Tess in Boots Trailer Reveal Day!

I'm so excited to reveal my trailer to you today! Is it December 2nd yet?



Tess in Boots
Release date: December 2, 2014

About the book:

Tess Dougherty plans every aspect of her life right down to the last detail. But she doesn’t plan on running her boyfriend off by bringing up the topic of marriage before he’s ready. And she doesn’t plan to lose her job on the day she’s set to receive a huge promotion. So when her perfect world unravels, Tess makes a new plan: disappear. 

Tess packs her bags and leaves her city apartment for a remote vineyard in North Carolina. At first, she’s put off by the slow pace of small-town life in the South. She’s especially irritated by Thatcher, the vineyard’s smart-mouth, dimple-faced farmhand. But she soon begins to appreciate the area’s charm, and Thatcher’s charm, too. She even swaps her trademark heels for a pair of cowboy boots. As Tess spends more time getting to know Thatcher, she finds herself loosening her grip on her old life little by little. Unfortunately, things on the vineyard aren’t as simple as they seem. There’s a secret here, and when the truth comes to light, Tess is forced to reconsider every plan she’s ever made. 

Add Tess in Boots on Goodreads!

I can't wait to share this book with you!

New Book Spotlight: Liberty Belle by Emily Ungar

Today I'm spotlighting Liberty Belle, an adorable new middle grade by Emily Ungar.

I think the best way to spotlight this book is with an excerpt:

Today is my twelfth birthday, and I’m in the backseat of our family Subaru holding a dead goldfish. Poor Frank bit it somewhere between Georgia and Washington D.C., and now I’m holding a sandwich bag full of water and the lifeless remains of last summer’s carnival prize. Dad and I wanted to leave Frank’s little body in a nice puddle somewhere along the highway, but Mom pointed out that the moving van would have to stop, too, and we would create a scene.

Mom’s biggest fear is creating a scene, and Dad’s biggest fear is upsetting Mom–that’s why I have my lime-green iPod in my left hand and my dearly departed goldfish in my right hand. Oh, and we’ve just moved away from the only house I’ve ever known, on my birthday to boot, so I’m miserable. At least I got a new iPod and permission to have a Twitter account out of the deal. Parental guilt equals appealing personal electronics.

I love this character's quirky voice and innocent observations about the "grown up world" around her. You can read a longer sample of Liberty Belle on Amazon. The book is also available on Barnes & Noble and Smashwords

Check it out, it's seriously too cute!

Blog Tour and Review: Runaway by Renee Donne

Runaway by Renee Donne

Imprint: Romance

Release Date: July 29, 2014

Blurb:

After Marianne discovers her bankrupt stepfather sold her into marriage to the highest bidder, she flees Philadelphia and heads west to start a new life.

Unfortunately for her danger follows.  First, a stage coach accident leaves her stranded in the middle of nowhere – with an injured driver. And henchmen, hired by her spurned would-be husband, are hot on her trail, threatening to return her to Philadelphia and the man who is determined to own her.

Just when things seem hopeless, Marianne is rescued by a handsome, cowboy who offers temporary refuge.  Knowing she can’t refuse, yet wary of his intentions, Marianne finds herself drawn to this quiet, enigmatic hero. But is he someone she can trust?

My Thoughts:

I began reading Runaway on a Sunday and finished it that day. It's a short, relaxing weekend read, and the author does a good job of pacing the story in a a way that makes it hard to put down. Even if you aren't a history buff (ahem, me), you'll be able to attach to the story because the characters' emotions have a modern and relatable feel. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a clean, romantic read that keeps you in suspense!

Author Bio:

Renee Donne is a native Floridian with a penchant for writing books with a western theme. In her head she's a world traveler and an amateur chef. In real life, she's a hometown girl with an affinity for fine wine and good friends. Her favorite place to write is sitting on her veranda, overlooking the beach.

Author Links:

www.twitter.com/reneedonne

https://www.facebook.com/renee.donne

Trailer:

Excerpt Link: http://www.anaiahpress.com/Runaway.html

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Runaway-Renee-Donne-ebook/dp/B00M8EQ74E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1406659561&sr=8-2&keywords=renee+donne 

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Runaway/book-kKJNjrcvC0yv0CWTWWQbGw/page1.html?s=QOMbQ_qWlk2QVp-PBhfH5Q&r=1

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/runaway-renee-donne/1119887117?ean=2940046042153

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/runaway/id894052671?mt=11

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/451935

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20602860-runaway

(I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.)

Trailer Reveal - Operation Tree Roper: An Eye Above

Anaiah Press is revealing the trailer for OPERATION TREE ROPER: AN EYE ABOVE by Robert Polk today and we have it here on the blog!

Blurb:

Twelve-year-old Declan Parker was born with only one eye, but all he seems to have trouble seeing in proper perspective is himself.  All he wants is for kids to see him as normal before he starts a new school in the fall. To that end, he sets out to make money helping with his dad’s tree care business.

Unfortunately, when his dad lands in the hospital after a climbing accident, Declan’s surgery hopes are wrecked. His only hope remains in a neighbor girl and her uncle, a wounded army veteran. Can they help him save his dad’s business, or will Declan’s once-courageous drive turn into total despair?

Operation Tree Roper: An Eye Above is a well-crafted story about a strong, dauntless young man who redefines the value of self-reflection. Declan is a character you won’t be able to forget.

Welcome to your new favorite book…

Release Date:

October 7, 2014

Book Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22388584-tree-roper

Anaiah Press: www.anaiahpress.com

Author Bio:

 Robert Polk lives in western Nebraska where he shares his love of books and the great outdoors with his wife and seven children. He is a former school counselor, business owner, and tree climbing arborist. Robert participates in his church and local community, currently serving on several non-profit boards.

Author Links:

Website: www.stmercy.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/RobertPolk2

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8286827.Robert_Polk

It's Finally Here! Tess in Boots Cover Reveal

It's cover reveal day, it's cover reveal day, it's COVER REVEAL DAY!

Thank you to cover designer Kayelle Allen and the team at Anaiah Press for this beautiful cover!

Tess Dougherty plans every aspect of her life right down to the last detail. But she doesn’t plan on running her boyfriend off by bringing up the topic of marriage before he’s ready. And she doesn’t plan to lose her job on the day she’s set to receive a huge promotion. So when her perfect world unravels, Tess makes a new plan: disappear.

Tess packs her bags and leaves her city apartment for a remote vineyard in North Carolina. At first, she’s put off by the slow pace of small-town life in the South. She’s especially irritated by Thatcher, the vineyard’s smart-mouth, dimple-faced farmhand. But she soon begins to appreciate the area’s charm, and Thatcher’s charm, too. She even swaps her trademark heels for a pair of cowboy boots. As Tess spends more time getting to know Thatcher, she finds herself loosening her grip on her old life little by little. Unfortunately, things on the vineyard aren’t as simple as they seem. There’s a secret here, and when the truth comes to light, Tess is forced to reconsider every plan she’s ever made.

Release Date: December 2, 2014

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22779717-tess-in-boots

Website: http://www.courtneyricegager.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CourtneyRGager

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

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/courtney_rice_gager

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

Google+: http://www.plus.google.com/+CourtneyRiceGagerWrites

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/courtneyricegager

Author Bio:

Courtney Rice Gager graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a minor in creative writing. Courtney is also the author of The Buggy List. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter.

Cover Reveal! Operation Tree Roper: An Eye Above - by Robert Polk

Operation Tree Roper: An Eye Above by Robert Polk

Adventures, Anaiah Press

Blurb:

Twelve-year-old Declan Parker was born with only one eye, but all he seems to have trouble seeing in proper perspective is himself.  All he wants is for kids to see him as normal before he starts a new school in the fall. To that end, he sets out to make money helping with his dad’s tree care business.

Unfortunately, when his dad lands in the hospital after a climbing accident, Declan’s surgery hopes are wrecked. His only hope remains in a neighbor girl and her uncle, a wounded army veteran. Can they help him save his dad’s business, or will Declan’s once-courageous drive turn into total despair?

Operation Tree Roper: An Eye Above is a well-crafted story about a strong, dauntless young man who redefines the value of self-reflection. Declan is a character you won’t be able to forget.

Welcome to your new favorite book…

Release Date:

October 7, 2014

Book Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22388584-tree-roper

Anaiah Press: www.anaiahpress.com

Author Bio:

 Robert Polk lives in western Nebraska where he shares his love of books and the great outdoors with his wife and seven children. He is a former school counselor, business owner, and tree climbing arborist. Robert participates in his church and local community, currently serving on several non-profit boards.

Author Links:

Website: www.stmercy.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/RobertPolk2

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8286827.Robert_Polk

My Writing Process: Blog Tour

I'm thrilled to be taking part in the My Writing Process Blog Tour today! My friend and fellow author, Emily Ungar, posted her entry last week. You can check it out here: http://emilyungar.com/2014/06/02/my-writing-process-blog-tour/

Without further ado, it's time to answer four questions about my writing process:

1) What am I working on?

I'm currently in the final editing stages for Tess in Boots. It's a sweet contemporary romance set to be released with Anaiah Press in December 2014. The story is about, you know... a girl named Tess who wears boots. Kidding. It's so much more, of course. My heroine, Tess, gets an opportunity to step out of her routine and totally reinvent herself on a remote vineyard in North Carolina. The story speaks to the pressure we place on ourselves to play a certain role in our daily lives, and how this pressure can hold us back from conquering our fears and experiencing personal growth. Lots of secrets, twists, and turns make this story hard to put down. (So does my dreamy leading man, Thatcher. I can't wait to introduce him to my readers!) This book is funny, heartwarming, and comes with a money-back guarantee if you don't cry near the end. (Just kidding on the guarantee thing.) But seriously, get your tissues ready.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?

When people hear I have a romance coming out, they often assume it's a bodice ripper. I'm a pretty awkward person. (Fortunately for me, I'm not out there in the dating world, because if I had to flirt with someone they'd probably assume I had some sort of nervous twitch and feel sorry for me.) So when people think I'm writing something steamy, it makes me blush and want to hide under the table. My work is different because it's clean. Though packed with lots of heart-fluttering moments, Tess in Boots is contracted with a Christian publisher, and there are certain guidelines the book must adhere to with respect to language, romantic scenes, etc. It's a perfect fit for me, because I'm a clean writer through and through. I love the challenge of writing a fantastic, gripping story while keeping it safe to read with Grandma looking over your shoulder. When I can strike that perfect balance, I call it a win!

3) Why do I write what I do?

Ever since I was a kid, I've always adored books that make me feel like I'm on vacation. I'm a sucker for a good escape read, and I want my readers to feel like they're getting away when they pick up my book. The picturesque setting of Tess in Boots is a vacation in itself, but more importantly, this is a story you'll get lost in and won't want to leave. Every time I finish up a round of edits, I'm a little sad because I wish I could spend more time with these characters and this story. 

4) How does my writing process work?

What a loaded question! To keep my response concise, I'll stick to a few key points with links to longer posts I've written:

• I don't sweat the beginning. Or the entire first draft, for that matter. 
• Once I get an idea, I run with it and let myself enjoy the process all the way through the first draft. Then, I go back to edit and tighten things up. (Read more about this here.)
• I write really early in the morning.
• Most days I wake up to write before 4 am. There's a lot of coffee involved. (Read more about this here.) 
• I use a calendar to map out my plot.
• Yep, a good old-fashioned, paper calendar. It helps me keep track of my characters' busy lives! (Read more about this here.)
• I know when to walk away.
• Sometimes, slacking off is a good thing. When I have writer's block, I step away from the keyboard. (Read more about this here.)

Next up on the tour, June 16th...

Deniese Kohles

Deniese Kohles is a wife of 37 years, mother, grandmother, interior designer, retired art teacher and youth minister, who resides in Grand Junction, Colorado. She was creatively inspired by a reoccurring vivid dream to write Heaven Has a Secret for You! as a gift for her grandchildren. The second book of this series, Do Flowers Go To Heaven? is coming soon.

Amanda Salisbury

Amanda Salisbury lives on the red planet of Oklahoma. All her best stories are sifted through the screens of her education and experience in history, law, finance, and mothering. She lives with her husband and boys in a lair, a classroom, or a castle, depending on the moment.