Tuesday, February 25, 2014

The Moon Sisters Blitz!

On tour with Prism Book Tours...


A beautiful coming-of-age novel about two sisters on a journey to forgive their troubled mother, with a sheen of almost-magical realism that overlays a story about the love of a family, and especially between sisters...


The Moon SistersThe Moon Sisters

by Therese Walsh

336 pages

Coming March 4th, 2014

Mature Coming of Age

Family Drama





Therese Walsh's poignant and mesmerizing novel is a moving tale of family, love, and the power of stories. After their mother's probable suicide, sisters Olivia and Jazz are figuring out how to move on with their lives. Jazz, logical and forward-thinking, decides to get a new job, but spirited, strong-willed Olivia, who can see sounds, taste words, and smell sights, is determined to travel to the remote setting of their mother's unfinished novel to say her final goodbyes and lay their mother's spirit to rest.



Though they see things very differently, Jazz is forced by her sense of duty to help Olivia reach her goal. Bitter and frustrated by the attention heaped on her sunny sister whose world is so unique, Jazz is even more upset when they run into trouble along the way and Olivia latches to a worldly train-hopper. Though Hobbs warns Olivia that he's a thief who shouldn't be trusted, he agrees to help with their journey. As they near their destination, the tension builds between the two sisters, each hiding something from the other, and they will finally be forced to face everything between them and decide what is really important.



Pre-Order:



Appearances & News from Therese Walsh
Up-coming Tour at TLC Tours


What is your train name?

You'll want it for next week's Personality Quiz!



What readers are saying about The Moon Sisters:
Jazz and Olivia Moon are about as different as sisters can be. The death
of their mother, which appears to have been a suicide, hits them both
hard, but their reactions are completely opposite. Practical,
22-year-old Jazz gets a job at the funeral home that handled their
mother’s funeral, while dreamy 18-year-old Olivia half blinds herself by
staring at the sun and decides to visit a bog to catch sight of the
wisps that her mother talked and wrote about. Accompanied by reluctant
Jazz, Olivia sets off, but when the bus they’re driving breaks down,
Olivia makes the rash decision to stow away on a train. There she meets a
tattooed, reticent young drifter named Hobbs, who agrees to help her
find the wisps. When Jazz catches up with them, she’s immediately put
off by Hobbs and furious with Olivia’s refusal to give up her mission or
accept that their mother’s death was a suicide. Both heartbreaking and
hopeful, the Moon sisters’ journey is no quixotic quest, and readers
will find themselves completely immersed in their transformative search.
This magical, moving tale is not to be missed.

Booklist (STARRED REVIEW)



Therese Walsh has done it again. She is fast becoming known for
delivering lush, emotional and deeply atmospheric reads that never
disappoint. Her second book, The Moon Sisters, is a magical journey of
grief, hope and the power of family bonds. It is a novel for the senses,
a harmony of sounds, sights, scents and tastes, the likes of which you
have never experienced before. You won’t want to miss this one.”

-Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author of Lost Lake



Therese Walsh is a gifted storyteller whose lyrical prose captures the
uniqueness of her characters and the compelling, slightly mystical
nature of their journey. The Moon Sisters is a tale of two sisters —
unalike in a multitude of ways — and their quest for understanding the
secrets of their late mother’s past. The trip Jazz and Olivia take
together naturally strains the bonds of an already difficult
relationship, but what is slowly revealed during their time away from
home proves to be truly enlightening to them both…regardless of how
differently each perceives the world. This is a novel about love, hope
and, above all, acceptance. Readers will find themselves caught up in a
kaleidoscope of sensory details and the richness of a story beautifully
told.”

-Marilyn Brant, USA Today bestselling author of The Road to You



The Moon Sisters is a novel to fall in love with. to break your heart
over. to linger with and think about after you’ve finished the last of
Walsh’s lovely, singing, heart-wrenching words. There is magic in the
story and in the language itself and you’ll find yourself wanting to buy
a copy for your sister, or your best friend, just so you have someone
to share it with.”

- M.J. Rose, International bestselling author of Seduction: A Novel of Suspense




Therese Walsh's debut novel, The Last Will of Moira Leahy, was published in 2009 by Shaye Areheart books (Random House). Her second novel, The Moon Sisters, will be published by Crown (Penguin Random House) in March 2014.



Therese is the co-founder of Writer Unboxed, a blog for writers about the craft and business of fiction. Before turning to novels, she was a researcher and writer for Prevention magazine, and then a freelance writer. She’s had hundreds of articles on nutrition and fitness published in consumer magazines and online.



She has a master's degree in psychology.



Aside from writing, Therese’s favorite things include music, art, crab legs, Whose Line is it Anyway?, dark chocolate, photography, unique movies and novels, people watching, strong Irish tea, and spending time with her husband, two kids and their bouncy Jack Russell





Prism Book Tours Blitz:  Feb 18 * Feb 25 * March 4
Receive an additional entry on the Rafflecopter for posting each!  Email Tressa at TressasWishfulEndings@outlook.com to receive the html code for Blogger or Wordpress


Enter to WIN The Moon Sisters or $100... or both!


Giveaway #1



Feb 18 - March 11

WIN $100 Gift Card - International

See Rafflecopter for restrictions



a Rafflecopter giveaway







Giveaway #2 



Feb 18 - March 11

WIN print copy of The Moon Sisters - US/Canada only

See Rafflecopter for restrictions



a Rafflecopter giveaway







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Saturday, February 22, 2014

Wildwood Creek Grand Finale!!

The Grand Finale for Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate


There is a mystery in Wildwood Creek's history, a mystery that affects Allie's present...


Wildwood CreekWildwood Creek

by Lisa Wingate

Christian Romance

Paperback, 384 pages

February 4th 2014 by Bethany House Publishers



Allie Kirkland has never been one to take wild risks. But when she’s offered a costuming assistant’s job on a docudrama in the hills near Moses Lake, she jumps at the chance. She’s always dreamed of following in her director-father’s footsteps, and the reenactment of the legendary frontier settlement of Wildwood is a first step. The family expectations will have to wait.



But in 1861, the real Wildwood held dangerous realities. Town founder Harland Delevan held helpless residents, including young Irish schoolteacher Bonnie Rose, in an iron grip. Mysterious disappearances led to myths and legends still retold in the folk songs of Chinquapin Peaks. Eventually, the entire site was found abandoned.
When strange connections surface between Allie and the teacher who disappeared over a century ago, everyone in Wildwood, including Allie’s handsome neighbor on the film set, Blake Fulton, seems to be hiding secrets, and Allie doesn’t know who she can trust. If she can’t find the answers in time, history may repeat itself . . . with the most unthinkable results.



Bethany House





Lisa, the Writer

Part IV of IV:


What sacrifices have you had to make to be a writer?



Writing two novels per year for two different publishers these last several years has been very time-consuming, especially while raising a family, driving carpools, and shuttling forgotten sports equipment to stadiums all over a three-county area. I'm still a mom, and I don't want to miss anything, which often means that I'm up late or up early to finish my writing. I think for me, the sacrifice has probably come in terms of giving up time for hobbies and other things I like to do outside of the writing business.



What keeps me going is the pure love of story and at times the letters from readers.  There is nothing more powerful than knowing that your words on a page affected a life, helped to inspire growth, or just walked through the dark night of the soul with someone. A few years ago, a reader wrote to tell me she’d couldn’t sleep on as the first anniversary of her young granddaughter’s death approached, so she picked up one of my stories.  The book took her away from that pain for a while. It made her laugh, and that was what she needed.  There’s an incredible sense of human connection in that.  A story can literally transport the mind, and body, and soul to another place. It never fails that when I’m having a “down” day, a note will come in from a reader and remind me that the human side of story is what matters most.



What advice would you give other writers?



It's gauche to talk about money, but don't do it for the money. Everybody seems to think that becoming a full-time writer is the measure of success, but I would urge writers coming along to really take their time about making the decision to give up another career and write full time. Being financially dependent on writing as your livelihood adds a new level of stress. I've seen the way too many young writers make that jump too quickly, and that always seems to be the question at conferences, “Are you a full-time writer?” I don’t think you’re any more legitimate because you write full time or don't. In truth, it’s more important to find out how to preserve the magic and enthusiasm that kept you sitting down at the computer when no one was paying you to write, and you weren’t sure anyone ever would.



Did you miss the other three parts about Lisa, the other guest posts, or reviews?
Catch them now!

2/11: LDS and Lovin' it - Review
"I quite enjoyed this book, the characters, the plot, the mystery, everything really."

2/12: Mythical Books - Guest Post
"Well, to begin with, that our journeys, struggles, and challenges are never without purpose."

Christy's Cozy Corners – Excerpt
I imagine the words as he’s lookin’ at me, hear the echo as he spies Maggie outside the door. It troubles me not so much for myself, but for my sister. . . .

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer - Guest Post
"It’s impossible not to wonder, from the safer vantage point of a modern life, if I could have endured what those pioneer women endured. If I were in the shoes of my ancestors, would I have the metal to survive?"

2/13: Kelly P's Blog – Excerpt
The man trails the steeple along his bottom lip. “Yes,” he says quite slowly, thinking the words in the speakin’. “Yes, you will do nicely, I believe.”

2/14: Mel's Shelves - Review
"I love a good mystery and this book delivered!"

2/16: Brooke Blogs - Guest Post
"There is also, undoubtedly, a bit of my own hidden dream in Allie’s opportunity to join the historical reenactment — to go back in time."

Tell Tale Book Reviews – Excerpt
I felt something . . . happening, but I didn’t know what.

Paulette's Papers - Guest Post
"The story is a combination of folk legend, historical fact, and wild flight of fancy. I like to think of it as part historical, part contemporary, part romance, part adventure, and part drama."

"It was mysterious, and interesting, and exciting to read."

The Written Adventure – Excerpt
“One final thing,” she added. “Are you familiar with the name Bonnie Rose?”
The interview had taken another hairpin turn. “No, not that I know of . . .”

2/19: Getting Your Read On - Review
"Like I said, the ending was my favorite part. The mystery climaxed, the action picked up, the romance finally entered and I got a Happily Ever After."

Bookworm Lisa - Guest Post
"There were two special challenges in writing Wildwood Creek. The first was definitely the research...
The second challenge in writing Wildwood Creek involved the actual threading together of Allie and Bonnie's stories."

2/20: The Wonderings of One Person - Interview
"I think we all have mysteries that linger in our family histories or in our hometowns. Those tales are told at family gatherings, in the corners of local cafés, and around cook fires at Scout campouts. It’s impossible not to wonder, when hearing the retellings of things that have been passed down by word-of-mouth for generations, how much is true?"

Platypire Reviews - Review
"Wildwood Creek is the sort of book that drew me in from the first page, and I had to keep on reading to find out what was going to happen."

"If you are a fan of romance, historical fiction, and/or cozy mysteries, this story is for you. The author has created a completely scintillating story written in exquisite style."

"The way the characters and storyline were woven together was brilliant!"

Reviews By Molly - Review
"I try to remind myself of the things that really matter and to stay focused on what will be significant in a year, five years, ten years, and so on."



Lisa Wingate Author PictureLisa Wingate is a journalist, inspirational speaker, reviewer for the New York Journal of Books, and the author of over twenty novels.  Her novels combine elements of history, romance, mystery, and women's fiction with nuggets of Southern culture, from the sublime to the humorous. She is a seven-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, a Christianity Today Book Award nominee, an Inspy Award nominee, and a two-time Carol Award winner. Her works have been selected for Booklist’s Top Ten List in 2012 and in 2013. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life.






Tour-Wide Giveaway
February 10 - March 2nd  US Only
Found out more about this amazing giveaway on the Launch and here.

See Rafflecopter for restrictions.



1 Winner, 1 Amazing Prize Pack from Bethany House and Lisa Wingate:

   $50 Amazon Gift Card

   Print copy of Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate

   Handmade-by-author Prayer Box with notepads 

a Rafflecopter giveaway




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Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go HERE.
Are you an author or publisher and would like to have us organize a tour event? Go HERE.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The Moon Sisters Book Blitz

On tour with Prism Book Tours...


A beautiful coming-of-age novel about two sisters on a journey to forgive their troubled mother, with a sheen of almost-magical realism that overlays a story about the love of a family, and especially between sisters...


The Moon SistersThe Moon Sisters

by Therese Walsh

336 pages

Coming March 4th, 2014

Mature Coming of Age

Family Drama





Therese Walsh's poignant and mesmerizing novel is a moving tale of family, love, and the power of stories. After their mother's probable suicide, sisters Olivia and Jazz are figuring out how to move on with their lives. Jazz, logical and forward-thinking, decides to get a new job, but spirited, strong-willed Olivia, who can see sounds, taste words, and smell sights, is determined to travel to the remote setting of their mother's unfinished novel to say her final goodbyes and lay their mother's spirit to rest.



Though they see things very differently, Jazz is forced by her sense of duty to help Olivia reach her goal. Bitter and frustrated by the attention heaped on her sunny sister whose world is so unique, Jazz is even more upset when they run into trouble along the way and Olivia latches to a worldly train-hopper. Though Hobbs warns Olivia that he's a thief who shouldn't be trusted, he agrees to help with their journey. As they near their destination, the tension builds between the two sisters, each hiding something from the other, and they will finally be forced to face everything between them and decide what is really important.



"Both heartbreaking and hopeful, the Moon sisters’ journey is no quixotic quest, and readers will find themselves completely immersed in their transformative search. This magical, moving tale is not to be missed."

Booklist (STARRED REVIEW)
"Luminous...a book packed with invention and rich characterizations." -Publishers Weekly


Pre-Order:
Also...

Pre-Order The Moon Sisters, Receive My Debut for FREE!

by THERESE WALSH on FEBRUARY 15, 2014
An announcement from my publisher, Crown (Random House):
We’re sending a copy of Therese Walsh’s debut novel, The Last Will of Moira Leahy, to the first 150 people who preorder their copy of Therese Walsh’s new novel, The Moon Sisters, and send us their proof of purchase before March 4th. To receive your copy of The Last Will of Moira Leahy, be one of the first 150 preorder customers to send your address and proof of purchase to CrownReadingGroups(at)randomhouse.com. Offer is limited to residents of the United States, age 18 or over. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Crown is not responsible for lost or misrouted submissions, interrupted or unavailable network or server connections, or other computer or technical failures.


Appearances & News from Therese Walsh
Up-coming Tour at TLC Tours


Would they believe that life is still worth living despite its lack of promises?










Therese Walsh's debut novel, The Last Will of Moira Leahy, was published in 2009 by Shaye Areheart books (Random House). Her second novel, The Moon Sisters, will be published by Crown (Penguin Random House) in March 2014.



Therese is the co-founder of Writer Unboxed, a blog for writers about the craft and business of fiction. Before turning to novels, she was a researcher and writer for Prevention magazine, and then a freelance writer. She’s had hundreds of articles on nutrition and fitness published in consumer magazines and online.



She has a master's degree in psychology.



Aside from writing, Therese’s favorite things include music, art, crab legs, Whose Line is it Anyway?, dark chocolate, photography, unique movies and novels, people watching, strong Irish tea, and spending time with her husband, two kids and their bouncy Jack Russell





Prism Book Tours Blitz:  Feb 18 * Feb 25 * March 4
Receive an additional entry on the Rafflecopter for posting each!  Email Tressa at TressasWishfulEndings@outlook.com to receive the html code for Blogger or Wordpress


Enter to WIN The Moon Sisters or $100... or both!


Giveaway #1



Feb 18 - March 11

WIN $100 Gift Card - International

See Rafflecopter for restrictions



a Rafflecopter giveaway







Giveaway #2 



Feb 18 - March 11

WIN print copy of The Moon Sisters - US/Canada only

See Rafflecopter for restrictions



a Rafflecopter giveaway







Grab Our Button!
Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go HERE.
Are you an author or publisher and would like to have us organize a tour event? Go HERE.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Wildwood Creek





There is a mystery in Wildwood Creek's history, a mystery that affects Allie's present...






Wildwood Creek

by Lisa Wingate

Christian Romance

Paperback, 384 pages

February 4th 2014 by Bethany House Publishers




Allie Kirkland has never been one to take wild risks. But when she’s offered a costuming assistant’s job on a docudrama in the hills near Moses Lake, she jumps at the chance. She’s always dreamed of following in her director-father’s footsteps, and the reenactment of the legendary frontier settlement of Wildwood is a first step. The family expectations will have to wait.



But in 1861, the real Wildwood held dangerous realities. Town founder Harland Delevan held helpless residents, including young Irish schoolteacher Bonnie Rose, in an iron grip. Mysterious disappearances led to myths and legends still retold in the folk songs of Chinquapin Peaks. Eventually, the entire site was found abandoned.



When strange connections surface between Allie and the teacher who disappeared over a century ago, everyone in Wildwood, including Allie’s handsome neighbor on the film set, Blake Fulton, seems to be hiding secrets, and Allie doesn’t know who she can trust. If she can’t find the answers in time, history may repeat itself . . . with the most unthinkable results.



Bethany House

Here's an excerpt:

Chapter 1, Part II

Allie Kirkland, February, Present Day

A shadow fell nearby and I looked up to find a woman there, her face rigid, exotic in some way, her dark hair slicked back in a bun so tight you could’ve bounced a quarter off it. A gray sheath dress made her thin frame look even thinner, and impossibly high heels gave her an imposing height. Stand- ing up, I felt like a munchkin on the soundstage of Amazon Women on the Moon.

Her lashes lowered partway and I wondered if she was going to tell me to leave. She seemed unhappy about some- thing. Decidedly.

“This way please.” Her voice was strangely robotic, tinged with an accent that sounded slightly Middle Eastern and slightly French. I couldn’t place it, and I was usually good with accents. The University of Texas being fairly global, Kim and I loved guessing where the strangers came from. This woman was far too glamorous to be shuttling people through a casting call in a dank theater building.

Which made me wonder if Kim might be right about Rav Singh. This exotic girl looked like she could be an actress out of Bollywood, a part of Singh’s famed inner circle. He was known for keeping a tribe of loyal minions who fiercely protected his privacy . . . and the content of his ongoing projects.

I hitched up my backpack and fell into step behind her, feeling uncertain, awkward, and plain as we moved into the deepening shadows near an arched side-stage door that led into total darkness. A chill skittered past, and I conjured wild scenarios in which I was grabbed by the burly security guy, bound, gagged, and stuffed into a shipping crate. What would happen from there, I wasn’t sure, but if I gave my mind a little time, it would come up with several possibilities. For as long as I could remember, my thoughts had worked that way. In scenes. Wild, unpredictable scenes.

“They told you I’m here to interview for the production assistant’s job, right?” I asked.

She skimmed a look over her shoulder, the way people do when they want you to know you’re wasting your breath. Perhaps, schlepping applicants around wasn’t her normal job, and she resented having to fetch me. Since we weren’t going to talk, I focused on the bun . . . sort of a flawless blue-black cinnamon roll. A half-dozen hairs had escaped to trail along her smooth olive skin. The only rebellious thing about her.

The darkness fell like a veil and I was walking blind, following the click, click, click of her heels. My flip-flops slapped in response, the thready Bohemian skirt I’d grabbed before leaving the apartment, swishing in a way that was soft, yet audible against the dusty silence. We moved down a ramp, and the murmur of the multitudes faded until there was nothing but the echo of our passing. Not a soul was back here, as far as I could tell. Old wall sconces cast a dim glow along the corridor as we turned a corner, the arched plaster tunnels like catacombs reaching deep into the earth. She stopped at one of the dimly lit doors, opened it, then stepped aside, motioning for me to enter the room.

“In here, please.” The request was polite, yet clipped. I glanced at her as I passed, and she looked me up and down in the way one alley cat sizes up another. What her issue could possibly be, I had no idea. Someone like her was under no threat from someone like me.

The room was small, with a desk on one end, a leather chair behind it, and a cheap plastic cafeteria seat in front. One position was intended to denote importance and the other to emphasize subjugation. I had a sudden creepy image of what the production manager might be like, assuming I was here to interview with him or her. I envisioned the guard staff in an out-of-the-way Russian work camp somewhere.

There had been a meeting in this room recently—some- thing having to do with costuming. Assorted fabric swatches lay strewn across the desk and there were sketches on a white- board—line drawings of men and women, the clothing seem- ing appropriate for an eighteen-hundreds reenactment, at least inasmuch as I knew about eighteen-hundreds reenactments, which honestly was not all that much. I’d taken a few classes in costuming as an undergrad
and worked on many university and community theater productions over the years, but that was about it.

A scattering of résumés rested on the desk, along with design portfolios in neat black folders. Setting my backpack in the plastic chair, I sidled closer and peeked at the nearest ones. Clean dossiers printed on linen paper and accompanied by lists of coursework and various accolades. Qualified people had applied for the jobs here. Film and fashion design graduates who’d already racked up a plethora of industry experience.

I didn’t have a prayer.

The door opened and I jerked away, then hovered by the cafeteria chair as a woman stepped in. Tall, leggy, smartly dressed in a formfitting white silk shirt and a black skirt with some sort of gold thread in the weave, she glowed. She was gorgeous. Bun hair, this time blond. She looked unfriendly. I was detecting a pattern here.

The door clicked closed behind her, as if it were afraid not to hop to its job, and she whisked past me on her way to the leather chair, a perfumed breeze traveling in her wake. “Sit,” she commanded, pointing. I wondered if she had a dog at home.

Slipping into the seat, I set my backpack aside.

“Résumé.” Her lashes swept upward, tugging cool sea-gray eyes with them as she adjusted a Bluetooth in her ear.

I hesitated, and she stretched a hand, fingers open impatiently. “You have brought one, I  resume.”

“Yes.” I retrieved it and handed it over, though now it seemed pathetic. I noticed the wrinkles in the paper as she pinched it between her neatly manicured fingernails. Next to the other packets on the desk, mine was Cinderella after the stroke of midnight, realizing she doesn’t belong at the ball.

I sat there waiting while the woman perused my credentials.

“You have experience sewing with commercial machines?” she asked without looking up. She was far back on the résumé now, to my high school vacations at Grandma Rita’s in Texas.

“Yes. My grandmother owned a dry cleaning and alterations shop. I worked for her in the summers for years. I’ve worked part time in several fabric shops, and I’ve also taken fashion classes when I’ve been able, but of course my primary interest is production.”

She blinked, the action completely, perfectly impassive. Her pale eyes were blank, her face android-like. “And you’ve ap- plied for a position with us because . . .” She left the sentence open-ended, as if she were volleying the ball back to me and seeing what I would do with it.

“Film has always been my dream.” For some reason, I de- cided to go for the personal approach, to see if I could melt the ice a bit. It’d always been a problem for me—desperately wanting to persuade people to like me. Being the odd man out in a blended family, you develop strange quirks. “My father was a director. My earliest memories are of being on set with him. He died when I was eight. I’ve always wanted to follow in his footsteps. Being in Arizona, there weren’t many opportunities.”

“Yes, I see you’ve completed your undergrad degree at some . . . this is a community college, I presume? I’ve never heard of it.”

“I worked my way through. My parents were only will- ing to finance college if I studied something they considered practical, preferably law school.”

“I see.” For an instant, she and I were strangely, un- expectedly connected. I had the distinct feeling she knew all about having someone else pull your strings. Her eyes thawed momentarily, and there was something behind them, but I couldn’t tell what.

“I have many qualified applicants for the production assistant’s positions. Perhaps your skills would be better suited to one of the lay positions available—something on the cast. No experience in the film industry is required there, this being a reality-based production.”

“I’m not exactly the on-stage type. I was the only fifth grader in the school production of A Christmas Carol selected to work behind the scenes, rather than in front. I love the inner mechanisms of a production. I’ve been involved in every way I could with theater—costuming, set design, whatever was needed. I know it’s nothing compared to a full-scale film project like this one, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to learn. No one will work harder than I will.”

I scooted to the front of the chair, and she lifted a hand in a way that indicated she was accustomed to people freezing in place when she told them to. Her eyes darted toward her earpiece, and there was a quick headshake before her attention returned to me.

The interview questions then took a rapid right turn toward Terre Haute. “I would assume that you are not a superstitious type? There are some . . . myths and legends surrounding the town we intend to reenact. We are not looking for ghost enthusiasts, psychic mediums, and thrill seekers. We are also not looking for those who might be sniffing after a story or who intend to cash in by leaking details of the production to the media. Cast members in the reenactment village are, of course, not a concern, as they will be living on set for the duration, as part of the game. They will have no means of en- tering or leaving, unless they are dismissed from the cast. The location is remote enough to allow us that luxury. Support personnel, conversely, may be coming and going for months, though they will be housed in an onsite camp prepared for crew members. Confidentiality agreements will be required, as well as references and background checks. Would any of these caveats be problematic for you?”

Now I was thoroughly confused. Was she offering me a job? Or telling me why I wasn’t qualified for the job? “I’m not superstitious and I have no problem signing confidentiality agreements of any kind.”

Her attention drifted toward the door. Finally she stood, so I did too.

“One final thing,” she added. “Are you familiar with the name Bonnie Rose?”

The interview had taken another hairpin turn. “No, not that I know of . . .”


“Very well,” she said. “We’ll be in touch."



Bethany HouseAmazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository






Lisa Wingate is a journalist, inspirational speaker, reviewer for the New York Journal of Books, and the author of over twenty novels. Her novels combine elements of history, romance, mystery, and women's fiction with nuggets of Southern culture, from the sublime to the humorous. She is a seven-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, a Christianity Today Book Award nominee, an Inspy Award nominee, and a two-time Carol Award winner. Her works have been selected for Booklist’s Top Ten List in 2012 and in 2013. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life.



Website * Southern BelleView Daily Blog

Goodreads * Facebook * YouTube * Pinterest



Bethany House



Tour-Wide Giveaway

February 10 - March 2nd US Only

See Rafflecopter for restrictions.



1 Winner, 1 Amazing Prize Pack:

$50 Amazon Gift Card

Print copy of Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate

Handmade-by-author Prayer Box with notepads



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Follow the rest of the tour!

2/10: Launch

2/11: LDS and Lovin' it

2/12: Mythical Books

+ Christy's Cozy Corners

+ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

2/13: Kelly P's Blog

2/14: Mel's Shelves

2/16: Brooke Blogs

+ Tell Tale Book Reviews

+ Paulette's Papers

2/17: My Love for Reading Keeps Growing

+ The Written Adventure

2/18: My Devotional Thoughts

2/19: Getting Your Read On

+ Bookworm Lisa

2/20: The Wonderings of One Person

+ Platypire Reviews

2/21: Katie's Clean Book Collection

+ Reviews By Molly

2/22: Grand Finale





Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go HERE.

Are you an author or publisher and would like to have us organize a tour event? Go HERE.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

A Perfect Secret: A Review


Honestly, Donna Hatch's The Rogue Hearts series is one of my favorite book series of all time. She writes beautifully and creates characters that are to die for! I had not started blogging yet when I read The Stranger She Married or The Guise of a Gentleman, but that are equally fantastic! I have the honor of knowing Donna Hatch personally and she is an amazing person. She has given such wonderful advice about writing and has sacrificed so much time to coach and help me with my own stories. I hope to return the favor to her as much as I can. She is a wonderful person and an incredible writer.

Now, to my review on A Perfect Secret.

Definitely a 5 OUT OF 5!!

After reading the first two books and realizing just how amazing Christian is, even though he was in the background, I was ecstatic to read this one.

I was hooked the moment I started reading (just the same as the others, too).

Christian is such an engaging, creative, (let's not deny it) sexy and masculine character all the way. I fell for him even before his story began and then I fell just that much harder in this book. He is genuine, brilliant, sweet and caring (yes, I am going on about how much I love him) but he truly was the "perfectly perfect" man for Genevieve.

Now on to Genevieve. Her case was very devastating, but I am glad that after her first mistake, she became stronger. She endured through tremendous embarrassment and heartache and came out victor. She and Christian are so, yes I'm going to say it, perfect for each other.

Also, I absolutely LOVED when all the Amesbury bothers came in to save the day! It was fantastic. I love the Amesbury brothers.... If only they were real...

ANYWAY, Donna has an innate talent to create powerful characters that become nearly tangible. I am (and no, I'm not afraid to admit it) totally in love with all those Amesbury boys (yes, even Grant). These books are absolutely fantastic--they are one of my ultimate favorites. If you adore clean, historical romance please check out Donna Hatch's books. She has written novellas too, and even a Fantasy book--The Exiled Queen (an another amazing book).

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Tallent and Lowery Grand Finale!



We left off at All That's Written with the first part of Tallent and Lowery's Valentine Adventure. Here's the special conclusion of our tour with Tallent and Lowery in honor of Valentine's Day:


A Tallent & Lowery Valentine Adventure

PART II:



“Seriously. Where is everybody?” Leah asked, staring at the vacant rooms of the NYPL.

Finally, Gareth understood the strange reaction. “Hey…it’s okay. I swear. The library’s just closed.”

“How is it closed?”

Taking her by the hand, Gareth led her into the Rose Main Reading Room. “You would be amazed how easy it is to get what you want when you have a ton of money to blow.” He laughed. “Besides, it’s snowing like crazy out there. Everyone was grateful to go home to their warm living rooms, and pretend a polar vortex was something that Spielberg made up.”

“You shut down the library so I could follow a treasure map? What are you, five?” Leah offered a smirk.

“I would make a heck of a father, wouldn’t I?” he asked. “Seeing as that, mentally, I would be the same age as the kid.”

Leah cringed. “If there’s an adopted infant hidden in this library I’m gonna run for the hills.”

“No. I figured I had to wait for you to get used to that idea.” 

Leah muttered, “You may be as old as St. Valentine when that happens.” 

“Well,” he began, offering a wide grin, “just make sure not to take too much time. If I’m at the point where I’m gumming my food, I might scare the kid to death.” He pointed down at the small piece of paper. “Shall we begin?”

Shaking her head, Leah remained silent, secretly loving the man’s imagination. Looking down at the first clue - a heart to represent the holiday - Leah felt the trusty card catalogue open in her mind as she thought of all the things that could be related to the first clue. Deciding to go with the simplest answer, Leah turned around and began to walk away from Gareth’s side. 

“Where are you going?” he asked, sprinting to catch up.

“The section on literature of the Middle Ages.”

“Why is that?”

Leah looked up at him, knowing she would never find any clue lurking in the stunning eyes. Gareth was, after all, a man who loved a challenge. “The heart meaning ‘love’ didn’t come about until the end of the Middle Ages. Before that, the heart was just seen as a shape, usually drawn to represent a fig leaf in the medieval era.”

“That reference could be in hundreds of books, which one do you pick?”

Leah grinned. “Hagiography represents the biographies of all different saints and leaders of the Church written over time. But, seeing as that no one has really come to terms with who St. Valentine was, I know there’s no specific bio I could reference.” Reaching out, she took a small book of writings off the shelf that were based on Pope Gelasius.

“Why that guy?” Gareth asked.

“He was the one who made the day civil, so to speak.” She winked. “You see, the Romans celebrated the day as a festival of fertility, not love.”

“Boy, those dudes were into ---, weren’t they?”

“Why do you think the Empire fell?” Leah snorted. “The chicks should have been in charge. What happened was, Roman boys drew names of girls out of an urn, then the couple exchanged…gifts.”

“At least they were happy when they fell,” he said, leaning back against the bookcase. “But, why the Pope?”

“Pope Gelasius was the one who changed the Pagan celebration and put a Christian spin on it, birthing the holiday of St. Valentine.”

“So he was real?”

“There’s some debate,” Leah answered. “There are actually a ton of St. Valentine’s if you read through history. But the most accepted one is a young Roman who died on February 14th, martyred by Emperor Claudius II for the simple fact that the boy refused to give up Christianity.”
   
Flipping through the pages, Leah discovered another small piece of paper with the drawing of two birds sitting side-by-side.” She smiled at the handsome face. “You knew this, huh?” 

“After being with you, I know it’s important to study up.” Lifting her hand, he brushed Leah’s skin with his lips. “So…what do you make of clue number two?”

Turning, Leah immediately walked toward the poet’s corner with Gareth right behind her. Reaching out, she pulled Chaucer from the shelf. 

“Why him?” Gareth nodded at the small book of poems. “There were a ton of romantic bards.” 

“Before the whole ‘romance’ theme was adopted by humans, Chaucer mentioned it in a poem, The Parlement of Foules.” Looking down, she translated the small type and read aloud: “ ‘For this was Saint Valentine’s day, when every bird of every kind comes to this place to choose his mate.’ ”

Gareth grinned as Leah flipped over the page and found yet another clue; a hand-drawn bumblebee stared up at her with a tiny smile. She laughed.

“I suppose you know what that’s all about?” Gareth grinned. “O’ Wise One.”

“Well,” Leah tool a step forward and kissed him on the cheek. “In the original text edition, Chaucer did not use birds as the metaphor in this poem, he used bees. No one knows why it was changed.”

He nodded. “So we head to some insect reference book now?”

Leah stood still, watching the man who was, quite obviously, pretending to be confused. “Apiology, the study of bees, should be there. But zoology is where I would head.”

Walking through the quiet museum to literary beauty Gareth remained silent, waiting for Leah to continue.

Reaching the reference she wanted, Leah picked up the book and turned to the section on a man named Charles Butler. “This is the guy referred to as the ‘Father of English Beekeeping’. He was the genius who figured out there was one Queen surrounded by male drones. And he also first noted that bees created wax honeycombs.”

Flipping the page, Leah looked down at the familiar drawing of a small honeycomb. The words beside it read; ‘The End’. Her brain went into overdrive. “Hmmm…let’s see here. This could reference  mummy masks that were found made of honeycomb; skulls unearthed in ancient times with gemstones stuck to them with beeswax; fabrics or fashion, considering it was used for waterproofing and, of course, the easiest one - candles.”

Gareth smiled wide.

“We don’t have a candle section, per se.”

“What will you do, then?”

An image of the stunning landscape that she and Gareth had visited in the recent past appeared in her mind. “Beeswax candles were seen as high-end and only used by royalty to light their mighty palaces. 18th century England was the most common place to find them.”

Without another word, Leah headed slowly to the Map Room, one of her favorite nooks in the NYPL. Entering, she saw the hundreds of candles illuminating a small table set for two. 

“Hungry?”

Walking to the table, Leah raised the golden dome and looked down at the lasagna - her favorite - gracing the dish. 

Pulling out her chair, she sat, watching the man she loved take his place across from her. “Good job.”

“You too,” he said. “We make a good team.”

As the slight burst of metal hit her gaze, Leah stared at the beautiful beeswax sculpture in the familiar shape of a heart decorating the side of the table. Barely noticeable among the intricate combs of the brilliant material was a locket made of amber. Picking it up carefully, Leah stared at the small clock on the inside. On the adjoining face, the words Tallent & Lowery had been inscribed.

“Time is so special with you,” Gareth said, his voice a soft, deep whisper in the romantic setting. “I’m greedy. I want at least, oh…seventy more years with you. I hope I can have that.”

Studying the face of the man who struck her with awe every time she gazed at him, Leah reached across the table and took his hand. “I hope so too. I can’t wait to tease you when our kid comes to visit us at the home so he can watch Dad gum his food.”

Happy Valentine’s Day!


Did you miss any of the other stops? 

Go back and catch them now!

2/3: Tome Tender - Amy's Writing
A great many times I’m asked what needs to be in place before I begin writing...


2/4: The Wonderings of One Person - Amy's Journey as a Writer
In the end, I always feel so privileged that these characters have become my friends…and I will always owe my entire journey to a kitty that had to go “nightsie.”


+ Coffee and Books and Art - The Sapphire Stone Excerpt
And as sleep overtook him, Emmanuel begged the ‘powers that be’ to lead Leah Tallent safely through the sapphire storm.


2/5: Kelly P's Blog - The Tallent and Lowery Duo
The duo of Tallent & Lowery cast aside petty differences to join together in work, friendship and romance, and I believe have been true ‘voices’ that educate people on how to be strong without harming others.


+ Savings in Seconds - Review
"Lignor creates this tantalizing blend of Indiana Jones, The Mummy, DaVinci Code, and even National Treasure with her characters."


2/6: Cherry Mischievous - Creating a Famous Duo
...When it comes down to duo’s, the literary world has offered more than its fair share. ‘Tallent & Lowery’, hopefully, will become one of those teams that will never be forgotten.


+ Deal Sharing Aunt - 13 Excerpt
Leah began, “Aleister
Crowley bought this house in 1899, and stayed here on and off until 1913. He
told his followers that he was working on a ceremony that would bring forth an
army to do his bidding.”

2/7: Brooke Blogs - Tallent and Lowery Interview, Part I
“Maybe we should practice together before going out there,” he suggested. “You know…curb that sarcasm of yours a bit before revealing it on T.V.”


2/9: Mythical Books Tallent and Lowery Interview, Part II
“You don’t get air sick.”
“Not true. Those blonde stewardesses who constantly hit on you make me sick.” She winked.


2/10: Fuonlyknew ~ Laura's Ramblins and Reviews - The Hero's Companion Excerpt
Leah dropped her head in her hands as tears of frustration and fear ran down her cold cheeks. She had no idea what she and Gareth would be walking into when they pulled up in front of her childhood home...

2/11: Dividing by Zero - Review
"If you’re looking for mystery, intrigue, and epic quests (along with a bit of romantic tension), make sure to pick up this series!"


2/12: Platypire Reviews - Review
"First and foremost, I just want to say I absolutely loved this book!"


2/13: Books With Bree - Tallent and Lowery Interview, Part III
“Okay…lightning round.” Leah sat up straighter, as she watched Gareth’s stunning smile appear.


My Love for Reading Keeps Growing - Bennett & Darcy vs. Tallent and Lowery
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy will always be my favorite romantic couple, but when it comes to a couple that shares that kind of passion and must rely on each other’s minds and strength to survive extremely frightening experiences, then Leah & Gareth are the ones who fill my mind...


All That's Written - Valentine's, Part I
Leah couldn’t find her smile; the busy haven she knew now looked like a place where the world had come to an abrupt end…


The Hero's Companion




Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery have seen it all, utilizing everything they have to survive. But now, Leah’s father has gone missing and they have only seven days before he’ll be killed. The only clue to follow is a picture of one of the most famous icons of all time, and a strange map hidden in her father’s desk. This new mystery will take them from the pinnacle of the Acropolis to the depths of Cleopatra’s caves in order to unmask the man who has a score to settle.



In a location that’s been buried under rock for centuries the battle will begin, and the team will have to face the one foe that will expose secrets and unleash unheard of power in order to get what he wants. ‘The Hero’s Companion’—the one woman who will do anything to make sure the right side wins, will fight the good fight; but without Gareth, her time may just run out.



The Sapphire Storm (Tallent & Lowery, #2)
The Sapphire Storm




After going up against a man who believed he was the Devil, himself, the beloved characters of Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery are exhausted. But a terrifying journey awaits…



When Leah arrives home her sarcasm burns even brighter, but a frightening call from Gareth’s sister changes the course of their holiday event. A new puzzle from the past has come to life, and involves a world of liars, killers and greed.



The heart-stopping suspense takes them from Coptic Cairo to the magical world of Petra in search of a cave that once housed a true ‘Illuminator’. They must find the answers to one of the biggest mysteries while staying one step ahead of villains who are determined to make sure that, this time, Tallent & Lowery do not survive.





There are two choices for Book I of the Tallent & Lowery adventure series to be released by Suspense Publishing on December 1st! Here's the 'Vibrant' choice!13




In 1902, thirteen people came together to continue a tradition that’d been set in stone thousands of years before.



In 2012, Leah Tallent, Head of Research at the New York Public Library, is about to unearth the secrets left behind by this crew by joining a crazy man on a fanatical quest. Gareth Lowery has spent his life searching for the ultimate artifact; twelve keys hidden by men whose job it was to protect the single biggest secret ever kept.



The fantastic duo is soon immersed in a whirlwind treasure hunt with historical and passionate repercussions. From the eerie Winchester House to the darkness of Loch Ness, they quickly learn that the theory of duality is correct: For every bad there is a good and, for Heaven, there most assuredly exists...Hell.




COMING SOON!
Tallent & Lowery Book #4: The Charlatan’s Crown



From defeating the worst of mankind to solving puzzles that have eluded others for centuries, Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery must now follow a new trail to stop a madman from resurrecting a mighty Reich.



Although dead men supposedly tell no tales, the duo continue to follow clues left behind by true powerbrokers from Hell, and now they stand on the precipice of an infamous castle used by those who thrived on hate and terror.



Fighting for their lives from deep inside a labyrinth, they’ll stand atop a stage where an angel of death spoke to the masses, and climb to an ‘Eagle’s Nest’ to come face-to-face with a new enigma; a master puppeteer who’s pulling the strings on a monumental scheme they never saw coming.




Amy Lignor began her career in publishing as the Editor-in-Chief of Grey House Publishing in New England. Working in the publishing industry for decades, she is now the Owner/Operator of The Write Companion which offers full editing, ghostwriting and proofreading services.



Not only is Amy a bestselling author, she has been inducted into the ITW – International Thriller Writers Org. and is a writer/contributor for many companies, including: Authorlink; Humor Outcasts; The Feathered Quill; Bookpleasures; Suspense Magazine, as well as a variety of literary periodicals. She has been the head writer for Be First, Inc., and has just become the Editor-in-Chief of a new imprint: Hallowed Ink Press





Other books by Amy Lignor:
Click the covers to go to Goodreads

Until Next Time (The Angel Chronicles, #1) Gilded Wings (The Angel Chronicles, #2) A Privilege (The Angel Chronicles, #3)


Tour-Wide Giveaway



3 Winners - eCopies of 13, The Sapphire Storm & The Hero's Companion by Amy Lignor

3 Winners - eCopy of The Hero's Companion

1 Winner - eCopy of the new release, The Charlatan's Crown, when it comes available!!



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