Trolls, Dragons, and Draug… Oh My!

Today you are in for a treat! I am super excited to have Lou Anders on the blog discussing his book Frostborn. I heard him speak about his book several weeks ago, and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. The story didn't disappoint. First, check out what Frosborn about.

About the book:
Meet Karn. He is destined to take over the family farm in Norrøngard. His only problem? He’d rather be playing the board game Thrones and Bones.

Enter Thianna. Half human, half frost giantess. She’s too tall to blend in with other humans but too short to be taken seriously as a giant.

When family intrigues force Karn and Thianna to flee into the wilderness, they have to keep their sense of humor and their wits about them. But survival can be challenging when you’re being chased by a 1,500-year-old dragon, Helltoppr the undead warrior and his undead minions, an evil uncle, wyverns, and an assortment of trolls and giants

Website   Twitter   Facebook   Goodreads   Thrones & Bones Knattleikr game

Amazon    Barnes & Noble
 

Lou Anders guest post:
Now, check out Lou talking about the different elements he incorporated in Frostborn. Without any further delay, here's Lou!

My novel Frostborn, which goes on sale in paperback today, takes place on an imaginary world, in a country called Norrøngard. It’s not a historical place, of course, though I modeled it heavily on Norway and the Norse culture. I believe strongly that credibility in fantasy comes from getting the small details right. Your readers will buy into a talking dragon as long as they believe that you got the exchange rate correct for arctic fox pelts and goat cheese. That’s why you won’t find any horned helmets in Frostborn. This may shock you, but the Vikings never actually wore horns on their head!

That’s correct—not a single horned helmet has ever been found in an archaeological excavation. Horned helmets were just an embellishment added by Scandinavian artists centuries after the fact, a misperception still perpetuated today. With apologies to Skyrim, How to Train Your Dragon, and the new female Thor (all of which are awesome), wearing handles on your face when going into battle is a really bad idea. In fact, as I’m fond of telling students during school visits, horns on helmets are as bad an idea as capes on superheroes (and we’ve all seen how that played out in The Incredibles, haven’t we?) That’s just one example of how I tried to be accurate to the history in crafting my fantasy.

The other place where I’ve tried to be accurate is in the portrayal of the supernatural. That may sound wonky— the idea of believably rendering the impossible. But I wanted to stay close to Scandinavian mythology. It’s a pet peeve of mine, in fantasy books and particularly in role playing games, when someone mixes up their monsters. I don’t want to go delving into a dark dungeon only to find a mummy in one room and a frost dragon in the next! In crafting the entire continent of Katernia, of which Norrøngard is just the westernmost corner, I’ve tried to make the monsters as regional as real world animals. So you won’t find gargoyles outside of Escoraine or Tatzelwurms beyond Nelenia. The sphinx of Neteru have wings. The sphinx of Thica do not. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

For Frostborn, this commitment to “monster realism” meant that we have trolls in Norrøngard, the quintessential Norwegian monster. We also have linnorms, the Norse equivalent of dragons (just as fierce but a little more serpentine that the traditional European variety). And we have draug (the “au” is pronounced like the sound in sauerkraut). Draug are often called “Viking zombies” but that’s not exactly correct. They are actually undead Norse warriors, buried in mounds below the earth, who like dragons enjoy dwelling amid all their hoarded treasures, and who enjoy messing with any living  person unfortunate enough to walk by their grave. Some can shapeshift, and some can swell to enormous size, but they are all bad news. The draug are some  of the scariest monsters in Norse mythology and writing them in Frostborn was a real joy.

To get all these details of culture and mythology right, I spent a lot of time researching. I studied what the Norse peoples ate, how they paid for what they bought, what their naming conventions were, what their values and prejudices were, how they dressed, how they lived, what their world looked  and felt and smelled like. I watched about twenty hours of a university professor lecturing at a podium on the Vikings, read books (both fiction and nonfiction), combed the internet, watched documentaries, researched sword fighting techniques, consulted experts, and even traveled to Norway on a research trip. All told, I think I’d filled a Scrivener folder with about 65,000 words of notes before I ever started thinking about plot. But this stuff is all tip of the iceberg, things that I have to know to build the story, but which only needs to bleed into the narrative in bits and bobs. It’s homework, basically, but if I’ve done my homework right, then it adds texture to a book that is fun and fast paced, at times humorous and at times scary, and at all times believable. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of pleasure, and as the Vikings (and thus the Norrønir) say, “No lamb for the lazy wolf.”

About author Lou Anders:

Lou Anders drew on a recent visit to Norway along with his adventures traveling across Europe in his teens and twenties to write Frostborn and Nightborn, combining those experiences with his love of globe-trotting adventure fiction and games (both tabletop and role- playing) However, he has yet to ride a wyvern. With the addition of characters Desstra and Tanthal, Anders hopes that his second book in the Thrones and Bones series will continue to appeal to boys and girls equally.

Anders is the recipient of a Hugo Award for editing and a Chesley Award for art direction. He has published over five hundred articles and stories on science fiction and fantasy television and literature. A prolific speaker, Anders regularly attends writing conventions around the country. He and his family reside in Birmingham, Alabama.

You can visit Anders online at louanders.com and ThronesandBones.com, on Facebook, on Tumblr, and on Twitter at @ThronesandBones and @LouAnders.

Find Lou   Website   Tumblr   Twitter   Pinterest   Instagram   Goodreads 

Tripp (The Life series #2) release day excerpt and giveaway!

Welcome to the release event for Tripp by Kristen Kehoe, a companion novel to Life Interrupted. Scroll down to check out some teasers as well as enter a giveaway of a necklace from Stella & Dot.  Tripp is a Mature Young Adult Contemporary Novel and is now available for sale!

About the book:
Because there are two sides to every story…

I’ve never been the guy who shied away from taking the ball. I’m an athlete; I thrive on the court, and I thrive in life because I don’t shy away from taking chances.

Except that one time.

Except with Rachel.

I fell in love with my best friend when we were ten, and she almost put her fist in my face when I tried to defend her against a fifth grade bully. I didn’t tell her that day that I loved her, or any of the ones following, because she had proved she didn’t need me, and even at a young age, I knew the opposite was true for me.

I needed Rachel with every breath I took, and it scared the ever-loving crap out of me.

Being the mature young man I am (cough), I tried to ignore it. I dated someone else; I stayed Rachel’s friend and watched her from afar because when you love someone who has the potential to break you into a million unrecoverable pieces, that’s what you do.  You watch from afar and you never reveal your true feelings because it’s safer to hide them than to admit them.

Until it’s not. Until the day you take a step forward and alter both of your worlds completely, only to discover that you’ll never, ever be over her.

This is my story – my story of Rachel and everything I did and didn’t do, everything I said and forgot to say, and everything I felt before and after we made our biggest mistake and walked away from each other.

She told her side – now it’s my turn. I’m including our past, holding nothing back from her ever again, so she better be ready for me.

Mature Young Adult

 ***This is the companion novel to LIFE INTERRUPTED (The Life series Book 1) released January 2014. It can be read as a standalone, as it is different from Rachel’s story.

Goodreads   Amazon

Excerpt:
“Tripp,” Stacy says. I snap to the present. “Are you ready?”

I wipe my palms on my jeans and nod. “What do you need?”

Following Stacy’s instructions, I walk down the hall into Rachel’s room. The light is on; I can see the small form under the blankets before I peel them away and scoop my arms under her even though she protests. I want her to fight, even prepare myself for it, but right away I see what Stacy’s talking about. There’s nothing inside of Rachel—even as she attempts to thrash in my arms, I barely have to tighten my hold on her while I carry her to the bathroom. The girl who has so often put me on my ass from one punch has no muscle, and worse, she has no spirit.

Nothing about the girl in my arms right now is the Rachel I’ve always known. The lack of fight worries me more than the lack of weight.

Stacy’s already pushed the shower curtain back. I put Rachel inside, ignoring her half-hearted protests as I turn the water on cold and high. When she screams—the real-deal scream full of terror and anger—the vise on my chest loosens a little and I’m so grateful I could break down and weep. My hands are full because she’s putting much more effort into fighting me than she was a second ago. I forget about how cold the water is on my skin, or the fact that she looks like a ghost with dark circles under her eyes and a pasty pallor to her normally warm skin, and I talk to her while I hold her there.

“That’s right, Rachel, fight me. You fight me and you come back. Do you hear me? We need you, Rachel. We need you to fight.” She screams more, shoving at me with her hands, but I don’t budge. I encourage her as I see the color start to slowly seep into her cheeks. “Come on, baby, come back to us. Come back to me.”

I whisper the last part. I don’t know if it was the words or the fact that she’s finally opened up enough to feel the weight of it all, but she breaks—the dam cracking and flooding. Instead of being angry, she’s devastated.

My heart cracks and my lungs seize; she falls into a sobbing heap. I turn the water off and start to lift her into my lap. Whatever I promised her sister, I can’t do it; I can’t watch her break like this.

Don't miss out on Life Interrupted (The Life series #1), available now for only .99 cents for a limited time!

Goodreads   Amazon 

About author Kristen Kehoe:

I am a writer of YA/NA contemporary novels. I write about those crazy ages of 18-23 because there is nothing scarier than being told to grow up and decide what to do with your life and who to be so suddenly. I write about love because it’s my belief that love, in one form or another, saves us all at some point in our lives. I am married to a man who understands and believes in me, and mother to a beautiful baby girl and a neurotic Great Dane Puppy.

Find Kristen:  Website   Facebook   Twitter

Giveaway:

Enter to win a necklace from Stella & Dot. Open to US addresses only. Ends May 6

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Chronicles from Chateau Moines review & giveaway

About the book:
September 1970: Scott’s mother has recently died and his father gets the crazy idea to move his family from California to Normandy. Now Scott has to learn to live without his mom while adjusting to France. In his seventh grade class there is only Ibrahim who comes from another country. Scott doesn’t even want to play his guitar anymore. Why does his father think that life will be better so far from home?

Scott has no idea that his arrival is also a challenge to Sylvie. While her best friend is excited to have an American boy at school, Sylvie cannot say one word to Scott. She can’t even write good songs in her notebook anymore. Why is life so different since Scott moved to Château Moines?

Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War protest era and told from the perspectives of twelve-year old Scott and Sylvie, this is a story about loss and friendship, music and peace, and also about secrets.

Although this is a work of fiction, the cultural, social, and historical background of the early 1970s in France and the United States inspired the writing. At the end of the book the reader will find a list of the songs, the names of singers, and bands mentioned through the novel as well as some elements about fashion, immigration in France, the Vietnam War, and other cultural, social, and historical facts relevant to the period of time.

Review:
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Looking for a good book for a middle grade student?  Try Chronicles from Chateau Moines. There isn't any foul language or inappropriate situations, only an innocent kiss at the end. It blends cultures together with anti-war and anti-racism themes. Even when there is conflict within the book, the characters aim to restore the peace.

After the death of his mother, Scott Sweet moves to Chateau Moines, France with his sister and father. While there he makes new friends and together they plan a protest for the Vietnam War. Sylvie, on the other hand, has to chose between her friend who likes Scott, or Scott himself. Since it is told through her point of view as well, of course she has to choose the new American boy.

Sylvie is my least favorite character in the book. She was very moody for more than half of the book. She kept fighting her crush of Scott because her friend said she liked him first. When she ditched her friend to meet with Scott, I thought she'd loosen up and become less of a stick in the mud. That didn't happen. Even when around Scott, she doesn't try to get very close to him. At times the reminder of him puts her in a bad mood around her friends and family. The only way she opens up about her feelings is through her writing. Throughout the book, readers see the poems/lyrics she writes.

Scott, on the other hand, is a bit strong willed--after all he won't wear socks until the war is over. He isn't as moody as Sylvie. He is the peacekeeper in the book. He befriends an Arabian boy, Ibrahim, and tries to be friends with Sylvie--if she will let him. Yes, Scott makes a false assumption in the book, but when he learns the truth, he quickly forgets the grudge he had against a certain adult character. He is a good leader.

In the end, the book closes with no loose ends. There is a nice twist that interconnects all of the characters. Astute readers will be able to figure out what this revelation is about half way through the book. It makes for a very happy ending.

Since the setting is in France, author Evelyne Holingue incorporates some French language in the book. Most of the French words/phrases are translated. Those that aren't can easily be deciphered with the context clues. This is one aspect of the book I really enjoyed her including. I'm glad the language wasn't all in English.

The story is told over the course of a school year in 1970-1971. Historical events are brought up in the book.  Holingue also incorporates music all throughout. Since Scott plays guitar and Sylvie sings, music from the era is cited. Holingue lists the songs at the end of the book along with the album and year published. You'll definitely want to check it out, but for fun reference, the songs she lists are:

Surfin USA- Beach Boys
Mrs. Robinson- Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
L'Amerique- Joe Dassin
Let it be- the Beatles
The 59th Street Bridge Song- Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
Try just a Little Bit Harder- Janis Joplin
25 or 6 to 4- Chicago
I am a Rock- Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
We Can Work it Out- the Beatles
Gimme Shelter- Rolling Stones
Black Magic Woman- Santana
Bridge Over Troubled Water- Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream- John Denver
Blowin' in the Wind- Bob Dylan
Stop the War Now!- Edwin Starr
Your Song- Elton John


About author Evelyne Holingue:

I was born and raised in Normandy, France, where I spent most of my childhood reading.

My first published piece of writing was a poem about a man spending Christmas behind bars. I was eleven years old and wasn’t paid for my work, but I was hooked.

I studied French Literature at the Université de Caen and at the Sorbonne in Paris and worked in a publishing house before moving to California, following my husband.

It was a challenging time in my life as I was leaving my own career, my family, my friends and my beloved Paris behind. But how could I say no to the dreams of the man I love?

Readers enjoy escaping the familiar for the unknown. Being a foreigner is discovering the unknown day after day, not only for the time of a book. However, since most things in life come with a silver lining, I credit this move for giving me the opportunity to write. Through my words, I share my affection for my native and adoptive countries that I love equally.

www.evelyneholingue.com

Giveaway:
Enter to win a copy of Chateau Moines for kindle.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Garden cover reveal

I'm excited to help reveal the cover for Garden by Jane Yates! Garden is a middle grade steampunk that releases in February 2015 by Autumn Orchard. Check out the book info and book trailer!

About the book:
Inspired by the classic novel The Secret Garden, Jane Yates introduces us to a steampunk world of bio-domes, robots and mysteries. Eleven-year-old Aberdeen is so used to being by herself that all she has to fill her thoughts are stories of mighty dragons and grand castles. Aberdeen’s world is soon thrown into disarray however; her parents murdered.

Having no choice, Aberdeen is sent to live with her uncle back on Earth where her fascination into her new surroundings begin to take hold. Untrusting of new people at first, it isn’t long before Aberdeen comes across three other children, and taking a risk, befriends them as she tries to adjust to her new home. And yet, along with Maisy, Peter and Lenard, Aberdeen comes across a riddle – a set of clues to reveal the hiding place of a lost manuscript. A manuscript that forces more questions than answers.

Oh, and there’s Frank too, Peter’s robot dog, who completes this special circle of friendship.

Garden is a journey of self-discovery, of trials and friendship. With adventure boundless, Jane Yates follows up her acclaimed Paradox Child trilogy with a new tale for young fans of steampunk and science fiction.

Amazon preorder   Goodreads

Book Trailer:

About author Jane Yates:
Jane lives in the historic city of Oxford, England with her two spaniels. She works at the Pitt Rivers

museum there too and is amazed and inspired by its wondrous array of objects. Being a museum of anthropology and world archaeology, Jane often finds herself influenced by its exhibitions. And indeed it has helped Jane write a trilogy for children – the Paradox Child series.

Jane is not only a mother, artist and storyteller, but dyslexic too, which only highlights her success even more. Jane refuses to allow the disorder to halt her dreams and continues to enjoy her favourite hobbies. Jane is a lover of steampunk, adventure and children’s stories, which often play a huge role in her own books.

Find Jane: Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Silent Echo cover reveal

Today we're excited to reveal the cover for Silent Echo by Elisa Freilich!

About the book:

Rendered mute at birth, Portia Griffin has been silent for 16 years. Music is her constant companion, along with Felix, her deaf best friend who couldn t care less whether or not she can speak. If only he were as nonchalant about her newfound interest in the musically gifted Max Hunter.

But Portia s silence is about to be broken with the abrupt discovery of her voice, unparalleled in its purity and the power it affords to control those around her. Able to persuade, seduce and destroy using only her voice, Portia embarks on a search for answers about who she really is, and what she is destined to do.

 

Add it on Goodreads!

Available for sale:   Amazon ebook & paperback

B&N ebook & paperback   iTunes  Kobo   Audible Audiobook

 

About author Elisa Freilich:

Elisa Freilich has enjoyed a love affair with language from her earliest days. Raised in rural Monsey, New York, Elisa spent her days reading whatever crossed her path and developed a keen appreciation for the ever-present music in her home – from classical to rock. French lessons and creative writing workshops complemented her adolescence, which was also greatly enhanced by a summer spent abroad at Cambridge University. From the time she could read and write, Elisa could often be found composing poems, song lyrics and satirical newspapers.

Throughout the years, Elisa has retained her devotion to all genres of books and music and was determined to synthesize her passions into one refreshing and original platform. The result is her debut novel, SILENT ECHO: A Siren’s Tale, which will be published by Diversion Books in September 2013. With her own lyrical style, Elisa has created a world that young adults around the globe will find intensely gripping and refreshingly original. 

Find Elisa:   Website   Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads

 

Giveaway:

Enter to win an awesome paper lashes like the ones on the cover, signed poster of the cover, and an ebook of Silent Echo

 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Death, and the Girl he Loves (Darklight #3)

By Darynda Jones

About the book:
The fate of the world is not something a girl wants on her shoulders, and that is especially true for Lorelei McAlister. Unfortunately for her, that is exactly where the world’s fate has decided to take up residence. Lorelei has seen firsthand the horrors that lie beneath our everyday world. And those horrors are getting her friends killed. Because of this, she agrees to leave the sanctity of her hometown and is sent to a different world entirely. A boarding school. But even here she is being watched. Someone knows what she is. What she carries inside her soul. And on top of that she’s seeing visions. This is nothing new for Lorelei. But these visions are something more: death, destruction, and the end of the world. Lorelei must face the fact that there are people who want her dead, and no matter where she goes, no matter how far she runs, the lives of her friends and family are in mortal peril. Lucky for her, her friends and family include the handsome Angel of Death, a fiercely protective half-angel, and a ragtag group of loyal supporters who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty in the name of fighting pure evil.

Review
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the first books in the series, of course I jumped at the chance to be part of the third book's blog tour. (You can see my review of book two, Death, Doom and Detention here.) Darynda Jones keeps all of the wonderful elements that the second book has, plus adds more. Death and the Girl he Loves is definitely my favorite book of the series.

Lorelei has had an eventful and a complicated life--especially in the past few months. Can you jump in and read the third book first (or by itself)? Yes, but I really don't recommend it.  The first two books of the series set the story up and add lots of drama. This third book is basically do or die time. Darynda does a good job of filling in the important details of what has happened in the previous book and she catches readers up, but there is just so much extra info that you miss if you skip to the third book.

The story was rolling along smoothly (or as smoothly as can be with Lorelei trying not to be killed while also trying to unravel the prophecy). Then, about 2/3 of the way through, the story completely flips and changes direction. Like it literally flipped. I thought I was at the climax (and I was), but Darynda was sneaky. You never see the actual entire war, but the aftermath of it (sort of). Characters who were supposed to be dead weren't dead anymore. Main characters barely knew who Lorelei was. It will have readers scratching their heads as they and Lorelei learn what is going on. I definitely have to say that these few chapters were my favorite as I tried to guess what was actually going on.

Reader are told that Lorelei will stop the war before it starts (oooh, how possibly cryptic does that seem?). Throughout the series, I've tried to guess how Lorelei will accomplish this. There has to be a logical way, right? I'm pretty good about guessing plots, but Darynda got the best of me. The solution is/was very logical.  All the clues where there and some readers will figure it out. I wasn't one of them this time and I loved it!

I have to be honest. I have a love/hate relationship with the ending. It ended so good, but I want more.  I want an epilogue or something. And the last page of the book will have you dying to figure out more about what will happen.

Fans of the paranormal genre (both adult and teen) should definitely give this series a try. It has an original story line, plenty of action scenes and a touch of romance.

***SPOILERS***
There were some questions that Darynda left unanswered.
What about Malak Tuk?  Really.  You can't end it like that!!
What really did happen between Cameron and Glitch?
Did Tabitha get her justice regarding the guy?
What about Jared and Loreli? How did her family/friends take the news?


About author Darynda Jones:

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

Find Darynda:   Website   Facebook   Twitter

Giveaway (Open Internationally):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Searching for Tomorrow Cover Reveal

Add to your Goodreads shelf!

About Searching for Tomorrow:

What happens when you find the one person who completes you, and then life conspires against you? How do you set your grief and anguish aside? How do you pick up the shattered pieces, put those pieces back together again, and try to move on?

Katie and Tripp met on the playground the first day of third grade when Tripp tried to rescue Katie from Zack, her twin brother. A lifelong friendship that later blossomed into love began that day.

Broken beyond her own ability to repair, Katie boxes her grief up and attempts to raise her three girls the best she can on her own. As time slowly passes, Katie relives her
times with Tripp while struggling most days to even get out of bed. She is reminded of him at every turn.

Zack is Katie's twin brother and was Tripp's best friend. Having lost his own love, he dedicates himself to helping Katie put her life back together. Throw in a mother-in-law who torments at every turn and poor Katie can't even find a chance to breathe, much less a desire to somehow search for tomorrow. 

Author Interview:

Tell us 5 surprising things about yourself.
1.    I am a PK. If you know what that means, then you know what that means.
2.    I have always wanted to be a red head with long, beautiful corkscrew curls.
3.    No matter what I’m doing, I would rather be outside, day or night, hot or cold, rain or shine.
4.    I was awarded two separate scholarships when I graduated high school. One was a teaching fellowship and the other was for writing.
5.    I love to cook, almost as much as I like to eat. I spent a couple of years as a private cook for a local family and loved every minute of it

What is your writing environment?

At the moment, I have a makeshift office in my pantry! If need be, I can shut the door and cut off part of the noise. I hope to have a more permanent space soon.

One of your favorite quotes.

To whom much is given, much is required.          

Flirting Questions

What does love feel like? 

Warm, fuzzy, secure, safe, sheltered

How did you meet your significant other? 

In the lobby of the bank that I worked in. I was on all fours under a Christmas tree tightening the screws in the base. What can I say? Baby got back!

If you could take a romantic trip, where would it be? 

Any trip I take with Hubs is romantic. One of his favorite things to do is to whisk
me away to wine and dine me.

Do you believe in love at first sight? 

Absolutely! Ask me how I feel about my grandson Grayson!

About Author Katie Mac:

If you are reading this, I think you should know that "About me" sounds so very pretentious to me. I guess that is what I am supposed to write about, so here it goes!

Katie Mac is a simple country girl who likes to spend time with her hubba, hunka hubby, her three kids and her friends. She loves to cook and really loves to eat! During the spring and summer, you will more than likely find her outside puttering around in her garden. When the veggies start coming in, she will probably be sweating over a hot canner in the kitchen, canning all the goodies she is blessed with. Katie likes to hike and go camping, and as a Girl Scout leader, she gets to do this pretty often! On cold winter nights, you will probably find her wrapped in a warm blanket, lost in a good book, while sitting in her rocking chair on the front porch!

Katie was born and raised in North Carolina, and while she loves to travel, she can't imagine ever leaving the mountains that she has come to call home. Not a day goes by that Katie doesn't thank God for abundantly blessing her. He has been so good to her, and she is very grateful. She holds Jeremiah 29:11 very close to her heart and believes it with every fiber of her being. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Katie loves flip flops, chocolate, sweet tea and dirt between her toes. As far back as she can remember, she's had a book in her hand. Reading has carried her to places she will never go. It has introduced her to people that she will never meet. When life is great and when it is rough, she's always been able to find a book to carry her through. She finally decided to write down some of the stories in her head (yes, be scared) and heart after dawdling around and wasting years dreaming. She hopes you enjoy reading those stories as much as she loves writing them!

 

Author Links

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

Enter to Win!