14 Days of Love: The Practical Pretender by Danni Roan

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

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Book Blurb for The Practical Pretender:

Penelope Pembroke is a no-nonsense businesswoman whose only indulgence is the Book Club where she revels in the chance to let her hair down and gush about her modern-cowboy dreams.

  

When a purple haired matchmaker starts making waves in Penelope's safe haven, she is convinced that the woman is milking the Book Club as a publicity stunt. Even after seeing one of her fellow club members disappear, allegedly into her own happily-ever-after, Penelope can't believe that she could actually be whisked away into her dream romance.

Dewis Faremore is desperate to save his ranch. He's been fighting alone for years to turn the place around and keep his step-brothers from selling, but only one thing can preserve his heritage and home. Dewis needs a wife or at least a fiancee to delay the inevitable as long as possible.

When a pretty stranger in a smart business suit drops almost at his feet can Dewis persuade her to help him out or will her lack of faith in a matchmaker turned fairy godmother leave him nothing to call his own?

~*~

Author Bio:

Danni Roan, a Christian author, has always been a storyteller and that unique talent has translated well into the western romance genre. 

Danni’s characters are real, genuine and come alive on the page. To date, Danni has two western romance series, The Cattleman’s Daughters and Tales from Biders Clump, as well as several stand-alone novellas in the Strong Hearts: Open Spirits group. Danni has also participated in several multi-author projects including Whispers in Wyoming (a Christian Contemporary Western Romance series) and the much anticipated Alphabet Mail-Order Brides series. 

Danni has Bachelors of Missiology and a Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Danni has taught English and ESL, for over fifteen years both overseas and at home in the United States. These skills and her experience with people from all over the world have given a special flavor to her writing which only adds to the authenticity of her characters. 

Danni lives with her every-day-hero of more than twenty-seven years in a thirty-six-foot camper that they are using to tour the United States, adding new life to the setting and drama of her books. She is very proud of their son who is studying at the University of Florida. You can follow Danni’s adventures on her blog as well as reading about them in her work. 

Danni is a member of the Pioneer Hearts Authors and Readers group on Facebook and loves working with and interacting with so many talented friends. She has made lasting connections and feels that she is a part of something bigger than herself. 

Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Danni feels a connection to the land and loved riding over the verdant hills of western PA on horseback throughout her youth.

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Buy Danni's book on Amazon

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Connect with Danni:
Website: https://www.authordanniroan.com/
Blog: https://www.authordanniroan.com/blog-1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dannisdreamers

~*~
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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Stories of Love: A Christmas Hallelujah by Dori Harrell

Today, we're featuring my author friend Dori Harrell's book, 

A Christmas Hallelujah.

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Book Blurb:

Romance is the last thing on their minds—who'd take on their crazy lives anyway? 

When her mom decides it's time to "find herself" and takes off to points unknown, illustrator Piper Castleton is left in charge of her hurting, troubled teenage sister and the family's alpaca ranch. Giving up her job in the city and returning to the farm is a no-brainer, but how is she supposed to raise her sister when all she wants is their mother back? And Christmas? That's off the table.

Alex Saunders's young son was diagnosed with severe separation anxiety disorder after his mother's death a year and a half ago, and he hasn't left Alex's side in months. Alex is stretched too thin to even think about celebrating Christmas this year, so when his mom suggests they spend the holidays in Cranberry Creek, he cautiously agrees.

But when Piper and Alex meet, life takes a few unexpected turns. As a surprising and heartwarming friendship unfolds before their eyes, will Piper and Alex orchestrate a Christmas hallelujah out of the beautiful messes that are their lives?

~*~
Author Bio:

Dori, a lover of red licorice, is an award-winning writer and editor and a USA Today best-selling author—plus she speaks at writers’ and editors’ conferences nationwide.

She owns Breakout Editing and also serves as managing editor of Redemption Press. She edits for indie authors and publishers, including Kregel Publications and Gemma Halliday Publishing.

As an editor, she releases more than twenty books a year.

Dori is the author of A Christmas Hallelujah and Grateful for You. She has published more than a thousand articles in newspapers and magazines nationwide. She loves living in the Pacific Northwest, and she’s an avid Seahawks fan (go Hawks!).

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Connect with Dori:
Website: doriharrell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doriauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doriharrell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dori_Harrell

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

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Book feature with Mary Marie Allen, women's fiction author

Let's welcome Mary Marie Allen to the blog today! 

She's an author who writes under the women's fiction category of books.

Mary is here to share an excerpt and review of her book, God's Love Most Gentle.

First, here are a few words from Mary:

God wrote, and is writing, the greatest love story day by day with each of us. It’s a love I (Mary Marie Allen) hope others become acquainted with through my writing. 

My primary goal is to encourage women believers who have experienced love and joy in life along with sadness, loss, failure, and guilt. Hurting women often need help remembering God forgives and His love is most gentle. Then they can find love and joy in life once again. 

This is what happens when a pregnant woman with a harmful secret returns from the missionary field.

~*~

Excerpt from God's Love Most Gentle:

Kim sat cross-legged on the bedroom floor with a basin of tepid water nestled in her lap. She dipped a wash cloth and without wringing it plastered it to her neck. Water drenched her blue cotton dress and pooled about her waist and hips. She prayed for rain. Secretly, of course, for Kurt counted each dry dawn as a gift from God and devoted most of each day to construction of the new church.

Nsia entered the room with the laundry basket on her hip.

Kim plunged the cloth again and raised it over her head. She lifted her face. Clumps of wet hair clung to her cheeks and neck. “They said September was the start of the cool rainy season, but this humidity is more oppressive than any Midwest-summer day I remember. I hate the heat.”

Beneath a red headscarf, round dark eyes studied Kim. “I do not think it is the weather that causes your problem, Mrs. Kim. I will ask Mrs. Thema about a drink to help with baby sickness.”

“Are you saying I’m pregnant? I’m not pregnant.” Kim gave a dismissive wave of her hand letting droplets from the soggy washcloth fling about the room. Nsia knelt and set about sponging Kim with the water. Kim sighed. “That feels so good. You’re a blessing, Nsia, and a good friend.”

Nsia said, “You cry. Yesterday you cry over a watermelon.”

“I was thinking of my father. We won a prize for our watermelons one year. He died five years ago. I miss him terribly.”

“You get sick every morning. Eat or not, you get sick.”

Kim bolted upright. Her mouth gaped.

Nsia laughed and covered her smile with her fingers, but her luminous eyes were big with mirth. “You should see your face. You will give Pastor Kurt a fine, fat baby.”

“But, I don’t know what to do. There weren’t any babies around when I was growing up.”

Nsia patted her hand. “Do not worry. I care for you and the baby. I am the oldest of six.”

She smiled at Nsia. “You are like a little mother.”

“Thank you.”

“I miss my mother.” Tears burned in Kim’s eyes. She pushed homesickness away and pressed her stomach through the thin cotton material of her dress. “I don’t feel pregnant.”

Nsia rolled her eyes. “That comes later.”

Kim stood and hugged herself. She giggled. “I’m going to be a mommy. Kurt’ll be thrilled.” She twirled around then nausea overwhelmed her. She grabbed a bucket near the bed and groaned.

Nsia laughed. “Maybe you should rest a bit. Will you tell Pastor Kurt tonight?”

“No. I can’t wait that long.”

“Mrs. Macomb! Mrs. Macomb! ” Uzachi’s urgent voice blasted through the open window. His face appeared and he saw her. “Kim!”

Nsia scurried to fling open the front door. Men carried Kurt into the room and Kim ran to him. “Kurt! Take him to the bed. What happened?”

Uzachi’s face twisted. “Heat stroke. He never complained. None of us noticed anything until he collapsed and fell off the roof.”

A short man with a scarred face snatched up a braided palm frond beside the bed and fanned Kurt. “He fell on his head.”

Kim whimpered at Kurt’s still form. Nsia pressed the dripping cloth into her hand. “Wet him.” She moistened Kurt’s head and worked down his flushed frame.

His body was hot and dry. His breathing rasped in and expelled with a ragged sigh as his chest rose and fell unevenly. Her own lungs seemed frozen and she gulped for air. Kim re-moistened the cloth and gripped Kurt’s wrist. His pulse surged against her fingers. She swallowed back the bile that rose in her throat as the stench of hard-working bodies thickened the air in the small room.

More men, speaking in low, worried tones gathered outside the open window. Soon their voices rose in a clamor of supplication to God.

“Bring the pills from the desk drawer, Nsia,” Uzachi ordered. Nsia hurried off and trotted back, her hand extended as if to get help to Pastor Kurt more quickly. He placed two salt tablets under Kurt’s tongue. “Keep doing what you’re doing, Kim. I’ll call for help on the ham radio.”

A short time later he returned. His face was grim. “The helicopter can’t come. It’s on a call up in the mountains. That's the other direction entirely. We’ll have to do the best we can and let God do the rest.”

Fear stole words from her mind; a coherent sentence wouldn’t come together. Kim sank onto the edge of the bed and stared at Kurt’s still, pale form. 

~*~

Blurb for God's Love Most Gentle:

When a pregnant widow returns from the mission field family and friends rally to help, but she harbors a secret that may lead to her spiritual downfall. Kim Macomb returns from Zaire, Africa where the 1995 coup has claimed her missionary husband’s life. 

Grief-stricken and pregnant, Kim is only a shadow of herself. Hoping to promote her daughter’s healing, Carol sends Kim, to the calm, godly man who once rescued her. 

Jack’s Montana ranch seems to have the desired effect, but as his son, Mitch, and bad boy Hank vie for Kim’s affections, an agonizing secret drives her further from God. 

Swept up in Kim’s search for peace and forgiveness, those around her face their own frailties and the sometimes unexpected, yet overwhelming truth – God’s love is most gentle.

~*~
Book Review of God's Love Most Gentle:

“I thoroughly enjoyed God’s Love Most Gentle and highly recommend this read! It captivates from the start and takes the reader through the gamut of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I held my breath anxiously waiting for resolution, and my heart warmed at the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. Seeing the hand of God move in the lives of the characters as He holds them, protects them and carries them through the joys and trials of life. I felt as if the characters became friends of mine and I often wonder how they are doing now! Lol! I’d love to meet up with all of them in a sequel!!” – Myra's 5-star review on Amazon.com

~*~
Author Bio:

Women’s Fiction author Mary Marie Allen lives in northwest Indiana with her high school sweetheart husband, a feisty 97-year-old mother, and a rambunctious German Wirehair Pointer. 

She’s authored four books of poetry, including one children’s Bible story. 

After five surgeries in two years, she’s happy to continue the story of the characters first seen in “God’s Love Most Gentle”. 

She expects book two to release fall on 2018 as “God’s Love Most Faithful”.

~*~
Connect with Mary:
E-mail - marymarieallen2015@gmail.com
Website - https://www.marymarieallen.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PoetAndWriterMaryAllen/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/marymakingmerry/

Book Boyfriends: JoAnn Durgin's hero

Interview with Sloan McClain, hero of Roundabout (book) by JoAnn Durgin:

JoAnn: Sloan, thanks for being my guest today. First of all, I understand you’re a legacy rancher—meaning your father was a rancher and taught you everything you know from an early age. What do you enjoy most about being a rancher?

Sloan: First of all, that it is a legacy. My grandfather was also a rancher. As an only child, I was expected to take ownership of Roundabout Ranch one day. I’ve always accepted my responsibilities in that regard, but it helps that I genuinely love ranching. There’s something about the physicality of working the land and raising cattle that’s inherently satisfying. It’s honest labor, but it’s also cleansing for the soul. It’s also a great time to talk with the Lord when I’m surrounded by my many blessings. (Smiles) Depending on weather and other factors, one day can be quiet while the next can be chaotic, but that keeps it interesting. No day is like the next, and it’s never boring. Ranchers also have a close network, and we help each other out when needed. Like a built-in support system. 

JoAnn: That’s wonderful. Can you tell us a little about your history with Jensen Callahan?

Sloan: (Chuckles) Where to begin? Jenny and I both grew up in Justis, a tiny town in West Texas. From the time we were kids, we’d see each other around town occasionally. We didn’t really get to know each other until high school. There was something about her that was different from the other girls. She was sassy, smart, and fun. She was also the prettiest girl in town with her long blonde hair and unique honey-colored eyes, but Jenny never thought she was pretty. To be blunt, her mom had something of a bad reputation around town, and her father was too fond of his drink. If I ever heard anyone make insinuations about her, my protective instincts roared like a lion. In spite of it all, Jenny was—and still is—one of the most sensitive and compassionate people I’ve ever known.

JoAnn: She sounds like a wonderful person. Did you two date in high school?

Sloan: Yes. One date and that was it...for both of us. Let me preface that by saying I had a tutor at the ranch for years. That way, I could schedule my classes and study times around work. When I was a senior in high school, I rebelled against my parents and insisted they allow me to attend public high school. For once in my life, I wanted to be with kids my age and have some fun. While I respected my parents, I was also independent and wanted my father, especially, to understand he didn’t own me. Jenny was a couple years younger than me, but we started going out. Unfortunately, my dad didn’t want me to see her (for reasons of his own). So, we had to sneak around. I supposedly spent a lot of time in the library and made a lot of new “friends” I spent time with that year. (Shrugs) I’m not proud of it, but that’s the way it was.

JoAnn: I hate to ask, but did you and Jensen (Jenny) break up at some point?

Sloan: We never broke up, and that was the hardest and most confusing aspect—there was no closure to our relationship. We loved one another, but there’s no easy way to say this except to come right out with it: Jenny’s father was murdered when she was 17. That night changed everything—she ran away from Justis. I was away studying at A&M, and I couldn’t believe she was gone. For 13 long years, I didn’t see her. I kept tabs on her, and I usually knew where she was. I tried to contact her several times, but it was clear she didn’t want to see me or talk to me. But as always, you’ve got to love the way God works behind the scenes. Neither one of us were Christians back in high school, but in His timing and in His way, we both came to know the Lord. Then He orchestrated the opportunity for us to finally see each other again…when Jenny was at a good place in her life, and I felt she wasn’t as much of a flight risk. (Chuckles) That doesn’t mean it wasn’t a shock when I walked back into her life unexpectedly. If there was any chance she’d run away again, I didn’t want to take it. (Shrugs a bit sheepishly)

JoAnn: Oh my! I’m so thankful you could see one another again, though. After all that much time had passed, what was it like seeing each other again?

Sloan: (Sigh). Jenny was—and always will be—the love of my life. She was my friend first and foremost, and we shared everything together. More than anyone else, she showed me unconditional love. While she was gone, I tried to forget her. I dated a lot of women, and I was even engaged for six months. But (massages his fingers over his forehead) no other woman could compare. They just weren’t my Jenny. When I saw her again, she was more beautiful than ever, and I knew she was the only one for me—then as now. As for Jenny, she didn’t push me away. She was wary at first, but she agreed to meet so we could talk.

JoAnn: Awww, that sounds like true love. I hope you two were finally able to get the closure you both needed.

Sloan: (Another sigh) We did, and I finally knew—and could understand—her reasons for running away. On the other hand, it also raised another big question in both our minds. I won’t go into detail, but suffice it to say, it turned out to be a very convoluted situation. 

JoAnn: Thanks for answering my questions today, Sloan. So, I trust you were able to reconnect with your first and forever love…and hopefully ride into the sunset together?

Sloan: (Wide grin spreads across his face) You need to read JoAnn Durgin’s novel, Roundabout, to find out the answer to that question.

JoAnn: Fair enough. Thank you, Sloan.

Sloan: (Tips his Stetson) It was my honor. Have a beautiful day!

~*~
Author Bio:

In addition to Roundabout, USA Today Bestselling Author JoAnn Durgin is the author of the prior eight novels in the beloved Lewis Legacy Series, as well as Prelude, the prequel to the series. 

Her other works include the Amazon bestselling Catching Serenity, Heart’s Design and its sequel, Gentle Like the Rain, The Wondrous Love Series, Echoes of Edinburgh, Perchance to Dream, Whisper to My Heart, The Valentine Verse, Thee Will I Cherish, The Starlight Christmas Series, and The Serendipity Christmas Series. 

A former estate administration paralegal, JoAnn now writes contemporary Christian romance full-time and lives with her family in her native southern Indiana. 

~*~

Book Blurb for Roundabout:

At 17, Jensen Callahan fled her small hometown of Justis, Texas, the night her daddy was murdered. From the wrong side of the tracks, and with lingering suspicions but no answers, Jensen found a safe haven with a kindly Christian widow in Houston. Thirteen years later, Jensen finally feels settled and content as a faithful TeamWork Missions volunteer and the office manager for Doyle-Clarke Catering. When Sloan McClain walks into the office to hire the caterers for the West Texas Cattlemen’s Ball, her carefully guarded life is thrown into turmoil. One meeting is all it takes for Jensen to know the tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome cattle rancher—her first love and the boy she left behind in Justis—still holds her heart.

As his late father’s only child and heir, Sloan McClain now operates the family’s thriving cattle ranch and controls their vast oil interests and mineral rights. But for all his many blessings, Sloan’s days are empty and incomplete without a wife to share his life and raise a family. He’s never forgotten Jensen Callahan, the long-legged, golden-eyed blonde beauty he’d dated against his father’s wishes. He’d loved her, and no woman since has compared. After Jensen disappeared, he vowed to find her and bring her home one day, but each time he’d gotten close, she’d managed to slip away. Sloan refused to accept the heartbreaking possibility that she never wanted to be found, never wished to return.

All Sloan wants is a second chance with his first love, but he understands Jensen desperately needs closure about what happened to her father that fateful night in Justis. Together they begin to work toward finding answers as they renew their tentative and fragile friendship. But once they discover the truth, will it set them free or tear them apart forever?

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Buy JoAnn's book on Amazon

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Connect with JoAnn: 

Website - www.joanndurgin.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/authorjoanndurgin
Twitter - https://twitter.com/gr8treads/

~*~

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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Spring into Love: Melanie D. Snitker's story on "Finding Joy"

Interview with Melanie D. Snitker, author of Finding Joy: 

Alexis: When I started reading your book, I was drawn into the story from the start. You are a talented author! How long have you been writing books?

Melanie: You are so kind, thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’ve been writing stories since I was a child, but I didn’t start writing Christian romance until I was in college. I published my first book in August of 2014. 

Alexis: What was the inciting incident that made you want to become an author?

Melanie: Truthfully, I wanted to become an author since I was little. I remember watching some of my favorite shows (such as Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers) and wishing there were more episodes. So I’d create my own. Sometimes I wrote out the episodes in story form. Other times, I traced images from coloring books to create comic books. My need to create stories and share them with others grew from there. 

Alexis: What’s the significance of your book’s title, “Finding Joy”?

Melanie: Everyone goes through difficult times in their lives. We can let those define who we are and color everything we do. Or we can find the joy that makes everything else worthwhile. Ultimately, it is our choice. And that’s what I wanted to get across with the title and theme of Finding Joy.

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s hero Parker Wilson. What are his greatest fears? What brings joy to his heart? What made him into the man he is today?

Melanie: Parker has gone through a lot of loss in his life. First, the death of his father when Parker was a teenager caused him to flee the family business in search of something to keep his mind off his grief. Later, an accident not only scarred his face but ended his career, sending him back to the family’s farm where all of those memories of his father come flooding back. When the book begins, the only real joy he finds is in his faithful dog and visiting with sick children in the hospital. He’d rather hide out and avoid life than face it.

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s hero Chelsea Blake. What are her strengths? What is her most visible character flaw? Why does she want to work for Parker’s family on their ranch?

Melanie: Chelsea grew up in a cold family, raised by nannies and mostly ignored by her parents. They shaped her education, provided everything, and raised her to be a lawyer. When she finally realized her life wasn’t her own, she broke away from everything her parents arranged and struck out on her own. She is driven and determined.

But Chelsea is also focused on proving to her parents that she can make her life successful so that they’ll be proud of her. She allows herself to be stressed beyond what’s healthy worrying about what they might think or say the next time she speaks to them. Even though she’s broken away from that life, she still allows her parents to influence what she chooses to do.

She’s worked for a temp agency for a while, unsure of what she wants to focus on for the rest of her life. When she finds out her parents are coming for a visit, she takes the job at the ranch hoping she’ll get hired on permanently. Chelsea worries her mother may be unhappy with the choice of career, but it’s better than working for a temp agency.

Alexis: What are Parker’s first impressions of Chelsea? Are they lasting impressions as the story progresses? Why or why not?

Melanie: When Parker first meets Chelsea, he gets the impression she’s a woman who not only has never set foot on a ranch but has no business being there at all. The last thing he wants to do is deal with her as a new employee and he’s determined to make her quit. As the story progresses, he realizes he didn’t give her nearly enough credit.

Alexis: What are Chelsea’s first thoughts when she meets Parker? What about him makes her upset? What about him makes her heart smile?

Melanie: The first time Chelsea meets Parker, she spills tea and not only gets it on herself but Parker’s dog as well. Parker’s clearly upset. When she later finds out she’s going to be working for him, he’s not happy about it. It really bothers Chelsea that he seems to think she can’t do her job and she sets out to prove him wrong. As she gets to know him, she sees how thoughtful he is and how much he cares about his family. He has a way of making her smile.

Alexis: What do Chelsea and Parker have in common?

Melanie: Parker is so focused on his losses, that he has a hard time looking to the future. Chelsea is so worried about gaining her parents’ approval and respect that she’s working herself into the ground. They both struggle to find the true joy in their own lives.

Alexis: What does it take for Chelsea and Parker to find joy?

Melanie: Surrender as they realize they can’t completely control their lives or the reactions of the people around them.

Alexis: If you could visit Parker’s family ranch, what would you say to his Mom?

Melanie: I’d love to visit Parker’s ranch. If I could talk to his mom, I’d tell her she did an amazing job building up a legacy for her children and raising them after the death of her husband. I have a lot of respect for her. Even if she did hire Chelsea when Parker told her he didn’t need more help. lol

Alexis: What was your favorite part about writing this story? Why?

Melanie: My favorite part about writing this story was the research. I was able to go to a local longhorn ranch and it was such an amazing experience! Not only did I get to feed a longhorn but I had the opportunity to witness the whole herd come running toward me like I write about in Finding Joy. It made Parker’s ranch very real to me.

Alexis: What is the moral of the story?

Melanie: No matter what kind of challenges you face in your life, you can make the choice to focus on the joy.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Melanie! God bless you.

Melanie: Thank you, Alexis. I had a wonderful time visiting and appreciate the opportunity. God bless!

~*~
Author bio: 

Melanie D. Snitker has enjoyed writing for as long as she can remember. She started out writing episodes of cartoon shows that she wanted to see as a child and her love of writing grew from there. 

She and her husband live in Texas with their two children who keep their lives full of adventure, and two dogs who add a dash of mischief to the family dynamics. 

In her spare time, Melanie enjoys photography, reading, crochet, baking, archery, target shooting, and hanging out with family and friends.

~*~
Book Blurb for Finding Joy: Sometimes, what looks like a dead end, is really a new beginning. 

A horrific accident changed everything for Parker Wilson. The beautiful new employee his mom hires is the last thing he needs and he'll do whatever it takes to make the girl quit and regain the peace and quiet he prefers.

Nothing short of desperation would force Chelsea Blake to work on a local cattle ranch. She may not be cut out for ranch life, but her determination to succeed is stronger than her handsome employer’s efforts at forcing her to leave.

Unprepared to discover all they have in common, if they set aside their initial dislike, they might find joy beyond measure.

~*~
Buy Finding Joy on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NH3274U

~*~
Connect with Melanie:
Website - http://www.melaniedsnitker.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melaniedsnitker
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MelanieDSnitker
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melaniedsnitker/
Newsletter - https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/n4b3z2 

~*~

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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A Prelude to Christmas: Angela Ruth Strong's holiday romance in Montana

Welcome a dear friend of mine, Angela Ruth Strong, to the blog today. She's written a holiday romance that takes place in Big Sky, Montana and it's beautiful! :) The story is called Finding Love in Big Sky, MONTANA.

Here's the blurb for Angela's book:

Bright Star Ranch led him to her--but will he stay?

Josh Lake is forced to head home for the holidays after he’s suspended from his job in the city, but running into Paisley Sheridan could be exactly what he needed. Not only does she board him at her ranch in exchange for his advertising expertise, but spending the Christmas season with her in Big Sky, Montana, brings more joy than he’s felt in a long while. Is he willing to give up the lavish lifestyle he’s worked for in exchange for the gift of love?

The last thing Paisley wants for Christmas is to spend time with Josh Lake—the guy who broke her heart in high school—but until her bank loan goes through, she has to take all the free help she can get. Unfortunately, Josh seems to want back in her life again, and the town’s quirky coffee shop owners don’t help by hanging mistletoe at every opportunity. 

Will Paisley succeed in driving him away, or will she find the healing needed to have hope for a future together?

Enter this book giveaway contest by filling out the Rafflecopter widget for your chance to WIN a copy of Angela's book: 

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Join me today as I interview the hero of Angela's story, Josh Lake. This is a "character interview". 
~*~
Character Interview with Josh Lake from Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana:

Alexis: Dear Josh, It was so hard to choose to interview either you or the heroine of this story, Paisley. But I find you especially intriguing so I'm excited to interview you!

Josh: Thanks for picking me. Paisley answered questions for another interview, so I’m glad I get to share here.

Alexis: What is it about Bright Star Ranch that you love (besides Paisley Sheridan)?

Josh: It’s beautiful and peaceful, and it reminds me of my youth when life was simple and I hadn’t yet lost my swagger.

Alexis: You planned to visit the ranch short-term but you stayed long-term. Why?

Josh: I’d worked so hard for success in Chicago, and when I finally got everything I wanted, it didn’t satisfy. It was all about me. Paisley is passionate about making a difference in the world, and I want to be more like her.

Alexis: Why were you suspended from your job in the city? How did that make you feel at first?

Josh: I’d pitched an advertising campaign to one company and they were about to sign when their competitors came out with the exact same commercials first, which made it look like I had stolen the idea. That wasn’t my fault. But it was my fault that I blew all my money by celebrating my success prematurely so when I was unexpectedly suspended, I had nothing left.

Alexis: I believe that your suspension from your job was God working behind-the-scenes to bring you home to Bright Star Ranch. What do you think? Explain.

Josh: God does that. When we have a dream and overcome all obstacles to reach that dream, God will ask for the dream back. This is our chance to choose the Dream-Giver over the dream. It’s hard and it hurts, but I can promise if you chose the Dream-Giver, He will give you an even bigger dream in return.

Alexis: Josh, you are clearly a swoon-worthy character (I speak for most female readers of your story) but you also seem down-to-earth and dedicated to the greater good. Is there anything about your upbringing that made you such a good man? Share details.

Josh: Hey, thanks. As you can see in my previous answers, I’ve been selfish and made some foolish mistakes, but coming back to my roots reminds me of how I was raised in a big family on a Christmas tree farm where we learned to work hard and value relationships. Being the middle child, I often erred on the side of trying to charm people to like me. Having Paisley dislike me so strongly really challenged my self-worth but also forced me to question my identity in a healthy way.

Alexis: Are you a man of faith? If so, how does your faith in God impact the way you live?

Josh: Yes, I was raised to believe in God, but for a long time, I’d been living my own way rather than His. I guess I was afraid He would get in the way of my dreams. And guess what—He did. But only because He had something better for me.

Alexis: What is it about Paisley Sheridan that tugs at your heartstrings? She’s clearly a wonderful woman and I can see why a man like you would be drawn to her, but please do share in your own words why you love Paisley. 

Josh: She’s tough yet vulnerable at the same time. She’s been hurt, but it’s only made her stronger. I want to protect her, but there’s no way she would let me. In fact, she’s rescued me more than once. Also, she looks good in heels, but she’s more likely to throw them in anger than wear them to a Christmas party.

Alexis: The love that you and Paisley share is something that single ladies in the real world dream of! But your road to romance was not easy. Why do you think that it took time for you to win Paisley’s heart?

Josh: Paisley’s heart had been hardened toward me for a reason I didn’t understand. It was especially hard to understand when we had such a strong connection. It’s like she was motioning me toward her with one hand while holding me back with the other. I think we all do that more than we realize. We want to be loved, but we are afraid of the risk. This is why we must first accept God’s love. If God is enough for us, then we know we will be okay if others reject us the way we fear they might.

Alexis: What were your first thoughts when Paisley offered you free room and board at her ranch in exchange for your advertising expertise?

Josh: I was shocked. She’d been trying to get rid of me up to that point. It showed me how much she cared about her ranch, and it made me want to be part of something that meant so much. At that point in our story, I wanted to kill time until I could get back to Chicago, I wanted to avoid confessing my failures to my brothers back home, and I also wanted to get her to like me so I could like myself a little more.

Alexis: When your boss offered you a chance to return to your job and lavish lifestyle, why didn’t you?

Josh: I realized Paisley was what I’d been looking for all along.

Alexis: The town’s coffee shop owners hung mistletoe every chance they got. Were you scared of meeting Paisley under the mistletoe by accident or even on purpose? Why or why not?

Josh: I liked flirting with her. And I’d made it pretty clear I wanted to kiss her. She turned me down every time though, and I wasn’t interested in facing the rejection in public. I know Dot and Annabel had good intentions with the mistletoe, but Paisley needed to decide to kiss me on her own.

Alexis: What is it about Christmastime in Big Sky, Montana that warms your heart?

Josh: Jingle bells. Dashing through the snow. Bright stars. Evergreen trees. Giant fireplaces. And, of course, hot chocolate at the Coffee Cottage.

Alexis: What is it about your relationship with Paisley that helped you both find healing and hope for the future?

Josh: I had to learn that I couldn’t “pitch” myself like an advertising campaign to get people to love me. Paisley was the opposite. She was afraid to offer anything because she didn’t think she was worth being accepted. We learned the truth through the gift of Christmas and through each other.

Alexis: What relationship advice do you have for us single ladies at Christmastime, Josh?

Josh: I can set you up with my little brother Sam. Just kidding. He’ll probably be single forever. My actual advice is this: Give. Rather than focus on what you don’t have this holiday season, focus on what you do have. Santa may not have left you a diamond ring, but God has given you many other gifts. And you have a lot to offer. When you give to the less fortunate, you will never feel so blessed and loved.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview! It was a delight to spend time with you! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Josh: Thanks, Alexis. It’s been a delight.

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Author bio:

Angela Ruth Strong studied journalism at the University of Oregon and published her first novel, Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2010. With movie producers interested in her book, she's decided to rerelease it and write sequels as a new series titled Resort to Love. 

This Idaho Top Author and Cascade Award winner also started IDAhope Writers to encourage other aspiring authors, and she's excited to announce the sale of her first romantic suspense novel to Love Inspired Suspense. Presumed Dead releases in February. 

She currently lives in Idaho with her husband and three teenagers where she teaches yoga and works as a ticket agent for an airline when not writing.

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Buy Angela's book:
Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble 

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Connect with Angela:
Website - www.angelaruthstrong.com
GoodReads - http://bit.ly/2ggIUfn
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1557213161269220/

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