Just as I Am Blog Tour by Faith Blum

Faith Blum’s newest novella is available! This one is double trouble! Not only is it about twins, but these twins have reckless and adventurous spirits. When they go against their family, they run into more trouble than they bargained for.

About the Book

Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me And that Thou bidst me come to Thee O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Eve and Evangeline Collins are adventurous twins who decide to take a risk and head west as mail order brides. Their parents are less than pleased, but do nothing to stop them. Eve and Evangeline don’t realize their danger until they stop just outside Cheyenne. Will they ever see their family again?

Book Release & Character Spotlight for Alicia Ruggieri’s new book “A Love to Come Home To”!

 

Today I am ever so pleased to be taking part of Alicia Ruggieri’s blog tour for her newest book in her A Time of Grace series, “A Love to Come Home To”! I am so excited for this book. I have absolutely adored the first two books in this amazing series, and know I’ll love this one too. :) As I hope you will! If you haven’t read this series yet, I definitely encourage you to check them out! So worth your time. :)

Not only do I get to spotlight the book, I get to share about the super giveaway Alicia is hosting, and introduce you to one of the characters here! How exciting is that? I think we should begin. :)

 

 

(Love the cover!!)

A Love to Come Home To
Book 3 in the A Time of Grace Trilogy
By Alicia G. Ruggieri
This book released: July 22, 2016 in softcover and on Kindle
You can purchase it here

BACK COVER BLURB:

Hardened Ben Picoletti thought he’d turned his back on Depression-era Rhode Island years ago. Nothing remains there for him, except for haunting memories of an abusive childhood. Yet when a criminal accusation shatters his ambitions, Ben has nowhere to flee but back to his stepfather’s home.
There, he finds that redemption yet waits for him… but the sacrifice required to attain it may exceed the limits of his family’s hearts.
Meanwhile, his musical sister Grace continues her studies in New York. She longs to hear a word of affection from her high-school beau… yet only Paulie’s silence greets her. Grace must decide whether she wants to live in the past or move into an unknown future with unexpected love.
Lyrical and sensitive to the aching heart, A Love to Come Home To affirms that God delights in being a stronghold in times of trouble; that He renews His mercy every morning; and that He will work every bitter thing together for the good of His children.

Character Introduction:

(Photo taken from Pinterest; I do not own or claim to own this picture)

Grace Picoletti – and the memory of a geranium-filled upstairs room – came first. Everyone else in the A Time of Grace Trilogy arrived later, but Grace had tiptoed through my imagination for a little over a decade. She’s a quieter sort of person, and I didn’t mind her company for so many years!

Growing up in the 1920s and 1930s, Grace is the responsible one in her large Italian-American family – the middle child, always watching out for her younger siblings and even for her ill-treated mama. Sometimes, she’s manipulated by her older and thoughtless twin sisters and passed over in favor of her younger sister. Her heart yearns for her papa’s sincere love, but her father can’t give what he doesn’t have. Though quiet, she’s spirited and persevering and sometimes surprised me with her responses to what life gives her.

Grace worships the ground her big brother Ben walks on. He calls her “Canary”, alluding to her beautiful singing voice – a voice which she originally longs to use to gain admiration for herself. (For more on how that turns out, see books one and two.) Ben leaves home, however, and Grace finds herself the only one left to keep the Picoletti household in one piece. Her sole source of joy comes from the scarlet geraniums she sees on a neighbor’s porch each day as she walks home from high school – a neighbor whom God uses in a very special way.

She never expected to have anything to do with Paulie Giorgi. Oh, she’d always known that he was a fellow classmate: the kind who badgered the teacher to raise his grade from a 99.5 to a 100. But she never knew how his kindness and love would touch her life – or that of her family.

As the author, I am so thankful for the way God fused my childhood memory of winterized geraniums in an elderly woman’s upstairs library with the idea of a poverty-stricken but determined teenager. Grace’s character became intrinsically connected to the theme symbolized by the geraniums: that God will bring sweetness out of every bitter thing for His children.

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Alicia G. Ruggieri writes grace-filled, Christ-centered fiction, including the A Time of Grace Trilogy. She’s a graduate of Rhode Island College, where she studied Communications and History, and her adventures include children’s theatre direction, restaurant management, and small business ownership. Alicia and her husband live in coastal New England, where she may be found drinking far too much coffee and penning stories with her emotionally-disturbed second-hand pug by her side.

AUTHOR LINKS:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Goodreads
Amazon

And last, but not least, The Giveaway!

For some reason, my blog always has problems showing giveaway things, so I’m just going to point you to Alicia’s blog HERE so do go enter! :)

“Almost There” Blog Tour -spotlight and excerpt

Hello readers! I’m taking part in Faith Blum’s orchestrated blog tour for a book I am discovering right alongside you. So, enjoy – sounds like an interesting book, and it looks like a great giveaway!

Imagine with me a city. You’re almost there. It’s a city you’ve always wanted to go to. The [enter your favorite mode of transportation] is creeping ever closer. Then it stops. Almost there, but not quite. Laurel Garver is with us today to talk about her book, Almost There. Let’s see how many times we can use the title in different contexts.

About the Book

Paris, the City of Lights. To seventeen-year-old Dani Deane, it’s the Promised Land. There, her widowed mother’s depression will vanish and she will no longer fear losing her only parent, her arty New York life, or her devoted boyfriend. But shortly before their Paris getaway, Dani’s tyrannical grandfather falls ill, pulling them to rural Pennsylvania to deal with his hoarder horror of a house. Among the piles, Dani finds disturbing truths that could make Mum completely unravel. Desperate to protect her from pain and escape to Paris, Dani hatches a plan with the flirtatious neighbor boy that only threatens the relationships she most wants to save. Why would God block all paths to Paris? Could real hope for healing be as close as a box tucked in the rafters?

About the Author

Laurel Garver is a writer, editor, professor’s wife, and mom to an arty teenager. An indie film enthusiast and incurable Anglophile, she enjoys geeking out about Harry Potter and Dr. Who, playing word games, singing in church choir, and hiking in Philly’s Fairmount Park. My contact links: Blog: http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4109111.Laurel_Garver Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurelGarver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaurelGarver

Excerpt

 

David turns onto my grandfather’s driveway. We pass through towering brick gateposts and a grove of imposing oaks, then come into a clearing. Poppa’s ranch house sits on a small knoll like a beached warship with its gunmetal-gray siding and front porch sticking

out like a prow. A cluster of cannons sits in the shorn grass and oversized toy soldiers guard the front door. Tall shrubs hunker around the house like evergreen sentinels.

“Welcome to the fortress, girls,”David says.

“You impressed? You’re supposed to be.”

Heather gives me a sideways look.

“I didn’t know about the cannons. Holidays are always on our turf. Dad’s rules.”

As we park beside the equally imposing garage at the far curve of the driveway, Rhys runs alongside the truck, barking. “How the heck did he get loose?”

my uncle says.“I had him tied up out back. He must’ve jiggered the

latch, little devil.”

We pile out of the truck into the muggy evening air, thick

with the scent of grass clippings and musky,

sticky-sweet flowers. A billion crickets chirp a threat

ening cacophony, reminding me that this is their

crawly, leggy, wingy territory. I shudder.

David unloads our bags and we follow him up to the house and into

the air -conditioned foyer. The

cool air smells stale and attic-like. At first glimpse,

I can’t tell why Mum was worried about social

workers freaking about “the conditions he’s living in.”

If anything, Poppa’s living room looks like a

museum. Banks of shelves hold all kinds of trophies, medals,

and ribbons. The walls are lined with framed newspaper clippings and photographs. Rhys sniffs around the white leather sectional sofa that faces a pale brick fireplace and a huge painted portrait hung over the mantel — Poppa in the dress uniform of a Navy officer.

“Wow,” Heather whispers in awe. “Your grandfather must have been quite the heroic guy back in the day.”

“Nope,” my uncle says. “He never served, just pretended with a re-enactment group. Bought that uniform at an estate sale and had Mama paint him in it.”

My stomach twists. What else in this room is a lie?

The shelves, I notice, hold awards not only for breaststroke — Mum’s best swim team event — but also baseball, field hockey, track, wrestling.

“Where’d all these come from?”

“Some are your mom’s for swimming and art. A few are mine from debate. You might

say they started his passion for collecting.”

“You mean he bought them?”

David shrugs. “He likes flea markets. He likes success.”

“Could be worse,” Heather assures me. “My great uncle Vance collects taxidermy birds. Feels like you’re in that Hitchcock movie at his house.”

 

Giveaway

You’re almost there! Just a few clicks here and a few clicks there and you’ll arrive! Arrive where? Why, you’ll arrive at the rafflecopter page to enter the creative giveaway. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

July 25

Bookish Orchestrations-Tour Introduction

Robyn Campbell-Review and Author Interview

God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae-Excerpt

July 26

Charity’s Writing Journey-Excerpt

Erica and Christy-Excerpt

July 27

Zerina Blossom’s Books-Excerpt

Letters from Annie Douglass Lima-Excerpt

Christ is Write-Review

July 28

Frances Hoelsema-Excerpt

The Overactive Imagination-Excerpt

July 29

Perpetual Gardener, Writer, and Mormon-Excerpt

Peggy’s Hope 4U-Author Interview

July 30

Bookish Orchestrations-Giveaway Winner

Book Sale Updated

Hello again!

 

I just wanted to whip up a quick post to let you all know that my book sale page has finally been completed – all the books I have currently to re-home are listed. If I ever choose to add a couple more, I will do a post about it, but for right now, that’s it. There’s quite a lot there though, so take a peak!

I’ve got Biblical fiction, Suspense, Amish, Romance, Mystery, Historical, Fantasy, and Non-Fiction, etc.

Authors like Becky Wade, Katie Ganshert, Wanda E. Brunstetter, Ted Dekker, Jonathan Friesen, Angela Hunt, Jill Eileen Smith, Melody Carlson, and many, many more.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. :)

So yes, books! By the list you may think I’ve got none left on my shelf, but that is not the case, worry not. My bookshelves are still somehow full to bursting. :D This collection of books has been over a couple of years, so had to make room for new ones. :)

Anyway, go take a look and see if you can find a new read! :) And if you want to share about it on your blog, social media, or whatever, I certainly won’t mind. ;) I would love to get these out of totes and into happy hands. :)

 

By The Book Tag

Good day, fellow online friends. :)

Faith at Stories by Firefly! tagged me for the By the Book tag, and it looks quite fun!

 

What book is on your nightstand now?

Well, I don’t literally keep books on my nightstand, besides my Bible and maybe a nonfiction, but the book I am currently reading is “Courageous” by Dina Sleiman – such a beautiful book!

 

What was the last truly great book you read? 

Oh let’s see…I’ve read several that have not been so good, but the last truly great book would probably be “Land of Silence” by Tessa Afshar, followed by “If He Lives” by Sarah Holman and “The Fences Between Us” by Kirby Larson.

 

If you could meet any writer – dead or alive – who would it be? And what would you want to know? 

Ah, hard! I like Faith’s answer of John from the Bible – it would be amazing to meet him and hear his accounts firsthand.

As for alive…I want to meet several authors! Tessa Afshar – I’d just like to listen to her talk, hear how God inspired each of her stories, etc. I’d also love to meet Chuck Black and hear first hand about his allegorical fiction. I could go on… :D

 

What books might we be surprised to find on your shelves? 

Hmmm, maybe The Bonnets and Bugles series by Gilbert Morris…I loved that series when I was younger. Would love to re-read them. :) Or perhaps some of the Amelia’s Notebooks books…I absolutely loved those in my young tween/teenage years and upon finding copies at a book sale for cheap/free, I knew I had to get them. :)

 

How do you organize your personal library? 

Haha, um…well, it’s a little jumbled to the outside eye perhaps. I organize by most favourites on middle shelf, great books on top and bottom (and actually some favourites are on the bottom because my middle shelf is too full!), and a different bookcase for “To-Read” :D

 

 

What book have you always meant to read and haven’t gotten around yet? 

I have many of those. Like, a lot. ^.^ But maybe…”Wives and Daughters” by Elizabeth Gaskell. I adore the movie, and so badly want to read the book, but haven’t gotten to it yet…someday! :D

 

 

Anything you feel embarrassed never to have read? 

Any number of the classics. I admit I’ve always had a hard time getting through one….I did read “North and South” by Elizabeth Gaskell though, and thoroughly enjoyed that. But anyway, yeah, classics, like Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Charles Dickens, etc.

 

 

Disappointing, overrated, just not good: what book did you feel you are supposed to like but didn’t? 

Alright. I’m gonna say it. “A Time to Die” by Nadine Brandes. I had very high expectations. And on some accounts it was good. But…it disappointed me, and made me angry. I can’t say much without giving it away.

Another would probably be…”The Prophetess” by Jill Eileen Smith and “Bathsheba” by Angela Hunt.

 

 

Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing? 

“The Fiercest Fight” by Brent King. Not my kind of book.

 

 

What kind of stories are you drawn to? Any you stay clear of? 

Up-lifting, encouraging Christian books. Biblical Fiction, magic-less fantasy, etc. If they have a strong Christian theme, I’m there. :) As for what I avoid, that would be books containing magic/sorcery of any kind.

 

 

If you could require the president to read one book, what would it be? 

The Bible, definitely.

 

 

What do you plan to read next?

Not entirely sure…perhaps “The Cautious Maiden” by Dawn Crandall….or whatever I feel like. :)

 

 

And I tag….

Soleil

Shantelle

and whoever wants to do it. :) Let me know if you do, so I can read your answers! :)

 

And also, just a quick note: I updated my “Book Sale!” page here, so there’s new books! :)

 

 

Bookish Lovelies

July First was #IndiePrideDay, celebrating independent publishers. Had I known in advance, I would’ve prepared a post for that day, showcasing several of my favourite indie books. But alas, I had only time for one, and it’s three days late. However, here is a picture of myself and one of my favourite Indie books:

 

“Not Abandoned” by MacKenzie Morganthal

I love this book. :)

 

 

 

Also in Bookish News, I have a new page on my blog that might be of interest to you fellow book lovers. :) It’s titled “Book Sale!”, and yes, it is a sale of books. ^.^ I am re-homing many books, and will try to update it frequently to add more titles as I can. I will hopefully post a new post here saying when I have updated. We’ll see. :) So, go check it out! Buy some books. XD

 

 

 

 

It’s Show Time

Hello :)

Faith P. at Stories by Firefly! tagged me for the It’s Show Time tag! So, I shall do that. :) Thanks Faith!

 

1.Who’s your favorite actors? 

Hmm…I’m not sure I have super favourite actors/actresses…there are some I like, but otherwise…I can at least say Richard Armitage with confidence. In “North and South”. Haven’t actually watched him in much else. But him as Mr. Thornton is amazing.

 

2.Who’s your favorite actress?

Umm, again not sure…I love Justine Waddell in the beloved “Wives and Daughters”!

 

and Ruby Bentall in both “Poldark” and “Larkrise to Candleford”

3.What’s your favorite animated movie?

Oh you just had to ask. Well, one the obvious ones of course, is How To Train Your Dragon!

And I also enjoy other ones…The Lego Movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Tarzan, etc. :)

4. Do you like to have a snack while you watch a movie? If so, what’s your favorite?

Oh definitely. :) Umm…favourite…maybe a homemade icecream malt. Otherwise, I love just about anything chocolate!

5.What’s your favorite genre?

I’m gonna echo Faith’s: Genre? Ermm…I don’t know. Clean, no magic, no fear of having to forward…I like some of the English/BBC movies because those are usually clean, and enjoyable!

 

6.What’s you’re favorite TV shows?

I really only watch TV shows on dvd…not straight from TV, but some favourites are Psych (first few seasons), Call the Midwife (the first couple seasons), Downton Abbey, AFV (that I do watch on tv), and…Larkrise to Candleford. Also, in some of these, we forward/skip, so I don’t wholly recommend them. :)

 

7.What’s your top favorite movie?

Not quite the fairest question there…I love “Wives and Daughters”. “North and South”. “Persuasion”. The HTTYD movies. So…those. XD

 

8.Are there any movies coming out soon you can’t wait to see?

I’m looking forward to “Finding Dory”, but with caution…have heard several reports of tears and emotions….

9.What’s your favorite sport based movie?

 Don’t know that I have one. I’m not a huge “sports” person. I guess “Facing the Giants”. (That sounded bad… “I guess…” as if it’s not good. That’s not true! It’s a very good movie. :))

10.What was the last movie you watched in the theaters?

I believe it was “Despicable Me 2” – we don’t go to theatres often…prefer to watch at home. :)

As for tagging people…I’m not going to. I know, I can be such a boring person. XP But if you would like to do this one consider yourself tag, and be sure to let me know so that I can read yours too! :)