lineage. (knowing the characters of the next novel Chief of Sinners that was written over twenty years ago and served as the foundation of the Texas Romance series, it’s been a labor of love, tying all these characters together.

And while a very few have remarked that it’s a little hard jumping back and forth in time, the majority of readers have expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for getting to know the backstories in such a fun way. This tale deals with imperfect people—as we all are. I hope my characters come across as real, someone in your family or who might live next door.

In this world, we will have tribulation . . . but being of good cheer isn’t always so easy. Sometime those trials knock us off our foundation, and we find ourselves in an ocean of mire, like trying to swim through jello . . . weary of it to the point where only God can save us. And so we cry out to Him. And He does.

Should that mean what waylaid us no longer has any effect on our lives? Not every time.

I pray that you will enjoy Mighty to Save. This story is another reason why I’m so blessed that God led me to publish independently of the traditional houses, as I’m most certain it would definitely not fit their pigeon hole titled Christian Romance. Life offers hills and valleys. Could we truly appreciate one without the other?

Fair warning, don’t be expecting same-O same-O!

Thank you so much for being a part of my Celebrate Lit Blog Tour Launch! Bloggers, readers, reviewers, and visitors all—everyone at the awesome Celebrate Lit Tour Company, too—y’all are such blessings to me! So much so, I could never repay your kindnesses, encouragement, and support. But my Father can, And I pray He will send every blessing back to you a hundred fold!

Blog Stops

May 17: Carpe Diem
May 20: A Greater Yes
May 20: The Power of Words (Spotlight)
May 21: Radiant Light
May 22: cherylbbookblog
May 23: Bigreadersite
May 27: Mary Hake


Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away:
Grand Prize: ALL NINE books in the Texas Romance series!
1st Prize: Four first books in four of Caryl’s series
2nd-6th Prize: Print Copy Vow Unbroken
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
https://promosimple.com/ps/b55c
at 3 comments:

Saturday, May 20, 2017

"The Beloved Hope Chest" by Amy Clipston Book Tour and GiveAway


 
Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book



Book: The Beloved Hope Chest  
Author: Amy Clipston  
Genre: Amish  
Release Date: May 9, 2017  

In the final installment of the Amish Heirloom series, the Fisher sisters learn the mystery behind their parents’ marriage—and about the sibling who has never been spoken of.

Mattie Fisher’s three daughters know that she’s been keeping a secret from them. With each item pulled from the beloved family hope chest, they’ve discovered a new clue about their mother’s past.

But there’s a reason Mattie has been keeping her history hidden, and she’s not sure she’s ready to reopen old wounds. Will dredging up the past change the way her children view her? Or her marriage to their father? And can she handle the pain of revisiting the memories that preceded the last few happy decades?

Mattie’s story is one of grief and learning to love again. But like the best things preserved in a hope chest, it’s a story of love and redemption born out of heartache—and it’s past time to share it.

My Review 

I know I have said this before about a book but this book literally had me crying, not just tears falling but well crying and I am crying as I type this review.

This book is a story about real love that a man had for a woman, and how he didn't give up when she did.

"The Beloved Hope Chest" by Amy Clipston can be a standalone but it is the fourth in the ("Amish Heirloom series" )and as my  blog readers know I have to read all the books in a series and in order and again I am glad I read the others first.  I think a reader would enjoy the "The Beloved Hope Chest" by Amy Clipston  without reading the other three books first but it was really wunderbaar ( great) to know the reason while after her three daughters were grown, Mattie finally decided to tell them the secrets that were locked in the hope chest.

The emotions these character are experiencing in this series is written so well that you feel like you are sitting with them and listening to them tell their stories and not just reading the pages.

I think my favorite character is, well all of them, I can't say any of them are not my favorite. But my most favorite has to be Leroy because he demonstrated what true love was.

  If you want to read a book or a series about real love then I truly recommend any of the books in the ("Amish Heirloom series") , yes this review is about the "The Beloved Hope Chest" by Amy Clipston, but I believe if you read any of the books in the series you would want to read them all.

 "The Beloved Hope Chest" by Amy Clipston is a wonderful conclusion to the series. I would really like more books about this family because I feel like they could be a family that I would like to be my neighbors, except I am not Amish. But, I would love to be friends with all the characters. I feel like they have a lot to teach me and others about love, faith, and forgiveness, and how to go on after heartaches.

I don't think I have read anything by Amy Clipston ( except novellas with other stories) before reading this series even though she has been on my to read list and I am so glad I now have another  author to enjoy, I must read her other series now!

I was given a complimentary copy of  "The Beloved Hope Chest" by Amy Clipston and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.  I have given it 5 stars.

About the Author



AMY CLIPSTON is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. She has sold more than 1 million books, and her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and three spoiled rotten cats. Visit her online at amyclipston.comFacebook: AmyClipstonBooks and Twitter: @AmyClipston

Guest post from Amy Clipston

I am thrilled to share the The Beloved Hope Chest, which is the final installment of my Amish Home series.


In The Beloved Hope Chest, the Fisher sisters learn the mystery behind their parents’ marriage—and about the sibling who has never been spoken of. Mattie Fisher’s three daughters know that she’s been keeping a secret from them. With each item pulled from the beloved family hope chest, they’ve discovered a new clue about their mother’s past. But there’s a reason Mattie has been keeping her history hidden, and she’s not sure she’s ready to reopen old wounds. Will dredging up the past change the way her children view her? Or her marriage to their father? And can she handle the pain of revisiting the memories that preceded the last few happy decades? Mattie’s story is one of grief and learning to love again. But like the best things preserved in a hope chest, it’s a story of love and redemption born out of heartache—and it’s past time to share it.

This book is very close to my heart since it is the last in my Amish Heirloom series. I’ve grown to love the Fisher family, and writing Mattie and Leroy’s story was bittersweet. This is a very emotional story, and I poured my heart and soul into it. I hope you enjoy this book since it reveals all of the mysteries that have been placed throughout the series.

Blog Stops

May 13: Just Commonly
May 16: A Greater Yes
May 17: Quiet Quilter
May 19: Pause for Tales
May 19: Book by Book
May 21: Bigreadersite 

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away a copy of An Amish Home and an handpicked Amish goodie chosen by Amy to two winners! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b3b3








at 3 comments:

Saturday, May 13, 2017

"For Love & Honor " by Jody Hedlund Book Tour and Giveaway




 
To purchase your copy, click here.

About the Book



Book: For Love & Honor
Author: Jody Hedlund  
Genre: Young Adult Historical  
Release Date: March 7, 2017

Lady Sabine is harboring a skin blemish, one, that if revealed, could cause her to be branded as a witch, put her life in danger, and damage her chances of making a good marriage. After all, what nobleman would want to marry a woman so flawed?

Sir Bennet is returning home to protect his family from an imminent attack by neighboring lords who seek repayment of debts. Without fortune or means to pay those debts, Sir Bennet realizes his only option is to make a marriage match with a wealthy noblewoman. As a man of honor, he loathes the idea of courting a woman for her money, but with time running out for his family’s safety, what other choice does he have?

As Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet are thrust together under dangerous circumstances, will they both be able to learn to trust each other enough to share their deepest secrets? Or will those secrets ultimately lead to their demise?

My Review:

This book is full of humor among a serious plot. I can't pick one favorite theme out of the several in this book because I thought they were all weaved together perfectly.

The story is set in medieval times amidst castles, knights, and ladies so chivalry is one of the main plots. 

This book is about forgiving and accepting others even when they are different.

This book has heroes rushing in to save the day.

Ok, I'm going to get into what I didn't really like in the book because it is just one chapter in the book and I was thinking if this ends up the way I think it is going to I am not going to finish the book because I wouldn't be able to stop crying. But, I am happy to say, I finish the book and am happy that I did. There were several intense scenes in this book but the one I mentioned above is the only one that made me think I might not finished reading it.

My favorite character has to be the grandma, why you say, because I loved my grandma and I am a grandma. This grandma in the story is different than my grandma was and me because she is rich and has the means to plot and arrange things so that what she wants happens. But the similarity is the greatest part of why I think the grandma is my favorite is because of the love between the two. And of course I felt sorry for Lady Sabine because she was afraid to be herself. And if I need a hero to save me I would want Sir Bennet to come to my rescue.

My least favorite is Captain Foxe because he is just mean and evil.

I would recommend "For Love & Honor "to readers that like reading about medieval times and castles, knights and ladies in distress. 

 Before I end this review I want to include two quotes from the book, 
 1 "I'd come to the conclusion that I needed to be the first to accept myself, flaws and all, before I could expect anyone else to. If I was ashamed of the way God had made me, then it stood to reason that others would be ashamed of me too. "
2 " There is not a single man here who is faultless,"...."Each one of us is imperfect in some way. Perhaps God designs it so. Then none of us can claim to be like Him, the only truly perfect being."

 I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

 I am giving "For Love & Honor" by Jody Hedlund four stars. 


About the Author



Jody Hedlund is a best-selling and award-winning author who loves fairy-tales and happily-ever-afters. She makes her home in Midland, MI with her husband and five teen-aged children. When she’s not writing another of her page-turning stories, you can usually find her sipping coffee, eating chocolate, and reading.

                                                    



Guest Post from Jody Hedlund

Why I Write Young Adult (YA) Books
By Jody Hedlund
FOR LOVE & HONOR is the third book in my Young Adult (YA) series set during medieval times and centering around knights, castles, and daring damsels. For those who haven’t yet read An Uncertain Choice or A Daring Sacrifice, don’t worry. All of the books can be read as standalones.
While this YA medieval series has been a step away from my usual historical romances, I have to admit that the series has been SUPER fun to write.
First, I love writing in the medieval time period, a time overflowing with danger, wars, plagues, strange customs, harsh living conditions, and incredible differences between the have’s and the have-not’s. All of that is such excellent fodder for developing page-turning stories. And so usually as I’m writing these stories, I have no trouble putting my characters into life-threatening danger, which is always fun.
Second, I’ve had fun writing my YA series because I love being able to speak truths into the hearts of young people. I have 4 teenagers and one tween, so I’m surrounded by teen angst every day! As a result of dealing with lots of teen issues with my children and their friends, it’s my goal to share hope and encouragement that if my characters can persevere and handle the growing-up issues with integrity and strength, then my readers can too.
Finally, I’ve enjoyed writing my YA series because I believe teens need clean romance alternatives.  A lot of teens are reading romances (that’s when I started reading them). I’ve loved being able to provide a clean romance alternative with chivalry and honor and courage and lots of other themes that will hopefully give young ladies encouragement and inspiration as they move forward into building healthy relationships of their own.
Lest adult readers worry that FOR LOVE & HONOR might be too juvenile for them, then let me put your fear to rest. Reviews from my adult readers are showing that they, too, are enjoying the new book:
“This is marketed as YA, but it’s wonderfully interesting for all ages, in my opinion.”
“Even though it is written with the younger set in mind, I, being of the older set, enjoyed it immensely.”
“For Love and Honor is everything that fans of Jody Hedlund have come to appreciate and enjoy; regaling her readers across the generations with the timeless reminder that God-given uniqueness is a priceless gift, bestowed out of everlasting love.”

How about YOU? Have you read any YA books lately?

 

Blog Stops

May 8: Book by Book
May 12: Just Commonly
May 14: God1meover
May 15: thewitsabout
May 15: Baker Kella
May 15: Remembrancy

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away all three books in the Noble Knights Series!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b6fc


at 8 comments:

Friday, May 12, 2017

"His Brother's Bride" (Mail Order Brides of Sanctuary Book 2) By George McVey

Book Info Lyla Duntston has come to Sanctuary, Montana to be courted by and marry Glenn Williams. She wants a marriage like her parents have, but when she meets Glenn he is cold and standoffish. He'd told her he was shy but this farmer isn't shy he's clueless. Can she give her heart to this man or will his handsome brother steal it? 

Greg Williams returns home after four years as a cowboy to start his own ranch. He just happens to arrive as his brother's Mail Order Bride gets off the stagecoach. He's smitten at once. Will he step aside for his brother, or will he think of his own wants and desires to woo His Brother's Bride

My Review

"His Brother's Bride" (Mail Order Brides of Sanctuary Book 2) By George McVey is just as good as the first book in this series. I guess a reader can enjoy the book as a standalone but personally I recommend reading book 1"The Pastor's Replacement Bride" first because it is a continuation of the first book.

What I loved about this book : The charters were real people, I mean they are like us and not super heroes and such. The plot is who is the right brother for Lyla. This book is written so well that you can actually feel Lyla's struggle as she tries to determined who should be courting her.

The character I didn't really like to much is Glenn, yes, I cannot like a character and be ok with it because after all Glenn isn't really a real person except in the author's mind.  Ok, you are asking why I didn't like Glenn is because he really doesn't act like he wants to be bothered with courting, his  chores were more important!

My favorite character was Greg because he has learned from his past four  years and wants to do the right thing.

I was given a complimentary copy by the author. These opinions are my own. 

I am giving "His Brother's Bride" five stars!


Biography

George McVey always wanted to be a Superhero, sadly no radioactive storms or animals have been a part of his life. One day while spinning a tall tale for his family, some suggested once again that with all his experiences in ministry, and his imagination he should be writing books. This time it was like lightning struck him and he decided why not.

Since then George has been hard at work using his creative imagination and writing several books. He's still adding to his bibliography to this day. You can find them all on his Amazon.com page

George lives in the wonderful state of Almost Heaven West Virginia. A few years ago he moved from a single family home to a deluxe apartment in the sky, well the fourth floor anyway. He lives with his wife of thirty years, and a service dog named Daisy Mae. He is visited often by his three children and two grandsons.

If you ever come to visit him you will probably find him setting in his lazy boy recliner or at his desk in the corner office, working on some writing project. If not a teaching book,then a novel. If he isn't working on a novel either then he will be working on a short story or blog post. If he isn't doing either of those then he is either asleep or eating his other two favorite past times.
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Thursday, May 11, 2017

"Alice’s Notions" by Tamera Lynn Kraft Book Tour and GiveAway


Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Book: Alice’s Notions
Author: Tamera Lynn Kraft  
Genre: Christian historical romance
 Release Date: April 1, 2017

 In this quaint mountain town, things aren’t always what they seem.World War 2 widow Alice Brighton returns to the safety of her home town to open a fabric shop. She decides to start a barn quilt tour to bring business to the shop and the town, but what she doesn’t know is sinister forces are using the tour for their own nefarious reasons.Between her mysterious landlord, her German immigrant employee, her neighbors who are acting strange, and a dreamboat security expert who is trying to romance her, Alice doesn’t know who she can trust.


My Review:

"Alice’s Notions" by Tamera Lynn Kraft is a really good book. The genre is listed as Christian historical romance but to me it seems more as a mystery.

What I liked about this book is that Alice is able to overcome her prejudice and accept a refugee who is a German. At first she wasn't really sure she wanted to but then she realized that she has no  choice.

This story has me laughing out loud at some of the husband and wife spats in this book. And I liked the way Alice talked to her dead husband Joe, maybe I like this because my son's name is Joe.

This book is also a book about letting go and giving love a second try and learning to trust even if you aren't sure if you should. 

The mystery really pulls the reader into the story. The reader wants to know why lifetime friends aren't the same as they were before.  The twists and turns really kept me guessing till the end who the bad guy was and I was really shocked who it turned out to be.

This books has quilts although I am not a quilter it was interesting to read about the different quilt designs. The book also has spies, which I am not a fan of these type of stories but I really liked this story. 

I am giving "Alice’s Notions" by Tamera Lynn Kraft five stars. 

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
About the Author

Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are so many stories in American history. There are strong elements of faith, romance, suspense and adventure in her stories. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest and has other novellas in print. She’s been married for 38 years to the love of her life, Rick, and has two married adult children and two grandchildren. Tamera has two novellas in print: A Christmas Promise and Resurrection of Hope. Her first full length novel, Alice’s Notions released in April through Desert Breeze.


You can contact Tamera on her website at http://tameralynnkraft.net

 Post from Tamera Lynn Kraft

How Classic Movies from the 1940s Made Their Way in My Latest Novel

By Tamera Lynn Kraft

One thing I loved about writing my post World War Two novel was my main character’s passion for movies. Alice Brighton and her late husband loved to go to movies on Friday nights. Now, even after the war made her a widow, Alice still loves movies and compares everyone she meets to a movie character.

Of course for Alice, all these wonderful classic movies and movie stars and a part of her culture, but for me, it was so much fun because I love classic movies. In the novel, Alice compares her landlord to Cary Grant. Cary Grant is one of my favorites. After starring in movies like Suspicion, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Notorious, Grant was one of the biggest stars around in 1946 when Alice’s Notions takes place. My favorite Cary Grant movie wouldn’t be made until a few years later. An Affair to Remember, released 1957, with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr is one of my all-time favorites.

At one point in the novel, Alice thinks back to when her late husband always said she reminded him of Judy Garland. Garland would have been twenty-four at the time, just a bit younger than Alice, but she became a big star in her teens. She began acting at two years old when she debuted as Baby Francis and sang Jingle Bells. After playing in various roles including a few movies with Mickey Rooney, Garland had her big break in The Wizard of Oz. She went on to star in a ton of movies and had a thriving singing career until she committed suicide in the 1960s. One of my favorite Judy Garland movies released in 1945 during the war was The Clock. The Clock was about a woman who met and fell in love with a GI on leave. Their romance was intensified because they only had the weekend before he was shipped out again for the remainder of the war. This movie must have been in Alice’s mind since she had lost her husband shortly after the movie came out.

During Alice’s Notions, Alice goes on a date to see the movie, The Postman Always Rings Twice, starring Lana Turner and John Garfield. It was released in 1946 and was considered scandalous at the time because the two main characters have an affair and murder her husband. The main theme of the movie is you can’t get away with your sin. The truth will be revealed. In Alice’s Notions, the truth being revealed is also a main theme.

So you may be wondering what classic movie Alice’s Notions reminds me of. Charade with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn was released in 1963. In that movie, Hepburn is being pursued and doesn’t know who she can trust. The movie has light hearted intrigue, suspense, and romance just like Alice’s Notions. Alice, also, doesn’t know who she can trust.

Blog Stops

May 11: Genesis 5020
May 13: Carpe Diem
May 19: Jami’s Words
May 20: Mary Hake
May 22: Vicky Sluiter
May 23: Bigreadersite 
Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Tamera is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
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