Author Spotlight: Sherrinda Ketchersid

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Sherrinda Ketchersid! Everyone, say hello to Sherrinda! Without further ado, let's get to know Sherrinda and her book His to Keep.

Author Bio:
Sherrinda Ketchersid is a lover of stories with happily-ever-after endings. Whether set in the past or present, romance is what she writes and where her dreams reside. She resides in Dallas, Texas with her preacher husband and scruffy dog, Phineas.

Here's Sherrinda!

Making Book Covers with BookBrush

Thanks so much for having me on your blog to share about creating book covers. I will state that I am no expert by any means, but I did create the cover for my short story, The Lady’s Dilemma. It is the prequel to my book, Lord of Her Heart.

So how can you create a cover for your own short story, novella, or book? Since I knew I was going to be self-publishing my medieval books, I paid the $99 for BookBrush.com, but you can make ebook covers in Canva as well. I think BookBrush has more to offer in the way of doing a print cover and making 3D books for advertising, but Canva is free and it has amazing capabilities.

In BookBrush, open up the Custom Creator tab, then choose what type of cover you want to create.

Then on the left sidebar, choose BACKGROUNDS. You can search for whatever type of photo you want as your background. I put in “Scotland” and found a lovely background to use. These photos are all from Pixabay, which is a site that offers free use of their photos. As always, you should check with the photographer to make sure your photo is free for use. Click on the photo you want to use, and the photo will appear in your template. You can move around the photo to get the best part of the photo for your template. There is a button to the right that allows you to see the whole photo with a grid for the template. After you get it set, you can blur the photo some to soften it up.

I purchased a stock photo of a medieval couple from Period Images to use on my cover. It would have cost $12, but I wanted a transparent background so I could overlay it on top of a background, so I ended up paying $20 for the photo. BookBrush has a “stamp” tool with many things like “available on Amazon” or “five stars” or logos for various book vendors, etc. You can upload your own photos with transparent backgrounds and create your own stamp. That is what I did with my medieval couple. After I uploaded it, I added it to my cover. You can adjust the size to make it smaller or bigger. I enlarged mine to fill up the cover.

Next comes the title and author name. This is the hardest part for me. Not that it is a difficult thing to do, but typography is a skillset that I don’t have. The easiest way I’ve found is to make a text box for every word in the title and move them around to see how you like the way it looks. Sometimes stacking them works. Sometimes you might want to tuck the “A” or “The” along an ascender of the next word. It all depends on what you like. Same goes with the font. You want to use a font that has the “flavor” of the genre you are writing. You wouldn’t use a modern font for a medieval. You would use a flowing type of font. Play around with different ones until you find one you like.

Once you have your cover like you like it, save it as a template so that if you decide to make changes, you can do so at a later date. Then download the cover to your computer and use it to your heart’s delight.

One of the things I love about BookBrush is the ability to create 3D images of your book in print, ereader, or phone. All you have to do is add your book cover that you created to “My Books” under your account, and then when you go to the Custom Creator to create an Instagram ad or Facebook ad, all you have to do is go to the Book Template on the left side bar and choose how you would like to feature your book in your ad. I chose to use an iphone for this particular ad.

This is how I created the original cover for The Lady’s Dilemma and how I create graphics to advertise on social media. It is one of those fun things I like to play with when I am procrastinating getting words onto the page.

Disclaimer: I will be honest and say that my dad took what I had done on this cover and made some changes in Photoshop, but it wasn’t necessary to do so. The cover would have worked just fine without his help, but since he is an award-winning cover designer of non-fiction, he knew how to do a few things to make my cover better. So if you subscribe to my newsletter and receive The Lady’s Dilemma, don’t be surprised by a slightly different cover with a castle.


His to Keep Blurb

He’s fighting for his inheritance—she’s marrying her sworn enemy.

When Ian McGowan attempts to claim Whitfield Castle as his rightful inheritance, he finds himself barred by a tempestuous lass who is entailed to be the bride of the castle’s new owner.

Claire Beaumont, the orphaned ward of Whitfield, has good reason to hate Scots, and she is not about to let a Scot enter her beloved home. But when the handsome knight steals into the castle and proves his claim on the land, she must face her ultimate nightmare—marriage to her sworn enemy—in order to save those she cares about most.

Restoring the failing Whitfield Castle while wooing his defiant intended proves more challenging than Ian anticipated. His struggles reach a crisis when his nemesis arrives at the castle, and he must overcome his past demons to prove his worth. He must fight for what is his to keep—and it could well cost him his heart.

Purchase Link and to Connect with Sherrinda:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M4BS32V/
Website: www.sherrinda.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrindaKetchersidAuthor/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sherrinda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherrinda
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sherrinda/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19022507.Sherrinda_Ketchersid
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sherrinda-ketchersid
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sherrinda-Ketchersid/e/B07Q5Y8QHF/
Newsletter Signup: https://www.subscribepage.com/z2m6x3


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Sherrinda Ketchersid and His to Keep.



Thank you so much for joining us, Sherrinda!


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: Louisa's Christmas Blessing by Dana R. Lynn (in the Amish Christmas Miracles Collection)

If you enjoy Amish stories, you'll love this Christmas Amish story by Dana R. Lynn! A delightfully enjoyable Christmas story of love, hope, and Christmas miracles.

Caleb has always loved Louisa. But when his actions cause irreparable consequences, he runs from his Amish life. Nine years later, he returns to confront his past. But will it be too late to claim his future with Louisa?

Louisa wanted a life with Caleb, but one day he leaves the Amish life behind. She thinks her future is ruined and she won't be able to marry. But when Caleb returns, will she be able to put her insecurities behind her and grasp the future God has planned for her?

Louisa's Christmas Blessing is part of the Amish Christmas Miracles collection and is a story of love and hope and forgiveness. Anyone who loves Amish stories will love this story and the rest in this set.

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/gp/product/B0875T592J/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Author Spotlight: Luana Ehrlich

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Luana Ehrlich! Everyone, say hello to Luana! Without further ado, let's get to know Luana and her book Two Days Taken.

Author Bio:
Luana Ehrlich is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Titus Ray Thriller Series, featuring CIA intelligence officer Titus Ray, and Mylas Grey Mystery Series, featuring private investigator Mylas Grey. Her novels are clean reads with intriguing plots, fascinating characters, jaw-dropping twists, and occasional touches of heart-warming romance.

Besides being an award-winning author, Luana is a minister's wife, former missionary, and, of course, an avid reader. As a news fanatic, she also follows events around the world on a daily basis, particularly the Middle East
.
Luana developed her passion for spy thrillers and mystery novels at an early age, but she didn’t begin writing her series of Titus Ray Thrillers until her husband retired from the ministry. Now, she writes from an undisclosed location, trying to avoid the torture of mundane housework, grocery shopping, and golf stories. However, she occasionally comes out of hiding to visit with her two grandsons or to enjoy a Starbucks caramel macchiato.

Her most recent book is Two Days Taken, Book II in the Mylas Grey Mystery Series.

Two Days Taken Book Description

Two days. That’s all it was supposed to take.
But then Mylas discovers the truth, and suddenly, it isn’t two days anymore.

Mylas is eagerly anticipating photographer Whitney Engel’s visit to Washington, D.C.
He’s been planning their itinerary, looking forward to spending time with her, and wondering if the spark between them will ignite into a roaring fire.

Mylas wasn’t anticipating having to do a favor for Senator Davis Allen . . .
The favor isn’t supposed to take more than two days. All he has to do is take a trip up to Baltimore, spend a couple of days investigating a matter for another senator, and then he’ll have the rest of the week to entertain Whitney.

Mylas wasn’t anticipating having an encounter with a psychopath . . .
When Mylas realizes the man he’s investigating has a dark side to him, and he delves into his background a little further, it sets off a string of events that puts his life, as well as Whitney’s, in grave danger.

Mylas wasn’t anticipating having to rely on his faith to overcome the danger . . .
Mylas is a smart man, a highly skilled investigator, and a man of means. Yet, when confronted with a threat he never imagined, he must depend on his fledgling faith or he could lose everything, even Whitney.

All Luana’s books are available exclusively on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Luana-Ehrlich/e/B00MLEXE1U/

Connect with Luana:

Personal Website: http://www.LuanaEhrlich.com
Book Website: http://TitusRayThrillers.com
Book Website: http://MylasGreyMysteries.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuanaEhrlichAuthor
Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/luanaehrlich
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/LuanaEhrlich
Twitter: https://twitter.com/luanasbooks
Devotional Blog: http://www.hisglorymyjoy.wordpress.com
You Tube: https://youtu.be/4csV15WClfw
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/Luanasbooks/
Publisher Blog: http://www.PottersWordPublishing.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/luana-ehrlich/b3/391/8a5


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Luana Ehrlich and Two Days Taken.



Thank you so much for joining us, Luana!


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: Jennifer Pierce

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Jennifer Pierce! Everyone, say hello to Jennifer! Without further ado, let's get to know Jennifer and her book Deadly Connection.

Author Bio:
Jennifer currently lives in Arkansas with her husband and two children. Her debut novel, Hidden Danger, is a 2019 Selah Award winner, and her second novel, Expecting Danger is a 2019 Selah award finalist. Deadly Connection is her third novel. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and River Valley Writers.


Interesting Tidbit
Interesting tidbit about my writing process. I am a complete pantster. I do virtually no plotting. I start with one scene or a vague idea of the premise of the book and write as I go. When writing my debut novel, Hidden Danger, I didn't even know who the villain was until I was about halfway done writing it.

Deadly Connection Blurb

Private Investigator, Reid Lucas, and his mentor, Joe Lockhart, haven’t spoken in years, but when Joe wants to meet in a small-town diner, Reid’s interest is piqued. Without explanation, Joe calls and tells Reid he has five minutes to get waitress, Quinn Matthews, and her son out of the diner before they’re kidnapped by the group of men about to walk through the diner’s front door.

Quinn Matthews’ life is simple and safe, exactly how she likes it—until Reid Lucas walks into the diner. Now, she and her son are running for their lives, and she has no idea why. But when the father of her son shows up and dies saving them, she realizes they all have one deadly connection: Joe Lockhart. Now, she'll have to trust the mysterious private investigator to not only save their lives but connect her past to her present so they can figure out who is after them. And why.

As the danger escalates, unexpected feelings arise. Reid doesn't believe he's worthy of Quinn's love--or God's. And Quinn is too worried about having her heart broken again and the effect of having a new man in her son's life. Can they let go of their preconceived notions of love and relationships, or are they doomed to just let go of each other?

Purchase Link:
https://amzn.to/3b4IkgK

Connect with Jennifer:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferPierceauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennPierce82
Website: http://www.jenniferpiercewrites.com&nbsp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovereadwriterepeat/


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Jennifer Pierce and Deadly Connection.



Thank you so much for joining us, Jennifer!


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: Sharee Stover

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Sharee Stover! Everyone, say hello to Sharee! Without further ado, let's get to know Sharee and her book Grave Christmas Secrets.

Author Bio:
Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and a ridiculously spoiled dog. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to ignite, transform, and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Nebraska Writer’s Guild. Sharee is a triple Daphne du Maurier finalist, winner of the 2017 Wisconsin Fabulous Five Silver Quill Award, and her debut, Secret Past, won Best First Book in the 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd. Visit her at https://shareestover.com/.

Here's Sharee!

Grave Christmas Secrets is by far, my most favorite book to date. Tons of research went into the story before, during, and while the manuscript was developing, including trips to the actual location of Ashfall Fossil Beds where the book opens. My research trips took me all the way from the Chief Standing Bear Bridge in South Dakota to Omaha’s Offutt Airforce Base.

I even met with a real forensic anthropologist! She was absolutely fascinating and I learned so much. I could’ve spent days touring her laboratory and asking questions. I was especially interested in her current project, which is the identification and repatriation of missing military men and women from the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor. I wasn’t able to take pictures for privacy reasons, but I have a great appreciation and respect for the mission of the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

There’s also an abandoned school house in the book that exists here in Nebraska, too. No spoilers, but it’s my favorite scene in the story and I’m not going to lie. I kind of scared myself writing it. Talk about getting into your work. LOL.

I find all things forensic fascinating and confess, I can get stuck in the research fun for too long. But I hope that’s what makes the story believable and enjoyable to the readers.


Grave Christmas Secrets Blurb

Discovering buried evidence makes her a target.

At a prehistoric site, forensic anthropologist Taya McGill uncovers a recently buried body days before Christmas—and finds herself in a killer’s sights. Now on the run with undercover ATF agent Keegan Stryker, she must rely on him to guard her as they figure out why someone would kill to keep this murder unsolved. But can they unearth the truth before someone silences them both for good?

Purchase Link:
https://amzn.to/2Wbyyn5

Connect with Sharee:
Website: https://shareestover.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shareestover
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorshareestover/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shareestover/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sharee-stover
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/shareestover
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/shareestover



Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Sharee Stover and Grave Christmas Secrets.



Thank you so much for joining us, Sharee!


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: Grave Christmas Secrets by Sharee Stover

 

If you love edge of your seat suspense, you will love this book! Grave Christmas Secrets by Sharee Stover is a definite must read. From the first page, I couldn't put the book down. 

Taya McGill is a forensic anthropologist. I loved this job occupation for the heroine. It was different, and there were enough details in the story for me to picture what she does. Before Taya can preserve the body she's found, she is attacked and on the run. Keegan Stryker is an undercover ATF agent. He steps up to protect Taya while trying to figure out what is going on and who's behind the attack. Even in the midst of trouble, God's message shines through. The characters' struggles made them realistic. Taya struggles with her fear and trust. Keegan struggles with failing to protect. I love reading books where I can feel my faith grow as I read.

My favorite line in the story is: If you need anything, call. I'll be here before the cops are.

Sharee Stover has done it again. Another awesome suspense. Be prepared to be swept away! If you enjoy Christian romantic suspense, you will love this story! The action is fast-paced, the suspense will keep you guessing, and the ending is oh so satisfying!


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/Grave-Christmas-Secrets-Inspired-Suspense-ebook/dp/B086XDM3H9/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=grave+christmas+secrets&qid=1604110123&sr=8-1

Author Spotlight: Bettie Boswell

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Bettie Bowell! Everyone, say hello to Bettie! Without further ado, let's get to know Bettie and her book On Cue.

Author Bio:
Bettie Boswell has always loved to write. During her career as a teacher she has written everything from worksheets to musicals to articles in educational journals. Recently she stepped out of her classroom and into the world of publishing. She dipped her toe into the profession by contributing to several teacher education books and eventually wrote a leveled reader, "Side-tracked," relating the adventure of two boys as they work for the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad. Those train tracks still run from Toledo, through Sylvania, (where Bettie teaches,) and into Michigan. As an active member of Ohio's SCBWI and ACFW, she is involved in critique/support groups from both organizations. She became aware of submission information for a short story collection through the Ohio ACFW group and contributed "Fred's Gift" (inspired by the memory of her father) to a collection of tales called "From the Lake to the River."

Her debut Christian Romance novel, "On Cue," will be released on November 1, 2020. Inspired by Northern Ohio history, her experience as a teacher, and her involvement as co-author of a local musical called "Just Around the Bend," (first produced in 2000) Bettie has penned a novel about a teacher, Ginny, who dreams of creating a musical to save a local historical museum. When her dreams begin to take shape she clashes with handsome drama professor, Scott. Sparks will fly as a cast of humorous characters and a couple of crazy pets keep them on their toes, while they deal with misunderstandings and seek forgiveness from their pasts.

Bettie is a graduate of the late Cincinnati Bible College (RIP) and holds a Master's degree in education from East Tennessee State University. As a teacher she has taken enough hours beyond those degrees to probably qualify for another couple of degrees, but that is the life of a teacher. She has taught both music and classroom for kindergarten through 8th grade students. She even spent a few years teaching at the University of Toledo as an adjunct instructor for the music and art departments. During most of her teaching career she taught music and wrote musicals for her school children to perform. For her last year of teaching she has ventured into the virtual world as a yearlong online 2nd grade teacher.

She is a minister's wife and she and her husband have served with the Village View Church of Christ in Bowling Green, Ohio since 1993. Before that she lived many places including Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Alabama, and Virginia. She plays the piano and is the volunteer music director for the church. Each year, until Covid-19, she wrote two original musicals for her church choir.

When she isn't busy writing, composing, or keeping up with school or church, she writes, reads, watches a Hallmark movie here and there, takes pictures of flowers on her walks to post on Facebook, entertains grandchildren, posts drawings on Twitter, attempts gardening, visits relatives in the south, attends ACFW/SCBWI/Highlights Foundation workshops, falls asleep on the couch, and takes care of her tuxedo kitty. (In case you were wondering, she doesn't clean house very often...too busy or too tired or just doesn't like to clean or all of the above.) Before she was a cat person, she had several basset hounds and Chihuahuas who were the inspiration for some of the antics of the dogs in "On Cue." One of her dogs ate up a pair of leather sandals and a Bible and sat down in berries, gaining colorful spots.

Here's Bettie sharing interesting tidbits about On Cue!

It was inspired by my participation in the creation and production of a musical for Sylvania, Ohio--The town in the book is called Forest Glen. The word Sylvania actually means trees or forest.

Many of the basset hound antics of Jezebel in the story were taken from real experiences with our two bassets.

The Lathrop House in Sylvania, Ohio inspired the historical house mentioned in the book. That house was part of the Underground Railroad system. The Sylvania Heritage Museum and its former curator also played a big role in the inspiration of the story.

The book is a product of many years of work. I first wrote it having no idea what I was doing other than being an avid reader of Heartsong (RIP) and later Love Inspired books. After I crashed and burned at my first ACFW conference, I began taking workshops about 5 years ago. I think my brain finally figured out what was missing and I spent the last year revising and improving it before sending it to Mt. Zion Ridge Press where it was accepted. It still had to go through the revision process. Each revision made it a better story, which I hope people will enjoy reading.


On Cue Blurb

When a college sweetheart used Ginny Cline's dreams for his own glory, he stole her joy of composing music and her trust in men. Years later, encouraged by prayer and a chance to help the local historical museum, she dares to share her talents again. Forced to present her musical proposal in front of groups for financial support helps Ginny's self-confidence grow. As a teacher she knows how to deal with unruly fourth graders, but influential adults are another matter, until she finds herself seeking financial backing for the musical. Unfortunately an important financial backer forces her to place her music and trust into the hands of another man.

Theater professor Scott Hallmark's summer camp benefactor, Edmund Bradley coerces him into becoming the director of Ginny's musical. The last thing he needs is another woman who uses him to get what they want on the stage, especially an amateur who has no idea what they are doing. He has dealt with too many want-to-be divas during his experience in the world of theater. Adding to his pressure is the need to make a good impression as he seeks to ensure his tenure track position at a faith based college. Though he feels attracted to Ginny, he worries about securing his future.

After a few chance meetings Ginny and Scott begin reluctantly working together on the musical. They grow closer as they bumble through discovering their often conflicting roles of reluctant director and mistrusting author/composer. Gradually their interest in each other grows but Ginny resists as she hears more and more about a special woman in Scott's life named Honey. Not only is she a real sweetheart of a woman, she also wants to arrange Ginny's precious music.

Scott's interest deepens for the appealing woman, but he can't understand why Ginny seems to run hot and cold in their relationship. As he works with the praise band on arrangements, Honey encourages him to bring Ginny to church for the presentation of one of her faith inspired songs. Perhaps that might help him unravel the mystery.

Complications arise when auditions produce Ginny's worst nightmare from the past. The man who stole her dreams now wants to be part of her production. He promises that he is a changed man, but can Ginny forgive and trust the man? Not only is he Scott's acquaintance, he seems to be the only possibility for a leading man, unless Scott wants to take the part in addition to directing.

Scott wants to be Ginny's leading man in more than one way but knows they both need to work through their issues of trust. The show must go on and be the best it can be for the sake of the museum, his secure future, and Ginny's growing confidence.

Woven into the mix are a couple of dogs and some quirky cast members who provide fun and frustration for the couple as they work together to discover that forgiveness and trust produce perfect harmony in God's eyes.

Purchase Link:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cue-Bettie-Boswell-ebook/dp/B08GL3JQDK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=on+cue+bettie+boswell&qid=1604286566&sr=8-1

Connect with Bettie:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BboswellB
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/bettieboswellauthorillustrator/home?authuser=0


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Bettie Boswell and On Cue.



Thank you so much for joining us, Bettie!


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/