Anna Weaver Hurtt, Inspirational Author
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Author Mini-view and Giveaway: Jackie Zack and "A Chance Mistake"

7/25/2016

6 Comments

 
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Hello!

Happy Tuesday, blog friends! It's a new week and we have a new guest with us today! The lovely Jackie Zack is joining us today. Isn't the cover of "A Chance Mistake" cute? Alrighty, let's get this interview started!

Mini-view:

Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing. (How did you get started? How many books have you written? Where are you on your writing journey?)

Thank you so much for featuring me on your blog. I appreciate it very much! 

I've always loved to read and have wanted to be a writer since childhood. One of my first stories started out as a funny email to a friend. As we bounced emails back and forth to make each other laugh, a plot for the story started to form. After that, I gave her a page or two of the story each day until it was done. I enjoyed writing it so much, and finishing it was a great experience. Right now, I have three published books, and have two works in progress.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Eph. 2:10

What have you read lately that you would recommend?
Right now I'm reading "His Perfect Love," by Sharon K. Connell. The novel is a Romantic Suspense that will be published soon. I can't stop thinking about it -- definitely a page turner.

What book are you featuring today?

I'm featuring a Romantic Comedy with Suspense, "A Chance Mistake."

A Vacation Takes a Funny Turn -

By the flip of a coin, famous novelist, Kory Slate travels to Wales intent on finding rest and relaxation. His latest best seller has left him freaked out, and he begins to suspect that he’s being followed. Is he the target of a nefarious scheme? Has his money-making imagination veered out of control? An array of Kory’s books in a Welsh bookstore window pulls him into the shop to browse. He is astonished to meet Dafina Perry, the living image of a female character in his last book. As his vacation progresses down its unusual track, he finds himself inexplicably entangled in her family drama as he ends up playing the part of her husband. Dafina, struggling with betrayal and potential loss, worries about the welfare of the handsome, brilliant novelist. Will helping him bring unexpected love and happiness to her life? Or will her good intentions invoke destruction for them both?

If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?
​

I write with a passion to entertain along with giving the reader something good to think about that maybe they haven't thought about before.

About the Author:

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​Jackie Zack lives in Indiana and has three adult children and two cats. One of her favorite things in life is hearing people laugh. She hopes her writing will bring much enjoyment, making the reader feel uplifted and refreshed.

Snippet:

Kory Slate stepped aboard the jet with seconds to spare, and he wasn’t the only one arriving late. Two men hurried one pace behind him and entered. A flight attendant slid the door shut with a gliding, whooshing sound. As Kory strode to his seat, the accordion walkway slid away from the plane. Each window he passed by gave a slightly different perspective of the retracting motion against gray clouds. Why had he chosen to go out of the country? Not his plan at all.

His paranoid editor had been right, at least about one thing. Kory needed an updated passport. Good thing he got one and had it on him. In the back of his mind, he must’ve toyed with a foreign destination. But Wales?

He hefted his backpack in the overflowing compartment above his seat and jammed it in. He dropped down into the aisle seat. A quick glance over his shoulder told him the two men had found seats—aisle seats catty-cornered from him. One man sat four seats behind him and the other six. Weird. Nothing stood out about their appearance, except the taller one closest to him had tattered green shoe laces.

If he had to identify them in a line-up, it would be near impossible. Both had a medium build. Their jeans with muted t-shirts and hoodies could belong to anyone.

Kind of took on the air of his first manuscript that lay moldering in his old bedroom closet. The hero of the story had been tailed for close to three months by two nefarious thugs. He was unaware of his shadows until the day he put it all together. The near fatal ‘accidents’ that the main character experienced were orchestrated.

The novel seemed to capture his essence, since it had been his first attempt at storytelling. His close friends and family—well—the ones he could get to read it—raved about it. His editor said to keep his focus on the next new thing.

Yeah, right. But with six best sellers in two and a half years, he needed to clear his mind. Step off the train for a while. Do a mental cleanse and stay away from Facebook. His editor had balked at Kory’s announcement that he was slipping off the grid for a couple of months, maybe more. No social media. No writing. And where was he going? Sorry, Ed. Can’t tell ya. Kory didn’t know the answer himself. Only that New York City wouldn’t be seeing him for quite some time.

A blur caught his attention out of the corner of his eye, causing a sinking dread. Too much like his last book and, he hated to admit it, probably the real reason for the needed break. An unwanted shiver raced down his neck to his spine.

Giveaway:

Jackie is generously giving away a print copy of "A Chance Mistake" to one of my blog subscribers! Just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below to enter! (If it doesn't show up in the email, click here and go to http://www.annaweaverbooks.com/giveaways to enter from the website.) Giveaway ends 8/2. Thanks for participating and God bless!
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Review and Giveaway: "Fire and Ice" by Mary Connealy

7/19/2016

12 Comments

 
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Book Blurb:

Saddle up for mysteries and laughs with the Wilde sisters!

BAILEY WILDE IS THE OLDEST SISTER—and the one who takes care of everyone else in her family. But after her sisters marry and move away, her little homestead becomes bleak and lonely, especially during the long winter months. In a moment of weakness, Bailey agrees to a wild plan concocted by her neighbor, Gage Coulter.

Gage is an honest man, but he didn't make his fortune by being weak. He won't break the law, but he'll push as hard as he can within it. Five thousand acres of excellent grazing land is lost to him because Bailey's homestead is located right across the entrance to a canyon full of lush grass. Gage has to regain access to this land—and he's got to go through Bailey to do it. So he makes a proposal...

Can these two independent, life-toughened homesteaders finally loosen up enough to earn each other's respect—and maybe ind love in the process?

My Thoughts:

I read the first two books of the “Wild at Heart” series and I’ve been dying to see how Bailey Wilde, the rough and tumble tomboy of the family, and Gage Coulter, the rugged cattle baron are going to end up together. All I can say is I was in for a wild ride!

I loved the chemistry between Bailey and Gage. They are both such passionate characters that the sparks just fly between them. I found their slow journey from enemies to friends to husband and wife to be completely captivating and well-paced. I also loved the “marriage of convenience” twist and couldn’t wait for the love simmering under the surface to bloom into something beautiful and strong.

The couple deals with many obstacles in the path to happiness, including deadly storms, an over-bearing mother in law, and death traps set by an unseen and unknown enemy. This book is full of action and adventure, making it hard to put down to go back to real life sometimes.

There are some hilarious moments sprinkled throughout the book. One of my favorite lines is from page 162: "Hang on tight, Mrs. Coulter. We've got to make a run for it." Bailey slapped the old nag on the rear - the old nag meaning the horse, not Ma Coulter, although Bailey was sore tempted."

However, there were also some deep, intensely emotional moments. Some of the exchanges between Gage and Bailey run really deep, opening up feelings that neither of them had ever shared with anyone else. Bailey and her sisters share a beautiful, loving connection, too. Without giving away the ending, there is a moment between Bailey and her father that brought tears to my eyes.
All in all, this is an excellent conclusion to the “Wild at Heart” series and I cannot wait to see what Mary has for us next. 5 stars!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given. 

Giveaway!

​This week, I'm giving away a copy of this book to one of my subscribers! Just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below to enter! (If it doesn't show up in the email, click here and go to http://www.annaweaverbooks.com/giveaways to enter from the website.) Giveaway ends 7/26. Thanks for participating and God bless!
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Author Mini-view and Giveaway: Terri Wangard and "No Neutral Ground"

7/12/2016

5 Comments

 
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Author Mini-view:

Hello, blog friends! We are back with another author mini-view and giveaway this week! Joining us this week is the lovely Terri Wangard. Isn't the cover of "No Neutral Ground" intriguing? Let's get this mini-view started!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing. (How did you get started? How many books have you written? Where are you on your writing journey?)

After doing a little writing in the early 2000s, I set it aside until 2008. That's when I read Debbie Macomber's Twenty Wishes, about a group of women who decide to fulfill bucket dreams. I bought a new laptop and started writing. All three books in my Promise For Tomorrow series release this year.

2. What is your favorite Bible verse?

Philippians 4:4-8 is a favorite passage, if not the favorite. I claimed verse 6 especially the first time I ventured off on my own (other than school).

3. What have you read lately that you would recommend?

Into the Black: The Extraordinary Untold Story of the First Flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia and the Men Who Flew Her by Rowland White. I’ve been fascinated by the space program since learning about the planets in second grade.

4. What book are you featuring today?

No Neutral Ground is the second book in Promise For Tomorrow.

After his father divorces his mother because of her Jewish ancestry, Rafe and the rest of his family flee Germany. As a B-17 navigator, he returns to Europe. Flying missions against his former homeland arouses emotions that surprise Rafe. Despite being rejected, he is troubled by the destruction of Germany and his heart still cries for his father’s love.

Sweden may be neutral, but it’s full of intrigue. Jennie assists the OSS at the American legation in Sweden. She thought she’d be doing passive, behind-the-scenes work. Instead, she’s pushed into an active role to gain intelligence and frustrate the Germans.

How can Rafe and Jennie succeed in their dangerous roles when they are so conflicted?

5. If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?
​

I read historical novels that I hope will entertain and enlighten. I hope that's how my readers feel -- that they enjoyed their time spent reading and that they could place themselves in that time.

About the Author:

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Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.
​
www.terriwangard.com 

Giveaway!

Terri is generously giving away a copy of "No Neutral Ground" to one of my blog subscribers! (This giveaway is for an e-book copy.) Just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below to enter! (If it doesn't show up in the email, click here and go to http://www.annaweaverbooks.com/giveaways to enter from the website.) Giveaway ends 7/19. Thanks for participating and God bless!
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Review and Giveaway: "The Ringmaster's Wife" by Kristy Cambron

7/5/2016

25 Comments

 
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About the book:

The Ringmaster’s Wife (Thomas Nelson, June 2016)

An ounce of courage. A split-second leap of faith. Together, they propel two young women to chase a new life—one that’s reimagined from what they might have become.

In turn-of-the-century America, a young girl dreams of a world that stretches beyond the confines of a quiet life on the family farm. With little more than her wit and a cigar box of treasures to call her own, Mable steps away from all she knows, seeking the limitless marvels of the Chicago World’s Fair. There, a chance encounter triggers her destiny—a life with a famed showman by the name of John Ringling.

A quarter of a century later, Lady Rosamund Easling of Yorkshire, England, boards a ship to America as a last adventure before her life is planned out for her. There, the twenties are roaring, and the rich and famous gather at opulent, Gatsby-esque parties in the grandest ballrooms the country has to offer. The Jazz Age has arrived, and with it, the golden era of the American circus, whose queen is none other than the enigmatic Mable Ringling.

When Rosamund’s path crosses with Mable’s and the Ringlings’ glittering world, she makes the life-altering decision to leave behind a comfortable future of estates and propriety, instead choosing the nomadic life of a trick rider in the Ringling Brothers’ circus.
A novel that is at once captivating, deeply poignant, and swirling with exquisite historical details of a bygone world, The Ringmaster’s Wife will escort readers into the center ring, with its bright lights, exotic animals, and a dazzling performance that can only be described as the greatest show on earth!
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Learn more and purchase a copy.

My Review: 

This book completely enveloped my imagination and heart, dragging me along for the ride between its pages. I haven't been pulled so completely into a story like this in a very long time. 

Both Mable and Rosamund are excellent characters. Their stories are compelling, at times heart-wrenching, and impossible not to get lost in. I connected with both of them as the author switched back and forth between their respective stories. 

I also found the rich history of this opulent and intriguing time period to be completely fascinating. All in all, I absolutely loved this book and recommend it to historical fiction readers everywhere!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which I have given. 

Giveaway!

This week, I'm giving away a copy of this book to one of my subscribers! Just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below to enter! (If it doesn't show up in the email, click here and go to http://www.annaweaverbooks.com/giveaways to enter from the website.) Giveaway ends 7/13. Thanks for participating and God bless!
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    Inspirational author. Newbie Air Force wife. Jesus Follower. Recovering musician. Dachshund mama. Coffee addict. Book reviewer/giveaway-er.

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