Then Came You

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Then Came You by Rachel D. Russell presented by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Then Came You

Series: Deep Haven Collection #4

Author: Rachel D. Russell presented by Susan May Warren

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Release Date: July 6, 2021

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

He doesn’t need any trouble. She can’t seem to escape it.

Detective Daniel “Boone” Buckam is more than burned out. After fourteen stellar years on the job, one bad judgment call—and, fine, a whole lot of cynicism—has forced him into a mandatory vacation in Deep Haven. If he can get his head on straight, there’s a job as Police Chief waiting for him back in his Minneapolis suburb. And then, he meets Vivien.

Actress Vivien Calhoun isn’t really a drama queen. Sure, she gets swept up in the emotions of life—but please, she’s an actress. Or, um, was until a stalker made her flee the bright lights of Broadway. Now, she’s passionate about directing her local theater production. But when she accidentally ropes an uptight police detective on vacation into her cast, she can’t help but wonder if he might be the leading man she’s always longed for.

Boone can’t help but like Vivien. He might even have a type—vivacious and bubbly, with a penchant for attracting danger. He can smell trouble even if she can’t, and is pretty sure her stalker has hunted her all the way to Deep Haven. He’ll have to stay by her side—even if it means being in her silly play—to keep her safe. But Vivien is more than he expected as she helps him discover a part of him he’s locked away…the part that said he could never love again.

It’s summertime in Deep Haven, and the fun is heating up in this laugh-out-loud, charming story.

ALSO AVAILABLE

Author Interview:

What first made you start writing?

From an early age, I was an avid reader and copious writer. I’d make up verbal stories as well as written ones. In middle school, we even had our own book binding “publishing company.”

I’ve always had stories to tell.

I love the adventures and experiences of reading and writing. Though I set aside much of my writing pursuits while my own children were young, I still spent time with verbal storytelling. It wasn’t uncommon for me to spend thirty minutes a night weaving stories for them at bedtime.

About five years ago, I delved back into writing, with the intent of becoming a published author. At that point, I’d realized that, if I could be doing anything in the world, it would be writing. Add in several government furloughs that jeopardized our financial security, and it became a whole-hearted pursuit. I started taking classes, attending conferences, and meeting with a local writing group.

What was the hardest part about writing this book?

Writing the book. Seriously, though, each step has challenges, but two things stand out in particular. First, I really wanted to make sure I wrote a novel that would satisfy all (or, at least most!) readers who’ve been waiting for Boone’s story. That was a huge undertaking. Getting the details right, his character, really getting inside who he is. I wanted to really honor the amazing character that Susan May Warren had created.

Second, during my first rewrite, I had to add three scenes and rearrange the order of several others. This meant I had to unravel the story and then re-weave it back together. That was a really tough challenge, but one of those scenes, the audition scene in the bookstore, turned out to be one of my favorites.

How did you come up with the story?

I knew how I wanted the story to start and knew my characters—Vivien and Boone. The car show scene and Vivien’s antics were in my head. From there, I worked with my mentor, Susan May Warren, to build out the basic plot outline. We had to ask questions—like would bring Boone to Deep Haven? What story goals will each of the characters have? What things can go wrong that will challenge each character?

From there, the scene writing began. It’s a slow process for me, delving into each scene. Really evaluating who the character is and what things might happen to move the story along.

Because PJ Sugar had some true laugh-out-loud moments, I wanted to bring a little of that flavor to the page, too. Vivien and PJ have some humorous similarities with over-the-top behavior and I loved getting to show the way Vivien suits Boone so well.

Which was your favorite character? Is it the one you most related to?

Both Vivien and Boone have characteristics I relate to, but I’ve been attached to Boone for so long, if I have to pick a favorite, I’d say it’s him. I loved him in the PJ Sugar series and I loved bringing him back onto the page.

Both the characters deal with identity issues and I think this is so common in our human experience. For Boone, he expects so much of himself. He strives to do the right thing, is deeply committed, and raises the bar on himself continually. I can definitely relate to him.

Did you have this story in mind from the first book?

I knew it would be Boone’s story and I knew there’d be a tie-in to the Crisis Response Team, but it wasn’t until we sat down and plotted it out that I really solidified the plot. I had some ideas, but it was all pretty loose and vague. I knew Boone would redeem himself and get closure on some niggling questions—not to mention his happy ending. I also knew Vivien would have to make a choice about where her future would be.

I thoroughly enjoyed bringing our new characters from the first three Deep Haven Collection novels into this one, capturing the spirit of the small town and tying the stories together.

Do you think that the cover matches the story and what was your favorite part of the cover?

Yes, the cover designer did a great job. Boone and Vivien have a couple pivotal kayak scenes. I don’t want to share any spoilers, but the first one is a moment when Boone feels like he’s misread the friendship entirely. It’s funny and sweet and it really brings them to a turning point. In the second, we get to see the two of them in action, working together and rising to a challenge that reveals their individual tenacity, their heroic natures. It’s a situation where Vivien realizes she’s not just a “pretty face” and her impulsiveness isn’t just reckless or careless. For Boone, we see the kind of quick-thinking, jump-into-the-fray hero he is.

I love how the cover captures the feel of summer on the lake.

Book Review:

Another lovely book in the Deep Haven series! Crazy for You was my first dip into the Deep Haven pool, and I loved it. Then Came You did not disappoint either. I was honestly a bit surprised with the couple, but Vivien and Boone were adorable together. I’m sure fans of Susan May Warren’s PJ Sugar series will be thrilled to see Boone again too. I have not read many of the Susan May Warren books, so I’m getting a lot of books added to my TBR 🙂 Luckily, all the books in this series are stand alone, so even though I just met Boone, I fell in love with him pretty quickly!

Unless Boone Buckham figures out a way to relax and quickly, he’ll lose everything he worked so hard to achieve. After a lawsuit was slapped on him, his boss basically ordered him to take a vacation in Deep Haven. He needs to lower his blood pressure and calm his temper down, or he will never become chief of police. The one thing he did not expect was Vivien Calhoun. Vivien is an actress, and a pretty good one because no one seems to notice she’s barely holding it together. After failing in New York and moving back to Deep Haven, all she wants to do is move one. But when her stalker follows her to Deep Haven, it’s clear that’s not an option. Boone doesn’t have time for love, but he will not let anyone hurt this woman who’s become so important to him. So much for relaxing.

I adored this book! Vivien and Boone have a lot to work through, but I loved watching them come together. They were so cute together. Vivien was over the top, bubbly, and friendly while Boone was much more reserved. They balanced each other perfectly! Vivien added some much needed energy and light to Boone’s life, and Boone became Vivien’s safe place. She was used to holding up a mask for everyone in her life, but Boone managed to push through all of her walls.

I loved watching the two of them go through parallel journeys of discovery too. They had to see how their worth came from Christ not from the praise of man. Vivien and Boone both had a lot of tragedy in their lives. Most of which came from the people who they loved the most. But God worked on them to help them see how their worth comes from Him. I would have loved a bit more focus on what God had done in them, but I loved the message of being happy where you are. It doesn’t matter where God puts us because we can find joy in Him.

The plot was super interesting, and there were quite a few plot twists that I was not expecting. I had a harder time staying interested in this book, but I did really enjoy it! As I read more, I would get more and more into it. Boone and Vivien’s story was clean, fun, and romantic! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian, contemporary romance.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Rachel D. Russell is a member of Oregon Christian Writers and My Book Therapy’s Novel Academy, and is a regular contributor to the Learn How to Write a Novel blog. The mother of two teenagers, she often interrogates her husband on his own military and law enforcement experience to craft believable heroes in uniform. The rest of her time is spent cantering her horse down the Oregon trails. Visit Rachel at www.racheldrussell.com.

CONNECT WITH RACHEL: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills.

CONNECT WITH SUNRISE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | admin@sunrisepublishing.com

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card + 3 Then Came You ebooks (one ebook for the winner and two to give to friends)!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 3, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 10, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Pearl’s Promise Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Pearl’s Promise by Edwina Kiernan, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Pearl’s Promise

Series: Gems of Grace #2

Author: Edwina Kiernan

Publisher: Moliant Publishing

Release Date: May 1, 2021

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A duty-bound heir. A dejected spinster.

An encounter that could ruin both their families’ demands for their futures…

Horrified to see the man she had always dreamed of marrying saying his vows to someone else, Pearl Acton’s devastation only seems to confirm one of her deepest fears – that she’ll remain unseen and alone, never mattering to anyone.

And when her family falls on hard times and seeks to marry her off to a wealthy suitor as soon as possible, her other deepest fear seems inevitable – being trapped in a loveless marriage, just like her parents.

Until an encounter with a quiet and soulful heir, Nicholas Dalton, sparks a fragile hope that perhaps Pearl might save her family’s fortune and marry for love.

But when circumstances on both sides of their families take drastic turns, the promise of happiness seems irrevocably shattered.

As Pearl and Nicholas each strive to uphold their family duties, they soon discover that things aren’t quite what they seem. But is it too late to escape their crushing obligations and forge a new path – together?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

Guest Post:

My Author Journey

by Edwina Kiernan

There was nothing I loved more as a child than making up stories on paper — composing sentences and drawing little illustrations to accompany the words. Notebooks were my favorite things to have within reach, and I continually filled them with the imaginations of my heart.

As I grew older, I still loved to write. I branched into poetry, devotionals, short stories, articles — every kind of writing there was to try, I tried. But my first love was always fiction, and I dreamed of the day when I would hold a book in my hands that contained the words of a novel I had written.

It has been a long journey, but in November 2020 that dream came true. Earlier that year, I had been knocked off my feet with pneumonia, which was made worse by my pre-existing chronic health conditions. I remember being in the hospital, wondering if my time on Earth was up.

God used that time to help me reprioritise and fully commit to what I believed He had called me to do for Him.

Years before, I had listened to the naysayers who said that being an author was not a valid career choice, that it was not a secure enough job to spend any time pursuing. Yet, deep inside, I knew that God had given me a passion and desire for words and their meanings — and for what they could be fashioned into…
The Bible speaks of how powerful our words are, that there is life and death in the power of the tongue (see Proverbs 18:21).

So many people — in my life and in other people’s lives — have used words to attack, disparage and demolish. But it’s my goal to use words to uplift, encourage and exhort.

And to point people to the truth.

Jesus often used parables to illustrate deep truths to the people with whom He spoke, and I believe fiction can serve the same purpose in today’s world.

Most people read to escape reality for a while. I believe that the very best endeavour of fiction is to not give people a way to escape reality, but to give people a way to navigate reality — to give people hope and understanding, insight and encouragement, and ultimately: meaning.

For those reading this who dream of writing books: Don’t listen to people who say that you can’t do it. Pray. Ask God if it’s something that you should invest your time and energy in (because it does take a lot of time and a lot of energy). But if you feel that it’s what you’ve been made to do, then don’t let other peoples’ negativity or ill-informed opinions hold you back.

The world is full of books, but there’s always room for more.

Write, rewrite and polish your words, and use them to speak life, truth, and hope to a world that desperately needs to hear those things.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Edwina Kiernan is a Christian writer, and author of the well-received Inspirational Regency romance novel, Ruby’s Redemption.

An enthusiast of classic novels and history, Edwina combines her faith, imagination, and research in hope-infused tales set in times past. Her latest novel is the second in the Inspirational Regency romance series, Gems of Grace.

A lifelong word admirer, with Welsh and Irish heritage, she started writing stories early in childhood. She still loves to learn, taking courses from places like Oxford University and the Beau Monde, for both fun and further education.

When she’s not writing, Edwina loves spending time with her dashing husband and lively little son, reading and studying the Bible, getting lost in a captivating novel, and drinking more types of tea than most people realize even exist.

For free gifts, updates, and lots of classic and historical fiction goodness, join her mailing list at EdwinaKiernan.com

CONNECT WITH EDWINA: Website | Facebook | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Pearl’s Promise and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 22, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 29, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Rebuilding Joy

ideal for websites and magazines layouts

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Rebuilding Joy by Regina Rudd Merrick, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book:

Rebuilding Joy (RenoVations Series Book 2) by [Regina Rudd Merrick, The Mosaic Collection]

Title: Rebuilding Joy
Series: RenoVations #2
Author: Regina Rudd Merrick
Publisher: Bellville Street Books
Release Date: June 2, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance

A waitress, a contractor, and an FBI agent walk into a café …

Single mom Darcy Emerson Sloan has enough to do raising twins and running a restaurant. She’s doing fine on her own and doesn’t need the complications of a man in her life. But when her café turns into a crime scene, putting her and her children are in danger, she begins to take interest in the handsome young FBI agent that comes on the scene.

Contractor Del Reno is as even-keeled as they come, but even he has his limits. And Darcy Sloan has pushed him too far. Every time he tries to help, it backfires. But now that Darcy and her kids are in trouble, he has no choice but to come to her aid and to protect her. She’s just going to have to deal with it.

Secret tunnels, organized crime, adorable children, and a wedding.

Just another day in Clementville.PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

ALSO AVAILABLE

Author Interview:

What first made you start writing?

Would you believe writing fan-fiction? I found a site with readers and writers of like mind, writing about the early 2000s television show, “Sue Thomas: FBEye.” In about two years time, I wrote the equivalent of three novels over two dozen short stories, novellas, poems, and scenes, using the characters and putting them in new settings and adventures. I was hooked! When I received positive feedback for those stories, it dawned on me that if I could write that much in that length of time, maybe I could write a whole book.
What was the hardest part about writing this book?

The hardest thing about Rebuilding Joy was the suspense element. It was my first foray (except for fan-fiction) into romantic suspense, and I had to make sure the mystery made sense, no loose ends were dangling out there, and it had to be SOLVED!
How did you come up with the story?

Later on, you’ll see the connection with the book one in the RenoVations series, Heart Restoration, but the evolved with my plan to show how people in a rural community, in this\ case, a family by the name of “Reno,” have the same trials and tribulations as those in the big city. Del struggles with the idea that he has settled for the comfortable existence he’s always had, and Darcy gave up her dreams to move home to raise her kids as she juggles running a café. All it takes, from that point, is a few “what ifs” and you have the beginnings of a story.
Which was your favorite character? Is it the one you most related to?

I really, really love Darcy Emerson Sloan in Rebuilding Joy. She appears in book one, but this is her story, along with Del’s. She’s been through a lot in her young life, but she is tough, feisty, and determined to make a good life for herself and her twins—with or without a man. I can’t imagine going through some of the things she’s experienced, and can totally understand the bitterness that can come with overwhelming loss. I’m so glad God loves us through it!
Have you worked in a restaurant?

I’ve never worked in a restaurant, but when I was a teen my parents ran a church camp, and I helped serve, refill drinks, field questions, and a little cooking, as well, for groups that used the facility. I hope I didn’t get it all wrong, and for those of you in the food service industry, I apologize ahead of time!
Did you have this story in mind from the first book?

Most definitely. The beginnings of the story came with book 1 in the RenoVations series, Heart Restoration. I planned, then, for the next book to be Del Reno’s story, but I wasn’t sure who his love-interest would be. In book one I introduced all the characters and set the stage for the mystery with a system of tunnels running from the Ohio River to the fictional town of Clementville. Bringing in the café was simply a happy plot-point, and I felt that I had to redeem Sheriff Clay Lacy! I gave him a bit of a raw deal in Heart Restoration, but he was one of the stars of my Christmas novella, “The Twelve Days of Mandy Reno!”
Do you think that the cover matches the story and what was your favorite part of the cover?

I love the cover. Roseanna White designed it, and she comes highly recommended. My goal in working with her was to have the cover of Rebuilding Joy coordinate with Heart Restoration as much as possible, and I think we succeeded. I love the little strip of buildings, including the café, and I think it’s a good representation of a tiny little country town in Kentucky. Honestly, the fonts had me from day one—how’s that for extreme nerdiness!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Regina Rudd Merrick is a multi-published writer, church musician, wife, mother, former librarian, lover of all things beachy and chocolate, and grateful follower of Jesus Christ. Married to her husband of 35-plus years, she is the mother of two grown daughters, and the keeper of a 100-year-old house where she lives in the small town of Marion, KY. Connect with Regina on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or on her website at https://www.reginaruddmerrick.com

CONNECT WITH REGINA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(3) winner will receive their choice of ebook or signed print copy of Rebuilding Joy!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 7, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 14, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Crazy for You Blog Tour

About the book:

Crazy for You (Deep Haven Collection Book 3) by [Susan May Warren, Michelle Sass Aleckson]

Title: Crazy for You
Series: Deep Haven Collection #3
Author: Michelle Sass Alekcson and Susan May Warren
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: May 25, 2021
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

he’s doesn’t want any trouble…

Former soldier Veronica “Ronnie” Morales isn’t going to let her kid brother, Tiago, get pulled into the gangs of Minneapolis, so, seeking safety and a fresh start, she heads to sleepy Deep Haven on the north shore of Minnesota. She’s hoping to put down roots as the paramedic for the new Crisis Response Team, but it’s not easy to be the outsider.

He can’t seem to escape it…

It’s also not easy being the guy related to everyone in town. Especially when you’re the holdout vote for a landmark project. Fire Chief Peter Dahlquist might be the loneliest guy in town when both sides of his massive family—the Hatfields and McCoys of Deep Haven—demand that he pick sides. The only one who seems to understand is the newcomer in town…his new, albeit street-tough paramedic.

Can trouble bring them together?

When Tiago finds himself caught up in small town shenanigans and the town blames Ronnie for tragedy, Peter is forced to pick sides. But this choice just might cost him the home—and the woman—he loves.

ALSO AVAILABLE

Book Review:

Oh my gosh! This book was sooo amazing. It is the first one I have read in the Deep Haven series, but I absolutely loved it! Crazy for You is set in the same world of Susan May Warren’s first two Deep Haven series and the Christiansen Family series. I’ve read a few of the Christiansen Family series, so I was delighted to see some cameos from them. I didn’t know any of the other characters, but I either fell in love with them or loved to hate them through this book!

Peter Dalquist is part of the two biggest dynasties in Deep Haven, the Dalquists and the Zimmermans, and he’s forced to pick sides when both of his families want a piece of land. Peter just wants his families to get along, and when he’s basically related to everyone in town, there’s nowhere he can go for some peace. Except maybe with the new paramedic, Veronica “Ronnie” Morales. Ronnie’s determined not to let her brother be pulled into the gangs of Minnaepolis, so she moves him to Deep Haven for a fresh start. But soon her brother gets pulled into a whole other set of troubles, and the whole town blames Ronnie for them. And Peter will have to decide whether or not he’s willing to fight for what he really wants.

I am a very nonviolent person, and I am a huge believer in the importance of family. But I really just wanted to smack the Dalquists and the Zimmermans because they were being such idiots! They were completely shameless in how hard they were pushing Peter, and I felt so bad for the poor guy. Peter’s birth father was a Zimmerman, but when his mom remarried a Dalquist, his stepfather also adopted him. He was stuck between the two families, and even though he was surrounded by family, he was also very alone.

He always felt the need to keep the peace, and it was almost like he had to prove himself because he wasn’t part of either family. But he was sooo sweet. I loved how he was a very strong male character, but he also struggled with his inability to say no. It was interesting especially because Ronnie was the complete opposite.

Ronnie had a very rough life full of abuse and neglect. Her mom had a string of losers constantly around, and her little brother was quickly falling prey to the bad environment. Her past made it very hard to rely on anyone. She had to be tough all the time which for her meant not apologizing or letting anyone in. I loved how Peter balanced that trait by helping her see not everything has to be a fight. In a lot of cases, a little bit of humility goes a long way, and Ronnie definitely had to learn that. And Ronnie helped Peter see that some things are worth fighting for.

I really appreciated how Ms. Aleckson made it clear that there would be hardships after conflict. Everything is harder and more awkward after disagreements, but it is worth the struggle. Nothing was rosy and perfect, but there were some clear steps towards reconciliation. I loved this book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a wonderful small town romance! Crazy for You is also clean in the romance and the violence.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

Author Interview:

What first made you start writing?

I’ve always been a huge reader. I love stories where the characters feel like real people I want to befriend. And sometimes I would daydream different endings to movies or books. But I didn’t think seriously about writing until my children were little and an employee survey at my job asked about hobbies, dreams and goals outside of work. It made me think about what I would do when my kids grew up. I was making up little rhymes and stories for them, so I thought about becoming an author. However, I’m notorious for starting things and not finishing them so first we bought a laptop. I spent a year writing a story. Once I knew I could finish a whole book my husband and I invested in a writing course and I got involved in some writing groups, going to conferences, etc. And now here I am! (And that first book will probably never see the light of day! LOL)

What was the hardest part about writing this book?

One of the challenges in writing a series with others is that our stories are connected. Like the real world, my characters’ actions affected the other stories in the series. The same was true for the other authors. We also had an established story world that many readers were already familiar with. I wanted to stay true to the Deep Haven Susan May Warren created and that her readers already loved. I really enjoyed collaborating with Susie, Rachel, and Andrea but at times we each had to make concessions for the sake of someone else’s story or to work within the framework already in place.

How did you come up with Ronnie and Peter’s story?

When Sunrise Publishing announced the contest to find authors applicants had to come up with a story premise. I’ve always loved Beauty and the Beast, so I thought I’d do a twist on the classic fairy tale. I’d make the heroine, Ronnie, the beast instead of the hero. I also love the small-town life but remember moving here and all the things that seemed strange to me when I first came. I thought it would be fun to incorporate some of that into a story with Ronnie moving to Deep Haven. I envisioned a strong hero that everyone liked and admired, but who had a hard time saying “no” to people. Peter and Ronnie were complete opposites in many ways, but each had something to learn from the other.
Which was your favorite character? Is it the one you most related to?

I relate more to Peter, who is all about family and bringing people together, but I enjoyed writing the Ronnie scenes because she would say things and act in ways I would never do! I always admire people with spunk and drive like her. How did you learn about this opportunity to write with Ms.WARREN? I have been a big fan of Susie’s for long time. I’ve also taken writing workshops and classes from her, so I follow her social media accounts and get her newsletter. When I saw the announcement on Facebook for being a draft author and writing Deep Haven stories with Susan May Warren I jumped at the chance. It’s been a dream come true!

Do you have a big family as well?

Yes! My parents both come from big families. My dad is one of six children and my mother is one of eight. But unlike Peter, most of my family is scattered across the United States and we moved a lot, so I didn’t grow up near cousins or grandparents. But when we did visit, we had some fun family gatherings and lots of yummy food! Now we live close to a lot of my husband’s family and my dad and stepmom have settled nearby. We still make it a point to see our out of state family too including my mom and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Have you ever lived in a small town before?

I live in a tiny town in central Minnesota right now. There’s less than 500 people. It has a small school, four churches, a little grocery store, a gas station and handful of other businesses. I love going to the store or pumping gas and seeing people I know, catching up on their lives and sharing all the latest news. Our house is on twenty acres just outside of the town where my children can run wild, climb trees, plant vegetables, and we even make our own maple syrup. We love it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

After growing upon both the east and west coasts, Michelle Sass Aleckson now lives the country life in central Minnesota with her own hero and their four kids. She loves rocking out to 80’s music on a Saturday night, playing Balderdash with the fam, and getting lost in good stories. Especially stories that shine grace. And if you’re wondering, yes, Sass is her maiden name. Visit her at www.michellealeckson.com.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

CONNECT WITH SUNRISE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | admin@sunrisepublishing.com

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card + 3 Crazy for You ebooks (one ebook for the winner and two to give to friends)!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 25, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 1, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

A Brother’s Promise

Welcome to the Blog Tour for the A Brother’s Promise by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Brother’s Promise
Author: Mindy Obenhaus
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired
Release Date: February 23, 2021
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance

A little girl will change his world…

He didn’t realize he wanted a family…

until he suddenly became a single dad.

After his sister’s death, rancher Mick Ashford’s determined to ensure his orphaned niece, Sadie, feels at home. And accepting guidance from Christa Slocum is his first step. But just as Christa and Sadie start to settle into Mick’s heart, Sadie’s paternal grandparents sue for custody. Now Mick must fight to keep them together…or risk losing the makeshift family he’s come to love.

We were so excited to be able to interview Mindy Obehaus, here is our interview.

Author Interview

Is it easier or harder to write a continuation of a series? Why or why not?

I think it’s a little easier because there are things that have already been
established, like many of the characters and the setting.

How did you decide to write about who to write about next?

You know, I’m not really sure. One book in the series is a Christmas story, so
I had to work around that. Of course, I also had to look at what time of the
year each story was set, so that was likely the biggest factor when choosing.

Is it more difficult to write children than adults? Why or why not?

Kids are definitely easier to write, at least for me. I love writing children
and old people because you never know what they might say, so they can
really put the hero/heroine on the spot.

How did you come up with the idea for this story?

I knew Christa had been a savvy tech industry exec who’d walked away from
it, looking for a simpler life. So in coming up with a partner for her I took
the opposites-attract approach. Throw in a little fish-out-of-water by having
a single cowboy suddenly become a father and it seemed like the way to go.

Are you a pantser or plotter? How did this tendency show up with this book?

I’m a pantser at heart, but I’m forced to plot. However, if I’m writing along
and something deviates from the plot, I usually take it as a nudge from God
and go with.

As you were writing, did you always know how the story was going to go? Were there any surprises for you?

The ending was actually a surprise for me. I had envisioned it much
differently. It turned out much better than I’d anticipated.

Do you have a favorite character in this book? Who is it and why?

Definitely Sadie because I never knew what she was going to say. And she
made a pretty good voice of reason, too.

Do you have ranch/cowgirl roots? Is there any inspiration for Mick and his ranch from your own life?

I actually live on a working cattle ranch, though my husband is not a rancher.
We lease the land. That said, I know lots of ranchers and have watched
them work cattle, aid with birthing calves when a cow is in distress and all
sorts of other things. It was inevitable I put that knowledge to use one day.
Though I’m glad it was only through storytelling. Those ranchers are some
tough people.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com

CONNECT WITH MINDY: Website | Facebook | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a “Drink Tea, Read Books, Be Happy” teaspoon, English Breakfast tea, a $15 Amazon gift card, and a signed copy of the book!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 1, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 8, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Her Amish Wedding Quilt

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Her Amish Wedding Quilt by Winnie Griggs, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Her Amish Wedding Quilt
Series: Hope’s Haven #1
Author: Winnie Griggs
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: December 15, 2020
Genre: Amish Romance

An Amish seamstress and a single father have a chance to make a fresh start in this heartwarming novel about finding love when you need it the most.

Spirited, forthright, impulsive — everyone told Greta Eicher she’d have to change her ways if she ever hoped to marry. Then her best friend Calvin, the man she thought she would wed, chooses another woman. Now Greta’s wondering if the others were right all along. Her dreams dashed, she pours her energy into crafting beautiful quilts at her shop and helping widower Noah Stoll care for his adorable young children.

Noah knows it’s time to think about finding a wife. When Greta offers to play matchmaker on his behalf, Noah eagerly accepts. After all, no one knows his children better. But none of the women she suggests seems quite right, because, unexpectedly, his feelings of respect and friendship for Greta have grown into something even deeper and richer. But will he have enough faith to overcome the pain of his past and give love another chance?

Guest Post:

How do you realistically depict the Amish and their customs?

Well I hope I depict them realistically. I’ve tried to immerse myself in the culture. I’ve purchased
a number of reference books, connected with folks, both writers and ‘civilians’, who are either
Amish themselves or who have close ties to the Amish, I’ve subscribed to several Amish-
focused blogs, and I’ve utilized trusted readers/writers of Amish fiction to read parts of my
books. I really, REALLY wanted to make a couple of trips to Amish country to physically
immerse myself in the culture, but unfortunately, 2020 being what it is/was, I wasn’t able to
follow through on that.
I’m sure I’ve made mistakes, but I plan to learn from them and improve as I move forward.

Review:

Her Amish Wedding Quilt was such a cute and sweet book! I loved the characters and I will definitely read more of Winnie Griggs’s books. Her Amish Wedding Quilt it about Greta Eicher and Noah Stoll. Greta is spirited, impulsive and forthright, qualities no man wants in a wife. As she tries to be content with being a spinster, she offers to play matchmaker for Noah Stoll, a widower trying to care for his two children and balance his work. However, as Greta suggests women none of them seem to fit for Noah because unexpectedly his feelings of respect and friendship for Greta have grown into something even deeper and richer. But will he be able to overcome the pain of his path and perhaps form a relationship with Greta?

This was a really cute book! I thought that the premise was really intriguing and I loved the characters. Greta was a lot like me, impulsive and forthright, I really related to her. However, I also felt bad for her as she tried to navigate life knowing that she was different from other women and that no man would want her as a wife. She was strong, but she was kind and she really cared for Noah and his kids.

Noah was the strong silent kind of guy. He didn’t always express his feelings, but he was kind and thoughtful. I thought that he was a sweetheart and I really liked him. He cared for Greta from the beginning, but it took a little while for him to realize his feelings for her. He loved his children and he wanted the best for them. There were points where I wanted to shake him because he was trying to suppress his feelings for Greta. But everything worked out in the end.

Her Amish Wedding Quilt was a cute book. It was such a fun story, Greta started out as helping Noah find a wife but they end up falling in love instead. I adored the characters! I would definitely recommend Her Amish Wedding Quilt! I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Winnie Griggs is the multi-published, award-winning author of romances that focus on small towns, big hearts, and amazing grace. Her work has won a number of regional and national awards, including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Winnie grew up in southeast Louisiana in an undeveloped area her friends thought of as the back of beyond. Eventually, she found her own Prince Charming, and together they built a storybook happily-ever-after, one that includes four now-grown children who are all happily pursuing adventures of their own. When not busy writing, she enjoys cooking, browsing estate sales, and solving puzzles. She is also a list maker, a lover of exotic teas, and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.

CONNECT WITH WINNIE: Website | Facebook

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a book lover’s prize package!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight December 15, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on December 22, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Deadly Amish Reunion Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Deadly Amish Reunion by Dana R. Lynn, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Deadly Amish Reunion
Series: Amish Country Justice #9
Author: Dana R. Lynn
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: December 1, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Amish Romantic Suspense

Separated by amnesia…

reunited by a lethal holiday threat.

Jennie Beiler’s husband was supposed to be dead, so she’s shocked when he rescues her from an attacker. Although Luke has no memories of his Englisch wife, it’s up to him to protect her from someone who won’t stop until she’s dead.

Can the peaceful Amish community he returned to after losing his memory shelter them and their son this Christmas when danger strikes again?

Book Review:

I have read quite a few romantic, suspense books, but I’ve never read an Amish, suspense one. I have to admit that I was a little bit thrown off because while there is crime everywhere, most of the Amish books I’ve read have been quite fluffy. Even though this was a new genre for me, I really enjoyed this book. It’s the first book I’ve read by Ms. Dana R. Lynn, and I will definitely be reading more by her.

Deadly Amish Reunion is the ninth book in the Amish Country Justice series. I’m not sure if this is a standalone series, but I have only read this book. And other than a really strong desire to read Aidan’s (Jennie’s brother’s) book, I was not at all confused. Jennie believed that her husband was dead, so she’s shocked when he saves her and their son. Luke has no memories of his Englischer wife, but he’s determined to protect her and his newfound son.

It was really sweet and hard to watch Jennie and Luke work things out. They did love each other, but they had no idea how to make it work. I loved how Ms. Lynn showed Luke falling in love with Jennie all over again, and Jennie falling for this older, more mature version of Luke. It was especially adorable because they had their son, L.J, to think about. I loved all of L.J.’s parts in the book. He was such a cute character, and it was sweet to see Luke step up to the plate. And while Luke’s family were understandably shocked, they were immediately open to helping Jennie and L.J.

The suspense also kept me guessing until the last minute. There were a lot of different players that I did not at all expect, and there were so many twists and turns in the book. The action never let up until the very end. There are some more mature themes though. Jennie was raped by her stepfather before, but it is not described at all. Also, Jennie sees someone kill another person, and there is quite a bit of shooting at and violence including someone getting beat up. However, the romance side is very clean, and Jennie and Luke really only kiss like twice. All in all just a wonderful, quick read that I would definitely recommend!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dana R. Lynn is a USA Today bestselling author who believes in the power of God to touch people through stories. She met her husband at a wedding and married him nineteen months later. Today, they live in rural Pennsylvania with their three teenaged children and enough pets to open a petting zoo. She is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by day and writes stories of romance and danger at night. Dana is an avid reader, loves cats and thinks chocolate should be a food group. Dana is a Selah Award winner, a Holt Medallion Finalist, and a New England Reader’s Choice Award winner. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. She enjoys engaging with readers and can be found on social media or contacted via her website www.danarlynn.com.

CONNECT WITH DANA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card plus an ebook or print (US only) copy of Deadly Amish Reunion!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight December 7, 2020 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 14, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions
Author: V. Joy Palmer
Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing
Release Date: November 16th, 2020
Genre: Christian Romance

Kaylee McGrurd feels like life has left her behind. Her best friends have all moved out, married, or are in the process of matrimony. Meanwhile, she’s lost another job, and her daily diet consists of noodles that are better suited as packing material.

Then Kaylee’s ex, Gabe Sanders, enters the equation.

Gabe walked out on Kaylee without warning or explanation nine years earlier, but now he’s been brought back to the area for the unforeseen future. And he’s in need of new lead vocalist for his wedding band.

A dwindling account balance calls for desperate measures, and Kaylee reluctantly accepts Gabe’s offer. While the former couple works together in the midst of happy marriages and heartfelt melodies, secrets and the need for forgiveness highlight the strife between them…and the hope that maybe God’s rewriting the conclusion to their story.

Available now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, and WhiteFire Publishing’s READ Store!

Find Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions on Goodreads and BookBub!

Guest Post:

I am so excited to have V. Joy Palmer on our blog! Ms. Palmer is here to talk to us about her writing process.

V. Joy Palmer: I’m what they call a pantser.

If you’re not familiar with the writing world, the above statement might have given your
eyebrows a jumpstart to the moon. Don’t be freaked out; it’s nothing weird. It simply means that
I prefer to write by the seat of my pants because the thought of storyboards, outlines, and
extraneous plotting gives me hives. In fact, these things often slow down my writing process.

That’s not to say I don’t plot anything. I have a loose idea of the story, the conflict, and the
themes. From that swirling mass of chaos inside my head, I form a basic summary. Sometimes I
even make a list of potential scenes to help me as I brainstorm getting from one plot point to the
next.

However, I’ve already started writing before I’ve finished any of the above steps. At my core,
writing is how I brainstorm, get to know my characters, and discover the heart of the story.

Of course, the pantser approach can cause some problems…

Have you ever heard half-crazed laughter in the distance? You didn’t imagine it. That was me, an
enraged, overly anxious, and under-caffeinated (though friends and family may argue against
that claim) author who just wants her characters to cooperate for once!

But it’s out of this place of intense frustration that my favorite part of the writing process
emerges – and in my mind, there are twinkle lights, music, and brownies in the background.

It’s that moment when that mysterious key clicks into place and everything I’ve been fighting
about with my characters (as I fantasize about dosing my manuscript with kerosene) finally
makes sense. Everything comes together, and my characters can rest easy as I’m no longer
plotting a murderous ending to their story. Their actions, their motivations, and their heartache is
fully revealed, making their personal victories and swoony ending even more worthy of a
brownie in my eyes! There’s nothing quite like getting to experience the unfolding story in the
same way as my future readers while also being the one to write that story. In that glorious
moment, I am both writer and reader, and that moment is my favorite.

Thank you so much for hosting me!

Book Review:

I have been waiting to read this book and it was so good! Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions is the third book in V. Joy Palmer’s series. Although I hadn’t read the first two books, I loved Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions! It is the first book that I have read written by Joy V. Palmer and I now want to read all of her books.

Kaylee McGrurd feels like life has left her behind. Her best friends have married or in the process of getting married, and to make matters worse she’s lost another job. However, things get worse when her ex, Gabe Sanders, walks back into her life. Gabe left Kaylee without warning of explanation, but now he is back in the area for the unforeseen future. He’s now in the need of a new vocalist for his wedding band. A dwindling account balance calls for desperate measures and Kaylee finds herself part of Gabe’s band. As Gabe and Kaylee work together in the midst of happy marriages and heartfelt melodies, they will need to work through secrets hidden in the past and hope that maybe God’s rewriting the conclusion to their story.

Kaylee was such a fun character! I loved her dialogue, I think that it made her so unique. She was introverted so it was hard for her to make friends, but she tried her best. I thought it was so cool how she loved Lord of the Rings, she mentioned it a lot. It was her little thing. She was an amazing singer and I loved her development as a character. She learned to forgive and to trust God.

I liked Gabe from the beginning. He was a nice guy and he truly cared for Kaylee. However, it was so frustrating to see him pushing Kaylee away. I thought that he was sweet, I especially liked how much he cared for his mom. He wanted to be better than his dad, but he felt like he was a failure. I felt bad for him, he was so caught up in his sin that he didn’t know how to trust God. Gabe had to learn how to forgive himself and put aside his chains, learning to give it all to God.

I liked reading about Kaylee and Gabe together. They were cute because they knew each other so well. I wanted them to get back together so badly, but I also knew that they had to work through their past secrets first. Kaylee’s friends were so sweet and I loved their relationship. Gabe’s band mates were hilarious but Natalya was so frustrating.

This was a great book! I loved the characters and I was intrigued by the plot. I couldn’t put it down, I read it in one day. I would definitely recommend Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions! This is a relatively clean Christian book, Gabe had some past sins that left a mark on him but it was only mentioned.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

About the Author:

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via http://www.vjoypalmer.com!

Dreaming of Tomorrow Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Dreaming of Tomorrow by Michelle De Bruin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Dreaming of Tomorrow
Series: Tomorrow #3
Author: Michelle De Bruin
Publisher: Scrivenings Press LLC
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Historical Fiction

Love leads them to a lifetime of commitment where the dreams they have held onto for so long start to come true.

Popular and eligible, Logan De Witt must convince the women in town that he is engaged to be married. A quiet, simple ceremony is what he has in mind for his wedding day, but when the date and time of his bride’s arrival is published in the newspaper, the whole town joins in the celebration proving to Logan and his new wife their sincere friendship and support.

Added to the excitement of Logan’s marriage is the question of what the congregation should do with the unexpected donation of an orchard.

Karen Millerson is counting the days until her long-distance engagement comes to an end and she may travel to Oswell City to marry Logan. More than anything, she wants to share in his life as a help and support, but keeping a house and finding her place in the community requires much more work than she ever expected.

Learn, laugh, and love with Karen and Logan as they start a new marriage and work together ministering to the citizens of their small town.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

Book Review:

There are some books that show such amazing and fantastic worlds that are truly beautiful to behold. But, there are other books that show everyday people doing normal things in a way that is also beautiful to behold. It gives us a glimpse of how people in that time used to act, and it shows how much humanity has stayed the same. Michelle de Bruin has done this in Dreaming of Tomorrow which is a slice of life, historical fiction novel.

Dreaming of Tomorrow is the third book in the Tomorrow series where Karen Millerson and Logan De Witt are finally ready to get married. The book goes through them working through the challenges of ministering a community, interfering family, and the trials and joys of life. It shows a realistic view of how while there is great joy in life there is also great sorrow, but God is faithful through it all.

Karen and Logan were both wonderful characters, and while they were mature, they always balanced it with some faults that made sense. It was sweet though to watch their faults and their strengths balance each other out. They were truly in love with each other, and I liked seeing such a strong relationship go through without any of the normal petty jealousies. Another thing that I liked was that we were able to see their relationship after the wedding too. It was all extremely appropriate even for a younger reader, but it simply showed how marriage requires work after you say your vows. Logan and Karen did not stop trying to love each other because they were married, but they instead worked even harder to love one another.

The community that rallied around them was also beautiful to see. Logan was the pastor of his town, and it was so sweet as they worked their hardest to show how much they appreciated him. I think that while this book was so cute I would have liked to see a bit more conflict. There were not a lot of realistic struggles that come from being in a community of sinners, but it was still an adorable read that showed how much God can use two people who are willing to work for Him. It was very clean, and there was no violence, language, or sex. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes slice of life books!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Michelle De Bruin writes Christian historical fiction about people who live in rural communities. Michelle lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. She provides spiritual services during the week and leads worship on the weekends. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive an ebook copy of Dreaming of Tomorrow and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 17, 2020 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 24, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

A Ranger for the Twins – Guest Post

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for A Ranger for the Twins by Tanya Agler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Ranger for the Twins
Author: Tanya Agler
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: October 13, 2020
Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance

She fell from grace…

Before falling for him

When her husband defrauded the town of Hollydale, now-divorced mom Lucie Decker went from being the town darling to total pariah. Now she’s launching a new business and needs ranger Caleb Spindler’s help. And her twins adore Caleb. After all, he’s a genuine hero—even if he is hiding a secret. But while Lucie’s heart has forgotten how to trust, it still remembers how to fall in love…

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Guest post:

I am so excited to welcome Tanya Agler to to our blog to talk about how she chooses her settings and makes it realistic.

Hello, and thank you so much for hosting me on your blog today. The setting for my first
two books is Hollydale, North Carolina. It’s a fictional small town set in the foothills of the
Great Smoky Mountains. I’m going to go off-subject for a second and explain what led me to
write a book set in North Carolina. About three years after my husband and I had our first child,
my parents offered to babysit for us while we went on a long, three-day weekend, which was our
first time away from our daughter. We wanted to go somewhere close to home yet in another
state, and we ended up in Maggie Valley, NC, a delightful town that charmed both of us.
When I sat down to write The Sheriff’s Second Chance, I wanted to create a town in the
South as I’ve lived in the same area for a long time after moving around often as a child and
teenager. My mind immediately was drawn to those three days that we spent hiking in North
Carolina in the mountain region, visiting Thomas Wolfe’s house, and eating in a delicious,
downhome diner. From there, I started researching that area of the Great Smoky Mountains.
I started with blog posts about the top ten mountain getaways in North Carolina. From
there, I visited each of those town’s websites and made notes on their small businesses and what
made them different from other similar towns. I also researched diner menus in small towns and
clicked on other common businesses found in that area. Then, I also researched the history
behind towns in the Smokies and found out some interesting facts about the timber industry.
Then I went and looked at pictures from that trip with my husband as well as other hiking
trips and vacations to the Great Smoky Mountains, which are one of my favorite destinations.
From hiking to Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in Tennessee, to white water rafting along
the Nantahala, I looked at the topography in the pictures and the different attributes of the

outdoors in relation to the book. Since I love hiking and long walks to waterfall, I made sure that
there was an outfitter’s business in the downtown district. Every time we visit a small town, I
take note of the shops and ambience. Google Maps is another fun resource as you can take
walking tours of towns or watch videos people post of a town.
Outdoor areas play into the setting of A Ranger for the Twins. I tried to figure out what
would be the most unlikely setting for a town debutante, and I thought of an outdoor retreat
center featuring rope courses. One inspiration for this was an adventure I had in my college
youth group. One afternoon we all went to a ropes course and performed exercises in trust
building. There was one particular course with a rope rather high off the ground, which people
then walked across similar to a tightrope. The leaders positioned most of the group on the side
where most people fall when they perform this exercise. Nine people would be on one side
waiting and two would be on the other. Of course, I fell on the side with two people and have a
very faint scar on my right wrist. Little did I know that would end up being part of a book
someday!
For research on retreat centers, I looked up at least twenty similar destination lodges and
retreats online and researched their staffs, their design layouts, and their amenities. I read
reviews and searched through their photo albums, combining my favorite attributes of each.
And then I started reviewing pictures of the state and national parks I’ve visited with my
family and continued from there.
Between my family vacations, day trips, and the internet along with Google Maps, those
are the ways I start to research the setting and then I add in the best of every town I’ve come
across with a little bit of pure imagination.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

An award-winning author, Tanya Agler moved often during her childhood and settled in Georgia where she writes sweet contemporary romance novels, which feature small towns, family and pets, and themes of second chances and hope. Her debut, The Sheriff’s Second Chance, is a January of 2020 Harlequin Heartwarming release with the sequel, A Ranger for the Twins, coming in October 2020. A graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and law, she lives with her wonderful husband, their four children, and a lovable Basset, who really rules the roost. Represented by Dawn Dowdle and the Blue Ridge Literary Agency, she’s currently at work on the sequels to her debut. When she’s not writing, Tanya loves classic movies, walking, and a good cup of tea.

CONNECT WITH TANYA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a reader tote bag, a signed print copy of A Ranger for the Twins, and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 6, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on October 13, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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