Official Book Tour: Guinevere, The Legend by Cheryl Carpinello

Their friendship put him in harm's way. Will it be enough to save him? 

Across the dark water to the land of ancient Gaul, renegades take Cedwyn and the littl'uns farther from home and rescue.

Led by her heart rather than her head and without any thought for her safety, fifteen-year-old Guinevere sets out alone to save Cedwyn. And if she fails…?

Eleven-year-old Cedwyn's trust in Guinevere is absolute. But will his sacrifice to save her and protect the littl'uns end with the loss of his own life?

~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 
    

Click on the covers below to find these books on your local Amazon page

                                        

I’m a retired high school English teacher. A devourer of books growing up, my profession introduced me to writings and authors from times long past. Through my studies and teaching, I fell in love with the Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Now, I hope to inspire young readers and those Young-at-Heart to read more through my Tales and Legends for Reluctant Readers set in these worlds—Ancient Egypt, Medieval Wales, and coming soon, a hair-raising adventure through ancient worlds in search of 5 rare Phoenix Feathers.

All of my books come with Free study guides and/or extensive Back-of-the-Book materials.

My husband and I love to travel. In 2008, we spent three weeks in Egypt traveling by local train from one end of the country to the other; in 2014, we spent three weeks in the UK driving over 1700 miles through England, Wales, and Scotland; and in 2016, we spent a week in Iceland. We’ve also traveled to Mexico, Jamaica, and Aruba. Our next big adventure will be to Greece and Italy.

When I’m not writing or traveling, our 4 grandkids keep us busy.

~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ 
~ Amazon ~
~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~

(Place your review here or remove this banner)

Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend, At the Dawn of Legend, and The Legend are a sort of coming of age story (told in three parts) about the soon to be wife of King Arthur. 

In book one, On the Eve of Legend, Guinevere learns her destiny is to become a legendary queen. After her father promises her hand in marriage to King Arthur, however, she decides to run away. With her best friend, Cedwyn's help, and Merlyn's usual meddling, she comes to terms with the arrangement.

Book two, At the Dawn of Legend finds Guinevere running from renegades who, when they can't get her, steal all the children from her village. Along with her friend, Cedwyn, they try to rescue the captured children under some extreme circumstances.

Book three, The Legend, concludes the events of book two, with Guinevere going back to rescue Cedwyn, who sacrificed his freedom so she could escape the renegades. After some full-hardy decisions, she finally accepts help from her betrothed king.

Cheryl Caprinello has created an interesting world from the perspective of a young Guinevere, where her limits are tested. I personally haven't read any other book detailing a potential early period in her life and found this fascinating. I think it appeals to young audiences in that it is someone trying to overcome insurmountable odds, but with still enough of the childhood naivete to make it believable.

All in all, I give all three books four out of five stars.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of these books.

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Valentine Countdown Blitz Day Eleven: The Stranger She Married by Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

~ Facebook ~ Website ~
~ Amazon ~
~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~

When her parents and twin brother die within weeks of each other, Alicia and her younger sister are left in the hands of an uncle who has brought them all to financial and social ruin. Desperate to save her family from debtor's prison, Alicia vows to marry the first wealthy man to propose. She meets the dashing Lord Amesbury, and her heart whispers that this is the man she is destined to love, but his tainted past may forever stand in their way. Her choices in potential husbands narrow to either a scarred cripple with the heart of a poet, or a handsome rake with a deadly secret.

Cole Amesbury is tormented by his own ghosts, and believes he is beyond redemption, yet he cannot deny his attraction for the girl whose genuine goodness touches the heart he'd thought long dead. He fears the scars in his soul cut so deeply that he may never be able to offer Alicia a love that is true. When yet another bizarre mishap threatens her life, Alicia suspects the seemingly unrelated accidents that have plagued her loved ones are actually a killer's attempt to exterminate every member of her family. Despite the threat looming over her, learning to love the stranger she married may pose the greatest danger to her heart. And Cole must protect Alicia from the killer who has been exterminating her family before she is the next target.

This romantic story of loss and betrayal, forgiveness and redemption, and strangers marrying, will leave you laughing, crying, and swooning. Sprinkled liberally with suspense, mystery, and heart-melting kisses, this is not your ordinary historical tale of an arranged marriage nor of redeeming the rakes. Fans of Victorian and Regency Eras as well as those seeking clean and wholesome romance with plenty of chemistry, not to mention the redemptive power of love, will love this story!

Dance with a duke, outwit pirates, save a kingdom, and fall in love. Believe in happily ever after.

The Rogue Hearts Series:
The Stranger She Married
The Guise of a Gentleman
A Perfect Secret
The Suspect's Daughter

Praise for Donna Hatch:
“Donna Hatch is one of the masters of clean romance with electric tension and smokin’ hot kisses.” ~ Reading is My Super Power Reviews


“Written with heart and depth, Donna Hatch’s books are absolute must-reads for any fan of swoon-worthy historical romance.”  ~ Sarah M. Eden, USA Today best-selling historical romance author

Join the Cover Reveal for the 5th book in the Rogue Hearts Series

~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 
   

Q&A With the Author :

1.     Why do you choose to write romance? Do you write any other genres?
I write romance for two reasons. The fist reason is because a true romance, unlike other genres, guarantees that the story will end well. So many other genres can have sad or bittersweet endings, and I need a book to end leaving me hopeful. The second reason I write romance is because they usually have good character development. Usually, by the end of the story, the characters have overcome at least one major character flaw that allows them to defeat the villain, solve the crime, or whatever it is depending on the subgenre, and who, by the ending love and accept another special someone, who, in turn, loves and accepts them. A romance should feel wrapped up, and the characters should be better, stronger people by the end. Plus, you know, in love. Really, it’s all about hoping tomorrow will be a better day.

2.     How long does it take you to write a book, typically?
That depends on the book—the subgenre, the length of the story, and how easily it all comes together as well as what’s going on with my personal life. Sometimes my family needs don’t leave time for writing, and also I can’t write if I’m overly stressed or if I have fallen into a depression, which is a chronic battle. Once, I wrote, revised, and edited a novella in less than a month. A couple of novels took me years to complete and be ready for publication. Sometimes I write them straight through; other times, I set them aside to work on other projects. The only thing that really guarantees that I’ll finish a project within a specific time is having a contract deadline. I always meet those even if I think it’s going to kill me.

3.     Since a lot of romance books show both male and female perspectives, share with us the most difficult thing about writing the perspective of the opposite gender?
One of my biggest challenges is making sure I hold true to each character’s voice for the chapters or sections written in their point of view so the chapters don’t all feel like they could be told from anyone’s perspective. I want to make sure the perceptions and descriptions are worded in a way that holds true to that character’s personality.

4.     What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like to write to instrumental music such light classical—harp or piano in particular—or New Age. I can’t write to lyrics or a drumbeat, and I don’t like silence.

5.     Tell us a bit about a future project you are working on? Do you have any little sneak peeks you can share?
I’m almost finished with book 5 of my Rogue Hearts Series, Not a Fine Gentleman, and hope to have it released this summer. It’s about Lady Margaret who is accused of murdering her estranged husband.

6.     What is the most romantic date you have ever been on? Or, what is your idea of the perfect Valentine Date?
One of my most memorable dates was when my husband took me to an Italian restaurant that had waiters who went around serenading the diners. Then, after dinner, we took a Venetian-style gondola ride down a canal. The lights along the waterway reflected in the gently rippling waves and a sultry breeze carried the scent of desert flowers. It was lovely and so romantic.  

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Valentine Countdown Blitz Day Four: Kendrick by Zina Abbott

My name is Robyn Echols. Zina Abbott is the pen name I use for my American historical romance novels. I’m a member of Women Writing the West, Western Writers of America, and American Night Writers Association. I currently live with my husband in California’s central valley near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” 

I love to read, quilt, work with digital images on my photo editing program, and work on my own family history. 

I am a blogger. In addition to my own blog, I blog for several group blogs including the Sweet Americana Sweethearts blog, which I started and administer.

~ Facebook ~ Website ~
~ Amazon ~ Blog ~ 
~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads ~ 
 ~  Newsletter ~ Booklinker ~

Kendrick Denham left his family farm back east, fought in the war with Mexico, then answered gold’s call after it was discovered in California. In late 1852, when he reached Columbia, known as “The Gem of the Southern Mines,” he realized the easy-to-find placer gold was no longer that easy to find.  He decided he would do better providing fresh meat to the townspeople. With extremely few women in the region, and most of the respectable ones already married, Kendrick entertains no ambitions for a wife and family. Then the county sheriff rides over from Sonora. With a cryptic expression, he hands Kendrick a six-month-old baby girl. “The mother named you as the father.”

Now her late husband’s stepson, whom she finished raising, is of age to inherit the farm left to him by his birth father, Lydia Meyer and her two young sons have been forced out of her home of over ten years. She leaves Pennsylvania headed for the wild gold fields of Columbia, California. She dreads living off the charity of her older sister who is just as disagreeable and overbearing as their late mother had been. Warned that most of the miners in California, many of whom left families back east to seek their fortunes, tend to be unsettled, uncouth, and prone to drinking and gambling, she worries it may be impossible to find a good father for her children. Even if she weds again, will it be another loveless marriage like her first?

Then there is baby Madeline, who is cast adrift in the world, all alone, with no one to love her. What will become of her?

KENDRICK is a stand-alone sweet American historical romance that is part of the multi-author series, Bachelors & Babies. Under the sub-title, “Too Old for Babies,” it is also part of the author’s own series, Too Old in Columbia."

~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 

       

Q&A With the Author:

1.  Why do you choose to write romance? Do you write any other genres?

I write romance because I like writing about what makes people tick, relationships, and I like happily ever after endings. I also like reading and writing women’s fiction with romance elements, but it does not sell as well as romance. Romance sells. I only write sweet American historical romance under this pen name. Under my real name, I have written some contemporary women’s fiction and some new adult time travel. 

2.  How long does it take you to write a book, typically?

How long it takes depends on how much research is involved and the length of the book. My first book at 86K words took a year, but two months of that was research. I now usually need between five weeks to three months to write a 30K to 50K word book, especially if it is part of series, and I can use the same research and setting for more than one novel. Longer books that need more original research take me, well, longer. 

3.  Since a lot of romance books show both male and female perspectives, share with us the most difficult thing about writing the perspective of the opposite gender?

I do not find writing from the perspective of the opposite gender difficult. I rather enjoy it. I reflect on some of my husband’s reactions to certain situations I’ve witnessed and draw from that as opposed to writing how I would react. Perhaps the most difficult thing is, I do not know exactly how men think or feel. I take a stab at describing a male character’s feelings toward someone or something based on words or actions. I hope I am close, if not one hundred percent correct.

4.  What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? 

I do most of my writing on a laptop while seated on my living room couch. When deadlines are looming and things get down to the wire, I take my laptop to the loveseat in my bedroom and write there. For some reason, the change of location speeds up the writing process.

5.  Tell us a bit about a future project you are working on? Do you have any little sneak peeks you can share?

The book I featured for the Christmas Countdown is part of my “Train Wreck in Jubilee Springs” trilogy within the multi-author “Sweethearts of Jubilee Springs” series. I’ve written two of the three books, and plan to write the third before the Christmas romance season in 2020….. The book I am featuring this month is a Bachelors & Babies book, but it is also subtitled Too Old for Babies as part of my own “Too Old in Columbia” series. I plan to write more books for that series….. I also have signed up to write two short novellas for a multi-author mail order brides series….. I will also publish another short novel in the multi-author “Lockets & Lace” series. 

For my long-term project, I wrote a 65K book about three years ago which is part of a duet (two book series). My proofreader for the first book thinks I’m crazy because I have not published it yet. Due to its weak HEA ending, I want to finish the second book first so I can publish them close together. My goal is to finish writing the second book and to publish the first book before the end of the year….. Other than that, I have nothing going. 

6.  What is the most romantic date you have ever been on? Or, what is your idea of the perfect Valentine Date?

My idea of a perfect Valentine Date is to be able to get into a nice restaurant without waiting in line for hours with a hoard of other people to get a table and then, after eating, go to a movie. Short of that, I like being able to drive in the mountains (Visiting Yosemite National Park any time of the year is a favorite with me.) with my honey and sharing a pound of See’s Candies Nuts and Chews.

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Valentine Countdown Blitz Day Two: Mercy (Third Novel of Rhynan) by Rachel Rossano

Rachel Rossano is a happily married mother of three children. She spends her days teaching, mothering, and keeping the chaos at bay. After the children are in bed, she immerses herself in the fantasy worlds of her books. 

Tales of romance, adventure, and virtue set in a medieval fantasy world are her preference, but she also writes speculative fantasy and a bit of science fiction.

~ Facebook ~ Website ~
~ Amazon ~ Twitter ~
~ Google+ ~ Pinterest ~
~ Goodreads ~ YouTube ~ Newsletter ~

The royal wedding approaches and the country is alive with anticipation. 

 Among the craftsmen traveling to the capital is Constance Rendare and her family. An artist, a widow of an unhappy marriage, and the mother of a young son, she dreams of escaping the cruel servitude of her father’s household. 

 Wilard Naron serves the Earl of Dentin. He returns to the capital, his childhood home, to collect his earnings and finally free himself from his father’s reputation. 

 Kidnappings, bandits, and a plot against the king complicate the journey. The conflicts throw Constance and Wilard together as their circumstances grow steadily worse. The more the pair uncovers, the direr the future looks for the country and for them.

Come join the Tour for this book HERE to see Reviews and more chances to win prizes!

~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 
~ B & N ~  Kobo ~

Top Ten List:

1.Why do you choose to write romance? Do you write any other genres?
I have always been a romantic, not the loose flowy dresses and head in the clouds kind, though. I am more of the optimistic/realistic, happy ending seeking, seeing how two people could be great together kind of person. 
Yes, I write other genres. I have a two books of a speculative fantasy trilogy published, and I am working on a science fiction saga that is a prequel to a short story available on Amazon.

2.How long does it take you to write a book, typically?
It depends. Typically, I would say it takes me about a year, but my shortest period took eight months. My longest project demanded more than a decade, so it depends. I definitely aim for finishing in a year.

3.Since a lot of romance books show both male and female perspectives, share with us the most difficult thing about writing the perspective of the opposite gender?
Men see the world differently than women. They tend to be more action focused and less feelings focused, but they definitely feel as well. Writing from a man’s perspective can be especially difficult if the character is unwilling to admit they are emotionally involved. However, there are ways around it. Thankfully, my husband is very good at pointing out when my male characters aren’t acting logically enough.

4.What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Hmm… According to my readers, I am good at writing interesting male characters. A recent reviewer commented on how much she liked my characters’ banter. I also tend to write secondary and tertiary characters who then end up with their own stories or, as in the case of the Earl of Dentin, take over the whole series.

5.Tell us a bit about a future project you are working on? Do you have any little sneak peeks you can share?
Currently, my project is a nine book series loosely inspired by fairy tales. The Beauty and the Beast novel is written and partially edited. I am wrapping up a mashup between Rapunzel and East of the Sun West of the Moon. Next, I am debating writing one inspired by the Month Brothers or a completely new idea called Constant Companion.
Next on my writing list, though, is the Fourth Novel of Rhynan. It doesn’t have a title yet, but it involves a mysterious character from Mercy and a yoeman’s daughter as they work to protect the infant prince. Dentin is also involved, of course.
A sneak peek from Grace by Contract, my Beauty and the Beast novel from the Duke of Brackenhurst’s point of view:
As I shoved open the heavy door to my workroom, I was surprised to find the room dark, a curtain pulled across the window blocking out the pre-dawn glow and the fire burning low in the grate letting off a meager heat.
Muttering against whoever had blocked the room’s chief source of natural light, I thumped my way across the dim space without a thought to the fact I couldn’t see the obstacles in the dimness. Upon reaching the window, I tugged at the curtain. 
It billowed and landed at my feet in a pool of green linen. Only then did I recognize it as one of the linen tablecloths that my father had spread on his worktables when the room had been his. Whoever had hung it hadn’t even secured it. 
I leaned over to pluck it from the floor before I recalled my injury. Pain laced through my knee, sending me scrambling with my handless left arm for a chair to prevent a total loss of dignity. One was within reach. I fell into it.
It was then I spotted her.
Three tables away Grace sat in my customary chair, head resting on her crossed arms as they lay on the open log book before her. With her face turned away from the window, I could only see the waves of unbound hair cascading over my book, desk, and blotter. Something in my gut twisted in a strange mixture of desire and irritation. Why was she here and not in her bed? Who had hung the makeshift curtain? She wouldn’t have been able to even with the increased height of standing on a chair.
As I sat there, temporarily enraptured with watching the rise and the fall of her shoulders beneath the luxurious waves of hair, I wondered what to do. Part of me wanted to let her sleep and regretted that I had risked disturbing her rest by removing the curtain. 
Another part of me wished to wake her and demand to know what she had been doing with my record books. They were definitely not within the scope of her position as my scribe. She was supposed to be writing and reading letters for me, not messing with accounts. Those were under Faramond’s and Rambler’s purview. 
Then there was the issue of working around her if she didn’t wake.
~~~~~
6.What is the most romantic date you have ever been on? Or, what is your idea of the perfect Valentine Date?
My husband, knowing how much I love Jane Austen movies, arranged to surprise me with a birthday viewing of Pride and Prejudice (the Kiera Knightley version) in a second run theater after I had given up hope of seeing it in theaters. Then he watched it with me and discussed it during dinner after the movie.

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas Countdown Blitz Day Eleven: Unmasking Lady Caroline by Mindy Burbidge Strunk

C

"Mindy loves all things history and romance, which makes reading and writing romance right up her alley. Since she was a little girl, playing in her closet “elevator,” she has always had stories running through her mind. But it wasn’t until she was well into adulthood, that she realized she could write those stories down. Now they occupy her dreams and most every quiet moment she has-she often washes her hair two or three times because she wasn't paying attention when she did it the first time. Which usually means really clean hair and a fixed plot hole. When she isn’t living in her alternate realities, she is married to her real-life Mr. Darcy and trying to raise five proper boys. They live happily in the beautiful mountains of Utah. 

~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~
~ Amazon ~ Website ~

Peter Blythe, Earl of Rockwell fled England when he was thrown over in favor of his father. Now after nearly ten years, he has returned to England to assume his family title. When he asks a young woman to dance at a masquerade ball, he is intrigued by her wit and charm. The only problem is she refuses to give him her name. When Lady Caroline unexpectedly meets the man she has always loved at a masquerade ball and he does not recognize her, she is determined to keep her name a secret. What starts out as a game soon becomes much more when she realizes she still loves him, all the while knowing if he knew her true identity, he would never feel the same for her. When they both return home to their neighboring estates for the holidays, acquaintances from years past threaten to sever more than just their childhood friendship. 

~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 
    

Snippet:

She wanted to touch him, but her hands shook. She clenched them tightly into fists and bit her lower lip. Miss Tree would have no qualms about reaching out to him. But she was not Miss Tree—not really. Miss Tree was a figment, a charade that need only be maintained for a set. Could Caroline have more of Miss Tree in her than she realized? Her hand still trembled, but she ignored it as she placed it on his shoulder.

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our  Official Event page Part 2 

a Rafflecopter giveaway