Athens Ambuscade

Do you like a little comic relief mixed in with your tales? 

Then you gotta check out this book. My new author-friend, Kristen Joy Wilks is visiting today. And oh boy, you're in for some comic relief! 

I'm currently reading Athens Ambuscade and loving it!

Welcome to you, Kristen. 

Kristen Joy Wilks lives in the beautiful Cascade Mountains with her camp director husband, three fierce sons, and a large and slobbery Newfoundland dog. She has blow-dried a chicken, fought epic Nerf battles instead of washing dishes, transported a gallon bag of cooked bacon inside her purse to nibble in the movie theater, and discovered a stealthily smuggled gardener snake in her sons’ bubble bath. Her stories and articles have appeared in Nature Friend, Clubhouse, Thriving Family, Splickety, and Havok Magazines. She writes novella length romantic comedies for Pelican Book Group, including Copenhagen Cozenage, The Volk Advent, and Athens Ambuscade. Kristen loves to write about the humor and Grace that can be found amidst the detritus of life. Much like the shiny quarter one member of their household swallowed and then found in the pot five days later. If God is good enough to grant us these gems, she figures that someone should be putting them to the page. Kristen can be found tucked under a tattered quilt in an overstuffed chair at 4:00am writing a wide variety of implausible tales, or at www.kristenjoywilks.com. If you would rather enjoy photos of charging bison, Newfoundland dogs, and attacking squid then by all means visit her “What I’m Writing About” board on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/kristenjwilks7/what-im-writing-about/

Blog

http://www.kristenjoywilks.com/blog/

Why did you write Athens Ambuscade?

I love fun and funny books. Books that rush you away to another place. Books that make you laugh. Books that make you think as well, but I prefer to laugh and think at the same time. I'd just written a romance that contained several of our family's funny dog stories and thought I should shake things up and write a book with a cat. Then I watched this crazy pet taxidermy show with my Grandma in law and I was hooked. My hero would be a taxidermist. What kind of heroine would clash beautifully with a taxidermist? A bridal designer of course. Add in some of my hazardous cat experiences and cat-thieving villains and I was on my way. Can one glean spiritual truths from a story about a frozen cat? You would be surprised. Just as those glassy eyes of a stuffed animal give one a shiver and the realization that something is definitely missing from that lovingly preserved pet, something is missing in each of us when we focus on outward appearance and neglect being real within. God wants more than a finely preserved exterior. He wants the real thing.

An up-and-coming bridal designer must fly a Montana taxidermist to Greece to stuff her grandmother’s deceased cat. If the cat isn’t preserved in two days time, she will lose her inheritance. But will she survive the next 48 hours when the taxidermist ignores her pointed request and shows up wearing flannel?

Buy Links

http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_46&products_id=795

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/athens-ambuscade-kristen-joy-wilks/1124240072?ean=9781611169942

https://www.amazon.com/Athens-Ambuscade-Passport-Romance-Kristen-ebook/dp/B01JBB5Y7C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1485564416&sr=8-3&keywords=Kristen+Joy+Wilks

Like to see a book trailer to entice you further? Check these out:

https://youtu.be/8pxgdimJrNI

https://youtu.be/OscLIqmgdr0

https://youtu.be/6Ql_F3nPtiQ

Are you intrigued? Are you ready to hunt these down and jump into the adventure and antics? 

Anybody else relate to the comic relief that can crop up in your life like Kristen speaks of? Oh my, how often have I said, "This could only happen to me!" LOL

Thanks for sharing with us, Kristen!

Check Out the Reason this Story was Written

Hey Readers! I've got my author-friend, Pamela, back with us today, sharing about the reason she wrote one of her books. I love knowing the backstory to the story!

Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

Links:

Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com  

Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/psthibnewsletter

Face Book: http://facebook.com/pamelasthibodeaux

Twitter: http://twitter.com/psthib @psthib

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pamelasthibodea/

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1jUVcdU

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pamela-s-thibodeaux

 NOW FOR THAT "INSIDE SCOOP"

I first penned the story now titled In His Sight, as an entry for a contest Pelican Book Group was hosting in 2008. The working title at that time was The Gift. The hero, Carson Alexander as the gift of ‘sight’ or ‘prophecy’ or perhaps he’s just really tuned in, tapped in, and turned on to his intuition. Whatever you call it, he is able to predict with gut feelings or premonitions some event in the near future. Anyway, I began the story in 2008 then my husband became ill and passed away in 2009. Needless to say this story sat unfinished for quite sometime. In early 2010 I thought….If I don’t finish this story I may never write again. So, I contacted my editor at Pelican Book Group and asked what changes I’d need to make in order to finish and submit the story since the contest had long since been over. We discussed the options and I told her I’d send it as soon as humanly possible. I did, the story was accepted, I signed the contract and then…..

I received my first round of edits. The editor had taken 30 pages out of a 70 page story!!!

That would shock me on a normal day but considering my emotional state at the time I FREAKED. I emailed her and the Sr. Editor and basically had a melt down.

My editor, bless her heart, emailed me back in a hurry…. “Wait! We’re not deleting that information, we’re rearranging it. You have a great suspense story here but you’re giving away too many details along the way.”

Suspense? Me? Surprise!

I don’t write romantic suspense, I write romance. The suspense element just showed up and took over without my even being aware of it LOL!

We talked some more until I understood what she meant and agreed to give it a try. In the course of editing, The Gift just didn’t seem to work anymore – not a very suspenseful title–right? In His Sight kept coming to mind so I finished the edits and sent them in with a proposed title change. The editor was thrilled and agreed whole-heartedly on the title change and In His Sight was published July 30^th 2010.

Grade school teacher Carson Alexander has a gift—a gift that has driven a wedge between him and his family. Worse, it’s put him at odds with God. Feeling alone and misunderstood, Carson views God’s gift of prophecy as the worst kind of curse…that is until he meets Lorelei Conner, landscape artist extraordinaire, and perhaps the one person who may need Carson and his gift more than anyone ever has.  

Lorelei Connor is a mother on the run. Her abusive ex-husband has followed her all over the country trying to steal their daughter. Distrusting of men and needing to keep on the move, she’s surprised by her desire to remain close to Carson Alexander. Through her fear and hesitation, she must learn to rely on God to guide her—not an easy task when He’s prompting her to trust a man.

 Can their relationship withstand the tragedy lurking on the horizon?

Excerpt: Carson Alexander walked through his classroom and tugged desks into a semi circle around the dry eraser board. One thing he loved about teaching sixth-grade English at Stars Crossing Middle School was that the classes were so small. With no more than fifteen students at a time he could work closely with each one and give them the attention they needed and deserved. Another thing he appreciated was the lack of standard or strict curriculum. As long as the children passed the exams set forth by the Department of Education, he could teach as he pleased.

So far, his kids excelled, maintaining some of the highest scores in the entire school. Pride filled his soul and caused his heart to swell, chest to puff out.

Pride cometh before the fall.

The Voice echoed in his mind, ricocheted through his soul. He shrugged off the warning, walked to his desk and picked up the name tags for each incoming student. He thumbed through the stack, pondered each one and wondered about the child attached to the name….Jenny & Jerry Smith – twins or un-related? One name struck him hard, sent unnamed emotion curling through his system – Laurel Connor.

He hadn’t heard the name Laurel in years and then, used only as a surname or when referring to the small town in Mississippi from whence he came. He moved to Stars Crossing, Tennessee five years ago for two reasons. One, the teaching position and two, the town though smaller, reminded him of home.

Memories crashed through the floodgates he’d built around his heart…..the huge two-story house and two-hundred acre farm where he grew up. His seven siblings, parents who adored him – their eldest son, and the pain of losing everything he held near and dear to his heart.

Tears threatened. His vision blurred, hands began to shake. Carson swallowed the lump in his throat, put the stack down, and shoved his hands into the front pockets of his slacks. Adrenaline pumped through him, caused his pulse to skitter and jump. Saliva pooled in his mouth. By sheer force he willed his emotions under control. The bell rang and he turned to greet the children who rushed into the room. He watched as one-by-one they filed in and took a seat.

Purchase Links:

Kindle http://amzn.to/1vJFzHM

Pelican Book Group http://pelink.us/18aucLC

 Are you intrigued? Might oughta get that reading list out and scrawl a new book on it. 

Thanks for sharing with us, Pamela!

If You Like it, Share It

Hey Fellow Readers, I just wanted to jump in here and remind you about sharing what you like.

I'm talking books here. And even new authors you've discovered.

When I read a particularly good book, I run straight to those friends and family who share my love for reading. And that's great.

But I need to remember that my "like" could spread further if I remember to post a short review on Amazon. Or I can share about it on a blog like this or on my Facebook.

Being not only a reader but an author, I can't tell you how much it means to see a review on Amazon from a reader who enjoyed my book. It's like a present at Christmas. Really. I'm not exaggerating.

Don't be intimidated by leaving a review. You just need to write out a few sentences saying exactly what you liked about that book.

By leaving a review or sharing on a blog or Facebook, you'll be helping other readers find a book they might equally enjoy. And you'll help your favorite authors feel encouraged in what they do.

Whatcha Readin'?

Let me share some books I've been reading, just in the event you might want to check them out. Many of the books I'm consuming right now aren't new releases. These are authors that I am familiar with and have been checking out their earlier publications. I haven't been disappointed.

First, I've been reading some of Lynette Eason's books.

I especially got into her Women of Justice series. I quickly devoured the first two, Too Close To Home and Don't Look Back.



Too Close To Home is currently only 99 cents on Kindle on Amazon.



Also I discovered a really great book from Loree Lough called From Ashes to Honor.



This book will take you back to 9/11 and the continuing effects on those who were there.

And then there's The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck. This has the perfect blend of history and present day. There's romance as well as lots I could relate to as an author. 



Sooo ... whatcha readin'?

A Book to Check Out

My friend and fellow author, Pamela, is my guest. She's sharing about her book, The Inheritance.

Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

One question authors love to hate is where they get ideas for their books. Half the time we don’t really know. At least I don’t LOL! Sometimes a thought or dream will be the impetus to a story. Then there are news headlines, songs, snatches of conversation overheard in a restaurant or grocery line. The Inheritance was inspired by a single thought: They say life begins at forty but for Rebecca Sinclair that’s far from the truth.

Being the nosy writer I am, I had to know why.

Rebecca graciously agreed to tell me her story and I agreed to write it down.

The result of our conversations is The Inheritance which was initially published in 2007 by The Wild Rose Press / White Rose line. When White Rose became a publisher on its own and then an imprint of Pelican Book Group, The Inheritance made the transitions with ease. It was a great surprise when the Sr. Editor @ PBG wanted to edit and update the book and re-issue it in its 10^th year of publication.

And now you know the rest of the story ;-)

**********

After her husband’s death she discovers a future she never expected and a family she never imagined.

Widowed at age thirty-nine and suffering from empty nest syndrome, Rebecca Sinclair is overshadowed by grief and loneliness.  Her husband has been deceased for a year, her oldest child has moved to New York in pursuit of an acting career and her youngest child is attending college in France. Having spent over half of her life as a wife and mother, she has no idea what God has in store for her now.  Will an unexpected inheritance in the wine country of New York bring meaning and purpose to her life and give her the courage to love again? 

US Postal worker Raymond Jacobey has been in love with the little widow since he first set eyes on her.  A wanderer searching for the ever-illusive soul mate, Ray has never stayed in one place too long. Raised by self-centered, high-power executives, he’s longed for the idyllic life of residing in a cozy house in a small town with the love of his life. Will he gain the heart of the lovely widow or will he lose her to the wine country of New York?  

Excerpt

“I want to kiss you, Becca, here in the midst of Paradise.”  His lips covered hers with devastating tenderness.

He let out a primitive grunt of satisfaction as he let go of her hands and pulled her closer. An answering purr escaped her as tiny pinpoints of pleasure bathed her senses with light and color. Never in her life had she felt so alive, so consumed with sensations.

Whether a moment or an eternity, she had no idea how long they stood there, his mouth in sweet possession of hers, but when the kiss was over, she realized she was pressed against his body. Her breathing came in sharp, almost painful rasps, and her fingers were clenched in his thick, sandy-colored hair. Appalled at her wanton response and the needy way in which she clung, Rebecca stumbled away with a startled cry of distress, and began to run.

Rafflecopter Giveaway Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4752b1262/?

Links:

Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com  

Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2fzAdN7

Face Book: http://facebook.com/pamelasthibodeaux

Twitter: http://twitter.com/psthib @psthib

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pamelasthibodea/

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1jUVcdU

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pamela-s-thibodeaux

Book Title: The Inheritance (2^nd edition – newly edited, revised, and updated!)

Purchase Link: http://amzn.to/1nXB8Z0

Thanks for sharing about The Inheritance, Pamela. Everybody add to your to be read list!

New Book to Check Out!

Welcome friend and fellow author, Alexis Goring. 

She is sharing about her book, A Second Chance. Read on to see how she came to write this book. 

Journalists, jilted brides and Mr. Nice Guys inspired my story A Second Chance. But what really ups the ante is the inheritance letter that changes the lives of my story’s hero and heroine.

Marc Roberts is the hero of this story. He’s known for being such a nice guy but his niceness makes him unattractive in the long term because in his dating history, his girlfriends broke up with him to date more daring and dashing men leaving him forever in the friend zone.

However, Marc’s niceness is of invaluable help to his newly widowed sister Gina who is trying to raise her children in wake of her firefighter husband’s death. Since he lives nearby and has a kind heart, Marc is readily available to babysit Gina’s children while she takes a break or works on her book deadlines. Gina is a bestselling romance novelist and her matchmaking skills play a part in Marc’s real-life love story with Traci Hightower.

When readers meet Traci Hightower, they see that she is very frustrated with trying to pay her bills as an entry-level journalist when she’s stuck in the industry’s system of “paying your dues”. It doesn’t help that she’s deep in debt from wedding expenses and suffering from a broken heart because her fiancé left her at the altar on their wedding day. Traci doesn’t like being a jilted bride and finds it hard to trust men or God again. But when she meets Marc, something about him makes her want to try to trust again and their relationship makes her turn over a new leaf in her faith journey with God.

However, Traci and Marc’s path to romance is not without rocky roads. Due to his past dating experiences, Marc’s deal-breaker is honesty and Traci has a secret regarding an inheritance letter that has a stipulation that may make Marc feel used if he knew about it. During every moment she shares with Marc that endears her heart to him, she finds herself in an internal battle. She must decide either to tell Marc the truth and risk losing him or keep it a secret and have a better chance of keeping him. What will she decide? You’ll have to read my book to find the answer to that question! ;)

I hope that Traci and Marc’s story will reach the hearts of my readers who may share similar experiences, and encourage them in their life journey.

A Second Chance: Newly single food critic and newspaper reporter Traci Hightower is done with dating. After the man of her dreams left her at the altar on their wedding day and ran off with the woman she thought was her best friend, Traci resolves to focus on work and resigns herself to being a bachelorette for life.

Marc Roberts is a political reporter who is known as Mr. Nice Guy, the one who always finishes last. However, Marc’s compassion and kindness are of invaluable help to his newly widowed sister Gina Braxton who is trying to raise her two kids in the wake of her firefighter husband’s death.

Traci and Marc may be the perfect match, but they don’t know it yet. With God’s guidance and the help of Gina’s matchmaking skills honed by her career as a bestselling romance novelist, there is hope for a happily ever after for these two broken hearts.

Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.

Buy links: Amazon (http://amzn.to/2f7waYL)

Barnes and Noble (http://bit.ly/2uguncU)

Social media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexisAGoring/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennedbyAlex

Website: https://alexisagoring.jimdo.com

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/capturingidea/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7260528.Alexis_A_Goring

“God is Love” blog: http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com 

Get out your To Be Read list and make this addition! 

Thanks for sharing with us, Alexis!

First Review is In

Just read the first review for Lamp Unto Her Feet on Amazon.

I absolutely loved this book. The author wrote with the perfect pace to keep me engaged and I found myself reading just "one more chapter" until I finished! When I got to the end, I wanted more! I can't wait to see what will happen for Kenzie and Trevor. But then again, things might be heating up for Lila and Joel! If you are looking for a sweet story, then this is one for you. A definite two thumbs up.

Thanks so much to this reader!

I hope you'll check out my newest book.