Monday, February 25, 2019

A MONUMENTAL LOVE

Back of the Book: Roxelle McCann is eager to meet the family of her best friend, so she takes a mini-vacation to the Navajo Nation. Roxelle expects to find out more about Navajo language and customs and to be awed by the beauty of Monument Valley. She does not expect to find love among the monuments. The man she meets offers both a surprising possible future and a tender reminder of the past.

FREE for Kindle Unlimited subscribers!


About the author: Susan Aylworth loves books, poems, plays, words in almost all polite forms, and good raspberry jam. Her first book, started when she was nine, "was a rip-off of Black Beauty. I wrote eight whole pages." For her fifth grade career day, she stated her ambition to become "a rich and famous author." Decades later, she is pleased to have achieved the 'author' part of that goal.


A former university professor, she enjoys researching backgrounds and careers for her novels. "It's one way to live many lives all at once." Servant to two spoiled cats, she lives in northern California with her writer husband, Roger. She wishes the kids would visit more often.


Susan says, "If you enjoy my books, please tell everyone you know: friends, relatives, neighbors, the person who delivers your mail, people you meet in line in the grocery store, everyone!" She welcomes ideas for new books and characters and loves "travel, great music, and hearing from readers."

So connect with Susan:

susan.aylworth.author@gmail.com
Be sure to check out these blogs and don't forget to enter the contest!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

To buy your own copy or see my reviews for this book visit Goodreads and Amazon.


I've tried to reply to Susan's comment, but Blogger won't let me... So here it is:

It's always fun when we can incorporate places we live or visit in our writing. Thank you for sharing this special place with us.


Monday, February 18, 2019

JUST IN TIME


Dover, Delaware 1776: George and Gracie need to rescue their parents. Instead they find themselves time-traveling into the middle of the American Revolution. Not only that, but one of the twins changes into an animal with each time travel. This time Gracie is a horse. They end up helping Caesar Rodney make his famous ride into Philadelphia to vote “yes” for the Declaration of Independence. But time is running out to rescue their parents.

My take: This was such a fun, easy read. I started reading it to my daughter while waiting to pick up my son. It was engrossing and I had to finish it. Loved the references to events in 1776 and such an interesting way to share history. The only thing that left me going hmm is that the twins are nine years old and it seemed a little young for the adventure (but, this is for young readers right?) I highly recommend! For readers of any age. Five Stars.



About the Authors:

Cheri Pray Earl graduated with her master's degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1995 and has taught creative writing and literature courses for the BYU Honors Program and the English Department for more than 25 years. She was awarded BYU Honors Professor of the Year in 2005 which she brags about every chance she gets. Cheri writes the middle-grade novel series, Just In Time, with Carol Lynch Williams and published a non-fiction children’s book for American Girl in 2009, co-authored with the late Rick Walton. But in real life she writes young adult and adult novels. She won her first real writing contest, the Utah Original Writing Competition, in 1994 for her YA novel, Flat Like Me, and took Honorable Mention in 1997 for her YA novel, The Swan. She’s currently working on an adult mystery novel and a contemporary adult novel. Cheri’s most recent children’s book, Mr. Dietsche, is a middle-grade novel based on her childhood in Dodge City, Kansas that her agent, Steve Fraser from JDLIT, is this very minute shopping around. That’s Secret Agent Steve.
See more of Cheri's stories at dustingforfingerprints.wordpress.com


Carol Lynch Williams is the author of more than 30 books for middle grade and young adult readers. Her novels include The Chosen One, Never that Far, Messenger and Never Said. Her most recent book is the novelization of the movie Once I Was a Beehive. Carol has an MFA from Vermont College in Writing for Children and Young Adults and teaches creative writing at BYU. She runs Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers, a week-long writing conference for the not-faint-of-heart writer (www.wifyr.com). As well she is a mentor for those who want to write for kids and teens. Her best creative effort, however, are her five daughters.  


Check it out on Goodreads and Amazon.

And be sure to enter the Contest!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Follow:
Twitter Cheri Pray Earl https://twitter.com/cheriearl
Twitter Carol Lynch Williams https://twitter.com/Carol_writer928

And be sure to visit these participating blogs:

Feb 18: Bloggin' Bout Books / Peggy Urry Writer
Feb 19: Min Reads and Reviews
Feb 20: LDS Writer Mom
Feb 21: My Book a Day
Feb 22: Literary Time Out / The Bibliophile Files

Friday, January 18, 2019

January: Human Trafficking Awareness Month

While this challenge may seem as vast as the Grand Canyon,
don't be discouraged, even small acts of kindness make a
huge difference. (pc Peggy Urry)
Reposting from the Starling Box (Starling Murmurs) blog:
January is human trafficking awareness month. Trafficking is a crime that touches people all over the world and deprives people of their lives, independence, and freedom. To recognize this month, we’re highlighting some steps you can take to join the fight against human trafficking. 
1.Do your research
The first step is to learn more about what trafficking is. Before taking steps to fight trafficking, it’s important to first educate yourself about the complexities and extent of the issue. Some good starting resources can be found at the Polaris Project and the National Human Trafficking Hotline, or you can look to our article Human Trafficking: The Hidden Story
2. Raise Awareness
While raising awareness may seem unimportant or ineffective, the power of spreading the word cannot be underestimated. Raising awareness can open people’s eyes to this enormous issue and spur action. The more people who know about human trafficking, the bigger the movement will grow and the more change will happen. 
3. Keep your eye out
Watch for signs of human trafficking, some of which can be found here. If you see something that may be a sign of trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.
4. Make your path
There are ways that everyone can help and hundreds of amazing organizations you can choose to support that fight human trafficking. Whether through donations or volunteering time, we can all find a way to make an impact.
These easy steps to fight trafficking may seem small but they can make an enormous difference. Start this month and join the movement. 

My comments:
Human trafficking touches all of us in some way. But working together, we can combat this atrocity. Do your best to buy ethically sourced goods. Join a movement in your own community or one online (there are more than just a few). I love my Starling Box! It's so fun and it's for a good cause. Some others I have discovered on Instagram: @sudaragoods, @seladesigns, @saribariindia, @rethreadedinc, @mulxiply, and @uncvrdjewelry
Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) is another organization to check out. Their focus is rescuing children from child sex trafficking. 
We can make the world a better place. And, people, love those around you, your family, your friends. Be grateful and be kind. We do not know the burdens others carry or have carried. 

Monday, January 7, 2019

Let's Begin Again

This is the latest installment in the Pine Valley series by Heather B. Moore

If you've enjoyed this series (which I have... a lot!), then you will enjoy this new tale of adventures in the California ski town of Pine Valley. 

Growing up, Grant and Maurie knew each other under less than ideal circumstances. The years since have changed a lot of things for both of them. But when they finally come back together, they help each other find courage to overcome some pretty steep obstacles. I really liked their mutual support and that they were grounded enough to give it. 

It's a quick, fun read that I recommend for any day of the week. You can pre-order on Amazon (which I highly recommend). And you can





I received a free Advance Reader Copy of this book. My opinions are my own. 




Monday, December 3, 2018

Support Small/Local Business

A Christmas Carol for Candy by Peggy Urry
This past weekend I had the opportunity to do a book signing with two other local authors: Valerie Ipson and Tamara Passey. We hosted the event at The Chateau, a lovely reception center in Mesa.

A huge thank you to those who came out and supported us. If you missed it, we will also be at the Mesa Book Festival this coming Saturday, December 8, from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. along with other authors and vendors.

What's all the fuss about? In case you missed my last post, we have put together a collection of three full-length novels inspired by Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. You can read about them here.


Monday, November 5, 2018

Contemporary Holiday Romances

The holidays are coming. (I miss Halloween already.) Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and DECEMBER are right around the corner. I've already started shopping. 

Do you need a way to embrace the season? Or a gift for the Hallmark lover in your life? Or a gift for that difficult to buy for person? 


Well, you're in luck. I've teamed up with two fabulous authors for the Holiday Romance Collection. This ebook boxset contains three full-length contemporary romances inspired by Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The novels are available individually in several formats but the best deal is the ebook collection which contains all three.


Eleanor and the Christmas Carol Fudge by Tamara Passey



Eleanor is saving her grandmother's fudge business but is becoming like Scrooge in the process. The consultant she hires to help happens to be the friend from high school that hasn't given up his crush for her. Will the Christmas spirit melt her heart or will she miss out on the love of her life?


Christmas Future by Valerie Ipson



While Scarlett Ambrose works her PR magic landing Alaska on the nice Christmas spirit list, her wedding plans and a longing for Arizona’s heat have to wait. But when the wait’s too long will a warm-hearted doctor in town for his own reasons be just the prescription for lifting her cold, Scrooge-like spirit?




A Christmas Carol for Candy by Peggy Urry 


Candy Kaine exchanges a philandering fiance for college. School and a small town community save her from facing the past. In the fast-paced city, Jace Marlowe takes the only job offered since an ugly breakup: web design for a posh resort. The resort plans to buy Janssen Manor, home of the satellite campus located in Jace's small home town. Will Past, Present, and Future experience help Candy overcome her challenges? Can Jace find a solution before he loses what is most important?

A huge thanks to SageFoxDesigns for my cover. I think it's perfect! (you can also find her on FB and Instagram)



Monday, July 30, 2018

Beach Time

You know, beach time is reading time, right?

I love the ocean, watching the waves and my kids playing, looking for sand dollars, finding little crabs scurrying over the rocks after the waves roll out. I never seem to tire of it. Sometimes I don't read, but this time, I did.

First, Calico Ball

I don't usually read western-ish books and was unfamiliar with Calico Balls, but this was a fun way to find out about them and life in the old West. I have been through Wyoming many times, so it was fun to read about a place not often featured (at least in the books I usually read). I liked all of the stories. A Keeper of the Western Door dealt with prejudice against the Native Americans and what a difference we can make in treating people like people. A Convenient Arrangement was cute, but didn't feel as impactful for me. Isabella's Calico Groom was probably my favorite. This one dealt with professional prejudism against women in "men's work". But it was fascinating and fun and I really liked how the heroine and the hero learn to get along.




Second, A Night in Grosvenor Square.

I loved this collection. Loved. The stories had different approaches which was nice because I didn't feel like I was reading the same formulaic story. And the characters. Yeah, I liked them all. My favorite? Ellen in Little London by Heather Moore. But a very close second is Mrs. Northrop in A Match for Princess Pompous. Sometimes I think the prejudices of the ton are lost on us, but after reading these, and a conversation with friends, I pondered on my own prejudices and wanted to be less judgmental.

Book Sale!

Need some sweet romance to sigh your way through the holidays? Here you go: Merry Christmas and happy wishes for however you celebrate!