Accounting for the Pastor Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

The world is full of second chances...

She’s a divorced bookkeeper with secrets. He’s her new pastor. In 1951, pastors, divorcees, and small towns don’t mix.

After escaping an abusive marriage, Rose Olliver is starting over in the quiet town of Payson, Ohio, with her four-year-old daughter Liza. Between keeping her books in order and her past behind her, Rose has plenty on her mind, and she has no intention of getting involved—especially not with the handsome pastor who wants to break down her walls.

During the war, Caleb Bronson discovered his calling—bringing others to God. But not everyone in his new congregation likes the idea of a single pastor. He’s quickly overwhelmed by parishioners’ demands like field trips with octogenarians and a teens’ boxing club. He is deeply attracted to Rose and hires her to manage his calendar and help him say no.

When a letter arrives that ties Rose to a buried war crime and a man powerful enough to ruin her, Rose wrestles with a terrible choice: protect the life she’s carefully built or speak up.

Can Caleb help her carry the weight of the past? Or will her honesty cost her everything?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Rupper spent her first six years of life in Metlakatla, Alaska. There was no T.V. reception on the island, so a great love of books was born. Laura loves creative activities ranging from painting to designing fourth grade math lessons. Boring chores, like laundry, make her daydream of magical worlds and happy endings.

Laura has three beautiful daughters and one giant dog who was supposed to be 50 pounds but is almost twice that size. Laura is under five feet tall and hopes having lots of energy makes up for her lack of height. She has a degree in Human Biology and works as a school counselor because life can be hard and sometimes students need a helping hand.

REVIEW

In Accounting for the Pastor, Rose Olliver escaped from an abusive marriage and is starting over in a small town with her daughter. When Rose receives a letter asking her to step forward and speak-up about a buried war crime, she struggles with her conscience and the desire to protect her new life. As the past is haunting her, she gets to know the new pastor in town, Caleb Bronson. The new pastor has his own battles and as Rose helps him, she realizes that the past could cost her more than she realizes.

Accounting for the Pastor is such a fun read. The author does a good job of mixing drama, comedy, and romance. I loved the mix of light-hearted to heavy-hearted. The characters and side characters were interesting and dynamic. The author does a good job at painting the era. There were things that she mentioned reminded me of stories I've heard from relatives, old letters and other books from the time period. I felt like she did a good job of not modernizing the time period and capturing what post-WWII may have looked like. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. The romance was clean and sweet. To learn more about the book, click here.

Please note that I received a free copy to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post contains affiliate link that help support this blog.

It Started in Budapest Review and Giveaway

 

Molly Cooper is haunted by one simple fact: it is her fault her twin brother, Matthew, has spent his life trapped in a frail body while she has thrived. Deep in her heart, she knows he can’t hold on much longer.

In her desperation to save her brother, Molly finds inspiration in an unlikely source: the newly published novel Dracula. When her family embarks on the Orient Express to seek treatment for Matthew in Bulgaria, Molly is prepared to set her plan in motion: she will sneak away from her parents and journey alone to Transylvania, where she will seek a vampire, whose blood can make her brother immortal. Molly’s rash plan is going flawlessly—until she encounters Percy Hunt, a handsome American traveler running from the shadows of his own past. When he discovers Molly’s plan, Percy’s concern for the naive young woman leaves him no choice but to accompany her on her strange quest. But neither Percy nor Molly is prepared for the feelings that quickly grow between them or for the death-defying escapade that awaits.

Review - This is not your typical romance. The main character, Molly, is unusual with several quirks and a shocking naivety about the difference between fantasy and reality. The story pace is quick and often relates to Dracula by Bram Stoker. This story would be good to read along with the classic Dracula. I felt like I was reading this story at the wrong time of year. It should be read around Halloween and not the summer. There seems to be other allusions to other monsters i.e Mummy, but I am not familiar enough with the Horror genre to know for sure. This felt very different from Daines's other books...more excitement, horror, naivety, and unusual characters. It's a clean, wholesome read. I would recommend it to Romance/Horror fans. To learn more, click here.

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Please note that I received a free e-book to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post contains affiliate links. Please note that the giveaway is run by the publisher.

Maggie's Place Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Years ago, Mary Margaret Sullivan changed her name, boxed up her previous life, moved into the Eagle Gate Apartments, and hid her painful memories in her chicken-wire storage unit in the basement. But secrets have an inconvenient way of surfacing when least expected.

Three weeks before Christmas, an elegant man in a penthouse, a young woman named Carly—homeless and ill with pneumonia—and two calculating thieves invade Maggie's carefully reconstructed life, and in different ways, each is connected to Maggie's difficult past. As Maggie and friends nurse Carly back to health, hearts begin to heal with a hope for the future. But all is not as it seems. When faced with the shocking truth, Maggie must rely on her wits, her friends, and her own strength as never before.

Review: Maggie's Place takes places during the holidays. It's not the traditional holiday read, but I liked the message that it had for the holidays. The story reminded me of a modern day Oliver Twist and had several themes that it explored: homelessness, forgiveness, love, fraud, death and friendship. It's interesting to see the lives of three strangers intersect and to see how they are connected. The secrets of their lives are connected make the story interesting and compelling to read. The only downside of the story is that Annette Haws gives a very vague description of some of the places in Salt Lake City and if a reader isn't familiar with the area it might be hard for them to picture the setting. She also gives a light description of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the book and it seemed like if she was going to put it in she should have added more depth or left it out altogether. This is an interesting read and would be great for a discussion in a book club. To learn more, click here. To learn more about the author, click here.


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Mistaken Reality Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Hadley Baker can't believe her boyfriend finally invited her on a fancy hotel dinner date only to break up with her in public. Even more unbelievable is the moment FBI Agent JD Byers finds her crying in the women's restroom and demands she evacuate. Seconds after JD ushers Hadley outside, an explosion shatters the building. Could her life be any more disastrous?

JD didn't anticipate seeing Hadley, the beautiful schoolteacher, again after he saved her from the hotel attack. But soon after her ex-boyfriend became a lead suspect in the hotel bombing case, the man turned up dead—and now it seems that Hadley herself is a target. Determined to keep her safe, JD shelters Hadley as they join forces to put together the pieces of the perplexing case. When they discover the horrifying truth behind her ex-boyfriend's nefarious work, Hadley realizes her life is far from the only one being threatened. Countless others are in danger, and she and JD might hold the key to saving them.

Review - I discovered Traci Hunter Abramson last year and I enjoy her action suspense novels. Mistaken Reality is a stand-alone story although it mentions characters from her Saints series and Guardian series. It's also a spin-off of Deep Cover. I haven't read Deep Cover yet. I requested it from the library, but it hasn't come in yet. If you haven't read Abramson, I think you could quickly catch on to who the established characters are and what their roles are. It was interesting to read about Hadley and how quickly her life became endanger. It was interesting to see the danger escalate and the case go from a bombing to something more. The romance and character development added deeper layers and complexity to the story. The more I got involved in reading the story the more invested I became in discovering what was going on within the pages. It was quite the page turner! The action is intense, but it's not graphic. I enjoyed reading this story and I am sure you will too! To learn more about Mistaken Reality, click here.


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The publisher is managing the giveaway. I received a free copy of this book, however, this is my honest opinion. This post contains affiliate links.  

Sweet Melody Book Tour

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Sweet Melody
(Seabrook Romance #1)
By Heidi McCahan
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 242 Pages
August 1st 2019

When a struggling bakery owner is rescued by a wannabe songwriter with hidden culinary talents, they discover they can make sweet harmony … if they can only learn to work together.

Rhett Foster longs to change the world with his music, yet he can’t even finish writing one song. Battered by a string of failures and disillusioned, he returns home to Portland, Oregon. While he desperately wants to create a chart-topping hit, his dad mandates a new mission: move to coastal vacation hotspot Seabrook, Washington and expand the family’s successful restaurant chain.

In danger of destroying her late parents’ legacy if she doesn’t diversify her menu, Lindsay Carmichael will try anything to save her bakery. But with a tiny budget and an injured employee who can’t work, she has no choice but to sink the last of her savings into buying a dilapidated food truck and hiring Rhett as a part-time barista. What she doesn’t know is that the handsome songwriter has a secret … one that could destroy her business and her heart.

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About the Author

Heidi secretly dreamed of writing a book for most of her childhood, but a particularly painful rejection letter in middle school convinced her to tuck that dream away. Instead, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and a Master’s Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband Steve, then she dusted off her big dream of becoming a published author and launched her first contemporary romance into the world in 2014. A huge fan of coffee, dark chocolate, and happily ever after, Heidi currently lives in North Carolina with Steve, three active boys and one amazing Goldendoodle.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram

Book Excerpt 

That text message was burning a hole in his pocket.

Rhett grabbed a white ceramic mug from the stack nestled beside the bakery’s espresso machine and poured in a generous shot of hazelnut syrup. Brandi’s text filtered through his head while he pulled the shot of coffee.

I played our song for Paige Tyson. She loved it! Amazing, right? Her manager wants to know when we can finish it??

Ha! How about never? He added the coffee to the mug, then reached for the frothing pitcher full of milk. Empty.

He muttered an obscenity under his breath.

Hadn’t he steamed the milk for this order already? Apparently not. The carton sitting on the counter nearby was empty, too. Rushing to the cooler in the back for another gallon, he narrowly missed a collision with Lindsay and a platter of fresh scones.

“Sorry,” he mumbled and brushed past. The confusion in her eyes made him feel even more inadequate. His melodramatic exit from the party on Saturday night was embarrassing. He wasn’t real proud of his sour attitude this morning, either.

Man, why did he let Brandi get back in his head? Waking up to her text message about ‘their’ song was like a kick in the teeth.

Why couldn’t she let it go? Paige Tyson was a megastar. Why did she want a song her new backup singer had only half-written? 

He grabbed two gallons of milk and carried them back out front, then hurried to finish the coffee order before the customers grew impatient.

“Here you go, ladies. Sorry to keep you waiting.” He set two drinks on the counter accompanied by his most charming smile.

“Thank you.” Both women smiled in return, collected their coffee, and claimed a table nearby.

While there was a lull in the orders, he refilled the grinder with coffee beans, finding comfort in the rich aroma wafting around him. Then he wiped down the counter and re-aligned the syrup bottles—anything to stay in perpetual motion so he wasn’t tempted to pull out his phone and fire off a reply.

There was so much he wanted to say. Didn’t she have a clue how much her rejection hurt him? What was he supposed to do—drop everything and meet her on her world tour somewhere so they could finish writing?

They hadn’t been able to pull that off after multiple writing sessions in Nashville—sessions she’d stopped showing up for once she met Mr. Bass Guitarist.

And why was she claiming ownership, anyway? She’d hardly contributed anything. He shook his head in disbelief. She was something else. What did he ever see in her, anyway?

Tour Schedule

Bookstagram Tour

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a signed paperback with bookmark, $10 Amazon gift card, Sticky Fingers Strawberry Scone mix and a Seabrook Sea, Salt and Surf 100% soy wax candle from Hometown candle company.

US only

Ends September 18, 2019

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Books to Request at Your Local Library

I love reading and my children do too. We are constantly putting new books on hold at our local library. Besides secular books, I also like to check out books by members of my religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sometimes it's hard to discover new books. I have done searches by publisher, but sometimes the local library doesn't have anything recent. I've recently started requesting that my library purchase books that we're interested in reading. Most libraries have an online request form that patrons can use. You can also request books via interlibary loan. I like checking books out at the library before buying to see if it's something my family will love. Here are some books published by Cedar Fort Publishing, many of the authors are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that you might be interested in reading:

Children's Books

• Lehi, Lehi, What Do You See? by Sandra Meaders, Published 2018, ISBN-1462122426, $12.99 
• 250 Fascinating Facts about LDS Temples by Rebekah Pitts, Published 2018, ISBN-462122973, $13.99 
• 250 Fascinating Facts about Latter-day Saints by Rebekah Pitts, Published 2019, ISBN-1462123147, $13.99
• The Atonement of Jesus Christ is For Me by Sierra Wilson, Published 2018, ISBN-1462121942, $14.99

Adult Fiction

• The Road to Freedom by Shawn Pollock, Published 2017, ISBN: 1462121314, $12.03 
• Secret of Haversham House by Julie Matern 
• Simply Starstruck by Aspen Hadley Blind Dates
• Bridesmaids & Other Disasters by Aspen Hadley  
• The Time Key by Melanie Bateman 
• Willow Springs by Carolyn Stoor Steele
• Soda Springs by Carolyn Stoor Steele

Adult Non-Fiction

• Fire on Ice: Gospel Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of Sports by Jeremy C. Holm, Published 2014, ISBN: 1462113672, $12.95 
• Early Homecoming: A Resource for Early-Returned Missionaries, their Church Leaders, and Family by Kristen Reber 
• Senior Missions: What to Expect and How to Prepare by Marnae B. Wilson
• Hope After Suicide by Wendy Parmley
• Trial of Faith by Dusty Smith 

 To learn more about what books Cedar Fort has to offer, click here.

Fatal Memories Blog Tour, Author Interview, Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Series: Love Inspires Suspense Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Romance, Suspense Publisher: Harlequin Publication date: September 1, 2019 She was framed! Or was she? If only she could remember... Border patrol agent Jocelyn Walker has no memory of how she turned up unconscious with a cache of drugs—or why a gang is dead set on killing her. With evidence stacking up against her, Joss takes refuge with driven DEA agent Dylan Murphy, who guards—and suspects— her. But will finally trusting each other lead them into a trap they’ll never escape?

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About the Author

Tanya Stowe is an author of Christian Fiction with an unexpected edge. She fills her stories with the unusual…mysteries and exotic adventures, even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you…on a trip to foreign lands or a suspenseful journey filled with danger…be prepared for the extraordinary.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

Author Interview

Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write this book? 

Tanya Stowe - My husband and I are full time RV’ers. During the winter months we live in southern Arizona near where the book takes place. I’ve fallen in love with this land, it’s unique characteristics and its history. I just had to create a suspense novel set there. 

Life Is What It's Called - What music would you pick as a playlist for this book? 

Tanya Stowe - I have a playlist of nouveau flamenco that I play while writing this story. Ottma Liebert created haunting atmospheric music that can be romantic and mysterious so it helps me get in the mood. 

Life Is What It's Called - What actors would you pick to play the part of your characters in a movie? 

Tanya Stowe - That’s a tough one. The heroine is easy. Anne Hathaway. But the hero is tougher. I think maybe a young Mathew McConnaughey. That fits.

Review

Fatal Memories begins with the heroine, Jocelyn, losing her memory. Dylan Murphy's, a DEA agent, job is to determine her innocence while trying to find dangerous drug traffickers. The story is interesting and fun as the characters try to help Jocelyn unlock her memories and unravel clues. I didn't always agree with some of Murphy's decisions, but otherwise the story was an interesting suspenseful read. It's a quick easy read that would be fun to take on a road trip or camping trip.

Giveaway

Enter the giveaway HERE.

Giveaway ends September 7 at 11:59pm MT. Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Tour Schedule

Check out the tour schedule HERE.

A Clever Alliance Book Review

Lady Madalene Ramsbury has been summoned home from Miss Bell’s Finishing School to some unfortunate news. In three weeks, she is to be married to a man she’s never met. Rather than face a life she does not want; she flees from her own engagement party and elicits help from a most unlikely source.

Society’s golden boy, Everett, the Marquess of Northampton, was outraged when a young woman suddenly appeared in his curricle. Was she attempting to trap him into an unwanted marriage? It would be just like some overzealous mother to put her up to such a ploy. However, it doesn’t take long for him to discover that Madalene is unlike any woman he has ever known.

With her reputation in shambles, Lady Madalene and Everett hatch a plan to solve both of their problems, a fake engagement. But as they spend time together, they realize more is on the line than just a blossoming friendship. And with danger ever present from her jilted suitor, Everett and Madalene find themselves relying on one another in ways they’d never imagined… but can they trust each other with their hearts?

Review

A Clever Alliance was a fun and amusing romance. I enjoyed reading and discovering about the main character, Lady Madalene. She had a fresh energy that was refreshing and fun. I loved Beers's description of her and her character traits. She makes quite an entrance into Everett's life. It was a great meet-cute. I think Madalene is one of my favorite characters written by Beers. She loves climbing trees, smart and resourceful. Everett and Madalene have a great chemistry that was enjoyable to read. The story moves quickly and is easy to read. This is a must read for regency romance readers. To learn more about A Clever Alliance, click here.


Please note that I received a free e-book to review, however my opinion is my own. This post also contains affiliate links.

Cover Reveal for the 7th Book in the Beckett Series by Laura Beers

The Unfortunate Debutante is the seventh book of The Beckett Files series by Laura Beers. I've enjoyed reading this series. It's exciting, romantic, adventurous, full of intrigue and mystery. Beers  empowers her women characters to break the norm and to find their own strength.

 The Unfortunate Debutante releases October 1st. Put it in your calendar and be prepared to order the seventh book in The Beckett Files series. What do you think of the cover?

 

This book is not yet available for pre-order. Learn more about the books in the Beckett Files series by clicking here. 

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Feather and Bone Cover Reveal

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Feather and Bone (Frey Saga #6)

By Melissa Wright

The newest addition to this New Adult/Young Adult Fantasy series is coming July 21, 2020...

Goodreads│iBooks

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

Melissa is the author of the Frey Saga, Descendants Series, and KING OF ASH AND BONE. She is currently working on the next book, but when not writing can be spotted collecting the things she loves at Goodreads and Pinterest. Contact her through the web at www.melissa-wright.com or follow her blog at authormelissawright.blogspot.com.

For info on contests and new releases, sign up for the newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/zbisj.

Website│Blog│Goodreads│BookBub│Twitter│Pinterest│Instagram

Cover Reveal Giveaway

One winner will receive the Frey Saga eBook Set of books one through three and a $20 Amazon eGift Card (winner may also choose to receive a print book of Frey in place of the ebook set if in the US).

Open internationally

Ends September 1, 2019

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Aquarium of Boise with GetOutPass Idaho

We went to the Aquarium of Boise with out GetOutPass Idaho. With the GetOutPass, you can go to the aquarium bi-annually and it is only valid Monday-Thursday, with blackout dates on the weekend, summer (May-July), Thanksgiving and Christmas. My kids loved watching the fish swim and putting their hands in the water of the tanks that allowed the kids to be interactive. We noticed a little girl that had kept her hands very still in one of the tanks. The little girl had several fish sucking on her skin. My daughter tried to follow her example, but every time a fish came near her she jerked her hand her fast. My littlest one (11 months) was fascinated by the fish swimming. He enjoyed seeing the brightly colored fish dart around in the water. My oldest son (age 5) was a little grumpy about going to the aquarium, but his attitude quickly changed when we got there and he enjoyed seeing all of the exhibits. This is a perfect activity for young kids, families, teens, etc.

GetOutPass Idaho is normally $99.95 per person. By using the special discount code,“IDAHO40," you can get $40 off the cost per person making the passes $59.95. The admission for adults to the
aquarium is normally $11.39 and for kids 3-6 $6.19. Kids under 3 are free. With access to the following venues this pass can result in great savings and allows you to get out and do fun things at a low cost especially when compared to normal admission prices. If you want to go out more and save more, check out GetOutPass Idaho!

GetOutPass Idaho is a paid membership to get access to multiple venues multiple times per year. Venues include:

• Miracle & Banbury Hot Springs (Quarterly) 
• Asana Climbing Gym (Bi-Annual) 
• Aquarium of Boise (Bi-Annual 
• Jump Time Meridian (Monthly) 
• Elevate Mind and Body Studios (Quarterly and Yearly) 
• Idaho River Sports (Monthly) 
• Urban Adventure Air Park (Monthly) 
• Independence Indoor Shooting (Yearly) 
• Gemstone Climbing Center (Monthly and Yearly) 
• Jump Time Twinfalls (Monthly) 
• Treasure Valley Skate (Monthly) 
• Emerald Lanes (Monthly) 
• Pyrrhic Paintball (Daily) 
• Twin Falls Escape Room (Yearly) 
• Planet Kid (Quarterly) 
• Jump Time Boise (Monthly) 
• Puzzling Adventures (Yearly)
• VR Tech Lounge (Quarterly) 
• Play Deep Academy (Bi-Annual) 
• Ceramica (Quarterly) 
• 8-Bit Gaming (Quarterly) 
• Hands On (Yearly and Monthly) 
• Myth Parkour (Quarterly and Monthly) 
• Fastlane Indoor Kart Racing and Pit Pass 
• Ice Ribbon at Indian Creek Plaza (2x Yearly)
• Orpheum Theater (Quarterly)

To learn more about GetOutPass Idaho, click here and don't forget to use the discount code, "IDAHO40" to save $40.

(Disclaimer: I received free passes for my family to help facilitate my review and to share this exciting offer.)

Out Of Liberty Movie Trailer Spotlight Tour and Giveaway

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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Please note that the giveaway will be run by the sponsor as well as the fulfillment for the prize.

Miniature Golf at Urban Adventure Air Park with GetOutPass Idaho

Urban Air Adventure Park with our GetOutPass Idaho. With the GetOutPass, you can go to Urban Air Adventure Park to play 9-holes of miniature golf and laser tag. We only did the miniature golf since my kids are a little young to play laser tag. The miniature golf was fun. It was in a jungle theme with black lights. My 3-year old struggled with miniature golf and resorted to hitting my ball after I hit it or rolling the ball. My 5-year old played really well, but I think he might have had more fun with friends rather than with mom and sister. With the GetOutPass, you can play miniature golf and laser tag monthly at Urban Air Adventure Park.

GetOutPass Idaho is normally $99.95 per person. By using the special discount code,"IDAHO40," you can get $40 off the cost per person making the passes $59.95. With access to the following venues this pass can result in great savings and allows you to get out and do fun things at a low cost especially when compared to normal admission prices. If you want to go out more and save more, check out GetOutPass Idaho! GetOutPass Idaho is a paid
membership to get access to multiple venues multiple times per year. Venues include:

Miracle & Banbury Hot Springs (Quarterly) 

Asana Climbing Gym (Bi-Annual) 

Aquarium of Boise (Bi-Annual 

Jump Time Meridian (Monthly) 

Elevate Mind and Body Studios (Quarterly and Yearly) 

Idaho River Sports (Monthly) 

Urban Adventure Air Park (Monthly) 

Independence Indoor Shooting (Yearly) 

Gemstone Climbing Center (Monthly and Yearly) 

Jump Time Twinfalls (Monthly) 

Treasure Valley Skate (Monthly) 

Emerald Lanes (Monthly) 

Pyrrhic Paintball (Daily) 

Twin Falls Escape Room (Yearly) 

Planet Kid (Quarterly) 

Jump Time Boise (Monthly) 

Puzzling Adventures (Yearly)

VR Tech Lounge (Quarterly) 

Play Deep Academy (Bi-Annual) 

Ceramica (Quarterly) 

8-Bit Gaming (Quarterly) 

Hands On (Yearly and Monthly) 

Myth Parkour (Quarterly and Monthly) 

Fastlane Indoor Kart Racing and Pit Pass 

Ice Ribbon at Indian Creek Plaza (2x Yearly)

Orpheum Theater (Quarterly) 

You can win free passes or credits from GetOutPass if you submit a 15 or 30 second video to haley(at)getoutpass(dot)com and share: an exciting memory you had with GetOutPass, stories about new venues, adventures you've experience, or your overall favorite thing about GetOutPass.

To learn more about GetOutPass Idaho, click here and don't forget to use the discount code, "IDAHO40" to save $40.




(Disclaimer: I received free passes for my family to help facilitate my review and to share this exciting offer.)

A Lady's Maid Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

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. 

Love and Other Mistakes Book Tour and Review

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Love and Other Mistakes

By Jessica Kate

Christian Contemporary Romance

Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 352 Pages

July 30th 2019 by Thomas Nelson

Jessica Kate’s hilarious, romantic debut novel proves that some mistakes—including love—are begging to be made again and again.

Natalie Groves once had big dreams. But soon after her fiancé, Jeremy Walters, inexplicably broke off their engagement and left town, her father was diagnosed with cancer. Now tasked with keeping her family afloat, Natalie’s grand plans have evaporated . . . and God feels very far away.

Fast-forward seven years, and Jeremy is back in Charlottesville with an infant son and years of regrets. When his niece, Lili, lands on his doorstep in need of a place to stay, Jeremy needs help—and fast.

An internship opening finally presents Natalie a chance at her dream job, but she needs a second income to work around it—and the only offer available is Jeremy’s. They could be the solutions to one another’s problems, provided they don’t kill each other in the process. When they join forces, sparks fly. But they both know there’s a thin line between love and hate . . . and that love will turn out to be the best decision—or the biggest mistake—of all.

Praise for the Book

“A stunning debut . . . This tale of love and redemption will stay with you long after you've closed the book. A must-read.” —Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress

“Witty. Charming. Heartfelt. I could go on and on about Jessica Kate’s debut novel. From its highly relatable characters to its pitch-perfect dialogue, Love and Other Mistakes is a delightful, romantic read filled with just the right amount of sass. I lost count of the number of times I laughed out loud as I watched Natalie and Jem navigate their relationships, careers, and faith. Definitely one of the most enjoyable books I've read lately, and I can't wait to see what’s next from Jessica Kate!” —Melissa Tagg, Carol Award–winning author of Now and Then and Always and the Walker Family series

“Love and Other Mistakes wraps a poignant and warm look at relationships within a smart, sly, and knowing comedic voice. Readers of Sally Thorne and Bethany Turner will be immediately at home with Natalie: an all-too-real heroine who balances whip-smart agency with an endearing vulnerability and whose intersection with long-lost Jeremy helps her forge a path to confidence and discover the woman she was always meant to be. Kate’s unputdownable debut recognizes that all human relationships—familial, friendship, romantic—are worth the keen eye and clever insight of her talented pen.” —Rachel McMillan, author of the Van Buren and DeLuca Mysteries

“If you’re looking for a story with sass on top of style, or a fresh voice pumped full of fun, you need to read Love and Other Mistakes. Then after you’ve enjoyed this—and I’m confident you will—make a date with whatever this exciting new author writes next!” —David Rawlings, author of The Baggage Handler

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iBooks│Kobo│GooglePlay

About the Author

Australian author Jessica Kate is obsessed with sassy romances. 

She packs her novels with love, hate, and everything in between—and then nerds out over her favorite books, movies and TV in the StoryNerds podcast. When she’s not writing or discussing fiction, she’s hunting the world for the greatest pasta in existence.

Her debut novel Love and Other Mistakes releases July 2019, while A Girl’s Guide to the Outback hits shelves in January 2020.

Receive her sassy short The Kiss Dare FREE when you sign up for her newsletter at jessicakatewriting.com. StoryNerds podcast is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and at www.storynerds.podbean.com.

Website│Goodreads│BookBub│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram│Newsletter

Review

Love and Other Mistakes shares the stories of several characters that weave together. The characters' lives are filled with drama and dealing with hurt and pain from others' mistakes. With the pain, several of the characters learn the power of forgiveness. It was an interesting read. I wouldn't call it "hilarious" or a "light-hearted" read. It was dramatic narrative interwoven with romance, forgiveness and sense of family. It was interesting to read about the challenges in Natalie, Jem and Lilli's lives and how they overcome their hardships and past. I would recommend reading it.

Author Question and Answer

Life Is What It's Called - What inspired your characters?

Jessica Kate - I’ve written above about what inspired the emotional journeys of Natalie and Lili, so I’ll share some of my fictional inspiration for the plot. Movies like Sweet Home Alabama and The Proposal are huge influences on my writing. I adore the love/hate dynamic, and in Sweet Home Alabama I love how it has a complicated family situation and real texture in the setting. The Proposal was also a fabulous example of a really fun trope, the fake relationship.Admission is an underrated romcom that also has love, hate, comedy and complicated families.

Tour Schedule

Secrets Never Die Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

Tallie Brown’s life has never made sense. Raised in isolation by her mother, Julia, Tallie was dragged suddenly and without explanation from one third-world outpost to another until life normalized seven years ago when Julia took a position on a mountaintop in the Pacific northwest. But when Julia unexpectedly dies, Tallie uncovers clues suggesting that Julia had a secret life.

Journalistic phenom Jackson James is still recovering from the devastating mistake that flatlined his promising career. Now he’s paying the price, working as the editor of a syrupy community rag in a posh D.C. suburb. But when the very man who destroyed him drops a tantalizing lead about a potential D.C. scandal, the reporter sees his chance for redemption and sets off to chase the story. Jackson’s investigation leads him to Cutler’s Ridge, a dying Virginia coal town, and directly into the path of the mysterious and beautiful Tallie.

As these two mistrustful loners follow their leads, their stories begin to intertwine until they reach an alarming conclusion – something terrible happened in Cutler’s Ridge. As they doggedly pursue the story, the town’s cold reception spirals into threats and danger, proving that there are those who will stop at nothing to keep the past hidden forever–because secrets never die.

Secrets Never Die was a very suspenseful read. There were times where I couldn't put the book down. I was fascinated by the suspense and wanted to know what was going on. There are many twists and turns, surprises, and it's very action packed. I liked the character Tallie. She seemed innocent and yet poised to protect herself and others. Jackson James was an interesting character and seemed motivated to protect Tallie and discover the truth whatever it maybe. The side characters were also likeable and suspicious. I did feel like there were too many secrets. To learn more about Secrets Never Die, 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.