Christmas on My Heart: A Christmas Kiss by June Foster

Interview with June Foster about her book, A Christmas Kiss:

Alexis: Why did you write this book for a young adult audience?

June: I had never written a Young Adult (YA) book before, and I'm always ready to explore a new genre. I had plans to write a story about the heroine after she'd grown up, so I decided to first pen a story about when she was a teen. The story which features Haley Flannery all grown up and working as an RN is Someone to Call His Own. If anyone signs up for my newsletter on junefoster.com, I will send you a free PDF copy of that book!

Alexis: What inspired you to create this story?

June: Most of my stories contain difficult issues we encounter in our society today such as drug use, abortion, and uncontrolled anger. I decided to veer away from the heady problems my characters face and write a lighthearted story. 

Alexis: Tell us about Haley, your story’s heroine. What is she like? What does she not like? How does her personality affect how people interact with her?

June: Haley is a popular young woman who's active in her high school. She is raised in a Christian home but is not totally sold out to the Lord. In the story, she believes that the hero, Brett Sanford has a Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde personality. When she thinks he's lied to her, she wants nothing more to do with him. Her best friend loves Haley's enthusiasm about football and participation in the student council. Most people feel free to interact with Haley—all except Brett when he's in his Mr. Hyde mode.

Alexis: Tell us about Brett, your story’s hero. What is he like? What are his strengths, weakness, dreams and goals in life?

June: Brett is an unselfish, Godly young man who puts the Lord first in his life. He plays football and wants to help Haley when she asks him to play Santa Clause for the Christmas dance. Brett's primary strength is loyalty and unselfishness, but when he automatically assumes his brother will help him out, he's sadly mistaken. Brett wants nothing more than to serve God with his life.

Alexis: How does Brett being the quarterback for the school’s football team affect his relationship with Haley who is student council secretary? 

June: At first, Haley is afraid to ask him to help her with the student council dance. She's afraid he might tell her no because he's too busy with football and wouldn't have time for the likes of her. 

Alexis: Why does Haley ask Brett to play Santa for their school’s Christmas dance? 

June: She wants to get to know him better, and she believes this would be a good way.

Alexis: What is it about Brett that makes Haley want to kiss him? 

June: When Brett came to her house to pick up the Santa suit, he gave her a peck on the cheek. Later, Haley decides she's going to give Brett a real kiss—but it will be Santa she kisses, of course.

Alexis: How does Haley and Brett’s faith in God affect their outlook on life and interactions with each other? 

June: Brett is ready to forgive when others betray him. He's always ready to lend a helping hand, but when he does toward the end of the story, it gets him in trouble. Haley's faith is weak but when she witnesses Brett's Godly attitude, she's drawn closer to the Lord.

Alexis: If you could spend Christmas Eve with Haley and Brett talking over hot chocolate, what would the conversation center on and why? 

June: I'd love to ask Brett more about his faith and how he came to the Lord. I'd like to talk to Haley about her aspirations for the future since I wrote a book about what happens to her when she grows up.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about A Christmas Kiss? 

June: Wrapped in a good story, the tale about Brett and Haley reminds readers that a life surrendered to the Lord is most important.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, June! Do you have closing comments?

June: Thank you, Alexis, for allowing me to share about A Christmas Kiss. I'd like to remind readers it is a short story. So if your holidays are busy, you'll have time to read this book.

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Author Bio: 

June Foster is an award-winning author who began her writing career in an RV roaming around the USA with her husband, Joe. 

She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her contemporary romances. 

June's characters find themselves in precarious circumstances where only God can offer redemption and ultimately freedom. 

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Book Blurb for A Christmas Kiss:

When student council secretary Haley Flannery volunteers to find someone to play Santa for the school Christmas dance, she quickly decides to ask the football team's quarterback, Brett Sanford. 

But when he's Dr. Jekyll one minute and Mr. Hyde the next, she's supposed to believe his explanation that he has a twin brother. 

When Brett plays "Santa" at the school dance then shoves her away after she tries to kiss him, can she forget about the gorgeous guy and concentrate on the true meaning of Christmas?

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Buy June's book on Amazon

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Connect with June:
Website: junefoster.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/junefoster
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vjifoster
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjunefoster

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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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Summer Love: Interview with Laura Jackson, author of "Worth the Time"

Interview questions for Laura Jackson about her book, Worth the Time:

Alexis: What inspired the title “Worth the Time” for your story?

Laura: Lindsey, the main character, is the mean girl in the first book in the Waltham Academy series. Behind her catty attitude and conniving schemes is a girl who just wants to be noticed, a girl desperate for those she loves to have time for her. 

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s heroine Lindsey Hamilton. What makes her tick? What brings her great joy? What breaks her heart?

Laura: Lindsey is a girl in hiding. When she’s embarrassed and has her heart broken in front of her entire school, she’s determined not to ever be hurt again. She has built a cold fortress around herself, but like most people, she just wants to be noticed and loved.

Alexis: What is it about Lindsey that allows her to get whatever she wants? Would you say that she’s ruthless? Why or why not?

Laura: At the beginning of the novel, Lindsey is ruthless. She knows what she wants and uses her good looks and popularity to get what she wants. She has little regard to how her schemes affect anyone else.

Alexis: Who is Ellie Lansing and what role does she play in this story?

Laura: Ellie is the heroine in Worth the Wait, which is the first book in the series. She’s dating Dylan Grant, and Lindsey wants him. She also wants Ellie’s seemingly perfect life.

Alexis: Who is Dylan Grant and how did Lindsey steal him from Ellie? What does she need to do to keep him as her boyfriend?

Laura: Dylan Grant is the stereotypical popular guy in high school. To Ellie, he’s her childhood friend and long-time boyfriend. To Lindsey, he’s a status symbol. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot of Worth the Wait to say how Lindsey gets him, but once she has him, she realizes sometimes what we want isn’t what we need or expect.

Alexis: Snagging Dylan made Lindsey the most popular girl at Waltham Christian Academy but her heart is still empty. Why? 

Laura: Lindsey is a desperate girl—longing to be popular, to be accepted, to be noticed. But those things don’t fulfill us. Only Christ can, and like many of us, Lindsey struggles to see that.

Alexis: Who is the “real” Lindsey? What does it take for her to stop being fake, heal and become a whole person?

Laura: There’s a guy. Sutton. Lindsey has to complete volunteer hours, and Sutton works at Covington House, where Lindsey is serving. He’s the first guy who doesn’t fall for her, so he intrigues her. He’s a Christian like many at her school claim to be, but he’s different—his faith is real. Because she spends so much time being fake, Lindsey is desperate to cling to something real. 

Alexis: What role does faith in God play in this story? Explain how it affects the lives of your characters.

Laura: Sutton lives out his faith. He loves Christ and serves at Covington House out of that love while Lindsey is there because she won’t graduate without volunteer hours. Through her friendship with Sutton and her new relationship with the father she never knew, Lindsey learns that the One who created her not only loves her but also has time for her.

Alexis: What role does high school counselor Mrs. Santana play in turning Lindsey’s life around? Explain.

Laura: Mrs. Santana sees beyond Lindsey’s walls to notice the girl desperate to be loved. She uses Lindsey’s volunteer requirement to build a relationship. When her mom doesn’t have time for her, Lindsey turns to Mrs. Santana for advice.

Alexis: Who is Sutton McCoy and why does he have a bad first impression of Lindsey? Is his first impression his last? Explain.

Laura: Sutton McCoy works at Covington House, where Lindsey is required to volunteer. He sees her as another snobby girl forced to volunteer. Because he serves weekly, Sutton cares deeply about the kids who come to Covington House. He doesn’t want to see another person come into the kids’ lives just to walk away again. Luckily for Lindsey, his first impression isn’t his last. 

Alexis: Sutton’s been through trauma in his personal life. How do the effects of that trauma prevent him from pursuing a romantic relationship with Lindsey?

Laura: Sutton judges Lindsey some—he sees her as a pretty, popular cheerleader from a ritzy private school. What could she possibly know what it feels like to have lost a father at a young age and to have a mother battling drug addiction? So, first, that causes him to not even want to be friends. His past has also given him a strong desire to make something of himself, and he can’t be distracted with a flighty girl.

Alexis: What role does Lindsey’s biological father play in her life? How does he affect her character arc? Explain.

Laura: Lindsey always thought her dad walked away before she was born, which wasn’t true. When her biological father finds her and wants a relationship with her, Lindsey’s world is rocked. All these lies she’d told herself were no longer true, and she learns that maybe she didn’t need those walls to protect her heart after all.

Alexis: Why doesn’t Lindsey believe in a loving God? What makes her change her mind?

Laura: Our earthly fathers play a big role in how we see our heavenly father. It’s hard to imagine God as a loving father when your own father never wanted you. As Lindsey gets to know her father—as he pursues a relationship with her—she begins to see how much God loves her too.

Alexis: What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book? Why?

Laura: Lindsey was such a mean girl in book one that I struggled to convey her wounded heart. In my mind, I loved her because I knew her, but I worried readers wouldn’t see her like I did. In the beginning of the book, she’s broken and angry. She lashes out. I prayed readers would give her a chance because I do think Lindsey’s story is an example of the transformation that happens when Jesus comes into our lives.

Alexis: What do you want your readers to remember most about Worth the Time?

Laura: I want them to know that they are loved. The One who spoke and created galaxies not only loves us but pursues a relationship with us.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Laura! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Laura: Thanks for having me!

~*~

Author Bio: 

Laura Jackson loves books—reading and writing them. 

A life-long reader, Laura studied English in college and taught 7th-grade language arts before earning her Master's degree and becoming a school librarian. 

Now, she spends her days sharing great books with kids and her evenings writing books about teenage girls discovering God and His plan for their lives.

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Blurb for Laura's book, Worth the Time:

Doesn't anyone feel she's worth their time?

Routinely ignored by her single mother, high school senior Lindsey Hamilton hides her loneliness behind a mask of flirtatious self-confidence that has many boys wrapped around her finger. However, during community service required for graduation, she meets a shy guy with a haunted past who barely gives her the time of day. Why doesn't he like her?

Then the father she thought had abandoned her before birth wants to meet, and she discovers everything she believed about him is a lie.

How will Lindsey learn to trust so she can realize that she has been loved all along?

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Buy Laura's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble

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Connect with Laura:
Facebook - https://facebook.com/laurajacksonwrites
Twitter - https://twitter.com/LauraJackson80
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ljack80/
Website - http://authorlaurajackson.blogspot.com

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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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Blog tour: Tessa Emily Hall features her novel, "Unwritten Melody"

Let's welcome a new person to the blog today! Tessa Emily Hall is the name of this first time guest and she's written a book that she wants you to win! :) First, here's a photo of this lovely author:

Second, here's the cover of her novel that she's giving away:

Finally, here are the details of everything that Tessa is giving away (not just her book):

Enter for your chance to win the Unwritten Melody Prize Pack! Two winners will be selected and announced on Tessa’s blog the final day of tour (Friday, Dec. 9) and will be notified via email. This prize pack includes:

·      E-copy of Unwritten Melody

·      Signed paperback copy of Purple Moon

·      Unwritten Melody mug, filled with goodies

·      Unwritten Melody swag, including a bookmark, pen, and poster

·      Starbucks mocha flavored instant coffee

·      Free Unwritten Melody: Page-By-Page Secrets PDF

·      Handmade journal

·      Typewritten thank you note

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*This giveaway is open only to people who live in the U.S.A.  Enter the contest by filling out the Rafflecopter widget above this line. 

Now, on to the interview with Tessa! Enjoy! 

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Interview with Tessa Emily Hall, author of Unwritten Melody:

Alexis: "Unwritten Melody" is an intriguing title. Why did you choose it?

Tessa: Thank you! Here’s a fun fact: Unwritten Melody was the original title for Purple Moon. In the first version of Purple Moon, the protagonist was a musician rather than an artist. The reason I changed that aspect, as well as the title, was because a best-selling novelist released a book that was far too similar to the plot and title. I didn’t want people to think I’d stolen ideas from this author. So, I decided to save the title Unwritten Melody for a later book. Then, when I had a story spark of an idea that involved a musician and a poet, I knew Unwritten Melody would make the perfect title. I’m very grateful that the publisher decided to keep it.

Alexis: What was your inspiration behind writing this book?

Tessa: I loved the idea of having a songwriter (Cassie) mesh her lyrics together with a musician (James), and for the pieces to fit together like a puzzle—almost as though the lyrics and songs were created for each another.

I also knew that I wanted to somehow incorporate the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson into the novel. I first learned about this poet in my 8th grade English class. I remember becoming fascinated – not only with her works, but also with the unique story of her life. After I brainstormed the premise to Unwritten Melody, I knew Cassie’s own life would shadow perfectly that of Dickinson’s and highlight the book’s theme in the process.

Alexis: How would you define your writing style?

Tessa: The books I write have always reflected the voice of my main character and unveils the story in a way that’s filtered through their perspective. I like to do this in a way that is authentic and keeps the story moving along, almost at the same pace of a movie. I never want to give readers a reason to scan certain passages. However, I wouldn’t consider my style to be bare bone, either. I do love to paint a scene, writing it in such a way that draws readers into the story world and has them almost convinced (hopefully) that they themselves are the protagonist.

Alexis: What is your favorite genre to write? Why?

Tessa: I’ve been writing stories since I was 3-years-old, and the characters in my stories have remained the same age as myself at the time of writing them. However, I’m now almost 23, and I can’t see myself writing for an age group other than teens any time soon. I love the teen voice in YA books. I love writing stories that wrestle with the many questions and struggles that teens experience. I love that teens are not yet a kid, but they’re not an adult, either—it’s the in between stage of life. They’re still in the process of discovering who they are, who they want to become, and figuring out the purpose for their life. Plus, writing in that genre gives me permission to remain a teen forever.

Alexis: Paint a picture of your writing space. What makes it special?

Tessa: Which one? Haha. I wrote most of Unwritten Melody at a desk in my bedroom that overlooks the pond in my backyard. It was during the fall, so I especially enjoyed watching autumn leaves fall from trees. Writing at my desk helps to keep me alert and focused. I keep the area decorated in a way that inspires me to write by framing writing quotes and lighting candles. Also, against my wall is a collage I made of pictures from my writing journey so far.

But every now and then, during the process of writing Unwritten Melody, I had to change things up a bit. I occasionally wrote at coffee shops, on a couch in my living room, at the dining room table, on my screened in porch, and even standing up at the island in my kitchen.

Alexis: What were your go-to beverages or food while on deadline for Unwritten Melody?

Tessa: Fun question! I wrote the first version of Unwritten Melody when I was 18 and 19, then I edited it when I was 20. It was during the editing stage that I realized there were major flaws in the plot. It didn’t exactly fit the story I had originally envisioned, either.

So, I decided to start from scratch and rewrite the story when I was 21. My go-to writing snacks during this process were trail mix, sunflower seeds, and dark chocolate chips. And, of course, I can never write unless I have a cup (or two) of coffee on hand. =)

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s heroine Cassie Gilbert. Why does she long to break free from her grandmother’s rules?

She feels as though she’s never been a “normal” teen because her Grandma has raised her to be sheltered and has given her rigid—sometimes unrealistic—rules to follow. Cassie longs to experience what life would be like if she could live the average life. She feels as though the rules suffocate her and keep her from finding true joy and freedom in life. She also believes that her grandmother’s tendencies to over-control comes from a place of bitterness rather than love.

Alexis: You gave Cassie a passion for songwriting. Does she dream of fame and living in Nashville? Explain her creative heart.

Tessa: Cassie’s never been one to care much for popularity. In fact, she much prefers to remain invisible. Songwriting gives her the opportunity to write poetry – which is what she loves – yet it allows her to remain behind the scenes as another person receives the recognition. Writing has always been her way of escape, an outlet that she could use to express herself. Songwriting is her dream career because it would allow her the opportunity to get paid for doing what she loves.

Alexis; Tell us about your story’s hero James Russo. What does he look like? Why does he love to sing? What about his past is so tarnished that he feels that he needs to run away to escape it?

Tessa: James has olive skin, spikey black hair, and mesmerizing ocean-blue eyes. He loves to sing because music has always been a huge influence in his life. It first touched him when he was a little boy and having to deal with the confusion and loneliness that came with his parents’ divorce. Because of that, he longs to use the gift of music to help others as well, to touch them in the same way it impacted him during those difficult childhood years.

James didn’t have the best reputation in his hometown (Long Island, NY). The summer between his sophomore and junior year, he was involved in an incident that smeared his reputation even more. Because of that, he longed to start over, to create a new name for himself rather than the bad boy rep he’d been tied to at his old school. That was never who he truly was at heart.

Alexis: Where do Cassie and James meet? Describe their meet-cute.

Tessa: They meet in English class at school. Cassie is a junior in honors English, and James is a new kid joining the second semester of his senior year. They meet after the teacher announces that they’ve been assigned to be partners in a school project. Cassie isn’t thrilled at this idea; she assumes James is an arrogant singer, and she would prefer to remain under the radar than to have the other girls in class shoot snooty looks her way, jealous of the time she gets to spend with James.

Alexis: What is it about Cassie’s songwriting talent that convinces James that he must convince her to collaborate with him on his demo album?

Tessa: He loves that her lyrics are deep – not the shallow songs about boyfriend-girlfriend relationships that he used to sing on American Spotlight. Plus, it presents the opportunity for James to get to know Cassie more. She’s hidden beneath a shell. But the lyrics show him a glimpse of who she is beneath the surface. He realizes there’s far more to Cassie than what meets the eye – and, of course, guys love a good challenge. He’s intrigued by the idea of getting to know the girl behind the lyrics.

Also, James came to Willow Creek in hopes of creating a demo album that he could send to his manager. Yet he’s never been a talented songwriter. Creating music on the keyboard is his forte. Thus, when he reads Cassie’s lyrics, he feels as though they’re the heartbeat to his melodies, and they breathe life into his music notes.

Alexis: What is it about James that Cassie simply cannot resist?

Tessa: The fearless, adventure spirit that radiates from James. Cassie’s grown up in a small town, sheltered by her Grandma, and she even attends the private school that her grandmother created and is the principal over. The kids in Willow Creek, SC are mostly country, and Cassie hasn’t seen much of the world outside of her town. James, however, is a risk-taking teen from Long Island, NY. He was recently a contestant on one of the most popular teen singing reality TV shows. It’s thrilling to Cassie to see someone pursuing his dreams and experiencing life outside of small town Willow Creek. James’s passion for music inspires her to pursue her own dreams of songwriting. She’s also enthralled by the way he wants to create music not for his own recognition, but as a vessel to reach others.

Alexis: What lesson do you want this story to teach your readers? Why?

I don’t necessarily want my books to preach to readers; instead, I’d rather that they read my books, be entertained, and then come away from it with their own interpretations of the book’s theme. But it is my hope that, through my books, readers will realize that they are not alone in their life’s journey – in the questions they wrestle with, emotions they deal with, situations they’re experiencing, etc. And hopefully, through my books, they can find the answer, the help, that they’re searching for.

However, I do hope that readers come away with Unwritten Melody with newfound hope for their current circumstances and a deeper revelation of the power of God’s love.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Tessa!

~*~

Author bio: 

Tessa Emily Hall writes inspirational yet authentic YA fiction to show others they’re not alone—and because she remembers the teen life like it was yesterday (or a few years ago). The debut novel she wrote at 16-years-old, Purple Moon (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) was a Selah 2014 Finalist. Her second novel, Unwritten Melody, releases with Clean Reads November 2016.

She’s the Founder of PursueMagazine.net, a magazine that inspires teens to embrace their calling. Tessa also enjoys helping writers achieve their dreams through her internship at Hartline Literary Agency.

When her fingers aren’t flying 116 WPM across the keyboard, Tessa can be found making healthy homemade lattes, speaking to teens, decorating her insulin pump, and acting in Christian films. She writes in a small town nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Southeastern coast. Her favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website.

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Book blurb for Unwritten Melody: Does breaking free require breaking the rules?

Cassie Gilbert lives every day in the shadows of her deceased mom’s rebellion. But now that she’s seventeen, she finds herself longing to break away from her grandmother’s suffocating rules, experience what it’s like to be a regular teenager, and fulfill her songwriting dreams.

James Russo, former American Spotlight contestant, escapes to small town Willow Creek, SC hoping to flee from his tarnished past. When a school project pairs him with the shy principal’s granddaughter, he’s determined to get to know this Emily-Dickinson-obsessed and typewriter-using girl. His plan? Convince Cassie to co-write songs for his demo album.

As Cassie gets to know James over “project meetings” (more like opportunities to match her lyrics with his melodies), she becomes intrigued by his sense of adventure and contagious passion for music. But soon, his past becomes exposed. Cassie’s left to wonder—did she make the same mistake Mom did by falling for the bad boy?

Then, Grandma’s control pushes her over the edge. Cassie must choose between remaining in the chains of yesterday, or delving into her own freedom by completing the melody her mom left behind.

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Buy Tessa's book:
Mark “Unwritten Melody” on Goodreads
View “Unwritten Melody” on Amazon
View “Unwritten Melody” on Barnes & Noble

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Connect with Tessa:

Website - www.tessaemilyhall.com

Amazon Author Page - http://amzn.to/2ef5bu1
Blog - www.ChristisWrite.blogspot.com
Twitter - www.twitter.com/tessaemilyhall
Facebook - www.facebook.com/tessaemilyhall
Instagram -  www.instagram.com/tessaemilyhall
Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/tessaemilyhall

SaveSave

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BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE for Unwritten Melody: Don’t miss the next blog tour stop! Be sure to visit the following blogs on its designated tour date. You can also email tessaemilyhall (at) gmail (dot) com and request to receive the Blog Tour Packet. At the end of the tour, Tessa will send you the downloadable PDF that will contain all of the content from each blog tour stop.

Tues., November 1 – Christ is Write

Wed., November 2 - Adriana Gabrielle Writes

Thurs., November 3 – The Depth of My Faith

Fri., November 4 - Sarah Ruut

Mon., November 7 – God is Love

Tues., November 8 – The Bibliophile Angel

Wed., November 9 - Emily Rachelle Writes

Thurs, November 10 – Word Changers For His Glory

Fri., November 11 – Christian Teen Book Reviews

Mon., November 14 – Phyllis Still

Tues., November 15 – In The Bookcase

Wed., November 16 – Girl Meets Publishing World

Thurs., November 17 - Anna Schaeffer

Fri., November 18 – Ramblings of a Writer

Mon., November 21 - Naomi and Books

Tues., November 22 – Reading is My Superpower

Wed., November 23 – Zerina Blossom’s Books

Thurs., November 24 - Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud

Fri., November 25 – Labor Not in Vain

Mon., November 28 - Barbara Bruitt

Tues., November 29 - Katy Kauffman

Wed., November 30 – Jen Pheobus

Thurs., December 1 – Northern Belle Meg

Fri., December 2 – 2Me From Him

Mon., December 5 - Nicole Quigley

Tues., December 6 – The Destiny of One

Wed., December 7 - Catherine Castle

Thurs., December 8 - Rachelle Rea Cobb

Fri., December 9 – Leslie L. Mckee