Friday, August 7, 2020

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Irish Encounter by Hope Toler Dougherty

About the Book

Book: Irish Encounter
Author: Hope Toler Dougherty
Genre: Sweet, inspirational romance
Release Date: May 7, 2015

After almost three years of living under a fog of grief, Ellen Shepherd is ready for the next chapter in her life, perhaps an adventure during a visit to Galway. Her idea of excitement consists of exploring Ireland for yarn to feature in her shop back home, but the adventure awaiting her includes an edgy stranger who disrupts her tea time, challenges her belief system, and stirs up feelings she thought she’d buried with her husband.

After years of ignoring God, nursing anger, and stifling his grief, Payne Anderson isn’t ready for the feelings a chance encounter with an enchanting stranger evokes. Though avoiding women and small talk has been his pattern, something about Ellen makes him want to seek her—and God again.

Can Ellen accept a new life different than the one she planned? Can Payne release his guilt and accept the peace he’s longed for? Can they surrender their past pain and embrace healing together or will fear and doubt ruin this second chance at happiness?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Hope holds a Master’s degree in English and taught at East Carolina University and York Technical College. Forever Music is her fourth novel. Residing in North Carolina, she and her husband enjoy visits with their daughters and twin sons.

More from Hope

Inspiration Behind Irish Encounter
A few years ago, I was staring at the first day of the rest of my life. My oldest daughter was set to graduate high school in less than a month. Two years later, her sister would march right behind her, followed in two years by their twin brothers.
Life as I’d known it for the preceding eighteen years was about to change enormously.
Throughout my tenure as a stay-with-my-children mom, I’d written for publications—sporadically—but I had a portfolio of articles with my byline in print.
That May afternoon, I decided to write something for Guideposts, a magazine filled with inspirational, faith-filled stories. I’d just completed “The Life of Moses” with Bible Study Fellowship, and I envisioned sharing wisdom and insight gleaned from thirty two weeks of study.
I penned What I learned from Moses on the top line of a yellow legal pad. As soon as I wrote this fascinating title, I immediately began daydreaming—about Ireland, not Moses.
In my daydream, a woman in an Irish café scribbled in a journal. A little old man in a tweed vest approached her, introduced himself, and began talking about his late wife. I saw the wooden buttons on his vest and the Irish cap clutched in his hands. Suddenly another man, dressed in dusty safari clothes, appeared to the woman’s left, lounging at his table and eavesdropping on their conversation.
This scene interested me infinitely more than the Moses idea. I turned the page to a fresh sheet and wrote everything I saw and heard in that Irish coffee shop.
Irish Encounter began that day. I didn’t know it yet, but God did. I just hurried back every morning to my desk to see what happened next. Before writing, I’d recite Bible verses from the Moses study, like Exodus 3:12 “And God said, ‘I will be with you’” and Exodus 4:12 “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (NIV)
I’d pray for guidance and help, and then I’d travel to Galway.
God led me onto this writing journey with a lot of prodding and pulling and nudges toward those interesting characters. I’m thankful every day He did, and I hope readers will enjoy the trip to Ireland with Ellen and Payne, too!

Blog Stops

Batya’s Bits, July 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 28

Inklings and notions, July 29

deb’s Book Review, July 29

Texas Book-aholic, July 30

Genesis 5020, July 30

For Him and My Family, July 31

The Collaborative Press, July 31

Through the Fire Blogs, August 1

Godly Book Reviews, August 1

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 2

Older & Smarter?, August 3

Writing from the Heart Land, August 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 4

Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 4

Reflections From My Bookshelves, August 5

Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 5

Betti Mace, August 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 6

Locks, Hooks And Books , August 7

Maureen’s Musings, August 7

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, August 8

Pause for Tales, August 8

Just the Write Escape, August 9

Read Review Rejoice, August 9

Emily Yager, August 10

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, August 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour Hope is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card & a copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/fe36/irish-encounter-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Review

I have read and enjoyed Hope Toler Dougherty‘s books in the past. So, I was excited to have the opportunity to read her Irish Encounter. I was far from being disappointed. It is my favorite that I have read by her to date. I adored Ellen and Payne’s story. I thought the two could be easily be relatable. They both were dealing with some real life issues that so many go through. I love the element of faith and inspiration within the pages. It was, also, wonderful taking a journey to beautiful Galway.

I am giving Irish Encounter a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy a sweet and clean romance. I thought it was a great read and will love to read more by Hope Toler Dougherty in the future.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: No Small Caper by Cynthia Hickey

About the Book

Book: No Small Caper
Author: Cynthia Hickey
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: May 3, 2019

“No one does a final suspense scene like Cynthia Hickey!” – Stewart Writing Services

A rash of burglaries?

What kind of job had she been hired to do?

CJ Turley is excited to begin her new life as overseer of Heavenly Acres, a tiny house community in the Ozark mountains. As she’s handed the keys to her new house, by a woman who seems far too eager to leave the job to someone else, CJ is told the community is experiencing a rash of burglaries and she should visit the nearby Park Ranger for help.

Can CJ and her new friends stop a thieving murderer before they lose something far more precious than jewels? Their life!

From first day, to spending time with handsome ranger, Eric Drake, to a cast of quirky characters who are all suspect in CJ’s mind, you’re bound for a fun, hilarious, romp in this first book of a new small town, cozy mystery series by best-selling and award-winning author.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Multi-published and Amazon and ECPA Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey has sold close to a million copies of her works since 2013. She has taught a Continuing Education class at the 2015 American Christian Fiction Writers conference, several small ACFW chapters and RWA chapters, and small writer retreats. She and her husband run the small press, Winged Publications, which includes some of the CBA’s best well-known authors. She lives in Arizona and Arkansas, becoming a snowbird, with her husband and one dog. She has ten grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”.

More from Cynthia

I’ve always been fascinated by tiny houses and love writing cozy mysteries. What’s better than a cozy mystery series in a tiny house community? Not an inch of space wasted. You’ve got to be creative with your storage. Even hiding things in the floor which occurs when CJ Turley takes over as manager of Heavenly Acres. The pup she inherited when her grandmother died has a nose for diamonds. Who’d guess there were so many places in a tiny house to stash things?

I don’t live in a tiny house, but my husband and I downsized from a 2100 sq. ft home to a 1,000 sq. ft. home. Guess which one we prefer? The smaller one 😊 We always know where things are, it’s easier to keep clean, and no stairs to go up and down when we forget something. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t live in anything less than 400 sq. ft. if I lived alone, but it was fun to write about those who do.

I’ve watched so many tiny house shows, I’m pretty sure I could design one with everything I’d need. We even told our son that if he moved where we live, we’d build him one in the backyard! He wasn’t amused.

On a serious note, just kidding. While my cozy series have humor, they also have murder and mayhem with quirky characters and a dash of romance. I like my readers to chuckle as the characters strive to take down the culprit without too much danger to themselves.

Happy reading!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 7

21st Century Keeper at Home, August 7

Sara Jane Jacobs, August 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 9

Genesis 5020, August 10

deb’s Book Review, August 10

She Lives To Read, August 11

Artistic Nobody, August 12 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 13

Blogging With Carol , August 13

Texas Book-aholic, August 14

Inklings and notions, August 15

For Him and My Family, August 16

Mary Hake, August 16

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 17

Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 18

CarpeDiem, August 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cynthia is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 and a copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/ff4f/no-small-caper-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Review

I have to admit I was not sure how I would like Cynthia Hickey’s No Small Caper at first. But since I saw that is the beginning of a series called A Tiny House Mystery, I could not resist giving it a try. I love reading mysteries and am obsessed with the tiny houses. Within the first few pages, I realize that it was going to be a fun read. I was entertained with this quick read from the start to finish. I am so happy I gave it a try.

I am giving No Small Caper four and a half stars. I would love to read more by Cynthia Hickey in the near future. She has proven to me that she has great talent of writing charming stories. I adored this one and recommend it for readers who want to read a quick and delightful little mystery.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Thursday, August 6, 2020

VBT and Giveawawy: Beverly Hills Torture by RW Buxton

Beverly Hills Torture

by R.W Buxton

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GENRE: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

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BLURB:

A frantic middle of the night call jolts Gerry from his quiet, but lonely life, back into a world fraught with dangerous creatures of the night. Erin's frenzied call leads Gerry across the country where he finds himself immersed in the luxuries of Beverly Hills and the seedier side of the Hollywood strip.

Sadness and longing grip him as he finds a blood-spattered room and Erin is nowhere to be found.

Alone in a strange city with nothing to go on can Gerry find and save Erin? Or is this the end of something never meant to be?

Her past has caught up with her and he's her only hope.

With a group of trusted friends Gerry takes on the impossible and gives everything to save Erin.

Beverly Hills Torture is the second novel in the Erin Kingsly series. Be sure to check out Capital Thirst.

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NOTE: The book is only $0.99.

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EXCERPT

Nicolas walked back to the door. He turned and said, “This is a mistake. Mark my words.”

Erin watched him go, then sank to the bottom step of the grand stairway. Her head fell into her hands. This wasn’t the last she’d hear of the High Priestess. More messengers would come. Maybe they wouldn’t ask politely. Maybe they would try to force her. Maybe it would just be more groveling fools like Nicolas. Whatever happened, she wouldn’t give in to them. She wandered back up the stairs into her bedroom. The room she never slept in. It was her retreat though. She picked up the picture of her and Gerry again. He was so happy, and so was she. She saw it in both of their eyes. Honest and genuine happiness. Something she lost. It had been a year since things fell apart. It still felt like the first night alone.

She set the picture down and flopped on the bed. She lay back and tried to forget. But she couldn’t. It was still too real, too raw. Tears rose again and slid down her face. They were lost in her hair, and she stared at the ceiling. There was nothing she could do about her past decisions.

The only way to go was forward. Unfortunately, it would be a painful path.

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INTERVIEW:

What does your writing space look like?

My writing space has transformed over the last few years. When I wrote Capital Thirst most of it was done in my study. Mahogany desk, bookcases full of my favorite books, (I used to have a book buying issue) and photos on the walls. There is a reason. I was using an old desktop computer and was stuck in one place.

Since then I've moved to an ultra-thin laptop and now, I write where I’m most comfortable. Usually that’s in my favorite recliner in the family room. Although I have a problem writing there because as soon as I sit down one of my cats thinks it’s time for a nap and will jump up and push the laptop off my lap to get their nap in. Inky even knows how to close the laptop before she pushes it out of her way.

I’ve tried the classic author stereotype of writing in a local coffee shop, but that doesn’t work. I end up people watching or talking to the people I know as they come and go. So even though I frequently take my laptop I get little done there.

Who inspires you the most?

This is a tough question, and it’s not always who, but what inspires me, and how does it inspire me. As an Indie author, I find inspiration through other Indie authors that are out there helping the community. Two people come to mind. Joanna Penn not only is an amazing fiction writer, but she has numerous books on writing and specifically targets Indie authors and the issues we face, and a podcast that’s amazing. The second person is Amy Vansant. I haven’t read her Pineapple Cozy mysteries, but honestly laughed out loud at the Kilty series. But she also works tirelessly supporting the Indie author. Those are just two, but there are hundreds of people out there working hard to support other authors and they are all amazing and inspiring people to talk to.

But what inspires me to go on day after day? Aside from my family, it’s the simplicity of nature. Every morning I’m up to see the sunrise. It never ceases to amaze me. Even when I’m down, it gives me that hope to go another day. Or seeing a flower open in the morning with its petals covered in dew. It happens everyday all around us and most people miss these insignificant events of amazing beauty. But they give me inspiration and hope each day that something wonderful will happen.

What are you working on now?

Currently, I’m working on the revisions to the fourth book in the Erin Kingsly Saga while I wait for the third book to come back from the editor. Writing of the fourth book went great, and I finished early. But the Covid 19 hit and I’ve sort of been floating along just trying to find the motivation to write. You would think with not much else to do I would be hard at work, but the opposite is true, and it’s become a major effort to make the revisions. I’m also working on the story line for a fifth Erin Kingsly book. I swore when I got to the end of the fourth book that was it and I would write something else. But after letting it sit for a month fresh ideas started coming and I’ve at least started planning another one.

Book five, I don’t even have a title yet, but it starts a new chapter in the lives of Gerry and Erin. It’s what the other four have moved toward. I’m still not sure if I should just leave it to the reader’s imagination or try to put it in words.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I love a good paranormal read, something about the un-dead haunts the fringes of my mind. Mix in romance, love, loss, and you have a great story.

I voraciously read everything, fiction, and non-fiction but always find myself turning back to the darker stories. I’ve always wanted to write and the dream became a reality with Capital Thirst, and the remainder of the Erin Kingsly novels.

I spend most of my days designing and building websites, but my free time is devoted to my wife, family, and cats. Yes three grown children and three cats. Things can be hectic.

For fun you might find me driving winding roads with the top down or out photographing nature.

Website

RWBuxton.com

Facebook

R.W. Buxton - Home | Facebook

Twitter

RW Buxton Author (@rwBuxtonAuthor) | Twitter

Review Tour and Giveaway: The Duke's Forbidden Love by Debra Elizabeth

The Duke's Forbidden Love

by Debra Elizabeth

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GENRE: Historical Romance

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BLURB:

Miss Amelia Beckwith should be over the moon with happiness when the Earl of Lincoln proposes. Unfortunately, the handsome earl is not who he appears to be in public. She is desperate to escape Lincoln’s cruelty and has only one option left to leave the nightmare behind—RUN.

Racing back to his estate during a horrific thunderstorm, James Harlow, the Duke of Warwick, spots a young woman walking along the road when a bolt of lightning startles her. She tumbles down the ravine and lays like a broken doll at the bottom. Warwick rescues her and with the help of his staff nurses her back to health. There’s only one problem—the woman who has captivated his heart has lost her memory and cannot tell him who she is or where she comes from. Can he find out the identity of this delicate beauty before fate steps in and ruins everything he loves?

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EXCERPT:

London, 1816

Miss Amelia Beckwith pasted a smile on her face as she was ushered into the Stevensons’ ballroom alongside her parents. It was a crush, and she could scarcely breathe with all the people in the room. She looked out over the sea of colorful silks and wondered if she could hide in the corner for the duration of the night. Much to her dismay, there were no tall potted plants in any of the corners. She would be exposed all evening unless she spent the night in the ladies’ retiring room. Even then, she would not feel safe because her mother would find her and drag her back to the ballroom.

Pretending to feel ill had not gotten her out of attending the ball. Her mother had dismissed her claims of illness and ordered her maid to help Amelia dress. Not even the new pale lavender silk ballgown cheered her up. The dress was exquisite, and Amelia would have been overjoyed to wear it anywhere… except to the Stevensons’ ball. She had a bad feeling about tonight but dared not voice her concerns to her mother. With a sigh, she had done what her mother commanded, and here she stood with her stomach churning. As she moved farther into the ballroom, she wished she had been more forceful in her refusal to attend this evening.

Her father, John Beckwith, the Baron of Dudley, kissed her forehead almost immediately upon entering the ballroom. “Enjoy yourself, Amelia. I shall see you later,” he said before slipping off to the card room leaving her with her mother as chaperone for the evening.

Her mother, Grace, whispered in her ear, “Amelia, make sure you smile when you dance with the Earl of Lincoln tonight. Your father is quite pleased that Lincoln’s showing you preference this Season.”

Amelia nodded. It was the third time her mother had instructed her regarding her behavior with the handsome earl. “Yes, Mama. I understand.” She opened her mouth to share her misgivings about Lincoln, but her mother interrupted her, effectively silencing her.

“Your father would never say this to you, so it’s left to me to inform you that this will be your final Season. You must secure a good match this year. Three Seasons is quite enough to find a suitable husband, even the love match you so covet. If you don’t choose someone before the end of the Season, your father will choose someone for you. We’re most pleased that Lincoln seems to be enamored with you. Do you understand?”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Debra writes sweet romance in contemporary romance and historical romance. She enjoys telling stories and has been pouring out her passion for romance since her teenage years. When she’s not writing, she enjoys working in her garden, motorcycle rides throughout New England with her husband and playtime with her granddaughter.

She enjoys hearing from fans and you can contact her at: dlmartin6@yahoo.com. She is also the author of the blog, Two Ends of the Pen. The blog features all things books—author interviews, new releases, guest posts and reviews. Be first to know about new releases and contests and sign up for her newsletter at https://twoendsofthepen.blogspot.com

Amazon author page:

https://www.amazon.com/Debra-Elizabeth/e/B005XYN2YE

Website:

https://twoendsofthepen.blogspot.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/DebraElizabethRomance/

Bookbub Profile:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debra-elizabeth

Amazon buy link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0892SBDTC

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GIVEAWAY:

Debra Elizabeth will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THE TOUR AND COMMENT

ON EACH STOP TO EARN MORE ENTRIES TO WIN!

July 23: Mary Kit Caelsto's Blog

July 30: Renee Wildes Weblog - promo

July 30: The Reading Addict

July 30: Harlie's Books

August 6: Locks, Hooks and Books

August 6: Fabulous and Brunette

August 6: Our Town Book Reviews

August 13: Dragonrose Books Galore Reviews

August 13: Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

August 13: Iron Canuck Reviews and More

My Review

The Duke's Forbidden Love is the fourth installment from the Age of Innocence series by Debra Elizabeth. I have not read the other books in the series and felt like this one could be read as a stand alone. I thought it was pretty good. I liked the characters, the setting and the sweet romance.

I am giving The Duke's Forbidden Love four stars. I would recommend it for readers who enjoy historical romance. I am looking forward to reading the other book from the Age of Innocence series in the near future.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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