Grand Finale Blitz: Boots and Bedlam by Ashley Farley

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for

Boots and Bedlam

By Ashley Farley

We hope you enjoyed some holiday cheer, spending time with a close family, and a little chaos thrown in. If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out...

Launch - Author Interview

What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?

BOOTS AND BEDLAM is a little more light-hearted than the previous two in the series. Although not totally. I had to throw in plenty of family drama to keep you reading. More than anything, I’d like for my readers to finish the last chapter with a warm feeling, a feeling like they can accomplish anything for the sake of family. I hope you’ll watch my book trailer. It really captures the tone of the novel.

Christy's Cozy Corners - Excerpt

He wrapped his arms around her from behind. “More fireplaces means better snuggling for us.”

Falling Leaves - Excerpt

Sam cleared her throat. “I’d like to meet this Sophia before you start planning the wedding.”

She knew three things about Jamie’s girlfriend. Sophia Rainey was a beautiful redhead from California who made her sorority her priority. Jamie had been seeing Sophia for eight months, but so far Sam had yet to meet her.

Mel's Shelves - Jackie Sweeney Hart



Books The Magical Fruit - Excerpt

“You look great. You needed to gain some weight. But that’s not it. There’s something else, something that’s not physical.” Sam’s mouth fell open and her eyes grew wide. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

Annie’s cheeks turned a vibrant shade of pink.

Nicole's Book Musings - Review

"I really enjoyed this one. What could be more exciting then a wedding on Christmas Eve. . . . I really like the cover and I'm a sucker for a Christmas setting. This book had the right amount of angst, love, and humor. A well rounded story."

underneath the covers - Faith Sweeney Evans



Rockin' Book Reviews - Review

"A good story with believable characters. It was so good to read a story that is so true to life. . . . The story flowed well and kept me interested. I would refer it to all teens through adult age readers. I think everyone could learn something from it and enjoy the story as well."

fuonlyknew - Excerpt

The back door in the kitchen creaked open. Seconds later Eli entered the room, stopping short when he saw her sitting on the floor in tattered jeans, a USC sweatshirt, and a baseball cap pulled low, hiding much of her face. “Don’t take this the wrong way. I think you look hot in your work clothes. But I hope you’re not planning to wear them out to dinner.”

Reading Is My SuperPower - Review

"Boots and Bedlam is a lively and romantic Christmas novella that reminds us of the strength of family and the heart of the season. While some serious issues are addressed in the story, the mood stays positive and cozy yet doesn’t take addiction lightly. A couple of surprising twists have me eagerly waiting for the next Sweeney book!"

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Review

"I wasn't expecting to get such a heavy story with this one--remember Christmas wedding? . . . That aside, I love the messages found within these pages: love conquers all, Christmas is a time for miracles, and kindness matters. The lengths people were willing to go to in order to put this wedding together warmed my heart and soul."

Book Lover in Florida - Samantha "Sam" Sweeney



Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

“What exactly do you have in mind for me tonight, Lt. Marshall?”

“You'll have to wait and see.” He scooped her off her feet and carried her outside to the car—her Jeep judging from the squeaky passenger door and the smell of mildew inside.

“Where are we going?” she asked when he set her down on the seat.

“Stop asking so many questions. You'll find out when we get there,” he said, and slammed the door.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below...

Boots and Bedlam

(Sweeney Sisters #3)

by Ashley Farley

Women's Fiction, Romance

Paperback & ebook, 166 pages

October 18th 2016

‘Tis the season for chaos.

Wedding bells will soon be ringing in the Lowcountry. All Sam Sweeney wants is to marry her man on Christmas Eve surrounded by family and friends. But emerging complications, some humorous and some not so humorous, threaten to converge and derail the best-laid plans during the busy stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Amidst the chaos—dealing with real estate, planning a wedding, running a seafood market, honoring traditions, and contending with teenagers—even the weather rears its head when the weatherman forecasts a white Christmas. Never has family support been more needed, but will it be enough to restore order and save the day?

Escape to the Lowcountry this Christmas where romance, intrigue, and holiday merrymaking await you.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iBooks

Other Books in the Series

Her Sister's Shoes

(Sweeney Sisters #1)

by Ashley Farley

Women's Fiction, Romance

Paperback & ebook, 380 pages

June 24th 2015

Set in the South Carolina Lowcountry and packed with Southern charm and memorable characters, HER SISTER'S SHOES portrays three sisters—Samantha, Jackie, and Faith—who struggle to balance the demands of career and family while remaining true to themselves.

Samantha Sweeney has always been the glue that holds her family together, their go-to girl for love and support. When an ATV accident leaves her teenage son in a wheelchair, she loses her carefully constructed self-control.

In the after-gloom of her dreaded fiftieth birthday and the discovery of her husband’s infidelity, Jackie realizes she must reconnect with her former self to find the happiness she needs to move forward.

Faith lacks the courage to stand up to her abusive husband. She turns to her sisters for help, placing all their lives at risk.

In the midst of their individual challenges, the Sweeney sisters must cope with their mother’s mental decline. Is Lovie in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, or is her odd behavior normal for a woman her age? No one, including Lovie, understands her obsession with a rusty key she wears around her neck.

For fans of Elin Hildebrand, HER SISTER'S SHOES is a contemporary women’s novel that explores and proves the healing power of family.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iBooks

Lowcountry Stranger

(Sweeney Sisters #2)

by Ashley Farley

Women's Fiction, Romance

Paperback & ebook, 284 pages

July 1st 2016

Family Drama, Southern Style.

There's a stranger in town. And it’s no coincidence when she shows up uninvited at a Sweeney family wedding. All eyes are drawn to this urchin who seems to have washed in with the tide. Before the night is over, the doe-eyed waif charms young and old with her street smarts and spunky personality. For better or worse, Annie Dawn is here to stay.

The memorable Sweeney sisters from Her Sister’s Shoes have returned with more suspense and family drama to hold you spellbound until the dramatic conclusion. As she approaches the next stage of her life as an empty nester, Jackie is torn between expanding her fledgling design business and spending these last precious months with her boys before they fly the coop. Her own worst enemy, Sam is terrified of making a commitment to Eli Marshall, handsome police officer, true love of her life. Her resolve is tested when a ghost from her past shows up after nearly two decades. Faith nurtures her seven-year-old daughter who is recovering from the trauma of her abusive father. Is the threat in the past, or is there more danger on the horizon? The sisters seek guidance from their mother, Lovie, a true Southern matriarch who shows them how to respond to adversity with grace and dignity.

Things are heating up in the Lowcountry. The Sweeney sisters remind us, once again, that being a part of a family is about more than sharing the same DNA.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iBooks

Ashley Farley is the author of the bestselling series, the Sweeney Sisters Series. Ashley writes books about women for women. Her characters are mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives facing real-life issues. Her goal is to keep you turning the pages until the wee hours of the morning. If her story stays with you long after you've read the last word, then she's done her job.

After her brother died in 1999 of an accidental overdose, she turned to writing as a way of releasing her pent-up emotions. She wrote SAVING BEN in honor of Neal, the boy she worshiped, the man she could not save.

Ashley is a wife and mother of two college-aged children. She grew up in the salty marshes of South Carolina, but now lives in Richmond, Virginia, a city she loves for its history and traditions.

Ashley loves to hear from her readers. Feel free to visit her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashleywfarley or twitter.com/ashleywfarley.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│ 
Twitter│Pinterest│Instagram

Tour Giveaway

1 winner to receive a $25 Amazon eGift Card & choice of a Sweeney Sisters ebook

2 winners to receive choice of a Sweeney Sisters ebook

Open internationally

Ends November 21st

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour/Review/Guest Post: For Sale By Owner by Marlene Bateman

For Sale By Owner, by Marlene Bateman
2016, 272p, LDS Contemporary Romance
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not affect my review in any way



Filled with plans, McKenzie Forsberg returns to her hometown to spend Christmas with her family. Stressed by a year of intense, ongoing problems, she quit her high-powered job to move back and rebuild her life. Kenzie desperately needs the peace and security she is sure will come from buying the home she grew up in. But when she arrives, Kenzie discovers that a handsome widower, Jared Rawlins, has already put an offer on the house. However, he can only close the deal if he sells his own house by Christmas Eve.

When Kenzie unexpectedly runs into a couple who are considering buying Jared’s house, she unthinkingly gives them information that changes their mind. Jared is more than a little interested in Kenzie, but has second thoughts when it appears Kenzie may have attempted to sabotage the sale of his home. Feeling bad, Kenzie apologizes but the damage may be too much for their relationship to overcome. Despite themselves, sparks of attraction grow into something more. Then, a few days before Christmas, Kenzie makes a stunning discovery about her past. In that moment, everything changes. Will the power of love be enough to bring Jared and Kenzie together and allow them to find their happily ever after?

Kenzie returns home to spend Christmas with her family and has a big surprise for them. She has a new job and plans to buy her brother's house. She quickly runs into a snag when she learns that her brother has an offer on the house. Jared, a widower with a son, has submitted the offer but needs to sell his home first. Kenzie is determined to have that house and is willing to do whatever it will take.

This was a fun, quick read! Kenzie was difficult to like at first. She is divorced with a daughter. I felt some sympathy for her and her situation so I wanted to take her side, but I also wanted to yell at her for not letting her family know about her plans if she felt that strongly about getting that particular home (which is the point her brother, Tom, made to her several times, so I took his side on this). Jared was easy to like. He's the town's most sought after bachelor and Kenzie has caught his eye, but he's not sure if he can trust her. Kenzie also had a contentious relationship with her father, based on a conversation she had with him soon after telling her parents she was getting a divorce. She made a mess of most of her relationships for a while and I hoped she would redeem herself in the end.

This story takes place around Christmas so I especially enjoyed reading it during this time of year. There are some LDS references (nothing preachy) so it's a great read for anyone who enjoys clean, contemporary romance!

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

Guest Post by Marlene Bateman

Author of For Sale by Owner

Twenty-four Easy Tips for Improving Your Writing

I want to thank Melanie for asking me to do a guest post on writing. There are many elements of writing, such as characterization, plot, dialogue, etc. but today, I’d like to focus on style. Style is not what you write but how you write. Over the years, I’ve come up with some simple tips that will immediately improve your style of writing.

1. Begin sentences with subjects and verbs. Make your meaning clear early in your sentence, then let the weaker elements branch out. I’ll give you four examples. Notice how the main element comes first, then the sentence branches out with some detail.
Rebels seized control of the northwestern corner of the city.
The tide goes out imperceptibly.
The boulders show and seem to rise up.
Before prayer, warriors massed outside her window.

2. Place strong words at the beginning and the end of your sentence. Since the period acts as a stop sign, the reader’s eye will be drawn to the next word, so make it a strong, eye-catching one.

3. Activate your verbs. Strong verbs create action and save words. Never use passive when you can use active. Avoid qualifiers such as ‘sort of’ ‘must have’ ‘seemed to’ ‘used to’ and ‘begin to.’

4. Watch out for “to be” verbs. Don’t say; “There were leaves all over the ground.” Say; “Leaves covered the ground.”

5. Don’t be pompous. Don’t say; It is interesting to note that the burrowing owl has a short life span. Say; The burrowing owl has a short life span. Don’t say; There are those occasions when a simple thank you will suffice. Say; Often, a simple thank you will suffice.

6. Watch those adverbs. Use adverbs sparingly and only when it’s necessary to change or explain the meaning of the verb. It’s redundant to say things like; ‘She smiled happily.’ But the use of an adverb can change the meaning—for example; ‘She smiled sadly.’ Also, avoid adverbs that express a meaning already contained in the verb. For example;
The blast completely destroyed the church office.
The accident totally severed the boy’s arm.

7. Take it easy on “ing” endings. Use the simple present or past. To put it simply, wish, hope and think are much stronger words than wishing, hoping, and thinking. Swimming and walking are good, but it’s better to swim and to walk.

8. Don’t be afraid of a long sentence. Go ahead and take the reader on a journey of language and meaning. Just be careful not to overdo it and always mix up the length of your sentences.

9. Establish a pattern, then give it a twist. Build parallel constructions, but cut across the grain. Let’s look at an example from Martin Luther King Jr., who frequently built a crescendo from the repetition of words and grammatical structures. He wrote; “So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado.” Here's another example; If there are people starving in the world, and there are, if crime is rampant in the streets and it is, if our schools are not working, and they aren’t, if we are plagued by such problems, it is because something else is missing.

10. Let punctuation control pace and space. Learn the rules, but realize you have more options than you think. Use commas for a pause. Keep material within parentheses short. A colon announces what follows with a flourish.

11. When revising; cut big, then small. In other words, prune the big limbs first, then trim out the dead leaves. “Vigorous writing is concise,” said William Strunk. Start with the big stuff first when editing and cut any passage that does not support your focus. Cut the weakest scenes to give power to the strongest.

12. When the material is complex, choose the simple over the technical. When you are explaining complicated ideas—go for simple. Use shorter words, sentences, and paragraphs at points of complexity. It’s not easy, but you can create a sentence that shines by using your imagination. For example; “The few colored beads slid along the wire paths haphazardly, like ships on the high seas.” Give your readers a picture to see in their minds.

13. Play with words, even in serious stories. Choose words the average writer avoids but the average reader understands. Try to write as if you are seeing an object for the first time.

14. Be precise. Dig for the concrete and specific—details that appeal to the senses. Novelist Joseph Conrad said his task as a writer was; “To make you hear, to make you feel, to make you see.” Some examples;
The floorboards creaked under the weight of his college textbooks.
The white lilies leaned palely from their waisted cut-glass vase.
He pressed his thumbprint in the warm wax pooled on the oak veneer of the highboy.

15. Pay attention to names. Interesting names attract the writer and the reader. Think of J.K. Rowling and her characters; Voldemort, Sirius Black, Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody, and Severus Snape.

16. Seek original images. Reject cliché’s and first-level creativity. Never use a metaphor, simile or figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print—that is a substitute for thinking. One trick is to think of between 3-10 different images, then use the best one.

17. Set the pace with sentence length. Vary sentences to influence the reader’s speed. If you want to simplify the complex, slow the pace of the story. In moments of danger and action, you’ll also want to shorten sentences.

18. Vary the lengths of paragraphs. You can make them short or long—just remember that the paragraph is a unit of thought, not of length.

19. Choose the numbers of descriptive elements carefully. By using more than one descriptive element, you are sending the reader a message to the reader. If you want the reader to think something is the absolute truth, render it in the shortest possible sentence. For example; The girl is smart. Or; God is love. If you want the reader to balance two characteristics and weigh them against each other, use two: The girl is smart and sweet. If you use three, the reader will see a more well-rounded person. The girl is smart, sweet, and determined. Use one element for power. Use two for comparison and contrast. Use three for completeness. And use four to list and expand.

20. Recruit your own support group. Create a corps of helpers for feedback. Create a network of friends, and colleagues who can offer constructive criticism. Have people who keep you going, someone who understands your quirks, someone who can answer your questions about your writing. You can ask them all sorts of questions; “Is this too Catholic?” “Do you find it interesting?” “Does it seem real?”

21. Write toward an ending. Help readers close the circle of meaning by writing with an ending in mind. J.K. Rowling began writing the Harry Potter series by crafting the final chapter of the last book. In one book, the author’s lead paragraph listed the names of citizens who asked effective questions in a presidential debate, and in the final paragraph, the author mentions what he talked about in the opening paragraph. In the end, remind your readers of the beginning.

22. Foreshadow dramatic events and powerful conclusions. Plant important clues early. For example, in Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban, terrible events at the end are reversed when Hermione reveals her ability to travel back in time by a charm she wears. Rowling mentions that charm early in the book. This way, it doesn’t come as a surprise to the reader.

23. To generate suspense, use internal cliffhangers. To propel readers to read further, make them wait. This is an indispensable tool that leaves the reader in suspense and fuels their desire to learn what happens next. The cliffhanger can be simple. Perhaps an author is describing a wise priest, and at the end, says there was a swish of long skirts and the door opened and there stood one of the oddest human beings he’d ever laid eyes on.” The reader must turn the page to see what this person looks like.

24. Use dialogue as a form of action. Dialogue attracts the eyes of the reader and if done well, advances the story. Novelist Elmore Leonard advised writers to “leave out the part that readers tend to skip,” and it certainly isn’t dialogue. In other words, cut out thick paragraphs of prose and narration and backstory, but don’t cut dialogue.

Marlene Bateman Sullivan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and grew up in Sandy, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's degree in English. She is married to Kelly R. Sullivan and they live in North Salt Lake, Utah with their two dogs and four cats. Marlene has been published extensively in magazines and newspapers and wrote the best-selling romance/suspense novel, Light on Fire Island. She has written three other mysteries; Motive for Murder, A Death in the Family, and Crooked House.

Marlene has also written a number of LDS, non-fiction books: Latter-day Saint Heroes and Heroines, And There Were Angels Among Them, Visit’s from Beyond the Veil, By the Ministering of Angels, Brigham’s Boys, Heroes of Faith, Gaze into Heaven; Near-death Experiences in Early Church History, and The Magnificent World of Spirits; Eyewitness Accounts of Where We Go When We Die.

Website

Grand Finale Blitz: Heir of Thunder by Karissa Laurel

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for

Heir of Thunder

By Karissa Laurel

An epic fantasy about a girl who must face losing all to gain what is hers. We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out now...

Launch - Author Interview

1. What is your motivation behind HEIR OF THUNDER? Why did you want to write it?

Quite a few years ago (2008 to be precise) Cold Play released 'Viva La Vida', and I fell in love with that song, particularly the opening lines:

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

Listening to that song, I got a pretty instant vision of a character who was powerful, but lost her kingdom somehow. That idea evolved into HEIR OF THUNDER. Evie was never really the ruler of her kingdom, but she had always supposed that she would be. That possibility is ripped away from her before she gets the chance to find out what kind of queen she could be.

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Excerpt

A rumble of thunder woke me. I shifted under my quilts, turned towards my window, and searched the sky for clouds. Storms always made me smile; made me feel a little less lonely.

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

My bedroom door flew open, and Gerda rushed in still wearing her rumpled nightgown. The braid she wore for sleeping had slackened during the night, and stiff rust-colored curls sprang around her face. Fear and worry crackled from her like static from a wool blanket. “Evie, my dear, you’ve got to get dressed.” She pulled me to my feet and yanked my sleeping gown over my head.

Rockin' Book Reviews - Excerpt

Gerda backed out of my wardrobe, wide rump first, and turned to face me. A stern expression hardened her face as she clamped her hands to her hips, and in a sharp tone said, “You are our main concern, Evie. Let’s get you safely away, and then I’ll worry about myself.”

Live Laugh & Love Books - Excerpt

Another explosion rocked the floor, and Gerda stumbled against the wardrobe. She leaned on the heavy piece of furniture until she regained her footing. The house shook and groaned as something structural gave way. Yells and shouts carried up from the lower floors.

Beck Valley Books - Excerpt

I hugged her again and dashed out the door.

In the hallway, several of the house’s other occupants hurried past me in various states of dress. Tolick, the all-purpose houseboy, ran toward the stairwell. He had managed to button on his trousers but had neglected to remove his nightcap.

The Silver Dagger Scriptorium - Excerpt

Would we return before the ivy took over? Would the house survive long enough for it to matter?

I ran past the garden’s iron gates and my breath puffed in thin, vaporous spurts. Spring had arrived less than two weeks ago, and the mornings still lingered in the recent days of winter. I pulled up my hood and wrapped my cloak tighter around me as a shield against the cold.

Falling Leaves - Excerpt

“Evie, what are you doing?” Gideon’s unmistakable bellow interrupted my thoughts. My father’s young horse master waited at the gate of the small paddock beside the stables, clutching two reins in his fist. One leather line led to his giant black stallion, Gespenst—a Dreutchish name meaning specter, or ghost. The other tether led to my horse, Nonnie, a gray-coated mare with a dappled rump.

Christy's Cozy Corners - Excerpt

“Gideon, what’s happening?” I jogged toward him. Something exploded behind me, and the aftershock sent me stumbling, but Gideon’s free hand shot out and latched around my elbow. I locked eyes on his stoic face and refused to look back.

Don't forget to enter the fabulous giveaway below...

Heir of Thunder

(Stormbourne Chronicles #1)

by Karissa Laurel

YA Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 288 pages

October 14th 2016 by Evolved Publishing

The Lord of Thunder’s sudden death leaves his daughter, Evelyn Stormbourne, unprepared to rule Inselgrau in his place. Weeks before Evie’s ascension to the throne, revolutionaries attack and destroy her home. She conceals her identity and escapes under the protection of her father’s young horse master, Gideon Faust. Together they flee Inselgrau and set sail for the Continent, but they’re separated when a brutal storm washes Evie overboard.

In her efforts to reunite with her protector and reach allies on the Continent, Evie befriends a band of nomads who roam the world in airships fueled by lightning. She also confronts a cabal of dark Magicians plotting to use her powers to create a new divine being, and she clashes with an ancient family who insists her birthright belongs to them.

If she’s to prevail and defeat her enemies, Evie must claim her heritage, embrace her dominion over the sky, and define what it means to be Heir of Thunder.

Goodreads│Amazon

Karissa Laurel lives in North Carolina with her kid, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky. Some of her favorite things are coffee, chocolate, and super heroes. She can quote Princess Brideverbatim. She loves to read and has a sweet tooth for fantasy, sci-fi, and anything in between.

Sometimes her husband convinces her to put down the books and take the motorcycles out for a spin. When it snows, you’ll find her on the slopes.

Karissa also crafts, paints, draws, and harbors a grand delusion that she might create a graphic novel someday.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│Instagram

 

Tour Giveaway

2 winners will receive a signed copy of HEIR OF THUNDER (US only)

1 winner will receive a $20 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)

Ends November 19th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour/Review: You've Got This!: How to Look Up When Life Has You Down, Compiled by Elise Hahl

You've Got This!: How to Look Up When Life Has You Down, Compiled by Elise Hahl
2016, 122p, LDS Non-Fiction
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not affect my review in any way



Life is tough, but so are you!

Learn how to work through life’s trials with advice from popular youth speakers who have endured a few challenges of their own. This encouraging book will help you see trials as essential stepping-stones to becoming the person you’re destined to be.

This book is geared toward teens, so I read it with my children. We all loved it! It's filled with great advice from inspirational speakers--Hank Smith, Whitney Wilcox Laycock, Dallas Lloyd, Zandra Vranes, Tamu Smith, Chad Hymas and Al Carraway. 

I was familiar with some of them while others were new to me but they are each fantastic! I enjoyed the lessons taught by Whitney Wilcox Laycock as she talks about the challenges of living in another country (and then the challenges of moving back). Zandra Vranes was highly entertaining as she tells the story of Joseph in Egypt in a way I've never heard before. I only knew a little bit about Chad Hymas and he gives excellent advice on how to be happy in the face of adversity. 

Whether you are a teen or an adult, there is something in this book for everyone! I will definitely read it again and again!

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Books & Things

 About the authors:

After serving as a missionary to the Brazil Manaus mission, Elise Babbel Hahl completed her studies in English at Stanford University, married her mission pen pal, and went on to earn a master’s degree in writing from Johns Hopkins University. Her work has been published in Choosing Motherhood, Whereabouts: Stepping Out of Place, Education Next magazine, Do NOT Attempt in Heels, and recorded on “The World in Words” podcast. She lives with her husband and four children in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.

Hank Smith has been a full-time religious educator for the Church for 12 years, teaching seminary and in the Religion Department at BYU. Hank is a favorite speaker with Especially for Youth, BYU Education Week, and Time Out for Women. With his trademark sense of humor and his captivating stories and examples, Hank makes it fun to learn gospel principles and strengthen personal testimonies.

Al Fox Carraway has been a popular blogger, YouTuber, and public speaker for the past several years and is most well known for the blog post, “The Tattooed Mormon.” She has been on the cover of LDS Living Magazine and has done countless radio interviews, TV interviews, and everything in between. Al won the Community Speaker award in 2014, presented by the Dean of BYU. She has traveled countryside for years speaking with well-known speakers like John Bytheway, Brad Wilcox, and General Young Women’s President, Bonnie Oscarson. Just recently she spoke to over 24,000 people with Elder Neil L. Anderson at RootsTech.

Tour Schedule:

November 1: Write, Writing, Written
November 2: LDS & Lovin’ It
November 3: Debra’s Book Cafe | Reidhead Random-ness
November 4: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books
November 5:  Rockin’ Book Reviews
November 6: Brooklyn Jolley
November 7: Kensie Kate || The Power of One Girl
November 8: A Year of FHE | Fire and Ice
November 9: Singing Librarian Books | My Book a Day | Rachel Writes
November 10: Bookworm Lisa | My Little Sunshines
November 11: I Love to Read and Review Books | Brooklyn Berry
November 12: Not Your Relief Society Book Club
November 13: Pixx Digital Media
November 14: Jorie Loves a Story | Mel’s Shelves | Sweetly Made

Grand Finale Blitz: A Convenient Christmas Wedding by Regina Scott

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for

A Convenient Christmas Wedding

By Regina Scott

Ready for a little early holiday spirit? How about a sweet romance? Find both in this newest release and enjoy the reviews, excerpts and guest posts from the tour...

Launch - Tour Welcome

My latest release, A Convenient Christmas Wedding, is about sharing Christmas with family and friends as well. I hope you’ll enjoy it and share it with those you love.

Backing Books - Review

"This story really pushed hard on the theme of just what a marriage should look like, with both partners helping and respecting each other while still encouraging the other to grow."

I Am A Reader - Brides for the Frontier

Yes, I know, my series is called Frontier Bachelors, but the whole idea started with brides, and a story I heard when I was a girl. You see, the Civil War left thousands of East Coast women without fathers, husbands, and sweethearts, while in pioneer Seattle, loggers, miners, and farmers were pining away for wives. An enterprising young fellow named Asa Mercer decided to unite the two factions. He made two trips, the first time bringing a dozen women to Seattle, the second time bringing around sixty. Nearly all of those women married and became the founding mothers of the Territory.

Christy's Cozy Corners - Review

"I love Christmas stories like this. This is a sweet and clean book that will make you smile as you read. It’s fast-paced and an easy read. Even if you haven’t read the other books in the series, you’ll be able to keep up just fine. I definitely recommend you read A Convenient Christmas Wedding this Christmas season."

Getting Your Read On - Review

"This was such a sweet, gentle romance novel. It was filled with charming characters and scenes that warmed my heart. This is the fifth novel in this series but it can easily stand alone."

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review

"This was such a twist of the normal arrangements for that time period. . . . It was refreshingly clean. There was slight humor and the various characters created were so real and interesting. The scenes described were easily visualized."

Falling Leaves - Excerpt

“Mr. Wallin,” she said, the sound of her thundering heart nearly eclipsing her voice in her ears. “I’m Nora Underhill, and I have a proposal for you.”

He frowned. His brows were a shade darker than his short, light-brown hair. They made a firm slash across his tanned skin. Those green eyes were like chips of jade as he gazed down at her. “A proposal?”

“Yes,” she said, amazed at her own audacity. “An actual proposal. Simon Wallin, I want you to marry me.”

i blog 4 books - Review

"This is a perfect book for readers who enjoy frontier settings, marriage of convenience stories, feisty women, and sweet romance. Highly recommend!"

Mel's Shelves - Review

"I enjoy a good marriage of convenience story and this one fits the bill! It's a heartwarming story that is a perfect read for this time of year!"

Katie's Clean Book Collection - Review

"Watching sweet, hard-working, gentle characters make their ways in life, find satisfaction and happiness, and even love, is so heartening. This book is like drinking a mug of thick, chocolatey hot chocolate on a cold winter's day--it'll warm your insides, melt your heart, and leave you with a contented feeling."

Reading Is My SuperPower - Review

"Fans of marriage-of-convenience stories will find much to love about A Convenient Christmas Wedding. (Plus – isn’t that cover so pretty?!?) Nora is easy to love, and Simon is one of those deliciously brooding-but-good-hearted heroes we all adore. . . . Regina Scott sweeps you away to the Pacific Northwest frontier and gives you a front row seat to a sweet and Christmasy story to cozy up with on a cold winter’s night."

Wishful Endings - Review

"A story with some charming humor, inspiring moments, and lovely romance that is sure to delight inspirational romance readers."

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"This is a feel good book that is perfect for the holidays. . . . While this book starts out as a marriage of convenience, it doesn't take long for the reader to see that they are perfect for each other and it needs to become a romantic relationship. I loved how they seem to find mishap after mishap that throws them into situations where they learn to trust each other and develop affection."

Bookworm Nation - Five Reasons to Agree to a Marriage of Convenience

I wrote more than a dozen Regency romances before I ever wrote my first marriage of convenience story. Since joining the Love Inspired Historical family, however, I find myself embracing the idea. A marriage of convenience is when two people agree to marry with no commitment of love. What makes a good marriage of convenience story is when love starts to grow, despite circumstances and protests from the bride and groom’s hearts.

Heidi Reads... - Review

"I adore a well-written marriage of convenience story, and this one did not disappoint! . . . A sweet holiday romance that's perfect for the season! I've read one of the other books in the series and loved it as well, I'm looking forward to reading the rest!"

The Power of Words - Review

"A Convenient Christmas Wedding is one of my favorite stories in the series, and I just can’t get enough of the Wallin family. Within the Love Inspired line, 5 stars. Highly recommend."

Singing Librarian Books - Review

"Regina Scott has written a cute and sweet holiday romance in her fifth book in the Frontier Bachelors Series, A Convenient Christmas Wedding. . . . I would recommend this novel to readers that have enjoyed Scott’s previous work, as well as those that want a little historical holiday romance."

Christian Chick's Thoughts - Review

"I really enjoyed reading Nora and Simon's story. It reminded me a bit of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers—no, the plot isn't too similar, but the setting is. And I could easily see the Wallin boys fitting in with Seven Brides'Pontipee brothers. . . . I really enjoyed A Convenient Christmas Wedding—it's the perfect book for a winter night."

Tell Tale Book Reviews - How to Have a Pioneer Christmas

​For one thing, Christmas celebrations didn’t start until very close to the actual day. Oh, there might be some scurrying around making presents—a hand-knit scarf for Uncle Joe, a new bonnet for the baby—and the goose would have to be plucked days before it went into the oven, but often even the decorating didn’t happen until Christmas Eve.

Don't forget to enter the fabulous giveaway below...

A Convenient Christmas Wedding

(Frontier Bachelors #5)

by Regina Scott

Christian Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 288 pages

November 8th 2016 by Love Inspired

The Marriage Agreement

Proposing a marriage of convenience to a rugged logger is the boldest move of Nora Underhill's sheltered life. In return for Simon Wallin's protection from her overbearing family, the unassuming seamstress offers prime frontier farmland. But their paper marriage changes when Nora's greedy brother tries to draw her back into a life of drudgery. Her only option: move to Simon's farm, and into the center of his loving, unruly family.

Years of shouldering responsibility have left Simon cynical and reserved. But little by little, Nora's warmth opens his shuttered heart to joy. With their marriage claim under threat, can this practical arrangement blossom over the holidays…and become a love for all seasons?

Fifth book in the Frontier Bachelors series, following The Bride Ship, Would-Be Wilderness Wife, Frontier Engagement, and Instant Frontier Family. Frontier Bachelors: Bold, rugged, and bound to be grooms.

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Other Books in the Series

The Bride Ship

(Frontier Bachelors #1)

by Regina Scott

Christian Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 288 pages

November 1st 2014 by Love Inspired

SWEETHEART REUNION

What was his brother's widow–his first love–doing on a ship full of prospective brides headed out West? Clay Howard had been tasked with escorting the Boston belle home, but he didn't anticipate Allegra being so strong-willed–or that he'd wind up traveling with her just to keep her from leaving without him!

Allegra Banks Howard isn't going to let Clay interfere with her plans for a new life with her daughter on the frontier. True, Allegra needs his wilderness savvy, but if Clay thinks he can rekindle what they once shared, he had better think again. Because risking her heart for a second chance at being his bride isn't something she'll undertake lightly...

Frontier Bachelors: Bold, rugged–and bound to be grooms

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Would-Be Wilderness Wife

(Frontier Bachelors #2)

by Regina Scott

Christian Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 288 pages

March 1st 2015 by Love Inspired

The Kidnapped Bride

Drew Wallin's youngest brother is determined to see him married—so he kidnaps Drew a prospective bride. Not only is Catherine Stanway beautiful, but she's a nurse who can help their ailing mother. Drew doesn't have time for distractions—he's too busy watching over his fatherless siblings. Yet he's drawn to this woman who carries loss and pain equal to his own.

Catherine has traveled West to use her nursing skills to save lives, not to find a husband. She knows if she gives in to Drew's matchmaking family, she'll be risking her already bruised heart. But maybe it's time she takes the ultimate risk to win the groom she didn't know she wanted!

Frontier Bachelors: Bold, rugged—and bound to be grooms

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Frontier Engagement

(Frontier Bachelors #3)

by Regina Scott

Christian Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 288 pages

August 1st 2015 by Love Inspired

School Bells and Wedding Bells 

James Wallin's family is depending on him to find a schoolteacher for their frontier town. Alexandrina Fosgrave seems to be exactly what he needs to help fulfill his father's dream of building a new community. If only James could convince her to accept the position. 

Alexandrina has traveled west to seek a fresh start, not to find a groom. But after she's stranded in the wilderness with James, he offers her his hand in marriage to protect her reputation. Both are afraid to fall in love, but maybe an engagement of convenience could make them reconsider… 

Frontier Bachelors: Bold, rugged—and bound to be grooms.

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Instant Frontier Family

(Frontier Bachelors #4)

by Regina Scott

Christian Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 288 pages

January 5th 2016 by Love Inspired

LITTLE MATCHMAKERS 

Maddie O'Rourke's orphaned half brother and half sister have arrived safely in Seattle—with a man they hope she'll wed! Though Michael Haggerty's not the escort she planned for, Maddie allows him to work off his passage by assisting in her bakery…and helping care for her siblings. But she'll never risk her newfound independence by marrying the strapping Irishman—or anyone else. 

In New York, Michael ran afoul of a notorious gang. Traveling west was a necessity, not a choice. The longshoreman grew fond of his young charges, and now he's quickly becoming partial to their beautiful sister, too. So when danger follows him, threatening Maddie and the children, he'll do anything to protect them—and the future he hopes to build.

Frontier Bachelors: Bold, rugged–and bound to be grooms

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Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn't actually sell her first novel until she had learned a bit more about writing such as vocabulary, sentence structure, and plot. After numerous short stories and articles in magazines and trade journals, she got serious about her novel writing. The Unflappable Miss Fairchild was her first novel to be published (March 1998).

Besides her novels, Regina Scott has had published three Regency novellas ("The June Bride Conspiracy" in His Blushing Bride, "Sweeter Than Candy" in A Match for Mother, and "A Place by the Fire" in Mistletoe Kittens). Two of her novels, A Dangerous Dalliance and The Twelve Days of Christmas, have been translated into German. A Dangerous Dalliance and The Incomparable Miss Compton have been translated into Italian. Starstruck and Perfection have been translated into Dutch.

Regina Scott and her husband are the parents of two sons. They reside in the Tri-Cities of southeast Washington State and are members of the Church of the Nazarene. Born in 1959 and raised in the Seattle area, Regina Scott is a graduate of the University of Washington. She comes by her writing talent naturally--both her parents are excellent writers in their vocations as teacher and electrical technician. Her mother envisioned the plot for "Sweeter Than Candy," the novella which was written as a tribute to her. 

Regina Scott is a devout Christian and a decent fencer; owns a historical, fantasy, and science fiction costume collection that currently takes up over a third of her large closet; and has been known to impersonate an independent consultant specializing in risk communication.

Website│Blog│Goodreads│Facebook│Pinterest

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive: Signed copies of Would-Be Wilderness Wife (which introduced Simon Wallin, the hero of A Convenient Christmas Wedding) and Instant Frontier Family (which introduced Nora Underhill, the heroine of A Convenient Christmas Wedding), and a set of pioneer Christmas ornaments that say "Joy, Peace, Love."

- US only

- Ends November 18th

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Book Review: The Dragons of Alsace Farm by Laurie L.C. Lewis

The Dragons of Alsace Farm, by Laurie L.C. Lewis
2016, 302p, Clean Contemporary Romance
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the author, which did not affect my review in any way



Fears and secrets are the dragons we each must face. . .

In need of his own redemption, Noah Carter finally confronts his childhood hero, the once-beloved uncle who betrayed him. Instead of vengeance, he offers forgiveness, also granting Uncle John a most curious request—for Noah to work on the ramshackle farm of Agnes Deveraux Keller, a French WWII survivor with dementia.

Despite all Agnes has lost, she still has much to teach Noah. But the pair’s unique friendship is threatened when Tayte, Agnes’s estranged granddaughter, arrives to claim a woman whose circumstances and abilities are far different from those of the grandmother she once knew.

Items hidden in Agnes’s attic raise painful questions about Tayte’s dead parents, steeling Tayte’s determination to save Agnes, even if it requires her to betray the very woman she came to save, and the secret her proud grandmother has guarded for seventy years.

The issue strains the fragile trust between Tayte and Noah, who now realizes Tayte is fighting her own secrets, her own dragons. Weighed down by past guilt and failures, he feels ill-equipped to help either woman, until he remembers Agnes’s lessons about courage and love. In order to save Agnes, the student must now become the teacher, helping Tayte heal—for Agnes’s sake, and for his.

This story deals with three characters: Noah, whose Uncle John is looking for him to return to his farm so they can patch up their relationship; Agnes, John's elder neighbor who has dementia and needs help with her farm; and Tayte, Agnes's granddaughter who wants to form a relationship with her grandmother while she still can.

Noah and Tayte have each had a rough life, and actually have a lot in common, but they rub each other the wrong way when they first meet. They both have ties to Agnes so they decide to try a little harder to get along, but there are some missteps along the way. All the characters are real and flawed. There are lots of secrets and more to each character than first meets the eye. I enjoyed getting to know each of them.

This is a slow building story, which is quite emotional at times. There's heartache and betrayal, as well as love and healing. I thought it was compelling and complex and is a great read for those who enjoy character driven stories. This is the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last!

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Laurie (L.C.) Lewis began her career under contract with Covenant Communications in 2004, moving to Walnut Springs Press in 2010, during which time she published seven books. Her eighth novel, "The Dragons of Alsace Farm," her most recent release, debuted in July 2016. it was inspired by her family's experiences supporting a loved one with dementia. She calls this book a four-year love project.

While Laurie Lewis is best known for her much celebrated historical fiction series, "Free Men and Dreamers," she writes different genres under several pen names--general fiction as Laurie Lewis, historical fiction and suspense as L.C. Lewis, and she will be assuming another pen name for a pending romance novel she's contracted for Gelato Books' "Destination Billionaire's Series."

Laurie Lewis love to hear from her readers.

"Thank you so much for visiting my author page and looking over my titles. Reviews are the best way to acknowledge a book you enjoy, so if you're so inclined, please let others know how you felt about my books via Amazon, Goodreads, or shout out about my book on Facebook. Feel free to mail me at laurielclewis@laurielclewis.com. I love to chat! My official web site can be found at www.laurielclewis.com, and I hope you'll stop by the newsletter link and sign up for news on projects and free books!

"Always remember love."

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