Review ~ Collateral Damage (Danger Never Sleeps #1) by Lynette Eason

Paperback, 320 pages

Published January 7th 2020 by Fleming H. Revell Company

About the Book

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can't take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he's not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack--and that her secrets go even deeper than his own--Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime.

Learn more about the author ~ Lynette Eason website

Purchase Link
CBD

My Review

4 STARS!!!

Collateral Damage is an intense start to Eason’s new Danger Never Sleeps series. Numerous twists and turns kept me glued to the page. Brooke and Asher are strong characters both reeling from trauma sustained in Afghanistan while serving in the US Army.

I enjoyed getting to know the backstory of each and watching how they navigated murky waters when dealing with PTSD. I felt like I gained a bit of perspective and compassion for our current and past military members.

Eason delves into a deep and dark stratum of society that completely took me by surprise. I was saddened and disturbed that some of the ‘enemies’ would be among those we normally think of as heroes. That left me slightly disheartened (as it should) but I did find the story mesmerizing.

I recommend this book to fans of romantic suspense because watching Brooke and Asher’s relationship develop was endearing, and Eason’s criminals are chilling.

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

Review ~ Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham + GIVEAWAY

Paperback, 320 pages

Published July 2nd 2019 by Fleming H. Revell Company 

For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people's mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more--a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.

Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn't expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never 

really expecting a reply.

When Penny's undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring--perhaps too much--for the one who wrote it.

My Review

3 STARS

The Dead Letter Office of the USPS seemed an intriguing premise since I am a fan of a similar TV show. While the earlier letters Thomas wrote to Clara were definitely moving and made my heart squeeze, I didn’t feel any spark between Thomas and Penny which reduced my enjoyment of the story. I’m in the minority in feeling this way so don’t take my word for it. If you enjoy historical fiction, I encourage you to give this book a try.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

I'm passing along my paperback copy to one commenter.

Giveaway Instructions

1) You must follow the blog through GFC in the right sidebar >>>

2) You must leave an email address in a non-spammy format
(jane at here dot com) so you can be contacted if you win.

No email. No entry.  (Unless I know you really well!!) I won't chase you down. :-)

US Only (48 contiguous states) because postage is a bear!

Winner will be drawn on July 24th.

Author Interview -- Angela Ruth Strong + Giveaway -- A Cuppa Trouble, A CafFUNated Mystery Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for A Cuppa Trouble by Angela Ruth Strong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Hey Angela!!! I am so excited to host you today and share about you and your books.  Tell us a little about yourself and your newest book.

A Cuppa Trouble is a murder mystery set at Valentine’s, so not only are my characters in danger, but so are their love lives. I had fun with this, bringing Tandy’s ex back to town and putting her in a love triangle when Marissa is the one used to getting all the male attention. To make matters worse, Tandy’s ex is a suspect, and she doesn’t know if he really cares for her or is simply trying to distract her from her sleuthing. And all this happens at the same time they are supposed to be holding a grand opening for their new coffee shop/tea house.

As my editor put it, I stepped on the gas 1/3 of the way into the book and don’t let off until the end. It’s one wild ride.

It’s the age of super heroes, right?! What is your writing Kryptonite?

I’m a procrastinator. If I didn’t have deadlines, I would get nothing done. When I get close to a deadline, I warn my family, “I have to finish my book this month, so I’m not going to make any sense when I talk.” They actually really enjoy this. Especially when I randomly say things like, “I’m adopted,” which I’m not, or, “Let the horses in” when I meant the dogs.

I have to say your FB page is one of the most fun sites on social media! You and your husband crack me up when y’all sing Karaoke. He seems like a great sport and totally behind your writing gig. Do you base any of your heroes on him? 

All of them! Not only can the man sing, he went to school for art, he rides a motorcycle, he plays sports, he works in IT, he trained to be a firefighter, he’s been a surfer, and he grew up on a ranch. He’s every hero out there all rolled into one.

And he’s definitely supportive of my writing, though, to be honest, writers do not make the best heroines. Especially when I’m not making any sense when I talk. So that’s his most heroic quality—putting up with me. (We won’t mention my karaoke skills.)

I’ve heard a few authors say they don’t have much time to read because they’re so busy writing. If you have time to read, what do enjoy the most? Historical or contemporary? And who might a must-read author be for you?

I prefer contemporary, though split timelines are intriguing. If I read historical, it’s usually Deeanne Gist, since she’s got both heart and humor as well as unique storylines. I try lots of new authors, so my must-reads are savored like dessert. I don’t read them right when they come out. I wait for special occasions. Becky Wade and Denise Hunter are the first that come to mind. Terri Blackstock is my new favorite. My hubby and I listened to Catching Christmas together during Christmas vacation, and he got into it too.

Summer is almost here so what’s something fun for tourists to do in your neck of the woods? 

We live in Idaho, which has some great whitewater rafting. My husband’s coworkers own rafts and go every Wednesday after work, so we join them sometimes. My debut novel, Love Finds You in Sun Valley, involved a rafting guide and came out when Jim and I were dating, so he read it and gave me pointers. Sun Valley is probably more well known for their snow skiing. They had the very first chairlift, and people come from all over the world to ski there.

How was your trip to London? Is there one thing you wish you would have had time to do that you didn’t get to?

There’s no possible way to do everything London and Paris have to offer. We had an amazing time, despite disappointments.

1. There was no changing of the guard because Trump was in town and they’d ramped up security.

      2. Big Ben was under construction, so we didn’t see it in all its glory.

      3.  We didn’t get to see the Mona Lisa because the room it’s displayed in was restricted for renovation.  

      4. It was too windy to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, so we only climbed to the second floor.

      

      I guess that just means I’ll have to go back! Also, I’m planning a writing retreat for Scotland next year if anyone is interested. Join my newsletter or facebook to keep updated on that info.

Last but not least, share with us where readers can connect with you.

You can sign up for my weekly newsletter at www.angelaruthstong.com. As mentioned before, I have a lot of fun on facebook, so you can just come hang out or help me plot novels and give feedback at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1557213161269220/.

There’s also twitter https://twitter.com/AngelaRStrong and instagram https://www.instagram.com/ang_strong/ though they just get the leftover scraps from facebook.

Thanks again for being on Stuff & Nonsense today, Angela! Your stories are always a breath of fresh air in my reading world. J

Thanks for having me! I feel like I fit right in with stuff and nonsense. 😉

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Cuppa Trouble 

Series: The CafFUNated Mysteries #2 

Author: Angela Ruth Strong  

Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink 

Release Date: July 1, 2019  

Genre: Inspirational Cozy Mystery

Can a couple of baristas chase down a car thief without spilling a drop of their favorite drinks?

Plans for a Valentine's Day grand opening of a small town coffee shop go awry when the first customer is killed. Evidence points toward the victim being mixed up in a car theft ring, but shop owners Tandy and Marissa have reason to believe he was framed.

An assortment of suspects--from a pink-haired heir to Tandy's charming ex--all seem to know a little too much about grand theft auto.

Without approval from either their boyfriends or the gum-chewing FBI agent in charge, the shop owners go on stakeouts, plan stings, and pursue justice in a high-speed car chase. If they don't find the killer soon, it might be more than their love lives in trouble.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there's nothing else she'd rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK.  

CONNECT WITH ANGELA: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a "Coffee is like Sherlock Holmes" mug, "Drink Coffee & Do Good" sign (painted with coffee by author's cover designer), $25 Starbucks Gift Card & "Drink Coffee, and Read Books & Be Happy" tote.

Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 24, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Author Interview with Mary Connealy ~ The Unexpected Champion Blog & Review Tour + Giveaway!!

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for The Unexpected Champion by Mary Connealy with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Unexpected Champion  
Series: High Sierra Sweethearts, Book 3  
Author: Mary Connealy  
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers  
Release Date: March 5, 2019  
Genre: Historical Romance / Western  

They’re as Different as Could Be.  
But They’ll Need to Trust Each Other to Survive the Wilderness . . . and the Dangers Chasing Them.

City dweller John McCall never expected to be out in the High Sierras of 1868 on a wild-goose chase to find the Chiltons’ supposedly lost grandson. But now that he’s out here, things have gotten even more complicated, mostly due to wildcat Penny Scott. She’s not like any woman he’s ever met–comfortable in the woods, with a horse, and with a gun.

When Penny and John are taken against their will by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don’t have, both realize they’ve stumbled into something dangerous. With their friends and family desperately searching for them, Penny and John must make a daring escape.

When they emerge back into the real world, they discover their kidnapper just won’t stop. This city man and country woman must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, all while fighting a very inconvenient attraction to each other.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christian Book |

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
Tell us a little about yourself and your writing journey. 
I wrote for ten years before I got my first book published and, at the end of that decade, when I finally sold my first book, I had TWENTY finished books on my computer. Now that may be hard work and passion…or it may be obsessive compulsive disorder. But my husband let me write without getting a net so here I am today. Of those twenty books I have gotten all but…maybe two of them published. And I now, with the release of The Unexpected Champion, have 61 books in print!!!
Wow! That is an amazing number of books. I always enjoy your stories. Where is your favorite place to write? 

I’m very low maintenance as a writer. Let’s call it FOCUSED! I do most of my writing in my recliner in the living room. But I can write anywhere. In quiet, in noise. At home, in a restaurant or library. Me, my laptop and time. My favorite is the recliner. 
To be able to write anywhere...That is a real talent in and of itself! What’s the one food item you can’t live without? 
There’s nothing I can’t live without…and I’ve proved that by eating wildly and with no negative attitudes about anything. If one food were denied me, I’d just happily munch on something else. I am an equal opportunity eater. 
I am the same way except when it comes to chocolate. I have to have my chocolate!☺Is there one theme you lean towards including in your stories more than another? If so, why do you think that is? 
I think I always come back to family. A deep need to have my family near me. If I have a book where the young couple go off away from their families to live, as so often happened in the wild west, it bothers me and I have to FORCE myself to let them go. (cue the Frozen theme song—Let it Go!) 
I love that theme of family! My children are spread out now, and one is in the Midwest serving in the USAF. Who would you pick to play the lead roles if The Unexpected Champion was made into a movie? 
Well, currently I am in love with Scott Eastwood. I’d pick him for John McCall and Penny…She’s so tough. I’m floundering here. How about a young Sandra Bullock? That’s more an admission I don’t go to many movies and know many young actresses than anything else. 
I admit I had to look up Scott Eastwood. I don't think I've watched anything he's been in but I do love Sandra Bullock's movies. Good choices!! Can you give us a sneak peek into what book you are working on right now? When does it release? 
I’m doing final galley edits on book #1 of a new series, coming in October. The Brides of Hope Mountain series. Book #1 is Aiming for Love. 
Josephine Nordegrin has grown up wild, on a mountaintop living only with her two sisters. They were trained by their reclusive grandparents to stay away from people. 
Dave Warden invades Jo’s mountain home with a herd of cattle. The dire warnings from her long-dead grandparents fade as a fascinating world opens up for Jo. A handsome man, his wise and kind parents. Different, delicious food, and strange new ideas. Jo wants to know about all of it, but to reach out to the strangers she has to defy her frightened big sister and risk turning her back on a lifetime of fear. 
The newcomers even have strange notions about the Bible. They claim there is only one while Jo believes there are two and knows both of them by heart. Dave and his family have no reverence for parables like…The Boy Who Cried Wolf. 
Jo has to save their souls without sliding into their unbelieving ways. And she might be able to hold firm if Ma Warden wasn’t such a good cook and Dave Warden wasn’t so kind-hearted and handsome. 
I like the sound of this one! I'll look forward to reading it. Do you have a book you’re looking forward to reading this summer? 
I just got, in the mail, White City by Grace Hitchcock. I have only read the first chapter but it’s about a serial killer at the Chicago World’s Fair. Have you heard of the book Devil in the White City? This is set at the same place. I can’t wait to get back into it. 
I read that book! It's a chilling tale.  I think I would like to read White City by Grace Hitchcock too. 
Thank you for being with us today, Mary! It was a joy learning more about you and your writing. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography

Mary Connealy writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

CONNECT WITH MARY: website, facebook, twitter, instagram

You can also find Mary at these sites: Seekerville and Petticoats & Pistols

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

 (1) winner will win

• a complete set of all three High Sierra Sweethearts books (print, US only)
• $20 Barnes & Noble gift card

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 8, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 15, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Kregel Blog Tour & Review ~ A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley #1 By Carolyn Miller

About the book:

Can a proper noble lady find a future with a fossil-hunting man of faith?

As the daughter of Viscount Aynsley, Caroline Hatherleigh knows every rule of society and she's always followed them precisely. But when she visits south Devonshire and encounters a fossil-hunting scientist and his sister, her assumptions about what is right are shaken. Questions she has never considered about the importance of friendship and faith suddenly confront her—and her comfortable understanding about how the world works is thrown off balance. What if God wants to be the center of her life, rather than merely a social obligation?

Gideon Kirby loves science, and hunting down proof of past lives is a joy he won't willingly give up. But his scientific leanings are being challenged both by his personal beliefs and by local smugglers in the Devonshire countryside. And every day his sister's illness becomes more desperate, her care growing more demanding. Adding a viscount's daughter to the mix is a complication Gideon never expected—especially since he must stay far away from this young woman he's falling for in order to protect his beloved sister's secret.

When a mysterious stranger visits the village, that secret will be exposed, no matter how Gideon fights. Then tragedy strikes in a smugglers' cave. And the threat of scandal may lead to broken hearts and passionless propriety. Will the shaky bond these two have nurtured be strong enough to overcome their differences, or will the trust they've withheld from each other tear three lives apart?

Read an EXCERPT.

Purchase:

CBD (best PB price)

My Review

5 STARS!!!

‘He might have come to the southeast of Devon searching for ancient treasure, but he suspected he had found treasure of a very different kind.’

I highly recommend this first book in the new series Daughters of Aynsley by acclaimed Regency author Carolyn Miller. I love how the author brings Christianity and science together in the character of Gideon Kirby. He is intelligent, self-sacrificing, and diligent in his pursuit of scientific discovery. He holds his sister in high esteem and is unafraid to show his care for her in his gentle ministrations and protective nature. He loves the Lord and is unafraid to pray aloud or ask for prayer for himself. He is not a perfect man but one who is firm in his beliefs and yet struggles with matters of the heart.

Caroline Hatherleigh introduces herself into Gideon’s life in a rather forward manner for the times and suddenly he is challenged in his loner thinking and intrigued by her interest in his scientific pursuits. That is not all she is interested in but she is of upper society and believes him not to be. You can see where this is going, right? Typical Regency, you might say, but there are hidden depths to this story and multiple layers that make it much deeper and richer than any ordinary Regency. Miller is more than adept at creating community with a myriad of impressive and appealing characters.

The realness of how Caroline came to know Christ touched me deeply. I was beginning to wonder how that was going to play out and then when it did, I was bowled over with compassion for her character. Bravo to Ms Miller for showing what a struggle it can be for the unbeliever, and the many questions that can arise in their minds as the Holy Spirit works in their heart. It was a beautiful scene when Caroline finally and fully surrendered to Christ.

There were times I thought I had a little too much scientific information flowing into my brain but in spite of that, Miller completely drew me into the story. I actually had to stop at one point and Google the creature Gideon was searching for to find out if it really existed. It did! And my extra reading was just as fascinating as what Miller put on the pages. I learned something new and that makes this book even better than I anticipated!

There are several characters that will settle down in your heart and bring you joy, like Caroline’s grandmother. She’s irascible in the beginning but pretty awesome in the end. And Aidan…what can I say? He’s an Irishman! I could go on and on but I’ve topped five hundred words [GASP] so I hope you’ll pick up a copy and discover all the lovely nuances contained within A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh. It really is a great book!

I received a copy from the publisher but was not required to post a review. No compensation has been received.

Side note: I wish I had a copy to offer for giveaway but I already promised to give my copy to a friend who didn't make the tour. Y'all need to Google the book and include GIVEAWAY in the search. Maybe there are some out there somewhere! :-) 

Author Interview with Kathleen Maher, The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection Blog Tour

Welcome to Stuff & Nonsense, Kathy! I am thrilled to have you here today and know my readers enjoy getting to know you. 

Hi, Anne! Thank you so much for welcoming me to your lovely blog home. I’m excited to be here
and look forward to interacting with your readers.

Tell us a little about yourself and your writing journey.

I’m a caffeine addicted introvert, which means I get really brave when I’ve had a few cups of coffee and make social commitments that later make me want to hide.  LOL But being a writer is perfect, because most of my social engagements are fictional. 

I started this journey when I was in middle school and full of romantic ideas of how my life would be, and how the world works. Naivete and growing pains are close cousins, and I believe my stories have benefited from lessons learned. It has taken me decades to realize my dream of publication, but the long and winding road has been indispensable to understanding God’s ways, character growth arcs (mainly mine) and happily-ever-after endings. 

Tell us about your book and why you wrote it?

My novella “Love Brick by Brick” is essentially every little girl’s fantasy of marrying a rich, handsome international man of mystery. No, not Austin Powers, but the hero is British. The collection features stories of Christmas during the Victorian Age, but I set mine stateside, in my hometown in upstate NY. Rufus Sedgwick is the grandson of an earl, a” veteran” of the Crimean War, as in a lay-chaplain to the soldiers. He has moved his mother and his entire estate—brick by brick—to relocate after certain events have left them devastated. Perhaps the new start will lead to happiness for his poor Mum, and if the fates allow, for him too…

The heroine, SarahAnn Winnifred, has never taken time to dream of anything but what her academic skills can achieve for her, least of all marrying a handsome gentleman of pedigree. She’s a real worker bee, a no-nonsense doctor in training. But when her favorite little orphan friend wishes for a King and Queen to adopt her for Christmas, SarahAnn sneaks in a secret wish, too. Will her longings be the Christmas dream come true for everyone?

This story sort of wrote itself, as I sought to combine several elements of Victorian Christmas lore and local history. It surprised and delighted me as it unfolded, seat-of-the-pantster writer that I am. I hope my readers feel the same. 

What do you think makes a good story?

I love to read romances where the characters are fleshed out, and not cookie cutter figures stuck into a predictable plot. I like surprise twists, a splash of humor, a tug on the heartstrings, and a deep sigh with the happily ever after. I also love secondary characters who steal scenes. For historical fiction, a strong and authentic sense of setting is a must.

Where is your favorite place to write?

In my husband’s recliner, surrounded by cats and with Pandora radio playing. Yes, I am the crazy cat lady of Breesport. Thanks for asking. 😉

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and just have to write down a thought? If so, do you keep a tablet on your bedside table or go to the computer?

I have in the past, but I always woke up my poor long-suffering saint of a husband, so I abandoned the practice. But inspiration ALWAYS strikes at night, doesn’t it? If I get a really good thought, I open my phone on the dimmest light setting and jot a reminder in notes. And hold my breath so I don’t wake up my husband. 

Do you talk to your characters? Keep story boards or boards on Pinterest?

Hi, my name is KATHY and I’m a Pinterest Addict. I have boards for everything from period clothing to the kind of animals my characters have loved. My characters are so real to me I could talk to them, but that would just be crazy, right? (haha crazy. Who, Me?)

Can you give us a glimpse into your next book or story idea?

I have two books out right now (is this a theme about crazy or what?) and my next project is the sequel to the Civil War romance that launched Aug 2. Book Two in Sons of the Shenandoah series is already written, so it is in the edit and cover selection process. I hope to have it out in January. 

In Book One, The Abolitionist’s Daughter, you meet twin brothers Ethan and Devon Sharpe, cavaliers in every sense of the word. Impulsive Devon feels his control slipping over his brother, so he tries several tactics to secure Ethan’s loyalties, one of which is setting Ethan up with the new preacher’s daughter, Ellen White. Poor Ellen does not have a very happy outcome, and I felt she deserved a chance at happiness in the sequel. The twins’ older brother, Gideon, serves as an artillery captain at the Citadel, so he can be near his Charleston cousin Leigh Anne. Two years into war Gideon finds himself a widower with baby girls, wounded—and landing in the care of none other than Ellen White. Poor Ellen. She has to go through a bit more rough handling from a cavalier Sharpe before she arrives at anything resembling happy. But thank goodness, she’s got enough moxy to handle the most stubborn of the bunch. 

In your spare time, do you have any hobbies you enjoy? 

Did I mention Pinterest?  Oh, I did? Okay well, then there’s painting, cooking, baking, crafting, drawing, gardening, cats, dogs, (yes, my husband and I should be building an ark with all the pets we have) and marketing. Oh, and reading. Hmmm, when does sleep fit into my day, anyway?

 

Do you have a favorite book? What makes it stand out from others?

Burning Sky by Lori Benton.  So many things… it’s set in upstate NY, which I love because I typically set my stories in NY. It has a hero who loves his dog, even if he does toss insults at him. (I’m sure they are affectionate and deserved.  What is a “wee little gomeril”?) Benton handles depth in a way that’s effortless—senility, disability, kidnapping, hardship, orphanhood, yearning, shared grief and trauma…and still manages to write a winsome and uplifting story with a beautiful romance. It scores a perfect ten on every level.

What’s the one food item you can’t live without?

Ack! Only one? That’s positively spartan. I have at least ten. Okay, coffee. But no promises that I won’t be ornery without chocolate, Italian meatballs, quesadillas, fried whole clams from Maine…. Good bread…. Apple pie…. 

Where can you be found on the internet?

I have an author page on FB https://www.facebook.com/KLMaherAuthor

On Twitter https://twitter.com/Mahereenie

Amazon author page https://www.amazon.com/Kathleen-L.-Maher/e/B00D8EXO80/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1536612960&sr=8-1

Instagram: https://www.instagram/kathleen_l_maher

And PINTEREST 😉 https://www.pinterest.com/kathleenlmaher/

Is there a question you would like my readers to answer in order to be entered to win a copy of your book?

***If money and time travel were no object, what ultimate Christmas gift(s) would you buy and for whom?***

Book blurb for “Love Brick by Brick” in the Victorian Christmas Brides collection

Love Brick by Brick by Kathleen L. Maher
1857 Elmira, New York
SarahAnn Winnifred overcomes orphanhood apprenticing with pioneering doctors. Rufus Sedgwick, relocating his English estate, seeks help for his ailing Mum. Christmas reveals the secret wish of both hearts—for love.

Purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/Victorian-Christmas-Brides-Collection-Christmases/dp/1683227190

Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/kathleenlmaher/victorian-christmas-brides-collection/

Kathleen L. Maher has had an infatuation with books and fictional heroes ever since her preschool crush, Peter Rabbit. She has a novella releasing with BARBOUR in the 2018 Victorian Christmas Brides collection, featuring her hometown of Elmira, New York. Her debut historical, Bachelor Buttons, blends her Irish heritage and love of the American Civil War. She won the 2012 ACFW Genesis contest for her Civil War story, releasing this summer under a new title The Abolitionist’s Daughter. Kathleen shares an old farmhouse in upstate New York with her husband, children, and a small zoo of rescued animals.

Thanks so much, Anne.  I just know I’m going to have fun with your readers this week. Can’t wait to select a winner!  I am giving away a print copy of Victorian Christmas Brides Collection to one lucky commenter. (US residents only) Winner will be announced on Monday, Oct 15 for the single paperback copy winner here on this blog post.

Please be sure to leave your email in your entry so you can be notified if random.org selects your entry.

In addition, I am hosting a Rafflecopter to be drawn at the conclusion of my blog tour just before Thanksgiving, with several prizes, including a $50 Amazon gift card, a print copy of each of my books, and a Christmas goodie basket. Be sure to follow each stop on the tour to increase your chances of winning! (US residents only.)

Link to Rafflecopter: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0cc4b6533/

Good luck!

 

Thanks, Kathy, for sharing about yourself and your writing journey! It's always fascinating to learn more about writers/authors. 

Okay, Y'all!!! 

DON'T FORGET to answer Kathy's question above (it's in RED, you can't miss it!) in order to be entered for a paperback copy of the book here on this blog AND leave an email address so you can be contacted if you win. If one or both of these things is missing from your comment, it will not be entered as an official entry. 

You can also enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for another opportunity to win a prize pack!

Blog Tour + Author Interview w/ Lisa Carter, A Vast and Gracious Tide + Giveaway

Welcome to the blog tour and giveaway for A Vast and Gracious Tide by Lisa Carter, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Vast and Gracious Tide  
Author: Lisa Carter  
Publisher: Gilead  
Release Date: June 12, 2018
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense  

A wounded veteran and the police chief's daughter must work together to bring a killer to justice

Caden Wallis lost friends, his girlfriend, and even his leg to the ravages of war. He arrives on the Outer Banks broken and still reeling, struggling to make peace with his new life.

McKenna Dockery has been stuck in limbo since her fiancé died three years ago. Now, when the handsome yet heartbroken Caden arrives at her doorstep, she starts to wonder if there may be hope for her heart after all . . .

But no sooner do they meet than a man is found murdered on McKenna's property--and Caden is the prime suspect. The two must learn to trust each other, or no one will be safe in the tangled web of conspiracy, greed, and deceit lurking in the tidal marshlands of the Outer Banks.  

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository

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Interview with Lisa Carter

Hi, Lisa! Welcome to Stuff & Nonsense!!! We are so excited to have a sister Carolina girl here today. You know Rebecca and I are both from the mountains of North Carolina.

Your tagline is fabulous -- "sweet tea with a slice of murder." :)

Tell us a little about yourself and your writing journey.

Thanks Anne and Rebecca for hosting me and A Vast and Gracious Tide today.

I have written stories in my head as far back as I can remember. As a child, I “told” myself a story every night to go to sleep. I thought everyone did this until I got to kindergarten and realized some people might find this strange. I was the kid, aka Phineas & Ferb, who made up imaginary tales for the other kids in the neighborhood to act out during summer vacation. Those stories were heavily dependent on what I’d watched on television—a combination of Star Trek meets Little House on the Prairie. Apparently, I was writing steampunk without knowing what steampunk was. :)

I’ve been married for twenty-eight years and have two daughters. One daughter just finished college and has moved away to begin her first real job. The other daughter is still in college. As a teenager, I wrote stories to entertain myself and the habit continued into adulthood whenever I had spare moments. During my children’s baby years, naptime was writing time for me. I see that period in my life as a time of honing my craft.

At age forty-five, God sort of said to me it was time to get serious about writing. So I stepped out of my comfort zone to attend a writing conference. I heard the stories of how long if ever the path to publication took so I felt pretty safe thinking I’ve got years before I have to deal with the publishing side of writing. Best laid plans . . . God had other plans. I left that conference with my first contract. Three months later, I had three more contracts. Talk about being thrown into the deep end.

It’s been a whirlwind ever since. A Vast and Gracious Tide is my nineteenth published book and counting. The writing journey for me has been a strange mix of sheer terror and absolute dependence on God every step of the way. Which is probably what He intended all along for me.

What do you think makes a good story?

I write character-driven stories. To me, a good story must contain a main character with whom readers feel a visceral connection and with whom they can empathize in regards to the character’s situation. Readers must immediately have an emotional stake in the protagonist’s success and feel anxiety at the potential for a protagonist’s failure.

I like a strong chemistry between my hero and heroine. I adore snappy dialogue, showcasing the sparks flying between them. At their core, my novels are about two people falling in love while dodging bullets.

I also love exotic story settings. A hero and heroine who are fighting to stay alive while battling their inconvenient feelings for each other and utilizing a lot of humor in the meantime are absolute golden reads for me.

How did you come up with the idea for your newest book?

I spent about fifteen years making quilts for practically everyone I’ve ever known. I read about quilts of valor that are sent to wounded warriors at Walter Reed Hospital. I also became aware of the horrendously high statistics of veteran suicide. So the idea came to me about what would happen if a recent amputee who’d lost the will to live received a quilt like that. The quilt would have given him a lot of comfort during grueling physical therapy sessions. And suppose at the end of all hope for a future beyond his injury, he decided to return the quilt to the quilt maker identified on the quilt label, express his gratitude and then end his life?

An added inducement would be that the quilt originated on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and he’d never seen the ocean before. But what would happen if the old lady quilt maker he expected turned out to be a young woman grieving her own losses? Throw in a murderer on the loose and you have yourself a story.

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and just have to write down a thought? If so, do you keep a tablet on your bedside table or go to the computer?

I have notepads everywhere—in every room in my house, in my car, in my purse. You never know when inspiration is about to strike. You have to be prepared. I wrote a great many scenes for Under a Turquoise Sky sitting on the bleachers watching my cheerleader daughter at football games and the other daughter play in a church basketball league.

Where is your favorite place to write? 

I move around during the day—the couch, the antique channel-back armchair I inherited from my father, my standing desk.

Do you talk to your characters? Keep story boards or Pinterest Boards? You know we love Pinterest! If so, please share a link.

I create a storyboard on Pinterest for every novel I’ve written. https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/a-vast-and-gracious-tide/

I don’t talk to my characters in my head—that would make me psychotic. My characters talk to each other in my head while I listen—which makes me slightly less psychotic.

Where is the one place you would love to set a book but know you can’t possibly go there? Would you write it anyway?

Been there, done that. The Stronghold is set in the no man’s borderland between Mexico and Arizona. The drug cartels own that mountainous terrain. I couldn’t go there in person without the risk of dying, but I did my research, and my imagination did the rest.

There are very few places on earth I don’t want to travel to—it would be easier to say which places I don’t want to visit. North Korea and Syria would head that list. I used to include Cuba, but my daughter has been there now and lists change. So who’s to say where the next story inspiration will send me.

Everywhere I go story ideas come to me. It’s more a matter of where my publishers will allow me to place a story based on reader preference demographics versus where I’d like to set future stories. I’ve been to the Amazon—story already written in my head. Just got back from a trip to Thailand celebrating my oldest daughter’s graduation. Yep, storyworld complete before the wheels of the airplane touched down again in the USA.

Have story, will travel and vice versa. I write to feed my travel addiction.

Have you always had a love for suspense? You obviously have a gift for writing it since you’re a 2015 Carol Award Winner in Romantic Suspense and 2017 Daphne Du Maurier Award Winner in Mystery/Suspense! Congratulations on those accomplishments, by the way. 

Thank you. It was such a wonderful surprise winning those awards. I’ve been reading suspense since middle school. I grew up reading Phyllis Whitney, Mary Stuart and Elizabeth Peters among others. I love the mental challenge of figuring out the who-dun-it. As a writer myself now, basically, I kill people on paper. I get a lot of strange looks when I tell people that.

Do you have a favorite book? What about it makes it stand out from others?

It would be hard to narrow it down to one book. I read extensively across genres. I love all of the late, great Tony Hillerman books. I relate to the gritty Southern realism of fellow North Carolina author, Margaret Maron’s Deborah Knott books. I think many of my North Carolina set novels contain more than a trace of the Southern Gothic. I read those kinds of books, too. I love—and have told them so—Deborah Raney’s Beneath A Southern Sky and Gina Holmes’ Crossing Oceans. As far as contemporary romance, I read anything Becky Wade and Denise Hunter write.

In your spare time, do you have any hobbies you enjoy? Favorite sports team? ;)

I travel, a lot. I think I’ve mentioned that. J. I love to spend time with family. I love to read. I’m a big ACC Wolfpack fan. Both of my children attend/ed North Carolina State University. I like to garden. My husband would tell you I like to supervise him doing the hard, manual labor of gardening.

What’s the one food item you can’t live without?

I wish I could—I love bread in any form and fashion. Bread and I—we’re frenemies. I have a love/hate relationship with carbs.

Thanks so much for sharing a little of yourself and your writing journey with us today! 

Thank you, Anne and Rebecca, for allowing me to visit with you. Happy reading.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Lisa Carter describes her Southern suspense novels as “sweet tea with a slice of murder.” She is the bestselling author of seven romantic suspense novels, four historical novellas, and a contemporary Coast Guard series. Lisa enjoys traveling to romantic locales and researching her next exotic adventure. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball.

CONNECT WITH LISA: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

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Don't miss your chance to enter this great giveaway prize pack! One winner (US only) will receive:

Print copy of A Vast and Gracious Tide by Lisa Carter
Sea glass jewelry set (see here)
Framed print of Psalm 93:4 (see here)

$65 value

Giveaway will run from midnight June 18, 2018 through 11:59pm July 2, 2018. It is subject to the policies found here.  

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below.
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along with the tour HERE for more chances to win!