books – Page 6 – Sherida Stewart

TUESDAY TEA-Love’s Promises with Sandra Leesmith and hiking near Lake Tahoe…

Usually when I invite you to have TUESDAY TEA with me, we’ll share a pot of tea and a tea time treat. Today our treat is a bit different. I’ll explain. After attending the sunrise service at our church on Easter Sunday, my husband and I went hiking in the desert to refresh in God’s amazing creation of wilderness. The area of our hike, shown below, seems like an interesting contrast to the setting of the book I’m featuring today on TUESDAY TEA, Sandra Leesmith’s LOVE’S PROMISES. Sandra’s novel is filled with scenic mountains, sparkling water, glistening snow, and the scent of Ponderosa pine forests. Beautiful Lake Tahoe is where this love story unfolds as Monica and Greg experience the outdoor adventures the Lake Tahoe area offers. Therefore, I’m serving trail food, water and energy bars, as Sandra discusses the active environment of her inspirational romance, Love’s Promises. Please be sure to enter the giveaway (at the bottom of this post), featuring Lake Tahoe and Sandra’s favorite coffee.

Tuesday Tea-Hiking! — Tuesday Tea-Hiking-This isn’t Lake Tahoe!

First, enjoy the beautiful cover of this book! When Sandra revealed the cover a few weeks ago, I was thrilled to learn there was a tea house on tiny Fannette Island, or as the locals call it, the Tea House Island. You can see the island on the cover. However, the Tea House is not a place to drop in for afternoon tea, as Sandra will explain below.

Love's Promises by Sandra Leesmith — Love’s Promises by Sandra Leesmith

About the Book:

For Monica Scott, building her late father’s house at Lake Tahoe isn’t an option—it’s a necessary distraction from confusing memories and an uncertain future. But a handsome planner working for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is keeping Monica from moving forward with the project. Never mind that he’s young and charming with a great sense of humor. No one is going to stop Monica from making her father’s dream—and her own—a reality. All Greg Linsey wants is for his work to mean something. His job at TRPA gives him the opportunity to fight for the environment he loves and make a difference in his small corner of the world. But with the sophisticated Monica Scott’s arrival, his dedication is tested as never before, especially when Monica turns to his unscrupulous nemesis for assistance. As Greg and Monica’s animosity turns into something far sweeter, can they learn to accept each other’s promises and avoid the growing danger to their lives and hearts?

Purchase the Kindle ebook on Amazon

Paperback coming soon!

Now to chat with Sandra about the beautiful Lake Tahoe setting of Love’s Promises!

SHERIDA: What glimmer of an idea started your thoughts for Love’s Promises?

SANDRA: Two glimmers happened for me. My husband and I bought a house at Lake Tahoe, and it needed a lot of work done on it. The work needed permits, and that is when we ran into the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. My husband is a biologist and we both have deep concern and love of nature, so we were very impressed with the Agency’s plan to protect the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe in spite of the extensive use. The research was very rewarding.

The other thing that happened at that time is that I was involved in a class for women offered at church that pointed out God’s plan for women and their role as godly wives. Becoming an adult in the era when women’s lib started, I thought the precepts presented in my Bible class were refreshing, and I wanted to show those in my writing as well.

SHERIDA: Both of your inspirational experiences are developed so well in the book, the concern of preserving natural beauty and the reflections on God’s plan for being a wife.

As I mentioned, I love tea houses, but the Tea House mentioned in your book is not what I was thinking it would be. Please tell us a bit about the Tea House you describe in Love’s Promises.

SANDRA: No, the tea house located on Fannette Island in Emerald Bay is very unconventional, isn’t it? It was built by Lora Josephine Knight, who purchased the property on shore and the island in 1928 and built the house and teahouse according to Scandinavian architecture. She would take her lady friends out to the island for tea. The small structure included a fireplace and a table and chairs. I think she built it to protect them from the wind and cold that can come up while on the lake.

SHERIDA: I do hope to visit this tea house! My husband and I love travel. We have plans to see Lake Tahoe this summer for the first time. What would you suggest to add sparkle to our visit? (We like camping, hiking, and food. Any place for tea or coffee you enjoy?)

SANDRA: My recommendation would be to go to the tourist information centers. They are located in the major towns and also in the state parks and national monuments. You need to make reservations early as they book up fast for camping. Any of the campgrounds are fabulous. Take your bicycles, as you can ride to interesting places from all of the campgrounds. Hiking trails abound in the forest around the lake. There is also access to the Desolation Wilderness Area on the west side of the lake.

Every town has fabulous restaurants for coffee and tea. Just ask the campground hosts where you camp. I particularly love to have coffee on the deck at Sunnyside along the west shore. (Here is their website: http://www.sunnysidetahoe.com) Btw, they received a “best ambiance” award in 2014.

SHERIDA: Thank you for your trip-planning suggestions, Sandra. And thank you for your blog tour events and the giveaway featuring Lake Tahoe. I love Love’s Promises!

SANDRA: Thank you, Sherida. I am looking forward to the blog tour. I am delighted that you love the book.

Follow the Love’s Promises blog tour set up by Amber Stokes by clicking on the pretty button below. Visit with the other bloggers who present fun information about LOVE’S PROMISES!

MY THOUGHTS ABOUT LOVE’S PROMISES:

This is a story about Monica Scott’s determination to build a house, designed by her father, on an environmental sensitive plot of land in the Tahoe Basin area of California in the 1980’s. Her plans are thwarted by Greg Linsey, an agent with the organization charged with protecting the quality of life in the area. Well-motivated characters and the different ways love is expressed, fill this story with thoughtful inspiration. I enjoyed the sense of hiking and exploring the beautiful scenery of Lake Tahoe, so lovingly described by Sandra Leesmith.

Favorite quotes:

A slight breeze rushed through the trees. The cool air refreshed his exerted body. Birds sang. Squirrels scattered in front of him. Pleasure coursed through Greg as the stirrings of spring transferred from nature to him. He looked around and thanked God again for His wonderful creation, and thanked his forefathers for the wisdom to preserve it. For the first time in months, peace settled in his heart.

“That’s called love. It’s the way love works. You put someone else before yourself. In appreciation, that person does the same.”

About author Sandra Leesmith:

Sandra Leesmith loves to travel in her RV and explore all of nature’s beauty, discover America’s history, and fellowship with the wonderful people she meets while on the road. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, swimming, and pickleball. Learn more about Sandra and her books at www.sandraleesmith.com.

You can connect with Sandra on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. You can also find her and her talented writing buddies at the Seekerville blog.

GIVEAWAY

Sandra is offering one reader a taste of Lake Tahoe with a sweet prize pack: a signed paperback copy of Love’s Promises, a journal, a Lake Tahoe coffee mug, a pound of Millstone Velvet Chocolate coffee, and a Hulet Glass chocolate drop! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. You can enter to win via the Rafflecopter form below:
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Thanks to Sandra Leesmith and my readers for stopping by for TUESDAY TEA, even if we just had water and trail bars today, but so fitting for the beautiful hiking to be experience in Sandra Leesmith’s Love’s Promises! Be sure to enter the giveaway. Hope you enjoy Love’s Promises, as I did! May you always be blessed by the gift of our Savior’s love as celebrated at Easter! Blessings to you!

TUESDAY TEA with Kira Brady launching HEARTS OF CHAOS!

WELCOME TO THE KIVATI HALL TEA ROOM LOCATED IN POST-APOCALYPTIC SEATTLE!

Please join my daughter-in-law, Kira Brady, and me for a special tea in the conservatory of Seattle’s Kivati Hall, as featured in her third book of the Deadglass series, Hearts of Chaos, releasing today.

“Inside, the air was humid. Flowering trees and exotic ferns crowded the tables. The roof and three walls were glass panels between a lattice of iron. Suspended from the ceiling was a miniature iron railroad track; a tea train, puffing peppermint steam, ran between the kitchens and the small round tables in a clover loop. The train stopped at each table to unload its fare. Each car held a different delicacy: cucumber and ginger sandwiches, cinnamon cookies, and scones with huckleberry preserves.” Hearts of Chaos, Chapter 2

We’re sipping peppermint tea. Please help yourself to buttermilk scones and triangle open-face sandwiches spread with gingered goat cheese, topped with cucumber slices. Then have a special Kivati Hall cinnamon and sunflower seed cookie. The recipe for the cookies is at the end of this post.

Now to tell you about Hearts of Chaos!

The thrilling finale to the Deadglass Trilogy.

Lucia and Corbette.

Death can’t stop their love.

To save her world, one woman’s fierce quest will put her up against an ancient evil–and a desire too dangerous to deny . . .

She is betrothed to Seattle’s most feared shifter clan leader. Still, the Lady Lucia can never be the dainty aristocratic wife Emory Corbette thinks he needs. And as a malevolent, all-consuming monster plots to take hold of their shattered world, Lucia will risk her untapped powers to defeat it–and challenge the Raven King’s seductive rule. No one in Emory’s many lifetimes has ever defied him. Lucia’s courage and strength are shaking his iron control to its core. . .and making him hungry for all she can give. But their only hope is a wrenching sacrifice that could unite humans and shifters in victory–or destroy everything Lucia and Emory desire most. . .

Praise for Hearts of Chaos

“Seamlessly weaving threads of Babylonian, Norse, and Northwest Native American fables, Brady creates a dark, rich tapestry. The trilogy ends as it began: with beautifully rendered prose and multidimensional characters who capture readers’ hearts.” – Publishers Weekly

“Brady has a talent for completely bringing the reader into a dark world in an alternate Seattle, full of shapeshifters and magic. The well-crafted world Brady has created is one of the things that sets this series apart in a very popular genre…. The characters are engaging and the mythos is unique, but the spark between Lucia and Corbette is what will really keep the pages turning.” – RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

Praise for Kira Brady and the Deadglass Series

“Imaginative. . .this fast-paced, gritty story will thrill paranormal readers.” –BookPage

“Dazzling. . .thrilling. . .irresistible.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review

“The characters are fresh and exciting, and the story is fascinating.” –RT Book Reviews

MY THOUGHTS:

Review: Hearts of Chaos (Deadglass Novel) by Kira Brady

Brilliant conclusion to an unforgettable paranormal romance series.

Yes, brilliant writing! I felt I was walking among the mists and myths of a very different Seattle created by Kira Brady. Lucia and Emory are intriguing characters as they develop strength and courage during their story of saving their world and of finding faithful love.

My kind of hero: “We can’t afford to be selfish.” “I stand it because there is no other option.”

My kind of heroine: “If she never took great risks, how would she ever know how much she was capable of?”

My kind of theme: “There’s always hope.”

If you enjoy steamy, paranormal romance, with intricate world-building and complex characters, you will want to read the Deadglass Trilogy. I’d suggest starting with the Hearts of Fire prequel novella of Alice and Brand, then the story of Kayla and Hart in Hearts of Darkness, followed by Hearts of Shadow featuring Grace and Leif, then ending with Lucia and Emory in the amazing Hearts of Chaos. Each book is a separate, fulfilling romance, but it’s interesting to see the development of the alternate Seattle, with the blending of different, enchanting mythologies, as each book unfolds.

Watch for mention of the Deadglass (spyglass) in Hearts of Chaos…..intriguing to see who possesses it last. Hmmm……?

For more about Kira Brady and her Deadglass Trilogy, visit her at www.KiraBrady.com. There you will find links to her books, and some of the ebooks may be available at special prices.

Interesting photo: I took this picture on the shoreline of Puget Sound near Seattle. Now I’m wondering what stories these two eagles may be hiding.

CINNAMON AND SUNFLOWER SEED COOKIES (SERVED AT THE TEA ROOM OF KIVATI HALL IN SEATTLE)

Ingredients:

½ cup shortening

2/3 cup white sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons molasses

1 1/3 cups flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/3 cup cinnamon chips

1/3 cup roasted sunflower nuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream shortening and sugar together. Beat in egg. Stir in molasses. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and stir until well combined. Mix in cinnamon chips and sunflower nuts. Roll dough into two 9-inch logs (about 1-inch in diameter). Refrigerate dough or freeze.

Cut logs into ¼ inch slices. Place slices two inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing from the cookie sheets to a wire rack until completely cool. (This was adapted from a recipe found on allrecipes dot com.)

TEA ROOMS Kira Brady and I have enjoyed afternoon tea at many lovely tea rooms……The Brown Palace, the Jazz Bouquet Tea Cafe, The Georgian Restaurant, and the charming Wildflower Tea Room Café pictured below. We still have many more on our list to enjoy in the future. Do you have a suggestion of a favorite tea place?

Tea with Kira Brady at Wildflowers Tea Room.

TUESDAY TEA with Kira Brady & chatting about HEARTS OF SHADOW!

Please join me for tea with Kira Brady who is talking about the second book in her Deadglass Trilogy, Hearts of Shadow. I’m serving Dragon Phoenix Pearl tea because of the book’s hero, dragon shapeshifter Leif, and pink cupcakes because of the pink cover of this book. (And the author’s daughter helped me make these cupcakes with icing in her favorite color-PINK!) This multi-talented author also crafted the tea pot and cups we are using today.

Take a look at the cover of Hearts of Shadow. Yes, it is very PINK!

Book Blurb:

Grace Mercer’s unmatched wraith-killing ability made her the unofficial defender of a city shattered by supernatural catastrophe. So there’s no way she’ll allow the new regent of Seattle’s most powerful dragon shifter clan to “protect” her from a vicious evil stalking the ruined streets–and keep her from the freedom she’s risked everything to earn. Leif’s science-honed instincts tell him Grace is the key to keeping shifters and humans safe. But helping this wary fighter channel her untapped power is burning away the dragon’s sensual self-control and putting a crucial alliance at risk. Soon the only chance Leif and Grace will have to save their world will be a dangerously fragile link that could forever unite their souls…or consume all in a storm of destruction.

Chatting with Kira Brady:

SHERIDA: Kira, how did you get the glimmer of the idea for your book, Hearts of Shadow?

KIRA: I took a ghost tour of the Pike Place Market and was inspired by the tales of sin and supernatural hauntings. Seattle was founded as an open city: alcohol, gambling, and prostitution were legal. I liked the Wild West atmosphere of the nacent town at the farthest edge of the civilization, but wanted to set my story in the modern day and make the ghosts of the past haunt the present. On the Seattle Ghost Tour website I found a very inspiring quote attributed to Chief Seattle that I use at the beginning of the book: “These shores will swarm with the invisible Dead of my Tribe. The White Man will never be alone. Let him be kind and just to my People, for the Dead are not powerless. Dead, did I say? There is no death, only a Change of Worlds.”

I loved the idea of the ghosts swarming the streets of Seattle and people just to blind to the supernatural to see them. I started researching local mythology and found tales of Thunderbirds and Ravens and decided to throw them against the mythology of the Scandinavian immigrants who settled and build the city, dragons.

SHERIDA: Reviewers have mentioned your excellent ability to weave mythologies together in your storytelling. It is interesting you were able to blend the historical elements of Seattle’s many heritages into your books. What do you do to keep the sparkle while you are writing?

KIRA: It’s really hard to keep interested in a project once I reach the dreaded middle, but I know that it will get better if I can just power through to the climax. I give myself permission to make a mess during the first draft. The second draft is for cleaning it up. Having a contract helps, since I know I have to finish! I also try to make sure that I keep fresh in my mind the original idea I had for the story before I sit down to write each scene. The original vision, like the ghosts flooding the streets of Seattle for the Deadglass Trilogy, helps guide the tone of each scene.

SHERIDA: Knowing your busy family schedule, you are remarkable in your persistence to write and complete your novels while balancing (quite well) all your responsibilities. Receiving a contract for a three book series after your first attempt at pitching a book is equally amazing! Beyond family, friends and your writing career, what jewel of a moment has God placed in your path during your life’s journey that you would share with us?

KIRA: I have a lot of jewel moments from backpacking and hiking trips. In particular, I remember being in Yellowstone or Grand Teton with my family as a teenager. We were sitting next to a crystal blue lake with the gorgeous mountains right across from us. I remember thinking how peaceful I felt there, and years later I would recall that mountain scene whenever I felt stressed to try to help me find my center again.

SHERIDA: Thank you, Kira, for joining us today and talking about your inspiration for the Deadglass Trilogy. Fun to have you here!

MY THOUGHTS ABOUT HEARTS OF SHADOW:

Exciting place to be in Kira Brady’s world of shapeshifters!

I LOVE Hearts of Shadow, by Kira Brady! This second book in the Deadglass Trilogy could not come fast enough for me after reading the first book in the trilogy, Hearts of Darkness. After an epic battle, Seattle is being rebuilt by shapeshifters and humans trying to work together to restore the functions of the decimated city. To do this, they must use old technologies, evoking an interesting steampunk element. Dragon shapeshifter, Leif, is an admirable hero who takes on the responsibilities for correcting his brother’s actions. He falls in love with Grace, an emotionally scarred woman who fights bravely in the shadows to save the human race. Their love story is about self-sacrifice–and the true meaning of love. Hearts of Shadow is a steamy, paranormal romance with excellent storytelling, world building, and character creation! Kira tells of the battles of good versus evil while creating hope for the future. I expect to read many more books by award-winning author Kira Brady!

Publishers Weekly included these comments about Hearts of Shadow:

“Brady dazzles in this dark paranormal, a return to a fantasy Seattle introduced in Hearts of Darkness……Brady’s masterful world-building transports the reader to a grim but compelling future, seamlessly interweaving the real and the beautifully imagined.”

You can read more about Kira Brady, her Deadglass series, and see the map of the Kivati and Drekar worlds of the alternate Seattle at: www.KiraBrady.com.

Kira’s prequel novella, Hearts of Fire, is available on Kindle for 99 cents at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Fire-Deadglass-Kira-Brady-ebook/dp/B008847FPS/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1393284362&sr=1-3&keywords=kira+brady

Thank you for joining my amazing DAUGHTER-IN-LAW and me as we discussed HEARTS OF SHADOW. Please join us March 4 for a tea celebration at the impressive conservatory in Kivati Hall as Kira presents HEARTS OF CHAOS, the third book in the Deadglass trilogy……a tea celebration and book launch not to be missed! Hope you can join us!

Dragon Phoenix Pearl Tea from Arbuckles’ in Tucson, AZ.

Forget Me Not by Amber Stokes

I’m delighted to welcome you to Amber Stokes’ Forget Me Not blog tour. Please enjoy a “hot cup of tea and some sugary cakes to munch on” while we chat about Forget Me Not. Please be sure to enter the giveaway described below.

ABOUT FORGET ME NOT

Prequel to Bleeding Heart

Old hurts, new betrayals, and a love that survives them all…

Summer 1885

A startling revelation sends Elizabeth Lawson escaping into a stormy night – and tosses her into the arms of a young mountain man with secrets of his own. When he offers to take her to the Nevada mining town where her long-lost brother lives, she accepts. Suspicions and uncertainties are pushed aside as she struggles to forge a future for herself by meeting her past.

David has been hiding from his painful memories for years. The solitude and wildness of the Rocky Mountains are challenge and comfort enough for him – until Elizabeth’s arrival. Fueled by anger and a sense of obligation, he strives to take control of his new situation…only to find control slipping from his grasp with each new emotion Elizabeth evokes in him.

When their journey leads them on unexpected paths, can two lonely hearts find the strength to remember the good amid the heartbreak?

Inspirational Historical Romance

Book Website: http://forgetmenotnovel.blogspot.com/

Series Blog: http://theheartsspringseries.blogspot.com/

MY THOUGHTS

In Forget Me Not, which is the prequel to Amber’s debut novel, Bleeding Hearts, David saves Elizabeth from a rushing Colorado creek and helps her travel to Nevada to find her brother. Their journey is a realistic tale of trials encountered along the way. Arriving in Virginia City, she learns about her brother and this leads to involvements which test the love developing between David and Elizabeth.

Amber writes intriguing stories which have the feel of western sagas. Recurring characters add to the delightful epic quality of her stories. There will be a third book in “The Heart’s Spring” series, Morning Glory, which will feature the much-loved Myghal. If you like Christian western romance with engaging characters struggling with realistic emotional issues, you will want to read Forget Me Not by Amber Stokes. I suggest reading Forget Me Not before Bleeding Hearts, but each book does provide a satisfying story and conclusion. I’m really looking forward to Amber’s next tale about Myghal, a Cornish miner. Amber creates characters who come alive in your heart.

My favorite take-away passage from Forget Me Not: “Should we ever forget those we’ve loved? Maybe our paths will never cross with them again, but can’t we still be grateful for the depth they added to our lives?” She shrugged. “Surely God allowed us to love them for a reason. Right?”

Please be sure to check “The Heart’s Spring” website (http://theheartsspringseries.blogspot.com/) because Amber is offering a free short story, Bellflower, with details on that site!

About the Author

Amber Stokes has a Bachelor of Science degree in English and a passion for the written word – from blogging to writing poetry, short stories, and novels. After her brief time at college in Oregon, she is now back home among the redwoods of Northern California, living life one day at a time and pursuing her passion via freelance editing and self-publishing.

Giveaway Information

An “Unforgettable Journey” Giveaway! Enter for the chance to win an epic entertainment package that includes a signed paperback copy of Forget Me Not, The Journey of Natty Gann on DVD, and “Barton Hollow” by The Civil Wars on CD. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

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Thank you for joining us on the blog tour. You may want to check the other stops on the tour http://seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com/p/forget-me-not-blog-tour.html for interviews with Amber and more insights into the book. We appreciate your thoughts! Please leave a comment!

Morning Glory by Amber Stokes-Cover Reveal with giveaway

I’m thrilled to share with you the beautiful cover of Amber Stokes’ third book in her Heart’s Spring series, Morning Glory. Please see the lovely giveaways below.

About the Book

The depths of fear. The dawning of hope.

Myghal’s story continues… Summer 2014

The Book’s and Series’ Blogs

In conjunction with the cover reveal, Amber’s doing a double “blog reveal,” as well! You can check out the book extras for Morning Glory (more coming soon!) on the Morning Glory blog, and you can keep up with all the exciting news for the series on The Heart’s Spring blog, the new home site for all three of the main books and the companion short stories!

About the Author

About the Cover Designer

Lena lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. She writes fiction for young adults, mostly light fantasy with a healthy dose of “sigh-worthy” romance. You can visit her online at www.lenagoldfinch.blogspot.com.

Rafflecopter Code

Enter via the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win morning glory note cards (set of four) from Cindy Lindgren and lavender & copper flower earrings from Jaye L. Knight! Giveaway limited to U.S. residents only.

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TUESDAY TEA at SEEKERVILLE’s NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY!

You’re invited to a very special party…..Seekerville’s New Year’s Eve celebration to welcome in the year of 2014!

Join us at the Seekerville New Year's Eve party! — Join us at the Seekerville New Year’s Eve party!

To celebrate critique partnerships (so valuable to writers), my critique partner, Donna Phillips, and I are hosting an hour at the Seekerville New Year’s Eve party. The two of us will be welcoming you at 7 pm EST (6 pm CST, 5 pm MST, 4 pm PST), but please stop by anytime during the day or night. Everyone in Seekerville will be partying around the clock at www.seekerville.blogspot.com, with giveaways and recipes for treats included each hour! We’re talking about writing and “My One Word” selections for 2014. My word for 2013 was LIGHT and I’ll be revealing my word for 2014 at the Seekerville party.

The giveaway for the hour Donna and I are sponsoring will be a critique from http://www.mycritiquepartner.blogspot.com/ or a bag of English Breakfast tea from The New Mexico Tea Company.

We so hope you will be able to join us for all the fun! Relax with a cup of tea and a few snacks with us!

To start 2014 off with a BANG, here’s a picture of what I’m bringing, yummy Fire-Crackers (spicy cheese crackers) to start the year off with a bit of New Mexico spice!

New Year's Eve FIRE-Crackers — New Year’s Eve FIRE-Crackers

If you’d like to have something other than tea tonight, you might try a Lime Sparkler……..mix 2 ounces fresh lime juice with 2 ounces Agave Nectar in a glass. Add sparkling water and ice to taste. Fizzy and just right with the Fire-Crackers!

Wishing you a sparkling 2014 filled with treasures of the heart!

TUESDAY TEA-The Spirit of Giving at the Emerald City Writers’ Conference-Raffle baskets and Book Fair

Christmas cards made by author Julie Rowe

The Emerald City Writers’ Conference I attended in October, was an amazing experience. One of the fund-raising events at the conference was the raffle of goodie baskets during the banquets. These baskets are donated by generous authors and publishers. The wide variety of gift baskets were displayed along three sides of the ballroom. Purchased tickets were deposited into jars to select a basket, then after the meal, winners were drawn.

Emerald City Writers' Conference raffle basket winners — Emerald City Writers’ Conference raffle basket winners, Sherida Stewart and Kira Brady.

My daughter-in-law, Kira Brady, won a charming “Tea for Two” basket. She had donated a “Dragon” basket, featuring her paranormal book series, The Deadglass Trilogy, which is set in post apocalyptic Seattle and features dragons.

I won the “Timeless Treasures” basket donated by Julie Rowe, which included digital copies of all her books, the Mammoth Book of ER Romance featuring one of her stories, a leather binders, a tote bag, various treats a romance writer enjoys (plus chocolate) and a darling, glittery hat (which I’m wearing in the picture.) Even after the conference, Julie sent a digital copy of her new release, Timeless Keepsakes, a collection of Christmas stories, which has her Secret Santa story. Julie ties charms and sparkling beads to her bookmarks–lovely! She also made the beautiful Christmas cards at the top of this post. Here is a pictures of all the items Julie included in her basket…except the Swiss chocolate bars which were devoured soon after receiving the basket. Such generosity! Thank you, Julie!

Julie Rowe donated all the items in this lovely basket. — Julie Rowe donated all the items in this lovely basket, TIMELESS TREASURES!

The Emerald City Writers’ Conference also has a book fair which is open to the public. A portion of the proceeds is donated to DAWN, an organization which helps victims of domestic violence. This was a fabulous opportunity to meet the authors and have them autograph their books. Kira Brady was signing the first two books in her Deadglass Trilogy, Hearts of Darkness and Hearts of Shadow. She displayed the map of alternate Seattle designed by Teresa Grasseschi. Hearts of Chaos, the third book in the Deadglass series will be released in March 2014.

The map of Kira Bradys' Deadglass Trilogy. — The map of Kira Bradys’ Deadglass Trilogy.

I appreciate the generosity of all the authors and publishers. And thanks to you for joining me for tea today! With all the preparations for the season, I hope you can relax with a cup of spiced tea for just a bit. Have a merry Christmas!

TUESDAY TEA-The Emerald City Writers’ Conference & Cherry Adair’s tea

In October, I attended my first romance writers’ conference, the EMERALD CITY WRITERS’ CONFERENCE, sponsored by the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America chapter. It was FABULOUS! The experience far exceeded my expectations. I was blessed by my daughter-in-law, author Kira Brady, who accompanied me and was the helpful voice of conference experience.

We picked up our registration packets and tote bags FILLED with goodies–books, pens, notebooks, promotional items and motivational buttons, plus some candy. 🙂

Now, where to begin? Since this is TUESDAY TEA, I’ll start with the Cherry Adair Tea and First Timers Welcome Reception. Cherry Adair, an author from the sponsoring chapter, gives generous support to this conference and offers encouragement to writers. Her tea is a “meet and greet” time at the conference where tea sandwiches and scones were served amid lively conversation and charming autumn decorations–and there was chocolate. 🙂

Major take-away thoughts from the conference:

Self-Publishing is a way to go
Develop a series
Keep writing, never give up
Write a great book, then keep writing
Chocolate is a writer’s friend 🙂

It was such fun to be with a welcoming group of writers who understand the language of HEA, WIP and GMC. The keynote speakers were inspiring. The food served was delicious. The workshops presentations were informative, with chocolate available to snack on. 🙂

Here are highlights from some of the presentations:

Learn to Rewrite: Finishing the manuscript is just the beginning with Anna DeStefano–Print out your completed manuscript. Use Post-it notes to flag each character’s POV passages in a different color. Then read that character’s story from beginning to end. You should see the character evolve in each scene.

Craft of the Short Story with Anthea Lawson–The market for short stories is on the rise, ranging from flash fiction of 300 to 1000 words to anthologies ranging from 5K to 7K. Short fiction needs to give an emotional payoff to the reader.

Secondary characters with Pam Binder–Secondary characters should only be in the story if they have a purpose. This purpose can be to help the main character recognize and overcome flaws by mirroring these flaws or being the complete opposite. Look at the motivation of secondary characters–why are they in the hero or heroine’s life?

Writing Active Setting with Mary Buckham–Details of setting must matter to the story to be included in your writing. Setting can be used for characterization, to reveal emotion, foreshadow conflict, tell backstory, anchor the reader or act as a character. The primary goal for setting is to capture the reader’s attention.

Navigating the Wild West of Publishing with Marie Force and Shelli Stevens–The publishing world is changing and now may be a good time to enter into self-publishing. Timing is extremely important–along with some luck. It is suggested to have many projects ready to publish in quick succession to stay engaged with the reader.

Building a Successful Series with Robin Carr–Series are in the spotlight at this time. A series needs a running theme, then begin with a place which challenges the characters, giving plenty of sensory details. Be sure there is a reader payoff in each book and a hook to entice the reader into the next book. It is best to be authentic to your own personality when writing.

Christopher Keeslar of Boroughs Publishing Group offered wise advice: Spend time outside of your writing cave, living a life full of everyday activities because your writing will be enriched by all your experiences.

Next time, I’ll write about the Book Fair featuring many authors signing books (and giving away chocolate) and the amazing raffle baskets (many of which contained chocolate). (I won one, and, yes, it had chocolate!) 😀

THANK YOU to all the volunteers! Their hard work made the Emerald City Writers’ Conference simply AWESOME!

Thank you, Emerald City Writers' Conference! — Thank you, Emerald City Writers’ Conference!

TUESDAY TEA-A BRIDE FOR KEEPS by Melissa Jagears

I’m delighted to welcome you to the Sunflower Inn where we are sipping Tazo’s baked cinnamon apple tea with Melissa Jagears, author of A BRIDE FOR KEEPS, which released on October 1. The heroine of this book, Julia, bakes apple pies in this love story, so I’m serving mini-apple pies today as we discuss this mail-order bride romance.

MY THOUGHTS ON A BRIDE FOR KEEPS—

This is a story filled with tender passion and gentle love….

While reading A Bride For Keeps, I was swept away to the Kansas prairie of 1876 to delight in the friendships of a small farming community and to experience the hard work of rural life. Fleeing from a hurtful past, Julia arrives in Salt Flatts as a mail-order bride. Everett is disheartened after previous attempts to order brides have been unsuccessful. Julia and Everett struggle to overcome their emotional hurts to find their happiness. They are sympathetic characters who rely on friendships and their own strong sense of right to deal with their situation.

I completely enjoyed this story filled with tender passion which is strengthened with the gentle thread of faith. My favorite line: “Whatever you’ve done, He’ll forgive.” Melissa Jagears’ debut is a well-written story of hope. And I hope she writes many more!

Now to chat with Melissa…..

SHERIDA: This is a charming story, Melissa! Please tell us how you got the glimmer of the idea for A BRIDE FOR KEEPS?

MELISSA: I heard a story where a family was arranging a marriage between the United States and Europe. Well, the man arranged the first marriage and it fell through, the second and it fell through, and he had the guts to order again. I wondered what could make a man desperate enough to face humiliation a third time. That’s what gave me the idea.

SHERIDA: I really felt sorry for Everett when his many previous orders didn’t work out, so this was an engaging idea to use. As an author, what do you do to keep the sparkle while you are writing?

MELISSA: I’m not sure I’m very sparkly, it’s more like being my own task master: “I have to.” So having crit partners or beta readers wanting to read my books is probably the best thing. If I didn’t have someone asking every now and then “When am I getting the next chapter/book?” I might never finish! The only thing sparkly I guess is I like wasting time listening to YouTube videos of Pentatonix sing as a reward sometimes…..or sometimes without even the excuse of it being a reward but just simply a procrastination technique. If you’ve never heard of Pentatonix, they’re a young accapella group, here’s them doing Video Killed the Radio Star. (Birth Year Song for me–just tattled on my age!).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp4I3fgdf2o

SHERIDA: Fun sparkle! And I agree that critique partners are invaluable encouragement. (*waving to my CP*) Beyond family, friends and your writing career, what jewel of a moment has God placed in your path during your life’s journey that you would share with us?

MELISSA: I guess I’d have to say when I was in China working at a college for teachers for the summer. I was there just to work and observe. (I became an English as a Second Language Teacher.) One day, I had over a girl to tutor. She wanted to show off her English reading skills, chose my Bible off the table, and started reading to show me how well she could do. And she read for a long time. Being that foreigners are watched over there because they are not supposed to evangelize, I found it neat that God got plenty of truth into this young lady by using her desire to show off.

SHERIDA: That is so impressive and a perfect example of God working at His perfect timing! Thank you for sharing your experience!

ABOUT A BRIDE FOR KEEPS—
Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won’t humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again–not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She’s the prettiest woman he’s ever seen, and it’s just not possible she’s there to marry a simple homesteader like him.
Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she’s determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.
Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?

ABOUT MELISSA JAGEARS—

Melissa Jagears, an ESL teacher by trade, is a stay-at-home mother on a tiny Kansas farm with a fixer-upper house. She’s a member of ACFW and CROWN fiction marketing, and her passion is to help Christian believers mature in their faith and judge rightly. Find her online at www.melissajagears.com.

Thank you, Melissa, thank you for joining us for Tuesday Tea. Thank you, READERS, for having tea with us and talking about A BRIDE FOR KEEPS.

Melissa has a novella, Love by the Letter, which is available for free on Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/Letter-Unexpected-Brides-Novella-ebook/dp/B00EVSB3N0/ref=zg_bs_158437011_f_17

About Love by the Letter

Dex Stanton has never had much time for book learning. He’s been too busy helping to provide for his family. Now that he’s heading west, Dex is hoping to start a family of his own. However, his attempt to acquire a mail-order bride fails miserably when the lady writes back ridiculing his terrible spelling. Rachel Oliver may be the last person he wants to know what a dunce he is, but she’s also the smartest woman in town–and it’s clear he needs her help.
Rachel Oliver has lingered in town for three years secretly mooning over Dex Stanton, but now she’s done. If the fool wants to write to a mail-order bride company, so be it. Once she begins giving Dex lessons, however, Rachel realizes she may not be prepared to give up just yet.
As their time together runs short, can two of the most stubborn people in town set aside their pride long enough to find love?
Love by the Letter is a companion Christian romance novella to A Bride for Keeps, Melissa Jagears’s full-length debut novel available fall 2013. Includes an extended sneak peek at A Bride for Keeps.

*Bethany House generously provided a copy of A Bride for Keeps in exchange for my honest review.

Cover reveal: FORGET ME NOT by Amber Stokes

What a BEAUTIFUL cover! Amber Stokes’ newest novel, FORGET ME NOT, sounds intriguing as you will read about the book below. It is the prequel to her BLEEDING HEART novel which debuted in August. The anticipated release of FORGET ME NOT is January 2014. I love that the two covers share some of the same elements-sweeping scenery and a wistful heroine wearing a white dress and holding appropriate flowers for each title.

At the end of this post, please take a look at the matching note cards Amber is giving away (to one U.S. resident.)

About the Book

Prequel to Bleeding Heart

Old hurts, new betrayals, and a love that survives them all…

Summer 1885

When their journey leads them on unexpected paths, can two lonely hearts find the strength to remember the good amid the heartbreak?

Inspirational Historical Romance

The Book’s Blog

You can find all the latest news about Forget Me Not, along with book extras, at the Forget Me Not blog.

About the Author

About the Cover Designer

GIVEAWAY

Enter via the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win forget-me-not note cards (set of three) from Carol Sapp Watercolors! Giveaway limited to U.S. residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you, Amber, for having my blog be a part of the cover reveal for your next novel, FORGET ME NOT! I’m looking forward to the journeys of Elizabeth and David as they discover their path together. Thank you, READERS, for visiting today. Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway……the note cards are lovely!//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js