*The Scavenger Hunt does not start until August 30 at noon EST. We are testing the links to make sure we are ready for you tomorrow.*

Welcome to the inaugural Back to School Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt. We hope that throughout this hunt you discover some new books and get to know a little more about us.

A few things before you begin:

This hunt is a blog hop. Collect the “clues” (pieces to the longer phrase) at each stop. Enter the individual giveaways along the way, then click on the link to the next stop and repeat until you reach #28, where you will input the full phrase as your entry to the grand prize drawing.

The hunt begins August 30, 2023, at noon EST and ends September 4, 2023, so you have plenty of time to visit each stop. If you need to step away and come back later, make a note of the last stop you visited, and go to this post with the list of all stops on the hunt.

If you are having trouble viewing the posts, you may need to switch browsers. Chrome and Firefox sometimes work better than Microsoft Explorer or Edge.

Welcome to my blog! I hope you’ve enjoyed collecting all the clues so far on our Blog Hunt!

Today, I want to talk about a subject that isn’t always top-of-mind when we think of “back to school”.

Back to school memories are bittersweet for me. I’m old enough to remember when school yard bullies stole your lunch money and gave you black eyes. And going to the principal’s office for “fighting” got you a phone call to your parent’s office and then a meeting with the principal.

In middle school, I was a skinny-minny kid and prone to being bullied. I was in the “accelerated” class, which means I was a grade ahead of my age, and some older kids who were a lot bigger than I was took exception to it. I spent a couple of years getting “beat up” on my way home from school. My parents expected me to stand up for myself and fight back. I was furious with them because I thought they didn’t care about my bruises and scrapes. Eventually, I learned to physically fight back. No more scratches or stolen lunches.

That’s an unheard of proposition these days. When my own children were in grade school, people thought that bullies had disappeared by magic, fighting wasn’t allowed, and everyone had to get along. There was (ha-ha) zero tolerance for bullying, even though any kid with a brain knew bullies lurked outside at recess.

My children have Down Syndrome so were supposed to be in a different part of the school yard under supervision. However, I had always told them that if any kid hit them, they were to hit back. One day at lunch hour, a “regular” boy decked my son. My son, who was about 9 yrs. old, got up and hit him back, except the other boy ran away. The teacher couldn’t catch him, so only my son was dragged into the principal’s office. I was called to the school and asked to explain my stance on allowing “bullying” behavior.

When the principal said he might have to suspend my son for a day, I shrugged my shoulders and said I’d take him home right then, along with his sister. I had already stated that if someone hit my kids first, they would hit back and explained why I thought it was beneficial for special needs children to know how to defend themselves. I suggested he might want to question the teacher about her lack of supervising skills, and he backed down on the one-day suspension.

I’m grateful that despite how scared I was of the bullies who terrorized me in middle school, my parents taught me how to stand up to them, and to stand up for myself. However, bullying has taken a much darker turn nowadays than simply stealing lunch money or your backpack.

Bullying now includes cyber-stalking/bullying/extortion. It’s not true that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”.

If your own child, regardless of age because high school is a dangerous place for bullies to lurk about, shows signs of anxiety, withdrawal, unexplained headaches, injuries they can’t explain, etc. please speak to them about being bullied.

Don’t let the symptoms go by or shrug them off. Cyber-bullying can lead to self-harm and suicides. Let them know that they can tell you *anything*, even if they’ve been conned into sending compromising photos of themselves to someone via their cell phones.

Here are some resources to read and share with your child/teen:

https://www.stompoutbullying.org/helpchat

https://www.cyberbullying.ca

https://www.cybertip.ca

https://www.crisistextline.org/topic/bullying

I hope these are helpful for your school year.

Here is my book, NORTHERN DECEPTION (Heroes of the Tundra Book 1) which is part of the Grand Prize package:

Reunions can be deadly.

After a savage attack in university, Kira Summers fled to the safety of northern Canada and her work as a polar bear scientist. But when her whistleblower brother dies in a mysterious car crash, she must return home to bury him and pack his belongings. Unaware she’s carrying explosive evidence someone’s willing to kill for, she has no choice but to rely on the one person she never thought she’d see again.

Lukas Tanner, a widowed single father of a special needs toddler, moved to Churchill five years ago. As the proud owner of Guiding Star Enterprises, a wilderness tour company, he and his daughter lead a simple life. But when Kira comes crashing back into his world, he realizes God has other plans. Now, Lukas and Kira must confront a merciless killer as their past and present collide in a deadly race – a race they must win if they have any hope of a future together.

If you can’t wait to see if you win, you can buy it here: https://amzn.to/3Iq6EsT

NORTHERN HEARTS (Heroes of the Tundra Book 2) is here: https://amzn.to/33CFJeE

NORTHERN PROTECTOR (Heroes of the Tundra Book 3) is here: https://amzn.to/32qDKK4

AND the next book in the series, NORTHERN REDEMPTION (Heroes of the Tundra Book 4) is coming out October 10, 2023! Here is the blurb:

Runaway bride Lise Dumont has escaped back to Churchill, Manitoba to reclaim her job as a Conservation Officer. She’d rather face down polar bears than marry her abusive ex-fiancé. Once she’s back home in the small town, the peace of the tundra soothes her spirit.

Northern Lights Helicopter Tour owner, Rory Gallagher, isn’t looking for any relationship deeper than the one he has with his pet cat. He enjoys being single and footloose, despite his family’s desire for him to settle down and produce grandchildren. Scarred by memories of not being able to save his father from drowning seven years ago, Rory’s fine with being alone.

Until Lise blazes back into town and helps talk him down from a helicopter crash. When two hardened escaped convicts take them hostage just as a blizzard closes in, it forces the two to rely on each other to survive. They each must face their past before they can have a future.

Can a relationship born out of life and death stakes be enough to last for a lifetime?

I have a Canadiana Gift Giveaway especially for you! Here is a photo of your Prize Package, available only from me.** This is open to US and Canadian readers:

INCLUDES:

Polar Bear Unisex Socks (because all of my books have a polar bear in them!)

Canvas Book Tote Bag, 14.5″ high, 12.5″ wide

Book Journal for those of you who love to record your book reading! 8.5″ x 11″ soft cover

Genuine Canadian Tim Horton’s Maple Flavoured Coffee 300 gm bag

A print copy of NORTHERN DECEPTION

**Book cover may be the original green cover.

Please fill out the Rafflecopter at: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/38979fb2342/

Thank you SO much for being here today!

Here is your next clue: SOMEONE ELSE,

Next stop: 

https://tabithabouldinauthor.home.blog/2023/08/29/back-to-school-christian-fiction-scavenger-hunt/

The post BACK TO SCHOOL CHRISTIAN FICTION SCAVENGER HUNT appeared first on Laurie Wood Author.

The Nativity

Mary, mother of Jesus. My heart can barely grasp what an extraordinary woman she must have been to be chosen the mother of the world’s Savior. I imagine her perfect, without sin. Though this is unlikely, God blessed her above all women. Yet His path for Mary wasn’t easy. To avoid disgrace as an unwed mother, God instructed her fiancée to marry her and to travel together from Nazareth to safety in Bethlehem.

The young couple trekked on unpaved trails for four days along flatlands and over hills, possibly in freezing temperatures. When they reached Bethlehem, no doubt weary, they had to settle for a cave—used to house animals—in which to rest where Mary gave birth.

The least desired place for a birthing mother became the most honored and beloved story of all time. The young couple listened to God, trusted, obeyed, and persevered. Hard as it was—which many of us can’t comprehend just how difficult—God provided for them along the way and when they reached their destination.

I wonder if the world silenced to hear the first cry of the King. If an unidentified light glowed in the dim cave, the moment Jesus entered the world. If the waters rested and the winds ceased. Luke 2:13-14 tells us after shepherds in Bethlehem were told of Jesus’ birth, the angels sang. We will never know the full magnificence of all that took place during the nativity.

What an honor it is to have included the nativity in my novel Dress Shop Miracles. It’s one of my favorite scenes as my characters traveled from a hard path to hope, love, and miracles. I hope you love the story of Molly and Ted as much as I did writing it, and guess what?

I’m giving away one e-book copy of Dress Shop Miracles via Amazon Kindle.

To qualify for the drawing simply: 1) subscribe to my website at diannmarieandre.com; 2) then comment below this article (at my website) that you subscribed via Christmas Blog Tour. The winner will be announced December 24, 2022.

You can read the blurb here:

https://www.amazon.com/Dress-Miracles-Dianne-Marie-Andre-ebook/dp/B0BH1CVXYK/ref=sr_1_1?

I hope you’ll take a moment to enjoy a video with my 52-year-old nativity set honoring the birth of Christ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao9h2lbQTgw

Merry Christmas!

Bio:

In addition to writing Christian fiction, Dianne is currently working on a memoir. She is a landscape photographer. Most of her pictures are taken on twenty acres where she lives in California’s Central Valley with her husband, Joe, her adorable rescue dog, Ralphie, occasional steers, hens, sheep, and a bazillion trees. You can connect with her at https://diannemarieandre.com/5039-2/

The post Christmas Blog Tour – Welcome Dianne Marie Andre appeared first on Laurie Wood Author.

Christmas Season Must Watch Christmas Movie List

I love the holiday season. It’s not just Christmas—it’s the love, anticipation, grace, and thankfulness that fills our house every November, December, and January. I start decorating the first weekend of November, and I have to pace myself when it comes to wrapping presents, donating gifts, and baking (and baking and baking) so I don’t do it all in one week.

While I’m doing all of those things, I always have a Christmas movie playing in the background.

Though I enjoy Hallmark holiday movies, I can’t watch them while I work—it’s too easy to get sucked into the plot and stop working! Instead, I have my Must-Watch List of traditional and nontraditional movies. They’re perfect for the season without being too distracting (because I’ve seen each one a dozen times!).

Christmas movies became a staple in my life when I was single because I often felt lonely in my apartment by myself. Even though I’m married now, we’re a childless couple. We spend Thanksgiving or Christmas with my family, but we spend the other holiday at home with each other. I love my husband, but our small family lacks the craziness I grew up with two sisters with less than four years between all of us. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but now I crave the familiar coziness of it all.

Though I’d rather be with family, these holiday movies set the mood, and because I’ve seen them so many times, it makes it feel like the house is full of friends. I can’t wait to watch them again this year!

Here’s my list of Must-Watch holiday flicks.

Traditional:

White Christmas
The Santa Clause (1, 2, and 3)
The Holiday
Elf
Holiday Inn
The Man Who Invented Christmas

Nontraditional:

Little Women (1994)
Die Hard (1 & 2)
While You Were Sleeping

I’ll also usually watch Home Alone and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but those are really for my husband, not so much for me.

What about you—are you a fan of Christmas movies? Which is your favorite?

(Movies aren’t the only tradition at our house—click here for the easy-to-make recipes for my husband’s two favorite holiday treats!)

Bio:

Author of hopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance, Karin Beery also owns Write Now Editing, helping authors turn good manuscripts into great books. She lives in northern Michigan with her husband and pets. They drink too much (decaf) coffee, put up their Christmas tree the first weekend in November, and do their best to live every day for the Lord.

Some places where you can connect:

https://www.facebook.com/authorkarinbeery/

https://twitter.com/karinbeery

https://www.instagram.com/karinbeery/

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karin-beery

https://www.amazon.com/Karin-Beery/e/B07HQ2GZQS

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2666258-karin

The post Christmas Blog Tour – Please Welcome Karen Beery appeared first on Laurie Wood Author.

Marcelle, welcome to the blog today! I’m thrilled to have you here. Please tell us some more about yourself:

I’ve been writing for ::mumble:: years and have published 14—about to be 15—novels and over 30 short stories. My most popular novels are in the Mendenhall Mystery series, which features Chief of Police Kate Williams and her small-town police force in Mendenhall, Manitoba. But I also love writing fantasy and science fiction, and alternate history. I’ve managed to combine most of these loves in the A’lle Chronicles Mystery series, in which the A’lle crash-landed on Earth in 1711 and have been trying to fit in ever since. The Chronicles feature Constance A’lle, the first A’lle Investigator for Lower Canada and her efforts to uncover a conspiracy that is killing A’lle.

I’m enjoying your Mendenhall series but have yet to start the A’lle Chronicles. They sound fascinating though and I do love alternate history books. Aliens landing in Canada in 1711 could explain a lot of things, lol! 

Your latest book, Identity Withheld, just released from Falcon Publishing. Can you give us a teaser?

Identity Withheld: At 23, Cleo wants a permanent home. Let her parents keep wandering if they want. She’s done. Then someone rams her parents’ car into the river and just like that, the past has caught up to them.

What is the inspiration behind your story?

An idea popped into my head one day: what would you do if you suspected someone you loved of doing something bad? What if that someone was your parents?

How did you come up with the names of your hero and/or heroine?

Cleo’s name just popped into my head, as if she’d been waiting for me to ask. Hugh’s name took a while longer to figure out, but when I came up with the combination Hugh Ondrak, it stuck.

Are you part of a writing group?

Not currently. I used to be, a long time ago, but when I started concentrating on novels, I found a writing group no longer worked for me. I couldn’t send in a chapter at a time and wait for comments before moving on. It would have taken me three years to finish a first draft, not to mention how disruptive it would have been to the flow of the story. A writing group worked really well for me when I was doing mostly short stories. And I learned a great deal from the other writers in the group.

Now I have a trusted first reader, another writer, who is very good at the stuff in which I’m weak. When I’ve addressed the gaping plot holes that she points out, I send the revised version to another reader, who is not a writer, to get a reader’s perspective of the story.

Do you experience writer’s block? What do you do to get through it?

I’ve gone through fallow periods in my writing. Sometimes it’s because I’m stuck in the story (that’s the problem with ‘pantsing’) and I have to wait for the boys in the basement to finish the heavy lifting so I can keep going. When that happens, I work on something else until they’re ready for me.

Sometimes, however, it’s because I’ve experienced a ‘life roll.’ When my dad died, I wasn’t able to write for almost a year and a half. Then Covid hit, and I couldn’t seem to put one word up on the screen. So, I waited. I did other creative things that helped refill my empty well. And sure enough, the writing came back.

And we’re so glad it did! What’s next for you as an author?

I seem to be in a very creative place right now. I finished Identity Withheld this year, as well as the sixth book in my Mendenhall Mystery series, which I hope to release early next year. As well, I’ve written half a dozen short stories in the past few months. Next on the agenda is the third A’lle Chronicles, in which our intrepid heroine moves to Upper Canada to continue her investigation into the shadowy figures that are creating such havoc for the A’lle.

Here’s Marcelle’s intriguing cover for Identity Withheld, and a brief excerpt from the book:

“At last she reached the edge of the porch roof where she remained crouched like an awkward gargoyle, her arms out, her tee-shirt plastering itself against her shivering body.

The chair under the doorknob in the bedroom squealed suddenly as someone tried to push the door open and she glanced down at the ground, fifteen feet below her. If she missed the tree, she could really hurt herself.

Then the bedroom door burst open in a shriek of splintering chair and she launched herself off the edge of the roof.

For a split second, she thought she would crash to the ground, a broken mess. Then her windmilling arms connected with the tree branch and she flung her arms around it, her feet scrambling for purchase on a lower branch.

She hung there, half supported by a flimsy branch barely within reach of her feet, her hands barely able to hang on to the upper branch. A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention and she turned her head to see a man sticking his head out of her bedroom window. Even in the faint light she could see that he had dark eyes and dark hair and a hard, angular face.

His gaze caught hers and his eyes widened in horror as he grasped her situation.

Then the branch beneath her feet broke and she plummeted to the ground, the flesh on her legs and ribs tearing under the assault of tree branches.

She heard someone scream and had time to realize it was her before she landed. Her feet hit first, then the rest of her followed. She slammed her chin into her knee, her head snapped back, and everything went dark.”

©Marcelle Dubé 2021

If you think that’s intriguing, here’s the back cover blurb:

AFTER A LIFETIME OF RUNNING FROM HER PARENTS’ MYSTERIOUS PAST, IT FINALLY CATCHES UP TO CLEO.

Fredericton, New Brunswick: The sleepy town in Atlantic Canada is only the latest stop for Cleo Brennan’s nomad parents.

But Cleo’s tired of drifting from town to town. At 23, she wants a permanent home. Let her parents keep wandering if they want. She’s done.

While she’s long suspected that her parents are running from something—or someone—suspicion becomes fact when someone rams their car into the river.

Now Cleo must discover the identity of the shadowy individual threatening her parents’ lives… all while keeping an inquisitive detective at bay.

Then someone attacks Cleo and she must figure out, finally, what sent her parents running so long ago—before those behind the secret kill her.

You can buy IDENTITY WITHHELD here:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FqqTWP

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3Dldf5v

Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/3v45myB

Apple: https://apple.co/2WPqtaY

You can find Marcelle online here:

Web: www.marcellemdube.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcelle.dube.3

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcelledube?lang=en

Mysteries seem to be so appropriate for the month of November. What is your favourite kind of mystery: cozy, police procedural, traditional detective, or more of a thriller? Leave a comment to be entered in a draw and I’ll send you an e-copy of Marcelle’s Identity Withheld.

And if you’re an author who’d like to be interviewed on the blog, send me an email through my Contact Page here on my website and we can chat about it!

The post Author Interview with Marcelle Dubé appeared first on Laurie Wood Author.

Happy Christmas in July! Welcome to the seventh blog in this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway, which runs July 12-23, 2021. At the bottom of each author’s blog post, you will find the secret words. Write them all down and provide the provide the entire answer on this Google form. See below for a list with links of all participating authors!

Note: You must grab all the secret words from every author in the Christmas in July Reader Giveaway to be eligible to win a $400 Amazon gift card. At the end of this blog post is a link to the next blog, and so on, to the final blog post (20 in all). At each blog stop, the author will also give away copy or copies of their featured Christmas book.

My publisher came to me with the idea of doing a special Christmas novella for my Heroes of the Tundra series, because Book 1, Northern Deception, ends in November, with an epilogue at the end of the winter in March. They thought putting a story within my tundra world at Christmas time would be a great idea and I agreed with them, even though I’d never tried to write a Christmas story before – never mind a novella!

I was already writing Book 2, Northern Protector, which is set in the following summer right after Northern Deception. It was a challenge to switch horses and think about Christmas and what that might look like in Churchill, Manitoba, which is a real town. I decided to make it as similar to a Hallmark story as I could, with a simple but interesting timed mystery, and a budding romance. I knew that the town of Churchill does an annual Santa Claus event at their Town Centre so that every child in town receives at least once present for Christmas, so I used that as my ending and wrote backwards.

It was fun to come up with my own twist on Christmas traditions, as I made my hero and heroine complete opposites: Jake Miller is an older chef who’s used to running the business and settled into his career and life in the northern wilderness. Kali McIntyre has dreams of opening her own dessert bar in the big city, and is a firecracker with visions of how to completely re-do everything that’s been “working” for The Great Northern Lodge up until her arrival. I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but I had a ton of fun coming up with her wacky methods of changing Christmas traditions that had stood the test of time in the north.

Here’s the back cover blurb:

Wealthy socialite Kali McIntyre dreams of opening her own dessert bar, Sassy Sweets, in downtown Winnipeg—until her father crushes that dream when he cuts her off financially. He’s determined to get her to use her law degree to join the family’s high-powered law firm. She’s determined to do anything but that. And when an unknown-to-her aunt dies in Churchill, Manitoba, leaving her an unbelievable inheritance, Kali’s on the next flight up north to make her dreams a reality. Chef Jake Miller has lived in Churchill for the past ten years, working hard to keep The Great Northern Lodge afloat through some tough times. But then his business partner dies unexpectedly, without telling him that she’d changed her will or that she had a niece who is set to inherit everything. Now, Jake and Kali have thirty days to work together and decide—who will stay and who will go—before Christmas rolls around. Secrets, attempted murder, and a new menu all add up to a Christmas unlike any other.

For your chance to win 3 E-book copies of NORTHERN HEARTS, please leave your family’s favourite Christmas tradition in the comments. Is it something baked? Something decorative? A family activity?

(I’m giving away E-books because I value all of my national and international readers!)

Now, it’s time to for the secret words: the guilty 

Save the secret words, and when you reach the final blog, enter all the secret words on this form for a chance to win a $400 Amazon gift cards!

Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Carol Stratton and her Christmas book “The Littlest Bell Ringer” – a middle grade novel . You can find it at this link. Remember, this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway will end on July 23 at 8 PM EST!

Here’s a list of all participating authors with their links, just in case something goes wonky. Enjoy!

1. Sarah Hamakerhttps://sarahhamakerfiction.com/2021/07/10/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway-dangerous-christmas-memories/
2. Jill Kemererhttps://jillkemerer.com/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
3. Dennis Baileyhttps://dennisbaileyfiction.com/2021/07/08/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
4. Peggy Sue Wellshttps://singlemomcircle.com/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
5. Terri Weldonhttps://terriweldon.com/blog/
6. Jennifer Chastain https://jenniferchastain.com/2021/07/11/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
7. Laurie Wood’s secret words: the guilty, (her blog isn’t working right now)
8. Carol Strattonhttps://www.carolgstratton.com/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
9. Terri Reedhttp://www.terrireed.com/2021/07/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway.html
10. Anne Greenhttp://anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com/
11. Pam Greenhttps://pamgreenwrites.com/2021/07/11/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
12. Izzy Jameshttps://enotsilent.wordpress.com/2021/07/11/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
13. Nancy J. Farrierhttps://nancyjfarrier.com/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
14. Dana Mentinkhttps://dmentink.wordpress.com/2021/07/10/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/
15. Hallee Bridgemanhttps://www.halleebridgeman.com/christmas-in-july
16. Susan Lyttekhttps://sajlyttek.com/blog/1526-Christmas-in-July-Reader-Giveaway?sel=1-0
17. Zoe McCarthyhttps://zoemmccarthy.com/activities/christmas-in-july-reader-give-away
18. Sherry Kylehttps://www.sherrykyle.com/forever-yours-this-christmas-christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/

The post CHRISTMAS IN JULY READER GIVEAWAY: NORTHERN HEARTS (Heroes of the Tundra Novella) appeared first on Laurie Wood Author.

Excerpt #4 – Chapter 1:

“What’s wrong with the policeman, Mommy?”

“Nothing, honey. I just had to talk to him,” said Joy. She hung a right to go north and then a left at the Town Centre.

Her ancient two-door sedan had nearly 110,000 kilometers on it. Up here, everyone drove their vehicles into the ground. The only places to go were around town, out to the airport, or along the coast twenty-three kilometers to the Arctic Studies Research Centre. She’d gotten this car from her parents when she was sixteen, but it was already well used then.

She helped Emberlyn out of her car seat and let her skip along the sidewalk towards the main doors. Her princess backpack bounced on her thin shoulders when she hopscotched on invisible squares before hitting the automatic door opener with the flat of her palm.

“His ear looks ugly,” said Emberlyn. They entered the air-conditioned building that housed every important business for the town. The Town Complex stretched for five city blocks along the shoreline.

Joy worked in the Health Centre here and loved the fact that she could leave Emberlyn in the Little Tots Day Care because it had extended hours for shift workers. They walked past the library and down the hallway towards the indoor play area, where young moms and their little kids congregated on days of inclement weather.

That’s because he got mauled by the polar bear last winter,” she said as she held the inner door open for her daughter. “Don’t say that to anyone. I’m sure Constable Koper’s self-conscious about it.”

“I won’t.” Emberlyn skipped into the day care foyer, her light-up runners flashing pink and purple lights. “Can he hear out of it?”

“I’m sure he can, or he wouldn’t be back at work.” She stood by while Emberlyn hung up her backpack in her cubby and toed off her runners. Fatigue washed over her. Her Saturday overnight shift had been busier than usual. A fight at the Legion and two domestics. It made it harder when she knew the victims.

“Okay.” Emberlyn shrugged and reached up for a quick hug and kiss. “Love you,

Mommy.”

“Love you too, baby.” She squeezed her daughter tightly. It was so hard to leave her in the care of others besides herself or her own mother. She straightened as Shannon appeared.

“Hey, Emberlyn. Are you ready for breakfast, or did you eat at Gramma’s house?”

“We had chocolate chip pancakes,” said Emberlyn, beaming. “Gramma let me pour the pancake batter because I’m six now and big enough.” She clutched her princess doll to her side. “I can help you make breakfast.”

Shannon laughed. “Well, aren’t you wide awake this morning. Sure, you can help make breakfast for the little kids.” She took Emberlyn by the hand and smiled at Joy.

“Looks like you could use a decent sleep. Rough shift?”

Joy shrugged. “Eh, rough enough. I didn’t get much sleep before I went on.” She ruffled Emberlyn’s hair. “I’ll be back to get her by 5 p.m. Bye, squirt.”

“Bye, Mommy.”

Joy watched the two of them disappear into the kitchen, then headed back out to her car. Every part of her ached from being on the run all shift. But it was the middle of summer, which meant staff shortages from holidays. After this next shift, she’d be able to collapse into sleep while her mom took Emberlyn for the night again.

Joy watched the two of them disappear into the kitchen, then headed back out to her car. Every part of her ached from being on the run all shift. But it was the middle of summer, which meant staff shortages from holidays. After this next shift, she’d be able to collapse into sleep while her mom took Emberlyn for the night again.

Driving back down the hill, she remembered the feel of Ben’s hard shoulder under her hand. Something about it wasn’t right. She touched her throbbing nose ruefully. Served her right for scaring the poor man. He’d been having a full-blown panic attack. She hoped for his sake, he’d had some therapy back in Winnipeg. No one here expected to see him again after his close brush with death.

They’d stabilized him with two blood transfusions and a quick surgery to put his shoulder back in place, before helicoptering him down to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg for proper reconstructive surgery. Her boss, Dr. Will Stedman knew the plastic surgeon who’d reattached Ben’s right ear and fixed the scarring on his face and right eyebrow.

Emberlyn was right. His damaged ear was noticeable—but only because as a police officer, he had to wear his hair short, and it was uncovered. Kudos to him for being brave enough not to care what people thought of his looks. And for coming back here where he was injured in the first place. She didn’t know if she would’ve had the guts to go through with it. On the other hand, her return to Churchill had taken a different kind of courage.

She wheeled around the corner of the building into the Health Centre staff parking.

Time to grab another coffee and get back to work.

Have you ever had an injury that disfigured you or disabled you in any way? How did you cope with it?

Leave a comment and be entered to win an E-book copy of NORTHERN PROTECTOR.

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I’m thrilled to have on the blog today the prolific and talented Cathe Swanson! Cathe, please tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi! After 40 years away, my husband and I recently returned to my childhood home in Minnesota. We are currently living in my parents’ basement – which isn’t as bad as it sounds – and waiting for the world to reopen. We enjoy spending time with our family – three sons, three daughters-in-love, and eight beautiful, charming, and intelligent grandchildren! I like quilting, gardening, papercrafting, birdwatching, kayaking, reading… all sorts of things!  I have eight published books with three more releasing this year.

Now, please tell us the highlights of your latest book LONG SHADOWS, which came out April 6th, 2021.

Mona Vickers is forging a safe and loving home for her girls, far away from the hatred and contempt they experienced after their father’s arrest. She’ll do whatever it takes to make it work – even teaching a class that hits too close to home.

Roy Strough, director of the Unity Plenkiss Community Center, wants to help the hardworking mother who’s captured his heart, but he’s already offended her pride once and won’t do that again.

Mona’s growing faith is put to the test when one of her students is caught up in a human trafficking scheme, but the biggest challenge comes from the shadows of their past, compelling Mona to decide who she can trust with their secrets – a man who loves her and an all-powerful God.

What was the inspiration behind this story?

Many of my stories are about women picking up the pieces and making a new start in life after a tragedy or difficult situation. In Long Shadows, my heroine has moved to a new town to get a fresh start with her four girls after their father is convicted of human trafficking and drug-related crimes.

Human trafficking is happening everywhere, sometimes on a large scale by professional criminal organizations and sometimes on a more local level.  It’s happening in our high schools and at all levels of society. The internet has made it easier for predators to find and “groom” their victims.  It’s appallingly easy for the villains to make connections and establish relationships with young teenagers online.

So many young girls are insecure and have confused ideas about their own value as a person. They want attention – to be seen as attractive and interesting. They want love. Predators know how to take advantage of their vulnerability.

In the book, Mona teaches a class on computer safety, and I use that as a soapbox to illustrate these things.

Do you have a day job? If so, how do you find time in your day to write?

I started writing after graduating my youngest homeschooled son fourteen years ago. It was a good fit for my life. I’ve been a professional dressmaker and quilter for a long time. For nearly thirty years, I’ve been teaching quiltmaking, too. Recently, I’ve been learning to teach virtually instead of in person.

Who was your favorite character to create?

The Unity Plenkiss Community Center, the setting for almost all the Hope Again series, is found in Maly Park, a fictional Chicago neighborhood. It’s a decaying, post-industrial community. My favorite characters are the elderly people who’ve lived in Maly Park forever and the veterans who hang out at the Unity Plenkiss. In Long Shadows, my favorite is Nick Andres, a homeless Vietnam vet with PTSD and a drinking problem.

I also liked writing Roy Strough. He’s got such a passion for feeding and serving people in need! That drive leads him to take control of things, wanting to make it all better.  That’s what got him into trouble with Mona. He just wanted to help, and she thought he saw her as a charity case. Not true… he thinks she’s AMAZING.

How did you come up with the names of your hero and/or heroine?

Often, names just come to me when I imagine the character. Because names are chosen by parents, they tend to reflect the personality of the parents more than the individual.  Roy’s full name is Royal. His brothers are Marcus and Justice. His sister, Carrie, is really Charity – and she hates that name.

Tiana and Jasmine were named after Disney princesses. Don’t blame me… their mother did it.

I don’t know why Mona is named Mona. She was just “born” that way.

When I need names for secondary characters, I often consult the social security index. If I need a woman born in 1926, I can find popular names for that year.

Surnames are harder, but sometimes they reflect the demographics of the community. Maly Park is a fictional Chicago neighborhood. It’s similar to Hegewisch, which has a large Polish ethnic community.  So, Mona’s landlady is named Wanda Jowlaski.

Are you a plotter or a panster?

I do best with an outline, but sometimes the story gets away from me. The best scenes happen organically. In Long Shadows, Mona gets a broken nose in the middle of a church service. Roy tries to help her, and that scene just flowed out. It never occurred to me to write a broken nose into the outline.

Are you part of a writing group?

I am a member of the local and national American Christian Fiction Writers Groups.

Who was the first person you allowed to read your completed book?

I have a team of five readers who read the book as I write it. When it’s finished, it goes to my sister and then to the regular editor.

What book or author has inspired you the most?

Chautona Havig has been a great inspiration to me. She’s the one who encouraged me to start writing seriously back in 2010, and she’s been helping me ever since.

I love her books! She writes in (almost) every genre. Her voice is clean and humorous.

Back Cover Blurb 

Old sins cast long shadows

Mona Vickers is forging a new life, building a safe and loving home for her girls far away from the hatred and contempt they experienced after their father’s arrest.  She’ll do whatever it takes to make it work – even teaching a class that hits too close to home.

Roy Strough, director of the Unity Plenkiss Community Center, wants to help the hardworking mother who’s captured his heart, but he’s already offended her pride once and won’t do that again.

Mona’s growing faith is put to the test when one of her students is caught up in a trafficking scheme, but the biggest challenge comes from the shadows of their past. A vengeance-bent stalker forces them into hiding, compelling Mona to decide who she can trust with their secrets – a man who loves her and an all-powerful God.

Share your favorite excerpt from your book:

OPENING SCENE:

Mona searched the gymnasium—hundreds of grubby, uncontrolled children—for her girls. She’d put them in lavender today, but the color seemed to be a popular choice, and the afterschool program was a madhouse.

“Mama.”

The word was just a whisper above the din. Pink. The girls were in bright pink today. How could she have forgotten that, after the frantic search for the baby’s pink leggings this morning? She reached out for Tiana but stopped at the sight of the girl’s upturned face. Blue eyeshadow? And mascara?

“Where did you get that makeup?” Mona winced at the sound of her shrill voice, more demanding than she liked to use with the girls. She took a deep breath, eased it out silently and smiled at her daughter. “Goodness, honey, look at you!”

Tiana ducked her chin, not fooled by the belated admiration. “Miss Evie said it would be all right.”

It wasn’t. Mona located the teacher, who stroked blush on the plump cheeks of a blonde student while a crowd of enthusiastic girls made helpful suggestions. Some already wore colorful makeup, and the others appeared to be waiting for their turn. Abbie was among the latter.

Pulling the reluctant Tiana behind, Mona strode toward the group. She glared at the woman, who had picked up an oversized tube of mascara. Was she really using the same mascara for all the girls? Hadn’t she heard of bacteria? Basic sanitary procedures? Mona seethed. Mascara brushes could spread pinkeye faster than shared combs could spread lice.

Her tote slid from her shoulder to her elbow as Mona reached for her oldest daughter, and she lurched forward with the weight of the books. The girls scattered in alarm. Abbie slumped.

“Mama! I can’t leave yet. Miss Evie’s doing face painting. It’s almost my turn.”

“Face painting is butterflies and rainbows. This is not face painting.” Mona considered Tiana’s iridescent eyelids. “Well, it may be painting faces, but not a nice kind. Not appropriate for little girls.”

The teacher ignored her and moved on to lipstick. A shared lipstick. Mona hitched her bag back up to her shoulder and drew the girls toward the door.

“Where’s Jasmine?”

“She’s with the little kids.” Abbie pointed. “The kindergarten kids.”

“Why isn’t she with you?” asked Mona. “I’d prefer that you all stay together.” It was more than a preference. She’d specifically directed Abbie to stay with her sisters.

“She doesn’t like us.”

Mona stopped and stared at her daughter. “Doesn’t like you?”

Abbie fidgeted. “Well, she doesn’t like the other girls.”

“What other girls?” Mona narrowed her eyes. “Are you not including her?”

“I do include her, but the other girls say she’s a baby.”

“A baby!” Mona heard the strident note in her voice and tried to modulate it. “Why is she with the kindergarten group? Tiana’s with you, and she’s younger than Jasmine.”

“I’m in K5, but I’m six,” Tiana said. “Jasmine’s in first grade, but she’s seven.”

Mona blinked at the child in momentary confusion and then returned to her interrogation. “You didn’t call your sister a baby, did you, Abbie?”

“No! But Claire and Summer were doing it, and then Winnie did, and Jasmine started crying and ran off to tattle on them, and then she stayed with the kindergarten kids.”

“You didn’t go to check on her? You were supposed to stay together!”

“But Claire and Summer asked me to play with them, and they’ve never asked me before,” Abbie said. “I really like them a lot, Mama. They’re popular.”

“They called your sister a baby and made her cry! That’s mean! They were bullying her!” Mona spotted Jasmine at a table in the far corner. Hiding? “Jasmine!”

The girl jumped up, knocking the chair away behind her, and pelted toward them. Mona stooped to lift her.

“Hey! Are you okay?”

Jasmine wrapped her legs around Mona’s waist—something she hadn’t done in years. She didn’t answer, but the tremors of her thin body conveyed more than words.

Mona gritted her teeth. Never. They were never coming back here. There had to be better after-school programs or some other babysitting option.

“Let’s get your coats and backpacks.”

The girls collected their belongings, wary under their mother’s grim resolve. Mona wished she could think of something reassuring to say. She wasn’t mad at them. She was mad at the school. Mad in general. Worried. Discouraged. Afraid.

You can find Long Shadows here:  https://amzn.to/3tXDIlg

What’s next for you as an author?

2021 is my year to clean up my library.

My first published book was Snow Angels, Book 2 in the Hope Again series. It came out in a Christmas collection. Then I published Baggage Claim, Book 1 in that series. Then we moved, and I didn’t get another book out till Christmas again. Hope for the Holidays was Book 4 in that series. Then – SQUIRREL! – I started a new series. And another one.

Long Shadows is Book 3 in the Hope Again series. I’m currently working on Home Run, which is Book 5, for a September 21^st release. Book 6 – the last book in the series – will come out in this year’s Christmas Lights Collection. It was a messy way to write a series!

Matched Hearts, previously included in the CrossRoads Collection, Betwixt Two Hearts. releases on June 1^st.

Potato Flake Christmas, from last year’s Christmas Lights Collection, will be released on July 1^st.

On October 5^th, I have something fun and new – Murder at the Empire is a 1920’s mystery novel. It’s part of Celebrate Lit’s Ever After collection of 1920’s mysteries inspired by classic fairy tales.

And on October 15^th, you can get the 6^th annual Christmas Lights Collection, which includes the last book (finally!) in my Hope Again series.

It’s going to be a busy year! I’m glad to be wrapping up the stories of the people of the Unity Plenkiss Community Center. I’ve become very attached to them. Next year, I’ll be working on my two other series, finishing up a women’s fiction book for the Mosaic Collection, and writing another book for Celebrate Lit.

You can find Cathe online here:

Newsletter signup: http://www.catheswanson.com/newsletter

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CatheSwanson

Instagram: http://instagram.com/CatheSwanson

For a chance to win an E-book (Kindle) copy of Long Shadows from Cathe, please leave your answer to this in the comments:

What is your favourite Christian fiction genre and why?

The post Author Interview & Giveaway with Cathe Swanson appeared first on Laurie Wood Author.

Welcome back, Shannon! We’re excited to hear about your other passion – outside of writing, of course!

When I was a kid, my mom sewed most of her clothes and mine. They were simple patterns and I loved my clothes. This was before everything had to be in style and name brands weren’t a thing. One year, I got patterns for Barbie clothes for Christmas. There was a pattern for a skirt, dress, top, and pants. I made simple sew by hand clothing for Barbie and Ken out of my mom’s scraps.

I made this shirt for my Mod-Hair Ken. Isn’t he groovy. Yes, I still have my Barbies. They were my favorite toy, so I saved them. I only have a son, but maybe I’ll have a granddaughter someday. She can make fun of Ken’s hair, which looked much better back in his day.

In my tweens, I bought precut quilt squares. My mom taught me how to use the sewing machine, but it intimidated me. I remember being afraid I’d sew my fingers, so I ended up sewing the squares together by hand and my grandmother quilted it for me. I still have and used it for years, but some of the squares need restitched, so I put it away. She’s been gone seventeen years now, so I love it even more. One of these days, I’ll repair it.

In high school, my best friend sewed her own clothes. Really, cute, trendy stuff. When I said I wanted to learn, we went to the store for me to pick out my pattern and fabric. I hated every second of it. Though I managed to use the machine and not sew my fingers, I tore out more stitches than I kept. Every little pucker of getting off the line mattered when it came to clothing. I ended up with a cute top, but I wore it only a few times because it reminded me of the frustration of making it.

Early in my marriage, my grandmother cleaned out her fabric stash and gave it to me. I found really simple easy sew dress, tank top, and short patterns and made some clothes. There really wasn’t anything fashionable about them, but the right fabric made them cute.

And then I saw some beautiful curtain toppers at J.C. Penney for way more than I wanted to pay for them since I’m painfully frugal. The next time I went shopping, I looked through a pattern book and found the curtain toppers. I bought the fabric of my choice and made them for a fraction of the cost.

During the process I learned that with curtain toppers, if you make a pucker or sew a bit crooked, it doesn’t matter. I’d found my sewing love. At one point, I made heavy moire drapes with fancy valances for our living room. But now I have simple toppers with blinds.

Over the years, I expanded to sewing comforters. It matters if you make a pucker more, but I buy fabric with straight lines in the print or square panels and all I have to do is sew along the lines. I sewed every comforter our son had from the time he was born until he was about fourteen. He had Noah’s Ark, Bob the Builder, Spiderman, Camouflage, and Big Buck comforters.

When he was fourteen, he crushed my soul and asked if he could have a store-bought comforter like all his friends. I still have all the ones I made him in a tub for future grandchildren though. There’s no hurry since he’s only nineteen now. But I do have fabric I’ve bought with future grandchildren in mind.

I also sew items for friends and family. When anyone has a baby, they get a comforter and curtain toppers to compliment their nursery. My cousin just became a grandmother. Her daughter did the nursery in a national parks theme since she and her husband love to hike. I made a twin size quilt, so they’re new baby boy will be able to use it past infancy.

Even though minimalist décor is all the rage now and most people just have blinds or shades on their windows these days, I still have curtain toppers. And I made them all. My office has pastel, seashell toppers. I bought this fabric fifteen years before I had a use for it. My family room is decorated cabin rustic, so I have burlap with woodland animal trim in there.

My new laundry room has my favorite toppers. There are pictures of wicker furniture, wood rocking chairs, glass tea pitchers, and geraniums. They say, Sweet Tea Sippin, Screen Porch Views, Front Porch Sittin, Neighborhood News. My kitchen curtains blend with the family room since it’s all open. They’re burlap with coffee label trim since my kitchen is all about coffee.

I currently have a fabric stash way bigger than my grandmother did. Since we just converted our tiny spare bedroom/junk room into a laundry room, I’ll soon have a sewing nook in there. No more dragging my sewing machine and supplies to the kitchen table. As soon as the sewing table I ordered arrives, my machine will be at the ready whenever I want. Oh the curtain toppers and comforters I shall make.

Question: Do you sew? If so, clothes, home décor, or both? If not, what’s your craft love?

We’re part of Shannon’s Blog Tour for A TEXAS BOND. Leave a comment to be entered in her Grand Draw. She’ll be doing the draw March 10, 2021 and winners will be notified by email.

Here’s the beautiful cover and back cover blurb for A TEXAS BOND:

A Texas Bond by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

(Book 3: Texas Hill Country series)

Finding his family is only the beginning…

He came to find the children…

Will he stay to win her heart?

Learning he’s an uncle shocks Ross Lyles—but after years of handling his brother’s bombshells, at least this surprise is a blessing. A pair of five-year-old blessings Ross is determined to meet, if he can convince their aunt to give him a chance. Fiercely protective, Stacia Keyes is worried he’ll try to take the children…and lassoing her trust is harder than he ever imagined.

Available at Walmart from mid-Feb to mid-March. Or online:

A Texas Bond – ChristianBook       A Texas Bond – Amazon         A Texas Bond – BarnesandNoble

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 Arkansas 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.

Connect with her: Shannon’s Website, Shannon’s Blog, Shannon’s Facebook, Shannon’s Goodreads, Shannon’s Pinterest, Shannon’s Twitter, Newsletter Archives, Shannon’s Amazon Author Page and Shannon’s Bookbub. Sign up for her Newsletter to get a free e-book, recipes, behind the scenes info, & enter exclusive giveaways: Shannon’s Newsletter

Recently, Shannon joined Scrivenings Press as co-owner/acquisitions/content editor.

The post On Blog Tour with Shannon Vannatter for her new book A TEXAS BOND appeared first on Laurie Wood Author.

Today I’m happy to welcome back Darlene L. Turner, award-winning author for Love Inspired Suspense. Her latest book, Abducted in Alaska, is out March 1, 2021. Darlene, take it away!

Thank you so much for having me on your blog. It’s fun to share tidbits about my writing, ideas, etc. Here we go!

What was the inspiration behind Abducted in Alaska?

I visited both the Yukon and Alaska when my brother lived in Whitehorse, Yukon. When I started writing I thought it would be a great place to set a novel. I wanted to include a child in the story and that’s when the kidnapping / child labor ring came to mind.

Do you ever write a little bit of yourself in your books?

Yes, at times. Sometimes it’s little things from my childhood. Other times, it’s something I’ve struggled with. In Abducted in Alaska Hannah finds out she may not be able to have children and this crushes her. My hubby and I weren’t able to have children, so the feelings Hannah has to deal with were similar to what I wrestled with in my own experience.

Have you ever received a rejection?

Yes, of course. Many, but I learned from each one and pressed forward! They say that each rejection leads you to the “one.”

Have you ever won any awards for your writing?

Yes, three! Two Daphne awards and one ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Genesis award. So humbled and blessed.

 What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love to tole paint. This is painting designs onto wood surfaces. It’s fun and relaxes me. Unfortunately, I don’t have as much time to paint as I would like! I also love to watch movies and read.

 Tell us a bit about Abducted in Alaska?

Hannah Morgan and Layke (pronounced “lake”) Jackson have to join forces to solve a deadly child labor smuggling ring all while protecting Gabe, the boy who escaped. Their lives are in more danger the closer they get to solving the case.

What is your typical day like?

I’m now retired, so my days are devoted to writing, social media, etc! I start my day with devotions and then some exercise (oh…don’t forget the coffee!). Each day can be different, but I try and finish my day mid-late afternoon. Sometimes I get right back up to my office after supper. Sometimes I spend the evening reading, painting, or watching television. Depends on deadlines and how much I need to unwind! 😉

 When did you start writing?

When I was young, I loved to read Nancy Drew, so I started writing my own version – the “Mindy Dobson” series. I wish I’d kept them as it would be fun to go back and read it (and laugh). I always wanted to write but stopped until I was older. I got more serious about writing ten years ago.

What advice would you give to other writers trying to break into the Christian market?

I’ve dreamed that someone would ask me that someday. I would say keep on and don’t give up. I know that’s easy to say as there were times when I felt like giving up, but I had many supporters cheer me on. Also, read writing books, go to conferences, and find a writing mentor. These will all help you.

What do you hope your readers will glean from your Abducted in Alaska book? 

I want readers to learn what I learned when I went through hard times. That’s there’s JOY in forgiveness. If we hold on to our anger and resentment, it will lead to bitterness. Forgiveness will unlock it and bring Joy. I’m living proof of that.

What books are on your nightstand right now?

Anne of Green Gables and The Anne of Green Gables Devotional by Rachel Dodge. I’m having fun reading each chapter before the corresponding devotional.

 Fun Facts:

Go-to writing snack or drink: Coffee!

Something you must do or have to write: A Christmas suspense or a book or a Christmas Hallmark movie!  

If Abducted in Alaska was turned into a movie, who would you cast as the leads? My inspirations for these characters – Rachelle Lefevre and Henry Cavill

 Candy, cookies, or cake?

How about all three? If I had to choose…probably cookies.

Favorite TV show?

I have many (mostly suspense shows) but would have to say When Calls the Heart – it’s such a wholesome show and has a handsome Mountie in it (What more do you want?) It’s also based on books by a fellow Canadian author!  I’m a Heartie!

 Favorite Movie?

Lord of the Rings

Any hobbies? Pets? Activities?

I love to tole paint – this is painting on wood pieces. Of course, I love to read. No pets but if my husband wasn’t allergic, we’d have a cat (or two).

Cat or Dog

Cats!

 Paperback or e-book?

Definitely paperback. There’s just something about holding a book in your hands!

Here’s the gorgeous cover for Abducted in Alaska:

Protecting a child…

could cost them their lives.

Saving a boy who has escaped his captors puts Canadian border patrol officer Hannah Morgan right into the path of a ruthless child-smuggling ring. Now with help from police constable Layke Jackson, she must keep the child safe. But can they rescue the other abducted children and bring down the gang…all while protecting a little boy and keeping themselves alive?

Purchase Links:

Amazon.com: 

https://amzn.to/2KpcsKH

Amazon.ca:

https://amzn.to/36Tq4VQ

Chapters Indigo:

https://bit.ly/3fi3la6

Barnes & Noble:

https://bit.ly/35KZten

 Question for prize: Who is your favorite author and why?

Answer the question above in the comments below and one person will win an e-book copy of Abducted in Alaska!

Comment on the question and you’re automatically entered into the contest. Prize is open internationally. Here’s how it works. The number of entries are input into a Random Sequence Generator (i.e. 1 through 20). After I click the Generate button, whoever’s number corresponds with the number the random generator gives me wins! Note: If the winner is Canadian, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question before being awarded the prize.

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