Thursday, April 30, 2020

Our Story BEFORE The Story ~ Bo and Leah ~ THE MALLEABLE HEART ~ from The BLACKSMITH BRIDES

Leah:
<smiling sweetly as she twirls a strand of reddish-blonde hair around her finger>
Hello, everyone. My name’s Leah Guthrie. I’m a laundress in Elverton, California. I’m also standing in as Ma and Pa to my two younger sisters—Mae and Hope—and my younger brother, Ethan. Our ma passed away in childbirth eight years ago, and Pa died of a snakebite five years back. So that left me to raise my younger family members by myself.

Things were going well enough until we all took sick with some strange illness. Ethan, Hope, and I recovered soon enough, but poor Mae…the sickness did its damage. She nearly died, and when she finally recovered, she’d lost the use of both legs. Doc Bates says her affliction is “a debility of the lower extremities” and that she won’t get better. So I’m working especially hard to be sure they’re all taken care of. It’s not easy on a laundress’s pay, particularly when I have to compete with the Chinese laundries in town. So to get more business, I started picking up my customers’ dirty clothing and returning it, cleaned and pressed, later in the week. The problem is my wagon wheel just broke, forcing me to visit Bowdrie Allen, Elverton’s only blacksmith and wheelwright, and an ornery recluse of a man.

Bo:
<folding his arms and glaring at Leah>
Ahem. I am standin’ right here, you know. I heard every word you said about me, Miss Guthrie.

Leah:
Is anything I said about you incorrect, sir? Untruthful?

Bo:
Well…

Leah:
You are the only blacksmith, you almost flaunt your cantankerous nature, and you keep to yourself most times. Isn’t that so?

Bo:
Well…yeah. But when you say it all out loud like that, it don’t sound so good.

Leah:
My apologies.
<offers a slight bow, then turns away, mumbling under her breath>

Though perhaps you should give that some thought.

Bo:
What’d you—
<shakes head in frustration and turns to the reader>
Never mind her.
I’m Bowdrie Allen, or Bo if you find that easier. And yes, as that meddlesome woman just said, I am ornery and reclusive cuss. Betcha you would be too if you’d experienced what I have. When those that are supposed to love you most hurt you as deep as I have been, it’s just easier to keep to yourself.

You see, I never knew my pa, and Ma—God rest her soul—passed on when I was all of six years old. That just left me and my older brother, Reese. I was scared, feelin’ like my whole world caved in on me. Only it got worse. A few months later, Reese dumped me.

No, not dumped. Sold. Reese sold me to a cruel and wicked man, Paul Cooper, a blacksmith, who put me to work in his shop. Fourteen years of my life now belonged to Coop. Sure, I learned smithing in that time, but I also got my hide tanned often—and a whole lot worse. The only bright spot in my life was Coop’s wife, Anna—a sweet woman who was like a ma to me. But then, one day Anna was dead and Coop and I moved to California. Things grew worse from there.

I ain’t one to talk about my past much—or anything else for that matter. So I think I’ll stop there and get back to work before the rough memories spoil my day. After all, you’d probably rather see how our story unfolds for yourself, rather than having us tell you about it. So go on…get your copy and read, and leave me to fix meddlesome Miss Guthrie’s wagon wheel in peace.

<turns back to his anvil and picks up a hammer>

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 My Story Title:   The Malleable Heart
              from: The BLACKSMITH Brides

My Story Genre:  Historical Romance

My Story Releases:   May 1, 2020

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The Author of My Story:    Jennifer Uhlarik


 Jennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a pre-teen when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a B.A. in writing, she has finaled and won in numerous writing competitions, and been on the ECPA best-seller list several times. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers, Women Writing the West, and is a lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, college-aged son, and four fur children.

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Get Connected:

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Where can the book be purchased?

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The author will be honored to gift a winner a signed copy of
The BLACKSMITH Brides
(US only)

Be sure to leave a comment with an email address where you can be reached should you win.

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ May 6, 2019.

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Thursday, April 23, 2020

My Story BEFORE The Story ~ Doctor Katherine Clark ~ Courting Doctor Clark by Patty Smith Hall

Hello. My name is Doctor Katherine Clark, and I really don’t have time to talk right now. At this moment, my only concern is for the victims of a terrible train wreck that has happened on the outskirts of our small town of Hillsdale, Michigan. We were in the mist of the worst blizzard I’ve seen since moving here from South Carolina many years ago. Two trains collided at the height of the storm, and while there were few deaths, the remaining people are now stranded here until the spring thaw.

Oh heavens, is that Josh McClain? What is he doing here? I haven’t seen him since Papa and I left Abbeville soon after my mother’s death. Josh was the best. We’d get into all kinds of trouble back then, mainly because I’d want to save some bird or racoon or something. But Josh never complained. Sometimes, he’d even help me nurse my little creature back to health. He was the kind of friend I could depend on. A shoulder to cry on after our mothers were killed in a terrible carriage accident.

I hadn’t realized until this moment how much I’ve missed him.

But Josh is all grown up now, and wickedly handsome, though I’m not sure why I’d notice that. And he’s a doctor which is a pleasant surprise! Just one more thing we have in common. I wonder if he can still make me laugh. No one could make me laugh like Josh! But why was he here? His father owes the largest cotton mill in the southeast. Surely, he expected Josh to take over the family business.

I could have heard Josh right. Did he say we were engaged? Maybe, he’s concussed. That has to be it. Yet, he keeps saying it’s true. He has to have bumped his head because he’s talking gibberish. He’s adamant. We are engaged. But how can that be? We haven’t seen each other in almost fifteen years.

Of course, Papa and I will have to take him in. Josh is a friend of the family, after all, and maybe, just maybe he’ll tell me why he thinks I’m to marry him.

Engaged to Josh McClain? Impossible!

Or is it?

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My Story Title:  Courting Doctor Clark

My Story Genre:  Historical Romance

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The Author of My Story:   Patty Smith Hall      

 Multi published Patty Smith Hall lives near the North Georgia Mountains with her husband, Danny, her two daughters, her son-in-law and her grandboy. When she’s not writing on her back porch, she’s spending time with her family or reading on her back porch. 

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Get Connected:

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

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The author will be honored to gift a winner a signed copy of
Courting Doctor Clark 
(US only)

Be sure to leave a comment with an email address where you can be reached should you win.

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ April 29, 2019.

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Thursday, April 16, 2020

My Story BEFORE The Story ~ Milcah bat Zelophehad ~ CLAIMING CANAAN: MILCAH’S JOURNEY

I am the fourth daughter of Zelophehad. My name is Milcah bat Zelophehad and most people don’t even notice me because my older sisters are very outspoken. One even carries a whip, and she isn’t afraid to use it.

Almost seven years have passed since my sisters and I walked into an assembly and asked Moses if we could inherit our deceased father’s land. Talk about the scandal of the day. My heart pounded louder than a ceremonial drum. Moses checked with God and God said we were correct. If a man died without a son, his daughters could inherit his land. Praise God! God later told Moses that we would have to marry within our father’s clan, so our land would stay with our tribe of Manasseh. I thought that would be the easy part of accepting our inheritance.

But…I have had two men ask to be my husband and both have died conquering the land of Canaan. Now, men are leery to ask for my hand because they believe they may die. That is foolishness! I am not cursed.

What will I do if there isn’t a man brave enough to marry me? Some of my kinsmen are already seeking ways to snatch my portion of my father’s land. My sisters are married or have a suitor, though I remain alone.

“Who will it be, Lord,” I ask, chin tipped toward my tent top. The ramskin doesn’t answer. I trust God to answer. God will provide a way, so I can be a landowner. “I’m going forth with You, Lord.” I will keep my eyes open and wait for a new betrothed. I am trusting God to provide a husband even if a man has to fall from the sky.

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My Story Title:   Claiming Canaan ~ Milcah's Journey ~

My Story Genre: Biblical Fiction

My Story Releases:   Ebook ~    April 17, 2020
                                    Paperback ~ May 1, 2020

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 The Author of My Story:    Barbara M. Britton             

Barbara M. Britton  lives in Southeast Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. Barb is published in Biblical fiction and enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light in her stories.

Look for Barb to venture into Christian Historical fiction in 2020 with “Until June.”

She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.

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Get Connected:

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

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The author will be honored to gift a winner:
 $20 Amazon Gift Card 

Be sure to leave a comment with an email address where you can be reached should you win.

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ April 22, 2019.

WINNER ANNOUNCED ON ~ https://www.facebook.com/joy.averymelville

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Thursday, April 09, 2020

My Story Before the Story ~ Faith McCreary ~ Faith and Hope

You know that saying? The one about how if you want to make God laugh, make plans? Well, I guess He’s laughing. I am a planner, through and through. I’ve had my life planned out since about second grade. So, when Sam and I got married six years ago, we knew we wanted to wait a few years and then grow our family even bigger.

Well, right on schedule, two years after our wedding, we started trying. I never doubted I’d get to be a mommy. After all, that’s the way God designed things, right? And Sam and I had done everything right. Surely, God would bless us quickly and we’d have a baby by our third Christmas together.

That Christmas came and went, and no baby. But we let it roll off our shoulders. After all, the experts said not to worry until after a year had gone by.

But that year went by, too.

Needless to say, the last few years of life have been hard. Hard? That’s an understatement, if I ever made one. Painful. Heartbreaking. Devastating. Those are all much closer to the truth.

I wouldn’t wish infertility on my worst enemy.

But maybe ... just maybe ...

Well, let’s just say I might have a surprise for Sam soon. Shh. Don’t tell him. I’m going to find a cute way to do it on pinterest tonight.

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My Story Title:  Faith and Hope


My Story Genre: Christian Contemporary Women's Fiction
*with a thread of Romance*


My Story Release Date: April 2019
*Happy Anniversary*

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Author of My Story: Amy Anguish

Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.


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Connect With My Author:

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My Story Can Be Purchased At:

NOTE:  For the rest of April - the EBOOK IS MARKED DOWN TO $2.99!!!! Remember this if you are not the winner!

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Amy Anguish would be honored to gift a winner a signed copy of
Faith and Hope

Be sure to leave a comment WITH an email address where you can be reached should you win.

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ April 15, 2019.
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Thursday, April 02, 2020

Our Story BEFORE The Story ~ Rance Shepherd & Larae Collins ~ Hill Country Redemption

My name is Rance Shepherd. You’ll have to excuse me, I’m befuzzled. I just learned my high school sweetheart is back in town, right next door. Larae was the only girl I ever loved, but her dad didn’t approve of me because he thought I just wanted her money.

What he didn’t know is, my mom came from money. But her family kind of cut her off because she married my dad. So, I guess you could say history sort of repeated itself, except I left Larae alone so her relationship with her dad wouldn’t be ruined.

I never told her anything about my run-in with her dad, but dated other girls, just to convince her we were over. Since we went to a private school, they were all rich too, so I got a reputation for being a gold digger. Just like her dad pegged me even though it wasn’t true.

Now, eight years later, I decide to buy the house next to her dad’s old house. She’s been in Dallas forever and I never thought she’d come home. Just as soon as I try to start my business stocking cattle for rodeos, here she comes. And she’s thinking about starting up a rodeo on her property. Right next door.

I could really use this job since I’m needing to make a name for myself. I’ll just have to ignore our history and lingering feelings and talk her into hiring me. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. I’m going over there right now. We’re both adults. Even though I made mistakes with Larae when we were teenagers, I’m a Christian now.

I can see her out by barn talking to her foreman. And she still takes my breath away. Wait, who’s that little girl? Could she be Larae’s? I mean, what’s it to me if Larae has a child. Except that it means, she moved on. While I haven’t.

***

What am I thinking? I can’t stay here. Not with Rance right next door. Oh, hello. My name is Larae Collins. This is my childhood ranch where I grew up. And since my dad went to Heaven a few months ago, I came home to sell it. But Jayda, my little girl loves it here and since the rodeo I worked for in Fort Worth downsized me out of their marketing department, my foreman is trying to talk me into starting a rodeo here.

It’s a fun idea. Owning my own rodeo, where no one can downsize me, running it the way I want, not serving alcohol. Because let’s face it, riding bulls and alcohol don’t mix. I’d love to have a truly family atmosphere where no one has to worry about getting killed by a drunk driver on their way home. The way my mom did when I was a teen. I could even name the rodeo after her.

But Rance is right next door. And he can’t see Jayda. He can’t know he’s her father. Back in high school, he dumped me for someone else. And then I found out I was pregnant. After he dumped me, he dated one rich girl after another. Proving Daddy was right about him, he only wanted my money. As soon as I graduated, I moved to Dallas and no one ever knew about Jayda from my home town. Other than Daddy.

I’ve changed since then. I’m a Christian now and Jayda is a blessing that came out of past mistakes. Even though I know I should tell Rance the truth about her, he hasn’t changed a bit. He’s still irresponsible and I figure his stock contracting business will bore him eventually and he’ll go back to traveling the rodeo circuit. If I’d known he was here, I’d have never come home.

All I have to do is keep him from seeing Jayda for a few days, get the rodeo setup in place, and head back to Dallas with no one the wiser. Maybe the rodeo will stop the flow of red ink from the ranch and I can run it from afar. If it doesn’t, I can still sell and find another job. I’ve got the money Daddy left me, but Jayda is my first priority and I’d like her to have an inheritance someday.

Here comes Rance down my driveway. If I’m going to do this rodeo thing, I guess I should hire him. It won’t matter as long as Jayda stays in the house and we leave ASAP. But here comes Jayda too. Oh, he can’t see her. I have to head her off, convince her to go back inside. It’s probably too late since he’s seen her. But since Jayda is small for her age, most people assume she’s five or six. Maybe Rance won’t realize he’s her father.

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Our Story Title:   Hill Country Redemption         

Our Story Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Our Story Released:   March 17, 2020

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The Author of Our Story:    Shannon Vannatter


Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does.

She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.

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Get Connected:

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

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Ten copies of Hill Country Redemption will be split among commentors on her blog tour. Winner’s will be revealed on Shannon’s Blog on April 13th

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