Love Unscripted Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Evie Jennings is going through the motions in life. It's been a year since her divorce and she is still trying to gather the pieces in her broken heart. When Evie happens to meet Ridge Dashly, a Hollywood sensation, her life begins to change and they strike up an unusual friendship that grows into something more. When past shadows reappear and when confronted with the unrelenting paparazzi, will they be able to find a happy ending?

I enjoyed reading Love Unscripted by Tiffany Odekirk. The story follows Evie's search for forgiveness, friendship, love and acceptance. I haven't read the previous novel, Love on Pointe, so I am not sure if it would change my opinion of Evie or any of the other characters (I have requested it from the library.). Evie struggles to figure out who she is and who she wants to be while fighting the figurative demons from her past. Her past haunts her as she wrestles with forgiving herself. She's a compelling and likeable character. Odekirk is not afraid to show her protaganist's flaws. I especially enjoyed Evie's reception and reaction to the singles ward and her Relief Society sisters. The reactions and descriptions reminded me of my days in a single's branch and ward. It was very relatable and easy to visualize. Ridge Dashly and Evie's brother almost seemed to have too much going for them as far as worldly concerns...wealth and fame. It seemed to be a little unbelievable to have two characters with the world on a silver platter.  Overall, I would recommend reading this story if you like romance and LDS fiction. I can't wait to read Love on Pointe and to see what other books Odekirk has in store. Click here to learn more about Love Unscripted.

Schedule:

Sept. 24^th: http://mybookaday.com/

Sept. 25^th: http://fireandicereads.com/, https://brightlystreet.com/, https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/

Sept. 26^th: http://thoroughlyhere.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/

Sept. 27^th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, https://www.wishfulendings.com/, https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/

Sept. 28^th: https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Please note that I received a free copy of this book to facilitate this review. The giveaway prize and selection of the winner is handled by the publisher. Please note that there are also Amazon Affiliate links on this post. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases that help in running this blog.
 

Love & Secrets Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Genre:  Adult, New Adult, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Regency, Romance
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: August 14, 2018
Wealthy socialite Christine Harrison’s life seems perfect until the man she planned tomarry, Mr. Davenport, proposes to someone else. Heartbroken, Miss Harrison vowsnever to love again, and to distract herself, she sets out to rescue a fallen youngwoman. Little does she know that her journey will reveal more than she expected about her friends, her seemingly perfect life, and her own heart.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

About the Author

From writing an award-wining tale of a dragon falling from the stars in the 3rd grade to regency romance written at thirty, Sarah McConkie has always had a passion for creating intriguing stories. After years of singledom looking for romance (and teaching Junior High Choir to fill up real life), Sarah began a Master’s degree in Literacy. When love finally found her, she married and became a wife and eventually a mother. After tucking in her own little princess one January evening she determined to attempt her life-long dream to write and publish a novel. Using her many years of experience in the single realm, a robust knowledge of regency classics, and a love of all things old fashioned and proper, Sarah wrote Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor. She now lives with her own Mr. Right and her two daughters, and believes providing stimulating and moral stories promotes literacy in a world which needs more readers. This is her first novel.

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

Author Interview

1-What make your book different than other romance novels?   

McConkie - The GUYS! You are in their head, and they are more dynamic and have more of a presence. 

2-Who is your favorite character from this book? 

McConkie - William Robertson, although he was hardest to write. His brother Robert was the easiest and most fun to write. They are based off of two real-life brothers. 

3-What do you hope the readers learn/gain from this story?

McConkie - That love only works if we have hope. You must treat people and a relationship you care about like you know it will work out. Hope is what makes the difference. Also, I hope the readers see and feel that people can change and become better. 

Snippet

Christine breathed deeply, circling her arms around herself. As she stood among those high, stalwart cliffs, she formed a resolution. Their presence spoke to Christine once more, reminding her that she could change. She could be more steadfast in her desires. She determined then to look outward, toward others, and stop caring about herself and her status in life. She affirmed that day that she did not need high connections to validate her existence. She did not need a man to establish or promote her social standing. And perhaps most importantly, Christine resolved to never again let these base motives stand in her way of real and lasting relationships with the people around her.

Review

Love & Secrets at Cassfield Manor was a little hard for me to get into at first as a reader. There were a lot of characters introduced in the very beginning and it took some time to become invested in the story and care what happened to the main characters. As I continued reading the plot became more involved, secrets more pronounced and the plot started twisting and turning in such a way that my interest peaked and I couldn't wait to find out how the story ended. The turning point in the romance with the two main protagonists was a little rushed and it almost felt liked it was missing a more pronounced turning point from disgust/disdain to love. The way the secondary characters are involved with the plot and storyline was fairly interesting and the surprises made the story fun and compelling. The way the story ended kind of reminded me of a Shakespearean comedy where the romance is mostly a mess until it's wrapped up very nicely in the end. It was a light, fun read. I would be interested in reading more from the author. To learn more, click here.

Giveaway

Enter the giveaway HERE.

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Tour Schedule

September 17-Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen | Paulette’s Papers
September 18-Mindy Houng (reviewer) | Blooming with Books
September 19-Emily Yager | Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
September 20-Heidi Reads… I Life Is What It’s Called
September 21-Pause for Tales | Bookworm Lisa
September 22-Jorie Loves A Story

Please note that this post contains affiliate links to Amazon. I received a free copy of this book to help facilitate this review, however, this does not influence my opinion. The prize for the giveaway is handled by the book tour manager, Singing Librarian.

Christy Awards and Giveaway

If there were a Christian fiction version of the Oscars, The Christy Awards would be it. And we are teaming up with The Christy Awards to help you read good fiction!

Some of the best of the best, in fact. Last year's 2017 Christy Award winners included The Lady & The Lio nheart (Joanne Bischof), A Note Yet Unsung (Tamera Alexander), Her One and Only (Becky Wade), The Mark of the King (Jocelyn Green), The Silent Songbird (Melanie Dickerson), T he Long Journey to Jake Palmer (James Rubart), and more!

Image Source: The Ch risty Awards

The 2018 Christy Award Celebration Gala is coming up on November 7, 2018 but first the finalists will be announced on September 19th!! And you don't want to miss it! Make sure you're following along with their social media accounts so yo u don't miss the big announcement!

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

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The Christy Award team invites you to two events that celebrate fiction, b oth held on November 7, 2018 at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN!

First, from 1-5:30pm, is the Art of Writing Conference - a focused conference fo r writers, storytellers, and publishing curators. This is a half day of intensive seminars that celebrate the creative life, provide practical tips for overcoming challenges in a rapidly- ch anging industry, and answer questions authors are asking. Head here for a full list of speakers, including Carla Laureano, Joan ne Bischof, Donald Miller, and Charles Martin.

Then, starting at 7:00pm, The Christy Award Dinner Gala will celebrate the art of Christian fiction, announce the 2018 winners of The Christy Award, and honor the power of Story, the legacy of Madeleine L ’ Engle, and the year's best in Christian fiction.

Wanna know which authors will be at The Christy Awards gala? How about Charles Martin, Carla Laureano, Francine Rivers, Sarah Arthur, and Cynthia Ruchti, for starters? Many of the finalists will be there too so make sure you follow The Christy Award on social media for the big announcement on the 19th!

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On behalf of the ECPA, JustRead is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card (US only) to help you read good fiction!

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midni ght September 15, 2018 and last through 11:59pm September 21, 2018. US only. Winners wi ll be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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Chasing the Hunter Blog Hop

In 1788, Aria Stonewood is chased from her home in the New England colonies after being accused of murder and abducting twin baby girls.
Hiding a secret, Aria travels west deep into the north-woods of the Minnesota territory. She seeks shelter at a French trading post that is run by a former priest and meets Francois Marcks; both of whom distrust her and do not want her staying there. But with the dangers of winter coming they have no choice but to reluctantly let her stay unaware of what the coming winter will bring to their door.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

About the Author

Growing up in Northwestern Minnesota, Emily spent the long winter days dreaming and creating stories. She loves the mild summers and cold, wind swept state so much that she incorporates the landscape and small towns into her stories. A life-long book dragon, Emily is fulfilling her dream by writing novels.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | WEBSITE

Author Interview

1. Who or what inspired you to become an author?
I was raised with a family of avid readers and storytellers, Momma, Mimmie (Grandma) and Pappaw (Grandpa) always seems to have a book hidden somewhere close by just in case. I followed in their footsteps. Though the person who inspired me the most is Momma. She always encouraged creative thinking and writing. After all she did name me after three of her favorite writer’s: Emily Bronte, Anne Bronte, and Emily Dickerson. Perhaps she knew something even back then.

2. When did you first start writing?  When was your first novel published compared to when you first started writing?
According to family member’s I have always been able to create elaborate tales at a moment’s notice. I wrote my first story when I was in second grade in my school notebook instead of doing the assignments. My first book was not published until 2016, A Whippoorwills Song, which is still available. So, I spent quite a few years, practicing my writing with several unfinished or poorly told stories safely hidden away and reading anything I could get my hands on.

3. How do you deal with publisher rejection letters?
As an Indie author this is not something I’ve had to deal with much. I did start out wanting to be traditionally published. Even sent my first novel to several publisher’s and got rejected by all of them. How’s the saying go ‘when one door closes, you open a window. That is what I did, when tradition publishing didn’t work out of me, I turned toward indie-publishing and so far it has worked out fine for me.

4. What authors would you recommend to your fellow readers?
Oh, my giddy aunt. I have SO many favorite’s that I enjoy reading that it would be a very long list. My top 10 that I would recommend in a heartbeat, since I’ve read all or at least most of their books would be (in no particular order): Jody Hedlund, Melanie Dickerson, Mary Lu Tyndall, Cathy Marie Hake, Mary Connealy, Jen Turano, Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Tracie Peterson, and Tessa Afshar.

5. What does “a day in the life of Author Emily Yager” look like?
My day starts with a cup of coffee with butter in it, then spend the rest of the morning catching up on everything, phone calls, mail, email, social media, Family, housekeeping (sometimes), and time with my dog. Then after lunch It try and leave most of my afternoons flexible to be able to hang out with family or going places, occasionally writing or research. After supper, is my main writing time. I tend to write late into the night. It’s not uncommon that I am up until one or two (sometimes later or would it be earlier?) in the morning. That’s an overview of a typical day for me.

6. When you are not writing, what hobbies do you enjoy?
Besides reading, I enjoy cooking and/or baking, arts and crafty things like drawing, crocheting, scrapbooking, cardmaking, sewing and quilting. I love music, whether it be listening to it, singing, playing an instrument (or try to). I play several instruments including piano, banjo, ukulele, penny whistle, and bodhran. Other hobbies I enjoy are gardening, hiking, canoeing, and archery.

7. What inspired the idea for Chasing the Hunter?
As a history geek, I love learning about the history of Northern Minnesota (where I grew up and currently live) I saw this exhibit on the French Fur Traders in Minnesota and the thought hit me: I have never seen nor read a book about the fur traders that wasn’t a documentary, essay, or a dry factual history book. I even Googled the topic to prove it. So, I told myself that I would be the one to change that and since I love canoeing and drifting down the river it just made sense.

8. What did you as an author take away from writing Chasing the Hunter?
I think the biggest thing that I learned or at least relearned while writing this book was to be more forgiving and to be willing give people the benefit of doubt when something bad happens or something from their past comes up. Because we don’t always know what happen to a person in the past or what caused them to do what they did. That it is something that, as a Christian especially, we need reminded of from time to time. I know I certainly do.
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9. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about it?
I just finished book two in the Pursuing Voyageurs series “Coaxing the Clerk” which will be released in mid- October. And I am about half-way through writing book three in the series “Catching the Nor’wester” They continue to showcase the difficult life that the Fur Traders endured as they lived and working in the Northwoods. Each book is about a different ‘couple’ and their own struggles. Book two feature’s Allis and Stefan’s story, book three is about Calliope and Etienne’s. Beyond that I can’t really say anything else yet.

Giveaway

Enter the giveaway HERE.

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Blog Hop Schedule

September 3-Britt Reads Fiction
September 4-Blooming with Books
September 5-Robin’s Nest
September 6-cherylbbookblog
September 7-Among the Reads
September 8-ReadingIsMySuperPower
September 10-Remembrancy
September 11-Singing Librarian Books
September 12-Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
September 13-Edits and Reviews by Leslie
September 14-Tell Tale Book Reviews
September 15-Life Is What It’s Called

The Shipbuilder's Wife Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway

Lydia Prescott eagerly awaits an expected proposal from a wealthy, handsome plantation owner, but her plans go wrong when she encounters a stranger, Jacob Steele.Jacob Steele attends the garden party not for the frivolity but to warn plantation owners that the British are raiding more and more plantations. Jacob is an espionage agent for America and is working at stopping the impending the upcoming invasion of the British. 

After the garden party, Lydia is content with her engagement until an unexpected British attack resulting an unexpected wound, a shattered future and an unexpected marriage to a man who is practically a stranger....will Lydia be able to adjust to these unexpected events?

I really enjoyed The Shipbuilder's Wife by Jennifer Moore. The characters were interesting as well as the historical backdrop. The War of 1812 is a refreshing and unusual backdrop for a novel. The story really made the event come alive and seem more real. The characters' unexpected marriage had to overcome trust issues, secrets and the dangers of war. It was so intriguing that I read the book nonstop in one afternoon. It's a book I would enjoy rereading. To learn more about The Shipbuilder's Wife, click here.

Blog Tour Schedule:

*Sept. 3^rd: https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://mybookaday.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/,https://brightlystreet.com/category/book-reviews/

*Sept. 4^th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/,  http://empowermoms.net/

*Sept. 5^th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/, http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://www.kindleandme.com/

*Sept. 6^th: https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, https://www.lovebugsandpostcards.com/

*Sept. 7^th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, https://www.wishfulendings.com/,http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


Please note that I received a free copy of this book to facilitate this review. The giveaway prize and selection of the winner is handled by the publisher. Please note that there are also Amazon Affiliate links on this post. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases that help in running this blog.

September Giveaways (low to moderate entry)

I like entering low to moderate entry giveaways and I share each month some of the blog or social media giveaways I've entered, thought someone else might be interested in entering or that have been submitted to me through bloggers. Check back often throughout the month to see if I have posted more giveaways. If you are hosting a family-friendly giveaway on your blog and would like to see it listed here, please contact me (via email). If you have a won a giveaway that I posted, please leave a comment and share that you won.


Scout Nooner Bag (ends September 3, 2018)
Disney's Bambi (ends September 6, 2018)
$250 Lowes Gift Card (ends September 9, 2018)
Team Fiona Prize Pack (ends September 9, 2018)
Benji and the Giant Kite (ends September 9, 2018)
$100 Lilly Pulitzer Gift Card (ends September 9, 2018) 
$75 Target Gift Card (ends September 10, 2018)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends September 12, 2018)
Disney Doorables (ends September 13, 2018)
Cabot Cheese Prize Pack (ends September 13, 2018)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends September 14, 2018)
Circus Thief Book and Prize Pack (ends September 14, 2018)
Made of 1 Month Wipes and Diaper Subscription (ends September 17, 2018)
Star Wars: Han Solo Digital Download (ends September 17, 2018) 
The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible (ends September 18, 2018) 
Night, Night Sleepytown (ends September 18, 2018) 
Santa Bruce Book (ends September 18, 2018)
SmallFoot Prize Pack (ends September 20, 2018)
$100 Feltman Bros. Gift Card (ends September 20, 2018)
Lehi, Lehi, What Do You See? (ends September 21, 2018) 
$50 Macy's Gift Card (ends September 22, 2018)
The Atonement of Jesus Christ (ends September 23, 2018)
$50 Tea Collection Gift Card (ends September 23, 2018)
Pediped Shoes (ends September 24, 2018)
$25 Fandango Gift Card (ends September 23, 2018) 
Vanderbeeker Series (ends September 23, 2018)
Paw Patrol DVD (ends September 25, 2018)
$25 Fandango Gift Card (ends September 25, 2018)
$25 Visa Gift Card and Pedia-Lax (ends September 25, 2018)
Freaky Friday Movie (ends September 27, 2018)
Solo: A Star Wars Story (ends September 27, 2018)
Disney Villainous Board Game (ends September  27, 2018)
$100 Macy's Gift Card (ends September 28, 2018)
$25 Sephora egift card (ends September 28, 2018)
Solo: A Star Wars Story (ends September 29, 2018) 
Mom's Best Cereal Coupons (ends September 29, 2018)
$25 Visa Gift Card and Pedia-lax (ends September 29, 2018) 
$25 Visa Gift Card and Pedia-lax (ends September 30, 2018)
$25 Visa Gift Card and Pedia-lax (ends September 30, 2018)
$25 Amazon Gift Card and Love Unscripted Book (ends September 30, 2018)