Happy Birthday, Kianna Ravencamp!

Kianna Ravencamp is celebrating her birthday today! Hooray! Birthday's are kind of a big deal for Kianna, her 26th especially made her put life in perspective. 

Kianna is a character near and dear to my heart. I always find ways to identify with my characters (even the not so nice ones), it makes them come alive in my mind. For me, though, Kianna has become bigger than a character come to life. She's a friend and I often find myself wondering how she would think of feel about something. 

Does that make you laugh? At times it makes me laugh. In the beginning, when I first started writing Kee's story, I built her character loosely on my own experiences. As time went by and her story grew, Kianna took on a new life, becoming her own person. Sure, Kee and I share common interests and ideals, but she's so much more now than paper and ink. I don't see her as me in costume. She's Kianna - aspiring songwriter reaching for dreams, success and love. Her knees may be knocking, but faith in Jesus grants her courage to be bold. 

If anything, she's sometimes the me I wish I could be. Then I remember the mistakes Kianna sometimes makes and I realize that as silly as it sounds, she's "human" too. Each of us reaching for our own dreams, our own success and our own experiences in love and family. Really, she and I have one inescapable, undoubted thing that we share completely - our love and trust in Jesus. 

So real or not, Happy Birthday, Kianna, my friend. Thanks for letting me share your story. I look forward to sharing more. (yes....that is a hint. )

You can read a preview of Dysfunction Junction by clicking the tab at the top of the blog page. 

Get your copy HERE 

CFBA: Once Upon a Summertime by Melody Carlson

Song Stuck on the Brain: Stars from Les Mis

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
Once Upon a Summertime Revell (June 2, 2015) by Melody Carlson

MY TAKE:

Once Upon a Summertime is a fun, lighthearted romance. It unfolds like the best of Hollywood's chick-flick's - like Maid in Manhattan, Sleepless in Seattle or While You Were Sleeping  - and I mean that in all the best ways.

Anna and Sean are tossed together with a surprise whirlwind of romance, only to learn they can't be a couple because their company prohibits co-workers dating. The premise may seem simple or expected, but the fun of the story is in the journey of their blossoming relationship. It was also fun to get a behind the scenes peek at the hospitality industry. I love a sweet romance and this one proved to be solid gold. I think Sean is my new book hunk. I'm pretty smitten.

Melody Carlson always hits it out of the park, and this is definitely another home run.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it's a safe choice for a woman whose childhood was anything but stable. Out of the blue, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reinvent herself by moving to New York City, where she hopes for a management position at a stylish new boutique hotel. The big city is full of surprises--not the least of which is Sean O'Neil. Her childhood crush has applied for the very same position!

Sweet, romantic, and endlessly entertaining, this romp through the storied streets of New York City will enchant readers. Melody Carlson has created characters so charming that readers will long to meet them in the lobby of the stunning Rothsberg Hotel.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Once Upon a Summertime, go HERE.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

My husband Chris and I live in a cabin-style home next to the National Forest in the beautiful Cascade Mountain area of the Pacific Northwest. Our two grown sons and granddaughter live nearby and we try to see them as often as we can. We also have two 're-homed' pets to make life more interesting-our yellow Labrador retriever Audrey and a Maine coon cat named Harry.

My writing studio is in a separate building next to our courtyard (a garden area that's off limits to the voracious deer). The window behind my desk looks out into the Ponderosa pine forest, where I see deer, squirrels, rabbits, and an occasional raccoon. The other windows in my office overlook the courtyard which is frequented by numerous hummingbirds in the summertime-one August evening we counted nearly fifty of the little hummers.

Last Chance for a Free e-book

Today's the last day of the FREE Kindle download on Amazon for Justice Burning. If you haven't had time to download your copy yet, now would be a great time. getBook.at/Justice_Burning

Thanks so much for reading and supporting my work, it means the world to me! 

Only 2 Days Left - Don't miss out!

You still have TWO days left! This weekend ‪Justice Burning‬ is ‪‎FREE‬ on Amazon Kindle. Get your download Friday 8/7- Sunday 8/9 at getBook.at/Justice_Burning.

Don't have a Kindle? Don't worry! You can download the free Kindle reading app to your PC or tablet HERE.

Justice Burning is available in paperback as well, at regular pricing. 

Justice Burning Free e-book!!!

YAY! I'm running my first free promo on Amazon.com! Justice Burning is FREE  to download at Amazon Kindle this weekend, Fri 8/7- Sun 8/9. You can check it out at http://getBook.at/Justice_Burning . 

Justice Burning is my third Christian novel and I LOVED getting into the romantic suspense angle here. I really hope you enjoy it - and please share this offer with your friends and family. Happy Reading!