tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5341686115941059532024-03-21T13:58:03.768-05:00Gabrielle Meyer"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.comBlogger318125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-43023142947547229332019-01-01T20:38:00.000-06:002019-01-01T20:38:16.987-06:00A Fresh Story by Laura Frantz—Review<br />
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Filled with all the things we love about Laura’s writing: breathtaking prose, heart-pounding romance, and an epic journey, <i>A</i> <i>Bound</i> <i>Heart</i> is a unique story with equally unique settings.<br />
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I’ve never read another story like this one. From the beautiful Scottish Island of Lark and Magnus’s upbringing, to the new colonies in America and Jamaica, this story spans the globe, yet keeps two hearts bound as one. I especially loved the characters in this story, both main and secondary. Each one is unique and realistic. From the colorful inhabitants of the Scottish island, smuggling goods to stay alive, to the desperate characters onboard the ship, indentured for their crimes, to those in the slave quarters in both America and Jamaica, fighting to stay alive, and the Gentry in Williamsburg, building a new society, there is so much to love about this story. I enjoyed each and every page and didn’t want the tale to end.<br />
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I can’t believe I have to wait another year for Laura’s next novel.Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-73871855714690337302018-12-09T04:00:00.000-06:002018-12-09T04:00:09.999-06:0012 Days of Christmas Giveaway ~ Day 9!<div style="text-align: center;">
On the 9th day of Christmas, my favorite authors gave to me…a chance to win nine books and a $150 Amazon gift card or one-year subscription to Audible!</div>
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Join twelve authors (myself included!) as we celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway. </div>
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Today is stop #9 on the blog tour and look at all these amazing books we're giving away.</div>
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The prizes are building, and today’s winner will receive my recent release, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Victorian-Christmas-Brides-Collection-Christmases-ebook/dp/B07D475RGJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544315749&sr=8-1&keywords=Victorian+Christmas+Brides+Collection">The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection</a>, with my story <i>A Christmas Promise.</i></div>
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As well as ALL of the following:</div>
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An advanced copy of <i>The Secrets of Paper</i> and Ink by <a href="https://www.lindsayharrel.com/">Lindsay Harrel</a></div>
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<i>The Sky Above Us</i> by <a href="http://www.sarahsundin.com/blog/">Sarah Sundin</a></div>
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<i>Where the Fire Falls</i> by <a href="http://karenbarnettbooks.com/">Karen Barnett</a></div>
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<i>My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas</i> by <a href="http://www.ericavetsch.com/">Erica Vetsch</a></div>
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<i>A Sparkle of Silver</i> by <a href="http://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/giveaways">Liz Johnson</a></div>
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<i>Cold Case Christmas</i> by <a href="http://www.jessicarpatch.com/">Jessica R. Patch</a></div>
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<i>Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets</i> by <a href="http://jillkemerer.com/blog/">Jill Kemerer</a></div>
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<i>Christmas with the Cowboy</i> + jingle bell necklace by <a href="https://www.tinaradcliffe.com/">Tina Radcliffe</a></div>
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It’s not too late to enter in the Rafflecopter giveaway below by following some of your favorite authors on social media and signing up for their newsletters. We draw a new winner every day, and on December 12th, we’ll give away a $150 Amazon Gift Card OR a 1-Year Audible Gold Subscription (winner’s choice) in addition to all the other great prizes! You can also get an extra entry every day by tweeting about the giveaway.</div>
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Merry Christmas and good luck!</div>
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Don’t forget to stop by <a href="https://saraella.com/">Sara Ella's</a> blog tomorrow to see what else will be up for grabs this week!</div>
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-319700567057356992018-05-11T08:54:00.001-05:002018-05-11T08:55:06.824-05:00Backcountry Brides - Debra E. MarvinMay is the release month for The Backcountry Brides Novella Collection from Barbour Publishers and we're celebrating! All month long, the authors from the collection will be hosting one another on their blogs to share about different aspects of their stories.<br />
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My blog will be devoted to the Secondary Characters from each novella and to celebrate this fun topic, my second guest is Debra E. Marvin, author of <i>A Heart So Tender</i>.<br />
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Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter Below for a chance to win a fabulous grand prize!</div>
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Before we get to Debra's post, here's a little more about the collection:<br />
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<b>Love on Colonial America’s Frontier</b><br />
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Travel into Colonial America where nine women seek love, but they each know a future husband requires the necessary skills to survive in the backcountry. Living in areas exposed to nature’s ferocity, prone to Indian attack, and cut off from regular supplies, can hearts overcome the dangers to find lasting love?</div>
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<i>A Heart So Tender</i>, by Debra E. Marvin - Secondary Characters</div>
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It’s hard to ignore a secondary character when he’s a bigger-than-life, and ‘real-life’ person. In <i>A Heart So Tender</i>, we meet Sir William Johnson, an important man in Colonial History. He was born in 1815 in County Meath, Ireland, and came as a young man to work for his uncle in what is now New York State. It’s said that his familiarity with mistrust and subjugation—as an Irishman living under English rule—gave him an unusual empathy for all he met. While he was not a religious man, he encouraged all religions to build houses of worship and join in multi-cultural settlements.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir William Johnson</td></tr>
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Johnson set up a trading post and learned the Mohawk language, and by 1744 was appointed Superintendent of Indian affairs for The Crown. He acquired much land and wealth but it was his ability to enlist Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) warriors against the French that helped him land military honors and government favors. He became known as a military hero during the French and Indian War (The Seven Years War), and negotiated the Treaty of Fort Stanwix and others. After the battle of Montreal, Johnson was given a “title” to 100,000 acres of land in the Mohawk Valley.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnson sparing Baron Dieskau's life<br />
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Johnson married (though not in a legal, or church-sanctioned ceremony) Molly Brant, sister of the Mohawk leader Joseph Brant and had children with her. She was not his first wife, but he remained on good terms with his English wife and children even as his new Mohawk family expanded. Later, he was able to find positions of authority and good marriages for most of his offspring.<br />
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Being well-respected among the native people made him an important asset to the British Government. After continued trouble along the frontier, Pontiac’s Rebellion to the west, and an incident called The Massacre at Devil’s Hole, Johnson invited chiefs and warriors from every tribe to come to a great gathering of nations at Fort Niagara in the summer of 1764. Many treaties were signed and he managed to win land along the Niagara River from the Seneca who’d been behind the massacre.<br />
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Unfortunately, subsequent military leaders had much less empathy for the native people and, because of the Haudenosaunee’s history of friendship with the British, they were burned out of their villages across the region, and sent away during the War of Independence.<br />
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The movie <i>The Broken Chain</i> tells the story of Mohawk Leader (and William Johnson’s brother-in-law, Joseph Brant). Actor Pierce Brosnan plays the role of Sir William Johnson, a fascinating character! I enjoy placing “real-life” historical people in my stories, and I hope you enjoy all of the novellas in The Backcountry Brides collection.</div>
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Debra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides, the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. She'd like to live a wee bit closer to her grandchildren, but is thankful that God is in control, that He chooses to bless us despite ourselves and that He has a sense of humor.<br />
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Other than writing light-hearted romances and gritty gothics, she has rather normal obsessions such as fabric, peanut butter, vacations, British dramas, and whatever mystery series she's currently stuck on.<br />
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Click to purchase <a href="https://amzn.to/2GwbyFb">Backcountry Brides</a>.<br />
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Visit Debra on <a href="https://twitter.com/DebraEMarvin">Twitter</a> or her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDebraEMarvin/">Author Facebook Page</a>. </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><b>Your Turn: </b>What movies do you enjoy that are based on real events or people? Some that come to mind for me are </span><i style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Apollo 13</i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">, </span><i style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Lincoln</i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">, </span><i style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Saving Mr. Banks</i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">, </span><i style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Amistad</i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">, and </span><i style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Amazing Grace</i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">, just to name a few.</span></div>
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Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-35515621643709071582018-05-01T09:00:00.000-05:002018-05-01T09:17:33.063-05:00Backcountry Brides -- Secondary CharactersMay is the release month for The Backcountry Brides Novella Collection from Barbour Publishers and we're celebrating! All month long, the authors from the collection will be hosting one another on their blogs to share about different aspects of their stories.<br />
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My blog will be devoted to the Secondary Characters from each novella and to kick off this fun topic, my first guest is Shannon McNear, author of <em>The Counterfeit Tory</em>.<br />
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Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter Below for a chance to win a fabulous grand prize!<br />
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Before we get to Shannon's post, here's a little more about the collection:<br />
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<strong>Love on Colonial America’s Frontier</strong><br />
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Travel into Colonial America where nine women seek love, but they each know a future husband requires the necessary skills to survive in the backcountry. Living in areas exposed to nature’s ferocity, prone to Indian attack, and cut off from regular supplies, can hearts overcome the dangers to find lasting love?<br />
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<em>The Counterfeit Tory</em> by Shannon McNear – Backcountry Brides<br />
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The main secondary characters in The Counterfeit Tory fall clearly into two categories, heroic and villainous. Among the latter are Lizzy’s father, Charles Cunningham, and her brothers, Robert and Richard (Robbie and Dickie), fictional uncle and cousins of the infamous Bloody Bill Cunningham. Ideally a writer should strive to create almost-villains who are more than cardboard cut-outs, to give redeeming qualities even to men guilty of neglect and abuse. I tried with Lizzy’s father and utterly failed. The brothers I painted with a little more sympathy. All three are quite steeped in pride and self-interest, and the father may qualify as a true narcissist. When they fade from the scene near the end of the story, there’s little to miss. <br />
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The heroic Zacharias Elliot, on the other hand, may someday demand his own story. Elliot serves as Jed Wheeler’s contact with the Continental forces while he’s undercover with Cunningham’s company, and readers of my first novella, <em>Defending Truth</em>, may recognize him as the older brother of Micah Elliot, who had turned coat long before the Battle of Kings Mountain and figured so heavily in Micah’s reluctance to return home while questioning his own loyalties. (The son of “good loyalists” choosing to go rebel was no light matter at the time.) It was fun to pull in a briefly mentioned character from one story and give him actual screen time in another. <br />
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Other secondary characters—the townfolk, for instance, and Jed’s fellow company members—are more ambiguous in their honor. Many loyalists served as they did because their sense of justice or religious duty demanded it; so it was with those on the patriot side. Many loyalists chose to extend mercy when the occasion demanded it, while many patriots exacted vengeance nearly as chilling as that of William Cunningham himself. I hope I’ve captured a little of history’s complexities in these brief portraits, but it’s probably more than a little ironic that the more prominent secondary characters are less evenly shaded. <br />
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Click to purchase <a href="https://amzn.to/2GwbyFb">Backcountry Brides</a> </div>
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And the prequel, <a href="https://amzn.to/2GA53S5">The Highwayman</a>, which is now available as a standalone.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl0XhLfruVXyJkbqo6-XKoaTK8wq3mjs9C-P61e-K5-rfysiGmbuVpGCWArRKdXvtBD53ledcj-Z-e22WhQrEEyf1s1NjN4NsE45XXSvaqUkZWuIlgE8zGDxJU3_ewA7kDoDjtYwsUag/s1600/Shannon+McNear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl0XhLfruVXyJkbqo6-XKoaTK8wq3mjs9C-P61e-K5-rfysiGmbuVpGCWArRKdXvtBD53ledcj-Z-e22WhQrEEyf1s1NjN4NsE45XXSvaqUkZWuIlgE8zGDxJU3_ewA7kDoDjtYwsUag/s200/Shannon+McNear.jpg" width="133" /></a>About the Author:<br />
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After more than two decades in the South, Shannon McNear now makes her home on the windy northern plains with her husband, four of their eight children, two German Shepherds, four cats, several chickens, and a noisy flock of guinea fowl. She serves in worship and youth ministry, and has been writing novel-length fiction since age 15. Her first novella, Defending Truth, from A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® nominee. When not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the Dakota prairies.<br />
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/Shannon/Documents/Backcountry%20Brides/Marketing%20&%20blog%20tours/shannonmcnear.com">shannonmcnear.com</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannon-McNear/462336880012">Facebook</a> </div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/shenandoahdawn/">Pinterest </a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6880909.Shannon_McNear">Goodreads</a> </div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/ShannonMcNear">Twitter</a> </div>
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<a href="http://colonialquills.blogspot.com/">Colonial Quills</a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Question for you</strong>: What kind of secondary characters do you enjoy in a story? The villain? The comic relief? The overbearing friend? The confidante? Is there a secondary character from a story that stands out to you?</span> <br />
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-89213540642116982582017-12-03T00:03:00.000-06:002017-12-03T08:46:17.518-06:0012 Days of Christmas Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On the third day of Christmas, my favorite authors gave to me...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJUI-RWEfHJs0ZkyB32ioHAdeDl0BWPFBalH1iogW1RCk7QsHSn5Vz_2GRNiRUV16UM-aHr0Ck8DVt7_xov5poBmwCSNaygWKtaJ5oWiA07d60XG9IFa1o7D_N5crFqQTSiApl2lCa4M/s1600/Twelve+Days+of+Christmas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="581" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJUI-RWEfHJs0ZkyB32ioHAdeDl0BWPFBalH1iogW1RCk7QsHSn5Vz_2GRNiRUV16UM-aHr0Ck8DVt7_xov5poBmwCSNaygWKtaJ5oWiA07d60XG9IFa1o7D_N5crFqQTSiApl2lCa4M/s400/Twelve+Days+of+Christmas.png" width="266" /></a></div>
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Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! Here's how it works:<br />
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Each day, a new prize will be added to the bundle, and a new winner will be selected, until the twelfth day when the final winner receives<i> all</i> the prizes plus a Kindle Fire HD 8! Be sure to check back every day to see what has been added to the giveaway and enter again.<br />
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Today's winner will receive:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE67lFBjeCBCTDQVzXqq02AGwIQALUHy-w-a72pTXCq8pYKYP1Y3ao37v8UNbdXnUSiJ5MpGipEAg6cpS1JSthpaQfC4cnLV5TlQuQqSOwn5GphQZlOEw9JcMo2pev5nk7I-MNNWWJslI/s1600/Gift+of+Twins+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="679" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE67lFBjeCBCTDQVzXqq02AGwIQALUHy-w-a72pTXCq8pYKYP1Y3ao37v8UNbdXnUSiJ5MpGipEAg6cpS1JSthpaQfC4cnLV5TlQuQqSOwn5GphQZlOEw9JcMo2pev5nk7I-MNNWWJslI/s320/Gift+of+Twins+%25282%2529.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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A copy of my brand new release, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Twins-Little-Falls-Legacy-ebook/dp/B06Y11NNM1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512280715&sr=8-1&keywords=the+gift+of+twins+gabrielle+meyer">The Gift of Twins</a></i>, as well as...<br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUFNjrp_SGmfS0GTzrVnaqhFeZ_YB0VpSKG3-SXasgemKfyD9GW7UGX2ev9MRNz6k_IJk4cwKWIelkzftSEoQJF2qmCFomXS0WdKg9_l6wnCZc7FRyVM2sJSlKzyfdaoCdi71se7ybgg/s1600/The-Ranchers-Mistletoe-Bride-Full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUFNjrp_SGmfS0GTzrVnaqhFeZ_YB0VpSKG3-SXasgemKfyD9GW7UGX2ev9MRNz6k_IJk4cwKWIelkzftSEoQJF2qmCFomXS0WdKg9_l6wnCZc7FRyVM2sJSlKzyfdaoCdi71se7ybgg/s320/The-Ranchers-Mistletoe-Bride-Full.jpg" width="202" /></a></i></div>
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<a href="https://jillkemerer.com/books/the-ranchers-mistletoe-bride/">The Rancher’s Mistletoe Bride</a></i> by Jill Kemerer<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtjo-M8JSLC9lrFJHX8gg-bWM9AF13IJmDccopz-wIIT_ahoAg4LoutGcDVDXgW_6XIpbXWsV_2cNDGJV-2ROZd7MYPx3pTfeXbHd-Offu_puF-MHNHzEbhTGp8nhMZBD4xV3A4GgSVw/s1600/51Ca6TysK1L._SX314_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtjo-M8JSLC9lrFJHX8gg-bWM9AF13IJmDccopz-wIIT_ahoAg4LoutGcDVDXgW_6XIpbXWsV_2cNDGJV-2ROZd7MYPx3pTfeXbHd-Offu_puF-MHNHzEbhTGp8nhMZBD4xV3A4GgSVw/s320/51Ca6TysK1L._SX314_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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AND <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Captive-Men-Valor-Johnson/dp/0373457375/">Christmas Captive</a></i>, by Liz Johnson.</div>
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Tomorrow's winner will receive all of these books, as well as another prize from <a href="http://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/">Liz Johnson</a>, so be sure to stop by her blog! </div>
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Don't forget to enter in the Rafflecopter giveaway below by following some of your favorite authors on social media and signing up for their newsletters. And remember, we draw a new winner every day. On December 12th, we’ll give away a Kindle Fire HD 8.<br />
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<b>Your Turn: What are your favorite ways to enjoy the Christmas season? Do you enjoy watching movies, baking cookies, sending out cards, decorating the Christmas tree, or all of the above?</b></div>
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Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-29289309245890758492017-03-21T12:38:00.000-05:002017-04-02T19:38:07.731-05:00My Boys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's fun to use real people as inspiration for the characters in my novels. My upcoming Christmas novel with Love Inspired Historical has a set of fraternal twins. I used my own twins as templates, from their eye and hair color, to their personalities. I tried to imagine how they might react if they were placed in the same situations as the twins in my story. By using real people as inspiration for fictional characters, I hope to bring the story to life in a way that resonates with my readers.</div>
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The character of Zebulun Trask is inspired by my older twin. He's sweet, silly, and compassionate. </div>
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The character of Levi Trask is inspired by my second twin. He's curious, smart, and likes to be in control at all times.<br />
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The story is titled: The Gift of Twins. It releases with LIH in December, 2017.Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-40713115637192248112017-01-20T00:21:00.001-06:002017-01-20T00:46:58.973-06:00A Moonbow Night, by Laura Frantz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are some books that read like a fast food meal, quick and easy, with little thought. Some read like a decadent dessert, rich, filling, and sweet. Others are like a snack to be read in little bits, as time allows or when you're bored. Some are like a family meal, creating good memories, lots of laughter, and heartfelt moments. Still, there are others, like<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Moonbow-Night-Laura-Frantz/dp/0800726626/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1484894757&sr=1-1"> <i>A Moonbow Night</i></a>, that read like a six course meal which should be savored, unhurried, purposeful, and satisfying to the very end.</div>
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I just closed the pages of <i>A Moonbow Night</i> and my heart is full of Kentucke, Boones, Indians, settlers, friends gained, friends lost, breathless kisses, enduring love, betwixt and betimes, and a beguiling moonbow. What a stunning tale Laura Frantz has spun. With each scene, each character, each backstory crumb, the gossamer threads are woven together to make a tapestry so intricate and so beautiful, it's truly a work of art.<br />
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Laura's passion for Kentucky is breathed into the very essence of her characters and storyworld. My own desire to see Kentucky has increased tenfold, though I feel as if I've been there and it has become a part of me. She has taken my preconceived ideas of Kentucky and turned them inside out, teaching me about the history that shaped the state and country and the men and women who sacrificed everything to settle the land.</div>
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The story is full of historical references, well-researched details, and breathtaking prose. Several times I stopped just to enjoy a sentence or capture a feeling. The romance grows gently as it changes the hero and heroine, drawing them out of their brokenness and into a place of healing. Some scenes are so powerful, they will leave your heart beating a little harder and make you eager for the next.<br />
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I loved reading this story and experiencing a piece of history I knew little about. When I came to the end, I was sad to say goodbye, but thankful I had been invited on the journey.</div>
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Thank you to Laura for another adventure, another unforgettable hero, and another timeless love story tucked inside my heart.</div>
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<b>About the Story:</b></div>
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After fleeing Virginia, Temperance Tucker and her family established an inn along the Shawnee River. It's a welcome way station for settlers and frontiersmen traveling through the wild Cumberland region of Kentucke--men like Sion Morgan, a Virginia surveyor who arrives at the inn with his crew looking for an experienced guide. When his guide appears, Sion balks. He certainly didn't expect a woman. But it is not long before he must admit that Tempe's skill in the wilderness rivals his own. Still, the tenuous tie they are forming is put to the test as they encounter danger after danger and must rely on each other.</div>
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With her signature sweeping style and ability to bring the distant past to vivid life, Laura Frantz beckons readers to join her in a land of Indian ambushes, conflicting loyalties, and a tentative love that meanders like a cool mountain stream.<br />
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<b>About the Author:</b></div>
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Award-winning author Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Frantz lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.</div>
Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-46294083367074256892016-12-03T00:00:00.000-06:002016-12-03T23:51:32.895-06:00On the Fourth Day of Christmas...🎜🎜On the fourth day of Christmas, my favorite author gave to me...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL6KXHrb7NOAx3mnl9BTxGVkkob7jdKRYCUxyovDK-RV78425EdyQ0i2G78DcS_LzGmCdSO9axbixvOS-EqfE86jKxkAmle3Bemsb8BCYhMhhWbB4omxKwyCVmp2rHB7PEgF0Rql4O_k/s1600/51yGsyQrxKL._SX314_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL6KXHrb7NOAx3mnl9BTxGVkkob7jdKRYCUxyovDK-RV78425EdyQ0i2G78DcS_LzGmCdSO9axbixvOS-EqfE86jKxkAmle3Bemsb8BCYhMhhWbB4omxKwyCVmp2rHB7PEgF0Rql4O_k/s320/51yGsyQrxKL._SX314_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
A copy of <i>A Family Arrangement...</i>that has a tree...on the cover...🎜🎜<br />
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I'm definitely not a singer, or a lyricist. Thankfully you don't have to listen to us sing to enter this amazing Christmas giveaway! Join me and nine other authors as we celebrate Christmas with the <b>12 Days of Christmas Giveaway</b>! We're giving away 78 prizes to 12 winners--and one of them could be you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr89ifkxeppqtgC3JkY-a_EQe6qYa7PytObagn84hW4YGz1YSqezZNxM7Mx3bHZsfiUFPHcyvr6XGxK0D44cweQglOXVo1Mjc7iVrLRpLz_nzSyl0axCzUPPzNUKABK6hKVpwrHK5Y84/s1600/A-Blog-12-Days-Graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr89ifkxeppqtgC3JkY-a_EQe6qYa7PytObagn84hW4YGz1YSqezZNxM7Mx3bHZsfiUFPHcyvr6XGxK0D44cweQglOXVo1Mjc7iVrLRpLz_nzSyl0axCzUPPzNUKABK6hKVpwrHK5Y84/s320/A-Blog-12-Days-Graphic.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here’s how it works:<br />
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We’ll randomly select a winner every day for the first twelve days of December. Each day the prize builds with another book or book-related goody.<br />
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On the first day of Christmas your authors gave to you...<br />
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<a href="http://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/12-days-of-christmas-giveaway-day-1/"><i>Hazardous Holiday</i>, by Liz Johnson</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeXB3OS25cOxvpcLD4CRQePhwdoWm_kthJ-PiEu_4tDShRKSkYIEwnFsAI_q4JdBjUj9FVaKJeitNVNgREJv1R4nmuMhadUrXxiPLClcJClhQbJqOY9W1Pi265Hm2cvMpf0JPKl92Ivc/s1600/Screen-Shot-2016-12-02-at-7.54.41-AM-188x300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeXB3OS25cOxvpcLD4CRQePhwdoWm_kthJ-PiEu_4tDShRKSkYIEwnFsAI_q4JdBjUj9FVaKJeitNVNgREJv1R4nmuMhadUrXxiPLClcJClhQbJqOY9W1Pi265Hm2cvMpf0JPKl92Ivc/s1600/Screen-Shot-2016-12-02-at-7.54.41-AM-188x300.png" /></a></div>
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On the second day of Christmas, your authors gave to you...</div>
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<a href="http://www.sherrykyle.com/12-days-christmas-giveaway-day-2/">An audiobook of Watercolor Dreams by Sherry Kyle</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL1F3ZdSoP3Rud61iv4Q7b91skHMWhx6__XmkcaZgaBpVH1ag8N29rGDfrYzvw0ashYlelXoEuDuXh372NCW1UL7wtT39HE_zt95R79V8km-NJlHTtPyt7IQDBPX5xDMJXltyZJLYg5g/s1600/Watercolor-Dreams-Audible-cover-300x300.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL1F3ZdSoP3Rud61iv4Q7b91skHMWhx6__XmkcaZgaBpVH1ag8N29rGDfrYzvw0ashYlelXoEuDuXh372NCW1UL7wtT39HE_zt95R79V8km-NJlHTtPyt7IQDBPX5xDMJXltyZJLYg5g/s1600/Watercolor-Dreams-Audible-cover-300x300.jpeg" /></a></div>
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On the third day of Christmas, your authors gave to you...</div>
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<a href="http://www.jessicarpatch.com/2016/12/on-3rd-day-of-christmas.html"><i>Concealed Identity</i>, by Jessica R. Patch</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fPkKA3JpiUFjUfQ_Nrt4211l3DikIVRHBZIupL_RE8CAcadnldk4ctSCwoAPFbavgrgcO1Id-wJ1NjCcHvA0W7-o-9xeYyIOJBdzj2C0SzoCrgUUqB1Kqb-yQUmBtjDImQAxnviAEHA/s1600/concealed+identity+front+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fPkKA3JpiUFjUfQ_Nrt4211l3DikIVRHBZIupL_RE8CAcadnldk4ctSCwoAPFbavgrgcO1Id-wJ1NjCcHvA0W7-o-9xeYyIOJBdzj2C0SzoCrgUUqB1Kqb-yQUmBtjDImQAxnviAEHA/s320/concealed+identity+front+cover.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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On the fourth day of Christmas, your authors gave to you...</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Family-Arrangement-Little-Falls-Legacy/dp/0373283881/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480830481&sr=8-1&keywords=a+family+arrangement"><i>A Family Arrangement</i>, by Gabrielle Meyer</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthmm58EO2vF-biVhnj9wxaVMK31LfQTqOvQYhH2Ld1KqQUiSgdrEs_675Y2TJYBSmdv9m_0IAWRfpoOEopGE71GXRaQAPkQooTzyG4zvMgeKL7wRE1NzRt_5BgXU4q4yLISiHU5xo_gQ/s1600/51yGsyQrxKL._SX314_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthmm58EO2vF-biVhnj9wxaVMK31LfQTqOvQYhH2Ld1KqQUiSgdrEs_675Y2TJYBSmdv9m_0IAWRfpoOEopGE71GXRaQAPkQooTzyG4zvMgeKL7wRE1NzRt_5BgXU4q4yLISiHU5xo_gQ/s320/51yGsyQrxKL._SX314_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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Abram Cooper has ten months to turn rough Minnesota country into a vibrant town, or his sister-in-law will take his three sons back to Iowa with his blessing. Until then, Charlotte Lee has agreed to keep house and help raise his children as part of their bargain. But can the single father fulfill Charlotte's requirements in time to make sure that she and his boys don't leave—and take his heart with them? <br />
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Charlotte is convinced that the wilderness is no place to raise her nephews. But as she watches the community slowly develop, she sees that Abram just might be able to make it blossom. With three little matchmakers bringing her and Abram together, Little Falls could become not just a flourishing town, but the perfect home for their patchwork family.<br />
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🎄🎄🎄🎄</div>
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Enter the Rafflecopter below by following some of your favorite authors on social media and signing up for their newsletters. Every entry carries over–so the sooner you enter, the more chances you have to win. So check back every day until the 12th of December to try and win one of the many awesome prizes.</div>
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On Monday, December 5th be sure to visit <a href="http://onthewritepath.blogspot.com/">Author Erica Vetsch</a> to see what she'll add to the prize for the fifth day of Christmas!</div>
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<b>My questions for you: Do you have your Christmas tree up? Is it real or artificial? Do you have any fun traditions focusing on your tree?</b><br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="77d680ac7" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/77d680ac7/" id="rcwidget_i7ppz49i" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-33712028046357265082016-12-01T08:50:00.000-06:002016-12-01T08:52:48.900-06:00Several Ways to Win!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPFKfYwSCo-93ozSMyh8SPwo4JNFh0QwuP0QuEo1rqWo8erbuOpbv_xfrz_IfId4f_6OoAMi-yshrMzeDwl_imrJP5XQaSa5mEkVgcYPb3vgY-9ttMUhVwb90eZfaTlnNXw7dcO6ChTo/s1600/Lily+%2526+Kurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPFKfYwSCo-93ozSMyh8SPwo4JNFh0QwuP0QuEo1rqWo8erbuOpbv_xfrz_IfId4f_6OoAMi-yshrMzeDwl_imrJP5XQaSa5mEkVgcYPb3vgY-9ttMUhVwb90eZfaTlnNXw7dcO6ChTo/s400/Lily+%2526+Kurt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Today is a big day for me! I have two new books releasing in December. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Family-Arrangement-Little-Falls-Legacy/dp/0373283881/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480603894&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Family+Arrangement">A Family Arrangement</a></i> from Love Inspired Historical, and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Brides-Texans-Romance-Collection/dp/1634099656/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480603942&sr=8-1&keywords=seven+brides+for+seven+texans">Seven Brides for Seven Texans</a></i> from Barbour.</div>
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There are so many promotions going on, I can hardly keep them all straight! I've teamed up with several authors to bring you multiple ways to win my books, as well as dozens of others. We're also giving away a loaded Kindle Fire, jewelry, clothing, calendars, food and so much more! And it's just in time for Christmas! All these things would make wonderful gifts for you or your loved ones.</div>
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Here are all the ways to win! </div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/654979438016798/">Release Party happening on Thursday, December 1st from 3-5:30 pm EST.</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29633324-seven-brides-for-seven-texans-romance-collection">Goodreads Giveaway</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdv4YNEoC_wZOZQOKYUYX6TUorTctpGPwZt-p7IBxRLxQ4EUJy0-kgrBeVz5RKgz5qong6hN2a5bs3N3jbSAywuCy3gphdOSGHbuqS9_yeD_fKhCqQJZop7sNby3KcTuHDV5j1_Kmb2M/s1600/Lily+%2526+Kurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdv4YNEoC_wZOZQOKYUYX6TUorTctpGPwZt-p7IBxRLxQ4EUJy0-kgrBeVz5RKgz5qong6hN2a5bs3N3jbSAywuCy3gphdOSGHbuqS9_yeD_fKhCqQJZop7sNby3KcTuHDV5j1_Kmb2M/s400/Lily+%2526+Kurt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://coffeecupsandcamisoles.blogspot.com/2016/12/release-day-fun.html?showComment=1480601876834#c120107984392652671">Giveaway on Coffee Cups & Camisoles </a></div>
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<a href="http://7bridesfor7texans.blogspot.com/2016/12/release-day.html">Loaded Kindle Fire from the Authors of Seven Brides for Seven Texans</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/12-days-of-christmas-giveaway-day-1/">12 Days, 12 Giveaways, 12 Winners!</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/697874900382007/">Colonial Quills Facebook Party Friday, December 2, 6-8:30 pm EST</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/550268678511769/">Love Inspired Christmas Party Tuesday, December 6, 4-9:00 pm EST</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs73WakyfWQqUXXue_I3daY0gaiC9n9bO3iUvvYazHE00vmXx0GxqGZvCnbasrRHmoKVzEmEpjO6nBoWmXA3U4QqKOIkU8859_8zyk_rMEubbehJ9rtrGaIN2SKVe9TR2zb_kLKKfQc8/s1600/15036684_1159299187492490_41314918872869049_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs73WakyfWQqUXXue_I3daY0gaiC9n9bO3iUvvYazHE00vmXx0GxqGZvCnbasrRHmoKVzEmEpjO6nBoWmXA3U4QqKOIkU8859_8zyk_rMEubbehJ9rtrGaIN2SKVe9TR2zb_kLKKfQc8/s400/15036684_1159299187492490_41314918872869049_n.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1174766775944847/">If you're local, I will be at Good Book & Gift in Little Falls on</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1174766775944847/">Saturday, December 3rd from 10 am - 2 pm signing books! I'll</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1174766775944847/">also be at Bethany Book & Gift in Baxter/Brainerd signing books</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1174766775944847/">on Saturday, December 17th.</a></div>
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<b>I'd love to hear from you! Have you started Christmas shopping yet? Have you finished? Do you enjoy receiving books for Christmas? Do you give books as gifts?</b></div>
Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-39456323914240580452016-11-01T12:51:00.000-05:002016-11-01T12:51:00.665-05:00Winner of Book Club Giveaway Package!Thank you to everyone who participated in my book club giveaway! It was fun to connect with new readers and to see some of my old favorites, as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzT8seeuf8UvLyOrNVPx1OYrTovN1avgdA_HaO4x_NH3T4OU8uIUP7GUNXv3VkPOOKVkYPzVxzqToEyn0A75NSLaKfQMDRI0Tlfe4bNrHo01xbxq1ZFoXYAtRDjLrSU7OWB6ad4BO0Mc/s1600/Book+Club+Giveaway3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzT8seeuf8UvLyOrNVPx1OYrTovN1avgdA_HaO4x_NH3T4OU8uIUP7GUNXv3VkPOOKVkYPzVxzqToEyn0A75NSLaKfQMDRI0Tlfe4bNrHo01xbxq1ZFoXYAtRDjLrSU7OWB6ad4BO0Mc/s320/Book+Club+Giveaway3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have a winner! Rafflecopter chose <span style="font-size: large;">Melissa Henderson</span> as the winner of the package! Congratulations, Melissa. I'll send everything out to you soon.<br />
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For those who didn't win, don't fret! There will be other ways to win copies of <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Family-Arrangement-Little-Falls-Legacy/dp/0373283881/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478022614&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Family+Arrangement">A Family Arrangement</a></em> as the release date draws near.<br />
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Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to be informed of upcoming releases, as well as giveaways, behind the scenes information and so much more.Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-80735476968684540052016-10-01T00:00:00.000-05:002016-10-01T00:00:09.518-05:00Book Club Package Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUWGfLWH8ujAhfBRI1XdjS4napwlfQAHbnVhE5RpfD03qSNBjWPXNnjzgCohGU7w47ChU9ZEZOqQNIomfBDAPcwB6Nc-h6Ytnita_NcpEzj312isEp8DYvYNtfOnGkjBOBBMlQbmW7yY/s1600/Book+Club+Giveaway3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUWGfLWH8ujAhfBRI1XdjS4napwlfQAHbnVhE5RpfD03qSNBjWPXNnjzgCohGU7w47ChU9ZEZOqQNIomfBDAPcwB6Nc-h6Ytnita_NcpEzj312isEp8DYvYNtfOnGkjBOBBMlQbmW7yY/s320/Book+Club+Giveaway3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you belong to a book club? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you looking for a great book to read with friends?</span> </div>
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My newest novel, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Family-Arrangement-Little-Falls-Legacy/dp/0373283881/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475253683&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Family+Arrangement">A Family Arrangement</a></em>, releases in December with Harlequin's Love Inspired Historical and I'd love to share the story with your book club.* <br />
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<strong>Here's what the package will include:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Up to 10 free copies of <em>A Family Arrangement</em></li>
<li>$50 Visa gift card for your favorite book club treats</li>
<li>Discussion questions</li>
<li>Behind the scenes look at the history that inspired the story</li>
<li>And a chance to chat with me in person or via Skype during the meeting</li>
</ul>
<strong>Here's how to enter:</strong> <br />
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1. Sign up for my newsletter (in the box on the right)<br />
2. Fill out the Rafflecopter below<br />
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That's it! To increase your chances to win, have each book club member enter the drawing.<br />
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*If you don't have a book club, but you'd like to get some of your friends together to read and discuss <em>A Family Arrangement</em>, that's fine, too! Just let me know in the comments.<br />
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<strong>I'll pick a winner on Tuesday, November 1st and announce it on my blog.</strong> </div>
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<strong>About the Book:</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSPMRDaqslcozxpQP0xBs6ByANI25bHZE8VwpneYr22Edbs96wqAGVsZjDOVqHLlfEfYauZrfy_HYTggWOfb3AMfPfAdkY5vwiWxxLuWIUPugpPEqoigdDP_0Hz_9Ou5qEWSAvevH_4s/s1600/A+Family+Arrangement+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSPMRDaqslcozxpQP0xBs6ByANI25bHZE8VwpneYr22Edbs96wqAGVsZjDOVqHLlfEfYauZrfy_HYTggWOfb3AMfPfAdkY5vwiWxxLuWIUPugpPEqoigdDP_0Hz_9Ou5qEWSAvevH_4s/s320/A+Family+Arrangement+Final.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<em><b>Makeshift Family</b></em><em><b> </b></em><br />
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Abram Cooper has ten months to turn rough Minnesota country into a vibrant town, or his sister-in-law will take his three sons back to Iowa with his blessing. Until then, Charlotte Lee has agreed to keep house and help raise his children as part of their bargain. But can the single father fulfill Charlotte's requirements in time to make sure that she and his boys don't leave—and take his heart with them?<br />
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Charlotte is convinced that the wilderness is no place to raise her nephews. But as she watches the community slowly develop, she sees that Abram just might be able to make it blossom. With three little matchmakers bringing her and Abram together, Little Falls could become not just a flourishing town, but the perfect home for their patchwork family.<br />
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<strong>About the Author:</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzVs6wujXdJNmhP8ChHAG8G5E3dLdLY2RYr486DlD-9BAEZENrrJBV7D_K97gwFrAhXRQshxguEKwHMxVeeaa3hyTbKX42IfPoSMXQ871l1m6m7Esm5Q2mdHFlRhMmtWVwqzjvaGn_Po/s1600/Gabrielle+Meyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzVs6wujXdJNmhP8ChHAG8G5E3dLdLY2RYr486DlD-9BAEZENrrJBV7D_K97gwFrAhXRQshxguEKwHMxVeeaa3hyTbKX42IfPoSMXQ871l1m6m7Esm5Q2mdHFlRhMmtWVwqzjvaGn_Po/s200/Gabrielle+Meyer.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
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Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people and events. </div>
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Other books by Gabrielle</div>
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<em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Most-Eligible-Bachelor-Romance-Collection-ebook/dp/B00WAULBEW/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection</a></em></div>
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<em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Convenient-Bride-Collection-Partnerships-Necessity-ebook/dp/B0106XG6VC/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">The Convenient Bride Collection</a></em></div>
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<em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Making-Love-Inspired-Historical-ebook/dp/B01CNOK92E/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">A Mother in the Making</a></em></div>
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Coming Soon</div>
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<em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Brides-Texans-Romance-Collection/dp/1634099656/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Seven Brides for Seven Texans Romance Collection</a></em></div>
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<em>Of Rags and Riches Romance Collection</em></div>
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*US Citizens only, please.</div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="676fb10e34" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/676fb10e34/" id="rcwidget_h8a53dqs" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-8272750699870588532016-09-28T10:23:00.000-05:002016-09-28T13:17:51.952-05:00Newton & Polly, by Jody HedlundIt's no secret that I'm a big fan of <a href="http://jodyhedlund.com/">Jody Hedlund's</a> writing. Here are my reviews for <a href="http://gabrielle-meyer.blogspot.com/2012/09/unending-devotion-book-review.html"><em>Unending Devotion</em></a>, <a href="http://gabrielle-meyer.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-noble-groom-by-jody-hedlund.html"><em>A Noble Groom</em></a>, <a href="http://gabrielle-meyer.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-book-review-rebellious-heart.html"><em>Rebellious Heart</em></a>, and <a href="http://gabrielle-meyer.blogspot.com/2014/07/two-books-reviews.html"><em>Captured by Love</em></a>.<br />
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I love Jody's storytelling ability. Her words are effortless to read, the love story flows naturally, and the conflict is so intricately woven into the story, it feels authentic and realistic. To date, my favorite of Hedlund's stories are the ones inspired by real couples from history, with <em>Rebellious Heart</em> at the forefront (the story was inspired by John and Abigail Adams).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCzJ1go2aHr9kSwG3jRJfGxPuaIYJpo7X3RXNxeky_hlZ6UtbiFawKI0L2EgHPHlDLofd5dzwl574hP__3LK5xxrh3BY8PjcKGyyz-0jtULP658MybZgW8uaJ8qsdcof15JMnJ51lC8k/s1600/Newton-Polly_r2_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCzJ1go2aHr9kSwG3jRJfGxPuaIYJpo7X3RXNxeky_hlZ6UtbiFawKI0L2EgHPHlDLofd5dzwl574hP__3LK5xxrh3BY8PjcKGyyz-0jtULP658MybZgW8uaJ8qsdcof15JMnJ51lC8k/s320/Newton-Polly_r2_04.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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This week I picked up <em><a href="http://jodyhedlund.com/books/newton-and-polly-a-novel-of-amazing-grace">Newton & Polly, A Novel of Amazing Grace</a></em>. The story is inspired by the true love story of John Newton & Polly Catlett. I made the mistake of "just peeking inside" when the book arrived at my house. I'm on a tight deadline and had told myself I couldn't read it until my story is written, but <em>Newton & Polly</em> grabbed my attention and I couldn't stop reading. Literally, last night at about 10 p.m. I told myself I'd just read a couple chapters before bed. I became so engrossed in the book, I stayed up until 3 a.m. to finish it! I was shocked when I rolled over and looked at the clock. <br />
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Despite the fact that I only had four hours of sleep last night, I'm not disappointed that I stayed up to finish the story. There were several things I loved about <em>Newton & Polly</em>. First, it's inspired by a true story--and it's an incredible one at that. I knew a little about John Newton, but I had no idea how deep his tale of redemption went. The ending is so worth the wait. God's amazing grace met John Newton and the world was never the same. He went on to write the most powerful hymn of all time, which also happens to be my personal favorite. Second, the attention to detail in Jody's book was masterful, without being cumbersome. I felt everything these characters felt. I lived through all the toils they endured. It was almost exhausting, but in a heart-pounding kind of way. Third, the emotional depth to this story is remarkable. Not only because it's John & Polly Newton's story, but because Jody does a superb job of bringing it to life and helping us understand how John could continue to make the decisions he made--and see how truly powerful his redemption was.<br />
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This is an excellent book. I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves romance, history, and the story of God's unending love.<br />
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About the Book:<br />
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<strong>Amazing grace! How sweet the sound </strong><b>that saved a wretch like me. </b><br />
<b>I once was lost, but now am found…</b><br />
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Now remembered as the author of the world’s most famous hymn, in the mid-eighteenth century as England and France stand on the brink of war, John Newton is a young sailor wandering aimlessly through life. His only duty is to report to his ship and avoid disgracing his father—until the night he hears Polly Catlett’s enchanting voice, caroling. He’s immediately smitten and determined to win her affection.<br />
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An intense connection quickly forms between the two, but John’s reckless spirit and disregard for the Christian life are concerns for the responsible, devout Polly. When an ill-fated stop at a tavern leaves John imprisoned and bound, Polly must choose to either stand by his side or walk out of his life forever. Will she forfeit her future for the man she loves?<br />
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Step back through the pages of history, to uncover the true love story behind a song that continues to stir the hearts and ignite the faith of millions around the globe.<br />
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About the Author:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlanlVjJcO-7J5ZHjLdiIdBNdzYeAbE1_XO0F4REJNea_yTbr4HNNZCevTZrOPq3yHdXsk_rueipzJuzyMUwMQi3vbVnQMbm5OaPXQ54wp66WbTKaAkQql0_inP4YES_mwcqQLsVVQdAA/s1600/Jody+Hedlund2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlanlVjJcO-7J5ZHjLdiIdBNdzYeAbE1_XO0F4REJNea_yTbr4HNNZCevTZrOPq3yHdXsk_rueipzJuzyMUwMQi3vbVnQMbm5OaPXQ54wp66WbTKaAkQql0_inP4YES_mwcqQLsVVQdAA/s200/Jody+Hedlund2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Winner of 2016 Christian Book Award for fiction and Christy Award for historical romance, best-selling author Jody Hedlund writes inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults.<br />
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Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).<br />
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When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate. Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-87079661080748889942016-08-06T01:06:00.002-05:002016-08-06T01:09:23.137-05:00The Lady and the Lionheart, by Joanne Bischof<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've finally dried my tears enough to type legibly. <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Lionheart-Joanne-Bischof/dp/0997513705/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470463512&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Lady+and+the+Lionheart">The Lady and the Lionheart</a></em> moved me so deeply, I'm not sure I can do this review justice. There are some books that are entertaining, and some that are life-changing. This book is both. From the very first scene, where Ella Beckley sees the circus streamers blowing down the street, to the final scene where Holland Lionheart is looking back on the past fifteen years of her parents' life, I was enthralled to keep reading.<br />
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Charlie Lionheart is the hero of all heroes. One scene in particular had me so emotionally enraptured by him, I dare say I fell in love with a fictional character. He is both tender and brave-hearted, perfect and flawed, humble and proud. He is so prominent on the page, one would think the heroine would pale in comparison, but not in this story. Ella Beckley is a beautifully woven heroine, with threads of fear, courage, weakness, strength, despair and hope. She is lovely, both inside and out, and is so real, it's almost as if she reaches out and grasps your hand to come along on her journey. <br />
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I was encouraged to read this story by a friend who said she wept at the end. Truth be told, I felt deeply for these characters, and I had come to the end, and wasn't sure why my friend had cried. But then, in the final scene, Holland shares a musing that struck me so swiftly, and so profoundly, I began to weep. For what Christ has done for me, and what He has called me to do for others. I believe the story will resonate with every reader on a different level, and the message will affect some more than others, but for me, the message had me on my knees with a deeper understanding of unconditional love and sacrifice. Truly, a must-read. <br />
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<span data-react-class="ReactComponents.LikeSimpleFooter" data-react-props="{"resourceKey":"rating_users_Review1462884382","resourceLabel":"Gabrielle’s review of The Lady and the Lionheart","isLikeable":false,"showAsLink":false}"><span data-react-checksum="-837253343" data-reactid=".yhj58w56gw"><span data-reactid=".yhj58w56gw.0"><span data-reactid=".yhj58w56gw.0.0.0">About the book:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-react-class="ReactComponents.LikeSimpleFooter" data-react-props="{"resourceKey":"rating_users_Review1462884382","resourceLabel":"Gabrielle’s review of The Lady and the Lionheart","isLikeable":false,"showAsLink":false}"><span data-react-checksum="-837253343" data-reactid=".yhj58w56gw"><span data-reactid=".yhj58w56gw.0"><span data-reactid=".yhj58w56gw.0.0.0"><span id="freeText14343242646219440670"><strong>Two worlds collide when the circus comes to Victorian-era Virginia. </strong><br /><br />Raised amid the fame and mystique of the Big Top, Charlie Lionheart holds the audience in the palm of his hand. But while his act captivates thousands, it’s away from the spotlight where his true heart lies. Here he humbly cares for his pride of lions as if they were his brothers, a skill of bravery and strength that has prepared him for his most challenging feat yet—freeing an orphaned infant from the dark bondage of a sideshow. A trade so costly, it requires his life in exchange for hers, leaving him tarnished by the price of that choice.<br /><br />As the circus tents are raised on the outskirts of Roanoke, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. All under the watchful eye of a guardian who not only bears a striking resemblance to the child, but who protects the baby with a love that wraps around Ella’s own tragic past, awakening a hope that goodness may yet reign. When their forbidden friendship deepens, Charlie dares to ask for her heart, bringing her behind the curtain of his secret world to reveal the sacrifice that gave hope to one little girl—boldly showing Ella that while her tattered faith is deeply scarred, the only marks that need be permanent are his own.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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You can purchase the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Lionheart-Joanne-Bischof/dp/0997513705/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470463512&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Lady+and+the+Lionheart">here</a>.<br />
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A Carol Award and three-time Christy Award-finalist, Joanne Bischof writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the reader's heartstrings. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her husband and their three children.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.joannebischof.com/">www.joannebischof.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/masonjarbooks/">INSTAGRAM @masonjarbooks</a><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joannebischof/?fref=ts">FACEBOOK Author, Joanne Bischof</a>Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-63976391750621388852016-05-16T19:38:00.003-05:002016-05-16T19:43:22.450-05:00Book Review: A Flight of Arrows, by Lori Benton<span class="a-size-base review-text">Now that I'm a full-time writer, I have less and less time to read books for pleasure. But there are a handful of authors I absolutely will not miss. I read all their releases, sometimes putting my life on hold for a day or two, because I cannot put their books down...</span><br />
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<span class="a-size-base review-text">Lori Benton is one of the authors on my must-read, cannot wait-for, refuse-to-miss list.</span><br />
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<span class="a-size-base review-text">Last year I read <em><a href="http://gabrielle-meyer.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-woods-edge-by-lori-benton.html">The Wood's Edge</a></em>, by Lori. It was my favorite book of 2015, but it was the first of a two-book series, so I was left wanting to know what happened to the characters I had grown to love! It was a hard year to wait for the second book in the Pathfinder's Series, and when it finally arrived, I was as giddy as a child on Christmas morning. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flight-Arrows-Novel-Pathfinders/dp/1601427344/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463445671&sr=8-1&keywords=a+flight+of+arrows"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/Flight-Arrows-Novel-Pathfinders/dp/1601427344/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463445671&sr=8-1&keywords=a+flight+of+arrows" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE07Fjd5EqSw2TVPUKb98Ygcr2XM7KzIknUrBhucwlHQsZadU0oqczeywm53448VvhAZfRVJhbBTT_s9xuGHcY_2QH2aeycN-ktQrrrDPcJWeH8NU8331jUb8Bn1dlaY7Hr13vz_NJIVI/s320/A+Flight+of+Arrows.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span class="a-size-base review-text"><em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flight-Arrows-Novel-Pathfinders/dp/1601427344/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463445671&sr=8-1&keywords=a+flight+of+arrows">A Flight of Arrows</a></em> is a deep and complex story that picks up right where <em>The Wood's Edge</em> left off. My one regret is that I wish I would have re-read <em>The Wood's Edge</em> before starting <em>A Flight of Arrows,</em> simply because there are so many characters and threads, and it had been a year since I read the first story. I found myself lost for part of the book as I tried to recall all the characters and their role in the story.</span><br />
<span class="a-size-base review-text"><em>A Flight of Arrows</em> is a rich tale of love and hatred, faith and fear, loyalty and betrayal, hope and doubt, loss and restoration. I was so emotionally connected with the characters, I felt everything they felt</span><span class="a-size-base review-text">.</span><br />
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<span class="a-size-base review-text">Lori Benton is a master at creating rich details, heart-tugging love stories, and vivid storyworlds. By the end of the story, I was fully satisfied with the outcome for every character, though not everything turned out the way I had hoped--but that only made the story more realistic and beautiful. The historical details are outstanding and I was left amazed at Lori's ability to weave in authentic history with fictional characters. Some of the battle scenes were a bit drawn-out, but again, that adds to the realism in the story.</span><br />
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<span class="a-size-base review-text">I loved <em>A Flight of Arrows</em>, and I will definitely re-read both books in the Pathfinder's series. I fell in love with the characters and the world they inhabit. I cannot wait for Lori's next story.</span><br />
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Here's the description from the back of the book:<br />
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<strong>Hearts are Divided </strong><b>Loyalties Will Be Tested</b><br /><b>The Fates of Two Families Hang in the Balance</b><br /> <br /> Twenty years past, in 1757, a young Redcoat, Reginald Aubrey stole a newborn boy—the lighter-skinned of Oneida twins— during the devastating fall of Fort William Henry and raised him as his own. <br /> <br /> No one connected to Reginald escaped unscathed from this crime. Not his adopted daughter Anna. Not Stone Thrower, the Native American father determined to get his son back. Not Two Hawks, William’s twin brother separated since birth, living in the shadow of his absence and hoping to build a future with Anna. Nor Lydia, who longs for Reginald to be free from his self-imposed emotional prison and embrace God’s forgiveness— and her love. <br /> <br /> Now William, whose identity has been shattered after discovering the truth of his birth, hides in the ranks of an increasingly aggressive British army. The Redcoats prepare to attack frontier New York and the Continentals, aided by Oneida warriors including Two Hawks, rally to defend it. As the Revolutionary War penetrates the Mohawk Valley, two families separated by culture, united by love and faith, must find a way to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies. <br />
You can buy a copy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flight-Arrows-Novel-Pathfinders/dp/1601427344/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463445671&sr=8-1&keywords=a+flight+of+arrows">here</a>.<br />
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<span class="a-size-base review-text">*I was given a copy of <em>A Flight of Arrows</em> for my honest review.</span>Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-83737775522867237742016-02-04T09:33:00.003-06:002016-02-04T09:33:35.769-06:00Throwback Thursday: Happy Birthday, Charles A. Lindbergh!Happy 102nd Birthday, Charles A. Lindbergh!<br />
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Please join me at my group blog, Coffee Cups & Camisoles where I share why February 4th will always stay with me.<br />
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You can find that blog post <a href="http://coffeecupsandcamisoles.blogspot.com/2016/02/throwback-thursday-happy-birthday.html">here</a>.Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-57008077665350932412016-01-28T10:16:00.002-06:002016-01-28T10:16:29.680-06:00What Does it Mean to Have a Savior?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I'm blogging on my group blog, Coffee Cups & Camisoles. I'd love for you to join our conversation.<br />
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<a href="http://coffeecupsandcamisoles.blogspot.com/2016/01/what-does-it-mean-to-have-savior.html">You can find that blog post here.</a><br />
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~ Gabrielle<br />
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Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-66063599853010481082016-01-11T20:00:00.000-06:002016-01-11T20:00:12.187-06:00Book Review: Until the Dawn, by Elizabeth CamdenI'm a big fan of Elizabeth Camden's writing. I never miss a book she publishes, so I was very excited when <em><a href="http://elizabethcamden.com/books/until-the-dawn">Until the Dawn</a></em> arrived in my mailbox!<br />
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This book, like all the others by Elizabeth, is centered around a strong, intelligent heroine and a very masculine hero. There is a great deal of mystery, intrigue, and history. <br />
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I'm used to Elizabeth's stories taking place in metro areas, like Washington, D.C., so it was a bit different to have this book set in a remote village, in a palatial mansion called Dierenpark. I loved the setting, and had an easy time picturing it in my mind. The threat in the story is that the hero has arrived to tear down Dierenpark, but the heroine has practically grown up there, and she'll do anything she can to prevent it from being destroyed.<br />
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I loved the character of the heroine, Sophie van Riijn. She was sweet, gentle, and unassuming--yet very determined and strong. She flounders a bit for a purpose in life, but loves her work as a volunteer for the National Weather Service and as a cook for the staff at Dierenpark. <br />
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I wasn't quite as fond of the hero, Quentin Vandermark. He's a hard, angry man at the beginning, but slowly he's transformed into a man who is worthy of Sophie. It's a long transformation, and there are a few scenes that left me wanting to throttle the man! It only made for a sweeter redemption at the end and a more compelling love story.<br />
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Dierenpark takes on a character all its own and Elizabeth did an amazing job bringing the setting to life. It's one of those fictional places I'd love to visit! There is a great deal of mystery swirling about the estate and it's so much fun to find out the truth toward the end. The revelations do not disappoint.<br />
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The story begins a bit slow, but by the midway mark it picks up pace and I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it to others.<br />
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*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-16172576199928011992015-12-31T01:02:00.000-06:002015-12-31T01:02:02.384-06:002015: A Year of FirstsWhat a year! 2015 will go down in (my) history as the year dreams came true. It was a year of many first-time experiences in my writing career. <br />
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In March, I joined <a href="http://coffeecupsandcamisoles.blogspot.com/2015/03/introducing-our-new-blogging-buddy.html">Coffee Cups & Camisoles</a>, a group blog with fellow historical authors Jaime Jo Wright, Anne Love, and Erica Vetsch. <br />
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In May, my first published story, <em>Four Brides and a Bachelor</em> in The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection released, and I happened to be with a group of Minnesota authors on release day! It was so much fun to celebrate with Erica Vetsch, Michelle Griep, Julie Klassen, and many other lovely ladies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGu3YtC3q8alpbbhgqBp-dew7X-313Os_tLb4ozFt1jBWWj6ix-ZBhiSZF9SAjLHDOFfi6MkmavextMcaGXqOxkO3JpZzcEhuQKn1zvfUT0X8MfK9UdWhHv3YBABtgLrCyvawooZU5zI/s1600/11155113_10206592068903574_8820818018256115267_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGu3YtC3q8alpbbhgqBp-dew7X-313Os_tLb4ozFt1jBWWj6ix-ZBhiSZF9SAjLHDOFfi6MkmavextMcaGXqOxkO3JpZzcEhuQKn1zvfUT0X8MfK9UdWhHv3YBABtgLrCyvawooZU5zI/s320/11155113_10206592068903574_8820818018256115267_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erica and I are both in The Most Eligible Collection!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHF8cmQ9hXxJKtRkSefw0dO9XYVmj2RwBYBzfmToDg2pE91X5SVUWGcxga83iD39vkivXfBdNfkV4tMPn4bCZcr8pLP_gyT0iKQvw431uuw3kpK9FiGoo1sNE3zO3-8A8258iAROqaAE/s1600/IMG_6408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHF8cmQ9hXxJKtRkSefw0dO9XYVmj2RwBYBzfmToDg2pE91X5SVUWGcxga83iD39vkivXfBdNfkV4tMPn4bCZcr8pLP_gyT0iKQvw431uuw3kpK9FiGoo1sNE3zO3-8A8258iAROqaAE/s320/IMG_6408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's author Julie Klassen buying my book! :)</td></tr>
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I also had my first book signing event in May! <br />
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Over the summer, I wrote my first story for Love Inspired Historical (an imprint of Harlequin Books) in their Blurb2Book Contest. I was one of seven people contracted during the contest and I signed my first contract with them. My story, <em>A Mother in the Making</em>, releases in September 2016.<br />
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In July, I became a "multi-published" author, when my second story released with Barbour. My novella, <em>A Groom for Josette</em>, released in The Convenient Bride Collection.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY7hSM1pKvAPB984SPkHk_TqOGtRKJ9MErWS3jS0Ms-8jBJvwHSM4JJ3CeyY4BdUF3oAnprqgXmuVLCosWCzh8EE4kd9oFQDrquyn7gN-giRFvMEv-OlNqrMYElovKYU0thwzqu3Odl0/s1600/IMG_7690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY7hSM1pKvAPB984SPkHk_TqOGtRKJ9MErWS3jS0Ms-8jBJvwHSM4JJ3CeyY4BdUF3oAnprqgXmuVLCosWCzh8EE4kd9oFQDrquyn7gN-giRFvMEv-OlNqrMYElovKYU0thwzqu3Odl0/s320/IMG_7690.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moment my second book arrived on my doorstep!</td></tr>
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In 2015, I wrote three complete novels. One has been contracted and the other two are sitting on editors desks under consideration. It was the first time I have written more than one novel over the course of a year.<br />
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On the home front, this was the year I took my daughters on their first airplane ride. We went to Washington, D.C. in May and saw so many wonderful things. In September, my twin boys went off to Kindergarten, and for the first time in eleven years, I didn't have preschoolers in my home. My oldest daughter had her tonsils removed and then a couple months later she got braces, my second daughter started homeschooling, and my husband took the girls on their first hunting trip.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful family!</td></tr>
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2015 has been an exceptional year. I thank God that all of us are healthy and happy, and we've made some incredible memories. In 2016 we look forward to many more adventures to come.</div>
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Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me. In 2012, I started this blog as a way to document my journey to publication and it's been such a blessing to see my dream come true. My prayer is that my journey would encourage you to take one of your own. If God has placed a dream on your heart, go after it! You never know what blessings He has in store.<br />
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<strong>Your Turn: What are the highlights of your year? What are your hopes and dreams for 2016?</strong>Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-58893754319965710592015-11-25T09:00:00.000-06:002015-11-25T09:00:04.066-06:00Interview with Andrea Boeshaar
Today I'd like to welcome historical author Andrea Boeshaar to my blog. Andrea is a fellow author in The Convenient Bride Collection and she has a brand new release titled <em>A Thousand Shall Fall</em>. I'm excited to have her stop by and tell us a little more about herself.<br />
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Hello, Andrea! I always love to know about an author's journey to publication. How and when did you begin writing?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">When
my sons were young, I did a lot of reading—mostly secular romances. I had
always loved to write and decided to try my hand at writing a romance novel. I
got my first rejection letter in 1984. I learned then writing novels is much
more difficult than it seems.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Then
7 years later, I came to Christ. It wasn’t long after that when I felt odd about
writing secular romances. I wasn’t published yet, but working on a manuscript
that did not honor God in any way. After attending one of Dr. Dennis Hensley’s
1-day seminars in Oak Brook, IL, I decided to write fiction and nonfiction that
honors the Lord Jesus Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My
first book was published in 1994!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
I'm thrilled that you write fiction that honors Christ. Can you tell us about your salvation experience?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I was saved by grace in 1991, although I had been searching for quite some time. A coworker, one of those "Jesus freaks" shared the Good News with me and I felt God tugging on my heart. I'm so thankful she obeyed the Lord's prompting to share biblical truth with me. My husband and sons were born again within six months of my salvation. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<!--[endif]-->If you're anything like me, you have more words inside you than you know what to do with! Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Yes! I actually teach workshops to writers groups and speak on various topics at women's groups. In addition, I'm a writing coach, although I don't advertise. I mentor writers and help them realize their goals. I have more information about my coaching (and editing) on my website: www.andreaboeshaar.com<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Speaking of authors, i<!--[endif]-->f you were to plan a writing retreat in which you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Wow, that's a tough choice. I know so many fabulous authors!! But I think I'd make it a Ladies' Night and I'd ask Francine Rivers, Robin Lee Hatcher, Beth Moore and my daughter-in-law. I admire these ladies' service to Christ. Each have touched my life in a significant way and I know I would learn more from them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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I saw that you're a writing coach. <!--[endif]-->People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I tell them, "Go ahead and write it." Then I add, "If you want a coach, look me up."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span><br />
As a writer, I'm sure you share many things from your own life and experiences. Can you reveal one thing about yourself that readers may not
know?<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I’m
a college student. That’s right. I’m in my mid-fifties and I’m earning my
bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Concordia University-Wisconsin via the
school’s Adult Learning program (6 to 8 week courses). I plan to go on for my
masters, but first things first: my BA. The class I’m presently enrolled in is
Interpersonal Communications.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Congrats on going back to school! I'm sure that took a lot of courage. <br />
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Here's a fun question: what is the most embarrassing thing that has happened
to you and how did you handle it?<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Several
years ago, I spoke to a group at Country Memories Farm in Manitowoc, WI. I had
looked over the schedule online but arrived there with no minutes to spare and
didn't realize the schedule changed. I ended up talking into the other
speaker's time. When I found out, I was so embarrassed; however, the other
speaker was actually relieved. She hates speaking and was dreading it. So God
worked it all out the way He always does!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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I'm sure she was relieved! <br />
<br />
Let's switch gears and have you tell us about <em>A Thousand Shall Fall.<o:p></o:p></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I'm
very excited about this novel. I think it's the best historical romance I have
ever penned! It's titled, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Thousand Shall Fall</i></b> and it's about
a young woman, Carrie Ann Bell, who goes searching for her runaway sister in
the Shenandoah Valley. But instead of finding her, Carrie Ann finds trouble
when she ends up in the middle of a skirmish outside of Front Royal, Virginia.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><br />
Where can we find your book, and how can we find you online?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The
book is the first in my Shenandoah Valley Saga. You can go <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Shall-Fall-Shenandoah-Valley/dp/0825443814/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445973925&sr=8-1&keywords=andrea+boeshaar">here</a> to </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">“Look Inside” and read a sample before
purchasing the book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Readers can find me online at the following:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My website at: <a href="http://www.andreaboeshaar.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.andreaboeshaar.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">On Facebook at: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrea.boeshaar"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/andrea.boeshaar</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">And Twitter:
@AndreaBoeshaar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p>Also, there is a fabulous </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Kindle Fire HD 6”
Giveaway to celebrate the release of <em>A Thousand Shall Fall</em>. You can find that <a href="http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/a-thousand-shall-fall-andrea-boeshaar">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Thank you for visiting today, Andrea! It was fun to learn more about you.</span></div>
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<strong>Readers: I'd love to hear your most embarrassing moments!</strong></div>
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<strong>About <em>A Thousand Shall Fall</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh3o8Tz4JwydHU8E3JbbZVjHZeS9ZyNOezpp7QkZ3gVieVl-ZBS5PSL6h5Q4hyphenhyphenT08ONThhjlo0JDGryIsFXhJtNTopu2dy6WKb5DWL4IK9Ox1mp-LSHOYjl7gEvw_IDfVzMlxpHb29KY/s1600/ATSF+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh3o8Tz4JwydHU8E3JbbZVjHZeS9ZyNOezpp7QkZ3gVieVl-ZBS5PSL6h5Q4hyphenhyphenT08ONThhjlo0JDGryIsFXhJtNTopu2dy6WKb5DWL4IK9Ox1mp-LSHOYjl7gEvw_IDfVzMlxpHb29KY/s320/ATSF+cover.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off--only to find she's fallen into the hands of the enemy.</div>
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Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they're all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.<br />
Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally--and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?<br />
Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, <em>A Thousand Shall Fall</em> is framed around compelling characters and a very romantic setting in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Andrea Boeshaar’s extensive research guarantees historical accuracy and romance genre enthusiasts and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Christian perspectives on actual historical events.<br />
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<strong>About Andrea Boeshaar</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2GO4xXdDg04DWuALLZrjFsAgmYSuZgw4SpMUEIZaTRuY7lPB3dTR2zKWl54CrSN-kFTkgS-5LPSeVcXVLV-R86VSYtzezPA5XVJC3X35EM526SpaJ7-CgBRteL_Wy4Ztam2Iqd-9ylQ/s1600/Kuhn+Boeshaar%252C+Andrea+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2GO4xXdDg04DWuALLZrjFsAgmYSuZgw4SpMUEIZaTRuY7lPB3dTR2zKWl54CrSN-kFTkgS-5LPSeVcXVLV-R86VSYtzezPA5XVJC3X35EM526SpaJ7-CgBRteL_Wy4Ztam2Iqd-9ylQ/s200/Kuhn+Boeshaar%252C+Andrea+2014.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span>Andrea Boeshaar has been married for nearly 40 years. She and her husband have 3 wonderful sons, 1 beautiful daughter-in-law, and 5 precious grandchildren. <br /><br />Andrea's publishing career began in 1994 when her first novel was released by Heartsong Presents (Barbour Publishing). She went on to write numerous romances for the book club and was voted one of the line's "Favorite Authors" several times over.</span></div>
Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-30236925218276556162015-08-30T16:10:00.002-05:002015-08-30T16:10:15.429-05:00The Mistress of Tall Acre, by Laura Frantz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em>The Mistress of Tall Acre</em>, a much anticipated novel by <a href="http://laurafrantz.net/">Laura Frantz</a>, arrived in my mailbox on Saturday. To say I was excited would be an understatement. I have been waiting for this book since I finished Laura's last story, <em><a href="http://gabrielle-meyer.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-loves-fortune-by-laura.html">Love's Fortune</a></em>, a year ago.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moment I opened the package! <br />
I don't squeal often, but I did then. :)</td></tr>
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There is no question in my mind that Laura Frantz is one of the premiere historical voices in Christian Fiction today. Her books have a captivating quality that make you feel as if you are standing inside the story, watching it unfold from the best vantage point in the room. Intrigue, passion, and faith are artfully woven together with vibrant colors and textures. Her voice is stunning, her attention to historical detail is superb, and her characters are breathtakingly realistic. She brings early American history to life in a way few other authors achieve. </div>
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The very first scene of <em>The Mistress of Tall Acre</em> grabbed me by the heartstrings and I knew I was in for an emotional journey. As General Seamus Ogilvy, a hero of the American Revolution, meets his infant daughter for the first time, we fall in love with both the general, and the baby girl. This scene is a study in contrasts. Weakness and strength, protection and vulnerability, longing and satisfaction. I felt an instant bond with Seamus and I began to root for him, even before I knew who his enemies were. </div>
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The second scene begins five years later, at the end of the Revolution, when we meet Sophie Menzies, General Ogilvy's neighbor. She is a woman broken in body and soul, but not in spirit. The war has taken almost everything from her, but it has not stolen her hope. </div>
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When Seamus comes home from the war, a widower with a young daughter to raise, he and Sophie agree to a marriage of convenience. Their neighborly friendship soon turns to something more--until a woman from Seamus's past arrives on his doorstep, and threatens the life they've built together.</div>
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As always, Laura's book mesmerized me. I read it in one day (thank you to my husband and children for the mini-vacation!). </div>
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I love so much about her stories--but I think it's the romance that enchants me so. I'm not exactly sure how she does it, but she makes me feel as if I'm falling in love right along with the characters--so when they rejoice, I rejoice, and when they mourn, I mourn. But there is always hope in the happily-ever-after, which Laura delivers with finesse.</div>
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I loved <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mistress-Tall-Acre-Novel/dp/080072044X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440968705&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Mistress+of+Tall+Acre">The Mistress of Tall Acre</a></em>, and I highly recommend this book. But beware: you won't want to put it down. ;) </div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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**I have a winner from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mistress-Tall-Acre-Novel/dp/080072044X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440968705&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Mistress+of+Tall+Acre">my guest post with Karen Barnett</a>! The winner of a copy of <em>Beyond the Ashes</em> is Edward Arrington! Congratulations, Edward. I'll be contacting you soon.**</div>
Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-39902691450347253772015-08-19T00:00:00.000-05:002015-08-19T00:00:02.432-05:00Historical Photos: Guest Post by Karen Barnett<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I'm welcoming author </span><a href="http://www.karenbarnettbooks.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Karen Barnett</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to my blog!! I had the pleasure of getting to know Karen better at our agency retreat last October in Monterey. Karen writes historical novels, so we had a lot in common. Today she's talking about finding inspiration in historical photos, something I'm fond of myself. My most recent novel, which I entered in the Blurb to Book Contest with Love Inspired Books, was inspired by a photo I found years ago of a father, his four children, and his wife who was in a coffin at their feet. It's an eerie picture, but one that inspired a whole story. Join me as we learn about a photo that inspired Karen!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">~ ~ ~ ~ </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Karen: Sometimes readers are surprised to learn that even though I
spend most of my time shaping words and chapters, I’m even more drawn to photographs.
I love searching the Internet for interesting historical images. Every time I find
a good one, my mind buzzes with story ideas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m not unique, apparently. I’ve met several writers who
have been inspired by photographs. Just this week, I met a woman at the Oregon
Christian Writers conference who goes out and buys photos at antique shops so
she can write stories about them. I love that! I always feel badly for the poor
nameless pictures mixed in with the antiques. I want to know the people’s names
and stories. Just recently I was able to reconnect a set of orphaned portraits
with a ministry who desperately wanted them. It was a fun experience, and I’ll
be writing about that Monday over at my own blog (</span><a href="http://www.karenbarnettbooks.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">www.KarenBarnettBooks.com</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you ever been inspired by an image? Here’s one that got
to me.</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSZ-YEif5HOdgHAGub5KMel3R5q6cx-Da1_tVAfcgvCY8YGMDSh5YZa9ABSXQBtqY2ifOajxovxGv5QREFgWmsw-8HtDTuMpqZeAdzYKQs-hDq5cv89XOmXlpGywqz0PmjbVvy9t4J7Q/s1600/Karen+Barnett+amphi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSZ-YEif5HOdgHAGub5KMel3R5q6cx-Da1_tVAfcgvCY8YGMDSh5YZa9ABSXQBtqY2ifOajxovxGv5QREFgWmsw-8HtDTuMpqZeAdzYKQs-hDq5cv89XOmXlpGywqz0PmjbVvy9t4J7Q/s320/Karen+Barnett+amphi2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo courtesy of Stanford Medical History Center)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">When I was doing research on Cooper Medical College and Lane
Hospital for my recent release, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beyond
the Ashes</i>, I stumbled over an image of their surgical amphitheater. I was
stunned. The imagery moved me: the eager medical students leaning in to watch,
the proud surgeon in white, the glossy wood paneling, and (eww!) the lack of
gloves and surgical masks. I could almost smell the ether and the cigar smoke.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I knew I had to capture this imagery in my novel. My
character wasn’t a surgeon—he was a doctor working with X-ray technology. No
matter. I’d find a way to get him in that room with the scowling surgeon. I had
to.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">It became a turning point in the novel. The tension visible
in the image fed into the scene, creating a make-or-break moment for my
character. I loved the amphitheater setting so much, I had another character visit
it later in the book—and receive news that would bring her to her knees. If
you’ve read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beyond the Ashes</i>, you
know what I’m talking about. (Don’t spoil it for anyone else!)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBWJ_LYRa4mL2xV9KFwG42UIOh3TQeR5BdWVFWrRtReooU5MKfra-hO-ybPlkje0xjm0Zio7cUEnd1F2yZlFFk7c6x55qN0rW9kBA7FTF-J42Gntik6Blx-tf2_X6OdCOPv-51-CPp9Q/s1600/Karen+Barnett+amphi3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBWJ_LYRa4mL2xV9KFwG42UIOh3TQeR5BdWVFWrRtReooU5MKfra-hO-ybPlkje0xjm0Zio7cUEnd1F2yZlFFk7c6x55qN0rW9kBA7FTF-J42Gntik6Blx-tf2_X6OdCOPv-51-CPp9Q/s320/Karen+Barnett+amphi3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo courtesy of Stanford Medical History Center)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Gabrielle Here: Thank you, Karen! I love seeing the images that inspired you. I know exactly how you feel about finding nameless people in photographs. It's almost as if they're begging us to tell their story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Karen has graciously offered a free copy of <em>Beyond the Ashes</em> to one lucky winner! Share in the comments what inspires you about this picture of </span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Union Station in 1923.
What kind of story do you see? We’d love to
hear your thoughts! (Don't forget to fill out the Rafflecopter. Sorry, due to shipping costs, only US Citizens are eligible to win.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRbHprHvFyQblTnFB-pSE8qX30nO5l7wa0lqF-LBq-AB0Qa9n4c8x8faucCSLsbxBTDbsKzHul8u3tCiTKyXNy5w2r64QXzyoIhD2BMVIDJKsFab_0AhZxzqg6IanWBZ1n3trChAlq8Q/s1600/BeamsOfSunlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRbHprHvFyQblTnFB-pSE8qX30nO5l7wa0lqF-LBq-AB0Qa9n4c8x8faucCSLsbxBTDbsKzHul8u3tCiTKyXNy5w2r64QXzyoIhD2BMVIDJKsFab_0AhZxzqg6IanWBZ1n3trChAlq8Q/s320/BeamsOfSunlight.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">(Free image courtesy of HistoricalStockPhotos.com)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">**The winner of a <a href="http://gabrielle-meyer.blogspot.com/2015/07/guest-post-by-michelle-ule.html">Novella Collection (winner's choice), from Michelle Ule</a>, is Connie Saunders! Congrats, Connie. I'll be in touch.** </span><br />
<br />
<strong>About Karen</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYMDIq1xihypygPMq5WlQ4JnBH7AHL0vkQI6HYIIjbJPXyCwO-2OAq3H2ICp0771Tt05fuKf0SmTSeCZg5_weGfjR8nEDeg-qlqreI1zGzJWbKT8R472-4l94sMhqlJQ1l-8teAGyQQA/s1600/KarenBarnettAuthorPic+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYMDIq1xihypygPMq5WlQ4JnBH7AHL0vkQI6HYIIjbJPXyCwO-2OAq3H2ICp0771Tt05fuKf0SmTSeCZg5_weGfjR8nEDeg-qlqreI1zGzJWbKT8R472-4l94sMhqlJQ1l-8teAGyQQA/s320/KarenBarnettAuthorPic+copy.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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Inspired by God’s devotion to His people and her own passion for research and learning, author <b>Karen Barnett</b> creates historical romances that explore her characters’ faith and how their experiences impact the way they view God.<br />
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A graduate of Valparaiso University and Oregon State University, Barnett’s debut novel, <i>Mistaken</i>,<i> </i>was released in 2013 and earned her the Oregon Christian Writers “Writer of Promise” award. A former park ranger, she loves getting out into God’s creation. She spends her free time taking photographs, dragging her kids through dusty history museums, decorating crazy birthday cakes and watching movies.<br />
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Karen, her husband and their two children live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>To learn more about Karen Barnett, visit</b> <a href="http://www.karenbarnettbooks.com/"><b><span style="color: #b33e1b;">karenbarnettbooks.com</span></b></a><b>, become a fan on </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KarenBarnettAuthor"><b><span style="color: #b33e1b;">Facebook</span></b></a><b> (</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KarenBarnettAuthor"><b><span style="color: #b33e1b;">KarenBarnettAuthor</span></b></a><b>) or follow her on </b><a href="http://www.twitter.com/KarenMBarnett"><b><span style="color: #b33e1b;">Twitter</span></b></a><b> (</b><a href="http://www.twitter.com/KarenMBarnett"><b><span style="color: #b33e1b;">KarenMBarnett</span></b></a><b>).</b><br />
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<strong>About <em>Beyond the Ashes</em></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiIaEeE90EcWmXZe2hm8SDDpS5rs7MF3bXF2bJDnZ0n0qTlAJ8Ru1j9UkEh_gFDAgY-RpuCfvmXjdRIcc__qHLE1W8cvf0seyzq56htxjtVvMaqxG36cLMatNbgTTyipLKDbJUVGLx2w/s1600/BeyondTheAshesCoverFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiIaEeE90EcWmXZe2hm8SDDpS5rs7MF3bXF2bJDnZ0n0qTlAJ8Ru1j9UkEh_gFDAgY-RpuCfvmXjdRIcc__qHLE1W8cvf0seyzq56htxjtVvMaqxG36cLMatNbgTTyipLKDbJUVGLx2w/s320/BeyondTheAshesCoverFinal.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<strong>She’s had her love and lost it.</strong><br /><strong>He’s still missing his heart’s desire.</strong><br /><strong>Is it really better to have loved and lost </strong><br /><strong>than never to have loved at all? </strong><br />
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Where better to rebuild and face one’s fears than in 1906 San Francisco, a city rising from the ashes? Ruby Marshall, a young widow, is certain she’ll discover new purpose assisting her brother Robert with his cancer research, but she doesn’t anticipate finding new love.<br />
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Dr. Gerald Larkspur dreams of filling his empty home with family, but he’d always hoped it would be a wife and children. In the aftermath of the great earthquake, the rooms are overflowing with extended family and friends left homeless by the disaster. When Robert’s widowed sister arrives, the close quarters seem close indeed.<br />
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Ruby and Gerald’s fledgling romance is put at risk when Gerald develops symptoms of the very disease they’re striving to cure. Together they must ask—is it worth a second chance at love when time might be short?<br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
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<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-34957330350795979302015-07-29T00:00:00.000-05:002015-07-29T08:45:23.840-05:00Guest Post by Michelle UleI've been looking forward to today's post for a long time! It's my pleasure to welcome author Michelle Ule to my blog. Michelle is a fellow author with Books & Such Literary Agency, as well as an assistant at the agency. Last year, when Dave and I traveled to San Francisco before the Books & Such retreat in Monterey, Michelle and her husband spent the day showing us around town. We had so much fun, and were so thankful for their time and expertise on the city. Please join me in welcoming Michelle!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxDVa_xuhvWwQF83CkTVfaHp7d6ArAEprKzZqMi78Gpy53RSxVczyy-qXpzwJkh5StTyBCjxsU8qLx87Kxj8UCFAjCya4R6PDIjkmS49RsZ-CeTb5BHCW2aHQc9QB9TM9nR-DN25Sp2k/s1600/IMG_2319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxDVa_xuhvWwQF83CkTVfaHp7d6ArAEprKzZqMi78Gpy53RSxVczyy-qXpzwJkh5StTyBCjxsU8qLx87Kxj8UCFAjCya4R6PDIjkmS49RsZ-CeTb5BHCW2aHQc9QB9TM9nR-DN25Sp2k/s320/IMG_2319.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle, Agent Mary Keeley, and me with the Golden Gate <br />
Bridge in the background last October.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Writing to tell truth and wisdom, while fun and romance lead the way!<br />
<br />
Like many writers, I’ve been writing and dreaming a long time. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to see stories as more than just an avenue to entertain—they’re a vehicle for portraying truth and “turning the prism,” of circumstance to look at life from a slightly different angle.<br />
<br />
I’ve been writing Christian historical novellas since my first novella, <em>The Dogtrot Christmas</em>, was published in A Log Cabin Christmas Collection in 2011.<br />
I’ve enjoyed the challenge of writing within the limitations of a shorter novel for the opportunity it’s given me to hone my skills while providing a spiritual message within a full story.<br />
<br />
That means that while I write historical romances, I’ve also examined other issues in my five published novellas and one novel. (Books and descriptions can be found <a href="http://michelleule.com/books/">here</a>.)<br />
<br />
In particular, I’m interested in how God works in someone’s life to His glory, often in unexpected ways.<br />
<br />
I believe readers deserve a full experience—that there should be more to my novellas besides boy meets girl, crisis intervenes, girl finds boy and they all live happily ever after.<br />
<br />
That sweet life may happen to some people but in my experience as a Bible study leader and a lay counselor, life is far messier and as Oswald Chambers said in the July 28 <em>My Utmost for His Highest</em>: “What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself."<br />
<br />
It’s been exciting to think through additional themes besides love and marriage as I’ve plotted my books. In <em>The Dogtrot Christmas</em>, a Mexican landowner in 1836 Texas is confronted by Anglos moving into his neighborhood and building their own log cabin. God has to work in his heart to show him the need to forgive in spite of his own rights, while a young woman must learn to stand on her own two feet despite her overbearing brother.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSYy6rkxsKy9FrldNeRta1dRgw4JIfBGIJ7OmUg3qtzDIPgEfetZYYdNtpCPmlDOwA8ejy8z849dYg4xOZ-RVPZquBqHdQ54_4RJaV3kqV-14hdJRoONxGTWP6_-Lp9_gWgj1z22YhRo/s1600/A+Log+Cabin+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSYy6rkxsKy9FrldNeRta1dRgw4JIfBGIJ7OmUg3qtzDIPgEfetZYYdNtpCPmlDOwA8ejy8z849dYg4xOZ-RVPZquBqHdQ54_4RJaV3kqV-14hdJRoONxGTWP6_-Lp9_gWgj1z22YhRo/s320/A+Log+Cabin+Christmas.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
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I use the dogtrot cabin as a metaphor: the two small cabins under one roof with a breezeway in between represent the two cultures in which the couple find themselves, bound together with the love/roof of Christ. It was fun to write and I included one of my ancestors as a character.<br />
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The <em>Goldrush Christmas</em>, part of A Pioneer Christmas Collection, which rereleases in September 2015, posed another challenging, yet exhilarating task in the writing. Midway through the research of this story of brother and sister twins hunting for their missionary father missing in Alaska, along with the bumbling preacher-wanna-be boy next door, I stumbled on a fantastic true story that had to go into my book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiN8ub2eegHBZcOAh53pkn8tGptyJdHvVY8P7ZoyLdxkYoC3QTBtXBVBxCt-7o8XvNcnto85K5YMRqUgACrxkK9n1i0hUhcCM6bkUOiDR0PfBZZoXD_kGc3D8o2D0FMt1omBrby9so9i8/s1600/A+Pioneer+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiN8ub2eegHBZcOAh53pkn8tGptyJdHvVY8P7ZoyLdxkYoC3QTBtXBVBxCt-7o8XvNcnto85K5YMRqUgACrxkK9n1i0hUhcCM6bkUOiDR0PfBZZoXD_kGc3D8o2D0FMt1omBrby9so9i8/s1600/A+Pioneer+Christmas.jpg" /></a></div>
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I tell the whole adventure<a href="http://michelleule.com/books/the-gold-rush-christmas/"> here</a>, but suffice it to say that owing to that bungling preacher-wanna-be, the girl twin (who is masquerading as a boy to protect herself in 1897 Skagway) breaks free of an overbearing brother and 80% of the town prostitutes escape the brothels.<br />
<br />
Hmm. The overbearing brother seems to appear in more than one of my stories . . . <br />
<br />
My most recent projects are part of The 12 Brides of Christmas and its sequel The 12 Brides of Summer Collections. Set in the same 1870’s Nebraska town and featuring many of the same characters, <em>The Yuletide Bride</em> examines what it means for Kate to be a helpmeet and how God works in unexpected ways to provide the finances Ewan needed to earn his bride.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz__Vd2HzSsG39z7kDbhCm_hZ0onHIlGuS7PdsTAsG_TFZ5gktZsgXtz9kczW19m01hWVdOs_BdT78X6JKR474RJi8BX7LBspS16jkNdCVI7vB1jvIgwIjaccsUiGYelS5M7_OitpxIcQ/s1600/12+Brides+of+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz__Vd2HzSsG39z7kDbhCm_hZ0onHIlGuS7PdsTAsG_TFZ5gktZsgXtz9kczW19m01hWVdOs_BdT78X6JKR474RJi8BX7LBspS16jkNdCVI7vB1jvIgwIjaccsUiGYelS5M7_OitpxIcQ/s320/12+Brides+of+Christmas.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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It also features bagpipes, which were beyond fun to learn to play!<br />
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The sequel, <em>The Sunbonnet Bride</em>, tells of Kate’s brother’s efforts to win the heart of a local seamstress, Sally, set against how the town responds to a tornado destroying the neighborhood.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQr9nHoaxylgITMIbaVC_9bNRn9pp_YUzYFls-LcDuNSHpbF8j0aDpUzZ8jKi2rBUuRaIIULcudaDqDfP94MXCnoWjcHBHKOU8kWNLGqXzp4M6NBQtLoUrkgdR4umFGlEgrMMZq9Xt3o/s1600/12+Brides+of+Summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQr9nHoaxylgITMIbaVC_9bNRn9pp_YUzYFls-LcDuNSHpbF8j0aDpUzZ8jKi2rBUuRaIIULcudaDqDfP94MXCnoWjcHBHKOU8kWNLGqXzp4M6NBQtLoUrkgdR4umFGlEgrMMZq9Xt3o/s320/12+Brides+of+Summer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sally wants to own her own business, but is confused by the difference between profit and cash flow. I’ve seen many women start up small businesses with the same hopes, only to be dashed when it was time to actually manage the money. <em>The Sunbonnet Bride</em> touches on that, while at the same time asking an interesting question about the best way to use your gifts to the good of others, particularly in a crisis.<br />
<br />
Story themes should not be obvious when a writer constructs their tale. Themes should work seamlessly to show truth while not hitting the reader over the head. I’ve worked hard to do that in my books.<br />
<br />
The aim, of course, is to tell a story saturated with wisdom, truth, good humor and love.<br />
<br />
Because no matter what kind of reader you are, those are the ingredients of a good book. <br />
<br />
About Michelle<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzGh7PTWr9-Va_l87LgpeHD1Sj7_hqvvW37KsPU1RNnsaksy2VGY4-GrB77Vs0daxr6aMl3oNDM1NlVjRy5Qt5csmtyJ-mOY6A1CI7dzMIBf71B0H721nQX20fSQvycJaLREPGAimqOM/s1600/Michelle+Ule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzGh7PTWr9-Va_l87LgpeHD1Sj7_hqvvW37KsPU1RNnsaksy2VGY4-GrB77Vs0daxr6aMl3oNDM1NlVjRy5Qt5csmtyJ-mOY6A1CI7dzMIBf71B0H721nQX20fSQvycJaLREPGAimqOM/s320/Michelle+Ule.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
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A retired Navy wife, Michelle has a terrific husband, four brilliant children, two perfect daughter-in-laws and five adorable grandchildren. She and her family have lived in all four corners of the United States and Hawai’i. They currently reside in northern California.<br />
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Michelle teaches Bible study to a group of precocious women, counsels women in crisis at a local pregnancy counseling center, and works at a landmark literary agency. She’s led retreats, served on a short-term eyeglass mission project in Nicaragua, and plays clarinet in a small musical ensemble. In her free time, she travels, writes and reads–all extensively. You can learn more about her at <a href="http://www.michelleule.com/">www.michelleule.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Michelle-Ule-writer/122873804443764">Facebook</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Michelleule">Twitter</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/michelleule/">Pinte</a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/michelleule/">rest</a><br />
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Gabrielle here: Thank you, Michelle! I enjoyed learning more about your stories and the themes and questions behind them. <br />
<br />
Michelle has graciously agreed to give away one copy of A Log Cabin Christmas, or Pioneer Christmas (winner's choice). Please fill out the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win.<br />
<br />
<strong>Your Turn Reader: Do you read novella collections? Do you enjoy books that are written with specific themes? Do you read romances specifically for the love story, or do you enjoy when a plot goes deeper than boys-meets-girl?</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
**We have a winner from <a href="http://gabrielle-meyer.blogspot.com/2015/07/give-yourself-break-guest-post-by-kim.html">Kim Fredrickson's visit to my blog</a>. The winner of <em>Give Yourself a Break</em> is Abby Breuklander!**<br />
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="676fb10e22" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/676fb10e22/" id="rcwidget_q0tros67" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-89462157078560278662015-07-15T00:00:00.000-05:002015-07-15T00:00:03.605-05:00Give Yourself a Break! Guest Post by Kim Fredrickson<span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Today, I'm welcoming <a href="http://www.kimfredrickson.com/">Kim Fredrickson</a> to my blog. I met Kim last October at the Books & Such Agency retreat in Monterey, California. She is an inspiration to me, and I'm so happy to introduce you to her today.</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">~ ~ ~ ~</span></span></span></div>
<span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Thank you so much Gabrielle for the
invitation to visit your blog. First let me tell you a little bit about myself,
and how I began my writing journey. I have been a Marriage and Family Therapist
in Northern California for 30 years. I have been creating content for workshops
in my community (parenting, relationships, self-care and self-compassion) for
25 years, but did not pursue publication until recently. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">In early 2013 I self-published a book on
self-compassion and faith, and felt God’s strong prompting to go to the Mt.
Hermon’s Writers Conference (March 2013) to see if any traditional publishers
were interested. Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group asked me to
submit a proposal, and I was offered a contract in January 2014. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><a href="http://amzn.to/1LUn3op"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria;">Give Yourself a Break: Turning Your Inner Critic into a
Compassionate Friend</span></span></i></a><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> was just released one
week ago on July 7<sup>th</sup>, and I’m delighted to say there is a lot of
interest in this topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I first became
interested in the transforming power of self-compassion integrated with our
faith when I saw how helpful it was to my counseling clients. I did a lot of
reading on self-compassion and found</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> there were no books on self-compassion that approached </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">this topic from a faith
perspective. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I still am in
shock…how could this be? If anyone should write about this topic it is
believers. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God is an
overflowing source of love, compassion and grace. He wants us to show this love
ourselves, and out of that flows to others </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Mark 12:31, </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">‘Love your neighbor as yourself</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">’). </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For some reason, in the Christian world, little is taught about
how to show the same type of compassion to ourselves that we readily show to others</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was prompted to write this book as God kept saying to me
over and over, ”You need to write all this down.”</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span class="5yl5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Self-Compassion is
applying Grace and Truth to yourself at the same time. Self-compassion is a
balance of truth (yes I made a mistake) with grace (I have worth and value and
will address this mistake directly). Self-compassion is the idea that we can be
kind to ourselves when we fail, and treat ourselves with the caring support we
would give another who is struggling. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Extending
kindness to ourselves<b> </b></span>means we see ourselves as human beings who
are wonderfully made by God and valuable, yet who are imperfect and make
mistakes.</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">These last two
years have really given me the opportunity to practice self-compassion. Almost
2 years ago</span> I was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast
cancer. That battle was 9 months of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I was
so looking forward to getting my life back…but that was not to be.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">4 days after I finished all my treatment I noticed I couldn’t
take a deep breath. After about 6 weeks of testing and biopsies it was
determined that I developed pulmonary fibrosis, which is a very rare
complication from the chemotherapy. Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive lung
disease that has a 3-5 years life expectancy. One year ago I went on
supplemental oxygen (24/7) and in January had to close my counseling practice
of 30 years. There are no words to express how difficult all of this has been. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I know all of us
are going through very difficult life experiences. Some of these can’t be
changed, but how we treat ourselves and care for ourselves while we are going
through them can make a huge positive difference. When I was diagnosed with
breast cancer I said to myself, “I’m going to be a very good friend to myself
as I go through treatment.” I continue to be a compassionate friend to
myself.</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvsO3hT5ASs8Jqth8QXzsWJE-_GYSbM15XBGxLrwWSHcpAzMbjcpGZALRFFGYfNSr-3mPNAYs_dCUCLKkqb2PQltOUxzLLTNwGUghmgkdAKfs2_kVMvj5ffuff3z5whXGL4CLcnVRFjI/s1600/WithYourselfWithOthers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvsO3hT5ASs8Jqth8QXzsWJE-_GYSbM15XBGxLrwWSHcpAzMbjcpGZALRFFGYfNSr-3mPNAYs_dCUCLKkqb2PQltOUxzLLTNwGUghmgkdAKfs2_kVMvj5ffuff3z5whXGL4CLcnVRFjI/s320/WithYourselfWithOthers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> encourage all of
you, whatever it is you are going through, learn and practice being a
compassionate friend to yourself. Treating yourself with the compassion,
understanding and kindness you would show another will make all the difference
in the world.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">About the Author</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPgtpl73o81mDig4ZmS1q2EUkaWr-4sVsmA6fnFg6aHzgvvj-90gNHqooLQz_H-QnArmNKJYXnMjA3eQfa0z_al3wGJJuKUJiR7aOl1ezHKYpBeW4blPybuB7_2ZRGx6anSdzg7bFeqs/s1600/Kim+Fredrickson+Favorite+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPgtpl73o81mDig4ZmS1q2EUkaWr-4sVsmA6fnFg6aHzgvvj-90gNHqooLQz_H-QnArmNKJYXnMjA3eQfa0z_al3wGJJuKUJiR7aOl1ezHKYpBeW4blPybuB7_2ZRGx6anSdzg7bFeqs/s320/Kim+Fredrickson+Favorite+cropped.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Kim is a Marriage
and Family Therapist (MFC 22635) in Northern California. Kim enjoys sharing
about the transforming power of self-compassion from a faith perspective
through her recently released book, </span></span><a href="http://amzn.to/1LUn3op"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Give
Yourself a Break: Turning Your Inner Critic into a Compassionate Friend</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> Kim also writes a </span></span><a href="http://www.kimfredrickson.com/blog/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria;">weekly blog, “Self-Compassion for Real Life”</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> where she shares hope - grounded in our
faith, practical tools with real life application, and heartfelt encouragement.
</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Connect with Kim on
</span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KimFredricksonMFT"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria;">Facebook</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">, </span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/kimfredrickson"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria;">Twitter</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kimfredrickson1"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria;">Pinterest</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">, and </span></span><a href="http://www.kimfredrickson.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria;">her website</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">About the Book</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYIwsW5bx2VnMwxs2XTsZiu58rb058u6-nJRo8BlSCW9FddnHUQx_TItzThTyFsf3eA44nGgRZRTdq4KX0v9dc0j8UfmYZne91hvAoqxPKSrky3kpOoae9qmFlmmklUbFDnJ8fXDIiz0/s1600/Fredrickson_GYAB+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYIwsW5bx2VnMwxs2XTsZiu58rb058u6-nJRo8BlSCW9FddnHUQx_TItzThTyFsf3eA44nGgRZRTdq4KX0v9dc0j8UfmYZne91hvAoqxPKSrky3kpOoae9qmFlmmklUbFDnJ8fXDIiz0/s320/Fredrickson_GYAB+cover.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many people are used to showing
compassion to others. What many of us have trouble with is showing that same
compassion to ourselves. Too often we say things to ourselves that we would
never say to a friend. All this negative self-talk can have a devastating
effect on our lives.<br />
<br />
Licensed marriage and family therapist Kim Fredrickson wants readers to stop
beating themselves up. Grounding her advice in the Bible, she offers practical
steps, specific exercises, and compassionate words to say in order to build a
loving relationship with ourselves. Through inspiring stories of
transformation, she helps us learn to show ourselves the kind of grace and
understanding we offer to others--and to change our relationships, our outlook
on life, and our view of ourselves in the process.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">~ ~ ~ ~</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kim has graciously agreed to give away a copy of her book, <em>Give Yourself a Break</em>. Please enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We also have a winner for <em><a href="http://gabrielle-meyer.blogspot.com/2015/07/walking-mile-in-another-mans-cowboy.html">The Cactus Creek Challenge</a></em>, by Erica Vetsch! The winner is Crystal Caudill! Congrats, Crystal. </span></span><br />
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<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-38886451596739966382015-07-09T00:00:00.000-05:002015-07-09T00:00:00.941-05:00The Convenient Bride Collection Blog Hop ~ Amanda Barratt<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Interview with
Grace McNair – Heroine of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Substitute
Wife</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em></em></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbj1M7LfGkSPT6hYKuYRoGyIrZRi2S-XxY9GJRsR5XjkOPTqjg9RmdIxxyEPT37GJwLSe3Ve4rChn41FweedSCMqV32h1A3dXJ1CHdrS52q3VlbpFG4GcJzdlbm5xl48AT7Ge6hbOTtY/s1600/The+Substitute%2527s+Wife+%2528Amanda+Barratt%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbj1M7LfGkSPT6hYKuYRoGyIrZRi2S-XxY9GJRsR5XjkOPTqjg9RmdIxxyEPT37GJwLSe3Ve4rChn41FweedSCMqV32h1A3dXJ1CHdrS52q3VlbpFG4GcJzdlbm5xl48AT7Ge6hbOTtY/s1600/The+Substitute%2527s+Wife+%2528Amanda+Barratt%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How do you
do, everyone! This is newspaperman Archie Davidson, reporting from Bristol,
Connecticut. I’m here to tell you all about a rather alarming incident that
occurred just the other day, at what was supposed to be the society wedding of
the year. I attended the wedding with plans to write an article for the social
columns, but something queer happened instead. The engagement notice printed in
my fine newspaper read: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dr. Raymond
McNair to wed Miss Audrey Whittaker.</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>And we never make mistakes at the Bristol<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Times</i>, you can be quite sure of that. Tell me then, why did Miss
Audrey Whittaker disappear right before the big day, while her sister, young
Miss Grace Whittaker, married the good doctor instead?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That ladies
and gentleman, is the mystery at hand! But with my classic newspaperman’s nose,
I’m going to sniff it out, starting by interviewing…the substitute wife
herself.</span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Grace appears in the doorway, but
doesn’t enter the room. She stands quietly, hands folded in front of her, eyes
on the carpet.</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Davidson – </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Come in, come in, won’t you? Have a
seat. Care for some tea? I make quite deplorable tea, actually, but I’d be glad
to share some with you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Grace takes a seat on the edge of the
settee. To Davidson’s cataloging eye, she seems to perch, like a hummingbird
ready to take flight at the merest instant.</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace –</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I make deplorable tea too. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She fixes her wide-eyes on Davidson. She has
rather pretty eyes, or so they seem to Davidson. Greyish-blue, fringed with
thick, dark lashes. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Davidson – </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Really? I would’ve thought you’d be
rather handy with housekeeping. Aren’t most girls?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace –</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Perhaps. But not me. You see, after
Mother died, I spent so much time working in Father’s store, I never had a
chance to learn. But now that I’m married, my kitchen skills are proving me a
disgrace.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Davidson –</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rather
eager) </i>Married, you say? I’d heard about that. Is it true that you took
your sister’s place at the altar after she ran off with the traveling circus?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace –</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> It wasn’t the traveling circus. It
was a theatrical troupe. But please, don’t print that in your paper. My father wouldn’t
wish the family name ruined any more than it already is.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Davidson –</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Off the record, then. Just to
satisfy my own curiosity, how are you and your new husband enjoying married
life?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace –</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(fidgeting
with her clasped hands.)</i> Is it possible to enjoy what was forced upon one?
Dr. McNair only married me to save his own name from scandal. He is polite and
civil, but he doesn’t love me. Not that I should expect him to. I’m not
beautiful like Audrey. She could charm any man that came within ten miles of
her. Father always said I’m plain, and he’s right. I don’t attract men. It’s
just not in my nature to smile, flirt, and be charming. So you see, Mr.
Davidson, a marriage cannot possibly succeed after such a rocky start.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Davidson –</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I don’t know about that. Dr. McNair
is one of the most decent men around. And with his kindly manner and Irish
charm, he could win over any girl if he set his mind to it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace –</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (sighing softly) </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He is charming, like you say, and handsome too. And I do want so much to
be happy with him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Davidson – </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Just give it time, Mrs. McNair. As
the old saying goes, “time heals all wounds.” And as I know from personal
experience, love doesn’t always have to come in the grand, romantic way it does
in novels. Sometimes it steals upon you quietly. And when it’s unexpected, it’s
often all the sweeter.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace –</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(smiling
now) </i>Thank you, Mr. Davidson. You’re very kind.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Davidson – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The pleasure is all mine, Mrs.
McNair. I wish you both the very best.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">About Amanda</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9WAT_baC4OWeD5a2LqOS6RRALIJW_iY2UUlM_NSPQZnvWEP9PvPrrpX7qQvoXDY56t56g3b8kA9tsh039Wz2S-3B1dVx9UN9Q-hTgVah3G1aIwL3ETyxlUK0XAgXwvoHOMmEg0Dz6cQ/s1600/Amanda+Barratt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9WAT_baC4OWeD5a2LqOS6RRALIJW_iY2UUlM_NSPQZnvWEP9PvPrrpX7qQvoXDY56t56g3b8kA9tsh039Wz2S-3B1dVx9UN9Q-hTgVah3G1aIwL3ETyxlUK0XAgXwvoHOMmEg0Dz6cQ/s1600/Amanda+Barratt.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Amanda Barratt is a historical romance author with two novellas releasing in 2015 with Barbour Publishing. She fell in love with writing in grade school when she wrote her first story - a spinoff of Jane Eyre. Since then, she's penned novels set in Regency and Victorian England, and the Gilded Age.<br />
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A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she lives in the woods of Michigan with her fabulous family, who kindly put up with the invisible people she calls characters.<br />
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These days, Amanda can be found reading way too many books, watching an eclectic mix of BBC dramas and romantic chick flicks, and trying to figure out a way to get on the first possible flight to England.<br />
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You can connect with her at <a href="http://amandabarratt.net/">amandabarratt.net</a> and on Facebook at: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/amandabarrattauthor">www.Facebook.com/amandabarrattauthor</a><br />
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<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-534168611594105953.post-43882162166436293692015-07-08T00:00:00.000-05:002015-07-08T00:37:00.077-05:00Walking a Mile in Another Man's Cowboy Books ~ Guest Post by Erica Vetsch<span style="font-family: inherit;">This week is all about celebrating new releases, and today we're celebrating a fun one!! My author friend, Erica Vetsch, is here today to talk about <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cactus-Creek-Challenge-Erica-Vetsch/dp/1630589276/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436333743&sr=8-1&keywords=the+cactus+creek+challenge&pebp=1436333748758&perid=0KKB7A3GF2S8PD8D6AB1">The Cactus Creek Challenge</a></em>. I'm especially excited because Erica is a fellow Minnesotan, as well as one of the contributors of my group blog, <a href="http://coffeecupsandcamisoles.blogspot.com/">Coffee Cups & Camisoles</a>, and she's also an author in both of the novella collections I'm in this summer! Not only do we share all of this in common, we're also fellow history & museum lovers. Erica is a great blessing to me and so many who know her (she's also hilarious!). I hope you enjoy her guest post. :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9QsCcpwF9KPaHUPLXNaL4n_wQ4ziPuepfpLKTdGNEMtcMBue1DjXIJ4VizuVJN_uM7QoSwLSIeuSFb1tAzVG6zDsVInBqKM4ntgCDdlniosyO4j58hqN7x-TMDaY-ov6dXpCT32yQoc/s1600/Gabe+and+Erica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9QsCcpwF9KPaHUPLXNaL4n_wQ4ziPuepfpLKTdGNEMtcMBue1DjXIJ4VizuVJN_uM7QoSwLSIeuSFb1tAzVG6zDsVInBqKM4ntgCDdlniosyO4j58hqN7x-TMDaY-ov6dXpCT32yQoc/s320/Gabe+and+Erica.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erica and me on release day for The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMRl1Gnr004jazJKYyOQM0yf2GwEYAAwaidFSrdZfeYLkLk4ZH5gjmohjedD6147W2J2IM7c2sw2sBOoI4GilAzaWBnBFjVSvAXZ1ga7bZZ-N45UD4BLmTI3pQYGwb26P-iEBbhoYAXc/s1600/Gabrielle+and+Erica+being+photobombed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMRl1Gnr004jazJKYyOQM0yf2GwEYAAwaidFSrdZfeYLkLk4ZH5gjmohjedD6147W2J2IM7c2sw2sBOoI4GilAzaWBnBFjVSvAXZ1ga7bZZ-N45UD4BLmTI3pQYGwb26P-iEBbhoYAXc/s320/Gabrielle+and+Erica+being+photobombed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being photobombed at the MN ACFW Writer's Retreat in May</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you so much, Gabrielle, for the invitation to visit
your blog. I love that we’re fellow Minnesotans, history addicts, and friends. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gabrielle asked me to choose one of the themes from my new
release <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Cactus Creek Challenge</i> to
talk about with you all here today, and the first theme that shot to my mind
was that of experiencing life through someone else’s eyes, walking a mile in
another man’s cowboy boots, so to speak. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In
The Cactus Creek Challenge</i>, the schoolmarm Cassie and the sheriff Ben swap
places for a month for charity, which leads to some interesting predicaments
for each of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Both Cassie and Ben bring a wagonload of preconceived
notions to their new job. Each has to let go of their hold of their previous
job. And each has to give and receive grace when, in the end, they need each
other to do the best job possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ben’s preconceived notions are that teaching school isn’t that
hard—after all, you just sit behind a desk and listen to recitations—and that
no woman could keep the peace in his town, especially not one so young as
Cassie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For Cassie, she is sure she can do anything without help,
especially something as simple as walking around town wearing a badge and
chatting with people all day. There hasn’t been a speck of trouble in Cactus
Creek in forever, and things aren’t likely to change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Each of them has to face several challenges in the course of
settling into their new jobs, and both are reluctant to accept the help,
advice, or criticism of the other. Their stubbornness trips them up, and folks
take advantage of their greenness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are each sure the other is messing up their job because they’re doing things
differently. Ben decides to change the curriculum at the school to something
more to his liking, and Cassie decides to prettify the jail. Ben lets the kids
run free, and Cassie bites off more than she can chew in protecting a gold
shipment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the end, each has to learn that they are better together
than apart, that each brings strengths to the table that the other can utilize.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This makes me think of the body of Christ, His Church. Each
of us is gifted and equipped for the edifying of the body. Each of us brings
something different to the equation. And we are better together than apart.
When we share the load, we lighten the load. When we give each other the grace
to serve Christ according to our gifts, we are stronger. When we exercise our
gifts to serve each other, even if it’s in a job we’ve never done before, we
grow in our fellowship and our faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s what being part of the body of Christ is: service and grace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>YOUR TURN: Have you had the chance to walk a mile in another man’s
cowboy boots?</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ABOUT THE BOOK: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4M9QPlVYFN6djBh3UfYkN-eZYB-vlFsjge4jKgSHK_UnIc3f59RFIJpqU_VdCICLwi1a4-b6PNg1OgsvTNbK_5bQjwFf8S6z3g1iZJ6StPMY3JkWqX2d-xbtxiOdpw3dxPvVXtFPlXo/s1600/CactusCreekChallenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4M9QPlVYFN6djBh3UfYkN-eZYB-vlFsjge4jKgSHK_UnIc3f59RFIJpqU_VdCICLwi1a4-b6PNg1OgsvTNbK_5bQjwFf8S6z3g1iZJ6StPMY3JkWqX2d-xbtxiOdpw3dxPvVXtFPlXo/s320/CactusCreekChallenge.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Anything he can do, I can do better.</i> At least
that was what Cassie Bucknell thought before she pinned on Ben Wilder’s badge
and took to patrolling the streets of Cactus Creek, Texas. Cassie has been in
love with Ben since primer school, but Ben treats her like a little sister.
When they are picked to swap jobs for a month as part of the annual Cactus
Creek Challenge in their Texas hometown, the schoolhouse is thrown into an
uproar, the jail becomes a temporary bank vault, and Cassie and Ben square off
in a battle of wills that becomes a battle for their hearts.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGJsl9ANl1zzYTCODsSX_SOJLI7bHIAlAN11GE9VsLNPC2TjzDf6qN5CZ-XJ4sEQ-_wPLM7R7v2Lcx2Uf9kNUWj81puEE3k2BLSjwYstDKbeb8kCuqtv_Ya5SlNACh7Gu0ihKhEwsDDU/s1600/Erica+Vetsch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGJsl9ANl1zzYTCODsSX_SOJLI7bHIAlAN11GE9VsLNPC2TjzDf6qN5CZ-XJ4sEQ-_wPLM7R7v2Lcx2Uf9kNUWj81puEE3k2BLSjwYstDKbeb8kCuqtv_Ya5SlNACh7Gu0ihKhEwsDDU/s320/Erica+Vetsch.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Erica Vetsch</b> is a transplanted Kansan now
residing in Minnesota. She loves history and romance, and is blessed to be able
to combine the two by writing historical romances. Whenever she’s not immersed
in fictional worlds, she’s the company bookkeeper for the family
lumber business, mother of two, wife to a man who is her total opposite
and soul-mate, and avid museum patron.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Goodreads</span></a><o:p></o:p></li>
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Books on Amazon</span></a><o:p></o:p></li>
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<strong>Erica has agreed to give away a copy to one lucky winner! Enter the Reafflecopter below for your chance to win.</strong><br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="676fb10e19" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/676fb10e19/" id="rcwidget_h3fe309a" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<br />
The winner of The Convenient Bride Collection from last week's drawing is Tammy Cordery! Congrats, Tammy. Gabrielle Meyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.com15