Winner and Tour Highlights | Mercy Blog Tour

Happy Saturday, friends, and welcome to the conclusion of the Mercy blog tour! Come see the name of our giveaway winner and check out the tour highlights and Eniola's ebook freebie. :)

The Winner Is...

Congratulations to the winner of Eniola's giveaway prize pack...

Gina R.!

She's won a signed copy of Mercy, a $50 Amazon.com gift card, and a journal. Woot! Gina, an email has been sent to you. :) And many thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway and spread the word about Mercy!

Tour Highlights

This tour came with thoughtful book reviews, enlightening interviews, and inspiring posts from Eniola and our team of bloggers. In case you missed any of them, here are some links to browse...

Articles by Eniola

• Embracing Faith in Medical School
• 3 Things I've Learned About Publishing

College-life post by Carissa

• "One lesson that I learned from my college years wasn’t learned inside a classroom." | Read more

Interviews with Eniola

• On Anne's blog
• On Miranda's blog

Reviews

• "I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The underlying mystery of what happened between Sola and Tayo kept me intrigued right from the beginning." | Anne's review of Still

• "I loved that the characters were so relatable and easy to find one that you can see yourself in." | Carissa's review of Mercy

• "Mercy was an outstanding book and I am so so excited for book three to find out what happens next in the lives of Sola, Nikky, Tayo and Ladi! If you enjoy new adult books full of mystery and real-life problems you must check out these two books!!" | Anne's review of Mercy

• "Prentice has undoubtedly done a fine job with this one; the second installment in the Still series is a work of Art and Heart, worthy of impeccable applause." | Miranda's review of Mercy

• "Following the life of Nikky, Sola, Ladi and Tayo in this book makes you pause in your tracks to appreciate the love of God and how amazingly thoughtful He is concerning you." | Oyinkansola's review of Mercy

Get Book 1 for FREE

Don't forget that Still, the full-novel prequel to Mercy, is currently FREE in ebook format! Enjoy the series from the beginning when you download your copy today through Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), Kobo, or OkadaBooks.

Buy Book 2 Today

Intrigued by all this talk of Mercy? You can purchase an e-copy through Amazon or OkadaBooks!

Eniola and I sincerely thank the wonderful bloggers who participated in this tour and all those who read the posts and commented. :) We appreciate your support of Eniola's work and hope you'll be blessed by her stories!

Winner and Tour Conclusion | Yes, Carol...It's Christmas! Blog Tour

Good morning and happy December! Our festive Christmas blog tour has reached its end—but we still get to announce the giveaway winner, share some tour highlights, offer some gift ideas, and wish you a very merry Christmas! Let's get started...

Winner Time

Congratulations to the winner of the "party in a box" giveaway...

Cheryl H.!

She won a signed copy of Yes, Carol...It's Christmas!, two Betty Crocker sugar cookie mixes, two cookie cutters, a four-pack of sprinkles, a strand of Christmas lights, and two glass ornaments. Woohoo! Thank you to everyone who entered and spread the word. :)

Tour Highlights

This tour was filled with fun, creative, and touching posts from Cindy and our team of bloggers. If you missed any of them, it's not too late to check them out! Here are some handy links...

Cindy's Christmas Party Tips

• Part 1: Decorating the House
• Part 2: Icing Festive Sugar Cookies
• Part 3: Planning Party Games for Guests

Visiting Christmas Past, Present, and Future with...

• Cindy Vincent
• Carissa Miller
• Amber Holcomb

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

• Cindy's take (featuring the cats from her novella!)

Reviews

• "I liked Yes, Carol…It's Christmas! even more than A Christmas Carol if that is even possible, and it will now become a Christmas season re-read in the years to come." | Carissa's review

• "If you are looking for a fun and fast Christmas read, this one will surely put you in the Christmas spirit!" | Julie's review

• "I highly recommend adding this novella to your Christmas reading list this year." | Heather's review (+ author interview and fudge recipe!)

• "Full of sass and heartwarming moments, this novella moves at a swift pace." | Miranda's review

• "A very short, breezy read to help you get into—or sustain—the Christmas spirit." | Jes's review

Christmas Gift Ideas

With this blog tour, we've been celebrating Cindy Vincent's novella, Yes, Carol...It's Christmas! (which would make a fun holiday gift for yourself or a loved one!). But Cindy is also the author of many other books...

Perfect for Kids (and Cat-Lovers)

The Buckley & Bogey Cat Detective Capers
#1 The Case of the Cat Show Princess
#2 The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks
#3 The Case of the Jewel Covered Cat Statues
#4 The Case of the Clever Secret Code

To learn  more about Buckley and Bogey, visit www.buckleyandbogey.com.

Perfect for Historical Mystery Fans

The Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I., 1940s Homefront Mysteries
#1 Bad Day for a Bombshell
#2 Swell Time for a Swing Dance

Perfect for Friends and Family

Daily Devotional
Cats Are Part of His Kingdom, Too

Find Cindy's books on Amazon, and learn more about Cindy and her work at cindyvincent.net.

Merry Christmas!

Cindy and I want to offer our sincere gratitude to all the bloggers who participated in the Yes, Carol...It's Christmas! blog tour, as well as all those who joined the fun by leaving comments and entering the giveaway! It was wonderful to kick off the Christmas season with you all. :) Wishing each of you a joyous Christmas!

Winner and Conclusion (Swell Time Blog Tour)

Good morning, friends! Our swingin' blog tour is coming to a close, but that doesn't mean the fun is over. :) Gather round, and we'll announce the giveaway winner, share some tour highlights, remind you of a freebie you can grab (today only!), and announce Cindy's next blog tour that's right around the corner.

Winner Time

Congratulations to the winner of the Swell Time for a Swing Dance giveaway...

Kim (cheetahthecat)!

She won signed copies of Bad Day for a Bombshell and Swell Time for a Swing Dance, a Glenn Miller Orchestra CD, and a WWII-themed ornament. Woohoo!

Kim, an email has been sent to you. :)

Tour Highlights

This tour came with some terrific and touching posts from the author and our team of bloggers. If you missed any of them, it's not too late to check them out! Here are some handy links...

Articles by Cindy 

• Dancing Through the Pages (how should you dress for a 1940s swing dance?)
• A Forties Fascination (what might you find in Cindy's cool collections?)
• Want to Get a Real Feel for the Forties? (what books and movies should you check out?)
• Honoring Those Who Were Really There (do you have stories of a veteran you can share?)
• Why I Love the 1940s (what are Cindy's top 5 reasons?)
• Dear Diary, It's Me, Tracy Truworth (what's a day in the life like for Cindy's heroine?)

Interviews with Cindy

• On Lisa K's Book Reviews
• On Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
• On Heidi Reads...
• Bonus interview with the heroine, Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I.!

Excerpts from the Novel

• Who killed the dancer?
• Did someone steal something too?
• Young love in wartime
• Will someone set the press straight?

Reviews

• "Swell Time for a Swing Dance was fast-paced and set in an unsettling time for the world. It reminded me a bit of Marvel’s Agent Carter series." | Julie's review

• "The author describes the 1940s and wartime life in America well." | Meagan's review

• "Everyone knows I love a good mystery, so of course, this series is quickly becoming one of my favorites." | Heather's review

• "Tracy is my new favorite 'girl' detective.... This is the first book that I have read by [Cindy], but it will not be my last." | Carissa's review

• "I love the individuality of each of the characters. It really brings them to life." | Katrina's review

• "Once again, Cindy Vincent delivers a wonderfully engrossing 1940s atmosphere in the high-stakes world where Nazis have secretly infiltrated the US—and Tracy and her fella have been framed for the latest crime!" | Jes's review

Personal Blogger Post

• Carissa shares about her interest in WWII

Get the Book...for Free!

Today is the last day of the Kindle freebie promotion for Swell Time for a Swing Dance. If you enjoy reading ebooks, don't miss this chance to snag a FREE Kindle copy of the book in celebration of this blog tour!

Get Ready for Christmas Cheer!

If you enjoyed this tour with Cindy Vincent, we hope you'll return next month for a special tour to kick off the Christmas season! We'll be celebrating Cindy's novella, Yes, Carol, It's Christmas! This little story is a reimagining of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in modern times, featuring a former party planner who's lost her Christmas spirit.

The tour is scheduled for November 26-30 and will include lots of fun posts featuring reviews, party-planning tips, and more. If you're a blogger, you can learn more about participating in the tour HERE. Sign-ups are still open!

Cindy and I want to offer our sincere gratitude to all the bloggers who participated in the Swell Time for a Swing Dance blog tour, as well as all those who joined the fun by leaving comments, entering the giveaway, and downloading the book! Until next time... :)

Of Snowmen and Marketing...

We have a winner for the snowmen/Cinderella giveaway! And the winner is...

Carissa Miller

Congratulations, Carissa! Her name was randomly picked from the three who correctly guessed that the snowman representing me in this scene created by one of my coworkers is the one with the book (fourth from the left):

According to my friend/coworker, the reason I don't have a nose like the rest of my coworkers in this scene is because it's stuck in the book, haha. Yes, even in a company that publishes books, I guess my passion (obsession?) with reading still makes an impression! Being known as the reader isn't the worst reputation to have, right?

Anyway, thank you to everyone who played along! And Carissa, I'll email you to see which two Cinderella ebooks you'd like. :)

On another marketing note, I'm hoping to have an exciting book promotion in February - one that's a little different than ones I've had before for my own books. You'll find out why pretty soon! In preparation for that, I'd love to have you join my street team and/or sign up for my author newsletter, so you can stay in the loop. More fun to come!

The Winner and the Lighthouse

Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm for my latest cover reveal! I'm so excited by the feedback for both the cover and the premise/blurb of How a Star Falls. I'm having a grand time writing the beginning by hand here and there, and I'm looking forward to completing the story and sharing it with you all in this next season.

Now, to wrap up the cover reveal:

Chickie B!

Congratulations, Chickie, on winning the $10 Amazon.com gift card! I've sent you an email, so be sure to check your inbox. And thank you again to everyone who posted about the cover and entered the giveaway! *group hug*

* * *

Since these winner posts are kind of short and only really exciting to the actual winner(s), I thought I'd take the time to add a few pics from my recent on-a-whim, afternoon outing to the coast.

How a Star Falls takes place on the coast - but back in my home county of Northern California instead of Oregon. Here in this pic, though, you can see part of Highway 101 (at least, I believe that bridge I drove over is part of it...). So if you followed that highway south a while, you'd eventually wind up passing the towns featured in my WIP. ;)

To clarify, these pictures were taken at Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint. It's a gorgeous spot, and this past weekend was my first time visiting the place. 

 

And here's the lighthouse itself! I spent several minutes sitting on a bench nearby, writing a few lines for How a Star Falls. They didn't have to do with a lighthouse...but just being near the sea is inspiring, and a reminder of home. :)

Here's a parting shot of the lighthouse. Can you see it on the bluff there? The location is incredible, and I enjoyed the brief hike. Beautiful day, beautiful memory.

What are you currently working on? Where do you find inspiration?

Be Cinderella of the Ball! (Five Glass Slippers Blog Tour Conclusion)

Midnight has passed. You're almost to your carriage when one of those pesky glass slippers slips right off your foot. You trip, and then wince at the clink of something delicate shattering as you tumble down the last step leading away from the castle.

"Are you all right?" It's a gentleman's voice. You roll over - as gracefully as possible - and glance up at your dancing partner. Once again, he holds a hand out to you; it's an invitation. You place your hand in his, but before he can help you onto your feet, you glance at the shards of broken glass. It seems to be all that you can see, the lights from the windows reflecting off those little pieces.

He follows your look. "I'm sorry about your shoe." To your surprise, there's a hint of laughter in his tone.

"You know, I really don't care." You smile up at him. "When else would I have the chance to wear such things?"

As he raises you effortlessly, he declares, "Why, at another ball, of course."

Your eyebrow lifts slightly. "I don't get invited to many balls."

"Me, neither."

You realize there must surely be a tale there. You're about to ask him more about it, when he kisses your cheek and whispers near your ear, "I'll get you five more glass slippers, and we'll invite ourselves to as many balls as we can find."

* * * 

Before you all hop into your carriages, we never did get a chance to share about our own dresses and favorite dance songs, did we?

Here's a dress (discovered via Pinterest) that I think is simply beautiful!

 Sweetheart Empire Waist Elegant & Luxurious Wedding Dress

Source: gotodressau

Of course, it's a wedding dress, so perhaps not appropriate for a ball. ;) But I would also be happy to wear any of the dresses on these gorgeous book covers:

As for a song, I thought I'd share a semi-dance scene from a Hallmark movie I adore (Remember Sunday), with a perfect dancing song ("Dancing Queen" by Abba):

Tell me, what have you been wearing to the ball this week? Which song are you hoping to hear before the orchestra leaves?

* * *

Ah, yes - we haven't forgotten! It's time to announce the winner of the "Cinderella of the Ball" giveaway! The winner receives all of the following prizes: a paperback copy of Five Glass Slippers, several Cinderella-themed items (including a bookmark crafted by Belle on a Budget, a journal, and a DVD copy of the Disney movie), as well as special gifts handpicked by a few of the collection’s authors (a glass slipper cookie cutter with recipe, freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and an Apple Tree Inn cup and saucer).

And our Cinderella is...

Tammy S.!

Super congrats, Tammy! We hope these prizes will make you feel like Cinderella of the ball. :)

Huge thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway and spread the word about it! Even if you didn't win the giveaway, everyone's a winner with the fabulous $.99 Kindle sale for Five Glass Slippers:

But hurry! The sale ends at midnight (or thereabouts). Fitting, no? You can also buy the book in paperback. And as you can see by all the positive reviews rolling in, this is a book you'll definitely want to have on your real or virtual bookshelf!

* * *

As you enjoy a last glass of punch and a final song, let me take a moment to say "thank you" to all of the amazing bloggers who participated in the tour this week! Seriously, I sent them a lot of information, and there were a lot of tidbits and dates to keep track of - yet things came together quite smoothly! Everyone's enthusiasm and attention to detail made this a tour to remember, and I'm so grateful for the effort and time the bloggers put in to make this happen.

I also have to thank Anne Elisabeth Stengl and Rooglewood Press for giving me the opportunity to work on this awesome tour, as well as the five fabulous authors (Betsy, Emma, Rachel, Stephanie, and Clara) for writing touching, entertaining, and astoundingly creative stories. Plus, they also put a lot of time and energy into making this tour fun for all of you with their great interview responses, picture/song hunting, write-ups, and comment responses. *round of applause*

This concludes the Five Glass Slippers blog event, but let's continue to celebrate life's Cinderella moments and dance the night away!

Conclusion of the Resistance Blog Tour!

Wow - this has been quite the tour! It's been such a delight to see the enthusiasm of long-time, as well as brand-new, fans of Jaye L. Knight/Molly Evangeline throughout this past week.

Want to know what everyone's been gushing about? You can pick up your own e-copy of the book for only $3.99 on Amazon...and rest assured that a paperback version will be available there very soon!

Tour Recap

Did you miss any of the stops along this grand adventure? You can revisit them via the links below!

Reviews

• "Knight has created an awesome fantasy world that is great to explore" ~ Rebekah of Backing Books
• "In some ways Resistance was not what I expected, and I mean that in a good way" ~ Brooke of Breathless Imaginings
• "Resistance was everything I hoped it would be and more! It is definitely one of the most powerful Christian fantasy books I have ever read!" ~ Laura of Crafty Booksheeps
• "I thoroughly enjoyed the way Resistance blends the Roman Empire with medieval fantasy" ~ Audrey of The Lore-Mistress
• "It is, I believe, a book everyone should read at least once in their lifetime" ~ Jack of However Improbable
• "There is something almost mesmerizing about this author’s writing style" ~ JoJo of JoJo's Corner
• "The book is filled with action, love, suspense, trial, deliverance, and all the other things you can hope for in a book like this" ~ David of Reality Calling
• "I have read many fantasy novels and I’m happy to say that I found Ilyon, the land in which the book is set, completely original" ~ Tialla of Tialla's Tellings
• "I loved every bit if it, and I’m looking forward to the rest in the series. I’ve started many series, but never bothered to finish some. But this one, I’m making it a point to do so" ~ Miranda of To Be A Person
• "If you’re at all interested in fantasy, Christian fiction, or indie publishing in general, this book is well worth the read" ~ Aubrey of Aubrey Hansen
• "This book was AMAZING! I guess reading it in 6 hours is proof of that" ~ Mercy of Mercy Ray
• "I was hooked from the first paragraph and could hardly put the book down" ~ Faith of Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
• "Resistance was a fast paced, faith-filled, suspenseful journey that I will be sure to jump into again in the near future" ~ Alyssa of Literary and Lace
• "I have found a new favorite author. Resistance is gripping, intense, the utmost page-turner" ~ Meagan at The Curried Nut
• "This was a very well told story of two characters who come to their awareness of their faith" ~ Vonnie of Vonnie's Reading Corner
• "A great new novel, with memorable characters, strong faith, and great dialogue" ~ Faye of Labor Not in Vain
• "It brought me to tears, made my skin tingle in delight, had my mind racing, and made my heart sigh" ~ Shantelle of A Writer's Heart
• "I absolutely loved this. It’s a fantasy book without magic which is so unique and well done" ~ Suzanne of Bookblogarama
• "None of my high expectations were disappointed. Instead, they were blown away" ~ Kendra of O.Scarlett! Reviews
• "The world of the Ilyon Chronicles [is] entirely new and fresh" ~ Rebeka of The Other World
• "Thrilling, thoughtful tale of courage, self-sacrifice, and resistance against oncoming evil" ~ Hannah of The Writer's Window

Author Interviews

• Finding the True Fairy Tale
• J. Grace Pennington
• The Wonderings of One Person
• Historical Heartbeats
• JoJo's Corner
• Reality Calling
• The Pink Cave
• Tialla's Tellings
• Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections
• Thilly Little Nothings

Character Interviews

• Chat with Kyrin (the heroine) at Kathryn Elizabeth Jones
• Chat with Kaden (the heroine's twin brother) at Written Rest
• Chat with Jace (the hero) at However Improbable
• Chat with Daniel (the villain's son) at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke
• Chat with Trask (resistance leader) at Aubrey Hansen
• Chat with Emperor Daican (the villain) at The Curried Nut
• Chat with Rayad (Jace's father figure) at Knitted by God's Plan

Spotlights

• Bluerose's Heart
• One Servant's Heart
• Rivershore Books
• The Borrowed Book

Special Feature

Jace and I also posted the title of Book 2 in the series (coming in 2015) and a personality quiz created by the author!

Winner!

The entries came flooding in for the tour-wide giveaway, and Rafflecopter's randomly chosen winner is...

Serena M.!

Congratulations, Serena - I've sent you an email! Enjoy immersing yourself in the world of Ilyon by smelling the woods, admiring a wolf, and reading the first epic story of the series. =)

If you weren't a winner, remember that you can pick up your own copy of the book on Amazon, purchase a piece of handcrafted jewelry from the author at her Etsy Store, and buy a bookmark from Lodgepole Leathercraft. 

The End of the Beginning

And so we come to the end of our journey celebrating the release of Resistance. Don't forget, though, that this is just the first in an epic six-book adventure! You can learn more at the Ilyon Chronicles website.

Thank you for joining the resistance, and huge thanks to all the bloggers who made our journey so thrilling!

Love's Promises Blog Tour Winner!

Happy Friday, everyone! Today I get to announce the winner of the Love's Promises prize pack - the last piece of Sandra's blog tour. Rafflecopter randomly pulled up a name on the form, and that name is...

Nancy M!

Congratulations, Nancy! I'll send you an email shortly.

Nancy won:

+

(Signed Paperback)

If you didn't win this time, you can still grab a paperback copy of Love's Promises on Amazon for only about $10! Who could resist having that gorgeous background and that smiling hero on their bookshelf? ;)

And if you missed any of the blog tour fun, be sure to check out the blog tour recap, which includes direct links to each of the tour posts! 

Have a sunny and blessed Friday!

My Review of The Ransom + Winner Announcement

Here's a description of the book from the author's website:

"Port Royal, Jamaica 1692

Living in a city deemed the wickedest in the world is no easy task for Miss Juliana Dutton. To make matters worse, with an ailing father and a drunken fool for a brother, she is forced to take over the running of the family business in order to survive. When a meddlesome suitor threatens to discover her secret and cast them all onto the streets, she agrees to a spurious engagement with the town buffoon, Lord Munthrope. She only hopes the man is trustworthy.

Alexander Hyde, son of the infamous Captain Edmund Merrick Hyde, is the most feared pirate in Port Royal. Disillusioned with the religion of his parents and the pleasures of the world, Alex staves off his emptiness by leading a dual life as both the pretentious dandy, Lord Munthrope, and the feared Pirate Earl.

A long-time enemy is out to destroy Alex and take Juliana for his own. Yet could their problems be a Divine hand leading them down a path of escape? Or when an earthquake strikes, will they be doomed with the rest of Port Royal to be swallowed up by the sea?"

My Rating

Spring

My Review

I was so thrilled to learn that MaryLu Tyndall was writing a sequel for the "Legacy of the King's Pirates" series - the trilogy that introduced me to her work and made me fall in love with her writing. The Ransom is a great sequel to the series, as Tyndall never fails to pen engaging stories full of adventure and heart.

At the beginning, I confess I was a little put off by the dialogue. I'm not sure it's all that different from her first books, but for some reason it hit me the wrong way this time, like it was trying too hard to define itself as historical. But as the story moved along, I got caught up in the happenings, and the dialogue was no longer a big issue.

And what interesting happenings! Captain Merrick's son leads a very strange life as half-lord and half-pirate. I loved how he used both roles to woo Juliana, though - really rather cute, if buffoons and pirates can be called such! And his fascination with the sea - his longings to revive his father's ways and times - resonated with me. History is so romanticized for us historical-romance lovers, and there is a certain desire to bring back or visit "better," more exciting times.

As for Juliana, I really did like her character overall. She's sweet. She has a big heart. She takes care of her family and isn't afraid to stand up to others. I confess she did come across as rather foolish (in some of her actions) and rather naive (she seriously didn't get Alex's secret for that long?), but it all contributed to an intriguing plot, nonetheless.

The connections to the book of Ecclesiastes were thoughtful and well-suited for the characters. Love how Tyndall weaves Scripture into her stories. And the dramatic conclusion was fitting for the series. I do hope the way it all ended means there are more books about this family to come?? The Ransom is a must-read for Tyndall fans, although it can be enjoyed without having read the first three books in the series, as they're only loosely connected. Bring on more seafaring stories, MaryLu!

*With thanks to the author for providing me with an e-copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Winner Announcement!

In honor of the official release of Bellflower and Fairy Slippers as a combo ebook, I gave away a bookmark. And the winner is...

Jan H!

Jan has been e-mailed and has responded. Congratulations, Jan!

If you really liked the looks of the bookmark, I hope you'll check out Belle on a Budget on Etsy. She has so many lovely pieces - from bookmarks to necklaces to earrings! I always enjoy shopping at her site. And don't forget that you can pick up an e-copy of Bellflower (+ Fairy Slippers) for only $.99 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords!

Bookish Cheer!

Happy weekend, dear readers! I've got a couple of bookish things to share with you today. (I'm sort of addicted to the word bookish now - sorry it keeps showing up on my social media sites, LOL.)

Love's Promises

Let's start with the Love's Promises cover reveal conclusion. First, on the giveaway form we asked entrants which of Sandra's covers (between the three pictured below) was their favorite. Here's the breakdown...

Out of 17 votes:

• 12% preferred Love's Miracles
• 29% preferred Love's Refuge
• 59% preferred Love's Promises 

When chatting with others on Twitter and participating blogs, it seemed like Love's Refuge was especially loved, but Love's Promises also seems to be adored by readers - and, I mean, who can resist the hero's smile? ;) So happy for Sandra, that all of her new covers this past year have been gorgeous! (Thanks to designer Lena Goldfinch!)

And now, for the winner of the journal giveaway from the cover reveal! And the winner is...

Jennifer!

Congratulations, Jennifer! Gotta love a new journal - so much potential and promise with those blank pages. :)

Jennifer has been e-mailed and has responded. For those who didn't win, though, there's going to be a super awesome giveaway for the Love's Promises blog tour in April, so stay tuned!

Speaking of the blog tour... If you're a blogger interested in participating in the tour by reviewing or spotlighting the book, interviewing the author, or posting some special feature, sign-ups are still open! Just fill out the form on the blog tour page, and I'll be in contact via e-mail. We're looking at the week of April 21-25 for the tour dates. Hope you'll join us - it's going to be a lot of fun!

And don't forget that you can purchase the Kindle version of this book now on Amazon!

Forget Me Not

 

As many of you know, I offered the Kindle version of Forget Me Not (Book 1 in my "Heart's Spring" series) for free this past week. I thought it would be a neat way to celebrate the official release of Bellflower & Fairy Slippers as a combo ebook, as well as see how a freebie promo would do now that I have other books for sale. (The other freebie promo I did last fall for Bleeding Heart was before any of my other books had been released.)

Well, I am pleased to pronounce it a success! Here is the total for how many times the book was downloaded Monday through Friday (March 17-21):

14,564

That, my friends, is a lot of potential new readers!! I'm so thrilled by the interest in Forget Me Not (and I know Lena's gorgeous cover design had to be a big part of that), and I hope people are blessed by the story.

Throughout the week, Forget Me Not remained on Amazon's Best Sellers list for Free Kindle books, usually hovering on the second or third page (between #31 and #50, or thereabouts). Forget Me Not also made some free best sellers lists for certain genres. Here are some highlights:

#1 in Historical Romance

#1 in Western Romance

#2 in Inspirational Romance

Forget Me Not (#3) and Laura Frantz's Courting Morrow Little (#1) together on Historical Romance list! (Pic courtesy of Melanie)

Keep in mind that these lists are updated hourly, so these are just snapshots (literally, ha!). And forgive my rather unprofessional highlighting and circling - I was playing around with this new-to-me tool and having too much fun. ;)

Despite all that, though, Forget Me Not stayed #1 or #2 in Western Romance for most of the week, and it was so fun to see Elizabeth on the charts! 

I consider the freebie promo a success for several reasons: the potential new readers, the visibility, and the sales - as this time I had other books in the series available for purchase, so my sales for Bleeding Heart and Bellflower increased! Since sales weren't doing too well this winter, any boost is good news in my book. ;)

HUGE thanks to all of you who helped spread the word on Twitter, Google +, Pinterest, on your blogs, and elsewhere! It truly made a difference, and your help and support are greatly appreciated. *Hugs* all around, dear friends, and thank you for all you do!!

If you missed Forget Me Not's freebie promo, it's only $2.99 for Kindle - and only $8.09 for the paperback. Happy reading!

Conclusion of the Forget Me Not Blog Tour!

This has been a fun week (and sort of a crazy month)! I'm always so blessed by those who are willing to help me spread the word about my writing. It was wonderful being able to share behind-the-scenes info on my writing and publishing journey, talk about some great shows/movies (like Bonanza and The Journey of Natty Gann), and read all the thoughtful reviews for Forget Me Not. But before I get to the acknowledgements, I've got a winner announcement and an update!

(I'm including some quote pics from Forget Me Not throughout the post. The pics are ones I took in Virginia City, Nevada and edited via PicMonkey. If you've read Forget Me Not, do feel free to share a favorite quote in the comments section, if you have one! I'd love to hear what lines stood out to you.)

Winner!

I was very excited when I decided on the giveaway prizes for this tour. Besides a signed paperback copy of Forget Me Not once it's available, I ordered a DVD copy of The Journey of Natty Gann and "Barton Hollow" by The Civil Wars on CD. The movie is near and dear to my heart, as it includes one of my fictional crushes, and it very much made an impression on my teenage self. I'm in love with "journeys"! Plus, the music is gorgeous, the ending is really touching, and there are trains. Can't go wrong there! As for the CD, a couple of the songs from there are included on the Forget Me Not "soundtrack" (I mean, you can't get a more fitting song than one titled "Forget Me Not"!). Plus, I realized that there are actually a few more songs on this CD version than the MP3 album I have - sweet!

All that to say, even if you weren't the winner, I do hope you'll check out The Journey of Natty Gann (keeping in mind that there is some language and violence) and "Barton Hollow," as I love both! And, of course, I'd love it if you picked up a copy of Forget Me Not, too. ;)

And the winner is...

AMBER M!

Congratulations, Amber! (Sounds like I'm congratulating myself, LOL.) Be on the lookout for my e-mail. I hope you enjoy your "unforgettable journey" prize package!

Update

You might have already seen this yesterday, but I signed up for DOOM - a NaNoWriMo-ish challenge to write 50,000 words in two months. My goal is to have the first draft of Morning Glory completed by May. I've already started researching, brainstorming, and working on some pieces to include in the story, but I think I better start getting some actual writing done. ;) You can track my progress via the StoryToolz widget in the sidebar!

What else? Well, I'll hopefully be sharing another companion short story this spring - Fairy Slippers, which is about Zachary Taylor after Bleeding Heart. So I'll be busy the next few months writing and editing and all that jazz! Hoping I can find a good balance between working on this series and keeping up with my freelance business, reading/reviewing, working for my dad, and other aspects of my life. And then after I wrap up this series (at least for the time being), I hope to share with you about another project in a different genre that I want to pursue...

Want to stay in the loop about all of my writing and publishing adventures? I'd love to have you follow "The Heart's Spring" series blog and sign up for my author newsletter! I'm sure you'll still hear the basics here, but you'll get all the sneak peeks, extras, and compiled news via those two outlets. Hope to see you there!

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Melanie, Miranda, Lydia, Brooke, Meagan, Molly, Kara, Rissi, Alyssa, Rachel, Jamie, Grace, Rachelle, Tammy, Jillian, Faye, Abbi, Audrey, Amber, Grace, Julie, Sherida, Carissa, and Anne Elisabeth. There would've been no blog tour without you - but more than that, there would be little or no buzz or excitement or support for my books in the blogosphere without you. I'm so grateful for each of you! Thank you for all you do to encourage me and share my books with others. ♥

(If you want to revisit any of the interviews, guest posts, or reviews, you can find links archived on the Forget Me Not site.)

The fun is far from over! Beyond my writing projects, I also have several publicity projects for clients coming soon. You can check out the blog tour pages for two of them (upper right, below header). And of course there should be reviews, life updates, and more headed your way... So stay tuned, old followers and new! A new season is upon us.

Winner and New Ideas!

The Morning Glory cover reveal was such a grand way to start the year - thank you all for your support and enthusiasm! ♥ We all agree that Lena Goldfinch is an awesome cover designer, right??

In case you missed my post with the story behind the cover and links to the blogs participating in the reveal, you can find it HERE. And don't forget that The Heart's Spring series blog is now live! You can check out my first four posts (includes a sneak peek at Forget Me Not) and share your thoughts on what you'd like to see there in the future. I'd love to know what sort of news/extras interests you!

As for the winner of the Morning Glory cover reveal giveaway, it's...

Nancy McLeroy!

Congratulations, Nancy! I've sent you an e-mail, so be on the lookout!

If you weren't a winner this time, but the prizes interested you, be sure to check out Cindy Lindgren's and Jaye L. Knights's Etsy shops. Beautiful treasures abound! And I've ordered some items for the Forget Me Not tour-wide giveaway that I'm excited to share soon... So be sure to mark the first week in February on your calendars! I'm going to be busy in the next few weeks working on guest posts and interviews, finalizing the manuscript for Kindle release, etc. - not to mention starting some upcoming projects for friends/clients, and some other stuff for "The Heart's Spring" series...

Speaking of which, I don't know about you, but I feel like great ideas hit me when I'm working out or in the shower. That happened to me yesterday, where some story elements "clicked" (one thanks to a blogger's thoughts on Bleeding Heart) and a thought for a project inspired by an idea my grandma once shared with me stood out. I started in on another companion short story last night, and I'm really looking forward to working more on all aspects of this series.

This series isn't and won't be perfect. I know I'm still growing, still maturing, still learning more about writing, the industry, and life in general. But honestly, I feel so blessed that connections and opportunities came together so that this series of my heart could be shared in this season of my life. I came across this quote on Pinterest - fitting, don't you think?

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand - and melting like a snowflake." ~ Sir Francis Bacon

(Via Amy Hood Arts)

I wouldn't necessarily say we aren't living in eternity, because I believe eternal life begins when we start our journey with God through faith in Him. But I like what this quote is really saying - that our time on earth, our time to make a difference here, is limited. So let the moment shine, and make it count before it melts away. (That doesn't mean we won't have seasons of waiting, of course! But there are always other things to do while we wait for one thing to come about, right?)

Self-publishing "The Heart's Spring" series is giving me the chance to try creative things, to discover them and apply them moment by moment. As many of you have heard me say before, every story has a season (hence the name of my publisher, Seasons of a Story), and the same goes for every writing journey. Each one is unique. But I can declare with gratitude to God and the people He has placed in my life that I'm loving this season and the chance to share my passions in this way!

And now I've rambled on long enough... Tell me, what is it you want to (and can) do now, as 2014 begins? What new ideas are you excited to pursue?

Conclusion of the Love's Refuge Blog Tour!

Another blog tour has come to an end...but that doesn't mean the excitement is over! Be sure to head on over to The Curried Nut for one last tour stop that includes Meagan's thoughts on Love's Refuge and an interview with Sandra. *Update: Meagan's also hosting a 2-book giveaway, and there's a review of another of Sandra's books on Bluerose's Heart!* Then consider following me or Sandra on Twitter (@SeasonsHumility & @SLeesmithAuthor), Facebook (Sandra Wardman Smith), Google+ (+AmberStokes), Pinterest (Amber Stokes), Goodreads (Amber Stokes & Sandra Leesmith), this blog, and/or Sandra's website. to stay in the know on any upcoming Sandra Leesmith announcements and releases. What's coming next? Love's Refuge in paperback and audiobook formats! Stay tuned for more details.

Winner!

And now, for the winner of the basic Kindle loaded with Sandra's books!

*Drumroll*

Ann Lee Miller!

Congratulations, Ann! You have until next weekend to reply to the e-mail I sent you before another winner is chosen. Happy reading!

While there's only one winner of the Kindle, everyone's a winner with the Love's Refuge e-book special! Be sure to pick up your $.99 Kindle copy today, as the price goes back up to $2.99 tomorrow (which is still a good deal if you read this later - so no need to stress too much!).

And if you're wondering about those extra book giveaways hosted on participating blogs during the tour, those are being run separately by the owners of those blogs. The Wonderings of One Person winner has already been chosen (congratulations, KC!), but the following blogs' giveaways are still open: Tell the World (only 1 more day!), i blog 4 books (1 week!), and Best Reads (only 1 more day!).

Acknowledgements

Sandra and I are grateful for the following bloggers and their participation in this tour - it couldn't have happened without them! We appreciate their time and effort in making the tour a success.

• Funtó
• Julie G.
• Rachelle Rea
• Samantha Jo
• Amber M.
• Brooke Barenfanger
• Britney Adams
• Alyssa
• Emily Anne
• Tammy
• Ann Lee Miller
• Brooke M.
• Kav
• Serena Chase
• Meagan Davenport

(If you missed any of the stops along the tour, you can click the names above to be taken to their posts!)

I'd also like to thank all the readers who followed the tour and helped spread the word, as well as Sandra, who has been an awesome client to work with since she was the very first earlier in 2013!

Have a lovely weekend! Enjoy a good book and some leftovers!

A Day of Winners! (With a Review)

The first winner I want to announce today is the winner of the Forget Me Not cover reveal giveaway!

Nancy M.

...won the forget-me-not note cards (from Carol Sapp Watercolors)! Congratulations, Nancy! You've been sent an e-mail, and you have until Friday to respond before I pick another winner. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the cover reveal - either as bloggers or as readers leaving comments! I really appreciate your support and enthusiasm, and I'm looking forward to the day that I can share this story with you. (Hopefully not too much longer now!)

And now, for the second "winner" of the day - a contemporary romance novel that made a great impression on me! 

Here's a description of the book from Bethany House:

Miranda Woodruff has it all. At least, that's how it looks when she's starring in her homebuilding television show, From the Ground Up. So when her network begins to talk about making cuts, she'll do anything to boost ratings and save her show--even if it means pretending to be married to a man who's definitely not the fiance who ran out on her three years ago.

When a handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda's every move, all his digging into her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth--and to her. Can the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she's built come crashing down just as she's found a love to last?

My Rating

Summer

My Review

While historical romance may be the subgenre I gravitate toward within Christian romance, every now and then a contemporary romance will come along and impress me. Made to Last is full of great plot twists, wonderful characterization, and sweet and funny moments. While it may not be set in the past, the "foreign" and "formal" situations (the world of TV stars and big-name reporters) still swept me away to another place, and I enjoyed the excursion very much.

One big conflict propels the story along, but constant added conflicts or new twists on the effects of the big secret keep the story moving along at a nice pace. I loved the contrast between Miranda's mountain home (and other country situations) and the craziness of being behind the camera, featured on a widely read celebrity blog, etc. And Tagg did a marvelous job of crafting the story in terms of the seasons. (Something I had to focus on, of course!) The themes of letting go and dying dreams correspond with the leaves falling from the trees and the cold winter weather setting in. And yet there is hope as the hero and heroine learn how to face those seasons and find the precious truths hidden beneath the piles of leaves.

With an intriguing cast of characters and the right mix of the familiar/realistic and the exciting/imaginative, as well as a delightful dose of humor, Made to Last is a memorable romance story. Tagg's writing resonated with me, and I can't wait for her next book, Here to Stay!

*With thanks to the author and Bethany House for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*