Since my readers can’t see you, what is your hair color? Eye color?
What is it that you most dislike? –>
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On Tour with Prism Book Tours
I’m excited to share with readers my fifth Love Inspired Historical, which is also the first in a three book series set in and around Sheridan, Wyoming in the late 1890s and early 1900s. This particular story was fun to write because I was able to give a nod to my love of England through my British hero Edward and give my smart, no-nonsense heroine Maggy an unusual profession as a female Pinkerton agent…
Happy Reading!
— Stacy
“I fell in love with the main characters and descriptions of the scenes were very vivid. . . . This is my first book by Stacy Henrie, I will definitely have to read more of her books. I really enjoyed this book.”
“I always love how Stacy Henrie’s books transport me to the setting with rich historical details. The characters really came to life against the backdrop the author set and while it’s a relatively quick read, that’s partly because I couldn’t put it down! . . . Loved the sweet romance and fascinating history!”
“You are going to ruin this investigation,” she hissed. “Could you have looked any more appalled at playing the role of my fiancé?”
“Are you mad?” Edward countered, keeping his voice equally low. “Of course I’m going to be shocked and downright annoyed when you announce such a ridiculous fiction.”
Maggy crossed her arms and glared at him. Her eyes had turned a dark cobalt. “There wasn’t time to ask how you felt about it. Besides I told you that I was coming up with a role.”
“The Rancher’s Temporary Engagement is a fabulous historical that should not be missed. I had it read in just a few hours and it was time well spent. I highly recommend this for those who love a good, sweet, clean, heartwarming book that, also, has a touch of mystery and suspense.
A well deserved 5 plus stars.”
“Stacy Henrie brings something intangible to every story that she writes; she just has a special touch that’s hard to define. All the details that I love are present in The Rancher’s Temporary Engagement – character depth, historical detail, humor, romantic tension. And then there’s the emotional tug that comes from characters who don’t seem fictional at all, but easily identifiable people who face similar struggles as we might, only in a different setting. While I’ve enjoyed all that I’ve read by this author, this book holds a special place in my heart.”
Unpinning her hat, Maggy used it to fan her flushed face. She shut her eyes and willed herself to breathe through the pressure in her chest. She was safe—no one was going to harm her ever again. Especially not a man. Detective skills weren’t the only things she’d learned in the last six years; she’d also learned how to take care of herself.
“I was surprised by the depth and sincerity of Henrie’s writing. In such a light genre, many inspirational authors shy away from the grittier aspects of the time period. Henrie handles both the bad and ugly with honesty and a deeper message of hope. As Maddy slowly watches the way Edward weaves his faith through his daily life, Henrie also urges us to “see His hand in everything.” The impact of Edward’s faith in God and in Maddy, as she unravels the mystery is more than empowering, it’s a reminder of the true meaning of redeeming love.”
“The romance is sweet and tender and very believable and the setting is hot, dusty, and perfect for the times. I couldn’t put it down and was swept away for a time, which was completely fine with me. If you love historical mystery romances, dime novels, and mysteries, this one is for you.”
“I couldn’t put the book down, the story kept me on my toes….just when I thought I knew what was going on things changed slightly and I started second guessing my thoughts. It really is a great story I highly recommend you read it!”
Q: What was your first impression of Edward?
A: Ha! Stubborn and reserved, for sure. But also handsome and kind to his staff.
“Peppered with humor and gentle truth, The Rancher’s Temporary Engagement is a great read from start to finish! Henrie’s sense of timing shines, as well as her ability to create dimensional characters who quickly feel like dear friends. The friendship-turned-romance is swoony and sweet, and the suspense gives the plot purpose without overpowering it. Stacy Henrie’s novels are always wonderfully enjoyable, and this one is no exception!”
“Are you always this obstinate, Mr. Kent?” Maggy asked, jerking his thoughts back to the unpleasant scene unfolding on his porch.
She was accusing him of obstinacy? He climbed the steps in an effort to keep her from barging her way inside. An action he wouldn’t put past her. “Are you always this persistent?”
Her eyes brightened with amusement. “I wouldn’t be one of Pinkertons best detectives if I weren’t.”
“I loved this book! It’s a quick, captivating read and I loved the writing style of Ms. Henrie. She has a beautiful way of pulling the reader into the heart of the story instantly and making them feel apart of the whirlwind of fun. I loved Edward and Maggy’s characters. They were perfectly chiseled and true-to-life.”
His unexpected show of confidence in her abilities to come up with a solid cover story brought her earlier idea forward at last, in full form. “I’m Maggy. Edward’s fiancée,” she finished with a triumphant smile. “Isn’t that right, darling?”
Turning toward him, Maggy only had a moment to register the shock in Edward’s gray eyes before his mouthful of tea came spewing out—all over her.
“A feisty, capable and determined detective—who happens to be female—and a British transplant to Wyoming intent on proving his worth as a rancher combine for a delightful read…
With memorable characters and plenty of culprits, this book is a suspenseful, yet delightful, read.”
“Fine.” Edward let his shoulders slump. “I won’t get into fisticuffs with Howe.”
One corner of Maggy’s mouth lifted. “You would get into fisticuffs for me?”
He sensed she meant it in a teasing way, but he couldn’t bring himself to jest about something he felt strongly about. “Yes, Maggy.” He placed his hand over hers where it still rested near his heart—just as it had the other day when they’d stumbled into each other. “I would.”
“I’m always so glad to find new authors I like. Stacy Henrie is now on my “buy as soon as it is released list”. The Rancher’s Temporary Engagement was a great story with mystery, romance, and life lessons about the love of God.”
“The Rancher’s Temporary Engagement was just like its predecessors, a truly fun read with delightfully generous amounts of romance and danger. And the overarching theme that each person is of value is an important reminder to every person who has ever doubted their own worth…which is probably every single one of us.”
Stepping in front of him, she gripped his face between her palms. The heat of the fire baked her back, but she wouldn’t give up on Edward, not without a fight. And a fight could well be the result of what she was about to do.
She tipped his head toward her. Then, ignoring the steely quality in his gray eyes, she pressed her lips firmly to his. His jaw stiffened briefly beneath her hands, but Maggy didn’t let it deter her. She poured all the fears and joys she’d experienced over the last month into her kiss.
“I really enjoyed this story! I loved the characters, the story line, the dialogue, Stacy’s writing style. It was all done beautifully.”
The Rancher’s Temporary EngagementFebruary 1st 2018 by Love Inspired Historical
Undercover Fiancée
The Pinkerton agent that Edward Kent hired is intelligent, capable—and unexpectedly female! Though shocked to learn that Maggy Worthing will be investigating the threats to his Wyoming horse ranch, Edward needs to find the culprit. And if that means a temporary engagement to give Maggy a cover story, he’ll play along with the feisty detective.
Maggy always gets her man—at least when it comes to solving crimes. The young widow refuses to marry again and land under another husband’s thumb. Unmasking Edward’s enemies will earn her a longed-for promotion…but the heart has its own mysteries. Could working together with the handsome English aristocrat spark a real and loving partnership?
USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie is the author of western romances and the Of Love and War series, which includes Hope at Dawn, a 2015 RITA Award finalist for excellence in romance. She was born and raised in the West, where she currently resides with her family. She enjoys reading, road trips, interior decorating, chocolate, and most of all, laughing with her husband and kids.
– 1 winner will receive a $40 Amazon e-gift card (open internationally)
– 1 winner will receive a signed print copy of Stacy’s novella anthology, LOVE FOR ALL SEASONS (US only)
I recently purchased a program called KDROI. Once installed, it makes it easy for you to submit a Kindle book to as many as 16 sites that promote ebooks, with just a few clicks and a few words to type. (Of course there are no guarantees that every site will agree to feature the book; it just submits the book to them quickly and easily.) Once I purchased it, I decided to use it to help out other authors, as well as to submit my own books.
I’m not trying to make lots of money off of this service (though I certainly won’t complain if I can make back the purchase price! 🙂 ). Mainly, I’m just trying to bless some fellow authors as so many people have blessed and helped me along my publishing journey. So, I’ve chosen not to charge as much as some of my author friends suggested. I want this service to be accessible to those on even the lowest budgets. Hence, the prices that I hope you’ll consider very reasonable: $1.99 or $2.99, depending on the details (more information below).
For those who are curious, the following screenshots show how the program actually works, using my book The Collar and the Cavvarach as an example.
To begin with, I go to the book’s page on Amazon, then I activate the program. This is the first screen I see (it fills in most of the details automatically, so I just have to check that they’re correct then fill in a couple of blanks):
After that, it’s a simple matter to click “Submit Promotion” and wait a few seconds while the form is sent out. For the last step, the program shows a log report of how many sites the book information was successfully sent to, and how many sites “failed”. (Failure can be due to a number of issues; I list some of them in my form at the bottom.) There’s a pretty high success rate, though, as you see in this record of 4 different books I submitted for other authors. (The Collar and the Cavvarach isn’t listed here because I didn’t finish submitting it. I actually had already scheduled a promo for a couple weeks from now and had sent requests to many of the same sites manually before I bought KDROI. So I just used it as an example in the first part of the program’s form.)
When I click on the blue links, it tells me which sites experienced the “failure”. After I submitted Heartsick for a free promo and saw that it didn’t work with two sites, I tried the form again, selecting only those two this time. I thought it was worth trying to see if it would go through to them the second time, but as you can see, it didn’t. Oh, well. 30 out of 32* isn’t bad! (The other books in the list were all 99 cent promos, so there were only 18 possible sites they could be sent to.)
Update: I’ve heard back from a couple authors whose books I’ve submitted, and they’ve said that some of the sites where the submission “failed” actually confirmed receiving their book information. So, apparently book submissions that have supposedly failed actually do go through, at least some of the time.
If I submit your book through this service, I’ll send you a confirmation email to let you know when I’ve done it. In addition, you will receive confirmation emails from a number of the sites, some of which contain links you’ll need to click on to finalize your book submission.
Anyway, that’s how KDROI works. Fairly quick and simple for me to use, which is why I can afford to offer book submission services at such a low rate! Any questions? Feel free to mention them in the comments below this post, or email me at AnnieDouglassLima (at) gmail (dot) com.
Final Clarification:
For $2.99, tell me the next set of dates in which your book will temporarily be free, and I will submit it to all 16 book promotion sites on the list. The sites may or may not all decide to feature the book, but it will be submitted to them.
Or, for $1.99, tell me the next set of dates in which your book will temporarily be 99 cents (if it’s permanently 99 cents, that’s fine too; just pick some dates when you want it featured) and I will submit it to the 9 sites that accept 99 cent books. They may or may not all decide to feature the book, but it will be submitted to them.
Or, for $1.99, tell me the next set of dates in which you would like your permafree book to be featured, and I will submit it to the 10 sites that accept permafree books. They may or may not all decide to feature the book, but it will be submitted to them.
Another option: instead of paying the fees mentioned above through PayPal, you could buy one of my books instead. 🙂 Most of the ebooks are $2.99 or less; feel free to pick any one of them at any price (as long as it’s not free at the time) and either download it for yourself or “gift” it to a friend. (I emailed Amazon to make sure this doesn’t violate their terms of service, and they assured me it’s fine.) If you choose this option, simply send me a screenshot that shows what you bought, or forward me the confirmation email from Amazon, and ignore the PayPal link on my form.
Sorry, but I won’t submit erotica or books promoting religions other than Christianity. Don’t take it personally if that’s what you write. We can still be friends! 🙂 But I can’t in good conscience help to promote those books.
So. Are you interested? You could spend nearly $50 and buy the program yourself (you should definitely do that if it’s worth it to you), or you could fill out the form at this link and let me submit your book to those sites for you for about the cost of a cup of coffee.
On Tour with Prism Book Tours.
…I hope you enjoy this inspiring come-back story brimming with romance and uplifting values that reinforce the importance of overcoming challenges through strength of will and determination, never letting limitations stop you from achieving your dreams and how friendship is the strongest foundation upon which true and lasting love is built. Other themes include: disabilities, respect, self-worth and faith.
— Karen
But here—here she couldn’t hide from it. In the real world, her vision blossomed into a bigger problem and she shrunk into someone incompetent, dependent, weak, a person she never wanted to be.
“I can handle a fifteen-hundred-pound stallion at fifty miles an hour. But this—I can’t deal with this. What am I supposed to do with my life?”
She’d been planning on trying out for the ERA Premier tour team again at their end-of-summer qualifiers. Now she’d never be good enough to ride with them.
Or ride at all…
The life she’d always wanted ended before it’d even started, and she had no contingency plan.
“This is a feel good, heart warming story. . . . Also reading best friends Jared and Amberley grow even closer was beautiful. I would highly recommend this one because you have the feel good story, but also the story of two feuding families going on is also intriguing.”
“I’ll do it!” The rail had to be on the lowest setting, six inches above the ground. No challenge at all. She could do it blindfolded.
Or legally blind.
Amberley set her jaw, wheeled Harley away and brought him into a trot that carried her swiftly to the blurred shape of the gate. She couldn’t quite judge the height, or her proximity, just yet. Unease fluttered in her belly. How many paces to it? Time to jump?
Relying on instinct, she squeezed Harley’s sides at the right moment, but he balked. She flew over his head and landed flat on her back. At the children’s cries, she struggled to sit up, but the fall had knocked the wind out of her.
“The author’s writing flows smoothly and she has crafted a beautiful story with more complexity than most romances. A beautiful Colorado setting, feuding families, career choices, children with disabilities, and a very special horse named Harley make for a deeply satisfying read. . .
Falling for a Cowboy is a thoroughly entertaining read that touches the heart.”
“I loved the name Amberley and her character. It would be so hard to lose your eyesight. The 2nd in the series and definitely a good series. Such an inspiring book with Amberley and Jared overcoming her blindness and with the horse therapy program for children with disabilities.”
“Amberley.” Jared breathed her name like an invocation, barely breaking their kiss.
“Hmm?” She threaded her fingers his crisp hair, unable to open her eyes.
His lips slid across her jaw, nibbling her earlobe. “You’re beautiful, babe.”
Babe?
He called all of his girls babe. Especially when he couldn’t remember their names.
Tension locked up every inch of her. She propped an eye open. Then the other. Despite her lack of vision, she could see this disastrous moment clearly. In minutes, he’d gone from treating her like a child to seducing her like one of his flings. And she was neither.
“In Falling for a Cowboy, Karen Rock peels back the layers of fear and helplessness that come from Amberley’s loss of sight. She also shows readers the true meaning of friendship—encouragement, and support when one is at their lowest point, standing ready to do anything to assist, pushing the right buttons to motivate from fear, and calling each other out when necessary.”
“Just because he lost his wings doesn’t mean he’s not a Pegasus anymore.” Jared helped Emily off the saddle and down the stairs.
Emily threw her arms around Harley’s neck. “You’re a real Pegasus, Harley. You are.”
Harley’s head bobbed in a flash of black and silver, and Amberley smiled through the tears that sprang to her eyes.
Jared was right. Wings didn’t make a Pegasus. Working limbs, perfect eyesight…they didn’t make a human either. What we imagined and strived to be counted. Real strength rooted itself inside, where it mattered most.
“Amberley is the kind of heroine you hope to find, but never knew you were searching for. Jared is a walking dream that steps from a imaginative figure into real life. Falling for a Cowboy blends heartbreaking realism with courageously inspiring characters. . . . Falling for a Cowboy is phenomenally fascinating storytelling.”
“I’m loving this Rocky Mountain Cowboys series! . .
I loved the inclusion of children with physical challenges as Amberley struggled to come to grips with her new challenges and the message that with the right help and love we can all do amazing things. Helping others brings joy and this book brought this out. There were lots of feel good moments to be had in this story.”
Her blond brows lowered and met over the straight bridge of her nose. “I should have bought out your share.”
“Glad you didn’t.”
An exasperated noise escaped her pale lips. “I trusted you.”
“Trusting me is the smartest thing you can do, darlin’.”
“Don’t call me that!”
Her vehement tone caught him off guard. He called lots of woman darlin’. Why did she act like it meant something?
Because you mean it when you say it to her, a voice said inside him.
“Karen Rock does a really amazing job at bringing these two broken characters together in a way that gives them strength in many facets. She’s a very good storyteller and I felt right at home in Carbondale, Colorado and could picture the rodeo circuit/life pretty vividly. I loved seeing more of the characters from her previous books and I can’t wait to read more about this family, as each book is centered on one of the siblings.”
“Amberley, please,” Jared pleaded, his voice as raw as a bruise. “I’ve got two left feet and a swollen tongue around you lately. Nothing I say or do comes out right. I don’t know if we’re coming or going, but I know I want to find out. Give me a chance.”
He framed her face with his hands then leaned over and kissed her. Thoroughly, sweetly, wonderfully. For a moment, everything stilled: her breath, movement, her heart. The world, possibly.
“No!” She shoved his chest.
“No?” His eyelashes blinked rapidly, brushing against her temple.
“It’s not that easy.” Her breathing slowly returned to normal, though her heart still pumped overtime. “You don’t get to decide when and where and how.”
“But I thought…”
“If you want me, you’re going to have to work for me.”
“This is the perfect story! I love the Cade family and if I could, I’d like to join them. This book has a wonderful story about overcoming hardships and roadblocks in our lives and about true friendships…
I highly recommend this book to other readers. I can’t wait to read another story about the Cade family.”
” It’s uplifting and inspirational to anyone who has ever felt less than. A well-built plot with many familiar characters. The storyline drug a bit in the beginning as a lot of inner thoughts were being portrayed rather than dialogue, but overall an enjoyable, uplifting read!”
“What was my time?” she gasped.
“Wasn’t clocking you.”
“Will you next time?”
“So, you’re not quitting?”
“Never!” She laughed, exhilarated, pumped with enough adrenaline to lift her right off this saddle and into the sky. “Let’s go again.”
“I was hooked from the beginning of Falling for a Cowboy and did not want to put it down until I had the whole thing read. Such a fabulous and heartwarming story. I just can not put into words how much I enjoyed it and how sad I was having to tell Amberley and Jared goodbye.
I would give it 100 stars if I could.
Highly recommended.”
“…I knew this series would be fine reading the books just on there own. This is a sweet second chance story that packs an emotional punch. . .
I found this to be a sweet and touching story. I loved the characters and really liked the other Cades.”
“Sweetheart.”
That single word sent a tremor through her skin. “Sweetheart?”
“You don’t like darlin’.” She could feel the smile in his voice and wondered if her heart might explode in her chest.
“You’ve never called me sweetheart before.”
Jared’s strong hands cupped her shoulders, and he released a breath. “Plenty of times. Just not out loud.”
“Falling For a Cowboy by Karen Rock is the second book in The Rocky Mountain Cowboys series. This series is about the Cade family. You will absolutely adore them. Jared is a heartbreaker without even trying and Amberley is his strong willed best friend. This is a friends to lover romance and it is amazing.”
“Why do it?”
“Because—because.” She hesitated, stumbling over her usual answer about winning. Competing had stopped being about scoring the top spot, she realized. It was about something bigger than that—inspiring herself and others like Dean and the rest of the Spirit Ranch kids. “Because it’s better than sitting home and wishing I’d tried.”
“Even if you don’t win?”
“Just giving it my best means I’ve already won,” she said, the words rushing from some deep part of her. The truth. Showing up for competitions meant she was someone, not nothing like her father would have said.
Sorry, Daddy, but I don’t believe I’m nothing. And I don’t believe you’d think that either. You promised I’d be okay after you passed. You told me I was strong.
“It won’t take many paragraphs for you to fall in love with Falling For a Cowboy by Karen Rock. A toe-curlingly swoony cowboy. A strong heroine. Best friends to more. Adorable kids. A sweet horse. And moments to cheer proudly like any good sports-rags-to-riches story provides. Oh, and did I mention the yummy kisses? (Whew… still fanning) The Cade family continues to be entertaining and inspiring, and I think Karen Rock gets better with each new book. Excited for the next one!”
Falling for a Cowboyby Karen Rock
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 368 pages
January 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming
Doesn’t he get that she’s blind?
Barrel racer Amberley James wants to join the premier rodeo circuit more than anything, but she faces the ultimate hurdle when she loses her eyesight to a rare genetic condition. All she’d ever wanted seems out of reach. Giving up is the only option…until her best friend and local hero Jared Cade steps in. The last thing she wants is Jared’s help. But his persistence at encouraging her to get back in the saddle is ridiculously annoying. And undeniably inspiring…
Christmas at Cade Ranchby Karen Rock
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
November 7th 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming
The Christmas they never had.
James Cade has one priority: keep the family ranch running smoothly in the wake of his younger brother’s death. With Jesse’s ex, Sofia Gallardo, and her young son, Javi, stranded at Cade Ranch over Christmas, this task just got a lot harder. The longer Sofia and Javi stay, the harder it is to imagine the ranch without them. James couldn’t save his brother from his inner demons, but he can give his nephew a secure future. Maybe more—if he can figure out how to trust Sofia, and stop feeling like he’s betraying Jesse. Because trying to stop thinking about beautiful, determined Sofia is impossible.
In a quest to provide her ELA students with quality reading material, educator Karen Rock read everything out there and couldn’t wait to add her voice to the genre. In addition to her work as a Young Adult romance novelist, she’s now an author for Harlequin’s Heartwarming line and thrilled to pen stories that moms can share with their teenage daughters. She’s loved Harlequin books since she spent summers going through her grandmother’s Presents books that she passed along in paper grocery bags each year. As half of the writing duo J.K. Rock, Karen also pens young adult romance. When she’s not busy writing, Karen enjoys scouring estate sales for vintage books, cooking her grandmother’s family recipes, reinventing her gardens to suit her moods and occasionally rescuing local wildlife from neighborhood cats. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, her very appreciated beta-reader daughter, and two Cavalier King cocker spaniels, who have yet to understand the concept of “fetch” though they know a lot about love. For more information about Karen’s upcoming books, check out her website.
– 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card along with print copies of HIS KIND OF COWGIRL, A COWBOY TO KEEP, and CHRISTMAS AT CADE RANCH by Karen Rock
– US Only
Boneseeker
BONESEEKER, is book one of the four book series, chronicling the adventures and love story of Arabella Holmes and Henry Watson. . .
All my books plop my characters into real, strange anomalies and events that happened once upon a time. Bella appeared in my imagination fully formed, and Henry wasn’t long to follow her. As is his way…
I hope you enjoy reading it, and spending time in their company as much as I do.
— Brynn
5. What do you want readers to take away from reading Boneseeker?
I am a character writer. If you remember my people, find yourself thinking about them, wondering what will happen to them—well that’s the goal. As a copious reader myself, that was always my litmus test of the writer’s worth.
“Boneseeker by Brynn Chapman is compelling and intriguing. The familiarity of Holmes and Watson makes way for the next generation, and Bella & Henry hold their own quite nicely. While some aspects of the plot could have been a little tighter, overall this is an enjoyable read that is perfect for a chilly winter’s night.”
(Get it—instead of a Study in Scarlet)
Bella has been with me so long now, I honestly can’t recall when the idea formulated. I believe it was while watching Robert Downey Jr.’s interpretation of Sherlock Holmes. There are a number of scenes in the movie which were “Ah-ha” moments for me…About Holmes’s brilliance, and his inability to play well with others.
I lecture about sensory processing—which in case you have never heard of it, here is a definition…
“For a person who doesn’t typically read mystery books I really enjoyed Brynn Chapman’s Boneseeker. I remember when I was little I read the entire Nancy Drew series but this book is much more complex than those tween novels. . .
Filled with violence, suspense and questions, this books makes a great read. . .
I recommend this novel for mystery and historical fiction lovers aged 16 and up as you not only get to sort through clues but you also get a taste of history in the mix.”
“Human footprints, preserved in rock, measuring thirty-three inches, with six toes.”
“I must see your notes.”
My eyes open wide, my hand shooting to my hip. “I don’t have notes.”
“Of course you don’t.” He sighs. “Would you write some for me?”
I walk back to the bed and sit. “I suppose.”
“We lesser mortals appreciate notes.
For the record, I have, to date, read 90 percent of the Sherlock Holmes canon—and his predecessors, Wilkie Collins et al.
The new Sherlock Holmes characters in the recent films, however, ignited a fire in my brain. The following is from my author’s notes in the Book, BONESEEKER…
“This! This is what I mean, Earnest. She”—he jabs an accusing finger at Arabella—“she is impulsive and arrogant and unnatural. She should not be considered for such an important expedition. A woman is much better suited for curation.”
Father steps forward, staring Stygian full-on despite the fact he’s a head taller. “Sir. You’ve forgotten innovative and cunning and possesses her father’s talent for ciphering and detection. Is this expedition not about bones?”
“Of course.”
“I dare venture no one on this eastern seaboard could match Miss Holmes’s knowledge of bones.”
This is a hashtag I often use when discussing BONESEEKER. I am an ardent student of science.
I have dissected cadavers, dug through troughs of arms and legs at University, to ensure your specimen was not missing any muscles so as to miss them on the practical exam. I have witnessed a craniotomy (post mortem), plastic surgeries, among others.
I have toured asylums, and have an ongoing obsession with historical medicine, when did what occur, and how?
I hear a bawdy laugh, and I wrench my eyes away from her earnest gaze, scanning the dance hall. I scan over the myriad of colors and gowns and faces and finally, I see her. My heartbeat bombards my ribcage. My hands are sweating. While they are in Priscilla’s hands.
This is not normal. Not for me, anyway. I am dumbstruck. Arabella is so lovely I can scarcely breathe.
She stands, hesitating at the top of the stairs, undoubtedly searching the crowd for familiar faces.
“It is interesting to read with the children of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Like their fathers, Arabella Holmes and Henry Watson are quite the team. The two sure do find themselves in quite a suspense filled adventure. There are some action-packed scenes that kept me on the edge of my seat, making me want to continue to turn the pages. . .
I can not wait to see what happens next.”
“Personally I really enjoyed reading the book, especially the portrayal of how it is to have anxiety and Asperger’s and it was a bit refreshing that the love story between Arabella and Henry was downplayed a bit (no offence to YA authors, but sometimes love stories take up too much space in a book).”
“Bonseeker is so layered and complex but very accessible to old and new fans of historical fiction. An absolute must-read for fans of strong corset-wearing heroines and the requisite danger of the best Holmes mystery.”
“For the love of all that’s holy, Henry. That’s almost like being married to Holmes.” He gives a little shudder.
“I daresay you’re one to talk. For years, you chose a life with Holmes over matrimony, so that argument is full of holes. Do as I say, not as I do?”
Father’s face softens, and he lifts a placating hand. “I love Arabella too, you know that. But, be reasonable. She doesn’t fit into polite society.”
“Neither does Holmes and he’s almost legendary now.”
“She is unruly, headstrong, and will never, ever listen.”
“I know. She fascinates me.”
Maria: What type of research did you have to do for this novel?
I do a copious amount of research for every novel. For BONESEEKER, I expanded my library and study of Forensic Anthropology books ( I do have an anthropology minor), and also made a study of historical non-fiction resources on murders and relevant science beliefs, and societies of the time period. The science of phrenology, for instance, was very much alive and en vogue in 1910.
“This book contains elements that I love… suspense, Nephilim, mystery, and a little romance. I also love that the characters are children of two beloved literary characters, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. . .
If you love Sherlock Holmes, mystery, and a little of the paranormal. You should definitely give this book a try.”
Boneseeker
January 10th 2018 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Aspiring scientist Arabella Holmes doesn’t fit the role of a 1900s lady. Her father, Sherlock, landed her a position at the Mütter Museum to pursue her dream of becoming a purveyor of abnormal science, or what her father calls a “Boneseeker.”
Henry Watson’s two-fold mission at the Mütter Museum is to join their team of forensic anthropologists in unearthing unusual antiquities and to watch over Arabella. If only he could get her to speak to him, instead of hurling knives in his general direction. Assigned to a most secret expedition to investigate a mysterious skeletal hand discovered in upstate New York, Arabella and Henry are soon caught in a scientific debate, and the search for the truth may have deadly consequences for those involved.
Are the bones from a Neanderthal? Or are they living proof of fallen angels known as Nephilim?
Watson and Holmes must put aside their differences, trust their instincts, and rely on one another to survive to uncover the truth.
*This is a new version of a previously published edition
Praise for BONESEEKER:
Winner of the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest
“Creative, meticulously researched, and terrific fun!” ~Grace Burrowes, NY Times Best Selling Author
“The characters, the setting, the descriptions and the mysteries and relationships all work together seamlessly to create a truly wonderful story that I completely adored.” ~Best Books Ever Blog
“The settings are intriguing and the way they are described make you feel as if you are immersed in the story. I could feel the gloom and damp. That is rare in so many books! Boneseeker is a book I highly recommend, and I give it 5 stars!” ~Christy’s Cozy Corners Blog
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“If you like non-magical fantasy with a strong dash of romance about a girl who fights against incredible odds to find freedom and her place in the world, then this is for you!”
Last month, Livy Lynn contacted me, requesting that I be part of an exciting Blog Tour, for Christian Fantasy Author, Sarah Addison Fox! Sarah is a New Zealand-born home-schooling mother of two who loves action-packed, clean, fantasy with strong heroines. Her debut novel, Disowned, is about a Kyraenean slave name Celeste. She risks her life to reach the free nation of Etraea, a country filled with technology and wealth. Once she arrives in Etraea, she unknowingly sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever. You can check out her book here.
I’m super excited to announce that for my portion of the Tour, Sarah is giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Card! Yay for more money to spend on books! 😀 To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter form below, to follow Sarah Addison, and the Tour Coordinator, Livy Lynn, on their Social Media accounts. The Giveaway begins January 10th and ends January 12th!
*Please note, this giveaway is not in anyway endorsed or funded by Amazon. The Giveaway prize is coming directly from Sarah Addison Fox, author of Disowned.
a Rafflecopter giveaway 
Tour Coordinated By: Livy Lynn Blog! Are you a Christian author? Let me plan your next Blog Tour! Visit www.livylynnblog.com!
On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Read an excerpt from the book and enter the giveaway below…
A Mistletoe Kiss
by Jennifer Faye
December 19th 2017 by Tule Publishing
Jaded by love, Suzanna Simms has resigned herself to focusing on her art business. But with Christmas quickly approaching, she receives word that her family is returning to Marietta. And Suzanna failed to mention that her latest relationship had ended abruptly. Now she’ll have to admit to her family that she failed at love—again.
Enter Sergeant Jake Hamilton, a new resident to Marietta and Suzanna’s next door neighbor. He’s not looking for anything permanent, he’s just passing through Marietta for the Christmas season, hoping to keep to himself. But when Suzanna’s family mistakenly assumes that Jake’s her boyfriend, he agrees to continue the charade.
Suzanna is certain she’s immune to his rugged good looks and sexy smile until they find themselves standing under the mistletoe. When Jake finds her kiss sweeter than her sugar cookies, he knows he’s in trouble. But it’s too late by then… the Christmas charade is on.
There was something in the air…
Change was coming to Marietta.
Or more than likely it was a bit of wishful thinking.
Tomorrow was the first of December, when the Christmas frenzy kicked into high gear. Suzanna Simms usually found this to be the most fabulous time of the year. But this year, she just wanted the holidays to quietly pass her by. She rushed into the kitchen. Her gaze immediately moved to the clock on the microwave. It blinked “PF.” Power failure. Apparently the power had gone off last night just long enough to reset all of the clocks in the house, including her alarm clock.
A glance at her phone let her know she only had two more minutes before she was late for work. That never happened to her. She hated to be late for anything. And today they were switching the autumn decorations for Christmas ones at her jewelry/craft shop, Tangled Charms.
Suzanna grabbed the coffeepot and poured it into her mug. She’d never make it through the morning without some strong caffeine. She glanced in the kitchen cabinet for the lid. Suddenly the hot liquid scorched her skin. She righted the coffeepot. Setting it aside, she rushed to the sink. As cold water soothed the burn, she assured herself there was definitely something amiss in the air.
Meow.
She glanced down at Pixie. “Hey, girl. I didn’t forget you. Honest.”
Murr.
The black-and-white six-month-old kitten rubbed affectionately over Suzanna’s legs. Suzanna bent over and scratched behind Pixie’s ear. When Pixie wasn’t testing her boundaries, she was the sweetest furbaby. And she wanted her breakfast. First, Suzanna sopped up the coffee from the countertop. And then she placed a bowl containing canned cat food on Pixie’s mat. Satisfied that her morning chores were complete, Suzanna slipped on her coat and red scarf.
With her coffee in one hand and her oversized purse slung over her shoulder, she rushed out the door of her townhouse. A gust of icy cold air rushed past her. She snuggled deeper in her coat. December had blown in with a distinct chill. And so another blustery winter was about to descend upon Marietta, Montana.
She was halfway down the sidewalk when she spotted movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head to find a big—make that a ginormous—brown-and-white Saint Bernard running toward her. Its ears flapped as it ran and its jowls did the same. The closer it got, the bigger it seemed. Why couldn’t it be a Chihuahua or a Yorkie?
The breath caught in Suzanna’s throat as her palms grew clammy. Please stop.
She took a step back. There was no way she was going to outrun that dog. It let out a deep bark. Woof-woof.
And then all two hundred pounds or so of the dog was standing in front of her. She stared at it and it stared back at her with big brown eyes.
She should say something—do something, but panic had her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. And her heart felt as though it were lodged in her throat. She’d been afraid of dogs since she’d been bitten when she was young.
She should look around for someone to help her, but she didn’t dare take her gaze off the dog. The dog began sniffing her shoes and her jeans. What was it thinking? The dog circled her—
“Rufus, what are you doing?” asked a male voice.
The dog glanced up. Woof!
Once the dog ran to the man, Suzanna relaxed her stiff muscles and glanced over at the man.
“Don’t worry. He won’t hurt you.” The man sent her a friendly smile as the dog sat down next to him.
It was cold out, quite literally, and here this man was strutting around outside in a short-sleeved black T-shirt. It clung to his muscled chest, broad shoulders, and bulging biceps. She swallowed hard and struggled to recall what she’d been about to say.
Her gaze lifted up and up. My he’s tall. At least six feet of muscle. His jawline was chiseled with some scruff on it. His hair was short—like military short. And his eyes were blue. Not just blue. But a sky blue, the kind that she could get lost in for hours. He was quite a sexy package.
“You must be my new neighbor.” The townhouse next to hers was up for rent. She just hadn’t realized anyone had moved in.
On Tour with Prism Book Tours
One of the themes throughout the Slippery Rock series is home. I think what it holds in common for all of us is a feeling of safety. Of belonging. While Levi has always belonged in Slippery Rock, and has always had plans to improve his family’s dairy farm – and the town – Camden has never felt she belonged anywhere. She shows up looking for home, and Levi needs to stop and really see his home.
My family’s special project for this new series is continuing with the release of Christmas in a Small Town, too. We’re donating a portion of the proceeds from the Slippery Rock series toward providing Sweet Cases from TogetherWeRise to foster children. Most children going in to foster care have nothing but the clothes on their backs. Sweet Cases are duffel bags given to children coming in to care, and once given, the bags remain with that child, giving them a sense of home and, hopefully, a sense that they aren’t alone. Each duffel includes a warm blanket, a teddy bear, hygiene kit, and art supplies.
“Sure, Calvin and Bonita’s place. You’re gonna continue on this road till you hit the grocery store. At the light you’ll turn south for a couple of blocks before taking Double A Highway West out of town. You’ll turn back north a few miles out when you see the county road sign, then follow 251 until you get to their lane. Can’t miss it. Bonita bought Calvin one of them big mailboxes a few years ago, in the shape of a collie. I swear you could fit a small child in that thing.” He tapped the roof of her car. “Nope, we don’t see many cars like this one around town. You have a nice evening, ma’am.”
Camden’s mind swirled with the information the older man had offered up. Straight to the grocery store, follow that road to the highway, follow the highway to the county road that would lead to the farm. She could handle this. Camden put the Porsche in Drive and waved to the older man as she pulled back onto the road that led through Slippery Rock.
Can you tell us about your current work-in-progress?
– I’m finishing up a sports continuity with three writer friends – we’re writing about three brothers, all sports heroes, who are coming to terms with a Big Family Secret. It’s been really fun to write!
Every year around Thanksgiving, I get the bug. No, not the flu bug. The holiday movie bug. Thanks to bebe, we have a towering stack of just about every Christmas movie you could imagine – from the original Miracle on 34th Street to The Polar Express. During the holiday season, Friday and Saturday nights become movie nights, sometimes the three of us gather in the living room with the big Christmas tree lit up and binge on holiday cartoons, sometimes we’ll disperse to different rooms to watch the movies we want to see.
You’ve created quite an interesting life for Camden – being scorned in love and then, having another charm her as she’s returnt home – what surprised you the most about Camden’s character for finding strength to face her adversities in romance?
Knight responds: Her strength, in general, surprised me. She allowed herself to be dictated to for most of her life, and so when I started writing her, I thought she would need more reassurances that she was doing the right things. But once she was out of that situation – her domineering mother, specifically – she really stood on her own. She was really fun to write!
“This story was a good one but was quite repetitive, slightly dragged out, and well-written but not to the extend of captivating the readers attention. except in portions of the story. . .
The Characters were very well developed and felt very real. The scenes were described in a way easily visualized.” – LAWonder10
“I love small towns and I loved reading this story. It has a lot of fun things happening. I love the way all the friends ended up back in their small town, still as close knit as ever.” – Vickie
“You guys didn’t play with me when I went to defense. How would you know what I looked like?”
Collin blinked. “High-definition TV. Replay shows. And, you know, we did play with you all through junior high and high school. Doesn’t matter if you’re quarterbacking or playing the defensive line, like you did in college and the pros—the Levi Walters focus is the same.”
“Also, and I don’t think we can emphasize this enough, at least three of your throws pushed the dart through the board and into the wall. So what’s up?” Aiden rolled his bottle of beer through his hands, making it scrape against the table.
Traditions are my favorite thing, whether it’s sitting in a field, getting eaten by chiggers while waiting for the 4th of July fireworks or strolling along a lake front, watching a parade of boats, decorated for Christmas. Traditions, to me, make every holiday more special because, while you’re in the present, the act of repeating a stroll with the Christmas boats or a snowy picnic brings back memories. It makes the experience richer, somehow.
In Christmas in a Small Town, there is a town festival, complete with a street fair and holiday lights and even a regatta so the townspeople can see the lights from the lake. Those are all memories I have from my small town upbringing, but there are even more. Here are a few of my favorite holiday traditions.
“I absolutely adore this town and every time I visit I am blown away. I would love to live in this place. Kristina always brings it to such life. . . . This book is a friends to lovers romance. If you have not visited Slippery Rock you need to go grab the entire series from Harlequin or Amazon!!! You will not be disappointed.”
“It’s a nice-looking dress, though.”
“Not my style.”
“I find that hard to believe. You wear it too well.”
Because she’d been trained to wear it well. Her mother had started her on the pageant circuit when she was nine, and after her father died, the pageants had become almost weekly occurrences. Still, having a stranger comment on her appearance was nice. Maybe a little stalkery, but nice. “Yeah, well, it’s not like it takes a special set of skills to wear designer clothing.”
“I don’t know about that.”
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
It exhausts me, but in the best way! When I’m really into a book and all systems are go and the words are flowing it’s so energizing! Sometimes I can write like that for hours on end, I love it! It’s only after I stop for the day that the exhaustion comes in – my eyes get tired, sometimes my shoulders will ache (especially if I’ve forgotten to make a few trips to the kitchen or laundry room to work out those kinks!), and I’ll even have trouble holding conversations with people! A few weeks ago, I had one of those writing days, and that evening was a craft night at our church, and I had the hardest time talking to my friends – just because I couldn’t find my words!
“Christmas in a Small Town is a feel-good, Christmas time romance. . .
While their romance was all that is adorable, their relationship’s conflict felt a little lacking. . . . Still, overall this was a very cute story and a nice addition to the series.
It was fun to see the rest of the Slippery Rock gang again; don’t worry, though, this one would also work just fine as a standalone if you haven’t had a chance to read the rest of the series.”
This will come as a complete surprise to all of you, I’m sure, but I’m not completely organized at Christmas. I know! What? Kristina loves her planner and her lists and checking things off the lists! How can she not have an organized Christmas?
Okay, so maybe I do have an organized Christmas – we decorate at a certain time, and we bake at certain times, and I do try to have my shopping done by a certain time….but that is where the organization ends. I have friends that are organized right down to which bough of the tree which ornament goes on. And the ornaments are only certain colors and shapes and sizes.
The idea though, kept nagging at her. What if Granddad wanted to rejuvenate the school? For her time with the trainer in Kansas City, she knew competition dogs were sought after and could sell for high amounts of money. Training fees on top of that. . .
If she could get just one dog ready for competition, she could help her parents rejuvenate Harris Farms. Could have a real reason to stay here rather than return to Kansas City.
Maria: Do you have any special memories of living in a small town yourself, or did you grow up in a big city?
Kristina: I grew up in a very small town — fewer than 2,000 people, 47 people in my graduating class. It was great! There were summer festivals, parades, lots of down time. At the time (my high school years), I always felt like there should be something more, something bigger, but as an adult, I’m very thankful for my small town roots!
Christmas in a Small Town
(Slippery Rock #4)
– US residents only
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Dawn was steadily creeping over the rooftops of the houses as they walked. Toad glanced at her. She was scrawny and her yellow-blonde hair was long and braided, wispy, brittle ends poking out at odd places. She was as plain as a broom with her second-hand clothes. He had been surprised to discover her to be so drab, what with her owning a Spit-Fire (they were common, but still costly) and being such a fluent reader. Then again, Wilson could read so that didn’t say much.
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Maybe their souls really were here together. Somehow, some way—but that couldn’t be possible. She shook herself, trying to shake away the feeling. Believing this was all real would only drive her further down the road to insanity. She was already having trouble getting a grip on reality as it was. She needed to stay grounded. Rational. Outside of here, she had a life to live. Believing in the reality of this Phoenix would make her want to give all that up.
“What are you thinking about?” Phoenix joined her by the edge of the pool and looked up at the skylights.
Telling him the truth would only ruin the moment. “I’m thinking about how we should spend our time here.”
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The Making of Willow North
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Noticing my distraction, Allison took a break from her monologue to turn and follow my gaze. “Who’s the hunk?”
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“Light a mage-fire!” the red coated man ordered.
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The Books You Read
The beast’s life had been forfeit the hour the Prince locked her in the dungeon.
She often dreamed of glittering gems beneath a canopy of starlight and soft silks against satin skin. A perfect wolf moon gleamed in the glass skylight above so silvery beams blended together with the hazy glow of a dozen candelabrum. Joy filled her every step as they danced together, her hand in his, smile lines about his perfect silver eyes. He was like the moonlight and she filled with all the warmth of the sun. His words blurred together in her memory, full of promise and hope until her light died. It was the last moment of her life she could remember and though she could not explain how she knew this, the moment her dreams died.
All dreams die in the damp dim of the dungeon of Castle Bitterhelm.
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What Sort of Monster Are You?
A figure waited on the ledge above him, silent, dark wings still. Hunter could feel her though, the ancient energy recharged like the rest of his world. “I cannot leave them sleeping,” he told her. “The risk is too great.” If Malkyn killed Hunter, if he were not able to return, these new Iron Bound would never be awakened. It would be an eternal wasting away, a thousand-year massacre.
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Becky on Books
