Chasing Evaline: Excerpt and Giveaway

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I am so excited that CHASING EVELINE by Leslie Hauser is available now and that I get to share the news!
 
If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author Leslie Hauser, be sure to check out all the details below.
 
This blitz also includes a giveaway for a finished copy of the book and swag courtesy of Leslie and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
About The Book:

Title: CHASING
EVELINE

Author: Leslie
Hauser
Pub. Date: July 11,
2017
Publisher: Pen Name
Publishing
Pages: 300
Formats: Paperback,
eBook
Find it: Amazon, Barnes& Noble, TBD, Goodreads
Sixteen-year-old Ivy Higgins is the only student at Carmel Heights High
School who listens to cassettes. And her binder is the only one decorated with
album artwork by 80s band Chasing Eveline. Despite being broken-up since 1989,
this rock band out of Ireland means everything to Ivy. They’re a reminder of
her mom, who abandoned Ivy and her dad two years ago. Now the music of her
mom’s favorite band is the only connection she has left.

Even though Ivy wavers between anger and a yearning to reconnect, she’s
one-hundred percent certain she’s not ready to lose her mom forever. But the
only surefire way to locate her would be at a Chasing Eveline concert. So with
help from her lone friend Matt—an equally abandoned soul and indie music
enthusiast—Ivy hatches a plan to reunite the band.

The road to Ireland won’t be easy, though. And not just because there is no
road. Along the way they’ll have to win over their Lady Gaga-loving peers,
tangle with some frisky meerkats, and oh yeah, somehow find and persuade the
four members to play a reunion gig. It’s a near-impossible task, but Ivy has to
try. If she can’t let go of the past, she’ll never be able to find joy in the
present.
Excerpt:
 
They say music is the key to the soul. Or maybe it’s the heart. I can’t
remember exactly what my mom said that day she danced into my room with a new
record for me to hear. I was only in the fourth grade, but I became a believer.
I remember so vividly how the drums rattled deep within my chest and the lyrics
I didn’t even understand seemed to whisper secrets meant only for me. The song
lingered inside me for days. My mom swooned and told me that’s why music must
be shared.
So when I saw the desperate school blog post calling for a volunteer DJ
at tonight’s Back to School Dance, I jumped at the chance. The music my friend
Matt and I plan to throw into the mix is a giant master key. I just hope it
will open the teenage hearts in this musty gym and linger inside them long
after the last balloon deflates. This music is important to me.
 
I nudge Matt, whose face is glued to the computer screen at our DJ table.
A vibrating speaker to our left thumps out music, so I yell into his ear, “Is
the set list ready?”
 
He tilts his head toward me. “Geez, Ivy. I just plugged in the flash
drive.”
 
“Okay, sorry.” I step away. He sweeps his blond hair out of his eyes and
returns his focus to the computer.
 
I pace behind him, a nervous left followed by an excited right and back
again. The musical brilliance of the greatest guitarist of all time will soon
weave through these bodies and drift into every ear. My heart floats up with
the blue and yellow balloons hovering like a latex fog.
 
My hand strums on my thigh while Matt continues to fuss with the
computer. Near the gym entrance, Principal Henry stands with Narc 1 and Narc 2,
and a wave of yawns travels across them. The newbie freshmen line the walls and
cluster in groups. The scene resembles a casting call for an acne medication
ad.
 
The dull atmosphere isn’t helped by the annoyingly synthetic pop
noise blasting through the speakers. After I offered our free DJ services to
Karen, the Dance Committee Chairperson, she gave us a mix of music tracks to
play. She was grateful to have saved some precious dollars for this year’s
prom, but 
 
I’m not sure she trusted two no-name juniors to get the job
done. 
 
However, after listening to thirty minutes of her set list, I’m seriously
questioning the cool factor of the popular crowd. Karen’s mix features some of
the worst radio music of all time. Every song is a mere echo of the previous
one—peppy beats and vacuous lyrics about hook-ups and partying. I can’t even
tell if the voices belong to boys, girls, or machines. 
 
I tap Matt’s shoulder. “Are you almost finished?” I nearly have to
scream.
 
“Yeah. I’m just making sure we have the songs in the right order.” He
turns around and leans toward me. “Ivy, you really want to do this?”
 
I smile at him and hope he doesn’t see all the tiny cracks waiting to
splinter. “We’re just sharing some great music. It’ll be fine.”
About Leslie:

I am a YA writer and
middle school teacher. I have a B.A. in English from UCLA and a Master’s degree
in Educational Administration. I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and currently
reside in Los Angeles, California, with my dog Mr. Darcy.
When I’m not
living in fictional worlds inside my head, I run all sorts of distances,
torture my body at CrossFit, and DVR entirely too many television shows. I
dream of one day returning to the Midwest to live on a farm. Or perhaps owning
a cookie delivery service.
My debut
novel CHASING EVELINE releases in 2017 from Pen Name Publishing.
Website |Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads
Giveaway Details:
(1) Winner
will receive a finished copy of CHASING EVELINE & Swag, US Only.
Ends on
February 9th at Midnight EST!

A Matter of Trust: Review

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A MATTER OF TRUST

Montana Rescue Series, Book 3

By SUSAN MAY WARREN

  Genre: Contemporary Romance / Action / Christian

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: July 4, 2017

Number of Pages: 336

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson was at the top of his game when one of his fans crashed and died—a death blamed on Gage. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, Gage had no choice but to leave the limelight behind and search for a new life.

Although Gage is now working as a ski patrol in Montana’s rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team, he still can’t find peace—or forget the woman who betrayed him.

As a former attorney and one of the youngest senators in the country, Ella Blair is used to being in the public eye. But she does have one secret that has remained hidden—a secret that could have saved Gage his career. Wracked with regret, she’ll do almost anything to atone for her betrayal of him.

When Ella’s brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park’s most dangerous peaks, the last thing Gage wants is to let Ella join the search. Not only will he have to find her reckless brother, but he’ll have to keep her safe as well. But Ella is undeterred, and suddenly Gage finds himself in a high-stakes adventure on a mountain with a woman who could cost him everything—again. In a world of dangerous heights, devastating injuries, and blinding snowstorms, Gage and Ella must put aside the past and learn to trust each other if they hope to survive.

Praise for the Montana Rescue Series

“Exciting rescues and an old mystery offer a thrilling, roller-coaster plotline and plenty of drama to keep the pages turning.” —Bookpage on Wild Montana Skies

“A fast-moving, high-stakes romantic adventure set against the backdrop of Glacier National Park, which will leave longtime fans and new readers alike anticipating the next book in the series.” —Publishers Weekly on Rescue Me

Purchase Links

Baker Book House | Amazon | Christianbook.com | B&N

iBooks | Kobo | Lifeway 

A Matter of Trust is a mix of high tension, suspense, drama and forgiveness. As I usually lean towards the more fantasy action genre, I’m always really surprised and excited to enjoy books like these. Especially when it sparks my interest for other novels the author has written. Susan Warren has an amazing sense of character and scenery.

Despite Gage and Ella’s own upended history, Gage puts things aside and sets off to rescue her brother. Struggling with his faith in her and own spiritual faith, their journey has many twists and turns that keep the reader well engaged in their story. This book also follows other characters, or duos as it were, in the team. From previous books, we’re given glimpses of their own complex stories and what’s to come. Since I wasn’t as familiar with other characters in the series, I did tend to focus more on other areas with the main characters, Gage and Ella. Gage is a wonderfully engaging character with his own doubts and growth throughout the book. Ella was a bit harder to connect with, especially since she is trying to redeem her past decisions and making new difficult ones along the way. I still enjoyed their interactions and dynamic that pushed the boundaries of usual relationships you tend to see or read in stories.

I’ve never been good at skiing but I love snow. The way Warren described it was fun and lively to the point where I’m tempted to retry it again…on a bunny hill. The wintery scene of Montana was really well done and made me want to travel there someday. Well, when it’s a tad warmer of course. I definitely recommend this great summer read! Be sure to enter the giveaway!

Susan May Warren is the USA Today, ECPA, and CBA bestselling author of over fifty novels, including Wild Montana Skies with more than one million books sold. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT and numerous Readers’ Choice Awards, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, romantic comedy, and novellas.

WEBSITE  YOUTUBE  

FACEBOOK  TWITTER

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GRAND PRIZE: Huckleberry Coffee, Pair of Bookish Mugs, and Full Montana Rescue Series.

PRIZE TWO: A Matter of Trust + $25 Barnes & Noble GC.

PRIZE THREE: A Matter of Trust & $10 Starbucks GC

June 6-July 16, 2017

(U.S. Only)

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7/6 Character Interview 1 Books and Broomsticks
7/7 Excerpt Chapter Break Book Blog
7/8 Review Syd Savvy
7/9 Author Interview Margie’s Must Reads
7/10 Character Interview 2 Forgotten Winds
7/11 Review The Page Unbound
7/12 Playlist Hall Ways Blog
7/13 Review Reading by Moonlight
7/14 Deleted Scene CGB Blog Tours
7/15 Review Missus Gonzo

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Amanda Gernentz Hanson’s Top 10 Writing Tips to Create an Amazing Character

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Amanda Gernentz Hanson, the author of Something Beautiful, shares with us how she creates her awesome characters. Check out her great writing tips!

Top 10 Writing Tips to Create an Amazing Character

Here’s the thing about writing compelling characters—they are complicated, and messy, and (generally) human. Character creation needs to be well-rounded and consistent in order to work in a story, which is definitely the hardest part. I am a plotter—I can’t fly by the seat of my pants when I’m writing. Therefore, my characters are often mapped out ahead of time, from start to finish. Here’s a general map of how I create characters when I’m writing:

1. Pick a great character name.

I don’t know if all writers feel this way, but I put a lot of stock in names. I do research. I try to plot out family trees. Sometimes, like in the case of Cordelia, one of the main characters in Something Beautiful, I look to other written works, including mythology and Shakespeare. Names mean something, and I think they require a good deal of thought.

2. Consider the family.

A person’s family influences them. It’s as easy as that. You can argue nature versus nurture all you want, but your family shapes you. I always take a character’s family into account, and I usually try to include the family in the story, as well.

3. Plot out the past.

Every story starts somewhere, but what happened before? The past is another thing that shapes how the character ends up. You don’t necessarily need to be explicit with the reader about everything that happened in the past, but know it. Know your character’s beginnings.

4. What’s the relationship status?

Again, this isn’t crucial to the text itself, but know the character’s relationship status. This will help determine what the character’s demeanor might be, who and what is motivating the character, and what the character’s desires might be. Do you have to mention this explicitly? Of course not. But it helps to know the intentions, even if they’re only your intentions.

5. Who are the character’s friends?

Much like the relationship status, a character’s friends are important when it comes to shaping the character. Who would Rory be without Lane, or Blair without Serena, or Spencer, Aria, Hanna, and Emily without each other?

6. What is unique about the appearance?

Now. Hear me out. I don’t always describe my characters appearances in depth because I don’t think it always matters. But each character usually has a defining feature. In Something Beautiful, for example, Declan has green eyes, and Cordelia has colored streaks in her hair. In one of my WIPs, a character has a lime-green snapback that she wears to parties. There’s always something, and that helps define the character.

7. What are the hobbies?

What does the character do for fun? I like thinking about how varied people are in real life, and I try to pick one defining hobby for each of my characters. Declan plays soccer and does musical theater. Cordelia writes. Other characters have ran, and played field hockey, and been avid readers. There’s always something. Find the something that makes them who they are.

8. How does this character fit into the plot?

At this point, you should have a pretty good idea of what your character looks like, what they do, who they’re with, and where they’ve been. Now you have to make sure each character fits into the narrative of the story. It’s very rare that characters exist without a purpose—remember that.

9. What is unique about the character that will drive the plot forward?

Building on that note, how does the character fit into the plot in a way that drives it forward? Every character, every scene, every single part of the book should drive the plot forward—that’s always the point. Do if you’re going to create a great character, remember to use them wisely.

10. Remember everyone has flaws.

Here is something that I love about the characters I write—they’re always flawed people. Don’t even get me started on Declan and Cordelia—flawed to the extreme, they are. But that’s what I love about writing. I am a flawed person. Every person I know has flaws. That’s what makes us unique. It’s what makes us human. That’s what makes us interesting, and that’s what’s important for characters.

Are these tips the end-all be-all of advice for writing characters? Of course not! This is just how I map out characters when I’m writing. I hope this was helpful to you!

Happy writing (and reading)!

About the Author:

Amanda Gernentz Hanson has been writing stories since the third grade, when she turned in a five-page story about talking dogs to a local youth arts contest. She is an instructional designer by day and an everything else by night. Amanda is a proud Latina who earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Hope College and her Master’s degree in Technical Communication from Minnesota State University. You can find her on the internet at browneyedtwentysomething.com and diverseladybookproject.tumblr.com, and on Twitter and Instagram @amandamariegh. If you see her in the wild, she probably has a book in her purse.

Be sure to check out her awesome debut novel, available now from amazon for $5.99!

Book Summary:

Cordelia and Declan have been best friends since they were three years old. By the time they hit middle school, Cordelia—Cord, to Declan—is already feeling the blackness in her life as depression takes hold. Their mutual attraction to each other leads to a serious high school relationship, one with their foundation of friendship at the forefront. Cordelia seems to have her mental health under control. All appears to be well.

However, when Declan starts to accept his own fluid sexuality, it sets something in motion in their lives that is both beautiful and tragic as they learn to love each other for who they are.

Purchase Links:
Amazon

Hitchin’ Post: Review and Giveaway

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HITCHIN’ POST
by
Julie Barker
  Genre: Children’s Picture Book / Rhyming / K-3
Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
Date of Publication: July 14, 2016
Number of Pages: 46
Rating 4/5
Scroll down for Giveaway!

 


Hard work and the cowboy life on the 6Bs Ranch is nothing new to old jackrabbit Hitchin’ Post.  Hitchin’ Post is a picture book written in rhyme describing old Hitch’s life on the 6Bs Ranch and his journey in finding what it truly means to be thankful.  His beloved ranch goes through a terrible drought, but Hitch decides that despite challenges, there is always something to be thankful for. He discovers that it is relationships with his friends and his beloved ranch that makes him feel rich. 


PRAISE FOR HITCHIN’ POST:
**2017 North Texas Book Festival Honorable Mention award*
Wonderfully told with beautiful, rustic illustrations. — Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Readers’ Favorite 
I can’t wait to share this book with my granddaughters! –- Amy, Goodreads Review
Hitchin’ Post is the most adorable story with the best illustrations! We love, love, love it!!! – Cory, Amazon Verified Customer
PURCHASE LINKS:
Hitchin’ Post is an adorable must read children’s book for any Texas lover out there. The tale follows a bunny cowboy named Hitch, it describes how he got his name, what he does on the farm, and even a fun car ride he takes. It’s a cute story and has a great message for kids and adults alike. “It’s the big and the small and all the in-between that should make you feel the richest of rich.” – Julie Barker from Hitchin’ Post

A few things stood out to me with this children story. First the story itself. It’s really perfect for a parent to read with their kid, or to have a kid read it to their parent. I think it would make a wonderful bedtime story and I just love the message this story gives. Another thing that stood out to me was the beautiful illustrations by Carolyn Altman. So much beautiful detail in this cartoon pictures. And it really sets the stage for what good ol’ Texas looks and feels like. Another thing I loved was the overall length of the book. It’s not too short by any means and I think if you working with a child that you’re trying to increase the amount of reading time they have (your child or one of your young students) I think this would be a great book for them to sit and listen to.

As far as using the book at school with my kids as a teaching tool, there’s lots of different things I could use this book for in a special education classroom. For one, an introduction to Texas Regions. I could terrains such as suburban, urban, and rural with a focus on rural. I could identifying animals. It’s long enough too that it would be a good book to use for reading comprehension with my students.

If you’re looking for a great Texas children’s book with wonderful illustrations and a make you feel good story that you could have a fun read with your child or to use in the classroom as entertainment or a teaching tool, then be sure to check out Hitchin’ Post. It’s such a cute story. You’ll love it!

 
Julie Barker was born and raised in west Texas, and currently resides in Quanah, Texas, with her husband and three children.  She maintained her west Texas roots into college when she attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, receiving a degree in social work.  Julie has grown up surrounded by the ranching heritage, and felt drawn to share this way of life through the adventures of the little cowboy jackrabbit, Hitchin’ Post.  Hitchin’ Post marks Julie’s debut into the world of children’s literature.  She was fortunate to have her mother, artist Carolyn Altman, provide the cute, whimsical illustrations of old Hitch and the 6Bs, making this project extra special.
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1st Place Winner receives an eBook AND a Signed Print Copy
4 Runners-Up each have a choice of eBook OR Signed Print Copy
June 26-July 6, 2017
(U.S. Only)
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6/26
Review
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6/27
Sneak Peek
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6/28
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6/29
Review
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6/30
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7/1
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7/4
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7/5
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Sprint Writing

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Hi there! Becca and I have joined together to do a writing adventure. It’s called Sprint Writing!

What is sprint writing?

It’s a timed writing exercise to write as quickly as you can for a set amount of time. You can take on a suggested prompt or dare, too!

Why take part in a word sprint? To rev up your writing momentum, and get you sprinting past your inner editor. —NaNoWriMo

For some writing tips, visit here!

Enjoy!

How’d you like it? We challenge you to join in on this adventure! Comment or tweet with your writing time and word count. We’d love to hear about your experience and suggestions on what you’d like next. Questions, concerns, fun tidbits and challenges that you want to see. We look forward to hearing from you!

Badlands: Review and Giveaway

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BADLANDS
Sawbones, Book 3
by
MELISSA LENHARDT
!!NEW RELEASE!!
  Genre: Historical / Western / Action-Adventure / Romance
Publisher: Redhook
Date of Publication: June 27, 2017
Number of Pages: 416

Rating 5/5

Outlander meets post-Civil War unrest in the conclusion to Melissa Lenhardt’s fast-paced historical series.

Laura’s worst fears have been realized: Kindle has been taken into custody and she is once again on the run. The noose awaits her in New York, but Laura is realizing that there are some things worse than death. Finally running out of places to hide, it may be time for Dr. Catherine Bennett to face her past.

 

PURCHASE LINKS:

Indiebound | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks | B&N

 

Badlands was a real page turner! I read it in 24 hours because I couldn’t put the book down. I think what I truly loved about it was how it magically seemed to transport me back in time to the old west. Badlands is a gripping tale about a woman, a former doctor on the run, whom is kidnapped by a prostitute that longs for a new life. News of the doctor’s husband and his impending trial keeps her close to the woman she once despised. Together the doctor and prostitute learn so much of each other, their strengths, their weaknesses, with a lingering doubt in their fragile trust always on their mind. But through it all, they develop an amazing friendship that’s raw and deep, the kind that keeps you alive.

I simply love the characters in this story. They were real and complex, the kind that drew breath from the very first page. I love both Laura and Rosemond and I love their relationship, how their friendship unfolds, and all the mystery that surrounds Rosemond. Of course I enjoyed Kindle as well and after meeting him I am craving more of his and Laura’s story. I’m ready to dive into Sawbones and Blood Oath just so I can get more of them. Badlands was driven and intense, giving me little snippets about the other novels that has pulled me into wanting to read more. I NEED those stories! And I cannot wait to read the other two.

I love how Lenhardt shines a light on the true, brutality of the west. But also the good as well. I love how Lenhardt shows us the hardship of prostitutes during this time, how men were treated superior to women, and how the main character does what she can for women in general when it comes to their health. I also loved the moments when Laura would come to a salon and somehow would get inside regardless of the rules. Laura certain was a rule breaker and is a great icon for women empowerment.

Badlands is unlike any western tale I have read before and I like it all the more for that factor. It’s a must read for anyone that enjoys mystery, suspense, love, cowboys, old west, and the intensity of a character being on the run from the law. Badlands is everything I ever wanted in a western and so much more. I am ready to take the 3:10 back to the eighteen hundreds to read about a heroine that is noble, humble, feels guilt and remorse when she does something wrong, tries to do the right thing no matter the costs, and is a total kick ass doctor.

What about you? Ready to board the train with me?


Melissa Lenhardt is the author the Jack McBride mystery series, as well as the Laura Elliston historical fiction series. Her debut mystery, STILLWATER, was a finalist for the 2014 Whidbey Writers’ MFA Alumni Emerging Writers Contest, and SAWBONES, her historical fiction debut, was hailed as a “thoroughly original, smart and satisfying hybrid, perhaps a new subgenre: the feminist Western” by Lone Star Literary Life. A lifelong Texan, she lives in the Dallas area with her husband and two sons.

WEBSITE  GOODREADS  
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1st – Badlands paperback;       2nd – Badlands eBook; 
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7/3
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7/4
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7/5
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7/6
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Freak: Promo

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Freak
By Erin Lee
Genre: LBGT/ Contemporary
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: 29 June, 2017

Blurb

Regret Comes in Every Color of the Rainbow

Based on Erin Lee’s novella, Her Name Was Sam, Freak is the story of Kelly and Morgan, the mother and sister of Sam Harris, in the aftermath of her suicide. Bullied for being brave enough to show her true colors to the world, Sam has been gone exactly one year and Kelly and Morgan are left to tackle the grief that comes with regret in her absence.

But Sam’s story is far from over…

Through the love of Willow, a teenager intent on standing up for her “Freak” best friend at all costs, Ryan is able to finally come out to family and friends. His transformation from ashamed to proud with Willow’s help gives new meaning to Sam’s story and how things could have been.

Because love comes in all shades too.

Buy Links

Amazon

Excerpt

 Kelly

I stand in a sea of color. It’s so bright, so real, that I feel like I could almost reach out and taste it. I imagine it tastes like summer’s fat watermelon slices or the Fourth of July. But my mouth is dry. Even if I could, I wouldn’t take a bite. I have too much guilt. The only reason I’m standing here is because I helped kill my daughter. If I’m totally honest with you, and with myself, I would never be standing here if Sam hadn’t done what she did.

She asked me to come with her to this very parade so many times. I told her there was no way I’d be caught dead marching down the streets like this. I tried to convince her it was just a phase. I told her to keep an open mind; the very thing she was asking of me. I said she was just curious and experimenting. I even tried to tell her it was all a normal part of growing up. But deep down, I knew. I knew exactly what was going on with her. I also knew how important it was to her that I support her. I just wasn’t ready. I couldn’t see myself as “that” mom. The last thing I wanted to have was pride.

I couldn’t understand why she couldn’t be normal. I felt like she was only doing it to punish me. I’d watch her, getting dressed in wild patterns and heels so high I was sure she’d twist an ankle. She’d put on so much make-up it reminded me of a circus clown. I told her so. I told her to take off the mask. She glared at me, telling me I didn’t understand.

It’s ironic that I’m here now. Being at the rainbow parade is a horrible consolation prize. I only want my daughter back. I’d go to a parade like this one every year for the rest of my life if I could change things. I’d even have pride: In her. In me. In a million things I wouldn’t have done so awfully wrong. Pride in the things I’d do over right.

I wonder what she thinks of me today and almost hope there’s no afterlife. I admit it, I’m a hypocrite. I should have been here years ago. I should have done whatever it took to support her. But there are no do overs. At least, I don’t think.

Sam believed in reincarnation. She’s probably too busy living another, better life, to be paying attention. If she is, I know she’s rolling her eyes. She’d say, “Finally, Mom’s here.”

The ironic thing is, I couldn’t not be here. I am, after all, a conspirator. Maybe I can help some other mother from suffering the same fate. Sam always used to say, “Everything happens for a reason.”

I can’t imagine a good enough reason for her suicide. But there were many. I might have been able to stop her, had I listened. I didn’t listen when she told me how bad the bullying had become. I didn’t take her seriously or buy her the new dresses and make-up she asked for. I told her she needed to see a therapist and to stop trying to change who she was. I said that she needed to focus on school and ignore everyone around her. I told her she was too young to date and that the only thing that would solve her problems was prayer. I told her that maybe she was just bisexual or gay. I told her it was no big deal and that she had plenty of time to figure it out. And, then, I told myself I was being open minded. The truth was, my mind was entirely closed and we both knew it. I even asked her what the neighbors might think.

Sure, there were warning signs. I should have paid closer attention when her grades dropped and she stopped attending band practice. I should have known something was wrong when she burnt her journals in the backyard. I let her give her trumpet and flute away. Instead, I wrote it off to teen angst and told myself she was only going through a phase. I painted over her pink walls and made them blue. I figured it might help her rethink things.

It’s probably a good thing that I can’t hear myself think over the noise. A man wearing white leggings and rainbow leg warmers has a gold horn on his head. His Mohawk is dyed every color of the rainbow. I think he’s supposed to be a unicorn. I try not to wince as he spins and twirls and prances by. I tell myself at least his mother has him alive.

Someday, I hope to be able to smile with him. I hope to be able to look past the glitter and overt cries of ‘pride.’ For now, I need to just be here, part of it, and try. Three young girls, with their arms locked together, march beside me. Their faces are painted red and I wonder what it symbolizes. They laugh and smile and I have to make myself look away. It’s too late…

About the Author

Erin Lee is a freelance writer and therapist chasing a crazy dream one reality at a time. She is the author of Crazy Like Me, a novel published in 2015 by Savant Books and Publications, LLC, Wave to Papa, 2015, by Limitless Publishing, LLC and Nine Lives (2016). She’s also author of Alters, Host, and Merge of the “Lola, Party of Eight Series,” When I’m Dead, Take Me As I Am, Greener, Something Blue, Once Upon a Vow and 99 Bottles. She also penned Her Name Was Sam, an LGBTQ awareness novella. She is author of Losing Faith, and co-author of The Morning After with Black Rose Writing. These days, she spends her free time working on the sequels to this novel, Jimmie’s Ice Cream and Thing Fifteen.

Lee is a co-founder of the Escape From Reality Series. She, along with authors Sara Schoen and Taylor Henderson, are working with twenty other authors to bring the hopes, dreams, fears and terrors of a tiny fictional town alive. The town and its setting is exactly the type of place a man like Jimmie might escape to as the bodies thawed.

Lee holds a master’s degree in psychology and works with at-risk families and as a court appointed special advocate. She cannot write horror with the lights off. However, these days, she’s getting braver and dimming them. She’ll get there . . .

Author Links
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

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Heart on the Line: Excerpt and Giveaway

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HEART ON THE LINE
Ladies of Harper’s Station #2
by
Karen Witemeyer
  Genre: Christian / Historical / Frontier Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Date of Publication: June 6, 2017
Number of Pages: 336
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Grace Mallory is tired of hiding. She hungers for a normal life, perhaps even a suitor like two of her friends in Harper’s Station have found. But when the man she believes responsible for her father’s death discovers her whereabouts, survival takes priority.

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies
who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His fellow telegrapher, the mysterious Miss G, has been the ideal companion. For months, their friendship—dare he believe, courtship?—over the wire has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intends for him. However, when he intercepts an ominous message and discovers her life is in peril, Amos must shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires.

PRAISE FOR HEART ON THE LINE:
“Witemeyer blends history, suspense, and romance with touches of humor. Women will enjoy this story that proves heroes come in unexpected shapes and sizes and not always on a white charger.”—Christian Market

“Online dating meets 1890s Texas in this charming, spiritually deep, laugh-out-loud funny romance!”—reader review on Goodreads
 PURCHASE LINKS:

Excerpt from Heart on the Line
by Karen Witemeyer

It was him. Mr. A. She’d recognize his quick touch at the key anywhere. So crisp and precise. A metronome couldn’t create spaces any more rhythmic. She’d long admired his deft hand at the key. Setting her tea on the table, Grace slid into her office chair, a giddy tickle in her stomach despite her best efforts to maintain a sense of detachment.

 Yes, Station Dn. I’m here.

 Excellent! I worried I had waited too long to call. Dinner at my sister’s took longer than expected.

 I hope you didn’t rush away on my account, Grace tapped.  

I was eager to escape. Believe me.

What dastardly plague did they set upon you? Grace grinned to herself as she tapped out the words. Mr. A always seemed to have a humorous story to tell about his family, his life so wonderfully normal that whenever she listened to him, she managed to forget all about danger and unseen foes. For a few blessed minutes, she was simply a girl talking to a young man, no worries in sight.

I dare not tell you, for fear of spreading the contagion. It seems to strike the women around me with alarming regularity.

Intrigued, Grace leaned forward. Surely the distance between us will serve as adequate protection.

My mother and sister have both been afflicted for some time, I’m sorry to say, but tonight their symptoms worsened.

That sounds dire, indeed. Did you call a physician?

No point. There is only one cure to their ailment. And apparently I am the one who must distribute the healing dose.

Then you should do so at once, Grace replied, grinning as she reached for her tea. Mr. A never failed to entertain.

I would, of course, he said, but I find the key ingredient in the required elixir to be frustratingly elusive. 

Can you not simply visit a druggist?

I’m afraid not. You see, the item I must find in order to cure this plague of interference is . . . a wife.

 The tea Grace had just sipped spewed from her mouth to splatter over the table in front of her. Coughs spasmed in her throat.

 A wife?

A strange fluttery sensation danced through her belly. So, he wasn’t married. Why did that particular piece of knowledge please her so well? Her hand trembled as she reached for the key. She had to make some kind of response to that. But what exactly should she say?

I’m sure they only have your best interests at heart.

They do. But a twenty-eight year-old man doesn’t really want his personal life dictated by his female relations.

Twenty-eight. A man in his prime. A man who was suddenly sharing more personal details with her than he ever had before. 

Grace dabbed at the spilled tea with a handkerchief fetched from her skirt pocket, her mind spinning. Was he fishing for details in return? She wanted to reciprocate. It was what a friend would do. Yet she couldn’t afford to say too much.

I can’t claim as many years of experience dealing with meddling relations as you can, but a couple friends of mine have recently decided that marriage is not without its advantages. Thankfully, they have as yet avoided seeing me as a matchmaking prospect.

Grace yanked her hand from the telegraph key and made a fist, her heart pumping in a wild rhythm. Details cloaked in vagueness. Would he understand what she’d just revealed? The wire remained silent for an eternally long moment.

Count your blessings, he finally sent, his usually metronome-like precision stuttering slightly. Perhaps we could meet sometime to commiserate. I would—

Clear the line, a brash staccato tapping interrupted. I need to break in. This is an emergency.

Grace nearly jumped from her chair at the pounding intrusion. It exploded across the wire like cannon fire in a still forest.

Proceed, came the answer from Mr. A. Immediate. Meticulous. All hint of personal vulnerability gone.

Grace replied in kind, though she feared her touch on the key had yet to reassert its professional tone.

Hs. Dv station has a message to relay. Are you on the wire?

A message from the Denver station? Grace shivered even as she lurched forward to answer. Yes. This is Hs station. G on the wire. Go ahead.

Message relayed from R as follows: He knows where you are. Coming for you. Sorry.

Everything in Grace stilled. Numbness spread from her mind to her limbs and finally to her heart. Her day of reckoning had arrived. Chaucer Haversham had found her.

 

Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance to give the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Texas, with her husband and three children. 

 

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6/24
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6/25
Review
6/26
Guest Post 1
6/27
Review
6/28
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6/29
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6/30
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Under A Summer Sky: Excerpt

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UNDER A SUMMER SKY

Follow Your Heart, Book 3

By Melody Carlson

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Christian / Inspirational

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: June 6, 2017

Number of Pages: 320

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High school art teacher Nicole Anderson is looking forward to a relaxing summer in Savannah, house-sitting and managing an art gallery for a family friend. The house is luxurious in a way that only old money could make it, and the gallery promises interesting days in a gorgeous setting. Yet it isn’t long before her ideal summer turns into more than she bargained for: a snooty gallery employee who’s determined to force her out, a displaced adolescent roosting in the attic, and two of her childhood friends—who also happen to be brothers—vying for her attention.

With the backdrop of a gorgeous historical city, incredible architecture, and even an alleged ghost or two, combined with the opportunity for romance . . . anything can happen! 

Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson invites you to spend the summer surrounded by splendor . . . and tantalizing possibilities.

 

PRAISE FOR THE FOLLOW YOUR HEART SERIES:

“Heartwarming and uplifting.”—Library Journal on Once Upon a Summertime 

“Sweet, romantic, and endlessly entertaining.”—Radiant Lit on Once Upon a Summertime

“This winsome romance [is] a perfect summer read.”—Publishers Weekly on All Summer Long

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BAKER BOOK HOUSE   AMAZON   CHRISTIANBOOK.COM

iBOOKS   KOBO   LIFEWAY   BARNES & NOBLE

Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 3

continued from the 6/22/17 Lone Star Book Blog Tours stop

“Well, Vivian called me up this morning. Straight out of the blue. I don’t think we’ve had an actual conversation since her grandbaby was born.”

“Vivian has a grandbaby?”

“Oh, I’m sure I told you about it before. You remember that Alex got married—that was years ago. Poor Vivian was so disappointed they didn’t have a wedding. The selfish kids ran off to Vegas.”

“Oh yeah.” Nicole nodded, remembering how vexed her mom was that there hadn’t been a wedding. Nicole herself hadn’t been too pleased to hear that Alex had gotten married. “So back to Vivian, Mom. She called you this morning?”

“Yes. I couldn’t have been more surprised. Oh, we still exchange Christmas and birthday cards, but we haven’t actually spoken in years. Viv has encouraged me to join one of those online social clubs, but you know me, Nikki, I hate computers.” She snagged a parking place near the neighborhood Starbucks. “All that electronic stuff just gives me the heebie-jeebies. Don’t know how your father can waste so much time on his computer. It’s just plain silly.”

Nicole laughed as she pointed to her mom’s smartphone sticking out of her purse. “Well, at least you know how to use that now. That’s better than nothing.”

Caroline turned off the engine and reached for her phone. “That reminds me, I have to show you the pictures I took at JJ’s ball game yesterday—”

“How about you send them to me?” Nicole said as they got out of the car.

“Anyway, Viv and I had a very interesting conversation.” Caroline’s brows arched.

“That is somehow related to me?” Nicole held the Starbucks door open for her mom.

“Well, as it turns out, it just might be. You see,” Caroline continued as they stepped into the short line, “Vivian and Robert are celebrating their fortieth anniversary this summer by taking a world cruise. Can you imagine three months of being pampered on a luxurious ship that goes all around the world?” She sighed. “But then they’re rich.”

“What does this have to do with me?”

“I’m sure that Vivian called me to brag a little. Really, I can’t blame her. I’d tell everyone I know if your dad was taking me on a trip like that.” She paused to order an iced mocha, and Nicole followed suit, trying to make sense of her mother’s monologue about Vivian’s charmed life.

“But Robert comes from money. Old money. According to Viv, they inherited quite a sum after his dad passed away.” She shook her head. “I can only imagine.”

“You’re not exactly impoverished,” Nicole said.

“I know that. But we’re not the Grahams.”

Nicole smiled. “And I’m glad you’re not.”

As they picked up their iced mochas, Caroline continued to rattle on about how “fortunate” Vivian and Robert were. After they were seated, Nicole held up her hand. “Okay, Mom, can you please get to the part about why this involves me? I’ve had a long day and an even longer school year, and my brain is starting to get a little fuzzy.”

Caroline gave her a sly-looking smile. “Well . . . do you recall that Vivian owns a gallery in Savannah?”

Nicole tipped her head to one side. “That kind of rings a bell. Didn’t we look at a vacant building when we were in Savannah that last time? Vivian was talking about getting it for an investment?”

“Yes, that’s right. Vivian bought that building. A few years later she opened an art gallery—I guess it was about a dozen years ago. The Graham Gallery, she said it’s called. It took a while for it to catch hold, and then there was the recession. But apparently it’s fairly well established now. I guess it’s been kind of like her baby—even more so after her boys were grown and all. It actually sounds rather nice.”

“Uh-huh.” Nicole tried to imagine it as she sipped her iced mocha.

“Viv was telling me all about her gallery and these art exhibits she has lined up for the upcoming summer, complaining about how hard it would be to leave it all behind—to go off on her fabulous world cruise.” Caroline rolled her eyes, then laughed. “In the meantime, I got this brilliant idea.”

“Oh?” Despite her weariness, Nicole’s curiosity was piquing.

“It was slightly miraculous how this idea occurred to me—almost like a divine inspiration.”

“Seriously?” Nicole frowned.

Caroline nodded firmly. “Don’t be such a skeptic, Nikki. It’s entirely possible that God gave me this idea. Anyway, I suddenly realized that you, my dear, are exactly what Vivian needs.”

“What she needs?”

“To manage her gallery.”

“To manage her gallery?”

“Good grief, is there an echo in this room?” Caroline glanced dramatically around, then narrowed her eyes at Nicole. “Please, dear, stop repeating everything I say.”

Nicole just stared at her mom. Did she honestly think Nicole could simply drop everything, uproot her life for an entire summer, and relocate to Savannah? Furthermore, did she really think Nicole knew the first thing about running an art gallery?

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than 6.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and the contemporary romances Once Upon a Summertime and All Summer Long. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon.

WEBSITE    FACEBOOK   MYSPACE

————————————————— 

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Grand Prize:

Print copies of the three books in the Follow Your Heart series, Thanks You’re A Peach Tea Gift Tin,12×18 Savannah travel poster, & Georgia Peach Cookies Tin

1st Runner-Up: Full series + $15 Barnes & Noble Gift Card

2nd Runner-Up: Full Series + $10 Starbucks Gift Card

June 17-26, 2017

(U.S. Only)

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CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR

6/17 Excerpt 1 Chapter Break Book Blog
6/18 REVIEW Momma On The Rocks
6/19 Guest Post CGB Blog Tours
6/20 Author Interview Books and Broomsticks
6/21 REVIEW My Book Fix Blog
6/22 Excerpt 2 StoreyBook Reviews
6/23 Scrapbook Books in the Garden
6/24 REVIEW Margie’s Must Reads
6/25 Excerpt 3 The Page Unbound
6/26 REVIEW Reading By Moonlight

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