~ LOVE & SECRETS AT CASSFIELD MANOR ~

~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~

--  'LOVE & SECRETS AT

CASSFIELD MANOR'  --

AUTHOR SARAH L. McCONKIE

~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight, 

Author Bio, Snippet, Behind-the-Scenes

Facts About the Book & Giveaway~

   

About the Book:

 
Genre: Adult, New Adult, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Regency, Romance
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: August 14, 2018

Wealthy socialite Christine Harrison’s life seems perfect until the man she planned tomarry, Mr. Davenport, proposes to someone else. Heartbroken, Miss Harrison vows never to love again, and to distract herself, she sets out to rescue a fallen young woman. Little does she know that her journey will reveal more than she expected about her friends, her seemingly perfect life, and her own heart.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

About the Author:

From writing an award-wining tale of a dragon falling from the stars in the third grade to regency romance written at thirty, Sarah McConkie has always had a passion for creating intriguing stories. After years of singledom looking for romance (and teaching Junior High Choir to fill up her  real life), Sarah began a Master’s degree in Literacy. When love finally found her, she married and became a wife and eventually a mother. After tucking in her own little princess one January evening she determined to attempt her life-long dream to write and publish a novel. Using her many years of experience in the single realm, a robust knowledge of regency classics, and a love of all things old fashioned and proper, Sarah wrote Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor. She now lives with her own Mr. Right and her two daughters, and believes providing stimulating and moral stories promotes literacy in a world which needs more readers. This is her first novel.

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE
 

Behind-the-Scenes Facts About the Book:

1. Several of my character’s physical appearance are based on my friends, and I let them choose their character’s name.

2. I wrote the whole story in 1st person first, and then re-wrote it in 3rd person.

3. The font on the cover is the same font I used in my own wedding invitation.

4. The two characters who are sisters have the names Elizabeth (Lizzy) and Christine. My two daughters’ middle names are Elisabeth and Christine.

5. I finished editing the final manuscript 4 days before I had my third child. I told my doctor I couldn’t go early because I had to finish my book!

6. The love stories of Lizzy and Edmund, Christine and William, and Meg and Mr. Grenville are all based on real people’s love stories.

7. The front cover background is an actual beach in England: Cornwall.

8. It took me about 2-3 years from first word to a finished manuscript.

9. Much of the boy drama comes from my years of college roommates and actual connections between different people.

Snippet: 
 
Christine breathed deeply, circling her arms around herself. As she stood among those high, stalwart cliffs, she formed a resolution. Their presence spoke to Christine once more, reminding her that she could change. She could be more steadfast in her desires. She determined then to look outward, toward others, and stop caring about herself and her status in life. She affirmed that day that she did not need high connections to validate her existence. She did not need a man to establish or promote her social standing. And perhaps most importantly, Christine resolved to never again let these base motives stand in her way of real and lasting relationships with the people around her.

Giveaway:

Enter the giveaway HERE.

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Tour Schedule:

September 17-Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen | Paulette’s Papers
September 18-Mindy Houng (reviewer) | Blooming with Books
September 19-Emily Yager | Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
September 20-Heidi Reads… | Life Is What It’s Called
September 21-Pause for Tales | Bookworm Lisa
September 22-Jorie Loves A Story

  

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COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':

--  Friday, September 21st:  Blog Tour Stop for 'The Ornament Keeper'.  Post includes book spotlight, excerpt, and giveaway. Tour hosted by JustRead Publicity.

--  Monday, September 24th:  Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday historical fiction feature on 'Dash:  Dogs of World War II -- Book 1' by Kirby Larson. Post includes book spotlight and my review.

--  Friday, September 28th:  Blog Tour Stop for 'Christmas With the Cowboy', a Love Inspired story by Tina Radcliffe. Post includes book spotlight, excerpt, and giveaway. Tour hosted by JustRead Publicity.

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~ CHRISTY AWARDS BLITZ & GIVEAWAY ~

~ CHRISTY AWARDS BLITZ
& GIVEAWAY~

If there were a Christian fiction version of the Oscars, The Christy Awards would be it. And we are teaming up with The Christy Awards to help you read good fiction!

Some of the best of the best, in fact. Last year's 2017 Christy Award winners included The Lady & The Lionheart (Joanne Bischof), A Note Yet Unsung (Tamera Alexander), Her One and Only (Becky Wade), The Mark of the King (Jocelyn Green), The Silent Songbird (Melanie Dickerson), The Long Journey to Jake Palmer (James Rubart), and more!

Image Source: The Christy Awards

The 2018 Christy Award Celebration Gala is coming up on November 7, 2018; but first the finalists will be announced on September 19th!! And you don't want to miss it! Make sure you're following along with their social media accounts so you don't miss the big announcement!

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

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The Christy Award team invites you to two events that celebrate fiction, both held on November 7, 2018, at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN!

First, from 1-5:30pm, is the Art of Writing Conference - a focused conference for writers, storytellers, and publishing curators. This is a half day of intensive seminars that celebrate the creative life, provide practical tips for overcoming challenges in a rapidly-changing industry, and answer questions authors are asking. Head here for a full list of speakers, including Carla Laureano, Joanne Bischof, Donald Miller, and Charles Martin.

Then, starting at 7:00pm, The Christy Award Dinner Gala will celebrate the art of Christian fiction, announce the 2018 winners of The Christy Award, and honor the power of Story, the legacy of Madeleine L’Engle, and the year's best in Christian fiction.

Wanna know which authors will be at The Christy Awards gala? How about Charles Martin, Carla Laureano, Francine Rivers, Sarah Arthur, and Cynthia Ruchti, for starters? Many of the finalists will be there too so make sure you follow The Christy Award on social media for the big announcement on the 19th!

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On behalf of the ECPA, JustRead is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card (US only) to help you read good fiction!

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight September 15, 2018, and last through 11:59pm September 21, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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~ MMGM S.T.E.A.M. ARTS & CRAFTS SKILLS BOOKS ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE
MONDAY S.T.E.A.M.
DOUBLE-FEATURE ~

--  'CRAFT SKILLS' and

'ART SKILLS' from the

Super Skills series  --

AUTHOR STEPHANIE TURBULL

LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS 

ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}: Provides readers with step-by-step instructions to create innovative crafts using everyday household items. Outlines Origami, weaving, papier-mache, and many more fun and easy crafts for children of all ages and abilities. Encourages readers to try all kinds of media and expand their skills. Lists potential careers for crafters.

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LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS 

ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:

Provides easy-to-follow instructions for many creative art projects including: perspective drawing, photo collage, watercolor painting, and many more. Helps readers develop important artistic skills in a fun and engaging format.

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MY REVIEWS:

The format of this pair of middle-grade hands-on S.T.E.A.M. education books is the same. Well-organized and easy-to-follow including stepped-out project instructions with some photos and detailed illustrations/diagrams.

Both books present excellent back matter:  What Next?, Glossary, Useful Websites, and an Index. 

The 'What Next?' sections include information on how readers can explore the world to discover more about crafts and art, respectively. Readers are encouraged to try new things. One of my favorite sections of each book was the 'Careers' blurb which listed 'Careers in Crafts' or 'Artistic Careers', respectively.

I was impressed when I read the list of artistic careers because the author included being an architect, florist, animator, art teacher, furniture maker, and stonemason--some of which I had never considered as career possibilities for lovers of art. {Proving yet again that you can teach 'old' dogs like me new tricks.}

In the crafts book, the author included fashion designer {hats, shoes, bags}, theater prop designer, sports car designer, and makers of stained glass windows and musical instruments as career possibilities for crafters. {See above for disclaimer about old dogs/new tricks!}

Some of the projects in each book include pertinent historical information about the technique(s) being presented. For example, in the 'Easy Weaving' chapter in the Craft Skills book, reference is made to the Native American Navajo rugs and blankets and a photo of an actual hand-woven Navajo blanket is shown.

In the Art Skills book I enjoyed the 'Seeing Spots' project because it discussed one my favorite French artists, George Seurat and his pointillism technique. A reprint of his painting, The Circus, is shown in the Super Facts sidebar.

There are many memorable and fun projects in each of these books. Readers are encouraged to use recycled materials found around most homes and inexpensive arts and crafts supplies such as glue, paint brushes, paint, etc.

Highly recommended for teachers, parents/grandparents, youth group/scout/camp leaders, and crafters and artists of all ages! I think this would be a really fun pair of books to use for parties and events and for snowy/rainy/stay-indoors kinds of days!

I borrowed these books from the children's section in the local public library.

Find the links to read more great Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts from middle-grade authors and bloggers at Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' Blog.   

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COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':
--  Tuesday, September 18th:  CHRISTY Awards Blitz & Giveaway. Blitz organized by JustRead Publicity.
 

--  Wednesday, September 19th:  Blog Tour Stop for 'Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor'. Post includes a book spotlight, excerpt, ten behind-the-scenes facts about the book shared by the author, and a giveaway. Tour organized by Singing Librarian Books.

--  Friday, September 21st:  Blog Tour Stop for 'The Ornament Keeper'.  Post includes a book spotlight, excerpt, and giveaway. Tour organized by JustRead Publicity.

--  Monday, September 24th:  A Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday historical fiction feature on 'Dash:  Dogs of World War II, Book 1' by Author Kirby Larson. Post includes a book spotlight and review.

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~ BLOG TOUR AN UNPRESENTABLE GLORY ~

~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~

--  'AN UNPRESENTABLE GLORY'  --

AUTHOR ELEANOR 

~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight, 
Author Bio, Excerpt & Giveaway~

Welcome to the blog tour & giveaway for An Unpresentable Glory by Eleanor K. Gustafson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: An Unpresentable Glory  
Author: Eleanor K. Gustafson  
Publisher: Ambassador International  
Release Date: July 1, 2018  
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance  

“I trusted you, and some day, you may know just how much you hold in your hands.”

Linda Jensen leads a relatively quiet life in Westchester County, New York, as the owner of a highly-acclaimed garden. Inherited from her parents, the garden is her pride and joy. What is not so joyful is finding a strange man sprawled near her delphiniums! The mysterious man is sick, unable to do anything more than drink water—and beg for secrecy. Ignoring all alarm bells, Linda sees to his needs, but her caring act takes on unexpected significance, an unpresentable glory.

Seeds of trust, and perhaps love, are planted in Linda’s garden haven. But as secrets are revealed and scandal hits the headlines, the act of caring for this man threatens to tarnish both of their reputations. Like weeds in Linda’s garden, circumstances threaten to choke out their fledgling relationship, and small moments prove to be the biggest influencers—on a national scale.

PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository

EXCERPT:

Labor Day week was an odd time to celebrate anything; but for nearly a decade, Linda and Bonnie had made an annual trek to Philadelphia to mark another cancer-free year for Bonnie. She had survived not only her own bout with breast cancer, but the death of her husband, as well. The celebration was bittersweet but had become sacred to them both. They had no set agenda and did whatever came to mind. One year, they spent thousands on shopping and going to the theatre. Another, they worked among the poorest of the poor.

This year, they were touring funky art galleries and learning the art of rock climbing at a storefront gym not far from their hotel. They had just emerged from the gym, counting bruises as they walked the narrow sidewalk toward the hotel district. Bonnie stopped short. 

“My purse! I knew if I put it in the bottom of the locker, I wouldn’t see it, and sure enough . . . ” 

They swung around abruptly, almost colliding with two men close behind. “Oh!” said Bonnie, recognizing the face on the right. 

“Oh!” said Linda for a far different reason. The man on the left stiffened, his hand moving toward a holstered gun. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ellie grew up in Branchville, NJ, in a county with more cows than people. She attended Wheaton College in Illinois as a music major, then married a pastor/college professor/tree farmer/organist and writer. Together, they have three children and eight grandchildren. Music was Ellie’s first love until she tried on the cloak of writing and found it a comfortable fit. However, early writing attempts saw friends—and even her mother—advising her to stick to music as a career. She pushed manfully along, though, and An Unpresentable Glory is her sixth novel. “God first touched me through story,” Ellie says, “and made the bigger Story come alive. I love Him passionately!”

CONNECT: website | Facebook | Twitter

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS ABOUT THE BOOK SHARED BY THE AUTHOR:

***My first garden:  God planted a gardening seed in my soul–perhaps genetically. An aunt routinely won blue ribbons at the local flower show. When I showed interest in flowers, I was granted a small patch, perhaps two by three feet, to plant johnny jump ups and small marigolds. My tiny arrangements got only token ribbons, but I was hooked.

***Daughter Rachel planned an unusual wedding. The church was empty of flowers, with just some sheet-covered boxes up front. During the processional, assorted friends carried in flowers and set them on boxes. Then came the wedding party, with Rachel carrying a large bouquet of flowers, fresh picked from my best-ever annual garden. During the ceremony, one of the bridesmaids noted a spider exploring Rachel’s veil. That topped off the wedding, making her spider-wed! 

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive:

• a print copy of An Unpresentable Glory, and
• choice of (1) garden in a bag from Potting Shed Creations

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight September 10, 2018 and last through 11:59pm September 17, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead for a full schedule & more chances to win!

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COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':
-- Monday, September 17th: A Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday post featuring two 'Super Skills' books by Stephanie Turnbull: 'Art Skills' and 'Craft Skills'. Post includes a book spotlight and review.

-- Wednesday, September 19th: Blog Tour Stop for 'Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor'. Post includes book spotlight, excerpt, behind-the-scenes facts shared by the author, and giveaway. Tour organized by Singing Librarian Books.

-- Friday, September 21st: Blog Tour Stop for 'The Ornament Keeper'. Post includes book spotlight, excerpt, and giveaway. Tour organized by JustRead Publicity Tours.

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