And...Action! Interview with Cat Detective Buckley + Giveaway!

It's not every day you get to introduce a cat detective as your blog guest! ;) I'm thrilled that Buckley was willing to come back on the blog to give us the lowdown on his latest case. (Click HERE if you'd like to read previous posts featuring Buckley and his friends!)

Buckley and his "brother" Bogey are real cats who inspired the fictional Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Capers. Buckley is the "rookie" who's still learning the tricks of the trade from Bogey - and sometimes (well, much of the time) it's an uphill climb. But Buckley has a willing heart and an open mind, and he's been learning a LOT about the detective business.

Get to know Buckley better in this fun Q&A! (And did we mention there's an awesome book giveaway at the end?) Discover what this cool cat has been up to and what movies and movie stars have to do with his new book...

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Amber: Welcome back to the blog, Buckley! The last time I had the pleasure of hosting you was way back when you and Bogey solved The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks. If I’ve heard correctly, you’ve solved at least two more mysteries since then. Could you tell us a little about those cases? (Anything that’s not confidential, of course!) 

Buckley: Hello again, our wonderful friend, Amber! Holy Catnip! Thanks for having us here today. Hugs and wet nose kisses from Bogey and me. And yes, the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Agency has been very busy since we last spoke. Whew. We’ve had a couple of cases that turned out to be real doozies!

First there was The Case of the Jewel Covered Cat Statues. That one started when we discovered a mysterious package hidden in our Mom’s antique store. Of course, Bogey and I stashed it away until we could figure out who it really belonged to. And it was a good thing, too, because a whole bunch of mysterious strangers suddenly showed up, and they were all after that package! It all happened just as a priceless, jeweled statue collection went on display at our local museum. Before long, we were up to our fuzzy ears in ancient symbols and hidden treasure, and . . . dinosaurs! (Okay, not real dinosaurs, but they were still pretty scary . . .)

Then, our newest mystery, The Case of the Clever Secret Code, took place just as everyone in the entire city of St. Gertrude was getting ready for the big Fourth of July celebration. That’s when famous movie star Steele Bronson rolled into town in his huge limo. Of course, it wasn’t long before the whole city was in a frenzy over the famous celebrity! Much to my amazement, Steele Bronson insisted that Bogey and I have starring roles in his newest movie, which he planned to film at our local library.

After that, everything just went haywire, and we soon had our paws full with secret codes and hidden keys, as well as a whole bunch of history from the Revolutionary War. And it all played a role in solving our most complicated case ever. Especially when we quickly realized that there was something very wrong with the whole picture, especially the one that Steele Bronson was filming . . .

Click image to enlarge.

Amber: Wow! You've certainly had a lot on your plate (or in your cat dish, I should say)! 

For your latest case, how did it feel to meet a movie star and see a movie being filmed in your hometown? 

Buckley: Well, to tell you the truth, Bogey and I had never even heard of the man before. And we were pretty surprised by the way people reacted when they heard he was in town. Women were fainting and screaming and all kinds of stuff. Plus, everyone kept talking about how “hot” he was. Sure, it was late June, so I guess it was pretty toasty outside. But still, I had to wonder: If the man was so hot, why was he wearing a jacket? Bogey and I just didn’t see what all the fuss was about. 

Then we were even more surprised when he walked into our store with some kind of trophy, something he called an Academy Award. Plus he had a whole stack of glossy photos of himself. This seemed strange to me, since I’ve never met someone who walked around carrying their own pictures before!

Amber: Oh my! We humans can act a little odd when it comes to seeing or being celebrities, true enough. ;) 

Speaking of movies, do you enjoy watching them when you’re not on the case?

Buckley: Absolutely, Bogey and I like movies a whole bunch!! But we never actually watch them. We just like them because the people in our house usually rest on the couch while they’re watching the TV. And that’s the perfect time for us cats to cuddle up on someone’s lap and take a good nap. Even so, Bogey does watch a few movies from time to time, and I do like the special cat DVDs that have nothing but birds and fish. Our Mom puts it on every once in a while to keep us cats entertained.
 
Amber: Sounds like our Christmas DVD that has lovely winter scenes and pretty music to enjoy in the background. I think you'd like it! In fact, I’ve heard you’re also a music lover. :) What do you like most about it? And which genre do you like most?

Buckley: Oh yes, you’ve got that right! I love music a lot. It helps me to relax when I’m nervous about a really big case. I’m kind of a jazz cat at heart, and I especially enjoy soft jazz or piano music. My favorite music, of course, is the soundtrack from The Pink Panther. My ears always perk up when that music is playing! Plus, our Mom has been learning to play the piano, and Bogey and I really like to help her. Bogey sits on the seat next to her and I sit above the keyboard. We like to reach over and hit a few keys ourselves, every now and then. After all, playing the piano should be a family affair, don’t you think?

Amber: I think you're quite right! It's fun to enjoy music together. 

Your latest case has to do with secrets and codes...which leads me to wonder about the secrets of cats. Is there anything cat owners should know about cats’ common thoughts and behaviors? Any secret signals or hidden codes that we often miss or misinterpret because we don’t speak your language? 

Buckley: Ha! I’m afraid I can’t reveal too much here, since us cats have kind of a code that we don’t let humans in on everything we’re up to. But I can tell you, us cats are really very good when it comes to working on a computer. And even though we can speak human language just fine, we always switch back to cat language when humans are around. Otherwise it might freak them out. 

Plus, most people don’t realize it, but cats are probably better at solving crimes than humans. That’s because we have night vision and an excellent sense of smell. Not to mention, we can sneak in and out of places without being spotted. But that’s all I can tell you. Sorry.

Amber: Fair enough. ;) Are you and Bogey working on any cases currently?

Buckley: Right now we’re sort of recovering from our new book release. So we’re just getting caught up on our naps and running our nightly surveillance around the house. Still, Christmas is on the horizon and we’re expecting big things to happen. So our agency is ready to jump in on all four paws when a new case for the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Agency comes up! Holy Mackerel!

Amber: You run across a lot of “bad guys” and scary situations while on the case. What gets you through the difficult times? How do you hold on to the hope that good will triumph over evil?

Buckley: Wow, that’s a tough one! Because bad guys can be very scary, all right! But I learned a long time ago that when I’m in a pickle, it’s a good idea to rely on those who are bigger and smarter than me. For me, that’s my big brother, Bogart, and the cat in our house that we call the Wise One. Our Mom, on the other hand, talks about relying on God when she’s scared. She says He’s bigger and smarter than anyone! She says He will make sure that good does triumph over evil. Well, I have to say, that makes me a pretty happy cat!

Amber: And rightly so! Your Mom is very wise. 

I think it’s awesome that your cases have been written down for others to read! Is there a particular age group that would most enjoy the stories?

Buckley: It’s funny, but we originally wrote our books for kids ages 8-12. But pretty soon we found out that grownups were buying our books, too. So we usually say our books are for kids and cat-lovers of all ages. I guess lots of people just like reading about Bogey and me and all of our friends as we work to crack another case. Maybe it’s because we remind them of their own cats.

Amber: I certainly enjoy reading about your adventures! I definitely think cat-lovers of all ages would find them to be sweet and entertaining.

Now, this is a for-fun question, since your Mom is a friend of mine and has told you a bit about my books. :) My latest stories feature stars, bees, and trains. What are your thoughts on those topics? 

Buckley: Holy Catnip! I love all those things! And you sure picked some great things to write about! In my Christmas book, The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks, I got stuck outside one night. This was right after I’d heard about the Christmas story, and how people followed a bright star to find baby Jesus lying in a manger. So I climbed into the Nativity scene on our front yard and looked up at all the stars in the night sky. I tried to find the brightest one, and I tried to imagine what the Christmas star must have looked like all those years ago. It was such a beautiful night!

As for bees, Bogey and I love to sit in our living room window and watch all the busy bees in our garden outside. They sure do like our flowers. And when it comes to trains, we always chase the train our Dad puts out at Christmas time near our big Christmas tree. We knock it off so he can put it back on the track again. We just know he really enjoys our little game.

Amber: So fun! And I loved that scene in your Christmas book. ♥

Before you go, do you have any parting message you’d like to share from the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Agency? We’re glad you took time off from work to join us today!

Buckley: I just have to say, since I’m still kind of the rookie and Bogey is the pro in our agency, sometimes I’m a little scared when it comes a new situation where I’m not sure what to do. Sometimes I think life would be a whole lot easier if I just lazed around and took naps all day.

But after a few cases, I realized how much I would miss out on if I didn’t step outside my comfort zone (as my Mom calls it), and try something new. I’ve learned a whole bunch of new skills because of it, and I’ve met wonderful people and cats, and I’ve even played a big role in helping to crack some very tough cases. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is, sometimes it’s good to take a leap of faith, even when it’s a little scary.

Anyway, I sure would like to thank you again for hosting us here, Amber. Bogey and I (and our Mom!) really appreciate all you’ve done to support our books. Hugs and wet nose kisses to you! You’ve been a good friend to us, and a real blessing. We’d like to tell you Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas in advance! Holy Catnip!

Amber: That's a great lesson you've learned, Buckley. Thank you for sharing! And a very happy Thanksgiving and Christmas to you, your Mom, and the rest of the gang!

Readers, you can connect with Buckley and his Mom at the following sites:
Buckley and Bogey website | Cindy Vincent's website | Whodunit Press
Goodreads | Pinterest | YouTube

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Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win one of three autographed copies of The Case of the Clever Secret Code! This book would make a great Christmas gift for a cat-lover in your life - or a fun treat for you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What's Your Ideal Deal for Black Friday? (Survey)

When I was told about the opportunity to join with fellow Christian indie authors to create an epic group Black Friday sale, I couldn't resist! And the cool part? You get to help us decide what sorts of deals/offers to share at the end of this month!

Fill out the form below (or at this link) to let us know what would make this Black Friday a book-buyer's Technicolor dream. ;)

P.S. Bloggers, there's a spot on the form where you can sign up to share about all the upcoming deals...and score some free books in the process! (Woot!)

Plenty o’ Pretties (and Some Fun to Come)

I've been getting a few things in place for a bookiversary celebration on November 18th - the one-year anniversary of the release of How a Star Falls! Woot!

Let's start with a teaser of the giveaway. :) I've been in contact with a few of my favorite Etsy shops, and I'm so excited to partner with them and feature an item from each store for the prizes! I won't tell you what the items are yet (gotta have some surprises, right?), but here's a look at the stores the prizes are from:

Baubles, Beads and Stuff is a brand-new Etsy shop run by blogger extraordinaire Rissi (Dreaming Under the Same Moon) and her mom, and the pieces are so classy! You can find a lovely variety of necklaces and earrings there - big, bold, and colorful. Allow me to show off the necklace I recently received from their store...

You can browse the pretties at: Etsy.com/shop/BaublesBeadsandStuff

Cindy Lindgren is always a pleasure to work with, and her designs are so sweet and whimsical! You can find cards, prints, fabric, and posters at her shop. Aren't you gonna have fun guessing which card design I'm offering for the giveaway? ;) Check out Cindy's store at: Etsy.com/shop/CindyLindgren

Jaye L. Knight is someone many of you already know and love. She's the author of the new-adult Christian fantasy series called the Ilyon Chronicles. But she also runs this Etsy shop on the side and offers a wide array of lovely and clever jewelry pieces and bookmarks. See what's available at: Etsy.com/shop/JayeLKnight

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Goodness, there's so much awesomeness to explore on Etsy, am I right? Feel free to send a shout-out to your favorite shops in the comments section. :)

As for what else is in store for the anniversary celebration, I'm very excited to announce that we'll be unveiling a new cover for How a Star Falls! While I still very much love the original, my contemporary romances will now be branded with couple covers. Who else is psyched to have Derrick join Brielle on the cover of the novella?? This couple holds a special place in my heart. ♥

I also thought of something tonight...

You see, I really want to draw attention to the audiobook version of How a Star Falls. It's my first audiobook, and I really, really loved how the narrator interpreted Derrick's voice and brought the story to life. :) It would tickle me pink (like the shirt I'm wearing in the pics above!) to see the audiobook get a little extra love during the anniversary celebration.

To that end, I wondered if any of you would be interested in doing a listen-along? Kinda like a read-along, but with an audiobook? Since the book is only two hours long when read aloud, I imagine a week of less than 20 minutes of listening per day would do the trick. You could listen on the way to work/school, while eating a meal, right before bed...pretty quick and hopefully fun. :) We could chat about the little snippet of story each day, our thoughts on the narration, our own dreams and memories the scenes bring to mind, whether or not we agree with Derrick's taste in music, what we like/don't like about the beach, etc.

And here's the thing: I have extra promo codes for downloading a free copy of the audiobook, so if you're interested in joining a listen-along, I'll be happy to send you a code! (Email me at amberstokes@corban.edu to request a code.) I'd just ask for a quick and honest review on Audible and Amazon when you're done listening. :)

What do you guys think? I could see this starting around the 15th or 16th maybe, and lasting for a week?

Looking forward to celebrating the bookiversary with you in a couple of weeks!

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P.S. Fellow bloggers, have you heard about the new Book Blogger's Planner? It's available for pre-order now, and it sounds just fab! (I've already got my copy secured. ;)) Learn more about the planner HERE and about Jamie's new Shoppe opening in December HERE. It sounds like such an awesome endeavor!

My Review of The Golden Braid

About the Book (from the author's website)

"The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower...

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim. 

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?"

Releases November 17th!

Buy on Amazon | Add to Goodreads

My Rating

Spring

My Review

I enjoy Melanie Dickerson's blend of adventure and fairy-tale favorites. The Golden Braid doesn't completely turn the story of Rapunzel on its head, as there are a lot of familiar elements embedded in this retelling, but she does take it on a merry dance with some fun twists (including connections to her previous retellings, especially The Princess Spy), unique personalities, and a good cast of secondary characters.

Of course, it's Rapunzel and Sir Gerek who steal the show! Well...and Rapunzel's mother. The three of them form a complicated braid of emotions and shifting loyalties. From their first danger-filled introduction on the road to Hagenheim, to the bitter, suspense-filled end, their story is one of secrets and suspicions.

I'm a little torn about the middle of the story. Part of me would have liked even more glimpses into the blossoming friendship and romance - more time with the hero and heroine together. Another part of me would have liked a bit more "new" tension in the outside circumstances (which is only a potential problem for those who are familiar with the plot of The Princess Spy). But still, there's a continuous, underlying thread of suspense that's unique to Rapunzel's situation, and it is interesting seeing one story's plot from another character's point of view.

This latest retelling from Dickerson has a very tender romance when all is said and done, and for that, I say bravo! By the end I was definitely rooting for the hero and hanging on for the crazy ride on the road to a fairy-tale-worthy resolution. There's a sweet message about love seeing beyond social status and never giving up while there's still hope. Fans of Dickerson's writing and sweet fairy tales with a dash of danger should enjoy meeting the girl with the golden braid.

*With thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Huzzah for Sweater Weather! (A Tag)

It's been a while since I've done a non-bookish sort of post. :) The fab Grace of Fictionally tagged me a while back for the Sweater Weather tag, so I'm finally responding. (Thank you, Grace!)

Who else is excited for sweater weather?? If only autumn wasn't slipping away so quickly...

Favorite candle scent

Hmmm. I like cinnamon and other holiday scents. (Not terribly big on pumpkin, though.) I also really like my Sundrenched Vineyard candle from Bath & Body Works. (It looks like this, but it's a bit bigger and has a bit of a different design. I just love these jar candles! I'm not sure if I love it so much because of the yummy scent or the adorable presentation. Both?)

Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?

Most definitely hot chocolate! Although peppermint tea is nice when I'm in the mood for it. 

What's the best fall memory you have?

It's more like a bunch of little memories I hold dear. Years of watching Disney's animated The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with my family... Showing off my Halloween costume to my grandparents... Drinking the world's best apple cider at the Apple Harvest Festival... Enjoying the beautiful, haunting sight and sound of stalks of corn swaying in the wind while wandering through a maze... Listening to a bluegrass band play at a farm decked out for the harvest... Watching my mom carve the cutest pumpkin faces... Munching on salty roasted pumpkin seeds... Seeing Ashland, Oregon drenched in golden sunlight and dripping with autumn colors.  

In fact, I got to go back to Ashland just a week ago (the last time I went was with my Shakespeare college class). I went with my friend and her husband, and we had an absolute blast! The presentation of Much Ado About Nothing was hilarious and intriguing and beautiful! And while it wasn't quite as sunny and warm as my previous visit, we did get to enjoy the fall colors...

Best fragrance for fall

The scent of my mom's apple dumplings baking in the oven.

Favorite Thanksgiving food

Turkey and homemade biscuits. Mmm!

Most worn sweater

Probably one of my school hoodies. My baggy purple Corban sweater is comfy. :) Although, I also have a little black sweater that I wear all the time, no matter the season. It's a nice, light sweater, and black goes with anything!

Football games or jumping in leaf piles?

Give me a pile of leaves over football any day! (Sorry, Duck fans of Oregon. It's just not my thing!) I love the crunch of leaves and the way the little joys of autumn can bring out the kids in all of us. (Just remember Linus's advice: "Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.")

Skinny jeans or leggings?

Jeggings! That's not cheating, right? I'll admit, I was skeptical at first, but the jeggings I've bought at Maurice's are pretty awesome. :)

Combat boots or Uggs?

I guess Uggs. Unless I can choose a third option: cute heeled boots.

Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?

I wouldn't really know. *shrugs* I haven't had pumpkin spice anything. Pumpkin = not my fave.

Favorite fall TV show

Not sure if these count, but we like to watch these shows every year: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Disney); It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown; Scared Shrekless. All classics!

What do you want to be for Halloween?

Well, I found my prom dress, so I think I'm going to dress up as Cinderella for the harvest party. I mean, just look at how blue and poufy and Cinderella-like it is!

And I can't resist the opportunity to actually wear it again. ;)

Hats or scarves?

Scarves. One of my coworkers taught me a couple of ways to wear a scarf, so now I'm not so unsure of them, haha. And I've added a ton to my collection over the past year!

What's your #1 favorite thing about fall?

I love the symbolism of the season - the letting go that is all at once freeing and beautiful and melancholy. It's that indescribable something that makes autumn a time of long nights, thought-provoking sights, and harvest joys. 

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Your turn! I'm tagging Courtney at The Green Mockingbird, Meghan at A Northern Belle, and Kara at Flowers of Quiet Happiness - but I'd love to hear everyone's autumn preferences in the comments section. :) "Happy fall,  y'all!"

While You're Awake Release Day!

It's here! *throws flower-shaped confetti and sets out a plate of baklava drizzled with honey*

I'm thrilled to introduce to you my new contemporary novelette, While You're Awake. Read on to learn more about the book and find out what prizes are up for grabs in the celebratory giveaway...

Sweet New Adult Contemporary Romance Novelette

There’s no rest for the fearful.

Ava always knew the bees would come. Just when she’s settled into a place of her own, freelance editing and savoring her independence, her rental house is invaded by a swarm of honey bees. And with their arrival, her lifelong fear morphs into a full-fledged panic that steals her sleep—and her peace of mind.

Keegan knows all about fear. When he meets Ava at the coffee shop where he works, he can’t help but come to her rescue. Together with his German shepherds, Sun and Moon, he sets out to break the “curse” that hovers over Tired Girl. But is it possible to conquer nightmares and live a dream while you're awake?

This sweet novelette is a contemporary re-imagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale that sheds light on the worries that bind us and the love that leads to peace.

Now available for $.99!

(Don't have a Kindle? No problem! You can download the free app for your computer or other device.)

Giveaway!

Enter to win a little something sweet from Ava, Keegan, and the author (that's me)! One winner will receive a lovely yellow and gold flower necklace & earrings set from Baubles, Beads and Stuff; a $10 Starbucks gift card (delivered electronically); and a Kindle copy of While You’re Awake (can be gifted to a friend, if desired!). Open to US residents only due to shipping costs.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
P.S. Want to see more pictures of the jewelry prize and check out the details of the lovely pieces? Click HERE to see the reserved listing on Etsy!

P.P.S. Baubles, Beads and Stuff is a brand-new Etsy shop run by a dear blogging friend of mine, Rissi of Dreaming Under the Same Moon. Won't you join me in congratulating her on the opening of her shop? :) And please do browse all the pretties!

Fun Extras!

Found on Pinterest

• I love this picture (above) for Keegan and Ava! From a quick Google search, it appears that these actors are from the show Under the Dome. Not really my cup of tea. ;) But I like the pic!

• You can find more character look-alikes, quotes, Sleeping Beauty pictures, and random information about honey bees on the While You're Awake Pinterest board.

• I think this song is fitting for Ava and Keegan's story. :) Plus, it's Owl City - you really can't go wrong listening to an Owl City song, in my opinion! (Can you tell I'm a fan?)

• You can hear the rest of the "soundtrack" I picked out for the story on the While You're Awake "Soundtrack" board.

• And if you would like to try my other new adult contemporary romance novella, it's FREE for Kindle today and tomorrow (October 20-21)! You can get How a Star Falls HERE.

Thank you so much for stopping by to help me celebrate this day! And many thanks to my street team (AKA the Gems) for helping to spread the word on their blogs, as well. ((Hugs))

I didn't set up any author interviews for this release, but if you have any questions you want to ask about this story, the characters, my writing process, etc., please leave a comment. :) And help yourself to another piece of baklava and a big cup of mochaccino!

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