A Place Called Destiny by Emma Easter

INTRIGUE, ROMANCE AND THE LOVE OF GOD – AUTHOR OF THE SISTERS OF ROSEFIELD, EMMA EASTER, INTRODUCES A NEW SET OF FLAWED AND LOVEABLE CHARACTERS IN THE DESTINY SERIES.

Twenty-five-year-old Rachel, nearing the end of her pregnancy, makes an urgent dash to flee her polygamist husband Mike Caldwell and his embittered first spouse Olivia. Pregnant with her first child, a product of her troubled forced spiritual union with Mike, Rachel knows if she doesn’t escape her unholy relationship both her and her child will never be free.

She has been unable to accept this way of life and feels it is not right for her to act as a barrier to Mike and Olivia and the sanctity of their marriage. Her escape plan fails, due to Fallow Creek, the polygamy commune she lives in, employing a security detail of young men who guard against escape.

With help from the unmarried pastor Keith Thorn, of nearby town Destiny, they are reminded that with faith, love and trust in God’s plan they can achieve anything.

My Review

A Place called Destiny will tug at your heart. Rachel, a new mother forced to be the second wife in a polygamist community in Fallow Creek tries to escape but to no avail. The author does an excellent job of portraying Rachel's frustration, her sense of helplessness, and her ability to endure the situation.

With the help of a young pastor, Keith, in the town of Destiny, she finally realizes that what she believes in her heart is true. To follow God, she must make a heartbreaking decision.

Rachel learns to truly love, deepen her faith and trust God even when his plans don't always make sense.

A wonderful read. I can't wait for the next installment.

I received an ARC from CKN and voluntarily chose to review it.


To Purchase on Amazon

A Lawman for Lissette by Teresa Slack

Description

When Lisette Pelletier answers an ad to become a physician in the frontier town of Willow Wood, Idaho, she knows her life will change forever. What she doesn’t expect is to fall in love with the U.S. Marshal whose life she saves on her way to town.

Federal Marshal Grayson Dutton spent his career protecting pioneers, chasing down bandits, settling disputes before they erupted into gunfire, and returning fire when needed. None of it prepared him for dealing with a feisty lady doc who can’t see when she’s in over her head.

When Grayson hears the gang of outlaws that attacked the stagecoach that brought Lisette to Willow Wood have targeted the lady doc, he’ll stop at nothing to protect her. Lisette doesn’t want to give the lawman the reins to her life. She came west to serve the people of Willow Wood, not hide under her bed in fear at the first sign of danger.

She certainly didn’t plan to fall for a long-legged lawman whose kisses make her dream of marriage, babies, and happily-ever-after, all the things that conflict with her call to medicine. Can she find a place in her life and her heart for love? Can Grayson tame the wild filly before she gets both of them killed?



The Author Teresa Slack

Teresa Slack enjoys reading, writing, and sticking her nose into other people's business. Naturally, writing fiction was the perfect career choice for her. Her first novel, Streams of Mercy, won the Bay Area Independent Publishers’ Association award for Best First Novel. Evidence of Grace, the third in her Jenna’s Creek Series, debuted at #18 nationwide according to Christian Retailing Magazine. Her down-to-earth characters and realistic dialog have endeared her to readers and reviewers alike. Teresa and her husband share their southern Ohio home with two rescue dogs where she is crazy busy at work on her next novel.

Learn more about Teresa and her books at her website www.teresaslack.com


My Review

Set in the 1890s Idaho, the storyline is about a young woman who answers a plea for a town doctor. She knows it won't be easy to be accepted being a woman, but she is confident she can win the town residents over. But, she doesn't count on the complication of meeting Grayson, the handsome retired marshall that just returned home.

The story has wonderful characters. Lisette is spunky, independent, and determined which drew me to her right away. Grayson's strength and willingness to help his father on the ranch and then want to protect Lisette was heartwarming.

There is a lot of suspense, intense action, and then tender moments to warm your heart.

A Lawman for Lisette is very well written in a style that's easy to read and the ending wrapped everything up nicely. I highly recommend reading it.

https://www.amazon.com/Lawman-Lisette-Wholesome-Historical-Romance-ebook/dp/B07YXMQH2C

Rocky Mountain Redemption Blog Tour & Giveaway by Lisa J. Flickinger

About the Book

Book:  Rocky Mountain Redemption
Author: Lisa J. Flickinger
Genre:  Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: May 5, 2020

A Rocky Mountain logging camp may be just the place to find herself.

To escape the devastation caused by the breaking of her wedding engagement, Isabelle Franklin joins her aunt in the Rocky Mountains to feed a camp of lumberjacks cutting on the slopes of Cougar Ridge. If only she could outrun the lingering nightmares.

Charles Bailey, camp foreman, and Stony Creek’s itinerant pastor, develops a reputation to match his new nickname — Preach.  However, an inner battle ensues when the details of his rough history threaten to overcome the beliefs of his young faith.

Amid the hazards of camp life, the unlikely friendship growing between the two surprises Isabelle. She’s drawn to Preach’s brute strength and gentle nature as he leads the ragtag crew toiling for Pollitt’s Lumber. But when the ghosts from her past return to haunt her, the choices she will make change the course of her life forever—and that of the man she’s come to love.



Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

Lisa J. Flickinger lives and writes from the cliff of a river along the majestic Rocky Mountains. When not writing or reading, you will find her scouring antique shops or sipping a maple latte with friends and family. To learn more about her other books, visit www.lisajflickinger.com

More from Lisa

I have a confession to make. I’m a square dancer, a real live square dancer who do-si-dos and allemande-lefts my way around a square every Thursday night. And lest you think it’s a room full of eighty-year-olds, our youngest dancer is a mere twenty-four.

It was on the dance floor I first met Larry. Logger Larry, the Paul Bunyan like soul who regaled me with tales of chopping trees in the Rocky Mountains. He told stories about grizzlies who hunted men for their next meal, brawls in the bunkhouse only the hardy could survive, and life-threatening axe injuries when they had to carry the wounded through the forest for miles.

Larry’s stories provided a great background for a romantic novel and sent me on a mission to research late 1800’s logging camps. It’s at Pollitt’s Lumber, in 1898, where we meet our hero and heroine, Preach and Isabelle, and join their cautious journey toward love. It’s also where we meet a ragtag bunch of lumberjacks whose antics would get on anyone’s last nerve.

I fell in love with the characters of Rocky Mountain Redemption as they tromped onto the pages, and I’m thrilled to introduce them to you in Book One of the Rocky Mountain Revival Series.
Dear reader, enjoy!


MY REVIEW

Isabelle is sent by her father to a logging camp as a kitchen helper for her Aunt Lou. Miserable, trying to forget her past, she learns that it eventually catches up with you. Can she find redemption in her strange surroundings?

The book is about forgiveness, second chances, and finding true love. It's a very uplifting story in an easy to read writing style. The descriptions of the camp transported me to into the story and the characters were easy to connect with. Highly recommended.

I received a copy free from Celebrate Lit and voluntarily chose to review it.

Blog Stops

Kathleen Denly, May 4 

Blessed & Bookish, May 4 

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 5 

Vicky Sluiter, May 5 

Reading Is My SuperPower, May 6 

deb’s Book Review, May 6 

Texas Book-aholic, May 7 

Bizwings Blog, May 7 

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 8

 D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, May 8 I

inklings and notions, May 9 

For Him and My Family, May 10 

CarpeDiem, May 10 

Older & Smarter?, May 11 

Hallie Reads, May 11 

Betti Mace, May 12 

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 12 

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 13 

Life of Literature, May 14 

Books, Life, and Christ, May 14 

Moments, May 15 

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 16

 Read Review Rejoice, May 16 

Pause for Tales, May 17 

reviewingbooksplusmore, May 17 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lisa 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/f9ef/rocky-mountain-redemption-celebration-tour-giveaway

New Release Today-"Inn the Spirit of Competition" by Becki Willis!

If you like cozy mysteries, you will really like this series. With the added element of some really quirky ghosts, I couldn't stop reading. 

I'm on to Book 3 that just released today on Amazon-Inn the Spirit of Competition. 

Description:

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Hannah Duncan ignored the old adage, and now there’s a would-be killer in town.

Hannah considers fishing a peaceful, relaxing sport… until she hosts the 23rd annual Trifishlon at The Spirits of Texas Inn. On the first day of the three-phase fishing tournament, she discovers nothing can be further from the truth!

It was her bright idea to up the ante: this year’s grand champion would take home $10,000 and become the official spokesperson for Luckenbach Poles. It was a huge improvement to the customary prize of one thousand dollars and a cooler full of beer and gear. How was she to know the lengths some people would go to in order to win? She had no idea someone would be willing to kill for the prize.

When a series of bizarre accidents plague the competition, Hannah and her team suspect sabotage. Now they have four days to determine who is capable of murder and how to stop him or her from striking again, this time successfully.

It’s a topsy-turvy, fun, fast-paced adventure you don’t want to miss. With help from Team Hannah (handsome attorney Walker Jacoby, the lively gray-haired sisters Sadie and Fred Tanner, and the faithful ghosts who reside at the inn), Hannah races against the clock to keep the tournament and all its contestants afloat. With so much at stake, she discovers exactly what some people do Inn the Spirit of Competition!

From the best-selling author of The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series, Plain Roots, and Forgotten Boxes. Book your visit to Hannah, Texas today!

Purchase

3 book set

Purchase

Happy Reading,

Julie

What Am I Reading? A Cozy Ghost Adventure Series- You Don't Want to Miss!

Good Afternoon, Readers

 I'm not sure how you are spending your time relaxing since the pandemic started, but I just finished reading Inn the Spirit of Legends.  It's a cozy ghost adventure series set in Texas.

There are two books available now with a third on pre-order due out on May 1st and I couldn't resist getting them too. I'm so into the characters that I just couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Once you start, I guarantee you will be hooked!

Inn the Spirit of Legends has a wonderful storyline that is suspenseful and has lots of mystery. It's a fast-paced, page-turner that will have you on the edge of your seat one minute and laughing the next. A very well-written ghost story that will keep you guessing.

 My Full Review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3301927257

Becki Willis Bio:

Best-selling author Becki Willis loves crafting stories with believable characters in believable situations—the quirkier, the better! Many of her stories stem from her own travels and personal experiences. (No worries; she's never actually murdered, anyone.)

When she’s not plotting danger and adventure for her imaginary friends, Becki enjoys reading, antiquing (aka junking), unraveling a good mystery (real or imagined), dark chocolate, and a good cup of coffee. A professed history geek, Becki often weaves pieces of the past into her novels. Family is a central theme in her stories and in her life. She and her husband enjoy traveling but believe coming home to their Texas ranch is the best part of any trip.

Becki has won numerous awards, but the real compliments come from her readers. Drop-in for an e-visit anytime at beckiwillis.ccp@gmail.com, or www.beckiwillis.com.  

“My books may not change someone's life, but they may change someone's day... and sometimes, that's just as important!”

Book 1

Inn the Spirit of Legends

Book Description:
 
When the tiny hamlet of Hannah, Texas goes up for auction, Hannah Duncan’s fun-loving uncle sees it as the perfect gift for her thirtieth birthday. After all, what’s more fun than a town bearing your own name?

Nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, the ‘town’ isn’t much — a dozen or less buildings in various stages of disrepair—but it comes with a dedicated pair of caretakers, a menagerie of farm animals, a surprisingly generous trust fund, enough stipulations to make her head spin, and a handsome but maddening attorney to oversee the handling of the estate.

Originally a stagecoach stop, Hannah, Texas resolves around the historic and rather charming Spirits of Texas Inn. The old inn comes with a colorful past, the mystique of hidden treasure, loyal guests who still book summer vacations there, and three surprise residents: true spirits of the past, who didn’t cross over as expected.

Now Hannah has her hands full, coming to terms with her unexpected status as an innkeeper, adjusting to life in the country, fighting her attraction to attorney Walker Jacoby, plus dealing with ghosts!

To top it off, two fortune hunters arrive in search of the hidden treasure, and they don’t care who stands in their way. They’ll stoop to any means—including murder—to get their hands on the legendary stash of gold.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079DF27C7

Book 2- In the Spirit of Trickery
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N36XMFF

First Two-Book Set
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PFG1SVX

Book 3- In the Spirit of Competition- On Pre-Order 99c
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087BK1623
 

I wish you all a blessed week and appreciate your support.
Julie
 

About the Book

  

Name of book: The Christmas Admirer  
Author: Laura V Hilton  
Genre: Amish Romance  
Release Date: September 5, 2017  

Amish romance fans will love this heartwarming holiday story, perfect for gift-giving. Benaiah Troyer has loved Susanna King for as long as he can remember, but when his parents died in an accident a year ago, he broke up with her—for her own good. After all, he was now the sole caregiver for his three younger sisters. What woman would want to put up with that? Still, against his better judgment, he can’t help leaving her a gift now and then, anonymously addressing her name in big block print, just to catch a smile. Roses one month, maple syrup candy another; and maybe this time, something special for Christmas. Susanna has never gotten over losing Benaiah, but now the clock is ticking. Her father is selling his glass-blowing business, remarrying in January, and moving to Iowa with his bossy wife-to-be. Angry and frustrated, Susanna realizes she’s left with three options: one, go with Daed to his new home with a new mom; two, stay in Jamesport, Missouri, as an old maid; or, three, the best yet, flush out her mysterious secret admirer. But how could she be with anyone else when her heart is still with Benaiah?

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Review

The Christmas Admirer is a delightful Amish story immersed in Amish tradition and interlaced with love. The story is woven with uncertainty and mistrust. Can Beniah find his way to trust the Lord for his future?





An uplifting ending brings a wonderful conclusion to a beautiful love story. The characters were well developed, humorous and I couldn't help but laugh along with them. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of her work.






I requested and received this book free through the Celebrate Lit Blog Tour for the purpose of posting an honest review.

 About the Author

Amish fiction lovers responded positively and immediately to Laura V. Hilton’s debut novel, Patchwork Dreams, when she burst on the scene in 2009 with her unique series, The Amish of Seymour, set in the tiny town of Seymour, in Webster County, Missouri. Fans of the genre immediately recognized Hilton’s insider knowledge, not only of the Webster County community, but Amish culture in general. Her natural speech and writing patterns, she says, are uniquely “Amish,” acquired from her Amish maternal grandparents. The Amish of Seymour, includes Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. Her second series, The Amish of Webster County, is comprised of Healing Love, Surrendered Love, and Awakened Love. A stand-alone title, A White Christmas in Webster County, was released in September 2014. The Amish of Jamesport includes The Snow Globe, The Postcard and The Birdhouse. In spring 2016 she released The Amish Firefighter with the setting in Jamesport, MO, the same as for The Amish Wanderer. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer. Laura and her husband, Steve, have five children, whom Laura homeschools. The family makes their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.

Guest Post from Laura V. Hilton

Glass Blowing and The Christmas Admirer

Right before my youngest son joined the Coast Guard we went on a short mini-vacation to Springfield, Missouri, actually going farther north almost to Kansas City to see another Amish community near there in Osceola. There is a cheese factory there and my son wanted to try some of their cheeses – such as a ghost pepper cheese. Too spicy for me. But upon the return to Springfield, Steve read about a glass blowers shop in the downtown area. We found the address and went to visit it. It is owned by an older gentleman and his son. They had a display area set up where people could see their wares and buy them and then a work area where the son mostly worked, and talked about how the fire needed to be so hot, and showed us how he worked and made things. As we watched, he made a lovely flower, a lily, in different colors of glass, green, white, pinks. It was fascinating. And I got to thinking what if…

So I did some more research. Asked questions. Probably drove them nuts. But when Whitaker House indicated they’d be interested in a Christmas novel, I proposed one about a glass blower. The story is set in Jamesport, Missouri, and while completely stand alone, it does have some continuing characters from other books I’ve written set in Jamesport.

 If you are interested, the books set there are:
Amish Books set in Jamesport, Missouri:

The Snow Globe

The Postcard

The Birdhouse

The Amish Firefighter

The Amish Wanderer

The Kissing Bridge (part of Springs of Love collection)

The Christmas Admirer Gingerbread Wishes

(part of A Plain Thanksgiving collection–November 2018)

 Love by the Numbers (February 2018)  

 I haven’t read any books about an Amish glass blower, but that’s not to say they aren’t out there. I haven’t read all the Amish books available. Jamesport is an area that is more tourist-oriented than the books set in Seymour / Webster County Missouri. They give buggy tours, have bed and breakfasts, open their homes for visitors to eat supper with them, and have businesses. All Amish districts are different and the rules vary depending on the bishop and preachers. Some are more liberal and some more conservative. Some keep themselves distant and don’t welcome attention from non-Amish and some embrace it. While Jamesport is not as touristy as some districts in Lancaster Pennsylvania or in Ohio, it is much more so than others.

Susanna’s Cranberry Salad

Ingredients

• 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (thawed), chopped
• 1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 medium apple, chopped
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix the first six ingredients until blended. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
2. In a large bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. Just before serving, fold cream and walnuts into cranberry mixture.Makes 16 servings.

Susanna’s Cranberry Sauce

For on top of turkey sandwiches as Becca requested

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (thawed), chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water or orange juice

Directions

In colander, rinse cranberries. In sauce pan, add water or orange juice and sugar, boil until sugar is dissolved. Add cranberries and return to a boil. Lower to simmer and cook about 10 minutes or until most of the cranberries had burst. Let cool.

Susanna’s “Love Portion” Gingerbread

Ingredients

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 T baking powder
• 1 T ground ginger
• 1 t ground nutmeg
• 1 t ground cloves
• 1 t ground cinnamon
• 1 cup shortening, melted slightly
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ c water
• 1 egg
• 1 t vanilla

Directions

Shift together flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. Set aside. In mixing bowl, mix shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg and vanilla until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until they are absorbed. Divide dough into three pieces, pat down until about 1 ½ inch thickness, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for three hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. On lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to ¼ inch thickness. Cut in desired shapes. Place cookies about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes in preheated oven. Cool on wire racks. When cool, decorate as desired.

Blog Stops

ASC Book Reviews, November 9

Books n Baubles, November 9

Janices book review, November 9

Avid Reader Book Reviews, November 10

Have A Wonderful Day, November 10

A Greater Yes, November 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 11

God’s Little Bookworm, November 11

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 11

Eat, Read, Teach, Blog, November 12

A Holland Reads, November 12

Simple Harvest Reads, November 12

Reading Is My SuperPower, November 13

Beck To Basics, November 13

Carpe Diem, November 13

Christian Bookaholic, November 14

Blossoms and Blessings, November 14

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, November 15

Reader’s cozy corner, November 15

Christian Author, J.E.Grace, November 15

Baker Kella, November 16

Quiet Quilter, November 16

Karen Sue Hadley, November 16

Pause for Tales, November 17

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, November 17

Pursuing Stacie, November 17

For The Love of Books, November 18

Blogging With Carol, November 18

Pink Granny’s Journey, November 18

Bigreadersite, November 19

Vicky Sluiter, November 19

SusanLovesBooks, November 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 20

Moments Dipped in Ink, November 20

New Horizon Reviews, November 20

The Fizzy Pop Collection, November 21

A Simply Enchanted Life, November 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 21

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 22

Daysong Reflections, November 22

Splashes of Joy, November 22

Giveaway

In honor of her tour, Laura is giving away

Grand Prize Package: The Christmas Admirer, “Unto Us a Child is Born” painting on decorative serving plate by Donna White, The Hearthside Collection, Inc., and commemorative Whitaker House/Anchor Distributors coloring book (not in photo).

1st Place Package: The Christmas Admirer and The Very First Christmas by Juliet David with interactive illustrations by Pauline Siewert (children’s book). 2nd Place Package: The Christmas Admirer and “The Woman Who Honors The Lord Shall Be Praised” myrrh-scented candle from abba Jerusalem!

Click the link to enter!

Review of My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah by Angie Dicken

About the Book

Name of book: My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah  
Author: Angie Dicken
Genre: Historical Romance  
Release Date: November 1, 2017
Schoolteacher Leanna McKee plans on leaving the coal mining town of Castle Gate, Utah, and never looking back. Good riddance to coal dust, rugged men, and the fatal mine that took her husband’s life. Until the widow meets a widower who awakens her heart…and she finds herself inexplicably falling for miner Alex Pappas which stirs up a whole heap of trouble. Alex’s Greek parents have arranged a more traditional match for him. When the schoolteacher’s association with the Greek family begins to anger the American miners, they threaten Alex and his family. Leanna has received an offer to teach elsewhere and feels she has no choice but to leave Castle Gate. . .though she will be leaving her heart behind.

Click here to purchase Angie’s amazing book

About the Author

Angie Dicken is a third generation Greek American, the granddaughter of strong men and women who endured hardship to grow American roots. My Heart Belongs In Castle Gate, Utah is set near the birthplace of her grandfather, a Greek coal miner’s son, and published 100 years after his birth. Angie is a contributor to The Writer’s Alley blog and an ACFW member since 2010. She lives with her husband and four children in the Midwest where she enjoys exploring eclectic new restaurants and chatting with friends over coffee. You can connect with Angie at www.angiedicken.com.

Guest Post from Angie Dicken

My Publishing Story: A Journey of Perfect Timing

“Wait for the LORD;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

I wrote a story five years ago. My footing was finally solid on how to write, after a couple ACFW conferences and connecting with my bestie writing sister, Ashley. So in 2012, I poured my heart out within the parameters of what I’d learned. The story I wrote stemmed from my heritage. From a very young age, I’ve been inspired by my grandfather. He was the son of a Greek coal miner who came over from Greece in the 1910’s. My grandfather always had wonderful stories to tell–he stirred up my intrigue for WWII era as he was a Purple Heart recipient (twice), and spoke of freeing concentration camps and invading Hitler’s homes; my grandfather lived a rags to riches legacy, having been born in a tent in a coal town, and then becoming a successful home and commercial builder–I declared I’d be an architect at age eleven…even majoring in Landscape Architecture in college.

Papou was one of my greatest heroes. And my novel was a tribute to him, to my Greek roots, to an American legacy.

So, at ACFW 2012, I took my novel to conference with more confidence than I had before. This story caught the attention of an agent– and I signed a contract with the Steve Laube Agency in November of that year. That was amazing…I chuckle now because the name of the room that I interviewed with Tamela was the “McKee” room–the last name of my heroine. A sign? Maybe. When she sent my story out for all publishers to see that next month, I thought my time for that book was just around the corner. And… Now it’s 2017, and that story is under contract with a publisher as of Fall 2016. What timing, right? Why the heck did it take so long? Not for lack of trying. My agent and I took every possible measure. Why did I get rejection after rejection, and write two other books in the wait? What happened between then? Only in looking back, do I see why I had to wait for this book. And when I look back, I realize just how much Timing is His and there’s nothing I can do to speed it up or make it mine. All I can do is take courage, and wait. I’ll give you a quick recap of what happened between 2013–when the book was put in the proverbial drawer of unwanted manuscripts–and now, 2017, the year it will get published (um, after a few rewrites and edits–always learning…). In looking back, this is what I see:

My Community was Built. I fell in love with my writer friendships. A bit dramatic? Maybe, but it’s the truth. I connected with ladies who knew my heart as a writer, and allowed me into their lives in an authentic, Christ-loving way. I found hope in the writing journey because my friends held my hands and rubbed my back when all seemed lost. And in this, I grew not as a writer, but as a heart. My heart became soft for the needs of others and the value of authenticity in this short, precious life.

   

There was a Pride Monster, and He needed to kill it. Oh, Lord, if ever there was a pride monster, it was me. My gut reaction in every rejection, every criticism, every other person’s success was a measurement against them according to me. Yuck. Do you know what the best way to kill a Pride Monster? Starve it. Even though I had my sweet friends and my agent encouraging me along the way, my heart was set on publication and I was not getting that. I wanted it so badly that I turned ugly when it seemed to slip through my fingers with every rejection. And I spiraled and I came up for air to those authentic friendships speaking Truth in love. God knew what He was doing when He built my community, and He knew He would use it to lift me up and tear down my ugly.

The Darkest Valley Was Ahead. Everything stood still in 2014. My personal crisis gave me little room for any true focus on my writing success. If anything, it made the effort seem petty. When you go through your days wondering if you’ll make it to the next morning without a complete mental breakdown, you can’t really dream. My dream in those moments was to crawl out of my skin and run away. This was not about my writing, this was about God’s faithfulness to someone who was losing faith–in the person she loved, in the life she constructed, in the heart that was broken. Looking back (I did climb up and out of this valley), I needed this valley walk (or crawl) to happen when it did–without a book on the shelf, without confidence in something that I had accomplished. I needed brokenness to become stronger and know that my strength has nothing to do with me. There are several other moments and signs that I see as I look back, but I’m not going for the longest blog post of 2017, but I do want to share two sweet confirmations that the timing really is His.

First, I got a book contract! You know this, but, the contract came at a time when I had grown peaceful in the journey–the pride monster lay slain, and I picked up a pen and took an opportunity. My Oklahoma Land Run book with Love Inspired Historical won the Manuscript Matchmakers contest…and WAS coming out in Spring 2018. I had secretly told those closest to me, that it would’ve been nice for it to come out in September instead…just because that’s when the book opens–September, 1893–the historical date of the Land Run. So, what happens after I turn in my complete book a few days before its deadline? My editor tells me they bumped up my date to September of 2017. And I am sure, for them, it had nothing to do with the history, but for me, it was everything to do with the history–and His timing. Look for my debut novel, The Outlaw’s Second Chance this September! There’s more… My second contract came in! And this was a wonderful surprise. My agent and I had found out last spring that a new series was being launched based on geographical places around the U.S. I immediately thought of my Coal country story. So, I put together a proposal for a book I’d written long ago…and got a contract with Barbour this Fall for my novel, My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah. But, the timing? November 2017 is my release. God’s Timing in its finest…The book comes out during the centennial year of my grandfather’s birth. He was born in Dec. 1917 in Carbon County, Utah. My hero and my inspiration for this very book. I just can’t stop smiling at the chance to honor my late grandfather with a story written by his third generation Greek American granddaughter who was inspired by his roots grown a century ago. If only he could be here now. But I know he’s smiling, too. A century. It took a CENTURY. Only by God’s grace, and His perfect timing.
MY REVIEW

My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah is a book of heartache, love, faith, and times when tensions ran high. It depicts the 1900's well, during a time of great prejudice against anyone not born in the U.S.

The characters were well developed and the ongoing tension kept me on the edge of my seat. The story was laced wit struggles and great compromises. The ending took me by surprise, but I was pleased with how it turned out.

BLOG STOPS

A Baker’s Perspective, October 31

Faithfully Bookish, October 31

Caffeinated Reads, October 31

Captive Dreams Window, November 1

Reading Is My SuperPower, November 1

A Greater Yes, November 2

Janices book reviews, November 2

Daysong Reflections, November 2

Red Headed Book Lady, November 3

Books, Books, and More Books., November 3

Just the Write Escape, November 3

Carpe Diem, November 4

Christian Bookaholic, November 4

Radiant Light, November 5

History, Mystery & Faith, November 5

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, November 6

Texas Book-aholic, November 6

Babs Book Bistro, November 7

Kristin’s Book Reviews, November 7

Singing Librarian Books, November 8

Connie’s History Classroom, November 8

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 9

J.E. Grace Christian Author Blog, November 9

Neverending Stories, November 9

Have A Wonderful Day, November 10

Pause for Tales, November 10

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 11

Mary Hake, November 11

Splashes of Joy, November 11

Bigreadersite, November 12

Blossoms and Blessings, November 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 12

Vicky Sluiter, November 13

Bibliophile Reviews, November 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angie is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of her book The Outlaw’s Second Chance!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c1ff



My Review

My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah is a book of heartache, 

love, faith and times when tensions ran high. It depicts the 

1900's well, during a time of great prejudice against anyone

not born in the U.S.



The characters were well developed and the ongoing tension

kept me on the edge of my seat. The story was laced

with struggles and great comprimises.



The ending took me by surprise but I was pleased with how



it turned out. 

An inspirational story of romance against all odds





where traditions are hard to overcome.

I received this book free through the Celebrate Lit Blog Tour 

and NetGalley.  I was under no obligation to post a review.