GUIDE ME HOME: The Ayes Have It!

It's been a pretty wild ride writing Guide Me Home.  At first, I planned on splitting the finale in two novellas a-la Infinity War & Endgame.  Then I decided against it (thinking about all the angry Marvel fans who initially did not approve of the final two Avengers films being split in two instead of being a massive 6 hour long ordeal..)

Then life got in the way and messed up my planned summer release, which I didn't bother mentioning because around the same timeframe, I was...

*graduating college (no biggie, can totallllly plan a book release around finals and graduating)

*getting a puppy

*catching up on all the commitments I'd slacked off on during the last year and a half of college (oof)

*having migraines incessantly

*launching a business

*having a grad party


(credit: The Office // Imgur)

So anyway, I didn't even get the first draft of Guide Me Home done until Camp NaNo, where my 35k goal swept on by and was trumped by 45k.  Then 50k - officially a novel....and then 65k.  I think it sits around 66,000 words right now, which makes it the longest book in the series.

And let me tell you, there is NO filler in this book.  No fluff chapters.  Every chapter has a key detail you'll need.  Foreshadowing.  Fun things.

Then my original plan was to do a December 6th release, because I thought it would evade the Black Friday insanity.  Not a great marketing plan, because everyone's sick of getting those ads and seeing fun new things for sale, right?  On top of that, before deciding on the release date, I had signed up for some blog tours that I didn't expect to be accepted into, and their posts will be around that time, so I didn't want to balance a launch with tour commitments.  (Definitely stay tuned for those December 6th & 7th -- I'm super excited!!)



(Credit: The Office // Global HD)


So I did a quick poll on Instagram and the ayes have it --
I will be releasing Guide Me Home early (say beginning of next week, unless KDP hates me, and frankly, that's a real possibility, although things have been going well so far).  That's right. 

The final chapter (er, novel) is coming almost 2 weeks early!

That's not all, though.  I'm releasing the novel and knocking it down to a sale price immediately.  So if you want to read it, you'll definitely want to snag it while it's on sale. 

The Kindle price will officially be $4.99, but between the release date and December 6th (honoring the original release date), the book will be priced the lowest Amazon will let me, which is only $2.99!  That means you'll be able to buy a copy for almost half price through the first week of December.  Paperbacks will also be available, and I'll be offering signed copies for ~ $10 shipped when I can get some shipped in.  Paperbacks will be $7.99 on Amazon.



(credit: Thor: Ragnarok //Tenor)


So what do you guys think?  Are you excited for the release?  Leading up to it, I'll be sharing my favorite quotes and some other fun things about the book.  Stay tuned!

Also, if you're interested in buying a signed copy from me, please let me know in the comments or email me if you definitely plan on it, so I can figure out how many to buy.  I'll invoice you when I get the books in.  They should be available for shipping in time for Christmas! 

COVER & TITLE REVEAL: Christmas Extravaganza by Faith Lane!

 Hey everyone!  Today is a super fun cover and title reveal for a Christmas novelette arriving next month.  It sounds like an adorable read for the holiday season, and I can't wait to read it myself!  

SYNOPSIS

A Christmas Extravaganza - a novelette by Faith Lane

Amanda Evans and Adam Anderson used to be best friends, that is, until he humiliated her during their junior year of high school. Ever since then, Amanda has done everything she can to avoid Adam.

Now, two years later, she’s stuck working on a neighborhood Christmas project with him. Could Amanda possibly move on from the past and give Adam another chance? Or will the holidays turn into a nightmare for these two ex-best friends?

Preorder on Amazon HERE before December 17th!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Faith Lane is an indie author, book reviewer, blogger, and more.  She loves hearing from her readers and supporting fellow authors by reviewing their books or sharing them with friends.  On her site, faithlaneauthor.wordpress.com, you can find updates about her writing, book reviews, and her blog, where she'll talk to you about pretty much anything! (But mostly books 😉 )

INSTAGRAM  | TWITTER | PINTEREST | SHOP BLOG | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS | YOUTUBE

What do you think - will you be preordering A Christmas Extravaganza?  

REVIEW: Protecting Tanner Hollow by Lynette Eason!

Hey everyone!

Today's post is a review of Protecting Tanner Hollow by Lynette Eason, as part of the Revell Reads review program.  This book is actually four romantic suspense novellas in one.  Each story builds off of one another and even pulls some characters from her other series, such as Derek St. John from the Blue Justice series.  The descriptions for each novella are listed below:


Lethal Homecoming
Nolan Tanner never got over Kallie Ainsworth's sudden, unexplained departure.  Now when he comes to her rescue after an attempt on her life, all the old feelings come rushing back.

Lethal Conspiracy 
When a professional fundraiser Lillian Maloney sees her father's campaign manager commit murder, she goes on the run from the men he hires to kill her.  A close call brings firefighter Jason Tanner to the rescue, but the killer is closing in...

Lethal Secrets
Someone wants Honor McBride dead.  When Eli Murphy helps her change a flat tire and discovers the danger Honor is in, he longs to help - but Eli has secrets of his own that could get them all killed.

Lethal Agenda
When Detective Derek St. John rescues a woman he's met only once before - and has never been able to forget - he finds himself falling for her.  But he'll have to keep Claire Montgomery alive if they're to have a future together.

Purchase Protecting Tanner Hollow on Amazon HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LYNETTE EASON is the bestselling author of Oath of Honor, Called To Protect, Code of Valor, and Vow of Justice, as well as the Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series.  She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others.  She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College.  Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children.  Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.  Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

MY REVIEW

This book is fantastic for anyone who likes clean romantic suspense stories, and it's also a great pick for the busy holiday season.  The novellas can be read in any order, but the earlier stories introduce the Tanner brothers, Nolan and Jason, and their love interests; a good reference point for the later two books.  I was especially excited to read Derek St. John's story, having obsessed over the Blue Justice series this year.  This novella in particular (Lethal Agenda) picks up about two/three years after the ending of Vow of Justice from the Blue Justice series, but can still be read as a standalone with no background from the series.  

It was exciting to read about two new characters, Nolan and Jason Tanner, and I honestly finished the novella collection hoping that Eason weaves them into other books of hers later on.  I loved each character and how they developed through the novellas.  Each story had a great premise and were filled with fast-paced action.

Novellas can be a little tricky to write well, especially when larger plots/back-stories are necessary to include.  While some portions of each story felt a little rushed, and sometimes it difficult to connect with a main character when you hardly know them yet (especially in Kallie's case from Lethal Homecoming, in my opinion), I thought that these stories were very well written.  By the end of each story, I was able to appreciate each character individually and how their stories were woven into the plot at hand.  I did enjoy the third and fourth novellas the most, and found them to be easier to become invested in than the first two.  

Overall, I absolutely loved this set of novellas, and I would not hesitate to buy another novella collection if Eason ever published more.  They were intense - typical Eason fashion - and still heartfelt and powerful from the "family and faith" perspective.  I read the last two novellas in one day, although they were a smidge longer than the first two.  Anyone who is a fan of Eason will find Protecting Tanner Hollow to be an enjoyable and fast-paced read.  

Have you read any of Eason's books before?  What are your thoughts on novellas - yay or nay?  And are you planning on picking up a copy of Protecting Tanner Hollow?  

REVIEW: Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters

Hey everyone!  I had the wonderful opportunity to read and review Natalie Walters' newest novel, Deadly Deceit, as part of the Revell Reads program.  Granted, I had never read any of Walters' novels before, but I'd heard so much about Deadly Deceit on social media that I decided to try it out.  Although it is part of a series (it's book two of the Harbored Secrets series), I was still able to follow its plot with ease.

SYNOPSIS

Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason - to do her job and get out.  When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian's only hope for finding the truth - and the next big story - is small-town law enforcement's lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost.  But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes.  False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called the Watcher force Vivian to fight for answers - and her life.

MY REVIEW

This book is fantastic, and arguably one of the best romantic suspense novels of this year (that I've read, anyway).  DeMarco and Frost work extremely well together, and I loved their chemistry.  Their back-and-forth is perfect and keeps the romantic subplot working, constantly under the pressures of finding the Watcher and keeping each other alive.  I have to admit that I absolutely adored the pop culture references in the book - lots of Disney and Marvel mentions, which I'm 100% here for all the time.  Early on, when DeMarco is referenced to as Rapunzel from Tangled because DeMarco wielded a frying pan, I decided that I loved the book.  The characters were almost tangible and their struggles were very real.  

Within the book, there are several instances where minor characters are featured, having received a threat from the Watcher.  While it was initially difficult to see why they were featured and then dropped off the radar temporarily, every character and every threat is interwoven as DeMarco and Frost get closer to finding the Watcher.  The plot is constantly moving and keeps you guessing until the last possible second - it's not one of those crime dramas where you know who the villain is right off the bat.  

While there were some parts of the book that were a bit slower, I ended up reading the last hundred pages or so all in one sitting, with only one brief intermission so I could remember to blink.  The characters and plot were written well enough that I could jump right into the book without any prior knowledge from the first book, Living Lies.  I appreciated that about Deadly Deceit, and it definitely encouraged me to check out Living Lies as well as the upcoming books in the Harbored Secrets series.  After reading this, I think Natalie Walters can join Lynette Eason for the ranks of my favorite romantic suspense authors!  

Have you read Deadly Deceit or Living Lies from Natalie Walters yet?  What did you enjoy most?  If not, do you plan to read either of them?

REVIEW: I Choose Peace by Doug Bender

I had the opportunity of being part of the street team and an ARC reader for the newest I Am Second book by Doug Bender, titled I Choose Peace.  This book gathers stories from many different individuals of diverse walks of life and uses them to describe the importance of faith and finding peace within the situation you're in - and most importantly, choosing to keep that peace.

SYNOPSIS

Peace.  We are all looking for it.  We all need it.  Yet for many, it remains just out of reach.  Restless, discontent, lacking in purpose and direction, we feel its absence.  

But peace can be found.  I Choose Peace tells the stories of people who searched everywhere for fulfillment and wholeness but found it only when they put Jesus first in their lives.  Those who found contentment, happiness, and peace in the face of every kind of struggle include: 

• Chip and Joanna Gaines
• Kathie Lee Gifford
• Albert Pujols
• Shawn Johnson
• Phil and Kay Robertson
• Brian "Head" Welch
• Lee Yih
• Ben King
• Eric Metaxas
• R. A. Dickey
• Jason "Propaganda" Petty
• Lauren Scruggs Kennedy
• Austin Carlile
• Lynsi Snyder
• Cody Garbrandt

Raw, compelling, and profoundly inspiring, the stories in I Choose Peace remind us that no matter your struggle, what you've done, or what's been done to you, you can still choose peace.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Doug Bender is an I Am Second writer and small groups coach.  He developed many of the small group tools found at iamsecond.com and has coached churches, organizations, and individuals to use I Am Second groups to share the message of Jesus with their friends and family.  He also works with I Am Second's parent organization, e3 Partners, as a church planter and pastor in countries such as Ethiopia, Colombia, and the US.  Doug and his wife, Catherine, have four children: Bethany, Samuel, Isabella, and Jesse.  

Click HERE to purchase from your favorite retailer!

MY REVIEW

Being a follower of the I Am Second Facebook page, I was thrilled for the opportunity to review I Choose Peace.  These are stories from people you may recognize well; others may be new faces.  Many of them have already completed a "white chair interview" for I Am Second, and the book tracks their progress after that point as well.  Kathie Lee Gifford, Phil & Kay Robertson, and Chip & Joanna Gaines are some of the people I was most familiar with.  This book follows people who hit rock bottom and somehow kept falling; people who have had horrid childhoods, faced abuse and hardship, and still choose to follow God and seek peace in their lives.  Their stories are succinct, have impact, and are memorable.

One thing that I appreciated the most about the book was its organization: it divides the interviews/stories into like-minded sections, from people who have struggled with similar issues.  The book is very easy to read and follow, and its transitions are great.  

The themes surrounding this book aren't exclusive to peace, though: it portrays the importance of hope and seeking God even in harsh, horrific circumstances.  It portrays the need to remain faithful.  It is truly a great book for anyone who needs uplifted, anyone struggling with any amount of problems like addiction, abuse, anxiety, loss, perfectionism, body image issues - the whole nine yards.  

It was fascinating to read stories from so many people in so many different backgrounds and how, even though they might be wildly different, their problems ultimately stemmed from the same thing and were solved by one thing - their faith.  Even if you aren't struggling with something, it's a great reminder of God's sovereignty - how He has enough power to protect you, even in any hopeless situation, and how His plans work for your good.  Giving up the need to control every ounce of your life is where you choose peace. 

Are you planning on ordering I Choose Peace?  What are some ways that you have found peace in the midst of struggle?

SPOTLIGHT: Rescue Road by Gayle M. Irwin!

Hey everyone!  Today I have a book spotlight highlighting Rescue Road, a clean contemporary romance novel written by author Gayle M. Irwin!  Let's get right to it! 

About The Author: 

Gayle M. Irwin is an award-winning author and freelance writer, being recognized by Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association for several of her works. She is a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and the author of many inspirational pet books and stories for both children and adults. She subtly weaves important life lessons within the lines and pages of her stories, including courage, kindness, perseverance, friendship, appreciation of nature, and the importance of pet rescue and adoption. Her first novel, a clean, contemporary pet rescue romance titled Rescue Road, releases November 2019. A pet rescue and adoption advocate, she volunteers for various dog rescue and humane society organizations and donates a percentage of all book sales to such groups. Gayle resides in Wyoming with her husband and their adopted animals. Learn more about the author, her writing endeavors, and her pets, and receive free stories and resources by visiting her website: www.gaylemirwin.com.

Follow Gayle M. Irwin on the following social media sites: Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

About Rescue Road:

Freelance writer Rhiann Kelly shelved romance for years. Her dream of starting an animal sanctuary takes deep roots after finding the perfect location in southwestern Montana and purchasing the property for back taxes.

Emergency medical technician Levi Butler knows his elderly friend George left the ranch to him in his will. Levi anxiously awaits the probate to be complete so he can plan his retirement and begin his dream of raising and selling horses.

When Rhiann and Levi find each other at the ranch simultaneously, sparks fly - and not the romantic kind. Yet their attraction for one another can’t be denied and deepens after Levi finds Rhiann injured in an accident. Meantime, land developer Dallas Patterson sets his sights on charming Rhiann to obtain the land.

Can Rhiann and Levi work together to detour Patterson and find a solution in which neither needs to give up their dream, or will the fence line of their hearts – and the property - separate them forever? Can their broken paths weave their hearts together as they travel the rescue road?

Purchase Rescue Road from the following retailers! Kindle | Amazon Paperback | Barnes & Noble for Nook | Kobo

Doesn't this sound like an adorable plot? A freelance writer, a ranch, horses, rescue animals...I mean, it sounds perfect! What do you think of it?

COVER REVEAL: Guide Me Home!

Hey everyone...guess what day it is!
GUESS. WHAT. DAY. IT. IS.
(Well, it's not hump day anymore, and Friday *is* exciting, but...)
COVER REVEAL DAY IS HERE!
*insert Chris Sullivan voice*


I admit that I have posted about Guide Me Home...hardly at all.  I've been working on it steadily and just received my proof copy in the mail this week, which means that I'm getting everything squared away to release it soon!  What's it about, you may ask? 

It is the third and final installment of the Faith, Hope, and Love collection, preceded by Welcome Home and My Compass Home.  

SYNOPSIS

Cortland may as well have been turned upside-down.  

Morgan Barnes has watched her cousins grow up and get married left and right.  Having no luck with finding a proper fellow for herself, she's ready to give up - until she's blindsided by Martin Nolan.Cortland means new life for Martin.  However, old habits are hard to break, even if he truly wants to. Can he seize the opportunities given to him, or will he shove it all away?  

Meanwhile, Lucy and Spencer's comfortable little world gets upended and then flipped sideways to boot.  With a baby on the way and Lucy's father making a surprise appearance, their hands and hearts are full. When disaster strikes, can they stay afloat?  

And now resides faith, hope, and love - but in the final chapters, will the Barnes and Clarkson families see God's plan for it all?  The final book in the Faith, Hope, and Love collection.

Sound good? I hope so. It's the thickest book in the series -- actually, the word count clocks it in as a novel, not a novella like the first two.

Yes, I'm actively trying to keep myself from splitting it into two smaller books to keep everything the same.

Without further ado, and before I can linger on the word count...

It's not the prettiest in the universe, no. But it's in keeping with the rest of the series.

So when is this book baby being released to the world?

God-willing, I'm looking at an early December release, hopefully the 6th or earlier. I may even have a preorder up for the Kindle by Thanksgiving. And if you're curious about the series and want caught up before this book hits those digital shelves, the first two books will be on sale over Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as part of Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick's huge sale she's organizing (stay tuned for info on that!)

Have you read any of the books from the Faith, Hope, and Love collection? Anyone looking forward to Guide Me Home?