Guest Post: Lisa Lickel and CRAZY CREEK CHRISTMAS

My guest today is Lisa Lickel. A Wisconsin author who loves books and dragons, she writes inspiring fiction. Besides writing inspiring fiction, she also writes short stories, feature articles, and radio theater, and loves to encourage new authors through mentoring, speaking, and leading workshops. She is an avid book reviewer and blogger, and a freelance editor. Find more at LisaLickel.com.

Lisa's latest release is Crazy Creek Christmas. The story is about a town that saves Leah Hanes's life. Running on fumes and bald tires, she thanks heaven for Cookie and Jeanette Wimmer who send her to the Rocking J Ranch as a winter cook. Leah arrives to discover the ranch and the people need more than a cook.

Noel Johansen, heir of the Rocking J, happily left for the big city years ago. When he loses his family in a terrible accident, the best thing for everyone is to sell the place, ditch the memories, and move on. But his brother-in-law has other plans, and the beautiful new cook they've hired for the season threatens Noel's desire to remain detached.

The ranch represents Noel's future and selling it becomes more important than ever when one more tragedy leaves him with nothing. But memories can't be bought and sold, nor can a broken conscience heal itself. Home, heart, and future are irrevocably tied in Crazy Creek.

And now for a bit of an excerpt to tempt you:

Noel pushed through the passage into his mother’s dining area.

“Did that woman get here yet? I don’t want to have to haul someone’s…”

It was Gil’s voice Noel heard, but definitely not Gil’s face across the big table. Noel amended his language and raised his arms to brace himself against the sides of the doorway. 

“Ah…vehicle…out of the ditch.” 

Cupcake was a liar. 

The vision before him was not some hardened woman used to ranch life and the lonely, harsh conditions of a Wyoming winter.

Jeanette and Cupcake sent a woman several years younger than himself, younger even than his sister. How could she have experience cooking? Noel stared. She was very pretty in a pinched, inexperienced way, with dark blonde hair pulled back from her face in a loose ponytail. She seemed startled, maybe even confused. The opposite of Carolyn in every way. 

The folder with the contract was on the table. To one side, Marty rested on the table. To the girl’s other side, Gil huddled in his wheelchair. He’d obviously slid downhill since coming home from rehab last month. It didn’t look as if he’d done anything to keep himself or the place up in the weeks since Noel brought him home. Marty had been sick, Noel knew, but a visiting nurse was supposed to check in on them. 

Mom would never have allowed this. Jeanette should have known better. What had she been thinking? The situation had clearly gotten out of control.

“I wasn’t expecting you,” Gil said.

“Clearly.” Noel snapped himself upright and walked in. “What’s going on? The place looks like it’s falling apart. I only left a few weeks ago.” 

Gil gave a sideways eye-roll toward the young lady. “What are you doing here?” 

“Jeanette and Cupcake sent a message.” Noel hedged. “Where’s the nurse?”

“After the first two weeks I told her she didn’t have to come back,” Gil said. 

The young lady turned her face from their 1 exchange. Noel set his hands on his hips. “Excuse me. You’re…you’re Lady…Laney…La-something?” 

The woman raised a brow at Gil, who had turned red. 

“This is Leah Hanes. Leah, meet my brother-in-law."

*******

Buy links:

Amazon UK https://amzn.to/33IusE4

Amazon Canada

 Pelican Book Store

Barnes and Noble https://bit.ly/2BpBRfl

Amazon https://amzn.to/2MYmoYW

Guest Post: Lillian Duncan and ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS JOHNNY ROCKER DEAD

My guest today is Lillian Duncan. She has a new release coming up which is part of the Pelican Book Group Christmas Holiday Extravaganza. Hers is a bit different though. I love the subtitle, "A Rock 'n' Roll Romantic Suspense." Doesn't that grab you? It really grabbed me. 😊 

This is Lillian Duncan…turning faith into fiction. 

Even though her books cross genres, they have one thing in common, faith-based stories that show God’s love—and lots of action. OK—that’s two things. She believes in the power of words to change lives, especially God’s Word.

And here's Lillian's latest release--just in time for Christmas!

Johnny Rocker believes he's doesn't need anyone or anything—especially God because after all he is a rock & roll god. When the floor beneath his feet crumbles—literally—he hurtles toward a different truth.

Since the death of Maddie's family, she's run from life and love and become the best bodyguard she can be. But, with God's help, she's ready to step out of her comfort zone and into a different life. When her boss asks—no begs—her to take on one last job, she finds it hard to refuse. Someone is trying to kill mega-star Johnny Rocker. It's Maddie Cotton's job to make sure that doesn't happen.

Even under Maddie's protection the threats continue. As Christmas approaches the danger escalates—someone doesn't want Johnny Rocker to see the new year, and they are willing to kill Maddie as well. Johnny and Maddie will have to set aside their differences and learn to lean on each other and God if they want to see Christmas day.

 Murder, Mayhem & Christmas?

Murder, Mayhem & Christmas? Really? 

On the surface, it may seem that murder and mayhem doesn’t necessarily go with Christmas, but I love weaving a Christmas story in with suspense and romance. I have several Christmas stories available—The Christmas Stalking; The Christmas Angel Thief; No Home for the Holidays; and A Christmas Stolen.

My new Christmas novella is ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS JOHNNY ROCKER DEAD! How’s that for a title filled with murder, mayhem, & Christmas? 

I won’t tell you the plot but I will tell you the story is about how much God loves each of us—no matter what we’ve done. And isn’t that what Christmas is really all about?

Speaking of Christmas, one of the things my husband and I do every Christmas is to clear out our enclosed porch and then we put up Christmas trees. Yes, I said trees as in many trees. 

Last year, we had 14 or 15 trees up. In all sizes and shapes— even a snowman tree. We don’t have any young children or grandchildren around, but that doesn’t stop us from celebrating the season and honoring Jesus’s birthday.

Merry Christmas to all!

Download the book now at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Google Books, and Apple.

Release Day for CLEAR AS ICE--November 20, 2019

 

At last, CLEAR AS ICE is available. You can download it and start reading immediately! I had such fun writing this book. One of the secondary characters is a dog, Rufus, who belongs to the hero. Rufus is quite a matchmaker. 

The inspiration for Rufus came to me from my granddog, who is almost as amazing as the dog in the book. Like Rufus, my granddog was a rescue. My daughter had his DNA checked. His heritage is quite mixed, but he looks like a Labrador--for the most part. He's not small and dainty. He's large. However, if you have a lap, he'll be happy to pretend he's a lap dog. 😉 Sometimes he chews on sticks, but most of the time he loves treats and is very willing to learn new things for a tasty morsel. 

You can read an excerpt from the first chapter of CLEAR AS ICE at Pelican Book Group's website right HERE. It's where the heroine meets Rufus and his owner. 

The book is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Books, and Apple Books, too. So easy to find! 

Book Review: WALTZING MATILDA

Christmas is the top holiday of the year. It's a time when families get together, parties are planned, and there are cookies--lots and lots of cookies. So here's another book from Pelican Book Group's Christmas Holiday Extravaganza that you don't want to miss. This one is set in England. It's WALTZING MATILDA, by Clare Revell. It's available for pre-order now and will be released on November 20, 2019. Check out the page at Amazon: Waltzing Matilda by Clare Revell

My rating on this book is 💖💖💖💖💖.

Waltzing Matilda caught my interest right away. Beleaguered Councillor Tilly is near her wit’s end when a fire destroys the venue for the town’s famous Christmas ball. With only four days left, she searches for a suitable replacement venue but there are no places to be had except for Addington Hall. However, Leo, who is a virtual recluse, won’t even speak to Tilly on the phone. Refusing to give up, she drives to the hall. A horrendous storm comes to town, which ruins Tilly’s apartment, her car, and the grand ballroom which could have been used for the ball. Tilly is stuck at Addington Hall with Leo, his formidable aunt, and his sister. While Tilly may not be formidable, she is practical and sensible and offers her wise advice to Leo. She also makes great biscuits—and the recipe is at the end of the book. A very enjoyable romance and well worth reading.

Check out more books from the Christmas Holiday Extravaganza at Amazon!

Book Review: SUGAR COOKIES & STREET LAMPS

Christmas is coming and plenty of holiday stories are on the way, too. It's almost time for Pelican Book Group's annual Christmas Holiday Extravaganza. I'm doing my best to keep up with this year's offerings, which is a great way to get into the spirit of the season. The first book I read was SUGAR COOKIES & STREET LAMPS by Susan M. Baganz. It's available for pre-order right now and will be released on November 20, 2019 at SUGAR COOKIES & STREET LAMPS, by Susan M. Baganz

I give this book 💖💖💖💖💖. 

This grace-filled romance about an event planner and the man who hires her was a delicious treat. The plot centered on whether Noelle, a non-believer, will accept the great gift of faith. The Christmas event she takes on is a huge job—the biggest one she’s ever tackled. She’s apprehensive, but realizes it could be the stepping stone to better things. Rudy, who hired her, is willing to help out, but he is concerned about her eternal salvation. Even more so, because he likes her. As their relationship proceeds forward, it is as sweet as the recipe for sugar cookies at the end of the story. Don’t miss this gentle reminder about the reason for the season.

Be sure to check out the other books coming out in the Christmas Holiday Extravaganza at Amazon.

Guest Post: Carol James with THE UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS GIFT

This year Pelican Book Group is having another Christmas Holiday Extravaganza featuring sweet, short Christmas stories that are just right for warming your holidays no matter what the weather is like outside. I'll be featuring some of the authors of those stories on this blog. Today's special guest is Carol James.

     Carol James is an author of inspirational fiction. She lives in Lilburn, Georgia, a small town outside of Atlanta, with her husband, Jim, and a perky Jack Russell “Terrorist,” Zoe.

      Having always loved intriguing stories with happy endings, she was moved to begin writing to encourage others as she'd been encouraged by the works of other authors of inspirational fiction.

      Her debut novel, Rescuing Faith, has been a number one best seller on Amazon. Her second novel, The Waiting, and her Christmas novellas, Mary’s Christmas Surprise and The Unexpected Christmas Gift are currently available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Pelican Book Group website. Her newest novel, Season of Hope, will be available in the summer of 2020.  

     Carol enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren, traveling with friends, and serving in the production department at her church. And most days, in the late hours of the night or the wee hours of the morning, she can be found bringing her newest novel to life.

What's the story about?

     Eli Walker is a fun-loving entrepreneur. His job is to advise and restructure struggling companies. Holly's mission is to save the company she works for by finding new customers at a trade show in Dusseldorf.

     But when she fulfills her promise to her boss to visit the cathedral in Cologne, her quest changes.

     Filled with twinkling lights and snowflakes, Christmas markets and a romantic Ferris wheel, Eli and Holly's time together in Germany is an unexpected gift. But when they return home, Eli must make a decision that could cost him what he wants most in life…Holly.

Here's a short excerpt:

     The Ferris wheel stopped at its apex. Holly turned back toward Eli, but he was facing the market, his back to her.

            “Holly, come see.”

            She stepped across the pod to the side that overlooked the market and slipped into the seat beside him. 

            “It looks like a…galaxy.” 

            He was right. Lights draping from the giant, central tree out to the edges of the market were woven together with masses of twinkling lights strung from the roofs of the Old Town buildings and blanketing the entire market with a golden glow. She scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.”

            “Thank you for coming.”

            “That’s not what I meant. The train. The prayer. Thank you.”

            He wrapped an arm around her and drew her closer. “I’d be honored to pray for you any place, any time.” He placed his free hand under her chin and lifted her face toward his. “About anything.”

            The butterflies from the other day returned in full force. His coffee eyes looked deep into her soul. He was going to kiss her. A part of her wanted to let him. But she hardly knew him. Yet what she knew, she loved. 

            He bent nearer. She leaned in and closed her eyes. His breath was warm on her lips. 

            She couldn’t do it. Chad. What about Chad? He’d been her first, last, her only love. Forgetting him, replacing him would be so unfair. Her eyes filled as she drew away. All she could manage was a whisper. “Eli, no. I can’t. I can’t.”

THE UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS GIFT is already available for pre-order and will be released on November 20, 2019. Click on the link below the book cover for more information. Check out Carol James's other fine books, too. 

The Unexpected Christmas Gift

Mary's Christmas Surprise

The Waiting

Rescuing Faith