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Author Mini-view and Giveaway: Patrick E. Craig and "The Amish Princess"

9/6/2016

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Hello!

Happy Tuesday, blog friends! I hope you are all doing well. We are kicking off this month of giveaways with an interview and giveaway from author Patrick E. Craig. Let's get this interview started!

Mini-view:

​#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?)

I have been writing most of my life. I published my first article when I was seven years old. It was a piece for the school paper titled "What we did this summer." I got such positive feedback from family and friends I decided that writing was something I could do well and I've been writing ever since. My mother and my aunt both encouraged me tremendously. My Aunt was a real Irish Shanachie, a storyteller, who had most of the history of our family going back for generations in her head. And so throughout my young life I heard stories all the time. In school I was always on the school paper, usually as editor, entering writing and poetry contests and so forth. In high school my interest shifted toward music and I was playing in bands. But my favorite part was writing songs—songs that told stories and I achieved some success as a songwriter in the seventies and eighties. When I got saved in 1984, I went to Bible College and then became a music minister for many years. I also wrote non-fiction teaching books and articles. Then in 2007, I decided to put that all aside and pursue my real love—writing fiction books that created wonderful characters and told spellbinding stories. I did a three book series for Harvest House, Apple Creek Dreams, wrote two kid's mysteries and self published The Amish Heiress. So I've written seven books since 2007 and I'm working on number eight right now.


#2. What is your favorite Bible verse?

Well I have several but certainly Philippians 4:6&7 is one of them. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


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

I'm a big Zane Grey fan but I've read most of his books so I was looking for another adventure author to read. Someone recommended Louis L'amour so I've been reading his Sackett series. He has an interesting style—every book so far is written in first person, something I have never tried. I like the books and I suppose that fact that he sold twenty-five million of them says something about his skill as a writer.



#4. What book are you featuring today? 

I am just now getting the second book in The Paradise Chronicles Series, The Amish Princess, ready for printing. It will be out in early November, but I want to feature it because it's been a year since The Amish Heiress came out. The Amish Princess is historical Amish fiction. The first book in the series, The Amish Heiress, did quite well and was on the Amazon bestseller top 100 list in three categories for over seven months. This new book is very unique and I think my readers are going to like it. Here's the blurb:

Opahtuhwe, The White Deer, is the beautiful daughter of Wingenund, the most powerful chief of the Delaware tribe. She is revered by her people–a true Indian princess. Everything changes when the murderous Shawnee renegade known as Scar brings three Amish prisoners to the Delaware camp. Jonathan and Joshua Hershberger are twin brothers that Scar is determined to adopt and teach the Indian way. The third prisoner is their father, Jonas Hershberger, whose stand against violence kept him from defending his family. White Deer is drawn to Jonathan but his hatred of the Indians who murdered his mother and sisters makes him push her away. Joshua's gentle heart and steadfast refusal to abandon the Amish faith lead White Deer to a life-changing decision and rejection by her people. In the end, White Deer must choose between the ways of her people and her newfound faith. And complicating everything is her undying love for the man who can only hate her.

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

We live in a very crazy mixed up world. The only thing that will really help people to make it through is a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. So as a writer I have two imperatives. One is to, somewhere in my story, present the gospel of Jesus Christ in a simple, clear, concise manner, without preaching so that people can hear the truth and decide what they are going to do about it. The other thing I want to do is to preserve our wonderful language. So I take every opportunity when I write to use words that will stretch people, get them out of the texting mode that most people live in today, and make them aware that real communication is everything.


About the Author:

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​​Best-selling author Patrick E. Craig is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful songwriting and performance career in the music industry to follow Christ in 1984. He spent the next 26 years as a worship leader, seminar speaker, and pastor in churches, and at retreats, seminars and conferences all across the western United States. In 2011 he signed a three-book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his Apple Creek Dreams series. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles and the first book in the series, The Amish Heiress, was published by P&J Publishing in August of 2015 and remained on the Amazon bestseller lists for seven months. The second book in the Series, The Amish Princess, will be released in the fall of 2016. Patrick and his wife Judy make their home in Idaho and are the parents of two adult children and have five grandchildren. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

Where can readers find me online?
www.patrickecraig.com Webpage
https://www.facebook.com/PatrickECraig Facebook
https://twitter.com/PatrickECraig Twitter

Where can readers purchase my books?
http://tinyurl.com/n6sfagg Amazon
The Amish Heiress is available in on Amazon, B&N and all your favorite online stores. You can also find it on my website at http://www.patrickecraig.com/my-book-store/. 
Look for The Amish Princess in late November, 2016.


Giveaway!

In celebration of the release of "The Amish Princess" in November, Patrick is generously giving away a signed copy of the first book of the series, "The Amish Heiress" 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 9/14. Thanks for participating and God bless!
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Review and Giveaway: Dark Harbor by Christy Barritt

8/9/2016

14 Comments

 
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Book Blurb:

THREAT OF EXPOSURE 
Someone wants reporter Madelyn Sawyer to leave the small coastal town she's just arrived in—even if it takes hurting her. But she won't give up her goal of investigating Waterman's Reach's new police chief that easily. Madelyn assumes that former big-city detective Zach Davis—who some believe is a murderer involved in a drug-trafficking ring—is behind the threat. Who else would have a motive? But as bullets fly Madelyn's way, it's Zach who keeps saving her life. The closer she gets to the truth, the more she wants to tell the handsome lawman why she's really in town. But if she does, will she lose his trust…and any hope of surviving long enough to bring the real killer to light?

My Review:

Dark Harbor definitely starts with a bang! From a wild car chase to being threatened and robbed to being rescued by the very man she is there to investigate, Madelyn Sawyer's first day in Waterman's Reach is definitely a doozy. Trying to keep up false pretenses as she digs into an old drug case that could skyrocket her career, Madelyn finds herself targeted and in danger again and again. But could it be the police chief that keeps rescuing her?

Zach Davis is doing some investigating of his own. When the pretty travel writer shows up in his small town, she throws a wrench in his plans, but someone is obviously targeting her and it's his job as a police chief to protect her.

This was a fast-paced story that I really enjoyed. It wasn't easy to figure out who the bad guy was... It still took me by surprise at the end of the book. There was lots of action and that kept things from getting too slow.

The romance was really sweet. I could understand and sympathize with both Madelyn and Zach. It was easy to see that they were good for each other.

All in all, this was a good book that I enjoyed reading. I look forward to reading what this author produces next.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Giveaway:

I am giving away a copy of this book to one of my subscribers this week! To enter, just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below! (If it doesn't show up in the email, click here: http://www.annaweaverbooks.com/giveaways to enter from the website.) Giveaway ends 8/16. Thanks for participating and God bless!
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Author Mini-view and Giveaway: Michelle Ule and  "The 12  Brides of Summer"

6/20/2016

10 Comments

 
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About the Book:

​Meet 12 adventurous Victorian era women—a beekeeper who is afraid of bees, a music teacher whose dog has dug up a treasure, a baker who enters a faux courtship, and six more—along with the men they encounter while making summertime memories. Will these loves sown during summer be strengthened by faith and able to endure a lifetime?

Author Mini-view:

Hello, blog friends! Sorry for the hiatus this month... With a family wedding, two road trips, and increased hours at my job, this summer has begun with a bang here. I'm pleased to introduce Michelle Ule, our author interviewee and giveaway queen for the day. :) Let's get this interview started!

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?) 

I’ve been a professional author since 2011, but have a degree in English from UCLA where I trained as a newspaper reporter back in the dark ages. I’ve written forever—including a massive family history that’s in the Library of Congress.
I got my start towards publication at the Mt. Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference in 2003 when it seemed like God gave me a promise that if I put Him and His plans first in my life, someday I would be published. More to the point, I needed to focus on my daughter’s teenage years. I got my first contract the very day we drove her to college. You can read about that here:  http://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/dreams-come-true-at-mount-hermon/
I’m the published author of five novellas and a rogue Navy SEAL novel; three of the novella collections made best seller lists, including The New York Times for A Log Cabin Christmas Collection.
I’m currently writing a biography called Mrs. Oswald Chambers, which is the story of Biddy Chambers, an intrepid Victorian stenographer who married the noted Bible teacher and compiled My Utmost for His Highest. It releases in fall 2017 from Baker Books.

What is your favorite Bible verse? 

I like all of Romans 12, but the one I’ve clung to in these social media days as a Christian is Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (NKJV)

What have you read lately that you would recommend? 

I really enjoyed Lori Benton’s A Flight of Arrows. I love all of Lori’s books, but this most recent one has such an interesting presentation of how God works in the lives of all people—no matter their culture. Several of my novellas examine how Jesus is expressed between cultures—and how he is the meeting place for people who see life in such different ways.
I’ve written about Lori’s book and my reaction to her presentation of the Gospel here: http://michelleule.com/2016/04/29/native-americans-gospel-flight-arrows/

What book are you featuring today? 

My featured book today is the latest novella collection, The 12 Brides of Summer. Twelve different inspirational romance writers teamed up to write a first collection: The 12 Brides of Christmas and now have written sequels to their stories in the summer book.
The Sunbonnet Bride tells the tale of a young seamstress in 1874 Fairhope, Nebraska, who has to choose between a pristine banker or a sweaty teamster after a tornado rolls through town. Which man deserves her heart more? One who works with his mind or one who works with his hands? And however will she choose?
Hint: reed flutes, a blackberry pie and sunbonnets make the difference.

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

Truth can be stranger than fiction and often is more interesting. See my novella in A Pioneer Christmas Collection, A Gold Rush Christmas—which fictionalizes the true story of the day most of the prostitutes in Skagway, Alaska, fled.


About the Author:

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Navy wife Michelle Ule is a graduate of UCLA and the author of five novellas and a novel. She lives in northern California with her family where she works at a literary agency, teaches Bible study, plays in a woodwind ensemble, and writes.
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Michelle is a long-time lay counselor in both crisis pregnancies and budget counseling. She loves to travel and is an accomplished genealogist. You can learn more about her at www.michelleule.com.

Giveaway!

​This week, Michelle is generously giving away a copy of "The 12 Brides of Summer" to one of my blog subscribers! (The winner can choose between a paperback copy and 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 6/28. Thanks for participating and God bless!
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Author Mini-view and Giveaway: Jessica Snell and "Not Alone"

5/24/2016

1 Comment

 
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About the Book:

Our society understands how terrible the loss of a child is when that child is out of the womb, but what about when a child dies before birth? Or what about the emptiness that comes when a very-much-wanted child is never even conceived? These quiet, private losses are hard for those who have not experienced them to understand. And these losses leave those who have suffered them feeling alone in their grief.

Not Alone: A Literary and Spiritual Companion for Those Confronted with Infertility and Miscarriage is a resource both for those who have suffered through these experiences and for their friends and relatives, who want to understand what their loved ones are going through.

This collection contains true stories that are:
* sensitive, and yet honest
* angry and raw, but not despairing
* unique, and yet relatable

The contributors to this book are male and female, old and young, some who eventually had children and some who never did, and yet despite their differences, they share a common grief and a common faith.

No experience of miscarriage and infertility is like any other, yet by reading these painful and hope-filled stories, you'll be comforted by knowing there are others who understand the journey you're on, the loss you've suffered, and you will find that even though your loss is uniquely yours, you are not alone.

Author Mini-view:

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?)

While I've published both non-fiction articles and short stories, both of my full-length books are actually books where I served as a contributing editor, rather than the sole author.

The great joy of being an editor is that I get to help other people tell their stories. It's an honor to be trusted with their words.


2. What is your favorite Bible verse?

I don't have a favorite Bible verse! But in my devotions this week, I found myself lingering in Psalm 4, where it says, "Many are saying, who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us."

In a time when it so often feels like all the news is bad news, this verse made me take heart. Goodness is still where it has always been: in the light of our Lord's presence.


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

I just finished "The Dean's Watch", by Elizabeth Goudge. It was my first time reading her, can you believe it? What a discovery! The beginning was a bit slow-going, but it completely won my heart only a few chapters in, and proceeded to delight me over and over. I can't wait to read more of her backlist!


4. What book are you featuring today?

The book I'm featuring today is "Not Alone: A Literary Companion For Those Confronted with Miscarriage and Infertility".

I know that's a mouthful of a subtitle! But we wanted readers to know what they were picking up.

"Literary" because it's a book of essays. So very many people have shared this kind of suffering and so we wanted to feature a multitude of perspectives.

"Companion" because the longing for a child -- either one you've lost or one you've never had -- can be a very lonely kind of suffering. We wanted people to know this book was full of people who had been there too, who want to walk beside you in your grief.

And "Confronted" because this isn't something you ask for. It's something that comes upon you when you never wanted it and weren't looking for it.

This is a book that doesn't pretend that these things are easy, but also confirms that God is good. And those two truths: that there is real sorrow and a good God who loves us ... those can be hard to reconcile. The contributors to "Not Alone" were really honest about *both*, and I think it's that honesty that makes the book so valuable.



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

Keep going. Probably there will be someone reading this today who is wondering if she should just give up. My message is: don't. Evil and suffering are real, but God is more real. In the dark & dry times, placing one foot in front of the other is an act of great courage. Ask for help: asking is also an act of great courage. It may take a while to feel like it's true, but you are loved and God is good. Trust what you saw in the light and keep going.

Author Bio:

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​Jessica Snell is the General Editor of Kalos Press and she loves blogging about books, faith, and family at jessicasnell.com. She is the contributing editor of “Let Us Keep the Feast”, a book about celebrating the Christian church year at home, and “Not Alone”, a book on infertility and miscarriage. Her work has appeared in Touchstone Magazine, Christ and Pop Culture, Daily Science Fiction, and more. She and her husband live in sunny Southern California with their four children.

Giveaway!

Jessica is generously giving away the winner's choice of a paperback or e-book copy of "Not Alone" 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 5/31. 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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