Author Spotlight: Jan Thompson

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Jan Thompson! Everyone, say hello to Jan! Without further ado, let's get to know Jan and her book Pray for Me.

Author Bio:
USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson writes in multiple Christian fiction genres, including clean and wholesome contemporary Christian coastal city and beach town romance with elements of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with an air of mystery, and inspirational international technothrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance. Jan’s books are for readers who enjoy stories of faith, family, and friends.

Raised on a tropical island in the Eastern Hemisphere, Jan now lives and writes in the Western Hemisphere. Her international background gives her a unique multicultural and multiracial perspective to her novels and books.

Jan graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and worked as a database programmer and information technology consultant for years before transitioning from writing software programs to her lifelong dream job of writing fiction books that she wants to read.

When she is not busy writing and publishing, Jan is a wife, mother, family scribe, avid reader, erstwhile sewing student and piano player, occasional artist and potter, and chief of staff to the family cat. And she still sometimes writes computer programs, a nod to her previous career in IT.

Jan’s life verse is John 3:16.


Here's Jan!

Looking for Something Warm to Read?

Do you like to travel? If this year were not what it has been, would you have traveled, and where would you have gone?

What about armchair book travel? Do you like to visit places without having to pack and unpack suitcases? In a year when traveling is difficult or restricted, there is good news for readers who like to read clean and wholesome Christian romance novels set on beautiful beaches and memorable mountains. All we need are books to read!

Today I’d like to talk about my latest Christian romance, Pray for Me (Vacation Sweethearts Book 5), which will be released in January 2021. Before we get to that novel, how about a brief travel tour of the first four books in the series for readers who prefer to read books in sequence?

A Brief Tour of Vacation Sweethearts

My entire Vacation Sweethearts series takes you to sunny places all year round. Even in winter, as it is now in the Northern Hemisphere, I hope that you can still find a story to warm your heart. There are eight books altogether in this collection. The prequel and Books 6-7 will be coming soon.

• Book 0 (Prequel): Time for Me (Coming Soon!)
• Book 1: Smile for Me (Island Romance)
• Book 2: Reach for Me (Romance with Suspense)
• Book 3: Wait for Me (Romance with Suspense)
• Book 4: Look for Me (Romance with Suspense)
• Book 5: Pray for Me (On Preorder)
• Book 6: Care for Me (Coming Soon!)
• Book 7: Cheer for Me (Coming Soon!)

Our first stop is in the Bahamas, where we meet assistant principal Byron Moss and potter Tina MacFarland in Smile for Me (Vacation Sweethearts Book 1), a beach romance set in the hot summer months. Stay in Nassau, where Byron works at Chapel by the Sea Christian School. Follow Tina as she teaches art classes in the summer camp. Visit Moss Cay, a tiny private island with a bay and hammocks under coconut trees.

From sea level in Book 1, we travel to the top of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, where Mendenhall Retreat offers a secluded respite. It’s not a resort that you can just reserve. There is a special waiting list, and most of the guests have high-level clearance in this romance with suspense, Reach for Me (Vacation Sweethearts Book 2). There, we meet triple amputee former British special forces soldier Keenan O’Tierney and Misty Mountain resident Phoebe Pace.

From the October mountains of Tennessee, we fly to Alaska in Wait for Me (Vacation Sweethearts Book 3) to a cruise ship sailing through the Inside Passage. Onboard is Logan Urquhart, his ex-wife, Marie Bouchard, and their five-year-old son on a broken family cruise. This is also a romance with suspense as soon as Marie’s real job is revealed.

Crossing the continent, we return to the Atlantic Ocean and meet up with Martin MacFarland on the Florida beaches of Key Largo in Look for Me (Vacation Sweethearts Book 4). We met both Martin and Corinne in his sister’s story in Book 1. Where has Corinne been for four years? Those four years bring the FBI to her door in this romance with suspense.

Just a short flight from Key Largo and Miami, we come full circle back to the Bahamas in Pray for Me (Vacation Sweethearts Book 5). This time, Augustus Moss flies from Nassau in the Bahamas to the landlocked city of Atlanta, Georgia. Other than the summer heat, Atlanta has little in common with Nassau. The city has no ocean, no sea breeze, no Caribbean beaches. Just the perfect place for Gus to get away.

Pray for Me: A Caribbean Summer in Atlanta…

When his ex-fiancée marries someone else, landscaper Gus takes a vacation away from his Bahamas home, visits his cousin in the USA, and falls in love with a pastor’s daughter. Is it just romance on the rebound? Or is there something serious going on in this friends-to-more travel romance?

After losing Veronique, Augustus Moss III needs a distraction and a change of scenery. He takes a leave of absence from his landscaping job in Nassau and flies to Atlanta, Georgia, to visit his cousin, Byron Moss. When Byron’s whole family catches a cold, Gus ends up staying at Pastor Fitzpatrick’s house and finds himself drafted into serving in some of Midtown Chapel’s summer ministries. He agrees to help because he is a friend of the pastor’s eldest daughter, Tallulah, who seems to believe strongly in charity work.

Women’s Ministry Director Tallulah Fitzpatrick is not only ministering to single moms in the Atlanta area, but she is also on the Midtown Chapel committee to plant a new church in the small town of Lakeside in North Georgia, where her grandmother still lives. Pulled in many directions, she is grateful to have Gus volunteering. Although she has made up her mind to only marry an ordained pastor, she can’t help being drawn to Gus, the landscaper with an MBA.

Are Gus and Tallulah just flirting with each other for the summer, or will the romance last into the winters of their lives? When a problem arises at Midtown Chapel, Gus does something unexpected, surprising even himself. Will he lose Tallulah due to his spur-of-the-moment decision that he can’t follow up with when he returns to the Bahamas?

Thank you for letting me share a brief overview of my Vacation Sweethearts travel romance series. Find me on social media and follow me on BookBub as well as sign up for my newsletter to keep up with my publishing schedule.

Purchase Links:

Pray for Me is available for preorder on Amazon worldwide. You can also use these links to find the other novels in the Vacation Sweethearts series.
• Amazon USA: JanThompson.com/pray-amazon
• Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08696S93R
• Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08696S93R
• Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08696S93R



• Book News: http://janthompson.com/index.php/newsletter/
• Website: JanThompson.com
• Amazon: JanThompson.com/amazon
• BookBub: JanThompson.com/bookbub
• Goodreads: JanThompson.com/goodreads
• Facebook: JanThompson.com/facebook
• Instagram: JanThompson.com/Instagram


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Jan Thompson and Pray for Me.



Thank you so much for joining us, Jan!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Author Spotlight: Jodie Bailey

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Jodie Bailey! Everyone, say hello to Jodie! Without further ado, let's get to know Jodie and her book Fatal Identity.Jody is also giving away a copy of her book to one commenter, so be sure to leave an email address with your comment!

Author Bio:
Jodie Bailey is the CBA Best-selling author of fourteen novels about freedom and the heroes who fight for it. Her second novel, Crossfire, was a RT Reviewers' Choice Award winner and her contemporary romance Quilted by Christmas received the Selah Award and spent two months on the CBA Bestseller List. Growing up in Eastern North Carolina gave her a love for golden sand and the Atlantic Ocean. She started writing stories as soon as she learned how to put sentences together and spent her teen years making her best friends' dreams come true on paper. Jodie is also a speaker and teacher who packs her novels with the knowledge she's gained as an Army wife. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, her daughter, and two dogs.


Here's Jodie!

My latest release is Fatal Identity, and I was so excited to write it! When I wrote Fatal Response a couple of years ago, one of the soldiers in the book, Alex “Rich” Richardson, lost his brand new fiancee to a serial killer. After that, he refused to leave me alone. He showed up in Mistaken Twin and Hidden Twin, and in both, he was dealing with his grief and loss. The more I got to “know” him, the more I wanted to give him the chance to “live” out his story. The instant Dana Santiago stepped onto the page in Hidden Twin, I knew I’d found Rich’s match. Both of them are struggling with who they are and who God is in their lives, so their story was one we all tend to struggle with at some point in our lives. I wrote the book with Psalm 139 in mind, about how well God knows us and how He has already planned and prepared for our lives.

Fatal Identity Blurb

Secrets from her family’s past thrust her into the crosshairs. At her partner’s Christmas wedding in the mountains, deputy US marshal Dana Santiago’s almost abducted—and only the quick actions of Alex “Rich” Richardson save her. Now Dana and Rich must work together to figure out why the kidnappers seem willing to go to any lengths to capture her. But to find the truth they must first dig up her family’s long-buried past…

 
Purchase Link and to Connect with Jodie:

Website: https://www.jodiebailey.com/book/fatal-identity/

Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Jodie Bailey and fatal Identity. Be sure to leave an email address with your comment to be entered in the giveaway for a copy of her book!



Thank you so much for joining us, Jodie!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Author Spotlight: Damon Nailer

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Damon Nailer! Everyone, say hello to Damon! Without further ado, let's get to know Damon and his book Revelation Rightly Revealed and Living, Loving, Leading.

Author Bio:
"Multifaceted", "passionate", and "skilled" all describe Damon “DaRil” Nailer. With several hundred speaking engagements under his belt, he has become known as a Renaissance Man, Inspirational Communicator, Gift Guru, and Authority/Expert who is able to provide direction, inspiration, and education to any audience, organization, or company. Mr. Nailer possesses a wealth of knowledge in the following areas: educational, entrepreneurial/business, religious, entertainment, relationships, parenting, and leadership. He shares his insights and wisdom through various means, such as writing, speaking, coaching, and even producing/performing music.

Damon has written 4 books- The Great Taste of Success, A Greater Taste of Success, Revelation Rightly Revealed, and Living, Loving, Leading, produced 6 musical projects- R U Ready, A Jing, Jing Thing, Strictly Divine, Conception & Rebirth, Verseatility, and L.I.F.E, and created an online school- https://rillifeacademy.thinkific.com/

 
Due to his expertise and experience, Damon has been featured over 180 times in various media outlets, including The Huffington Post, Reader's Digest, Goalcast, Thrive Global, MSN, Yahoo, Yahoo Finance, Authority Magazine, Redbook, TV shows, podcasts, radio shows, newspapers, and magazines.


Interesting Tidbit about Damon:

I wear many hats and do a multitude of things.

Revelation Rightly Revealed (R3) Blurb
Revelation Rightly Revealed (R3) conducts a precise yet comprehensive study of John's apocalypse. R3 analyzes and expounds on fourteen major themes found in the book of Revelation. As a result, you are guaranteed to receive dynamic and tremendous insight into the following concepts: The Four Horsemen, The Great Tribulation, Mystery Babylon, The Resurrections, The 7 Seals, 7 Trumpets, and 7 Vials, Eternity, and much more.

Living, Loving, Leading (L3) Blurb
Living, Loving, Leading (L3) is an exhilarating, thought-provoking masterpiece will take you on an epic, inspirational journey while equipping you to become the most effective, highly successful, well-rounded modern-day leader. It offers sage advice about life, love, leadership, purpose, mindfulness, relationships, parenting, success, etc. L3 will broaden your horizons, expand your perspective, empower your inner winner, and give you a more comprehensive, thorough viewpoint of life's amazing journey.

Purchase Links:

Revelation Rightly Revealed- https://rb.gy/cxhm2y
Living, Loving, Leading- https://rb.gy/va3mef

To Connect with Damon:
Website/Social Media
https://www.livinglovingleading.net/
https://www.facebook.com/damon.nailer
https://twitter.com/daril1
https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-nailer-78932b17/
https://www.daril.org/



Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Damon Nailer and Revelation Rightly Revealed and Living, Loving, Leading.



Thank you so much for joining us, Damon!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Author Spotlight: Evelyn M Hill

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Evelyn M Hill! Everyone, say hello to Evelyn! Without further ado, let's get to know Evelyn and her book Dangerous Deception.

Author Bio:
Evelyn has lived in various parts of the Pacific Northwest, which she uses as inspiration to set her Christian romantic suspense and historical novels. When she's not writing, you can usually find her attempting to persuade her garden to grow, surprising her family with "adventurous" (not their word) meals, or trying to persuade the cat and the dog to grasp the concept of peaceful coexistence.

Here's Evelyn!

What led me to writing this story

This story started with Hannah Upp. She was a schoolteacher in Manhattan. One day, she went out jogging and disappeared. Three weeks later, a Staten Island ferry captain spotted her floating face down in the river. When she was hauled out, she woke up. She had no idea of why she was in the water or where she'd been.

Doctors eventually diagnosed her with a type of retrograde amnesia known as a dissociative fugue. This condition is rare, but there have been documented cases of it.

Typically, people with this disorder leave home and set up a new life with a whole new persona. A reverend became a storekeeper. A man who lived in the middle of the country traveled to the coast and became a sailor. In each of these cases the people came back to their original identity with no memory of the missing time. The reverend knocked on his landlord’s door and asked “Where am I?” Hannah Upp fretted during her hospitalization because she had to go set up her schoolroom for the new school year—which had started three weeks before.

Hannah's story started me thinking. What if a woman were given a drug that suppressed her memory, mimicking this condition? That led me to Rachel..

What's coming next

I'm working on the story of how Rachel and Michael first met. Because I sold Dangerous Deception to Harlequin, I can't legally offer this new story for sale, but Harlequin has no problem with my sharing the story with my newsletter subscribers privately. So, if you'd like to hear how the two first met, here's the link: https://tinyurl.com/EvelynHillNewsletter

Dangerous Deception Blurb

Rachel Garrett has the ideal life in a small town, surrounded by people she trusts—until a stranger arrives and tells her that she is living a lie.

Michael Sullivan's claim that she’s been brainwashed can't be right.

Her life is perfect.

But ever since he's shown up, she's had to deal with people attempting to manipulate, drug, or even kidnap her.

Now Rachel must decide if she believes her closest friends…or the one man who makes her feel truly safe.

Purchase Link and to Contact Evelyn:

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/y947xjuo
Website: https://evelynhillauthor.com/
Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/EvelynHillNewsletter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EvelynAuthor

Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Evelyn M Hill and Dangerous Deception.



Thank you so much for joining us, Evelyn!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Book Review: Crumbled, Tumbled, Humbled-Saved by Zoe McCarthy

Crumbled, Tumbled, Humbled-Saved is a book of short allegories that pack a punch.

From the story of the trinkets that come alive to the little girl next door, each of these stories are filled with truth and inspiration. These stories can be used for personal devotions or daily Bible studies. There is an Apply It section at the end of each story that provides a thought-provoking question and how you could use that story in your daily walk. 

I loved reading these true-to-life stories. They brought tears to my eyes, a laugh to my lips, and light to my heart. You will enjoy these contemporary Christian stories showcasing how we can let God's light shine in our daily walk.

I received a free copy in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.


Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Crumbled-Humbled-Saved-Contemporary-Christian-Allegories-ebook/dp/B08P3X7C5M/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=crumbled%2C+tumbled%2C+humbled&qid=1607306364&sr=8-1

Author Spotlight: Stephanie Dees

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Stephanie Dees! Everyone, say hello to Stephanie! Without further ado, let's get to know Stephanie and her book A Daughter for Christmas.

Author Bio:
Stephanie Dees lives in Northwest Florida with her family and two very spoiled pups. A Southern girl through and through, she loves sweet tea, SEC football, corn on the cob and air conditioning.


Here's Stephanie!

Some things you may not know about Steph...
• Favorite writing snack: Chex mix with honey-roasted peanuts
• Favorite vacation spot: North Carolina mountains
• Favorite day of the week: Monday (there’s just so much possiblity…)
• Favorite thing ever: first coffee in the morning
• Favorite rom-com: The Proposal
• Favorite family activity: playing Ticket to Ride

The Triple Creek Cowboys series is set in Red Hill Springs, Alabama. Did you know that there really are cowboys in Alabama?
• there are cattle ranches in every county in Alabama
• there's even a television series on the INSP network called The Cowboy Way set in South Alabama
• we've been rodeoing in Alabama (officially) since 1958

Eve's super-special Christmas Eve homemade hot cocoa (guaranteed to fill even the grinchiest of heroes with Christmas spirit)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup hot water
a pinch of salt
4 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, salt and hot water over medium heat.
2. Cook, stirring constantly until smooth and bring to a simmer.
3. Reduce heat, stir in milk (do not boil).
4. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and pour into mugs. Serve immediately with marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed peppermint and/or sprinkles.

from Momables

A Daughter for Christmas Blurb

To give her a real Christmas, they'll risk a surprising second chance.

Single mom Eve Fallon hopes a real country Christmas will help her young daughter, Alice, to overcome trauma. Widowed rancher Tanner Cole doesn't believe in much of anything since his own tragic loss. But as his steady patience coaxes Alice out of her shell, Eve works to rekindle his holiday happiness. Together they might be able to heal...and make a family for a lifetime.

A Daughter for Christmas Excerpt:
Link: https://preview.aer.io/9781488060601

Purchase Links:
Links to Triple Creek Series books:
The Cowboy's Twin Surprise (Devin Cole)
The Cowboy's Unexpected Baby (Garrett Cole)
A Daughter for Christmas (Tanner Cole)

Connect with Stephanie
Website: http://www.stephaniedees.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorstephaniedees
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorstephaniedees/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/4stephaniedees/_created/


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Stephanie Dees and A Daughter for Christmas.



Thank you so much for joining us, Stephanie!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Author Spotlight: Theresa Hall

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Theresa Hall! Everyone, say hello to Theresa! Without further ado, let's get to know Theresa and her book Accidental Target.

Author Bio:
Theresa Hall is an award-winning author of Christian fiction whose stories include military, law enforcement, and first responder heroes. As a native Texan, she loves to write suspenseful stories that happen in small Texas towns with old fashioned Southern values. She’s also a first grade teacher who loves to cook, read a good suspense, and binge-watch episodes of Dateline and Discovery ID. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She actively promotes fellow Christian Fiction authors on her blog and can be found online at www.theresalynnhall.com.


Here's Theresa!

Something interesting about Accidental target:
I actually sold Accidental Target by submitting to the Love Inspired Great Author Search. I submitted in March and got The Call on September 6th! It all still seems like a dream.

Something interesting about me:
I don’t think I’m very interesting but something people may not know is that I’m also a first grade teacher. So I’m pretty much tired All. Of. The. Time. I mostly write on weekends and when I have breaks.

Accidental Target Excerpt

“These guys won’t stop till you’re dead.”

He regretted telling her but there was no denying the facts. Facts he had to keep to himself. The dead woman she’d seen was a DEA agent, and the man in the truck was a cartel member, a cold-blooded killer. Now that Allison could ID him, she had a hit on her.

“I won’t let anything happen to you, Allison. I promise.”

“Jackson, I’m terrified.”

Before he could reply, headlights closed in on them. An oncoming vehicle on their side of the highway. Jackson veered onto a side road and watched the car make a U-turn. “Get down!”

He floored the accelerator but the vehicle followed them. A gunshot hit the car. Allison screamed.

He had to get her away. But this road led to a dead end—in more ways than one.

“Can you shoot?”

“No.” Her eyes widened with fear.

“Tomorrow I’ll show you how. For now, you’re getting the crash course.”

“What if we don’t make it till tomorrow?”

Purchase Link::

Website: www.theresalynnhall.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Target-Love-Inspired-Suspense-ebook/dp/B083QLPDB2/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=theresa+hall&qid=1607484038&sr=8-1

Connect with Theresa:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theresalynnhall
Twitter: www.twitter.com/theresalynnhall
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/theresalynnhall
Website: www.theresalynnhall.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/theresalynnhall


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Theresa Hall and Accidental Target.



Thank you so much for joining us, Theresa!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

How to Deal with the Negative Voice in Your Head-by Laurel Hawkes

Hi friends! Today, Laurel Hawkes is sharing about the negative voices in our heads.

 

Author Bio:
My pen name is Laurel Hawkes. I write Christian romance stories, Regency, Vintage, and Contemporary. Currently, the contemporary novellas, Holiday, USA series, are the only books available. I’m working on re-writing the others.


Here's Laurel:

When Sally Shupe invited me to write a post for her blog, I debated the possibilities. I maintain three blogs and have written guest posts for others. In the midst of the current upheavals, from world events to holidays, and being an abuse survivor, I thought sharing how to deal with the negative voice in your head might be the most helpful.

“You’re stupid.” “You’re not good enough.” “Why do you have to be so difficult?” “You’re oversensitive.” “Why can’t you try harder?” “If you just had more faith, you’d be fine.” “You’re lazy.” “You’re wicked.” “You’re a loser.” And the list goes on and on.

I had a negative tape that turned on every time I did something wrong, messed up, or had a quiet moment. Being busy helped me drown out the negative tape, sometimes. Sometimes, it simply grew louder. The voice was mostly my mother’s, but my dad said some hurtful things, too. For others, it was other family members or teachers or even friends. If they weren’t around, I bullied and abused myself.

Positive thinking didn’t help. I’d hit a bad day, which was often, and the negative tape was louder than the positive affirmations. After all, I’d messed up again. Prayer helped for a short time, but the negative tape was persistent.

I’d worked with 3 counselors, each what I needed at the time. In my early 50s, I tried reverse psychology. This won’t work for everyone, but it did me. I let the negative tape run. I egged it on. I worked to find as many ways possible to insult myself. I quickly grew bored. I’d taken the sting out of the words.

Nine years ago, I started a new manta: Rule #1: Stop lying, especially to yourself. I finally realized that the negative tape was a string of lies. Do I mess up? Yep. Am I lazy? Sometimes. Do I do stupid things? Sometimes. Am I really not good enough? Yes, that’s why I need my Savior, Jesus Christ. He is enough.

Why give anymore time and energy to lies? Once I accepted the tape was a lie, I was able to view my flaws differently. Instead of hiding from them because of my shame, they’ve become opportunities.

As an abuse survivor, I had a series of life changing experiences. I don’t know who I might have been, and it doesn’t matter. I can’t change what happened to me, but I have the power to change who I am now. I had to learn I couldn’t make giant changes, but I’ve discovered the wonder of making one little change after another. Start with challenging the lies. The world doesn’t need anymore lies. Seek the truth. God says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Happy New Year? (Holiday, USA Book 1) Blurb

Welcome to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Officer Tim Black moved to Holiday for a change of scene. He never anticipated wanting to change his single status at the same time, but the lady refuses to even date him.

Sandy Foster moved to Holiday to escape her dysfunctional family, changing everything about her life. Finding someone who wanted to share her life holds a never-ending spot on her uninspiring list of New Year's resolutions.

The tiniest misunderstanding and the willingness to set pride aside might make the difference between spending the New Year alone and a Happily Ever After...

 
Purchase Link::

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-New-Year-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HCQKGF4/ref=sr_1_1

Connect with Laurel:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurelHawkes
Blog: https://laurelhawkes.blogspot.com/



Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Laurel and Happy New Year?.



Thank you so much for joining us, Laurel!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Author Spotlight: Laurie Wood

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Laurie Wood! Everyone, say hello to Laurie! Without further ado, let's get to know Laurie and her book Northern Protector.

Author Bio:
Laurie Wood lives in Central Canada and writes inspirational romantic suspense with an edge of danger. She’s also a military wife who’s raised two wonderful special needs children to adulthood. They’ve lived all over Canada and are still on that journey. When she’s not writing she can be found at her spinning wheel, knitting, or hanging out with her dogs in the garden. She loves to hear from readers and always replies so feel free to get in touch with her.


Northern Protector Blurb

Constable Ben Koper is still healing from the polar bear attack that almost killed him. Nine months after it happened, he returns to Churchill, Manitoba, a changed man—scarred more than just physically. PTSD is his new shadow, haunting his every step, and he can’t seem to kick the pain meds he shouldn’t need anymore. He’s determined to prove, to himself and his colleagues, that he’s still up to his job. Failure isn’t an option.

ER nurse Joy Gallagher spent the entire last winter texting with a healing Constable Koper. What started as friendly concern from this single mother has grown into full-fledged romantic feelings, and she’s eager to level up their friendship and introduce him to the idyllic comfort of small-town life. Until a teenager is murdered at a summer party. The crime is strikingly similar to the cold case murder of Joy’s foster sister, stirring old trauma Joy has never fully dealt with.

When another victim is snatched in town, Ben and Joy must confront their own demons, and join forces to track down an elusive killer. The race to rescue the next victim before it’s too late will test Ben and Joy to their limits. Can they survive their encounter with this heinous killer, or will the past destroy them.?

Here's an excerpt:

Chapter 1:

“What’s wrong with the policeman, Mommy?”

“Nothing, honey. I just had to talk to him,” said Joy. She hung a right to go north and then a left at the Town Centre.

Her ancient two-door sedan had nearly 110,000 kilometers on it. Up here, everyone drove their vehicles into the ground. The only places to go were around town, out to the airport, or along the coast twenty-three kilometers to the Arctic Studies Research Centre. She’d gotten this car from her parents when she was sixteen, but it was already well used then.

She helped Emberlyn out of her car seat and let her skip along the sidewalk towards the main doors. Her princess backpack bounced on her thin shoulders when she hopscotched on invisible squares before hitting the automatic door opener with the flat of her palm.

“His ear looks ugly,” said Emberlyn. They entered the air-conditioned building that housed every important business for the town. The Town Complex stretched for five city blocks along the shoreline.

Joy worked in the Health Centre here and loved the fact that she could leave Emberlyn in the Little Tots Day Care because it had extended hours for shift workers. They walked past the library and down the hallway towards the indoor play area, where young moms and their little kids congregated on days of inclement weather.

That’s because he got mauled by the polar bear last winter,” she said as she held the inner door open for her daughter. “Don’t say that to anyone. I’m sure Constable Koper’s self-conscious about it.”

“I won’t.” Emberlyn skipped into the day care foyer, her light-up runners flashing pink and purple lights. “Can he hear out of it?”

“I’m sure he can, or he wouldn’t be back at work.” She stood by while Emberlyn hung up her backpack in her cubby and toed off her runners. Fatigue washed over her. Her Saturday overnight shift had been busier than usual. A fight at the Legion and two domestics. It made it harder when she knew the victims.

“Okay.” Emberlyn shrugged and reached up for a quick hug and kiss. “Love you, Mommy.”

“Love you too, baby.” She squeezed her daughter tightly. It was so hard to leave her in the care of others besides herself or her own mother. She straightened as Shannon appeared.
“Hey, Emberlyn. Are you ready for breakfast, or did you eat at Gramma’s house?”

“We had chocolate chip pancakes,” said Emberlyn, beaming. “Gramma let me pour the pancake batter because I’m six now and big enough.” She clutched her princess doll to her side. “I can help you make breakfast.”

Shannon laughed. “Well, aren’t you wide awake this morning. Sure, you can help make breakfast for the little kids.” She took Emberlyn by the hand and smiled at Joy. “Looks like you could use a decent sleep. Rough shift?”

Joy shrugged. “Eh, rough enough. I didn’t get much sleep before I went on.” She ruffled Emberlyn’s hair. “I’ll be back to get her by 5 p.m. Bye, squirt.” “Bye, Mommy.”

Joy watched the two of them disappear into the kitchen, then headed back out to her car. Every part of her ached from being on the run all shift. But it was the middle of summer, which meant staff shortages from holidays. After this next shift, she’d be able to collapse into sleep while her mom took Emberlyn for the night again.

Joy watched the two of them disappear into the kitchen, then headed back out to her car. Every part of her ached from being on the run all shift. But it was the middle of summer, which meant staff shortages from holidays. After this next shift, she’d be able to collapse into sleep while her mom took Emberlyn for the night again.

Driving back down the hill, she remembered the feel of Ben’s hard shoulder under her hand. Something about it wasn’t right. She touched her throbbing nose ruefully. Served her right for scaring the poor man. He’d been having a full-blown panic attack. She hoped for his sake, he’d had some therapy back in Winnipeg. No one here expected to see him again after his close brush with death.

They’d stabilized him with two blood transfusions and a quick surgery to put his shoulder back in place, before helicoptering him down to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg for proper reconstructive surgery. Her boss, Dr. Will Stedman knew the plastic surgeon who’d reattached Ben’s right ear and fixed the scarring on his face and right eyebrow.

Emberlyn was right. His damaged ear was noticeable—but only because as a police officer, he had to wear his hair short, and it was uncovered. Kudos to him for being brave enough not to care what people thought of his looks. And for coming back here where he was injured in the first place. She didn’t know if she would’ve had the guts to go through with it. On the other hand, her return to Churchill had taken a different kind of courage.

She wheeled around the corner of the building into the Health Centre staff parking. Time to grab another coffee and get back to work.

Purchase Links and to Contact Jill:

Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3femV6Y
Amazon.ca: https://amzn.to/2KfyoYq
Anaiah Press: https://bit.ly/3pGPrD6 (Print copies)
Connect with Laurie:

Website: https://www.lauriewoodauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauriewoodauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaurieJeanWood


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Laurie Wood and Northern Protector.



Thank you so much for joining us, Laurie!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Author Spotlight: Brad Duncan

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Brad Duncan! Everyone, say hello to Brad! Without further ado, let's get to know Brad and his book Colors of Salvation: Substance Abuse.

Author Bio:
I’m happily married to my wife Michelle and we have three wonderful daughters. I have worked in youth and men’s ministries for over twenty years, and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I received my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Arkansas in Radiography and work in the MRI department of Baptist Health Hospital in North Little Rock, Arkansas. I enjoy working out, hunting and fishing whenever I get a chance.

Here's Brad!

Unique feature about the book:
As a way to join the fight against addiction, at least one dollar from every book sold will go directly to a recovery ministry.

Unique feature about me:
I never intended to become an author. I had a story bouncing around in my mind since I was a teenager. One slow day at work I decided to write it down just for the fun. Eight books later I consider myself an accidental author.

Thanks so much for hosting me today, Sally!

Colors of Salvation: Substance Abuse Blurb

Colors of Salvation: Substance Abuse shares the true life stories of people who have suffered through the dark trenches of addiction and have emerged victorious through the power of God. The most wanted man in California now a Celebrate Recovery leader, a girl who had lost custody of her baby due to drug-use now a loving wife and mom, a homeless drug addict on the verge of suicide now an award winning gospel artist along with many others share their stories of hope in Jesus. A variety of people of ages, races, genders, and social statuses share their remarkable journeys of transformation and provide hope to those who are currently struggling with substance abuse.

Purchase Link and to Connect with Brad:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Colors-Salvation-Substance-Brad-Duncan-ebook/dp/B08D73LL5V/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&qid=1601598208&ref_=tmm_kin_title_0&sr=1-1-d7c5a1b3-0934-41ba-b86e-21e5a37a4fcf
Website: https://booksbybrad.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorBrad
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BradDuncanAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradleyjeep/


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Brad Duncan and Colors of Salvation: Substance Abuse.



Thank you so much for joining us, Brad!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Author Spotlight: Tina Radcliffe

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Tina Radcliffe! Everyone, say hello to Tina! Without further ado, let's get to know Tina and her book His Holiday Prayer.

Author Bio:
A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina Radcliffe is a Romance Writers of America Honor Roll member, and an American Christian Fiction Writers Honor Roll member. She is also a four-time nominee of the ACFW Carol Award and a three-time ACFW Mentor of the Year Finalist. In 2014 she won the ACFW Carol Award and in 2018 she was an ACFW Mentor of the Year recipient. Besides her novel-length fiction for Love Inspired, Tina has sold over three dozen short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. A former registered nurse and library cataloger, Tina is a frequent workshop presenter. She currently resides in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance.

Stay up to date on all her releases and fun giveaways by signing up for her newsletter here. Visit her on the web at www.tinaradcliffe.com.

Here's Tina!

Seven Things You Didn’t Know About Oklahoma with Tina Radcliffe

My newest series, Hearts of Oklahoma, is set in Pawhuska County, Oklahoma-home to The Pioneer Woman. The third book of this series, His Holiday Prayer, releases today. It’s filled with joy and holiday cheer. How can you go wrong with veterinarians, dogs, cats, AND twins?

First a little background on the series.

The Rebel Ranch series set in Rebel, Oklahoma. Once a working cattle ranch, Rebel Ranch is now a guest ranch owned by the Rainbolt siblings, Mitchell, Reece, Tucker, and Kate. These four siblings who inherit their grandfather’s ranchand work to overcome the tragedy of their past and in the process, find the forever healing power of love.

“The first thing you do when you get up in the morning is thank the good Lord and put on your Stetson.” –The Rainbolt Family Motto

The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. Genesis 31:49 KJV

The books are stand-alones, but why would you want to do that, if you can read all of them?

Now a little background on me and Oklahoma.

I lived in Tulsa for seventeen years, and for a large part of that time, I worked as an Oncology Certified RN at City of Faith Hospital, and then when it closed, at Cancer Treatment Center of America. Some of my favorite memories of Oklahoma include Mazzio’s Pizza, Goldie’s Patio Grill and Braum’s Ice Cream, cherry-limeades.

I love Oklahoma and I’d like to share Sooner State trivia.

1. The Oklahoma State Meal includes fried okra, squash, cornbread, barbecue pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, black-eyed peas, chicken-fried steak, strawberries and pecan pie.

2. The first Girl Scout Cookie was sold in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1917.

3. Oklahoma is where the headquarters of 39 American Indian tribes are located.

4. Clearly Oklahomans love food. They named their towns after food: Cookietown, Corn, Grainola, Hominy, Olive, South Coffeeville, and Sweetwater.

5. Five famous Okies: Brad Pitt, Dr. Phil, Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, and Ron Howard.

6. No other state has as many man-made lakes: 200.

7. Yes, Oklahoma has plains… (Oklahoma! where the wind comes sweeping down the plains!) but it also has mountains. Oklahoma’s four mountain ranges include the Ouachitas, Arbuckles, Wichitas, and the Kiamichis.

Did you already know any of these bits of information? Do you know any more Okie trivia? Tell me about it in the comments!

Thanks for spending time with me today. I’ve created a special giveaway just for readers of Sally’s blog. It’s a Rafflecopter for a copy of any of the first three books in the Hearts of Oklahoma series. Winner’s choice. This is a print giveaway. Open to US and Canada. One book per winner. Two winners. The Rafflecopter ends on December 8th. Winners will be notified by email. Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3m3XFTC

His Holiday Prayer (Book 3 of the Hearts of Oklahoma series) Blurb

A new beginning could be closer than he thinks.

What he wants for Christmas… may not be what he needs.

After receiving an unexpected job offer in Texas, widower Tucker Rainbolt decides he and his twins need a fresh start. But moving on means leaving his best friend, Jena Harper, and their vet clinic behind. For the first time, Tucker sees Jena as more than a buddy. What if leaving isn’t the answer? Maybe what he’s been missing has been right beside him the whole time…

Purchase Link:

Harlequin.com: https://bit.ly/2JGNNAU
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3p0PadT
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/36akLkC

 
Connect with Tina:

website: www.tinaradcliffe.com



Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Tina Radcliffe and His Holiday Prayer.



Thank you so much for joining us, Tina!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Book Review: His to Keep by Sherrinda Ketchersid

A swoon-worthy story of love, trust, and the fight to protect what's yours. 

A Scot inherits Whitfield Castle and everything in it. The maiden who lives there has sworn all Scots are her enemy, for killing her parents. From the beginning, the swoon-worthy hero Ian tries to lay claim and Claire fights him every step of the way. From the banter to Ian trying to lay claim to what is his to Claire doing her best to resist his charm, His to Keep will keep you turning the pages to see what is going to happen next. If you love Medieval romance with a feisty heroine and a steadfast hero, you will love this story by Sherrinda.

I haven’t read many Medieval romances, but I was pulled into this one. The characters are great. I couldn’t wait to see how Ian was going to react to Claire’s actions. I look forward to reading more stories by Sherrinda!

I received a free copy in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

https://www.amazon.com/His-Keep-Medieval-Sherrinda-Ketchersid-ebook/dp/B08M4BS32V/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=his+to+keep&qid=1605661051&sr=8-2

Author Spotlight: Laura Bradford

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Laura Bradford! Everyone, say hello to Laura! Without further ado, let's get to know Laura and her book Piece by Piece.

Author Bio:
Laura Bradford is the national bestselling author of more than 35 books and stories, including her latest release, Piece by Piece. Her first women’s fiction novel, Portrait of a Sister, was a July 2018 Book Club Pick for Delilah of Delilah Radio and a Summer Book Club pick for Southern Lady Magazine.

Laura also pens several mystery series including; An Amish Mystery series, the Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries, the Tobi Tobias Mysteries, the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries (written as Elizabeth Lynn Casey), and the upcoming A Friend For Hire Mysteries. She is a former Agatha Award nominee, and the recipient of an RT Reviewer’s Choice Award in romance. Laura enjoys baking, spending time with her family, and being an advocate for those living with multiple sclerosis. Learn more at: https://www.laurabradford.com/


Interesting Tidbit for Piece by Piece

The idea for Piece by Piece was born on a quote I stumbled across in the wake of tragedy: “Friends are angels that lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.” Anyone who has experienced grief of any kind knows the truth in these words.

Piece by Piece Blurb

Danielle Parker is a gold-medal mom—the kind who volunteers in her children’s classrooms, shuttles them between activities, throws legendary birthday parties, and has a remedy on hand for any emergency. Whatever her husband, Jeff, and their children need, Dani is there, always.

Except for one day.

On that day—the day that Dani reluctantly takes some “me time” while her mom and Jeff drive the children to the park—the unthinkable happens. The car crash leaves no survivors. Somehow, Dani gets through the funerals and visits, accepting neighbors’ sympathy and dropped-off meals. All the while, guilt and grief make her wish the accident had claimed her life too. Then a call comes from Lydia Schlabach, an Amish woman Dani befriended in childhood. In addition to condolences, Lydia offers Dani something more: a place to escape to.

In Pennsylvania’s Amish country, Dani’s days take on a new rhythm, marked by the clip-clop of buggies and the bustle of chores. Lydia gives Dani space to mourn, to think, and to realize how long it’s been since she felt like a person in her own right. And with the help of friendships old and new, Dani learns about the ways life continues to surprise us—even after the deepest loss—with joy, love, and second chances. . . .

Purchase Links:

Indiebound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781496725950
B & N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/piece-by-piece-laura-bradford/1134434825?ean=9781496725950
Christian Book Distributors: https://www.christianbook.com/piece-by-laura-bradford/9781496725950/pd/725956?event=ESRCG
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Laura-Bradford-ebook/dp/B07ZPJ6766/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1N9ISXF7ZNY0D&dchild=1&keywords=piece+by+piece+by+laura+bradford&qid=1605466571&s=books&sprefix=piece+by+piece+by+laura%2Caps%2C570&sr=1-1
 

Connect with Laura:

Newsletter sign-up: https://www.laurabradford.com/contact
“Like” me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurabradfordauthor/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2VmI9Y8
Follow me on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/laura-bradford
Follow me on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ethm3I
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabradfordauthor/


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Laura Bradford and Piece by Piece.


Thank you so much for joining us, Laura!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Author Spotlight: Michelle Levigne

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Michelle Levigne! Everyone, say hello to Michelle! Without further ado, let's get to know Michelle and her Neighborlee fantaay series.  

Author Bio:
On the road to publication, Michelle fell into fandom in college and has 40+ stories in various SF and fantasy universes. She has a bunch of useless degrees in theater, English, film/communication, and writing. Even worse, she has over 100 books and novellas with multiple small presses, in science fiction and fantasy, YA, suspense, women's fiction, and sub-genres of romance.

Her official launch into publishing came with winning first place in the Writers of the Future contest in 1990. She was a finalist in the EPIC Awards competition multiple times, winning with Lorien

in 2006 and The Meruk Episodes, I-V, in 2010, and was a finalist in the Realm Award competition, in conjunction with the Realm Makers convention.

Her training includes the Institute for Children’s Literature; proofreading at an advertising agency; and working at a community newspaper. She is a tea snob and freelance edits for a living (MichelleLevigne@gmail.com for info/rates), but only enough to give her time to write. Her newest crime against the literary world is to be co-managing editor at Mt. Zion Ridge Press and launching the publishing co-op, Ye Olde Dragon Books. Be afraid … be very afraid.


Here's Michelle!

Right now, I have a long-term project going. I took back the rights to my Neighborlee fantasy series, and I'm in the process of revising them, adding new subplots, rearranging some details, getting rid of inconsistencies and contradictions, and then filling in the gaps in the timeline. There were originally 8 titles when I took the books back from the wonderful Jude Glad at Uncial Press. When I'm finished, there will be 13 -- so that equals writing 5 new books.

Book 4, LIVING PROOF (that no good deed goes unpunished) a re-release, released November 1.

Book 5, the first completely new title, is NIGHT OF THE LIVING PROOF, and releases January 1.

The timing is perfect, because LIVING PROOF takes readers from the day after Thanksgiving up to Christmas Eve.

NIGHT starts on Christmas Eve and takes our heroine, Lanie Zephyr, and her semi-pseudo-superhero friends through a lot of weird, sometimes frightening events surrounding New Year's Eve, and then some follow-up as they clean up the mess from some nasty interdimensional invaders trying to break through to Earth.

The plan is a new Neighborlee book every other month ... through 2022!

Neighborlee fantasy series Introduction

Welcome to Neighborlee, Ohio. Where? Somewhere on the North Coast of Ohio, south of Cleveland, right off I-71, north of Medina, in the heart of Cuyahoga County.

What is it? That’s a little harder to explain.

Neighborlee is a place you need to experience.

The most important thing you need to understand: Neighborlee is magic. Some people say the town is alive. It exists to protect the weird and wonderful (and sometimes a little bit scary) from the cold, practical, material world.

More important, Neighborlee protects the outside world from the weird and wonderful that come to visit … and sometimes come to stay.

First stop: Divine’s Emporium, a four-story Victorian house sitting on a hill overlooking the Metroparks. Whatever you really need, you can find at Divine’s. Even if you don’t know what you’re looking for when you walk in the door. The shop is often bigger inside than it is outside. Angela is the proprietor. Please stay on the first floor. You don’t want to find out what is hidden and locked safely away upstairs. Like Aslan, Angela is good, but that doesn’t mean she’s safe. And neither are the secrets and wonders and doorways to other worlds that she protects … and keeps securely locked.

Come in and explore. Meet the people who help Angela guard Neighborlee. Share their adventures of magic and wonder, danger and sacrifice. You never know who or what you’ll run into as you walk the streets and listen to the stories of their lives.

(Title, Original Title, Release Date) 

Confessions of a Lost Kid (Growing Up Neighborlee) 05/20
Semi-Pseudo-Superheroes (Dorm Rats) 07/20
Virtually London (London Holiday) 09/20
Living Proof (that no good deed goes unpunished) (Living Proof) 11/20
Night of the Living Proof, 01/21
Quitting the Hero Biz (Hero Blues) 03/21
Bride of the Living Proof, 05/21
Shrunk: The Exile of Maurice (Divine’s Emporium) 07/21
Return of the Living Proof, 09/21
Allergic to Mistletoe (Have Yourself a Faerie Little Christmas) 11/21
Dawn of the Living Proof, 01/22
Angela’s Knight (Divine Knight) 03/22
The Living Proof Gets the Blues, 05/22

Purchase Link and to Connect with Michelle:

Website: www.Mlevigne.com
Blog: www.MichelleLevigne.blogspot.com
Ye Olde Dragon Books Shop: https://yeoldedragonbooks.com/
Mt. Zion Ridge Press: https://www.mtzionridgepress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleLevigne

Look for Michelle's Goodreads groups:
Guardians of Neighborlee
Voyages of the AFV Defender


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Michelle Levigne!



Thank you so much for joining us, Michelle!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Author Spotlight: Elva Cobb Martin

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Elva Cobb Martin! Everyone, say hello to Elva! Without further ado, let's get to know Elva and her book Georgia Ann, English Rose.

Author Bio:
Elva is a multi-published author. Her inspirational novels have spent time on Amazon's 100 Bestseller lists for Women's Religious Fiction. She is currently finishing Book 3 in a three-book Charleston Brides historical romance series contracted with Wild Heart Books. Book 2, Georgia Ann, releases today, November 17. Her articles have appeared in Home Life, Charisma, and Decision magazines. A mother, grandmother, she lives in Anderson with her husband Dwayne, and serves as president of the ACFW-SC chapter. Elva always stops to sample chocolate, to love on babies of any kind or stripe, and to smell the roses.

Here's Elva!

Romance Means Kisses

If you write or aspire to write romances, you will know the importance of learning how to describe romantic kisses. As Christian writers we want to show romantic passion, but it’s not that easy to do in the Christian market. Anybody can warm up their pages with blatant bedroom scenes, but it takes skill to heighten the romantic tension in a book with only a look...a kiss...or even an almost kiss.

I highly recommend two authors who have taught me much about romance and “kissology.” Susan May Warren has a great workbook available on Amazon that I treasure, How to Write a Brilliant Romance. (Kiss and Tell I think was the earlier version and the one I have.) And Julie Lessman, in my opinion, is the queen of romantic tension and kisses. A blog series of hers, I think she did on Seekerville, is in my file that I refer back to often, Sixteen Suggestions to Warm up the Pages with Romantic Tension.

I personally love the first heady kiss between my hero and heroine. Here’s a scene from my just released novel, Georgia Ann, English Rose, of the first kiss and reaction. You always need a reaction.

He (Samuel) touched a tendril of her hair curling on her shoulder.

She gazed into his shining jade eyes so close to hers. His glance fell to her lips, and he drew her nearer. Slowly he bent and pressed his mouth to hers. Fireworks exploded in her head and travelled down her frame. Her arms came around his neck without forethought. The kiss deepened until she felt transported on a soft, wispy cloud.

Suddenly he released her and stood. “It’s time to go back.” He reached a hand to help her stand, but she couldn’t. Her knees buckled. He chuckled and held her against him for warm moments. Her cheek pressed into his shirt and the spicy scent of cloves enthralled her. Did all his clothing carry that delectable scent now?

Then there is another type of kiss like this one when my hero Samuel first sees Georgia in the sultan’s dungeon. It’s a kiss of sorrow and imminent danger. Up to this moment she had thought him dead from his earlier ship wreck. And I found a photo that helped me see my captured heroine.

Samuel knew the moment Georgia understood he was at her cell door. Her body stiffened on the pallet. She sat up and stared toward the cell door. Tears overflowed her eyes. She arose and stumbled toward him.

They clutched fingers through the bars. His heart jumped into his throat at her loveliness even in her rough Turkish slave garment. Her hair, parted in the middle, hung down her side in a thick blond plait. Silky curls, escaped from the braid, framed her lovely face covered with tears.

“We thought you were dead,” she whispered between shuddering, repressed sobs.

They kissed through the metal bars, and Georgia staggered as if she might fall, but Belle grabbed her around the waist and held her erect.

Another favorite kiss of mine is the “almost kiss.” This scene comes from Marisol, Spanish Rose, Book 1 in this Charleston Brides series. One night Marisol is discovered as a stowaway on her indentured master Ethan’s ship—with her six-month old son, Samuel, and a servant girl. Captain Ethan loses his usually gentle nature.

What is going on in that head of yours, Marisol, to bring your baby and Amy aboard my ship, upsetting all my crew?” He gave her a little shake and looked at her with such a derisive expression, her temper flared.

She stomped her booted foot and, to her surprise, smashed down on his. Hard.

He growled and pulled her to him, scrunching her bouffant skirt. His tight, bearded face came within inches of hers. Manly, warm breath feathered across her cheek. “Now that kind of attack will never do, my Spanish lady. Maybe for a snake, never for a captain. Did you mean to do that?” His blazing eyes held her captive as much as his arms. His glance fell to her lips.

Her knees threatened to fold, and she couldn’t breathe. She tried in vain to pull away from the warmth emanating from his encircling arms and firm chest. “No, I promise I didn’t, Ethan. Please let me go.” She couldn’t prevent the tremor in voice.

He released her, and her knees buckled. He chuckled and caught her elbows to steady her. New strength flowed to her limbs, and she pushed away from him. “Let me go back to my cabin, sir, I have a plan to help you rescue your sister, but we can talk about it tomorrow.”

In the daylight.

So work on it. Get those romantic kisses in your romance and elicit those sighs.

Thanks for stopping by. I’d love to have your feedback and how you describe a great kiss.

Georgia Ann, English Rose Blurb

The lure of the legendary Spice Trail beckons, but he may never find a spice more precious than the treasure he left in Charles Town.

Two Charles Town men love Georgia Ann Cooper—Samuel Vargas and his step-brother, Joshua Becket—but only one both intrigues and infuriates her. Even though he’s a dangerous budding patriot and a privateer—or more likely pirate—Samuel fills her dreams and waking moments. When he leaves Charles Town for high sea adventure on the legendary Spice Trail, she determines to push him out of her thoughts and her graces. A task made easier when she sets out on her own journey to England on one of her father’s merchant ships.

Samuel Vargas is determined to make his own way in the world, not live in the glow of his parents’ escapades in Charles Town and the Spanish Main. There’s no better place to earn his fortune than the Spice Trail and along the Barbary Coast of the Mediterranean. But the adventure becomes more than he bargained for when at Tripoli he stumbles across a familiar face from Charles Town in a sultan's dungeon, and he’s forced to use all his abilities to save the life of the woman he’s been trying to forget.

As their paths intertwine on a journey filled with Barbary pirates, intrigue, and romance, only love and the grace of God can overcome the past and ignite a new beginning for Georgia Ann and Samuel.

Purchase Link and to Connect with Elva:

Link to all her books: https://amzn.to/3neXJQC
Website: http://www.elvamartin.com
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/elva-cobb-martin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1193651817676113/user/1217763020
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElvaCobbMartin
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=elva%20cobb%20martin&rs=typed&term_meta[]=elva%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=cobb%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=martin%7Ctyped
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elvacobbmartin/


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Elva Cobb Martin and Georgia Ann, English Rose.



Thank you so much for joining us, Elva!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
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