Blog Archives

Winners Page

2/28/2013

Hi Everyone!
This is to let you know that I have added Winners page. I wanted to make things a little clearer for people checking to see if they have won. The new page is located in a drop-down under the Tale Tell Book Reviews button on top of the page. To access the new page just put your mouse over the Tell Tale Book Reviews button and a little box will drop down saying 'Winners', click it and you will be in the right place. :)

Blessings!
Jasmine <><

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Book Interview - Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall

2/28/2013

21 Comments

The Winner of the bead Bookmark inspired by Forsaken Dreams is...
Chaplain Debbie Mitchell
Entry #56

This is the first in the MaryLu Tyndall series of short interviews that I will be posting over the next year or so. Each post will feature 5 questions and bonus question specific to each of Historical Fiction author MaryLu Tyndall's books.

March 1st of the release date for her latest novel, Forsaken Dreams. In honor of that release I am giving away a metal bookmark featuring an Ocean/Blue/Water theme, look at the book cover and you will see why I chose this theme :)

Forsaken Dreams
book 1 in the Escape To Paradise series

#1. What was the inspiration for Forsaken Dreams?
Several things inspired this series. First the history is so fascinating. I never knew that so many (tens of thousands) Southerners fled the South after the Civil War for greener pastures. Many went to Mexico, some out west, but several thousand went to Brazil. Their descendants still celebrate there today. Secondly I'm a big fan of the TV show LOST, in particular the jungle setting and the spiritual themes that ran through the show. I love the supernatural and I saw an opportunity to write a story about a group of settlers who are in a sense, running away from their problems and from God, but who end up being part of an eternal plan that involves a battle between good and evil. Forsaken Dreams is the account of their voyage to Brazil, during which the reader meets all the characters and discovers their individual reasons for running away. Themes of forgiveness, bitterness, hatred, guilt, rebellion and even Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome are addressed as the colonists face several disasters that threaten their mission and their lives. During the trip, hints are given here and there that something much larger is at stake waiting for them in Brazil, something that originated behind the curtain of the natural world.

#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
Each book is different, but for me, it usually takes between 6-8 months to write each novel. Forsaken Dreams took around 7 months because I had some extra research to do as I was writing it.

#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
First of all, I hope readers find the story fun and fascinating and romantic. I hope it makes them laugh and cry and sit on the edge of their seat. But aside from that, and more importantly, I hope they see that bitterness and anger lead to misery, that God doesn't cause war, that man has free will and creates his own messes, and that you can't run away from the loving arms of your Creator.

#4. What made you choose the specific location(s) for this book?
History! You saw from my answer to question 1 that this story is based on an actual event. Southerners did, indeed, set sail from Charleston, South Carolina and head toward Brazil. In fact some of the things that happen in the story to the colonists actually happened on a real-life voyage to Brazil during that time period.

#5. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
Hmm. I can't think of anything funny, sad, or embarrassing, but I can tell you that weird things have been happening since I started writing this series. These books are like none I've ever written before. Not only are they set in a foreign locale at a time period I'm not familiar with, but the stories will dabble a bit more in the supernatural than any of my other books. I'm talking visions, angels, demons, a Cannibalistic temple, ancient Hebrew scrolls...etc. And the odd thing is, I've never received more opposition on a series than I have this one. From it nearly not being contracted at all, to having difficulty writing it, various discouragements, people in the writing business telling me it would ruin my career, nearly canceling the final book. . .etc. Weird, huh? Makes me wonder if I'm not on the right track, after all. (wink)

Print Length: 322 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books (March 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1616265965
ISBN-13: 978-1616265960

To purchase your own copy use the link below

Forsaken Dreams is also
available for Kindle.

MaryLu Tyndall

Connect with MaryLu online.

Website: http://www.marylutyndall.com
Blog: http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MaryLu-Tyndall-Swashbuckling-Romance/175344859169475
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryLuTyndall
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/mltyndall/

Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I know many of us are going through hard times right now. Whether they be financial, health, employment, relationships, kids, loss of loved ones, God wants you to know He has not forsaken you. He loves you and He is with you. I truly feel Him telling me lately in my quiet times that He is calling His people back to Him. He seeks those who are truly dedicated to serving Him with their whole hearts. As the world grows more evil around us and the end of this age grows near, God longs for His people to know Him personally, in a way they've never known Him before, as a Father who loves them beyond measure.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91: 1-2

It's Giveaway Time!

To enter the giveaway for the Bookmark please use the Rafflecopter below.
Before entering please read the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

21 Comments

Winner!

2/28/2013

0 Comments

And the winner of The Chamomile by Susan F. Craft is...

Johnette Ferguson
Entry #60

Congratulations Johnette! Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog!

Please send your mailing address to me at telltalebookreviews(at)gmail(dot)com, just replace the (at) with an @ and the (dot) with a . and I will get your book to you.

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Repost - Forsaken Dreams - Pre-Release Party Final Day!

2/22/2013

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Forsaken Dreams
by MaryLu Tyndall

Reposted from crossandcutlass.blogspot.com

Friday, February 22, 2013

Forsaken Dreams - Pre-Release Party Final Day!

Welcome to the final day of the Pre-Release party for Forsaken Dreams!!! Every Friday this month I've posted something about the book and chosen a winner from among the comments. This week's winner is: Amanda Stanley (chosen by random.org) Congratulations, Amanda!!

Forsaken Dreams is now available on
Amazon
BarnesAndNoble

If you haven't won yet, don't despair! You have one more chance this week when we play " Guess what the character will say next" ! This is by far my favorite game to play in these parties. It's always fun to see what everyone chooses. Here's how it works. If you've read all the posts this month so far, you should have a pretty good idea of who the main hero and heroine of the story are...their personalities and strengths and weaknesses. Below I took an excerpt from the book wherein Blake and Eliza are having a conversation. At the end I ask you to choose what you think the hero, Blake would say next.

Whether or not you choose the right answer has NO bearing on whether you can win the book. (Don't forget to leave your email in your comment!)*

* (To enter go to http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/2013/02/forsaken-dreams-pre-release-party-final.html)

Okay, here we go. I won't provide an introduction but will let the scene speak for itself.

Swerving around, she knelt before him and placed a tray on the cot. “This will hurt a bit, Colonel. Would you care to bite down on a piece of wood?” “I’ll manage, thank you.” She drew a deep breath and threaded the needle. “How did this happen? Seems an odd thing to occur while hunting for pigs.” “Boar.” Her scent filled his nose, tantalizing his senses. Blake cleared his throat. “I was hacking through the jungle when my blade slipped.” “Hmm.” She slid the needle through his flesh. It felt like she’d set his skin on fire. Blake closed his eyes, listening to the slap of water on the hull, the hammering and shouts from above, the screech of pelicans. Anything to distract him from the searing pain. She must have noticed his discomfort for she uttered a “sorry” that sounded genuine. Yet the pain was nothing compared to the suffering she had already caused him. “Pains of the flesh I can handle,” he muttered. She met his gaze and swallowed before continuing her work. “I never meant to deceive you.”

Blake had never seen such lustrous eyes. “You didn’t even tell me your real name. How can that be unintentional?” She slipped the needle through and tugged on the thread. Her lower lip trembled. “You are right. I should have been truthful.” She continued stitching his wound, but Blake could no longer feel the pain for the agony in his heart. He’d hardened himself to it. “But then you wouldn’t have let me join your venture, would you?” she asked. Lantern light crowned her head and glistened on her moist lips—lips he had almost kissed. He licked his own. “No.” “I had to get away.” She clipped the thread and tied it. Then dipping her fingers into a poultice, she spread it over the stitches. “We all needed to get away.” Blake couldn’t tear his eyes from the way her delicate fingers caressed his skin. “From Yankees.” He sighed. “You betrayed everyone on board.” Good, now the anger returned. She cut a swath of bandage and wrapped it around his leg. “I was born and raised a Southerner just like everyone else on this ship.” She looked up at him. Her breath filled the air between them, her eyes just inches from his face. Blake looked away from the pain he saw in her gaze. He offered a caustic snort. “At least some of your story was true.” “It was all true.” Her eyes narrowed. “Everything I told you about my past. I simply changed the names and omitted one year of my life.” “A year in which you betrayed your country.” She jerked the bandage tight. Blake hid the pain from his face. With a huff, she gathered her tray and stood, turning her back to him. “Doesn’t my service as a war nurse count for anything?” “Ah, so you hoped to make restitution.” She spun around, her skirts knocking a tin cup to the deck with a clank. “No, that’s not why I served.” “Why didn’t you just stay with your husband’s family? I hear the Yanks love Southern traitors.” “They tossed me out, if you must know.” She stooped to pick up the cup, her skirts billowing around her. “Although I wouldn’t have stayed anyway. They hated me for my Southern ties as much as you hate me for my Northern.”

Blake tore his gaze from her, clenching his jaw against his rising sympathy, despite his best efforts to push it down.

She set the cup on the table. “I hope someday you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Setting his injured leg on the deck, Blake rose, ignored the pain, and headed for the door.

Now, choose what you think Blake said as he left the room

A. "You've given me much to consider, Mrs. Crawford. Thanks for tending my wound."
B. "Perhaps someday, Mrs. Crawford, just not yet."
C. “I will never forgive you, Mrs. Crawford. Or any Yankee.”
D. "How can I not forgive you after all God has forgiven me?"

So, which one is it? Leave your guess with your email and I'll draw a name and announce the winner next Friday!

Have a GREAT weekend!!

End of re-post.

Do NOT comment to enter the contest here. Please go to the original post at:
http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/2013/02/forsaken-dreams-pre-release-party-final.html

I am proud to be a member of MaryLu Tyndall's Crew, promoting her work online and in person.

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Book Review + Giveaway - The Chamomile by Susan F. Craft

2/22/2013

18 Comments

Genre:
Historical

The Winner of The Chamomile by Susan F. Craft is...
Johnette Ferguson
Entry #60

In honor of my Birthday I will be holding a book giveaway every week in February.

This is my very first 5 Bark book review!

-From the Back Cover-

Lilyan joins Patriot spies in British-occupied Charlestown, SC, to rescue her brother from a notorious prison ship. She'll lie, steal, kill or be killed she promises Nicholas Xanthakos, a scout with Francis Marion's partisans, who leads the mission. In Nicholas' arms she discovers enduring love... a home. But that home is a long time coming. Her journey requires her to save the life of one British officer but kill another to protect her Cherokee friend Elizabeth. In escaping bounty hunters, she treks miles of wilderness and very nearly loses everything before reuniting with her true love.

Wow! This book was wonderful! I only put it book down when I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

The Chamomile is rich in historical detail but it's not dry and boring. Susan F. Craft knows how to make history come alive for the reader. She inserts facts into the story in such a way that they don't even seem to be facts.

I hadn't really read much about the Revolutionary War in the South, seems like history books and most novels always focus on the northern battles and events, so this book was informative to me as well as entertaining.

Well written, full of danger and adventure but believable. The descriptions were enough to visualize without being overdone. One interesting thing is that, while old fashioned terms and words are used the book does not become bogged down in 'Colonialisms'.

I genuinely liked Lilyan, she started out complying to stay safe but through the book she grew and matured both in bravery and in her faith. I really admired her dedication and determination to save her brother, she was willing to do whatever it took to get him off of the prison ship and afterward.

This book earned a 5 Bark Rating!

Paperback: 252 pages
Publisher: Ingalls Publishing Group, Inc (February 26, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1932158944
ISBN-13: 978-1932158946

Susan F. Craft

This book was provided by the author for the purpose of this review. I received no financial compensation for this review.

If you like to read about the Revolutionary War or just like Historical Fiction The Chamomile is an excellent choice and is well worth your time in reading.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Chamomile a 5 Bark Rating.

Its Giveaway Time!

I have an extra Signed copy of The Chamomile to give to one lucky winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks go to Susan F. Craft for the books!

18 Comments

Book Review - A Promise For Miriam by Vannetta Chapman

2/21/2013

1 Comment

Genre:
Amish

The Winner of A Promise For Miriam is...
Katie Johnson
Entry # 7

A Promise For Miriam
by Vannetta Chapman
The Pebble Creek Amish book 1.

-From the back of the book-

When she thought her future
would never know love...
she saw him.

When he thought his future
would forever be empty...
he saw her.

Amish schoolteacher Miriam King loves her students. At twenty-six, most women are married with children of their own, but she hasn't met anyone yet who can persuade her to give up the Plain school that sits along the banks of Pebble Creek. Then newcomer Gabriel Miller steps into her life, bringing his daughter, and air of mystery, and challenges Miriam has never face before.

At first Gabe wants to be left alone with a past that haunts him, but the loving and warm Wisconsin community he and his daughter have moved to has other plans for him. After a near tragedy, he hesitantly returns offers of help and friendship and discovers he can make a difference to the people of Pebble Creek – and maybe to the Amish schoolteacher.

First off let me say first that this A Promise For Miriam is now my all-time favorite Amish novel. I don't know if it was the likable and real characters, the different location (Wisconsin), the storyline that was a little different than the average Amish story, or what it was...

One thing I like about this book is that Vannetta Chapman shows us that even though the Amish dress alike they are just as individual in personalities as the Englischers. Miriam is outspoken at times and you will love how she tricks her brother, not exactly stereotypical Amish.

I identified much with Miriam, even down to liking the middle cinnamon rolls because they are softest. She became a friend for awhile and I will definitely be coming back to visit her, not only in the next books in the series, but her own book will be re-read with appreciation.

This Book earned a 4 Bark Rating!

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0736946128
ISBN-13: 978-0736946124

Vannetta Chapman

Fiction Full Of Grace

Disclaimer.
This book was won in a giveaway and I am in no way obligated to review this book. I am doing so for my own and your enjoyment.

Gabe is a good man, loves his daughter and simply wants to build a life for them with peace and no prying eyes.
Grace is the most lovable little girl I have read about in ages! She is loving, talented, and smart.

This book is well written, with plenty of family warmth and a dash of romance that isn't saccharine. Once again the little-movie-projector-in-my-head had plenty to work with, the descriptions of Pebble Creek in Wisconsin are lovely and made me wish I could just drive there and spend some time.

A Promise For Miriam is a gentle and very enjoyable trip into the Amish country of Wisconsin.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives A Promise For Miriam 4 Barks.

1 Comment

Winner!

2/21/2013

0 Comments

And the winner of A Promise For Miriam by Vannetta Chapman is...

Katie Johnson
Entry # 7

Congratulations Katie! Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog!

Please send your mailing address to me at telltalebookreviews(at)gmail(dot)com, just replace the (at) with an @ and the (dot) with a . and I will get your info to Vannetta Chapman.

0 Comments

Repost - Forsaken Dreams - Pre-release Party, Week 3!

2/15/2013

0 Comments

Forsaken Dreams
by MaryLu Tyndall

Reposted from crossandcutlass.blogspot.com

Friday, February 15, 2013

Forsaken Dreams Pre-Release Party Week 3!

Welcome to week 3 of my pre-release party for Forsaken Dreams, which will be out in stores on March 1st! In celebration of this grand event, EVERY Friday in February, I'll be posting something about the book and giving away a FREE copy!!

The winner of last week's drawing is TANASIGIRL!! (Drawn by Random.org) Congratulations! I'll be sending a signed copy of Forsaken Dreams to you ASAP. And many thanks to everyone who entered. I really enjoyed your comments. But don't despair, you have another chance to win this week!*

* (To enter go to http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/2013/02/forsaken-dreams-pre-release-party-week-3.html)

So, share this post, tweet it, post it on facebook and join the party! Without further ado, please enjoy the video trailer for the book. I really love seeing these book trailers for the first time, getting a glimpse at my characters and the storyline played out on the screen. If any of you saw my Veil of Pearls trailer, it was the best I've ever seen. I thought they did a great job on this one too, though it was done quite differently from Veil. So, what are your thoughts?

Did you know the Escape to Paradise series was based on an actual historic event?

After the American Civil War, the victors from the North swarmed down upon the South, a land already ravished by war, with one intent in mind--to make the South pay for what they'd done. You could hardly blame them. They felt they'd been dragged into a long war in which they had lost many of their young men. I am neither a North or South sympathizer. I hate any war, but what the North did to the South afterward, would make your skin crawl. This is why over 100,000 Southerners fled the South after the war. Some went north, some west, some to Mexico, and others to Brazil. Conservative estimates derived from newspapers, available numbers, and descendants tell us that perhaps close to 20,000 Southerners came to Brazil to resettle after the war. The crew of the ship, NewHope, in new release, Forsaken Dreams, harbor many of the same dreams and hopes as these historic people. And like these immigrants, they had no idea what they were up against! Running away from God and from your problems isn’t always a good idea. Nor is believing that creating a perfect Utopia was going to be easy. That is, if you even survived the journey to Brazil in the first place, a journey often fraught with disease, starvation, shipwreck, storms, thieves, and even violence on board the ship. After these hopeful Southerners landed in Brazil, they faced tropical diseases, bugs the size of men’s hands, crop failures, overwhelming heat, flash floods, and a host of other problem. Some Utopia, eh?

Here are just a few of the other colonists aboard the ship!

Morgan Gale, conman and stowaway

James Callaway - war doctor turned preacher who is terrified of blood

Angeline Moore - seamstress harboring a sordid past

Pampered daughter of a rich plantation owner

Wiley Dodd - Ex Lawman seeking Gold

Mr. Harmen Graves - ex
politician who dabbles in
the occult

Captain Barclay

To ENTER to win a copy of Forsaken Dreams, leave a comment about anything on this post: the trailer, the history, the other characters. Don't forget to include your email address! And Thanks for coming by!

BONUS ALERT. A wonderful friend of mine is also offering the following in conjunction with my giveaway this week: Ocean Blue Gift Giveaway includes: A lovely hand-made Victorian doll in a blue gown with lace shawl, a blue silk fan, an 11" X 15" basket of violets print suitable for framing (Feb. flower of the month), Godiva chocolate--and a copy of MaryLu's book Forsaken Dreams.
If you're interested, head on over to her blog and leave a comment there too! http://amhisbooks.blogspot.com/

I'll announce a winner from this blog next Friday when we will play a FAN -favorite game of
Guess what the character will say next!

End of re-post.

Do NOT comment to enter the contest here. Please go to the original post at:
http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/2013/02/forsaken-dreams-pre-release-party-week-3.html

I am proud to be a member of MaryLu Tyndall's Crew, promoting her work online and in person.

0 Comments

Winner!

2/15/2013

0 Comments

And the winner of Crossing Values & Ryan's Crossing by Carrie Daws is...

amyc
Entry #16

Congratulations amyc! Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog!

Please send your mailing address to me at telltalebookreviews(at)gmail(dot)com, just replace the (at) with an @ and the (dot) with a . and I will get your books out to you.

0 Comments

Book Interview - A Promise For Miriam by Vannetta Chapman + Giveaway

2/14/2013

26 Comments

This is the second in a series of short interviews that I will be posting over the next year. Each post will feature 5 questions and bonus question specific to each of Amish Fiction author Vannetta Chapman's books. AND Vannetta has graciously offered to do a giveaway for that specific book on each post!

The two February interviews have been backwards. February 1st was the official release of A Home For Lydia so, even though it was the 2nd book in The Pebble Creek Amish series, I posted it first.
This interview is for book 1, A Promise For Miriam.

Fiction Full Of Grace

#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
Walking through a one-room Amish schoolhouse in Wisconsin. Being a teacher myself, I could instantly imagine the story.

#2. How long did it take to finish writing A Promise For Miriam?
Approximately 4 months, and then the re-writes from my editors.

#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
That God ALWAYS has a plan for our life - plans to prosper us and give us a future.

#4. How did you name your characters?
Names are a problem for me, but one of the first Amish women I ever met was named Miriam.

#5. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
I wanted to get a dog. Hubby says I like the IDEA of a dog, not having a dog. We have 3 cats and 4 grand-dogs at the moment.

Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Both of my characters think life has passed them by. They are afraid to HOPE. That's the story I wanted to write, that God's grace always gives us hope.

Where can readers interact with you?
Website
http://vannettachapman.com
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks
Twitter
@VannettaChapman

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0736946128
ISBN-13: 978-0736946124

To purchase your own copy use the link below

A Promise For Miriam is also
available for Kindle.

Vannetta Chapman

Thanks you for joining us, Vannetta. And for providing the prize for the giveaway. Jasmine

It's Giveaway Time!

To enter the giveaway for A Promise For Miriam please use the Rafflecopter below.
Before entering please read the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

26 Comments

Book Review - Faithful To Laura by Kathleen Fuller

2/12/2013

0 Comments

Genre:
Amish

Faithful To Laura
**A Middlefield Family Novel book 2
by Kathleen Fuller**

-From the Back Cover-

Laura's Amish faith requires her to forgive,
but she can only think of revenge.

Laura Stutzman leaves her Kentucky community for Middlefield, Ohio, with one purpose: to find Mark King, the man who pledged his love to her, then left. She can't move on with her life until he explains why.

Sawyer Thompson wasn't born Amish, but has lived in their community for years. Now he must commit to the Amish church or return to the Yankee world. Having suffered loss at a young age, he understands Laura's anger, but is determined to follow God's will and forgive. As their friendship grows, Laura begins to let her guard down.

But new information surfaces about Sawyer's past and threatens the couple's budding relationship. Both Laura and Sawyer will need to release the anger in their hearts and forgive the people who've harmed them. As Laura struggles to trust God, can Sawyer remain faithful to Laura?

I will say that I did have a hard time with the first 1/3 or so of the book. I figured out that Faithful To Laura is the 2nd book in a series, so I had no clue about the characters' back-stories etc. It was kind of like coming in halfway through the movie. I was able to figure out a lot of the story but I am going to be looking for the 1st book in the series so I can get myself caught up.

This book is all about forgiveness and not holding onto things. Most of the characters have one reason or another that they either have to forgive or be forgiven. When it came down to it, the characters each had figure out on their own to go to the One they should have in the first place.

This Book earned a 3.5 Bark rating.

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 7, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1595547762
ISBN-13: 978-1595547767

Kathleen Fuller

Disclaimer.
This book was won in a giveaway and I am in no way obligated to review this book. I am doing so for my own and your enjoyment.

No matter what happens in life we are supposed to forgive just as our Father forgave us.

At times things seemed to moved a little fast, specifically relationships, but the story really was well written. I felt the betrayal, anger and pain with Laura and Sawyer. And I really wanted to see Mark King get his just deserts, and thus justice for Laura.

A good Amish story from a good author, and an important lesson for all of us, Yankee (Englischer) and Amish alike.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Faithful To Laura a 3.5 Bark rating.

0 Comments

Repost - Forsaken Dreams - Pre-release Party, Week 2!

2/8/2013

0 Comments

Forsaken Dreams

by MaryLu Tyndall

Reposted from crossandcutlass.blogspot.com

Friday, February 8, 2013 Forsaken Dreams - Pre-release Party, Week 2!
Welcome to week 2 of my pre-release party for Forsaken Dreams, which will be out in stores on March 1st! In celebration of this grand event, EVERY Friday in February, I'll be posting something about the book and giving away a FREE copy!!

The winner of last week's drawing is KARA!! Congratulations, Kara. I'll be sending a signed copy of Forsaken Dreams to you ASAP. And many thanks to everyone who entered. I really enjoyed your comments. But don't despair, you have another chance to win this week! *

* (To enter go to http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/2013/02/forsaken-dreams-pre-release-party-week-2.html)

So, share this post, tweet it, post it on facebook and join the party! Without further ado, here's a peek at the cover and a teaser about the story.

They Left Everything Behind to Build a New Southern Utopia

Colonel Blake Wallace has seen enough death to last a lifetime. Weary and disillusioned, he slumps beneath the weight of defeat and loss. With his entire family murdered by the North and his name appearing on a list of officers wanted for war crimes, Blake organizes a shipload of southerners who, like him, long to escape the horrors of war and start a new life in a verdant land called Brazil.
Eliza Crawford can barely remember the days of her youth spent in opulence and comfort at her Georgian home. She can't help but wonder how different her life would be had she not met her late husband, Stanton Watts, a general in the Northern army. Now a war widow, Eliza is rejected by both North and South. Desperate to keep her marriage a secret and escape her past and pain, she longs to start over again in Brazil.

But once the voyage begins, troubles abound. Dangers at sea and enemies from within threaten to keep Blake and Eliza from the new life—and love—they long for.
Order from Amazon, Order from CBD.com, Order from BarnesAndNoble

Last week, we learned about the heroine in the story, Eliza Crawford. This week, we will learn about the hero,

Colonel Blake Wallace

Brief Description: Blake Wallace is a true warrior. Standing at just over six feet tall with jet black hair, stormy gray eyes and a muscular build honed by war, Blake’s commanding presence offers no doubt as to his profession. A profession he used to love until the war. Now, Blake has seen enough death to last a lifetime. Weary and disillusioned, he slumps beneath a weight of defeat and loss. Son of a wealthy Atlanta merchant, Blake attended WestPoint before the war and worked his way up through the American Army to become a colonel. A career officer, he loved the structure and discipline of the military, and he was proud of his role in the defense of his great nation. So, when the Southern states seceded from the union and declared their independence, Blake didn’t hesitate to lead the charge to protect his homeland from the North. But as the war dragged on and Blake realized that men lived and died based on his decisions, his zeal began to fade.

He lost several close friends in his regiment, but it wasn’t until his younger brother was killed that Blake began to loathe the North. As soon as the war ended, he hastened home to his mother, father and sisters, only to find they’d all been murdered during the burning of Atlanta. Now, angry at God and man, and with nothing to keep him home and with the North inflicting chains of punishment around the South, Blake decides to organize a shipload of southerners who, like him, long to escape the horrors of war and start a new south in a succulent land called Brazil.

Strengths: Courageous, Honorable, Chivalrous, Leader, Resolute, Idealistic, Structured
Weaknesses: Demanding, Merciless, Bitter, Unforgiving, Austere
Quirks: Blake walks with a limp due to a war injury to his right leg. He suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and is prone to blackouts, nightmares, and visions. Three deep lines furrow on his brow when he’s angry or frustrated.
Inspiration: I love the character of the Warrior/King! This is a man who is physically and mentally prepared to protect and defend his nation, his family, and his lady love. He’s the character we see in our favorite movies like The Gladiator, The Patriot, Rob Roy, and Robin Hood. The fearless adventurer who places honor, loyalty, and doing one’s duty for God and King above anything else. Yet along with those great qualities comes a harsher side—a man who holds others up to the same standard to which he holds himself. Mercy and grace do not factor into his way of thinking. Mistakes never go unpunished. Especially not when he’s the one who made them. Consequently, when Blake fails to save his brother and his entire family in the war, he takes all the guilt and the anger upon himself. That is, until he finds a scapegoat for his hatred, a secret Yankee on board the ship!
What are your thoughts on Blake? Are you the type who expects as much of others as you do of yourself? Do you feel guilt when you mess up? Is it hard for you to get over your own weaknesses and faults? I know I possess some of these qualities. Though I don't consider myself courageous or a warrior, I hold high expectations of myself and therefore of others and I can be critical and unforgiving at times. How about you?
To enter the contest, please leave a comment with your thoughts (And with your Email, please! so I can contact you if you win)

BONUS ALERT. A wonderful friend of mine is also offering the following in conjunction with my giveaway this week: Ocean Blue Gift Giveaway includes: A lovely hand-made Victorian doll in a blue gown with lace shawl, a blue silk fan, an 11" X 15" basket of violets print suitable for framing (Feb. flower of the month), Godiva chocolate--and a copy of MaryLu's book Forsaken Dreams.
If you're interested, head on over to her blog and leave a comment there too! http://amhisbooks.blogspot.com/

I'll announce a winner from this blog next Friday when I'll reveal some of the history behind the story and the cool video trailer!!

End of re-post.

Do NOT comment to enter the contest here. Please go to the original post at:
http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/2013/02/forsaken-dreams-pre-release-party-week-2.html

I am proud to be a member of MaryLu Tyndall's Crew, promoting her work online and in person.

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Winner!

2/8/2013

2 Comments

And the winner of A Home For Lydia by Vannetta Chapman is...

Wendy N.
entry #42

Congratulations Wendy! Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog!

Please send your mailing address to me at telltalebookreviews(at)gmail(dot)com, just replace the (at) with an @ and the (dot) with a . and I will pass the information on to Vannetta Chapman.

2 Comments

Book Review - Ryan's Crossing by Carrie Daws + Giveaway

2/7/2013

13 Comments

Genre:
Contemporary

Ryan's Crossing
book 2
by Carrie Daws

-From The Back Cover-

After ten years, Ryan's parents found his runaway sister, Amber. Now, as he drives to meet up with her and his parents before her wedding, his mind fills with the changes coming. Besides figuring out where she will fit into his life, a job change is on the horizon for him. But should he stick with small town life? Or should he move to Portland, Oregon?

Meeting the family his sister is marrying into only brings up more questions. Maybe moving to nearby Portland is the better choice. But something about the town of Crossing calls to him. Is it the friendly people who openly accept him as Amber's brother or the cute brunette who happens to be the sister of the groom?

As Ryan weighs the pros and cons, he decides to put God to the test. Will He answer? Will He let him know which choices to make? And what if Ryan doesn't like the answer?

A lovely sequel to Crossing Values,
Ryan's Crossing lives up to its predecessor.

Once again Carrie Daws delivers a family friendly and sweet story about finding God, family, love, and the place God wants you to be.

On one note, this book is a bit sadder than Crossing Values as Ryan is a paramedic and his love interest, Brittany, is a nurse on the cancer ward at a children's hospital. I just wanted to hug little Gracie and spend time with such a brave little girl.

The Yager family were once again, the kind, accepting, Christian people that we all wish lived next door. The Griffin's finally have some peace since their reconciliation with their long lost daughter, Amber, and they seem to enjoy living in the little town of Crossing, Oregon. It was nice to check in with the families and get a little more insight into Brittany Yager's life as an oncology nurse in a children's hospital in Portland.

This book earned a 4 Bark Rating

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Ambassador International (August 20, 2012)
ISBN-10: 162020102X
ISBN-13: 978-1620201022

Carrie Daws

This book was provided by the author for the purpose of this review. I received no financial compensation for this review.

Ryan's Crossing seemed to be a little bit less about a person's journey to God, as in Crossing Values, and more about figuring out what God wants you to do.

This book spoke to me personally a little more than the first one. A couple of the lines in particular hit me “You were made for more than you've taken hold of” and “She's accepted the gift of being Your child. I'm still stuck on the fact that You are God”. The first quote was a a reminder and a nudge for my own life, now to figure out what the 'more' is.... The second quote really hit me when I realized that even though I have been a Christian for over 20 years (since I was a small child) that I so often forget to be His child and get caught up in the vastness and immensity of Him being God, this is something I will need to often remind myself to fix in the years to come.

I will be looking for the next book in this series, Romancing Melody, when it comes out.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Ryan's Crossing a 4 Bark Rating.

Check out our review of Crossing Values HERE

It's Giveaway Time!

To enter the giveaway for Crossing Values and Ryan's Crossing please use the Rafflecopter below.
Before entering please read the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you, Carrie Daws, for providing the books for this giveaway!

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Repost - Forsaken Dreams - Pre-release Party, Week 2!

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Wendy N.
entry #42

Book Review - Ryan's Crossing by Carrie Daws + Giveaway

Ryan's Crossing
book 2
by Carrie Daws

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**A Middlefield Family Novel book 2
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Ryan's Crossing
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