Review of Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship by Parker Fairchild

 

I'm not a big fan of snow, so a cruise ship sounds good! And I do love some holiday romances. So enjoy an excerpt and my book review of Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship by Parker Fairchild. Share your thoughts with the author as you follow the book tour. And best of luck entering the giveaway!

On a Caribbean cruise, a platter full of cookies, and a shot of Christmas magic yields a perfect pairing.

Chemist and budding romance writer Olivia Chasen is on a cruise to avoid spending Christmas with her beautiful twin sister and new fiancé—Olivia’s ex. Now, thanks to her lonely, intoxicated ramblings on Santa’s lap, her fellow passengers think she’s in love with a fictional character.

Former Navy SEAL Commander Jace Morse has dealt with plenty of unusual situations in his career, but he’s never had the honor, the pleasure, or the privilege of being a beautiful and intelligent woman’s fantasy hero come to life. While he hasn’t officially met the sexy chemist, he’s sure eager to explore the chemistry that’s sizzling between them.

Bringing the charming SEAL together with the skeptical Olivia is going to take more than just Christmas cookies and a little help from Mrs. Claus; it’s gonna take a heaping dose of Christmas magic.

Read an excerpt:

“Dr. Olivia Chasen,” Santa’s jolly baritone popped her mental fuzzy bubble.

She stopped as she struggled to whirl around. “Me?” She touched her chest with a dramatic flourish she didn’t know she possessed.

A powerful spotlight illuminated her; its heat burned her already flushed face.

She pressed a clammy palm to her chest. “How do you know my name?” The haze in her mind was paralyzing all cognitive function.

“My dear girl,” Santa chuckled, “you should know by now that Santa knows everything and everyone,” he tapped an index finger to his temple.

Santa Claus turned to address the waiting line. “Girls, Boys, Moms, Dads, everyone, if you don't mind waiting for a brief moment, I'd like for Olivia,” he pointed a white gloved finger at her, “to please come up here on stage, and tell me what she wants for Christmas.”

She stood dumbfounded as the audience and the people in line clapped and chanted her name, “Olivia! Olivia! Olivia!”

Oh no! What was she going to do? She couldn’t possibly go up onto that stage. She was far too shy to address a theater full of people.

But if she didn’t go that would be so unexciting and so like the old Olivia.

But she wasn't unexciting! She was the new Olivia, and she was exciting! And she wanted to have fun! Correction: She was determined to have fun. Besides, she’d never see these people—her fellow passengers—ever again.

Buy on Amazon

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**My thoughts**

This is definitely one of the most unique meetings between the hero and heroine I have ever encountered! Jace is a real person, but it's like Olivia knew him already as she is writing about him in her new novel. And here he now is in the flesh. But he definitely existed before the figment of her imagination. 

The two of them are brought together by a Santa Claus on the cruise that each of them are on for different reasons. He is there to celebrate a wedding; she is trying to escape a wedding, that of her ex-boyfriend to her identical twin sister. (There are so many feelings about that whole mess! Ugh!) And then speaking of her sister, there's another twist to the story related to that.

Quirky characters, cringeworthy comedic moments, Christmas cookies, a cruise ship, and a little contemporary romance.

Thank you to Goddess Fish and the author for a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Parker Fairchild is a social media copywriter, a freelance writer with multiple writing credits, and a model. Recently, she finished writing a client's memoirs, which will be published in the next few months.

A Virginia native, she and her husband have their own shipboard romance as they met on a cruise ship tender in Maui, and as her mom is fond of saying, "they haven't stopped talking since." When she's not busy playing with words, she loves spending time with her husband and family in Arizona where she now resides.

www.5princebooks.com/parkerfairchild

www.parkerfairchild.com

parker@parkerfairchild.com

https://www.facebook.com/ParkerFairchildAuthor 

https://twitter.com/ParkerFairchild 

 https://www.instagram.com/parker.fairchild/ 

https://www.pinterest.com/parker_fairchild/_saved/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/69048882

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120400979-parker-fairchild

Parker Fairchild will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

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A Christmas Proposal by Linda Warren #CPBlitz

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

'Tis the season for Christmas romance! I can't get enough of these stories at this time of year, especially when it has been such a crazy year as this one. Enjoy an excerpt from this standalone novel in the Texas Rebels series and then enter to win a $20 Amazon card in the giveaway at the end!

A Christmas Proposal

(Texas Rebels #10)

By Linda Warren

Adult Contemporary Romance, Christmas

Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages (Large Print)

December 1, 2020 by Harlequin Heartwarming

A child’s Christmas wish…

Gives love a second chance

Becky Tullous has never forgiven boy-next-door Bo Goodnight for breaking her teenage heart. Now the SWAT sergeant is back in Horseshoe, Texas, and getting far too attached to her three-year-old daughter. Becky never wanted Bo in Luci’s life, but her developmentally delayed little girl is making great progress with him around. Will Bo prove he’s worth a second chance this Christmas?

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Excerpt

BECKY STOPPED OUTSIDE the door when she heard Bo’s deep smooth masculine voice, which touched her skin like cashmere, soothing, comfortable and deliciously rich. The baritone made her want to lean her head against the wall and absorb every nuance of his voice into her skin.

“You have a lot of stuffed animals and dolls,” Bo was saying.

“This. Is. Bear. Soft.” In Becky’s mind’s eye she could see Luci rubbing her face against the stuffed animal.

“What’s this one’s name?”

He wasn’t worming his way into Luci’s life. She stepped into the room and Luci ran to her.

“Mom-my.”

Becky picked her up and kissed her cheek. “I need to talk to Bo.”

Luci ran to the kitchen and Becky faced Bo with steel-like determination. He stood from the bed and his tall frame looked out of place in this pink little girl’s room. Dark eyes stared back at her with a heat level that matched hers and she didn’t know if there was a way to win against him. It would be better if he wasn’t so darn good-looking. With his longish hair and growth of beard he reminded her of Keanu Reeves. And Bo was just as big a daredevil as the characters the actor played.

“You want to talk? Talk. I’ve been trying to get you to talk for years so this is a momentous occasion.”

“Stay away from my daughter.” Becky was tired, so tired, and this bickering was not helping. “Bo, please go home.”

“Okay.” He took a step toward her and she had to resist taking a step backward. A musky scent mixed with Irish Spring soap drifted to her, weakening her resolve. “I’ll go, but first, I want to know who Luci’s father is.”

“Bo...”

“I’m her father, aren’t I? You’ve kept it from me all these years.”

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to an Amazon affiliate link.)

About the Author

Two time Rita® nominated author Linda Warren has written forty-five books for Harlequin. A native Texan, she’s a member of Romance Writers of America and the West Houston Chapter. Drawing upon her years of growing up on a ranch, she writes about some of her favorite things: Western-style romance, cowboys and country life. She married her high school sweetheart and they live on a lake in central Texas. He fishes and she writes. Works perfect. You can find out more about Linda at http://www.LindaWarren.net.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Blitz Giveaway

One winner will receive a $20 Amazon eGift Card (US only)
Ends December 5, 2020

ENTER HERE

The Billionaire's Birthday Gift (Billionaire Birthday Club) by Jenna Brandt

  

What do you give the billionaire who has everything?

Nate Miller’s music company just sold for a billion dollars, making him one of the youngest billionaires in the world. Despite getting the life he thought he always wanted, he can’t help but be nostalgic about the girl who got away because of it. When he finds out she’s getting engaged, he decides he needs to do something about it before it’s too late.

Stella Buchanan is a triple threat. Though best known for her acting career, singing was always her true passion. The problem was the music industry revolved around Nate Miller, her ex-boyfriend and record producer. When he broke her heart, she promised to leave that world behind forever. At least, until she runs into Nate at the Billionaire Birthday Club during Christmas.

Will Nate’s birthday gift be the perfect present for the holidays? Will Stella decide to give Nate a second chance? And what will happen when Stella’s on and off boyfriend shows up on the island, diamond ring in hand?

Available on Amazon

(affiliate link)

About Jenna Brandt

Jenna Brandt is an international bestselling and award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance. Her historical books span from Victorian to Western eras and all her books have elements of romance, suspense and faith. She has her own best-selling historical series, Window to the Heart Saga and Civil War Brides, as well as contemporary series, Billionaires of Manhattan and Second Chance Islands. Additionally, she has created two best-selling multi-author series, The Lawkeepers and Disaster City Search and Rescue based off the life of her husband in law enforcement. Both of her books, Waiting on the Billionaire and Lawfully Treasured, were voted into the Top 50 Indie Books of 2018 on Readfreely.com.

She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book and started writing stories almost as early. She has been published in several newspapers as well as edited for multiple papers. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Bethany College and was the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper while there. Her first blog was published on The Mighty website, Yahoo Parenting and The Grief Toolbox as well as featured on the ABC News, CNN Health, and Good Morning America websites. She’s also a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) association. 

Writing is her passion, but Jenna also enjoys date nights with her hubby, cooking from scratch, watching movies on Netflix, reading books by her author friends, and engaging in social media with her readers. Jenna’s three young daughters keep her busy with Girl Scout activities, going to the mall, and playing at the park where they live in the Central Valley of California. Jenna summers on the Golden Central Coast where she finds endless inspiration for her romance books. She is also active in her local church where she volunteers on their first impressions team. 

To find out more about Jenna, to sign-up for her newsletter, or to purchase her books, visit her website at http://www.jennabrandt.com 

Jenna’s Joyful Page Turners Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/844819802336835/ 

Heroes and Hunks Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/430422374043418/ 

Her books on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Jenna-Brandt/e/B0711MSFXW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1497269877&sr=8-1 

Like her on Facebook www.facebook.com/JennaBrandtAuthor 

Follow her on Twitter www.twitter.com/JennaDBrandt 

Stalk her on Instagram www.instagram.com/jennnathewriter/ 

Pin her on Pinterest www.pinterest.com/jennnathewriter 

Look her up on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16847426.Jenna_Brandt 

Check her out on Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jenna-brandt

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Review of A Song for Another Day by Maria Imbalzano

 

Please welcome Maria Imbalzano back to the blog! Earlier this year, I reviewed her historical romance Blueberry Swirl Waltz. Today she's back with a contemporary romance to tug at your heartstrings. Enjoy an excerpt and my book review. Be sure to leave her questions and comments as you follow the tour. And best of luck entering the giveaway!

Gigi Jenson, an up-and-coming Broadway star, finds herself in Willow Springs, Vermont, for the summer as director of their first annual community revue. This sleepy town is worlds away from her vibrant and beloved New York City, but the experience she’ll gain will be invaluable to her career.

Jason Simmons has lived in Willow Springs his entire life. Working several jobs while writing music, he yearns for a contract to record his songs. The one chance he had to make it in Nashville he blew due to stage fright.

When Jason volunteers to help Gigi with the revue, sparks ignite but their dreams are taking them in different directions. Will their love for each other ever guide them to the same path?

Read an excerpt:

Halfway through the song, the air in the tavern seemed to change. His gaze followed that of a few of the guys sitting nearby. Giselle had walked in. Not exactly walked. Glided. His heart picked up a quicker beat, as he concentrated on the words to the song he was singing. Thankfully, he could sing this song with no brain cells.

Dressed in black jeans—designer no doubt—a black silky tank top, and black-heeled sandals, she stuck out in the crowd like a glittering star in a dark, moonless sky. Her long blonde hair was pulled up into a high ponytail showcasing her elegant neck and dangly, silver earrings. Silver bangles graced her wrist. Definitely overdressed.

Her gaze clicked on his, and surprise lifted her perfectly arched brows.

She found an empty bar stool, perused the menu, and ordered something from Sarah. Apparently she was staying for a while. Maybe he’d join her on his break. She probably knew no one in town, which had to be difficult. The least he could do was introduce her around so she’d feel more at ease.

Maybe he’d even give her some tips on how to dress when coming to Finnigan’s.

Although she sure looked hot in those upscale black jeans.

Available on Amazon

(affiliate link)

**My thoughts**

I kept forgetting that this was not a holiday romance. I'm writing my review on December 1. Holiday romance books and movies are on my mind. And this contemporary romance does fit the formulaic mold of those beloved Hallmark movies. 

Gigi is the classy and ambitious woman briefly coming into the small town from NYC who needs to learn how to slow down and appreciate life. Jason is the hottie local musician and jack of all trades who loves his small town and hides his talent. The two of them naturally are attracted to each other and develop a quick relationship. But what are they going to do when her time there is done?

He is able to soften her rough edges; she is able to bring him out of his shell. They're a perfect match, making beautiful music together.

Their story flows quickly, playing out on the pages like you're watching it on the screen. Actually, it's a little spicier than what you would find on Hallmark, so maybe Netflix would be a better place for the movie version to land. And like I said, it is very formulaic, but it was a great way to pass a cold evening at home while recovering from illness. I may have wanted a smidge more conflict between the two of them because it did wrap up and resolve quickly. But I still really enjoyed it. It looks like it may be the start to a new series?

Thank you to the author and Goddess Fish for providing me with a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Maria Imbalzano is a retired matrimonial lawyer who now writes full time. Instead of drafting motions, legal memoranda, and briefs, although fascinating, she now spends her days creating memorable characters and taking them on their emotional journeys through her contemporary romance novels.

In addition to writing fiction, Maria is on the Friends of Thomas Edison State University Foundation Committee and is still involved with Dress for Success Central Jersey, having been a founding Board member. She also serves on the finance committee for The Present Day Club. She has received the distinguished Family of Edison Award for her work with The Thomas Edison State University Foundation, the Iron Mike Professional Achievement Award from Trenton Catholic Academy and was inducted into the Italian American National Hall of Fame.

Her novel, “Unchained Memories,” won the Wisconsin Romance Writers Write Touch Readers’ Award and the ACRA Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence Award. “Sworn to Forget,” the first of the four-book Sworn Sisters Series was a finalist for the illustrious RONE award as well as the Book Buyers Best Award.

Visit Maria at www.mariaimbalzano.com

https://www.facebook.com/mariaimbalzanoauthor

https://twitter.com/MariaImbalzano

Maria is giving away a $20 Amazon/BN GC to someone during the tour. 

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Haunting in Old Tailem by Janice Tremayne

 

The calendar may say that it is December, which elicits thoughts of warm and cozy holiday stories. But this dark and dank weather is keeping me in the mood for something a little more sinister. Check out an excerpt from Haunting in Old Tailem by Janice Tremayne and then follow the tour for even more! Best of luck entering the giveaway!

An Australian Ghost town. A resident demon and a local Shaman. A confrontation with evil awaits.

Clarisse realizes that running from evil is not a bad idea until you figure out you can't hide. When some ghosts get tired of hanging around, they latch onto you. At the centre of the war on evil is a historic Church that carries dark secrets within its walls. After she meets with the local Shaman, Clarisse discovers secrets with evil consequences by digging too deep into the town’s past. When matters become complicated, she visits a circus of young performers on the outskirts of town triggering unexpected paranormal events and unleashing memories of a one-hundred-year curse. After being caught in the crossfire of a battle for evil supremacy, Clarisse confronts Little Charlie as he rallies the town's ghosts into an impeccable evil stronghold.

Can the local Shaman and townsfolk rally in her quest to defeat the evil incarnate or will the town succumb to Little Charlie and his evil crew?

Haunting in Old Tailem is the third book of the Haunting Clarisse Series. If you like spine-tingling, chilling, creepy and spooky supernatural thrillers, then you will love this story by 2020 USA Readers' Favorite International Book Awards Finalist in Supernatural Fiction, Janice Tremayne.

Pick up your copy today and follow Clarisse through her battles with evil!

Read an excerpt:

As he got closer to the shrub, in the direction of the voice, a Raggedy Ann doll ducked its head out of the bush and bounced about, trying to get his attention. It looked like an old-style doll and something his grandparents would have played with as children. It had curly red hair, blue trousers, and a big, greedy smile.

A puppet show, he thought.

Archie wanted to touch the doll. It was so lifelike that it had him mesmerized, like a spell had been cast on him. He walked another foot to get a better look, more curious.

“Psst, psst … Want to play with me?” asked the Raggedy Ann. It was alive! Its mouth moved in a synchronized motion, but there was no ventriloquist behind it.

When Archie was at arm’s length from the doll, something grabbed his ankles and started to drag him. It pierced into his skin like long nails, penetrating and scratching. He screamed and kicked as panic set in, fighting back with all his might.

“Cecilia! Cecelia! Help me! Help me!” Archie yelled toward the other children where his sister looked on in horror. His waved his hands while being dragged facedown, scraping the soil and trying to grab onto anything he could.

With one hand on each ankle, the evil beneath the shrub latched onto him with painted black fingernails on white hands that looked dead as they continued to clutch onto him and pull him.

Archie managed to grab ahold of a log with both arms curled around it, holding as tightly as he could, like his life depended on it, which it did.

Buy the series *  Buy Haunting in Old Tailem 

Janice Tremayne is an Amazon bestselling and award-winning ghost and supernatural writer. Janice is a finalist in the Readers' Favorite 2020 International Book Awards in Fiction-Supernatural.

She is an emerging Australian author who lives with her family in Melbourne. Her recent publication, Haunting in Hartley, reached number one on the Amazon kindle ranking for Occult, Supernatural, and Ghosts and Haunted Houses categories, for hot new releases and bestsellers.

Janice is well-versed in her cultural superstitions and how they influence daily life and customs. She has developed a passion and style for writing ghost and supernatural novels for new adult readers.

The concept of writing the Haunting Clarisse series was spawned over a cup of coffee many years ago, and she has not looked back since. Her books contain heart-thumping, bone-chilling, and thought-provoking ghost and paranormal experiences that deliver a new twist to every tale.

www.janicetremayne.com.au

author@janicetremayne.com

https://www.facebook.com/hauntingclarisse

Book Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCj4DGrx7VA

Janice Tremayne is giving away a print copy of the book to two randomly drawn winners. Follow the tour for more chances to win! 

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Meet Sverrir Sigurdsson and Veronica Li, authors of Viking Voyager

 

Iceland is one of those places that I would love to visit one day. And personal stories are the best ones to read, especially WWII and post-WWII stories. Check out an excerpt from this memoir and then get to know the authors better in a fun little interview. Be sure to let them know what you think in the comments! And follow the tour for even more. Best of luck entering the giveaway!

This vivacious personal story captures the heart and soul of modern Iceland. Born in Reykjavik on the eve of the Second World War, Sverrir Sigurdsson watched Allied troops invade his country and turn it into a bulwark against Hitler’s advance toward North America. The country’s post-war transformation from an obscure, dirt-poor nation to a prosperous one became every Icelander’s success. Spurred by this favorable wind, Sverrir answered the call of his Viking forefathers, setting off on a voyage that took him around the world.

Read an excerpt:

One memorable incident took place [in 1968] during our drive through Anbar province in Iraq. The place was unheard of when I motored through, but after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, this Sunni stronghold of Saddam Hussein’s became world renowned for insurgency and suicide bombings. Even during my days, traveling in this neighborhood was dicey. While guessing my way through the desert of Al Anbar, we passed a ghastly sight. It was the charred remains of what looked like a small industrial complex. The scene evoked news articles about an Israeli air raid on an Iraqi nuclear research facility. I knew we shouldn’t be there, but there was no other way out than to keep driving. Soon after, a military patrol pulled up alongside. I stopped the car, and we all got out to show them exactly who we were, a family of dumb, lost foreigners.

A soldier peered into my car. He started shouting angrily in Arabic, his finger jabbing at the camera on the back seat. They hustled us all back into the Peugeot, I in the driver’s seat, Monika next to me, while Steinn shared the back seat with the soldier. I felt something hard poke at my spine. I glanced at the rearview mirror and realized the object was the muzzle of the soldier’s machine pistol. The drive lasted an hour at most, but it seemed like eternity. To prevent an accidental burst from the gun, I took it slow and easy on the desert tracks.

Buy Links:

Amazon US * Amazon CA 

On sale for $0.99 during the tour!

************************

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

I’m not particularly fond of ice cream. In general I don’t like anything with a soft, slippery texture. I remember the first time I tasted a banana at the age of seven. This was in Iceland in the 1940’s, shortly after the Second World War, when bananas were an exotic and scarce import. I was rather disappointed that I had to share the banana with my sister. But as I put it into my mouth, I almost puked because I felt I was eating soap. Was I glad it was only half a banana!

My wife and coauthor, Veronica, who was born in Thailand where bananas grow wild, thought it was hilarious the first time she heard the story.

Which mythological character are you most like?

I like to compare myself with Thor, the Nordic god of thunder. He’s a powerful character who wields a hammer to create flashes of light and the associated thunder. However, he’s also simpleminded and has only one solution to every problem—his hammer. Veronica thinks I’m exactly like that. As a serious woodworker, the hammer is as essential to my craft as it is to Thor’s. Give me a problem that requires hammering, and I’ll nail it in no time. But give me a problem that requires a softer touch, I let Veronica take the lead.

First book you remember making an indelible impression on you.

Tales of a Barber Surgeon by Finnish author Zacharias Topelius. As a ten-year-old, I devoured the five volumes of the Icelandic translation. They were filled with action and blood and gore—just right for a boy’s literary taste. They were part of the tiny library at the farm I worked in during the summer. I read each volume dozens of times, since there were few other choices. Finland, with its magnificent architecture, poetry, and music, became a fascination for me. I ended up studying architecture in Finland and launching my career there.

How do you develop your plot and characters?

Before working on the plot, I had to determine which aspect of my life I wanted to write about in my memoir. Veronica, an experienced writer, helped me settle on a subject: the Icelandic upbringing that made me a modern-day Viking traveling the world for adventure. With this focus in mind, the episodes pertinent to the theme became the building blocks for the plot. It begins with my grandfather’s tragic death, which set the course of my life before I was born. The second half of the book chronicles my travels. The chapters are arranged in chronological order, but within this order, the narrative flashes backward and forward to allow views of events through different windows of time.

My characters are from real life and mostly people I know. Although I do make observations about them, I let their actions speak for themselves as much as possible. My starting point is that these are good people, with their quirks and weaknesses, and they’ve made a difference in my life. One example of how I develop a character is my portrayal of my ex-wife. I’d met her while studying architecture in Finland. I was twenty and she nineteen. We hardly knew each other, but as we tackled each crisis in our relationship, her character unfolded and mine too.

Describe your writing space.

I’m most productive in my weekend home, which I designed and built with my own hands on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Veronica and I work at his and hers desks in our bedroom loft. The space is surrounded with glass that allows me to look out at the expanse of sea and sky. Tapping on my computer, I can see from the corner of my eye an eagle swooshing past the balcony or a flock of bufflehead ducks paddling in the water. When I get stuck, I just stare at the wonderful landscape and feel happy that I’ve had a blessed eighty-one years in this world.

Sverrir Sigurdsson grew up in Iceland and graduated as an architect from Finland in 1966. He pursued an international career that took him to the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the U.S. His assignments focused on school construction and improving education in developing countries. He has worked for private companies, as well as UNESCO and the World Bank. He is now retired and lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and coauthor, Veronica.

Veronica Li emigrated to the U.S. from Hong Kong as a teenager. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and her master’s degree in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins University. She has worked as a journalist and for the World Bank, and is currently a writer. Her three previously published titles are: Nightfall in Mogadishu, Journey across the Four Seas: A Chinese Woman’s Search for Home, and Confucius Says: A Novel. Her website is www.veronicali.com.


Amazon author pages:
https://www.amazon.com/Sverrir-Sigurdsson/e/B08LFYCCPD
https://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Li/e/B001JOSCAQ


Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/tssigurdsson
https://www.facebook.com/veronica.li.39


Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Sverrir_Sigurds
https://twitter.com/VeronicaLi5


Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/142534.Veronica_Li

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card. Follow the tour for more chances to win!

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Love's Sacrifice and Promise (The Twin Mountain Inn) by Madison McBride

 

This is the heartwarming story of how Isabella discovered her lineage to the Thornton family. Her family's legacy wasn't just built on the Twin Mountain Inn's existence, but through every one of the four generations before her. The story begins with a forceful, grounded faith and a sacrificing love held together by an unbreakable promise.

Bell finds the journal of her father's grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Bailey. Bell is quickly captivated by the story of hardship and loss in love and her father's grandmother's enduring faith and love for the Lord through it all. In the midst of all this, there was Nathan and the enduring promise he made that bonded Mary to him before they even set eyes on each other. The only way Nathan could get redemption was through Mary's empathetic love for him.

Will Nathan win over Elizabeth's magnanimous heart?

Available on Amazon

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Madison lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband, two children, and a very spoiled Dachshund. She loves Hallmark movies, coffee, and chocolates. Madison loves history and enjoys spending time in museums and other historical places. She feels very strongly about treasuring family and time spend together. She also enjoys wildlife and landscape photography if she is not writing or reading.

As a child she always loved reading, but she never realized how much she would love writing until she started. To be able to share this gift of writing has become a dream come true. She believes every character in her books has been influenced by someone or something from her life.

If you enjoy romantic stories with lasting characters showcasing strong family bonds, with a red threat of faith tying everything together, you surely will enjoy Madison’s books. It is touching stories that are emotional and sweet that captivate the reader and transport them to another time and place. She writes a particular genre, and when she sits down to write, the magic happens. She doesn't know where the characters will take her, throughout their journey as they discover themselves, they give you hope and make you think.

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Remember Grace (Healing Hearts) by Ginny Sterling

 

Heaven Smith knew what fear, courage, and faith were, because of the hand dealt to her. One fateful night changed her entire future and outlook on life. She never forgot the unexpected kindness shown to her all those years ago, clinging to the hopes that people were decent on the inside. It had taken long enough to extract herself out of a terrible relationship, only to fall for the one person she never expected, Ezra, stationed in Afghanistan with her ex-husband.

Ezra Hopkins was sick of watching loved ones destroy themselves. He’d seen first-hand what alcohol could do to a family, forcing him and his sister to begin again. Now, several years later, he discovers the one person who has haunted his dreams, has been abandoned by a man Ezra despises.

A chance encounter, a secret wish, and a leap of faith bring together two broken people who yearn for something more together in a way they never expected, delivering a second chance at love.

Buy on Amazon

(affiliate link)

Find more of Ginny Sterling's books here.

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Ina Carter, author of Crimson Snow, on her journey to becoming a writer

 

Welcome to the blog tour for Crimson Snow by Ina Carter! Today you're going to get a sneak peek inside the book with an excerpt. And then she tells us more about her journey to becoming a writer. That always helps to give you insight into a person's book. Be sure to leave her questions and comments as you follow the tour. And best of luck entering the giveaway!

The Greeks had seven words for LOVE. I felt all of them for ONE MAN…

My name is Lauren, and I was a stolen baby.

They found me in a trailer park in rural Texas when I was eight years old. My childhood wasn’t perfect, but then I had Kevin. He was my everything…

When they returned me to my biological parents, we were torn apart.

My new family desperately tried to fix me, make me forget him… My father kept me on a short leash and controlled every aspect of my life. The one thought keeping me afloat was to find Kevin, but he vanished without a trace.

I searched for him for twelve years, but the man I found was not the boy I lost. He is a college baseball star, tattooed, moody, and dark… And he hates me.

Can Kevin help me defeat my demons, or does he have too many of his own?

Read an excerpt: 

I was taken to another room with a big table and many chairs. A woman came in, sat across from me, and started telling me things about how Mamma was not my real mom and neither was Daddy. She said Mamma told Stacy she stole me when I was a baby from some hospital in the California State. I knew those were lies, and I told her Stacy is a liar. All I could think of was Kevin, not about Mamma and Daddy. She was trying to tell me he was not my brother, either. When I heard that I had to go with her and stay for a while with some nice people, I started crying.

“Is Kevin coming too?” I sobbed.

“No, sweetheart. He would have to stay in another place.”

I tried to run away from the room. All I wanted was to get back to my brother. The officer must have been guarding the room from the outside because he grabbed me before I could get away from him.

At the same time, I saw another man taking Kevin out of the doctor’s room. My brother looked at me, and I would never forget his eyes. Desperate, fearful, broken. His whole face was distorted by the pain. It was radiating from his whole being.

I kicked and screamed. Called Kevin’s name. I bit the hand that was holding me prisoner. Kevin was also pulling away, trying to kick the policeman keeping him captive.

I don’t know why, but they let us go. We ran to meet in the middle of the corridor and collapsed down to our knees, wrapping our arms around each other. And we cried.

“You are my sister, Jules. My friend. My… everything,” Kevin sobbed, and his words were echoing my exact thoughts.

“Please, Kevin! Don’t let them take you away from me! Please!” I begged him.

But they were already pulling him from my arms, breaking our souls, ripping away from me the one person I loved the most in this world.

“I’ll find you, Jules! I’ll come for you!” Those were the last words he said to me…

Available on Amazon

$0.99 sale through 12/2

My journey to becoming a writer

The first vivid memory of me wanting to be a writer was in fifth grade when our teacher gave us an assignment to write a story about our summer break. My summer was pretty boring, so I decided to embellish a little and use my sarcastic sense of humor to make the mundane vacation seem more exciting. When the teacher gave us back our papers, he called me in front of the class and asked me to read mine out loud. By the end of my essay, all my classmates were falling off their chairs, laughing, and I realized that I have a knack for writing comedy.

A year later, that same teacher took away my notebook when he caught me writing poetry during class and not paying attention. Without telling me, he submitted one of my poems to a literary magazine featuring young writers and shocked me when he gave me a copy of the periodical, with my first published work. The magazine offered me a mentorship with a local bestselling author, but sadly it never came to fruition. I was so proud when I went home and showed the magazine to my mom, only to get my dreams crushed. My parents were extremely conservative and were not happy that I wrote love poetry at age eleven.

For years I kept writing in secret, poetry, short stories, and ideas for novels. Twenty years later, after I graduated from college and moved an ocean away from home, I rediscovered my passion for writing. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and during one of our conversations, she told me one of her biggest regrets was not letting me follow my dream. She told me she always believed I had a talent and encouraged me to try writing again. After she passed away and I went back home for her funeral on her nightstand, I found all of my old notebooks, the magazine with my poem, and even my school essays she collected over the years. My dad told me she read them every night before bed until her last day.

When I got back home, I opened my computer, and after twenty years, I wrote the first chapter of a book that came straight from my soul. I don’t think I’ll ever publish it because it’s too personal and cathartic, as I expelled a lot of my personal struggles and paid respect to my mother’s last wish.

As an author, I am not writing in one particular genre because all my stories are inspired by different events throughout my life.

I write comedies usually when I go through a hurdle because humor helps me cope.

The more emotional romance novels like Crimson Snow come from introspection about the human soul and my core belief that love can heal us from any trauma.

I also write paranormal romance, and my next upcoming series is called “The Sodalis Prince.” I was born a few hundred miles from Count Dracula’s castle, and the legends of vampires and other supernatural creatures were part of my childhood. My grandmother used to tell me chillingly realistic stories, true folklore told around the fires at night, which fueled my imagination and inspired me to write about that fantasy world.

I lived on two continents and met many interesting people who inspired many of my characters. This year I finally got the courage to publish my first two novels and embark on this journey to share with readers the stories that stayed dormant in my heart for twenty long years but kept pushing to be told.

Ina Carter

Ina Carter has always been an avid reader. She discovered her love for writing at an early age when her first poem was published in a literary magazine at age twelve. As a lifetime collector of inspirational stories, Ina believes that love is the most powerful force in the Universe. She writes in multiple genres – romantic comedies, contemporary and paranormal. Ina lives in Southern California with her husband, two kids, and one very temperamental cat. You can find more about Ina and future book releases at www.InaCarter.com.

Twitter :@inacarterbooks

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ina.carter.3591

Ina Carter will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of Gumbeaux Love (Gumbeaux Sisters Book 2) by Jax Frey

 

How has it been a year since I read the first book? I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this sequel. Keep on reading for an excerpt and my thoughts. Plus the author gives her ideas for who would best play her characters in a dramatic interpretation! Let her know what you're thinking as well and then follow the tour for more. Best of luck in the giveaway!

The adventures of the Gumbeaux Sistahs continues. Five, fiery southern women wage wars against their unique problems using their improbable friendships, hilarious evil-genius schemes, strategy sessions with oh-so-many cocktails, and a shared passion for good gumbo.

Single, Southern artist, Judith Lafferty, casually confesses to her Gumbeaux Sistahs that she is occasionally lonely and would like to fall in love again. Seriously - you'd think she would know to keep her mouth shut around these women by now. The sistahs tackle her problem along with their own with their usual unreasonable, extreme plots and schemes, including a kidnapping, a cupid costume, trying out pick-up lines at the cheese counter, and blind dates from hell. In helping out their friend, the sistahs help each other out as well and bring to light the many flavors of love in all of our lives. Be ready for twists, turns, laugh-out-loud times, and heart-wrenching moments. You'll be sure to recognize yourself and your best friends in the unstoppable sistahs.

Read an excerpt:

Some time ago, Dawn had discovered that it was enormously satisfying to vent on Facebook. She did not do it the way so many other people did—ranting about their politics and railing against humanity—which only served to spread more hate in the world. No, she went about it secretly. There was an element of risk to it, and that was what made it so fulfilling.

If she was angry or upset with someone for whatever reason, she would fire up her laptop very late at night and type scathing posts about them. She would even tag the person if they were Facebook friends. She would pour all of the built-up venom into her words and gleefully lay it on thick. When she got it all out of her system, she would stop and take a sip of whatever alcohol accompanied the night’s rant. After she read her posts over several times until she was satisfied, she would then delete both the tag and the post. It was like throwing her fierce anger out into the wind, then sucking it all back in with a kind of emotional vacuum cleaner. It served to weaken the anger and allowed her to move past some issues she dealt with on a day-to-day basis.

Tonight, she stretched out her fingers in anticipation and began to type.

“Hey Monkey Boy, it was so good to see you today. It reminded me of the mealy-mouthed little leach you were as a kid, always mooching off of my family. And now you fancy yourself a big-time chef. Oh, please! The idea of you teaching people to cook is laughable—especially when it comes to gumbo. Let me tell you, if you ever ate my gumbo, you’d run back to Breaux Bridge with your monkey tail between your legs. In fact, I challenge you to a gumbo cook-off. But, forget it. You wouldn’t dare show your face at a competition because you know what a truly excellent ass-whupping you would receive. And it would be my pleasure to administer it!”

She read it over, grinned, and then sat back in her couch, deeply rewarded. She chuckled to herself over her momentary revenge and took several sips of wine as a feeling of well-being settled over her.

Available on Amazon

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**My thoughts**

I can't believe it's been a year since I read the first book in the series! I fell in love with the women in that one and was so excited to see that a sequel had arrived! It was wonderful to pick back up with these women in the next chapter of their friendship journey.

Quick note: while this is a sequel, you could conceivably read it is a standalone. But you're definitely going to want to read the books in order for maximum enjoyment!

Judith is focusing on her love life, though not via her own decision. And her love interest is a delicious twist. Dawn is getting herself into trouble with a gumbo challenge against a former friend who has been acting more like an enemy. Lola is moving on in love and life and not in a way we would have predicted after the first story. Bea is working on spreading their mission of love and friendship in a new way. And an old nemesis is back and still up to no good. Plus other favorite characters make an appearance. Oh, and I love Lucy.

This wacky group of ladies do not stop entertaining. I felt like Dawn's rehashing of her childhood with Rocky was overdone a little bit. But for the most part, I found myself grinning all throughout as I read about their antics and wishing I had such a tightly knit group of eclectic friends. I have the eclectic and eccentric friends, just not all in one group like this.

This book, like the first one, reads like it could easily be converted to a dramatic film or series. I really think it could happen! And of course, I'm looking forward to even more of their adventures. I think with this group of women, their stories could be never ending!

Thank you to the author and to Goddess Fish for providing me with a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read my review of book 1. 

If my book was made into a movie . . .

I’ve never thought about this before. Actually, I’m completely lying. I think about it all the time. I’ve already got the cast picked out for the main characters.

Here goes:

Judith – Diane Keaton or Annette Benning

Dawn – Jean Smart

Lola – Holly Hunter

Bea – Kathy Bates

Helen – Sissy Spacek

Bitsy – Octavia Spencer


This cast could portray the crazy, talented, loving Sistahs in the book. OK that’s done – roll’em!

Born in New Orleans, Jax came into this world with a sense of celebration of southern culture, food, family and fun. Translating that celebration into her writing and onto canvas is her true calling. Her colorful art depicts everything from her dancing Gumbeaux Sistahs paintings to her popular line of original Mini paintings of southern icons. Because over 25,000 of the mini paintings have been created and sold into art collections worldwide, Jax holds a world’s record for The Most Original Acrylic Paintings on Canvas by One Artist from the World's Record Academy. Jax art and gifts can be seen at www.artbyjax.com.

Jax is also the co-founder of the Women of Infinite Possibilities, an empowering women’s organization started in Covington, LA, where Jax lives today with her loveable, tornado-of-a-pug named Lucy.

The Gumbeaux Sistahs' series of novels is a work of love for Jax After painting the Sistahs for many years, she finally gives voice to these women characters who have something to say and constantly make Jax laugh when she writes about them. http://www.gumbeauxsistahs.com/

Jax Frey will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway