Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Spotlighting Alicia G. Ruggieri With 2 Giveaways

Author bio:
Alicia G. Ruggieri is the author of the Depression-era A Time of Grace series, as well as the Arthurian-based novel The House of Mercy. A native Rhode-Islander, she and her husband make their home now in the Midwest. She savors a good cannoli, a refreshing hymn-sing, and thick, old books. Come over and chat at: http://www.aliciagruggieri.com.



Interview
What started you on your writing journey?
Reading with my mom from a very young age really birthed a love of stories and words in my heart. I’m so thankful for the many hours she spent reading good books to my sisters and me – everything from Homer Price to Eloise to The Little Mouse, the Red, Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. As I grew up, stories sprouted in my mind, and writing came naturally from that.

Where is your favorite place to write?
My favorite place would have to be a local coffeeshop about twenty minutes from my house. However, that is by far not my most productive place to write – I get sidetracked from my work by all the interesting conversations around me ☺ - so I have to save that place as a special treat for once-in-awhile. Usually, I write at my desk – boring, but more productive! Haha!

Favorite books?
This is so difficult to answer because there are really wonderful authors in so many genres, and I like a lot of genres! But, for fiction, I’d include: Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis, Sir Gibbie and its sequel Donal Grant by George MacDonald, A Voice in the Wind and An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers, North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, Daniel Deronda by George Eliot… To be honest, there are so many good ones, it’s hard to pick just a few!

What keeps you motivated as a writer to persevere?
When I get discouraged in my writing, it is usually because I have my eyes on the wrong thing, rather than on Jesus Christ and furthering the Gospel. The Gospel is why I write – to encourage fellow believers to stick to the path of their faith and to point non-believers toward Jesus Christ. I have to remind myself that I write for the King of Kings only, ultimately, and if I plod away faithfully at the task He has set before me, He is pleased and that’s all that matters in the end, when all else fades away.

You write mainly historical fiction. What kind of roadblocks have you encountered in your research?
I like this question because I recently came across such a “roadblock.” In my research for the current novel I’m working on (more about that below), one of the characters – who is a real, historical person – is given a couple of different birthdates by different sources. After looking through many different sources and finding that some disagreed with each other, I decided to go with the primary document in the case: the Family Bible account. In my historical note at the end of the book, I will mention this. So that’s one example of how I try to handle roadblocks.

What are the “stages” of your writing?
Often I have an idea that I kind of chew on for a long while – sometimes for years. I’ll write down little snippets or notes as they come to me, but I mostly just let the story idea rest. As God leads me to, I eventually fit ideas into my writing schedule and give it to Him, continuing to pray that God would work in and through me, that He would direct me as I plan and as I write. Then, before I start a “real” draft, I often will write down all the ideas that I have for the story, as well as anything I know right off the bat that I need to research, and review that. After that, I start plotting/planning, working my way from what is essentially a one-sentence summary of the story to a much longer and more developed plan. I do this almost exclusively with pen-and-paper; using a computer at this point is not as productive for me. Both before and during this stage, I am researching; that continues through the actual writing as well. At last, I begin my real rough draft, which I normally type. Sometimes, a lot will change between the planning/plotting and the finishing of the actual rough draft, but usually the big picture remains the same. After the rough draft is done, I send it off to the wonderful beta readers God has blessed me with, and then there’s revising, editing, and so on before the book can be published.
 
Of all your characters, which one is most like you?
Oddly enough, the character Jemima Sudbury in my middle-grade series is the most like me, I think: a booklover, fairly bold but not extroverted, fiercely loyal, loves animals. Because she’s so much like me, her character comes very easily for me to write, which is nice! ☺

Do you have a favorite character that you’ve written?
Oh, but wouldn’t it be cruel to all my other characters to choose a favorite? ;-) One of my favorites is Ben Picoletti in the A Time of Grace books. I love how God’s redemption triumphs in this wounded-yet-often-wounding-others young man.
 
What one thing that most readers don’t know about you?
I was an Irish stepdancer for years and loved it – even though I am not even 1% Irish. ☺ This form of dance is so full of vitality and joy.
 
Can you give us a glimpse of what you’re currently working on?
I would love to! Right now, I’m finishing up a rewrite for A Holy Passion: A Novel of David Brainerd and Jerusha Edwards. This novel has been in the works for perhaps four years total, from first idea to what it is now, and I can’t wait to share the remarkable story of this 18th-century pioneer missionary and the young woman who cared for him. My hope for it is that folks who have never heard of Brainerd will become as intrigued by his life and the diaries he left behind as I have been – and that they will be inspired to give, as he did, all that this earth had to offer in exchange for heavenly treasure.
                                             Book Spotlight
A Time of Grace: The Complete Series ~ Now as a 3-in-1 box set!

In 1930s Rhode Island, the Picoletti family has never known true hope, joy, or peace. But when God moves a neighbor woman to stretch beyond her own pain in order to help them, remarkable things begin to happen…
In The Fragrance of Geraniums, fifteen-year-old Grace discovers that, in the midst of life’s hardness, God provides amazing mercy and love.
In All Our Empty Places, formerly-abused wife and mother Sarah must find where her true worth and sufficiency come from.
In A Love to Come Home To, rebellious son Ben obtains a father’s love from the man he least expected to show it and realizes that real freedom can only come from forgiveness.
Lyrical and sensitive to the aching heart, A Time of Grace – The Complete Series affirms that God delights in being a stronghold in times of trouble; that He renews His mercy every morning; and that He will work every bitter thing together for the good of His children


GIVEAWAY

YOU MUST LEAVE CONTACT INFO TO WIN

IF YOU WANT A CHANCE TO WIN LEAVE COMMENT AND LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE IN THE US ARE INTERNATIONAL.

a softcover of the 3-in-1 to a winner from the U.S., 
plus a Kindle copy to an international winner,

"A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill" by Jennifer Beckstrand Book Tour and GiveAway


About the Book



Title:
Genre: Christian Amish Fiction  
Release Date: December 26, 2017 

Elsie Helmuth’s plain-spoken ways got her in trouble once before, so she needs to make a good impression at her new teaching job. But she’s not about to let disabled student Wally Sensenig work below his potential. And she definitely won’t put up with his hot-headed older brother sabotaging her efforts, no matter how handsome he is. . . Sam is nearly at the end of his rope caring for his ailing, widowed mother, working their farm, and raising his siblings. He’ll admit Elsie’s ideas are bringing Wally out of his angry shell—but why does she have to be as stubborn as she is pretty? Yet as it turns out, Elsie has taught Sam something about himself as well. And he’ll do whatever it takes to make up for his mistakes—and win her heart forever.

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Review:  
"A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill" by Jennifer Beckstrand is a wonderful story of love and wrong first impressions and jealously. Yes, it seems The Amish have to deal with the same issues we do.

These stories about Huckleberry Hill are a series but they can be read alone or in order and still be able to be enjoyed.  The characters in each of the stories are Anna and Felty Helmuth's grandchildren and they play matchmakers.  "A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill" is one of my favorites of the series because it is about a teacher and my heart ached for Wally as I read his story.  

Most of these Huckleberry Hill stories have laugh out scenes, but I don't remember this one really having one because I think this story had more of a serious tone to it as it is about handicapped children. I don't mean to imply that the book makes the reader cry unless you really have a tender heart, then you might shed a few tears but the story isn't a emotional read just not funny.

Since I have a love for children and they are my favorite people, the children are my favorite characters in this book. 

If you like softball, you might want to read this book just to see have Elsie handles a child who doesn't want to play at recess. I will say it is an interesting twist.

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



About the Author


Jennifer Beckstrand is the RITA-nominated, award-winning Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hillseries and The Honeybee Sisters series for Kensington Books. Her much-anticipated Amish series, The Honeybee Sisters, has created a lot of romantic buzz. Sweet as Honey received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and Sweet as Honey and A Bee in her Bonnet were both awarded Top Picks from RT Book Reviews. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth and the Honeybee sisters’aendi Bitsy. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a passion for Jane Austen and Shakespeare. She and her husband have been married for thirty-three years, and she has six children and six adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

Guest Post from Jennifer Beckstrand

I have a very special place in my heart for teachers. My dad was a high school math teacher. My mother taught second grade for over twenty years. My son-in-law taught choir in high school, and my daughter taught seventh-grade science. Another daughter taught American history labs at the university and still another daughter taught classes for a youth summer program. Elsie Stutzman is a dedicated teacher who was dismissed from her last teaching job in Ohio and is trying to make a fresh start and a good impression in Bonduel, Wisconsin. Unfortunately one of her students, Wally Sensenig, is making things difficult for her, and Wally’s hot-headed older brother seems determined to get her fired. But Elsie is a dedicated teacher, too stubborn to back down and too steadfast to give up on anybody. Elsie’s grandparents, Anna and Felty Helmuth, have other plans for her. They want her to fall in love with one of the local boys, but they’re finding it a little difficult to get the two young people together. Teachers have an immense impact on our lives. We all remember a favorite elementary school teacher who inspired a love of learning or a high school teacher who encouraged us to reach for greatness. One of my favorite teachers was Mrs. Zobell, who taught ninth grade English. I distinctly remember her reading “The Outsiders” out loud to our class. She had a way of making great books and great stories come to life, and she sparked a love of reading (and writing) that I will always be grateful for. The teacher who had the most impact on my life is my dad. He helped me through Calculus in high school and inspired me to major in math in college. I hope we will take the time this month to thank the teachers in our lives for all they do for us and all they do for our kids. Who was one of your favorite teachers and why?

Blog Stops

                                                Christian Bookaholic, January 16


Blossoms and Blessings, January 16
Mommynificent, January 17
Bibliophile Reviews, January 18
The Power of Words, January 18
Multifarious, January 19
A Greater YesJanuary 19
Texas Book-aholic, January 20
Karen Sue Hadley, January 21
Splashes of JoyJanuary 21
A Reader’s Brain, January 22
Mary Hake, January 22
SusanLovesBooks, January 23
Janices book reviewsJanuary 24
Carpe Diem, January 25
Quiet Quilter, January 26
margaret kazmierczakJanuary 26 (Interview)
cherylbbookblog, January 27
Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Pursuing StacieJanuary 28
Vicky Sluiter, January 29
BigreadersiteJanuary 29

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to three winners!! https://promosimple.com/ps/c6cfhttps://promosimple.com/ps/c6cf
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

"Son of Promise"by Caryl McAdoo Book Tour And GiveAway


About the Book


 
Title: Son of Promise  
Author: Caryl McAdoo  
Genre: Woman’s Fiction

Be it known, your sins will find you out, but God’s mercy endureth forever!
Can a wife find the grace to forgive when her husband’s withheld the truth?
Travis Buckmeyer has a secret son, and the morning’s come to tell his sweet wife. He hates breaking Emma Lee’s heart. She promised him one ten years ago, but hasn’t been blessed to carry a baby to term. Every miscarriage made the telling harder, but now his clock’s run out. He’s going for his son, praying he won’t lose her.
Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review: "Son of Promise"by Caryl McAdoo is a wonderful story of redemption and love.  These Buckmeyer stories just keep getting better, I think I said before that some series get old and boring after a while but this series hasn't yet. I think "Son of Promise" is my favorite one. It was so easy to follow and it really pulled at my heart strings especially Cody's story.  

I would recommend reading the books in order but even if a reader doesn't I think they would still enjoy Travis and Emma Lee and Cody's story.  I just like knowing the background so when the past is mentioned in these stories I know what the story is talking about.

This story is about forgiveness and about how God keeps his promises though sometimes in a different way then we expect.  This book also shows that our sins will come to light. I think I like these stories because Caryl Mcadoo's characters are real with faults and need forgiveness and need to offer forgiveness to others like us. 

If you like Karen Kingsbury's stories about the Baxter family then you will love reading Caryl McAdoo's stories about the Buckmeyer family.

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


About the Author


Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and a quick scroll through her novels’ rankings by Christian readers attests to the Father’s faithfulness. She loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs He gives her—look her up on YouTube to hear a few. Her high school sweetheart husband won her heart fifty-two years ago, and now they share four children and seventeen grandsugars. Ron and Caryl live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

Guest Post from Caryl McAdoo

SON OF PROMISE—a companion story to my Texas Romance Family Saga’s book ten CHIEF OF SINNERS—features Travis and Emma Lee Buckmeyer, who readers first meet in CHIEF. She’s the sister of its heroine Sandy Harris, and he is a friend of its hero Buddy Nightingale; he’s also the son of Crockett Buckmeyer (from book eight COVERING LOVE) and grandson of Patrick Henry Buckmeyer (hero of book one VOW UNBROKEN).
A standalone, it isn’t necessary for readers to know all these ancestors to enjoy SON OF PROMISE, but those who do will surely love it all the more. What I know is that this couple won a chunk of my heart. Their faith is outstanding and their love inspiring. In the ’40s, Emma Lee didn’t have the fertility options young women do today, and miscarriage after miscarriage left her hurting. That’s why he hadn’t told her.
He didn’t want to hurt her, but circumstances had changed, and time was up. She had to be told that morning he already had a son born from a one night liaison thirteen years before because he was leaving to claim his Cody from a reform school and bring him home.
The boy had never known real love, but I loved him from the first. Forced to grow up way too fast—lying, stealing, and participating in most any other rebellious act—he’s missed so much. He’s overwhelmed with Travis and Emma Lee—their home, their partnership and love for each other, and their generosity toward him.
He planned to light out from the start, but days piled on top each other, and he never pulled the trigger.
In VOW UNBROKEN, there was an awesome canine named Blue Dog, and I went into his POV (Point Of View—got into his head) a couple of times. My Simon & Schuster editor ‘requested’ that I lose those segments, and so I did. But in this novel, I get into a canine’s head again . . . I’m hoping readers will find that fun.
In years past, I owned, managed, and milked a herd of eighty-plus dwarf goats and loved their Great Pyrenees guardians, so it was fun to include them in the story. I love how Emma Lee was able to sell her paintings for exorbitant prices, but remained so humble and unassuming. And that she and Travis opened their home (they’re so much like my husband and me) to total strangers. We’ve had so many people live with us over the years, to help them, be blessings—the hands and feet of God in the earth.
I pray my story gives God glory and that its readers will be drawn closer to Him through it. He blesses me and highly favors me daily. I can’t thank or praise Him enough!

Blog Stops

Splashes of JoyJanuary 19
Karen Sue Hadley , January 20
Maureen’s Musings, January 20
Bibliophile Reviews, January 21
Reading is My SuperPower, January 22 (Interview)
A Greater YesJanuary 22
Texas Book-aholic, January 23
Baker kella, January 24
Janices book reviewsJanuary 24
Jeanette’s ThoughtsJanuary 25
Quiet Quilter, January 26
Carpe Diem, January 26
C Jane Read, January 27
Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Pursuing StacieJanuary 28
cherylbbookblog, January 30
BigreadersiteJanuary 30

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away
GRAND PRIZE : $50 Amazon Gift Card 1st Prize: Choice-of-Caryl’s Titles (print or ebook) 2nd-4th: ebook of SON OF PROMISE!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c511

Thursday, January 18, 2018

"A Song Unheard" by Roseanna M.White Book Tour and GiveAway


About the Book



Title: A Song Unheard  
Author: Roseanna M. White  
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction  
Release Date: January 2, 2018

Willa Forsythe is both a violin prodigy and top-notch thief, which makes her the perfect choice for a crucial task at the outset of World War I—to steal a cypher from a famous violinist currently in Wales. Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he’s won—until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father’s work as a cryptologist. And Lukas fears that his mother and sister, who have vanished in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, will pay the price. The only light he finds is meeting the intriguing Willa Forsythe. But danger presses in from every side, and Willa knows what Lukas doesn’t—that she must betray him and find that cypher, or her own family will pay the price as surely as his has.

Click here to purchase your copy!



My Review: 
"A Song Unheard" by Roseanna M.White  is the second book in "Shadow Over England" series and just as good as the first book (A Name Unknown). It has the same characters but this story is Willa's story not Rosie's and is about music and not books.

The action in this book kept me reading to the end. 

This story is based on historical facts.  

This story is  a mystery as well. I couldn't wait to see where the key was and was surprised at what the key really was. I won't give it away but it isn't want you think.

In one scene at the end of the book I was literally shaking and thinking "No Way that is not how this ends".  I can't tell you how it ended but I think you should read this book and see if you have the same thoughts and opinions as I do !

Oh, I forgot to say that this book is a great read even if you don't read "A Name Unknown".

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



About  the Author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Guest post from Roseanna White

I started playing the piano when I was 7. I didn’t discover any long-dormant genius or anything, but I liked it. When my sister quit, I kept playing. In middle school, I switched teachers, and moving from the lady at my church that I knew so well to someone who was just my piano teacher made a difference in how I applied myself. It deepened my love of music. We all know how some random moments stand out forever in our memory. One such for me happened on the school bus. I was sitting with my best friend, talking about the new piano piece I was learning. “Via Delorosa” means Road of Sorrow, and it’s a song that tells musically about Jesus’ journey to Golgotha—ending with the faint chime of the nails being driven into his palms. As my beloved Mrs. Peto went through this song with me the night before, I remember her circling a D♯ that I’d missed and saying how important that note was. That it made the whole line weep. That it would make the hearers weep. An epiphany so huge I had to share it with my friend. A well placed sharp could make music weep! Who knew? That was but one lesson Mrs. Peto taught me in how music could evoke things words never could. A woman of strong faith, she also taught me how a song could preach the Gospel. Music can be medicine. It can be hope. It can be tears. It can be truth. Music can be Jesus to a hurting heart that turns its back on words. This is a lesson I never forgot, and I had it always in mind as I was writing A Song Unheard. In this story, both my hero and heroine are musicians—violinists. But Willa (who is SO STUBBORN) wouldn’t listen to words of faith from any of the people in her life “suddenly spouting such nonsense.” But then, in her darkest hour, she hears a slip of melody. And she realizes it’s the Lord. I pray as readers move through the story of Willa Forsythe—violin prodigy and top-notch thief—that their spirits’ ears hear more than words, more than just a story. I pray they hear the Lord whispering that ultimate song. The one that says, “I love you.” Want to hear the song Willa eventually wrote in the book? You can! The violin music in this trailer is officially dubbed “Willa’s Song” and written specifically for this book. I hope you enjoy it! http://bit.ly/ASongUnheardTrailer

Blog Stops

Fiction Aficionado, January 11
Genesis 5020, January 11
Bookworm Mama, January 11
Blogging With Carol, January 12
Multifarious, January 12
Faithfully BookishJanuary 13
Karen Sue Hadley, January 13
Mary Hake, January 13
A Greater YesJanuary 13
Remembrancy, January 14
Texas Book-aholic, January 14
A Reader’s Brain, January 15
Cordially Barbara, January 15
Pursuing StacieJanuary 15
Bigreadersite, January 16
Mommynificent, January 17
Baker Kella, January 17
allofakindmom, January 18
Pause for Tales, January 19
Just Commonly, January 19
Janices book reviewsJanuary 19
Radiant LightJanuary 20
Book by Book, January 20
CAC Devourer, January 20
Splashes of JoyJanuary 21
Neverending Stories, January 21
The PhD Mamma, January 22
Cafinated Reads, January 22
Daysong Reflections, January 22
Purposeful Learning, January 23
Carpe Diem, January 23
Henry Happens, January 24
Joy of Reading, January 24
                                               Raining Butterfly Kisses, January 24

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Roseanna is giving away a Grand Prize Package of a signed copy of the book as well as a lovely album of soothing songs based on the Scriptures called Hidden in My Heart (winner’s choice of CD or digital download)!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c72a