Three Strand Cord by Tracy Krauss

May 2018
Kindle book $2.99

About the Book

Tempest. Stella. Cherise. Fate brought them together, but can their friendship survive the tangled web of danger and deception that threatens their very lives? 

Tempest Ross dreams about moving back to California some day – both the place of her birth and her parents’ tragic death. When she agrees to pretend to be her friend Cherise for an afternoon, a tangled web of lies develops from which she can’t escape. Complicated by the unwelcome advances of Cherise’s playboy brother and her own attraction to a mysterious man, Tempest’s faith in God is tested to the limits.

Stella Crayton has high ideals about saving the planet and plans to start with her father’s ranch. Then she finds out her father has been keeping a dangerous secret. At the same time, her own errant emotions take over as she falls in love with two brothers at the same time. Add to this her best friend’s disappearance, and questions about God set this no-nonsense Texas girl in a tailspin.

Cherise Hillyer just wants to have fun, which in her books means having a good looking man in tow. The typical rich girl, she usually gets what she wants, even if she has to lie to get it. Desperate for her latest flame who has left for Rome, Cherise convinces her friends to cover for her while she takes off after her Italian lover. She doesn’t know she’ll soon become embroiled in an international conspiracy of lies and deceit that will threaten her life.

Three Strand Cord is a story of intrigue and romance told from three different points of view, all coming together to prove that when it comes to true friendship, ‘a three strand cord is not easily broken.’

10 Fun Facts About Tracy Krauss:

I’ve moved more than 30 times

I’ve lived in several locations north of the 60th parallel

I homeschooled for nine years

I’m a peanut butter-a-holic

I’m also a playwright and my stage plays have been performed across N.A.

I was once stampeded by a herd of wild buffalo

I’ve been inches away from a polar bear in the wild on more than one occasion (with something like a car window in between, of course!)

I’m a Sci-fi nerd and used to be a ‘Trekkie’. (Maybe I still am… )

In my ‘spare’ time when not writing, I like to paint

I majored in Intaglio printmaking at University (Fine Art Department)

My Review of Three Strand Cord

Tracy Krauss gives her fans a new novel of friendship that takes her readers on a tumultuous ride across the United States and across the ocean to Italy.

Three friends who met at boarding school come from very different backgrounds. Tempest, the naïve orphan, Stella the cowgirl, and Cherise the spoiled rich daughter. All have secrets, weaknesses and strengths that draw them together and, as iron sharpens iron, helps make them want to be better.

The first half of the book is divided into three segments as each girl shares current events. Tempest wants to reconnect with her past, and when an unexpected opportunity falls in her lap, she reluctantly pushes aside her conviction of newfound faith to participate in a lie. She becomes an unwitting pawn in a game perpetrated by her friend Cherise’s equally spoiled brother. Stella, having completed a masters degree in environmental science, returns home to the Texas ranch where she was raised. Her complicated relationship with her stepmother and her best friends, the foreman’s sons, create tension, exacerbated when she stumbles on the not-too-subtle secret shame of the land she’s loved all her love. When Stella realizes her friends have grown up and no longer consider her a kid, either, all’s fair in love and war. The ranch becomes both battleground and haven when Tempest needs a safe harbor. Both Tempest and Stella’s devout housekeeper help Stella to reexamine her absent faith. Cherise lives in the moment, doing exactly what she pleases and forcing everyone around her to bow to her wishes. When she follows her Italian lover, she gets a rude awakening. But going home is impossible when she’s caught up in international intrigue. A secret phone call to Tempest sets up a risky rescue attempt.

Although there will be more stories in this series of friendship adventures, A Three Strand Cord is a complete story. Initially told from the three friends’ viewpoints, the second half of the story comes together beautifully as each of the three learn to rely on dependence and trust in each other and the Lord.

While inspirational, some of the situations in the story portray sexual situations and violence, as well as pet death. A Three Strand Cord is a big story, from the east to west coast US and Texas, as well as Italy, and covers a lot of action. With three very different personalities in the main characters, readers of contemporary romance with suspense and action will find the book a breathless read.

About the author:

Tracy Krauss is an award winning author, artist, playwright, speaker, teacher, mother, grandmother,

and pastor’s wife – not necessarily in that order! She writes contemporary Christian romance with a twist of suspense and a touch of humor. Her books strike a chord with those looking for a hard hitting yet thought provoking read – no sugar added. Her work has won multiple awards and has been on Amazon’s bestsellers’ lists.  She also writes stage plays tailored to a high school audience, and has contributed to several anthologies, devotional books, and one illustrated children’s book.

She is on the executive of ICWF (Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship), a Canada wide organization for writers of Christian faith. She is also an active member of The Word Guild, The Playwrights Guild, and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). An avid reader, Tracy reviews books and posts most of these online at amazon, goodreads, and on her blog. She is also a regular contributor to several other blogs.

Originally from Mossbank, Saskatchewan, a small prairie town, Tracy received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and teaches Secondary School English, Drama and Art – all things she is passionate about. She has been involved in local theatre as a director, playwright and actress for more than thirty years and has written and directed dozens of stage plays, several of which have found homes with well known US play publishing houses.

Apart from her many personal creative pursuits, she leads worship at her local church. She and her husband, an ordained minister with the PAOC, have lived in five provinces and territories including many remote and unique places in Canada's far north such as Churchill, Manitoba – polar bear capital of the world; the Yukon – home of the Klondike Gold Rush; and the North West Territories. They have four grown children and now reside in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, waterfall capital of British Columbia, where she continues to pursue all of her creative interests.

For more information visit her website http://www.tracykrauss.com  “Fiction on the edge – without crossing the line” 

New Romance from Jennifer Trethewey

Betting the Scot

Jennifer Trethewey

C. 2018

Entangled

Historical Romance

3.99 eBook

20.99 Print

Buy on Amazon 

Buy on Barnes and Noble

About the Book

Declan Sinclair is a Highlander who believes his dreams never lie. When he spots Caya at a public house, he knows instantly she is the woman in his dreams—his future wife. Though her brother had promised never to gamble again, he engages Declan in a card game—and the prize is the lovely Caya.

Caya Pendarvis has no time for childish things like dreams or fairy-tales or love. She’s the sacrificial lamb on her way to the far north of Scotland to wed a wealthy merchant in exchange for settling her brother’s gambling debts.

Winning at cards is one of the many things Declan Sinclair does well. Unfortunately, the ability to court a woman—a talent he lacks—is the only skill he desperately needs to win Caya’s heart.

My Review

Trethewey’s Balforss house books are a delight to those who adore hunky historical bawdy but fun and fairly clean romance. I know, I needed to hide the cover from my hubs, too. There’s just no comparison. As mentioned in the description, it’s a family saga of stand-alones, tied by setting and characters.

Who doesn’t love a guy who buys a bathtub for a wife he has only dreamed about? I admit I fell for Declan in the first book, his sweetness and cluelessness, but braver than brave and true-hearted beyond belief.

At a time period where women, even those who’ve reached the great age of twenty-five and orphaned but under the “care” of a destructive sibling, Caya is at the bottom of the well of opportunity. She seems pretty resigned to her fate, the truth of which is only hinted at through her naiveté. The horror of it comes at a terrible price and sets up the next story beautifully, which makes me yearn to read it. In the meantime, first sight of an eager and yummy dark-haired Scot who keeps staring at Caya with a too-familiar ogle makes her look back. And again. And so begins a truly epic love affair, pirates and all.

Held at bay by wise Uncle John, Caya and Declan weather issues such as unbearable longing, accusations of witchcraft, and a quasi-amorous vicar contending for Caya’s hand. While it might have detracted from the romance, I would have been interested to see more of the effects of the gossiping nearby villagers after Caya performs a heroic task.

Nevertheless, the Sinclairs are a lovely family and a few hours in the Highlands with men of virtue and their dynamic lasses is truly a delight.

About the author:

Trethewey claims to have fallen in love with the Highlands and all things Scottish: the people, their language, cuisine, customs, idioms, humor, history, intense sense of pride, and, most of all, the land--the perfect setting for sweeping romantic tales of love, strife, and glory. As they say, Scotland is pure dead brilliant! She’s an actress, former co-artistic director of a professional theater company, and she and her husband operate an improv comedy club. They live in the Midwest. 

Bookaholics Unite Giveaway - enter all month

Raise your hand if you’re a bookaholic. I sure am and this month N. N. Light is giving away everything a booklover could want: books and bookish prizes. In fact, I’m one of the authors participating and you could win “enter your prize” . The list is long and personally, I’d love to win myself but alas, I can’t. So, I’ll just hope you’ll win instead.

Bookaholics Unite Giveaway

Literary Giveaway Portal

With so many wonderful authors and books available, it's imperative to have a reliable and trustworthy place that can help you choose what to read. It's even better when you get a chance to win free books through a giveaway! Every month, enter to win free books from multiple authors via N. N. Light's Book Heaven. Several authors are offering their books throughout the upcoming year in this innovative and collaborative approach to building a new and immersive online reading community. Authors, bloggers and book reviewers are partnering to share fantastic reads, quality reviews and powerful connections all in one place.

Be Careful What You Joust For new serial fantasy

Be Careful What You Joust For

Pentavia Book 1

Ryan Hauge and Ivy Smoak

March 2018

Fantasy serial

Series

Create Space

ISBN  978-1985876057

450 pp

ebook $.99

print: $15.99

About the Book

The fiercest knights in the realm are coming together to compete in the Joust for Arwin's Lance, a tournament that will divide even the closest alliances. The winner alone will have the power to start or prevent a war from unfolding across the peaceful lands of Pentavia.

House Hornbolt, a prominent family that desires peace above all else, is hosting the tournament. The Hornbolt's have always been strict followers of tradition. The first born son wears the armor of a knight. The second takes the priestly Oath of Arwin. And the daughters get married off to the most eligible suitors.

The eldest son is the favorite to win the tournament. But the rest of the Hornbolts aren't as eager to follow the paths laid out for them. What if the second born wants to be a knight too? And what if the eldest daughter just gave her heart to a common thief?

Customs are meant to be broken. But that's not all that threatens to shatter House Hornbolt, not when a secret deeper than the late king's grave is unearthed right before the joust.

The fate of Pentavia hangs in the balance as war becomes imminent. And the scales are about to tip.

One wrong move and everything could fall to pieces.

My Review

Revenge, magic, secret lives and lies combine in an adventurous romp that continues in the next book.

Hauge tries his hand at epic fantasy, influenced by the major players. The kingdom’s several factions ally, fight, commit acts of treason and murder, and intermarry while life goes on for their subjects who serve and provide for them, all in an attempt to be the only one. Of the four main faction, two are pretty much out of the picture. The story opens with a not quite sympathetic character, the Lady Isolda, whose secret life is about to get interesting.

Be Careful… is a lengthy first part of an adventure as Isolda tries to unravel the long-past murder of her father, King Bogdin of the House Talenov, and avenge his name. Her grown and growing children, her husband Garrion of the House Hornbolt, and several players all have speaking voices, so that Be Careful… is really more a series of stories that intertwine.

The book is full of good and complex character portrayals, magic and magical armor, hidden identities—all the fun setting details which bring story to life. Many little subplots raise the stakes to create an intriguing tale for hardcore fantasy readers.

Warning—this is a series in which some principal players bite the dust while others carry on in the next book, in progress, according to the author.

About the Author

Ryan Hauge is the author of the highly anticipated Pentavia fantasy series. Drawing inspiration from his toy business and the countless computer games he grew up playing, he weaves tales of mystery and intrigue.

When he's not writing, you can bet that he's distracting his wife from her work, handling a toy emergency, or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen.

He lives in Wilmington, Delaware with his wife, Ivy Smoak. They do everything together, including writing the Pentavia Series.

WWII Fiction from Carole Brown

A Flute in the Willows
Carole Brown
Story and Logic Media Group
December 2017

2.99 Ebook
12,99 Print
Buy on Amazon

About the Book

Both rebels in their own way, Josie and Jerry Patterson must figure out how to keep the other's love...and keep the German enemy at bay.

She has two loves—her skating and Jerry, her husband. But when he returns home looking like a skeleton trying to return to life, she's scared. What happened in Germany to change a man so much? Has another woman captured his heart?

Jerry has vowed to let Josie live her own glamourous life...especially after what happened in Germany. But when his wife's life is threatened, Jerry realizes he can't stand by and do nothing. Jerry has to risk all for the very soul and life of himself—Josie.

These two damaged, rebellious people learn the hard way that leaning on God instead of their own selves and abilities is the only true way to love and happiness.

A Brief Interview with the Author

Carole, what do you love about this book?

A Flute in the Willows was one of my hardest to write. Yet I loved how it came together and ended. I was able to bring several pertinent topics (to today's world) such as PTSD and marital relationships. Then Josie and Jerry Patterson appealed to me and touched my heart because of their selfish ways and the hardships they had to endure to learn that God's way is the best. They came from different backgrounds, yet both ignored God. Josie because of her self-regard in wanting to succeed with her own desires and lack of comprehension of the love her family had for her. Jerry, though came from a family with a father who was so busy with his own work that he ignored his loved ones and belittled Jerry when he didn't achieve what his father felt he should.

Introduce us to a minor character.

One of my favorite characters in this series is Papa Ossie. Oswald Rayner is big, handsome, loud, and a widower, but he adores his daughters and does his best to lead them right. In A Flute in the Willows he's especially noticeable because he's not only trying to save Josie, his second, and most rebellious daughter, but her husband too. His advice is down to earth and not always easily swallowed, but it's given with so much and care that he doesn't overstep the boundaries, but instead, helps them both to consider better ways that will yield what they need. Because Josie is so much like him, he understands her moves and ways which helps him in giving the advice he knows can help her—if she accepts it.

He's a great father and character, and though not a perfect person, he's realistic and likeable, and that's what counts.

Share two things you learned either about the era/genre or about publishing while writing this book.

In each of these WWII era books, the research will overlap, but I positively found it swooningly interesting. I adore the early 1900s history. If I have to pick out two...

The fashion of the day was quite engaging. I particularly enjoyed learning about the hats worn then, the variety and, for the men's, the meaning of the styles and tilts.

The spy business. Romance, danger, secrets, travel and results all gave me pause for thought. It wasn't that the spies were always hidden, checking out people,etc. Sometimes, spying in plain sight, parties and women, meeting the well-known, high society activities: all were a part of a spy's life. It was invigorating and alluring, but also detrimental too. The cost was high if caught. Shame, prison and death were to be expected.

But the study of it was an eye-opening time.

What are you working on now?

I'm finishing up book four of my Appleton, WV Romantic Mystery series: Toby's Troubles.

Toby Gibson's sister—Caroline Gibson Carrington, co-owner of Undiscovered Treasures—just got married to his best friend and left him holding the reins of the shop. The problem is, a ghost (or is it a real live person?) is searching for something in his shop late at night, and it's getting tiresome. On top of that, one of his friends is trying to outbid him in purchasing the property between their businesses. And he suspects she's in love with him.

He's much too busy to dwell on love with Amy Sanderson, until the ghost/person invades her property searching for...what? A new handsome man in town and a gorgeous blond that looks a bit like his friend steal their attention, but the question is: do either of these have anything to do with the break-ins?

Can Toby catch the person interrupting his sleep? Do they both find the love of their lives or is it right under their noses?

Coming late summer...

How do you overcome your biggest challenge to publication?

By never giving up! Writing the book, sometimes, seems the easiest part. Publication, not so much. With more books coming out than ever before, it can be discouraging. Being a hybrid author (both traditionally and Indie), means that I have both methods available to me. Some authors refuse to consider Indie publishing, but others use it and succeed in their endeavors. I see advantages in both.

About the Author

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Connect with Carole:

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carole-brown

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=67381031

Google+:    https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

christian fantasy and allegory from RA Denny

Refugees, book 1 of 6

RA Denny

Young Adult Inspirational fantasy

2017

Free ebook

 Buy on Amazon

About The Book

"An epic journey of a lifetime." That's what three young individuals from three different corners of the world have dreamed about. They were destined for greatness since the moment they were born. But what if they don't want it? What if they're not ready? What if their desires no longer align with the prophecy?

The problem is, they have no choice. The star has appeared. Their destiny has already begun to unfold. 

It's not the send-off that they've been dreaming of. Forced out. Banished. Raided. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Now they must discover who they really are while embarking on the most exciting journey of their lives. One star. One impossible task. One chance to save the world they love.

My review

Denny’s inspirational fantasy is quite intriguing. Four unique sentient species, one of them predator, make up Denny’s world, which is full of rumor and suspicion. One special cult of wise men who worship one true God must draw these clans together when the prophetic star of destiny appears.

Working for generations behind the scenes, non-webbed humanoids and others of varying species, the webbed-footed, armor-plated, and extraneous-skinned gliders, have been secretly teaching them each other’s languages, besides the lessons of the Creator. At the sign of the star, the predator humans begin the backlash by slaughtering as many of the others unlike themselves as they can in surprise gruesome attacks. They even convince some of armor-plated beings to turn on each other.

Of the three sentient species, one young adult of each has been groomed to fulfill the prophecy. Each is given a talisman and instructed to find each other in the capital city, to which they travel under great peril. Barely able to escape, let alone understand the other races are sentient, let alone exist, the three must travel in great faith to complete their mysterious mission.

Readers familiar with the Bible will recognize frequent references to Scripture and its use. Fill with song and poetry similar to the classics the author admits influenced her, readers of epic questing stories and fantasy will be intrigued.

The copy I received had text that was bolded and centered. I’m not sure if all of the copies are set up that way, but while unique, was somewhat distracting. Giving the three heroes first person voices was also interesting, but until the reader gets a good feel for what is going on, this introduction to the story, mostly because of the rapid switching of viewpoints, often scene by scene and no evenly dispersed, can be confusing. A good summary would be more helpful than a character list, because after the first couple of chapters, the character list isn’t very useful anymore.

This free book is the first of six which are all available at $2.99 each.

 

About the Author

R.A. Denny started writing epic fantasy novels when, after watching the first Hobbit movie, she began excitedly spouting off information about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien’s writer’s group called the Inklings and how their greatest fantasy novels were created. For several years, she continued her day job as a criminal prosecutor and escaped by night to the world of the Tzoladian Empire. Then, she decided to just do what she loved. She completed writing her six-book epic fantasy series: Mud, Rocks, and Trees. The series should be read in this order: Refugees, Seekers, Captives, Warriors, Visionaries, and then Deliverers. 

R.A. enjoys ancient history, board games, and LEGO. She rides horses, raised flying squirrels and lives with two cats. Learn more about R.A. on her website or you can find her on Facebook@R.A. Denny author

New from Keely Brooke Keith and the Uncharted series

All Things Beautiful

Uncharted Beginnings book 3

Keely Brooke Keith

Historical fiction with fantasy elements

April 2018

Edenbrooke Press, Nashville, TN

Buy on Amazon 

Buy on Barnes and Noble 

$3.99

$12.99

 About the Book

It’s 1868 in the settlement of Good Springs, and Hannah Vestal is passionate about writing fiction and keeping her stories to herself. By lantern light she slips into her story world and dreams the adventures she’ll never experience. When her father asks to read her work, she decides to have it printed secretly for his 50th birthday. Hannah tries to arrange the printing with the settlement’s pressman, but the witty and dapper Henry Roberts won’t make it easy for her to prove her writing is worthy of his ink.

If Henry Roberts did nothing else for the rest of his life but print and bind books, he would die a satisfied man. In order to secure settlement support for his printing press, the elder council says Henry must print an error-free copy of the New Testament before the settlement’s 8th anniversary celebration. He is determined to meet their challenge, but when the enigmatic Hannah proves to be a beguiling distraction, Henry longs for something more than a life at the letterpress.

My review

In this third stand-along novel in the Uncharted series, Keith’s marooned but making the best of it culture at long last has time to invest in events not directly tied to survival—reading for knowledge and pleasure, finishing a library building, developing new material to read, perhaps a way to share news and information. The year is 1868, seven years after Landing. Five and a half years earlier, Hannah Vestal promised her dying mother to put the family first. The oldest in a family which includes two brothers and three sisters, Hannah’s time is controlled by running a busy household. The villagers have sorted themselves into their mutual trades, so each family isn’t responsible for self-sustenance. Hannah makes candles which she can trade for things like paper on which to write her story. Since losing her mother’s encouragement, Hannah shares her story with her friend, the village teacher, Olivia. Olivia helps her find the strength to complete her story and have it printed.

Meanwhile, the printer, Henry Roberts, has exchanged his birthright farming with his younger brother Simon who is more suited to caring for the animals and crops. Their father, who ran the printing press, invested Henry with the press, but Henry had been hurt years earlier while helping build the family barn. Now, with pain in both damaged hand and pride, and two unsuccessful passing love interests behind, he decides bachelorhood is his fate. His almost obsessive-compulsive need for order and realism doesn’t translate to the finest of courtly personalities, and when Hannah, courage screwed on, approaches him for a book publishing deal, his business-like response causes both of them to review their lifestyle choices. With the aid of loving family and friends, Hannah and Henry meet their challenges and come out stronger on the other side. Keith ends this story with a lovely tie-in to the contemporary Uncharted series.

Told through alternating perspectives, All Things Beautiful is a revelation of what matters in life. The story is an exploration of the depth of heart and soul and the willingness to see and grown beyond our capabilities. Well-done. Recommended for those who enjoy historical drama with a faint twist of unusual circumstances. This is a stand-alone story with good set-up of the situation, so readers can jump in anywhere and enjoy any story of The Uncharted stories.

About the Author

Keely Brooke Keith writes inspirational frontier-style fiction with a twist, including The Land Uncharted (Shelf Unbound Notable Romance 2015) and Aboard Providence (2017 INSPY Awards Longlist). Keely also creates resources for writers such as The Writer’s Book Launch Guide and The Writer’s Character Journal. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely grew up in a family that frequently relocated. By graduation, she lived in 8 states and attended 14 schools. When she isn’t writing, Keely enjoys playing bass guitar, preparing homeschool lessons, and collecting antique textbooks. Keely, her husband, and their daughter live on a hilltop south of Nashville, Tennessee.