January 1

Mockingjay Love

Loved. Loved. Loved it.

O Say Can You See by LC Lewis

NEW RELEASE!!! HISTORICAL FICTION!!!

Don't you just love the cover! I think I want fireworks on my book cover...though I guess technically these are "rockets red glare" and "bombs bursting in air."

Here's the backcover blurb:

Although the British raids have left Washington a devastated, blackened city, the battered Constitution has held and the presidency has survived! But the struggling government has no home. The British saw to that.

Gone is the Capitol and her magnificent library, the chambers of the Supreme Court, the President’s House, and every relic and document not secreted out of the city.

Next on the list of British prizes—the rebellious port city of Baltimore! A victory here would assure the Americans’ defeat, but a loss would dilute the importance of the destruction of Washington.

But has the raid on Washington stiffened the backs of the Americans? This is the question gnawing at the leaders on both sides.

The Willows women are mourning their absent men—gone to war, or wounded, or captured—as they await the birth of a blessed child.

Mere miles away, attorney Francis Scott Key embarks on a diplomatic mission that will leave an everlasting mark on America. Proving that a pen can be more powerful than a sword, Key records his fears and hopes—the fears and hopes of his embattled people—as he watches the bombardment of Baltimore while detained in the midst of the British fleet.

What changed in this noble man’s pacifist heart, empowering him to pen the powerful anthem, known today as “The Star Spangled Banner,” an epic poem that rallied a shattered nation to rise from its knees to claim the dream of “one nation under God?”

Experience the personal sacrifice of five families placed in the firestorm of the War of 1812, citizen heirs of the sacrifice of the Founding Fathers.

The first three books in the series are:
Volume 1, DARK SKY at DAWN, introduces the complex story of the six lead families--three American, two British, one slave--and the devastating prelude to the war.
Volume 2, TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING, carries readers into the harrowing events at Hampton, Virginia, and illustrates the toll the war takes on civilians--women and children. But through it all, a new tenacity begins to strengthen the young nation's spine as Americans rally to the cause of their nation.
Volume 3, DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT, throws our characters into the attack on Washington and the events that prove the mettle of the the Constitution and the Presidency.
http://www.seagullbook.com/lds-products-594646.html

Written under the name Laurie Lewis, the author's most recent release was in April—a women’s novel titled, “Awakening Avery,” which is currently nominated for a Whitney Award. (http://whitneyawards.com/wordpress/about-the-whitney-awards/)

Where's the line to see Jesus?

The Rogue Shop by Michael Knudsen

"Swear you'll never become a Mormon."

It was more likely I would become a vegan. "Don't be ridiculous, Aunt Jean. I'm not going to become a Mormon."

"Swear it on the Bible."

This backcover blurb hooked me. You know right off something interesting and entertaining's gonna happen. I've been hearing a lot of buzz about this book and I'm thinking it's the perfect curl-up-on-Christmas-afternoon-to-read book!!!!

This is Author Michael Knudsen debut novel (looove the sound of that...say it again...debut novel...debut novel...debut novel...)

More from the back cover: Trying to escape from his Texas Baptist upbringing and a troubled past, Chris Kerry came to Salt Lake City to get an education--and nothing else. But keeping his promise to stay away from the Mormons proves difficult, especially with two cute college girls living across the hall. And when Chris finds a new job at a tuxedo shop, his promise unravels as he discovers new friendships, hidden secrets, and a lost heritage he never imagined he had. The Rogue Shop illuminates how we recognize truth even in the most trying of circumstances. Michael Knudsen's hilarious debut will remind you about the value of faith, family, and friends as Chris learns from his past to move forward into a better future.

"The Rogue Shop stole my heart and expanded my love for fiction… [Its] redemptive message has the power to change, to uplift, and to comfort." –Heather Gardner's Fire & Ice Little Red Reads blog

Go to the author's website here to find purchasing information.

And a shout out for Texas Baptist upbringings--I didn't have one, but most of my friends in high school did.

Finding Rose by Stephanie Humphreys

It's blog tour time for Whitney Nominee Finding Rose by Stephanie Humphreys

Three copies of the book will be given away...maybe to YOU!

Want to win? It's easy. Check out the fabulous reviews and leave a comment telling why you're excited to read Finding Rose. Remember to include your email address. If you tweet about the blog tour, or post about it on your blog or facebook, leave the link in the comments section and you'll receive an additional entry.

Here's a snippet from the back cover all rosy-colored:

"You're tired, Papa." Rose pulled the quilt over his thin shoulders and kissed him on the cheek.

"Think about what I said." He gently squeezed her hand. "I wish you would consider giving Miles a chance."

"Miles! I wish Sean had never brought him here. He's so serious. In all the time he's been here, he's hardly ever smiled. . . . He annoys me and I wish he would go home." Still, Rose couldn't help but think of his gentleness when he cared for her father.

On his deathbed, Rose Sterling's father asks her to consider Miles Crandall as a suitor. Then Rose is sent to live with an uncle in Spring Creek, Montana, far from her carefree life with her family in Utah. Miles is returning to his hometown of Spring Creek to set up a medical practice, so Rose is certain her being sent there is a setup. Yet Miles doesn't seem interested in her, and after Rose falls ill in Montana, he seems content to act as her physician and friend. When Rose captures the attention of Miles's younger, flamboyant brother as well as the town sheriff, Miles retreats even further from any attempt at courtship.

How can Rose honor her father's last wish if Miles doesn't even try to court her? Will she have the courage to put her heart on the line and fight for the one she really loves?

So the question of the hour is...Will Rose honor her father's last wish? Read the book to find out the answer to this and other burning questions. And beware the deathbed requests of all dying parents. Just saying.

+++++

Here's the blog tour dates. Get crack-a-lackin on those comments, folks!

November 22
Tristi Pinkston--Tristi Pinkston
November 23
Alison Palmer--Tangled Words and Dreams
November 24
Taffy Lovell--Taffy's Writing
November 29
Jenn Wilks--Jenn Wilks Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen--The Write Blocks
November 30
Amanda Thomson--Maybe Mandi
December 1
Sheila Staley--Why Not?
Because I Said So
December 2
Valerie Ipson--Valerie Ipson
December 3
Christine Bryant--Day Dreamer

Find purchase information here.