Showing posts with label 2019. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2019. Show all posts

Thursday, November 12, 2020

~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MEANT FOR HER~

~FAITH & FELLOWSHIP BOOK FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED ~ 
~THE ANGEL BOOK AWARDS FOR 2020 ~

Just in time for a birthday! 






Now, I know those photos above are far from professional, but I had to take them from a video. I am still in shock, I think. God used this award to affirm my obedience in writing a genre, I never thought I wanted to write... never thought I'd be capable of writing. WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE - especially when He has asked us to do it!

~ CELEBRATE MEANT FOR HER'S BIRTHDAY WITH ME ~


LEAVE A COMMENT ~ I WILL GIFT A FREE, SIGNED COPY OF MEANT FOR HER TO SOMEONE IN THE U.S. AFTER THE DRAWING IS HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING NOVEMBER 18, 2020!

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Story Title:      MEANT FOR HER

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

 Story Released:   November 14, 2019
Happy birthday, Meant For Her

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Back Cover Blurb:

Had it all truly been ~ MEANT FOR HER?

Kidnapped, raped, brutally beaten, and left for dead, Candi Reynolds becomes a prisoner of fear. Faced also with the impact of the unexpected break-up with her fiancé, and an unwanted pregnancy resulting from the attacks, she believes God has forsaken her. Choosing to move back to the Michigan horse farm, owned by her older brother, Dr. Cam Reynolds, Candi essentially goes into seclusion.

Dr. Patrick (Mack) MacKevon, long-time friend of Cam’s, watches from the sidelines at the farm, where his horses are stabled, while Candi struggles to regain a sense of normalcy. His own big-brother tendencies develop into a much deeper emotion over the months he prays for her.

Is it possible for Candi to put all the pain and trauma behind her and renew her former relationship with the Lord? Will she allow her heart to open enough to discover authentic love, while making decisions of victory on her personal journey to joy?

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Author:   Joy Avery Melville


Joy Avery Melville's  heart’s desire is to be the author God has called her to be by sharing Him with readers in such a way they long to have a deeply committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord. 

Fully intending to write Historical Romance—had in fact— she had no plans to deviate from that. God had something else in mind for that ‘call’ He’d made on her life back in 1967. A mere eighth grader at the time, she had no clue about the topics she’d be drawn to write about.

Surrendering to the genre God placed on her heart has given Joy new insight into the hearts and lives of those who too often hurt in silence.

The settings of Joy’s books are near where she lives in Schoolcraft, Michigan with her husband of nearly 47years and their 2-year-old Yorkie, Is-A-Bella Bindi, (Is-a-beautiful little girl) who thinks she’s a much larger breed with tomboy tendencies.

Joy loves to hear from readers and will respond!

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  Joy would love to connect with  you:

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This book can be purchased at:

E-book, Paperback, Kindle Unlimited formats

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Thursday, March 12, 2020

My Story BEFORE The Story ~ Vivian Day ~ The Irresistible Woman in a Blue Dress ~ Bk 3 in Twisty Creek Series

VIVIAN DAY:
I’m a little nervous talking to you because I don’t want to sound ungrateful. But the truth is being beautiful isn’t as glamorous as many believe. Vivian Day isn’t even my real name. But what modeling company would be enamored with Ashley Brickman? When Mother asked if I, at age twelve, truly wanted to pursue a modeling career, I thought it would be exciting. At first, I liked taking lessons in ballet and learning how to move gracefully. Modeling may be exciting for many girls, but it wasn’t long before I hated the interviews, long photo shoots under hot lights, and practicing poses and facial expressions for hours in front of a mirror.

Many people believe the hardest part for a model is starving herself. Not me. Yes, I watch what I eat, but I’ve always been slim—willowy—and tall. It’s the way I am. What’s most difficult for me is working with my mother agent. In the industry, a mother agent is the agent who discovers the model. In my case, my mother agent is my mother. Mother works harder than any agent I know. She spends hours on the phone setting up interviews and shoots. From the beginning, she’s been determined to get me into the New York City market. We’ve already moved from Pittsburgh to Chicago—a stepping stone to New York City. Another myth is models make a lot of money. Not true, unless you’re a supermodel. I make more that the average model because Mother is a piranha agent.

I had one boyfriend back in Pittsburgh, Michael, but mother hated him. I have to admit, he wasn’t good for me. I guess I hoped he’d help me escape my modeling career. I’m tired of men pawing me and trying to take advantage of me. Bill, the producer of many shoots I’m part of is like that. One date, and he thinks he owns me. Now, I’m headed for the mountains of Roanoke, Virginia, where Bill has arranged a shoot at a waterfall. No one, except me, is happy about what I’m doing after the shoot. I’m driving my 2012 Mustang to Tennessee for a three-week vacation. Mother claims the car won’t make the trip without breaking down. What does she know?

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My Story Title:   The Irresistible Woman in a Blue Dress
                                  Book 3 - Twisty Creek Series

My Story Genre:  Christian Contemporary Romance

My Story Released: December 1, 2019

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The Author of My Story:    Zoe M. McCarthy

 Author, Zoe M. McCarthy was pegged an expressive analytic in a personality test. Isn’t that an oxymoron? But it’s true. Zoe couldn’t survive without creativity and expressing it. Yet, this retired actuary* and introvert receives her energy from being alone in her home office overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Believing opposites distract, Zoe has seven Christian contemporary romances involving tenderness and humor and heroes and heroines who learn to embrace their differences. She also has a book out on writing. Zoe and her husband enjoy canoeing and spending time at their lake cabin, where she writes during month-long sabbaticals—alone.

*Actuaries perform all the mathematical analysis for insurance companies, pricing products and estimating reserves to pay claims.

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Get Connected:

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WHERE can the book be purchased:


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Zoe M. McCarthy is offering an autographed copy of  to one reader in U.S., commenting here.

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

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ March 18, 2019.

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Thursday, January 30, 2020

My Story BEFORE The Story ~ Mahlah bat Zelophehad ~ LIONESS: MAHLAH’S JOURNEY

My name is Mahlah bat Zelophehad. I am the oldest daughter of Zelophehad ben Hepher and right now I would trade my birthright to be a carefree younger sister, except at this moment, my sisters and I are all shaking inside and out. I know this because I am holding the hand of Noah, the boldest girl I know and the sister closest to my age. Her hand is an ocean of warmth and sweat. Noah can stare down ornery bull calves, but now she is stiff and staring straight ahead toward Moses, Joshua, and a crowd of men snarling at our attendance at an assembly.

Why am I here in a crowd of Israelite elders? I am asking myself that same question. I lick my lips to whisper to my other sisters: Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. My tongue has become a rag. One dried in the desert sun.

We are here to ask Moses for something never before given to girls. The request would not be spoken if my father had lived. He is gone as well as my mother, and now what are my sisters and I to do as our people travel towards God’s promised land. What will become of five orphans who do not have a father to speak on their behalf?

I remember our true Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He cares for the orphan and the widow. I have heard Moses read these words from the law. No one should be surprised that I am asking for my father’s land. My sisters are as courageous and law abiding as any son. If I don’t ask now, before my people cross the Jordan River, battles will begin for Jericho and Canaan, and the daughters of a good man will be forgotten in the conquests.

My sisters and I bow before Moses. “We are orphans,” I say, eyes downcast from the man who rescued my ancestors from Egypt. “My father is dead, but he was not one of Korah’s wicked followers. Though he left us alone and now all I can ask for as an orphan is his land.”

Men scoff at my words. I pray my plea met Moses’s ears for I can barely hear the sounds my mouth is making through the drum of my heart. Moses scans the line of my sisters.

“We would like to inherit land,” my sister Tirzah says. Who can resist her dimples and the smile she bestows as the youngest sister? The youngest who has had to rely on my hugs and counsel instead of a mother’s.

Moses calms the crowd and tells everyone he must seek God. I hug my sisters and wait for Moses to inquire of our God. How long will it take? I hope not long for my feet are trembling.

A shout comes from our commander, Joshua, as Moses returns to the assembly.

Raising his hands high, Moses says, “The Lord has spoken.”

Silence. Except for the hum in my ear.

“If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughters.”

A tall elder gasps at Moses’s decree.

Moses casts a stern warning with his wrinkled brow. “Do not challenge God’s words or the inheritance given to these orphans from your tribe of Manasseh.”

A tear streams down my cheek. I notice my sisters are crying, but they are rejoicing too, as am I. We will get to go forth into God’s promised land together with an inheritance of land.

Hopefully, we won’t have to gather in another assembly like this one.

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My Story Title:   Lioness

My Story Genre:  Biblical Fiction

My Story Releases:   October 18, 2019

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The Author of My Story:   Barbara 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:

Find out about Barbara’s books and happenings on her website.
You can find Barb on:

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WHERE can the book be purchased?




Your library can order “Lioness: Mahlah’s Journey” too.
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The author will be honored to gift a winner in the US a choice of a signed paperback copy or an ebook of
LIONESS .
Be sure to leave a comment with an email address where you can be reached should you win with your preference.

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ February 5, 2019.




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Thursday, November 21, 2019

My Story BEFORE The Story ~ Mary Clare Casteel ~ Pocket Change

Hello from Pocket, Arkansas. My name is Mary Clare Casteel, but everyone calls me Mac. I’m dying to tell you my story BEFORE the story for two reasons. Number One, the story begins with a murder, and Number Two, it involves a host of my quirky family members and one melt-down gorgeous neighbor—Mick Walker.

As most of my town knows, I worked my way through college at Mr. Chick-a-Booms Chicken Palace. Once I completed my degree in elementary education, I landed a great job teaching, but as a single woman I had to be quite creative with my monthly earnings. I was toodling along okay. Then one day a van pulled into my driveway. It changed my cash flow from OKAY to WOW! The van belonged to the Publisher’s Clearing House folks and they were there to deliver enough money to make me gulp. The fumes from their vehicle still lingered in the air as I rushed to the bank—still in my pink chenille bathrobe and bunny slippers.

Fast forward six months and I was the proud owner of my nearly completed dream business, Pocket Change. Part antique shop, part book store, part cutting edge technology, it held all the things our town had lost over the decades—hope. The current status of our town sagged. It was my dream to restore our little metropolis to its former glory and NOT allow it to be forever known for its ten-mile-long monthly yard sale.

Then the bomb dropped. As my shop sat nearing completion, I made two discoveries. My contractor, Smitty Small, was in our prize Victorian display coffin – dead, and my new neighbor, Mick Walker proved to be an intriguing and helpful piece of the puzzle.

Want to find out more about what took place and who killed Smitty? I’d love for you to join in the fun and pick up a copy of Pocket Change by Debbie Archer. It’s full of mystery, humor, a bit of romance, and a host of Southern traditions I think you’ll enjoy.

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My Story Title:   Pocket Change

My Story Genre:  Cozy Mystery

My Story Releases:   November 05, 2019

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The Author of My Story:    Debbie Archer

Debbie Archer writes contemporary fiction for adults. Humor often shows up unexpectedly. She holds a Master’s Degree in Library Science and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. She lives in a small nestled-up part of Arkansas with her incredibly patient husband and a band of rescue animals.

Her professional affiliations include, ALA, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, ACFW, Sisters in Crime, American Reading Association, and Romance Writers of America.
Among her favorite authors are John Grisham, Joy Avery Melville, Christine Lynxwiler, Tara Johnson, Dr. Seuss, Sheila Turnage, and Jan Karon.
Her compass verse is Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”


My author signed a contract with her Mack snapping pics and her fur babies looking on!


Such excitement in the house!

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THEN - oh for a pictorial drum roll right now  **** **** ****  November 5, 2019 - RELEASE!!!











~My author's book launches went well over the weekend ~
She has generously allowed Joy to share her special moments with  you here!

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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
Pocket Change to someone residing in the USA.

Be sure to leave a comment 
PROVIDING AN UNUSUAL NAME FOR A YOUNG WOMAN WITH PENCHANT FOR EAVESDROPPING!

 Include an email address where you can be reached should you win.

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ November 27, 2019.

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Thursday, October 03, 2019

Our Story BEFORE The Story ~ Karina & Tristan ~ Sword of Soter

At a random inn, in a random town, right in the middle of Tzedek…

KARINA: (clothed in a purple dress for the first time in a while, her dark hair hanging in a long braid, sits on a platform next to Tristan) Greetings, great readers! Welcome to the Three Kingdoms. I apologize that I am not in Aletheia, where I could welcome you properly. For now, we shall have to endure this lesser hall as I endeavor to answer questions.

TRISTAN: (looks rather uncomfortable as he fidgets in his formal dark pants, forest green tunic, and golden sash, but the way he sits shows that he is protective of Karina) I don’t know why we had to dress up for this.

KARINA: You will have to forgive my friend, Tristan. Our journey has been long. We are wearied, and there is still so much we have yet to accomplish.

TRISTAN: Which is why we should not have stopped for this.

KARINA: (ignores him) You see, I am a Prophetess of the Creator and Queen of Aletheia—though neither is in the realm of what I expected or trained to be. I have been charged with collecting the sacred Armor of the Creator in order to defeat a most foul ancient evil who is using the Warlock King to infect this world.

TRISTAN: Why’d you have to go and mention my brother? (mutters) At least you didn’t marry him.

KARINA: (giving him a confused look) He is the whole reason we are on this quest! (looks back to the crowd) I see many of you are confused. Let me start at the beginning.

When I was just a small child, my father was exiled from Aletheia for betraying his brother—King Pistis of Aletheia. We retreated to Soter for a time, until my parents were both killed by men who are yet still unknown to me. I was placed on an orphan train where I traveled the Three Kingdoms, until they too came under attack.

After suffering for days in the northern forests of Soter, the royal healer of Aletheia found me, near death, and brought me back to the royal house. He nursed me back to health and then took me on as his apprentice. I enjoyed learning the healing arts, and the king—my uncle—never seemed the wiser.

Until he was on his deathbed.

While I cared from him in the absence of the royal healer, he revealed that he had known who I was for a while. And, since he had no children of his own, I was the only heir to his thrown! Talk about having the air sucked out of my lungs. I could not even respond!

Before I could even take on the mantle of queen, a servant of the Creator appeared and proclaimed me a prophetess and gave me a quest. The Three Kingdoms was being invaded by an ancient evil that wanted nothing more than to destroy all the Creator had done. I was to travel to the 3 temples to collect the sacred Armor of the Creator.

TRISTAN: At least she would try. Until I kidnapped her.

KARINA: (a small smirk adds humor to her smug expression) Indeed. You should share a bit of your history.

TRISTAN: (groans) No.

KARINA: I am sure these gentle readers would love to know why you would kidnap the Queen of Aletheia, haul her back to the Warlock King—your brother—and then end up helping her to escape and complete the first leg of the quest.

TRISTAN: See, now they know.

KARINA: (another sigh) Tristan Lemur is the second son of the former King of Tzedek. His brother, Faramos, killed their father and took his place. He rules the kingdom with an iron fist and the threat of the ancient evil. Tristan was his bounty hunter and assassin.

TRISTAN: I only took that position so that I could remain close to my brother in order to avenge the death of BOTH of my parents.

KARINA: (nods with wise understanding) But he came to realize that vengeance was not his to take.

TRISTAN: Not exactly.

KARINA: What do you mean?

TRISTAN: I originally followed after you only because I thought I would have a better chance of achieving my goal on your side. Had nothing to do with realizing anything other than my own incompetence.

KARINA: You are not incompetent. I think, well, Faramos was your brother, the last of your family in the Three Kingdoms. I imagine it was hard for you to comprehend removing that connection, no matter how evil he is.

TRISTAN: I don’t think you quite understand the depth of my hatred.

KARINA: (furrows her brow, but clears her throat) Regardless of his reasons, Tristan ended up helping me through the first part of the quest in Aletheia. Without him, I may not have survived! Now, we have just finished our harrowing journey through Soter. I cannot reveal more about that experience yet.

TRISTAN: I’m just glad to be done with the deception and pretense of that kingdom. At least Faramos is up front about his evil ways.

KARINA: He is not! He tried to garner a betrothal from me in order to take my kingdom! Under the name of peace.

TRISTAN: (grunts) Well, at least I know who Faramos is and what he is about. You just had to find out the hard way.

KARINA: It was not that hard.

TRISTAN: (looks to the back of the room as an elf with pale skin and raven hair flings the door open) Rashka says we need to go. Faramos’s scouts have been spotted in the area.

KARINA: (wavering smile) Well, thank you for listening to the story of how we got came to grace this town. Well, at least the story of how we came to be on this quest. The Honored Scribe says you can read the beginning of our actual journey in Armor of Aletheia and continue on with us in the latest story Sword of Soter, just out this week!


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Our Story Title:   SWORD OF SOTER
Sacred Armor Trilogy - Book 2

Our Story Genre:  YA Fantasy

Our Story Released:   SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

  CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS NEW RELEASE!

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The Author of Our Story:    RALENE BURKE

Whether she’s wielding a fantasy writer’s pen, a social media wand, or a freelance editor’s sword, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer’s world. And her goal is to help everyone #SHINEBeyond their circumstances! Her fantasy novels are available on Amazon.
When her head’s not in the publishing world, she is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their 3 kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all-around crafty diva. If she only had the time . . .

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Get Connected:

WHERE can the book be purchased?

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The author has offered to gift a winner a signed copy of
SWORD OF SOTER.
Be sure to leave a comment with an email address where you can be reached should you win.
DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ October 9, 2019.


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Thursday, June 06, 2019

Our Story BEFORE The Story ~ Lord of Her Heart

Fall of 1198 AD

I am Jocelyn Ashburne and I am on the run. I’ve just escaped the convent after learning the abbess was being blackmailed to force me to either make my vows to the church or marry any man willing to part with a purse full of coin. I never thought I’d ever be wearing boy’s clothing, but here I am in itchy hose and tunic, running through the woods like a criminal, trying to get back home to my father.

Growing up in a large castle as an only child, I admit I was rather spoiled. But I was loved, and I knew it well. My parents doted on me, almost as much as they did each other. But then Mother grew sick and died, leaving my sire grieving and despondent. I lost both parents that day—one to sickness and one to a broken heart.

And then she arrived. Lady Helen. She snaked her way into my sire’s life and into his heart. Aye, she doted on me in his presence, but barely tolerated me otherwise. It was she who convinced my father to send me to the convent for an education. Said I was sadly lacking in the skills needed to marry well in the kingdom. No amount of arguing convinced my father to change his mind.

I was at the convent for several years. My father wrote to me a few times a year until this past year. I haven’t heard a word and I’m worried. I’m headed home to find out about my father’s silence and see if it has anything to do with the abbess’s blackmailer. Now I must stay out of trouble until I make it home to Ramslea.

I am Malcolm Castillon of Berkham, the younger son of a lord without land to call my own. My brothers have built a reputation for themselves and have been granted land by the king, and I aim to do the same. I’ve been tourneying with my squire all over France and England, winning gold and gaining the reputation needed to approach the king for land. While I earned my spurs and was knighted a few years back, I want to be lord and command my own garrison.

I’m headed to Ramslea where a large tournament is to begin in a se’ennight (seven days). The problem is my squire is ill and I’m afraid I must leave him in the next village if he worsens. Without a squire, my job is more difficult. It can be done, but not as easily had I help. Perhaps I can find a person to act as squire along the way. If not, I shall make it on my own. Earn my gold. Gain my land. I shall be victorious.

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My Story Title:   LORD of HER HEART

My Story Genre:  Historical Romance

My Story Released:  May 14, 2019

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The Author of My Story:   Sherrinda Ketchersid


Sherrinda Kitchersid is a lover of stories with happily-ever-after endings. Whether set in the past or present, romance is what she writes and where her dreams reside. Sherrinda lives in north-central Texas with her preacher husband. With four grown children, three guys and a gal, she has more time and energy to spin tales of faith, fun, and forever love.

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Get Connected:

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

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Leave a comment ~
The author will be honored to gift a winner a ~
$10 AMAZON GIFT CARD

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ June 12, 2019.

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Thursday, February 07, 2019

INTRODUCING ~ Our Stories Before The Stories




Journeystojoy is excited to announce a brand new concept in author/novel promotion.

Each Thursday morning ~ February 14 through December 12, 2019 ~ you're invited to read from the character's viewpoint of MANY novellas and novels, just how they arrived in the story they've been written into.

You'll be introduced to a wide array of Christian authors and genres from Children's, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Historical Romantic Suspense, Western Historical, Contemporary Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romantic Mystery, Speculative Romance, Women's Fiction, to a whole LOT more.
 
Can you tell I'm excited about this project?
                                                                YOU BET I AM.

I've had the opportunity to read the post scheduled for NEXT THURS ~ FEB 14th - OH WOW - I can hardly wait to see your reaction to the two characters who've told their back story in a Romantic Mystery novel.

For your participation ~ those characters have a signed-by-the-author book awaiting one blessed winner.

JOIN US HERE, BEGINNING NEXT THURSDAY! We are so looking forward to your visit.

Drawings for give-aways will be held WEDNESDAY EVENINGS preceding the next post-date. You'll have several days' opportunity to comment!

May God richly bless you through the characters and their stories this year!
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