Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author
I love having a motivational thought to think about all week long. These inspiring quotes often give me something to ponder, but sometimes make me smile, as this one did.
It’s a toss-up as to which are finally the most exasperating–the dull people who never talk, or the bright people who never listen.
–Sydney J. Harris
I’m still working on being a better listener. How about you? Do you appreciate the talkative types more or the quiet listeners?
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It’s that time of year when the heat can be almost unbearable! Doesn’t curling up with a sweet Christmas romance sound nice? There’s a new site in town, dedicated to helping readers find their perfect sweet and clean romance. Read Sweet Romances is hosting a Christmas in July sale and TWO of my books are just 99 cents for a limited time! Don’t miss out on this sale if you’re in the mood for one of these clean romances right now, or even if you want to hold on to it until December. Be sure to stop by and see what other books are celebrating Christmas in July!
Claire has always dreamed of dancing at the Fielding House Christmas Ball, but she never dreamed she might dance into the arms of a gentleman not of her class.
![Hope for Christmas (Echo Ridge Romance Book 1) by [Christensen, Rachelle J.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/612YvNVVsXL.jpg)
Anika Fletcher hates Christmas–its promises of good tidings and hope for the future are as tinseled as the ornaments on Kenworth’s Hope Tree. Despite her feelings, Anika wants to maintain her daughter’s faith in the magic of the season and gladly accepts a second job working with the handsome Carlos Rodriguez to restore Kenworth’s old fashioned soda fountain. Carlos is no stranger to hard times and slowly shares his life of light and joy with Anika as they work together. Just as her fragile soul begins to feel hope again, an ill-timed act of charity changes everything. Anika isn’t sure who she can trust or if hope is worth nurturing–especially at Christmas when it’s easy to enjoy a kiss and believe love can last longer than the season.
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My fellow author and friend, Tristi Pinkston, shared some great writing tips all about connecting the dots in your book. You can view her full post HERE, but here is a snippet of what she put in her post:
One of the biggest questions I ask my clients when I edit their books is, “Why?” Why did the character pull that face? Why did she react that way? Why did she sigh? Why did she start digging through her purse? Why, why, why?
It might be totally obvious to the author why the character is doing that thing or saying that thing, but if it’s not obvious to the reader, the entire point will be lost. I have come up with a saying to help us all remember this principle, and you may quote me, but it’s so awesome that if you do quote me, be sure to use my name:
If you don’t understand how she feels, you’ll never understand what she does. – Tristi Pinkston
See? Cool, huh? If you don’t understand that your character is angry, you won’t understand why he’s suddenly speaking through his teeth. A quick flash of thought will go a long way there.
It’s all about connecting the dots. You give the reader this plot point and this character and this setting, and then you connect them together to make a complete image. You throw in those clarifying sentences (like, the kid had already locked everything, so he was at peace) and you show why that other character from the other example is angry (her words reminded him of what she’d said the night she left, and all those hurt feelings came rushing back, blinding him). That’s how you create a whole picture, a whole experience for the reader so they can be immersed in your world and want to come back again and again – which is the whole goal. Take a reader and make them a repeat reader, do that over and over again, and you will have a career.
How will you connect the dots in your writing?
Visit Rachelle’s For Writers Page to find more resources HERE
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I have some clean and wholesome romances to share with you today that are as sweet as summer Popsicle kisses! The sweet romance is strong with these billionaire romances and they are great beach or pool reads. I hope you are enjoying your summer and are getting lots of reading time in!
![The Billionaire's Marriage Bargain: (Clean Billionaire Fake Marriage Romance Series Book 1) by [Archer, Melody]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-2J4oJ9jL.jpg)
The Billionaire’s Marriage Bargain by Melody Archer
Billionaire Adam Stevenson, must marry in 30 days to receive his great-grandfather’s inheritance.
The walls around Adam’s heart won’t let him fall in love. Massive fears of another person he loves dying has kept love strictly out of bounds.
With his heart firmly caged in and with no intention of being tied down longer than a year, Adam proposes a marriage in name only to the girl-next-door, Elle Jennings.
Elle is desperate to save her dad’s ranch from foreclosure. She has 3 weeks to do it.
All alone in the world, except for a stepmother and stepsister who dislike her, Elle wants to hold onto the one thing that brings her a sense of belonging… her father’s ranch.
When Adam asks her to be his fake wife, she agrees… with certain conditions.
They agree to strict guidelines: 1) keep this a business arrangement 2) do not fall in love.
It’s only for one year. What could possibly go wrong with a marriage bargain?
![Mending the Billionaire Scotsman: A Clean Scottish Romance Book Two (A MacLachlan Brothers Romance 2) by [Livingston, Bree]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/418lR4SGttL.jpg)
Mending the Billionaire Scotsman by Bree Livingston
Paige Cooper’s twin sister, Penelope, is getting married.
In Scotland.
To a celebrity she’s known all of twelve weeks. Who she met on a dating show. It was supposed to be something fun. Paige never expected Penelope to come home engaged to Angus MacLachlan.
What’s a girl to do when she knows it’s the biggest mistake of her sister’s life? Fly to Scotland and talk some sense in her. Only, her sister isn’t budging…and Rory, Angus’s brother, is hitting every hot button Paige possesses. But her last boyfriend stole her heart and then drained her bank account, leaving her at the altar, broken and done with love. Rory, though, has a great smile and an accent that gives her goosebumps. Only, she’s in Scotland to stop a wedding, not get friendly with the enemy’s brother.
Pick up Angus’s future sister-in-law. No big deal, Rory can do that. But when he see the honey-blonde, green-eyed lass at the airport, it’s instant trouble. He lost the love of his life—the woman he’d planned his future with—and love isn’t in the cards for him. Or is it? She’s cute, feisty, funny, and every moment spent with her makes him realize how lonely life’s been these last few years.
Paige isn’t staying in Scotland. Rory’s not moving to the states.
Twelve weeks.
Two broken people.
One wedding.
Is there enough time for them to find what they’ve been missing?
![Billionaires Find Love Box Set: Second Chances and Secrets Sweet Romances by [Marlowe, Gigi]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51cmLplKVDL.jpg)
Billionaires Find Love Boxed Set by Gigi Marlowe
Each stand-alone story has it’s own happily ever after. You’ll encounter twists and turns with a bevy of second chances, a love triangle, a secret baby, best friends to lovers, opposites attract, and soulmates find each other tropes.
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Today I’m sharing my book review of a beautiful work of art and history blended together in the book, FOLLOW ME TO ZION by Andrew D. Olsen and Jolene S. Allphin with gorgeous paintings by Julie Rogers. If you appreciate the history of the pioneers, you’ll enjoy this non-fiction book with stories specific to the trek that Mormon immigrants made on their way to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1856.
The presentation of this book is incredible. I love the layout and the many pages of artwork included that bring the stories to life. I’m forever grateful for the sacrifices that my ancestors made to create this beautiful valley where I once lived.
Here’s more about the book:
James G. Willie knew the trek would be arduous when he left Iowa City in July 1856, leading 500 handcart pioneers on a 1,300-mile journey across the plains.
But he could not have known that his people would run out of food while still hundreds of miles from Salt Lake City nor that the winter of 1856 would begin in the middle of October with prolonged, severe storms. Sixty-nine members of his company would die along the way.
Yet from this tragedy emerged triumphant stories of personal endurance, courage, heroism, and unwavering faith.
Follow Me to Zion recounts 20 compelling stories of members of the Willie handcart company and their rescuers.
Dozens of full-color images by artist Julie Rogers enrich this keepsake volume, which pays tribute to the men, women, and children who have become enduring witnesses of the power of faith and sacrifice.
Here you will find excerpts from their own accounts of the journey, learn what those faithful pioneers did after reaching the Salt Lake Valley, and read reflections on their lives by descendants.
The simple words “Follow Me to Zion,” cross-stitched onto small pieces of fabric kept in the journal of a handcart pioneer, are an invitation that still calls to us today.
The stories and paintings in this beautiful volume can inspire us to live true to our faith and reach out to help others do likewise.
Other books you may enjoy:
Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.
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I overhead this inspirational quote at church. I’m not sure that’s what it was meant to be, but it really drove the point home of the power of one and it sure gave me a good laugh. What motivational quotes have you accidentally come up with?
“If you’ve ever underestimated the power of one, then you’ve never slept in a room with a mosquito.”
–Jolene Miller quoting unknown
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