ON SALE~ One Royal Christmas by Melissa Tagg

 

PURCHASE on Amazon >>> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08K2RQ68K

From the author of the award-winning ENCHANTED Christmas Collection, a royal romance filled with small-town holiday charm!

His Majesty Jonah Harrison Archer Davies VI has just endured the worst year of his life . . . and he's convinced he's no longer fit to rule Concordia. Not now . . . but maybe someday. Taking advantage of an obscure law that allows him to temporarily abdicate his throne, he transfers short-term power to his younger brother and retreats to Tinsel, Vermont. Perhaps in this tucked-away town, with its enchanting Christmas decorations and unusual media ban, Jonah will discover the peace and privacy he needs to heal, find his vision for his country . . . and somehow believe himself worthy of the crown.

Eight years ago, Rowan Bell dropped out of college and sacrificed her dream of traveling the world to keep a promise to her dying grandmother--to care for Tinsel's charming library. But the antiquated Cape Cod cottage that has housed the library for decades is falling apart around her, and Tinsel's city leaders have arranged to relocate the library. Desperate to keep her grandmother's legacy alive--and hopefully hush the longings of her restless heart in the process--Rowan hatches a plan to preserve the historic house. Help comes in the most unexpected form when a handsome bookworm--a king!--appears in Rowan's life.

Drawn together under Tinsel's Christmastime spell, Rowan and Jonah work to secure the library's future, even as they grapple with all the uncertainty in their own futures. But when a national crisis calls Jonah home, it's not only his claim to the throne that's in danger, but their two hearts which had only begun to hope again.

One Royal Christmas originally appeared in the 2019 novella collection Royally Yours. This is a standalone novella filled with romance, royalty and small-town charm.

~ Happy Reading ~

Rachael Reviews ~ Something Worth Doing by Jane Kirkpatrick

In 1853, Abigail Scott was a 19-year-old school teacher in Oregon Territory when she married Ben Duniway. Marriage meant giving up on teaching, but Abigail always believed she was meant to be more than a good wife and mother. When financial mistakes and an injury force Ben to stop working, Abigail becomes the primary breadwinner for her growing family. What she sees as a working woman appalls her, and she devotes her life to fighting for the rights of women, including their right to vote.

Following Abigail as she bears six children, runs a millinery and a private school, helps on the farm, writes novels, gives speeches, and eventually runs a newspaper supporting women's suffrage, Something Worth Doing explores issues that will resonate strongly with modern women: the pull between career and family, finding one's place in the public sphere, and dealing with frustrations and prejudices women encounter when they compete in male-dominated spaces. Based on a true story of a pioneer for women's rights from award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick will inspire you to believe that some things are worth doing--even when the cost is great.

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Rachael's Review ~ 3 Stars

I had a hard time with this book because I couldn’t really relate. I realize that fighting for women to be able to own things, get custody of their children, and so many other things was needed. However, Abigail seemed selfish, and she went ten months ( apparently fairly easily) without seeing her husband or children. The author didn’t make me feel connected to any characters in this book. I don’t know if that had more to do with the main character or the writing itself.

I did learn much from reading this book. The author did some extensive research to try to bring Abigail Duniway to life. Much is said of her relationships and the complexity of her situation with her brother as they both ran a newspaper with opposing views. There is a lot of information in the book about how the women’s right to vote was tied to prohibition, which I had never heard before. The west also was different from the East so they sought women’s rights differently than the East.

I personally love housework, Abigail hated it and really didn’t even seem to like the tasks of being a mother. Considering I was not even able to give birth, I found her a bit whiny and petty. I think in this instance, it was more the character that was brought to life than the writing that didn’t appeal. I have always enjoyed this authors books. I did very much enjoy the historical research , but I didn’t connect with the people. If you are interested in history, how difficult it was for pioneers of Oregon and the west, or the fight of women’s rights ( this was far more than just the right to vote) I would definitely recommend this book.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Guest Reviewer; Rachael Farnsworth-Merritt

Rachael is a homemaker, wife, mother, homeschooler, and disciple of Christ who enjoys crafting, simple money saving tips, and loves farm life. She is also an avid book reviewer and blogger. 

Rebecca Reviews ~ The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox

 

When Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee an estate sale, she soon discovers that her grandmother left behind more than trinkets and photo frames--she provided a path to the truth behind Ivy's adoption. Shocked, Ivy seeks clues to her past, but a key piece to the mystery is missing.

Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James finds an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection for the first time in his life. His desire to care for the baby runs up against the stark fact that he is homeless. When he becomes entwined with two people seeking to help him find his way, Harvey knows he must keep the baby a secret or risk losing the only person he's ever loved.

In this dual-time story from debut novelist Amanda Cox, the truth--both the search for it and the desire to keep it from others--takes center stage as Ivy and Harvey grapple with love, loss, and letting go.

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Rebecca's Review ~ 4.5 stars

"There really are people who are alone in the world. People who have no one to look after them. . . . If the story of my life could say one thing, I'd hope it would show the importance of venturing into the highways and the hedges to let invisible people know they're seen and loved."

Harvey James was one of "those"people. Alone in the world, surviving on his own by remaining invisible. . . . until one day the cries of one who was even more vulnerable than he, sounded from the edge of belonging; and life was never the same.

Ivy Rose returns home with a heart full of sadness and a mind that hasn't fully recovered from the weight of her misjudgments; the fact of the matter is, she feels lost or maybe she was never found . . . . except that she was . . . found . . . all those years ago on her parents doorstep. Cleaning out Grandma Pearl's possessions will be bittersweet, but she won't be alone, not really. And she has so many questions . . . . and judging from her grandma's final correspondence, Pearl had the answers.

"There are things I never told you. Sometimes I kept silent because I lacked wisdom to know how to speak difficult truths. . . . . I knew I couldn't leave this world without giving you answers to the questions that have plagued your mind since you were a little girl." But the journal that her grandma unveils . . . is nowhere to be found.

Without a doubt, readers have just been introduced to an author with an incredible acuity for deep, authentic stories; delivered with a measure of tenderness and grace.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

 
Senior Reviewer, Rebecca Maney

Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With over 30 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".

Author Interview + Two GIVEAWAY Opportunities ~ Debbie Lynne Costello

Debbie Lynne Costello has been writing since the young age of eight. She went to college for journalism. She enjoys medieval settings and settings set in nineteenth century Charleston, South Carolina. She loves the Lord and hopes to touch people's lives through her stories. Debbie Lynne lives in the beautiful state of South Carolina with her husband of 40 years, their 4 children, 2 Tennessee Walking horses, 2 Arabians, miniature donkey, 6 ducks, and 3 dogs. 

Connect with Debbie Lynne online: 

My website: DebbieLynneCostello.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbielynnecostello 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebiLynCostello 

Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/276616916748/debbielynnecostello

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Welcome, Debbie Lynne! Rebecca, Rachael, and I are delighted you’re here today and sharing with us about your writing journey. We’ve collaborated on some questions that we hope our blog readers will be interested in hearing the answers to.

Please share with us a little about your current work and/or recently published book?

My new release is Bride by Blackmail. It’s set in Charleston, SC in the late 19th century. A young woman from a fairly well-to-do family finds herself the object of a very handsome Scot’s attention. Charlotte is strong willed and feisty but she loves her sisters so much she’s willing to sacrifice her happiness to ensure theirs. Duncan is a spy in America, looking for the man who betrayed his country and caused the death of his brother. What he doesn’t anticipate is that the lovely Miss Jackson would not only catch his eye but steal his heart. Problem is she’s in love with another man.

My WIP (work in progress) is the sequel to my debut novel, Sword of Forgiveness. Sword of Trust picks up where Sword of Forgiveness left off.

They both are stand alone novels but Sword of Trust continues on with life, and has much more history in it. It is set in a time where there was much turmoil between king and his nobles. I’ve done a lot of research and picked a British friend’s brain so much she probably dreads seeing my emails as they cross the sea to her inbox. I hope to have SOT out by the end of this year, Lord willing.

What is one of the most important pieces of advice you received early in your writing career?

Don’t head hop! LOL. Learning POV wasn’t hard for me but I’d written my first novel in the old style of head hopping. There was a huge learning curve when I started so much more than one thing. I was also told to write what you love. I love historical and so I’ve stayed here. I think when one loves where they are at it shows in their stories.

Have you seen significant changes in Christian fiction since you were first published? If so, have they caused you to have to adapt the way you write and/or publish your stories?

Unfortunately I have to answer yes to this. So many of the big publishers want to water down the Christianity in the books. I’m not saying all, but more and more are. I guess in some ways it has caused me to change. I still write what God puts on my heart. I’m not willing to compromise there.

But it is part of what made me indie publish some of my books.

Do you keep a journal of ideas for future books?

Oh my goodness, yes! I have notes on my phone, voice notes on my phone from when I’m driving and have an idea and can’t write it out. I have notes in word on my computer and a folder for just ideas.

Do your ideas for stories come all at once, or do they reveal themselves one character at a time?

I get a basic idea and sometime I run it past my hubby and we brainstorm so I get the basic structure of the story. Then I start to write. The first 3 to 4 chapters are always the hardest for me as I develop and learn my characters. But once I start writing them they take me often to places I never knew I was going to go. And many times they change the direction of the story.

Do you write during large chunks of set aside time or do you let the ideas run away with you when they feel like showing up?

I try to set time aside every day to write. It’s much easier for me to continue daily with the story. Otherwise I forget!

What were some of your favorite stories growing up?

As a young child I loved Henry and Ribsy books and Mickey Sees the USA.

Around twelve, I started reading Hardy Boys Series and The Three Investigator series by Alfred Hitchcock. And then when I got older I loved Gone with the Wind. I will say that a book that left a lasting impression on me was Flowers for Algernon. I wouldn’t say that was a favorite but it was a thought provoking book.

Do you have a hobby that helps you de-stress?

I have lots of hobby but some of cause stress. LOL. To distress, I’d say my favorite hobby is to take our horses out and go riding. That to me is the most relaxing thing to do. I love to ride trails through the woods where it’s unusual to see another person. It’s so peaceful. Another hobby I enjoy and does help me distress is crafts. If I see something that catches my eye, I enjoy sitting down and doing it at my leisure. Painting is relaxing to me as well, but I’ve painted so many pictures I don’t know what to do with them.

It’s been a crazy year so far for all of us. If you’ve taken a vacation this year, where did you go? If not, is there a local place where you live that you’d like to visit for a day trip?

We went to Houston, Texas, though it wasn’t a vacation. It was for Joe’s tests. But we have two very dear friends there so visiting with them is like a vacation. We plan to go to Maine and visit our son and daughter-in-law.

Like us, they are building their own home. We love to go up and help them out.

I know many of us readers snack while we consume books. What’s your favorite snack while you write? Do prefer tea (iced or hot), coffee, or soda?

If it is morning, I’ll drink hot tea. If it’s after morning tea I drink cold peach tea. I try not to snack during the day but if I did it would probably be Terra vegetable chips.

Is there something you’d like to ask our readers here at Stuff & Nonsense?

I’d love to know if they prefer series books and if they like to see the characters from the previous book appear in the new book.

Thank you for having me on! It has been a pleasure and fun questions to answer.

Debbie Lynne is hosting a Rafflecopter Giveaway for a paperback copy of Bride by Blackmail here >> https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/aac1581d10/ 

You can purchase a copy here >> Amazon

                ______________________________________________________________

And Debbie Lynne is also graciously offering one of my blog readers a choice of ANY of her books!!! How sweet is that???

Please leave a comment answering the above underlined question from Debbie Lynne along with an email address in a non-spammy format (hot at dog dot com) in case you win. 

The giveaway ends Sept 29th. A winner will be chosen using Random.org. US only due to postage costs. 

Here is a list of Debbie Lynne's books:

Bride by Blackmail  Book 1 in Moonlight and Magnolia Series Coming in September 15th 2020 
A Cup of Christmas Cheer (Guideposts Books) 
Sword of Forgiveness Book 1 in Winds of Change Series (Medieval)
Sword of the Matchmaker Novella in the Winds of Change Series

The Perfect Bride Novella in the Winds of Change Series

Sword of Trust Book 2 in Winds of Change Series coming 2020

Shattered Memories Book 1 in The Charleston Earthquake Series

~Happy Reading~

COMING Sept 22nd~ Interview with author Debbie Lynne Costello + Giveaway!!!

 

A broken heart, a controlling father, and an intrusive Scot leave Charlotte Jackson reeling. Accused of stealing an heirloom pin, she must choose between an unwanted marriage and the ruin of her family name. With the futures of her three younger sisters at stake, as well as her own reputation, Charlotte must navigate through injustice to find forgiveness and true happiness.

Eager to find the traitor that caused the death of his brother, Duncan MacKenzie comes to America and attempts to fit in with Charleston society. But when the headstrong Charlotte catches his eye, Duncan takes on a second mission—acquiring the lass’s hand. After being spurned several times, he uses unconventional ways of winning her heart.

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Read my review here:

https://annepayne.blogspot.com/2020/08/review-bride-by-blackmail-by-debbie.html

Hope to see y'all tomorrow!!!

Blessings,

Author Interview + GIVEAWAY ~ Carrie Fancett Pagels

Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is a Christian fiction bestselling and award-winning author of over twenty books—tagline, “Hearts Overcoming Through Time”. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn’t “cured” by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie enjoys American history, listening to audiobooks, walking the family’s adopted Kelpie, and visiting beautiful places surrounded by water.

Carrie’s novel, My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island, won the Maggie Award, and was a Romantic Times Top Pick. Her romance novella, The Steeplechase, was a finalist in the prestigious Holt Medallion Awards. Her short story, “The Quilting Contest”, was Historical Fiction Winner of Family Fiction’s The Story national contest. Her novella, The Substitute Bride was a Maggie Award finalist. All three of her Christy Lumber Camp books were long list finalists for Family Fiction’s Book of the Year and The Fruitcake Challenge was a Selah Award finalist.

Connect with Carrie online: 

Facebook Author Page

See images related to Carrie’s books on her Pinterest Boards

Contact Carrie through her website www.carriefancettpagels & sign up for Carrie’s newsletter

Twitter https://twitter.com/cfpagels

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/carriefancettpagels/

BookBub

On goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54975504-dogwood-plantation#_=_

Links to purchase:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Kobo

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Welcome back, Carrie! Rebecca, Rachael, and I are delighted you’re here today and sharing with us about your writing journey. We’ve collaborated on some questions that we hope our blog readers will be interested in hearing the answers to. J

Please share with us a little about your current work and/or recently published book.

Dogwood Plantation is one of the first novels that I wrote. It has had a major rehab since then, particularly for the heroine, Cornelia Gill. Anne was one of my original Beta readers for this story! Thank you, Anne!

What is one of the most important pieces of advice you received early in your writing career?

As far as specifically writing, one of the best bits of advice was to write the book forward, chapter-by-chapter, but that wasn’t something that I did early on. I took a ton of craft lessons and attended conferences, etc., but the “write it forward” advice was a game changer. You see, in those craft classes, they often ask you to work on something specific, which could be a scene way down the story path.

Have you seen significant changes in Christian fiction since you were first published? If so, have they caused you to have to adapt the way you write and/or publish your stories?

Wow, yes. The first CF books I read decades ago, were Janette Oke’s and Bodie Thoene’s, both great authors, with very strong Christian themes. What is happening in the market now, is a move to what I will call “Christian light”. As more secular houses take over the CF market, I’ve read or listened to (I prefer audiobooks) too many stories where there is no Christian theme whatsoever. Hasn’t affected my writing, you’ll find Christianity as the basic tenet. However, that being said, I have written a couple of books where I was less “in your face” with that.

Do you keep a journal of ideas for future books? Nope.

Do your ideas for stories come all at once, or do they reveal themselves one character at a time?
Usually, they are revealed through an encounter of some type and they rush at me. For instance, Anne and I were on a plantation tour in Charles City county when we wandered into a B&B on the tour that had this one area with tons of antiques, including lots of really expensive teacups! That inspired my novella Tea Shop Folly.

Do you write during large chunks of set aside time or do you let the ideas run away with you when they feel like showing up?

No. I have RA and am disabled. I only write as the Lord gives me strength. So sometimes He gives me hours and hours and other times maybe half an hour. It’s all in His hands!

What were some of your favorite stories growing up?

Anne of Green Gables was my favorite. Little Women and other stories by Louisa May Alcott, too. I read every single title in my little elementary school’s classroom libraries I kid you not.

Do you have a hobby that helps you de-stress?

Beading used to be that hobby but as my RA has progressed that‘s actually more stressful! I like to bake. I love listening to CF audiobooks. Right now I’m finishing up Becky Wade’s contemporary CF, Stay With Me.

It’s been a crazy year so far for all of us. If you’ve taken a vacation this year, where did you go? If not, is there a local place where you live that you’d like to visit for a day trip?

We went to OBX with family and friends after my son’s not-so-traditional high school graduation. It rained half the week but we had so much fun. We’d already paid the fee and couldn’t get a refund, so we all prayed about it and went forward.

I also went up North to the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where I grew up. I do this less as a vacation and more of a change of work location as many of my books are set there.  I have one we are shopping around and while I was there I was offered another contract set in the area (more info coming on that when the contract is in hand!) I do research on projects while there. Also, my health improves while I am there, which is a tremendous blessing!

I know many of us readers snack while we consume books. What’s your favorite snack while you write? Do prefer tea (iced or hot), coffee, or soda?

Tea, tea, and did I say tea? A new fave is Bubbly those flavored fizzy drinks and I add a packet of SweetNLow to them!

Is there something you’d like to ask our readers here at Stuff & Nonsense?

Have you ever visited a big plantation, like Shirley Plantation in Virginia? Shirley is the inspiration for the setting for Dogwood Plantation.

Carrie is graciously offering a paperback or e-book of Dogwood Plantation to one of our blog readers! 

~ GIVEAWAY ~

To be entered in the giveaway, you must complete all three:

1) leave a comment answering the above underlined question from Carrie

2) leave an email address in a non-spammy format (hot at dog dot com) 

3) what country you live in 

The giveaway ends Sept 22nd. A winner will be chosen using Random.org. US only for paperback due to postage costs.

A Tiny Bit of Normal??

In our part of VA, a school bus went down our street this morning for the first time in 6 months!! So happy the children are able to go back to school, even if it is on a wacky schedule. I'm sure emotions will run the gamut today for students and teachers alike. Praying they have a productive day filled with love and laughter and learning!!!

My grandchildren are in NC and although school has started for them, it is all online. They are anxious to be able to go back to the classroom. They miss their teachers and friends.

Has school started back in-person where you live?