Showing posts with label Bethany House. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bethany House. Show all posts

Monday, February 10, 2014

Launching the tour... Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate

Launching the Tour for Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate...


The Tour:
2/10: Launch
2/11: LDS and Lovin' it - Review
2/12: Mythical Books - Guest Post
+ Christy's Cozy Corners – Excerpt
2/13: Kelly P's Blog – Excerpt
2/14: Mel's Shelves - Review
2/16: Brooke Blogs - Guest Post
+ Tell Tale Book Reviews – Excerpt
+ Paulette's Papers - Guest Post
+ The Written Adventure – Excerpt
2/18: My Devotional Thoughts - Review
2/19: Getting Your Read On - Review
+ Bookworm Lisa - Guest Post
2/20: The Wonderings of One Person - Interview
+ Platypire Reviews - Review
+ Reviews By Molly - Review
2/22: Grand Finale


Wildwood Creek
by Lisa Wingate
Christian Romance
Paperback, 384 pages
February 4th 2014 by Bethany House Publishers

Allie Kirkland has never been one to take wild risks. But when she’s offered a costuming assistant’s job on a docudrama in the hills near Moses Lake, she jumps at the chance. She’s always dreamed of following in her director-father’s footsteps, and the reenactment of the legendary frontier settlement of Wildwood is a first step. The family expectations will have to wait.

But in 1861, the real Wildwood held dangerous realities. Town founder Harland Delevan held helpless residents, including young Irish schoolteacher Bonnie Rose, in an iron grip. Mysterious disappearances led to myths and legends still retold in the folk songs of Chinquapin Peaks. Eventually, the entire site was found abandoned.
When strange connections surface between Allie and the teacher who disappeared over a century ago, everyone in Wildwood, including Allie’s handsome neighbor on the film set, Blake Fulton, seems to be hiding secrets, and Allie doesn’t know who she can trust. If she can’t find the answers in time, history may repeat itself . . . with the most unthinkable results.

Bethany House


From the author regarding this awesome giveaway:

I'd just like to share the tradition of a prayer box on this blog tour. It has meant a lot to me since I received my first prayer box and I've learned that there is a tradition of prayer boxes in the Jewish and early Christian cultures. I'm on a mission to revive that tradition.

The little prayer box that was given to me was by no means unique. I’d heard of prayer boxes, and I knew what they were for. They’re either keeping places for favorite scriptures, or they’re similar to a prayer journal, only more flexible. Any scrap of paper will do, anywhere, any time of the day or night. The important part, in a world of fractured thoughts, hurried moments, and scattershot prayers, is to take the time to think through, to write down, to clarify in your own mind the things you’re asking for, the things you’re grateful for, the things you’re troubled about, the hopes you’ve been nurturing.

And then?
Put them in the box and…

Let.

Them.

Go.

That’s what trust is. It’s letting go of the worry. It’s the way of peace and also the way of God. It’s such a hard road to travel for people like me, who are worriers. When I’m writing a story, I control the whole universe. In life… not so much. Actually, not at all. Things happen that I hadn’t anticipated and wouldn’t choose and can’t change. That’s the tough part.

Closing the lid on a prayer box is symbolic of so many things. When we give a prayer over to God, it’s supposed to be in God’s hands after that.

- See more at: http://www.southernbelleviewdaily.com/making-using-and-sharing-prayer-boxes/#sthash.e7kou0Sk.dpuf

Lisa Wingate Author PictureLisa Wingate is a journalist, inspirational speaker, reviewer for the New York Journal of Books, and the author of over twenty novels.  Her novels combine elements of history, romance, mystery, and women's fiction with nuggets of Southern culture, from the sublime to the humorous. She is a seven-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, a Christianity Today Book Award nominee, an Inspy Award nominee, and a two-time Carol Award winner. Her works have been selected for Booklist’s Top Ten List in 2012 and in 2013. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life.




Tour-Wide Giveaway
February 10 - March 2nd  US Only
See Rafflecopter for restrictions.

1 Winner, 1 Amazing Prize Pack from Bethany House and Lisa Wingate:
   $50 Amazon Gift Card
   Print copy of Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate
   Handmade-by-author Prayer Box with notepads 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Finale - A Cast of Stones by Patrick Carr


On Tour with Prism Book Tours















The Herbwomen of secret lore
The World of The Staff & the Sword
The Readers of the cast lots
The Watchmen, elite warriors
The Clergy of power



LAUNCH-DAY BLAST! 


1/23 - Backing Books - Herbwomen Beginning
      the herbwomen were the seeds of a reformation      
1/24 – Christian Novels – Review – World Creation
"I elected to use a setting I knew very well: Rock Island State Park in Tennessee. It’s a beautiful place with waterfalls and lush hills and rugged terrain".
1/25 – I Am a Reader, Not a Writer – Readers Patrick Carr on Origins 
If I didn’t come up with some kind of limitation, I was going to have a book filled with the equivalent of a bunch of super-wizards

1/27 – Reads to Reels – Watchmen Beginning
Why do the men of the watch wear black? How come none of them have last names?
1/28 – LDS & Lovin’ It - Clergy Origins
I decided to name the collection of benefices the judica. In Latin, judica means judge. So the catch phrase of the benefices became “Judica me Deas” which would be the equivalent of “Judge me, O Lord.”
1/29 – Proud Book Nerd - World Visuals
I am very much interested to see where this series is going, and will be eagerly waiting for Book 2, The Hero’s Lot.
1/30 – Open the Page - Herbwomen Goals
we find that the herbwomen had perhaps the biggest secret of all
1/31 – Wonderings of One Person – Review - Readers Goals
Errol became my Luke Skywalker and I needed to come up with an Obi-wan Kenobi.

2/1 – RELEASE-DAY BLAST! 

2/3 – Simple Wyrdings - Watchmen Elite Warriors
I really really liked this book!
2/4 – Bookworm Lisa – Review – Clergy Goals
This book is very well written and appealing.
2/5 – Passion & Life – Readers Excerpt from Patrick Carr
This is probably one of my favorite excerpts from the entire series. It was so much fun to write...
2/6 – Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Review Herbwomen Visuals
I like how the whole book had a very medieval feel to it... I couldn't put it down.
2/7 – Coffee, Books & Me - Readers Visuals
  

2/8 – Backing Books – Review – World Goals
Errol is perhaps the most realistic hero I have ever read about.
2/10 – Letters to the Cosmos - Watchmen by Patrick Carr
The next guy, Merodach was easy. As soon as I described him as having hair so blond it was almost silver and blue eyes, I knew Rutger Hauer was the perfect model. I loved him in the movie “Ladyhawke.”
2/11 – Colorimetry – Clergy Excerpt
"Only a fool could fail to see you have a story to tell and I would not have it said that I kept an injured man on his feet."
2/12 – ADD Librarian Herbwomen Excerpt
Sometimes a book comes along that you didn’t know you were waiting for until you read it, and somehow your world is more complete.
2/13 – Worthy 2 Read – Review - Watchmen Excerpt
Forsaking their names, they called themselves the watch and... swore an oath never to outlive their king in battle again.
2/15 – Pieces of Whimsy – Review - Readers Excerpt
I was hooked from the first page. I fell in love with the writing, the style and the way the words flowed. The story also grabbed from the beginning, it was exciting and adventurous and deep, and I couldn't stop reading!
2/17 – CTF Devourer – Review
 The best spiritual reference is actually the night Errol stays with the priest he delivered a message to. Not having gone this long without a drink in years, he is sick the whole night through, but rather than the judgment and condemnation like he receives from his local church leader, this priest shows compassion and grace, promising and following through on the promise, to help Errol through the night.
2/18 – Pause Time - Readers Visuals
I'm a difficult reader to please within the fantasy/medieval genre, because I'm not really into it... Now I'm pleased to say that A Cast of Stones is another one of the rarities  that manages to captivate me with its world and that Patrick Carr is definitely one to watch.
2/19 – A Backwards Story – Review – World Excerpt
Sudden pains shot through his calves and he grimaced, struggling against unaccustomed weariness. He shouldn’t be tired. He’d run this trail and others as difficult a thousand times.
2/19 - Christy’s Cozy Corner – Herbwomen Excerpt

Errol stepped toward the herbwoman. Her head rested against the bars in front of him, her eyes milky with blindness.
One shriveled hand stretched through, touched him on the face. It was warm. A voice too soft to carry past the bars greeted him. Old eyes gazed at him in wonder. “You’ve been touched by Aurae. Thank the creator! I did not know any of the solis yet lived.” She paused. “Deas’ hand is on you.”

2/20 – Min Reads & Reviews – Watchmen Excerpt

“Errol Stone.” 
The lieutenant nodded. “An orphan."

2/21 – FINALE BLAST

2/25 - Winner TBA

Jill Williamson – Review 
Tressa's Wishful Endings - Review

Enter to WIN for 3 More Days!!!

Grand Prize (USA):  Print copy of entire series of three books (#2 & #3 as they are published) + A Cast of Stones Mug + Lend your name to a character in book #3!!

2nd Prize (USA): Print copy of A Cast of Stones

International Entries: eCopy of A Cast of Stones




Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Burgandy Ice @ Colorimetry and sponsored by Bethany House & the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Random Acts of Kindness

There is no better random act of kindness to book-lovers than sharing books. I have been looking forward to sharing this abundance from Bethany House...


I am a huge fan of "random"... but there are also moments to pause and consider:
If I hadn't found Anne Elisabeth Stengl exactly one year ago... if I wasn't such a huge fan of Kathy's blog... if Bethany House hadn't chosen Prism Book Tours... if I didn't have the awesomest tour participants on the planet... if authors didn't write such amazing books... 
I could go on and on!!  I really can't take any credit for this awesome giveaway, that's for sure. But it is my pleasure to pass on the great awesomeness to so many winners!!!

There are FIVE print copies of Prophet by RJ Larson for winners within the USA:


Prophet (Books of the Infinite #1)Prophet
by RJ Larson
Paperback, 352 pages
Published April 1st 2012 by Bethany House Publishers

Premise:

Ela Roeh of Parne doesn't understand why her beloved Creator, the Infinite, wants her to become His prophet. She's undignified and bad-tempered, and at age seventeen she's much too young. In addition, no prophet of Parne has ever been a girl. Worst of all, as Parne's elders often warn, if she agrees to become the Infinite's prophet, Ela knows she will die young. 

Yet she can't imagine living without Him. Determined to hear the Infinite's voice, Ela accepts the sacred vinewood branch and is sent to bring the Infinite's word to a nation torn apart by war. There she meets a young ambassador determined to bring his own justice for his oppressed people. As they form an unlikely partnership, Ela battles how to balance the leading of her heart with the leading of the Infinite.

There are FIVE print copies of Promises To Keep by Ann Tatlock for winners in the USA:

Promises to Keep
Promises To Keep
by Ann Tatlock
Paperback, 348 pages
Published February 1st 2011 by Bethany House Publishers

Premise:

Eleven-year-old Roz (Rosalind) Anthony and her family have just moved to Mills River, Illinois, to escape an abusive situation. Only days after settling into their new home, they are surprised to find the previous owner, Tillie Monroe, on their front porch reading the newspaper. Though her sons have sold the house and sent her to a facility for the aged, she is determined to die in the place she lived her life, and somehow manages to find her way "home" day after day. Feeling sympathy for the elderly woman, Roz's mother allows Tillie to move back in. 

Mara Nightingale becomes Roz's first friend in Mills River. In spite of their many differences, the girls discover they have something in common that binds them together--both are hiding secrets. So they make a promise--"cross my heart and hope to die"--never to tell anyone else. 

When danger stalks the Anthonys, Tillie exhibits unimaginable courage and selfless love in her determination to protect the family she has adopted as her own.

For International Entries... a FREE eBook:
Click on the cover to find out more about the books. Click on the links below to download for free or go to: Bethany House

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Mid-Tour Update & Excerpt - A Cast of Stones by Patrick Carr


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

A Cast of Stones (The Staff and the Sword, #1)A Cast of Stones
by Patrick Carr
Paperback, 400 pages
Expected Publication: February 1st 2013 by Bethany House Publishers

Premise:

In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone's search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom. 

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.


Available 2/1/13:


Only on this Tour... the author shares the Creation, his Goals, some Visuals and Excerpts on each of these mini-themes:

The Herbwomen of secret lore
The World of The Staff & the Sword
The Readers of the cast lots
The Watchmen, elite warriors
The Clergy of power


LAUNCH-DAY BLAST! 


1/23 - Backing Books - Herbwomen
      the herbwomen were the seeds of a reformation      
1/24 – Christian Novels – Review – World
"I elected to use a setting I knew very well: Rock Island State Park in Tennessee. It’s a beautiful place with waterfalls and lush hills and rugged terrain".
1/25 – I Am a Reader, Not a Writer – Readers
If I didn’t come up with some kind of limitation, I was going to have a book filled with the equivalent of a bunch of super-wizards

1/27 – Reads to Reels – Watchmen
Why do the men of the watch wear black? How come none of them have last names?
1/28 – LDS & Lovin’ It - Clergy
I decided to name the collection of benefices the judica. In Latin, judica means judge. So the catch phrase of the benefices became “Judica me Deas” which would be the equivalent of “Judge me, O Lord.”
1/29 – Proud Book Nerd - World
I am very much interested to see where this series is going, and will be eagerly waiting for Book 2, The Hero’s Lot.
1/30 – Open the Page - Herbwomen
we find that the herbwomen had perhaps the biggest secret of all
1/31 – Wonderings of One Person – Review - Readers
Errol became my Luke Skywalker and I needed to come up with an Obi-wan Kenobi.


2/1 – RELEASE-DAY BLAST! 

2/3 – Simple Wyrdings - Watchmen
I really really liked this book!
2/4 – Bookworm Lisa – Review – Clergy
This book is very well written and appealing.
2/5 – Passion & Life – Readers
This is probably one of my favorite excerpts from the entire series. It was so much fun to write.
2/6 – Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Review Herbwomen
I like how the whole book had a very medieval feel to it... I couldn't put it down.
2/7 – Coffee, Books & Me - Readers
  

2/8 – Backing Books – Review – World
Errol is perhaps the most realistic hero I have ever read about.
2/10 – Letters to the Cosmos - Watchmen
The next guy, Merodach was easy. As soon as I described him as having hair so blond it was almost silver and blue eyes, I knew Rutger Hauer was the perfect model. I loved him in the movie “Ladyhawke.”
2/11 – Colorimetry – Clergy
Only a fool could fail to see you have a story to tell and I would not have it said that I kept an injured man on his feet
2/12 – ADD Librarian Herbwomen

SoExcited!SoExcited!SoExcited!SoExcited!
2/13 – Worthy 2 Read – Review - Watchmen
2/14 – Hey, Tara! - World
2/15 – Pieces of Whimsy – Review - Readers

2/17 – CTF Devourer – Review – Clergy
2/18 – Pause Time - Readers
2/19 – A Backwards Story – Review – World
2/19 - Christy’s Cozy Corner – Herbwomen
2/20 – Min Reads & Reviews – Review Watchmen
2/21 – FINALE BLAST, Winner announced

Review - Jill Williamson 

Excerpt... Meet the Clergymen:



 Martin sat beneath the giant oak that sheltered his cottage, his bulk sprawled across a crude ladder-backed chair. Errol looked away and coughed as he entered the shade of the tree from the priest’s left. Martin sat nearly naked, his cassock nowhere in sight. He wore a plain, linen under-tunic hitched up in the moist air until it barely covered his thighs. At Errol’s cough, the priest looked up from the book that he held in one huge hand and gave a raucous laugh. Errol blushed and kept his eyes on his feet.
Martin loomed larger than life. Errol had never known him before his hair silvered, but his eyebrows, dark as ebony, showed the color those loose curls would have been in his youth. A strong nose thrust forward aggressively from wide, high cheekbones over a mouth that was thin and full by turns depending on the state of its owner’s thoughts. The deep dimple in his chin, rather than lending the face any expected charm, solidified the impression of dogged determination that Errol always felt whenever he came to visit Martin’s secluded cottage. Yet for all the power that emanated from Martin’s eyes, face, or bulk, he always greeted Errol with warmth.
“Come now, Errol.” Martin called to him across the grassy space. “My under tunic satisfies the demands of modesty and we are created in the image of Deas after all.” He slapped his paunch and looked him up and down in mock jealousy. “However, I seem to have been gifted with substantially more image than you.” He pointed to the bulky pack slung from Errol’s shoulder with a hand that would have looked more at home dangling from a blacksmith’s wrist. “You have the sacraments?”
Errol stepped from the shade to stand before Martin. “Yes, Pater, and letters as well, but I’m afraid it’s all ruined.” Errol’s voice sounded strange to his ears, as if he had forgotten its timbre during his struggle in the gorge.
Martin’s smile transformed to a scowl as he took in Errol’s appearance. The old priest’s gaze trickled from the crown of Errol’s, paused at his scraped hands, and finished at his bleeding feet.
“Come, boy. Let’s go inside. Only a fool could fail to see you have a story to tell and I would not have it said that I kept an injured man on his feet.”



About the Author:


Patrick Carr was born on an Air Force base in West Germany at the height of the cold war. He has been told this was not his fault. As an Air Force brat, he experienced a change in locale every three years until his father retired to Tennessee. Patrick saw more of the world on his own through a varied and somewhat eclectic education and work history. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1984 and has worked as a draftsman at a nuclear plant, did design work for the Air Force, worked for a printing company, and consulted as an engineer. Patrick’s day gig for the last five years has been teaching high school math in Nashville, TN. He currently makes his home in Nashville with his wonderfully patient wife, Mary, and four sons he thinks are amazing: Patrick, Connor, Daniel, and Ethan. Sometime in the future he would like to be a jazz pianist. Patrick thinks writing about himself in the third person is kind of weird.

Awards: ACFW Genesis Competition 2010 Finalist for “A Cast of Stones” in Speculative Fiction.

Find & Follow:



Tour-Wide Giveaway:

Grand Prize (USA):  Print copy of entire series of three books (#2 & #3 as they are published) + A Cast of Stones Mug + Lend your name to a character in book #3!!

2nd Prize (USA): Print copy of A Cast of Stones

International Entries: eCopy of A Cast of Stones




Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Burgandy Ice @ Colorimetry and sponsored by Bethany House & the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, December 17, 2012

Prism Book Tours Announcement - A Cast of Stones!!

I am excited to announce a new tour with Prism Book Tours (that's me!) and this awesome book - A Cast of Stones.  The first time I saw it, I was checkin' out the available monthly review books on LibraryThing. The cover & premise looked interesting, but I'd never seen it before, so I googled the book and was instantly intrigued.

A Cast of Stones (The Staff and the Sword, #1)A Cast of Stones
by Patrick Carr
Paperback, 400 pages
Expected Publication: February 1st 2013 by Bethany House Publishers

Premise:

In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone's search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom. 

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.



Patrick Carr references Anne Elisabeth Stengl who said:
It’s my pleasure to introduce you to debut author Patrick Carr and his novelA Cast of Stones the first in his epic Medieval fantasy saga, The Staff & The Sword, with The Hero’s Lot and A Breath of Wind to follow…
John Otte, who has visited Colorimetry, said:
“With an engaging, imaginative world that bristles with danger, characters that keep you guessing, and a story that sticks with you, A Cast of Stones will keep you devouring pages until the very end. I highly recommend it!”
Relz Reviews announced him back in August with an excerpt.

Aimee Laine discusses the cover. Hilarious.

Available for Pre-Order at:


Intrigued? I'm not done...