My Story BEFORE The Story ~ Lisa Reno ~ Heart Restoration: Reno Vations Series, Book 1

Hey, there! Hop up into the truck with me! Don’t forget your seatbelt! You can adjust the AC vent if you need to. Summertime in Kentucky is H-O-T, but it’s really the humidity, isn’t it?

Anyway, thanks for coming! I’m Lisa Reno, and somehow I’ve joined forces with my brother, of all people, in running our dad’s construction business, which we renamed “RenoVations.”

Oh! Did I tell you Dad’s getting married in a few weeks? Talk about a story . . . but that was back at Christmastime. We’ll talk later.

At the moment, I’m on my way to meet our new client, because my brother, bless his heart, has injured himself on the job and is laid up. Believe me, I’ll never let him live that down. The upside is I’m in charge for a change!

Wait. Did I remember to fill up the gas tank? Being ten miles from Marion, Kentucky has its ups and downs – one of the downs being lack of amenities, which includes gas stations.

Don’t let the red hair fool you: I’m not a fiery redhead. In fact, in the past I was so shy that all people could remember about me was my hair, and believe me, I did all I could to blend into the woodwork. It was just easier.

Now? Let’s just say I’ve learned a few things in my vast twenty-seven years that have taught me to project a more polished and confident exterior. “Shy me” is still in there, but you’ve heard the phrase “fake it ‘til you make it?” It works!

When Mom got sick a few years ago, I came back home, and I have no regrets. At the time, I wondered if I was doing the right thing. I was working behind the scenes for a successful TV show, had a great boyfriend, and was on my way up in the interior design field. When I realized that my boyfriend wanted me to choose between him and my family, I knew that was God telling me that I needed to depend on Him, and that maybe Ben wasn’t His best for me.

Mom didn’t make it, and Dad was crushed. I couldn’t leave, then. Two years later, after a heart attack at Christmas and his forced semi-retirement, he needed me that much more. Del and I took care of things while he was recuperating, and I never looked back. Sometimes I miss having someone. Okay, I miss it most of the time, but in a tiny town on the river, there’s not much to choose from, so I take solace in my family, my friends, my adorable little house, and my church where I play music every week. It’s a good life, even if it’s a little lonely.

Here we are at the client’s house. Hmmm . . . Looks like it was a showplace in its day, but wow. Fixer-upper? Tearer-downer? Ha! I guess I’ll have to go in and see. Del didn’t tell me who I was meeting. I hope it’s not a cheap-skate that doesn’t have a clue about renovation costs.

Thanks for riding along with me. Del’s usually with me, or Dad, so the company’s been nice. Want to see inside the house? I had a feeling. I’m a sucker for the “old stuff,” and I’ll bet you are, too!

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My Story Title:  Heart Restoration: 
                          RenoVations Series, Book 1

My Story Genre:  Contemporary Romance (Inspirational)

My Story Releases:   August 5, 2020

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The Author of My Story:    Regina Merrick

Regina Merrick is a multi-published writer, church musician, wife, mother, former librarian, lover of all things beachy and chocolate, and grateful follower of Jesus Christ. Married to her husband of 35-plus years, she is the mother of two grown daughters, and the keeper of a 100-year-old house where she lives in the small town of Marion, KY.

See how to connect with her below!

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Get Connected:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Regina-R-Merrick-512257938964888/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/trmerrick64
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reginamerrick/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rmerrick/
• Website: https://www.reginaruddmerrick.com
• Mosaic Collection: https://www.mosaiccollectionbooks.com/
• Scrivenings Press, LLC: https://scriveningspress.com/

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

• Heart Restoration: https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Restoration-Mosaic-Collection-RenoVations-ebook/dp/B089MFHYPJ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=heart+restoration+merrick&qid=1594842249&sr=8-1

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*No one wins who doesn't leave an email address!

* If you are uncomfortable leaving an email address with your comment ~ 
Private message it tome before drawing date! http://facebook.com/joy.averymelville

The author will gift one winner a signed copy of
 HEART RESTORATION: RenoVations Series, Book 1 
 U.S. Only

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ August 5, 2020.

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:

• Website: Go to www.debbiearcher.com to find out more about Debbie and her quirky characters. 
• Instagram.com/debbied.archer
• facebook.com/Debbie-Archer-2391946100847764
• Twitter @archer_debbie
• Pinterest.com/4darcher

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Change-Debbie-Archer-ebook/dp/B07Z5CY5NC

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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.