Fabulous and Brunette

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Fully Involved by Lindy Bell - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi, lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host Lindy Bell and her new book, “Fully Involved”! For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Lindy and to increase your chances of winning!

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!

Fully Involved

by Lindy Bell

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GENRE: Sweet Firefighter Romance

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BLURB:

Katie Garrett is madly in love with her dashing firefighter husband, Andy. When he is diagnosed with cancer, their entire world is turned upside down. Andy clumsily tries to protect Katie from the truth by not telling her, but her fear — and his increasing pain and tumultuous emotions — only feed her deep-seated insecurities, as they fight for Andy’s life and for their marriage.

While the fire station and its camaraderie are Andy’s refuge, station officer Lt. Mike Bentley wages a vendetta against Andy, making Andy more determined to avoid revealing weakness of any kind. In spite of Bentley’s despising Andy, the C shift crew rally to support Andy until events take a downward turn.

As she discovers Andy’s cancer was caused by exposure to lethal chemicals while on duty, Katie navigates the treacherous maze of uncertainty and grief to emerge a stronger, more confident woman who represents her husband and the fire service as an advocate for firefighter safety and protection.

Firefighters face a myriad of dangers, but the invisible dangers – his past, her fears -- can pose the greatest threat of all. Will courage, duty, and love be enough to save Andy from these unseen threats? Will he come to recognize the far-reaching impact his life has on others? If the worst should happen, would his greatest legacy be the love of the fire service or the love for his wife? In the end, the unforeseen might have the greatest significance of all.

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EXCERPT ONE:

Katie slipped her shoes off and swung them from the tips of two fingers as she walked down the hall. She stepped into their bedroom just as Andy came out of the bathroom, fresh from a shower. A towel around his waist but still beaded with water, his broad chest and muscular arms, flexed as he grabbed her in a wet hug. He smelled of soap, his damp skin still warm from the shower.

“Hey, beautiful!”

“You’re soaking wet!” Katie squealed as Andy lifted her up and swung her around. She laughed as she looked into Andy’s electric blue eyes, crinkling with pleasure. He set her gently down but before she could say anything, his warm lips covered hers, tenderly at first and then more intensely as he pulled her close, her body fitting willingly to his. Katie felt her heart race and her breath quicken as Andy’s strong arms held her so tight she could feel his heart beating.

Andy grazed her lips with another lingering kiss before leaning back and grinning into her flushed face.

“That was some welcome home, mister,” she sighed happily before opening her eyes.

Looking into Andy’s face, she could tell something was wrong. The smile on her face turned into a frown and then a look of concern.

“You look pale.”

Andy dropped his arms and walked quickly back to the bathroom. “I’m fine,” he said, an edge in his voice.

“You sure?” Katie ventured, peering into the steamy bathroom.

“I said I’m fine,” Andy said as he snapped a tee shirt over his head. “Why can’t you just take me at my word. I’m tired of being second guessed on everything.” A sudden flush of anger covered his face as he turned on Katie.

Startled, Katie took a quick step back. “No one is second guessing you,” she tried to assure him in a soft voice. “You just don’t look like you feel well.”

“Again, I am fine,” Andy snarled, brushing past her. “Don’t we have an open house to get to?”

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

I originally came across this book a few months ago when I had the author, Lindy Bell, here on FAB for a Book Blast Tour post. I remember reading the book blurb and excerpt and was immediately intrigued. I promptly added the book to my TBR List and looked forward to checking it out. So, I was very excited when I saw this book was part of an upcoming Review Tour!!! I quickly signed up and I am so happy that I did as this book did not disappoint!!!

Wow!!! Wow!!! Wow!!!

This book took me on such an emotional ride!!! There were moments I was laughing, then crying, then smiling, then feeling excited, then sad, and repeat lol!!! This book definitely has all the feels!!!

This book was such a powerful, well-written, and brilliantly told story!!!

I absolutely loved the characters!!! Lindy Bell clearly has a talent for creating such likable and genuine characters that are easy to connect with!!! Plus, who doesn’t love a book about handsome, charming firemen?!

This book was just so relatable, easy to read, and fully engaging!!! The pages just flew right by as I was completely captivated and hanging on every word.

I’ll admit I’m probably a bit bias on the cancer story line theme as I am currently going through my own personal cancer journey. Plus, after years of having watched and taken care of my mother as she has survived two cancers. So, reading about Andy’s battle definitely hit home for me.

Although, cancer is a strong story line theme, this book has so many other intriguing qualities such as wonderful, realistic, characters, engaging storytelling, thoroughly detailed passages, and well-placed plot points.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it!!! I think all contemporary romance and firefighter fans will like this book too!!! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!!!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**

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AUTHOR BIO:

A project ten years in the making, Fully Involved is Lindy Bell’s debut novel and avidly reflects her admiration and love of the fire service. Thoroughly researched, the quest for accuracy for the book led Lindy to participate in the Plano Citizens Fire Academy, attend classes and accompany firefighters on ride outs. With a retired fire chief and a current paramedic/firefighter in the family, Lindy has witnessed firsthand the dedication and humbleness of first responders which fueled the impetus to convey the importance of the legendary fire service brotherhood and create cancer awareness and its growing effect on the fire service.

Lindy’s first book, Jane Austen Celebrates~Holidays & Occasions Regency Style, is a showcase Regency Era holidays and their impact on modern holiday celebration traditions. A member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Lindy has spoken to a variety of groups and taught Continuing and Adult Professional Education courses at Southern Methodist University (SMU).

A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Lindy currently lives in Plano, TX and works from home for a governmental executive recruitment and training firm. As hobbies, Lindy enjoys supporting Plano Fire Rescue by volunteering with the Plano Fire Rescue Association, writing, reading an engaging novel and cross stitching.

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CONNECT WITH LINDY:

Website:

https://www.lindybellwrites.com

Blog:

https://lindybellwrites.com/blog-2

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/LindyBellWrites

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/LindyBellWrites

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/janeite1

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/LindyBellWrites

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17391065.Lindy_Bell

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56983750-fully-involved

Amazon Author Page:

http://amzn.to/38MD5T0

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

http://amzn.to/3vy4v94

Amazon Paperback:

http://amzn.to/3bTA9WI

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fully-involved-lindy-bell/1138826471

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Fully-Involved-Lindy-Bell/9781736560402

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Fully-Involved/Lindy-Bell/9781736560402

IndieBound Paperback:

https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781736560402

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Lindy will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog. This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions. Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Critical Hit: A Gaming Mystery by W.M. Akers - Book Blast - Kickstarter Campaign - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. W.M. Akers will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Check out the Kickstarter Campaign for this project.

How do you win a game that’s trying to kill you?

A twenty-nine year-old clerk at a games store in the Appalachian hamlet of Jett Creek, Tennessee, Callie Myles lives for the weekly RPG sessions run by her beloved brother and gamesmaster, LB. Under his watchful eye, she and her friends wage war, harness magic, and battle evil. When the dice are rolling, they are heroes, and all of Callie’s anxieties slip away. The fun stops the night LB burns to death in a bizarre fire.

Asked by her friends to keep the weekly game alive, Callie does her best to set her grief aside. She puts on the monocle LB wore during sessions and finds herself sucked into a life-sized recreation of her brother’s game. Inhabiting the body of her beloved character, the legendary Arabeth, she thinks she has found the ultimate escape. Her paradise is spoiled when she discovers that something inside the game killed LB—and one of her fellow players was in on it.

To save herself, to avenge her brother, Callie Myles must pull on her armor and beat LB’s game from the inside out. If she gets killed along the way, well, at least she’s having a great time.

A fast-paced hybrid of mystery and adventure, CRITICAL HIT captures the breakneck joy of tabletop gaming, where life and death depend on the whims of a plastic die. It will be on Kickstarter from May 25 to June 25, and available on DriveThruFiction and Amazon after that.

EXCERPT TWO:

Somewhere far from Blackbriar Keep, a barricade of empty beer cans and crumpled chip bags ringed a plastic castle. On the white grid that represented its muddy courtyard, four one-inch miniature Heroes were locked in deadly combat with the dozen figurines that represented a Horde of thousands. They were beautiful little figurines, but all eyes were on the other end of the table. Nothing mattered but Arabeth.

She had one leg raised, her bowstring drawn taut, and a look of extreme do-not-fuck-with-me on her face. I’d spent twenty-two hours painting her, deploying all my tricks to bring her plastic to life. From her forest green boots to the curls of her rich brown hair, every millimeter was perfect. Tonight, perfect was what it would take.

It was April 2003, when tops were cropped and pants were cargo, when fedoras and trucker hats still seemed like good ideas, when America was already getting bored with its new war. More importantly, it was a Thursday, which meant the back room at Critical Hit was ours. Stale beer and smoke polluted the air. Imitation wood paneling peeled from a drop ceiling that was nearly as stained as the pea green carpet. The walls were close, or I guess the table was too big, because you couldn’t shift your seat without banging into one or the other. Absolutely no breeze drifted through the little window on the far wall. Grimy lace curtains hid us from the rest of the games shop. It was a pit, but it had to be the happiest pit on earth.

The man who brought magic into that little room sat at the head of the table. One hand rested on his gut; the other twisted a beard flicked with red ale. His eyes—one bare, the other behind that ridiculous monocle—were slits. A playful smile drifted across his face as he tried to figure out what might happen next. He looked like a big, gentle grizzly bear. A stranger might have mistaken him for just another geek. They’d never have guessed that my big brother was the greatest gamemaster in the world.

“You sure you want to do this?” he asked.

“I think I already have.”

AUTHOR BIO:

W.M. Akers is a novelist, playwright, and game designer. He is the author of the mystery novels Westside and Westside Lights; the creator of the bestselling games Deadball: Baseball With Dice and Comrades: A Revolutionary RPG; and the curator of the history newsletter Strange Times. Born in Nashville, he spent a lucky thirteen years in New York before moving to Philadelphia in 2019. Learn more about his work at his website.

CONNECT WITH W.M. AKERS:

Website: http://www.wmakers.net
Newsletter: http://strangetimes.substack.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ouijum
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wmakers
FB: http://facebook.com/ouijum

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Hell Raising and Other Pastimes by Jayce Carter - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hey, lovelies!! It gives me great pleasure today to host Jayce Carter and her new book, “Hell Raising and Other Pastimes,” here on FAB!! For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!! Also, come back daily to interact with Jayce and to increase your chances of winning!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Wishing you all lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

Hell Raising and Other Pastimes

by Jayce Carter

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GENRE: Paranormal Erotic Romance

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BLURB:

Lots of people have told me to go to hell—I guess they finally got their wish.

I’ve finally accepted the fact I might not be entirely human, so you’d think life could give me a minute. Instead, I find myself sucked into hell at Lucifer’s demand, and I realize death is even more complicated than my life was.

I’m still searching for how to stop the missing spirits before it’s too late, and with no suspects other than Lucifer, I have to survive hell—where everything wants to kill me—so I can confront the devil himself. Not even my love life can be simple, though. Troy is terrified of his werewolf side hurting me, Kase and Grant are lying to me, and Hunter is keeping his own secrets. I know better than to trust anyone, especially the men who have taken over my life.

Get to Lucifer’s Court, find out the truth about the missing spirits, figure out exactly what I am, and try not to die along the way. Oh, and don’t fall in love with the men who will for sure break my heart and possibly get me killed.

Easy enough, right?

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EXCERPT ONE:

Hunter nodded, then tossed pieces of twine onto the table. “Rooms for the night. I’d say it’ll be better than sleeping on the ground, but they often rent these things by the hour.”

“Let’s just be glad they don’t have black lights here,” Grant said.

I nodded at the twine. “What’s with the rope? Does the bondage come complimentary? Come for the rooms, stay for the rope play?”

“You telling me you want me to tie you up, shadow-girl?” Hunter picked one up and reached across the table to catch my wrist. He tied it on me, the feeling of his strong fingers against me enough to make me wonder if the rooms might give us a second, spider-free, shot at sex. “These are enchanted to get us into the rooms. Think of it like a keycard, hell-style. We have four rooms, and the sigil on the bead matches the one on the door of the room.”

I twisted the string on my wrist. “There isn’t a bead on mine.”

“That’s because you’re approved for all the rooms.”

The statement sounded nice until math caught up with me and fucked me like it always did. “That means I’m not getting my own room, doesn’t it?”

Hunter didn’t even try to look sorry. “It isn’t nearly safe enough for you to sleep alone, shadow-girl. You’ll bunk down with someone else.”

“And let me guess—you’re offering?”

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GUEST POST:

Top Marketing Tips

First, let me make this clear—I am not a marketing expert. I am new to this, and marketing is not in my normal wheelhouse.

However there is one main thing that I have learned and taken to heart.

Marketing isn’t just about selling a book, it’s about selling the author. Sure, you can talk a reader into picking up your book if you’re lucky, but what you want aren’t just readers—it’s fans. Back when I worked at a bookstore, what I discovered was that readers became dedicated fans when they felt like they knew the author. They wanted to know the person, to feel like there was a flawed, real person there, behind the words. That helped make them go from picking up a book now and then to waiting excitedly for each release, to one-click-buying new books.

This means that spamming promo images of a book doesn’t work. Readers can see that whenever they want. Instead, what draws in people, what makes them want to follow an author and connect is a sense of who the author is as a person. They want to see all those little flaws and quirks that make the author real.

For me? That mean pictures of my new puppy and sharing the sorrow when my beloved dog passed away a few months ago. It is pictures of my coffee, of the beautiful desert sunsets that inspire me, of food when I go out to eat. Those are all parts of my life, a view into who I am as a person, showing I am more than just my books. It gives people something to connect with. The days of writers being some name without a person, of them hiding away are mostly over. Readers now want and even expect that individual feeling. They want to get to know the person who wrote their favorite works, and often those interactions are what really make them fans.

How do you do that? Social media is one of the best tools here. Participating in groups, sharing parts of our lives, and otherwise creating fun and meaningful interactions are what draws people in. With my fanfiction, I often joked that the conversations that happened in the comments sections drew more people than the work itself, but there is some truth to that. The author themselves is often what makes the difference between two similar books.

Think of it like this—there are two restaurants who offer similar food that you like just the same. One place has a polite but quiet hostess who talks little but does her job fine. The other restaurant, however, has a very friendly hostess who always knows your name, who makes jokes that make you laugh, who feels like a good friend. Which place would you choose to eat at?

The reality is that as authors, we are as much the product as our books. Once I learned this, marketing became a little easier.

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AUTHOR BIO:

Jayce Carter lives in Southern California with her husband and two spawns. She originally wanted to take over the world but realized that would require wearing pants. This led her to choosing writing, a completely pants-free occupation. She has a fear of heights yet rock climbs for fun and enjoys making up excuses for not going out and socializing.

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CONNECT WITH JAYCE:

Website:

https://www.jaycecarter.com

Blog:

https://www.jaycecarter.com/blog

Email:

jayce@jaycecarter.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/JayceCarterAuthor

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jaycecarterauthor

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jayce-carter

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/hell-raising-and-other-pastimes-a-reverse-harem-romance-grave-concerns-by-jayce-carter

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19718300.Jayce_Carter

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57775743-hell-raising-and-other-pastimes

Amazon Author Page:

http://amzn.to/3dvC98A

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

http://amzn.to/3zFV21z

Amazon Paperback:

http://amzn.to/3gKRPWY

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hell-raising-and-other-pastimes-jayce-carter/1139226451

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Hell-Raising-and-Other-Pastimes-Jayce-Carter/9781839439902

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Hell-Raising-Other-Pastimes/Jayce-Carter/9781839439902

Google Play eBook:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jayce_Carter_Hell_Raising_and_Other_Pastimes?id=0QwpEAAAQBAJ

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/es/ebook/hell-raising-and-other-pastimes

Totally Bound Publisher:

https://www.totallybound.com/index.php

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

One randomly chosen winner via Rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com Gift Card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, June 18, 2021

Boy by Anna Hamilton - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Boy

by Anna Hamilton

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GENRE: Drama/Family/Sweet Romance/Dementia

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BLURB:

Boy is a story about a few weeks in the lives of Hugh and Betty Roberts, an elderly couple living alone on a family farm in Iowa. They are buried deep in grief over the loss of their only child and struggling to hang on to the only life they have ever known when dementia sneaks in. An unusual visitor brings a welcome distraction and reprieve just before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Join this couple and other unforgettable characters as they prepare to share in a memorable and much needed Thanksgiving gathering at the old couple's farm. What transpires is credited to friendship, love and the relentless power of hope. Directly or indirectly we are reminded of what really matters on this brief walk we call Life.

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EXCERPT ONE:

He had just finished the last bit of paint on the sign when the phone began to ring, startling him. He hurried into the kitchen to grab a paper towel to wipe the paint off his hands, but before he could get to the phone, the ringing had stopped. He heard Betty say "hello?"

With all of the strange happenings lately he shouldn't have been surprised that she'd answered the phone. Anything was possible, he thought as he walked back into the room and burst into laughter when he saw that she hadn't picked up the phone at all, but a statue of Roy Rogers that sat next to her on the end table. She was holding it up against her ear, as if waiting for someone to answer her greeting.

He couldn't help himself. "Who is it?" he asked.

Sitting Roy back down on the table she said, "They hung up."

"They'll call back," he said laughing. And they did call back, but by then Betty was no longer interested. She had faded away again.

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GUEST POST:

My favorite scene from the book Boy is being in the family graveyard with “Dan the Man” and Jacob. It brings back memories of graveyards that my family and I would visit every Memorial Day. It was like a holiday for us. The respect for those who are buried there was/is immense. The history of the ones now gone is something I cherish and is forever sacred to me. Graveyards used to represent a place to be when you wanted to feel close to those now gone, sometimes with people you never even knew. While you are there you might pull some weeds, tidy up around the headstones, plant a flower or bush, even leave a note or a little poem you have written. This tradition is almost a thing of the past, becoming history in itself.

In Boy, Jacob didn't know his father. He died the same day Jacob was born. The family graveyard becomes his connection to his dad—one that Jacob, a child, makes on his own. It is a safe place for him to share both his sadness and his joy and him sharing it with his new friend is significant to me. It opens a door for Dan the Man, one he needs in order to talk about his own father’s death. This experience teaches these boys that grieving is a part of life and nothing to be ashamed of. Sharing stories teach us that we are not alone nor unique. A valuable lesson for anyone, particularly children.

I also loved how they bid farewell to Jacob’s fathers when they went to leave. Respect.

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AUTHOR BIO:

Anna Hamilton (1958- present) was born in Des Moines Iowa. She lives in Northern Minnesota along the Canadian border where she owns and operates a small restaurant in the village of Grand Marais. During the slower winter months she writes, preferring fiction over non-fiction. "Fiction" she says, "is much easier to create because you can be on the outside of a story looking in, rather than on the inside, fighting your way out." Hence her first novel 'Boy'.

When she is not working or writing, her time is spent mentoring children in need and advocates on behalf of both children and the elderly. She and her sister Sarah are currently working towards building 'affordable' housing for their community. Part of the proceeds from her first novel 'Boy' will be dedicated to help finance that project.

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CONNECT WITH ANNA:

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067350947195

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/AnnaHughBetty

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7436469.Anna_Hamilton

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58093041-boy

Amazon Author Page:

http://amzn.to/2TL850V

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

http://amzn.to/3wDnsaw

Amazon Paperback:

http://amzn.to/2TJCRY2

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Boy-Anna-Hamilton/9781950502400

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Boy/Anna-Hamilton/9781950502400

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Anna Hamilton will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour, in addition to the gift card, the author will offer a prize to a second winner: a store coupon from Between the Lines Publishing/Liminal Press (half price print book or free ebook).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Making Christmas by Nancy Fraser & Santa Baby by Peggy Jaeger - DOUBLE Book Blast!! - DOUBLE Book Sale!! - DOUBLE Book Trailers!! - DOUBLE Jigsaw Puzzles!! - Giveaway!! - Enter Daily!!

Making Christmas

by Nancy Fraser

Santa Baby

by Peggy Jaeger

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GENRE: Holiday Romance (Vintage)

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PREQUEL BOX SET BOOK BLURB:

Welcome to our 1980’s Dickens Christmas stories!

Two sweet vintage romances set in the New England town of Dickens where small town charm is on full, holiday display.

Both stories are prequels to stories found in last year’s holiday anthology, Christmas Comes to Dickens. Beginning October 18th, the Ladies of Dickens will release six brand-new, full-length Dickens holiday romances (one per week) to celebrate the season.

In the meantime, we hope you’ll enjoy Making Christmas by Author Nancy Fraser and Santa Baby by Author Peggy Jaeger. Both are guaranteed to whet your holiday appetites for what’s to come!

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BOOK BLURB – MAKING CHRISTMAS BY NANCY FRASER:

A 1980s Vintage Romance...

It’s been five years since William Barrett returned to Dickens to take over as CEO of Wil-Bar Toys. He’s spent these past years helping build Wil-Bar into a leader in creative, handmade toys. His work ethic and drive has left him little time for a personal life. Or, perhaps he’s still pining for the one who got away.

Catherine Gates moved away from Dickens six years earlier. Now a staff reporter for a woman’s magazine, she’s returning to Dickens to do a story on Wil-Bar Toys new production methods and get the scoop on their upcoming holiday line.

When Will and Cat meet up again for the first time in years, it’s as if they’ve never been apart. Rekindling their friendship, and attraction, becomes more important than Cat’s article, or even the secrecy of the new toy lines.

Can these two childhood friends make up for lost time and pursue the romance they missed out on years earlier? Or, will Cat’s story expose too much and put them at odds with one another?

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BOOK TRAILER – MAKING CHRISTMAS BY NANCY FRASER:

Check out Nancy’s exciting new book trailer below!!!

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EXCERPT ONE:

From Making Christmas by Nancy Fraser:

September 1985

Wil-Bar Toy Factory

“Isn’t it a bit early for Christmas carols?” William asked, motioning skyward where the factory speakers were blaring a string of both classical and modern holiday songs. “If we don’t vary it every once-in-awhile, I’m going to end up ripping the wires out of the ceiling.”

His father shot him a pained look. “Is it ever too early for Christmas music in a toy factory where we spend every working hour up until the beginning of December getting ready for the rush?” Waving his hand dismissively overhead, Wilfred Barrett added, “Besides, it keeps the production line moving like clockwork.”

“How’s the new head of design working out? What’s his name? Gibson?” Will asked.

“Ted Gibson. He’s got some great ideas for sure. Including inviting that magazine editor to send someone to write an article on our new state-of-the-art assembly line.”

“Somehow I don’t picture an article in a woman’s magazine doing justice to the mechanics involved in creating toys like our latest designs.”

Giving a shrug, Wilfred admitted, “It can’t hurt. Besides, it’s women who do most of the buying, especially for the children. If the article can convince these mothers that our toys are safe and won’t come apart with one day of rough play, then it’s as much as we can hope for, I suppose.” Pushing aside the ledger in front of him, he added, “I’d like you to be the one to give them the tour.”

“Why me? Let Gibson do it. After all, it was his idea. Or, you do it—it’s your company, after all. I’d much rather keep my focus on these sales and shipping projections.”

“You’re the new face of Wil-Bar Toys, son. The younger—what’s the term—hip version of a toymaker. Not that I don’t still love it, but these young mothers would much rather see your picture accompanying the article than mine.”

“Ted’s young too. And, if the women crowding around the watercooler are to be believed, quite a catch.”

His father leaned back in his chair, a sure sign the discussion was coming to an end, his decision made. “The magazine is sending one of their staff writers to do the interview. She’ll be here day-after-tomorrow.”

Will turned toward the door to his father’s office. “I feel the flu coming on,” he groused. “I may have to call in sick.”

“You might be a grown man, but I’m sure your mother would love to have you home all day long,” his dad quickly pointed out, a grin lighting his face. “She can stuff you with chicken noodle soup and fuss over you to her heart’s content.”

“You can be downright mean when you want to be, Pops” Will said, chuckling. “No doubt, you’d suggest she read to me too.”

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AUTHOR BIO – NANCY FRASER:

NANCY FRASER—Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.

Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

Nancy has published over forty books in full-length, novella, and short format. When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

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CONNECT WITH NANCY FRASER:

Website:

http://www.nancyfraser.ca

Newsletter:

http://eepurl.com/bxkKvD

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3gC68iMStwKCr4v_S6fMIA

BookBub Author Page:

http://bookbub.com/profile/nancy-fraser

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/making-christmas-a-dickens-holiday-romance-prequel-by-nancy-fraser

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57984424-making-christmas

Amazon Author Page:

http://amzn.to/2twAFAA

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FUN JIGSAW PUZZLE – MAKING CHRISTMAS BY NANCY FRASER:

Nancy Fraser has created a fun jigsaw puzzle for her readers to play!!!

Check it out here:

https://bit.ly/33wkGqI

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MY BOOK REVIEW – MAKING CHRISTMAS BY NANCY FRASER:

Last year I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Nancy’s “Millie’s Awesome Holiday Miracle,” part of the exciting book box set, “Christmas Comes to Dickens.” I absolutely LOVED it so when I heard that Nancy was releasing a prequel to her original story, I knew I had to read it!!

I have to be honest though, I am not always a huge fan of prequels, as sometimes I feel things don’t always line up with book one. This is soooo not the case here. Nancy always writes with such exciting and intriguing storytelling skills that is it no surprise she also made sure to carefully watch the details and account for all the little things.

Although a short story, it is cleverly crafted with proper story line flow and precision plot point execution.

As always, I loved the characters!!! Nancy creates such strong, powerful, inspiring, compassionate, and realistic characters!!! And even though as I mentioned this is a short story, there was plenty of time to get to know these characters, develop a connection with them, and enjoy watching their story unfold.

As I also mentioned I had read the first book, so it was wonderful to see some returning characters (Mr. Bob lol!!) and to get to know others better. As book one focuses on Rick, Cass, and Millie, this prequel focuses on Rick’s father, William. This book is the sweet, romantic, love story between Will and Cat and the background of the family toy business, Wil-Bar Toys.

Since this book takes place during the 1980s it was definitely a transport in time – 40 years ago!!! I wasn’t even born until 1988 and have no memories of the 80’s except what I’ve seen on TV/Movies and the stories I’ve heard from my mom lol!!! But Nancy does her due diligence in her research and fills the book with intriguing but realistic facts, pop culture references, and other particulars that really bring the 1980s culture front and center. Having this is definitely key to writing a successful book from the past, as it can be easy to forget that there was a time when everyone wasn’t walking around with an iPhone lol!!!

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this prequel and would absolutely recommend it!! I think all contemporary romance and holiday book fans will like this book too!! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**

Did you find this review helpful?

If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R2GTX3T438ALTM

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BOOK BLURB – SANTA BABY BY PEGGY JAEGER:

It’s Christmas Eve morning in the tiny New England town of Dickens.

Santa’s arrival is imminent, and a hint of snow is in the air.

Amy Dorrit is just about to open her popular diner for the breakfast rush when she discovers an abandoned baby on her back doorstep.

Amy knows she should call the authorities and turn the infant over to them, but she just can’t. Thoughts of her own abandonment as a baby flood through her and she wants to keep the little one out of the hands of the authorities until the mother – hopefully –returns.

But will the mom come back? And if she doesn’t, what is Amy prepared to do about the baby who has, already, claimed her heart?

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BOOK TRAILER – SANTA BABY BY PEGGY JAEGER:

Check out Peggy’s exciting new book trailer below!!!

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AUTHOR BIO – PEGGY JAEGER:

Peggy Jaeger is a contemporary romance writer who writes Romantic Comedies about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them. If she can make you cry on one page and bring you out of tears rolling with laughter the next, she’s done her job as a writer!

Family and food play huge roles in Peggy’s stories because she believes there is nothing that holds a family structure together like sharing a meal…or two…or ten. Dotted with humor and characters that are as real as they are loving, she brings all topics of daily life into her stories: life, death, sibling rivalry, illness and the desire for everyone to find their own happily ever after. Growing up the only child of divorced parents she longed for sisters, brothers and a family that vowed to stick together no matter what came their way. Through her books, she’s created the families she wanted as that lonely child.

When she’s not writing Peggy is usually painting, crafting, scrapbooking or decoupaging old steamer trunks she finds at rummage stores and garage sales.

As a lifelong diarist, she caught the blogging bug early on, and you can visit her at peggyjaeger.com where she blogs daily about life, writing, and stuff that makes her go "What??!"

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CONNECT WITH PEGGY JAEGER:

Website & Blog:

http://peggyjaeger.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peggy-Jaeger-Author/825914814095072

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/peggyjaeger_author

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDR8RRIlssIyS0FYZWeGqsg

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-jaeger-296ab878

Triberr:

https://triberr.com/tribe/strong-women--loving-men

Authors Database:

https://authorsdb.com/community/15814-peggy-jaeger

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/santa-baby-a-dickens-holiday-prequel-dorrit-s-diner-by-peggy-jaeger

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57957986-santa-baby

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/2QCzQWA

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FUN JIGSAW PUZZLE – SANTA BABY BY PEGGY JAEGER:

Peggy Jaeger has created a fun jigsaw puzzle for her readers to play!!!

Check it out here:

https://bit.ly/2RaZBzj

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MY BOOK REVIEW – SANTA BABY BY PEGGY JAEGER:

Last year, I had the pleasure of checking out the book box set “Christmas Comes to Dickens,” so I was very excited to see that Peggy also released a prequel. I absolutely LOVE this adorable fictitious town and can’t read enough of it!!!

This story follows an abandoned baby that is found outside of the local diner in town. Amy Dorrit, who owns the diner, is getting ready for the morning rush when she finds the sweet but discarded baby on the back doorstep. Amy knows that she should call the police and hand the baby over to the authorities, but when she first set sights on the adorable baby, there was no letting go. Besides, it’s Christmas Eve morning and no baby should be spending this special holiday all alone at the hospital or police station.

I have to admit, I was completely grabbed from the start of this book and could not put it down – nor did I want to!! I couldn’t wait to find out what Amy was going to do and find out who left the baby and why!!! Dickens is such a sweet, charming town, I couldn’t imagine anyone doing so without a really good reason and even then – it was winter – who could do such a thing?! Plus, with so many safe haven laws created for this exact moment, I was very curious to solve this mystery!!

This book is ever so much the adorable, sweet, romantic read that I really enjoyed reading, but there is a bit of mystery and suspense tossed in which just puts it over the top for me!!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**

Did you find this review helpful?

If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R2YQC5MRYV7AJV

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BOOK BUY LINKS & BOOK SALE INFO – MAKING CHRISTMAS BY NANCY FRASER:

**The Making Christmas eBook is on SALE during the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!!**