Thursday, March 30, 2023

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE FIELDS OF BOUNTY ~

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~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
--  'FIELDS OF BOUNTY'  --
AUTHOR LAURAINE SNELLING
 

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Fields of Bounty JustRead Takeover Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for Fields of Bounty by Lauraine Snelling, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

About the Book

 

Fields of Bounty Title:   Fields of Bounty 
Series:   Leah's Garden #3 
Author:   Lauraine Snelling 
Publisher:   Bethany House Publishers 
Release Date:   March 21, 2023 
Genre:   Christian Historical Fiction

They must set aside their own plans and rely on their faith to bring their true destiny to light.

Lilac Nielsen's dream has come true: handsome young Reverend Ethan Pritchard has finally noticed her. Yet she must balance this new courtship with the pursuit of another dream--the publication of her artwork in a New York paper. She has secretly been submitting a series of drawings under a pen name, and if anyone traces the drawings back to her and finds out where Lilac and her sisters settled, the entire Nielsen family could be in danger. 

As their family farm expands and Lilac's relationship with the reverend grows, it's a time of new beginnings. But when a family crisis back in Ohio shakes the Nielsen sisters, can they continue to build the new life they've begun in Nebraska? And will Lilac be prepared for what God has in store for her future? 

"A tender story. I know my readers will enjoy these stories and look forward to the books yet to come."--TRACIE PETERSON, bestselling author of the Pictures of the Heart series

EXCERPT:

It was past the supper hour by the time Ethan made his way back to Antelope Creek, where he boarded with a family from that congregation. Twilight fell in summer softness over the prairie, the western sky still streaked with orange and rose. He slid off his horse, Nehemiah, weary to the bone. He stabled and brushed the gelding before heading into the Humphreys’ simple frame house on the outskirts of town. While the husband had died of a fever a few years ago, the grown son, Barton, kept the family livery business running, and Widow Humphrey took in boarders to supplement the household income. Though at present, Ethan was the only one.

He let himself in through the side door of the lean-to, trying to do it quietly.

“That you at last, Reverend?”

He winced. So much for quietly. But Widow Humphrey had ears like a bat and was particular about mealtimes, though she reluctantly allowed that a pastor could not always maintain regular hours.

“We kept supper warm for you. Never dreamed the Salton folks would keep you out this long.” The angular woman looked askance at him, vigorously rubbing a clean pot with a dish towel.

Sometimes balancing his two churches made Ethan feel like a parent caught between jealous children. He took the plate left on the stove with what he hoped was a winning smile. “The speaker took longer than I expected. Thank you for saving this for me, Mrs. Humphrey.”

She hmphed and flipped the dish towel over her shoulder to put the pot away. “Antelope Creek isn’t much farther from Lincoln than Salton, yet I suppose it’s too much to ask any dignitaries to come here. Never mind that we have a larger population, not to mention a livery stable.”

The town was nearly five miles farther from the new capital, but Ethan wouldn’t feed the fire. He sat at the empty table and bowed his head for a silent grace.

Opening his eyes, he dug into the ham, black- eyed peas, buttered potatoes, and corn bread. Whenever he thought about getting his own place or boarding with someone who boasted a gentler tongue, the food at the Humphreys’ lulled him into inaction. Whatever else she lacked, Widow Humphrey was an excellent cook. “This is delicious, thank you. The corn bread, especially.”

“Martha made it. You might offer your thanks to her.” The dish towel snapped again as Mrs. Humphrey hung it precisely on a rack.

Ethan winced. He’d nothing against Martha, but he’d long sensed Mrs. Humphrey’s aim to throw her shy, inching- toward- spinsterhood eldest daughter straight at Ethan’s collared, supposedly marriageable frame. Belatedly, he realized Mrs. Humphrey was waiting for a response. “Certainly. I’ll thank her tomorrow.” If he saw her.

“She’s in the parlor.”

Of course she was. He made himself smile. “I’ll be sure to stop by.”

Fields of Bounty•Lauraine Snelling
Bethany House,a division of Baker Publishing Group ©2022 used by permission

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Christianbook | BookBub

More Books in this Series

The Seeds of Change A Time to Bloom


About the Author

Lauraine Snelling

Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than 100 books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold more than five million copies. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California.

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

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback set of the first three books in Lauraine Snelling’s Leah's Garden series: The Seeds of Change, A Time to Bloom, and Fields of Bounty!

Fields of Bounty JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 29, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 5, 2023. Winner 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 the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

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Tuesday, March 28, 2023

~ WEDNESDAY MYSTERY FEATURE 4 PARTIES & A FUNERAL ~

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~ WEDNESDAY MYSTERY FEATURE ~
--  'FOUR PARTIES AND A FUNERAL'  --
AUTHOR MARIA DIRICO
 
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Four Parties and a Funeral (A Catering Hall Mystery) by Maria DiRico

 

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About 'Four Parties and a Funeral'

 

 

 

Four Parties and a Funeral (A Catering Hall Mystery) 
Cozy Mystery 4th in Series Setting - New York 
Kensington Cozies (March 28, 2023)  
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages 
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496739701 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496739704  
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B6DBV3WV 

 

In this fresh and witty cozy mystery series set amid an extended Italian-American family in Astoria, Queens, catering hall owner and amateur sleuth Mia Carina must solve a murder on the set of a reality show.

The June events schedule at Belle View is busting out all over—proms, graduations, and of course, weddings. There are unexpected bookings too, including a casting call for the pilot of Dons of Ditmars Boulevard. But soon, Mia’s fears about the cheesy reality show are confirmed . . .

Belle View quickly becomes the site of a sea of wanna-be goombahs and phony girlfriends, and some of Mia’s friends insist on getting in on the action. The production company owner and his executive producer ex-wife—who’s also very minor British royalty—have assembled a motley crew that does as much infighting and backstabbing as the on-screen “talent.” Even so, it’s a shock when a dead body is found in the pool house of a local mansion rented by the show . . .

Murder might boost the ratings. But Mia intends to make sure the killer gets jail time, not airtime . . .

Italian recipes included!

 

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Pasta Puttanesca

If you read Long Island Iced Tina, you’ll know that pasta puttanesca figures prominently in that storyline. You’d think I should have included this recipe in that book—and you’d be right! What happened? Simple. I forgot. But I’m making it up for it here, lol. I hope you enjoy the recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. pasta of your choice
  • 3 Tbsp. virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 2 tsp. minced garlic
  • 2 tsp. anchovy paste
  • 1⁄2 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes in juice
  • 2 Tbsp. drained capers
  • 1⁄2 cup chopped, pitted Kalamata olives
  • Pinch of salt (optional)
  • 3⁄4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • Grated parmesan cheese, to taste

Directions:

Prepare the pasta according to the instructions on the box. Drain, toss with one tablespoon of the olive oil, and set aside.

In a medium to heavy 12" skillet, cook the garlic, anchovy paste, and red pepper flakes in the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, stirring occasionally until fragrant—about two minutes.

Add diced tomatoes and juice, the capers, and the chopped olives to the mixture in the skillet.

Lower the heat and simmer for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and add a pinch of salt, if necessary.

You can go one of two ways from here. You can add the pasta to the sauce and stir to combine, then divide into 4 bowls and serve. Or you can divide the plain pasta into 4 pasta bowls and spoon the sauce evenly on each bowl of pasta.

Top with evenly divided fresh basil and grated cheese to taste.

Serves 4.

 

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About Maria DiRico

 

 

Maria DiRico is the pseudonym for Ellen Byron, author of the award-winning, USA Today bestselling Cajun Country Mysteries. Born in Queens, New York, she is first-generation Italian-American on her mother's side and the granddaughter of a low-level Jewish mobster on her father's side. She grew up visiting the Astoria Manor and Grand Bay Marina catering halls, which were run by her Italian mother's family in Queens and have become the inspiration for her Catering Hall Mystery Series. DiRico has been a writer-producer for hit television series like Wings and Just Shoot Me, and her first play, Graceland, appears in the Best Short Plays collection. She's a freelance journalist, with over 200 articles published in national magazines, and previously worked as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart, a credit she never tires of sharing. A native New Yorker who attended Tulane University, Ellen lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and two rescue dogs.

Author Links – Website Chicks on the CaseFacebook Twitter

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Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - IndieBound - Kensington

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS: 

March 29 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
March 29 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE 
March 30 – I'm Into Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
March 30 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE 
March 31 - Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
March 31 - Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW 
April 1 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT 
April 1 – Mythical Books – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT 
April 2 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT 
April 2 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
April 3 – FUONLYNEW – SPOTLIGHT 
April 3 – My Reading Journeys – SPOTLIGHT 
April 4 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT 
April 4 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE 
April 5 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 
April 5 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
April 6 – Valerie's Musings – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST April 6 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT 
April 7 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW 
April 8 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT 
April 9 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW 
April 10 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT 
April 10 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
 
 πŸŽ‰πŸ³πŸ²πŸ₯£πŸ”¦πŸ”ŽπŸŽ‰πŸ³πŸ²πŸ₯£πŸ”¦πŸ”ŽπŸŽ‰
 
 
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Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?  
 
     

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Thursday, March 23, 2023

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ON THE GOLDEN CLIFFS ~

πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„
 
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
 --  'ON THE GOLDEN CLIFFS'  --
AUTHOR CHRISTEN KRUMM
WITH AUTHOR TRICIA GOYER
 

πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„
 

On the Golden Cliffs JustRead Blog + Review Tour 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for On the Golden Cliffs by Christen Krumm with Tricia Goyer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„
 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

 

Title:   On the Golden Cliffs
Series
:   Big Sky Amish #2
Authors
:   Christen Krumm with Tricia Goyer
Publisher
:   Sunrise Publishing
Release Date
:   March 21, 2023
Genre
:   Christian Contemporary Amish Romance

One wrong post has sent influencer Lyla Taylor’s social media empire crashing to her feet. To save it, she’ll have to escape to rural Montana. Six weeks in a high-end spa won’t hurt…except, she’s not booked into a spa, but at a rustic Amish B&B. Suddenly, her roommates are raccoons, and her daily activities include hanging laundry. Thanks, but no thanks. Lyla is ready to hit delete and head back to civilization.

Amishman Reuben Milner has a secret…one that could destroy his world. For now, however, he’s kept his life as a novelist under wraps, focusing on providing for his family after the tragic passing of his father. Renting the dawdi house seems the right move—until the wrong woman moves in. However, she comes with ideas to help improve their B&B, and that, along with her feisty personality, is something Reuben can’t ignore. Even if the elders want him to focus on joining the church and finding a wife. 

When going home isn’t an option, Lyla decides to help the Milners spruce up their rental. It does help distract her from her problems online. The more Lyla works on the rental with Reuben, the more she wonders if returning to her former life is worth it. However, is it the simple life that Lyla’s heart longs for—or a particular guarded Amishman with secrets of his own? And when those secrets are discovered, what will it cost them both?  

Book two in the delightful and sweet Big Sky Amish Collection.

 

πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„
 
EXCERPT:

After grabbing the bucket of pitch, Reuben climbed down the ladder with one hand, careful not to slip. Once his right foot hit solid ground, he checked off the roof on his list, then scurried to determine what chore should be next.

“Hi, yeah, I’m supposed to connect with a Mara or Reuben Milner?”

He jumped at the soft voice from behind him. Reuben turned, practically dumping the half bucket of black tar on a woman that barely even came up to his chin. He pushed his straw hat back on his head. She stood near the bottom of the ladder, wearing black shorts, a colorful T-shirt, and a black jacket. She wasn’t Amish.

Then he noted her extremely high heeled shoes. Definitely not Amish.

How was she even able to stand upright in them? She looked ridiculous. What could she possibly need with him or Mem?

Reuben lifted an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

One hand rested on her hip. The other hand blocked the sun as she stared up at him. Her auburn hair framed a pair of flashing green eyes. He could already tell this one had more spunk than Penny, even on Penny’s best day. All that attitude had rendered him speechless.

He threaded his free hand through his suspenders. “Your shoes are so tall,” he sputtered.

She looked down at her shoes and back to him, frowning. “What do my shoes have to do with anything? Are you or aren’t you Reuben Milner?”

He shrugged, wishing he had just kept his mouth shut.

“You must be Lyla,” his older sister called from behind him.

Saved by Susanna. Married now and six months pregnant, she waddled barefoot out onto the porch and eyed the two of them standing in the yard. Without a word, Lyla moved around him and stomped up the porch steps, stopping next to her two large suitcases. Reuben winced, hoping that she didn’t go through the steps or roll an ankle. It was a toss-up which one would actually happen.

“Are you Mara Milner?” Lyla asked, holding her hand out toward his sister.

Susanna smiled and took Lyla’s hand in her own. “I’m Susanna, Mara’s daughter. Wyatt said you might be out here. Are you hungry? You must be tired from your journey. Would you like to come in and sit down for a while?”

Lyla pulled her hand back and eyed the ramshackle front porch—or at least, from the slight wrinkle of her nose that’s how he assumed she saw it. “I’d rather just head to the Airbnb, maybe get unpacked.”

Reuben thought the response was a little rude, and his sister’s smile faltered. Her brows scrunched in confusion. “Airbnb?”

 

πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„
 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookBub | IndieBound

More Books in this Series

Beyond the Gray Mountains Under the Blue Skies


About the Authors

Tricia Goyer

 

Tricia Goyer writes out of her passion for God and her love for family and others. The author of more than 70 books, she writes both historical fiction and nonfiction related to family and parenting.

This USA Today best-selling author has won a two Carol Awards and a Retailer’s Best Award. She was also an ECPA Gold-Medallion Nominee and a Christy Award Nominee and won Writer of the Year from the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference. 

Tricia’s contemporary and historical novels feature strong women overcoming great challenges. She is a beloved author of Amish fiction, having written the Big Sky and Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series. 

Whether for fiction or nonfiction, Tricia’s writing style is vivid and heartwarming, allowing readers to take home more than engaging stories, but also messages that inspire faith and hope. Her goal is to write stories that matter. 

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

Christen Krumm is the author of the young adult romcom It Happened At Christmas. She lives with her husband and three barefoot wildings in the middle of the world, Oklahoma. She drinks way too much coffee and reads too many books, but creating stories with her Creator is her favorite.

Connect with Christen by visiting christenkrumm.com to follow her on social media, subscribe to email newsletter updates, or listen to her podcast, Exploring the Blank Page.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of On the Golden Cliffs and a $10 voucher to the Sunrise Shop!

On the Golden Cliffs JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 20, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 27, 2023. Winner 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
 
 
πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„πŸ’•πŸ“–πŸŒ„
 
 

~ NEW SEWING PATTERN FABRIC FLOWER TOWELS ~

~ NEW SEWING PATTERN FABRIC FLOWER TOWELS ~