A Memory Worth Dying for by Joanie Bruce

To purchase your copy, click here.

About the Book

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“Do Not Return To Texas!” Marti Rushing gets the message, loud and clear. If she returns to Texas, her life is in danger. If she stays in Tennessee, she’s safe. But when she receives a letter telling her that Daniel, her ex-husband and the love of her life, is dying, she knows she has to defy the stalker and return to Texas to see him. Three years ago, Daniel accused her of things she couldn’t remember doing. Without waiting for an explanation and after four wonderful years of marriage, Daniel kicks her off of his family’s Quarter Horse ranch. Now, three years after their separation, he walks into her art reception in Tennessee and acts like he doesn’t remember her. Does the memory loss have anything to do with the letter she received, or is Daniel pretending? Is he the one stalking her, or is it someone with a deadly, sinister motive? Ignoring the deadly warnings, she leaves for Texas, but on the way there, the attempts on her life begin. Will she be able to evade her pursuer’s attacks? Or will Daniel’s face be the last one she sees?


My Review: 

This book opens with a major car wreck, in Texas, and a baby being born. Poor Marti, she is in a very mess. Next thing we know, she has to face her ex-husband, Daniel. It's been three years, and she is in Tennessee now. His very presence causes her panic attacks. However, something is way off. Daniel doesn't seem to remember his wife of four years. It's instantly clear she is nowhere near over him. Why can't he remember her? 

Thus begins the threats that Marti can't go back to Texas, or she will die. So what does she do? Go back to Texas! I could have screamed. It's like watching the person with the candle go down the stairs to the basement, and you already know what will happen. 

Martin doesn't want to go, but she feels she just must when nudged by her BFF. 

Once she starts going back, there is no turning around. I can't tell you what happened with out spoilers, but Marti has some kind of determination, death wish, stubborn streak, or her hair color isn't her natural color. WOW, this girl is something else. 

Even so, I kept turning pages. Even finding out who was behind it sooner than I anticipated, the suspense held up to the point that my attention didn't stray. Grab some coffee, and snacks, because you're likely to not want to do anything while reading this book. 

My copy came from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review and nothing more. 

About the Author

Joanie has a strong passion for reading, and her love for books with nail-biting suspense, inspires her to write contemporary suspense books. Thankful that God has given her the ability to write from her home in the country, she strives to use that opportunity to honor Him in all of her writing. Joanie and her husband, Ben, live in a country home near Madison, Georgia, right in the middle of a pasture full of beef cows. There they raised and homeschooled their three children. She enjoys cooking, taking long walks, painting oil portraits, and caring for their home in the country.

Guest Post from Joanie Bruce

Hello everyone. My name is Joanie Bruce, and I’m happy to visit with you today and tell you a little about myself and my book, “A Memory Worth Dying For.”

The idea for this book actually started from a simple memory. Years ago, I watched a movie about a woman whose father-in-law ruined her marriage. That thought raised a question in my mind: What would happen if a married woman was kicked out of her home by her father-in-law, and her husband never stood up for her against his father?

Many questions and solutions emerged from that one idea, and the brainstorming began… One answer lead to another problem, and the answer to that problem produced another question. When all was done, the plot for this book emerged.

After adding suspense, mystery, love, and a growing spiritual aspect to that one idea, I was able to combine them to form an interesting plot. Finally, after several months of work, “A Memory Worth Dying For” was born.

I love this story because it shows forgiveness at its highest peak. Marti and Daniel have a wonderful marriage, but because of greed, selfishness, and a colossal misunderstanding, that marriage is dissolved. Even though they are separated, the love they feel for each other never wanes. Marti’s love for Daniel throws her into a dangerous situation, but that same love also gives her the perseverance and determination to stay in Texas and fight for the happiness of the man she loves even though her life is threatened if she does. I’m sure you’ve all read the Bible verse Joel 2:25a. “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.­­­” That verse is the one Marti clings to throughout the story.

As I do my writing each day, I pray that God will teach me something. Writing this book taught me so many lessons. Not only did I fall in love with the characters, but with the idea of practicing forgiveness in my own life. It also reinforced the knowledge that I should never jump to conclusions and get the facts before I make decisions. In this book, Daniel jumped to a conclusion and listened to gossip which caused the break-up of his marriage and unnecessary stress in his life.

Years ago, one of my Sunday School students gave me a book for Christmas called “In His Steps.” If you remember, that book started the campaign that encouraged you to ask “what would Jesus do?” before every action. I was convicted while reading that book because I knew I wasn’t doing things in my life for the Lord’s glory. So the next Sunday in church, I dedicated my life back to the Lord, and I began praying He would use me in whatever way He chose.

After those sincere prayers, the Lord began showing me how I could use my life and the talents He gave me for Him. It was shortly after that prayer I found out I had the ability to paint portraits, and not long after starting my art career, my first attempt at writing was accepted for a publishing contract. I realized then that following the Lord’s leading in my life and an attitude of gratefulness and obedience all worked together so the Lord would bless my efforts.

If you take anything away from this post, I hope it will be that the Lord can use anyone who is willing to be used. If you surrender your talents to him, no matter what your age or limitations, God can still use you for His glory.

Thank you for listening to my ramblings. I hope and pray that God blesses each of you in all of your accomplishments.

Blog Stops

August 30: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

August 30: Cassandra M’s Place

August 31: Petra’s Hope

September 1: A Reader’s Brain 

September 2: Quiet Quilter

September 2: Splashes of Joy

September 3: History, Mystery & Faith

September 4: Ashley’s Bookshelf

September 5: Carpe Diem

September 6: Pause for Tales

September 7: Blogging with Carol

September 8: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

September 9: A Baker’s Perspective 

September 10: bigreadersite

September 11: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses

September 11: Daysong Reflections

September 12: just the write escape

September 12: Mary Hake

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Joanie is giving away a Kindle Fire and her books! Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a29f

The Honeybee Sisters Series by Jennifer Bekstrand

 About the Books

Sweet as Honey: 

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Smart, kind, and good-hearted, the three Christner girls are affectionately known as The Honeybee Sisters in the beloved Wisconsin Amish community where, under the care of their aunt, they’ve grown into skilled beekeepers–and lovely, sought-after young women. . .

Though she has blossomed into a beauty, Lily Christner doesn’t really believe it. Deep down, she still feels like a lonely, gawky teenager. Maybe that’s why she’s all but promised herself to Paul Glick, the one boy who never teased her in her awkward girlhood–unlike Dan Kanagy, whose creative name-calling left her in tears many a time. Now he’s back in town after two years away–and being surprisingly sweet, suspiciously attentive–and making Lily unsettlingly yet deliciously nervous. It seems Dan wants Lily’s forgiveness–and her heart. But can he convince her–not to mention her protective schwesters and aendi–that despite the past, her future lies with him?…

My Review of Sweet As Honey :  

The honey is sweet, but the sisters are sweeter. Three girls were taken in by their Aunt after their parents were killed. Now they have been growing up Amish for quite a while. Aunt B isn't your typical Amish woman either, she was an Englisher for a long time until she gave all that up to raise "her girls". Together the four of them run a apiary and live a rather happy lifestyle.  

They only problem is, the boys! Aunt B is funny, she knows things like if you feed a boy, he comes back. She should know more about mouse traps, but we can give her and the cat, Farrah Faucet, a pass on that one. 

This book focuses on Lily. She has an almost engagement to Paul, a young man who I simply didn't care for at all. She also has a young man who loves her more than he can say, but because of his past, Dan may have lost her before he has even gotten a good change to win her heart. 

Overall I really liked this story. I had one aggravation, which is Lily taking so long to make up her mind about some major issues. That drug along pretty badly for me. I was ready to just about scream because she was so slow grasping certain concepts and making certain decisions. Even so, I really enjoyed Sweet As Honey and I'm off to read the next book in the series. 

A Bee in Her Bonnet:

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Lively, determined, and independent, Poppy Christner isn’t about to let some vandal keep making mischief on her family’s farm. She’s been outrunning boys and standing up for picked-on children ever since she was a girl–no matter how much her prideful, arrogant schoolmate Luke Bontrager insulted her. So Poppy certainly doesn’t need his interference now, especially since he’s made it plain he prefers demure, ladylike companions. In fact, if Luke doesn’t stop helping her find the culprit–and growing humble and remorseful–she’ll be forced to notice how handsome his change-of-heart is making him. And that could mean falling in love–maybe for a lifetime…

My Review:

Poppy can drive anyone up a wall, except her sisters and most of the time, her Aunt B. This book was, to me, not quite as strong as the first or third books, but it was still a good read. I wouldn't have wanted to skip this book in the series. Will she ever learn to stop sounding like a record stuck on one track? I had a hard time with this sister. Poppy has so much to work through, and so does Luke. Meanwhile, the issues happening on the honeybee farm haven't gone away. 

So many questions need answers! I would plea with the author, if you have Luke in future books, PLEASE keep that boy out of the kitchen. What happens to him was jarring and about made me pass out. (Shiver!)

Even so, this book is an important progression to the series and I wound up happy with the outcome. I liked the new cat, Billy Idol and Lenard Nimoy. They were wonderfulgute additions to the story. 

Like a Bee to Honey:

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Shy, skittish Rose Christner is more comfortable tending to the beehives on the family farm and keeping her aunt’s unruly cats in line than attending social gatherings with the rest of the die youngie. A childhood trauma and secret shame keep her heart under lock and key, and Rose just can’t accept the sweet attention she’s receiving from a handsome neighbor. But the more she shies away from Josiah Yoder, the more their families sneakily plot to bring them together. And when a vandal who’s been plaguing the Honeybee Farm starts targeting Rose, Josiah’s steadfast protection—and patience—just may lead her into his waiting arms…

My Review: 

Rose is a darling, she really is. I love how she shows forgiveness, and strength, even when fighting fear and weakness. I did get frustrated that this poor gal has no ability to control her tears, but she is trying. The mystery of who has been causing so much trouble on the farm hasn't been solved yet, but wait till you get to part. I really liked what happened there. I felt that this book was stronger than the second book. Perhaps I just connected more with the story. The cats were again, amazing and very gute, and the roles the cats had in all three of these books made the books even better. I liked the theme of this book, overcoming fears, forgiveness, kindness, bravery, and most of all, God's love. 

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the bestselling Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer was nominated for the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award and the 2015 RITA® Award, and Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for Inspirational fiction. Both Huckleberry Hill and Huckleberry Christmasappeared in Examiner.com list of top ten inspirational books for 2014.

Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a background in editing. She and her husband have been married for thirty years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and four adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

Guest Post from Jennifer Beckstrand

Lily, Poppy, and Rose Christner are known as the Honeybee Sisters in their Wisconsin Amish community because they keep bees and sell the honey they pull from their beehives. The orphaned sisters came to live with their aunt Bitsy when they were very young. Aunt Bitsy was an Englischer for twenty years, but she is trying to raise her nieces to be gute and devout Amish girls.

Still, Aunt Bitsy is a bit eccentric and has brought some of the Englischways with her to the Honeybee Farm. She wears her dangly earrings when she’s in a bad mood, sports temporary tattoos just for fun, keeps a shotgun by the front door, and has a cat named Farrah Fawcett. (Bitsy simply adored “Charlie’s Angels.”)

With the honey they pull from their hives, the Honeybee schwesters make all sorts of appeditlich, delicious, things to eat. Their baking and their beauty attract boys to the Honeybee Farm, so Aunt Bitsy has to keep her shotgun handy to ward off the would-be suitors.

Many of the Honeybee Sisters’ recipes are included at the back of the three Honeybee Sister novels. Many more can be found in The Honeybee Sisters Cookbook available on Amazon and other online bookstores.

I hope you’ll fall in love with the Honeybee sisters, Aunt Bitsy, and their incomparable Bienenstich (Bee Sting) Cake—which recipe is included in both the cookbook and Sweet as Honey.

Here is a recipe the Honeybee Sisters would definitely make. My dear friend gave me some of these caramels for Christmas last year, and they are heavenly. The honey is used in place of the more-common corn syrup and gives the caramels a rich, deep flavor. My favorite thing about these caramels is the coarse sea salt that gives the caramels a salty crunch. Yummy!

Honey Vanilla Caramels

1 ½ cup sugar

½ cup honey

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup salted butter, cut into bits

Coarse sea salt

Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a clay, enamel, glass, plastic, or stainless steel (non-reactive) pot, combine the sugar, honey, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together using a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Cook over medium-low heat until the sugar melts. When the sugar has melted, increase heat to medium and cook until the mixture caramelizes and is a deep amber color. Do not stir the mixture once it starts to boil. Instead, swirl it around occasionally with the pan’s handle. (This will help the caramel cook more evenly.)

While the caramel is cooking, place the heavy cream in a small saucepan on low heat. As soon as it reaches a simmer, remove pan from the heat and set aside.

When the caramel has reached a deep amber color, reduce heat to low and slowly whisk in the bits of butter. Whisk well until the butter is completely melted.

Add the warm cream and whisk until smooth.

Turn the heat back up to medium and cook until the caramel reaches a temperature of 245°. Carefully pour the hot caramel onto the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Let it rest for about 8 minutes, then sprinkle with desired amount of sea salt.

Cool completely (about three hours), before cutting into squares and wrapping with parchment paper.

(Adapted from http://www.unegaminedanslacuisine.com)

Blog Stops

August 25: A Reader’s Brain

August 25: Southern Gal Loves to Read

August 26: Smiling Book Reviews

August 26: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

August 27: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

August 27: Christian Bookaholic

August 28: Jeanette’s Thoughts

August 28: The Power of Words

August 29: Blossoms and Blessings

August 30: A Baker’s Perspective

August 30: Cassandra M’s Place

August 31: cherylbbookblog

August 31: Quiet Quilter

September 1: Rhonda’s Doings

September 1: Book Babble

September 2: Lighthouse Academy

September 3: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner 

September 4: Bukwurmzzz

September 5: Donna’s BookShelf

September 6: His Grace is Sufficient

September 7: Blogging with Carol

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away five copies of The Honeybee Sisters Cookbook! Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a20d

Tapestry of Secrets by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Secrets can be very heavy things, as Perla well knows. Ella is her Granddaughter and Perla isn't in good healthy. Time and weighty matters have taken their toll on her body in the form of a stoke. Ella is ready to share her secrets, and so is Perla. The secrets were strong, the romance was just fine and Ella and Perla  simply made this book.

This book is the third book in this series. While it can feel a bit slow at times, that is consistent with the rest of the series. I don't feel that is so much slow, as just that slower pace of days-gone-by that people aren't use to anymore. 

My copy came from Bethany House Bloggers in exchange for my honest review, and nothing more. 

About The Book

What is the weight of a secret?

And what happens when that burden becomes almost too much to bear?For decades, Perla Phillips has hidden the truth of a decision that still fills her with guilt. But now, seeing her granddaughter, Ella, struggle in a similar way, she's prepared to finally open the past to her family, no matter the consequences. But when the opportunity is snatched from her in a most unexpected manner, will she have waited too long? 

Spanning generations, this moving family drama weaves together the interlocking stories of two women as they navigate relationships, family, faith, and the choices that will shape their lives. Heartwarming and nostalgic, the story explores the courage to share the wounds of the past and celebrates the legacy a family passes from one generation to the next.  

About the Author

Sarah Loudin Thomas is a fundraiser for a children's ministry and has written for Mountain Homes Southern Style and Now & Then magazines, as well as The Asheville Citizen-Times. She is the author of Miracle in a Dry Season and Until the Harvest. She holds a BA in English from Coastal Carolina University. She and her husband reside in North Carolina. She can be found online at www.sarahloudinthomas.com.

Blueberry Cupcake Mystery by Naomi Miller

Purchase your copy here.

About the Book

Click to purchase

In the small town of Abbott Creek, mystery is as much a part of daily life as The Sweet Shop’s sugar cookies.

Katie Chupp spends her days at The Sweet Shop, taking care of customers and baking delicious treats . . . not exactly a profession where one expects to be thrown into the midst of mysteries and mayhem.

But when the bakery is broken into, someone has to find the thief . . . besides finding another place to do the baking and get the orders to the customers.

Is this a random theft, or is the thief trying to ruin the town’s Independence Day celebration?

My Review:

This book is set in an Amish town. In this town resides a bakery and those who work there. Katie Chupp works for Mrs. Simpkins. Freida Schmidt works with Katie. Arriving at The Sweet Shop, poor Katie is in for a horrible shock. They have been vandalized and robbed! Who would do such a think in a reasonably sleepy Amish town? How can they pray their way through this in time to rescue all the orders that were ready for the big upcoming event? 

This was a fun read with an over all upbeat focus and mystery. I really liked the way solving the mystery played out, how God changed hearts, lives and actions, in many of the characters. There was fear, and despair, but also hope and strength. A pretty good range of everything in a fast read. The longer I thought about this book, more things about about it just keep drawing me in. I really loved the compassion shown in so many aspects of this story. 

I would be perfectly happy to read more books by Naomi Miller. My copy came from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review, and nothing more. 

About the Author

Naomi Miller mixes up a batch of intrigue, sprinkled with Amish, Mennonite, & English characters, adding a pinch of mystery – and a dash of romance!

Naomi’s day is spent focusing on her writing, editing, and blogging about her experiences with writing. When she’s not working diligently to finish the next book in her Sweet Shop Mystery series, Naomi tries to make time for attending workshops and writers conferences. One of her favorites is the four-day event that the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) organization holds annually.

Naomi also enjoys traveling with her family, singing inspirational/gospel music, taking a daily walk, and witnessing to others of the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. 

Guest Post from Naomi Miller

Hello! I’m Naomi Miller — and I’m honored to be featured on Celebrate Lit!

I want to share with you how the title and cover for my debut book, Blueberry Cupcake Mystery, was chosen. This is a story I haven’t shared with anyone else — yet. The story behind the blueberry cupcake…

I was actually writing an Amish suspense novel last winter, when God placed it on my heart to write a shorter story — a cozy mystery, with no suspense, no danger, but plenty of faith, family, compassion and community.

While thinking of the best way to begin the story, my daughter made a batch of blueberry cupcakes, which happen to be one of my favorite treats. Of course, the idea to use a favorite treat was too good to resist. Then, during the early days of writing, I began experimenting with the idea of baking cupcakes — but adding blueberries before baking. Two favorite treats in one!

And there you have it . . . once we had a picture of a blueberry cupcake, the designer quickly sent back a cover I fell in love with (although there were a few more tweaks before the final cover was approved).

I actually began writing many years ago — 1990 to be exact. But I had just become a single mom and I didn’t have time to pursue it. I wrote notes, letters, articles, short stories, and I occasionally thought about a career as a novelist, but not once did I consider that dream to ever become a reality.

Several years ago, after my children were grown, my daughter challenged me to write a novel. I began a sweet, Amish fiction story about a young girl—but about halfway into the story, someone was almost murdered! Needless to say, I was surprised, but kept going. Once done, I went back to the beginning to do a major re-write on what was now an Amish suspense novel.

And that’s . . . the rest of the story.

I’m also excited to be doing two special giveaways — 1) a gift bag full of treats and 2) an advanced reader digital copy of Christmas Cookie Mystery (but you’ll have to wait for it)!

In the meantime, here’s the recipe for those delicious blueberry cupcakes

Blueberry Cupcakes

Ingredients1 white or yellow cake mix
2 cups fresh blueberries
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 1/3 cup water
Prepare cake mix according to the directions. Add blueberries and fold into batter. Bake following instructions on cake mix box.

Icing1 cup confectioner’s sugar
2 tbsp. milk
additional milk as needed
DirectionsPrepare icing, mixing small amounts of confectioner’s sugar with milk to desired consistency. Spread onto cooled cupcakes.

Blog Stops

August 23: A Baker’s Perspective 

August 23: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner

August 23: Blogging With Carol

August 24: cherylbbookblog

August 24: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

August 24: Running Through The Storms

August 25: A Greater Yes

August 25: A Holland Reads

August 25: Mary Hake

August 26: Gypsy Road

August 26: D’s Quilts & Books

August 26: Cassandra M’s Place

August 27: Bigreadersite

August 27: Bibliophile Reviews

August 27: Christian Bookaholic

August 28: Lighthouse Academy

August 28: Book Babble

August 29: Karilyn Putt

August 30: Karen’s Krayons

August 30: Daysong Reflections

August 31: Quiet Quilter

August 31: Blossoms and Blessings

September 1: Lights in a Dark World

September 1: Just Commonly

September 2: Singing Librarian Books

September 2: His Grace is Sufficient

September 3: Bukwurmzzz 

September 4: Ashley’s Bookshelf

September 4: just the write escape

September 5: Reading Is My SuperPower

September 5: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Naomi is giving away a gift bag full of treats and an advanced copy of her new book Christmas Cookie Mystery! Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a20c

No Way Up by Mary Connealy

This is my first book by this author that I know of. Over all it's fast paced, high action, funny, and sweet. No Way Up is a mystery, and a romance, and a western rolled up into one tale. 

Chance got caught in an avalanche. He can't run the farm alone, so he forces his three kids to come home and help. If they don't, they get disinherited. He fixed it so they have to stay there for a year, and work to run the place. That's not what they had planned, but losing an inheritance is worse. 

Pretty soon, Keith, who works there, finds out the avalanche was planned. Someone wanted to bump off Chance. Could it be the local Mexican peoples? Someone else with a grudge against Chance? 

No way up was rather cute over all, with a good bit of the feel of older western TV series. My copy came from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.

About

The Fight for the Cimarron Ranch Has Just Begun!
When Cimarron Ranch patriarch Chance Boden is caught in an avalanche, only the quick actions of hired hand Heath Kincaid save him. Before leaving by train to receive treatment to save his leg--and possibly his life--Chance demands that Heath read the patriarch's will and see its conditions enforced immediately. If Chance's three bickering adult children, Justin, Sadie, and Cole, don't live and work at the ranch for an entire year, ownership of the ranch will pass to a despised distant relative. 

Before long, however, Heath discovers that the avalanche may have been intentionally set--and that more danger lurks ominously. Finding his own future--and a desired future with Sadie--locked up in saving the Cimarron Ranch, Heath and the Boden siblings must work together against outside forces that threaten them all. 

Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.

Celebrate Lit Presents - October Celebration Box!

A box of amazing stuff is available if you hurry! 

Celebrate Lit October Celebration Box

Celebrate Lit is excited to announce their new Celebration Box! The celebration box is a unique, one of a kind box with goodies hand picked by the author just for you! These boxes are special because they are not sold anywhere else. There is a limited supply so be sure to get yours right away!

October’s box features Molly Jebber’s Change of Heart. Sales for the October box will close on September 16 or while supplies last.

The basic box includes:

• A minimum of 6 items handpicked by the author themed around the book.
• A themed charm specifically chosen for this book.
• One lucky box will contain a special item that no one else will receive.

Along with the basic box, you can purchase the ebook or paperback book for a discounted price.

To purchase your box, click here.