Serious Wednesday: This Month: A Contest for Readers

Do You Love to Read? 

Then this contest is for YOU!!

If you've read BOOK ONE of the

Troubles in the West series, 

(Caleb's Destiny),

and you want to win BOOK TWO

Hunter's Rose,

then this one's for you:

To win a copy of 

Hunter's Rose,

Here's what to do:  

1.  Share about this contest,

then post your link here in the comments on where you shared

2.  Tell me why you should win this contest

3.  And why you want to read 

It's easy and fun! 

Follow the directions above

Make sure you do all THREE of the requirements,

AND then later this month,

I will choose ONE person to win

a KINDLE copy of 

Hunter's Rose,

Book Two

of the

Troubles in the West series. 

Have fun! 

Serious Wednesday: A Chance to Win My Book and Many Others

 Here's an opportunity to win $500 or these forty-plus books!

Go here to sign up:  

https://promosimple.com/ps/1d71d/2022-summer-kick-off-multi-author

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Christmas Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt

Merry Christmas! 

Welcome to the Christmas 

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt!

Here’s how it works: At each author’s blog post, you will find a question that can be answered by checking out the free Amazon preview of their book. Provide the answer at this form. 

Note: You must answer the questions for EVERY author in the round-robin to be considered to win the $250 first place, $150 second place or $100 third place Amazon gift cards. These prizes are USD values. If you are not a U.S. resident, you will get a gift card from the Amazon store for your country; however, it will be valued at these USD amounts.)

At the end of my post is a link to the next blog, which will provide a link to the next blog, etc., to the very end, creating a circle (a round-robin) visit through all of the authors’ blogs.

I’m thrilled to get the chance to tell you about my book SABOTAGED CHRISTMAS.  

(I will be giving away a KINDLE COPY of the book to one very fortunate commenter on this blog as an extra bonus!!)

Remember, you must comment on this blog to have a chance of winning a Kindle copy of Sabotaged Christmas

It is the 1st book in the Appleton, WV Romantic Cozy Mystery series. it is the story of a woman who inherited her father's business, the mystery of her past, a troubled man who distrusts all women because of his deceased wife's actions, and a young boy who is wiser than his years. 

Toni DeLuca, the Italian owner of DeLuca Construction, finds herself confronted with doubts about her father and his possible deceptions—all because of the mysterious pink notes she’s been receiving.

Relations with Perrin Douglas who has a troubled history—but the first man in years who’s interested her—is building to a peak. Yet Perrin‘s own personal problems and his doubts about women and God, keep getting in the way.

Gossip, a Spanish proposal, an inheritance, and a sabotaged construction business may ruin Christmas for Toni’s employees as well as her own happiness.

Will a mysterious person succeed in pulling off the biggest scam Appleton, West Virginia has ever seen? And will this culprit destroy Toni's last chance at happiness with the man of her dreams?

Let’s begin this scavenger hunt! Go to the book Sabotaged Christmas on Amazon here: Amazon. 

In the Look Inside (above the book cover) you will find the answer to this question:

Who did Toni DeLuca doubt? 

When you have the answer, FILL OUT THIS FORM and head on to the next blog!

Thank you so much for visiting! 

The next author on the tour is VIRGINIA SMITH, who is telling us all about her Christmas book A Goose Creek Christmas. You can find it at this site:  https://virginiasmith.org/2021-christmas-scavenger-round-robin/ 

Remember that the round-robin will end on December 12th at 11:59 PM EST!

Serious Wednesdays: Janet Grunst is visiting today with Information on her Books! AND a reminder of August Contest

Don't Forget About August's Contest! 

Best Friends Contest for August:

To win one of my KINDLE books for you...

(Your choice) ...

and to win one KINDLE book for a friend or relative...

Tell me: 

If you wanted to share one of my books to someone

* who would that be 

* and why?

* * *

Janet Grunst is Visiting Today!

And she's offering:

One Winner a Choice of either:

 A Heart Set Free or A Heart For Freedom

Setting Two Hearts Free is the third story in my Revolutionary War series. 

It’s a stand-alone story that picks up five years after A Heart For Freedom. 

This story covers the lives of the next generation.

Setting Two Hearts Free addresses what we now understand as PTSD. Trauma is a condition that has always beset mankind. During different historical eras, the invisible wounds resulting from war have been called by different names, nostalgia, shell shock, soldier's heart, and combat fatigue. In this story, the Revolutionary War is winding down but there are still battles to fight and many of them are internal.

Releases:  Oct. 6th

Here’s the blurb:

Donald Duncan joined the Patriot cause for noble reasons, 

battling the British while enduring deprivation and hardship on every side. 

The war has changed him, and now the battle is internal. 

Returning home to Virginia is in sight where a new life and his Mary wait for him.

Mary Stewart spends the war years with her family at Stewarts’ Green, 

helping them operate their ordinary. 

Daily, she prays for Donald’s safe return, eagerly waiting for him … 

until that day the evil side of war touches her.

Two hearts changed by a war that dragged on for six years. 

Two hearts left hurting and struggling to find the love and trust they once knew. 

Is there a path for them to rekindle what was lost, Setting Two Hearts Free?

Author’s Bio

Janet is a wife, mother of two sons, and grandmother of eight who lives in the historic triangle of Virginia (Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown) with her husband. 

Her debut novel, A Heart Set Free was a Selah Award winner. A Heart For Freedom was a Christian Indie Award winner.

A lifelong student of history, her love of writing fiction grew out of a desire to share stories that communicate the truths of the Christian faith, as well as entertain, bring inspiration, and encouragement to the reader.

​https://JanetGrunst.com                                                                                                                                 

https://www.facebook.com/Janet-Grunst-Author-385405948228216

https://colonialquills.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/janetgrunst/ https://twitter.com/janetgrunst

https://www.pinterest.com/janetgrunst/ 

Thank you, Janet, for joining us today! 

DON'T Forget, READERS, to check out

Janet's books!

Please leave a comment with your email addy 

for a chance to win a book!!

Serious Wednesday: August's Contest and More Suspense Thoughts

 Best Friends Contest for August:

To win one of my KINDLE books for you...

(Your choice) ...

and to win one KINDLE book for a friend or relative...

Tell me: 

If you wanted to share one of my books to someone

* who would that be 

* and why?

* * *

A Few Suspense Thoughts

WHY do people enjoy reading suspense?

* The thrill of the suspense. 

* For those who enjoy suspense novels, 

the expectancy of what's going to happen... 

* the tension in waiting for the development of the suspense...

* the breathtaking moment that the reader wonders 

will the protagonist come through this? 

* Will she be able to defeat the antagonist? 

* Will he die before victory is won? 

* Will she overcome the awful event happening

 in real life/real-time in the reader's mind?

Reading a suspense novel can provide the thrill that quenches

the thirst for a good suspense novel to read, 

a crime to solve.

 What good suspense novel are you reading

or getting ready to read? 

Recommendations:

The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman

A book filled with tension, suspense, 

and a bit of romance thrown into the mix.

For some lighter Romantic Suspense, try:

The Spies of WWII series:

With Music in Their Hearts, Book 1

A Flute in the Willows, Book 2

(Book Three, Sing Until You Die, coming in September 2020)

or:

MY Newest Romantic Suspense:

Caleb's Destiny, Book 1 

of the Troubles in the West Series

Get any of them here:

https://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Happy Reading Wednesday! 

Serious Wednesday: A Winner, a Question, and a Best Friends Contest

 

BETTI,

You are the winner of our July Contest

for a kindle copy of

Caleb's Destiny! 

Your prize is on its way! 

* * *

Question of the Day:

What book is the Number 1 best-selling book ever?

If you guessed the BIBLE, then you'd be right!!

Why do you think it is?

Here are some of my thoughts:

* It is God's Word

*It is a light on the path of those seeking Him

* It is the bread of life for those hungry for the truth

It is a fountain who wishes to be free from their sins

It is a shield of faith for those being persecuted by the enemy

It shows us the way to live Godly

It shows us the way to heaven

It gives comfort

It encourages us to hold fast to God's almighty hand

What is God's Word to YOU?

Be blessed! 

* * *

Best Friends Contest for August:

To win one of my KINDLE books for you...

(Your choice) ...

and to win one KINDLE book for a friend or relative...

Tell me: 

If you wanted to share one of my books to someone

* who would that be 

* and why?

Happy Wednesday! 

Serious Wednesday: Some Suspense Quotes...and a Reminder

Some quotes on Suspense:

Been there, done this...in experience! 

--From Writer's Digest

And I love this one! 

And this one...

I know some say not to foreshadow,

but I do yearn to do this.

I think it's something brilliant

I may do it...someday! 

* * *

Contest for Caleb's Destiny

For a chance to win a KINDLE COPY 

of CALEB'S DESTINY,

you must:

* Join my Fan Page on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/183457429657732/?ref=br_rs

if you're already a member, let me know. Great!

and

* Follow me on one of these two sites (or both! Yes!)

Amazon:   https://amzn.to/38Ukljn

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

I will announce a winner on:

July 29, 2020



* * *
PLUS:
These books are available on Amazon
for $.99 each!
Limited time!

The link to my book:
Knight in Shining Apron
(and all my other books):
https://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1595423368&sr=1-1


Happy Day! 

Serious Wednesday: A Contest! and...A Visit with Alexis Goring!

Contest Details for:

Caleb's Destiny

a Historical Western Romantic Suspense

To win a Kindle copy:

1.  Answer this question in the comments below: 

What traits do you like to see in a man?

2. Make sure you leave your email address 

so you can be notified if you win.

That's it!

I will post the winner's name on

Wednesday, July 8, 2020.

*********************

Our guest today is Alexis Goring. 

She's talking about her devotion book:

Stories and Songs of Faith

And...

a bit about herself as a writer and author.

Read on, 

and be sure to check out the link to buy her book!

Book Blurb:  

Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God is a 52-week devotional that will bless your heart, soothe your soul, encourage your mind, and strengthen your God-given spirit.

Join author Alexis A. Goring on an inspirational journey. Each devotional builds from real-life experiences that impart many faith lessons learned along the way.

Each day is built on the foundation of a Bible verse or edifying quote, followed by Goring's personal story and reflection questions for a personalized experience.

All of the devotionals are tied to a song in order to go a little deeper into the heart of the message. A song directory at the end of the book connects the reader with music online to further enhance the study experience and glorify God.

Spend a year on a journey growing closer to the Lord through Stories and Songs of Faith, and discover personal transformation as time with Jesus Christ changes your heart to look a little more like His.

Buy the book here:  

https://amzn.to/3eejLPv

Let's talk about you and your book, Alexis! 
Carole: Is there a story behind your devotional book, Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God?

Alexis: Yes! A testimony, really … I’ve been writing devotionals for publication online since God gave me this devotional writing ministry after going through trauma at age 16. During the recovery process, God took me into His classroom and taught me many lessons that flowed out of me in the form of devotionals. God made a way for me to eventually get paid for my devotional writing, starting after college when I became the Growing Up columnist for a faith-based publication called Collegiate Quarterly. Since then, He’s blessed me with many more opportunities to write devotionals – some paid, some not but all so worth it! Yet even after all these years of devotional writing experience, I never thought of writing a devotional book until last year (January 2019).

Longer story short, when I decided to give this a go, God lined up everything I needed. He gave me wisdom to gather my devotionals that were previously published on blogs where I was a guest (I gathered about 30). He gave me wisdom to reach out to an editor colleague of mine (Dori) who told me that if I wrote 52 devotionals then my book could be a weekly devotional since there are 52 weeks in a year. God moved me to talk to a literary agent (Jevon), months after talking to Dori and not wanting to write more (I had 44 devotionals written by then). God moved me to take Jevon’s advice to “keep going” (until I had written a total of 52 devotionals for my book). I am so glad that I listened to Dori and Jevon because a 52-week devotional is just what I needed to write and according to the feedback I’ve been receiving, it is just what my readers needed too!

God was in every detail of this devotional book-writing journey! He even sent a new editor (Patty) to work for my publisher a few years prior and I learned that Patty has a background in editing devotionals! Patty noticed that all of my devotionals were tied to my paraphrase of Contemporary Christian songs and Gospel music so she suggested the title “Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God” and it fit perfectly!

Music has always been a major part of my life since childhood. And I’ve always loved sharing stories about life lessons learned as I continue on my journey with God. So the title that Patty suggested made perfect sense!

And that is the short version of the “story behind the story” of my devotional book!


Carole: What started you on your writing journey?

Alexis: An impromptu storytelling game led by my grandfather at my grandparents’ house. My Grandpa and Grandma used to babysit my brother and I. One day, while my Grandma was in the kitchen fixing lunch for all of us, my Grandpa said that we’re going to play a storytelling game. He told us to make up a story on the spot. I liked my story so much that writing and “publishing” it became my self-assigned homework that summer. I spent hours on the family computer typing it out. Then I printed it out and illustrated it before binding it like a book with staples and doing the cover design – all while using markers and colored pencils. I enjoyed this “book publishing” experience so much that I knew it was what I wanted to do when I grew up!


Carole: That is so amazing! What fun! 

Alexis: An impromptu storytelling game led by my grandfather at my grandparents’ house. My Grandpa and Grandma used to babysit my brother and I. One day, while my Grandma was in the kitchen fixing lunch for all of us, my Grandpa said that we’re going to play a storytelling game. He told us to make up a story on the spot. I liked my story so much that writing and “publishing” it became my self-assigned homework that summer. I spent hours on the family computer typing it out. Then I printed it out and illustrated it before binding it like a book with staples and doing the cover design – all while using markers and colored pencils. I enjoyed this “book publishing” experience so much that I knew it was what I wanted to do when I grew up!


Carole: What fun that must have been! What kind of books do you enjoy reading? (Book recommendations very welcome!)

Alexis: I enjoy reading Contemporary Romance stories and devotionals the most! Here’s a short list of books by my favorite authors that I recommend:

#1: Looks Like Love by Brandy Bruce
#2: Heart’s Design by JoAnn Durgin
#3: With No Reservations by Laurie Tomlinson
#4: Unmasked Heart by Vanessa Riley
#5: Chances Are by Traci Hunter Abramson

Carole: What is your favorite season of the year?

Alexis: I love the Autumn season because the weather is perfect (not too hot or cold but perfectly cool) and the changing colors of the leaves are so beautiful to observe! My favorite features of the Autumn season include but are not limited to: sunny days, a cool breeze that continues throughout the day, caramel apple cider from Starbucks, Autumn Squash Soup from PANERA, wearing my favorite tan boots that my fashion forward mama bought for me, dressing in sweater dresses with leggings (goes well with the boots) and the weather is really good to my hair (that salon-fresh look lasts for weeks)!


Carole: What is a favorite memory from your childhood?

Alexis: Christmastime with my family members who live nearby.


Carole: What's your favorite meal with family and friends?

Alexis: My most favorite meal with friends is wherever we go to eat good food! It’s the good quality of the food and quality time spent with loved ones that really makes that experience enjoyable! I’ve eaten good food at California Pizza Kitchen and The Cheesecake Factory with my friends. My most favorite meal with family is Christmas dinner! On the menu for Christmas dinner with family includes: turkey cooked and seasoned to perfection, collard greens, seven-layer salad, candied sweet potatoes, sweet potato pie (my Grandma’s recipe was the best), cherry pecan bread, cranberry orange bread, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, macaroni and cheese, honey wheat bread rolls with butter, cranberry jelly, chicken flavored bread stuffing … oh the food is SO good! Now I cannot wait until this year’s Christmas dinner, God-willing!


Carole: Where do you get the ideas for your books?

Alexis: Everywhere! For the sake of time, I’ll only talk about how I get ideas for my devotionals: God drops ideas into my head then He helps me form lesson points. Such as with a devotional titled, “Taste and See” that was published in this year’s edition of an annual devotional book that my church publishes. The book for this year is called I Am Loved: 365 Devotions for Women by Women.

The idea for “Taste and See” happened as I was walking through a town center and approached the tea store called Teavana, the words “taste and see” dropped into my head and a Bible verse followed: “Taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34:8 KJV). 

Next, the devotional started writing itself in my head as I realized that just like the employees of Teavana stand outside of their shop, offering samples of their tea because they want people to “taste and see” that their tea is good … God does the same thing! He doesn’t sell tea. But He does want us to “taste and see” that He is good! 

That’s why God gives us opportunity after opportunity to get to know Him.

It’s beautiful.

Thank you so much for sharing a bit about your personal and writing life. Readers, be sure to check out Alexis' newest devotion book! It sounds good, doesn't it? 

Oh, No. Not a Book Blurb!

A book blurb is one of the most important items of a marketing plan. Without it, you will find it harder to "sell" your book to agents, editors, and readers. Here are a few thoughts on how to create an excellent one:


Introduce your main character(s). Use the names they'll go by in your book. Keep it simple. Unless it's absolutely necessary, you don't need to go into detail about their personality.

Reveal the genre. Again keep it brief. Set the tone or mood of the book. Mystery? Romance? Sci-fi? Thriller?

Reveal the main conflict. Most books have subplots but they won't need (usually) to be mentioned here. In one sentence show the problem. Will the detective be able to find the thief? Can the hero save the heroine's life (or vise versa :) ) etc. Many times this will begin with one of these words:  Until. But. However.

Hook the reader’s curiosity.  Is all lost when another man shows up and does what the hero should have done? Is the detective a failure because his main suspect turns out to be innocent?

Give the reader a hopeful possible. This "longshot" will give your reader hope that all is not lost and keep them reading.

Book blurbs should not be too long nor too short. Fifty words at most; Twenty-five to thirty words is a perfect sized blurb. Keep to these main facts, edit and you should have a winner. 


Happy Writing!

Story Sparks from Six Authors: Featuring Terri Wangard Today!

Creating a Family to Be Proud Of

Welcome to the Story Sparks multi-Author Blog Tour. Between May 21-26, 2018, readers get a chance to enter and win ebooks from six different authors. Today, Terri Wangard is the featured author. A lucky winner will win her Friends & Enemies. Terri will be talking about “Creating a Family to be Proud Of.” Read on to discover what sparks Terri’s creativity and to enter the rafflecopter to win her heartwarming book.

A batch of forgotten letters was found in my grandmother’s house. Written in 1947 and 1948, they came from distant cousins in Germany. My grandparents and other relatives had been sending them care packages. My great-great-grandfather immigrated to Wisconsin in the 1870s, as did two brothers. A fourth brother remained in Germany, and these letters came from his grandchildren.

The family in the letters would be the perfect subject around which to craft a story. Research revealed life in Nazi Germany as increasingly grim before the war even started. The letters provide a fascinating glimpse of life in war torn Germany, but nothing about the war years. How had the family coped? I turned to the internet and searched on the family’s factory name. I found it all right, in a list of German companies that used slave labor. I wanted my family to be the good guys, but that hope grew shaky.

Contact had ceased in 1948 after the German currency reform, and with their silence in the letters, many questions couldn’t be answered. Why had they refrained from any mention of their thoughts and activities during Hitler’s regime? Desire to forget? Shame of the vanquished? Concern the American family wouldn’t help if they knew the truth?

The family consisted of a brother, his wife, and three young children, and a sister and her husband, and their “old gray mother,” who turned 66 in 1947. Another brother languished as a prisoner of war in Russia, not returning home until 1949, I learned from the German department for the notification of next of kin. The sister and her bridegroom had lived in Canada for five years, returning to Germany in 1937 because she was homesick. They were bombed out of their homes and lived in their former offices, temporarily fixed up as a residence. Before the war, they employed about one hundred men, but in 1947, had fewer than forty-five, with no coal, electricity, or raw materials to work with.

My imagination took over. The family, not the newlyweds, came to Wisconsin. Because a critiquer scorned someone returning to Hitler’s Germany due to homesickness, I gave them a more compelling reason when I rewrote the story. The grandfather had died and the father had to return to take over the factory, much to the daughters’ dismay, who loved their new life in America.

Of course, they did not support Hitler. Because their factory had to produce armaments and meet quotas imposed on them, they had no choice in accepting Eastern European forced laborers, Russian POWs, and Italian military internees.

The older daughter (my main character) took pride in committing acts of passive resistance. Now a war widow, she hid a downed American airman, an act punishable by execution. When they were betrayed, a dangerous escape from Germany ensued.

Maybe the family did support Hitler. Many did before realizing his true colors. My version probably doesn’t come close to the truth, especially concerning the daughter. The real daughter was twelve years old in 1947. No matter. This is fiction, and this is a family I can be proud of.

Friends & Enemies

Aiding downed enemy airmen is punishable by death in Nazi Germany,

but he’s an old friend. How much will she risk to help him?

A World War II novel. http://amzn.to/2eGJeoR

ABOUT TERRI:

Terri Wangard’s first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.

ENTER to WIN BOOKS!!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/831a42731/?