Showing posts with label giveaways. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaways. Show all posts

Havenlight Warehouse Sale and Giveaway

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

 


Havenlight sells Christian & LDS art, paintings of Jesus Christ, LDS Temple paintings, prints, & photography. Havenlight is having a VIP inventory blowout sale at their warehouse in American Fork, UT! Starting September 3rd at 10:00 AM, you can save up to 90% on framed and unframed temple portraits at the Labor Day scratch and dent warehouse sale! Simply RSVP here and download your voucher at the link below:

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/REJt8ds/VIP2020

Come and browse through some of the most well known, beautiful photographs of the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This sale ends September 5th at 5:00 PM!

For those of you not in Utah Valley, we would love to give you the opportunity to win a 24x36 temple print of your choosing! Please enter the giveaway below:


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Out Of Liberty Movie Trailer Spotlight Tour and Giveaway

Friday, August 9, 2019


Winter 1839. LIBERTY, MISSOURI. Local jailer, Samuel Tillery (Jasen Wade) is tasked with watching Missouri's most wanted men as they await their upcoming hearing. Caught between the local Missourians' increased drive to remove the prisoners, and the prisoners' desperate efforts to survive, Tillery is pushed beyond what any lawman can endure. Based on actual recorded accounts, Out of Liberty is an intense, evocative western, with an outcome you have to see to believe. Check out the trailer below and learn more here. This movie will be available to select movie theaters in Utah starting September 13th.


Q&A with Director Garrett Batty

1. Where did the concept come from for Out of Liberty?

I love a good Western, and I've wanted to do one for a while. The events at Liberty Jail involve a triangle of conflict between the jailer, the mob and the prisoners.  It seemed like an intriguing plot to explore.  Amidst some of the better known occurances were attempted jailbreaks, repeated appeals to the legal system and an impromptu court hearing.  With 1830’s Missouri as a setting, it’s the perfect backdrop for a powerful western.  

2. What were some high points during the creative process? Working in independent film is extremely difficult.  It requires a lot of talented, passionate creative individuals to make things come together.  Stephen Dethloff brought in the first several drafts of the script, and it was a high point to see that there was a cinematic story in Liberty Jail.  Then, to be able to cast Jasen Wade, Brandon Ray Olive and Corbin Allred (who came back to acting after a 5 year hiatus just for this role) was a dream come true.  Another high point was getting to see the set of the jail.  We built 2 different sets, to cover interiors and exteriors.  To step onto each set after they were completely prepped for filming made everything feel real.

3. What was your favorite scene on set? The entire shoot was extremely cold, and the pressure to get everything just right probably impeded me from being able to feel like I had a favorite scene during the shoot.  But now that the film is done, I can look back at some of the scenes and more accurately choose favorites.  There’s a lot of recorded stories about the friendship between Joseph (Brandon Ray Olive) and Porter (Corbin Allred.)  The scenes in which we tried to portray that friendship have become some of my favorites.  Also, the jailer, Samuel Tillery (Jasen Wade) has a classic western stand-off with one of the characters.  I’ve loved that scene from the moment it was in the script, through the final edit.   

4. Any learning moments you want to share? Any film presents opportunities for learning moments.  Whether in the research phase, fundraising phase, production, post, or distribution, I’m always learning more and more about the process.  One lesson that relates specifically to OUT OF LIBERTY was learning to respect the humanness of whom the story is about.  Often I read historical accounts, but fail to recognize that they are written about real people, who deal with the same human hopes, dreams, faith and fears that I go through.  So I learned to not only show their actions, but to help the audience understand the human emotion that was driving their actions.  So in a moment of weakness, when Sydney Rigdon (Brock Roberts) doesn’t live up to my expectations, appreciating his humanness helps me to be more understanding of his actions.

5. What is the inspiration behind the story? 
OUT OF LIBERTY is based on the true events that happened at Liberty Jail in 1839.  Mob rule and public opinion collided with religious liberties and expressions of faith.  It lead to a conflict that escalated beyond what either side wanted.    Today, with ever-present social media and opinionated commentators stirring up reactions and attacks toward any differing belief, the similarities felt very relevant.  Fortunately, we see in both cases, that principled individuals, dedicated to the good of society, can make a difference.

6. What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers? 
Stop aspiring, start doing.  We need great storytellers!

7. If you had to summarize the film in one line what would it be? 
OUT OF LIBERTY is a western drama about a jailer caught between his civic job to keep Missouris’s most wanted men held for trial, and his personal duty to protect them from those who want them dead.

8. What do you hope people take away from this film?
When audiences go to the theater to see OUT OF LIBERTY, I hope they come away thinking “Wow, that was an awesome film!  Let’s see it again.”  It’s really a cool story, and to see it in theaters brings it to life in a way that no other format can.

9. What most surprised you in the making of this film? 
One of the surprises along they way was how dedicated and committed the cast and crew were to telling this story.  One example of this is with the character of Caleb Baldwin played by Adam Johnson.  I’ve been friends with Adam Johnson for years, and have loved watching him in everything from CHARLY to The Outpost on The CW.  He was gracious enough to come do this movie as a favor for me.  I anticipated he would show up, deliver a good performance, keep the set fun, and be on to the next project.  But Adam surprised me.  He brought a performance that gave a level of humanity and depth that turned Caleb Baldwin into a real person for me. It was humbling, inspiring, and it has stuck with me.  Every actor gave  their all, and it shows on screen.  It was really quite a nice surprise to have that caliber of talent on this film.  

10. What scene was the most difficult to film? 
Each scene had its own set of challenges, but for this project I’d have to say the first day of shooting was the hardest.  The film is dedicated to my mother-in-law, who unexpectedly passed away only two days before filming began.  With this personal tragedy very much on my mind, it was difficult to try to focus on the film.  I was grateful to be surrounded by a supportive cast and crew, and a wonderful family.  One message of the film deals with enduring extremely difficult circumstances, so that inspired me throughout the shoot.  

11. What other films have you directed?  
OUT OF LIBERTY is my fourth feature film.  Other features I’ve written and directed are THE SARATOV APPROACH, FREETOWN and SCOUT CAMP.  

12. How long did it take to film your movie?
 We filmed OUT OF LIBERTY in November, 2018. One fun story - I was holding auditions, and was surprised when Jasen Wade showed up to audition.  We had never worked together, and it was an honor to have him audition.  He read for a role and did a great job.  But I felt I should ask him to read the part of the jailer, Samuel Tillery.  He looked a little disheartened, but agreed to read for the part.  He was perfect for it!  About a week later, we offered him the part and he graciously accepted.  I asked him to make some time for a call so that we could discuss his approach to the character.  As we discussed the character, he paused for a minute, then said “Wait a minute… I’m just playing the jailer, right?”  He was shocked to find out that the jailer was the protagonist of the film.  He was expecting it to be just a small supporting role.


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A Lady's Maid Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Molly O' Malley, lady's maid to the progressive Lady Amanda Halloway, is determined to continue the life's work of her lost love, killed in the Peterloo Massacre. But when her efforts and a trip to Lady Halloway's charitable orphanage culminate in her own abduction, Molly's eyes are opened to the horrifying crimes transpiring in the city's slums. Despite the risks, she broadens her mission and is drawn ever closer to the peril all around them.

Thomas Flaherty, a footman in the Halloway household, has been with Molly from the beginning, but he fears she will never trust him with her heart. Even though her cause and happiness are of foremost importance to him, his loyal patience is tested by the fears that keep her at a distance. But with their safety on the line, Thomas is resolved to sacrifice everything for the woman he loves.

Risking their lives and their love, Molly and Thomas and a team of nobles on their side will stop at nothing to empower the powerless, no matter the personal cost.

Review - A Lady's Maid takes the reader into the households of the privileged and the unfortunate. The slums described in A Lady's Maid reminded me of Dicken's Oliver Twist. The feelings that I felt during Oliver's plight were similar to reading about Molly's escapade in the slums. The imagery and descriptions were very powerfully written. Johnson has a way of making the story come alive in the reader's imagination even if it's not pleasant. Johnson doesn't write light or fluffy romances. She tackles the politics and troubles of the time period. I would also suggest reading her notes after the story. Some of her notes about the history were fascinating. A Lady's Maid is a stand-alone novel, but has some of the same characters as Johnson's The Nobleman's Daughter. I've read The Nobleman's Daughter and Scarlet, and I think by far this is my favorite. The detail is rich and imaginative. The main characters are inspiring and likeable. Even though this is a stand-alone novel, I think the reader should probably read The Nobleman's Daughter first. There are scenes and background information that carry over into this book. The title of the book makes it seem like this is just Molly's story, but there are also other characters that take center stage at times and it's also their story as well. There is some scenes dealing with prostitutes and rude comments made to the women that were appropriate for the scene and doesn't go beyond that. This is a clean novel. To learn more, click here.

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Please note that I received a free copy to facilitate this review, however, my opinions are my own. The giveaway is facilitated by the publisher. There are affiliate links in this post that help to facilitate the maintenance of this blog. 

The Heart of A Vicar Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Friday, June 7, 2019





Young love is all too fleeting, as Harold Jonquil painfully discovered years ago when Sarah Sarvol, the niece of a neighboring landowner, captured his heart. After an idyllic few weeks in the throes of blossoming love, reality intervened. They could have no future. Following their disastrous parting, Harold attempted to push aside thoughts of love and regret, but Sarah has never left his heart. Now, years later, he has achieved his lifelong aspiration of becoming the local vicar. However, the role proves more difficult than he imagined. He feels hollow and uninspired -- until the most important person in his past returns, challenging him as no one ever has.

When Sarah's ailing uncle summons her back to the family estate in England, there iso only one person from her past she is reluctant to see again: Harold Jonquil, the only man who has ever claimed her heart. But when she comes face-to-face with her former beau, she hardly recognizes the aloof and dull man before her. She is determined to help Harold rediscover the passion he once felt toward his chosen profession. Soon, despite their exasperation with each other, they cannot deny the stirring of feelings long buried-- but is it too late for second chances?

Sarah Eden created a fictional family called the Jonquils with seven sons and an honorary son. Each son has/or will have a novel telling the story of how they met their spouse. Each story also references what is going on in the lives of the other brothers and build on each other. She also created a second family for regency romance readers called the Lancasters. The last Lancaster book, Loving Lieutenant Lancaster, sets place at the Jonquil home and some of the plot elements from that story carry over into The Heart of a VicarThe Heart of a Vicar tells the story of Harold and is the seventh book in the Jonquil series. Here are the books that are part of the Jonquil family's story:
Here are the books of the Lancaster series:
I've read Eden's other books in the series (some several times over) and Harold is usually portrayed as a tightly wound vicar that has trouble interacting socially. The Heart of a Vicar really shows a different side of Harold and how lost he feels within his role as a vicar. Sarah inspires him to be himself and to figure out what he wants in life. I liked Harold better after reading his story and understood him a bit better. In the other novels, he comes out a bit pompous and socially awkward. I usually cringe a little when he interacts with his brothers. It was interesting to see the reasons behind his behavior and get to know his character better. I loved getting to know his hobbies. It really made his character more interesting and dynamic. He's now one of my favorites. I was annoyed at times with Sarah for pushing Harold too hard to change, but I knew what Harold was going through as a reader and she didn't. The Heart of a Vicar also revisits several of the other characters from Sarah Eden's books. If you read them out of order, it would ruin the twists and suspense leading up to this story. I've been anticipating this book for a while and I wasn't disappointed. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! I know it'll be at least a year before the next one comes out, but I can't wait! If you haven't read about the Jonquils and you enjoy romance, I would very highly suggest reading these books. I own most of the series and reread them almost yearly. To learn more about The Heart of a Vicar, click here.

I would also suggest following Sarah Eden on social media. Sometimes, she does giveaways for her books and gives "slight" hints at what is to come. Her Facebook page is here and her Instagram is here.

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Please note that I received a free copy to facilitate this review, however, my opinions are my own. The giveaway is facilitated by the publisher. There are affiliate links in this post that help to facilitate the maintenance of this blog.

The Trial of Porter Rockwell Review and Giveaway

Wednesday, June 5, 2019


Choosing the perfect gift for Dad can be tough! Does your dad love history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Does your dad enjoy legal dramas? Your dad might enjoy the new movie, The Trial of Porter Rockwell. Check out the preview here.


Movie Synopsis:
When former Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs is shot by an unknown assailant,rumors quickly spread that the Mormons are responsible for the attempted assassination of the controversial politician. Never a friend of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Boggs had four years earlier issued the infamous extermination order that pronounced, "Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State."

Rumors gain new momentum when recently excommunicated member John C. Bennett implicates the Prophet Joseph Smith and Porter Rockwell in the crime. Though these accusations are vehemently denied by Joseph and his supporters, arrest warrants are issued for the Prophet and his protector. Joseph's warrant is dismissed; however, Porter Rockwell, not yet thirty, is arrested.

After spending nine months in jail, Porter is finally brought to court for a grand-jury hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to indict him—a hurdle the state of Missouri must clear to proceed with a full criminal trial. This taut courtroom drama brings to life the friendship of Joseph and Porter and the original story behind the larger-than-life, legendary Porter Rockwell.

Review:
I recently read about the assassination attempt of Governor Boggs from the book, Saints: The Standard of Truth and how Porter Rockwell was blamed for the attempt. It was interesting to see the trial portrayed in this movie and to learn more about Rockwell. The beginning of the movie was a little dark for younger audiences. The content also might be confusing for younger audiences. I think this movie would be best for adults and/or families with teens. To learn more about The Trial of Porter Rockwell, click here.

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Please note that I received a free copy to facilitate this review, however, my opinions are my own. The giveaway is facilitated by the publisher. There are affiliate links in this post that help to facilitate the maintenance of this blog.

June Giveaways to Enter (Low to Moderate Entry)

Saturday, June 1, 2019

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.

Beginner's Bible and $50 Visa Gift Card (ends 06.02.19)
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$25 Disney Gift Card (ends 06.03.19)
Captain Marvel Movie (ends 06.03.19)
The Beginner's Bible and Teddy Bear (ends 06.03.19)
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Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves Book (06.04.19)
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Percy Jackson and the Olympian Book Set (ends 06.06.19)
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Percy Jackson and the Olympians Box Set (ends 06.11.19)
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Captain Marvel Movie (ends 06.11.19) 
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Beginner's Bible and $50 Visa Gift Card (ends 6.13.19)
$15 Amazon Gift Card, Midnight Sisters, Golden Gown (ends 06.13.19)
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Wonder Park DVD and Stuffed Boomer (ends 06.16.19)
Anne of Green Gables from Baby Lit (ends 06.17.19)
Beginner Bible Prize Pack (ends 06.19.19)
Petit Pot Desserts - 8 Pack (ends 06.19.19) 
Dumbo Digital Codes (ends 06.20.19)
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Cinderella Digital Movie (ends 06.25.19)
Keeper of the Lost Cities and $50 Visa Gift Card (ends 06.25.19) 
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Keeper of the Lost Cities Prize Pack (ends 06.30.19)

A Proper Scandal Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Tuesday, May 21, 2019



Grace Sinclair has been callously cast out of her home. And though taken in as an orphaned child by the vicar and his wife, her unsurpassed beauty makes it impossible for her to remain in the vicar's household with two daughters of their own about to enter Society, the vicar and his wife see Grace as nothing but competition. Thankfully, Grace's estranged Aunt Bell has agreed to take her in to her home in London. But Grace soon learns her situation has just gotten much worse. It takes only a moment's acquaintance for Grace to ascertain that her aunt has married a detestable rake. And Aunt Bell, recognizing the danger of having her lovely niece too near her husband, gives Grace an ultimatum: the young woman has two weeks to find a man to marry, after which she will be turned out. With no experience in the art of attracting a husband, Grace quickly realizes that a worthy suitor might not be so easy to ensnare.

A Proper Scandal was a fun and enjoyable book to read. I loved reading how Grace tries to ensnare a husband. Grace and the male protagonist were hilarious. I liked reading their reactions to each other and the situations they found themselves in. The writing was very "fresh," well-planned and well-managed. It was really well-written. It was easy to imagine the scenes and characters. All of the characters had personality and stood out. The villains were spoiled, selfish and had no regard for propriety. They truly were villains and felt that they could do as they pleased. I was actively cheering against them. It wasn't the typical romance. Grace was thrown into very bad situations and she tried her best to get out of it unscathed and find a solution that worked best for her. The humor in the book and how the plot moved really makes the book stand out. I look forward to reading more by Esther Hatch. To learn more about A Proper Scandal, click here.

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Please note that I received a free copy to facilitate this review, however, my opinions are my own. The giveaway is facilitated by the publisher. There are affiliate links in this post that help to facilitate the maintenance of this blog.


Love & Secrets Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Thursday, September 20, 2018


Love & Secrets

About the Book

Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor
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.

About the Author

Sarah headshot
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.

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

Love & Secrets Giveaway
Enter the giveaway HERE.
Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Tour Schedule

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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.























Short Investigations Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Wednesday, August 22, 2018


In the small town of Heber, Utah, a strange 911 call occurs concerning the murder of a former resident of a woman. Her body is found in Rhett Ketchum's barn and Rhett becomes the prime suspect of a police investigation. Rhett hires Short Investigations to find the real murderer and help him prove his innocence.

Max and Patches Fisher are the father-daughter team behind the PI agency, Short Investigations. As they work together to clear Rhett's name, Patches becomes more and more attracted to Rhett. As Rhett becomes a target, the team must work together to discover the truth before things turn deadly.

Short Investigations is a fast-paced suspense novel. The suspense in the novel has twists and turns that keep the reader interested and guessing on who did the crime. The romance in the novel seemed a little underdeveloped in my taste and a little unnecessary. I could easily see Short Investigations becoming a series and having multiple crimes to solve. It was a fun summer read. To learn more about Short Investigations, click here.

Blog Tour Schedule:
*August 24th: https://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://brooklynberrydesigns.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

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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.
 

The Secret of Haversham House Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Tuesday, July 24, 2018


The Secret of Haversham House Tour


About the Book



 
Genre:  Christian, Fiction, Historical, Regency, Romance
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: June 12, 2018
Francesca Haversham is eighteen years old and about to step into a glittering future – all she has to do is secure her wealth with an advantageous marriage. Then she learns the truth:her entire identity is a lie. Now Francesca faces a horrible choice. Will she give up all she knows or continue to lie about her past and risk everything, including her heart?

About the Author

MATERN Julie_author photo
Julie Matern is a resident of Utah. She attended the University of Exeter in Exeter, England, and graduated with a double major in French and Education. She was born and raised in England, moving to America after her marriage and is the mother of six children. She has served in the PTA for over 20 years, taught tap dance, and enjoys amateur photography. She is the author of ‘British War Children’ ( for which she received a “Recommended Read” award from the League of Utah Writers) and ‘British War Children 2: An Enemy Among Us’.
Hometown: Highland, UT

Snippet

Francesca stopped breathing as Mr. Ashbourne gently took her gloved hand in his and expertly spun her around the room, leaving her former partner spluttering at the lack of manners, in the center of the dance floor. She became dizzy at the realization that Mr. Ashbourne was actually dancing with her. After several turns, he lowered his head and whispered into her ear, his nose tickling her skin and sending a thrill up her spine, causing a delicious sensation in her midriff. “Are you unwell?” he asked. “You look faint.” She recovered herself and observed that he had a playful smile on his lips, fully aware of the power his presence had on young ladies. Not wanting to appear as inexperienced as she really was, she blurted out, “Oh no, you merely surprised me, that is all.” “Then I shall take pleasure in surprising you whenever I can as it only serves to heighten your beauty!” Francesca’s cheeks burned under his scrutiny and she bent her neck to avoid his piercing gaze and gather her confused thoughts.

Review

The Secret of Haversham was an interesting and a worthwhile read. It's a book that I will definitely reread again in the future and I look forward to reading more books by this author. The writing style of the author reminded me of classical 19th century writers that wrote fictional short stories and novels of Americans visiting and touring Europe. I am not sure if that was the writing style the author was going for, but it seemed to have an older quality to it. The story was driven more by actions and secrets then the characters dialogue or development. The story was in constant motion and with each chapter I felt like I was peeling away layer after layer. I highly suggest checking out this book and reading it. To learn more, click here.

Author Interview


Life Is What It's Called - What's your inspiration for this book?
Julie Matern - Social class. It is still alive and well in England but not to the extent it was in this period. One day I wondered what would happen to a person who discovered that they were actually from a much lower class. Would it change the way friends and family treated them? I decided it would and thus a main character with a secret past was born.

Life Is What It's Called -What do you hope the readers get out of the book?
Julie Matern - I hope they are transported back in time and escape into this glittering world of privilege. I also hope they root for Francesca and Phillip and that other characters evoke strong negative emotions in them. If they come to examine their own prejudices that would be icing on the cake.



Life Is What It's Called - Who/What was your inspiration behind the characters?

Julie Matern - Francesca and Annabelle are such good girls - young and naive, just as they should be after their sheltered upbringings. I needed some villains to contrast with them and we all love to hate diabolical literary characters. Matt Bomer (White Collar) was my inspiration for Langley, physically. He is so classically handsome and pleasant to look at and that was what I needed Langley to be. As for his character, Langley is a  combination of many selfish and narcissistic traits all rolled into one individual.
My inspiration for Lady Augusta was Lady Catherine DeBourgh. She is so haughty but I needed Augusta to be conniving and malicious as well. I would love to see these two characters meet at a soiree!
As for Phillip, physically I used James Norton (Grantchester and Death Comes to Pemberley) as my inspiration but he is very like my husband in his personality.


Giveaway

TSoHH Tour Giveaway
Enter the giveaway HERE.
Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Tour Schedule

SLB Tours Button for Team



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 Singing Librarian. 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.

Pretty Much Perfect Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Friday, July 13, 2018


Recently returned missionary, Camille Weston, is sensible and has plans for her future. She would never do anything risky like picking up a stranger off the side of the road and yet, she does. Her decision ends up impacting her life and turning her world upside down as she discovers an attraction to this stranger. The stranger ends up being William "Liam" Jones a lead singer in a popular band and his lifestyle is not compatible with her plans and goals for her future. Will she be able to find a solution to what her heart wants?

Pretty Much Perfect was a fun read especially for the summer. I read it pretty quickly (within a day). I kept reading to find out what would happen next. Camille's indecisive feelings made the character seem realistic. Liam was a fun and interesting character. The beginning was probably my favorite part of the book when the two main characters met for the first time. The title felt like it fit with the story, in that, it was pretty much a perfect, fun romance. To learn more about Pretty Much Perfect, click here.

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*July 13th: http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/, http://brooklynberrydesigns.com/category/book-shelf/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

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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 sponsor. 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.
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