Sunday, November 3, 2024

~ MONDAY MIDDLE-GRADE BOOK FEATURE HANNAH'S PONY TWIST ~

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  ~ MONDAY MIDDLE-GRADE 
BOOK FEATURE ~
--  'HANNAH'S PONY TWIST'  --
AUTHOR SUSAN COUNT 

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Hannah's Pony Twist (Dream Pony Riders) by Susan Count

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About Hannah's Pony Twist

 

Hannah's Pony Twist (Dream Pony Riders) 

Middle-Grade Horse Novel 
Reading age: ‎ 8 - 12 years 
6th in Series Publisher ‏  ‎ 
Hastings Creations Group (October 8, 2024) 
Hardcover: ‎ 190 pages   ISBN-10: ‎ 1952371201 
ISBN-13 ‎ 978-1952371202 
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DGS287C7
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Will what the pony needs break Hannah’s heart?

Freckles can’t be convinced to trot sometimes, and even though that’s fine with Hannah, she suspects something must be wrong with the pony. The barn manager thinks it’s time to retire him, so the vet is called and tests are run.

But Hannah enjoys being with Freckles even if they only walk down the trails. She ignores the facts. When all her efforts to help him fail, she tries desperately to write a happy ending to her pony story.

Will she have to put on her big girl breeches and let Freckles take his own trail, or is she the real problem?

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🐴  ~  AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH SUSAN COUNT  ~  🐴

June:  Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Susan. Congratulations on the recent release of your middle-grade novel, 'Hannah's Pony Twist'!

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June:  Please tell us how you created your setting and developed the characters for this book.

Susan:  The setting for Hannah’s Pony Twist is the fictional Dream Pony Stables. This barn is the hub of all the stories in the series. Each character and their pony has their own book, then they go forward to play a role in the subsequent books. The riding friends are close knit and supportive. The tension and conflict in each story comes as the characters struggle to overcome what keeps them from their heart’s desire.

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June:  Since this book involves horses, I was wondering when you began riding horses? What led you to write a book about the Hannah and Freckles? Is the story inspired by real events?

Susan:  I always loved horses and read every horse book available to me as a girl. At fifteen, I would save every dime from my babysitting jobs to rent a horse for a trail ride. Then at seventeen, I became a working student at Meyer Remount Farm in Leavenworth, Ks. where I learned to properly ride and jump. I bought my first horse when I was twenty-one. Today, I am partial to smooth gaited horses and am owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse.

Hannah’s story flowed from the previous book as Grace is her best friend. All the horse events are loosely based on real life struggles. For instance in this book, I highlight a product that I used on my bunny when a bobcat grabbed her and punctured her skull. From there, I’ve used it many times on various equine injuries.

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June:  Who is your favorite character in the story? Why is this person or animal your favorite?

Susan:  I adore Freckles and loved writing a couple scenes in his voice. He is a character and knows his mission in life is to take care of his girl. 

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 June:  What or who inspired you to become an author? 

Susan:  Composing was always my gift, but I wrote my first novel in 2013. It was inspired by my granddaughter, Selah, at three years old, leading our precious paint horse around the pasture with just a rope around his neck. Now I have eleven novels for children ages 8–14.

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June:  When you write a book, do you outline the entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters, etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting things down on paper, or into your computer?

Susan:  Once I figure out who my character is and what she wants more than anything, I make post-it-notes for plot points. Every writing session, I read some of what I wrote previously and, with my sights set on the goal (the ending), craft one obstacle after another.

While I love the initial composing of story, my super power is editing story. Making sure the character has a clear goal and that the obstacles are real and relatable.

I will write and rewrite the first chapter so many times I know it by heart. And still, sometimes, it will turn out not to be the actually first chapter. My goal is to introduce the character so that the reader relates to her immediately. It’s important to me that when the incident happens that sets her whole world upside down, the reader already cares about the character and what terrible thing just happened to her.

Most all my writing is done on an Apple computer that my son gifted me. He felt like I was trying to create with archaic tools, and because he is generous like that.

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 June:  Thank you very much for spending some time with us chatting about your writing life and your newest release, 'Hannah's Pony Twist.' Best wishes for a successful book launch, Susan.

Susan:  Thank you kindly.

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About Susan Count

 

Susan Count writes for the joy and entertainment of young readers. She is an Amazon best-selling, award-winning author of the Dream Horse Adventures Series, Dream Pony Riders Series, and Texas Boys Adventures.

She prefers to create stories in a quiet zone. Out her window, her mind wanders through the forest and keeps her in a grateful, contented state of being. Susan writes at a fabulous antique desk that has secret compartments filled with memories, mysteries, and story ideas. As a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers and Alliance for Independent Authors, she takes studying the craft of writing seriously.

Susan confesses to being overly fond of brownies, and horseback riding on forest trails. She is a lifelong equestrian and is owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse.

You are invited to saddle up and ride along. www. susancount.com E-mail a comment: susancountauthor@yahoo.com Hearing from readers is a great delight and encourages me to keep writing. Please like Susan Count at https://www.facebook.com/susancount where I post only horse-related videos. I’m also on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susancountauthor/ And Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/susancount/ 

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Purchase Links - Amazon B&N 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS: 
October 29 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT 
October 30 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT 
October 30 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
October 31 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 1 - Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT 
November 2 - Boys' Mom Reads! – REVIEW 
November 2 - Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT 
November 3 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT 
November 4 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
November 5 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
November 5 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 6 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
November 7 – Reading Authors Network – SPOTLIGHT
 
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Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! 

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Thursday, October 31, 2024

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE TERMINAL DAMAGE ~

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~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
--  'TERMINAL DAMAGE'  --
AUTHOR JERUSHA AGEN
    
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Terminal Danger JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Terminal Danger by Jerusha Agen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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About the Book

 

Terminal Danger

Title: Terminal Danger
Series: Guardians Unleashed #5
Author:
Jerusha Agen
Publisher: SDG Words, LLC
Release Date:
October 24, 2024
Genre:
Christian romantic suspense

This woman and her K-9 are being hunted.  

Exactly as she planned. 

When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured. 

Callum Ross, an FBI agent who specializes in catching serial criminals, is about to resign. But not until he finds one last culprit, the killer behind a famous twenty-year-old crime Callum vowed to solve. 

Despite the FBI agent’s uncanny understanding of her psyche, Phoenix refuses to be distracted from her goal. When the serial killer turns into the cat instead of the mouse, Phoenix thinks she’s ready. But will she need the God she rejected to achieve the justice she’s given her life to obtain? 

***************** 

EXCERPT:

She had never seen such a competent man not care if he wasn’t in charge. Even when she, a woman, was taking the lead over him. Such an attitude could signal a lack of confidence. But he clearly had confidence in abundance. He would be intimidated by her if he were unsure of himself, as many people were. Like they did, he would recoil from her or challenge her to cut her down to his size. He clearly felt he had nothing to prove.

What had made him such a unique man? Full of confidence and skill with no ego to match it. Possessing a rare comfort in his own skin. A contentment and calm that defined him at all times, even though he appeared to genuinely care about the children and understand the danger.

But his knowledge of her background, coupled with the occurrence that had just taken place—the moment when he may have seen much more than she’d intended, much more than anyone ever had—that made him one of the most dangerous men of her acquaintance.

She would not let him get that close again. And she would make him forget what he had seen.

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PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy Directly From the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in This Series

Hidden Danger  Covert Danger   


About the Author

Jerusha Agen

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies.

Connect with Jerusha by visiting jerushaagen.com to find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting stories, follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of Terminal Danger, a Terminal Danger mug, $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, Terminal Danger magnet, plus more swag!

Terminal Danger JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 28, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 4, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours
 
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Monday, October 28, 2024

~ TUESDAY CHRISTMAS ROMANCE FEATURE I'LL BE HOME ~

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~ TUESDAY CHRISTMAS ROMANCE
STORY COLLECTION FEATURE ~
--  'I'LL BE HOME'  --
AUTHORS:  SARA DAVISON,
DARLENE L. TURNER, HELENA SMRCEK
& MELANIE STEVENSON

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I'll Be Home JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for I'll Be Home by Sara Davison, Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, and Melanie Stevenson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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About the Book

I'll Be Home

Title:   I'll Be Home
Authors:
  Sara Davison, Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, & Melanie Stevenson
Publisher:
  Independent (Fab Four Press)
Release Date:
  October 29, 2024
Genre:
  Contemporary Christmas anthology

With chaos and confusion all around them, can they find their way home this Christmas? 

The people in these four stories are all searching for something—an escaped convict, a job promotion from a love interest, connection to a lost parent, answers across time. 

Christmas should be a time of wonder and celebration, but the obstacles each faces seem insurmountable. Even, at times, life-threatening. 

Perhaps they will find what they are seeking during this season of miracles and hope. Or maybe, with God’s help, they will discover that the longing of their hearts takes them to places—and people—they didn’t even know they’d been searching for.  

I’ll Be Home is a collection of four stories of faith, hope, love, (and trains) that will warm your heart, encourage your soul, and draw you home this Christmas.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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EXCERPTS:

From "Mistletoe and Mayhem in the Rockies" by Darlene L. Turner

Emory’s gaze flew to Hunter’s. His contorted expression revealed the same thought as hers.

They still had a killer to catch.

If they didn’t, whoever had poisoned Rose Watson would get away with it.

The cowbell clanged, announcing breakfast.

Thirty minutes later, after yummy pancakes, Autumn rose from the table. "Time to get the turkey in the oven and then the kids can open their gifts."

Their Christmas feast finished mid-afternoon after the kids enjoyed playing with their new toys. The group had scattered to finish packing, since they were leaving shortly.

"Sissy, can you get me some canned peaches from the root cellar?" Autumn asked. "I want to make a fresh peach cobbler for tonight. We’re gonna have a quiet evening. Joel, can you get more firewood? Hunter, can you stoke the fire in the living room? I don’t want it going out."

"Yes, Mom." Emory saluted before walking into the hallway and snatching the coat from the last hook. She put it on and stuffed her hands into the pockets.

And fingered a velvet bag. Wait—what?

She looked closer at the coat. Same dark color as hers, but not hers. Emory pulled the bag out and opened it, dropping the contents into her hand. Pearls. A ruby ring. An emerald necklace.

Rose Watson’s jewelry, but whose coat was Emory wearing?

"I wish you hadn’t done that," a sinister voice whispered.

Emory gasped and pivoted, staring down the barrel of a shotgun.

And into the eyes of the Double H Ranch’s killer.

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From "Love Across Time" by Helena Smrcek

Beth took her heavy coat off the hook in the staff room and slipped into it. It was the first day of December, and the English winter had a bite. The damp weather seemed to burrow straight into her bones. She picked up the remnants of her first attempt at decorating the ward for Christmas. The men who had rushed in earlier that afternoon had knocked over the coffee tin she used as a vase and trampled over the evergreen branches. She’d toss them back into the woods on her way to the nurses’ accommodations and pick fresh ones as she walked to the hospital tomorrow morning. The men in her hospital should have something festive to look at, if only twigs and berries.

Beth took her warm gloves out of her purse, then quietly closed the staff room door behind her, mindful of the injured.

As she walked to the front door, she passed the night nurse and Beth’s good friend, Henrietta, carrying a tray of tea to the ward.

Beth touched Henrietta’s arm. "Send for me if there is an emergency."

"It will be a quiet night. The fog is thick today. The night bombers are grounded."

"A good night’s sleep sounds fabulous."

"See you in the morning," Henrietta said, her voice already weary.

They were all tired. Exhausted. The airmen, their crews, ground personnel, support staff, doctors, and nurses. How much longer could this go on?

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From "Where My Heart Belongs" by Melanie Stevenson

I turn towards a coffee shop, head down to block the wind, intending to step inside to call an Uber. I may as well have ice skates on, as I have taken to sliding my shoes along the ground instead of actually lifting them. The last thing I need is a concussion.

It’s in this assumed position that I skid into a post, which knocks me off balance. I grasp it to right myself, but it’s not attached to the ground. Me, the post, and whatever is hanging from the post tip over.

Now I’m laying prostrate in an ice puddle among, inexplicably, a barrage of coins and bills. I lift my head to watch my suitcase skid down the hill, bump over the sidewalk, and launch off the side of a staircase. It disappears over the edge alongside the plastic ball of money.

Hello day of the fallen books, my old friend.

As if that isn’t bad enough, I look up and, wait for it, the snow boots in my line of vision belong to an exceedingly tall Santa Claus who, mid-ring of a bell dangling from his hand, is staring down at me with dazzling blue eyes.

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From "Just a Gilbert Blythe Kind of Girl" by Sara Davison

The first rehearsal was in two hours. How was she going to get there? Could she hitchhike?

Lucy shuddered at the thought of what her dad—and August—would have to say about that. She did know exactly what Anne Shirley would have to say about this situation. This is the most tragical thing that has ever happened to me. A tear of frustration slid down her cheek and onto the steering wheel, leaving a splotch in the dust. Like her dreams. Crumbled to death in the dust. Her forehead still pressed to the center of the wheel, Lucy sighed.

A soft rapping against her window yanked her from her thoughts, and she swiped at her cheek as she straightened. August. Lucy reached for the manual handle and lowered the glass an inch. "I’m fine."

"Clearly." His lips twitched. "Anything I can do?"

His amusement was not contagious. "Thank you for your offer of assistance, Mr. Dorey, but it is not required."

He let out a short laugh. "Getting into character already, I see." Resting a hand on the roof of the car, he ducked a little to peer through the window. "Look. I was wrong to say this car was worth a penny."

"Thank you," she said archly, both hands still on the steering wheel.

"And by wrong, I mean generous."

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 Also Available

Every Bird That Falls  K-9 Ranch Protection   


About the Authors

Sara Davison  Darlene L. Turner

Sara Davison is the author of The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo, two sparrows for a penny, and In the Shadows series, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Holt Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.

Connect with Sara by visiting saradavison.org to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning and a Publishers Weekly best-selling author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

Connect with Darlene by visiting darlenelturner.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Helena Smrcek  Melanie Stevenson

Helena Smrcek is an award-winning author, screenwriter, public speaker and writing coach. She is known for her thrilling and heartwarming stories. Her career began as a high school freelancer, leading to three decades in publishing. She co-founded Write!Canada and The Word Guild and has graduated from multiple writing programs.

Connect with Helena by visiting helenasmrcek.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Melanie Stevenson is an award-winning author and lives in Ontario, Canada, surrounded by her husband and four children. She attended the University of Waterloo and obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts. Melanie's first book, One More Tomorrow, was shortlisted in the Word Alive Press publishing contest out of over two hundred entries across North America and was published in 2019. In 2020, she won Best Romantic Fiction for One More Tomorrow and Best New Canadian Author at The Word Awards—Canada's top Christian literary awards. Her mission is to create stories of excellence that impact hearts and lives. Paper, canvas, and dirt are her favorite blank pages.

Connect with Melanie by visiting melaniestevenson.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon card plus a paperback copy of I'll Be Home!

I'll Be Home JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 29, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 5, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

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~ NEW SEWING PATTERN FABRIC FLOWER TOWELS ~

~ NEW SEWING PATTERN FABRIC FLOWER TOWELS ~