14 Days of Love: In Search of A Prince

Today, we're shining the spotlight on a book by my author friend Toni Shiloh.

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Book Blurb for In Search of A Prince:

It seems like a dream come true . . . until it forces her to question everything. 

Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha’s Vineyard.

But everything changes when her mom drops a bombshell–Brielle is really a princess in the island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, the king, is failing.

Distraught by all the secrets her mother kept, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before her coronation, or the crown will pass to another.

Brielle is uncertain if she even wants the throne, and with her world totally shaken, where will she find the courage to take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring?

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Author Bio:

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author.

She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novels, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, Risking Love a 2020 Selah Award finalist, The Truth About Fame a 2021 Holt Medallion finalist, and The Price of Dreams a 2021 Maggie Award finalist.

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Buy Toni’s book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bethany House, TARGET or Walmart

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Connect with Toni:
Website: http://tonishiloh.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortonishiloh
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tonishilohwrite
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tonishiloh
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tonishiloh
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonishiloh
BookBub: https://bookbub.com/authors/toni-shiloh

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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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12 Days of Christmas Joy: Alaskan Christmas Redemption

Interview with Belle Calhoune about her book, 

Alaskan Christmas Redemption

Alexis: Why did you write this book?

Belle: Piper Miller was a character in the series and she was so spunky and spirited, that I knew I would write her story. She’s a great character to root for. I wanted Piper to have her happy ending.

Alexis: Describe the setting for this story. What makes Owl Creek special to your characters?

Belle: Owl Creek, Alaska is a quaint town in Alaska with faith-filled and quirky townsfolk. Owl Creek is only accessible by air or water. The town is close knit and heartwarming. The residents all know each other and they have each other’s backs in times of trouble. In the winter months you might see snow-covered trees and majestic mountains looming in the distance. If you’re hungry you can head over to the Snowy Owl Diner, Tea time or the North Star Chocolate shop. This small Alaskan town is full of life.

Alexis: Why did you make secrets, faith, healing and forgiveness the themes of this story?

Belle: I think secrets can be really compelling to readers. All of my books in the Home to Owl Creek revolve around secrets. Characters who are harboring secrets are really interesting to create. I think healing and forgiveness are powerful themes and when you add in the faith element it creates a powerful journey for the characters. Forgiveness always plays a big role in my stories, mainly because it’s a theme I deeply believe in.

Alexis: Tell me about your story’s hero Braden North. What does he look like? Sound like? Act like? What are his greatest strengths and most troublesome weaknesses?

Belle: Braden is a very handsome man. He has brown hair and green eyes. He’s tall with striking features. His voice is low and soothing. He’s very athletic and rugged. He’s always been an adventurous person and loves snowmobiling, skiing, mountain climbing and other outdoor sports. His greatest strength is his loyalty and belief in the goodness of people. His weakness is his lack of belief in himself.

Alexis: Tell me about your story’s heroine Piper Miller. What does she look like? Sound like? Act like? What are her deepest dreams and most troubling fears?

Belle: Piper is beautiful. She has warm brown skin, brown eyes and curly dark hair. She has a sweet voice and an infectious laugh. She’s a very good person and the very heart of Owl Creek. Piper is a warm person who is inviting and gracious. Any time a stranger steps into town, Piper makes them feel right at home. Her deepest dream is to turn things around at the Snowy Owl Diner so she can create a legacy for her father. Her most troubling fear is that she will lose the diner and disappoint her family and friends.

Alexis: How did Braden and Piper first become best friends?

Belle: They have been friends since they were little kids. In a small town like Owl Creek, everyone knows everyone. Because their brothers, Hank and Connor, were best friends, Piper and Braden were in the same orbit since they were small. Their friendship developed naturally and strengthened during their school years.

Alexis: What makes Piper’s diner memorable and special to the residents of Owl Creek?

Belle: The diner represents community to the townsfolk of Owl Creek. It’s not only a place where the residents gather for a meal and to try Piper’s latest pie creations, it’s a destination for fellowship. Folks gather to catch up on news, meet up with an old friend or commune with the locals. It’s a special place where everyone is welcome and no one is a stranger for long.

Alexis: Why does Piper believe that Braden can help her save the diner?

Belle: Piper believes Braden can help her because he’s her best friend and he’s always been there to help her ride out the tough moments in life. She thinks he hung the moon. Even though they are best friends I think there’s a part of her that has always been in love with him. She believes he can do anything. Be anything. Accomplish anything. And she trusts his judgement implicitly.

Alexis: How does working together to rescue the diner bring Piper and Braden together?

Belle: Piper has a lot on her shoulders. She’s inherited a diner that was in financial trouble when she assumed ownership and she hasn’t been able to fix things. The situation has made her frightened and sad. Things are spiraling out of control and she has no one to lean on. Working with Braden on getting the diner back on track affirms to Piper that Braden is still the loyal friend he used to be. He makes her believe that things can turn around with the diner. He gives her hope.

Alexis: What threatens to put a pin in Braden and Piper’s bubbling romance?

Belle: The truth that Braden has been hiding from his best friend for four years threatens their relationship. I’m not giving out any spoilers, but there’s a reason Braden has been avoiding being in Piper’s orbit for the last few years. He harbors a lot of guilt and regret. He’s also very afraid that his past actions are going to rise up and get him in trouble with Piper.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about this story?

Belle: I want readers to remember that even when things seem dark, hope is ever present. As human beings we all make mistakes and do things we regret. We can’t hold on to those moments. We have to be better, do better in the future.

Alexis: Did you play Christmas music while writing this story? If so, which song was your favorite and how did it inspire your storytelling?

Belle: Oh yes! I listened to it all the time. I think my favorite was Nat King Cole’s “Christmas Song” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Judy Garland. Both are classics. They never get old.

Alexis: What is your favorite Christmas holiday treat? Did it help you while writing this story? If so, explain.

Belle: I really like Moose Bar Crunch. It’s very sweet and Christmasy. I only indulge in it once a year (at Christmas) so it’s extra special. It’s sweet and crunchy and oh so delicious.

Alexis: If you could give one of your characters a Christmas gift, what would it be? Why?

Belle: I would give Piper a framed picture of her and her father, Jack. Although he is no longer living on Earth, I would hope the picture would remind Piper that love never dies. He’s always with her.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Belle. Merry Christmas!

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Author Bio:

Belle Calhoune grew up in a small town in Massachusetts as one of five children. 

Although both her parents worked in the medical field, Belle never considered science as the pathway to her future. Growing up across the street from a public library was a huge influence on her life. 

She is a Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a member of RWA’s Honor Roll. In 2019 her book, An Alaskan Christmas, was made into a movie (Love, Alaska) by Brain Power Studios and aired on UPTV. 

Belle is the author of over 40 novels and published by Harlequin Love Inspired and contracted by Grand Central Publishing.

Married to her college sweetheart, she is raising two lovely daughters in Connecticut. A dog lover, she has one mini poodle and a black lab. 

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Blurb for Alaskan Christmas Redemption:

Some secrets are meant to be shared. 

Before he gives his heart … he’ll have to forgive himself.

Returning to Owl Creek after years away, Braden North’s determined to help his best friend, Piper Miller, save her failing diner. But as they work to revitalize her business, Braden’s convinced he must hide the truth about a tragedy from their past…or risk losing Piper for good. 

If he can find the courage, might telling her everything make this Christmas a time for healing and forgiveness?

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Buy Belle's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble

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Connect with Belle:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author-Belle-Calhoune-280681912035512
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bellecalhoune/
Website: www.bellecalhoune.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellecalhoune/

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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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Romantic Reads: Mia's Gift (book)

Welcome Cindy Flores Martinez to the blog!

She's here today to share this story behind the story of her Christmas book, Mia's Gift.

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The Story Behind Mia’s Gift by Cindy Flores Martinez

My book, Mia’s Gift, is part of the Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series, which is a multi-author Christian/Inspirational Romance series about a group of secret angels. 

They became secret angels after their fellow friend, Charity Hart, left them a letter before she passed away with a check for $1,500 and a request to spend the money on something special for someone else in time for Christmas. I created the series after a lot of prayer and invited five other authors from Sweet Romance Reads to join me in writing a story.

In Mia’s Gift, my heroine Mia decides to become a secret angel for the handsome Jesse Quinn and his fifteen-year-old niece Kristi who need a miracle. Kristi’s mother has passed away, and the group home where Kristi lives is shutting down. She’ll be sent to a foster facility far away. Mia rushes to try and find a foster home for Kristi in the town she calls home.

All six stories take place in Snowflake, Colorado, a fictional small town that I made up. It’s an idyllic place with a picturesque Main Street that’s about an hour away from Denver. I’ve never visited Colorado, so I needed to research the area online, but my visits to the snowy mountain towns of Southern California where I live made me feel as if I knew what it was like to be there. We have the lovely towns of Big Bear, Wrightwood and Julian to name a few. We also have old Main Streets in the suburbs which have been preserved from the 1800s. My many visits to all these places and my fascination with them helped me bring Snowflake to life.

As in any romance, there’s someone in the story who captures Mia’s heart. Jesse Quinn is a wonderful uncle to his niece, Kristi. His sister named him as Kristi’s legal guardian in her will, and Jesse wants to provide a home for her, but he can’t because his job involves constant traveling. There’s so much Mia admires about Jesse, especially how caring he is, but although she’s attracted to him, they’re only friends. Their feelings for each other eventually turn into love.

I named Jesse after my real-life uncle who I never met. For many years, I didn’t know his name, but I found records through a genealogy website, and an ancestry DNA test connected me with his daughter. Unfortunately, my Uncle Jesse had passed away by then. Not only was I heartbroken because he was gone, but I was also devastated to learn that he had lived only ten miles away from me. I wrote about the fictional Jesse in memory of him.

Now that Christmas is almost here, it’s the perfect time to visit the town of Snowflake and get to know all the people who live there. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing about it.

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Author Bio:

Cindy Flores Martinez is a USA Today bestselling author who writes Christian Romance. 

She has an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Screenwriting. 

Her debut novel, Mail-Order Groom, started as a screenplay and movie project, which she shopped around Hollywood, New York, and other parts of the world.

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Book Blurb for Mia's Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series Book 1):

Mia Rosa is thinking of leaving Snowflake, Colorado for good. 

Her cupcake shop on Main Street isn’t doing well, and seeing her ex-fiancé around town is awkward. When she receives a letter from her old high school friend, Charity Hart, asking her to be a secret angel, she’s convinced that she can’t go through with it. 

But Mia soon learns that handsome Jesse Quinn and his fifteen-year-old niece, Kristi, are in desperate need of a miracle. The group home where Kristi lives is shutting down, and no other foster homes are available in Snowflake. 

Will Mia be able to secretly grant Jesse and Kristi’s wish for Kristi to stay in the town she calls home? 

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Buy Mia's Gift on Amazon

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Connect with Cindy:
Website: www.cindyfloresmartinez.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindyfloresmartinezauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCindy

Romantic Reads: Know You More

Welcome Jan Thompson to the blog! 

She's here today to talk about her book Know You More. 

Enjoy the interview!

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Interview with Jan Thompson about her book, Know You More: Christian Coastal City & Beach Town Romance (Savannah Sweethearts Book 1)

Alexis: Why did you write this book?

Jan: I wrote Know You More in part to show that multiracial and multiethnic Christians can worship God together in peace and harmony in a Christian church. In fact, Riverside Chapel somewhat mirrors the first century churches that the Lord led Peter and Paul to start. For example, in Acts 2:5-11, we saw a list of believers from many countries coming together to hear Peter preach at Pentecost. Also, back in the day, cities like Ephesus and Corinth were trade crossroads in which people from all over the known world congregated to do business and meet one another. Those were the places Paul planted churches.

Alexis: Describe the setting of this story. Why did you set it in a coastal city and beach town?

Jan: Know You More is the first book in my Savannah Sweethearts series (not counting the prequel, Ask You Later), and sets the tone for the entire series about a community of multiethnic Christians who attend Riverside Chapel, a church housed in a riverboat that’s docked on the Savannah River in Savannah, Georgia. The churchgoers live in the area, in the coastal city of Savannah, and also on the beaches of Tybee Island across the bridge.

I grew up on a tropical island, and my family lived about ten minutes (depending on traffic) from the bay and beaches. Many of my contemporary Christian romance books gravitate toward beach towns, and I find that my experience of having lived on an island and in a coastal city enables me to describe life by the ocean. I love the coasts and beaches, and so I write about what I love and have experienced in my own life.

Alexis: You’ve described this story, Know You More, as a “multiracial romance.” What is the ethnicity/racial makeup of your main characters Diego Flores and Heidi Wei?

Jan: Diego Flores’s father is a Hispanic-American pastor who is now the part-time counseling pastor at Riverside Chapel. The semi-retired senior Flores doesn’t want to do it full time because he wants to spend half his time traveling with his Italian wife, Diego’s mom, to Italy where they like to spend the summer. However, Diego still talks to his dad regularly to get pastoral advice on church and love.

Heidi Wei is a Chinese-American Christian who is an active member of Riverside Chapel, as is her brother, Ming, who happens to be Diego’s best friend. They all attended the University of Georgia some years ago before Diego was called into the pastoral ministry and went off to seminary. They all met again years later in Savannah, when Ming invited Diego to pastor their church. Know You More begins over a year after the friends have reunited.

Alexis: Describe Diego’s church, Riverside Chapel. What makes it special to him?

Jan: Diego has been an associate pastor in the previous churches he worked in. This is the first time Diego is the senior pastor of his own church. Needless to say, he is quite nervous about shouldering such a heavy responsibility. As with any growing church, finding space to house Sunday morning services becomes a challenge for him. Diego sees how God comes through for his church every time they have a need. As his church grows in number, God provides for them a bigger space. Even though it’s on a riverboat, it’s rent-free. Diego is thankful to the Lord that Riverside Chapel continues to grow without getting into financial debt.

Alexis: What role does faith in God play in the lives and hearts of your main characters?

Jan: As the senior pastor of Riverside Chapel, Diego not only preaches the Word of God, but he also has to live what he is preaching. As they say, he has to “walk the talk.” Diego sees that his friend Heidi Wei has a strong faith and wants to do everything she can to help their church grow. Together, they learn to minister to their congregation, while God works in their hearts about their relationship with each other.

Alexis: How does your real-life faith in God impact your fiction storytelling?

Jan: My Christian faith plays a very integral role in my storytelling. I have to understand what God is saying before I can write it in my books through the eyes of my characters. That is to say, if I don’t understand a Bible passage, I cannot explain it. In some of my novels, I allow the characters to study and learn more about the Scripture, and sometimes it becomes clear to me as I write out the scenes and chapters.

Savannah Sweethearts is more involved because all eleven books are about members of the Riverside Chapel church community, starting with their pastor. Diego and Heidi show up in every book, so I do have to remember what their theology is. After all, Diego is their pastor. In fact, he is also a counseling pastor to several people in my spinoff series, Vacation Sweethearts.

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

Jan: Thank you very much for inviting me to Romantic Reads for this interview. I appreciate it. I’m happy to write the books I enjoy reading, and I hope that there are readers out there who also love to read the types of books I like. My publishing imprint has a verse that has been an anchor for me in the process of publishing and marketing my books: “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works” (Psalm 26:7). 

Ultimately, to God be the glory!

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Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson writes clean and wholesome multiethnic contemporary Christian romance with flavors of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with elements of mystery, and inspirational international thrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance. 

Her books are for readers who love inspiring stories of faith, family, and friends.

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Blurb for Know You More:

He loves her… He loves her not… She’s waiting for him to decide.

A young pastor of a growing church in a thriving coastal community, Diego Flores has to come to grips with God’s will for his pastoral and personal life as he falls in love with his best friend’s sister.

If you enjoy reading clean and wholesome Christian beach romance, you’ll enjoy USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson’s Savannah Sweethearts series set in the coastal city of Savannah, Georgia, and the neighboring beach town of Tybee Island on the Atlantic Ocean. Savannah Sweethearts begins with Know You More, the multiracial romance of Pastor Diego Flores and Heidi Wei.

Diego’s Disquiet…
Diego Flores has been interested in his best friend’s younger sister since their college days, but his calling to grow Riverside Chapel takes up most of his time. 

When Heidi Wei becomes his strongest supporter in his church ministry, how does Diego show his feelings for her without giving her the wrong idea?

Does she see him as potential husband material or just the pastor of their church?

Heidi’s Hurdles…
Heidi suspects that Diego is sweet on her, but he seems to believe that his divine calling prevents him from acting on it. If it isn’t meant to be, she’s not going to push for it. Yet every time they are together, something happens between them. Have they moved beyond the platonic relationship they have enjoyed all these years to something more personal?

When a crisis hits Heidi’s family, Diego has to balance pastoring his congregation and ministering to Heidi without losing either one. Being in love while pastoring a church is difficult for him to juggle. Which path is more important? Which one should he focus on?

If you like Know You More, you’ll want to read the rest of the Savannah Sweethearts series. The next book is Tell You Soon, a romance with suspense featuring Heidi’s brother, private investigator Ming Wei. In this second book, there’s romance, there’s intrigue, and there’s a beach house for sale. Have some tea, settle in a comfortable reading chair, and enjoy these sweet celebrations of faith, hope, and love in Jesus Christ.

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Buy Know You More on Amazon

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Connect with Jan:
Website: JanThompson.com
Book News: JanThompson.com/newsletter
Amazon USA: JanThompson.com/amazon
Goodreads: JanThompson.com/goodreads
BookBub: JanThompson.com/bookbub
Facebook: JanThompson.com/facebook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thompsonauthor

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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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Romantic Reads: Here for You

Welcome Pat Simmons to the blog today! 

She's going to talk about her book, Here for You.

Pat is also giving away one copy of her book! Remember to enter the book giveaway contest toward the end of this interview via the Rafflecopter widget.

Enjoy!

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Interview with Pat Simmons about her book, 

Here for You (Family Is Forever Book 2):

Congratulations on the September 2020 release of your new novel! Let’s talk about it … 

Alexis: What inspires you to write women’s fiction?

Pat: Everyday life issues that affect us. God’s gives me the parables, so He can minister to them.

Alexis: Why are the hero and heroine in your story, Here for You, better at taking care of other people than themselves?

Pat: They are committed to those they love and love hard. Both had strong family ties and when a trial hit, Rachel and Nicholas needed to fall back on those who loved them.

Alexis: What made you want to write a book about caregivers?

Pat: The thought came to me after I had been a caregiver for my late grandmother more than 10 years ago. It was hard work, and on the days where she hid my purse, left food on the furnace, let a four-pound Yorkie roam the neighborhood, or other acts that frustrated me, I had to remind myself that she was the best grandmother that I ever had and she wasn’t doing things purposely to hurt me.

Alexis: Tell me about your story’s heroine Rachel Knicely. What makes her happy? What makes her sad? Describe her looks, personality and heart.

Pat: She enjoys life—socially, career wise, and family. Those things gave her a balanced. Because she loves hard, Rachel took Aunt Tweet’s sickness hard. Her death represented a circle broken. Rachel is pretty. Ridiculously long hair, she’s smart, fashion conscious, known for her big-hoop earrings, and confident in a man’s world.

Alexis: Tell me about your story’s heroine Nicholas Adams. What makes him mad? What or who softens his heart? Describe his appearance, personality and heart.

Pat: Nicholas is even-mannered. He takes his God responsibility seriously. When people get in the way of that, he has a problem, such as some instances in the book. He’s attracted to Rachel’s beauty first, then her heart. He looks like actor Daniel Sunjata. Basically, fine!

Alexis: How did you do the research for this book?

Pat: Latonya Wilson, who I give a shoutout in the book, brought Rachel’s character to life. Of course, I do my standard research via online, and I like to interview subjects who are authorities on topics in my story.

Alexis: Who is Aunt Tweet and what role does she play in this story?

Pat: Aunt Tweet was the foundation in the three sisters’ lives since they were young. She supported them in every way, whether it was her presence at their events, or helping financially, but mostly their role model. Each of the sisters had inherited something from Aunt Tweet. Rachel had the sassiness of a diva.

Alexis: How do Rachel and Nicholas meet?

Pat: At her front door when she slams it in his face over a misunderstanding.

Alexis: What role does faith in God play in the minds and lives of your story’s main characters?

Pat: Faith in God is part of Nicholas’s makeup. It’s the trying of his faith that is tested.

Alexis: As a woman of faith, how does your relationship with God impact your writing?

Pat: The Lord directs my thoughts, points me to the Scriptures and many other emotional scenarios. I think that’s why a lot of readers connect with the stories.

Alexis: How would you describe your storytelling style?

Pat: I’m a scene-by-scene writer, not chapters or page count. I like to be the fly on the wall and see and feel the characters’ plight and emotions.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about this book, Here for You?

Pat: None of us are exempt from trials, but remember how you treat people because you never know when you will walk in their shoes.

Alexis: If you could step into the story as a professional counselor, how would you advise Rachel and Nicholas concerning their relationship?

Pat: Trust God no matter what they see or hear.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Pat! Would you like to share closing comments?

Pat: I want to thank the readers and book clubs for their continued support throughout my writing career, and my developmental editor, Chandra Sparks Splond, and cousin, Darlene Simmons, both always push me to give my best. 

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Author Bio:

Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author with more than thirty-five titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth who is passionate about researching her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels. 

She is a three-time recipient of the Romance Slam Jam Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Pat’s first inspirational women’s fiction, Lean On Me, with Sourcebooks, was the February/March Together We Read Digital Book Club pick for the national library system.

Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as a life-altering experience. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country.

She has converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter.

Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Visit her online at www.patsimmons.net.

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Here for You book blurb:

Emotional, poignant, and clean women's fiction from acclaimed inspirational romance author Pat Simmons featuring a hero and heroine who are better at taking care of other people than themselves, a dark moment that shakes their faith, and a well-earned happily ever after with a forever family.

Caregivers sometimes need a little TLC too.

Rachel Knicely's life has been on hold for six months while she takes care of her great aunt, who has Alzheimer's. Putting her aunt first was an easy decision—accepting that Aunt Tweet is nearing the end of her battle is far more difficult.

Nicholas Adams's ministry is bringing comfort to those who are sick and homebound. He responds to a request for help for an ailing woman but when he meets the Knicelys, he realizes Rachel is the one who needs support the most. Nicholas is charmed by and attracted to Rachel, but then devastating news brings both a crisis of faith and roadblocks to their budding relationship that neither could have anticipated.

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Buy Pat's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble

~*~
Connect with Pat:
Website: http://www.patsimmons.net
Pinterest: pinterest.com/patsimmonsbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/patsimmons
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/patsimmonsauthor
Facebook Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/patsimmonsreaders/
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/patsimmons

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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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Romantic Reads: Smile for Me (book)

Welcome Jan Thompson to the blog! 

She's here today to talk about her book Smile for Me. 

Enjoy the interview!

~*~

Alexis: What inspired you to write an interracial romance novel for the Christian fiction book market?

Jan: As a Christian Asian American, I have felt for many years that interracial romance is under-represented in our current Christian fiction market. In the words of Toni Morrison, “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”

Taking it a step further, as a Christian who is in a multiracial family, I think that the current Christian fiction market largely does not reflect my real world. While not all my books are multiracial, I have made an effort to do so whenever the characters fit the story. I have several multiracial romances in my Savannah Sweethearts, Vacation Sweethearts, Protector Sweethearts, and Binary Hackers series.

Alexis: How did you come up with title “Smile for Me” of this first book in your Vacation Sweethearts series? Explain how your book title plays into your storyline.

Jan: Before I write the first book in each of my series, I agonize over the titles until I have all the book titles ready to go. This way, it’s easier for me to send the branding specifications to my cover designer. Vacation Sweethearts has book titles that end with “for Me.” The seven books in this series are Smile for Me, Reach for Me, Wait for Me, Look for Me, Pray for Me, Care for Me, and Cheer for Me. Each novel focuses on a couple at a vacation location that is familiar to me, somewhere I have visited in real life.

In this series, I try to mention the title at least once in the book as part and parcel of the story. In Smile for Me, my Christian beach romance set in the Bahamas, I wanted to contrast careful Byron from carefree Tina. There is a scene in which Tina asks Byron to smile for her. At the end of the novel, Byron is all smiles. I’ll let readers read it to find out why.

Alexis: How did you research this story? Did you travel to the Bahamas where it’s set?

Jan: Yes, indeed. Many years ago, my husband and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas, and I had such a memorable time that I never forgot it. I can still remember the towns and people, beaches and hammocks, ocean and sky. Since I grew up on yet another tropical island in a former British colony, I was able to relate to Nassau and Freeport. We walked about the towns, visited nearby islands, and rested under swaying coconut trees. Smile for Me is a mix of my memories of this visit, plus the recollections of my childhood days in the tropics.

Alexis: Why is your story’s hero, Byron Moss, a “deadline-driven workaholic assistant school principal” and a meticulous planner too?

Jan: Byron is based on the planner side of me, which stemmed from my past career as a computer programmer. I meticulously plan everything and I even have plans for plans. I need deadlines to complete tasks or they would take forever if I let the perfectionism in me take over. So I decided that Byron would carry his iPad around his neck to show how tied he is to his planner.

Alexis: Why is your story’s heroine, Tina MacFarland, an “easygoing art teacher and studio potter with no sense of time” who likes to live life season to season?

Jan: Tina is based on the artistic side of me. In my life, I have done wheel pottery as Tina does, and like Tina, I have painted in many mediums and enjoyed art. These days I’ve been writing more than I’ve been painting (though I hope to get back to that soon). When I did a lot of painting, I rarely looked at the clock. I could paint all day long if given the chance. I thought that as a contrast to Byron, Tina would have “no sense of time” not because she doesn’t care, but because she finds the clock limiting to her artistic side.

Alexis: What role does Summer by the Sea Day Camp play in bringing the hero and heroine together? Paint a picture (with words) of Summer by the Sea Day Camp.

Jan: Sponsored by the Chapel by the Sea Christian School in Nassau, the Summer by the Sea Day Camp run by assistant principal Byron Moss provides schoolchildren of all grades an opportunity to enrich their hobbies and interests that they might not be able to do during the regular school year. The students can go beyond their regular academic curriculum. There are actually more than just art and music camps, but in Smile for Me, I only focus on the art camp because that’s where Tina interacts the most with Byron. The two cannot avoid each other, and they must confront the friction carried over from two summers ago.

Alexis: What happened the first time that Tina and Byron met that made them at odds with each other? Is there hope for a better, healthier and happier working relationship now that they’re in the same place again?

Jan: When Tina first went to Nassau to teach in the summer camp two years ago, she and Byron didn’t get along. Tina likes to say that Byron made her cry that summer because he kept a very strict schedule in the summer camp and she could barely keep up. Byron would roll his eyes over that accusation and say that she needs to learn to be better organized.

Alexis: Does Tina think that things will be different between her and Byron as she agrees to be an art teacher for his students this second time around? Why or why not?

Jan: Now that time has passed, and each has grown spiritually and gotten wiser when my novel begins, both of them have hopes that they can work together. After all, it’s for just one month to begin with. After four weeks, if they still can’t stand each other, Tina would go home to Savannah, and that would be the end of it.

Alexis: What role does Tina’s faith in God play in her giving Byron a second chance?

Jan: Tina and Byron discover that God is always loving and ever forgiving. Once they own the truth of God in their hearts, they begin to see the special love that God has in store for them. I loved writing about how they come together this time and how God’s love conquers all. As in all my other fiction books, I often include scripture verses that my characters learn as they travel along in life.

Alexis: Why is Byron so uptight?

Jan: Byron’s family makes its fortune in the hotel and cruise industry. His brother, Donovan, enjoys his yacht, for example. His mother, Nancy—the matriarch of the family—has to run their family business alone after Byron’s father passed away suddenly. Byron has chosen the career path of an educator, earning a lesser salary than his jet-setting brother. I think Byron feels that he must be the best in his chosen profession and rise to the top, not only because he is in ministry for the Lord at a Christian school, but also to show his family that he has made the right decision for his own career.

Alexis: What are Byron’s greatest dreams for his career path and how does that goal affect how he operates?

Jan: His aspiration to become the principal (aka headmaster) overrules all else in his life. When the opportunity comes sooner than he expects, Byron plunges into more work. At the same time, he falls more and more in love with Tina, and begins to wonder if running a Christian school, with its many details, is something he wants to do for the rest of his life.

Alexis: What is it about seeing Tina again that hints to Byron’s heart that his adverse feelings for her are transforming into something more … romantic?

Jan: I think that deep in Byron’s heart, he finds Tina fascinating because she is so carefree. His work at the school is demanding, and the big shoes he has to fill as acting principal carries with it a heavy burden. When Byron is with her, he lets his guard down and he can be himself. He doesn’t have to perform or keep up protocols. He is free to seek God’s perfect will for his life without putting preconditions on himself. As he grows spiritually, his attitude towards Tina changes. Tina’s view of Byron as the taskmaster also changes, and her heart softens toward him.

Alexis: What’s the moral of the story?

Jan: There are several Bible verses in this novel, but two would probably describe the main themes of Smile for Me:

“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 KJV).

Only God has the perfect plan, and I would do well to seek His perfect will for my career and life, rather than plan it however I want and then ask God to bless whatever I purpose. Instead, may His perfect will prevail.

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:14-15 NKJV).

The Bible admonishes Christians to be at peace with one another so that we don’t cultivate the destructive “root of bitterness” that can defile our testimony. When Byron and Tina start understanding each other, they are able to encourage each other in their walk with the Lord.

Alexis: If you could step into this story as a professional counselor for both Byron and Tina, what advice would you give to each person in a private session? Why?

Jan: I would discuss the two Scripture verses above, and pray with them for God’s wisdom to guide their lives professionally and privately. I’d also remind Byron to recall his conversations with his friend, Pastor Diego Flores, who has given him some good advice about balancing his personal life and professional career. As for Tina, I would counsel her to consider adding some structure to her productivity by putting herself on a flexible schedule that allows for her creativity to flow without losing track of time. Above all, I would encourage them to keep studying God’s Word and drawing closer to Him every day.

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

Jan: Thank you very much for inviting me to your blog website. These are wonderful questions, and I appreciate your taking the time to prepare them. To me, writing is a calling. I have been writing for a long time, and I am thankful to God for the opportunity to be able to fulfill His calling for my life. Sometimes it takes me years to write one book. Sometimes it takes months. Either way, my ultimate goal is to glorify God!

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Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson writes clean and wholesome multiethnic contemporary Christian romance with flavors of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with elements of mystery, and inspirational international thrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance. 

Her books are for readers who love inspiring stories of faith, family, and friends. 

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Smile for Me blurb:

She is laid-back. He is uptight. Never the twain shall…kiss?

A deadline-driven workaholic assistant school principal who meticulously plans his schedule months in advance meets an easygoing art teacher and studio potter with no sense of time, living her life as the seasons come and go. When they cross paths again at the Summer by the Sea Day Camp sponsored by his church in Nassau, Bahamas, how can they get along if they cannot see eye to eye?

From USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson comes Smile for Me, book 1 in her Vacation Sweethearts collection of inspirational Christian travel romance novels. To start off the series, we travel to the Bahamas in the Caribbean, where the waters are clear, skies are blue, hammocks sway under coconut trees, and hearts are in love…

Tina MacFarland is laid-back…

When invited back to the Bahamas for a second time two years after a disastrous mission trip there, potter and art teacher Tina MacFarland isn’t sure she wants to face the obnoxious assistant principal of the Chapel by the Sea Christian School again. The last time she encountered Byron Moss, he found fault in everything she did. It seems that nothing she ever does is good enough for Mr. Uptight, as attractive as he may be to her.

Regardless of her personal concerns, they need art teachers at the Summer by the Sea Day Camp, and Tina answers the call to go. Surely God will help her last for four short weeks. What can possibly happen in a month? Nothing she can think of.

Byron Moss is uptight…

Assistant Headmaster Byron Moss is at a crossroad in his career. On the one hand, he has worked very hard to get to this position at the Chapel by the Sea Christian School. One more step up from this assistant principal position, and he’d be in charge of the entire school.

On the other hand, when Tina returns to Nassau, Byron suddenly feels hemmed in by his career choice. He is restricted from showing his transforming feelings for Tina. He fears he has taken a wrong turn in his career, and that if he keeps going on that route, he may lose his chances with Tina. More importantly, what is God’s will for his life? Somehow, he knows that Tina is part of all that. But she’s so…chaotic! And it drives him nuts. For the first time in his life, Byron is confused about what he needs to do.

Never the twain shall…kiss?

Ah, Byron and Tina. How will they navigate the super-conservative work environment where office romance is frowned upon? Can they change the old rules? Or will the old rules change them?

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Buy Smile for Me on Amazon

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Connect with Jan:
Website: JanThompson.com
Book News: JanThompson.com/newsletter
Amazon USA: JanThompson.com/amazon
Goodreads: JanThompson.com/goodreads
BookBub: JanThompson.com/bookbub
Facebook: JanThompson.com/facebook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thompsonauthor

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My Blog's 10th Year Birthday Bash: Vanessa Riley's book giveaway

Welcome to the 31st day of my blog's birthday bash!

Please welcome my author friend Vanessa Riley as she closes out my blog's birthday bash (today is the last day of the month-long celebration)!

Vanessa is here to give away one of her books!

Enter the book giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget the end of this blog post. Only residents of the USA are eligible to receive a signed paperback copy of this author's books. International residents will only receive ebook copies due to costs of mailing books outside of the USA.

Let's learn a little bit more about Vanessa and her book ...

Author Bio:

Vanessa Riley writes Regency and Historical Romances of dazzling multi-culture communities with powerful persons of color. 

Vanessa writes for historical romance readers who admire and acquire books that showcase women who find joy in sweeping kisses and strong sisterhoods. Even in the darkness, she promises to give you laughs and to show you how light always prevails and how love always, always wins.

Vanessa holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering and a master’s in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University. She also earned BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. 

She has been a radio anchorwoman and church announcer. Vanessa is President-Elect of The Beau Monde, a specialty History Chapter. She is also a member of Georgia Romance Writers, NINC, and Historical Novel Society. She is on the Board of Directors of Christian Book Lovers Retreat where readers escape for a weekend of fun, faith, and connection to the author community.

Vanessa loves cooking her Trinidadian grandma's cake recipes and collecting Irish crochet lace.

Vanessa is represented by Sarah Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

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Back Cover Blurb for The Bittersweet Bride:

Widow Theodosia Cecil needs a husband to help protect her son. The former flower seller turned estate owner posts an ad in the newspaper, and no one is more surprised than she when her first love, the man she thought dead, reappears. 

Ewan Fitzwilliam has been at war for six years. Now, the second son of a powerful earl is back but his beloved Theo needs a husband and will not consider him. She believes Ewan left her—in desperate straits—so she denies the feelings she still harbors for the handsome, scarred soldier. 

Theo and playwright Ewan must overcome bitter lies and vengeful actions that ruined their youthful affair. Theo must reveal her deepest secret in order to reclaim the love that has long been denied.

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Connect with Vanessa:

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRileyAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VanessaRiley/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vanessarileybooks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessarileyauthor/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Vanessa-Riley/e/B00C55DARS/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6949811.Vanessa_Riley

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/vanessa-riley/

Website: https://vanessariley.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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