Now, at Melanie's insistence (and against Olivia's better judgment), they are embarking on a hike in the Porcupine Mountains of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In this remote wilderness they'll face their deepest fears, question their most dearly held beliefs, and begin to see that perhaps the best way to move forward is the one way they had never considered.
Erin lives in the beautiful, water-defined state of Michigan where she is never more than a ninety minute drive from one of the Great Lakes or six miles from an inland lake, river, or stream. She grew up in the Bay City area waiting for freighters and sailboats at drawbridges and watching the best 4th of July fireworks displays in the nation. She spent her college and young married years in Grand Rapids feeling decidedly not-Dutch. She currently lives with her husband and son in Lansing, nestled somewhere between angry protesters on the Capitol lawn and couch-burning frat boys at Michigan State University. And yet, she claims it is really quite peaceful.
Erin is represented by Nephele Tempest of The Knight Agency. Find her on Facebook @ErinBartelsAuthor, on Twitter @ErinLBartels, or on Instagram @erinbartelswrites.
Melody Creston is left penniless following the death of her father. Desperate to escape the threat of an unwanted and dangerous marriage, she flees to the small village of Roderick Glen in the English countryside to begin life anew as a pianoforte teacher. She is hired to teach the daughter of the Earl of Rockingham and soon falls in love with the quaint village and its quirky residents. Despite her newfound freedom, she is haunted by the secrets of her past, as well as the constant fear that she will be discovered and forced to return to London.
Lord Henry Roderick is the younger son of the Earl of Rockingham and has no desire to obey his father’s wishes and help his brother attend to their family’s estate, Cheswick Park. Carefree and fun-loving, his reputation as a scoundrel often hides the true nature of his heart. Upon meeting Melody, he is instantly captivated by the beautiful piano teacher, and is determined to do whatever it takes to win her heart and become the man she needs.
Melody is intrigued by Henry and encourages him to follow his own path as he searches for his purpose in life. Shy and reserved, she is reluctant to admit her feelings for him, but as they grow closer, he begins to break through the barriers of fear and mistrust that surround her heart. As their love deepens, she becomes increasingly afraid of what will happen when he learns the truth of her turbulent past. Can love forgive a secret hidden in the shadows when it is exposed to the light of day?
Brimming with laughter, love, emotion, and heart, this first book in The Ladies of Roderick Glen series introduces us to the citizens of Roderick Glen as they follow their dreams and discover that one’s heart is always happiest near the friendly faces of home.
Kristie Self has always had a love for books and has been writing since she was a child. She combines her love of history and romance to write faith-filled love stories with memorable characters and intriguing plots. A banker by day, she spends most of her nights and weekends focused on writing. She enjoys traveling, watching movies, and curling up with a good book. An avid lover of music, she plays several instruments and also teaches piano. She is a graduate of Howard Payne University and lives in Lott, Texas, with her cat, Arlo.
About the Book
Genre: Christian historical romance
Is a marriage of convenience the answer?
Franklin Vine has worked hard to build the ranch he inherited into one of the most successful in the majestic Colorado mountains. If only he had an heir to one day inherit the legacy he’s building. But he was burned once in the worst way, and he doesn’t plan to open his heart to another woman. Even if that means he’ll eventually have to divide up his spread among the most loyal of his hired hands.
When Lorinda Sullivan is finally out from under the control of men who made all the decisions in her life, she promises herself she’ll never allow a man to make choices for her again. But without a home in the midst of a hard Rocky Mountain winter, she has to do something to provide for her infant son.
A marriage of convenience seems like the perfect arrangement, yet the stakes quickly become much higher than either of them ever planned. When hearts become entangled, the increasing danger may change their lives forever.
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts
About the Author
More from Lena
The Story Behind A Heart’s Gift
I’ve been a lover of history for decades. In college and graduate school, all my elective courses were history. Of course, I chose the countries and eras I wanted to learn about. When I began writing novels, my first one was a contemporary story. After that at least 75% or more of my novels have been historical, from 1805 through the early 20th century.
I’ve always been fascinated by the relationship between Joseph and Mary the mother of Jesus. The Bible doesn’t give us a lot of information about their relationship. But by his actions, we can assume that Joseph believed the angel and Mary about her baby. He didn’t do the usual thing and put her away quietly. Instead, he protected her, and from the day He was born, he became the earthly father of Jesus. I’ve often thought about what that meant for Joseph and for Mary. When I wrote a story of a marriage between a man and a single mother, I used the emotions that I feel God has revealed to me about their relationship.
The first time I read a marriage of convenience novel, I loved it. And I’ve read quite a few. I’ve also written a few. A Heart’s Gift is one of them. This book was an easy and interesting book to write.
I’m what’s called in the industry a seat-of-the-pants author, more or less. I do have the complete outline of the story in my head. When I sit down to write, I know where I’m going, but I don’t have every single scene plotted out as some authors do. And I pray a lot. During the time I’m writing a book, God drops ideas into my mind. Not just while I’m writing, but other times, too. That’s the exciting thing about writing. This keeps it fresh for me.
During the writing of A Heart’s Gift, there’s a place where I just stopped and said, “God, what am I going to do now?” When you get there, you’ll know what scene I mean, but I don’t want to give a spoiler.
I never dreamed that the book would turn into a suspense novel in the last quarter of the book, but God knew. And it made it a better book.
Blog Stops
Connie’s History Classroom, January 13
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 13
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 14
Maureen’s Musings, January 14
Reviewingbooksplusmore, January 15
Sara Jane Jacobs, January 15
Inklings and notions, January 16
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 16
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 17
Writing from the Heart Land, January 17
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 18
Betti Mace, January 18
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 19
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 19
Artistic Nobody, January 20 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, January 20
Older & Smarter?, January 21
lalkesidelivingsite, January 21
For Him and My Family, January 22
Labor Not in Vain, January 22
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 23
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 23
Texas Book-aholic, January 24
To Everything There Is A Season, January 24
deb’s Book Review, January 25
Lis Loves Reading, January 25
Splashes of Joy, January 26
Pause for Tales, January 26
Mary Hake, January 26
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Lena is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/105a2/a-heart-s-gift-celebration-tour-giveaway
ABOUT THE BOOK
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: January 1, 2021
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
She saw something she shouldn’t have…
Assistant US Attorney Christine Davis is positive she witnessed a murder, but with no body, the police aren’t convinced. Now someone wants her dead, and Texas Ranger Blake Larsen is the only one who believes her. For Blake, protecting Christine must stay more important than their growing feelings for each other. But can he keep her safe from an unknown enemy who wants her silenced?
MY THOUGHTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Believe Police Chief Braeden Hayes shoulders guilt from his childhood, and it was only intensified when his actions led to Sam's grim circumstances. He made a promise long ago that he wouldn't hurt her, and he intends to keep that vow, regardless of the repercussions on his heart.
But when he inherits an estate from someone he doesn't know, Braeden and Sam dive headlong into untangling a web of family secrets. Will the investigation lead them to love, or are some wounds too deep to heal?
Cleopatra Margot resides with her family and their golden retriever in small town, rural Nebraska. Inspiration for her novels comes from both real life + fictional characters and storylines in her brain. The town of Believe is based on her own hometown, but with embellishments. She and her two younger siblings are homeschooled, and enjoy traveling with their parents and the dog. When she’s not writing, Cleopatra enjoys Bible journaling, time with family and friends, playing cards, being outside (when it’s not subfreezing temps), laughing, singing, and enjoying life.
Happy Friday and Happy New Year!
About the Book
Author: Clyde San Juan
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Worship daily in rhyme, reading I Spy a Tiger with the young ones in your life. On this colorful journey, introduce them to some of the beloved characters Adam named into the Animal Kingdom, God’s awesome design, along with a bit of His humor too! I Spy a Tiger invites young and old alike,
“There is so much for us to see and explore! Go on … have a look … it’s right out your door!”
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts
About the Author
With the anticipation of the momentous arrival of a first grandchild, the August, 2020 Redemption Press relaunch of his Children’s Book, I Spy a Tiger, he’s seeing the book in a different light.
More from Clyde
“I’ve been blessed to be able to combine visual conceptualization with writing. Right from the get-go, nothing but an exciting synergy leading into any project! Is it the writing, or the illustration that incites a certain section or aspect of a book? At every turn, a toss up, but the reciprocalities are always movement forward.
I Spy a Tiger, a project my wife and I collaborated on while our boys, Tyler and Bryce were little was a bright season of creativity and joy I’ll always cherish. Anne, writing the first draft while I designed and executed the layout and illustrations and later, contributing copy rewrites and additions.
Birthdays, anniversaries, intertwined with school, sports, scouting and all the natural inevitabilities maturing families encounter, quickly moved us into cascading seasons of life. Unceremoniously, I Spy, was slipped “underneath the bed,” along with some forgotten toys, for quite some time until, finally, its first edition was published in 2008.
The seasons of life are many. And what we see, looking back over the years of our family’s tapestry, are divine gold filaments of God, indelibly sown in and amongst our bound human threads.
We easily see it with all the good, but also, in all the not so good, despite our choices in self-power and self-will. Testimonies to His providence in all the victories, but more glorious, His presence with each advent of His protective shield through our trials. Grace and mercy ever present throughout the entirety of our family’s legacy.
And now, with this latest season, in the only way a good God can, I’m seeing I Spy’s second edition in a different light! We’re all anticipating a first grandson, due in December. And come Spring, 2021, another grandchild! With impeccable timing, more golden threads of His glory spun and sown in!
What fun, my new life as a Grampy, highlighted by the first reading of I Spy with grandson, Sonny! And in the blink of an eye, another baby San Juan in April.
The blessings of reading of a book together with the little ones in your lives are eternal. Miraculous, serendipitous, laughter laden moments forever! In this fast-paced, virtual world, the interactive hands-on intimacy of a book between an inquisitive child and a nurturing parent or guardian, represent three cords of love coming together in a strong, invincible bond.
Close fellowship like this can only help edify families and relationships; never losing its high place in championing childhood imaginations.”
Last night, I went outside, experiencing the first nip of the new season and was prompted to a romantic ditty . . .
tell me of the season’s changes . . .
frosty mornings with steaming mugs of cocoa.
piles of fiery leaves tromped through, buffeted
about in all directions . . .
listening to the wind, I sketch in the shadows
that cling to every detail like the lichen . . .
and when I run with that fox, flash of reddish fur,
to the place where the great owl sleeps,
tell me of the honkings of Canadian Geese overhead.
Blog Stops
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 6
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 6
Remembrancy, January 7
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 8
Simple Harvest Reads, January 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Fiction Book Lover, January 9 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Adventures of a Travelers wife, January 10
Sara Jane Jacobs, January 10
deb’s Book Review, January 11
Spoken from the Heart, January 11
Older & Smarter?, January 12
Texas Book-aholic, January 13
Mary Hake, January 13
Splashes of Joy, January 14
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 14
Inklings and notions, January 15
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 16
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, January 16
For Him and My Family, January 17
Southern Gal Loves to Read, January 17
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 18
Artistic Nobody, January 19 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Vicky Sluiter, January 19
Giveaway
To celebrate his tour, Clyde is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/10530/i-spy-a-tiger-celebration-tour-giveaway
might be the only way to survive Christmas…
Hiding in Amish country, former CIA agent Victoria Kauffman’s determined to find evidence to catch the corrupt agents who killed her partner. But when her Christmas refuge is discovered, the sole person she can trust is Amish widower Aaron Shetler. With ruthless—and dangerously powerful—enemies after them, Victoria must use all her training to make sure they live through the holidays.
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