A Special Silver Book Birthday + Giveaway

Join me in wishing a happy book birthday to the second book in a poignant, dramatic, and romantic historical fiction series by Rachelle Rea Cobb! :) This two-week celebration includes an awesome giveaway too! So please read on to learn more about this series and to get your name in the drawing...

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ABOUT The Steadfast Love SERIES 

In 16th-century Europe, the Reformation rages between Protestants and Catholics. Gwyneth, half-Dutch, flees from England to Holland to escape the man who murdered her parents. When he follows her there and insists he came to rescue her, will she trust this man called Dirk? When tragedy strikes, will their steadfast love erode?

ABOUT The Sound of Silver (Book Two)

The stalwart saint and the redeemed rebel. One fights for faith, the other for honor…

After Dirk rescues Gwyneth from the Iconoclastic Fury, she discovers that faith is sometimes fragile—and hope is not as easy as it may seem. Gwyneth continues her quest to learn more about the love of God preached by Protestants she once distrusted.

Meanwhile, Dirk’s quest is to prevent his sullied name from staining hers. Will his choice to protect her prove the undoing of her first faltering steps toward a Father God? Once separated, will Dirk and Gwyneth’s searching hearts ever sing the same song?

Amazon (paperback) |  Amazon (Kindle) | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Goodreads

Read my thoughts on The Sound of Silver (Book Two) and The Sound of Diamonds (Book One)!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Times gone by snatch Rachelle Rea Cobb close, so she reads and writes about years long ago—her passions include the Reformation, Revolutions, and romance. Rachelle wrote the Steadfast Love series during college. Five months after she graduated, she signed a three-book deal with her dream publisher, WhiteFire. She's a homeschool grad, Oreo addict, and plots her novels while driving around her dream car, a pick-up truck. In June 2016, she married a man with the same name as her fictional hero, and they live happily ever after in Small Town, South.

Amazon | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Website

GIVEAWAY 

Enter using the Rafflecopter form below to win a beautiful necklace created by Baubles, Beads and Stuff and your choice of any one of Rachelle’s three books (the series begins in Book One, of course, but in case you have one or two of her books already, Rachelle will gladly send you the next one to read!). 

International friends, the paperback & necklace giveaway is open to continental U.S. addresses only (sorry!). But do still enter, because one international winner will also be chosen to receive an e-book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: The Sound of Silver

Isn't it wonderful to see dreams unfolding all around you?

My blogger friend and proofreader, Rachelle Rea, has been hard at work these past months, polishing up the gems of her debut historical romance trilogy, Steadfast Love. And now Book 2, The Sound of Silver, is being presented to the world in all its loveliness! It's a pleasure to help her celebrate this release (as well as the beautiful cover reveal for Book 3 a few days ago).

Check it out!

About the Book

The stalwart saint, fighting for faith… the redeemed rebel, fighting for honor.

 After Dirk rescues Gwyneth from the Iconoclastic Fury, she discovers that faith is sometimes fragile—and hope is not as easy as it may seem. Gwyneth continues her quest to learn more about the love of God preached by Protestants she once distrusted.

Meanwhile, Dirk’s quest is to prevent his sullied name from staining hers. Will his choice to protect her prove the undoing of her first faltering steps toward a Father God? Once separated, will Dirk and Gwyneth’s searching hearts ever sing the same song?

Available now!
Order on Amazon | Add to Goodreads

My Thoughts

It's refreshing to experience such an epic love as Dirk and Gwyn's, spanning the length of a trilogy filled with hardships and obstacles and complex emotions. There's something very authentic about a romance that grows and matures beyond the first happily-ever-after ending.

I had the privilege of revisiting these beloved characters first introduced in The Sound of Diamonds through reading and critiquing an early version of The Sound of Silver, and once again I was impressed by the unique themes and circumstances, as well as the likability of the characters, despite their stubborn natures and mistakes.

In this second installment of Rachelle's poignant historical romance series, Dirk, Gwyn, and their friends and loved ones must face threats from the past and from within their own uncertain hearts. It's a dramatic continuation of the story and a great set-up for all that is to come in the last chapter of the series.

Silver doesn't sparkle in quite the same way as Diamonds did with its many adventures and dangers and fledgling relationships. Silver is more of a solid setting in which Diamonds (as the beginning) and Emeralds (as the end) shine even brighter; it provides the testing and bonding in-between story that explores fears, betrayal, and doubts.

While I haven't fully re-read the final version of Silver yet, glancing through the pages reminded me of the tenderness of the love story and showed me that the story has been strengthened even more since I first saw it. I definitely recommend experiencing the inspiring journey from start to finish - and luckily, that finish is only a few short months away (February 2016)!

Learn more about the Steadfast Love series.

About the Author

Rachelle Rea plots her novels while driving around the little town she’s lived in all her life in her dream car, a pick-up truck. An Oreo addict, she is also a homeschool graduate and retired gymnast. She wrote The Sound of Emeralds (the final book in the Steadfast Love series) during her senior year of college.

Find Rachelle online:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Cover Reveal: The Sound of Emeralds

It's so crazy (crazy awesome) that today is the cover reveal for Rachelle Rea's third novel, the conclusion to her Steadfast Love series. How did that happen already?? It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the cover of The Sound of Emeralds...

My Thoughts on the Cover

Gwyn is looking gorgeous in green! ;) (I love alliteration, hehe.) But seriously, Rachelle said it well on her blog, about the wistful expression on the model's face. There's definitely a tinge of melancholy and nostalgia to this cover, But there's also a lot of hope, with the bright color (the color of growth and new life), the sun shining warm on Gwyn's face, and the promise of home awaiting. Which emotions will win? Will Gwyn choose to embrace the hope around her? (Trust me, historical romance fans will want to give this one a read!)

About the Book

What once was blazing hatred has turned to lasting love, but could the union of a wild heart with that of a lady ever result in more than heartache?

With the help of an old friend with uncertain loyalties, Dirk inches ever closer to clearing his name. Gwyneth throws her faith into good tidings and the promise of a future as a family. But an old evil comes to call, just as tragedy rips apart a fledgling truce. Enemies from the past and grief for the future threaten to tear asunder what God had brought together…

As the date of Dirk’s trial approaches, his fate and his family hang in the balance. Will he be proven innocent of Gwyneth’s parents’ murders—or separated from her forever? How much pain does it take to erode a love steadfast?

Releases February 15, 2016!

Pre-order on Amazon | Add to Goodreads

Learn more about the Steadfast Love series.

About the Author

Rachelle Rea plots her novels while driving around the little town she’s lived in all her life in her dream car, a pick-up truck. An Oreo addict, she is also a homeschool graduate and retired gymnast. She wrote The Sound of Emeralds during her senior year of college.

Find Rachelle online:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

The Sound of Diamonds Blog Tour

OK, I just want to go on record as saying I called it! ;) In this post from January 11, 2013, I suggested that historical romance fans keep Rachelle Rea's name on file for future reference...and the day has come to whip that file out and head on over to Amazon to pre-order yourself a copy of her debut!

I'm so, so pleased to help Rachelle celebrate the release of The Sound of Diamonds, the first in her Steadfast Love series. The whole trilogy should be published within a year, and trust me - you're going to want to follow these characters through to the very end of their suspenseful, dramatic, and sweeping journey!

About the Book

"Her only chance of getting home is trusting the man she hates.

With the protestant Elizabeth on the throne of England and her family in shambles, Catholic maiden Gwyneth seeks refuge in the Low Countries of Holland, hoping to soothe her aching soul. But when the Iconoclastic Fury descends and bloodshed overtakes her haven, she has no choice but to trust the rogue who arrives, promising to see her safely home to her uncle’s castle. She doesn’t dare to trust him…and yet doesn’t dare to refuse her one chance to preserve her own life and those of the nuns she rescues from the burning convent.

Dirk Godfrey is determined to restore his honor at whatever cost. Running from a tortured past, Dirk knows he has only one chance at redemption, and it lies with the lovely Gwyneth, who hates him for the crimes she thinks he committed. He must see her to safety, prove to the world that he is innocent, prove that her poor eyesight is not the only thing that has blinded her—but what is he to do when those goals clash?

The home Gwyneth knew is not what she once thought. When a dark secret and a twisted plot for power collide in a castle masquerading as a haven, the saint and the sinner must either dare to hold to hope…or be overcome."

Releasing on June 15th!
Purchase on Amazon | Add to Goodreads

Quick Thoughts

While I haven't yet re-read the final version of The Sound of Diamonds, I can tell you that I was impressed when I read and edited an early draft a couple of years ago. This is a story full of insightful metaphors and inviting word pictures, surprising history and suspenseful dangers. And the romance and friendships are also depicted in a rich and deep way.

The Sound of Diamonds is a grand start to a poignant series - an exciting adventure unto itself and a wonderful introduction to a cast of characters you'll befriend, bemoan, and ultimately cheer for throughout the trilogy. I'd say Dirk and Gwyn are the next Edmund Merrick and Charlisse Bristol (of MaryLu Tyndall's "Legacy of the King's Pirates" fame). This couple will break your heart, but they'll also teach you the unexpected music and faith lessons to be found in diamonds, silver, and emeralds.

Be prepared to get swept away by Steadfast Love.

*Disclaimer: I had the pleasure of editing an early version of this book and was provided a final courtesy e-copy. However, these opinions are my own.*

About the Author

Rachelle Rea plots her novels while driving around the little town she’s lived in all her life in her dream car, a pick-up truck. As a freelance editor, she enjoys mentoring fellow authors in the craft. A homeschool graduate and retired gymnast, she wrote The Sound of Diamonds the summer after her sophomore year of college. Connect with Rachelle at http://rachellerea.com.

Precious Book Mail - Round 2!

I received another sweet package recently from a client! ("Round 1" was from the fabulous Lena Goldfinch.) This one was from Sandra Leesmith (whom you all know and love from the various blog tours that have been hosted here!). While she asked me if I'd like my own copy of Love's Promises, she very kindly sent me the whole set of books that we've worked on together so far...

I couldn't have been more thrilled!

Love's Miracles was our first project together - and one of my very first projects with Editing Through the Seasons. I helped edit some of the content and re-type the book, then assisted Sandra in re-publishing it (which was an interesting challenge, navigating the book rights and making sure we did things "by the book," so to speak!).

Love's Refuge and Love's Promises were both previously unpublished (albeit critiqued), so I edited them, and we also hired Rachelle Rea to proofread the former. It was a great experience working "from scratch" with these ones - creating the back cover copies, editing the stories, overseeing the publishing process, and introducing new Leesmith contemporary romantic suspense novels into the world. :)

And of course, you know I have to mention Lena Goldfinch, our cover designer! I absolutely love the work she's done for me and for her own books, and it's so lovely to finally see (in person) the formatting and gorgeous full print covers for Sandra's books, as well. Take a look at the back covers...

I'm in love with these two - the front covers, the back covers, and the spines! The way they capture the mood and settings are so perfect. I had a blast brainstorming with Lena. Although it was all her skill that made them happen, it was a privilege to be privy to the process and to have a say in some of the cover elements. :)

Let me also add that it's super fun to see this...

When we were getting ready to publish Love's Miracles to Amazon, Sandra asked me if I was taking "Amber Press." I ended up going with "Seasons of a Story" for my own publisher name for my books, so I was honored and pleased to let Sandra claim Amber Press. All three of the books include the publisher name on the spines, in the front matter of the book, and on the back cover. :) So sweet! Sandra even recently created a website home for the publisher: www.AmberPressPublishing.com.

If you'd like your own paperback copies of Sandra's latest releases, they're available for purchase on Amazon:

• Love's Miracles - $8.99
• Love's Refuge - $9.89
• Love's Promises - $10.08

They have the matte covers, so they're soft, which I love! I'm contemplating doing that for my own books now instead of using the glossy covers.

Tell me, do you prefer matte or glossy? And have you received any precious book mail lately?

P.S. Love's Promises is FREE for Kindle today in honor of Mother's Day! Don't forget to snatch up a copy if you haven't already - and blessings to all you mothers out there! ♥

To Die Once: Upcoming Release Announcement and Endorsement

It's an exciting time to see a friend's book baby being introduced to the world! Miranda Uyeh has been a dear blogging friend of mine for quite a while now - she shares very thoughtful and insightful reviews and posts over on her blog, To Be A Person. Her debut is special for several other reasons: I had the pleasure of editing it last fall; my proofreader and freelance buddy, Rachelle Rea, proofread the book this spring; and Lena - whose cover designs we all know and love - designed the stunning cover.

Let's just pause and talk about this cover for a moment.

1. If you're familiar with Miranda's online presence (her blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc.), you know the font style/color choices are perfect! Love that Miranda's rockin' the brand. :) 
2. The endorsement is very fitting for the story. Yep, mystery, intrigue, and romance abound!
3. The model is a great match for the heroine, Jennifer: sophisticated, stubborn, lovely, wounded, and headstrong. And that expression - so intense.
4. The roses! They play a prevalent role and serve as a strong symbol in the story, so of course they needed to be on the cover. So perfect that the one by the title appears almost dead in spots, and yet looks like it's about to bloom.

This cover is a bit more "glamorous" than you generally see with inspirational romance books, but I think it works well with the tone and unique elements of the story. What are your thoughts?

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Now, as for the story itself, here's a description of the book from Miranda's blog:

"Two men, one woman, a rosebush … 
… a terrible past, an uncertain future 

Jennifer, a woman unexpectedly trapped in a path of love and passion against everything she believes.

Rodrigo, a man set to get what he wants at the cost of what matters most.

Stefano, a man with a past, a story to tell and passion to offer.

Chidi, a friend in need, a friend indeed. Or not?

From a culture where good girls follow the norm and live as they’ve been told, Jennifer is no different from any other girl until by happenstance, she meets and falls in love with Rodrigo, a man who’s handsome, rich and foreign. Different. She has no idea who he is or what he does, and is swept into a world of romance and passion. It is not long before she discovers a shocking truth that shakes both her world and his.

Then he is gone.

Stefano shows up at a time when Jennifer has made up her mind about the rules of life. He thinks she’s beautiful and is in love with her. In a bid to convince her to give him a chance in her life, old memories once buried are brought to life. And the events that follow don’t leave anyone unaffected by the truth of the past that was left unsettled.

Meanwhile, Jennifer with her friend Chidi, find themselves on a self-discovery journey that has one of them raising questions.

Some just have to ask, where is God in all this?

… an inspirational romance, from Lagos to Italy."

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Here is my official endorsement:

"Miranda Uyeh has penned a novel full of heart. To Die Once is a story alternately thorny and tender that tackles the various forms of love - romance, friendship, and faith - in unique settings and situations. Often surprising, consistently intriguing, Uyeh's debut is a bold start to her blossoming writing career." 
~ Amber Stokes, Author of "The Heart's Spring" Series

Less officially...

It was a pleasure to be one of the editors of this book and to get an early glimpse at such a complex and touching read! The book blurb didn't quite prepare me for the scope of the story - the diverse locations, the intense and surprising twists and turns, and the vast emotional landscapes. Miranda holds nothing back with her debut, blending her own personal touch with the writing lessons she's picked up on her reading journey.

I came to appreciate the fact that Miranda knew what she wanted to convey with this story and stuck to it - not just the romance, but the essence of friendship and the call of faith. For those who are searching for something different in inspirational romance - something that still offers heart, a strong focus on relationships, and a beautiful redemption theme - To Die Once is your train ticket to a satisfying and poignant adventure. Come discover what it means to die once in a lifetime...

To Die Once on Goodreads

Blog tour sign-ups

(The tour runs through May 21st.)

Will you be signing up for the blog tour or purchasing the book when it becomes available? Which intrigues you the most - the cover, the blurb, or the endorsements?

The Verdict: A Client Has Spoken

Remember that name I told you to file away for future reference if you're a fan of Christian historical romance? Well, the sweet and talented Rachelle Rea has written another blog post about our journey as editor and client, and I'm thrilled and honored by her words! (link below)

Polishing the Diamond

This experience has been such a blessing - Rachelle's enthusiasm is contagious, her humility is admirable, and her feedback has been a help and encouragement to me. My job editing her manuscript was made much easier by the fact that her story already sparkled with a beautiful style and fascinating research. It's been a pleasure reading her work and sharing my thoughts on it!

If you'd like to learn more about the lovely Rachelle, visit her at her newly re-designed blog, on Facebook, or on Twitter. And if you are ever in need of an editor, I would love to share the journey with you! Learn more at my website, Editing Through the Seasons. (And note the special offer for those who are getting ready to self-publish their books!)

Of Links and My Life Lately

I hope you all are enjoying the new year so far! I've spent time with my family and some family friends, attended my first choir practice for our spring concert, and, of course, indulged in some fun reading! I should hopefully have a couple of full reviews to share with you next week, but until then, I did want to share some links:

The Language of Souls

I recently discovered Lena Goldfinch's work thanks to Juju at Tales of Whimsy. I bought a Kindle copy of The Language of Souls for $.99, and I loved it! It's a sweet, romantic, lovely fantasy novella.

If you're curious about it, you should check out the book spotlight I posted on "The Borrowed Book" blog, then enter the weekly drawing for a chance to win it!

And stay tuned for more details about her upcoming fantasy novel release, Aire... =) (You can see the cover and read the synopsis now on Goodreads!)

 The Joys of Editing

A few weeks ago I shared a guest post on "The Writers Alley" blog, and I offered a free editing package as a giveaway prize. Rachelle Rea won - and if you're a fan of Christian historical romance and don't know that name yet, you should keep it filed away for future reference! It's been a pleasure to work with her on her story, to gain some invaluable experience and to simply enjoy her lyrical writing (as well as her engaging plot!).

Rachelle was sweet enough to write up a little post on her blog called My Editor and I. What a sweet blessing it is to be that editor!