Catching The Nor'Wester By Emily Yager: Spotlight Post & Giveaway

About the Book

They both have made sacrifices to gain their independence and will make more if it meant they could keep it.
Orphaned Calliope Graydon turned down the chance to have a life of luxury and lost the only home she ever knew because of that choice. Years later, she struggles to survive in the inland territories that is particularly harsh toward an unmarried woman. When a local Nor’wester steals her heart, she must decide if her independence is worthy the pain of a broken heart.
Etienne Marcks enjoys his life on the river despite its hardships. With his contract with the North West Company almost fulfilled, he needs to decide what he is going to do next. The last thing he need is to be a protector to a fiery woman who is more of a distraction than helpful to the brigade. She is making his live more difficult as she challenges what he thought he wanted in life.
They must find common ground as they race to get back home before the harsh winter leaves them stranded on the frozen river.

GOODREADS | AMAZON (not available)

About the Author

Growing up in Northwestern Minnesota, Emily spent the long winter days dreaming and creating stories. She loves the mild summers and cold, wind swept state so much that she incorporates the landscape and small towns into her stories. A life-long book dragon, Emily is fulfilling her dream by writing novels.

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Snippet

Snippet #1:
The smoke swirled up from the campfire, thick, white and smelt like burnt coffee. The smoke switched direction and came down and blew in her face until her eyes started to burn with hot tears. Standing from her spot, she moved to the other side of the fire and sat back down on the frozen ground. No sooner had she sat back down the smoke swirled around and into her face again.
“You do know that smoke follows beauty,” her friend told her.
“Apparently,” Calliope quickly replied as she tried to wave the smoke away from. Not wanting to move again, she fanned the smoke out of her face.

Giveaway

Enter the giveaway HERE.
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Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Tour Schedule

January 21-
January 22
Maiden of the Pages
January 23
Blooming with Books
Robin’s Nest
January 24
Wishful Endings
January 25
​Why Not? Because I Said So!

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Forever Yours: A Clean Romance Event & $25 Giveaway-Featuring Author Lorin Grace "Mending Hearts with the Billionaire"

 
 Mending Hearts with the Billionaire by Lorin Grace
Candace’s ten-year plan has two flaws, year eleven and Colin. Everyone who meets Candace wearing one of her colorful wigs knows she is a cancer survivor. Determined to live life to the fullest, her accomplishments range from painting murals to convincing students on campus to give up drinking. Few people know the secret to her success includes a detailed ten-year plan and a bucket list full of check marks. Candace never dreamed she’d make it to year eleven. Computer expert Colin Ogilvie can navigate the most difficult codes. While his friends were chasing girls, he was hacking past firewalls and developing billion-dollar apps. He never felt he was missing out until he met Candace. After five hundred and twelve days in the friend zone, he wonders if he can ever crack the code to the wall protecting her heart. What science can’t solve, art can. Their relationship changes when a meddling friend commissions Candace to help restore an antique merry-go-round. As Candace brings new life to the old merry-go-round, she discovers her own life can have a different path than she planned. But is she brave enough to not only reveal her biggest secrets to Colin but brave a chance on her own happily ever after?
      Gathering his courage, he moved to the leather seat facing her. “Penny for your thoughts.” She raised one of her painted brows. “Do you even have a penny?” “I can transfer it via two or three different apps.” “But I don’t need a penny.” “What do you need?” “Chocolate?” “I can do chocolate.” He pulled up a shopping app. “It will be waiting at the Blue Pines Inn’s front desk.” “Caramels and cherries?” “Of course. And they are hand dipped in Blue Pines.” The first hint of a real smile flashed across her face. “So how many of your thoughts does that get?” Candace patted the seat next to her. “Probably not as much as it should. I was thinking about what Dr. Christensen told me about turning a corner. I just don’t know where to go.”    
 “If you haven't read this book or series, this is Colin! Great and unassuming, flying under the radar but amazing beyond all expectations.” ~Julie 

 “Mending Hearts is my favorite!! Colin is one swoon-worthy guy. “ ~Renee 

“This is a wonderfully written story about these struggles and the importance of being there for each other.” ~Deborah 
      Author Lorin Grace 
 Lorin Grace was born in Colorado and has been moving around the country ever since, living in eight states and several imaginary worlds. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Graphic Design. Currently, she lives in northern Utah with her husband, four children, and a dog who is insanely jealous of her laptop. When not writing Lorin enjoys creating graphics, visiting historical sites, museums, and reading. Lorin is an active member of the League of Utah Writers. Her debut novel, Waking Lucy, was awarded a 2017 Recommend Read award in the LUW Published book contest. Mending Fences received a 2018 Recommend Read award in the LUW Published book contest  
            Giveaway Details $25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in PayPal Cash Ends 2/14/19 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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 will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway Inspired Kathy bkhabel@gmail.com

An Amish Homecoming: Four Stories By Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Shelley Shepard Gray, & Kathleen Fuller-Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 16, 2018)
• Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780785218487
• I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Summary

***Four brand new Amish stories 

of coming home.***

No Place Like Home by Amy Clipston
Estranged daughter Eva Dienner has been staying with her in-laws since her husband was killed in a fire, but now she wants her son to meet his maternal grandparents. Upon her return, Eva finds that the man her parents always intended for her is living in their daadihaus and running the dairy farm for them for free, despite her suspicions of him taking advantage of her family. Eva knows she should put the past behind her, but is she ready to move into the future?

When Love Returns by Beth Wiseman
Hurricane Harvey forces Sarah Zook to return to the home she fled six years ago when she couldn’t face her stern parents’ reaction to her unplanned pregnancy. Upon her return, Abram King can think of nothing but the pain she caused him—until he meets Sarah’s daughter and realizes that he never really stopped loving Sarah. Sarah and Abram must find a way to face the truth of their past so they can rekindle their first love.

The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray
After the death of her Englisch husband, Irene Keim seeks a fresh start by staying with her new friends Mary Ruth and Henry Wengerd in exchange for helping them around the house. But when Mary Ruth and Henry’s son Marcus comes around, he isn’t pleased with the woman they’ve taken in and is determined to push her out. Misunderstandings abound, but both Irene and Marcus learn that people aren’t always what they seem.

What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller
Independent and headstrong, Carolyn is determined to forge ahead with the opening of her bakery, a lifelong dream, in the Birch Creek home she left ten years ago. But she’s in over her head and needs help with the cleaning, shopping, and deliveries. Carpenter Atlee Shetler is visiting Birch Creek to escape the memories of his late wife. He takes a job renovating the new bakery and finds the project—and its owner—to be much more than he bargained for. Both Carolyn and Atlee must face pains of the past if they want to have the bright future God has planned for them.

My Review
I've always loved to read stories, fiction and non-fiction about the Amish people. I respect their culture and I'm intrigued by them and their beliefs. 

An Amish Homecoming is a collection of four short stories about characters that have left their home or community, some because of hard circumstances. In each story the main character is dealing with something personal in their life in order to come home or finding a new home. I wasn't familiar with any of these authors, but my mom has read several books by author Beth Wiseman and told me she was a great writer. 

Most of the stories were fine as a stand alone but I wish I had more background information about some of the characters. I read other reviews that said they had read other novels that these characters had been in so they had more of a background on why things had happened before. Each story is very unique in it's premise but my personal favorites were "What Love Built" by Kathleen Fuller and "No Place Like Home" by Amy Clipton. For some reason their stories and characters hit home with me and I was so sad when their stories ended.

All four of the stories were enjoyable and all had endings that I truly loved. The good thing is you can pick this story up and read one of them when you don't have a lot of time. I recommend this novel (at 416) pages to those who love stories about the Amish, those looking for love and redemption, and those longing to go back home.  

 Purchase the book HERE at Amazon.com

Forever Yours: A Clean Romance Event & $25 Giveaway-Featuring Author Stephanie Fowers "Out of the Mouth of Babes"

 
Out of the Mouth of Babes by Stephanie Fowers
 Kids get away with saying most anything, like Aunt Gina should marry that "charmer" she met at her sister's wedding. But Gina won’t have anything to do with that guy who played with her heart that night—he’s a heartbreaker—no matter how much her niece and nephews adore him now. Besides, the two come from different worlds. Gina’s a workaholic career woman; he’s the irresponsible flirt. Whenever they meet, there are fireworks, and not the good kind. That is, until her sister wins a cruise to the Caribbean and asks the two to babysit for 2 weeks. Sparks fly as they find a way to play house without burning the place down. Forget marriage—these two shouldn't even date. And what do kids know anyway? Maybe everything. 
      
 “Oh, hey,” he said casually, “hold the door.” Without my making a move to do so, his hand stopped the doors from shutting between us, and I got a full view of his face. I liked his eyes—they were vibrant blue and full of life, and now they creased into a myriad of laugh lines. He stepped inside with me. He was tall and standing very close. He acted like it wasn’t a big deal and smiled at me before hitting the button for the thirteenth floor. The button didn’t light up. He shrugged and dug his hands deep into the pockets of his dress pants. “I guess that means no thirteenth floor.” He leaned against the back of the elevator and tucked his cell phone away. His gaze drifted to the gift bag in my hand. “You going to the wedding?” The elevator doors closed us in together and I tried to adopt his casual manner while holding up the brightly colored bag between us. “What was the giveaway?” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Is it any good?” “The gift?” He nodded. I felt like I was getting punked. How could he have guessed that I had no idea what I was bringing to this wedding? He couldn’t. I shrugged. “It’s the usual boring…” He leaned over and peered past the pink tissue paper. “You got the lucky couple toothbrushes? Are you a dentist?” “No!” I swatted him away but was laughing all the same. How could my mother think that toothbrushes were better than a tool set? I tried to deflect his attention from the gift. “I work advertising. Just down the street actually.” “Oh really? I work downtown too.” “Nice. Wait,” I stared down at his empty hands. No gift. My eyes went to his laughing ones. “Are you a wedding crasher?” “Do you want me to be?” “I…” this guy was unbelievable. He took bantering to a new level. I was horrible at real conversation—it was so boring. But banter? I was amazing at that. I relaxed. This guy was in no position to judge. “Yes,” I admitted with a smile, even though I didn’t believe he was crashing for a second. “Though you’re clearly an amateur. Wedding Crasher 101—bring an empty gift so no one is suspicious.” His eyes turned appreciative at that. “And you?” he asked. “I was invited,” I said, “but it was one of those invites that people have to give, you know?” He looked intrigued. “Why is that?” I pursed my lips and decided against ruining the moment by getting too personal. “I’m related.” His eyes turned watchful. “To the bride or to the groom?” “Bride.” “Good,” he said. Before I could ask what he meant, we passed the thirteenth floor and he whistled. “Makes you wonder why they won’t let anyone on the thirteenth. What are they hiding there?” “An alternate dimension where they hide dead bodies,” I said without hesitation. He snickered. “You’re not even curious, are you?” “I’m always curious,” I said. “I’m just used to disappointment.” “Really? Why?” I lifted my shoulder. “Getting caught for trespassing isn’t on the schedule for tonight. Maybe another time.” He nodded in understanding. The 22nd floor was fast approaching and for some reason, I felt myself getting more nervous than I was twenty minutes ago. Everyone asked me where my prince charming was at my younger cousin’s wedding two years ago and I wasn’t ready for that again. The rushing sound as we passed each floor felt ominous, and I wasn’t sure why I felt so anxious. All my faults came at me, my fear of not measuring up. I was happy for my sister, sure, and wanted her to know that I loved and supported her, but my mother had said it: Emily wouldn’t even know that I was there. So why did I have to go right away? The elevator door opened on the 22nd floor, bringing in the loud laughter and chatter. Two little girls in puffy white dresses stood at the door. They grabbed my gift for Emily and ran away with my jacket. Still, I couldn’t leave the elevator. I turned to the stranger beside me like he was my lifeline. “You know what?” I asked. “I’m really tired of disappointment. Aren’t you?” He looked confused and I tried to clarify. “I’m dying to know what’s on the thirteenth floor.” He didn’t move, even as the elevator made its warning noises for us to get out. “Wait.” A dimple played at the corner of his mouth. “You aren’t kidding?” I shook my head and he hit a button that made the door close us back into the elevator. “Great. Let’s go on an adventure together.”  
     
- And when I saw that the story began winding down, I was saddened for it to come to an end. These are characters that I had come to know and love. I could barely stand to shut the book at its ending. ~J.L. Thomas 

-Great book! I’m jealous you get to read it for the first time! ~PocketfullofGoldfish 

- I don't want to give everything away, but this story wrapped itself snug and tight around my heart. Every character is well done, even the villains, and the chemistry is snapping and popping with swoony heat. The comic relief is spot on, too. I honestly didn't want this one to end and was still thinking about it days later. ~Lilacqueen75 

-I rarely give 5 star ratings, but this was such a 'licious' read, well worth every minute! Could barely bring myself to put it down. Gina and Ash's story is a story for the ages. Loved it! ~SL K

- I absolutely love love loved this book! I seriously couldn't put it down! I was hooked from the very first page to the last! It's one of those books that you could read over and over, because it's so cute! ~Amielovestoread 

-Squeaky clean and fun! I have enjoyed other books by Fowers, but this might be my favorite. It was hard to put down. ~Reading My Dessert  

Get your FREE copy of With a Kiss by Stephanie Fowers

      Author Stephanie Fowers Stephanie Fowers loves bringing stories to life, and depending on her latest madcap ideas will do it through written word, song, and/ or film. She absolutely adores Bollywood and bonnet movies; i.e., BBC (which she supposes includes non-bonnet movies Sherlock and Dr. Who). Presently, she lives in Salt Lake where she's living the life of the starving artist. This summer, she will do the reading of her musical, "The Raven" with the talented composer, Hilary Hornberger. She also expects to film some shorts with Triad Film Productions. Stephanie plans to bring more of her novels out to greet the light of day. Be sure to watch for her upcoming books, including YA fantasy, science fiction, mysteries, a compilation of short twisted fairy tales, and more--many more--romantic comedies. May the adventures begin.  
   
      Giveaway Details $25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in PayPal Cash Ends 2/13/19 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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 will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway   Inspired Kathy bkhabel@gmail.com