Thursday, May 27, 2021

Our Story BEFORE The Story - Nigel and Darcy – STEALING THE FIRST MATE - by - Tabitha Bouldin

I’m Nigel Jones, and I work as a pirate for a Christian-themed boat tour company that’s owned by Edward Riggins.

That’s my dad. I’m Darcy Riggins. I work on the boat too, but not as often as Nigel.

Right, thanks for that, Darcy.

Anytime, Nigel.

Today we’ll be telling you the story behind our story. I’d rather we didn’t. It isn’t my favorite thing to discuss, but since we’ve been hauled in like a boatload of tuna, I suppose we’ve no choice. I’ve known Darcy since we were kids. The first time I saw her, we were about six years old. I fell in love with her then, but she never knew.

And whose fault is that? I always thought you were too focused on work to fall in love. Meanwhile, I ran around the islands searching for Mr. Right and he was right in front of me all along. Do you know how many nights I could have enjoyed sitting on the beach with you instead of fending off bad date after bad date?

True. But we’re getting off track. We’re telling our backstory. Not our now story.

Right. Focusing. We grew up together on Elnora Island. Spent practically every waking hour together until we graduated from high school. After that, things changed between us. I thought maybe we were growing apart. That happens to a lot of kids, even when they’re best friends, once they become adults. It wasn’t until this year that I found out the real reason. That summer after graduation, Nigel had a falling out with my dad. He hid it from me and tried to keep our friendship from developing into something more.

Well, can you blame me? Your dad is an impressive guy, especially to a scared eighteen-year-old. He made sure I knew I’d never be welcome around you if I told you what really happened. That night changed my life. I thought I’d never get to say “I love you” to anyone, much less to you.

Thank goodness we’re past all that now.

And that’s our story before the story.

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Tabitha is offering a free signed book to someone in the US who leaves a comment below!
Drawing is Wednesday evening - June 2, 2021

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Our Story Title:   Stealing the First Mate

Our Story Genre:  Contemporary Christian Romance

Our Story Releases:   May 25, 2021
                                   Just two days ago!

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The Author of My Story:    Tabitha Bouldin






Tabitha Bouldin has a bachelor's degree in creative writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University.
She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has been writing since 2015.
When she's not homeschooling her kids, you'll find her curled up with a book.
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Thursday, May 20, 2021

My Story BEFORE The Story ~ Amy ~ in ~ IMPACT ~ by ~ Audra Sanlyn

My name is Amy and I’ve found myself in quite a predicament. I’m alone. Scared. Angry. No one in this obscure town will understand if I tell them what’s happened, least of all Momzilla. There are two people I might be able to confide in. But I don’t want to let them down. I’m always letting people down, most of all myself. But I have a big decision to make.

Why do I feel so alone, you ask?

Well, let’s start with one of my earliest memories. I was five and Mom and Dad were still living together. My teacher let us each choose a coloring sheet and told us to do our best work. I picked one with a rainbow over a field of butterflies because Mom likes pretty things. Trade in the Crayolas for paints, and I could’ve been Picasso. Or so I thought. I was so excited when I got home and handed it to her.

Most moms light up with a wide-eyed grin and gush out something like, “That’s beautiful! Thank you!”

Right?

Not my mom. She wrinkled her nose and said, “Well, you did the best you could, I guess,” before tossing it on the kitchen table.

I ran to my room and hid the rest of the evening. When I came downstairs the next day, I found it in the trash.

Stuff like this happened over and over as I grew. I want to be a fashion designer, yet every outfit I put together is “hideous.” And I could stand to lose a few pounds. Apparently, 110 pounds is too much for my five-foot-four frame.

My dad isn’t terrible, but he’s never really around, either. Even after the divorce, when I spend weekends at his drab little bachelor pad, he doesn’t talk to me much and has no idea how to convey any type of emotion.

Then there’s Jenna and her mom, Lisa. Jenna’s my Day One. My best friend. She’d never in a million years judge me, but depending on how I make this monumental decision, it could affect her and Lisa, too. And they don’t need any more stress in their lives. Lisa works multiple jobs to make rent, (most months. I think their landlord is getting impatient), and anything other than rice and ramen has become more of a luxury than a necessity.

I’m not sure where God is in all of this. Jenna and Lisa are Christians and I’ve gone to church with them in the past. If He was going to drop this bomb on me, you’d think He’d at least give me a mom who doesn’t despise me. Or a dad who listens. I’m not sure if God and I are on speaking terms right now.

But even if I did ask for forgiveness, I’m not sure He would, no matter what I choose.

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Audra is offering a signed copy in US or an ebook of IMPACT to one reader.
Winner's choice after drawing Wednesday evening, May 26, 2021!

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My Story Title:   IMPACT

My Story Genre:  Christian Contemporary Women's Fiction

My Story Released:   May 7, 2021

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The Author of My Story:    Audra Sanlyn





Audra Sanlyn is a member of ACFW and ACFW Virginia Chapter and serves as Webinar Coordinator for Capital Christian Writers Fellowship. 
Audra writes a monthly encouragement blog and uses her platform to advocate for the rights of the unborn. 
When she’s not homeschooling her crazy kids, she enjoys music and woodburning and leads the youth ministry with her husband at their home church.

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Get Connected:

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

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Thursday, May 13, 2021

Our Story BEFORE The Story ~ Natassa and DeAndre ~ Mercy Will Follow Me ~ by ~ Sarah Hanks

Hi, I’m Natassa. Do you remember me from high school? Probably not. I’m Maureen’s sister. Olivia’s sister. Ring a bell now? Yeah, my sisters always seemed to outshine me. But now—now I’ve finally made my mark on the world. Kind of. I mean, a small but significant mark. Four beautiful children—Aren’t they amazing?—And Brandon, did I marry up or what? Maureen couldn’t believe little old me managed to snag such a handsome and successful man. And look at my house. Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe this is my life. I have every reason to be ecstatic with it.

Is there something wrong with me that I’m not? There’s just this niggling feeling that something’s missing. That this big, beautiful life isn’t quite complete. Something’s missing. I think it’s another baby. If we could just have one more… The problem is, Brandon doesn’t agree. He says we’re done. How can he make such a life changing decision without even hearing me out? We’re supposed to be partners, yet once again, I feel unheard. I’m so tired of being pushed aside by everyone in my life. Maybe it’s time I did something about it.


DeAndre, here. I don’t wanna run for Boss. You look at me, at where I live, at my best friend Reg, and that’s what you expect me to do, right? Be just another drug dealing thug from the inner city. Forgive me for wanting to smash your expectations. I may not have much going for me, but I’ve got this hunger for more churning on the inside. I will not become another statistic. There’s got to be another way.

I heard they’re hiring out in Crawford County. Yeah, that part of town is so… white. Reg calls me a fool for even thinking of going up there, but I’m gonna check it out. Couldn’t hurt, right? Maybe I’ll get a job. Maybe not. All I know is I’ve got to try something different, or I’ll spend my life dodging bullets on the street or getting killed by one like my Pa. Or maybe I’ll go through my whole life and have nothing to show for it. So, yeah, a trip up to Crawford County couldn’t hurt. It might even change everything for me.

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Sarah is offering a single Signed Copy of MERCY WILL FOLLOW ME (Book one)
 ~ but~ 
 if the winner has read this novel, she will award MERCY'S SONG (Book two), instead. 
Book two comes out in June

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Our Story Title:   MERCY WILL FOLLOW ME (Book 1)
                                         

Our Story Genre:  TimeSlip Novel ~ 
        Christian Contemporary ~ Christian  Historical 

Our Story Released:   November 2,  2020

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The Author of Our Story:    Sarah Hanks





 Sarah Hanks has spent the last decade delightfully merging her two main passions—writing and equipping children—by writing a variety of Sunday school curricula. She wrote her first novel when she was seventeen and continued to write fiction “on the side” until deciding to pursue writing professionally. She and her husband have eight children, a couple of whom have inherited their mother’s love for playing with words and crafting stories. Though Sarah dreams of a cabin by the beach, the family of ten lives jammed together in beautiful chaos in St. Charles, Missouri. She buys ear plugs in bulk.

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Get Connected:

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

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