tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72785304124807486162024-03-18T10:54:01.923-07:00Blogging With CarolCarol reviews books on this site. It's predominantly Christian reads and frequently via the fantastic groups listed in the icons on the sidebar. :) Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.comBlogger1367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-64231539658018562442024-03-17T09:00:00.000-07:002024-03-17T09:10:39.598-07:00Fences Left Broken by Kristen Terrette <p> </p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27607" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fences-left-broken.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fences-left-broken.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fences-left-broken-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fences-left-broken-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Fences Left Broken</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Kristen Terrette</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>YA</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>October 13, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27608" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 199px) 85vw, 199px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CMYK300_FencesLeftBroken-199x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CMYK300_FencesLeftBroken-199x300.jpg 199w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CMYK300_FencesLeftBroken-678x1024.jpg 678w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CMYK300_FencesLeftBroken-768x1160.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CMYK300_FencesLeftBroken-1017x1536.jpg 1017w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CMYK300_FencesLeftBroken-1356x2048.jpg 1356w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CMYK300_FencesLeftBroken-1200x1812.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CMYK300_FencesLeftBroken-scaled.jpg 1696w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="199" /><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">Mia’s father is dead, and her mother has left her in the rural Mississippi Delta town of Marigold with family she’s never known. Her two sets of grandparents are separated not only by a fence dividing their properties, but by skin color and a deep-seated hatred for each other which none of them will discuss.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />When Mia learns their mutual hatred concerns a long-ago murder, she and her new friends set out to uncover who was murdered and why. Their search leads them to unspoken secrets and buried tragedies, stretching from the years of the Great Depression to the Freedom Summer Movement of ‘64.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Mia hopes to reconcile her grandparents by finding the truth. But can broken family fences be truly mended in the face of decades of unforgiving hate?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/4bb5tgb" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">My Review: </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">I had to check this book out because it's in the Delta of Mississippi. That caught my attention. What I found in this story was a great deal more than I had expected. This book is so strong, and so broken and yet so healed and whole. If there's an emotion, it's in this story. Love and loss, hate and forgiveness, weakness and strengths. It's all wrapped up in this captivating story that starts with Mia and the clashes of the time frame she's living in that are only amplified by a mixed skin color background. This book is great for YA and adults alike and may help many people heal as well. It's an excellent read. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">5 Big Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27609" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 199px) 85vw, 199px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kristen-Terrette-Headshot-Back-Book-199x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kristen-Terrette-Headshot-Back-Book-199x300.jpg 199w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kristen-Terrette-Headshot-Back-Book-679x1024.jpg 679w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kristen-Terrette-Headshot-Back-Book-768x1159.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kristen-Terrette-Headshot-Back-Book-1018x1536.jpg 1018w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kristen-Terrette-Headshot-Back-Book-1357x2048.jpg 1357w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kristen-Terrette-Headshot-Back-Book-1200x1811.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kristen-Terrette-Headshot-Back-Book-scaled.jpg 1697w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="199" /><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">With a background in education and theology, <strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Kristen </strong>served as a children’s ministry director and women’s leader for many years before returning to her first love—writing the stories playing out in her head. She dove into the publishing world writing numerous articles, devotionals, and novels in both the Romance and Young Adult genres. After managing an international blog and a publishing house’s social media feed, she found herself as an intern at the esteemed literary agency, Writers House, in the summer of 2022.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">This landed her a job with Martin Literary Management where she now takes on author clients of her own. Stories are her thing and authors are her people. When not on her computer writing, editing, or emailing, or with her nose in a book, you can find her getting a little too loud from the sidelines of a kids’ basketball or football game. She’s also a recent transplant to rural Georgia where she thrives on jogging her forty acres terribly, drinking coffee while birdwatching, and daydreaming of new book characters, plotlines, and making her client’s dreams come true (which are her dreams as well).</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">More from Kristen</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">All you need is a spark.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">When people find out I’m an author or have read one of my books, I’m often asked how I came up with the story. My answer is always the same. They all begin with a spark, a small idea, sometimes even taking root first in a remote corner of my mind, that says, “There’s a story there.” And that one spark lights, then it quadruples, over and over until it ends up a bright and thriving fire.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">The spark for <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fences Left Broken </em>was a documentary from 2016 called Dirt & Deeds in Mississippi which told of “the largely unknown and pivotal role played (in the Freedom Sumer Movement and the Voting Rights Act) by black landowning families in the deep South who controlled over a million acres in the 1960s.” This documentary was fascinating and linked generations who had no idea just how important they would end up being in a much-needed and changing time in history. Black sharecroppers who benefitted from an agricultural program during Roosevelt’s New Deal became landowners overnight. Skip ahead a few decades, and these same landowners, or their heirs, had the power to force change.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">In the sixties, Mississippi law said that if you were a landowner, you could vote, which opened doors for black families. But, also, these black landowners had leverage. Land was king. Land was also collateral. So when Freedom Summer came along and the wave of black Southerners tried to register to vote, these black landowners had a unique advantage.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">Blacks and whites who were volunteering for the Freedom Summer Movement were arrested, often on bogus charges like disrupting the peace and put in jail. But guess what? Black landowners put their land titles up as collateral and got these people out on bond.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">Even crazier, out of the hundreds of arrests and bail bonds issued that summer, not ONE failed to follow through and appear in court. Not ONE person charged with a bogus crime was found in default, their bail revoked, and the bond kept. This means not ONE black family who put their land up as collateral lost it.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">Historians have gone so far as to say the success of Freedom Summer and the result of the Voting Rights Act wouldn’t have been possible <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">without</em> these families risking it all for the sake of justice and equality.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">This documentary was my spark. I got to thinking about these families. They were real people, now generations of people, living in these intertwined communities. What would this have looked like through the years? What became of these families? Where are they now?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">And the rabbit trail of my mind began. That spark ignited, and I followed it, outlining potential events that could have happened to families in Mississippi before and after the 1960s, and it all led to my main character, Mia. And <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fences Left Broken</em> was born.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">I hope you enjoyed learning some little-known history, and a little tidbit of my writing inspiration. 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.guildmaster97.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Guild Master"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guild Master</span></a>, March 20 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.beccahope.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Becca Hope: Book Obsessed"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Becca Hope: Book Obsessed</span></a>, March 20</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.fictionbooklover.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Fiction Book Lover"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fiction Book Lover</span></a>, March 21 (Author Interview)</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;"><img height="211" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/22044fb7-6357-4264-b854-fca6fdc616cc" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="252" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Kristen is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 dollar Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/2a553/fences-left-broken-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/2a553/fences-left-broken-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-88267478445625902462024-03-10T09:00:00.000-07:002024-03-10T09:24:54.473-07:00The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus by Kurt Brouwer (Book #3)<p> </p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27602" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/exile-in-ephesis.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/exile-in-ephesis.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/exile-in-ephesis-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/exile-in-ephesis-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #e69138; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">About the Book</span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Kurt Brouwer</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Christian Historical Fiction</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>March 15, 2024</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27603" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 188px) 85vw, 188px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ebook-Cover-The-Last-Disciple-Exile-in-Ephesus-03-188x300.jpeg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ebook-Cover-The-Last-Disciple-Exile-in-Ephesus-03-188x300.jpeg 188w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ebook-Cover-The-Last-Disciple-Exile-in-Ephesus-03.jpeg 400w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="188" />He awoke jailed in squalor…</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Would he complete his final mission?</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Or would he fail to record the story only he could tell?</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The epic saga of the Last Disciple continues in this captivating Christian historical novel from Kurt Brouwer.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">After surviving imprisonment, John faces his greatest challenge–exile in the distant city of Ephesus. Struggling with grief and despair over the destruction of Jerusalem, John doubts his ability to complete the mission entrusted to him by Mary—to write the true gospel account of Christ’s life.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">But in Ephesus, John finds unexpected allies—Timothy, Priscilla, and Tychicus, who share his passion for spreading the message of God’s love.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">As John shares the good news of Jesus, he makes dangerous enemies, including the influential high priest, Alexander Cosmo, who will stop at nothing to suppress the growing Christian faith.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Amid opposition from without and internal divisions from within the early church, John must contend with those pressuring believers to adopt Jewish law and compromise the radical teachings of Christ.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">When tragedy strikes those close to him, can John’s fragile hope be rekindled? Will he finally show the world all the signs, miracles, and events he witnessed on his journey with Jesus?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Don’t miss this page-turning story of faith, courage, and love.</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em; text-wrap: wrap;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Click here to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"> My Review:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">I would highly recommend reading the prior two books first. That way, you will not miss anything, or be lost. The life of John is so vivid and so moving, so well told in this series, and in this book we start with John in prison. It doesn't matter if you know the Bible about John extremely well, because this is so well done that it connects on all kinds of new levels. The entire story is a faith builder and faith-filled. Jesus is all in and over these pages. This is so good, it would make a great Bible study group. If you think you know John, now you can get to know him and Jesus, better. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #e69138; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">About the Author</span></h1><p class="StandardCxSpFirst" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27604" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h0lta90ja88m2hvjqhuf7gsbeh._UX300_-300x300.jpeg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h0lta90ja88m2hvjqhuf7gsbeh._UX300_.jpeg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h0lta90ja88m2hvjqhuf7gsbeh._UX300_-150x150.jpeg 150w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" />Kurt</strong> is a Christian and a member of a vibrant Christian church on the Big Island of Hawaii. He also loves to write. In addition to all the usual temptations writers face, Kurt has to fight off the lure of beautiful beaches, pounding surf, great weather, and lush golf courses. Can you imagine?</span></p><p class="StandardCxSpMiddle" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Despite those temptations, he writes The Last Disciple series of Christian historical novels and he regularly writes blog posts.</span></p><p class="StandardCxSpMiddle" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">A few years ago Kurt did a study for his church on the Apostle John. That little project got him hooked on the man who started out life as a fisherman and then became the last disciple of Christ. The more Kurt learned about John, the more he wanted to know.</span></p><p class="StandardCxSpMiddle" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">If you’ve ever been obsessed by anything, you’ll understand that he couldn’t stop researching the life of John and all those around him. And the result of all that research is:</span></p><p class="StandardCxSpMiddle" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;"><i style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The Last Disciple Series</span></i></b></p><p class="StandardCxSpMiddle" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The Last Disciple is a series of Christian novels based on the Bible and Christian history. The first in the series: <b style="box-sizing: inherit;"><i style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem</i></b>, begins in the year 62 AD. In it, you walk with John through the streets of Jerusalem. See how he faces multiple crises and comes to understand what it is to stand alone and lean only on the Lord.</span></p><p class="StandardCxSpLast" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">This book, <b style="box-sizing: inherit;"><i style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus </i></b>is the third in the series, with two more books planned. Kurt is now writing the fourth book, <b style="box-sizing: inherit;"><i style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Last Disciple: Gospel of John.</i></b></span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #e69138; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">More from Kurt</span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">It all started one day when I learned that the Gospel of John was published fifty years after Jesus died. Fifty years! What did John do all that time? Where did he live? Why did he wait?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">But wait, there’s more. On the Cross, Jesus placed his own mother under John’s protection. How long did John take care of her? Where did they live?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">I think you can tell I got a little obsessive about this man, who outlived all the others to become the last disciple.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">In fact, that very phrase, the last disciple, came to me early one morning when I was reading about John and Peter going to Samaria in Acts 8. John lived so long that he outlived all the others and became the last disciple.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The Youngest Disciple</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">What do we know about John? He walked with Jesus when he was very young, probably a teenager or very early 20s. He and Andrew were the first disciples of Christ. Before that, they both followed John the Baptist.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Anyone who reads the New Testament would know John as:</span></p><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; list-style: outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The son of Zebedee, his father, and Salome, his mother</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Brother to the disciple James</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">A fisherman on the Sea of Galilee</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">He and his brother James were friends and even fishing buddies with Peter and his brother Andrew</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Youngest of the 12 disciples.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Author of five books of the Bible:</span><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: outside; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.25em; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The Gospel of John 80-90 AD</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The Letters or Epistles of John 90-95 AD</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The Book of Revelation 95-98 AD</span></li></ul></li></ul><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">But after the mention in Acts 8, that’s it for John. Radio silence for nearly 50 years. Why did it take him so long to write the Gospel of John? And that is the very question I seek to answer in The Last Disciple Series.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The Last Disciple Series</span></em></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">The Last Disciple is a series of Christian novels based on the Bible and Christian history. The first in the series: <strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem</strong>, begins in the year 62 AD. In it, you walk with John through the streets of Jerusalem. See how he faces multiple crises and comes to understand what it is to stand alone and lean only on the Lord.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">This book, <strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus </strong>is the third in the series, following <strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Last Disciple: Escape to Antioch</strong> and <strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem. </strong></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">I’m now writing the fourth book, <strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Last Disciple: Gospel of John</strong>.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #e69138; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">Blog Stops</span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, March 2</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.jodiewolfe.com/blog" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Jodie Wolfe - Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet</span></a>, March 3 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, March 4</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, March 5</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Beauty in the Binding"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beauty in the Binding</span></a>, March 6 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Reviews From an Avid Reader"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Reviews From an Avid Reader</span></a>, March 7</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="https://shelivestoread.com/category/book-reviews/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"She Lives To Read"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">She Lives To Read</span></a>, March 8</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="https://litteraegaudium.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For the Love of Literature"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For the Love of Literature</span></a>, March 9 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="https://exploringthewrittenword.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Exploring the written word"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Exploring the written word</span></a>, March 9</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, March 10</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, March 11</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="https://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"By The Book"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">By The Book</span></a>, March 12 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Cover Lover Book Review"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Cover Lover Book Review</span></a>, March 13</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lightsinadarkworld.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lights in a Dark World"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lights in a Dark World</span></a>, March 14</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="http://kid-lit.library-lady.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Library Lady's Kid Lit"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Library Lady’s Kid Lit</span></a>, March 15 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.hake" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Mary Hake"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mary Hake</span></a>, March 15</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #e69138; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">Giveaway</span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><img height="198" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/ac7b7f85-d9f6-4525-b1bf-897b24a28dde" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="236" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">To celebrate his tour, Kurt is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/2a3f6/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/2a3f6/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-68180719861868848182024-03-04T08:00:00.000-08:002024-03-04T08:26:03.225-08:00What I Promise You by Liz Tolsma (Echoes of the Past Book 2)<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27348" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/what-i-promise-you.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/what-i-promise-you.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/what-i-promise-you-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/what-i-promise-you-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>What I Promise You</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Liz Tolsma</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre:</b> Christian Fiction / Romance / Historical Fiction</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>February 1, 2024</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27349" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 197px) 85vw, 197px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/9781636097770-197x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/9781636097770-197x300.jpg 197w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/9781636097770-672x1024.jpg 672w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/9781636097770-768x1170.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/9781636097770-1009x1536.jpg 1009w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/9781636097770-1345x2048.jpg 1345w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/9781636097770-1200x1828.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/9781636097770.jpg 1650w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="197" />A Family’s History Is Lost to the Ravages of WWII in Southwest France</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">1942<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Noémie Treves, a young, pregnant Jewish woman, had her entire world shattered when she is arrested and taken to the Camp de Rivesaltes transit camp in Southwest France. No sooner does she arrive, though, than she assists in helping two young girls scheduled for transport escape to a nearby maternity hospital. The matron there befriends her and changes her name to help hide her. But nothing goes according to plan, and Hannah finds herself doing the unimaginable to save one precious life.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">2022<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Caitlyn Laurant is haunted by recent events in her life and hopes becoming a nurse on the mission field will help her forget. While in training, she and her friends travel to France where her grandfather was born. What should have been an easy search for his birthplace turns into anything but and reveals secrets that no one alive has ever heard.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/47zI9WB" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">My Review:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love Christian historical fiction and this book was excellent. This book goes between 1942, 1955 and the current times of 2022 or so. I couldn't help but love that, because I know people who were born in that older time frame. I don't always like WWII novels, but this one was quite good. So much unconditional love and sacrifice was worked into this story. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span>Noémie is an outstanding character and her ties, just to see her family the generations down the line with the time jumps, it's really emotional. I found this story to have a fresh feeling, and very deep.</span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">5 Stars</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-23329" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 85vw, 200px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LizTolsma-1-200x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LizTolsma-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LizTolsma-1-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LizTolsma-1-768x1153.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LizTolsma-1-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LizTolsma-1-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LizTolsma-1-1200x1801.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LizTolsma-1-scaled.jpg 1706w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="200" />Liz Tolsma</strong> is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">More from Liz</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The Story behind the Cover of <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">What I Promise You</em></span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">In the late summer, I got the preliminary cover for <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">What I Promise You. </em>While Barbour Publishing always does a great job with their covers, and the one they sent was very nice, I wasn’t crazy about it because it didn’t tell the story at all. The mansion that plays such a big part in the novel was nowhere to be seen. Barbour is fantastic when it comes to working with me to get great covers, so I asked if we could include the real mansion that the story is based on. Turns out that they were having trouble getting copyright permission to use any image they could find of the maternity home.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">That was disappointing. But I got brave and let them know that I took a picture of it when I was in France last year, and they could use it, but I’m not a very good photographer and I only used my iPhone. I attached the photo to the email and didn’t hear anything for a while.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Then in October, I wanted to include a preorder link to the book on social media or something and went to Amazon to grab it. And there was the cover. I went back and forth between the cover and my picture, and sure enough, it was the picture of the maternity home I had sent them! So I not only wrote <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">What I Promise You, </em>but some of my photography is on the front. I never thought that would happen. Am I in the wrong profession?? Just kidding!</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Reviews From an Avid Reader"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Reviews From an Avid Reader</span></a>, February 27</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.lifeonchickadeelane.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Life on Chickadee Lane"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Life on Chickadee Lane</span></a>, February 27</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://lotsofhelpers.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lots of Helpers"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lots of Helpers</span></a>, February 28</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Lighthouse Academy Blog</a>, February 28 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, February 29</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://forhimandmyfamily.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For Him and My Family"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For Him and My Family</span></a>, February 29</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/macebetti/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Betti Mace"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Betti Mace</span></a>, March 1</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://luannabubbles.wixsite.com/devotedhope" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Devoted To Hope"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Devoted To Hope</span></a>, March 1</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://shelivestoread.com/category/book-reviews/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"She Lives To Read"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">She Lives To Read</span></a>, March 2</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, March 2</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://abbasprayerwarriorprincess.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess</span></a>, March 3</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, March 3</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://familymgrkendra.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Happily Managing a Household of Boys"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Happily Managing a Household of Boys</span></a>, March 4</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, March 4</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://babblingbeckyl.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions</span></a>, March 5</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tblbkreviews.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lily's Corner"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lily’s Corner</span></a>, March 5</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://bizwingsblog.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Bizwings Book Blog"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Bizwings Book Blog</span></a>, March 5</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://lakesidelivingsite.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"lakesidelivingsite"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">lakesidelivingsite</span></a>, March 6</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, March 6</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":2561,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"14":{"1":2,"2":2575891}}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gina Holder, Author and Blogger"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gina Holder, Author and Blogger</span></a>, March 7 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://southerngallovestoread.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Southern Gal Loves to Read"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Southern Gal Loves to Read</span></a>, March 7</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Tell Tale Book Reviews"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tell Tale Book Reviews</span></a>, March 8</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://agoodbookandcupoftea.wixsite.com/agoodbookandcupoftea" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Good Book and Cup of Tea"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A Good Book and Cup of Tea</span></a>, March 8</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Cover Lover Book Review"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Cover Lover Book Review</span></a>, March 8</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Connie's History Classroom "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="https://connieshistoryclassroom.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Connie’s History Classroom</a></span>, March 9</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://hollysbookcorner.home.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Holly's Book Corner"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Holly’s Book Corner</span></a>, March 9</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://pausefortales.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pause for Tales"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pause for Tales</span></a>, March 10</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://labornotinvain.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Labor Not in Vain"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Labor Not in Vain</span></a>, March 10</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://reneek-littlehomeschoolontheprairie.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Little Homeschool on the Prairie"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Little Homeschool on the Prairie</span></a>, March 11</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.beccahope.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Becca Hope: Book Obsessed"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Becca Hope: Book Obsessed</span></a>, March 11</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lightsinadarkworld.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lights in a Dark World"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lights in a Dark World</span></a>, March 11</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><img height="207" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/84dde685-4df6-465b-984d-b80367d862b9" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="247" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Liz is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and print copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/2a3ce/what-i-promise-you-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/2a3ce/what-i-promise-you-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-68377194453814358062024-03-02T09:00:00.000-08:002024-03-02T10:48:05.650-08:00Mortal Queens by Victoria MaCombs (The Fae Dynasty Book 1) <p> </p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27542" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/mortal-queens.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/mortal-queens.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/mortal-queens-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/mortal-queens-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Mortal Queens</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Victoria McCombs</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>YA Fae Fantasy</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>February 6, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27543" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 197px) 85vw, 197px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/McCombs-Mortal-Queens-LOW-RES-197x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/McCombs-Mortal-Queens-LOW-RES-197x300.jpg 197w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/McCombs-Mortal-Queens-LOW-RES-673x1024.jpg 673w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/McCombs-Mortal-Queens-LOW-RES-768x1168.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/McCombs-Mortal-Queens-LOW-RES.jpg 800w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="197" />They vanish without a trace, disappear into the night… </span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Each year on the center island, one girl is chosen to be the next Mortal Queen of the idolized fae. The mortals praise these lucky girls, but their daughters are never seen again.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The fae realm is eternal night, where disputes are settled by chess matches, power is acquired through the most devious kinds of trickery, and seven illusive kings roam. The fae hide their faces behind masks and guard their glass hearts to keep them from shattering. But beyond the veil of this luxurious paradise, a dark secret simmers, for their Queens have disappeared.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">When aspiring artist Althea is selected, she is desperate to avoid the same mysterious fate. With no one to trust, she conceals messages in paintings and receives anonymous replies from a stranger who slowly reveals the tale of a girl who outwitted the fae. Only if she is clever enough will Althea survive the fate of the Mortal Queens. As long as the king who cannot love does not claim her first.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3Shrtig" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> My Review:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">This was a ton of action. The pace is swift for this book. To be Queen of the Fay, as a mortal, would be a powerful draw, for some. But every year a new moral girl winds up vanishing, to be Queen, but only for a year. Their families and lives are left behind as they are snatched up and whisked away. That's not exactly idealist living now is it? More so, the world of the fae is messy. Everyone is hiding behind masks and trickery and chess, and illusions are rampant. In this regard, I'm reminded of Alice in Wonderland. Althea is a fantastic character and it was easy for me to root for her and to fall deep into this story. It's clean, it's an amazing read, I can't wait for book two and the only negative is that the ending is a hanger waiting for the next book. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">4 Stars </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">About the Author</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27544" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 85vw, 225px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/McCombs-Victoria-225x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/McCombs-Victoria-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/McCombs-Victoria.jpg 570w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="225" />Victoria McCombs </strong>is the author of YA fantasy books such as <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Storyteller’s Daughter </em>and The Royal Rose Chronicles. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and three children. Her days are filled with coffee, reading, golfing, board games, and homeschooling the littles.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">More from Victoria</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">There are several parties thrown in the fae realm, so today I’ll be sharing a party favorite recipe! I’ve had strangers reach out years after a party to ask for this recipe, and it’s so simple to make!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Cucumber Party Sandwiches</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Ingredients:</strong> One French loaf (the thinner, the better. It will be topped with a cucumber.)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">1-2 cucumbers</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">8 oz cream cheese</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">½ cup mayo</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">1 package dry Italian dressing</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">We’d always buy the French loaf in a roll that you bake like crescent rolls, however I’ve struggled to find them recently, so I just buy the premade bread. However you acquire your bread, you’ll want it cooked and sliced into inch thick pieces.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Cut medium-thick slices of cucumber</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Combine the cream cheese, mayo, and dry Italian dressing.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Spread the mixture over the bread, then top with cucumber. May garnish with pepper if desired. Done!</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theloftypages.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Lofty Pages"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Lofty Pages</span></a>, February 24</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.simpleharvestreads.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Simple Harvest Reads"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Simple Harvest Reads</span></a>, March 7 (Guest Review from Mindy)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.guildmaster97.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Guild Master"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guild Master</span></a>, March 8 (Spotlight)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://inspiredbyfiction.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Inspired by Fiction"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Inspired by Fiction</span></a>, March 8</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><img height="207" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/8a377035-dc24-4c45-bdd5-d25d6b255fad" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="247" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Victoria is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/2a259/mortal-queens-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/2a259/mortal-queens-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p>Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-48341941212294435122024-02-28T09:00:00.000-08:002024-02-28T09:13:33.536-08:00Torch by Sofia Simpson (An Elemental Series Book 2)<p> </p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27336" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/torch.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/torch.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/torch-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/torch-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book:</strong> Torch</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Sofia Simpson</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre:</b> Young Adult Christian Fantasy</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>February 6, 2024</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-27337 alignright" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 85vw, 225px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Torch-72dpi-1500x2000-1-225x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Torch-72dpi-1500x2000-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Torch-72dpi-1500x2000-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Torch-72dpi-1500x2000-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Torch-72dpi-1500x2000-1-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Torch-72dpi-1500x2000-1.jpg 1500w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="225" /><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Relentlessly pursued by the Extremists, Vela and Linc embark on a perilous journey toward a hidden Elemental community in the Canadian mountains. It’s a place where couples of different elements thrive, raising families while living off the grid.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">These Elementals, like the Extremists, are searching for the portended Chosen Child, the one who will unite the clans. Vela is forced to accept she might be a part of this prophecy whether she likes it or not.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Vela is more than intrigued by a mixed Elemental in the community who single-mindedly pursues her. Faced with a choice between two very different men makes committing to Linc as her Intended harder than she imagined.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Can Linc win the fight for her heart? Will this prophecy be her undoing or the Elementals’ salvation?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/4aIoAhF" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"> My Review:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Here's book two in this series. I like the name of this book, Torch, and it picks up where the first book left off. I recommend reading the series in order though. Vela's healing gift is crucial for those around her, but there's so much darkness and danger, that it's possible she could be used in ways she doesn't want to be. Reliance on God is imperative with this and I was so happy to see so much faith worked into this story. It has so many emotions that pull you during the story, and of course, also the romance triangle because having reached the perfect place to be, Vela and Linc now have Rayne. Rayne is quite interested in Vela and doesn't see her as she sees herself or her connection to Linc and it's mind-opening and perspective-altering for her as well as giving us the deep sides of our characters and this romance. It's still a lot of a cliffhanger and I need the next book. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">About the Author</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27338" height="274" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Bio-Photo-Close-1-300x274.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Bio-Photo-Close-1-300x274.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Bio-Photo-Close-1.jpg 312w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" />Sofia</strong> grew up moving constantly. Never in one place more than three years, there was plenty of time to daydream during long car rides. College finally gave her a chance to study what she had always dreamed of doing, writing her stories.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">She obtained a B.A. in Journalism, married her handsome husband and had two amazing sons.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">A big believer in dreaming big, Sofia loves speaking to youth, encouraging them to find hope no matter what their life looks like. Sofia is a daughter of the Lord first and foremost and finds inspiration with the stories like King David and Esther.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">More from Sofia</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">This book has been my absolute favorite to write. I switched my POV to first person, and it made all the difference in the world as far as getting into my character’s head. I’ve been so intimidated in writing in first person POV, so I’m so happy I went out on a limb and tried it. The story flowed so easily once I did! I wrote the first draft of this book in 10 weeks! I got on an intense writing schedule, stuck to it and voila! Out popped this book.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">I loved every minute of it, especially the researching part. Researching how to live off the grid was fascinating to me, and it couldn’t have been more interesting. It really made me understand how people lived without modern conveniences. Well, in my book, they lived with modern conveniences thanks to generators and the Elementals’ gifts and abilities, but they had to make their own soap, butter, cheese, sometimes, clothes. I learned how a toilet can work thanks to gravity and setting up the pump on a hill. It’s all fascinating to me and I hope everyone finds it fun to learn, too, all while a great story unfolds!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">The following recipe was so neat, I had to include it! And, yes, it’s in the book. They had to cook bread without an oven, so this worked nicely so they could still enjoy some fresh cooked bread.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">This recipe was copied from the following link from Veganonboard.com:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><a href="https://veganonboard.com/campfire-bread-on-a-stick-recipe/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Campfire Bread on a Stick Recipe – Vegan on Board</span></a></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Ingredients</span></p><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; list-style: outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">1 tsp dried yeast</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">1 tsp sugar</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">2 ½ cups (300 g) flour</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">⅞ cup (200 ml) warm water</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">1 tsp salt</span></li></ul><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Dough:</span></p><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; list-style: outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients into a moist dough. No need to knead!</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size – about 1 hour.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">With floured hands, briefly ‘knock back’ the dough by making it into a ball.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Tip the dough out onto a floured surface and divide into 8 pieces.</span></li></ul><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Shaping your breadsticks:</span></p><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; list-style: outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Start by stretching the dough into a strip and then roll it into a long sausage shape.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Twist a strip around the end of your sticks. Pinch the dough together to secure the end if necessary.</span></li></ul><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Cooking Over a Campfire:</span></p><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; list-style: outside; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Either hold or prop up your stick over the fire.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Choose a spot over hot embers for best results.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Keep rotating until all sides are browned.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Enjoy your freshly baked bread!</span></li></ul><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, February 15 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><a href="http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Tell Tale Book Reviews"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tell Tale Book Reviews</span></a>, February 21 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><a href="http://pausefortales.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pause for Tales"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pause for Tales</span></a>, February 22</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Reader’s Brain "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="http://areadersbrain.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">A Reader’s Brain</a></span>, February 25 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theloftypages.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Lofty Pages"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Lofty Pages</span></a>, February 25</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, February 26</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tabithabouldinauthor.home.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Through the Fire Blogs"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Through the Fire Blogs</span></a>, February 27 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging with Carol "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="https://carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Blogging with Carol</a></span>, February 28</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><img height="210" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/17b21d28-4a28-4011-a08d-abe3e44e82cc" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="250" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Sofia is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/29dba/torch-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/29dba/torch-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-55557798356385473792024-02-26T08:28:00.000-08:002024-03-04T07:44:00.973-08:00The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus Epic Book Launch<p><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBC9pl8zFmHFeU-odCMLC9lxlaRywJpMZdrf0tlmW7U2gMiRXKMZNt8yzRmumsERttIRYc1yXZuA86i6f_lwUOUSIuwki8Rop_v8ZHWhV8JZ1No0iKnaGwGAe3l60k3Tgl0DLycOKe0G8CcIVPzhKBYyv2ZvJmZH1j-T7UPp8jT47s8P_esUDi_hKg9o/s640/Ebook%20Cover%20-%20The%20Last%20Disciple%20Exile%20in%20Ephesus%2003.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBC9pl8zFmHFeU-odCMLC9lxlaRywJpMZdrf0tlmW7U2gMiRXKMZNt8yzRmumsERttIRYc1yXZuA86i6f_lwUOUSIuwki8Rop_v8ZHWhV8JZ1No0iKnaGwGAe3l60k3Tgl0DLycOKe0G8CcIVPzhKBYyv2ZvJmZH1j-T7UPp8jT47s8P_esUDi_hKg9o/s320/Ebook%20Cover%20-%20The%20Last%20Disciple%20Exile%20in%20Ephesus%2003.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus Epic Book Launch<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><b><u>About the Book</u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Book Title: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Author Name: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">Kurt Brouwer</span></strong><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Genre: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">Christian Historical Fiction</span></strong><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Release Date: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">March 15, 2024</span></strong><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">He awoke jailed in squalor…<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Would he complete his final mission?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Or would he fail to record the story only he could tell?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The epic saga of the Last Disciple continues in this captivating Christian historical novel from<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Kurt Brouwer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">After surviving imprisonment, John faces his greatest challenge–exile in the distant city of Ephesus. Struggling with grief and despair over the destruction of Jerusalem, John doubts his ability to complete the mission entrusted to him by Mary—to write the true gospel account of Christ’s life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">But in Ephesus, John finds unexpected allies—Timothy, Priscilla, and Tychicus, who share his passion for spreading the message of God’s love. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">As John shares the good news of Jesus, he makes dangerous enemies, including the influential high priest, Alexander Cosmo, who will stop at nothing to suppress the growing Christian faith. Amid opposition from without and internal divisions from within the early church, John must contend with those pressuring believers to adopt Jewish law and compromise the radical teachings of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">When tragedy strikes those close to him, can John’s fragile hope be rekindled? Will he finally show the world all the signs, miracles, and events he witnessed on his journey with Jesus? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Don’t miss this page-turning story of faith, co</span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">urage, and love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><u><o:p><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><b><u>Book Excerpt</u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">“Nay. The guards bring a bucket and dipper twice a day. Glad ye have awakened. Thought you had given up the ghost.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">John fought back against the panic that surged through his body. He felt a gnawing worm of fear moving through his innards. The specter of death lingered in this place. And the smell! Stale, unwashed bodies, human waste, mold, rot, with not a breath of air nor light. Just darkness like the pit of hell.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">He longed for light, wishing to see. But when guards marched down the hallway outside the cell and their flaring torches illuminated the hellish dungeon cell, he longed for a return to the cover of darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The hair on John’s neck rose. He heard a faint whispery slithering. Felt a cold, alien, and evil presence, like a serpent moving across his legs. He panicked and lashed out, only to hear a grunt<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">and a curse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">John realized he’d been dreaming of a serpent, had seen its amber, glittering eyes and head moving, probing, sniffing delicately for the scent of its prey. He gagged at the stench of sulfur filling the air. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: start; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">“What’s that smell?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><o:p> </o:p> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><u><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Missed Any Questions, Go Here<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><o:p><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; text-align: start;"><div><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">Excerpt One: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-by.html&source=gmail&ust=1709652155061000&usg=AOvVaw3BCty3JaaJUl6xa2L1pB1J" href="https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-by.html" target="_blank">https://blossomsandblessings.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/2024/02/the-last-<wbr></wbr>disciple-exile-in-ephesus-by.<wbr></wbr>html</a><br />Excerpt Two: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2024/02/epic-book-launch-last-disciple-exile-in.html&source=gmail&ust=1709652155061000&usg=AOvVaw3AwXNQR6imo04fcXEfpMzj" href="https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2024/02/epic-book-launch-last-disciple-exile-in.html" target="_blank">https://moments-of-beauty.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/2024/02/epic-<wbr></wbr>book-launch-last-disciple-<wbr></wbr>exile-in.html</a><br />Excerpt Three: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://carolkeen.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-epic.html&source=gmail&ust=1709652155061000&usg=AOvVaw1GrOvL1SX610SxjHcW6Q8L" href="https://carolkeen.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-epic.html" target="_blank">https://carolkeen.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com/2024/02/the-last-disciple-<wbr></wbr>exile-in-ephesus-epic.html</a><br />Excerpt Four: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://storiesbygina.com/2024/02/29/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-epic-book-launch-with-celebrate-lit-publicity/&source=gmail&ust=1709652155061000&usg=AOvVaw3V8K_OvR3xZWuO-qA95py-" href="https://storiesbygina.com/2024/02/29/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-epic-book-launch-with-celebrate-lit-publicity/" target="_blank">https://storiesbygina.com/<wbr></wbr>2024/02/29/the-last-disciple-<wbr></wbr>exile-in-ephesus-epic-book-<wbr></wbr>launch-with-celebrate-lit-<wbr></wbr>publicity/</a><br />Excerpt Five: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus.html&source=gmail&ust=1709652155061000&usg=AOvVaw1D_7O4sIoArCoPzDQSH3IQ" href="https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus.html" target="_blank">https://coverloverbookreview.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/2024/02/the-last-<wbr></wbr>disciple-exile-in-ephesus.html</a><br />Excerpt Six: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-book-excerpt/&source=gmail&ust=1709652155061000&usg=AOvVaw3QzfVP8AKv3iT3vA-MrJQU" href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-book-excerpt/" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>artistwriterandstudentohmy.<wbr></wbr>com/posts/the-last-disciple-<wbr></wbr>exile-in-ephesus-book-excerpt/</a><br />Excerpt Seven: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.guildmaster97.com/posts/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-epic-book-launch/&source=gmail&ust=1709652155061000&usg=AOvVaw3A1wfTs2oNyPXJa0aO_2Ub" href="https://www.guildmaster97.com/posts/the-last-disciple-exile-in-ephesus-epic-book-launch/" jslog="32272; 1:WyIjdGhyZWFkLWY6MTc5MjM1OTUwMTc2OTA2NzM4MiJd; 4:WyIjbXNnLWY6MTc5MjM1OTUwMTc2OTA2NzM4MiJd" target="_blank">https://www.guildmaster97.com/<wbr></wbr>posts/the-last-disciple-exile-<wbr></wbr>in-ephesus-epic-book-launch/</a></span></div></h1><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><u><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">About the Author<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Kurt is a Christian and a member of a vibrant Christian church on the Big Island of Hawaii. He also loves to write. In addition to all the usual temptations writers face, Kurt has to fight off the lure of beautiful beaches, pounding surf, great weather, and lush golf courses. Can you imagine? Despite those temptations, he writes The Last Disciple series of Christian historical novels and he regularly writes blog posts at KurtBrouwer.com.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">A few years ago Kurt did a study for his church on the Apostle John. That little project got him hooked on the man who started out life as a fisherman and then became the last disciple of Christ. The more Kurt learned about John, the more he wanted to know.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">If you’ve ever been obsessed by anything, you’ll understand that he couldn’t stop researching the life of John and all those around him. And the result of all that research is:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: start;"><b><i><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The Last Disciple Series <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The Last Disciple is a series of Christian novels based on the Bible and Christian history. The first in the series: <b><i>The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem</i></b>, begins in the year 62 AD. In it, you walk with John through the streets of Jerusalem. See how he faces multiple crises and comes to understand what it is to stand alone and lean only on the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">This book, <b><i>The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus</i></b> is the third in the series, with two more books planned. Kurt is now writing the fourth book, <b><i>The Last Disciple: Gospel of John.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWvjEOYuMrOIjkiRUalWBZXf_RM4FmE_bNe5qPrwr9hduWfNEFOfYRu4H5P3NfsIQRZ_TUKXGwCRpPuHz4SxJRt3WF4ELR1T01VdPOMUR_JYq7q0vg5rsinufO9H_CZS9rF41H_Z-DGfJYwLkc8NuOoMA_IhcaSyMEpX3c1WRy3t7nuecmZIwQhBDyns/s300/h0lta90ja88m2hvjqhuf7gsbeh._UX300_.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWvjEOYuMrOIjkiRUalWBZXf_RM4FmE_bNe5qPrwr9hduWfNEFOfYRu4H5P3NfsIQRZ_TUKXGwCRpPuHz4SxJRt3WF4ELR1T01VdPOMUR_JYq7q0vg5rsinufO9H_CZS9rF41H_Z-DGfJYwLkc8NuOoMA_IhcaSyMEpX3c1WRy3t7nuecmZIwQhBDyns/s1600/h0lta90ja88m2hvjqhuf7gsbeh._UX300_.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></div></div><br /> <p></p>Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-7071339802290125062024-02-26T08:21:00.000-08:002024-02-26T08:21:16.670-08:00When Legends Rise by Daphne Self (Legends of Light Book 1)<p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27152" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Legends-rise.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Legends-rise.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Legends-rise-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Legends-rise-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book:</strong> When Legends Rise</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Daphne Self</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre:</b> Science Fiction</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>July 26, 2022</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27153" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 194px) 85vw, 194px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SELAHcover-194x300.png" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SELAHcover-194x300.png 194w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SELAHcover.png 510w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="194" /><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">He is now one of them. Genetically altered . . . Designed to kill . . . Trained to eradicate . . . Until he became more. Juliet 7-A was the top elite assassin for the Global Federated Territories until an ambush deemed him beyond salvaging. He was scheduled for decommission. His only recourse for survival is a new identity and his search for the one friend he had―a friend who defected and deserted him. Those he once hunted will save him. Yet it comes with a price. A price that demands much of him. What happens when an assassin awakens?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3tk4I3w" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> My Review:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Let's start with the fact that this story has no faith shortage. Its very premise gives me chills because while it's Sci-Fi and dystopian, it's not completely out of the realm of realistic issues. Genetically altered, crafted to hunt and kill Christians, Julius is changing. Not just because he's not free, but because he's having a parallel from Saul to Paul experience. There's a lot of action, which does remind us of some other famous Sci-Fi, but I really love the Star Trek aspects. That's something I'm very fond of! The story is much deeper than I can put into this review, I would highly recommend reading it. I'm so glad to see more Christian Sci-Fi. It's a genre that's one of my favorites and this one was so good! The ending isn't quite what I expected, but this is a series, so I'm waiting for more! </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27154" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 231px) 85vw, 231px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/v3-231x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/v3-231x300.jpg 231w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/v3-787x1024.jpg 787w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/v3-768x999.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/v3-1181x1536.jpg 1181w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/v3-1200x1561.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/v3.jpg 1574w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="231" />Daphne Self</strong>, formerly published under the name D.M. Webb, resides in Iowa. As a Mississippian transplant, she spends her days in the Midwest state writing, editing, reading, antiquing, and planning adventures. She pursues her dream as an editor and author with one goal in mind: To Glorify His Name. Daphne is also an avid reader who devours book in many genres. As a long time member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and Realm Makers, she volunteers her time helping published and unpublished authors.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">More from Daphne</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">It started as an idea back in the late 90s. It came to fruition in May 2021. The inspiration was this: salvation is free. That began the questions of: what if someone committed horrible acts, what if that person was indoctrinated and changed, what if when faced with the truth how would he react, and finally, what story from the Bible would work for my character? Of course, the story of Saul of Tarsus (Paul) came to mind. Blood was on his hands, yet he found salvation in Christ. And the story of Samson gave a bit of a parallel to my story, too.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">I wrote this book before the show <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Halo</em> was released, yet I had been playing the <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Halo</em>video game for years. I’ve always enjoyed the backstory of Master Chief, so the main character of <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">When Legends Rise</em> is a bit like Master Chief John-117. Plus, if you have seen <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Mandalorian</em>, then you will see a few common themes between my book and that show. There’s also a bit of a Star Trek vibe in that I use “tech” speak and plausible science.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">And what began as one book has now evolved into a 5-book series titled <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Legends of Light</em>. Book two, <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">What Legends Become</em>, releases in June 2024 and follows the family and the continuing story of salvation, persecution, faith, and hope.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Reviews From an Avid Reader"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Reviews From an Avid Reader</span></a>, February 17</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://babblingbeckyl.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions</span></a>, February 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, February 19</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, February 20 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://madismusingsblog.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Madi's Musings"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Madi’s Musings</span></a>, February 20</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, February 21</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, February 22</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.wishfulendings.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Wishful Endings"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Wishful Endings</span></a>, February 23</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, February 24</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://exploringthewrittenword.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Exploring the Written Word"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Exploring the Written Word</span></a>, February 25</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, February 26</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://pausefortales.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pause for Tales"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pause for Tales</span></a>, February 27</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Guild Master"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guild Master</span></a>, February 28 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theloftypages.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Lofty Pages"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Lofty Pages</span></a>, February 28</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Tell Tale Book Reviews"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tell Tale Book Reviews</span></a>, February 29</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.fictionbooklover.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Fiction Book Lover"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fiction Book Lover</span></a>, March 1 (Author Interview)</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><img class="" height="196" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/8c15db7d-0e45-4cbd-8bf0-cbd520b861d0" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="234" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Daphne is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of the book, bookmarks, character cards, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/29dbb/when-legends-rise-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/29dbb/when-legends-rise-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-56124446540410121352024-02-20T09:00:00.000-08:002024-02-20T09:08:47.806-08:00Small Town Secrets by Lillian Duncan <h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.75rem; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><a href="https://forms.gle/XvBq1af2tcK2siGE9" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #007acc; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27331" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/small-town-secrets.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/small-town-secrets.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/small-town-secrets-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/small-town-secrets-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></a></h1><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #b45f06; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">About the Book</span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book:</strong> Small Town Secrets</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Lillian Duncan</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre:</b> Christian—Romantic Suspense</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>October 13, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-27332" height="300" loading="lazy" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Small-Town-Secrets-1.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="200" /><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">On the surface, Shady Valley looks like the ideal all-American place to live with beautiful flowering trees lining both sides of the street as you enter the picturesque town. Neighbors help neighbors. Doors are often left unlocked.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Serious crimes are practically nonexistent— almost but not quite!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">But like all small towns, everyone knows everyone, which means everyone knows everyone’ s business, and not everyone in Shady Valley is what they appear to be. Some have secrets— deadly secrets— that they hide behind the masks they wear.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">When Angie McVey disappears on her wedding day, rookie officer Cami Martine is determined to find her best friend, but there are no leads to follow. Angie seems to have disappeared into thin air.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">If Cami is to bring her best friend home, she will need to discover the deadly secrets of her friends and neighbors to find the one who wears the biggest mask.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em; text-wrap: wrap;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3tkEUnJ" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> My Review: </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Like other famous small towns, this one has issue after issue. The crimes and twists, and drama just keep popping up. Whew! It all started with a missing bride. Angie vanished on the day of her wedding, and her fellow officer isn't going to just take that without finding her. What Cami sets off, the chain reaction is nothing short of stunning. What everyone thinks they know about everyone else, doesn't include their dark sides, or dark secrets. This book is quite real in the way that it shows humanity, and it's beautiful faith-filled, never dropping our reliance on God's grace and strength to get us through mind-altering circumstances and situations. </span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">I would read another book by this author, very easily! </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #b45f06; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">About the Author</span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="alignright wp-image-11422 size-medium" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 238px) 85vw, 238px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Lillian-Duncan-238x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Lillian-Duncan-238x300.jpg 238w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Lillian-Duncan.jpg 315w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="238" />Lillian Duncan… turning faith into fiction.</span></em></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">For years, my tagline was “stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem” since I wrote Christian suspense and mystery novels.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">In 2012, I heard the words, “you have bilateral brain tumors.”</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">I had no idea how much those words would change my life, but they did. When life changes for a writer, their writing changes as well. So I wanted my tagline to reflect the new me. I still love to write suspense and mystery novels but also have branched out into other genres.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">In spite of being diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors and a rare genetic disease (Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), God continues to strengthen me and give me peace and joy as well as the blessing to be able to continue to write.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">I’m a multi-published author who lives in the middle of Ohio Amish country with my husband and a menagerie of pets. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, I believe in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">My goal is to write stories that entertain but also demonstrate God’s love for all of us.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #b45f06; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">More from Lillian</span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Small Town Life VS. City Life</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">I spent most of my growing up years in the country, then I moved to a larger city for college and then an even larger city for much of my adult life. And then I slowly made my way back to the area I grew up in. I’ve spent the last twenty-two years living in the quaint little town of Shreve, Ohio.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Shreve has two gas stations, one stop light and zero fast-food restaurants! I love living in Shreve. Is there a difference between small town life and city life? Absolutely.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Big cities have a lot to offer. You won’t get any argument from me about that. Museums, your choice of restaurants, plays and concerts. But small towns have a lot to offer as well. Neighbors that know each other’s names a sense of community, peace and quiet, and low crime. Oh, and did I mention peace and quiet?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">I know people love living in big cities, but I’ll stick to small town life. And that’s why most of the books I write are set in small towns—not always but most of the time.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">My latest book, SMALL TOWN SECRETS, is based in the fictional small town of Shady Valley, but definitely resembles my hometown of Shreve, Ohio. Except nothing this exciting happens in Shreve–which is a good thing. That’s why I like living there.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">But nothing happening would make for a boring book so Shady Valley has a few secrets–secrets that could kill!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">On the surface, Shady Valley seems to be the ideal all-American place to live with beautiful flowering trees lining both sides of the street as you enter the picturesque town. Neighbors help neighbors. Doors are often left unlocked.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Serious crimes are practically nonexistent—almost but not quite!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">When Angie McVey disappears on her wedding day, rookie officer Cami Martine is determined to find her best friend. Unfortunately, there are no leads to follow.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Angie seems to have disappeared into thin air.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">But not everyone in Shady Valley is what they appear to be. Some have secrets—deadly secrets—that they hide behind the masks they wear. If Cami is to bring her best friend home, she will need to discover the deadly secrets of her friends and neighbors and find the one who wears the biggest mask.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">SMALL TOWN SECRETS is a fast-paced mystery and suspense novel that will keep you turning pages past your bed time. By the way, the book will also be available as a Large Print book as well.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #b45f06; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">Blog Stops</span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, February 10</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, February 11</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, February 12 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.hake" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Mary Hake"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mary Hake</span></a>, February 12</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, February 13</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Reviews From an Avid Reader"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Reviews From an Avid Reader</span></a>, February 14</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="http://babblingbeckyl.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions</span></a>, February 15</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Bigreadersite "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="http://bigreadersite.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Bigreadersite</a></span>, February 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Guild Master"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guild Master</span></a>, February 17 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, February 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.fictionbooklover.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Fiction Book Lover"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fiction Book Lover</span></a>, February 19 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, February 20</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Because I said so - adventures in parenting. "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="http://becauseisaidsomyadventuresinparenting.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Because I said so – adventures in parenting.</a></span>, February 21</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":2561,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"14":{"1":2,"2":2575891}}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gina Holder, Author and Blogger"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gina Holder, Author and Blogger</span></a>, February 22 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="https://familymgrkendra.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Happily Managing a Household of Boys"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Happily Managing a Household of Boys</span></a>, February 22</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.forhimandmyfamily.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For Him and My Family"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For Him and My Family</span></a>, February 23</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #b45f06; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">Giveaway</span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><img height="147" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/e5f4939d-cd96-45de-b748-8fb15bc1a0af" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="147" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Lillian is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/29c58/small-town-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/29c58/small-town-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-47210451787709808502024-02-16T08:00:00.000-08:002024-02-16T08:00:00.135-08:00Lacey’s Star by Kay DiBianca (A Lady Pilot-in-Command Novel #1)<p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27590" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Laceys-star.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Laceys-star.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Laceys-star-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Laceys-star-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Lacey’s Star: A Lady Pilot-in-Command Novel</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Kay DiBianca</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Christian Mystery and Romance</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>October 23, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright wp-image-27594 size-medium" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 188px) 85vw, 188px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ebook-cover-Laceys-Star-couple-188x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ebook-cover-Laceys-Star-couple-188x300.jpg 188w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ebook-cover-Laceys-Star-couple-640x1024.jpg 640w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ebook-cover-Laceys-Star-couple-768x1229.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ebook-cover-Laceys-Star-couple-960x1536.jpg 960w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ebook-cover-Laceys-Star-couple-1280x2048.jpg 1280w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ebook-cover-Laceys-Star-couple-1200x1920.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ebook-cover-Laceys-Star-couple.jpg 1600w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="188" /><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">Private pilot Cassie Deakin lands in the middle of an unwanted adventure when she discovers her beloved Uncle Charlie has been attacked and seriously injured by thieves.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">But Cassie has a problem. She doesn’t know who she can trust. Still, she’s determined to solve the mystery behind the assault on her uncle, so she reluctantly agrees to team up with Deputy Frank White, a man she definitely does not trust, to find the culprits.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">But as Cassie and Frank peel back the layers of one mystery, they uncover a deeper and more sinister crime: the murder of an eight-year-old girl decades earlier. Armed with only a single, cryptic clue to the death of young Lacey Alderson, Cassie makes a crucial discovery that lands her in the crosshairs of a murderer.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/47CSlO9" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"> My Review: </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24);">The book has suspense, mystery, action, romance, and it's very interesting. Cassie planned to rescue her uncle, but she wound up in so much more. The mystery and the romance are well-balanced. Frank is smart and frankly, addictive as a character and a detective. So much self sacrifice and love is shown in this book. I didn't want to put it down. It really does have everything you hoped for in this kind of book, and it's a series, so we will get more! Faith was never left out and I thoroughly enjoyed this story.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24);" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24);" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24);">Thanks to Celebrate Lit for my digital copy of this book. This review is my own and a positive review is never required.</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27591" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 228px) 85vw, 228px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kay-DiBianca-Picture-300dpi-228x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kay-DiBianca-Picture-300dpi-228x300.jpg 228w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kay-DiBianca-Picture-300dpi.jpg 317w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="228" />Kay DiBianca</strong> is a former software developer and IT manager who retired to a life of mystery. She loves to create webs of intrigue for her characters to untangle as they search for the truth while dealing with the ongoing challenges of faith and family.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">In addition to her latest book, <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lacey’s Star</em>, Kay has three published novels in <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Watch Mystery Series: The Watch on the Fencepost, Dead Man’s Watch, </em>and<em style="box-sizing: inherit;"> Time After Tyme</em>. Her published short stories include <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lady Pilot-in-Command, The Clutter Busters, </em>and<em style="box-sizing: inherit;"> The Money Tree. </em></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">Kay is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and the Collierville Christian Writers Group. She is an instrument-rated pilot and a regular contributor to the Kill Zone Blog. An avid runner, she can often be found at a nearby track, on the treadmill, or at a large park near her home</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">Kay and her husband, Frank, live, run, and write in Memphis, Tennessee.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">Enjoy an Excerpt!</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">I do not like handsome men. Not that I have much experience with them, but in my opinion, they’re self-absorbed and untrustworthy. Like the one sitting in the passenger seat of my Cessna 172 while I did the run-up prior to takeoff. Frank White.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">Frank and I have shared only two experiences in the short time we’ve known each other. In the first one, I saved his life. In the second, he invited me to dinner and stood me up.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">Now I’m not generally a person to hold a grudge, but being stood up is on my short list of unforgivable sins. So, when the company I worked for informed me I <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">had </em>to fly Frank to a meeting at my uncle’s farm a couple of hundred miles away, I turned my face into stone and took the assignment.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">If Frank noticed my icy silence as I did the pre-flight check, he didn’t let on. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the little smirk on his face while he scrolled on his phone, his dark hair hanging down on his forehead. He needed a haircut.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">The Newton Airport tower called down. “Cessna Three One Four Bravo Charlie, you’re cleared for takeoff on runway three-six.” After a brief pause, he added, “Have a nice flight, Cassie.”</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">Frank adjusted his headset when he heard the call from the tower and winked at me. I gave him a look I reserve only for the lowest forms of human life and focused my attention back on the flight panel.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">“Roger that,” I said and repeated the instructions back to the air traffic controller. Then I added power and maneuvered Scout onto the end of the runway. Scout is the name I use for the little blue and white Cessna that was my father’s pride and joy. He taught me how to fly when I was a young girl, and he left the plane to me when he died.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">My frustration evaporated as my aircraft responded to full power and accelerated down the runway. When we reached sixty knots, I gently pulled back the yoke, the nose lifted, and in one breathless moment, we were free from the earth.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">This was a feeling I could never get enough of—the thrill of release as I watched the ground drop away. We climbed over the end of the runway, and meadows of goldenrod waved goodbye as we soared into blue heaven.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">Blog Stop</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Reviews From an Avid reader"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Reviews From an Avid reader</span></a>, February 6</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pause for Tales"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pause for Tales</span></a>, February 7</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":2561,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"14":{"1":2,"2":2575891}}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gina Holder, Author and Blogger"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gina Holder, Author and Blogger</span></a>, February 8 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, February 8</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/macebetti/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4225,"3":{"1":0},"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Betti Mace"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Betti Mace</span></a>, February 9</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, February 10</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, February 11</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, February 12</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://jeanninebennett.com/an-authors-take/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"An Author's Take"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">An Author’s Take</span></a>, February 13</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://familymgrkendra.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Happily Managing a Household of Boys"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Happily Managing a Household of Boys</span></a>, February 14</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.lifeonchickadeelane.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Life on Chickadee Lane"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Life on Chickadee Lane</span></a>, February 15</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, February 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://forhimandmyfamily.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For Him and My Family"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For Him and My Family</span></a>, February 17</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://amoderndayfairytale.net/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Modern Day Fairy Tale"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A Modern Day Fairy Tale</span></a>, February 18 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.hake" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Mary Hake"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mary Hake</span></a>, February 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tblbkreviews.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lily's Corner"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lily’s Corner</span></a>, February 19</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">Giveaway<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;"><img height="209" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/a4b0e341-e5a9-47ef-b266-89b93f18c755" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="249" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Kay is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and an eBook copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/2a0c6/lacey-s-star-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/2a0c6/lacey-s-star-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p>Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-20432325547430608012024-02-14T09:00:00.000-08:002024-02-14T09:29:53.902-08:00Rescuing You: Secrets and Spies in Shadow Cove by Robin Patchen (The Wright Heroes of Maine Book 2)<p> </p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27627" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rescuing-you.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rescuing-you.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rescuing-you-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rescuing-you-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Rescuing You</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Robin Patchen</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Christian Romantic Suspense</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>January 9, 2024</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27629" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 197px) 85vw, 197px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.RescuingYou_FrontFinal-197x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.RescuingYou_FrontFinal-197x300.jpg 197w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.RescuingYou_FrontFinal-673x1024.jpg 673w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.RescuingYou_FrontFinal-768x1169.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.RescuingYou_FrontFinal-1009x1536.jpg 1009w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.RescuingYou_FrontFinal-1345x2048.jpg 1345w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.RescuingYou_FrontFinal-1200x1827.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.RescuingYou_FrontFinal.jpg 1581w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="197" />A heart-pounding tale of danger and devotion, the riveting second installment of the Wright Heroes of Maine series by a USA Today bestselling author.</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">CIA agent Michael Wright’s world crumbles when his girlfriend, Leila, is snatched off the street and later seen in the grasp of a terrorist he’s been tracking, Michael blames himself. Keeping his identity secret from her clearly didn’t protect her. Now he must defy the Agency and fly to Iraq to rescue her.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Leila Amato escaped Iraq a decade earlier, only returning in her worst nightmares. But those nightmares have come true when she finds herself captive and all alone, or so she thinks until she sees her identical twin sister.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Michael tracks Leila to a desert compound, but his rescue mission goes awry when he discovers her sister needs to escape as well. His detailed strategy can only ensure one woman’s safety. Now they’re on the run, trying to get out of the country before their enemies track them down.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">But Leila’s kidnapping is only one small part of a larger plot—one that endangers thousands of lives—and now he can’t trust anyone. Not even the woman who’s stolen his heart. A woman who’s been keeping secrets of her own…</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">A high-stakes international chase full of romantic suspense, spies, and a ticking time bomb that will keep you reading all night long.</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3SfAgRP" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">My Review:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">I couldn't skip this book because of the title, and the author. This book has a lot of action, I mean lots! It's also pretty gripping. It tends to captivate me and I lose track of time. It has a lot of depth and so many strong characters. I love the twist and how things take off from the point of kidnapping. I felt like I was all over the Middle East, and that's not a bad thing. This book was thrilling, emotional, and strong. I would recommend it and this author.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27628" height="199" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Robin-Patchen-backcover-photo-300x199.jpeg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Robin-Patchen-backcover-photo-300x199.jpeg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Robin-Patchen-backcover-photo-1024x680.jpeg 1024w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Robin-Patchen-backcover-photo-768x510.jpeg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Robin-Patchen-backcover-photo-1200x797.jpeg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Robin-Patchen-backcover-photo.jpeg 1500w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" />Robin Patchen</strong> is a <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">USA Today</em> bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Nutfield Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. After college, working in marketing and public relations, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball and chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while she homeschooled her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving that most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">More from Robin</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">I spent a week this year serving refugee women on the Greek island of Lesvos. Along with helping to distribute food and clothing, I gave hand massages. It seems like such a little thing, but it was powerful.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Many didn’t speak English, and I found it difficult to connect even with those who did. What do I have in common with women escaping war or oppression?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">But I could perch on a tiny stool at their feet and rub lotion on their hands. I didn’t know their stories, but God did. So while they chatted with friends in languages I couldn’t understand, I prayed silently. As I did, God stirred in me a deep love for each one.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Imagine the courage it must take to leave everything you know—your home, your community, in some cases, even your family—to seek freedom. Imagine how desperate or afraid or, frankly, hopeful a person must be to attempt it.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">The heroine in <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Rescuing You </em>did just that. An Iraqi who came to Christ as a teenager, Leila feared her family would discover her secret and felt she had no choice but to run away. Resettled in Germany, away from her mother, father, and twin sister, she built a life for herself and fell in love.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">And then someone snatched her back to Iraq.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Rescuing You </em>is about a man determined to save the woman he loves. It’s about a woman willing to risk everything for the freedom to…</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">…Love the man she chooses</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">…Live a life of purpose, and mostly…</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">…Worship the One True God</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">It’s easy to take our freedom for granted—and to forget that true and lasting freedom isn’t political or social but spiritual. Christians are free in Christ no matter what their society looks like.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">But what an incredible blessing to live in a free country.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Rescuing You </em>barely scratches the surface of the refugee crisis. It’s mostly about a man and a woman and whole bunch of terrifying villains. Even so, I pray it’ll stir in you a deep love for refugees seeking freedom worldwide. Pray for them and for the nations they’ve escaped. Our world needs Jesus.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, February 3</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.hake" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Mary Hake"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mary Hake</span></a>, February 10</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><a href="https://forhimandmyfamily.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For Him and My Family"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For Him and My Family</span></a>, February 11</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><a href="https://booklooksbylisa.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Looks by Lisa"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Looks by Lisa</span></a>, February 12</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><a href="https://babblingbeckyl.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions</span></a>, February 13</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.lifeonchickadeelane.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Life on Chickadee Lane"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Life on Chickadee Lane</span></a>, February 13</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, February 14</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><a href="https://familymgrkendra.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Happily Managing a Household of Boys"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Happily Managing a Household of Boys</span></a>, February 15</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><a href="https://hollysbookcorner.home.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Holly's Book Corner"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Holly’s Book Corner</span></a>, February 15</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lakesidelivingsite "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="http://www.lakesidelivingsite.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Lakesidelivingsite</a></span>, February 16</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;"><img height="206" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/c3530cd1-5c86-4bea-9bc8-2ee78dda181b" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="246" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of Running to You and a $75 Amazon gift card!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/2a0c0/rescuing-you-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/2a0c0/rescuing-you-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-15231861662200569522024-02-12T10:09:00.000-08:002024-02-14T09:55:37.923-08:00A Storm of Doubts Epic Book Launch! <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs563WH9_AR8hDG-w0QT5a3H8R378bkthhA_23tn52QRYGUjQiAgpOtol22RYGaPUh6Uo2MpUajPvgv0ExvAu7hInQqY7wsM_TKLeEyaTOPj-3YXq_kqpsOdvnXmRbWcwx6uDb_JCOvpA5XGRsqe21KTR2Q_hGqfN1TSrc-PvXWbVohmpSDN-aztwISd4/s2550/Storm%20of%20Doubts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs563WH9_AR8hDG-w0QT5a3H8R378bkthhA_23tn52QRYGUjQiAgpOtol22RYGaPUh6Uo2MpUajPvgv0ExvAu7hInQqY7wsM_TKLeEyaTOPj-3YXq_kqpsOdvnXmRbWcwx6uDb_JCOvpA5XGRsqe21KTR2Q_hGqfN1TSrc-PvXWbVohmpSDN-aztwISd4/s320/Storm%20of%20Doubts.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">A Storm of Doubts Epic Book Launch<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><b><u>About the Book</u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Book Title: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">A Storm of Doubts</span></strong><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Author Name: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">JPC Allen</span></strong><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Genre: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">YA Cozy Mystery<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Release Date: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">March 1, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Her dad said nothing could hurt their relationship. But what if he isn’t her dad? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Summer gets off to a rocky start for twenty-year-old Rae Riley when the ex-wife of family friend Jason Carlisle claims their youngest child isn’t his and Rae’s con man uncle Troy returns to Marlin County, Ohio. Rae is already at odds with her father, Sheriff Walter “Mal” Malinowski, over her desire to help people in trouble. When she extends that help to Troy and Jason’s ex-wife, Ashley, she and Mal clash even more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><span>Then Ashley disappears, and Jason and his brother Rick are the main suspects. As Rae and her aunt Carrie, a private investigator hired to protect Jason’s kids, work to discover what really happened to Ashley, Rae wrestles with Troy’s insinuations that she may be calling the wrong Malinowski “Dad.”</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><b><u>Book Excerpt</u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0in;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">As I threw the paper towel away and turned to the door, she grabbed<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">me by both arms, her smile erased. "I have to talk to Jason. Things are such </span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">a mess." Tears rose in her eyes, and she swallowed. </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">She would have alarmed me if I hadn't been certain I could flatten</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">her with one blow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> "My kids don't even recognize me. And I wouldn't hurt them. Jason </span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">didn't need a professional bodyguard." She took a big sniff. "Jason's </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">blocked my number. Could you tell him to unblock it so I can call him?"</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> "But—but—” Her 180 spin in behavior made me dizzy. "You don't </span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">want to use your lawyers?"</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> "I don't want to talk about Sylvie and Steve. It's—” She bit her lip. "I </span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">have to talk to him."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"> Dad would yell until the roof blew off if I got involved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> "Please." She released my arms. "Please tell me you'll do it. I have to </span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">get back before Steve gets suspicious."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> I studied her, searching for a false note in her request. How could I </span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">believe her when she'd changed her tune so quickly? "Are you afraid of </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">him?"</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> Her eyes widened, but she was silent, as if she had to either process </span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">my question or manufacture an answer. "Please tell me you'll give Jason </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">my message."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b><u><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Missed Any Excerpts, Go Here<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><o:p><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Excerpt One: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://kid-lit.library-lady.blog/epic-book-launch-and-excerpt-a-storm-of-doubts-young-adult/&source=gmail&ust=1708019051658000&usg=AOvVaw009M-uB6fylbWLrVwYr3Cc" href="http://kid-lit.library-lady.blog/epic-book-launch-and-excerpt-a-storm-of-doubts-young-adult/" target="_blank">http://kid-lit.library-lady.<wbr></wbr>blog/epic-book-launch-and-<wbr></wbr>excerpt-a-storm-of-doubts-<wbr></wbr>young-adult/</a></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Excerpt Two: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-storm-of-doubts-by-jpc-allen-epic.html&source=gmail&ust=1708019051658000&usg=AOvVaw3OMfeS1SjCQ4F3teMseXUC" href="https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-storm-of-doubts-by-jpc-allen-epic.html" target="_blank">https://blossomsandblessings.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/2024/02/a-storm-<wbr></wbr>of-doubts-by-jpc-allen-epic.<wbr></wbr>html</a></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Excerpt Three: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2024/02/epic-book-launch-storm-of-doubts-by-jpc.html&source=gmail&ust=1708019051658000&usg=AOvVaw00ZYYL24vgi-WnAFi-xbw8" href="https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2024/02/epic-book-launch-storm-of-doubts-by-jpc.html" target="_blank">https://moments-of-beauty.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/2024/02/epic-<wbr></wbr>book-launch-storm-of-doubts-<wbr></wbr>by-jpc.html</a></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Excerpt Four: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://carolkeen.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-storm-of-doubts-epic-book-launch.html&source=gmail&ust=1708019051658000&usg=AOvVaw0AX7JkZ7aZnPCDAfEwMfF9" href="https://carolkeen.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-storm-of-doubts-epic-book-launch.html" target="_blank">https://carolkeen.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com/2024/02/a-storm-of-doubts-<wbr></wbr>epic-book-launch.html</a></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Excerpt Five: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://storiesbygina.com/2024/02/12/a-storm-of-doubts-epic-book-launch-with-celebrate-lit-publicity/&source=gmail&ust=1708019051659000&usg=AOvVaw1VZPvuXihc6vE5xUc50QC-" href="https://storiesbygina.com/2024/02/12/a-storm-of-doubts-epic-book-launch-with-celebrate-lit-publicity/" target="_blank">https://storiesbygina.com/<wbr></wbr>2024/02/12/a-storm-of-doubts-<wbr></wbr>epic-book-launch-with-<wbr></wbr>celebrate-lit-publicity/</a></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Excerpt Six: <span style="font-family: Arial; text-decoration: underline;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/a-storm-of-doubts-epic-book-launch/&source=gmail&ust=1708019051659000&usg=AOvVaw3dsmlVvgOmul1T1yRIRMOR" href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/a-storm-of-doubts-epic-book-launch/" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>artistwriterandstudentohmy.<wbr></wbr>com/posts/a-storm-of-doubts-<wbr></wbr>epic-book-launch/</a></span></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Excerpt Seven: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-storm-of-doubts.html&source=gmail&ust=1708019051659000&usg=AOvVaw1f4NkLFx6kbDTb-roPvZ6u" href="https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-storm-of-doubts.html" target="_blank">https://coverloverbookreview.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/2024/02/a-storm-<wbr></wbr>of-doubts.html</a></span></p><span style="color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b><u><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">About the Author<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">JPC Allen started her writing career in second grade with an homage to Scooby Doo. She’s been tracking down mysteries ever since. Her Christmas mystery “A Rose from the Ashes” was the first Rae Riley mystery and a Selah-finalist at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in 2020. Her first Rae Riley novel, A Shadow on the Snow, released in 2021. Online, she offer tips and prompts to ignite the creative spark in every kind of writer. She also leads workshops for tweens, teens and adults, encouraging them to discover the adventure of writing. Coming from a long line of Mountaineers, she’s a life-long Buckeye.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XY8QxoIrDeVggE42WuWl44cRrKOWrhRoei_ClWHFQ_zHeE-2UzwQ4-KPNpL-UWzE-GnYpLBnp19T6TvbQqWLWe1oqulGNpnHZ2yp7ZjgcZ5_mdj_Pxvsxxgda6-jcFC7tMqzW0wBa3whrV_mQmMCmmA1W3HXznIOZJ9LulbHA7y8J5K9HFew7cYHQDw/s5050/6808%20original%202x3-4-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5050" data-original-width="3367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XY8QxoIrDeVggE42WuWl44cRrKOWrhRoei_ClWHFQ_zHeE-2UzwQ4-KPNpL-UWzE-GnYpLBnp19T6TvbQqWLWe1oqulGNpnHZ2yp7ZjgcZ5_mdj_Pxvsxxgda6-jcFC7tMqzW0wBa3whrV_mQmMCmmA1W3HXznIOZJ9LulbHA7y8J5K9HFew7cYHQDw/s320/6808%20original%202x3-4-6.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><br /><p></p>Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-88469288262631837592024-02-01T08:44:00.000-08:002024-02-01T08:44:08.763-08:00Water's Break by Sophia Hansen <p> </p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27205" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waters-break.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waters-break.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waters-break-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/waters-break-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book:</strong> Water’s Break</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Sophia Hansen</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>YA sci-fi</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>January 9, 2024</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27207" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 194px) 85vw, 194px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Hansen-Waters-Break-LOW-RES-1-194x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Hansen-Waters-Break-LOW-RES-1-194x300.jpg 194w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Hansen-Waters-Break-LOW-RES-1-663x1024.jpg 663w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Hansen-Waters-Break-LOW-RES-1-768x1186.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Hansen-Waters-Break-LOW-RES-1.jpg 800w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="194" />What if fear itself is the deadliest undercurrent of all? </span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">Nica would do anything to avoid the hassles of her sister’s bonding ceremony—the wrap fittings, hairstyles, and braided fire coral—but she never imagined that the waters covering her planet would be broken. As the heavens rained fire and stone, mountains erupted from the sea and dry ground was birthed on the Deep, dividing the water—and the Olomi people—for the first time in their history.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">In the wake of her world’s violent re-formation, Nica’s family is shattered. When the rookie Guardian leaves the safety of the Deep to find her sister, she is abducted by strange landwalkers who possess strength and technology beyond her imagination. Nica realizes that the disaster from above was by their design—a calculated plan to terraform the water planet and conquer her people. All Nica wants to do is find her sister and swim home to safety, but with the landwalkers closing in, escape may not be possible. And if Nica can’t save herself, how can she hope to save her sister—or her people?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3Re2WbS" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"> My Review:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">WOW! This is a fantastic read. It's full of fear, and hope. It's full of land and sea, and well-written world-building. It has about everything a Sci-Fi Fantasy fan could want in a foreign world. It's brutal and gritty, and yet amazing. Nica was a very good character and I hope this will be a series. It just covers so much, like loss of home, and identity and feeling powerless to help those you love, dealing with things so much bigger than yourself, these are all just a part of this story. It also combines some history as well. I am going to be following this author and hoping for more stellar reads from her soon. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">About the Author</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27208" height="200" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-2-300x200.png" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-2-300x200.png 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-2-1024x682.png 1024w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-2-768x512.png 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-2.png 1067w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" />Sophia L. Hansen</strong>, raised in the melded cultures of Korea and America, understands not fitting into society’s boxes. Born on a tiny island in Alaska, then growing up in New York City and Boston, she now resides in the Southeast, writing and editing between fresh(ish) cups of coffee and slices of crisp bacon. She embraces life with her husband, their adulting children, and her new grandson, but her favorites are Jesus, family, coffee, and dark chocolate, mostly in that order.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">More from Sophia</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">Once upon a time, there was a mom.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />A mom with many children.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />She was a very busy mom.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />One day the pastor’s wife asked her to write something for the Christmas program.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />“Why would you ask me?” she replied. “I’m just a mom.”<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />“Because you love words,” was the quiet answer.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />When the mom heard this, she realized it was true. And so, she began to write.</span></em></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">The Beginning</span></em></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">~</span></em></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">Stories don’t grow in a vacuum. Neither do they flourish in a pressure cooker. Our ideas are like seeds; full of potential but needing time and space to germinate. My season of writing started after more than a decade of birthing, raising, and educating my children. We had five at the time and I was full up. There was little space in church activities for attached moms whose children didn’t nursery well, and I spent more of my Sunday mornings in the playground rather than the pews. Then, finally, a friend invited me to a study in her home, and all children were welcome.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">As my soul feasted on the fellowship, Bible study, and sharing, I felt like a child sitting down to a holiday meal. I’d been so busy taking care of others that I didn’t remember what it was like to have an oxygen mask for myself. It had been far too long since my spiritual self had been nourished. Out of that beautiful season the seeds of my words, long dormant, began to sprout, including my what ifs about what would become the world of <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Water’s Break</em>.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Water’s Break</em> dives into Nica’s world, a water-covered planet inhabited by amphibian people. When disaster strikes, landmasses rise from the seabed, separating the water and its people for the first time in their history. Nica’s family is devastated: her father is gravely injured, her sister is missing, and her mother, grief-stricken. Nica, a rookie Guardian, is determined to find her sister and bring her home, even if it means she must venture out of the Deep. But no one knows what lies in wait abovewater.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">I hope your hearts are encouraged as you join Nica’s fight to survive in a sea of oppression. And when survival is not enough, will she risk everything to choose life?</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, January 30</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://exploringthewrittenword.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Exploring the Written Word"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Exploring the Written Word</span></a>, January 31</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, February 1</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, February 2 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, February 3</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.beccahope.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Becca Hope: Book Obsessed"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Becca Hope: Book Obsessed</span></a>, February 5</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://kid-lit.library-lady.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Library Lady's Kid Lit"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Library Lady’s Kid Lit</span></a>, February 6</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Beauty in the Binding"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beauty in the Binding</span></a>, February 7 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Tell Tale Book Reviews "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Tell Tale Book Reviews</a></span>, February 8</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.wishfulendings.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Wishful Endings"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Wishful Endings</span></a>, February 9</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, February 10</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://amoderndayfairytale.net/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Modern Day Fairy Tale"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A Modern Day Fairy Tale</span></a>, February 11 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theloftypages.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Lofty Pages"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Lofty Pages</span></a>, February 11</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.simpleharvestreads.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4737,"3":{"1":0},"10":2,"12":0,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Simple Harvest Reads (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Simple Harvest Reads</span></a>, February 12<span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4737,"3":{"1":0},"10":2,"12":0,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Simple Harvest Reads (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"> (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)</span></span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;"><img height="209" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/6da7b43f-86de-4c78-a777-666166f2f274" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="209" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Sophia is giving away the grand prize package of a signed hardcover with swag (bookmark, stickers, character cards)!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/29b05/water-s-break-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/29b05/water-s-break-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-66545094988459457302024-01-22T09:00:00.000-08:002024-01-22T09:00:00.133-08:00Avian The One Truth By Kayla E. Green <h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><a href="https://www.celebratelit.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Avian-2.jpg" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #007acc; font-size: 1.75rem; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14604" height="315" src="https://www.celebratelit.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Avian-2.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></a><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Aivan: The One Truth</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Kayla E. Green</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Young Adult Christian Fantasy</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>July 23, 2022</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26807" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 194px) 85vw, 194px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Aivan-Cover-194x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Aivan-Cover-194x300.jpg 194w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Aivan-Cover-663x1024.jpg 663w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Aivan-Cover-768x1187.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Aivan-Cover-994x1536.jpg 994w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Aivan-Cover-1325x2048.jpg 1325w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Aivan-Cover-1200x1855.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Aivan-Cover.jpg 1650w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="194" /><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Two young people from opposite sides of the Great Continent must make sense of their life.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Rune has grown up all of her life in the mountainous northern nation of Kansanai. As granddaughter of the Senior Elder, she has been a devout believer of the Vihishki gods her whole life. Yet, when a prophet challenges the Vihishki gods against his Aivan, the One Truth, everything she thought she knew is turned upside down. Will she be able to let go of the life she thought she deserved for something far greater than what she could have ever imagined?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Rolf goes through the motions of everyday life in the southern nation of Etalentin. Yet, his routine is disrupted when a voice claiming to be the one true God speaks to him. Listening to his heart, he follows Aivan, but he is thrown temptation after temptation on his journey. Will Rolf be able to resist the temptations in order to fulfill Aivan’s plan for him?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Aivan: The One Truth</em> is a story about self-discovery, identity, and faith.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3sw8ypy" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> My Review:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Here's a story with two POV's. One is from Rune's and one is from Rolf's take on things. They are in a world full of gods, all kinds of gods, not too unlike some of our own world's past history. Rolf has grown up knowing the one truth, Avian, but Rune hasn't. It's a very fast read, that's quite engaging. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">As a well-done parallel to Christ and there's a lot of pulling from Bible stories worked into this short read that's a faith-themed story. Who you believe in, what happens with misplaced faith, and much more. I enjoyed the characters and their story and I'm hoping for more in the next book. This has so many ways it can go with their story, so I hope to read the sequel to learn more. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26808" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 221px) 85vw, 221px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_9986-221x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_9986-221x300.jpg 221w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_9986-755x1024.jpg 755w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_9986-768x1042.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_9986-1132x1536.jpg 1132w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_9986-1510x2048.jpg 1510w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_9986-1200x1628.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_9986.jpg 1514w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="221" />Kayla E. Green</strong> is a school librarian, speculative fiction author, and poet who adores her husband and their furbabies. When she isn’t writing, reading, or taking photos for her bookstagram, she loves singing loudly and off-key to KLove Radio, napping, and pretending she’s a unicorn. Her award-winning YA fantasy novella, <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Aivan: The One Truth</em>, and her inspirational poetry collection, <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Metamorphosis</em>, are now available through book retailers. Kayla also has stories and poems featured in various anthologies, contest-winning stories published with Clean Fiction Magazine, and several flash fiction stories available online through Havok Publishing.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">More from Kayla</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Working in education, it often is disheartening to see how much darkness bombards today’s youth. With <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Aivan: The One Truth</em>, the forthcoming Chronicles of the One Truth series, and all my writing, my primary goal is to offer young readers a beacon of hope in this dark world. Alluding to many stories and lessons found in the Old Testament, <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Aivan</em> is a fast-paced novella designed to capture young readers and pull them into the world of the Great Continent. It is my biggest prayer with this book that Rune and Rolf’s journey in this fantasy narrative will serve as a guiding light to lead readers of all ages to seek truth in our reality—the truth that can only be found through our one true God.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">One of my current projects is developing a companion devotional for <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Aivan: The One Truth</em> as well as the full-length novels that will be part of the complete Chronicles of the One Truth series (which will be released at a later date). The devotional would be a tool for parents, teachers, and pastors to use along with the book to help young readers understand the themes and biblical parallels.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Two major themes within the novella center around identity and purpose. Rune’s struggles with disappointment with shattered dreams and the heartache of feeling lost, alone, and unfulfilled are struggles that are arguably universal. In looking at Rune’s journey, young readers as well as adult readers can recognize the real-world challenges of identity: <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Who exactly are we?</em> In today’s world, there is a constant battle between God and society. How can one embrace their identity as a child of God when the world demands us to rage and rebel against that title?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">In Exodus 3:11 (NIV) Moses asks God, “Who am I?” after he is told to go to the Pharaoh to rescue the Israelites. God tells Moses, “I am with you,” (Exodus 3:12, NIV). Similar to Moses’ walk of faith, Rune, like us all, must learn to accept the truth. Like Aivan in the fantasy novella, our God, the one true God, is always with us. We may not immediately—or ever—understand His plan; however, through Him we are whole, redeemed, and loved. And in that, we have great purpose.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">I pray that whoever reads <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Aivan: The One Truth</em> finds parallels to our own world and finds solace knowing that we <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">are</em> because God is the great “I Am.”</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">In my upcoming companion devotional, I will explore the concepts of identity and purpose from a biblical perspective. Anyone who wants updates on this, should follow my blog and subscribe to my newsletter to be the first to know!</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Splashes of Joy "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Splashes of Joy</span></a>, January 11 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, January 12</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blossoms and Blessings"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blossoms and Blessings</span></a>, January 13 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</a>, January 13</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, January 14 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://litteraegaudium.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For the Love of Literature"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For the Love of Literature</span></a>, January 15 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://kid-lit.library-lady.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Library Lady's Kid Lit"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Library Lady’s Kid Lit</span></a>, January 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Tell Tale Book Reviews"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tell Tale Book Reviews</span></a>, January 17</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, January 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Tell Tale Book Reviews"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tell Tale Book Reviews</span></a>, January 19 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://purpleshadowhunter.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Butterfly in Dreamland "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Butterfly in Dreamland</span></a>, January 19</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://pausefortales.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pause for Tales"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pause for Tales</span></a>, January 20</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"By The Book"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">By The Book</span></a>, January 21 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, January 22</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://kid-lit.library-lady.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Library Lady's Kid Lit"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Library Lady’s Kid Lit</span></a>, January 23 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://areadersbrain.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Reader’s Brain "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A Reader’s Brain</span></a>, January 24 (Author Interview)</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><img height="204" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/d64baefa-b79b-462e-ae28-080baff5b4c0" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="243" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Kayla is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback of Aivan: The One Truth, a paperback of Metamorphosis, an Aivan inspired booksleeve, Rune and Rolf character art cards, and a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/2958a/aivan-the-one-truth-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/2958a/aivan-the-one-truth-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-76613892712293783532023-12-31T09:00:00.000-08:002023-12-31T10:00:39.449-08:00The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham (A Freddie and Grace Mystery Book 3)<p> </p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26704" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Juliet-Code.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Juliet-Code.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Juliet-Code-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Juliet-Code-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>The Juliet Code</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Pepper Basham</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>December, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26706" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 197px) 85vw, 197px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9781636096940-197x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9781636096940-197x300.jpg 197w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9781636096940-672x1024.jpg 672w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9781636096940-768x1170.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9781636096940-1008x1536.jpg 1008w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9781636096940-1345x2048.jpg 1345w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9781636096940-1200x1828.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9781636096940.jpg 1600w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="197" />Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley Finally Reach Their Honeymoon Destination Only to Encounter a New Mystery in Need of Solving</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Frederick and Grace Percy finally make it to Italy to enjoy a delayed honeymoon and explore the beauties of the historic city of Venice. To their surprise, their friend, Detective Jack Miracle, is also in the city, investigating a series of art heists starting at the house of eccentric millionaire, Laraby Covington. Drawn into a world of boat races, mysterious houses, and parties of the rich and unusual in Venice, Frederick and Grace learn of the existence of the Juliet paintings, (Renaissance paintings feature Shakespeare’s tragic heroine) rumored to hold a secret code to an underground vault of similarly treasured artwork assumed lost over the centuries. As Freddie and Grace are pulled deeper into the mystery and their beloved Detective Jack disappears, can they use their wits and work as a team to find the thieves and Jack before it’s too late.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Juliet Code</em> is a Freddie and Grace Mystery, sequel to <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Mistletoe Countess </em>and <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Cairo Curse</em>.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/40jHm9Y" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">My Review: </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);">This is an author who I like, and this book is a great read. This series is so good. Finally, Freddie and Grace can go on their honeymoon. Did you think that it would be easy and carefree? Nope, not even. Instead it's full of adventure and mystery. It's fraught with a murder and twists. Italy is romantic, but it's also full of stories. Jack was so much fun, and the missing paintings, oooh-la-la! I love the focus of thinking on good things, from the scripture, because faith is never left out of these books or this series. This is just about a perfect read. I do recommend it and the whole series, actually. </span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);">5 Stars </span></span></span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27248" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 85vw, 200px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PepperBasham-1-200x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PepperBasham-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PepperBasham-1.jpg 533w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="200" />Pepper Basham</strong> is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge </em>and <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Red Ribbon</em>, and her contemporary novels, the <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mitchell’s Crossroads</em> and <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pleasant Gap</em> series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">More from Pepper</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">The Ever After</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">I’ve always loved fairytales.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Especially the romanticized version (#romancewriter).</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">The wonderful sense of a two people meeting, overcoming obstacles to be together, and then the happily-ever-after?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Well, those are some of my favorite reasons to read and write fiction. However, I didn’t realize the challenge I took on when I agreed to write a second and third book with the main characters staying the same!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">You know what I mean?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">In most series, the main characters from book one become secondary characters in the consecutive books so that the secondary characters in book one can become the main characters in book 2 (everybody still following along? <img alt="🙂" class="emoji" draggable="false" role="img" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/svg/1f642.svg" style="background: repeat; border: medium; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: inline; height: 1em; margin: 0px 0.07em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: -0.1em; width: 1em;" />)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">One of my favorite book series that do this so well is the Amelia Peabody series. I fell in LOVE with Amelia and Emerson in book one, but just loved watching their continued dynamic as a couple grow with each new book. I felt as if I got to know them so much better in their “ever after” while they engaged in all sorts of adventures together.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">So…that’s what I hoped to accomplish with Freddie and Grace.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Where <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Mistletoe Countess</em> ends with a happily-ever-after, <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Cairo Curse</em> and <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Juliet Code</em> take over to show us more of the…ever after – my attempt at showing how two main characters continue to grow beyond the end of book one.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">I didn’t realize what a daunting feat it would be. Watching two characters meet, fall in love, and show some growth in book 1 was what I was <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">used</em> to doing. But how was I supposed to continue that character growth in consecutive books?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Well, I had to grow myself as a writer to understand how small changes can make lasting differences especially when writing about a beloved couple.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">I think The Juliet Code shows a little of that growth – of our Freddie and Grace have not only matured spiritually and, in Grace’s case, experientially, but also as a couple.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Do you have a series that you love where the main characters stay the same?</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thesacredline.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Sacred Line"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Sacred Line</span></a>, December 28</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, December 31</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging with Carol "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Blogging with Carol</a></span>, December 31</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tblbkreviews.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lily's Corner"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lily’s Corner</span></a>, January 10</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://beckiebythebook.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"By The Book"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">By The Book</span></a>, January 10</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"To Everything There Is A Season "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="http://www.ihopeyoudanceinlife.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">To Everything There Is A Season</a></span>, January 10</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><img height="208" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/a9e7f944-fa5c-415b-bd42-fe534e3d60e5" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="248" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon eGift card and a print copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/293d6/the-juliet-code-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/293d6/the-juliet-code-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-63775673451299400992023-12-22T09:00:00.000-08:002023-12-22T09:17:27.375-08:00Living Secrets A Thriller by S. F. Baumgartner (Mirror Estate Series Book 1) <p><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26539" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/living-secrets.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/living-secrets.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/living-secrets-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/living-secrets-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Living Secrets: A Thriller</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>S.F. Baumgartner</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Christian Thriller</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>September 29, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26540" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 188px) 85vw, 188px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Living-Secrets_cvr-v2b2-188x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Living-Secrets_cvr-v2b2-188x300.jpg 188w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Living-Secrets_cvr-v2b2-640x1024.jpg 640w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Living-Secrets_cvr-v2b2-768x1229.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Living-Secrets_cvr-v2b2-960x1536.jpg 960w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Living-Secrets_cvr-v2b2-1280x2048.jpg 1280w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Living-Secrets_cvr-v2b2-1200x1920.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Living-Secrets_cvr-v2b2.jpg 1600w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="188" />Can the secret love child of a U.S. Senator deliver the cure for a bioterror threat before time runs out?</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Lily Tso is bored and unfulfilled. Orphaned at birth, the twenty-two-year-old Hotel Guest Service Officer is overwhelmed to discover her parents are alive. But the young woman fears she’s woefully unprepared for a treacherous operation to save America and to meet her parents.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Teaming up with an FBI Special Agent and a young tycoon, Lily sets out on a dangerous mission to prevent a heinous biological attack. But as unknown forces bent on thwarting her attempt, she fears time is running out for both her and the country she calls her new home.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Will Lily be able to survive the attacks and save America from certain doom?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3QmW0c5" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><b> My Review: </b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);">Layers, this book has layers. It has suspense and twists, spies and deep secrets, and in short is my kind of interesting story. There's the fight to stop a bio-warfare weapon and a grown child who just wants her parents, Lilly. Everyone has a secret in here, do they connect? Do the secrets all intertwine, or not? This actually is a thriller that will keep you awake reading. There's politics involved, but there usually is in real life, more so for fiction. A prequel is before this book, and I do wish I could have read that first. That would have fixed my lost feeling or that I was playing catch-up sometimes. I love books or shows with many, many characters and this has that as well. If you are seeking a romance, no need to worry, that's included as well. It's a clean read, with light faith aspects that are a little harder to define. </span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);">4 Stars </span></span></span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26541" height="277" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/picture-1-300x277.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/picture-1-300x277.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/picture-1.jpg 605w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" />S.F. Baumgartner</strong> is a Christian suspense thriller author and creator of the Mirror Estate series. She graduated from the University of Hawaii and the University of Cincinnati. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her cats, staying active, and binge-watching crime TV shows. She lives in Ohio with her family.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">More from S.F.</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The Journey to “Living Secrets”: A Tale of Hurdles, Hiatus, and Hope</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Hello everyone,</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">I’m incredibly excited to share with you all the backstory of how “Living Secrets,” the first book in the Mirror Estate series, came to be. If you’re a fan of the series (or soon to be), you might know that we’ve got a prequel, “Buried Secrets,” already out in the wild. While it provides some extra flavor and context to the series, “Living Secrets” can totally be enjoyed as a standalone.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The Seeds of a Story</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The seedling of the Mirror Estate series started forming in my brain quite some time ago. In fact, I penned an earlier version of the prequel back in 2019, under the title “The Secrets.” No sooner had I hit ‘save’ on that manuscript than I dove head-first into plotting out “Living Secrets.” The story was pulsing through my veins, and I couldn’t wait to get it down on paper.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">The 2020 Slump</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Then 2020 happened. Ah, yes, the year that shall not be named. Amidst the chaos, my writing spirit decided to take an unscheduled sabbatical. My keyboard gathered dust and the characters in my head seemed to go into hibernation. It was a tough period, creatively speaking, and I know I wasn’t alone in feeling that way.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Rising from the Ashes</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Finally, something clicked earlier this year. It was as though my internal storytelling engine roared back to life. I decided it was time to re-enter the world of Mirror Estate. I dusted off the old prequel, gave it a facelift, and republished it as “Buried Secrets,” a more fleshed-out and refined version of the original. But I didn’t stop there; I tackled “Living Secrets” with renewed vigor. After long writing sessions, late-night plot debates with myself, and endless cups of coffee, it’s done. And I couldn’t be prouder to announce that “Living Secrets” is scheduled for release on September 29!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">So, whether you’ve been with me since the early days or you’re just discovering the series now, I’m thrilled to have you on this journey. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions, plot twists, and unforgettable characters.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait for you to dive into “Living Secrets” come September 29.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Until next time, happy reading!</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Reviews From an Avid Reaader"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Reviews From an Avid Reader</span></a>, December 14</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, December 15</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, December 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":2561,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"14":{"1":2,"2":2575891}}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gina Holder, Author and Blogger"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gina Holder, Author and Blogger</span></a>, December 17 (<span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Author Interview"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author Interview)</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://exploringthewrittenword.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Exploring the Written Word"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Exploring the Written Word</span></a>, December 17</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/macebetti/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4225,"3":{"1":0},"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Betti Mace"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Betti Mace</span></a>, December 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, December 19</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, December 20 (<span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Author Interview"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author Interview)</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, December 21</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Blogging With Carol</a></span>, December 22</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tblbkreviews.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lily' Corner"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lily’ Corner</span></a>, December 23</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Guild Master"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guild Master</span></a>, December 24 (<span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Author Interview"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author Interview)</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.forhimandmyfamily.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For Him and My Family"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For Him and My Family</span></a>, December 25</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial, sans, sans-serif"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Beauty in the Binding"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beauty in the Binding</span></a>, December 26 (<span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Author Interview"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author Interview)</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.hake/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Mary Hake"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mary Hake</span></a>, December 26</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://becauseisaidsomyadventuresinparenting.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting</span></a>, December 27</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><img height="206" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/e2164916-1d43-4652-8f75-5896a5580df6" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="246" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, S.F. is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and an eBook copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/293d4/living-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/293d4/living-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-54609712482829783422023-12-21T23:59:00.000-08:002023-12-21T23:59:45.432-08:00A Call To Embrace - Book Blast! <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVvAOO_DqTiI8Jlnfv5gJieGBCzBhV2S5DggfoMKM0YV7QUUVZYOj9i92KEhX9WWhvW_BsVZViogLL4_zANfN-Y9cKlIvpJu1qVuWh0I-167CIzrxePVWZKje8ZW9rNXYR7ZobJC-cxF9UwhXNdr-BoMz0g7j6li6WRttUlhhN-vAGSPKT9FDSpDjEk0/s640/Call%20To%20Embrace_vd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVvAOO_DqTiI8Jlnfv5gJieGBCzBhV2S5DggfoMKM0YV7QUUVZYOj9i92KEhX9WWhvW_BsVZViogLL4_zANfN-Y9cKlIvpJu1qVuWh0I-167CIzrxePVWZKje8ZW9rNXYR7ZobJC-cxF9UwhXNdr-BoMz0g7j6li6WRttUlhhN-vAGSPKT9FDSpDjEk0/s320/Call%20To%20Embrace_vd.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 25.200001px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Call to Embrace Epic Book Launch<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><u>About the Author</u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Book Title: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">Call to Embrace</span></strong><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Author Name: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">Maryann Landers<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Genre: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">Christian Women’s Fiction</span></strong><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;">Release Date: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.799999px;">November 1, 2023</span></strong><strong><span style="line-height: 16.799999px;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;">She’s detached in a stormy marriage because of both of their unfaithfulness. Now she faces the aftermath of her compromise with an unwanted pregnancy. Will fleeing bring her the freedom she yearns for?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Emily Corentin wants to escape the jagged edges of her brokenness. She believes the only option she has is to take her young daughter, leave her husband, and end the unintended pregnancy with an abortion. But her plans take an unexpected turn when the homeless shelter she finds is not the type of help she wanted. She’d buried religion years ago with the death of her Gran. Any God-fearing place will only confirm how much God abandoned her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">An offer from a shelter volunteer may be the lifeline she and her daughter need, but Emily only sees it as a means to an end. The unlikely friendship that follows, draws her closer to the answers she may have carried with her all along. But rash decisions bring new challenges that drag her further into a sea of helplessness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">When all hope is lost in despair will she be washed away by the patterns of her past? Or will she answer the call to embrace the mercy of the cross and in turn bring reconciliation to her marriage?<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 16.799999px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><u>Book Excerpt</u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; text-align: start;"><p class="Default" style="border: medium; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.4in;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">We traveled on the pedestrian overpass that towered over the Glenn Highway following Muldoon Road south. I'd learned the names of only a few streets in my short time in Anchorage since I rarely went off base and didn't know how to drive. I</span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS", sans-serif;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">d never had the need to learn. On the island where I grew up, we weren</span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS", sans-serif;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">t reliant on a typical road system. We could travel around town and the island by ATV, using hundreds of miles of old logging roads. However, in a big city, the lack of this essential skill left me feeling more trapped and desperate. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="Default" style="border: medium; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.4in;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">At least I knew the main road would take us where we needed to go. All the vehicles knew where they were going. <i>What would it be like to know without a doubt the direction one was headed</i></span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="Default" style="border: medium; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.4in;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">"Look, Mommy. Firetruck." Destiny waved at the large, red vehicle beneath the overpass, which was swerving to the median, where a car was being dragged out of a snow berm by a tow truck. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="Default" style="border: medium; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.4in;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">"They're checking on people." I offered a reason the firefighters had stopped. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">"Snow." Destiny pointed up at the sky as large flakes began to fall. She stuck out her tongue to catch them.<o:p></o:p></span></p></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><o:p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><o:p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><u><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Missed Any Excerpts, Go Here<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><o:p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">***INSERT LINKS HERE***<o:p></o:p></span></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><o:p><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhfd5M50UFkVruhoGN7tpVip1F5_s0YtRPqkbYBpcHVuQ4n9IzakGMSv-hko14zFv1TYJfdLs5zZh6coAUVYmfefKYchHYbax_hjNs-Lqyo2_LGvU496glypql97kXKzuMOtm62SXm3BVU9yGt1iHKZB5nER-9jZkQ2L1GJqExdvFCGBhldhugVpwkoc/s575/Maryann%20Landers;%20headshot%202022.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhfd5M50UFkVruhoGN7tpVip1F5_s0YtRPqkbYBpcHVuQ4n9IzakGMSv-hko14zFv1TYJfdLs5zZh6coAUVYmfefKYchHYbax_hjNs-Lqyo2_LGvU496glypql97kXKzuMOtm62SXm3BVU9yGt1iHKZB5nER-9jZkQ2L1GJqExdvFCGBhldhugVpwkoc/s320/Maryann%20Landers;%20headshot%202022.jpeg" width="267" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: start;"><b><u><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">About the Author<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Alaskan based author Maryann Landers writes women’s faith filled fiction based on true stories of extraordinary women of her magnificent state. She loves to showcase the unique north and give her readers a little taste of rustic Alaska. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> While writing in her log home in the woods she is also looking forward to her next adventure with her Alaskan husband, juggling mom tasks such as crafting homemade meals from moose and caribou meat, building DIY projects from scrap wood piles and guiding her teens in their homeschooling.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> To learn about her inspiration to write Alaskan based stories read her blog at www.mary-ann-landers.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"> Her first novel in the Alaskan Women of Caliber Series; Alaskan Calibration released June 2021.</span></p></div><p><br /></p>Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-1992320910741307142023-12-20T09:00:00.000-08:002023-12-20T09:24:46.108-08:00Lumen by J. J. Fisher (The Nightingale Trilogy book #2) <p><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26788" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Lumen.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Lumen.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Lumen-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Lumen-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Lumen</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>J. J. Fischer</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Fantasy (adult)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>December 5, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26789" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 85vw, 200px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fischer-Lumen-200x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fischer-Lumen-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fischer-Lumen-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fischer-Lumen-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fischer-Lumen-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fischer-Lumen-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fischer-Lumen-1200x1800.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fischer-Lumen-scaled.jpg 1707w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="200" /><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">What if erasing the past cost more than you were willing to pay?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Having narrowly escaped their enemies, Sephone, Dorian, and Cass continue their search for the elusive Silvertongue, the only one with knowledge of the Reliquary’s whereabouts. But time is running out for Sephone, and with Dorian accused of high treason, the quest takes on a new urgency.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">As secrets from each of their pasts drive a wedge between them, Sephone invests all her hopes in finding her homeland, Lethe—where her family may yet be alive. But nothing about Lethe is as she expects, and disappointment, betrayal, and danger await her at every turn.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">When the truth about the Reliquary’s curse comes to light, the fragile bonds between the unlikely companions are tested like never before. Meanwhile, Dorian faces a terrible choice: to save the life of one who is beginning to mean more to him than the past he’s so desperate to forget, or to save his beloved Caldera from dangers outside and within.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/46HHnaj" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">My Review: </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Book two in a series brings us this story, first read Calor. This is not a standalone story. It's very engaging and has what's usually called "slow burn". The relationships and characters are really deep, as is the faith based them of this story and this series. I don't want to say anything that will spoil it. It's so very good that I would have easily given it five stars, but the ending. Did I mention that I abhor cliffhangers if I can pick up the next book right then? Even so this is an excellent story and I'll be waiting for the next book in this series. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">4 Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26790" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 214px) 85vw, 214px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_3580-214x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_3580-214x300.jpg 214w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_3580-731x1024.jpg 731w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_3580-768x1075.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_3580-1097x1536.jpg 1097w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_3580-1463x2048.jpg 1463w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_3580-1200x1680.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_3580-scaled.jpg 1828w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="214" />J.J. Fischer’s </strong><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">writing dream began with the anthology of zoo animals she painstakingly wrote and illustrated at age five. Jasmine began writing her first proper novel at age fourteen, which eventually became her debut fantasy series, The Darcentaria Duology, which was published in 2021. She is a qualified psychologist with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in clinical psychology. When Jasmine isn’t killing defenseless house plants, she enjoys devouring books, dabbling in floristry, playing the piano, and wishing it rained more often. Jasmine is married to David, and together they make their home a couple of hours north of Sydney, Australia.</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">More from J.J.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Have you noticed how much less we’re participating in life these days?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Here in Australia, we have a show called <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic;">Gogglebox</span> where we watch people on their couches watching (and commentating on) our favorite TV shows from the last seven days. Sometimes, you don’t even need to have seen the shows. But it’s fun to watch <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic;">other </span>people watching TV, often because they have the same reactions we have to particular scenes.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">The widespread popularity of a show like <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic;">Gogglebox </span>is telling because it demonstrates just how comfortable we’ve become with observing and commentating on other peoples’ lives. We’re quick to critique and criticize and dismiss. So much of our human experience is now mediated through screens and technology and social media that we’ve lost a great deal of the beauty and simplicity of life.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">How often does a long walk through autumn leaves or a swim at the beach refresh our spirit, yet we rarely get out of the house or away from our busy schedules in order to do so?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">In the post-apocalyptic world of The Nightingale Trilogy, people no longer have access to the technology and comforts of the “world-that-was,” so they choose to vicariously enjoy its pleasures by re-experiencing old memories, which can be physically extracted and drunk like potions. Nostalgia is the currency of the day, and the gifted individuals who can manipulate these memories—known as <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic;">alters</span> or <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic;">mems</span>—are exceptionally prized.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">The female main character, Sephone Winter, is a young slave who can selectively edit memories with a single touch of a person’s skin. But Sephone is increasingly aware that there’s something different about the memories of the old world that she extracts from donors’ minds. They’re much more faded, and less vivid, than the real thing. And she begins to suspect that habitually enjoying these second-hand and third-hand experiences comes at the price of a person’s humanity, self-awareness, and even their capacity to love.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">After meeting an old veteran with a first-hand memory of strawberries—who tells Sephone that even this is a shadow of the real thing—she begins a journey to discover what authentic experience really looks like, and if there’s something more to hope for than the faded artifacts of a long-dead world.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Sephone’s discoveries have relevance and meaning for all of us in this world where life’s pleasures are often smoke and mirrors. Since the Fall, our lives are full of counterfeit things. They sound good, they look right—more real, sometimes, than the real thing—but they’re ultimately an imitation that doesn’t satisfy us the way we thought and hoped they would.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">As a Christian, I believe that if we rely on counterfeit things to satisfy our souls, we’re always going to end up hungry. As David Foster Wallace famously once said, worshipping the stuff of this world will inevitably “eat us alive.” False truth and false gods always break the hearts of their worshippers.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">But unmet needs are a signpost pointing to a better way, a deeper truth. As C.S. Lewis wisely commented: “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">The Nightingale Trilogy is another world, a fantasy context, a different time period. But it’s really us. I hope, as you read, that it stirs in you a hunger for truth, for real things; a desire to connect with the Author of your soul. I can testify that He’s out of this world!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Cherish the Real,</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Jasmine</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.fictionbooklover.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Fiction Book Lover"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fiction Book Lover</span></a>, December 7 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, December 8</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, December 9 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theloftypages.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Lofty Pages"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Lofty Pages</span></a>, December 9</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.simpleharvestreads.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Simple Harvest Reads"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Simple Harvest Reads</span></a>, December 10 (Guest Review from Mindy)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Guild Master"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guild Master</span></a>, December 11 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; 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box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, December 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tabithabouldinauthor.home.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Through the Fire Blogs"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Through the Fire Blogs</span></a>, December 17 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="http://purpleshadowhunter.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Butterfly in Dreamland "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Butterfly in Dreamland</span></a>, December 17</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.beccahope.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Becca Hope: Book Obsessed"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Becca Hope: Book Obsessed</span></a>, December 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="http://amoderndayfairytale.net/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Modern Day Fairy Tale"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A Modern Day Fairy Tale</span></a>, December 19 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, December 20</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;"><img height="209" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/3c330746-4069-4db8-a94f-abdd75dd8df6" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="249" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, J.J. is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card along with a signed copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/29249/lumen-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/29249/lumen-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-42776392784975242792023-12-19T09:00:00.000-08:002023-12-19T09:30:20.326-08:00The Gilded Curse by Marilyn Turk (A Suspicious Shores Novel Book 1) <p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26581" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Guilded-curse.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Guilded-curse.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Guilded-curse-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Guilded-curse-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>The Gilded Curse</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Marilyn Turk</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Historical Suspense</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>July 31, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26582" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 216px) 85vw, 216px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Gilded-Curse-new-cover-from-Cynthia-2023-216x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Gilded-Curse-new-cover-from-Cynthia-2023-216x300.jpg 216w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Gilded-Curse-new-cover-from-Cynthia-2023.jpg 249w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="216" /><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">In early 1942, a mysterious telegram draws Lexie Smithfield back to the island her mother thought was cursed. Now the only heir to the dwindling family fortune, Lexie plans to sell the family’s vacation “cottage” in the Millionaire’s Village on Jekyll Island. But someone else is interested in the cottage and is getting more desperate to find what they’re looking for, even to the point of murder.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Lexie’s childhood friend, Russell Thompson, is now the Jekyll Island Club’s superintendent and the keeper of members’ secrets, especially one that would shatter Lexie. When he learns Lexie is in danger, he stays close to protect her, but soon discovers an attraction to Lexie he didn’t expect.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Could the danger be from someone they know or is it possible that the threat of Nazi invasion on their coast is a reality? Or is the island really cursed?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Russell and Lexie must work together to discover the real danger and keep from getting hurt or killed in the process.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3QFTD5z" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">My Review: </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);">To start with, I love this cover, the mansion in the moonlight. It just screams read me to me. Jekyll Island has been the setting for a few books I've read of late, and this one didn't disappoint me in that aspect. Lexie is sure some of the secrets of this island have to do with her. It's WWII and she just wanted to sell this cottage, but are some of the secrets tied to the war? Is this place not just cursed, as her mother believes, or is there also a ghost? Furniture doesn't just break like this on its own. </span></span></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26);">I just love a good mystery and this was exactly what I was hoping for in most regards and it's a great read for a warm fire, a cup of hot liquid to drink, a warm blanket and seeing if you can see the twists before they arrive. The villain was a bit lackluster, but it didn't harm my happy reading experience. It's lighter on faith elements, but they are there and the gothic feeling is just delightful. </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #38761d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">4 Stars </span></span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26583" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 214px) 85vw, 214px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Marilyns-2022-Profile-picture-214x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Marilyns-2022-Profile-picture-214x300.jpg 214w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Marilyns-2022-Profile-picture-731x1024.jpg 731w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Marilyns-2022-Profile-picture-768x1075.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Marilyns-2022-Profile-picture-1097x1536.jpg 1097w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Marilyns-2022-Profile-picture-1463x2048.jpg 1463w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Marilyns-2022-Profile-picture-1200x1680.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Marilyns-2022-Profile-picture.jpg 1500w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="214" /><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Award-winning author <strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Marilyn Turk</strong> writes historical and contemporary fiction flavored with suspense and romance. Marilyn also writes devotions for Daily Guideposts, Walking in Grace, and contributes to other Guideposts publications. She and her husband are lighthouse enthusiasts, have visited over 100 lighthouses and also served as volunteer lighthouse caretakers at Little River Light off the coast of Maine.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">When not writing or visiting lighthouses, Marilyn enjoys reading, walking, boating, fishing, gardening, tennis, and playing with her golden retriever. She also sings in the choir at her church and leads a women’s Bible study group. Marilyn and her husband have a combined family of four sons, one daughter, and four grandsons. She’s still hoping for a granddaughter someday.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Faith, Hope and Love Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Word Weavers International, and the United States Lighthouse Society.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Marilyn is also the director of the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">More from Marilyn</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">When my agent told me a certain publisher was looking for Southern Gothic novels </span><span style="color: #38761d;">I wondered what those were. What I found out was that they were gothic-style novels set in the South, usually an old antebellum mansion, for example, “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte.” Think “Jane Eyre” or “Wuthering Heights” set in the southern United States. I had just visited Jekyll Island, Georgia and toured the Millionaires’ Village there, so those mansions came to mind. These homes, which were actually vacation “cottages” of the rich and famous, were built in the Gilded Age of the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is said that the 100 members of the club represented most of the wealth in America at that time. However, the members aged and passed away, leaving their wealth or debt to their descendants, the Great Depression caused many to lose their fortunes, then two world wars wreaked havoc on the country, so most of those homes were abandoned. Thanks to ongoing renovation efforts by the state of Georgia, many have been rebuilt. My main character in The Gilded Curse, Alexandra Smithfield (Lexie), inherits one of those abandoned mansions right at the start of World War II. The family fortune gone, she intends to renovate and sell the mansion she hasn’t seen since childhood since her mother believed the island cursed, due to some tragedies that happened to their family while there. So Lexie is “cursed” in two ways – by inheriting something she can no longer afford to keep and by the imagined curse her mother believes. When suspicious events happen around her cottage, she wonders if her mother was right.</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Today, you can take tours of the Millionaires’ Village and see the former “cottages” of Pulitzer, Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, etc. You can also stay at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, renovated and now part of the Jekyll Island Club Resort. Some of the characters in my book were real people who lived in 1942, particularly the Maurice sisters, two single sisters who loved the island and never wanted to leave it, even when the President of the United States wanted the island vacated during the war. One interesting thing about the Maurice house: efforts to renovate it have met one obstacle after another, leading some people to believe the sisters’ spirits are still there and very particular about what they want done to their house.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://babblingbeckyl.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions</span></a>, December 11</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Reviews From an Avid Reader"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Reviews From an Avid Reader</span></a>, December 11</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://pausefortales.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pause for Tales"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pause for Tales</span></a>, December 12</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, December 13</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.hake/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Mary Hake"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mary Hake</span></a>, December 13</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Min Reads and Reviews"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Min Reads and Reviews</span></a>, December 15</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, December 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, December 17</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://familymgrkendra.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Happily Managing a Household of Boys"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Happily Managing a Household of Boys</span></a>, December 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://hollysbookcorner.home.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Holly's Book Corner"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Holly’s Book Corner</span></a>, December 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Blogging With Carol</a></span>, December 19</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Cover Lover Book Review"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Cover Lover Book Review</span></a>, December 20</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.forhimandmyfamily.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For Him and My Family"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For Him and My Family</span></a>, December 21</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":2561,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"14":{"1":2,"2":2575891}}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gina Holder, Author and Blogger"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gina Holder, Author and Blogger</span></a>, December 22 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Little Homeschool on the prairie "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="https://reneek-littlehomeschoolontheprairie.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Little Homeschool on the prairie</a></span>, December 22</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://connieshistoryclassroom.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Connie's History Classroom "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Connie’s History Classroom</span></a>, December 23</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tblbkreviews.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lily's Corner"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lily’s Corner</span></a>, December 24</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><img height="209" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/ccc0046b-610c-443e-8dd5-3dddefd4a5ed" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="249" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Marilyn is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/293d1/the-gilded-curse-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/293d1/the-gilded-curse-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-91173853748751964202023-12-14T09:00:00.000-08:002023-12-14T09:28:06.398-08:00Resurgence of Dawn by Brett Armstrong (Quest of Fire Book #5) <p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26534" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Quest-of-fire.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Quest-of-fire.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Quest-of-fire-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Quest-of-fire-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Quest of Fire: Resurgence of Dawn</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Brett Armstrong</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Christian, Epic Fantasy</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>December 19, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26536" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 190px) 85vw, 190px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FC-Resurgence-of-Dawn-FINAL-1-190x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FC-Resurgence-of-Dawn-FINAL-1-190x300.jpg 190w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FC-Resurgence-of-Dawn-FINAL-1-648x1024.jpg 648w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FC-Resurgence-of-Dawn-FINAL-1-768x1214.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FC-Resurgence-of-Dawn-FINAL-1-971x1536.jpg 971w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FC-Resurgence-of-Dawn-FINAL-1-1295x2048.jpg 1295w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FC-Resurgence-of-Dawn-FINAL-1-1200x1898.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FC-Resurgence-of-Dawn-FINAL-1-scaled.jpg 1619w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="190" />Hope returns with the dawn…</span></em></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">Haunted by tragedies and failures, Anargen and Jason each struggle to find their way. Night has fallen in the Lowlands and neither teen has an easy road ahead. In Anargen’s Era, Monarch Ilyron’s powers and influence grow, forcing Anargen and his dwindling list of allies to travel the length of the Lowlands in a desperate attempt to keep the Quest and all they hold dear from falling into ruin.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">Jason meanwhile must find Aria and her grandfather to help unite the Knights of Light from across the Lowlands against his brother, Dorian. But agents of darkness and painful vestiges of his past mix with vindictive new enemies to make the hope of seeing the dawn of the longed-for King’s Day ever so faint. If either teen gives in and surrenders, doom will come swiftly on their world.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3Rcn2TQ" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"> My Review: </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">First, this is a rather epic-sounding title. I couldn't resist it, and I'm rapidly becoming quite drawn to all this author's books. They are so well done. You can read this book as a stand-alone, but I can't imagine why because they are even stronger as a series. In these pages, God's love is shown and expounded on, and it's full of so many allegories and Biblical parallels. It's a delight to read. Sadly, this is the end of the series, and yet, that just means I can start saving up for print copies because it's that good! While many books and stories are said to be epic, only a few really are, if you ask me. This series qualifies. The battles our dear characters go through are amazing, horrifying, and often realistic and easy to relate to. This series is great for adults, but it is also perfect for teens. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">5 HUGE Stars. </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-25537" height="278" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Author-picture-close-1-300x278.png" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Author-picture-close-1-300x278.png 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Author-picture-close-1-1024x949.png 1024w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Author-picture-close-1-768x711.png 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Author-picture-close-1-1200x1112.png 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Author-picture-close-1.png 1221w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" />Brett Armstrong</strong> has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (<em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Destitutio Quod Remissio</em>), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (<em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Day Moon</em> and <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Veiled Sun</em>), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (<em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Quest of Fire</em>). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">More from Brett</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Resurgence of Dawn</em> takes the main characters, Anargen and Jason, and those they care deepest about through some intense trials. Everything seems to be falling apart around them and each character has a mountain of guilt weighing down on top of them. They know that their mistakes in <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Shadows at Nightfall</em> enabled the forces of darkness to advance their evil campaign. The lives of others they cared about were lost or endangered and the Quest is overlooking the precipice of failure and ruin. They have repented of their errors and turned back onto the path of light but these consequences still haunt them. And in that haunting lies a continuingly heinous fear that they will falter again. Things are only complicated further when trusted allies abandon and betray them.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">Epic fantasy stories are often filled with darkness, but the best of these stories show that the light is never so far away as we imagine. When I write the entries in this series, I’m acutely aware that in our world too it seems as if darkness is winning the war. It’s my sincere hope that as readers encounter the perseverance and surrender to the High King’s will that Anargen, Jason, and so many other characters choose to pursue, they will be encouraged to do the same in our world. I have watched friends fall away from the faith, been buffeted by the storms of life, and been battered by the continual assault on my faith that come from living in our fallen world. I know others have endured the same and often far worse. So, if these stories of Knights and valor and steadfastness as the world crumbles can encourage one person to pursue the Light and hold fast to the Way, the Truth, and the Life; then every hour spent in dreaming and drafting and agonizing over edits is worth it to me. Stories can and should entertain, but they should also inspire and encourage readers to face the real world when the story ends. All the more, because <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">“the night is far gone; the day is at hand.” *</em></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">* Romans 13:12a, ESV</span></em></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, December 5</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial, sans, sans-serif"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, December 6 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, December 7</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://simpleharvestreads.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial, sans, sans-serif"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Simple Harvest Reads"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Simple Harvest Reads</span></a>, December 8 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theloftypages.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Lofty Pages"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Lofty Pages</span></a>, December 8</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, December 9</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tabithabouldinauthor.home.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial, sans, sans-serif"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Through the Fire Blogs"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Through the Fire Blogs</span></a>, December 10 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://familymgrkendra.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Happily Managing a Household of Boys"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Happily Managing a Household of Boys</span></a>, December 11</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://kid-lit.library-lady.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Library Lady's Kid Lit"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Library Lady’s Kid Lit</span></a>, December 12</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://litteraegaudium.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial, sans, sans-serif"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For the Love of Literature"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For the Love of Literature</span></a>, December 13 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, December 14</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial, sans, sans-serif"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Tell Tale Book Reviews"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tell Tale Book Reviews</span></a>, December 15 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial, sans, sans-serif"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Splashes of Joy "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Splashes of Joy</span></a>, December 16 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://hollysbookcorner.home.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Holly's Book Corner"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Holly’s Book Corner</span></a>, December 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.jodiewolfe.com/blog" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial, sans, sans-serif"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Jodie Wolfe - Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet</span></a>, December 17 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><a href="https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Guild Master"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guild Master</span></a>, December 18</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><img height="209" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/a0492dc2-436f-4e03-9694-412d5e6ca6d4" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="249" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">To celebrate his tour, Brett is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, copy of Resurgence of Dawn, and digital extras (exclusive map and music)!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/29247/resurgence-of-dawn-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/29247/resurgence-of-dawn-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-45792048046115738172023-12-12T09:00:00.000-08:002023-12-12T09:15:30.455-08:00Knowing You By Tracie Peterson (Pictures of the Heart #3) <p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26427" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/knowing-you.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/knowing-you.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/knowing-you-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/knowing-you-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Knowing You</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Tracie Peterson</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Historical Fiction</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>November 7, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26428" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 194px) 85vw, 194px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Knowing-You_Cover_9780764237447-194x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Knowing-You_Cover_9780764237447-194x300.jpg 194w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Knowing-You_Cover_9780764237447-663x1024.jpg 663w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Knowing-You_Cover_9780764237447-768x1187.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Knowing-You_Cover_9780764237447-994x1536.jpg 994w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Knowing-You_Cover_9780764237447-1200x1855.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Knowing-You_Cover_9780764237447.jpg 1294w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="194" />Could a captivating art exhibit hold the key to truth—and love?<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></strong><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Budding artist May Parker is captivated by the Japanese exhibits at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition and longs to know more about her mother’s heritage—which her mother refuses to speak of because of the heartache she left behind in Japan. Wanting to experience more of the exhibits, May works as a Camera Girl–but her curiosity leads her into danger when a suit of samurai armor becomes the target of an elusive art forger.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">After ten years apart, May is reunited with her childhood friend Lee Munro, a police detective assigned to keep a watchful eye on the exposition. Their friendship immediately begins to blossom with hints of something more, but when they become entangled in a dangerous heist involving the samurai armor and their love is threatened, can they overcome the odds against them?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3MfLySl" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"> My Review: </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">It's been a long time since I read a book by this author and I managed to jump into the third book in a series. I wasn't lost and while I would have rather read the prior books, this one stands alone well. May is part Asian and this book dives into what it was like for her to be of mixed decent in the time frame when it was not as accepted to be like that. May is a fantastic photographer and I loved that about her. Her childhood friend has now rescued her as an adult, and he just wants his family to accept her. Lee is now a police officer and something is happening, a mystery and a plot, and it makes for a wonderful read. I loved how the author shows God in so many ways and covers so many areas of how people reject those who aren't "just like them." </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26429" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 85vw, 225px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Peterson_Tracie1-225x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Peterson_Tracie1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Peterson_Tracie1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Peterson_Tracie1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Peterson_Tracie1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Peterson_Tracie1-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Peterson_Tracie1.jpg 1650w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="225" />Tracie Peterson</strong> is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"> </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">More from Tracie</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Knowing You</em> is book three in the Pictures of the Heart series. This series has proven to be a lot of fun for readers, as well as for me. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the research and chance to share this tidbit of history.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">In the summer of 1909, Seattle was finally able to debut The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition – often affectionately called the AYP. The AYP was set up with amusement park rides, vendors, concerts, and all things typical of a fair. It was also designed to showcase various details about life in Alaska, the Yukon, and a variety of Pacific Islands. The latter included Hawaii, the Philippines, and Japan as well as others. When I started looking into the various displays, I came across the building they put together for the Japan Building. They spoke of the various displays that the building held and how photographs and other pieces of memorabilia told of Japan’s history. It was a fascinating set up and I couldn’t help but think it might be fun to have a heroine who was part Japanese.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">I mapped out the story studying various aspects of Japanese history, talking to folks who knew more than I did on the topic and reading (a lot) on things like the Samurai and their armor, the Satsuma Rebellion, and the language and Kanji. I learned so much and tried to weave some of the most interesting bits into the storyline. I kept thinking about the fact that most people in the United States in 1909 probably didn’t even know where Japan was, much less anything about their history. There was, after all, no Internet.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Another fascinating thing about the AYP was the fact that it was set on the campus of the University of Washington. The AYP groomed the grounds and put in beautiful fountains and over 50,000 flowering plants. They built several permanent buildings for the University of Washington and strictly adhered to their policy of no-liquor on campus. This was unusual because all the other fairs and expositions had allowed alcohol. Nevertheless, from June until October the fair saw nearly four million visitors, and from all reports, they had an amazing time.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">I hope you’ll enjoy your journey with me to the AYP!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Tracie Peterson</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, December 8</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.exploringthewrittenword.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Exploring the Written Word"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Exploring the Written Word</span></a>, December 8</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Cover Lover Book Review"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Cover Lover Book Review</span></a>, December 9</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, December 10</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":2561,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"14":{"1":2,"2":2575891}}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gina Holder, Author and Blogger"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gina Holder, Author and Blogger</span></a>, December 13 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.hake/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Mary Hake"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mary Hake</span></a>, December 13</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; 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caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Splashes of Joy "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Splashes of Joy</span></a>, December 15</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Min Reads and Reviews "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Min Reads and Reviews</span></a>, December 15</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amoderndayfairytale.net/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Modern Day Fairy Tale"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A Modern Day Fairy Tale</span></a>, December 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://pausefortales.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pause for Tales"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pause for Tales</span></a>, December 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tblbkreviews.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lily's Corner"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lily’s Corner</span></a>, December 17</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lightsinadarkworld.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lights in a Dark World"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lights in a Dark World</span></a>, December 17</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><img class="" height="206" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/d7809dda-ca26-4bbd-8cda-aabb1852c698" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="246" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Tracie is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Amazon gift card and one paperback set of the Pictures of the Heart series (Remember Me, Finding Us, Knowing You)!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/29246/knowing-you-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/29246/knowing-you-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-55137923090322139982023-12-10T09:00:00.000-08:002023-12-10T09:19:07.829-08:00Of Sea and Smoke by Gillian Bronte Adams (The Fireborn Epic #2) <p> </p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26783" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/of-sea-and-smoke.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/of-sea-and-smoke.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/of-sea-and-smoke-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/of-sea-and-smoke-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Of Sea and Smoke</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Gillian Bronte Adams</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>YA Epic Fantasy</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>November 21, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26784" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 193px) 85vw, 193px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Adams-Of-Sea-and-Smoke-LOW-RES-193x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Adams-Of-Sea-and-Smoke-LOW-RES-193x300.jpg 193w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Adams-Of-Sea-and-Smoke-LOW-RES.jpg 643w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="193" />He rides a seablood, a steed of salt and spray, born to challenge the tides. </span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Six years ago, the wrong brother survived, and nothing will ever convince Rafi Tetrani otherwise. But he is done running from his past, and from the truth. As civil war threatens Ceridwen’s tenuous rule in Soldonia, Rafi vows to fight the usurper sitting on the imperial throne of Nadaar, even if it means shouldering his brother’s responsibilities as the empire’s lost heir.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">The stolen shipload of magical warhorses offers just the edge he needs. But the steeds have been demanded in ransom by the emperor’s ruthless assassin, and if Rafi hopes to raise a band of riders, he must first outwit his brother’s murderer.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Yet when his best efforts end in disaster, and an audacious raid sparks an empire-wide manhunt, even forging an unexpected alliance might not be enough to help Rafi turn the tides, let alone outrace the wave of destruction intent on sweeping them all away.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3M9iCLT" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">My Review: </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Face it, the steed alone just pulled me in. I spent my childhood in awe and "drooling" if you will, over horses. I could not resist a story with such a horse, and as a bonus, I have read book one. You need to read book one first, as this picks up right where it left off. I missed these book friends! Ceridwen is amazing, astonishing, and just perfect for her role in this story. It has all the emotions, the feels, from heartache to job, loss to healing, and everything else you can think to list. With three POVs, there wasn't anything dull about this book, and it doesn't sag like some middle-of-the-series books do. I can't wait to read the next book, though this one is so well done that the ending is amazing, and that's saying something because I HATE cliffhangers. There's plenty of war and fights for the action and the male readers, and there's love and romance, hope and more for us all. I'll be watching for the next book in this series. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">5 BIG Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26785" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 85vw, 200px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/gillian-bronte-adams-HR-3-200x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/gillian-bronte-adams-HR-3-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/gillian-bronte-adams-HR-3-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/gillian-bronte-adams-HR-3-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/gillian-bronte-adams-HR-3-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/gillian-bronte-adams-HR-3-1367x2048.jpg 1367w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/gillian-bronte-adams-HR-3-1200x1798.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/gillian-bronte-adams-HR-3-scaled.jpg 1709w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="200" />Gillian Bronte Adams </strong>writes epic fantasy novels, including the award- winning <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Of Fire and Ash </em>and The Songkeeper Chronicles. She loves strong coffee, desert hikes, and trying out new soup recipes on crisp fall nights. Her favorite books are the ones that make your heart ache and soar in turn. When she’s not creating vibrant new worlds or dreaming up stories that ring with the echoes of eternity, she can be found off chasing sunsets with her horse, or her dog, Took.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"> </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">More from Gillian</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">One of my favorite things about writing epic fantasy is not actually what you might expect. It’s not the fantastical elements, although I absolutely love creating worlds filled with magical warhorses, sosswyrm tangles, and stone-eye tigers who can paralyze their prey with a glance. It’s not the intensity of the action or the world altering stakes, although there’s nothing quite so thrilling as throwing your characters into a do-or-die situation, and the pulse-pounding, breathtaking, heart-aching battle sequences that follow.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Instead, one of my favorite things about writing such wild and epic stories is the opportunity to ground them in very real, very human characters, with very real, very human emotions, and in the complexity of those characters’ relationships with others. Mentor relationships, deeply loyal friendships, and especially sibling relationships.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">I am the second-born of five siblings, and I love and admire each of my siblings. Each one encourages and inspires and awes me in his or her own unique way. But growing up, if you had told me that my older sister had hung the moon, I would have believed you. She was two and a half years older than me—and yes, that half year mattered to both of us, though for opposite reasons; she because it meant she was that much older, me because it meant we were that much closer. Somehow, everything she touched seemed golden, and I wanted to be a part of it too.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">She was a force of nature—a foaming ocean tide—and I was caught up in her wake.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">She took up horseback riding, and so did I. She picked up books, and I had to read them too, even if it meant sitting beside her in the car with my own book open on my lap, surreptitiously reading <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">hers</em> over her shoulder. (Needless to say, that drove her crazy, and older siblings everywhere can probably commiserate.)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">She dove into creative writing, and out of nowhere, I developed a passion for the written word. But always, within her, there was this spark of imagination and creativity that I felt I could only ever aspire to. Whatever I did, she had done first and better.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">And I could only hope to one day achieve her level of greatness.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Rafi, one of the main characters in <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Of Sea and Smoke</em>, also has an older sibling, a brother he has always looked up to. While Rafi and his relationship with his brother is not based on my relationship with my older sister—we’re all four of us wildly different people—there were some aspects of my experience as a second-born that I was able to draw upon. Rafi admires his brother’s strength and confidence. His assurance and rightness. His nobility and leadership. By the time we enter the story, his older brother is no longer around, but Rafi has spent his whole life setting his brother up on a pedestal and then trying to measure up to that ideal.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Is it any wonder, then, that he has always found himself wanting?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Now, Rafi finds himself having to step into the role that should have been his brother’s, and the only way he can contemplate facing that challenge is by stamping out the things he looks down upon in himself—many of them, the things that make him himself—and trying to be his brother instead.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Growing up, I can’t tell you how many times I looked at my older sister and wished that I could be more like her and less like myself. More confident. More brilliant. More vibrant. More <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">her</em>. But it wasn’t until my older sister’s interests began to drift into new additional avenues, while mine stayed mostly the same (horses, books, writing), that I finally began to grow into myself. To recognize my strengths, my unique skills, the things that only I bring to the table, and to acknowledge that even when they are different from hers, they are still good.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">These days, my older sister and I are best friends. She was the first person I trusted to read <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Of Sea and Smoke</em> before it went out into the world. I still look up to her in so many ways, and yes, I think I’ll always feel a bit like she hung the moon. But I have grown to appreciate the beauty of what I can learn from my sister’s strengths, while also recognizing the value of my own. And without revealing any spoilers, I think I can safely say that part of Rafi’s journey in <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Of Sea and Smoke </em>wraps around learning that too, all while he’s raising a band of rebel fighters, trying to outwit an infamous assassin, and plotting to overthrow the empire’s oppressive rule.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Wild, epic stories, grounded in real, human experiences, and honestly, can reading get any more fun than that?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">I hope you enjoy the ride!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Gillian Bronte Adams</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, December 2</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tabithabouldinauthor.home.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Through the Fire Blogs"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Through the Fire Blogs</span></a>, December 3 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://labornotinvain.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Labor Not in Vain"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Labor Not in Vain</span></a>, December 3</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, December 4</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, December 5 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, December 6</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Guild Master"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guild Master</span></a>, December 7 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, December 8</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blossoms and Blessings"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blossoms and Blessings</span></a>, December 9 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, December 10</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Tell Tale Book Reviews"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tell Tale Book Reviews</span></a>, December 11 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.simpleharvestreads.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Simple Harvest Reads"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Simple Harvest Reads</span></a>, December 12 (Guest Review from Mindy)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://kid-lit.library-lady.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Library Lady's Kid Lit"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Library Lady’s Kid Lit</span></a>, December 13 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"By The Book"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">By The Book</span></a>, December 14 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theloftypages.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Lofty Pages"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Lofty Pages</span></a>, December 14</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.fictionbooklover.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Fiction Book Lover"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fiction Book Lover</span></a>, December 15 (Author Interview)</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><img height="206" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/50f430af-543b-452b-ba34-a29fdab6c6fb" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="246" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Gillian is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card and hardcover copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/2909e/of-sea-and-smoke-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/2909e/of-sea-and-smoke-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-4265840539020732522023-11-25T09:00:00.000-08:002023-11-25T09:45:27.882-08:00Steal Fire From The Gods by Clint Hall <p><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26414" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/steal-fire.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/steal-fire.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/steal-fire-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/steal-fire-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Steal Fire from the Gods</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Clint Hall</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Science Fiction</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>November 7, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26416" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 201px) 85vw, 201px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Hall-Steal-Fire-from-the-Gods-LOW-RES-2-201x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Hall-Steal-Fire-from-the-Gods-LOW-RES-2-201x300.jpg 201w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Hall-Steal-Fire-from-the-Gods-LOW-RES-2-685x1024.jpg 685w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Hall-Steal-Fire-from-the-Gods-LOW-RES-2-768x1148.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Hall-Steal-Fire-from-the-Gods-LOW-RES-2.jpg 800w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="201" />The Human Alliance knew the war was over when the machines started using magic to cast fire, shake the ground, conjure storms, and part the seas. </span></em></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">We fought back anyway. </span></em></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">22-year-old soldier Gunnar Graves lost his faith and his family when a platoon of AI-driven war machines—led by an android fire mage— destroyed his unit. Forced to live in a machine-controlled village and hiding a dark secret, he spends his days trying to learn elemental power so he can take his revenge. After years of failure, his ability ignites when he least expects it.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">On the run and hunted by the war machines, Gunnar discovers that an ancient, life-based strength has awakened to help humanity fight back. Joined by the other life mages, Gunnar is thrust into a mad world of android overlords, cyborg clans, and evil forces bent on his destruction.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">To protect his newfound family, Gunnar must discover the truth behind a power he doesn’t understand and wage a war he doesn’t believe they can win.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/3rYPWOS" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><b> My Review:</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Five stars do not do enough justice for this book, this is a marvelous read! AI (as in artificial intelligence) had done what it tends to do in most stories, and it took over, fighting for dominance and endless power. Making things worse, some of these AI robots have a type of magic. These robots are mages and they can control things, like fire. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">So many emotions are in this story and dives into what makes us human. What was God doing when He did what He did? It's worked into this book in so many ways. It is very thought-provoking. </span><span style="color: #76a5af;">War and freedom, good vs evil, faith vs being hopeless, these are all things that are in this story. </span><span style="color: #76a5af;">Gunner Graves is easy to follow and relate with. The Sci-Fi with fantasy elements are so easy to get sucked into. The more I read, the more I thought this book has so much to offer that this is a must-read book. </span><span style="color: #76a5af;">The many layers and topics covered in these pages will spark discussions long after the book ends. This is a stand-alone, but I hope the author will do a series from it with the other characters, or anything else in this world. I, for one, would snatch it up to be read and enjoyed!</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26417" height="200" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CAMB1162_Alternate-300x200.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CAMB1162_Alternate-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CAMB1162_Alternate-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CAMB1162_Alternate-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CAMB1162_Alternate-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CAMB1162_Alternate-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CAMB1162_Alternate-1200x800.jpg 1200w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" />Clint Hall </strong>is a storyteller, speaker, and podcast host. He has been writing stories since middle school, where he spent most of his time in class creating comic books. (Fortunately, his teacher not only allowed it; she bought every issue.) Known for instilling a sense of hope, wonder, and adventure, Clint’s work has been published across multiple anthologies and magazines. Find him at ClintHall.com or “<em style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Experience: Conversations with Creatives</em>” podcast, available on all major platforms.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"> </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">More from Clint</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">When I first heard the song <em style="box-sizing: inherit;">See A Victory</em> by Elevation Worship, I assumed the lyrics, “You took what the enemy meant for evil and You turned it for good,” were pulled verbatim (translated, of course) from the Bible, probably one of Paul’s letters.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Despite not knowing exactly from where they came, the words stuck with me. It’s inspiring to believe that God can take the terrible things that have happened to us – or even because of us – and use them to bring about something beautiful.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">When I looked them up, I found that the lyrics are actually a derivation of what Joseph said to his brothers years after they sold him into slavery. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20 NIV)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Placing the words within the context of a story makes them even more impactful for me. It’s astounding to think about Joseph’s faith and spiritual maturity to not only offer forgiveness in this moment, but also to recognize the immense benefits that have arisen from such a horrific injustice against him.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">It wasn’t until recently that I realized how much this passage is related to my book. That’s the funny thing about writing stories. You often don’t know what they’re about until you’re done.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Steal Fire From The Gods</em> is the most faith-based story I’ve ever written. It’s also the darkest and certainly the weirdest. It’s an action-packed book in which AI has discovered the secrets of elemental magic and used that power to overthrow humanity.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">But that’s just the concept. This story isn’t about magic robots. It’s about a person undergoing a crisis of faith. And you could hardly blame him.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Gunnar Graves and his family did everything the right way. They were faithful, devoted, and kind. They prayed, studied God’s Word, and followed His laws. Then, they were decimated. As a result, Gunnar is angry at God and even at his late parents for their blind faith that – from his perspective – ultimately failed them all.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Gunnar spends much of the story trying to harness magic for what he believes is a righteous cause. But despite his altruistic intentions, it eludes him, causing him even more anger and frustration. How could an all-powerful, all-loving God place such an awesome power into the hands of oppressive machines instead of mankind?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">To make matters worse, Gunnar and other characters in the story have secrets that I won’t spoil in this blog. Suffice to say there are aspects of who they are and what they have done that would cause most people to cast them out if the truth became known. So instead, they hide themselves from God and other humans. More separation. More shame. More darkness.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">It often feels that way for believers. In our weakness, we can simultaneously be angry at God for what we perceive as injustice – getting what we don’t think we deserve, or not getting what we think we do – while also being convinced there is something about us that will prevent us from ever connecting with His love, joy, and peace.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">But there is always hope. God often reminds us of His presence by not only saving us from our circumstances but also using our weaknesses as tools to create wonderful outcomes. Paradoxically, good comes about not in spite of evil, but seemingly because of it.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">As believers, we understand this is not a function of necessity. To bring about this good, God did not need evil to occur. But He will use it to demonstrate His ability to turn the enemy’s own weapons against him.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">These occurrences wouldn’t make sense outside the knowledge that there is an all-powerful, all-loving Father. That reminder of His presence – that He must be with us because otherwise, such good springing from such evil would be impossible – is in many cases a greater blessing than the good itself.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">But He will not force these blessings upon us. We are free to choose whether we will trust and accept them. We do so through faith, selflessness, and surrender.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">That’s where we find the power. That’s where we find goodness. That’s where we find hope.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">That’s what I want readers to take away from this book.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, November 14</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, November 15 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://exploringthewrittenword.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Exploring the Written Word"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Exploring the Written Word</span></a>, November 15</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.beccahope.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Becca Hope: Book Obsessed"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Becca Hope: Book Obsessed</span></a>, November 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Guild Master"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guild Master</span></a>, November 17 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Reviews From an Avid Reader"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Reviews From an Avid Reader</span></a>, November 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tabithabouldinauthor.home.blog/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Through the Fire Blogs"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Through the Fire Blogs</span></a>, November 19 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.wishfulendings.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Wishful Endings"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Wishful Endings</span></a>, November 20</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Beauty in the Binding"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beauty in the Binding</span></a>, November 21 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, November 22</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, November 23</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://simpleharvestreads.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Simple Harvest Reads"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Simple Harvest Reads</span></a>, November 24 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theloftypages.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Lofty Pages"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Lofty Pages</span></a>, November 24</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, November 25</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://labornotinvain.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Labor Not in Vain"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Labor Not in Vain</span></a>, November 26</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.fictionbooklover.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Fiction Book Lover"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fiction Book Lover</span></a>, November 27 (Author Interview)</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><img height="206" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/2f312c94-fc97-4aeb-a5fb-923697c4d61f" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="246" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">To celebrate his tour, Clint is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and signed copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/29094/steal-fire-from-the-gods-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/29094/steal-fire-from-the-gods-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-68358914641906694852023-11-25T08:30:00.000-08:002023-11-25T08:56:42.950-08:00A Penny Saved by Terri Gillespie and Cynthia L. Simmons <p> </p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26328" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/penny-saved.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/penny-saved.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/penny-saved-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/penny-saved-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>A Penny Saved</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Authors: </strong>Terri Gillespie & Cynthia L. Simmons</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Middle-Grade Fantasy & Mystery</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>May 27, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26329" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 199px) 85vw, 199px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CMYK300_A-Penny-Saved.generalprint.notbannersorposters-199x300.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CMYK300_A-Penny-Saved.generalprint.notbannersorposters-199x300.jpg 199w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CMYK300_A-Penny-Saved.generalprint.notbannersorposters-678x1024.jpg 678w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CMYK300_A-Penny-Saved.generalprint.notbannersorposters-768x1160.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CMYK300_A-Penny-Saved.generalprint.notbannersorposters-1017x1536.jpg 1017w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CMYK300_A-Penny-Saved.generalprint.notbannersorposters-1356x2048.jpg 1356w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CMYK300_A-Penny-Saved.generalprint.notbannersorposters-1200x1812.jpg 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CMYK300_A-Penny-Saved.generalprint.notbannersorposters-scaled.jpg 1696w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="199" /><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">A Move, A Mess, A Mystery</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Mason’s world turns upside down when he, his little sister, Olivia, and their mother move into their grandfather’s house.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Mason misses his cool friends. Unfortunately, R.B., the weird kid down the street, thinks he’s Mason’s new best friend.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Mason’s grandfather, a retired professor, stays in his office filled with musty, dusty books. Never realizing there’s a magical treasure hidden in plain sight. An 1860 Indian Head penny, named Penny, who is <span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic;">alive</span>!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">When Penny goes missing, Mason helps his grandfather look for her.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Will Mason find Penny and learn her secret?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/46H70rk" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">My Review:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Remember the day with good stories with solid morals? Well, this book has that. It has life lessons built in. A special penny, yes a one-cent penny goes missing and that's a huge issue! This penny is named Penny, and she's got a value far beyond her "face" surface value. Penny is quite alive, and she talks to Olivia. Oliva is the little sister in this story and Penny is full of history and wisdom. Mason is twelve, so he's more frustrated with these issues, but Penny must be saved. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">This book is an adventure and a good reminder for adults. It's full of suspense and some mystery, adventure and faith, and everything that you want in a children's book. I really enjoyed it! </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">About the Terri</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26330" height="293" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/smaller-300x293.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/smaller-300x293.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/smaller-1024x1000.jpg 1024w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/smaller-768x750.jpg 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/smaller-1536x1500.jpg 1536w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/smaller-2048x2000.jpg 2048w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/smaller-1200x1172.jpg 1200w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" />Terri Gillespie</strong> is a multi-award award-winning author and speaker and YouTube personality. Terri lives with her hubby outside Atlanta. They have one adult daughter, who lives in Chicago with her husband and son. Terri was one of the managing editors of the bestselling Tree of Life Version of the Holy Scriptures.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"> </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">More from Terri</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">My grandson, DJ, loves to read, but there is a lack of inspirational and clean books with Black protagonists. DJ loves fantasy and mysteries, and as his safta (grandmother), I wanted a book that gives even more, a sense of legacy with a theme of looking past the exterior to the value underneath.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">When the strange, awkward R.B. offers to pray for Mason’s grandfather and then brings over his granny’s tuna casserole, Mason is touched and wonders if he has misjudged R.B.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">After tasting this recipe, would you change your mind?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Widow Savier’s (R.B.’s granny) Tuna Casserole </span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">2 (5 oz.) cans chunky-type tuna in water (drain well)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">1 cup frozen peas</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">1⁄2 cup milk</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">3⁄4 cup butter-Ritz-like crackers, crushed or crushed potato chips (R.B. prefers the chips)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">4 oz. (about 2-1⁄2 cups) thick egg noodles</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">1 can (10.75 oz.) cream of mushroom soup</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">1⁄4 tsp. garlic powder</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Bit of butter (it is the south after all)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"> </span></p><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 375°F.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Cook noodles according to package instructions, adding peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking; drain in strainer.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">While noodles are cooking, in a separate bowl, mix together soup, milk and garlic powder.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Stir in the noodles and peas, then add the tuna.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Transfer to a 1-1⁄2 quart lightly buttered casserole.</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Bake 15 minutes; top with cracker crumbs OR CHIPS. Continue baking 5 – 10 minutes or until heated through.</span></li></ul><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Serves 4,</strong> so Widow Savier doubles the recipe for Mason’s family so they have leftovers.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, November 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Stories By Gina "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Stories By Gina</span></a>, November 17 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, November 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://amoderndayfairytale.net/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Modern Day Fairy Tale"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A Modern Day Fairy Tale</span></a>, November 19 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.hake" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Mary Hake"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Mary Hake</span></a>, November 19</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, November 20</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://vickysluitercom.wordpress.com/author-spotlight/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Vicky Sluiter"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Vicky Sluiter</span></a>, November 21 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, November 22</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://areadersbrain.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Reader’s Brain "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A Reader’s Brain</span></a>, November 23 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://familymgrkendra.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Happily Managing a Household of Boys"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Happily Managing a Household of Boys</span></a>, November 24</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, November 25</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blossoms and Blessings"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blossoms and Blessings</span></a>, November 26 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, November 26</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.forhimandmyfamily.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For Him and My Family"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For Him and My Family</span></a>, November 27</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="http://janemouttet.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Library Lady's Kid Lit"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Library Lady’s Kid Lit</span></a>, November 28 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><a href="https://reneek-littlehomeschoolontheprairie.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Little Homeschool on the prairie "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Little Homeschool on the prairie</span></a>, November 29</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;"><img height="208" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/04b9e230-27d4-4f49-8132-db632cbcfe8a" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="248" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Terri is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card, signed copy of A Penny Saved, and A Penny Saved Mug!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/28eed/a-penny-saved-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/28eed/a-penny-saved-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-63961374971555594642023-11-22T09:00:00.000-08:002023-11-22T09:06:44.575-08:00Revenge: The Winslows of Texas by Tamara G. Cooper <p> </p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26371" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Revenge: The Winslows of Texas</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Tamara G. Cooper</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Romantic Suspense (Christian)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>May 7, 2023</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26373" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 85vw, 200px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge-Cover-200x300.png" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge-Cover-200x300.png 200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge-Cover-682x1024.png 682w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge-Cover-768x1152.png 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge-Cover-1024x1536.png 1024w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge-Cover-1365x2048.png 1365w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge-Cover-1200x1801.png 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Revenge-Cover.png 1800w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="200" /><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Aaron’s life shatters in the aftermath of his best friend’s sudden, bizarre death. He firmly believes her demise was no mere accident, as the authorities ruled, but a cold-blooded murder. Driven to the brink of despair by the relentless media shadowing his every move, accusing him of causing her death, he needs a place to hide. Salvation dawns in an unexpected inheritance — the dense, sprawling wilderness of his great aunt’s East Texas estate. There, he discovers another surprise: his first love recently moved back to the area. She intrigued him at fourteen; she completely captivates him at twenty-six.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">The discovery of a woman’s body on his property is chillingly timed on the grim anniversary of his friend’s death, shaking Aaron to his core. He realizes the bloodthirsty killer has delivered a disturbingly personal message to him: You cannot hide from me. Suddenly, his secluded sanctuary is exposed, a beacon for the merciless media relentlessly searching for him. He fortifies his estate, transforming it into a fortress against what he understands now is an inevitable attack. The murderer’s tightening noose of fear threatens to ensnare him. Outsmarting this ruthless predator has become a deadly game of chess, where every move could be his last.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/46mZ52H" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"> My Review:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">This book pulled me right into the story and still hasn't let go. Arron has to solve a murder that is viewed as an accident. The kicker is this was someone so close to him and he blames himself for so much that happened in that time frame. Someone he cared deeply for, his partner, Claire. Too much doesn't add up, even with the guilt he bears, things just don't sit right and then there seem to be some connections to finding her killer. Proving her death wasn't what it seems is important for so many reasons to Arron. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Arron is nothing short of amazing if you ask me. This is not your light-weight character, he's deep and so many deep topics are uncovered, shown, or discussed and obsession is only one of them. His growth and getting to know him and his story is an amazing journey that is so worth reading. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">It has suspense, psychological elements, and faith and it is a much different read than I thought it would be. It's a fantastic story and I'm now following this author. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">5 Stars</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;">About the Author</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26374" height="223" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tamara-PIc-300x223.png" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tamara-PIc-300x223.png 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tamara-PIc.png 546w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" />Tamara G. Cooper</strong> is a Texas-based author who finds inspiration in the simple things in life: hiking, camping, fishing, and long walks with her family that end in a picnic. She lives in a small town in East Texas with her husband, her youngest of five sons, and four dogs. Tamara loves writing suspense/mystery stories with just a touch of romance.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"> </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">More from Tamara</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">I’m an East Texan, through and through. You should hear me talk! There is no mistaking that I’m from Texas. So, one day, I was wondering: what would it be like if a New Yorker moved to East Texas? Better yet, let’s make him a billionaire New Yorker who wants nothing to do with “rednecks” but is forced to move to Texas. What would motivate him to move there, especially when he’s made it very clear that he wants nothing to do with Texas or Texans?<u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u> <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u> <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Running for his life would work. Suddenly, he needs a place to hide. The people after him know of his other homes and have them staked out. So, where could he go? His great-aunt Dottie dies and wills her 6,000-acre estate in East Texas to him. Perfect! It sets him up nicely where he doesn’t want to be. And to add icing to this Texas cake? His first love at fourteen recently moved back to the area where he’d met her on one of his family’s rare visits with Aunt Dottie. <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u> <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u> <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">But life doesn’t settle down for him. Of course, it doesn’t, right? <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u> <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u> <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">And that’s how this book came about. I love Aaron. Every day, I couldn’t wait to get back to him and his story. He has so much to give and doesn’t even know it. As one of the “walking wounded,” he’s going to discover what really matters in life, but it’s not going to be easy for him. <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u> <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u> <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">One thing that’s somewhat different about me as a writer is that I don’t outline my books. I sit at my computer and let the characters tell me their stories. Sounds a little weird, doesn’t it? But it works for me. They take me in all kinds of directions! When the first draft is finished, I consider it my “outline.” Now, the fun begins with editing! <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u> <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">I love writing. I love storytelling. “Revenge” is one of my favorite stories and, yes, I fell a little bit in love with Aaron. I hope you do, too. <u style="box-sizing: inherit;"></u></span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Reviews From an Avid Reader"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Reviews From an Avid Reader</span></a>, November 15</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://booklooksbylisa.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Book Looks by Lisa"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book Looks by Lisa</span></a>, November 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":2561,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"14":{"1":2,"2":2575891}}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gina Holder, Author and Blogger"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gina Holder, Author and Blogger</span></a>, November 17 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://theloftypages.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Lofty Pages"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Lofty Pages</span></a>, November 17</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, November 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, November 19</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, November 20</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, November 21</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, November 22</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Cover Lover Book Review"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Cover Lover Book Review</span></a>, November 23</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://forhimandmyfamily.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For Him and My Family"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For Him and My Family</span></a>, November 24</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, November 25 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://exploringthewrittenword.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Exploring the Written Word"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Exploring the Written Word</span></a>, November 25</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://pausefortales.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pause for Tales"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pause for Tales</span></a>, November 26</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://becauseisaidsomyadventuresinparenting.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Because I said so "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Because I said so</span></a>, November 27</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lightsinadarkworld.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lights in a Dark World"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lights in a Dark World</span></a>, November 28</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></h1><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;"><img height="187" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/40cdfac9-df04-476f-88f2-452e00c90c87" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="223" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">To celebrate her tour, Tamara is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/28eeb/revenge-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/28eeb/revenge-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278530412480748616.post-30007159541624484322023-11-18T09:00:00.001-08:002023-11-18T10:16:41.031-08:00Demolishing The Stronghold by Allen Brokken (A Towers of Light Family Read Aloud)<p> </p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26515" height="315" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/demolishing-the-stronghold.jpg" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/demolishing-the-stronghold.jpg 851w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/demolishing-the-stronghold-300x111.jpg 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/demolishing-the-stronghold-768x284.jpg 768w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="851" /></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">About the Book</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Book: </strong>Demolishing the Stronghold</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Author: </strong>Allen Brokken</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b style="box-sizing: inherit;">Genre: </b>Middle Grade Fantasy</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">Release Date: </strong>November 4, 2023</span></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26517" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 85vw, 200px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DemolishingTheStrongholdebook-200x300.png" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DemolishingTheStrongholdebook-200x300.png 200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DemolishingTheStrongholdebook-683x1024.png 683w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DemolishingTheStrongholdebook-768x1152.png 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DemolishingTheStrongholdebook-1024x1536.png 1024w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DemolishingTheStrongholdebook-1365x2048.png 1365w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DemolishingTheStrongholdebook-1200x1800.png 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/DemolishingTheStrongholdebook.png 1800w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="200" /><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan finally found respite for their whole family in the grove surrounding the Wellspring of Life. However, the threat of the Dark One’s forces still looms over the Heathlands, and lighting the tower of Light in Blooming Glen is their only hope of cleansing their land of The Darkness once and for all. While the family plans a surprise attack on the stronghold at Blooming Glen, the Bishop calls forth the Calamitous Drake, a monster forged from the essence of The Darkness in the corrupted heart of the Iron Mountain. In the midst of the battle, the monster scatters the family, leaving Mother, Uncle, and Tye in the hands of Lord Refi’Cul and the evil giant Skull Crusher who aims to make Tye his wife and become the Master of the Heath Wardens.</span></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">The children must take to the skies to forge a weapon capable of defeating the Calamitous Drake. Will Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan’s faith give them the strength to Demolish the Stronghold?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"> </span></p><pre style="border: 1px solid rgb(209, 209, 209); box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Inconsolata, monospace; line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: auto; padding: 1.75em; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://amzn.to/45kK4gi" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">here</a> to get your copy!</span></pre><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"> My Review:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">The title is fantastic! I just have to start by saying that. I loved its double entendre. This is book number six in the series. They childern have to have a lot of faith, and teamwork to overcome this "obstical". </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">I love the homage that the dragon in this story came from. I liked the history worked into it, and I love that anyone, of almost any age can enjoy, and share this story. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">I did get to read the first two books in this series, and I will be getting the entire series. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">5 Stars </span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26518" height="300" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" src="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-05-03-084521-300x300.png" srcset="https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-05-03-084521-300x300.png 300w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-05-03-084521-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-05-03-084521-150x150.png 150w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-05-03-084521-768x768.png 768w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-05-03-084521-1536x1536.png 1536w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-05-03-084521-1200x1200.png 1200w, https://www.celebratelitteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-05-03-084521.png 1725w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0.375em 0px 1.75em 1.75em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" />Allen Brokken</strong> is a teacher at heart, a husband, and a father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age-appropriate way. He’s dedicated 18 years to volunteer roles in children’s ministry and youth development. Now that his children are off to college, he’s telling stories and sharing clean humor on social media.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;">More from Allen</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">As I worked to close out the Towers of Light series, I had to work hard to develop something new and different that still fit the 1800s frontier setting. I had a lot of pressure from my readers to bring a dragon to the prairie. On multiple occasions, I had to remind my biggest fans that there aren’t any dragons on the prairie. But they were insistent that dragons make an appearance.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">So, as I put the final touches on the previous book, Wellspring of Life, I thought that the censors spreading evil could bring evil things into the world to corrupt the prairie. So, the concept of a dragon formed from the censor’s smoke made a lot of sense. But what would a “Smoke Dragon” be like? I shared the idea with my Realm Makers critique group, and they helped form something that early feedback says works well. The dragon’s name, The Calamitous Drake, is also an homage to a line from “The Hobbit” that refers to Smaug as a great calamity.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">With a dragon flying about, I also had to devise a way for the kids to engage it in the air. This took significant research as I didn’t want to introduce giant eagles or something else that didn’t exist on the frontier. As I investigated different options, I discovered that hot air balloons were more common in the 1800’s than I thought. It turned out they served in minor roles during the Civil War and used a technology they called a gasifier to fill them up. I took some artistic liberty with that, and Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan now had a way to get off the ground to meet the dragon in the air.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">This story was so much fun to write, and early reviews from my biggest fans say it was the perfect end to the series.</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Blog Stops</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Artistic Nobody"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Artistic Nobody</span></a>, November 11 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Fiction Book Lover"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.fictionbooklover.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Fiction Book Lover</a>, November 12 (Author Interview)</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Debbie's Dusty Deliberations"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations</span></a>, November 12</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="http://deana0326.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Texas Book-aholic"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Texas Book-aholic</span></a>, November 13</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amybooksy.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Locks, Hooks and Books"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Locks, Hooks and Books</span></a>, November 14</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Guild Master"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Guild Master</span></a>, November 15 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://lotsofhelpers.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lots of Helpers"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lots of Helpers</span></a>, November 15</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://truthandgracehomeschoolacademy.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy</span></a>, November 16</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="http://janemouttet.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Library Lady's Kid Lit"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Library Lady’s Kid Lit</span></a>, November 17 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carolkeen.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blogging With Carol"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blogging With Carol</span></a>, November 18</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Blossoms and Blessings"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blossoms and Blessings</span></a>, November 19 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.forhimandmyfamily.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For Him and My Family"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For Him and My Family</span></a>, November 20</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="http://areadersbrain.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"Arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Reader’s Brain "}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A Reader’s Brain</span></a>, November 21 (Author Interview)</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://litteraegaudium.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"For the Love of Literature"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">For the Love of Literature</span></a>, November 22</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lightsinadarkworld.wordpress.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lights in a Dark World"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lights in a Dark World</span></a>, November 23</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4224,"10":2,"15":"arial"}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Beauty in the Binding"}" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Beauty in the Binding</span></a>, November 24 (Author Interview)</span></p><h1 style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 2em 0px 1em; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Giveaway</span></span></h1><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><img height="136" loading="lazy" src="https://promosimple.com/uploads/images/e5f4939d-cd96-45de-b748-8fb15bc1a0af" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="136" /></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">To celebrate his tour, Allen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; margin: 0px 0px 1.75em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/28d36/demolishing-the-stronghold-celebration-tour-giveaway" style="box-shadow: currentcolor 0px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">https://promosimple.com/ps/28d36/demolishing-the-stronghold-celebration-tour-giveaway</span></a></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Carol E. Keenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250404163485957495noreply@blogger.com2