Monday, October 19, 2015

Grand Finale: If Not for a Bee by @_CarolRoss @PrismBookTours

On tour with Prism Book Tours.

Grand Finale for
If Not for a Bee
By Carol Ross

Did you miss any of the posts or fabulous reviews from this tour?
If you did, go back and check them all out now!

Launch - Interview

What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?

We all wrestle with challenges of one kind or another. Aidan, Janie and her boys, Gareth and Reagan all struggle with adversity in some form. I think it’s important to face your fears, fight them, smother them, whatever it takes. There is a way to figure out how to work through them. I hope that If Not for a Bee shows how even the most seemingly impossible obstacle can be scaled.

Katie's Clean Book Collection - How it All Came to Bee

In my mind, Shay James, heroine from A Case for Forgiveness (book #2), was already telling me her story so I wrote that one first. Janie also happens to be Shay’s cousin and best friend and plays a small part in that story, too. So by the time I started writing If Not for a Bee much of it was already buzzing around (sorry, I just can’t seem to stop the bee puns) in my head. I think this is largely because Janie’s character was already so well-formed she was like a real person to me. Like a sister. Still, I was surprised at how this book flowed like nothing I’ve ever written before. Not so surprising was the fact that Janie turned out to be a lot like my sister; a woman whose devotion to those she loves does the words “mother,” “daughter,” and “sister” proud.

Zerina Blossom's Books - Ten Books that Hooked Me by the First Page and Never (Ever) Let Go

I’ve heard time again over the years that in order to be an effective writer you must also be a reader. I always thought, well, good at least I’ve got part of it down. Now that I am an author, I truly see the importance. And, like most authors I know, I never seem to have enough time to read. So I make time—I ruthlessly carve out time. I will sacrifice sleep, outings with friends, housework (is that a sacrifice?) meals (okay, maybe not meals). But you get my meaning. I love to read. And I love to talk about books.


"If you enjoy heartwarming stories about family, overcoming loss and learning to live again, this one is not to be missed!"


"There’s a surprising amount of character depth in this story, which added richness to the narrative – and we also learn about bees through Aidan’s native-bee-population study. All of the main characters faced adversity in some form, physical or emotional, and this is something to which any reader can relate. . . . If Not for a Bee is a very satisfying romance and I look forward to more from Carol Ross. Recommended."


"You will love the way the story unfolds and how sweet the story and characters are. I will probably go back to read the other two though I already know who ends up with whom. :) It’s all good. If you need a quick, cute romance, check this one out!"

underneath the covers - Dating in the Extreme – Rankins Style

With its rugged countryside and dramatic seasonal changes, dating in Alaska can present some interesting challenges, or unique opportunities, depending on your point of view. Each book in my Seasons of Alaska series highlights some of these circumstances.


Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima - What’s Your Bee Story?

There are certain critters that in spite of their diminutive stature, never fail to strike fear in the hearts of even the bravest among us - snakes, spiders, rats, bats. I’ve even seen people get the
heebie-jeebies over cockroaches and ants. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything that induces sheer terror quite the way a bee does.

deal sharing aunt - Interview

5. What do you think makes a good story?

Characters. Not surprisingly, I tend to fall in love with characters (my own and those from my favorite books). My favorite characters are relatable ones, flawed people with good hearts who want to do the right things.


"Readers will love the easily relatable characters and touching and uplifting story of overcoming hard things in life and learning to love and forgive. The third installment of the Seasons of Alaska series will not disappoint readers. In fact,If Not for a Bee is the type of book readers will want to curl up and read over and over again."


3. What writing projects are you currently working on? What can you tell us about these projects?

I just finished a Thanksgiving short story for Harlequin that will be available as a free read some time in November. The story is set in Rankins, but with some never-before-seen characters that I love. Oh, and a dog! Book four in the Seasons of Alaska series, A Family Like Hannah’s is finished and will be out February 1st. I’m hoping that readers will be excited to learn that Hannah, Shay’s sister in A Case for Forgiveness is getting her own story. Excited to be working on a proposal now for some new Heartwarming books.

Chill Reviews - Review

"Janie learned to see beyond their pain and see that sometimes an outsider can see things that you can't when you're in the thick of things. I think you all would enjoy this feel good romance. It is a part of a series but I did not feel like I was missing anything."


Wishful Endings - Ten Things I’ve Learned (and Love) About Alaska


“Have you ever lived in Alaska?”After writing four books and a short story for the Seasons of Alaska series this is a question I’ve heard often. As well as, “I want to live in Rankins.” Both make my heart soar with joy. Because to me this means I’m getting certain things right. Important things. All of the Seasons of Alaska stories are set in the remote town of Rankins. And while the town might be fictional, I’ve done my best to keep the essence of Alaska accurate.

If Not for a BeeIf Not for a Bee
(Seasons of Alaska #3)
by Carol Ross
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 206 Pages
October 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming


You can't always play it safe

With four sons dependent on her, Janie Everett needs to keep her life uncomplicated. Now famous scientist Aidan Hollings is disrupting her orderly world, starting with the rescue of a...bumblebee.

Aidan is only passing through her Alaska wilderness town, and wasn't planning to bond with her two older boys. Or become so attracted to the widowed journalist. His globe-trotting days may be be over if he's able to show Janie that they can share the adventure of a lifetime--together.


Also in the Series

Mountains ApartMountains Apart
(Seasons of Alaska #1)
by Carol Ross
Adult Romance
Paperback & ebook, 368 pages
March 1st 2014 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Winning this battle could mean losing it all

San Diego workaholic Emily Hollings doesn't eat fish, doesn't wear flannel shirts and certainly doesn't fraternize with the enemy. So why is she finding herself charmed by Rankins, Alaska—her company's next development target—and the leader of its hostile opposition, Bering James?

She must be more burned-out than she thought. Her professional reserve is slipping. And she's starting to fantasize about a life beyond work…a life like Bering has here. Maybe they can put their professional differences aside and explore this…friendship. Or maybe she's just deluding herself. Because one of them has to win.


A Case for ForgivenessA Case for Forgiveness
(Seasons of Alaska #2)
by Carol Ross
Adult Romance
Paperback & ebook, 193 pages
April 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming

The past has its place…in the past!

Innkeeper Shay James has been telling herself for a decade that she's over her ex-fiancé, Jonah Cedar. But now the Chicago attorney's come home to care for his ailing grandfather, reawakening powerful feelings—along with painful memories. Shay can't afford to repeat history.

At twenty-two, Jonah couldn't wait to trade his secluded Alaska hometown for big-city success. Shay was supposed to share that dream. Yet even with unresolved issues between them, their connection is stronger than ever. Jonah's visit was only going to be temporary…until a threat to Shay's beloved Faraway Inn gives him a reason to stay and fight for that second chance.


Carol Ross lives with her husband and one loveable miscreant of a dachshund in a small town in Washington close to both the ocean and the mountains. She adores the Pacific Northwest because it provides her with endless opportunities for the activities she loves—hiking, running, skiing, and spending time outdoors. Although she enjoys reading in many genres, she writes what she loves the most—romance, especially light-hearted stories about the fun, flirty, and often-tumultuous path toward a happily ever after. For a complete list of her books, social media links, giveaways, and other fun stuff stop by and visit her new website: carolrossauthor.com.

Tour Giveaway


- Grand Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card & copy of If Not for a Bee (open internationally, print book to US winner, ebook to international winner)
- US Prize Pack: bee coffee mug, bee charm necklace, 17.6 ounce jar of honey, honey dipper, box of organic tea, and signed copy of If Not for a Bee (US only)
- Ends October 23rd

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