Check out the author's storyboard... Light the Way by Lin Stepp (Guest Post & #Giveaway) #christianromance #romancebooks @prismbooktours

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to my tour stop! Check out the author's guest post and enter the giveaway below...

Light the Way

(The Lighthouse Sisters #1)

By Lin Stepp

Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 292 Pages

April 1, 2022 by Mountain Hill Press

Summary

In this new coastal series, Lin Stepp transports her readers into the rich, colorful lives of Burke and her sisters, Lila, Gwen, and Celeste, who grew up at the Deveaux Inn and Lighthouse on a windswept island, accessible only by boat. Get ready to be introduced to the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, challenges and adventures of a Lighthouse Keeper.

Life had grown hard for Burke Deveaux at the family inn and lighthouse since her father died. She missed his warmth and still expected to see him walking into a room, his big laugh booming. Burke and her mother were gradually adjusting to the change, and Lila had come home this winter to help, but the workload was heavy. With spring coming and tourism picking up in the South Carolina Lowcountry, Burke welcomed Hal Jenkins’ request for his son Waylon to work for them. Waylon, retiring early from the Navy, knew the island and the lighthouse, having grown up nearby. Burke also knew Waylon well since they’d grown up together. He’d always been older, and she wondered how he’d see her now.

Waylon had been away from Edisto Island for over twelve years now, traveling around the world in the military, but it felt good to be home. He’d hated learning Lloyd Deveaux was gone, the warm-hearted Lighthouse Keeper he’d followed around as a boy. But he liked the idea of coming to stay at the lodge at Watch Island to help the Deveaux family with the inn, lighthouse, and nearly five-hundred acres of land the Lighthouse Station occupied. He knew Burke had picked up many of her father’s old tasks and he looked forward to seeing her again. He’d kept feelings for her clamped down for years but one look at her brought them surging back. How would he handle that with them working together?

PRAISE FOR LIN STEPP AND HER RICH SOUTHERN NOVELS:

“This book feels just as tranquil as Edisto and has a wonderful, laid back flow, like beautiful ocean waves lapping up on the shore … you can’t help but fall in love with every facet of this novel.” – Christ F. JUST READS Review

“From the stunning backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry … this book was like going home.” – Kim Standridge Boykin, Bestselling Author of Palmetto Moon

“Each book showcases Lin Stepp’s natural gift as a novelist for originality and narrative driven storytelling.” – MIDWEST REVIEW

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Guest Post:

Creating My Books by Lin Stepp

Every author’s process of creating and writing a book is different, but many have said my method is unique when I share about it at workshops. Although every book is a new adventure, these five stages are always a part of my process:

1. Forming the Concept for the Book
2. Developing the Characters
3. Creating the Setting
4. Plotting the Story
5. Writing the Book

The idea for a book always comes first for me, before I begin developing the characters in depth, I begin playing with a book idea and fleshing it out until I see a picture of the book from beginning to end. The main characters evolve within that planning and then I develop them further, coming to know each one, their family and friends, their goals, problems, strengths and weaknesses. Often simultaneously, I begin to develop the setting, researching and visiting the main places I plan to use for my book, drawing maps, and pulling photo ideas from the internet or out of magazines to help fire my imagination. I do the same thing with characters, also hunting for “visuals” for them. Once the basic story, characters, and setting are alive in my mind, I begin plotting the storyline for the book, chapter by chapter, like a rough map to follow as I write. Only after the book is fully planned, the characters and setting fully envisioned am I ready to write a book. At this point, I always create a Collage Story Board on a bulletin board —to offer visual inspiration while I work. In the picture is the Collage Board for the Lighthouse Sisters stories and LIGHT THE WAY. In the upper corner is the main character of this first book, Burke, with photos of other characters in the book and the places I will be visiting often as I write….In addition, my publisher also always puts one of my hand-drawn maps in every book published, fun for readers. I hope you will enjoy reading LIGHT THE WAY and look forward to the next books in the series.

About the Author

Lin Stepp is a native Tennessean, businesswoman and educator. A New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon best-selling international author, Lin has twenty published novels out now, including her twelve beloved Smoky Mountain novels, all set in different Tennessee and North Carolina locations, three Mountain Home books, a novella in one of Kensington’s Christmas anthologies, and four South Carolina coastal novels, including her three Edisto Trilogy books and her first release in the new Lighthouse Sisters series. Lin and her husband J.L. also write regional guidebooks, including a published Smoky Mountain hiking guide and a TN and a SC state parks guidebook, all filled with hundreds of color photos. Stepp’s latest 2022 releases are Eight at the Lake, set in Dandridge near the Smoky Mountains, and Light the Way, set at the SC coast. Writing and adventuring are her joys and more novels set in the Smokies and at the beach are on the way, as well as more colorful regional guidebooks. Lin’s title Claire At Edisto was the 2019 Best Book Award Winner in Fiction: Romance, sponsored by American Book Fest and her novel Welcome Back a finalist in the 2017 Selah Awards. Lin enjoys speaking for events, festivals, libraries, and book clubs. And she loves reading, hiking, exploring out of doors, and keeping up with her readers. Look for her pages on Facebook and Twitter and follow her monthly blog and newsletter, too, that you will find on her website at: www.linstepp.com

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Bookbub

Tour Schedule

Tour-Wide Giveaway

One winner will receive print copies of Light the Way, Claire at Edisto, Return to Edisto, and Edisto Song by Lin Stepp, and bookmarks (US only)

Ends April 6, 2022

ENTER HERE

 

What do you think about the author's story board? Will you be reading this one?

I Can't Wait for... Games in a Ballroom by Jentry Flint (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #properromance #mustread #regency #romancebooks #historicalromance #cleanreads @ProperRomance @ShadowMountn

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

Tag me on your CWW posts on Twitter (@wishfulendings) and I'll like and retweet!

This is a new-to-me author, but I love this line of books from Shadow Mountain and this sounds like a really fun way to fall in love. I also love the way they used a face card as the inspiration for the cover that plays in nicely to a game being a strong aspect of this story. It's my pick this week...

Games in a Ballroom

(Proper Romance Regency)

By Jentry Flint

Adult Historical Romance

Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 272 Pages

May 3, 2022 by Shadow Mountain

Summary

She was forbidden to love him. He only wanted her heart. Can a childhood game bring them together?

London, 1815

Olivia Wilde has resigned herself to never finding a love match. Her father has insisted she marry a man with a title, but the men her father deems acceptable are either boring or are only interested in increasing their own diminishing coffers. With her future looking dismal, Olivia vows to enjoy the last few months of freedom with her childhood friends, including Emerson Latham. His devilish smile and flirtatious teasing stirs up feelings she knows she cannot entertain.

Emerson is struggling to rise to his responsibilities after his father's death. Though he is still learning his place, one thing he knows for certain is that he wants Olivia Wilde to be his wife. Emerson had long ago fallen in love with her quick wit, beauty, and passionate heart. Yet, without a title, he will never be permitted to court Olivia openly. But he has a plan that may give him a chance to court her in secret.

As the Season kicks off, Emerson proposes a playful game of tag. Olivia's friends are delighted by the idea, though Olivia is wary. After all, the game must be played in secret as they tag each other at dinners and balls. As the romance builds between Olivia and Emerson, so does the risk of being discovered. Not only are their reputations at stake, so is their safety if they are caught by Olivia's strict father.

Can their love find a happily ever after before the game ends?

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads│Amazon│Target

Barnes & Noble│Book Depository

Will you be reading this one?

Read an excerpt from this new fantasy book... The Quarter Storm by Veronica G. Henry (Excerpt & #Giveaway) #fantasybooks #neworleans @veronicawrites @jeanbooknerd

Welcome to my tour stop! Read an excerpt and enter the giveaway below...

The Quarter Storm

(Mambo Reina #1)

By Veronica G. Henry

Adult Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 287 Pages

March 1, 2022 by 47North

Summary

A practitioner of Vodou must test the boundaries of her powers to solve a ritual murder in New Orleans and protect everything she holds sacred.

Haitian-American Vodou priestess Mambo Reina Dumond runs a healing practice from her New Orleans home. Gifted with water magic since she was a child, Reina is devoted to the benevolent traditions of her ancestors.

After a ritual slaying in the French Quarter, police arrest a fellow vodouisant. Detective Roman Frost, Reina’s ex-boyfriend—a fierce nonbeliever—is eager to tie the crime, and half a dozen others, to the Vodou practitioners of New Orleans. Reina resolves to find the real killer and defend the Vodou practice and customs, but the motives behind the murder are deeper and darker than she imagines.

As Reina delves into the city’s shadows, she untangles more than just the truth behind a devious crime. It’s a conspiracy. As a killer wields dangerous magic to thwart Reina’s investigation, she must tap into the strength of her own power and faith to solve a mystery that threatens to destroy her entire way of life.

Praise for the Book

“…this hits the sweet spot of eschewing overdone tropes while retaining the familiar elements that draw fans to the genre. Readers will hope to see more of Mambo Reina.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The Quarter Storm conjures up an intriguing mystery that draws readers away from New Orleans’s famous tourist spots for a story filled with twists, turns, and unexpected discoveries that will leave them eager for more. Because there’s no better sleuth to handle a murder in New Orleans than a Vodou priestess.” ―Nicole Glover, author of The Conductors

“Henry gives us a captivating mystery full of fantasy and African traditional religion, as well as a bewitching investigator, rooted in her faith, dedicated to her community, and dogged in her pursuit of the truth.” ―Eden Royce, author of Root Magic

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads│Amazon│Bookshop

B&N│Book Depository│Target

Excerpt

CHAPTER TWO

When we first left Haiti, I was so homesick I feigned every manner of malady I could conjure. Anything that would allow me to ditch school, where the other kids teased me about my accent. At one point, I came home, tossed my backpack down, and told my parents in no uncertain terms that I was going back to Haiti, with or without them. Manman took me in her arms, kissed my tearstained cheeks, and told me that home is where the heart is.

These days, my heart belonged to Tremé and a traditional blue and white New Orleans shotgun built in 1906 and patched up every year since. After an embarrassingly short stint as a marketing research assistant, I’d set up my healing practice about a dozen steps from the back porch to my garage turned temple Vodoun, at least on the days I didn’t attend to clients in their homes.

Today, I was getting ready for a new client to come to me. Pink lip gloss in a shade that actually looked good against browner skin tones. A longish skirt that, to my eye, added inches to the modest height I shared with Papa. A little liner to bring out the oval eyes I got from Manman. Slid on a white headband to help lay the edges from my fresh twistout, and I was ready.

I always awaited my customers out back on the canary-yellow bench in front of my shop, and I’d been delighting in the soul-mellowing music of blue jay and sparrow birdsong interlaced with my neighbor’s flugelhorn rehearsal for a full hour when a car door slammed.

When she’d called to make an appointment for a spirit-doll ritual, I’d told the youthful voice on the other end of the line the same thing I told all first-time customers: don’t go traipsing up to my front door (delivered with a level of professional tact, mind you). “Follow the impossible-to-miss path of blue and white paving stones that curve alongside the wood-slatted fence,” I always told them.

My back never forgave me for the hours spent hunched over, setting and resetting each stone. There was even a sign nailed to the fence above the first paver, yellow backing with royal-blue lettering artfully scripted onto the wood: LE PETIT TEMPLE VODOUN 1791.

And to some these things were all but invisible.

Repeat customers made up the bulk of my practice. Newcomer traffic had fallen to a trickle over the last year. Tourists and locals alike increasingly drawn to the larger, fancier shops dispensing their fancifully bogus Hollywood brand of voodoo magic.

Better them than me. These days, my patience for those unwilling to learn was in critically short supply, much like the food in my kitchen cupboards.

As was my practice with all first-timers, I’d had her repeat the directions back to me. But the attention span required to listen, I mean really listen, required a depth of concentration that was laid to rest alongside good manners in a New Orleans jazz funeral, complete with a second line, sometime after the internet became more social than scientific.

I could’ve pretended that the only reason my shop was in my back- yard instead of in the heart of Uptown or the French Quarter was a matter of convenience and virtue. But vodouisants like me didn’t have much call for pretense. Investments in hard work and thrift had thus far yielded returns in the forms of a deep fatigue and a closet full of dated clothes. My life remained stubbornly fixed on a tightrope between broke and bankrupt. Goodbye, dream of a glitzy Dumaine Street store- front; hello, comfortably converted garage.

I stood outside, arms crossed, foot tapping, and listened to the banging on my front door for as long as I could before I marched down the stone walkway to the front of the house. And there she stood with her frail behind, straining on tiptoe, trying to peer through the stained glass at the top of my door.

I was surprised to see a white girl.

Not to say I didn’t have white clients. New Orleans had changed enough in the decade after the hurricane that people from all races and nationalities were as unremarkable as an afternoon rain shower. But white believers willing to come out to Tremé, where gentrification had been razed like dandelions in a prize-winning rose garden, were rare as the days when the heady aroma of a simmering roux didn’t waft through the neighborhood.

“Over here!” I called, and she turned. She trotted down the steps and came toward me with a sheepish smile at the corners of her wide mouth. Her toes curved in to such a degree that I half expected her to trip over her own feet.

“Reina?” Her breath hitched; then she started again. “I mean Mambo Dumond?” The black sweater buttoned to the neck was on the thicker side for the unseasonably warm spring weather. And she must have sacrificed a whole jar of Vaseline to the effort of sliding into the jeans entombing her slim frame. I winced. It was as if she were already punishing herself for whatever had brought her to my door.

“That’s what they tell me.” I would have preferred it if she’d gone back to the curb and taken the pavers, not the shortcut across my grass, but I kept that to myself. “Sophie Thibault?”

I extended my hand and was struck by how young the girl was. High school was in her past—college, too, perhaps—but her thirtieth birthday was likely years away. She had a strong handshake and limp brown hair that was in need of a good washing. Her only makeup was a slash of near-black lipstick. No point in asking where she got her perfectly arched eyebrows done; such luxuries didn’t align with my current lack of resources.

“Yes, ma’am.” Sophie was raised by someone who valued manners. You could call me a cynic, but people I met for the first time started out with a negative balance. They earned their way onto the positive side based on their actions. Little Sophie had earned a plus one.

“Follow me.” I led my new client down the paver-lined walkway, past the canary bench. My shop was small but comfortable and well stocked. If my father ever ventured out of the Louisiana swampland for a visit, I think he would have approved. Among other things, Haitian deities were always particular about colors. Erzulie favored gold and yellow and blue and pink. So, for her, I’d painted my door and bench a dazzling yellow just shy of obnoxious.

Azaleas and bougainvillea were woven into a rounded trellis in a flood of color covering the wall. Potted lavender and honeysuckle rested on either side of the door, the soothing aroma a steadfast companion on evenings before the mosquitoes descended. They’d been gifts from customers who paid for services with the kindness in their hearts instead of cash.

Inside, I gestured toward a chair at the table, draped appropriately in a freshly laundered white tablecloth. Sophie perched herself on the edge of her seat while I padded across the polished concrete floor that I hoped would someday be covered in a nice bamboo wood and lit some sandalwood incense.

“This isn’t like those shops in the Quarter. This is kind of like what you call a real hounfor, right?” Sophie asked and then slapped her fore- head. “That’s why you told me to come to the back. Of course—you work here and not your house.”

“That’s right.” Huh—she knew a little about the practice. A plus two. “But it’s pronounced more like ‘hoonfor.’”

“What’s so important about the year 1791?”

Few people asked that question. I had an answer prepared for those who did, one that didn’t include the crucial role the lwa had played in Haiti’s celebrated slave uprising. Spirits liked to keep their secrets, you know.

“Haiti.” I handed her my tablet and asked her to enter her contact and credit card information while I dimmed the lights and lit the white candle at the center of the table and a few on the shelves that stood in place of artwork on almost every available wall. “Toussaint Louverture led a successful slave revolt. Look it up.”

I wasn’t one for much small talk while I set up, and luckily, Sophie wasn’t either. She nodded her acceptance of my explanation and leaned forward, forearms on the table, fiddling with a silver, filigreed ring on her left thumb. She glanced over at the polished metal machete encased in glass hanging on the wall, a gift from my father that, unlike its twin in his peristil, had never tasted blood. He’d started training me in the ancient art of tire manchèt at the ripe old age of three.

At the back of the room, I traced the outline of Erzulie’s vèvè painted on the wall above the sink. Among other things, my Erzulie was a spirit of love, and though some might have taken creative license, a heart was always at the center of her emblem.

“Geri.” I invited her into the space.

With that part done, I took a seat opposite my new client. Without thinking, I touched the divot on the edge of the table where my mother had damaged the wood while helping me bring it inside. She intruded on my thoughts at the strangest of times.

Though it was at least ten degrees cooler inside than out, Sophie removed her sweater, revealing a T-shirt from Southern University, my alma mater.

I glanced over her information on the tablet, raised an eyebrow. I knew that address. Another peristil, a storefront in the French Quarter, with a small apartment upstairs. I’d considered renting the space myself. Now another vodouisant ran it. A competent one, at that. Why would this girl venture out here when services could be had right where she lived?

Tentatively, I urged my water sense outward. One of the three realms of my water magic, evolution of the physical variety, granted me the ability to heal, and to sense distress. Like a spiritual hygrometer, I measured, tasted the moisture in Sophie’s body. It was a rapturous lib- erty I took without permission, a fact that wasn’t lost on me. Drawing water from a living thing was always dangerous. But sometimes I used the measurements I gathered in service to my clients. Using too much or too little water each came with their own hazards. No alcohol, no elevated stress hormones in Sophie’s blood. At least she was well hydrated. I still offered her a bottle of water, which she declined.

Time to get down to business. “Whenever you’re ready to begin,” I said.

Excerpted from The Quarter Storm by Veronica G. Henry, Copyright © 2021 by Veronica G. Henry. Published by 47North.

About the Author

Veronica Henry was born in Brooklyn, New York, and has been a bit of a rolling stone ever since. Her work has appeared in various online publications. She is a graduate of the Viable Paradise Workshop and a member of SFWA.

Veronica is proud to be of Sierra Leonean ancestry and counts her trip home as the most important of her life. She now writes from North Carolina, where she eschews rollerballs for fountain pens and fine paper. Other untreated addictions include chocolate and cupcakes.

Veronica's debut novel, Bacchanal, is out now and available at bookstores and libraries everywhere.

PHOTO CONTENT FROM VERONICA G. HENRY

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Instagram

Tour Schedule

Follow the tour HERE.

Tour-Wide Giveaway

- 3 Winners will receive a Copy of THE QUARTER STORM by Veronica G. Henry

- 1 Winner will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card

- Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter | Ends April 18, 2022

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Did you like the excerpt? Did it make you want to read more?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for March 21st - March 27th #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky

Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.

Readers please free to add your own finds.

(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

Monday
Life as Leels

Tuesday
Ebook Addicts

Wednesday
Beck Valley Books

Thursday
Miki's Hope

Friday
I Love Romance | Colorimetry

Saturday
I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings

Sunday
Deal Sharing Aunt

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author

For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 

For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!

An InLinkz Link-up

By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

Check out this new YA fantasy... Blade of Ash by C. F. E. Black (#Giveaway) #yalit #yabooks #yafantasy #cleanreads @prismbooktours

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to my tour stop! I'm sharing about this new young adult fantasy

release that is on my list to read. Check it out and enter the giveaway below...

Blade of Ash

(Scepter and Crown #1)

By C.F.E. Black

Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Hardcover & ebook, 363 Pages

January 25, 2022 by Hillcity Press

Summary

The only way to beat death is to chase it. 

 

Newly crowned, Red blames one person for his father’s murder: the secret sorceress sworn to protect the king. Alyana Barron, Royal Sorcerer to the throne of Tandera, fears her magic is weakening. For reasons they don't fully understand, a powerful enemy twisted by dark magic wants them both dead. 

 

When Red is cursed, his life entwines with Aly’s in ways neither of them expected. Together, they chase after a cure that will heal the king and restore her magic, but the closer they get to a cure, the nearer they step toward death, for the path to the cure is as dangerous as the curse itself. 

 

Blade of Ash is the first in a new, epic YA fantasy series perfect for fans of clean enemies-to-lovers romance packed full of royal intrigue, legends, and plenty of ballgowns. If you like female bodyguards and forced proximity with life-and-death stakes, check out Blade of Ash.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Other Books in the Series

Shield of Shadow

(Scepter and Crown #0.5)

By C.F.E. Black

Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

E-book, 141 Pages

November 2021 by Hillcity Press

Summary

Alyana Barron is tired of living a secluded life apart from society, hiding her magic from watching eyes. When a nobleman offers Aly the chance to train as a Master Sorcerer, secrets hidden in her past will come to light and she'll have to fight to keep her safety and guard her heart.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Download for FREE at Bookfunnel

About the Author

C. F. E. Black loves to get swept away in books, both reading and writing them. When she’s not writing or chasing her son, she’s teaching high schoolers and trying her best to be a light in their lives. She lives in beautiful north Alabama with her superhero husband, sons, and fur-family. Connect with her and find free stories at www.cfeblack.com.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bookbub

Tour Schedule

Tour-Wide Giveaway

A signed hardcover of Blade of Ash by C.F.E. Black, a character art print of Red and Aly, and a map print (US only; $20 Amazon e-gift card will be substituted for INT)

Ends March 30, 2022

ENTER HERE

 

Does this sound like a series you'd enjoy reading?

I Can't Wait for... Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #yalit #yabooks #disneybooks #fairytale

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

Tag me on your CWW posts on Twitter (@wishfulendings) and I'll like and retweet!

I have always loved Disney's Brave with its strong and feisty heroine and a story that was about family and finding oneself. I also have a lot of respect for Maggie Stiefvater's writing and am very curious to see where she takes this branched-off story. It's my pick this week...

Bravely

By Maggie Stiefvater

YA Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Folklore

Hardcover & ebook, 384 Pages

May 3rd 2022 by Disney Press

Summary

What if you had one year to save everything you loved?

ONE PRINCESS. Merida of DunBroch needs a change. She loves her family―jovial King Fergus, proper Queen Elinor, the mischievous triplets― and her peaceful kingdom. But she’s frustrated by its sluggishness; each day, the same. Merida longs for adventure, purpose, challenge – maybe even, someday, love.

TWO GODS. But the fiery Princess never expects her disquiet to manifest by way of Feradach, an uncanny supernatural being tasked with rooting out rot and stagnation, who appears in DunBroch on Christmas Eve with the intent to demolish the realm – and everyone within. Only the intervention of the Cailleach, an ancient entity of creation, gives Merida a shred of hope: convince her family to change within the year – or suffer the eternal consequences.

THREE VOYAGES. Under the watchful eyes of the gods, Merida leads a series of epic journeys to kingdoms near and far in an attempt to inspire revolution within her family. But in her efforts to save those she loves from ruin, has Merida lost sight of the Clan member grown most stagnant of all – herself?

FOUR SEASONS TO SAVE DUNBROCH – OR SEE IT DESTROYED, FOREVER.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads│Amazon│Bookshop

B&N│Book Depository│Target

Will you be reading this one?

Check out a Q&A with the author... Count the Night by Stars by Michelle Shocklee (Interview) #histfic #historicalfiction #womensfiction #christianfiction #timesplit #dualtimeline @Crazy4Fiction

Welcome! I'm sharing an interview with the author from the publisher

for this new Christian historical time-split novel today. Read more below...

Count the Night by Stars

By Michelle Shocklee

Christian Historical Fiction, Split-Time

Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 414 Pages

March 22, 2022 by Tyndale House Publishers

Summary

Count your nights by stars, not shadows. Count your life with smiles, not tears.

1961. After a longtime resident at Nashville’s historic Maxwell House Hotel suffers a debilitating stroke, Audrey Whitfield is tasked with cleaning out the reclusive woman’s room. There, she discovers an elaborate scrapbook filled with memorabilia from the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Love notes on the backs of unmailed postcards inside capture Audrey’s imagination with hints of a forbidden romance . . . and troubling revelations about the disappearance of young women at the exposition. Audrey enlists the help of a handsome hotel guest as she tracks down clues and information about the mysterious “Peaches” and her regrets over one fateful day, nearly sixty-five years earlier.

1897. Outspoken and forward-thinking Priscilla Nichols isn’t willing to settle for just any man. She’s still holding out hope for love when she meets Luca Moretti on the eve of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Charmed by the Italian immigrant’s boldness, Priscilla spends time exploring the wonderous sights of the expo with Luca—until a darkness overshadows the monthslong event. Haunted by a terrible truth, Priscilla and Luca are sent down separate paths as the night’s stars fade into dawn.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble

Target│Book Depository│Christianbook

Author Interview

Have you always loved books and reading?

Yes! I grew up in a home filled with books of all different genres. Both my parents and all four of my siblings enjoy reading. Mom was an elementary school teacher for nearly thirty years. The day the Scholastic book orders arrived in the mail felt like Christmas. Dad loved books on history, especially World War II. He was a turret gunner on a B-17 bomber in Europe and had a nice collection of books about Flying Fortresses and the war. I now have those fascinating books in my home library since Daddy graduated to heaven several years ago.

What about your formative years informed your love for reading and books?

I feel very blessed to have had a mom who read to us, even after we learned to read for ourselves. One of my favorite memories is from the summer when she read Little Women to my sister and me. I can still picture the scene: I'm sprawled out on the carpet in our den, my older sister is lounging in the rocking chair, and Mom is on the couch, reading until her voice grew hoarse. I have that beloved book on my own bookshelf these days and it always brings a smile and sweet memories.

How did you become a writer?

I was a married mother of two rambunctious boys when the writing bug bit me. I didn’t know anything about writing a novel, but I wanted to give it a try. Personal computers were just becoming popular, so my husband brought one home and I began writing my first novel. I knew I needed help, so I attended a Christian writers’ conference where I had the privilege of learning about the craft from the amazing Francine Rivers. Lots of life and lots of stories later, my debut novel was published in 2017.

What made you want to write historical fiction? What about that genre do you enjoy?

The day Mom brought home a newly released novel called Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke was the day I fell in love with the genre of historical fiction. I can’t tell you how many times I've read that novel since that long-ago day in 1979. Like my dad, I love history. To have a story carry me to a time and place I’ll never experience in real life was amazing. One of the things I love most about writing historical fiction is the research that goes into each book. I learn so many fascinating details about people from the past and places I’ve never been to through research.

How did you decide to write a time-slip novel set in 1897 and 1961?

When I first read about the Tennessee Centennial Exposition of 1897, I knew I’d have to write a book about this one-of-a-kind event someday. I had the same feeling when I learned about the famous Maxwell House Hotel. Although the hotel was built in the late 1850s and was used by both armies during the Civil War, 1961 was an unforgettable year in the life of the Maxwell House. Bringing the two time periods together into one book was great fun.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

When my husband and I moved to the Nashville area in 2017, I felt like a sponge soaking up all the interesting history of the area. One of the most fascinating places we visited was the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the real Parthenon in Athens. Discovering that it was built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897 sent my imagination into overdrive, and Priscilla’s story soon immerged.

Please tell us a bit about the setting of your novel.

Count the Nights by Stars is set in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1897 and 1961. In both time periods, the Maxwell House Hotel is as much a character in the story as are Priscilla and Audrey. Readers will experience the bygone days of Nashville when people traveled by horse and carriage as well as the early days of the Civil Rights movement. The Tennessee Centennial Exposition is brought to life in Priscilla’s story, and I believe readers will enjoy learning about Tennessee's 100th birthday celebration.

How much research did you have to do on the time period and setting for your novel?

Much research went into both time periods. I found a fantastic book about the expo, read official documents, and studied dozens and dozens of black-and-white pictures during the writing process. My hope is readers will feel as if they've truly been to the centennial exposition after reading Priscilla’s story. I also tried to capture the unique vibe of 1961 within the pages of Audrey’s story by including lots of references to music, clothing styles, and important events.

Please tell us about your main characters in Count the Nights by Stars and what kind of challenges they face.

Priscilla, the protagonist in the 1897 story, resists being forced into a loveless marriage to a family friend. More than anything, she wants her life to matter. When a young friend goes missing, a calling to help women of ill repute is awakened in Priscilla. She knows, however, if she chooses this path, life as she knows it will never be the same. Audrey, the protagonist in the 1961 story, has recently suffered the loss of her mother and finds herself responsible for the care of her older special-needs brother. When she discovers an old scrapbook belonging to a longtime resident of the Maxwell House Hotel, she's inspired to learn more about the reclusive woman and the surprising path she took into social work.

Who was your favorite character to write and why?

It’s always difficult to choose a favorite character, because I love each one for different reasons. In this book, I think Priscilla would have to be my favorite. She could have easily chosen a life of luxury and ease, but instead she followed her heart and faced challenges and pain with courage and faith. She’s determined to make an impact on her small part of the world, and I think that’s how most of us feel.

What lessons can be learned from your main characters?

Both Priscilla and Audrey learn the valuable lesson of truly seeing people. All too often we don’t take time to get to know others and instead make hasty judgements about them. Yet when we really see people and listen to their stories, what we first believed may not be true at all.

What are the key themes in Count the Nights by Stars?

“I see you” is the main theme of the book. Each of the main characters has someone in her life who challenges her and her preconceived beliefs, forcing her to reevaluate what she thought she knew and understood about the world. “Love thy neighbor” is also a theme throughout the pages of the story. “Who is my neighbor?” each of the characters must ask themselves. Their answers are, I hope, the same answers you and I would come up with.

What is your hope for Count the Nights by Stars?

My hope for Count the Nights by Stars is that it will remind us to truly see one another through a lens of love, acceptance, and grace. We are all unique creations of God, beloved and created with plans and purposes. What a terribly boring world it would be if we were all the same.

About the Author

Michelle Shocklee is the author of several historical novels, including Under the Tulip Tree, a Christy Award finalist. Her work has been included in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, magazines, and blogs. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of two grown sons, she makes her home in Tennessee, not far from the historical sites she writes about. Visit her online at michelleshocklee.com.

Website│BookBub│Goodreads

Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│Instagram

What connected with you in the interview? Is this book on your list to read?

New Releases/#Free & Bargain Books for March 14th - March 20th #freebook #booksale #booklinkup #booklinky

Here are the New Releases / Free & Bargain Books, hosted by
Sharon over at Beck Valley Books, for this week! Check it all out below...

Authors please feel free to add your own books.

Readers please free to add your own finds.

(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...

Monday
Life as Leels

Tuesday
Ebook Addicts

Wednesday
Beck Valley Books

Thursday
Miki's Hope

Friday
I Love Romance | Colorimetry

Saturday
I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings

Sunday
Deal Sharing Aunt

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author

For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 

For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!

An InLinkz Link-up

By adding your link, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy and transmitted to Inlinkz in accordance with their Privacy Policy.

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here

Come back and check out the new selection every week!

A new twist on Robin Hood... A Stolen Heart by Clarissa Kae (#Giveaway) #historicalromance #romancebooks #retelling @prismbooktours

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to my tour stop! Check out this twist on Robin Hood and enter the giveaway below...

A Stolen Heart

(Victorian Retellings #3)

By Clarissa Kae

Historical Romance, Fairy Tale

Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 264 Pages

January 29, 2022 by Carpe Vitam Press

Summary

A Victorian twist on Robin Hood.

The Earl of Rochelle, Nikolas Whitworth, is handsome, charming. And a traitor.

He can outwit and outcon any Englishman—and any Englishwoman. When his debts are called in a savior appears, the criminal mastermind known only as the Tailor.

Nikolas is bought and sold, his future no longer his. But when a beguiling thief picks his pocket, Rosalyn Devereaux steals more than his coin. Orphaned as a child, Rosalyn trusts no one. She picks the pockets of lords and ladies alike, donating her spoils to the poor. The Tailor notices her skills and demands Rosalyn enlist in his cause.

With every moment beside Rosalyn, Nikolas changes from a life of lies to a man with a conviction. She occupies his every thought but can Nikolas outcon the Tailor and secure Rosalyn’s heart before the Tailor steals his love?

(Affiliate link included.)

Goodreads | Amazon

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

Clarissa Kae is a preeminent voice whose professional career began as a freelance editor in 2007. She's the former president of her local California Writers Club after spending several years as the Critique Director.

Since her first novel, she's explored different writing genres and created a loyal group of fans who eagerly await her upcoming release. With numerous awards to her name, Clarissa continues to honor the role of storyteller.

Aside from the writing community, she and her daughters founded Kind Girls Make Strong Women to help undervalued nonprofit organizations—from reuniting children with families to giving Junior Olympic athletes their shot at success.

She lives in the agricultural belly of California with her family and farm of horses, chickens, dogs and kittens aplenty.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bookbub

Tour Schedule

Tour-Wide Giveaway

Three winners will receive a $25 Amazon gift card (US only)

Ends March 23, 2022

ENTER HERE

 

Have you read any of the books in this series? Do you like twists on classics?

Three delightful romances set in the countryside... Her Country Gentleman by Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, & Rebecca Connolly (Review) #HerCountryGentleman #TimelessRomanceAnthologies #TimelessGeorgianCollection #SianAnnBessey #SarahMEden #RebeccaConnolly #HistoricalRomance #NewBooks #BookTwitter #BookTour #Bookish #AustenprosePR @RomanceTimeless @AuthorRConnolly @Austenprose

Welcome to my tour stop! I'm pleased to share my review of this

new novella collection with you today. Check that out below...

Her Country Gentleman

(Timeless Georgian Collection #1)

By Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, & Rebecca Connolly

Adult Historical Romance, Georgian Romance, Inspirational Fiction

Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 300 Pages

March 8, 2022 by Mirror Press

Summary

Her Country Gentleman is the first book in the Timeless Georgian Collection, a new anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three novellas from bestselling historical romance authors whose stories reveal that not all love is found in London.

“Spring at Tribbley Hall,” by Sian Ann Bessey

When Charlotte's grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister's wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay. Not only is it lambing season, but he's also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant. Soon afterward, however, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William's sheep's disappearance, and when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving his unwanted houseguest and catching the thief.

“Love of My Heart,” by Sarah M. Eden

Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle. What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?

“Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire,” by Rebecca Connolly

Martha Smith wants to marry for love and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother's approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha's romantic sensibilities and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great. Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he'd already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he's more than willing to work for it. Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.

About the Series

The Timeless Georgian Collection is a new series featuring novellas set in England during the Georgian era (1714 – 1830). It is part of A Timeless Romance Anthology series published by Mirror Press — a curated collection of novellas and short stories featuring bestselling authors from the contemporary and historical romance genres. The collection has hit the USA TODAY bestselling list and charted at #1 at Amazon.com. Learn more about the series and other anthologies published by Mirror Press at their website.

Advance Praise

· “I have no hesitation in giving five stars collectively to this book. Great writing. Outstanding characters and each story is very compelling and different.”— Ken Reynolds, Goodreads

· “This book is authored by three very talented authors, Sian Bessey, Sarah Eden, and Rebecca Connolly. I will admit upfront that these are three of my favorite authors so my expectations were high and they did not disappoint. This book is a truly wonderful read that I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”— Shauna Jones, Goodreads

· “I enjoyed the premise of each book - high society lady going to the country. But each heroine found their own adventure as they learned to live a different type of life than they were used to. Each hero was engaging. And of course, I loved their HEAs”— Caleen Picket, Goodreads

(Affiliate link included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

My Review

HER COUNTRY GENTLEMAN is a collection of three delightful historical romance novellas set in the countryside. All the characters are likable and are not expecting to fall in love, particularly the women who unexpected travel to the countryside. Fans of these authors and similar collections will enjoy these charming stories!

“Spring at Tribbley Hall,” by Sian Ann Bessey is a story with a darling meet-cute where the characters meet in an uncharacteristic way with previous assumptions causing a bit of a barrier. There's a touch of mystery and excitement to discover a thief and two meddling women who want to see their progeny happily settled with each other. I loved the story from beginning to end!

“Love of My Heart,” by Sarah M. Eden is another story with great characters, but this time set in the Scottish countryside. I loved the nods to the Scottish accent and terms as well as the lush landscape and people. There were a couple of aspects of this story that I had slight issues with, but otherwise I enjoyed seeing these two fall in love in spite of family.

“Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire,” by Rebecca Connolly is such a fun story with fabulous characters! I loved both characters and their willingness to do what needed to be done regardless of how society might look at them. I also adored the grand gesture in the end. Another lovely story!

In the end, was it what I wished for? All three stories include charming characters, a beautiful countryside vista, a few unusual situations and sweet romance. I very much enjoyed reading this collection and am looking forward to more! Definitely pick this up if you are looking for short and sweet stories to make you smile.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Austenprose, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Authors

Born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales, Sian left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.

She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then, she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today bestselling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.

She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads

Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today bestselling author of multiple historical romances, including AML's "2013 Novel of the Year" and Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, and the Whitney Award's "2014 Novel of the Year," Longing for Home: Hope Springs.

Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She's always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place.

She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She received a master's degree from West Virginia University, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads

Do you enjoy reading novella collections like this one?