Monday, June 12, 2017

Release Blitz for THE COLOR OF A SILVER LINING by Julianne MacLean

RELEASING TODAY
From USA Today Bestselling Author
Julianne MacLean
Sometimes, moving on isn’t the right choice when miracles are leading you back to your past — toward something, or someone, who was your destiny all along.
The Color of a Silver Lining
THE COLOR OF A SILVER LINING
Julianne MacLean
Series: The Color of Heaven Series Book 13
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publication Date: June 12, 2017
It’s been five years since Emma Cochran endured the worst possible tragedy—the sudden, unexpected death of her four-year-old son. The emotional trauma tore her marriage apart, but now her divorce is final and she wants to begin again. She’s found happiness at last with her fiancĂ©, Luke, who is eager to start a family with her.
On the other side of the country, single mother Bev Hutchinson watches helplessly as her five-year-old daughter Louise drowns in a high-profile boating accident. Miraculously, Louise is brought back to life and claims she went to heaven. The news causes a media frenzy surrounding the little girl, and Bev does everything she can to shield herself and her daughter from the relentless swarming of the press.
Lives collide when Emma becomes obsessed with the story of the child, thousands of miles away, who drowned and went to heaven. She wants to connect with the mother, but Emma’s fiancĂ© is against the idea because he wants her to let go of her grief and move on.
The Color of a Silver Lining 3D
An amazing read. The story builds and builds and then suddenly there is a twist and a turn and it all comes together.
- Zena, Goodreads Reviewer
Every book in the Color of Heaven series opens my heart and mind to new possibilities in life. With each story I cry and feel alive. Color of a Silver Lining encourages you to see love here on earth and stretch your mind to believe in the connection of spirit. A truly beautifully written novel that inspires hope; even after tragedy.
- Karen Forrest, Goodreads Reviewer

Purchase Links

Available now. Grab your copy today.

An Excerpt from the Book

Take an inside look at The Color of a Silver Lining. Read an excerpt from the book.
Chapter 10
It had been two full days, and the reporters were still outside my house.
Louise and I took cover indoors. I’d planned to keep her home from school anyway for a full week after the accident, and I’d asked for sick days at the hospital. Thankfully we had a private fully-fenced backyard with tall trees, so we were able to go outside with Leo and get some fresh air in a safe place with no cameras pointed at us.
One good thing came from our self-imposed lockdown: We had plenty of time to get creative with crayons. Over the course of two days, Louise drew dozens of pictures of her visit to heaven, and I tacked each one to the wall outside her bedroom.
To a stranger, they might have looked like any other drawings by a five-year old because they were images of colorful rainbows and yellow suns, trees and tall buildings—just like what she’d described to me in the park. But to me, I saw something more.
Each time she finished a new picture, she handed the page to me and said, “This isn’t as good as the real thing. I don’t think I can draw it.”
“Would it help if you had something better than crayons?” I asked, encouraging her to continue. “What about paint?”
“That would be good.”
“Let’s go to the art store tomorrow,” I suggested.
In the meantime, she drew hearts everywhere to surround herself and her grandfather, who held her hand wherever they were—in the sky above the clouds or in an orchard with sunlight filtering through pink apple blossoms or rabbits in the tall grass. I could almost hear the sound of insects buzzing, grass swishing against my legs…
And she always drew a mustache on her grandfather.
By the end of the second day, the entire hallway was papered with Louise’s colorful crayon illustrations, but now she was painting with oils on canvas—using an easel I’d purchased at the art store.
I spent a lot of time in the hallway, studying her creations, which she produced at an alarming rate. She drew birds and trees and meadows with colorful wildflowers and sparkling drops of dew. Oceans with turquoise water, dolphins and seagulls. Mountains with white, snow-capped peaks. Sunsets with spectacular clouds and silver linings.
On the third day, when I woke at six am to the sound of rain pelting against my window, I donned my bathrobe, went to the living room and peered through the slats in the blinds. To my relief, the street in front of my house was deserted. The reporters and news vans had departed.
Knowing my sister was an early riser on school days, I called her. She told me to turn on the television because it appeared we were no longer the top news story on every station. We’d been bumped aside by an earthquake in California the night before. I wasn’t happy about the devastation, of course, but I was thankful to have our privacy back.

Giveaway

WIN $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD
The Color of a Silver Lining Giveaway Graphic
Contest runs from June 12 - 18, 2017.

About Julianne MacLean

Julianne MacLean
Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author who has sold more than 1.3 million books in North America, and her novels have also been translated into many foreign languages. She has written twenty historical romance novels, including the bestselling Highlander Trilogy with St. Martin's Press and her popular Pembroke Palace Series with Avon/Harper Collins. She also writes contemporary mainstream fiction, and her 2011 release The Color of Heaven was a USA Today bestseller. Please visit her website for more information. http://www.juliannemaclean.com.
To receive regular updates from the author, join Julianne MacLean's newsletter.
Connect with Julianne MacLean on social media:
The Color of a Silver Lining Tour Graphic
For more information, visit the The Color of a Silver Lining Book Page at Book Unleashed.

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Wednesday, June 7, 2017

My Review for The Man She Knew by Loree Lough

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.


My Review: Is it possible for two people to overcome a troubled past? Well that’s the premise behind The Man She Knew by Loree Lough, a story of young love overcoming the many obstacles standing in its way. Such as a reckless mistake that sent Ian Sylvestry to prison for years. Now a changed man, Ian never stopped loving Maleah Turner. Maleah has moved on with her life. Has a promising career as Assistant Vice President for the School of Autism Services at Washburne-Albert Institute, and yet she still remembers the boy she once loved so much. When Maleah and Ian meet again for the first time, it’s obvious they still have feelings for each other, but Maleah isn’t sure she can trust that Ian is a changed man. She can’t go through again what she went through when she lost him to prison. Overcoming her lack of trust, and her family’s disapproval, Ian lays his heart on the line to Maleah and she in turn realizes that she still loves him as well. It doesn’t matter what mistakes he’s made in the past. This is a heartwarming story of love overcoming all obstacles. I thoroughly enjoyed the romance and the characters that Ms. Lough created in this epic story and I can’t wait to read what she has in store for us next.


The Man She Knew
(By Way of the Lighthouse, #1)
by Loree Lough
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
June 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Don't they both deserve a second chance?

Fourteen years ago, one reckless act cost Ian Sylvestry everything, including the girl he planned to marry. Since then, he has fought hard to turn his life around. Returning to his Baltimore town after serving a prison term was the first step. Winning back Maleah Turner's trust is a far more daunting challenge. From their first sparks-flying reunion, it's obvious they still have powerful feelings for each other. In fact, they might be even stronger together now. But if their second chance is going to work, Maleah has to believe that Ian is a changed man. She really wants to believe…but she simply isn't convinced.


Bestselling author LOREE LOUGH once sang for her supper, performing across the U.S. and Canada. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6-string to croon a tune or two, but mostly, she writes novels that have earned hundreds of industry and "Readers' Choice" awards, 4- and 5-star reviews, and 7 book-to-movie options. The Man She Knew, #1 in her “By Way of the Lighthouse” series, her 3rd for Harlequin Heartwarming, is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Harlequin.com.
Tour Giveaway

- Two winners will receive a $10 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
- Two winners will receive an ebook of THE MAN SHE KNEW (open internationally)
- Two winners will receive a print copy of THE MAN SHE KNEW (US only)
- Ends June 13th

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Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Release Blitz of A Starr Gone by Kim Briggs

NEW BOOK RELEASE!
A Starr gone. A team betrayed.
Starr Gone
STARR GONE
Kim Briggs
Series: Starr Fall Book 3
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary, YA Romance, YA Thriller
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Publication Date: June 3, 2017
A Starr gone. A team betrayed.
You never know who your true friends are until a gun’s pointed at you. One will take a bullet, and the other will pull the trigger. Starr learned that lesson the hard way.
The perfect smile. A killer attitude. General Treadwell wanted nothing more than to turn Starr Bishop into the ideal assassin, but she’s far more valuable as Jessica Chamberlain, granddaughter and heir to Chamberlain Chocolates. Luckily, he’s found two enthusiastic replacements. They lack Starr’s intelligence, but no matter, they possess their own weapons of persuasion along with a flair for the dramatic, and that’s never a bad thing.
Di, along with Christian, Frank, Ben and Coda, are determined to keep Starr safe, but the depths of betrayal crack the very foundation of the team. When Starr becomes a pawn in a game of power, money, and manipulation, Di channels her WWSD (What Would Starr Do) to rally the team. She owes her best friend that much. No... More.
"I love this book so much and this series just won't stop getting better and better!"
- Meggan Turner, Goodreads Reviewer

Purchase Links

Starr Gone Teaser

Other Books by Kim Briggs

Don't miss the first two books in the Starr Fall series:
Starr Fall
STARR FALL
Series: Starr Fall Book 1
When the Organization decides Starr would make the ideal assassin, she needs to escape the island and disappear. While in hiding she meets dark, moody, and dead sexy Christian Evergood. Christian makes Starr forget that the Organization is after her, but their lives are more entwined than either one realizes.
One Starr falls, and a killer rises!
Buy Links: Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble
Related LinksStarr Fall Tour Graphic
Starr Lost
STARR LOST
Series: Starr Fall Book 2
A Starr falls, and a family is found.
On the run from the Organization, Starr and Christian find safety on the Qualla Boundary with their friends, Ben and Coda, but Starr needs answers. She owes her dear dead friends, Sami and Jody, that much. She forms a team of her own to fight the general and his recruits.
Life becomes tense on the Qualla Boundary, sparks fly, and the Organization is about to smash in their door.
Buy Links: Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble
"Amazing, Amazing Must Read. Had me edging from my seat, wide eyed with what's going to happen with each turn of the page."
- Amazon Customer, Amazon reviewer

Giveaway

WIN
Starr Gone Giveaway Graphic
Be the lucky winner:
$10 Amazon Gift Card, Starr Gone Paperback and Swag
Contest runs from June 6 - 19, 2017.

About Kim Briggs

Kim Briggs
Kim Briggs once smashed into a tree while skiing. The accident led to a concussion, a cracked sternum, temporary notoriety as a sixth grader returned from the dead, and the realization that fictionalized accounts are way more interesting than just slipping on the ice.
An unhealthy obsession with conspiracy theories combined with a love of travel and happily ever afters led Kim to write her YA novel, Starr Fall, where a secret organization decides 17-year-old Starr Bishop is not only the model student, but the ideal assassin. While in hiding, Starr meets dark, moody, and dead sexy Christian Evergood. Cue the swoon worthy music. But it’s not all happily ever afters for Kim. Her NA novel, And Then He, explores the dark and scary corners of the human psyche. Following a night of innocent flirting with a handsome stranger, Tiffani finds herself in the midst of a nightmare she can’t escape. And Then He is available through Amazon and other major book retailers. Starr Fall released November 2016 with Inkspell Publishing, followed by Starr Lost in January 2017 and Starr Gone in June 2017. Her novella, Avalanche is part of the Valentine Kisses Anthology and released February 14, 2017.
When she’s not doing something writerly, Kim can be found jumping into snowdrifts with her three kids, husband, and dog. She’s careful to avoid trees.
Visit her website and sign up for updates: http://www.KimBriggsWrite.com
She shares writing love with her INK Sister Alison Green Myers at INK Sisters Write
Connect with her on these social media sites: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Tumblr

Book Tour Schedule

Follow the book tour from June 6 - 19, 2017.
Discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and other extras on the tour.
To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Starr Gone Book Page at Book Unleashed.
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Review of Girl In The Spotlight by Virginia McCullough

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.
My Review: There’s just something about a romance story that reunites past lovers, which is the case in Girl In The Spotlight by Virginia McCullough. Miles and Lark were once college sweethearts, then Lark finds out she is pregnant. The two decide to give the baby up for adoption and both move on with their lives separately. They marry, and later each are divorced parents. But when Miles see a young figure skater who reminds him of Lark, he wonders, could this be the child they gave up eighteen years earlier? As Miles and Lark reunite to find out the truth about the young figure skater, and later meet their daughter, something unexpected happens, they find themselves falling in love all over again. I so loved this story and I was pulling for Miles and Lark to not only get to meet their daughter, but to realize they were meant to be together. This is a heartwarming tale of love almost lost but found again. I highly recommend Girl In The Spotlight.
Girl in the Spotlight by Virginia McCullough Contemporary Romance Paperback & ebook, 384 pages June 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming
The daughter they never knew
When Miles Jenkins sees the graceful young figure skater on TV, he can't believe how much she resembles Lark McGee, the girl he dated briefly in college. Could this aspiring star be the child Lark gave up for adoption eighteen years ago? He has to find out.
Locating Lark ignites conflicting emotions in Miles—including regrets for what might have been and romantic feelings that take the two single parents by surprise. As they prepare to meet their daughter, this deeper connection between the two just might be the chance at love they never got.
Advanced Praise
Mesmerized by the real world of characters--brought to life beautifully, I found myself entranced by this thoughtful, delightful, sad, and joyous, novel about second chances and all forms of love. The situation, characters, and consequences left me shedding happy tears at the ending. — Casey Clifford, award-winning author
A compelling love story crafted with characters you'll fall in love with. Miles and Lark's journey to be reunited with their child captured my heart, as did their blossoming romance. The best book I have read this year! —Lily Silver, author of Dark Hero
McCullough is always adept at creating suspense on multiple levels. In Girl in the Spotlight, the intrigue builds from page one and doesn’t let up until the end. But she understands that readers need relief from tension, and through her masterful storytelling and perfect pacing, McCullough delivers satisfying outcomes along that way. The relationships she’s developed are complex and realistic, and their evolution is deeply satisfying. — Lynda McDaniel, author of A Life for a Life
Girl in the Spotlight swept me away to Wisconsin's Lake Michigan shore and reminded me of loves left behind. McCullough invokes deep emotions through her writing, which will pull at your heart. More than a romantic love story, it is a love story of parents for their children. A must read." — Anne Parent, author/reviewer
About the Author
A writer all her adult life, Virginia McCullough has had the opportunity to write the stories of her heart in her novels, including Girl in the Spotlight, the first book in her Two Moon Bay series for Harlequin Heartwarming. (Book 2 is scheduled for release in January 2018). Her award-winning romance and women’s fiction titles include The Jacks of Her Heart, Amber Light, Greta’s Grace, The Chapels on the Hill, and Island Healing.
Born and raised in Chicago, Virginia has been lucky enough to develop her writing career in many locations, including the coast of Maine, the mountains of North Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and currently, Northeast Wisconsin. She started her career in nonfiction, first writing articles and then books as a ghostwriter and coauthor. She’s written more than 100 books for physicians, business owners, professional speakers and many others with information to share or a story to tell.
Virginia’s books feature characters who could be your neighbors and friends. They come in all ages and struggle with everyday life issues in small-town environments that almost always include water—oceans, lakes, or rivers. The mother of two grown children, you’ll find Virginia with her nose a book, walking on trails or her neighborhood street, or she may be packing her bag to take off for her next adventure. And she’s always working on another story about hope, healing, and second chances.
Tour Schedule
Tour Giveaway
1st Prize (US only): Tea & Contemplation, a collection of favorite things, starts with an uplifting message from “Seize the Day” Pop Open Cards. Fill a ceramic thermal mug to sip Lavender Chamomile Tea while you contemplate your ideas and dreams. Write your thoughts in a journal, whose guiding words are: When Your Heart Speaks... take good notes! A Wish pen is included. Finally, pick a place to display a large piece of gemmy rose quartz, a stone long linked to matters of the heart. It’s said when rose quartz is nearby, love (of all kinds) comes along to keep it company. These items will be arranged in a “keeper box” and delivered to your door.
2nd Prize (open internationally): You will receive a $35.00 Amazon eGift Card, and a digital copy of GIRL IN THE SPOTLIGHT, plus one digital copy of another of Virginia’s five award-winning novels—it’s your choice.
Ends June 16th
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WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Book Blast




 

 
Where it All Began
by Lorana Hoopes
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
A Christian Fiction
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
BLURB:
 
Sandra Baker thought her life was going in the right direction until she ended up pregnant. Not ready for a baby, her boyfriend pushes her to have an abortion. After the procedure, Sandra spirals into depression losing her relationship and turning to alcohol. Then she meets Henry, a strong Christian man, who shows her God's love. Will she accept God's forgiveness and more importantly, will she forgive herself?
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Excerpt:
 
I arrived at work just a few minutes before shift; Raquel was already there dressed in her scrubs and putting her purse in her locker.
 
“Well, you look happy,” she said, closing the door.
 
“I do?” I tilted my head and smiled. “Well it might have to do with the fact that I received flowers on my doorstep this morning.”
 
Raquel’s eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands together. “Ooh do tell.”
 
I laughed at her childlike display. “Not much to tell yet. I was making coffee, and I heard a knock at my door. By the time I got there, no one was there, but a bouquet of pink carnations and white daisies was on my doorstep. There was a card from Henry saying he had a nice time and he hopes we can get together again soon.”
 
“He likes you,” Raquel teased, “I knew he did. You could tell just from the way he looked at you.”
 
A blush colored my face. “It’s still early; I think he was just being nice.”
 
Raquel raised an eyebrow. “Uh huh, sure, nice. I don’t think Philip has even bought me flowers yet.”
 
“What? That’s terrible.”
 
“Well, he’s handsome and rich, so flowers aren’t that big of a deal.” Raquel flicked her hand in dismissal. “Oh, we better get going,” she said, glancing at her watch.
 
I finished shoving my purse inside and closed my locker door. As I followed Raquel out, I couldn’t help wondering if money was really more important to her than simple gestures?
 
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 


AUTHOR Bio and Links:
 
Lorana Hoopes is currently an English teacher in the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband and three children. When not writing, she can be seen kickboxing in her local gym, singing at her church, or performing on stage. The Heartbeats series is her first full length novel series. She has also just released the first book in her early reader chapter book, The Wishing Stone.
 
You can follow her blog at https://twoheartbeats.org
 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/loranahoopes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/loranalhoopes
 
Get a free novella or audio reading of The Wishing Stone by filling out the contact form at http://authorloranahoopes.site123.me/
 
The Book is on sale for $0.99 during the tour:
 
Where It All Began is available at Amazon: http://bit.ly/HeartbeatsWIAB  
Barnes and Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-it-all-began-lorana-l-hoopes/1124598788
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31944027-where-it-all-began?from_search=true
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/where-it-all-began-2
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
 


Lorana will be awarding a Medieval Renaissance Handmade Leather Diary Journal Thought Book to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour (US ONLY). Just follow the link to enter:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f2318
 
 
And make sure you check out the rest of the tour and comment; the more you comment the better your chance of winning. The rest of the tour dates can be found here: 
 
 
 





Monday, June 5, 2017

Join the Love Inspired Authors In A Celebration Of Our New Releases!




June Love Inspired Facebook Release Party
 
 
Tomorrow from 4:00 – 9:00 PM Central Time 15 Love Inspired Authors will be hosting a June Facebook Release Party and you’re all invited. We will be celebrating our latest Love Inspired releases.
 
So stop by tomorrow and join me, and Christine Johnson, Mollie Campbell, Winnie Griggs , Jill Ellizabeth Nelson, Lynn Huggins Blackburn, Linda Goodnight, Carolyn Aarsen, Jenna Night, Roxanne Rustand, Jill Kemerer, Patricia Davids, Jess Keller, Valerie Hansen, and Kit Wilkinson as we celebrate our new releases with you, our readers.
 
All the best...
 
Mary Alford
 
 
 
 
 

 
 


Featured Author Melanie Snitker

   When she published Finding Peace, the first book in the Love’s Compass series, in 2015, Melanie D. Snitker had no idea just how many p...