When Love Inspires: Kristen Ethridge's story

When Love Inspires: Kristen Ethridge's story

I’m so excited to be here today talking about what inspires me to write sweet romance stories. It’s a great month to be talking about the stories we love and books that leave us with a smile on our faces.

It wasn’t hard for me to narrow down my "why" for writing this kind of story. In fact, I can sum it up in three little words:

Hope.

Heart.

Happily-Ever-After.

Those three words are what I consistently use to describe my author brand to readers who have never picked up one of my stories. They are my promise to readers that when they pick up a Kristen Ethridge book, they’re going to get a story that’s uplifting, is centered on the emotional journey, and will always deliver on the promise of true love.

I write Sweet Escape Romance and for me, it’s a privilege to provide those moments in the day where readers can get swept away. I’m a mom of three. Sometimes, I just want a few minutes to myself. Sometimes, I have a few minutes to wait during a dance rehearsal or in the school pick-up line when I get there early (Okay…early? Who am I kidding? I just said I had three kids!) Sometimes, life is tough and I need a smile. (Did you know I wrote my Hurricane Hope series based on my own experience of going through a hurricane?) Sometimes, I just like to stay up past my bedtime and make new friends with interesting characters.

In short…I write stories for the same reasons I love to read them. I write stories I want to read. I write stories I want to share. I write stories I want YOU to share. That’s why I write sweet romances with a kiss of real-life faith—because I want you to be able to spread the word of hope, heart, and happily-ever-after with your friends, your daughters, your mothers, your sisters, your co-workers, and other readers you happen to know. For me, it’s a privilege to touch hearts and make people smile with a story.

Sweet romance is all about the transformative power of true love. And Valentine’s Day is the perfect time of year to celebrate that. In fact, I have launched the Holiday Hearts series this year to spread stories of finding love on the most special days of the year all year long. Think of it like your favorite Hallmark movies—just not for Christmas anymore!

So now you know why I write—and read—sweet romance. 

What about you? What do you think about the idea of hope, heart, and happily-ever-after?

~*~
Author Bio:

Kristen Ethridge writes Sweet Escape Romance — stories with hope, heart, and happily-ever-after — for Harlequin's Love Inspired line, Hallmark Publishing, and Laurel Lock Publishing. 

She's a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award nominee and both an Amazon Christian Fiction and Inspirational Romance #1 Best-Selling Author.

You can find Kristen in her native habitat — a Texas patio — where she's likely to be savoring the joy of a crispy taco, along with a glass of iced tea and scents from her essential oil diffuser. She's almost convinced her family that it's normal to talk to imaginary people, as long it goes in a book.

Find her online at www.kristenethridge.com where you can get a free story for signing up for her newsletter.

~*~
Blurb for Kristen's book, Dance with Me, Valentine:

SHE’S CREATED A LIFE THAT BLOCKS OUT THE PAST. HE’S SEARCHING FOR FORGIVENESS. CAN A SEASON OF LOVE BRING THEM A FRESH START?

Clair Bell has struggled to put the past behind her since her boyfriend left without a trace years ago. She's built a life around helping others as the director of the Port Provident Retirement Community.

Rob Landers knows it’s time to make amends. He left in the middle of the night years ago, and although he knew his reason for ghosting out of Port Provident was literally life-or-death, no one else knows the truth. When a popular online game gives him a chance to return to his hometown, he decides to make peace with his past.

As the annual retirement prom approaches on Valentine's Day, Clair is shocked to find that one of her residents has invited a date that she met while playing an online game. But when that date happens to be the ex-boyfriend who broke her heart, Clair knows she can either use this moment to clear all the what-ifs and move forward in her life — or be dragged down by the clinical depression which has held her for years. 

Can two people who have faced life's storms in their own way come back together for forgiveness and a chance at true love once again? 

Buy Dance with Me, Valentine today and start the latest series set in Port Provident — it's filled with swoon-worthy stories about finding love on the most special days of the year.

~*~
Connect with Kristen:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KristenEthridgeBooks
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kristen-Ethridge/e/B00B0Y6VJO/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kristen-ethridge

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristenethridge/

Website: www.kristenethridge.com

~*~
Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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When Love Inspires: Regina's story

When Love Inspires: Regina's story

There are so many ways that an author is inspired to write a book, or to start writing in general.

For me? It was fanfiction. Yes, the television aficionado that I am chose fanfiction to quell the longing for the continuation of a show that only lasted four seasons.

Based on a true story, “Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye” features Sue, an FBI analyst who is deaf, but reads lips with amazing skill. When this is discovered, she is placed within a surveillance unit. Look up the real Sue Thomas. She’s a fascinating lady! Ice skater, FBI analyst, missionary – she’s a wonder.

After I binge-watched the whole show, my sister clued me in on the whole “fanfiction” realm on the Internet! When I found RomanceFanfiction.com (alas, it no longer exists!), I found my home. I found a group of writers that wrote from a Christian world-view, and they continued the stories of Sue, Jack, and all the others, many stories taking up where the show left off, adding more cases and the fictional romance angle that we all wanted between Jack and Sue, but was never explored to our satisfaction.

After writing several novella-length stories for this site (we’re talking 40,000-word stories, here) and winning a few fan-picked awards for online contests on the site, I found myself in contact with other writers on the site who were using fanfiction as a proving ground for their own writing skills. I was writing for fun, but these ladies invited me to join their forum, where we could encourage one another on the road to publication.

It was during this time that I had a dream. You know, one of those dreams that just won’t go away? This dream was the inspiration for my first novel, Carolina Dream. All it took was a dream and a “what if” session with pen and paper, and it began. It was an eight-year journey of inspiration, excitement, disappointment, surprise, and finally, publication.

When book one was published, I knew I had to continue the story, so that story became the inspiration for book two, Carolina Mercy, and then book three, Carolina Grace, which released last week. I’m currently working on a novella that will be connected to the Southern Breeze Series, releasing this fall. It will be part of a collection of four stories that take place on the Eastern seaboard with a group of authors from Mantle Rock Publishing.

But the initial inspiration to write? A television show that honored God and formed a community of writers willing to reach out and encourage others.

Let your inspiration do the same. Encourage, love, and assist others in your area of creativity. Tina, Lorna, Marlene, Kimberly, Kav, and Sue did just that for me.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Regina Rudd Merrick began reading romance and thinking of book ideas as early as her teenage years when she attempted a happily-ever-after sequel to “Gone With the Wind.” 

That love of fiction parlayed into a career as a librarian, and finally to writing full-time. She began attending local writing workshops and continued to hone her craft by writing several short and novel-length fan-fiction pieces published online, where she met other authors with a similar love for story, a Christian worldview, and happily-ever-after. 

Married for 30+ years and active in their church in Marion, KY, Regina and her husband have two grown daughters who share her love of music, writing, and the arts. 

She is the author of three books: Carolina Dream (Apr. 2017), Carolina Mercy (July 2018), and Carolina Grace (Feb. 2019), in the Southern Breeze Series.

~*~
Blurb for Regina's book, Carolina Grace:

She knows about God’s grace for her life, but pushes it away. He hasn’t experienced it, but finds grace in a way he never expected.

First-year Special Education teacher Charly Livingston demonstrates God’s love on the outside, but is resentful that God allowed back-to-back tragedies to happen to her family.

Rance Beaumont is a top-notch medical intern. He’s on his way to the top, and when he meets Charly, he knows things can only get better. When he discovers family secrets and a dying father he never knew, his easy life seems to disintegrate.

Even in the idyllic ocean breezes and South Carolina sunshine, contentment can quickly turn to bitterness and confusion except for God’s amazing grace.

~*~
Connect with Regina:
Facebook Author Page
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trmerrick64
Website: https://www.reginaruddmerrick.com 
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rmerrick/
Publisher's Website: https://mantlerockpublishing.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reginamerrick/

~*~
Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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When Love Inspires: Karin's story

When Love Inspires: Karin's story

For as long as I can remember, I’ve sought out love stories. Even when I was too young to read them, they were my favorites. Mary Anne was my favorite babysitter because she had Logan. Nancy had Ned. And I preferred Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield’s high school adventures because they could date and occasionally had boyfriends.

By the time I’d read all of the Babysitter’s Club, Nancy Drew, and Sweet Valley High books, I faced a dilemma—finding love stories appropriate for a teenaged girl. Growing up in a small town, my library provided limited options: the classics, Christian fiction, and Harlequin romances.

At fourteen years old, I didn’t particularly care for the classics. I tried though! I picked up Pride and Prejudice three times; I never made it past the second chapter. Christian fiction was okay, but my library only had Jeanette Oke and Lori Wick’s prairie romances. I read them, but I couldn’t relate to them. I wanted more exciting settings and situations. I was too embarrassed to check out a Harlequin romance (and I don’t think the librarian would have let me borrow one anyway), but a classmate’s mom had a collection that she let me borrow. Oh. My. I did not need that much detail.

I didn’t connect well with any of my options, but they were all I had. As I grew up, the Christian market expanded to include a variety of genres, but I always had to make the same decision when it came to reading: Victorian language and setting, a sermon, or sex. None of those appealed to me. I wanted the sweet romances of Mary Anne and Logan or Nancy and Ned. I wanted clean, contemporary romances that made me sigh, not blush. With limited options, I eventually settled on Christian romance.

When I started writing, it seemed natural to write Christian romance—I read them, and my faith is the most important aspect of my life. It took three manuscripts before I signed with an agent for my contemporary take on the historical concept of marriage-of-convenience. Publishers liked the story and my writing, but the Christian market wanted the story to be historical and the general market wanted less Christian content. I just wanted to write the types of books I had loved as a teen.

It didn’t take long for me to decide—I cut the Christian content. After making the changes I reread the manuscript and couldn’t believe it. I had produced a clean, contemporary romance that reflected my beliefs without preaching them! Without sex, swearing, or corsets, I’d created characters and a setting that produced the warm fuzzies I’d been looking for!

After that, I never looked back. I’m working on two clean, contemporary romances now with a third already planned out. Ideas are already swirling for more, but I need to finish these first.

It took several more years before a publisher printed my first book (ironically enough, the only other Christian manuscript I’ve pitched), but my next book—coming October 2019—will be my contemporary take on the marriage-of-convenience. I’m thrilled to be writing (and publishing!) those sweet stories I craved as a teen and still enjoy as an adult.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Karin Beery grew up in a small, rural Michigan town where she wrote her first novel in high school. 

She’s still writing today, telling contemporary stories with a healthy dose of romance.

When she’s not writing fiction, she’s editing or teaching it. And when she’s not doing that, she enjoys time at home with her husband and fur babies, once again living in a small, rural Michigan town.

~*~
Blurb for Karin’s book, Summer Plans and Other Disasters:

Elementary school music teacher Callie Stevens thinks she’s finally figured out God’s plan for her life—she even made a list to keep her on track. 

Moving in with her brother and reconnecting with her ex-boyfriend are at the top of the list. What ’s not on the list is running into her childhood crush, Ryan. God wanted her to connect with Kyle, right?

Trying to figure out God ’s plan is hard enough. But a dating-averse older brother, the young blonde who adores him, a pregnant best friend, and Callie ’s continual mishaps make her wonder whether her best-laid plans were truly God-inspired.

~*~
Connect with Karin:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkarinbeery
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/karinbeery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinbeery
Website (official): http://www.karinbeery.com
Group website: http://www.romancereaderscafe.com

~*~

Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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When Love Inspires: Gail's story

When Love Inspires: Gail's story

When asked what inspires me to write sweet romance stores, that was a complicated question. I have many reasons for writing what is termed as “sweet”, which in the total romance novel genre, means “no sex on the page." Taking that one step further, for me it doesn’t mean it’s okay behind closed doors. As a writer of Inspirational Romance, that means the hero and heroine do not indulge until after the wedding. Since the books usually end with the proposal, that means you won’t read that in my books.

My first goal is to show the world that love can be just that – love first, consummation later, when the love is established and solid. For me, that’s what romance is all about – building a relationship and companionship that will last a lifetime. That is a realistic and attainable goal. 

Another goal was that when my kids were small, word traveled that I wrote romance books. Not that I thought my sons (count ‘em, 3 boys) would read mommy’s romance novels, but they had friends who were girls, who could, not to mention other parents around the school. I wanted to write books that I would not be ashamed for my kids, and my kids’ friends, to read, or moreso, that even for the parents, who would usually read them first, there was nothing even PG-13. Just a wholesome and entertaining love story.

When I first started writing, I joined a local RWA writers’ group. One of the ladies who had published many novels with Harlequin told me that people she knew asked her if she actually did the things she wrote that her hero and heroines did. She was offended. At the time I thought, if you write material some people find offensive, and wasn’t offended to write it, she shouldn’t have been offended to be asked about it. I would never write something I would be ashamed for people to read, knowing it’s my real name on the cover.

In all my stories I want to portray the growth of a realistic and healthy relationship. Then, my goal is to make the story interesting, and bring a smile to those who read them. The smile is important. There is enough stress in real life, so I want to make my fiction an escape from stress.

I chose to feature an older novel, Vancouver, for this blog. This is a series of four short novels, each one a standalone, but best if read in order, together. My publisher put the four novels together to make Vancouver, which is best read in Kindle, because it’s a big book. 

I’ll never forget how excited I was when my editor emailed me the cover, which I was delighted to see was a skyline shot of the city of Vancouver. I’ve been to that same place many times, as that is where I live. The photo was taken from on the seawall walkway that circles Stanley Park, on the portion that faces downtown Vancouver. 

When the stories originally came out, three out of four of them were voted in the favorite top three Heartsong Presents novels of the year by the bookclub members when they first came out. Actually, three of them were released the same year, so it wasn’t likely that all three would be in the top three. But two were. With that kind of response from the book club, it seemed a natural choice to combine the series and re-release it to the general public.

~*~
Author Bio:

Gail Sattler lives in Vancouver BC Canada, where you don't have to shovel rain. 

When she's not madly writing (Gail Sattler has over 40 published novels and novellas, plus a few works of non-fiction) she plays bass for an Elton John tribute band as well as a community jazz band, plus she plays piano for a smaller private jazz band. 

When she's not writing or making music (or at her day job) Gail likes to sit back and read a book written by someone else, along with a good cup of hot coffee. 

~*~

Blurb for Gail's book, Vancouver (Romancing America):

What is the best thing about living in a beautiful, modern city--being surrounded by buildings, people, and activity? Or just getting away from it all? 

Meet four women who hold different views of life in Canada's jeweled city.... Roberta, desperate for some solitude in which to reevaluate her life, has left downtown and Gone Camping. But as a novice in the great outdoors, she finds herself depending on the local park ranger's assistance - again and again. If she can't be alone, how will she find true peace? 

Molly works in Vancouver's business district. On her new boss's first day she accidentally breaks his arm - and soon is caught up in rumors of a "tawdry affair." Can she save her job by keeping romance At Arm's Length? 

Gwen's summer job - helping to drive her uncle's semi trucks - takes her away from the city, across the Canadian border, and On the Road Again. Reluctant to be paired with a handsome codriver, can Gwen maintain a friendly distance until they get the job done and return home? 

Patricia, helping at her father's Vancouver church, hears My Name Is Mike whenever she takes a recovering alcoholic to his mandated meetings. Can she give him guidance toward a better life without entangling her heart? Laugh and cry with these resourceful Canadian women and watch how faith and love uphold them on the drifting currents of life.

~*~

Connect with Gail:
Website: www.gailsattler.com
Facebook personal page: https://www.facebook.com/gail.sattler.3
Facebook Author Page

~*~

Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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When Love Inspires: Amanda Tru and her author friends (Part 2 of 2)

Note from Alexis: We're doing things a bit different in "When Love Inspires" for today (Feb. 10). As I said yesterday (Feb. 9), I'm hosting ALL of the six authors from their boxed set "Betwixt Two Hearts."

So in order to accommodate the authors and not give you information overload, I've divided this book promo feature into two parts (Part 1 = yesterday and Part 2 = today). Enjoy visiting with the boxed set coordinator Amanda Tru's author friends Cathe Swanson, Carol Moncado and Chautona Havig!

~*~

When Love Inspires: Cathe's story

I love writing sweet, clean romance novels because the world needs that kind of light-hearted, hopeful story. 

Christian romances aren’t just about a man and a woman who fall in love. The spiritual component of Christian marriage – and relationships of every kind – is often left out of contemporary love stories, but our faith adds a deeper dimension to our relationships.

I want to show the full, rich, beautiful love that can only be found when we love God first, more than we love the other person. That’s the only way to have a truly Happy Ever After.

--
Cathe's Author Bio:

Cathe Swanson, the author of the Great Lakes and Glory Quilts series, enjoys gardening, sewing, papercrafting, and kayaking on the beautiful Wisconsin rivers. 

She’s been teaching quiltmaking for over 25 years, focusing on retreat workshops, ministry events and bridal quilt bees, and is finally bringing that experience and enthusiasm to her newest series, The Glory Quilts.

--
Blurb for Cathe's novella, "The Swedehearts":

Eleanor Nielson always dreamed of following in her distinguished parents’ footsteps, becoming a teacher and living a life of selfless community service – until she tried it. Now, happily working at her uncle’s construction company, she’s finding fulfillment in her work and discovering a family heritage she never knew.

She can resist her parents’ pressure and manipulation from a hundred miles away, but she can’t skip their anniversary party. Eleanor isn’t interested in a relationship, but she doesn’t want to go to the party alone. Can a matchmaking agency find her a date who will impress her parents?

Like any good engineer, David Reid has his life all planned out. He’s finished college and established a career he enjoys. The next thing on his timeline is marriage and starting a family, but good wives are hard to find. He wants the right kind of woman – one who’s ready to start a family, who will share his faith and work at his side when he becomes a pastor. Someone he can trust. 

Like any good engineer, David turns the project over to experts: the Betwixt Two Hearts matchmaking agency.

Is this a match made in heaven?

--
Connect with Cathe:
Website: http://catheswanson.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CatheSwanson
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CatheSwanson
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/catheswanson
Instagram: http://instagram.com/CatheSwanson
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CatheSwanson
BookBub Author Page: http://www.bookbub.com/authors/cathe-swanson
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/catheswansonNewsletter signup: http://www.catheswanson.com/newsletter

~*~

When Love Inspires: Carol's story

I write romance because I love the happy endings. I don’t like stories that make me sad at the end. Crying in the middle is one thing. Crying because they all die or end up with the wrong people, is something else entirely! 

I write clean/sweet because I don’t need to see what goes on behind closed doors or “hear” cursing or “see” gore and violence. It’s not something I enjoy and not something I enjoy writing. I think there’s a lot of other people out there like me, and they just want to read something they can share with other generations – their moms or grandmas and their teen daughters.

I spend far more time than I probably should watching Hallmark movies. They get criticized, sometimes rightfully so, for their formulaic nature, perfect hair and clothes, quaint towns where there’s always piles of snow but clear roads and sidewalks, etc. Sometimes it’s fun to poke fun at them. 

I often watch royalty or writing related ones “live” in my reader group, posting commentary as I do. There’s usually a fair bit of snark involved, but underneath is that happy, waffy sigh at the end when their worlds all end up the way they should.

That’s what I like to write.

My characters have real issues (even if finances aren’t one of them for most of them). They struggle with the same thing we all do: Am I good enough? Do people really like me for me or because of (fill in the blank - for many of my characters, it has to do with their titles and tiaras)? Where do I find my self-worth? How do I reconcile what I should do with what I want to do or can I? And if I can’t, which do I choose?

Everyone answers those questions differently, even characters in the same book. But sometimes in those characters, we see little bits of ourselves and maybe learn a little bit about how we can change our own outlooks on who we are.

And do it without the cursing or sex scenes or violence that can be so prevalent in other genres.

We have enough drama and sadness in the world. I like bringing at least a little bit of sweetness and light into that and giving readers a bit of an escape from the real world into a fictional land where everyone eventually ends up with a happily ever after. (Except the bad guys of course. They get eaten by sharks).

--
Carol's Author Bio:

When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, USA Today Bestselling Author Carol Moncado prefers binge watching pretty much anything to working out. She believes peanut butter M&Ms are the perfect food and Dr. Pepper should come in an IV. 

When not hanging out with her hubby, four kids, and two dogs who weigh less than most hardcover books, she's probably reading in her Southwest Missouri home.

Summers find her at the local aquatic center with her four fish, er, kids. Fall finds her doing the band mom thing. Winters find her snuggled into a blanket in front of a fire with the dogs. Spring finds her sneezing and recovering from the rest of the year.

She used to teach American Government at a community college, but her indie career, now with over thirty titles, has allowed her to write full time. She's a founding member, former President, and current vice president of MozArks ACFW, blogger at InspyRomance, and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

--
Blurb for Carol's novella, "Guardian of Her Heart":

When Mark’s boss, the queen of Montevaro, signs him up for the dating app Betwixt Two Hearts, he grudgingly goes along.

Casey is signed up by her best friend, before her best friend moves thousands of miles away.

When Casey attends the Serenity Landing Craft Convention, a stowaway cat means she’s desperate for help and her only option is the new match from her Betwixt app. 

As Mark and Casey get to know each other, their apparent incompatibilities could prove to be too much to overcome – or could prove that sometimes opposites attract.

--
Connect with Carol:
Carol Moncado Books: www.facebook.com/CarolMoncadoBooks
Serenity Landing Book Club (reader group): bit.ly/MoncadoReaderGroup
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolMoncado/
Website: http://www.carolmoncado.com

~*~

When Love Inspires: Chautona's story

I've had lots of people ask me why I write "romance" over the years. I  put romance in quotes because a true romance author would laugh at the idea of my romance "counting" as far as genre goes.

But I put romance in books because it's obviously important to the Lord. He didn't just tell us He serves us and takes care of us. He showed us in so many metaphors, parables, and allegories that He cherishes us. He woos us to Him. And regardless of my personal comfort
with the whole thing, that means something to me.

I try to allude to that picture He paints every time I interject a romantic element into one of my novels as both a reminder to the reader and as one to me. We are loved, cherished, adored. Wow.

--
Chautona's Author Bio:

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. 

An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. 

Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

--
Blurb for Chautona's novella, "Random Acts of Shyness":

“That man is going to be single for the rest of his life!”

What began as a coping mechanism as a little boy became highly-effective date repellent as a man. He knows girls don’t care about the life cycle of a dung beetle, but Heath can’t help but spew facts like a docent at the zoo anytime he’s on one of his many first and only dates.

His sister is determined to fix that. So, she signs him up for the new matchmaking service. Her plan: simple. Just let him practice on a bunch of girls until it becomes second nature. Simple, right?

But Heath can’t get one girl out of his mind. So, with his boss’ help, and a little creativity, he embarks on a sorta-secret admirer scheme to induce her into giving him a second chance.

He’s a good guy… and someday he’ll figure out how to show it.

--
Connect with Chautona:
Website: https://chautona.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justhewriteescape
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chautona
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chautonahavig/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/chautonahavig/

~*~
Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of the "Betwixt Two Hearts" boxed set of books by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget from yesterday's blog post. You can find it here. 

When Love Inspires: Amanda Tru and her author friends (Part 1 of 2)

Note from Alexis: We're doing things a bit different in "When Love Inspires" for today (Feb. 9) and tomorrow (Feb. 10). I'm hosting ALL of the six authors from their boxed set "Betwixt Two Hearts." 

So in order to accommodate the authors and not give you information overload, I've divided this book promo feature into two parts (Part 1 = today and Part 2 = tomorrow). Enjoy visiting with Amanda Tru who coordinated the boxed set, and her author friends!

~*~

When Love Inspires: Amanda's story

For as long as I can remember, I have made up stories in my head while falling asleep, entering dreamland partway through a dream consciously spun. I love to write because I get to share those stories that have always danced through my imagination while also providing meaning that can touch others.

Words are powerful. They make tangible invisible ideas. And somehow, inspiration and enlightenment is often more palatable in the world of fiction, and even more so if the fiction Is good! Even Jesus Christ used stories to communicate deep messages and meaning.

I am an author because that is what God has gifted and called me to do. 

I write to glorify Him, and I believe writing the stories in ways that are sweet, clean, and romantic is the best way for me to do that. I like to create a picture of love that glorifies the Lord, providing for others a moment of escape from the stress of every day while also inspiring and encouraging them in their spiritual walks.

I hope readers are different by the time they reach “The End.” To me, it is a great responsibility and privilege that God can touch others by allowing them to visit my imagination and discover something valuable there. In every sense, it is a dream come true.

In my book Betwixt Two Hearts, the main character struggles with these ideas of real Christianity and love all while trying to make her own dreams come true.

--
Amanda's Author Bio:

Amanda Tru loves to write page-turning books that inspire real-life Christianity while providing plenty of unexpected twists. She figures she loses so much sleep writing the things, it’s only fair she makes readers lose sleep with books they can’t put down! 

Amanda's current book list includes everything from historical, to action-packed suspense, to inspirational romance, to a Christian time travel/romance series. She is also the author and organizer behind the unique, multi-author Crossroads collection series.

Amanda is a former elementary school teacher who now spends her days being mommy to her four young children and her nights furiously writing. Amanda and her family live in a small Idaho town where the number of cows outnumbers the number of people.

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Blurb for Amanda's novella, "Betwixt Two Hearts":

With control of their dating website the prize, Bailey and Camden embark on a matchmaking competition that snags on unexpected results. 

All is fair in a contest of love. May the best matchmaker win.

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Connect with Amanda:
Website: www.amandatru.com
Newsletter sign-up: http://eepurl.com/ZQdw9
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandatru.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TruAmanda
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/truamanda/

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When Love Inspires: Alana's story

As an author who mainly writes suspense thrillers, many of the topics I tackle contain issues our society faces on a daily basis.

I’ve written about sex trafficking, kidnapping, abortion, racial issues, and homosexuality to name but a few. However, I choose to also write fiction romance because it gives both myself and my readers a nice break from the heavy emotional topics listed above. 

It’s nice to create characters and towns who have “happily-ever-after” endings when we all know there are no guarantees for them in real life. However, romance novels remind us about the good in life, the way our men treat us like ladies, the way ladies respect their men, and how communities pull together and create memories and traditions to be enjoyed for decades. 

So I think it would be safe to say while I primarily write suspense novels, life is definitely made up of both genres – the nitty gritty “hot button topics” that flood the news as well as the sweet romance and “happily-ever-after” endings found in romantic fiction. 

I hope you enjoy reading this sweet romance as much as I did writing it.

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Alana's Author Bio:

Alana Terry is a pastor's wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers' Favorite, and more. 

Alana's passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. 

She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

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Blurb for Alana's novella, "Seoul Refuge":

Caroline is a new believer, excited and passionate about her faith. Calvin is a Boston police detective, an atheist who can hardly believe Christians have brainwashed his wife. Caroline just wants to follow God. Calvin just wants his wife back.

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Connect with Alana:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alanaterrywrites
Newsletter sign-up: https://www.alanaterry.com/readers-club.html

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alanaterrybooks/

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When Love Inspires: Kari's story

I write inspirational romance because I think everyone should be able to read what makes them feel good and comfortable if that’s what they desire. 

So many women love the romance part of romance novels, but don’t want to read bedroom scenes. I go one step further by adding a faith element to all of my stories, but they are for both Christian and non-Christian readers.

Each reader comes at a book with different expectations. Some want a lot of tension and build up in the story, even though they know how it will end. 

In romance, it isn’t really about the ending because readers know when they start a romance how it will end, it’s all about the journey. I write about the journey in a way that many readers would feel comfortable sharing it with their daughters when they are done.

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Kari's Author Bio:

Kari Trumbo is a best-selling author of Christian and sweet romance. 

She writes swooney heroes and places that become characters, with detail and heart. She's a stay-at-home mom to four vibrant children. When she isn't writing or editing, she home schools her children and pretends to keep up with them.

Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one's listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.

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Blurb for Kari's novella, "Whole Latte Love":

Misguided Drew thinks all quiet women hide harmful secrets. 

While pretty, new best friend Addi's soft-spoken nature reminds him too much of past hurts to move their relationship forward. Can a matchmaking agency change his heart?

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Connect with Kari:
Website: www.KariTrumbo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KariTrumboAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karitrumbo
Instagram: www.instagram.com/KariTrumbo
Book Bub: www.bookbub.com/authors/kari-trumbo
Amazon Author Page

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When Love Inspires: Delia's story

When Love Inspires: Delia's story

Don’tcha just love, love?

I do, and I suppose I always will…especially clean, godly, respectful love. And that, my friends, is why a 60-something grandmother has been writing about love, life, and happily ever after for over a decade.

I’d never written a book when I got the first little mustard seed of an idea for a romance novel—but I’d been promising myself I would for a very long time. The seed took root when I read the Salinger Sisters series by Shari MacDonald. Book Two, A Match Made in Heaven, grabbed me by the imagination and held on tight. I determined to write the novel I’d been promising myself for years.

I don’t remember much about that pivotal story line, other than there was a dating agency involved. I started thinking about the matchmaking profession—which, at that time, it wasn’t the huge industry that it is now. Wouldn’t it be fun to write about a place where Christian singles could go to find—in a phrase borrowed from King Solomon—he (or she) whom their soul loveth?

I stored the idea away in my brain, and every once in a while, I took it out and played with it (the idea…not the brain). I wrote two other novels and actually found publishers for them. Neither had anything to do with a dating agency, but they are romance novels. I started a couple of new manuscripts. But I hadn’t really found my stride.

Then one day it was as though something clicked in my heart—like God was saying, “It’s time. Let’s do this!”

Well, okay then, Lord!

I started brain writing, which is my ‘normal’ pre-writing process. I thought about the idea while I washed dishes and made beds; mulled it over while driving down the road all by myself; worked out a fun little scenario or three as I lay in bed on nights when sleep was elusive; dreamed up and discarded a number of storylines and subplots. Weeks and months went into mentally laying the groundwork.

By the time I actually sat down to start writing this long-dreamed-of novel, I had several scenes all cozied up in my head, just waiting to be put on paper. And…I was no longer just writing a book based around a dating agency. Now it was a series…three books, maybe more. Plus, God threw in a real surprise for me. My dating agency would be no ordinary, run-of-the-mill love connection. Sometime during all of those mental writing sessions, it received a touch of the divine—an extraordinary connection to Heaven.

That’s how my Solomon’s Gate Series was born. It marked the point where I knew writing “Heaven’s touch in earthly tales” was the path God had laid out for me to follow. Kinda makes sense. After all, I’ve read and loved Christian romance since I was a young girl. I remember walking a mile or so to the library twice a week as a teenager. I’d borrow as many Grace Livingston Hill books as I could carry. As time went by, many other Christian authors became favorites…but now and then, I still see glimmers of Hill’s style in my writing.

I love imparting God’s truth into my storylines, and praying that these seeds of hope and joy take root in someone’s heart. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than hearing a reader say, “I think God had you write this book just for me.”

Most recently, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of several multi-author collections. The latest of these—just in time for Valentine’s Day, and already an Amazon bestseller!—is “Love, Sweet Love.” 

My novella, Like a Dance (Hummingbird Hollow, #3), is one of five in the collection, which also boasts great stories by Mary Manners, Dora Hiers, Zoe M. McCarthy, and Tanya Hanson. I’m honored and blessed to be included in this line-up of wholesome, heartwarming stories that demonstrate the beauty of Christ-centered romance.

I like to say this collection is like a box of chocolates…in books! Sweet, rich, and irresistible. You can’t read just one of the five—you won’t stop reading until the box is empty.

Find Love, Sweet Love on Amazon and get ready for a sweet Valentine’s Day!

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Author Bio:

Writing Heaven’s touch into earthly tales, Delia Latham puts her characters through the fire of earthly trials to bring them out victorious by the hand of God, His heavenly messengers, and good, old-fashioned love. You’ll always find a touch of the divine in her tales of sweet romance.

Delia and her husband Johnny live in East Texas, where their pampered Pomeranian, Kona, kindly allows them to share her home. 

The author enjoys multiple life roles as wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, but above all, she loves being a princess daughter to the King of kings. She admits to a lifelong, mostly unbattled Dr. Pepper addiction, and loves hearing from her readers.

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Blurb for Delia's novella:

A former celebrity dancer with a child she adores. A successful but burnt-out therapist to Hollywood’s rich and famous. 

When they show up in Hummingbird Hollow at the same time, sparks fly…but they can’t fan the flames. She’s vowed to dedicate herself solely to her daughter. 

He has a long bloodline of reasons not to be a dad. They’re burning stars on a collision course. Will the result be a delight…or a disaster?

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Connect with Delia:
Website: https://www.delialatham.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delialatham
Twitter: https://twitter.com/delialatham
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/delialatham/
Amazon Author Page

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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When Love Inspires: Sandi's story

When Love Inspires: Sandi's story

I’ve always loved a good romance! Especially if it included adventure and excitement. I try to write what excites me, what I would want to read. So of course, I thought: Who could resist a book that opens with a shotgun wedding?

For me, coming up with ideas and inventing exhilarating scenes is what I love about writing. But what makes me most passionate about my stories is implementing the love of God between my pages. Having the opportunity to share the Lord with my readers in a way that “shows” His true character—rather than preaching to my readers—is what excites me the most! Jesus taught in parables, so clearly we can learn about God through stories, even romantic ones. God is the inventor of romance anyway.

Have you ever read Song of Solomon? That couple had similar issues as us today, and I believe that’s why it was written—so we can all thankfully realize we’re “normal.” Just one small example, Solomon’s lover is self-conscience about her looks in 1:6, “Do not stare at me because I am swarthy, for the sun has burned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me caretaker of the vineyards, but I have not taken care of my own vineyard.” Her “own vineyard” is her “own body.” How many of us have felt that way? Too many, I dare say! But Solomon still adores her. Come now, release that huge sigh, “Aaaahhhh!” And say, “So … romantic!”

Most of my stories before Out of the Ashes have been deeper, heavier. Really, had it not been for the Lord and the many thousands of people who prayed me through cancer, Out of the Ashes never would have been written. If you’re one of the people who prayed for me, thank you. Mere words aren’t enough to express my gratitude.

Having emerged back onto the writing scene after the two-year battle, and feeling rather beat up after the long fight, I needed something with a happy ending. Like a fairytale. Think Cinderella. That’s what Out of the Ashes is, something light and cheerful. Just as I got my happy ending with cancer, I want to leave my readers with a happy ending that makes them sigh and wish for more.

I’m thankful to God that He’s given me the chance to write a story of adventure and fun, a story that I pray will put a smile on someone’s face. What a blessing it has been for me to have had the strength to write Nathaniel and Amelia’s story. 

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Author Bio:

Sandi Rog is the founder and acquisitions editor of Tulpen Publishing, www.tulpenpublishing.com. She has been editing since 1999 and believes her readers deserve stories that take them beyond the bookshelf of "ordinary." 

Sandi is also an international and award-winning author of The Master’s Wall, Yahshua’s Bridge (DeWard Publishing, https://deward.com), and Walks Alone (White Fire Publishing https://www.whitefire-publishing.com).

Finally, Out of the Ashes was the First Place winner of the 2016 FHLRCA contest: http://www.faithhopelove-rwa.org/fhlrca-contest/2016-fhlrca-contest-winners/.

Sandi knows what it's like to want to lose oneself in a delightful story. She lived in Holland for thirteen years and now lives in Colorado with her husband, four children (one is married and living elsewhere now, sniff), a cat, and too many spiders.

You can learn more about Sandi Rog at her personal website, www.sandirog.com and her blog about her cancer story, https://beatcancerwithb17.weebly.com. 

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Blurb for Sandi's book, Out of the Ashes:

A stranger. A kiss. A shotgun wedding. 

NATHANIEL WARD, wealthy entrepreneur, needs a wife. But he’s not interested in the preening, high-society women who are offered to him on a silver platter. He wants one woman, and one woman alone: the girl who gave him all the money in her reticule years ago when the Great Chicago Fire left him destitute. He sets out to find this woman and discovers she’s unattached. There’s only one problem, a shotgun wedding may be able to bind them, but will he ever be able to win her heart? 

AMELIA E. TAYLOR blows a kiss to a street rat. Little did she know, years later that kiss would follow her to Green Pines Colorado. When a handsome stranger arrives in her hometown, she guards her heart from the stirrings this man ignites. Despite society’s disapproval of spinsterhood, she is determined not to marry, having witnessed first-hand the lack of love and horrors that accompany marriage. But will a shotgun wedding reveal blessings that arise out of the ashes?

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Connect with Sandi:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Sandi-Rog-Author-Page-113283882063182/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/sandirog

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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