Romantic Reads: The Beauty and the Throne (book) by Sara Nicole

Welcome Sara Nicole to the blog! She's here to share an excerpt from her book, 

The Beauty and the Throne. 

Happy reading!

~*~

 From Chapter 18 of The Beauty and the Throne by Sara Nicole, copyright 2014:

 

“Here,” Jonathan said, changing positions. “I have a better idea.” He skated in front of her again, facing her. He switched her grip from his arm to both his mittened hands. “Ready?” he asked.

Elise looked confused. “What do I do?”

“Skate.” He grinned at her as he began to skate backwards.

She shook her head, but followed him, gripping his hands for balance. Jonathan could not stop grinning. This had been a great idea. He liked being so close to her, and he liked feeling her hands in his - even through two pairs of mittens. He had to remember to take his eyes off her and glance behind him to be sure he did not lead her into a tree.

“Did you and your brothers skate on this lake a lot as kids?” Elise asked.

“We did. Most of our summers were spent in Venetia or Viridia, but Father loved coming here in winter. Many a snowball war has been waged on the banks of this lake.”

Elise laughed. “I can imagine.” She was slowly gaining confidence, standing straighter and gliding more smoothly, looking at him rather than at her feet. “And what about Diane?” When Jonathan arched his eyebrow, she elaborated, “Was she victim, participant, or spectator to these wars?”

Jonathan laughed. “Oh.” He considered. “Something of all three. It depended on the day, I suppose. She joined in often enough, but she stood on the sidelines when we became too, um, competitive.”

Elise tilted her head charmingly. “And what about victim?”

Jonathan shrugged nonchalantly. “She may have been the victim of an ambush once or twice…” He loved Elise’s laugh.

Soon Elise was confident and steady enough that Jonathan switched to skating beside her. She linked her arm in his, and they circled the lake side by side. And they talked. They talked about his family, they talked about hers, they talked about their winter traditions and their childhoods and all sorts of things.

They hardly noticed the passage of time. They spent all afternoon on the lake.

Eventually, Elise grew tired and wanted to rest. Jonathan offered to escort her back inside, but she insisted she was not ready to go in yet. She just wanted to rest from skating for a little while. Jonathan skated with her to the edge of the lake and found a fallen log for her to sit upon and rest. At her insistence, he skated back onto the lake. She challenged him to show her his skating skills. And he did. He could not say no to the mischievous gleam in her eye as she asked him to do it.

There came a moment, however, when he turned toward her, and she was gone.

“Elise?” he called, skating quickly back to the log where she had been sitting. “Elise?” She was nowhere to be seen. He saw her footprints in the snow, however, and followed them. “Elise?” he called as he went. “Where are you?”

The tracks were leading him toward some frozen weeping willow trees. Jonathan slowed, wary. “Elise?”

“Over here!” her voice merrily sang out.

At least she was not hurt. Jonathan picked up his pace. “Where are you?” he called again, hunting after her footprints as they circled the edge of the lake. She did not answer. “Elise?” Goodness, had she circled the entire lake? Her tracks kept going, through tall grass and frozen rushes, around trees… Jonathan kept his eyes open, slipping instinctively into hunting mode.

But he did not see the white snowball until right before it smacked him in the face.

“Ambush!” Elise cried out. Another snowball flew toward him.

Grinning, Jonathan ducked it. He scooped up some snow and lobbed it toward his wife. She ducked behind a tree and giggled as his snowball splattered on the trunk.

“Missed!”

Jonathan answered with another snowball that connected with her shoulder. She squealed and threw another snowball of her own.

They continued the fight a few minutes more, then Jonathan came up with a plan to win it. He made several snowballs and waited for just the right moment. Right after Elise narrowly missed his face with a white missile, he began his assault. Elise dove behind the tree as his snowballs came flying toward her. He ran toward the tree, continuing his barrage to keep her hiding behind the wide trunk.

He ran out of snowballs, and she pivoted around the tree, snowball ready. He tackled her into the snow. She screamed and laughed as their snowball fight turned into a wrestling match.

Jonathan loved seeing the fire in her eyes as she tried to shove him into the snow. She was a fierce little woman.

Her hair was frosty by the time they declared a truce. They brushed the snow off their clothes and began clomping through the snow back toward the manor, ready for a fire and warm drinks. But as they walked, they passed under an opportunity that Jonathan could not pass up, truce or no truce.

“Elise, look!” he said, pointing up.

She did, and he shook the tree branch they were walking beneath. A huge pile of snow fell right onto her face. “Jonathan!”

He laughed so hard his sides hurt. “Ambush!”

Elise lunged at him, laughing but trying to look angry. “We declared a truce!” He tried to fend her off, but she managed to grab a handful of snow and stuff it down the back of his coat. “So there!”

“All right! All right! Truce,” Jonathan laughed. He winced at the slushy, very cold mess sliding down his back.

He tugged off his scarf and struggled to pull the snowball out of his shirt. Elise laughed at his efforts.

 

 

~*~

Review of The Beauty and the Throne on Amazon.com: 

(Note from the Author: The cover has since been updated from the writing of this review)

 

Amber M Fraelich

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly Surprised! 

Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2014

Verified Purchase

I got this book through Amazon on the free list. I honestly wasn't expecting it to be a good book, it's an unknown author, had no reviews, and the cover didn't really capture my attention. This is one time I am glad I was wrong! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a happy ever after. While it may not be historically accurate and was born mostly of imagination, it was still a very good read. The forgiveness and growing love between the main characters was written beautifully. I also loved seeing so much family support between everyone, so rare anymore. The editing also seemed to be done well, which is not always the case when it comes to Amazon freebies. I recommend this book for anyone who has a love for fairytales or needs a break from the "heavy" reading that seems to be so popular. 

~*~
Author Bio:

A born Kansan with southern roots, Sara did not grow up loving to write. She did, however, love stories. Hearing them, telling them, reading them … Only when she could not find a story that explored the questions she had inside of her did she begin writing them. 

Beginning as a search into the character of God and what His love is really like, her God took over from the start and used her writing to speak to the deepest questions in her soul. 

Sara does not think of herself as an author, but rather a scribe, for her books are only born from listening to God, who loves to speak truth through stories and inspires all of her books.

She uses the pen name “Sara Nicole” in honor of her grandmother, Sara Gene, who went to be with the Lord in 2011.

~*~
Book blurb:

The most important thing Jonathan and Elise have in common is ambitious fathers who wish to see the two married. 

An arranged wedding later, Jonathan and Elise do not know what to do with each other. Adding to the complications, Jonathan is a prince. 

Between ruling his land of Aurelia, fending off the pressures laid on him by his father, and trying to navigate the uncharted waters of marriage, Jonathan finds himself the target of assassins.

Can Jonathan and Elise learn to love before their last chance is gone?

~*~

Buy Sara's book on Amazon

~*~

Connect with Sara:
Website: https://www.saranicole2612.com/
Blog: https://fromkinsey2kiwaft.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saranicole2612
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sara-nicole
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7715207.Sara_Nicole

Christmas on My Heart: The 12 Gifts of Christmas by Lena Nelson Dooley

Excerpt from Chapter 3 of Lena Nelson Dooley’s book, 

The 12 Gifts of Christmas:

“Let’s all sit down,” he said. Alanza sat beside him.

“MacGregor here came to ask me if he could date you.”

Her eyes widened, but she didn’t look upset. That was a good sign.

“Oh, he did, did he?”

“I did not want to give him my answer until I knew if you in fact wanted to date him.”

Now a blush crept up her cheeks, making her even more beautiful. And her green eyes sparkled. He’d never noticed the tiny golden flecks in her irises before. He tried to keep his face neutral, but it was hard when he wished he had the right to pull her into his arms right then and there.

Her smile widened. “Sure. I’d like that.”

He hoped she didn’t feel pressured. “How about tonight?” he asked. “Would you like to go out to dinner?”

Alessandro clapped his hands softly a couple of times. “Bravo. Now, that’s settled. Do you need anything else, Malcolm?”

He pulled his attention from Alanza toward her father. “No, sir. Thank you.”

They shook hands. “Now, please excuse me, I must finish this.” And Alessandro returned to his paperwork.

The bright smile Alanza flashed him went straight to his heart. I praise and thank You, Lord, for this beautiful woman You have created for me.

“What time?”

What time? When does she get off work? As soon as possible would be good. Calm down and think straight!

“What time would work for you, Alanza?”

“How about seven?”

“Fine. Where do you live? I’ll come pick you up there.”

After Alanza gave him the address, he said his goodbyes, then went out to his car, unable to stop smiling. It’s going to happen!

*****

Alanza had a hard time keeping her mind on work. Malcolm MacGregor asked Poppa if he could date her! Wow. She didn’t think he realized how often she gazed over at him while he was in the restaurant. It had become a habit for her to glance at the door every time it opened between one and two p.m. Even though she knew she’d see him tonight and he had no reason to come back in for lunch, she still looked up every single time the door opened. She hoped no one noticed… especially not Poppa.

When it was almost five, her father stopped by the cash register. “Alanza, you can go home and get ready for your date tonight.”

“But, Poppa, the evening rush will start soon. I could stay at least an hour longer.”

He gave her one of his special smiles. “No, I want you to have plenty of time to get ready.”

That’s all it took. She whipped off her apron and headed to the employee break room to get her things out of her locker. In less than ten minutes, she drove toward her apartment, her heart singing.

While getting ready, she thought about all of the things she liked about Malcolm MacGregor. She loved him being so much taller than she was. At five-foot-eleven, not many men were. She could even wear high heels and not be as tall as he was. He had to be at least six-foot-three—maybe more. He looked strong, but not too buff. Not like those crazy guys who worked out so much that they were musclebound. His sky-blue eyes held intelligence, humor, and warmth. She’d never been interested in a guy with red hair before. But his was a rich auburn with just enough waviness that she’d never seen it in disarray. And when he’d leaned on the counter and talked to her while paying his bill, he smelled very masculine and woodsy. It lingered in the air for a few moments after he left the restaurant.

Alanza sang along with the playlist on her smart phone while in the shower and blow drying her hair. When she went to her walk-in closet, she couldn’t decide what to wear. Why hadn’t she asked Malcolm where they were going? She didn’t know whether to dress up or dress down.

It had started to get chilly before she left work and it would get really cold after the sun went down, so she decided to dress in layers. Navy slacks with knee-high black boots. A rich green, long-sleeved blouse with an attached scarf that tied into a bow near her throat. On top of that, her favorite sweater in shades of green and navy. Then she pulled out a long wool coat with a quilted lining.

Alanza glanced at the clock. He’ll be here in fifteen minutes. Will he be early or late? Maybe just on time.

~*~
Author Bio:

Multi-published author Lena Nelson Dooley has had more than 900,000 copies of her books sold. 

She is a member of ACFW and the local chapter ACFW - DFW. She’s a member of Christian Authors’ Network and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

Lena has been on the ECPA and CBA Bestseller lists, Publisher’s Weekly bestseller list, and several Amazon Bestseller lists as well as a reviewer’s Top Ten Books of 2011. She has won over a dozen major awards.

She hosts “The Lena Nelson Dooley Show” on the Along Came a Writer Blogtalk radio network.

~*~
Blurb for Lena's book, The 12 Gifts of Christmas:

Malcolm MacGregor is a descendant of Scotland’s Clan MacGregor and a successful young businessman in Fort Worth, Texas. Alanza Cantalamessa works at a gourmet pizzeria owned by her Brazilian artist mother and her Italian Poppa. 

Both of them are smitten with each other but Malcolm is too reserved to do much more than make small talk—until a promotion at work that will send him away to Australia for six months. It’s December and he has to do something—fast.

Praying about the situation, Malcolm decides to give her twelve gifts leading up to Christmas. Their families and friends think they are moving too fast. And a gold-digger who tossed Malcolm aside in the past has now decided he’s the man of her dreams.

Can Malcolm and Alanza overcome their obstacles before he has to go abroad? Or is it really not meant to be?

~*~
Book Review from A. R. S. on Amazon about The 12 Gifts of Christmas:

4.0 out of 5 stars Contemporary old-fashioned romance
October 20, 2018
Format: Paperback

This was a cute story that takes place in modern day about a man who has found the woman he wants to marry and pursues her. Malcolm has set up a time schedule for himself and is intent on making Alanza, whom he has only ever met at her parent’s restaurant, his wife. He wants to be married before he leaves for Australia for a 6-month stint for his job.

Although this story is a bit out of the box, I really enjoyed watching Malcolm’s pursuit of Alanza. At first, he did come off a bit strong, but as I got to know him along with Alanza, he became more romantic and a true Scottish hero. I was pleasantly surprised as there were a couple of surprising twists and turns to the story of a man giving twelve gifts to a woman he barely knows but wants to marry.

This was a cute and fun recommended holiday read. I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

~*~
Buy Lena's book on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Lena:
Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com
Blog: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lenandooley
Official Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lena-Nelson-Dooley-42960748768/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/333031.Lena_Nelson_Dooley
Blogtalk Radio, The Lena Nelson Dooley Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/alongcameawriter/2018/08/21/the-lena-nelson-dooley-show
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenanelsondooley/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lenanelsondooley
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JPAIDE
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lena-nelson-dooley

~*~
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: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Falling for Books: Jenna's book

Excerpt from Chapter 9 of Rekindled by Jenna Brandt:

Playfully, she slapped him on the side of the arm. “Hey now, you’re supposed to be charming while you’re trying to win me back.”

The smile vanished from his face as he stared deep into her emerald eyes. “Is that what’s going on? Am I winning you back?”

Molly pressed her lips together and he could feel the tension in her body. “Yes,” she whispered barely loud enough for him to hear.

That one word made Spencer’s heart fill with joy. He had dreamed of this moment for years, but never thought it would actually come to be. Molly Price was in his arms telling him they had a second chance.

“You don’t know how happy hearing that makes me,” Spencer said, just as the song ended.

Everyone on the dance floor stopped and clapped as the lead singer of the band spoke between songs.

“I want to thank Spencer and the rest of the Boys and Girls Club board for inviting us here tonight to play a few songs for you. When I was a kid, there wasn’t a lot of safe things to do around Bayfield, so I appreciate the time and work of the dedicated volunteers who are making a place where kids can feel safe while having fun. This next song, Only You, is going out to Molly from Spencer.”

Molly’s eyes darted to Spencer as she gasped. “I can’t believe you did this.”

“It’s your favorite song, right? I still remember the first time you played it for me out by the lake. It’s one of my best memories.”

Tears formed in the corner of her eyes as he gathered her into his arms.

She shook her head and said with amazement, “Thank you so much. I feel so special.”

“Then all of this was worth it. The regular band will be playing the rest of the evening, but I’m friends with the drummer of Blindsided, so I asked them to come do this for you.”

“I’m starting to see you’ve really changed. The old Spencer never would have gone to all this trouble, let alone make a public proclamation that he cared enough to dedicate a song to me.”

“I really have changed, Molly, and I’m glad you’re starting to see that.”

Spencer spun Molly around the floor, loving the feeling of her in his arms. Several times, he wanted to lean in and kiss her, but he wondered if she would be upset if he did it front of everyone.

The night was wrapping up and the last song was playing. Molly shifted her hand from his shoulder to the front of his chest. Her eyes locked with his, and the intensity pushed all rational thought out of his mind. He didn’t care who was watching or how anyone would react, he was going to kiss Molly Price.

His face started to move towards hers, but just as their lips were about to touch, Tiffany’s obnoxious voice said from behind them, “Oh gross, tell me you’re not about to kiss her, Spencer.”

Molly jerked back and the moment was ruined. He was halfway tempted to turn around and yell at Tiffany, but decided against it. He didn’t want to make a spectacle during the event.

Instead, he irritably faced her and asked, “What do you want, Tiffany?”

“I want you to dance with me, for old time’s sake,” she said, reaching out and placing her hand on his arm. “We used to dance really good together, don’t you remember that Spencer?”

His stomach turned at the innuendo in Tiffany’s statement. Why couldn’t she take ‘no’ for an answer? “When are you going to realize I’m not interested in being with you, Tiffany?”

“Don’t say that,” she snapped. “I know you don’t mean it.”

Molly reached out and removed Tiffany’s hand from Spencer. “He said he isn’t interested, which means you’re wasting your time. Why don’t you do us all a favor, and leave us alone.”

Spencer was surprised to see Molly standing up to Tiffany for the first time. It appeared he wasn’t the only one who had changed.

“What are you going to do? Make me?” Tiffany challenged Molly.

“No, I don’t resort to childish tactics to get my way,” Molly stated through narrowed eyes. “You should grow up and back off. Learn the lesson you don’t always get your way.”

Tiffany placed her hands on her hips as she glared at Molly. “You’re just so smug, aren’t you? Just remember, Spencer isn’t great at being faithful. Good luck with that,” she said, before turning around and storming off.

Spencer was worried Tiffany’s words would cause Molly to put distance between them and undo all the progress they had made towards reconciling.

“Tell me she didn’t get to you,” Spencer pleaded.

“She didn’t,” Molly stated, shaking her head. “I know who you are, Spencer Conrad, and I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”

Her vote of confidence made Spencer’s heart swell with pride. Wanting to be alone with her, Spencer asked, “You ready to get out of here?”

She nodded as he took her hand and guided her to the coat check to grab their jackets along with Spencer’s umbrella. As they stepped outside, small drops of rain sprinkled down. Spencer pulled out his umbrella and put it over their heads. They rushed towards his car, but before he opened the door, he turned to her and said, “I’m proud of you for what you did in there. You standing up to Tiffany has been a long time coming.”

“Agreed,” Molly said. “You did it last time at the reunion, but I don’t want to hide behind you. She needs to know she doesn’t scare me anymore.”

“It was really attractive when you took her hand and flicked it off me,” he said, moving even closer to her. “I like it when you’re possessive over me.”

“Good, I plan to be that way from now on.”

“You won’t hear me complain,” he whispered as he stared at her. “You know, when I look into your eyes, it’s like coming home.”

Unable to resist any longer, Spencer closed the remaining distance between them. Molly placed her hand on his chest, then he placed his own over hers. “Can I kiss you?” he asked hesitantly.

She whispered, “Yes,” just before his lips touched hers. The kiss was tender, and the sound of the raindrops hitting the umbrella and sliding down and around them made the moment perfect.

As Spencer helped Molly into the car, he realized he was done for. Molly Price was the only woman he had ever, and would ever, love.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jenna Brandt is an international bestselling author who writes Christian historical and contemporary romance. Her historical books span from Victorian to Western to WWI eras and all her books have elements of romance, suspense, and faith. 

Her debut series, the Window to the Heart Saga, along with her multi-author series, The Lawkeepers and Match Made in Heaven Series, have become international bestsellers as well as garnered praise and love from readers.

She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book and started writing stories almost as early. She has been published in several newspapers as well as edited for multiple papers. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in English from Bethany College and was the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper while there. Her first blog was published on Yahoo Parenting and The Grief Toolbox as well as featured on the ABC News, CNN Health, and Good Morning America websites. She is a contributor and curator for the website, Novel PASTimes, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Writing is her passion, but she also enjoys cooking, watching movies, reading, engaging in social media and spending time with her three young daughters and husband where they live in the Central Valley of California. She is also active in her local church where she volunteers on their first impressions team, in the crisis care ministry as well as writes for the church’s creative team.

To find out more about Jenna, to sign-up for her newsletter, or to purchase her books, visit her website at http://www.jennabrandt.com.

~*~
Book Blurb for Rekindled:

Sometimes, God gives you a second chance because you’re not ready the first time.

Spencer Conrad was the high school quarterback and Molly Price was his school-assigned English tutor. What started out as a forced arrangement turned into a secret romantic connection which ends horribly wrong.

Ten years later, Molly returns home with a college degree, established journalism career, and a hot, new boyfriend. She wants to show everyone-especially Spencer-what a great life she has made for herself. Her 10-year high school reunion is the perfect place to do it. Molly also has a secret agenda. Set on revenge, she's determined to prove Spencer is guilty of underhanded deals with the local district attorney rather than believe he has turned over a new leaf. But as Molly investigates, she’s shocked to find that Spencer isn’t what she remembered. He’s not the cocky (secretly scared) jock she once knew, he’s now a noble defense attorney, a volunteer at the local boys’ and girls’ club, and a deacon in the church.

When she runs into him at the local library, Spencer apologizes for what he did back in high school and tells Molly he would like to treat her to coffee to catch up. Worried his smoldering blue eyes and perfect dimples can still make her weak in the knees, she suggests a double date to keep him at arm’s length. Can she forgive what he did to her when they were young? Will he stand up to the people who used to bully her, and finally set the record straight? And will they both realize that the chemistry between them when they were kids still lingers just below the surface, ready to break free and be stronger than ever before?

Second Chance with You is a series written by a group of sweet, clean romance authors connected by the idea that past loves, broken apart for a myriad of reasons, can be brought back together—some by chance, some by circumstance, some by choice.

Rekindled is part of the Second Chance with You Series. All books in this series are standalone and can be read in any order.

~*~
Buy Jenna's book on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Jenna:
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2E0PjtJ
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JennaBrandtAuthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/JennaDBrandt
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennnathewriter/
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/jennnathewriter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16847426.Jenna_BrandtBookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jenna-brandt
~*~

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:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Falling for Books: Mary's book

Story Excerpt from A Pocketful of Wishes by Mary Manners:

SUNLIGHT FILTERED THROUGH THE WILLOWY branches of elm trees that lined the road, warming Jenna as Carter loaded her suitcase into the trunk of the car. The street was quiet, almost as if it had gone down for a nap, with the exception of Old Man Corker’s Bassett Hound who yowled in protest of his confinement to the yard three houses down.

Jenna felt like yowling, too. Maybe she’d trod over to Old Man Corker’s yard, throw herself into the grass beside Buster, and sob until no more tears came.

Sadness squeezed her heart. She could barely breathe.

Life as she knew it was going to end right here in the driveway of the modest ranch home she’d lived in since the day she was born. Literally, her mom had given birth to her right there in the living room, when Jenna decided to come into the world too quickly for her mom and dad to make it to the hospital. She’d heard the story so many times she knew it by heart, and her parents joked that she still had only one speed—fast.

Everything she’d ever known in her whole life was in this house, yet her parents were still bent on taking her from it. The moving truck that had left before the sun winked over the horizon was proof. And the jam-packed car didn’t help matters, either. There was hardly room in the backseat for her to squeeze in when the time came.

Which would be soon…way too soon. She winced at the pinch of disappointment.

Maybe she could stay behind. She was thirteen now—almost fourteen—and old enough to take care of herself, right? She’d stay in the house, make her own meals and get herself to school when summer came to an end. Maybe she couldn’t drive herself yet, but she had her bike and the bus also stopped by every morning, in case of rain. She could make it work, couldn’t she?

Except for the fact that the house had already sold. She and her parents had to be out today, because the closing was over and the new people planned to move in that evening. By nightfall Jenna would no longer be in Tennessee. She wouldn’t live right next door to Carter anymore, either.

Did that mean they couldn’t still be best friends?

Her breath hitched once more. Jenna couldn’t imagine ever laughing again as she romped along the water’s edge to find the best swimming hole in Maple Ridge or raced through a field of tall grass with the wind at her back and a kiss of sunlight tickling her cheeks. Not without Carter at her side to share in her adventures. Not while he remained here in Maple Ridge while her family relocated clear across the country to Leavenworth, Washington—exactly two thousand, four hundred and eighty-one miles away. She’d studied the map Dad had given her, and had memorized every nuance of the route. So she knew. And it was awful.

Leavenworth.

It sounded like one of the bad words Mom and Dad forbade her to use. How ironic that this new town her parents were determined to drag her to shared the same name as a prison. Because Jenna might as well be going to prison. Her parents were ruining her life.

Especially her dad, with his new job. That’s all he’d talked about for weeks now. He didn’t even have time to talk about school anymore, or come to her softball games.

When she was still playing softball. Which she couldn’t do anymore, because they were moving to Leavenworth.

Just for spite she rolled the word around on her tongue and muttered.

Leavenworth…Leavenworth…

Tears welled in her eyes as she lifted her gaze to find Carter. Dark, shaggy hair spilled over his forehead, highlighting the dusky pallor of his cheeks. In another month his skin would glow bronze from hours spent in the sun while he helped his dad with their lawn care business. He’d worked beside his father since the summer he’d turned nine. He was fourteen now—nearly four months older than Jenna.

Carter swiped the tumble of hair away, revealing eyes the color of rain-slicked river rock—gray with specks of russet along the edges. She’d always loved his eyes. They were one-of-a-kind.

Carter closed the trunk and turned to face her.

~*~
Author Bio:

Mary Manners is an award-winning romance writer who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee with her husband Tim and the cherished cats they've rescued from local animal shelters...Lucky and Gus. 

She loves swimming, running, flavored coffee and Smoky Mountain sunsets.

Mary believes everyone has a story to tell, and she loves to share hers. She writes inspirational romances of all lengths, from short stories to novels—something for everyone.

Learn more about Mary Manners at her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com.

~*~
Book Blurb for A Pocketful of Wishes:

When a job transfer causes Jenna Palmer’s family to relocate across the country, Jenna moves away from her best friend and first love Carter Stevens. 

She promises to find him again. But as the years slip away and she dives into a career in pediatric trauma surgery, all that is left of her one time love are the memories—and a wish on the lucky penny Carter gave her.

Carter Stevens never forgot his first love. On their final morning together he gave her a special token along with his promise to love her forever. 

Though years have passed as he’s climbed the ranks of the Maple Ridge Police Department, he still longs for another glimpse of the smiling, green-eyed beauty who stole his heart and shared his love of adventure.

When an accident brings the pair together once again, memories and reality collide. Will their promise stand, or will time crush their promise…and their love?

~*~
Buy Mary's book on Amazon

~*~

Connect with Mary:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarysReaderPage/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/marymanners1/

~*~
Review by Amy Strickland (friend of Mary):

A Pocketful of Wishes is a very good book. I enjoyed reading it. 

It was interesting to see the friendship Jenna and Carter shared from a very young age turn into love even after years apart. 

The story begins when Jenna's father has a new job and they are moving away. Jenna is very sad because she is leaving her best friend Carter. Carter gives her his favorite penny and promises they will keep in touch. But as life goes on and they get older they grow apart. 

Jenna is busy with her life as a pediatric surgeon and so is Carter. When she’s offered a residency, Jenna moves back to the hometown that she has always missed. There, she runs into Carter, who is now a police officer, when he stops her for speeding. Soon, their friendship is rekindled. 

What a super story of teenage friendship being separated by moving and what happens years later. Very well written and I was engaged from the beginning. I really liked this story and would highly recommend it.

~*~
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:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Falling for Books: The Introduction

Dear Blog Readers,

Starting tomorrow (Sept. 23) the Fall Season will arrive in the United States! 

It's time for sweet potato or pumpkin pie, caramel apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes (though I've never had one, my friends with a Starbucks habit look forward to it every year) and plenty of beautiful backgrounds for photography opportunities if you live in an area where the tree leaves change into vibrant colors of red, orange and yellow! I love the Autumn/Fall season weather because of its sunny days, cool breezes, crisp air, and perfection everywhere!

In celebration of this delightful season, I'm starting a new series on my blog for Fall 2018. The series is called "Falling for Books" and it's going to be AWESOME!  

Every Sunday in Fall 2018 (from Sept. 23 to Dec. 16), you'll find a new Christian author who's visiting to talk about their book in a variety of special features that include author interviews, character interviews, devotionals based on their book, personal essays about the fall season and how it ties into their book's message or theme, book reviews and story excerpts!

By now you must know that Contemporary Romance is my favorite genre to promote on my blog but there's also room this Fall season for historicals, romantic suspense and women's fiction stories to be featured here on my blog. You should also know that the authors who visit my blog love to give away free copies of the books that we feature here! Yes, book giveaway contests are a part of this "Falling for Books" series. Happiness for your heart, right? 

So grab your favorite fall beverage, go to your favorite reading nook and soak in these fun features on my blog!

Love,

Alexis

Founder of God is Love (blog)