2022 Christmas In July Reader Blog Tour * Giveaway

Grand Prize: $520 Amazon gift card plus a copy of each author's holiday book.

First Prize: A copy of each author's holiday book.

Happy Christmas in July! Welcome to the first blog in the 2022 Christmas in July Reader Blog Tour & Giveaway, which runs July 15-22, 2022 (contest closes at 8 p.m. Eastern on 7/22). At the bottom of each author’s blog post, you will find the name of a Christmas song. Write them all down and provide all song titles (26 in total) on this Google form. See below for a list with links of all participating authors!

Note: You must grab all the song titles from every author in the 2022 Christmas in July Reader Blog Tour & Giveaway to be eligible to win the grand prize of a $520 Amazon gift card, plus a copy of each participating author's book OR first place prize of a copy of each participating author's book. At the end of this blog post is a link to the next blog, and so on, to the final blog post (26 authors in all).

The above, LOVE AT CHRISTMAS, is my book. This is an anthology of Christmas stories by Anne Greene.

                           LOVE AT CHRISTMAS

 A CHRISTMAS BELLE

 Amanda Jeffrey, mail-order bride, arrives in the Wild West expecting to wed a cowboy. Frank Calloway, Sheriff of Angel Vale needs a mother for the baby left on his doorstep. But can the delicate Southern belle with the disappointed expression accept a Southern man, rather than a cowboy, after another Southern groom jilted her at the altar? And is the delicate southern belle strong enough to handle life in the rugged western boom town?

 A WILLIAMSBURG CHRISTMAS

1955 -Trent jilted Holly. Holly’s a widowed mother raising 8-year-old twin boys by working as a waitress in a famous Colonial Williamsburg Inn. Trent disappeared from her life ten years ago. Now he’s back and wants to marry her. Santa’s matchmakers complicate Holly’s decision by introducing new men into her life.

AVOIDING THE MISTLETOE

1865 -Olivia Rose Baker abandons her dying hometown in Massachusetts to become a mail-order bride in male-dominated Seattle, Washington. Her abusive husband died in the Civil War and left Olivia wary of marriage, so she hopes to take a teaching position rather than become a bride.

 But Stark Macaulay, former Confederate soldier and now Sheriff of Seattle, purchased her ticket and insists she fulfil her contract and marry. Stark is smitten with Olivia. But Olivia hates anything to do with the Confederacy. Fighting demons of his own, Sheriff Stark sees a second chance for love. This widower vows to win the widow or die trying…and almost does.

THE CHOICE

Felicity’s father dies, leaving her stranded at Ft. Laramie, Wyoming, one-third the way to homestead 640 acres in the Oregon Territory. She has money and supplies to continue her journey, but a woman alone cannot claim the free land. So, she advertises for a husband. Ben’s got massive debt and Gold Rush fever and heads to California. But in Ft. Laramie he’s robbed of everything he owns, including his horse. His only recourse is to strike a bargain with Felicity. At the fork in the trail, will he trek to Oregon to help her homestead, or will she accompany him to dig for gold in California? Can these two stubborn people with very different goals make the right choice for them both? 

 Now, it’s time to for my Christmas song title: Holly Jolly Christmas

Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Pam Hillman and her Christmas book, Destination Christmas. You can find it at this link: http://www.pamhillman.com/holidays/christmas-in-july-reader-blog-tour/

 Remember, the 2022 Christmas in July Reader Blog Tour & Giveaway ends July 22 at 8 PM EST!

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS IN JULY READER        GIVEAWAY

Happy Christmas in July! Welcome to the 10th blog in this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway, which runs July 12-23, 2021. 

At the bottom of each author's blog post, you will find the secret words. Write them all down and provide the entire answer on this google form.

Note: You must grab all the secret words from every author in the Christmas in July Reader Giveaway to be eligible to win a $400 Amazon gift card. At the end of this blog post is a link to the next blog, and so on, to the final blog post (18 in all). At each blog spot, the author will also give away copy or copies of their featured Christmas book.

 LOVE AT CHRISTMAS - FOUR DELIGHTFUL CHRISTMAS NOVELLAS IN ONE BOOK

 

A CHRISTMAS BELLE

 Amanda Jeffrey, mail-order bride, arrives in the Wild West expecting to wed a cowboy. Frank Calloway, Sheriff of Angel Vale needs a mother for the baby left on his doorstep. But can the delicate Southern belle with the disappointed expression accept a Southern man, rather than a cowboy, after another Southern groom jilted her at the altar? And is the delicate southern belle strong enough to handle life in the rugged western boom town?

 

A WILLIAMSBURG CHRISTMAS

1955 -Trent jilted Holly. Holly’s a widowed mother raising 8-year-old twin boys by working as a waitress in a famous Colonial Williamsburg Inn. Trent disappeared from her life ten years ago. Now he’s back and wants to marry her. Santa’s matchmakers complicate Holly’s decision by introducing new men into her life.

 

AVOIDING THE MISTLETOE

1865 -Olivia Rose Baker abandons her dying hometown in Massachusetts to become a mail-order bride in male-dominated Seattle, Washington. Her abusive husband died in the Civil War and left Olivia wary of marriage, so she hopes to take a teaching position rather than become a bride.

 

But Stark Macaulay, former Confederate soldier and now Sheriff of Seattle, purchased her ticket and insists she fulfil her contract and marry. Stark is smitten with Olivia. But Olivia hates anything to do with the Confederacy. Fighting demons of his own, Sheriff Stark sees a second chance for love. This widower vows to win the widow or die trying…and almost does.

 

THE CHOICE

Felicity’s father dies, leaving her stranded at Ft. Laramie, Wyoming, one-third the way to homestead 640 acres in the Oregon Territory. She has money and supplies to continue her journey, but a woman alone cannot claim the free land. So, she advertises for a husband. Ben’s got massive debt and Gold Rush fever and heads to California. But in Ft. Laramie he’s robbed of everything he owns, including his horse. His only recourse is to strike a bargain with Felicity. At the fork in the trail, will he trek to Oregon to help her homestead or will she accompany him to dig for gold in California? Can these two stubborn people with very different goals make the right choice for them both?  

AVAILABLE AT:  https://www.amazon.com/Anne-Greene/e/B004ECUWMG

Anne is giving away one print copy and one ebook copy of her fabulous four-novella book.

Now, it's time for the secret words: Care for the ill,

Thank you for visiting! The next author on the tour is Pam Green and her Christmas book, The Old Fool. You can find it at this link: 

 https://pamgreenwrites.com/2021/07/11/christmas-in-july-reader-giveaway/

Remember this July Reader Giveaway will end on July 23 at 8PM EST.

KEARA'S ESCAPE ARRIVED

Add caption

Spinster Orphan Train Available now

I'M SO EXCITED THAT KEARA'S ESCAPE CAME. IT'S SUCH A HAPPY TIME WHEN MY BOOKS ARRIVE IN THE MAIL.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Anne+Greene

 

CAN SCAVENGER HUNT BLOG STOP #11

LINDA KOZAR, I’m so happy to feature you on my blog for this CAN Scavenger Hunt. What book are we featuring today?

WEIGHTY MATTERS, Book 6 in my Until The Fat Ladies Sing cozy mystery collection. 

When a traveling circus comes to Wachita, Texas, bad things begin to happen under the Big Top. Super-sized sleuths, Sue Jan and Lovita take to the tents to track a crazy clown killer, even though Lovita is fixing to give birth in a few short weeks. Then a scary Sasquatch is sighted in the Wachita woods, attracting a TV news reporter, a Bigfoot investigative team, and a reality show film crew. The townsfolk are shaking in their cowboy boots but Sue Jan and Lovita aren’t clowning around. 

What encouraged you to write this story?

I've always been fascinated with circuses and terrified of clowns. So of course, I had to write a mystery involving a circus and a creepy clown. Plus, my characters Sue Jan and Lovita are a hoot. I miss them when I'm not writing about them. It's like we're friends. When you write a series, you really feel like you know your characters. Gosh, maybe that clown isn't so weird. Maybe I am!  

I know our readers will want to know more about you. Please tell us a bit about your family.

I've been married to my sweet husband Michael for 27 years. He works for ExxonMobil. We have two beautiful daughters and a feisty JRT named Gypsy. My oldest daughter Katie is married to Dan, a Baptist pastor. Katie graduated from Baylor with a masters in social work and is employed as a behavioral interventionist in the public school system in Waco. Dan graduated with an undergraduate degree in Business from A&M and received his Masters in Seminary at Baylor. My youngest daughter, Lauren graduated from UNT, did an internship at NBC in LA, then returned to Texas and did an internship at The Richards Group, a Dallas ad agency, and they hired her a few months later in public relations/digital journalism.

I love my family and do not put my writing before them. That said, I do believe in boundaries. If I needed a block of time to write, I expected my family to respect that. Did that always happen? No. But I don't regret closing my laptop and offering my shoulder to a tearful teen or going to the movies with my husband. I love writing and they all know it. So hopefully, you'll be reading a lot more from me in the coming years. I have so many ideas for great stories! 

What are some of the things you like to do for fun?

Oil painting is really relaxing for me. Also painting with acrylics. I really lose myself in the creation. Writing makes you think, but painting is different. You go with the muse of the moment. I like it. However, since we got a Jack Russell Terrier puppy, the word, "relax" isn't part of my daily life much any more. Gypsy is going on ten months now and a bundle of energy and mischief. I haven't been able to paint much. I have enjoyed a bit of crafting though. My oldest daughter Katie and her husband Dan asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I asked them to finish a project for me. Turned out to be the best gift ever! A friend down the street replaced one of her large brass and glass lanterns with a chandelier, so I asked her for the lantern. I decided to make a terrarium out of it and fill it with succulents. They did it for me! And I was overjoyed. Check out the photo of it! 

How many books do you have out now?

Fourteen and counting. I am traditionally and independently published. I write fiction and nonfiction. Everything from devotions and anthologies to cozy mysteries, historical romance, contemporary romance, speculative fiction.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Weighty Matters

Chapter One

Not My Monkeys, Not My Circus 

“Did you hear?” Breathless, my best friend and business partner, Sue Jan Madson, burst through the door of the Crown of Glory Beauty Salon and Boutique. She tipped her head down, hands on her knees, panting. “Lovita, d-did you hear?” Sue Jan looked up, eyes wild with excitement.

“Hear what?” I flicked off the blow dryer, my last nerve standing on end.

Now, normally, I’m supposed to handle the boutique part of the Crown of Glory Beauty Shop and Boutique, with the pretty dresses and shoes and purses and such, but when the need arises, everyone knows I step in to do blowouts, cuts, and color. Even Homecoming and Prom Do’s. And this morning, as usual, the need arose.

Sue Jan messaged that she had some sort of “errand” to do on the way to work, so I wound up doing the whole shebang for her new nitpicky client, Mrs. Barlow.

“The circus is coming to Wachita!” Sue Jan batted the air as if an invisible piñata would dispense goodies.

I sniffed, which rhymes with miffed, which I was. “Is it ‘the’ circus, or ‘a’ circus? There’s more than one circus in the world, you know.”

Sue Jan stuck her tongue out. “Don’t be all uppity with your language smarts, Lovita. ‘A’ circus is coming to town tomorrow! It’s called ‘More Deck Eye’s Circus and Slideshow, and we’re going!” She reached into her purse and pulled out a small bag of boiled peanuts, cracking a few open at lightning speed.

I was about to address her use of the word “Slideshow” instead of “Sideshow” when Sue Jan’s pesky client spoke up.

“A circus?” Mrs. Barlow, a sixtyish, salt-and-peppery-haired woman with a beak where a nose should have been, suddenly perked up.  “What kind of circus would come to this town? The only kind of circus this ‘one-hearse town’ would attract is a flea circus.” She swiped her nose across her sleeve. 

Where can the readers find you on the Internet?

Linda’s Website:  http://www.lindakozar.com 

Along Came A Writer Radio Show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search?q=gate-beautiful 

Babes With A Beatitude Blog: http://www.babeswithabeatitude.blogspot.com

Bookish Desires Blog: http://bookishdesires.blogspot.com 

Cozy Mystery Magazine Blog: http://cozymysterymagazine.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindaKozar 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.kozar 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lindakozar/boards/ 

Linked-in: http://tinyurl.com/m8vspxu 

I’m so glad to have read your funny, quirky first page of your latest book, Weighty Matters. That little taste certainly makes me want to read more! And it was so enjoyable getting to know you a little. Thank you so much for visiting on my blog. For new visitors, my bio and latest book is below. Be sure to look for the SECRET PHRASE.

LEAVE A COMMENT TO WIN EITHER A COPY OF ANGEL WITH STEEL WINGS FEATURED ON THE PREVIOUS BLOG OR A COPY OF RED IS FOR ROOKIE. THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS, EACH ONE WILL RECEIVE THEIR CHOICE OF ONE OF MY TWO NEW RELEASES.

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about alpha heroes who aren’t afraid to fall on their knees in prayer, and about gutsy heroines. Her Women of Courage Series spotlights heroic women of World War II, with the first book Angel With Steel Wings available. Enjoy her private investigating series, Handcuffed In Texas by reading the first book, Holly Garden, PI, Red is for Rookie. Visit Anne at AnneGreeneAuthor.com.

Phrase: about books to  

Anne’s latest book, Red Is For Rookie highlights Private Investigator Holly Garden. PI’s don’t usually track kidnappers, but Matt is Holly’s lifelong friend. During the race to save him, Holly discovers Matt’s in love with her. Her mother’s convinced Holly will end up dead, so she hires a bodyguard to protect Holly. She needs Stryker’s expertise and help, but risks her heart working with the danger-loving man. With Matt and Stryker turning her life upside down, can Holly make a choice?  

Next Stop on the CAN Scavenger Hunt #12

http://bookishdesires.blogspot.com -  Next stop.

If you’re ready to enter the CAN group Scavenger Hunt contest, click here to send in your entry: http://christianauthorsnetwork.com/newreleases/

SPIES IN HOOP SKIRTS

ANNE GREENE here. For the next several months on the 14^th day, I shall be writing about women spies during the Civil War. I hope you will join me! www.hhhistory.com. There is a book giveaway too.

ANNE GREENE here. For the next several months on the 14^th day, I shall be writing about women spies during the Civil War. I hope you will join me! www.hhhistory.com. There is a book giveaway too.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH ANNE

Hi Friends,
I just wanted to bring you up to date on some recent happenings in my Book World. My other blog used to be named Christian Fiction Historical Society Blog. I share the blog with 29 other excellent Christian writers. We decided to rename our blog Heroes, Heroines and History. You can access the blog on the 14th day of each month for my post at www.HHHistory.com. I hope you will join me and the other writers there. There are many chances to win books.

My latest Scottish historical, MARRIAGE BY ARRANGEMENT, has finalled in a number of  contests.

 

 

 

 

Marriage By Arrangement has also received a number of Five Star Reviews! Here is just one.

 

MASQUERADE MARRIAGE, the first book in the Scottish Marriage Trilogy, also won awards.

 

 

 

If you like mysteries, try mine.

You can purchase these book on http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com. and http://www.amazon.com.

And finally I just signed a contract with Elk Lake Publishing for a World War II Courageous Women series. The first book, ANGEL WITH STEEL WINGS,, about a woman test pilot will release soon.

I also signed a contract with Elk Lake Publishing for a private investigator series. The first book, HOLLY GARDEN, PI, RED IS FOR ROOKIE, will release in 2015.

So much has happened since I last gave you tips on writing. God has blessed and is blessing.

Looks for my next post on  that most important facet of novels, CHARACTERIZATION, next week. A book without compelling characters is an unpublished book. I have excellent suggestions to make your characters jump off the page and into the reader's heart. 

Leave a comment and tell me what's happening in your Book World for a chance to win an autographed copy of MARRIAGE BY ARRANGEMENT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAKE EVERY SCENE COUNT

 

Anne Greene here. If you don’t want your readers to skim parts of your books, use the following template for each scene you write. 

Before you write each scene write a one sentence description of what you want that scene to convey: the purpose of the scene. If the scene has no purpose, delete the scene. 

Define what drives the scene: the conflict. Show the worst thing that could happen to this character at this particular time.  

Define the chapter’s goal. This is a turning point. One or the other of the character’s ends up on top or changes. 

Write a great opening sentence to that scene. This quickly gains your reader’s attention. 

Define what you want to reader to feel. Use each of the five senses to make the reader feel what you want her to feel: Sight, sound, smell, feel, taste. Sight is the easiest. Taste is probably the hardest. But work all these into your scene. These are significant details that bring the reader into experiencing the scene. 

Establish the time, place, and event. Make certain you have action, dialogue and narrative in fairly equal parts. Move the story along. Create tension through complications. 

Make certain your hero/heroine rises to the occasion: has courage. Perhaps the hero/heroine does something uncharacteristic. This shows change and growth. Make sure the change is logical as they grow from one point into the next point. Make certain everything they do is well motivated. Readers believe any action as long as it’s well motivated. What keeps the hero/heroine from just walking away? 

EVEN IN FANTASY, WRITE THE SCENE SO IT IS BELIEVABLE. 

Each scene should end with a hook to keep the reader engaged.  

Do not bore your reader. Anything unnecessary to plot or characterization DELETE. For instance: sermons, excessive naval-gazing, even excessive action. Each word needs a reason for being included in the scene. Do not add anything unnecessary to the scene.

What do you skim in the books you read? Are you like me and simply toss a book that bores you, or do you soldier on until the end? Join my FOLLOWERS and leave a comment for a chance to win an autographed copy of my Scottish Historical Romance, Marriage By Arrangement.  

Last week Debbie Wilder, Renee Blair, Deb Kastner, Kristin Mayfield, Sarah K., and Ladette Kerr all won a copy of Marriage By Arrangment. 

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won three prestigious book awards. The sequel Marriage By Arrangement released November, 2013.  A Texas Christmas Mystery also won awards. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to awesome new worlds and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. She loves to talk with her readers. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.Amazon.com. Talk with Anne on twitter at @TheAnneGreene. View Anne’s books, travel pictures and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.

 

 

CATCH US IF YOU CAN: Spring Scavenger Hunt

Catch Us if You CAN: Spring Scavenger Hunt! STOP #5, Anne Greene’s Blog.

http://www.christianauthorsnetwork.com/      

Here are the CAN Hunt’s official guidelines: 

WELCOME, to the Catch Us if You CAN: Spring Scavenger Hunt! We hope you enjoy meeting Christian Author Network members as you chase clues for the chance to win our grand prize: $200 in gift cards from CBD, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon, plus 29 free books, one from each participating CAN author! 

·     2^nd & 3^rd Prizes: $50 Amazon, B&N, or CBD gift certificate! 

·     This hunt begins at Noon on Friday, 03/21/14 and ends at Midnight on Thursday, 03/27/14. No  hurry as you search for clues—you have almost an entire week! If you need help during the hunt, check in here: http://illuminatingthewordthroughfiction.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-help-page-for-catch-us-if-you-can.html  

·     Enjoy 29 stops, each featuring a different CAN author!

·     Gather clues from each post, beginning at STOP # 1 and ending at Stop #29. Follow the directions and fill out the Rafflecopter form. Be ready to provide the complete clue in sentence form, gathered from all 30 stops, within 2 days of email notification or another winner will be randomly drawn. There is no need to email/submit the clue, unless you are notified by 03/29/13.

Sorry, due to international regulations and postage costs, prizes will be awarded to US Residents only. Individual contests within the hunt may vary, so please read rules presented with each giveaway.

Welcome, Hunters! I'm pleased to introduce Kathy Harris at this stop. Kathy, your website says you took a “divine detour.” What does that mean? Hi, Anne! I think we’ve all taken a “divine detour” in life—probably quite a few of them. My biggest detour was moving to Nashville after college to work in the entertainment business. Since then, I’ve enjoyed a long career in music marketing, but about a dozen years ago I decided to get back to writing, my first creative passion.

Tell me about your Christian fiction debut. The Road to Mercy is a story about forgiveness…and of God’s unprecedented love and mercy for us all. Wouldn’t it be great if we could love and forgive each other—or even ourselves—like that?

 

I understand you’ve also been published in a few non-fiction anthologies. I have. Building a fiction career is a long, but interesting journey. Along the way, I’ve been honored to contribute to several non-fiction books, including Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Thanks, Mom, Tyndale House’s The One Year Life Verse Devotional, and Thomas Nelson’s All My Bad Habits I Learned from Grandpa.

Want to know more about Kathy? She would love for you to friend her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KathyHarrisAuthor or follow her on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/divinedetour. And you can read more about The Road to Mercy at www.kathyharrisbooks.com.

Thank you, Kathy! CAN hunter, are you ready to continue?

THE SCAVENGER HUNT CAN-DOs: 

Before you go, write down this STOP #5 clue: Authors 

WAIT! Check out this giveaway! Make a comment and leave your email at the next stop and Kathy will enter your name into a drawing for an e-book of The Road to Mercy.

 

And don’t forget to leave a comment on this page for three chances to win an autographed copy of Anne Greene’s Scottish historical romance, Marriage By Arrangement. These are additional prizes to the Scavenger Hunt prizes.

BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH TRAFFIC, I'M OFFERING THREE EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN ONE OF THREE EXTRA BOOKS TO ANYONE WHO JOINS THIS BLOG AS A FOLLOWER AFTER FOLLOWER #41. THAT'S SIX EXTRA CHANCES!

 

Now, proceed to stop #6, http://kathyharrisbooks.com/blog/?p=26460/ KATHY HARRIS'S BLOG