Friday, September 6, 2024

The Art of Writing 2024 + GIVE AWAY

Art of Writing 2024 JustRead Takeover Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for The Art of Writing 2024, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I can't wait to get together with all of these authors and incredible industry leaders!

About the Conference

The Art of Writing conference will be held on November 14 in Chicago at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center, Chicago/Downers Grove. The focused four-session conference will bring together writers, storytellers, and publishing curators for training and connection. Hear from Christian publishers, agents, authors, and thought leaders on the Art of Writing for today’s market.

Session One: The Balance of the Art of Writing and the Business of Publishing

A panel of Christian fiction publishers and agents discuss market changes and current trends and address your most important questions with Tyndale Fiction publisher Karen Watson and agents Danielle Egan-Miller and Cynthia Ruchti.

Session Two: Processing Pain through Writing and Reading Christian Fiction

In a special LIVE Moody Radio conversation, author and host Chris Fabry will lead a discussion of how pain helps writers process their lives and can help readers do the same with therapists turned authors Amanda Cox and Kelly Flanagan 

Session Three: Authors as Marketers: How to Build a Thriving Ecosystem 

Join Andrea Garcia, senior marketing manager at Tyndale House Publishers, as she helps you navigate how to be an author-marketer, explains how your author channels can work together, and assures you that you can have fun spreading the word about your books. 

Session Four: What Is Christian Fiction? Writing for a Broader Audience 

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, has the audience for Christian fiction shrunk or broadened? Does that or should that change the way you write your novels? How much should you write with your audience in mind versus letting your creativity lead and find its own audience? A panelist of authors will cover these questions and more!

  The Christy Award & Art of Writing 2024

Learn More about The Art of Writing 2024


The Christy Award Finalists Reveal

Christian fiction fans are invited to register and watch the free webcast announcement of The Christy Award finalists in nine categories live on September 12 at 11 a.m. CST, featuring Christy Hall of Fame author Chris Fabry and ECPA president Jeff Crosby. Winners will be announced on November 14 during The Christy Award Winners Gala in Chicago at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center, Chicago/Downers Grove.

“With each passing year I am more aware of the power that stories have to communicate goodness, truth, beauty and hope in our world,” states ECPA president Jeff Crosby. “And because of that, I am honored to be associated with the annual Christy Gala which honors excellence in Christian fiction and the Art of Writing conference that nurtures the work of writers of faith and contributes tools as they refine their craft.” The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org

Register Now for The Art of Writing & The Christy Award events


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive their choice of The Art of Writing registration OR print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles for one category!

Art of Writing 2024 JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 6, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 13, 2024. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Christmas At Sugar Plum Manor By Roseanna M. White

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor
by Roseanna M. White
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 9780764242922

Ever a fan of Roseanna M. White's the opportunity couldn't be passed up to read her next novella. And that cover! It absolutely screams Christmas. The publisher sent me her book for review.

Summary:

The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

My Review:

What a fun and festive story!

In Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor, we meet Mariah along with her family as they prepare for the Christmas season. They also learn they'll be hosting the young man who will be taking over the manor one day as well as a Danish lord, both of whom may be vying for Mariah's attention.

Cyril met Mariah when they were young children and neither are sure they'll be able to claim the same friendship now that they're adults. Cyril seems like a humble young man who struggles with his identity and worth. Mariah is whimsical and utterly delightful. She cares for the people her stepfather oversees as the lord of the Manor.

I had moments where I imagined Mariah as either Rapunzel or Ana from the Disney movies. Cyril was such a genuine guy, you couldn't not like him, even when he was putting his foot in his mouth. Søren, the Danish lord reminded me of Hans from Disney's Frozen. Don't even ask me about Mariah's siblings. They were always just so cross... about everything!

Because this was a novella, misunderstandings weren't able to last long, and quite honestly, the men being direct and saying what they mean instead of lying was very refreshing. That doesn't mean there wasn't a bit of deception and misleading with some characters.

I was a bit surprised at the ending, but happily so! This story definitely has the charm of a 19th century English Christmas! It certainly made me wish I could try one of Plumford Manor's cook's sugar plums!

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White (RoseannaMWhite.com) is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books . . . . to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Lethal Standoff By DiAnn Mills + GIVE AWAY

Lethal Standoff JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I absolutely LOVE DiAnn's suspense. Seriously, I devour her books faster than she can write them! I can't wait to get this one started!

About the Book

Lethal Standoff Title: Lethal Standoff 
Author: DiAnn Mills 
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers 
Release Date: September 3, 2024 
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Thriller

Justice can be elusive. Family secrets can be deadly. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking in a volatile criminal case filled with unanswered questions. And Carrington Reed is running short on time to piece together clues that will solve the puzzle.

Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is called to the scene when reports come in that fifteen hostages are being held by the Kendrix brothers in an abandoned house in south Texas. When she arrives on site, Carrington quickly learns that the brothers are armed and refuse to release their victims, a group of undocumented immigrants, until the local police identify their father’s murderer. 

Working closely with Levi Ehrlich, a handsome investigative reporter who has covered some of Carrington’s negotiations in the past, she finds herself being undeniably drawn to him. Carrington digs deeper into the death of the Kendrixes’ father and begins to notice that some details surrounding his death aren’t adding up. 

As Carrington investigates the brothers’ claims and tries to piece together their motive for taking innocent people captive, it soon becomes clear that they are trying to hide something and that revenge for their father’s death may not be what they’re really bargaining for after all. To protect the hostages and ensure the brothers don’t carry out the rest of their sinister plot, Carrington must get to the bottom of one family’s secret and the truth they’re trying so hard to hide before time runs out. 

Award-winning author DiAnn Mills delivers pulse-pounding romantic suspense about secrets, betrayal, and finding a path to forgiveness.
  • Includes discussion guide for book groups.
  • A clean contemporary thriller from Christy Award-winning author DiAnn Mills
  • For fans of action-packed romantic suspense in the vein of Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, and Dani Pettrey
  • From the popular author of Facing the Enemy
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

Also Available:

Facing the Enemy Concrete Evidence Trace of Doubt Airborne Fatal Strike


Book Excerpt

Phone in hand, I hurried from my parked truck and raced to where police cars barricaded the entrance to the street where Henderson held his family. A reporter blocked my way between vehicles. She rammed a mic in front of my face.

“Carrington Reed, do you think this standoff will have a peaceful resolution?”

My blood boiled. The last time I had verbally unleashed on her aggressive means to get the best story, she lied in her article about my concern for those in danger. I paused long enough to give her eye contact. “My goal is always a peaceful solution. Excuse me, I need to talk to HPD.”

“Are the police advocating a violent takedown?”

“No.” I sidestepped around her and ignored her shouts.

Aaron stood in front of the home and waved. He had the appearance of average—average height, weight, gray eyes, brown hair, and shoulder span— but nothing about his physical appearance showed his intense scrutiny of a crime scene. His rating as one of HPD’s finest hit my respect button.

“Good to see you. I’d like the man’s cell number,” I said. “I assume my cell phone is routed through the command center too?”

“Sure thing.” He gave me the information. “The wife’s name is Christine, and the son’s name is Rand.”
I nodded my thanks and pressed in the digits. A man answered on the second ring.

“Nick, this is Carrington. I’m standing beside a police car outside your house, and I’d like to help you.”

“I . . . leave me alone.” He spoke fast and loudly. “I’m busy.”

“What do you need?”

“You can get rid of all those cops. I can’t breathe.”

About the Author

DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone's story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure? 

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Selah Award, and the Golden Scroll; and been finalists for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award and the Carol Award. 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. 

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. diannmills.com.

Connect with DiAnn by visiting diannmills.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a copy of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy, as well as a Texas themed item!

Lethal Standoff JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 3, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 10, 2024. 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


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Between The Sound And Sea By Amanda Cox

Between the Sound and Sea
by Amanda Cox
Publisher: Revell
ISBN: 9780800742744

Amanda Cox's stories always draw me into a new time and place. Her stories are so rich with the characters and the setting, I can't say no to any of her books! Thanks to Revell for sending me her newest release for review!

Summary:

Every family has its secrets. Josephina "Joey" Harris wouldn't mind if her family still had a few of their own after a lawsuit tarnishes their name. When an opportunity opens to become a temporary keeper of a decommissioned lighthouse on a North Carolina island, she takes the opportunity to escape the scrutiny of her small town to oversee its restoration.  
 
Soon Joey discovers strange notes tucked deep in the crevices of the lighthouse's old stone walls--pages torn from a keeper's log recounting harrowing rescues at sea. When things start to go amiss on the island, locals are convinced that it is the ghost of the lighthouse keeper and his daughter who were lost at sea during World War II. 

As Joey sifts through decades of rumors and legends and puts together the pieces of the past, a love story emerges--one that's clearly not over yet.

My Review:

What an incredible story! While I've always enjoyed the author's stories, this one had a bit of a deeper mystery to me than her other ones. Initially I thought it might be heading in a more Jaime Jo Wright kind of way. If you've read any of her books you know what I mean. Thankfully, that wasn't it at all, but there was still quite the mystery!

I really enjoyed getting to know spunky Joey. She had a lot of tenacity, especially after all her family had been through. When her opportunity came to try something a bit new (but not really), while she didn't quite grab the bull by they horns (thank goodness for bffs) she didn't let anything get in the way! It was clear that those who had an interest in Bleakpoint came to care for Joey!

Then we meet Finn and his sweet grandpa Walt. Walt was around during the WWII time and through the telling of the story, we come to find out why this lighthouse and the people who took care of it meant so much to him as a young boy. Trust me when I say your heart will go out to him!

Oh, we can't forget Finn. Gruff and grumble Finn. Does he care more about his grandpa or how he's spending his money? Thankfully throughout the story we get to know him better and what makes him tick. Like Joey, she wanted to say on his good side while also keeping him informed of how his grandpa was doing.

During the restoration of the lighthouse and the keeper's shanty, we meet a variety of characters along the way. Some who stir up crazy ideas, others who help, and a couple who might have some unexpected answers! I was really heartwarming on a number of levels how the story wrapped up. Can't give anything away on that front. The connections made are quite the interesting twist!

About the Author:

Amanda Cox is the Christy Award-winning author of The Edge of Belonging, The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, and He Should Have Told the Bees. She holds a bachelor's degree in Bible and theology and a master's degree in professional counseling, but her first love is communicating through story. Her studies and her interactions with hurting families over a decade have allowed her to create multidimensional characters that connect emotionally with readers. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with her husband and their three children. Learn more at AmandaCoxWrites.com.

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Batch Of Love By Natasha D. Frasier + GIVE AWAY

Batch of Love JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Batch of Love by Natasha D. Frazier, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I've read Natasha's books in the past and this CF contemporary romance sounds like it'll be a fun read!

About the Book

Batch of Love

Title: Batch of Love
Author:
Natasha D. Frazier
Publisher:
Encouraging Works
Release Date:
August 6, 2024
Genre:
Christian Contemporary Romance

Nailed It meets You’ve Got Mail in Batch of Love  

A small-town baker with dreams of moving out of the mall’s food court and opening her own brick-and-mortar bakery enters a baking competition for a chance to win $25,000. But instead of winning the grand prize, she finds herself in the middle of her ex’s plan to acquire her business for a big box retailer. 

Two years ago, Ginger opened a bakery, Ginger’s Goodies, to honor a promise she made to her late mother. Ready to take her business to the next level, Ginger enters a baking competition hosted by big box retailer, Decadent Dough. What she doesn't count on is running into her high school ex, Brock Pearson, who works for the company. 

Instead of joining his father’s firm, The Pearson Group, Brock Pearson was eager to prove he could be successful outside of his father’s shadow and joined the legal team at Decadent Dough thirteen years ago. When his mentor retires, he throws his hat in the ring to become his successor. The job is his if he can find potential acquisitions, one of which is Ginger's Goodies. 

 For Ginger, joining Decadent Dough is a hard NO

However, Brock will not back down easily because now he wants to win her heart again.  

And just when Brock and Ginger were at the precipice of sealing the deal of love.... 

Brock's boss learns Ginger is the daughter of his college rival. Now, he will stop at nothing to destroy her business. To make matters worse, he convinced Ginger that Brock is part of his scheme. To prove his innocence, Brock may lose his shot at the promotion he's coveted and the career he's worked so hard for. 

Ginger and Brock's careers and hearts hang in the balance. Which is more important than the other?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub


Book Excerpt

Brock led her to the same table they sat at a few days ago when he asked her to join him for coffee. He pulled out Ginger’s chair and waited for her to sit before taking the seat across from her.

“So, what’s up?” Her smile and eyes were still bright and receptive. He’d almost asked her out again, but he had to focus so that he’d know whether he needed to look somewhere else for Decadent Dough. Time wasn’t on his side if he wanted to secure his mentor, Andrew’s position when he retired.

“We didn’t talk much about my work at Decadent Dough, but I’d like to run something by you to get your thoughts.”

Her eyebrows dipped and her smile weakened. She looked as if she wanted to help him if she could. Was that guilt because of how she ended their relationship? 

“Okay, what’s that?”

“I work on the mergers and acquisitions team, and I have a proposition for you.”

“The softness in her eyes vanished and her face sagged. Her disappointment was evident. “The answer is no.”

“You didn’t even hear what I had to say.”

“You’ve said enough. The answer is no. I know enough about Decadent Dough to know I’m not interested. Is that all?” The sides of her lips turned down and her eyebrows crinkled.

“Decadent Dough is looking for businesses to partner with to expand their product offerings.”

Ginger threw her head back and chuckled. “You’re kidding, right? You cannot be serious.” She huffed and blinked and threw her hands in the air. “Is that what this is all about? I thought…well, never mind what I thought. You’re still the same person I thought you were. And as far as Decadent Dough, you and I both know they’re only concerned with themselves and their bottom line. They’ll take my recipes, and I’ll be out on my behind. Nothing about this” she used air quotes“‘deal’ works for me, so thanks for thinking of me, Brock, but that’ll be a hard no. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to running my business.”

About the Author

Natasha D. Frazier

Natasha D. Frazier fell in love with love around the age of twelve because of artists like Babyface, Boys II Men, Whitney Houston, and New Edition. Around sixteen when her mother purchased a romance novel and left it lying around the house untouched, Natasha read it and a spark for the written word had been ignited.

Natasha believes that writing is one of her purposes and contributions to the world. She feels accomplished when she can get a few words written and like blah when life gets in the way. Her hope is that at the end of every novel, readers will feel like they’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket with a mug of their favorite coffee/tea/warm drink. 

When she isn’t reading or writing, she is likely watching movies with her family. Natasha resides in Richmond, TX with her husband, Eddie Frazier, Jr. and their three children, Eden, Ethan, and Emilyn. Her greatest joy and commitment is to her family who she hopes to inspire above all else. One of her many mottos in life is: Faith removes limitations. Natasha and her family attend Parkway Fellowship in Richmond, TX, where she volunteers as a small group leader for elementary students. Natasha is also a member of the Houston Area Alumni Chapter of Jackson State University and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Connect with Natasha by visiting natashafrazier.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card!

(1) winner will win a 3 book bundle of backlist titles by Natasha D. Frazier!

Batch of Love JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 13, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 20, 2024. Winners 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

 
Creative Commons License
Woven by Words by Mimi B is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.