The Master's Inn Blog Tour by Deb Gorman

 

 

About the Book

Book: The Master’s Inn

Author: Deb Gorman

Genre: Christian Fiction

Release date: October 15, 2022

A novel of human brokenness and God’s still-unfolding drama of redemption.

When two dysfunctional and wounded families wind up unexpectedly at the remote Master’s Inn during a December snowstorm, it’s up to owners Tom and Barb Masters to help—except they’re dealing with their own bitter issues. As the winter snowfall confines them, the three families find themselves coping with their crippled relationships and hard emotions . . . and sometimes tearing one another down in the process.

But when a secret is inadvertently revealed and a rebellious teenage girl takes off into the storm, chaos descends. Will they be tossed into more heartbreak, or will the crisis draw them together against a common enemy?

With a forest in Washington State as the backdrop, join the Masters’ at their B&B as they strive to show Christ’s love to all who cross their threshold . . . even when it threatens their own sanity and safety.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts on the Book

Bar & Tom run The Master's Inn. An unfortunate snowstorm leaves a family with canceled flights. Little do they know, God has other plans. Two families traveling and stalled by weather end up at the inn. Both families are dysfunctional and with failing marriages, one with a rebellious teenager.

The time they are stranded will change the lives of everyone. The story is about lessons learned in truth, forgiveness, and healing. Keep the tissues handy because you will need them for this one. This is a very emotional read. The God moments in the story will inspire you and remind you that choices are very important and can dictate your future.

The characters are varied, each one with their own set of issues and appear very real. I found myself rooting for some and not liking others very much. Highly recommended. A amazing storyline and well-written.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it.

 

About the Author

Deb Gorman, the owner of Debo Publishing, was born and reared in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She still lives in her hometown with her husband, Alan, and their very smart German Shepherd, Hoka.

Deb is a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, cleverly disguised as a wife, mom, grandmom, and author.

Her purpose is to connect with God’s most beautiful and clever creation, the human family, using the literary talent and imagination God gave her.

Her prayer is that as she journeys together with you, we will discover encouragement and redemption in our most important relationships.

Connect with Deb at https://debggorman.com where you will find her blog posts and information about her books, both published and forthcoming.

 

More from Deb

One Sunday morning in 2012, I listened to our pastor give one of his excellent sermons.

I don’t remember what he said to spark this idea, but I grabbed my church bulletin and began scribbling furiously. By the time the service ended I had a rough outline, character sketches, and the opening scene written. And the title—The Master’s Inn. Some details, of course, changed over the years, but the title stayed the same.

The Master’s Inn was first birthed as a ninety-minute play, which my church produced over one weekend in December of 2013. I wrote the play and directed it. I had an excellent cast of characters, plenty of folks lending a hand from technical details to the dinner we hosted for our guests. It was truly a team effort.

The Master’s Inn play was the first serious effort I’d ever made at writing. After its success, I began thinking about writing a book. Now, ten years later, I’ve written three creative non-fiction, devotional-style books and contributed to a Chicken Soup for the Soul volume.

During the process of publishing those first three books, the characters from The Master’s Inn pestered me day and night to put them in a novel. Who was I to argue?

And so, those characters got what they wanted. They are no longer confined to ninety minutes and one weekend of publicity. They’re now out there for the whole world to see.

The Master’s Inn is a novel of human brokenness and God’s still-unfolding drama of redemption . . .

When two dysfunctional and wounded families wind up unexpectedly at the remote Master’s Inn during a December snowstorm, it’s up to owners Tom and Barb Masters to help—except they’re dealing with their bitter issues. As the winter snowfall confines them, the three families find themselves coping with their crippled relationships and hard emotions . . . and sometimes tearing one another down in the process.

But when a secret is inadvertently revealed and a rebellious teenage girl takes off into the storm, chaos descends. Will they be tossed into more heartbreak, or will the crisis draw them together against a common enemy?

With a forest in Washington State as the backdrop, join the Masters at their B&B as they strive to show Christ’s love to all who cross their threshold—even when it threatens their own sanity and safety.

                 Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 27

Blogging With Carol, January 27

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 28

Bizwings Blog, January 29

Texas Book-aholic, January 30

deb’s Book Review, January 31

Cover Lover Book Review, February 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 3

Pause for Tales, February 4

Dee S. Writes, February 4

Spoken from the Heart, February 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 5

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 7

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 8 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, February 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 9

                       Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Deb is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/23cca/the-master-s-inn-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Review & Blitz- A Family for the Rancher by M. K. Stelmack

 

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for A Family for the Rancher by M. K. Stelmack, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Family for the Rancher 

Series: A Ranch to Call Home #1 

Author: M. K. Stelmack 

Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming 

Release Date: January 24, 2023 

Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance 

Can the prodigal cowboy… 

Teach her to hope again? 

 Horse trainer Mateo Pavlic wants to buy back his family’s ranch. But Haley Jansson isn’t interested in selling…or forgiving his twelve-year absence. Mateo has loved Haley since they were kids, and he feels a deep connection with her sweet son, Jonah. Soon, Mateo wants to be all in with Haley and her adorable baby. But can he convince her to risk her land, her child and her heart? 

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub

MY REVIEW

Matteo, gone for years returns home for the reading of her father's will. But he isn't prepared for the outcome. Holly, Matteo's lifelong friend, hasn't spoken to him in years and isn't sure she wants to rekindle their friendship.

The characters are well-developed and each with their own regrets and broken promises. I was wrapped up in their struggles and found myself rooting for them.

The story is about two people with hardened hearts. Each one with its own set of circumstances. Forgiveness is hard to imagine as they find themselves in a battle that seems there is no answer to.

It's a powerful story with lots of tension, times of frustration, and uncertainty.  The ending wrapped everything up nicely. An emotional and uplifting read that I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

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About the Author

M. K. Stelmack writes historical and contemporary romance. She is the author of Heartwarming's A True North Hero series, the third of which, Coming Home to You was made into a movie called Love by Accident. She has also written 'The Montgomerys of Spirit Lake' series. A Family for the Rancher marks the first in her new series, A Ranch to Call Home. She lives in Alberta, Canada, close to a town that the fictional Spirit Lake of her stories is patterned after.

Connect with M. K. by visiting mkstelmack.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of A Family for the Rancher and $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 25, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 1, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway Here

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Rescuing Rose Blog Tour by Susan Pope Sloan

 

 

About the Book

 

Book: Rescuing Rose

Author: Susan Pope Sloan

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: January 24, 2023

His army destroyed her livelihood. She represents the people he scorns. How can they reconcile their differences when the whole country is at war?

When the Union Army marches into Roswell, Georgia, and burns down the cotton mill where Rose Carrigan worked, not only is her livelihood destroyed but she’s also taken prisoner and shipped northward with the other workers. Only the unlikely kindness of one of her guards makes the trip bearable.

Union Captain Noah Griffin hates the part of his job that requires him to destroy the lives of innocent civilians, but at least he’s able to protect these women he’s been ordered to transport to Louisville, Kentucky. Especially the one whose quick wit and kindness draw him.

While they’re forced to wait in Marietta, two fugitives arrive to complicate matters between Rose and Noah. As Rose heads north and Noah returns to the battlefront, they each face fears and prejudices. With survival so tenuous, only faith can help them find love in the midst of so much tragedy.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts on the Book

Rescuing Rose is a tale of love and forgiveness set against the backdrop of the Civil War. With Rose and her sister, Celeste's hometown's destruction, and the mill where they worked destroyed, they are forced by the Union Army to be moved from Georgia. Determined not to be hardened by the war and keep their faith, they became a blessing to those around them.

The storyline's history of the war is well researched and make the reader feel as though they are there with the characters. The character's show lots of courage, determination and keep their faith strong regardless of their circumstances. Something to admire.

There are some surprises, lots of unknowns, and moments of extreme faith. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the story and following their journey. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinons are my own.
Julie

About the Author

Born into a family of storytellers, Susan Pope Sloan published her first articles in high school and continued writing sporadically for decades. Retirement provided the time to focus on writing and indulge her avid interest in history. Her Civil War series begins (and ultimately ends) in her home state of Georgia with references to lesser-known events of that period. She and husband Ricky live near Columbus where she participates in Word Weavers, ACFW, and Toastmasters.

 

More from Susan

Rescuing Rose is the first book in the Rescued Hearts of the Civil War series. Years ago, I worked with a gentleman who was a Civil War reenactor. We had many conversations about the war and my writing aspirations. He told me two stories that stuck with me, one of which was the Roswell mill workers.

 The bare-bones story is this: The Union army entered Roswell, Georgia, in July 1864. They ordered the workers out and burned the mills. Then they arrested the workers, who were mostly uneducated women, sent them to Marietta, and then put them on trains headed north.

Note that they were uneducated, unable to read or write, unskilled except in mill work. How were they to survive without means of supporting themselves and their families? If their husbands, sons, and fathers were away with one or the other army, how would they ever bring the women home again?

Since my hometown has several cotton mills and my grandparents worked in those, I felt a connection to those women. Their story should be told! My research led me to a wonderful scholarly book, The Women Will Howl, which was published thirty years ago and contained ample information to get me started. It became my primary resource, but I also had the advantage of a robust Internet to find other sources.

To provide a main character who was educated, I came up with two daughters of a minister with poor health. The family moved from Dalton, Georgia in 1863 so the daughters could work in the mill and take care of their father. After the mills are destroyed, Rose and her sister (Celeste) decide to teach some of the children how to read and write so they can help their folks and be better prepared for the future. When they reach Louisville, she leads the effort in finding jobs so they can provide for those who’ve fallen ill. In this way, Rose “rescues” the families in her group.

The male protagonist is a Union officer who aids Rose and Celeste when they are accosted by a band of hostile soldiers. Noah assists them again and takes on the role of self-appointed guardian. Though he and Rose often rile each other, he is smitten and does whatever he can to help their group adjust to their new reality. Circumstances tear them apart, however, and both must face hidden fears and prejudices before the relationship can be restored. How will that be possible when the war has pushed them hundreds of miles apart?

What I learned from research and writing this book.

• There were people loyal to the Union scattered all over the South, even in Georgia.
• Soldiers endured miserable conditions, often pushed to cover many miles before they reached the next engagement, in all kinds of conditions.
• Leadership was fractured on both sides, with personalities clashing within the ranks.
• Lee’s surrender at Appomattox did not end the war. It was months before that happened.
• Mill workers thought tobacco use would ward off “brown lung” from breathing cotton fibers and losing a finger or two in machinery was almost a rite of passage.

                  Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 25

Bizwings Blog, January 26

Holly’s Book Corner, January 26

Texas Book-aholic, January 27

deb’s Book Review, January 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 29

Cover Lover Book Review, January 30

Betti Mace, January 30

Connie’s History Classroom, January 31

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 1

Lily’s Book Reviews, February 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 2

For Him and My Family, February 3

Pause for Tales, February 4

Blossoms and Blessings, February 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 6

To Everything There Is A Season, February 7

                                             GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/23cc5/rescuing-rose-celebration-tour-giveaway

Max Blog Tour by Izzy James

 

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Max by Izzy James, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Max 

Series: The Yorktown Christmas Time Travel Series 

Author: Izzy James 

Publisher: Bent Knee Press 

Release Date: December 2019 

Genre: Christian Romance, Time Travel

Trapped in his conservatory for 250 years by the curse of an enraged woman, Max appears to Olivia just before Christmas. Olivia is a young woman waiting for the right man to recognize her strengths and talents. Can Olivia help Max break the curse without breaking her heart?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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About the Author

Izzy James is the pen name of Elizabeth Chevalier Hull. Elizabeth grew up in coastal Virginia surrounded by the history of the founding of our nation. She lives there still with her fabulous husband in a house brimming with books.

Connect with Izzy by visiting izzyjamesauthor.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

MY REVIEW

Max Ballard from Yorkton, Virginia Colony in 1769, disappeared due to a curse and hadn't been seen since. That is until he turned up in 2019.

This time-slip novel is a prequel to the series. The storyline is enchanting and the characters are well-developed and interesting. The historical references bring the story to life and Olivia & Max's common interest in music bought richness to it.

The story flowed well and had some tense moments that kept me turning the pages. Highly recommended. Another great read from the author.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of the book and a $25 Amazon gift card!

(1) additional winner will receive a print copy of the book!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 24, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 31, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

FREE Jan 17th - 21st Interplay Conspiracy Target: Earth

 

Science Fiction with a Christian Twist

FREE on Amazon  January 17th through January 21st

*NOTE*
This book was originally published under the name of The Zarion-Saving Mankind.

I felt that this story needed some additional editing which I have completed. The new cover and title is to better represent the story.

Description:

Davis Summerfield thought he was retired and living the good life, that was before he had to accept an offer he wasn’t at liberty to refuse. Interplay, a secret government agency wants him to head up their space exploration/research department. Not cooperating was not in his best interest. Not knowing what his position as head of the department entails, he is surprised when he finds out it includes an exploration mission to outer space.

Davis soon learns there is an infiltrator inside Interplay, which places him in an uncomfortable position. He must find out who it is and report them to his superior, but can he trust them? With contacts from his past life, he begins an investigation of his own which only puts him in danger. What is Interplay’s role? How far will they go to keep their secrets?

Is Earth’s total annihilation going to be the outcome? Davis discovers his true destiny from a Zarion spiritual leader who comes to him, and he must now face the biggest challenge of his life. He must help save mankind. The clock is ticking, and the countdown has begun. Will he be able to convince them to trust him in time or is their survival doomed?

Julie

To Order FREE

The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem by Kurt Brower

 

About the Book

 

Book: The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem

Author: Kurt Brouwer

Genre:Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: November 18, 2022

He was the Beloved Disciple…

…and he would be the last.

The mantle to tell the whole story has fallen on him.

From the cross, Jesus entrusted John, the youngest disciple, with the welfare of Mary, Jesus’s mother. Over thirty years later, as Jerusalem becomes a cauldron of explosive tempers, he receives a calling he doesn’t want.

Will he listen and follow?

And if he does, will it be too late?

In 62 AD, the Jewish high priest executes James, the brother of Jesus, triggering a bitter fight for power in Jerusalem that shatters the quiet life of John. The Jewish people he loves are making dangerous choices that will change the land of Israel forever.

Should he stay in Jerusalem and help hold off the Roman onslaught? Or is it time to reach out to those beyond Israel’s borders?

If he chooses to leave, what will be his message to these foreign believers? What new words of comfort could he possibly share?

Set against a backdrop of actual events, The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem is the first novel in a new series based on the Bible and Christian history.

Follow along while John faces multiple crises and comes to understand what it is to stand alone and lean on only the Lord.

Your heart will embrace The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem because John’s story is the story of our hope and promise.

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK

This is the first book in the series. It takes you on a journey back to Biblical times in such a way that brings richness and undeniable Christian aspect clearly to the story. The time period, which appears well-researched, makes the reader feel like they are there with the characters.

The characters are well-developed and appeared very real to the time period. Following, John's journey through a trying time of conflict, death, and faith gives the reader an idea of what it was like for the disciples of Christ.

There are times of perilous journeys, unknown dangers, but also times of closeness, prayer and family. I can't wait to read the next installment. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinons are my own.

 

About the Author

Kurt is a Christian writer, living in Hawaii. A few years ago he did a study at his church on the Apostle John. That little project got him hooked on the man who started out life as a fisherman and then became a disciple of Christ.p>The more he learned, the more he wanted to know. What did John do after the Crucifixion? Why did he wait so long to write the Gospel of John? Where did he live for the last 60 years of his life? This historical novel came out of the research he did to answer those questions.

He started a blog (KurtBrouwer.com) a few years ago. On it he has written over 100 blog posts and a few Christian booklets.

Now he’s working on Book Two in this series. The Last Disciple: Escape to Antioch takes up where Book One ends. The Last Disciple is a Christian historical novel that introduces you to John, the last disciple of Christ. 

More from Kurt

About 85 AD, more than fifty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of John struck the Christian world like a lightning bolt out of a clear blue sky. At that time, few Christians even knew that one of the disciples yet lived. After all the years, decades even, a new book of the Bible came out, written by the last disciple of Christ.

Who was the last disciple?

John the son of Zebedee walked with Jesus during his ministry on earth. He witnessed the Crucifixion and later entered the empty tomb after Jesus rose from the grave.

John, the youngest of the disciples, outlived all the others. In fact, John, the last disciple of Christ, lived for more than 60 years after Jesus died on the Cross. But who was he? And what did he do all those years? Where did he live? With whom? What do we know of him and his life?

The youngest disciple…

John walked with Jesus when he was young, probably a teenager or very early 20s. He and Andrew were the first discples of Christ. John lived so long that he became the last disciple too.

A few details about John

He was:

• The son of Zebedee, his father, and Salome, his mother
• Brother to the disciple James
• Possibly a cousin to Jesus through his mother
• A fisherman on the Sea of Galilee
• He and his brother James were friends and even fishing buddies with Peter and his brother Andrew
• Almost certainly the youngest of the 12 disciples

I got hooked (pun intended) on John early one morning

One morning I read a short piece from BibleGateway.com by Jonathan Petersen, When Was Each Book of the Bible Written? In it, Petersen gave the approximate dates when all the New Testament books came out. The first, written by James the brother of Jesus, came out around 44 AD or as late as 49 AD. The most widely accepted year for the Crucifixion is 33 AD, so the first book did not come out for at least 11 years after Christ died.

The next New Testament book to come out was Paul’s letter to the Galatians, around 49 AD. After that came the gospels of Mark and Matthew. Other books such as Luke, Acts, and all of Paul’s letters came along in fairly short order. Peter’s two letters came out and then the book of Jude, about 68-70 AD. Then, for at least 10-20 years, no new Bible books came out.

The silence was broken

Finally, the silence was broken. After all the years, decades even, the words of one who walked with Jesus came forth. The Gospel of John came out written by a man who saw the empty tomb after Jesus rose. A man who would write five books of the Bible:

• The Gospel of John 80-90 AD
• The Letters or Epistles of John 90-95 AD
• The Book of Revelation 95-98 AD

A unique voice came forth

As John’s gospel spread from church to church, a unique voice came forth. What a miracle that must have been to first century Christians when the Gospel of John appeared!

That’s it for now. We will continue with more in future posts on the saga of the last disciple of Christ. If you can’t wait, watch the video above.

Yours in Christ, Kurt

                       

              Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 4

Lots of Helpers, January 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 6

Lily’s Book Reviews, January 7

Cover Lover Book Review, January 8

deb’s Book Review, January 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 10

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 11

Texas Book-aholic, January 12

Connie’s History Classroom, January 13

Bizwings Blog, January 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 15

Mary Hake, January 15

Lights in a Dark World, January 16

Blogging With Carol, January 17

                 Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Kurt is giving away the grad prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2363e/the-last-disciple-crisis-in-jerusalem-celebration-tour-giveaway

Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea Book Tour by June Foster & Rob Scheer, Author's Q & A, Review

 

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea! by June Foster and Rob Scheer
Category:  Children's Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 32 pages
Genre:  Children's Book
Publisher:  Hubble & Hattie
Release date:   August 23, 2022
Content Rating:  G.  The book is designed for children between 3-7 years of age.

Book Description:

Adventurous friends Lulu and Malek make fantastic discoveries, take care of our planet, and meet new friends as they explore the wonders of the world under the sea. With vibrant illustrations and endearing characters, this fun-to-read rhyming book is sure to be a children's favorite that they will want to read over and over again! Add this fun-filled and inspiring book to your home or class library! It will be enjoyed by children who love adventure, a good laugh, and want to learn more about the sea and conservation.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N ~ BAM
Indigo ~ AbeBooks ~ IndieBound
add to Goodreads

Meet the Authors:

Just a bit about me. I live in Arizona, but for most of the year, I travel across our beautiful earth as a deckhand and yoga instructor in the yachting industry. I love the serenity of the sea, exploring treasured caves, hiking through lush green forests, immersing myself in different cultures, and meeting new friends. I recently launched an online retail store (www.yachtieinspired.com) that offers conservation and yachtie inspired designs through my Sea Our Love and Silent Whispers Collections. You can also purchase a Personalized Signed Copy of my books on my online store, or please visit junenfoster.com to learn more!

My co-author, Rob Scheer and I have completed two beautifully illustrated, heartfelt children's books. Rob is the Founder and CEO of Comfort Cases. Since 2013, Comfort Cases set out on a mission to eliminate the use of trash bags and provide children entering the foster system with brand new essential and comfort items. To date, Comfort Cases has positively impacted over 110,000 children, and has recently opened a chapter in the United Kingdom. For each book purchased of Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea, we will donate one book to Comfort Cases.

connect with the authors: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ instagram ~ goodreads

AUTHORS Q & A 

1.     In your book you make a reference to pollution on the beach and nets in the ocean, how did you come up with this idea?

 

JUNE:  Having worked in the yachting industry, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of pollution and trash, such as plastics, spilled oil and netting. While the ocean covers 70% of the Earth and holds 80% of all life, it faces overkilling of fish, species extinctions, warm and acidic waters, and coastal erosion. Our story includes Lulu and Malek’s stewardship by picking up trash along the coastline, and saving a small fish entangled with a net—a small, yet gentle way of introducing this subject to young children.

 

ROB: Well, I have to give credit to my co-author, June. She’s worked in the yachting industry for years, so it came naturally. But beach and ocean pollution is often on my mind, as my family loves going to the beaches near where we live on the Maryland shore. It’s always disappointing to see trash on the beach or in the water. Writing this book with June is a great way for us to raise awareness about what can be done to solve this problem.

 

2.     What is your next project?

JUNE & ROB:  Rob and I have completed a second children’s illustration book, full of love and hope. We will begin looking for a publisher in Q1. Additionally, I (June) have completed a short story near and dear to my heart that I hope to publish in 2023. And Rob hopes to have a new addition of his memoir coming out this year.

3.     Do you have another profession besides writing?

ROB: Oh yes. I am the founder of Comfort Cases, an international non-profit organization that promotes hope and dignity to youth in foster care. When I was 18 and “aged out” of foster care, my foster parents handed me a black trash bag with my belongings in it. Decades later, when our first beautiful children came to us through foster care, I was appalled that they too had their belongings stuffed into that same black trash bag. How could that be?  So, my husband and I founded Comfort Cares to solve that problem. Since then, we have now given away more than 200,000 Comfort Cases, backpacks filled with new essential items for youth in foster care of all ages - items would include new pajamas, a new blanket, an age-appropriate hygiene kit (including a new toothbrush, soap, shampoo, etc.), and a “stuffy”. We’ve given these away to youth in every state in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.

 

JUNE:  For eight months of the year, I work as a Chief Stewardess or Deckhand in the yachting industry. I’m able to save enough money to allow me four months on land to complete and publish my stories that I work on throughout the year.

 

4.     Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

ROB: My children and all youth in foster care inspire me in everything I do. Don’t we all want our children to have better lives than the ones we live?

JUNE:  For me, inspiration comes in many forms, and normally it bubbles to the surface when I least expect it. One time, I came across a quote that touched me to the core. It inspired me to write a short story that will be part of a larger collection. Another example was when a golden maple leaf fell into my hands during a hike in Ohio. This led to my first published novel. In other cases, it could be a series of related news reports that inspire. In the case of Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea, it was Rob’s book, A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time. After reading his heart wrenching, yet inspirational story, and learning more about Rob and Comfort Cases, I was inspired to collaborate with Rob to write two children’s books.

5.     When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

ROB:   I never knew that I wanted to be an author, but I’ve always loved books. As a youth growing up in foster care, books were always a huge comfort to me. They were an escape from my reality that I really needed. As the father of five children, all who were in foster care, I try to pass my love of books on to them. I always have a stack of books by my nightstand as well as in my office. They are easily recognizable, as I’m always sticking little yellow “post-its” in them to track passages I find memorable and that I want to revisit. When I was asked to write my memoir, Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time, I said: “But I don’t even know the difference between ‘there,’ “their’ and ‘they’re’!” Now I know that writing is just as important to me as reading.

JUNE:   I’ve always loved storytelling, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I pursued publishing. There were a series of memorable moments that led me in this direction. During college, I enrolled in many global sociology courses. For the first time in my life, I read about the multitudes of international social crises. The material introduced me to the vast inequalities, rights violations, and perpetual intergenerational cycles of poverty. Children, in general, have always pulled at my heartstrings, so reading about their suffering in particular drove me to dig deeper into their day to day lives and circumstances. As my worldview changed, and my senses enlightened, I knew where I needed to focus; however, I was uncertain on how I could have influence. After graduating, I enrolled in Film Production at Grand Canyon University. I was in the middle of a screenwriting course when my Papa passed away. I collapsed. He was my everything—I loved him deeply and miss him every day. A few months later, I opened my draft screenplay and read it with fresh eyes. I felt my characters, plot, setting . . . well everything lacked substance and depth. I was determined to bring my story to life. It was at that moment, I guess you could say, that I became an author and soon after, published The Girl and the Golden Leaf. A few years later, I was honored to meet Rob, and thrilled to have written two children’s illustration books with him!

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK

Lulu & Malek Sail Off to Sea is an enduring story that will instill in our children the habits of caring for people, our planet, and wildlife. It's written in a simple easy to understand style in rhyme.

The characters are adventurous and love to discover new things, helpful in times of trouble, and caring. All the attributes we hope our children have. The characters are well-drawn in vibrant colors that will grasp your children's attention and bring joy to them.

It's a book children will enjoy over and over again and would make an excellent addition to any child's library.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and willingly choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Julie

Enter the Giveaway:

Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea! Book Tour Giveaway