CrossReads Book Blast: Winter's End by Rebeka Lyn - Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

CrossRead's First Book Blast: Winter's End by Rebekah Lyn - Enter to Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Title: Winter's End (Seasons of Faith)

By Rebekah Lyn Book Two of the Seasons of Faith Series Musician Michelle Burton just had the best night of her life. Her band Tangled Web opened for Wonderland in downtown Orlando and the crowd loved them. Too excited to sleep she makes a fateful decision to go to work early. The best night of her life turns into the worst day of her life. Nearby, at boutique Hotel Lago, Stephen Longbottom, acting concierge manager, is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the board of directors for Silken Pleasures, a multimillion dollar company based in New York and specializing in high end cosmetics, fragrances and lingerie. Their incessant demands before they even arrive are driving him to distraction. Meanwhile Lizzie Reynolds, his boss is on a romantic ski trip in Vermont leaving him to manage his first solo event. Hope, forgiveness and love are an integral message throughout the book and like a fine tapestry the threads of God’s master plan for the character’s lives are woven into a fabric of great storytelling, conflict and humor. Readers who came to know and love the characters of Summer Storms will enjoy catching up with Lizzie, Stephen, Michelle, Jeffrey and Ian.

Kindle | Paperback   Rebekah Lyn Rebekah is a Christian with a heart for new beginnings. She is a Florida native and a graduate of Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Fl. A love of history, research and journaling led naturally to a passion for writing. She enjoys travel and has traveled extensively across the United States and Canada as well as Europe and the Caribbean. Her reading taste run from the classics to light fiction. When she is not working or writing, she enjoys cooking,baking and sharing recipes on her blog, http://rebekahlynskitchen.wordpress.com. Her current works include, Summer Storms and Winter's End, books one and two in The Seasons of Faith series, and Julianne the first book in The Coastal Chronicle series. She is currently working on the, as yet untitled, second book in the Coastal Chronicles set in coastal Florida during the early years of the space program. Rebekah currently resides in Florida along with her "attack" cat, Mia. They would enjoy meeting with you on her Facebook page.
Follow Rebekah Lyn Website | Facebook | Twitter

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a Rafflecopter giveaway This book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!

Adam Blumer Talks about life and his New Book

Adam, what do you love about The Tenth Plague?

This, my second novel, explores the idea of a killer using the biblical plagues of Egypt as a playbook for revenge. I had a lot of fun plotting and researching this one—and I think readers will be pleased.

 

What unique thing did you learn during the writing and/or publishing process of this particular book?

The power of the collaborative process. I had a fairly strong first draft, but I was stuck. A novel editor provided a creative springboard and helped me see where my true story lay. Without her help, I doubt this story would have seen the light of day.

 

Tell us something about this particular book that we won’t find from your web site.

This novel required a ton of research. From an old mining tragedy to autism, from adoption law to anthrax, from pheromones to the Oklahoma City bombing, the research for this one required much more than I ever expected. I’m so thankful for technology and ease of access, thanks to the Internet. Without Google and so many resources at my fingertips, I’d probably still be researching this story. 

What’s been a favorite work experience you’ve had so far in life?

During one summer between years in high school, I worked at a library, a book lover’s paradise. Granted, a lot of the work involved stocking shelves, but being surrounded by so many fascinating books and interesting authors was pure heaven. I was born a die-hard book lover, and I’ll probably die one too. 

 

If you could do anything you want, what would it be?
Travel the world and write, publish, write, publish, write, publish . . . you get the idea.  

What’s the most exotic place you’ve traveled? 

Israel, in particular Old Jerusalem

What do you see outside the closest window right now?

My rather dead-looking raspberry patch, which is eagerly awaiting spring

What do you tell people when they ask “and what do you do?”

 I’m a book editor who publishes fiction on the side.

Where’s your favorite place to grocery shop? 

My wife does the grocery shopping, and she gets her best deals at Super One.

What, to you, is worship?

The word worship literally means “to bow down.” In the context of my faith, worship means bowing to God’s wishes for my life, regardless of what area it may be. Every breath should be breathed for God will and His glory.

When you take all of the things that make you unique, how does that come out in your writing?
I love suspense fiction and history, so a blending of the two always seems to come out in my writing. In high school, I won awards in calligraphy; Gillian Thayer, my female lead, is into calligraphy in a big way (it’s her job). I’ve always been intrigued with how one’s past impacts his or her present and future. This is a recurring theme in my novels because it’s part of who I am. Now that I think about it, what I write is inseparable to some degree from who I am.

Introduce your book – plot summary and main characters, and what’s your favorite part of the story (if it doesn’t give anything away).

Water turns to blood. Flies and gnats attack the innocent. Marc and Gillian Thayer’s vacation resort becomes a grisly murder scene, with a killer using the ten plagues of Egypt as his playbook for revenge.

When their friend turns up dead, Marc and Gillian put their vacation on hold, enlist the help of a retired homicide detective, and take a closer look at the bizarre plagues as they escalate in intensity. Meanwhile, a stranger is after the Thayers’ newly adopted baby. Will they uncover the truth behind the bitter agenda before the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn son?

My favorite part is when the firstborn son is revealed and the novel culminates in the tenth plague. This is the most suspenseful and action-packed part of the story, with several key characters in jeopardy. I had a blast writing it. Thank you, Lisa, for the opportunity to talk about my latest project.

My pleasure, Adam.
Adam is offering an electronic giveaway to a randomly chosen commenter....drop us a note and enter!

Adam Blumer is the author of two suspense novels, Fatal Illusions (Kregel) and the upcoming novel, The Tenth Plague (Kirkdale Press). A print journalism major in college, he works full time from home as a freelance writer and editor after serving in editorial roles for more than twenty years. He lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with his wife, Kim, and his daughters, Laura and Julia.

Elaine Marie Cooper shares The Unraveling of Revered G, a book review

Like the crocheted blanket coming undone on the cover of this novel, the lead character in The Unraveling of Reverend G is watching her mind disengage. And the emotional pain causes her heart to cry silently, “I can’t stand it.”

Reverend G (short for Gertrude) has always managed her difficult life with grace and courage and, until now, with all her memory intact. But the insidious and premature onset of Alzheimer’s has completely thrown this associate pastor into life-altering questions. Will her loved ones still love her? Will she turn “looney?” Will she lose the joy of God’s love? Or, even worse, forget about God? These are fears she lives with—and cannot stand.

Bravely facing an uncertain future, the 62-year-old minister, with the support of her adult son and daughter-in-law, prepares to move into a facility where she cannot wander off. Is she now a prisoner? Is her life over? But God has surprising and unexpected answers for Reverend G as it seems her ministry is still very much alive. It has just changed.

I don’t think it was by accident that I recently brought my e-reader to my own mother’s nursing home room. Very ill with the flu, my 98-year-old mom needed some extra TLC that day. In between offering my mom sips of soda and encouraging her to take her medicine, she slept peacefully while I read The Unraveling of Reverend G.

There was so much truth in this novel: The honest portrayals of family members, friends and caregivers dealing with dementia on a daily basis; the pain of watching loved ones as they slowly lose the building blocks of their memories; the brick & mortar of the patient’s thoughts slowly crumbling away.  Where once a child’s hand was held by the parent, the mother or father now relies on the encouragement and guidance of the adult child.

Author RJ Thesman paints it all through the eyes of a woman with dementia. It is brave, brilliant and beautiful.

The loving appreciation of each phase in a person’s life is celebrated, whether the child in the womb or the child in the old and frail. This is a book that should be read by everyone, but especially by “the caregivers who so patiently watch over those who sometimes forget.” These are the tender warriors to whom this amazing story is dedicated. A must read.

This is the first book in a three-part series. Looking forward to the sequels.

Author Bio:

RJ Thesman has been a writer since she flipped open her Red Chief tablet and scribbled her first story. Eventually, she had to stop writing and go to school where she earned an education degree and taught at many levels. Thesman is a biblical counselor and a Stephen Minister. She has worked in a variety of nonprofits and has served as campus minister to international students. With a variety of communication skills, Thesman is always writing and building more publishing credits. She teaches writing workshops and enjoys helping beginning writers birth their words. Thesman is the mother of an adult son, and enjoys reading, gardening and cooking - especially anything with blueberries. 

Something Beautiful, with K Dawn Byrd

Welcome back to K Dawn Byrd, who talks about her new book, SomethingBeautiful

 

About the author:

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational novels in several genres, including historical, suspense, romance, and young adult. Some of her favorite things are chocolate, cars, and her pets. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and riding down country roads in the passenger seat of her husband's Corvette Stingray. When asked why she writes, her response is, "For the simple joy of placing words on the page!"

 

About the book:

Lauren Milton discovers SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL in the arms of Antony Marcos, a Hispanic bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, who saves her from a gang that accosts her on campus. She can't help herself even though no one approves of their relationship and Antony is rumored to have gang connections.

Lauren Milton has always followed the rules, but when she meets Antony Marcos, she discovers just how much fun it is to do her own thing. When Antony, the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, professes his love for her, her life is complete. He's her soul mate, but when she finds that he's harboring secrets, can she forgive him?

Antony is terrified that his secrets will destroy their relationship when Lauren finds out the truth. Does he tell the truth and face losing her or continue his activities, possibly placing her in danger? Can they make things work even though her family and friends are against him?

Lauren has PTSD from the car accident that killed her boyfriend and her mother. Can she face her greatest fears while risking everything for the guy she loves? Can they overcome the obstacles facing them to find their happily ever after?

 

Tell us a little more about yourself , with three things not many people know about you.

a)     I have a masters degree in professional counseling from Liberty University.

b)     I'm an animal lover. I have two hairless Chinese Crested dogs, an African Gray parrot, three ferrets, and several aquariums in my home, and somehow recently my niece ended up with a tiny fancy mouse who has found a home at my house.

c)      I love sour foods. I'd rather have olives, pickles, or dilly beans than something sweet sometimes.

 

Why did you choose to write this book?
I thought it would be fun to explore what it would be like to have a guy and gal fall in love who are from very different backgrounds. She's a wealthy young woman who has always had everything she's ever wanted. He's a Hispanic bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Her friends and family don't approve, which adds tension to the story.

What did you learn while writing this book?
I learned that I really do love writing romance, especially romance that contains suspense passages.

 

What would you like readers to take away from your book?

God is with us and we need to learn to trust our hearts.

 

What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
Finding time to write. I work a full-time job and also a lot of weekends, which means that I have to be really devoted to my writing time. I set aside at least an hour every night, six days a week if possible. The fact that I start with a well-developed plot makes things move faster.

 

What kind of planning do you do before writing a novel?

I fill out character sketches in order to get to know my characters better. I ask myself what their goals are, what motivates them, and what's keeping them from reaching their goals. Sometimes, I start by writing a synopsis. This gives me information about the plot as it develops. I usually have a pretty strong plot before I actually begin the story.

 

What are you working on right now?
I'm working on a thriller about a serial killer. It's a difficult story because there are several twists and turns and I have to be careful how I write it for everything to fall into place correctly.

What's next for you?

The Hot Line Girl in June. Luck of the Draw in November. 

How can readers get in contact with you?

Email: kdawnbyrd-at-yahoo.com

Blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Twitter: kdawnbyrd

Pinterist: kdawnbyrd

Facebook: kdawnbyrd

  

Enjoy a brief excerpt from Something Beautiful:

He placed his hand in the small of my back, steering me around a puddle of saltwater, and I shivered even though the night air was warm. I closed my eyes. I must be dreaming. I couldn't possibly be walking down the beach with Antony Marcos.

I didn't want the moment to end, the night to end. Something deep inside of him communicated with something deep inside of me, leaving me with a feeling of safety and love that I hadn't felt in a long time. I savored the moment, taking in the moon, the stars, and the cool feel of the wet sand beneath my feet.

A woman in a dark sweat suit jogged by, her German shepherd close at her side. A toddler squealed in delight somewhere close by, but as far as I was concerned, we were the only two people in the universe.

I turned my attention back to the hunk beside me. I loved everything about Antony. I was falling fast and terrified of the damage he could do to my heart.

He paused and looked out over the water. "I love it here. I'm just so at peace near the ocean."

He pulled me into his arms, and a shiver of delight surged through me. Our eyes locked, and I wondered if he'd read my mind and somehow knew I'd give everything I owned for just one kiss. He paused as if uncertain.

I was lost in the moment. I wasn't sure how to encourage him to kiss me without seeming easy. He didn't move, merely stood there, his body rigid against mine.

When he finally moved, it wasn't as I'd planned. Antony's lips kissed my forehead and my cheeks, still denying me what I longed for, which was a kiss passionate enough to take my breath away.

I threw caution to the wind. Reaching up, I ran my fingers through his hair and pulled his head down. Once our lips met, Antony quickly took the lead. I melted into him, our heartbeats blending as his lips whispered across mine in a dance as old as eternity.

He pulled away first, leaving me breathless, but longing for more.

 

 

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Something-Beautiful-ebook/dp/B00B3KYZAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358790993&sr=8-1&keywords=Something+Beautiful+by+K+Dawn+Byrd

The Next Big Thing: Meow Mayhem, Dana Arcuri, and Lorilyn Roberts

Today my blog is part of something bigger than usual. Last week Dana Arcuri invited me to be part of a blog hop called The Next Big Thing. It is an opportunity for me to bless other authors.
 

The purpose is to help readers discover the next great book or author; i.e., the one they will be compelled to read or the author whose work they simply can’t put down.

Check out Dana's book debut and blog: http://writing4theheart-n-soul.blogspot.com/

ABOUT DANA ARCURI : Dana Arcuri is an ordinary wife, mother, and sister, but a daughter of an extraordinary Heavenly Father. She began her love of reading and writing at the age of eleven. What began as a fun hobby gradually turned into a faith-inspired passion. She writes for the heart-n- soul to provide inspiration, encouragement, and hope.

Dana is a Contributing Author for Inspired Women Succeed, published in May 2011. Having a heart for the hurting, she is the Director of Prayer and Contributing Writer at Write Where It Hurts. You may visit WWIH at http://writewhereithurts.org/. In addition, she is a member of the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs. (http://nacwe.org/)

Currently, she is completing her upcoming book, Harvest of Hope: Living Victoriously Through Adversity. Struggling with unfathomable trials, she shares her personal journey with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and Fibromyalgia. Despite ongoing adversity, she took one step at a time to successfully overcome each hurdle. Her captivating message is one of hope, healing, and rising above unrelenting hardships.

When Dana is not busy writing, she is enjoying Starbucks, dark chocolate, and being a girly girl.

What is awesome about this blog hop is the exciting adventure to learn about authors from various genres and styles. One may never know the possibilities in our future. His or her work might just be the next big thing, or perhaps mine, too. Whatever the case, we are living out our passion for writing and making a positive difference within our world.


Part of this blog hop involves me answering ten questions about my book.

Next week, please take the opportunity to hop on over to Lorilyn Roberts’s blog at

http://www.lorilynroberts.blogspot.com

1.           What is the working title of your book? Meow Mayhem

 

2.           Where did you get the idea for your book? The basic idea came from stories around my community, with the downturn in the economy, luring new businesses, and a story I heard about tunnels running beneath a business block, used for hiding valuables.

 

3.           What genre does your book fall under?  Cozy mystery

 

4.           Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?  Hmmm- not much into this, but I see True as a sort of Ryan Gosling-tortured but mature-type, and Ivy as a fun, slightly kooky but head-on-straight Americanized Helena Bonham-Carter (sorry, Helena).

 

5.           What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? A small town mayor invites Ivy Preston and True Thompson to move their businesses to Apple Grove, can their love survive the sudden rise in crime?

 

6.           Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?  Meow Mayhem is being published by Whimsical Publications and scheduled for release January 28.

 

7.           How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? I usually write pretty quickly, and this draft took place over about six weeks; however I rewrote a couple of times, and it took six years to find a publisher.

 8.          What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? It’s a little like the Cat Who mysteries by Liliian Jackson Braun.

 

9.           Who or what inspired you to write this book?  I was writing a series for the now defunct Heartsong Presents: Mysteries, and wanted to write a longer more developed series. I grew up with cats but can’t have them for pets now due to family allergy issues, so this is my way of keeping cats in my life. I wanted to write stories that had multiple layers and spoke to a wider audience while still being set in the Midwest and was clean and fun entertainment.

 

10.         What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? The cats that are the “stars” of this book are Egyptian Maus, the only naturally “spotted” domestic cats and have fun, unique characteristics. In fact, Ivy and True’s cats know their “hearts” and those of their human friends, and help True and Ivy speak their minds as well.

 

Don’t forget, next week, please take the opportunity to hop on over to the blog listed below. 

               http://www.lorilynroberts.blogspot.com

Lorilyn: Because God is our heavenly Father, He can fill the void of earthly fathers. Seventh Dimension - the Door is a peek into the King's power to defeat that darkness and overcome rejection. It's a journey that parallels my own - a story of redemption and hope.
Read more at http://www.lorilynroberts.com/lorilynbio.html#wIQtZsHqtlhGh33G.99

Book Review - Jen Turano's A Change in Fortune

A Change of Fortune

Jen Turano

 

Bethany House

c. November 2012

ISBN 978-0-7642-1018-1

Print: $14.99

E-book: $9.99

 

Darling Debut!

 

Finally, a historical romance not set on the prairie. It’s 1880, New York City, but it’s still the aristocratic side of town – Park Avenue, balls, dinners, carriages, the El, and shopping. Glasses and padding under her corset help Eliza Sumner hide in plain sight. She’s come across the ocean from her home in England when her late father’s fortune is stolen and no one, not even her fiancé in London, will help her get it back.

 

Eliza can’t pass as a peon for long, however, when she lands a job as a governess. Agatha, the eldest sister of her current charges, forces her to come clean, and the two of them embark on an adventure to recover Eliza’s inheritance and for Agatha, write an articles for the newspaper. They encounter the Beckett brothers along the way who have their own troubles with a man associated with Eliza’s thief, a charmingly chauvinistic investigator, and Hamilton Beckett’s scheming mother who may be the most dangerous of all.

 

Precocious children, women’s rights, trousers, jail—they’re all here in this marvelous romp of a story to regain not only a woman’s stolen fortune, but lost faith in the goodness of people and God.

 

Turano’s debut is a fast-paced adventure from beginning to end. While predictable, the fun is in the journey, and Turano doesn’t disappoint. From the moment Eliza puts on glasses in a disastrous dinner, loses her skirt in a break-in attempt and goes to jail in a prostitute round-up, to meeting the Beckett children, I enjoyed the twists and turns of the characters. Mrs. Beckett is an absolute hoot. The others were personable, with enough background subtly strewn about that their current actions and inactions made sense. The story got a little out of control toward the end when surprising people appeared, but I imagine the author was creating a set-up for future related adventures, which I look forward to. Certainly Hamilton’s charming brother, Zayne, with his mysterious fiancé would make a delicious tale, as well as their suffragette sister who didn’t make an appearance but was much referred to.

 

Mostly historically accurate if a bit rambunctious and occasionally over the top, emotionally satisfying, and thoroughly entertaining, A Change in Fortune is a sweet debut novel.

Book Review: Dreaming of a Father's Love by Sharon A. Lavy

Dreaming of a Father’s Love

By Sharon A Lavy

Story and Logic Media Group (December 26, 2012)

ISBN 978-0615724362

ASIN: B00ATTLBO6

Price e-format: 6.99

Print: 15.99

 

Enjoy the trailer:

Old Order Fiction

From the publisher: Sara Brubaker was two years old when a German Baptist couple adopted her. She has become a beautiful woman, and works as a secretary for Alexander's. Now she's torn between wanting to live in the normal world of fun and fashion, or joining the Dunkards to truly belong with her adoptive family. Birdie Alexander thinks if she works at the family business hard enough and long enough she will gain her father's love. Can she learn a thing or two from the German Baptist secretary? Irene West is Birdie's lifelong Sunday school friend. Irene misses having a father figure around, and is very boy crazy, which causes Birdie to struggle with the friendship and Irene to struggle with life. Will Birdie overcome her self-righteous nature before it's too late—for Irene?

 

Sharon Lavy’s debut novel is a trip back in time. I hate to admit it, but I knew all the Helen Reddy songs that Birdie sings.

Dreaming of a Father’s Love is a many-layered story of finding love, or realizing that it’s been there all along, for Lavy’s characters. Growing up in the crazy early 1970s when women were beginning to assert themselves was tough enough in the general population, but when you belong to a fairly strict mainline faith, it’s even harder. Birdie wants to make choices about her future for herself, but it’s difficult with a father she feels is over-critical and harsh when he really wants the best for her. During the summer after high school graduation all the dreadful events that happen to her family and friends could have sunk her, if not for the deep-seated faith which was her foundation. Dealing with a love triangle, figuring out how to help or deal with her friends, both old and new, and her family help her realize her place in the community in which she lives and wants to stay.

 

Lavy’s story is told in many and occasionally dizzying viewpoints, so readers will want to pay close attention to who belongs to whom. I enjoyed the snippets of life in that era, as well as getting to know a little more about the various faiths in their culture. It was sometimes hard to cheer for Birdie and her decade-older love interest, Dax who was searching for missing family, as their lives and romance seemed to move along pretty quickly from a standstill, but I adored the house and history behind (and inside) that Dax bought and restored. Hopefully future books from Story and Logic Media Group will take a bit more care with proofreading to avoid missing punctuation as I found, but didn’t mind too much, in the e-version supplied by the author.

 

Readers who enjoy a trip down memory lane to the tumultuous seventies and a really special house restoration layered with a search for one’s identity, will find Dreaming of a Father’s Love a fascinating read.