Who Says You Can't Go Home?

 

Who Says You Can't Go Home?

by Andria Henry

 

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

When Toronto party girl Kylie is fired from her perfect job, she's forced to do the one thing she never wanted to do: go home. Returning to her sleepy hometown is her definition of failure. She drags herself back to the lakeside town of Camden with her tail between her legs, and she'll do whatever it takes to get back to the big city.

 

When Derek runs a routine traffic stop on a speeder, the one person he never expects to see in Camden again is Kylie. In fact, he barely recognizes her. She doesn't look like the quiet, sweet girl he had a crush on in high school.

 

Kylie's brother offers her a job back in the city if she can prove she’s changed her ways. She finds the perfect opportunity, but it means working with Derek to save the town’s waterfront. Can she look past their feud and get the job done?

 

Can she avoid falling in love with him and complicating her plans to return to the big city?

 

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EXCERPT

 

“Maybe she’s on the lam from a shady business deal gone bad.” Cate dunked her hands back into the soapy sink to grab another dish.

 

“Really.” Derek took a plate from the dish rack to dry. Maybe he shouldn’t have told his sister about running into Kylie.

 

“Or she had an affair with her boss and needs to hide to raise their love child in peace.”

 

“You watch too much TV.”

 

“Why else would she be in town when it’s not Christmas?”

 

“She’s probably just visiting her parents or something.” Derek put the plate away.

 

“Well did she say anything to you?”

 

“Mostly she apologized for speeding then yelled at me when I gave her the ticket.”

 

“She’s lucky you didn’t throw her in jail.” She flicked dish water at him.

 

“Speeding isn’t exactly an indictable offense.”

 

“I’ve seen you throw folks in the cell for less. Someone endangering the citizens of Camden by driving like that?” She side-eyed him. “Are you going soft?”

 

“What? No.” He took another plate to dry.

 

“Wait, are you still sweet on her? It’s been like ten years.”

 

“Did you just say, ‘sweet on’? Am I eighteen again? No. She seems to be even more of a snob now than she was back in school.”

 

She huffed and fished around in the soapy sink for the cutlery.

 

“Besides she’s so…different. I didn’t even recognize her at first.”

 

“But she looked good, right?” She grinned and bumped her hip against his.

 

“She looked, well, like too much.”

 

“Uh huh.”

A Word With the Author

1.Did you always want to be an author?

 

I always loved writing, in fact my parents kept a few of my earliest “publications”, books I made in Grade 2. I thought for a while that I would be a journalist, but when I got to high school, I had a definite affinity for math and science so I pursued that until becoming a high school teacher. A friend got me to join National Novel Writing Month and I’ve been working on various novels in the decade since. I only just had the “maybe I actually can be an author” realization in 2018. 

 

2.Tell us about the publication of your first book.

 

I was so lucky to find Champagne Book Group to publish my first book. As a small press, the team was available for questions and hand-holding throughout the process. It can be a bit overwhelming to put out a book for the first time. There is a lot that goes into it that I didn’t realize. They helped me polish the book and give it a great cover. My publisher acquired the book in November 2021, and I had a few months to do a pre-edit and get it up to their house standards. After a few rounds of edits, the book was done! Wow, that sounds like that part was easy. It wasn’t, haha. My editor noticed that the entire 4^th act of the book didn’t make sense for my characters and helped me find an ending that worked better for them. So there was some rewriting and then a whole lot of trimming and fixing. But I’m so happy with the result! 

 

By absolute magic, my book released on Canada’s Victoria Day weekend, which is the weekend of the book’s climax. I couldn’t have wished for better timing.

3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in?

 

I love Emily Henry! Her writing is so fun and witty and swoony. I will absolutely admit to reading her books with post-its handy to study her craft. I would love to write like her someday. If you haven’t read her yet, I highly recommend.

4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst?

 

The best part of being an author is when someone tells me that they read my book and it made them happy. This particular series is all about family, friends, humour, and happily ever afters. So hearing that it made someone happy and feel good is a huge win for me. Someone recently messaged me to say that they were in a reading slump, but they picked up my book and it was so much fun that it broke their slump. What higher praise is there than that?

 

The worst part of being an author is the unknown. Once a book is out in the world you have zero control over how it will be received. Will people love it? Will they hate it? Did I mess up in some horrible way? So I’m always learning and working to keep doing better. It’s the only way to combat those sinking feelings of potential failure.

5.What are you working on now?

 

Right now, I’m drafting Book 2 of the Camden Lake series and I’m so excited about it. I don’t mean to brag, BUT I think it’s even funnier and swoonier than Who Says You Can’t Go Home. But also, the female main character is based much more on myself this time, as she struggles with her ADHD, and so it feels like a personal mission of mine to give her the happiest of endings. And folks absolutely loved two of my side characters from Book 1 (Forrest and Edna, the adorable elderly couple that befriend Kylie) and so I’ve found away to have them hang around more for Book 2 and I’m so glad I did. They are some of my favourite characters. 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Andria Henry is the author of adult sweet romance and romantic comedy, as well as young adult and middle grade science fiction and fantasy. She firmly believes that coffee is a food group, the holiday season starts on November 1st, and that stories are our most important resource. She lives with her husband, kids, and furkids in Hamilton, Ontario.

 

https:/www.andriahenry.ca

https://twitter.com/andriaontherun

https://www.facebook.com/andriahenryauthor

https://www.pinterest.ca/andriaontherun/_saved/

https://www.instagram.com/andriaontherun/

https://www.goodreads.com/andriaontherun

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

 

Andria Henry will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fletcher: Last Man Standing

                                                     Fletcher: Last Man Standing – Book 7

by Katrina Kylie

 

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GENRE:  Sweet Contemporary Romance

 

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SERIES BLURB:

 

You know who he is... the confirmed bachelor. The fellow who claims no woman will ever tempt him enough to succumb. Cupid will never hit his mark.

 

Well, guess what? We’ve got fourteen feisty heroines who are about to change their minds.

 

 

Series Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZXNJWY5

 

Available Exclusively on KINDLE UNLIMTED

 

 

 

BLURB:

 

Fletcher can set a trap for wolves, grizzlies, and skunks, but can he avoid the wily schemes of a meddling baby sister determined to end his bachelorhood once and for all?

Working for the Forest Service hasn't exactly honed Fletcher's people skills. He's alone eleven months of the year, and the twelfth, well, he yearns for the solitude of his wilderness home. Relationships just aren't high on his priority list, and what sort of woman would go for his type of lifestyle anyway?

Those objections don't matter a whit to Fletcher's younger sister, a dating coach by trade. One by one, Reagan has helped her friends and family members find success with love. When she sets her heart on finding a match for her winsome brother, no one will stand in her way. Despite Fletcher's conviction that bachelorhood is the life for him, can he convince Reagan and remain the last man standing?

 

 

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Book Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09YZ1F24V

 

Available Exclusively on KINDLE UNLIMTED

 

 

EXCERPT

 

Fletcher stooped to pick up the shovel he’d tossed just off the single-track path through the forest earlier.

 

“You know, maybe you oughta take your sister’s advice and jump back into the dating pool. Ladies love a pretty face.”

 

As a professional dating coach, Reagan would be absolutely giddy if Fletcher approached her about dating. Close friend that he was, Curtis took every opportunity to remind him.

 

“This might be news for you, Curt, but not everybody has their sights set on marriage. Meaning me. The fact an obnoxious guy caught the attention of a female is pretty miraculous. Meaning you.”

 

“You don’t know what you’re missing out on, Fletch,” Curtis pressed. “If there’s anything I could say that would get you to pull your head out of the sand and see all the happiness you’re missing out on, tell me what it is. I want you to have what I’ve found with Christine.”

 

“Listen, I can appreciate your advice, but this is all I need.” Fletcher swept an all-encompassing hand over their scenic mountain surroundings. “I’ll be your best man but that’s as close as I’ll ever get to the altar.”

 

Turning to resume his work digging up jagged rocks from the path, Fletcher could feel his friend’s gaze on his back. “Famous last words,” Curtis grumbled.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Katrina Kylie is a Utah, USA native who loves all things horses, chocolate, and romance. She and her husband claim four rambunctious kids, a puppy, and six chickens. You can expect a sweet happily-ever-after from each of her books.

 

Katrina also writes sweet historical romance under her real name, Krystal M. Anderson.

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkatrina.kyle.9

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Katrina-Kylie/e/B08L5PVV4V

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katrina-kyle

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION  

The authors will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn host via Rafflecopter. 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beyond the Book: Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

Looking at the photos on your phone (or camera, if you still use one), what place or type of event do you tend to photograph most often? 

I have to confess that I haven’t taken many pictures lately. I see people snapping shots all the time, but unless it’s something really nice I usually just let it go. One reason for this may be the fact that the camera on my phone works well, but it’s really hard to retrieve the pictures. I’ve had several people look at it, and no one can figure it out. I can look at them on my phone, but it’s super hard to share them with others.

I expected that most of the pictures would be of my grandchildren, and several years ago that was true. However, as time passed I’ve taken fewer pictures of them unless it’s in a special context such as a holiday. 

I do take lots of pictures on vacation. Some of them turn out well. I’ve watched our family grow and age just by looking at vacation pictures. I do promise that there will never be another vacation picture of me in a bathing suit, though. 

I have lots of pictures of my pets. They’re all so cute, and when they do something funny or sweet I grab for my phone. You can’t tell a dog or cat to stay still so I miss a lot of nice shots.

If you go just by quantity I think I’ve taken more pictures of the holidays than anything else. With everybody together I make sure to take plenty of pictures. I like to take pictures of my Christmas decorations too. I do more for Christmas than any other holiday. I used to decorate for all of them, but it’s just too hard to do now. That’s a shame because I have some beautiful Easter decorations. 

What about you? Do you take lots of pictures during the holidays?

365 Days of Gratitude Journal

 

365 Days of Gratitude Journal

by Mariëlle S. Smith

 

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GENRE:   Non-fiction; self-help

 

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BLURB:

 

*** Now available in black-and-white AND full colour! ***

‘The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.’ Mary Davis

Gratitude is not just about ATTITUDE.

Gratitude is about PRACTICE.

But how do you create a gratitude practice that sticks?

After the success of her first 365 Days of Gratitude Journal, writing coach Mariëlle S. Smith brings you Volume 2. Same journal but with an entirely different look!

After years of barely surviving her own emotional minefield, Mariëlle discovered the transformative power of practising gratitude. But, like no one else, she knows that cultivating an attitude of gratitude is easier said than done.

365 Days of Gratitude, Vol. 2 is an undated, guided journal. Complete with inspiring quotes, daily prompts, and recurring check-ins, it was designed to help you create a sustainable gratitude practice too.

Commit to the life-changing power of gratitude today and order your copy now!

 

 

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EXCERPT

 

I’m not here to sell you on gratitude. There are many articles and research papers I could be citing to convince you just how great practising gratitude is for you. I think you’re already aware of that, though. Perhaps you’ve read some of those articles and papers or maybe you just know it somewhere deep down—or not so deep down. 

 

I’m not hooked on gratitude because it works wonders on my blood pressure and promises to help me sleep better. Although it probably does that, too. 

 

I’m hooked on gratitude because it enables me to perceive everything in life as magical again. I’m hooked because I’m not the same person I was since I started practising it. And because I slip and return to being that anxious, burned out, overachieving workaholic as soon as I stray from the gratitude path—which happens far more often than I care to admit.

 

Gratitude is a commitment for life. I created this journal to help you commit and turn your gratitude practice into a sustainable one.

A Word With the Author

1.Did you always want to be an author?

 

Yes, I did, but what has changed since I was younger is that I always dreamed of becoming a full-time author, and that is no longer the case. Aside writing my own books, I edit other authors’ work and I coach authors through their writing struggles. It’s such a rewarding part of my writing life, I don’t ever want to stop doing it. 

2.Tell us about the publication of your first book.

 

The first book I ever published was the anthology Subatomic and Other Stories by & about Bisexuals. It’s a collection of short stories I edited with my then co-author of lesbian sexy romance books. 

 

It was a really fun non-profit project to work on—the digital version of the book is available for free here—and we ended up editing another anthology, Courage is a gift and other stories by and about transgender, non binary and genderqueer people.

 

For both of us, Subatomic was our first published book and it gave us a chance to learn all about publishing, and make some mistakes, before diving in with our own work. 

3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in?

 

The last time you asked me this question, I mentioned Cassandra Clare, because we both write Young Adult fantasy. Another genre I write in is spirituality, and in that genre, another Cassandra is my favourite author: Cassandra Snow. 

 

Cassandra Snow has written an amazing book on the tarot called Queering the Tarot, and an equally brilliant book on witchcraft, Queering Your Craft. As a queer person, I really enjoy how she queers these two practices and makes them more inclusive. 

4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst?

 

The exact same thing I told you in January: 

 

For fiction, the best part is when it all comes together, and for non-fiction, it’s hearing one of my books actually helped someone with their creative process. 

 

The worst part is still that vulnerability that’s part and parcel of said creative process. You put so much of yourself out there when you create, a part of me is always very much ready to make a run for it and hide instead of finishing whatever project I’m working on. 

 

5.What are you working on now?

 

I just finished the sixth draft of the first book in my YA fantasy trilogy and I’ve started on the second book, as well as plotting a YA novel idea that just won’t leave me alone. 

 

For non-fiction, I’m this close to publishing the German translation of 52 Weeks of Writing Vol. I. I’m also preparing a Kickstarter campaign for my next book, which will come with a companion card deck. Both book and deck are all about cultivating your creative courage. If you want to hear more, I suggest following me on Facebook or subscribing to my newsletter, which is where I’ll be sharing any updates. 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Mariëlle S. Smith is a writer, writing coach, and editor. She lives in Cyprus, where she organises private writer's retreats, is inspired 24/7, and feeds more stray cats than she can count.

 

Contact Links

 

Website: https://mswordsmith.nl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mswordsmith

Blog: https://mswordsmith.nl/blog

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18455235.Mari_lle_S_Smith

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

Other(s): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnYOpjmj83mvMM2L348F1w

 

Purchase Links

All purchase links can be found on https://mswordsmith.nl/365daysofgratitude

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DDZ88JF

Deluxe edition Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DDX9NNZ

Barnes & Noble: Black-and-white edition: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/365-days-of-gratitude-vol-2-marielle-s-smith/1141685091  

Deluxe full colour edition: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/365-days-of-gratitude-journal-vol-2-mari-lle-smith/1140370436  

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

 

Mariëlle S. Smith will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday Sample and Weekend Writing Warriors

 Welcome to my blog. Today I'd like to share an excerpt from my all time favorite book Blue 52. On Sunday when you finish here you can go to www.wewriwa.blogspot.com for more excerpts from a talented group of authors. 

Blurb:

First Lady Kills President Lovinggood" 

December 5, 2018 

Thirty years later, Hank Lovinggood embarks on a quest to prove his mother's innocence and punish the killers who took his family from him. Together Hank and lovely physicist Dr. Kathryn Sinclair confront an implacable, twisted, and merciless enemy who'll do whatever it takes to hide the truth forever.

Last Week's Excerpt: 

He saw several men in civilian clothes standing near the backhoe, so he and Senator Lovinggood made their way across the cemetery to speak to them. A fat, hearty man met them and pumped both of their hands. “Good morning, gentlemen,” he said. “My name’s Bert Wheeler. I’m from the attorney general’s office. Can I answer any questions for you before we begin?”

Hank shook his head. Nothing Wheeler can say will make this any easier. He prayed this crazy idea wouldn’t be too much for the senator, who hadn’t said one word since they’d gotten out of the Jaguar.

On second thought, he decided his grandfather could probably handle it better than he could. The senator’s face had paled, yet nothing could hide the eager light dancing in his eyes.

Hank couldn’t help feeling excluded yet again. Seeing me certainly never brought such a look to Grandpa’s face. He thrust the thought away. I didn’t come here to feel sorry for myself.

Today's Excerpt: Hank and the Senator arrive at the Sinclair Mortuary to view the remains of Hank's mother and father. 

The backhoe roared to life and started to dig. Hank stoically thrust his hands into his pockets and stood ramrod straight. He felt like sitting down and crying, but he’d be damned if he would. Nobody ever told any stories about his father whimpering and crying, and he wouldn’t do it either. His father wouldn’t know one way or the other, but he’d know. If he didn’t behave with decorum and restraint, it would haunt him until the day he died.

It seemed to take forever for the first coffin to see the light of day. Hank watched as cemetery workers placed the coffin on a dolly that carried it to the back of a hearse. He had no doubt in his mind that he had just seen his father’s coffin. For some reason he had thought it would be bronze colored, but it wasn’t. It was gray.

Unconsciously, he had moved a few feet toward the hearse. His stomach quivered when he saw the presidential seal emblazoned across the top of the coffin. It was his father, all right.

The Birthday Gift

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Write Now Literary is pleased to be organizing a two-week book tour and $25.00 Amazon Gift Card for The Birthday Gift: Book 1 by Betty Collier. The book tour will run August 15-26, 2022.

 

ISBN: 978-1638718451

 

Genre: inspirational Christian fiction

 

Betty Collier describes herself as a nurse by profession, author by passion, and storyteller by the grace of God. She is a 5x bestselling, 4x award-winning inspirational Christian author. She writes with a purpose, and that is to bring honor and glory to God.

 

Her first book series, "Living Inside the Testimony" is a collection of inspirational nonfiction stories. Betty showcases her gift of storytelling by engulfing her readers from the very beginning and captivating their attention throughout the emotional journeys.

 

In her second book series, "The Birthday Gift", Betty displays her creative storytelling in a surprisingly extraordinary way with her fictional work. She continues to inspire while lifting the words right off the pages to bring her characters to life. Readers will find themselves hoping for the best and dreaming about the characters as if they were members of their own family.

 

Betty also co-authored 2 anthologies with visionary author, Paulette Harper. Both are Amazon #1 bestsellers, "For Such a Time as This" and "The Breaking Point." They feature incredible and inspirational stories from 20 different men and women from all across America.

 

Betty’s fictional work in The Birthday Gift Book Series is included in the John 3:16 Global Placement Mission as commissioned by founder, Terry Gurley. She uses her talent to introduce readers to the greatest gift ever given to mankind. While taking them on intriguing tales of heartbreak and hope, Betty intricately weaves together stories leaving readers in suspense until the very end. What they have in common is they all beautifully deliver the gospel message found in John 3:16.

 

On a personal note, Betty has been married since 1986 to William Collier, the absolute love of her life, after first meeting him in middle school. They are the proud parents of two sons and a daughter-in-love, all of whom reside in Shelby County, TN.

An unexpected knock on the door derails a birthday celebration as Mrs. Williams recalls the mysterious events that prevented her beloved husband from flying back home with their daughter's priceless, life-changing gift he discovered at a flea market in the Middle East. In the opening scene, she learns in a most dramatic fashion that the absolute love of her life was murdered while in route to Los Angeles. Her faith and fortitude are unimaginably tested, but Mrs. Williams ultimately realizes that she possesses the greatest gift inside of her.

 

This Book Excellence Award-Winning Book is an exceptionally thought-provoking and intriguing tale that takes the reader on an emotional journey of profound heartbreak to surprising hope for the future. Although a catastrophic loss occurs, one comes away with a great sense of hopefulness in this increasingly violent world. The author intricately weaves this story together leaving readers in suspense until the very end. Be uplifted and inspired as you discover your own faith while experiencing the gift of a lifetime so cleverly embedded within the pages of this book.

 

 

The next thing I remember hearing is “Code Blue.” It was now pitch-black outside my ICU window at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. I don’t know what happened on that beautiful sunny morning after I opened my front door for the police officer. He was standing there in the last ray of sunshine I would see for quite some time. I guess I could look at the police report or medical records, but what’s the point. I really don’t want to be reminded of the single most horrific day in my entire life. What happened? Why was the police officer talking in slow motion?

 

Bill had been in Israel for thirty-three days. It was time for him to come back home. I had been expecting a phone call from him during his layover at Heathrow. Instead of Bill’s much anticipated call, I got that abominable knock at my front door!

 

Then I heard it again. “Code Blue.”

 

Everything went black. As I reflect on that disastrous day, everything was already black. My world had gone dark and void.

 

From what I’ve been told, I woke up the following morning with no recollection of the previous day. Apparently, those words my ears had refused to allow my mind to process were no less true just because I refused to hear them, let alone accept them. 

 

My heart was broken. I was broken. Life as I once knew it no longer existed. There was no reason to go to the airport. Bill never boarded his connecting flight in London. The only thing at the airport now was his luggage, and there certainly wasn’t any reason for me to go claim that. Well, no reason that I knew of at the time. 

 

 

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Amazon            Barnes & Noble

 

 

 

 

 

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Tour hosted by Write Now Literary