Book Tour & Giveaway ~ Grace By Contract by Rachel Rossano

 

Grace by Contract

Once Upon a Duchy Book 1

by Rachel Rossano

Genre: Fairytale-Inspired Romance

After her father uproots the family to the northern duchy of Brackenhurst, Grace Eldon and her four younger sisters struggle with a new life of hardship. Desperate to keep a roof over their heads amid mounting debts, she and her youngest sister seek employment in the Duke of Brackenhurst's household despite fearsome rumors.

Scarred and maimed from a terrible fire Silas Isling, Duke of Brackenhurst, buries himself in his work to avoid the stares of pity and fear. When one of the new maids shows no fear at his appearance, he is intrigued. That is until his meddling steward gives her the task of cleaning Silas' bookroom. It is a most unwelcome disruption since he prefers to be alone.

While a thief plagues his castle, an old nemesis reappears, and enemies invade in the guise of guests. Amidst the distractions and chaos, Grace brings some unexpected order. Once convinced his scars had stolen all hope for love, Silas finds his life forever changed by the quiet maid. Could she love a scarred Duke?

Inspired by Beauty and the Beast

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Five rounds with my best fighter wore me out to the point where I could finally think straight again. With the dull exhaustion of limber muscles and expended exertion filling my senses, the memories of Ivy and her tragic demise lost some of their poignancy. I left my opponents to tend to their bruises and set about doing the same for mine.

When I emerged into the inner bailey, the bitter wind cut through my sweaty linen shirt and thin woolen tunic. I welcomed the chill, but my lack of full dress drew looks from the matron delivering the milk and butter from the village. I honored her with a bow before ducking through the door into the undercroft between the servants unloading her cart.

I circumvented the edges of the kitchen. By the scents I guessed chicken, stew, and honeyed yams were on the menu. My stomach growled.

“Not that way!” A great crashing of metal preceded sobs. “Don’t cry, child. Scrub. You will never finish at this rate.”

Bronwick emerged from her office, looking angrier than I had seen in ages.

“The new hires not working out?” I asked.

She snorted. “One is useless at least. It is going to take weeks to teach her to scrub pots at this rate. It takes so little intelligence for such a task that I dare not try her at another.”

“Now hold the brush like this,” the disembodied voice instructed. Another clatter marked the dropping of the brush. Both Bronwick and I flinched.

“Give them time,” I admonished. Only a few hours had passed since their hiring.

Bronwick snorted in a most dignified manner before stalking off to deal with the situation.

I took myself out of her range of emoting. As Rambler would say, “No good deed goes unpunished.” I took the stairs to the first floor. I would have to devise a way to gain my housekeeper’s good graces again, or the whole household would suffer.

At the top of the undercroft stair, I emerged into my great hall. The raftered ceiling extended two floors up, and the gleaming glazed windows above the dais were the envy of the seven duchies. Two great fireplaces, long as seven men and deep as two, spanned the west and east walls, heating the whole. I paused before the west fireplace, taking a moment to let my damp shirt dry a bit in the heat of the blaze before I retreated to my chambers to change.

Around me, the muted bustle and cheer of the pages and servants setting out the midday meal made me smile. I could not claim any credit for the glazed windows, high ceiling, or great fireplaces. They had all been contributions of my ancestors. However, I could claim a hand in keeping the place staffed, maintained, and reasonably peaceful. My father had accomplished none of those things.

Rachel Rossano is a happily married mother of three children. She spends her days teaching, mothering, and keeping the chaos at bay. After the little ones are in bed, she immerses herself in the fantasy worlds of her books. Tales of romance, adventure, and virtue set in a medieval fantasy world are her preference, but she also writes speculative fantasy and a bit of science fiction.

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$20 Amazon 

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Book Tour & Giveaway ~ Greenbeard the Pirate Pig by Andrea Torrey Balsara

Greenbeard the Pirate Pig
by Andrea Torrey Balsara
Genre: Children's Adventure

Ahoy, my Piggywinkles! Sail with GREENBEARD THE PIRATE PIG as he sails the Seven Seas in search of ADVENTURE! With his ratty first mate, Snug Rumkin, Greenbeard sets sail on THE GOLDEN LETTUCE, determined to become a proper pirate!

****Click here for FREE colouring pages! ****

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SAVE A FOX, is dedicated to the wellbeing of rescued fur foxes, these beautiful creatures are suffering at fur farms.

Most of the farmed foxes at SaveAFox are handed to them because they are sick, injured, or rejected, and therefore a liability or of no value to a fur farmer.

Mikayla Raines, founder / rescuer and her wonderful team are passionate about what they do and devoted to making a difference.

Their purpose is reflected in SaveAFox’s Mission Statement:
“To rescue and provide forever homes for captive-born, non-releasable wildlife.”

Balsara Boutique will be donating a % of proceeds raised from the Balsara fox series of pieces to Save A Fox. https://www.balsaraboutique.com/shop-collections

Andrea Torrey Balsara is a Canadian children’s author and illustrator who writes and illustrates for ages 3 and up. She is involved with children’s empowerment, and works to create stories that not only make children laugh, but makes them think. Her latest illustrated book, GREENBEARD THE PIRATE PIG , is a whimsical adventure about a guinea pig with a dream.

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Enter to win a copy of the book and the Fox Love 18x18 cotton pillowcase (case only)!

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Release Blitz ~ Sylvie Denied by Deborah Clark Vance

 

Women's Fiction

Date Published: February 21, 2021

Publisher: Flower Press

Deborah Clark Vance's first novel, Sylvie Denied, offers an intimate portrait of a woman who refuses to be silenced.

As she enters adulthood in the turbulent 1970s, Sylvie thinks the way to change a violent world is to become a peaceful person. Yet she slowly sees how a childhood trauma thwarts her peaceful intentions and leads her to men with a dark side – including Enzo, the man she marries. Even as his behavior becomes increasingly volatile, she believes she can make things better with love and understanding. But finally, living in terror, Sylvie must find a way to escape with her daughter and claim her place in the world.

Praise for Sylvie Denied

"Women’s fiction and literature readers will find Sylvie Denied a hard-hitting, familiar-feeling story of growth and new directions."– Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review

"Sylvie is a resilient free spirit open to the world but struggling to find a lasting relationship worthy of her decency and altruism. Rich in emotional and geographic detail, it is genuinely rewarding to read." — Jonathan Slade, Producer of 8 Emmy-winning documentaries including “The Electric Road Trip,”

"In Sylvie Denied, Deborah Clark Vance gives a riveting picture of the sixties and seventies, as her strong-willed heroine searches for a meaningful life." -Madeena Spray Nolan, author of “The Gift” and “The Burning Ground.”

About The Author

After leaving her family home and respectable birthplace, Deborah Clark Vance set out to find what made the world tick. Inspired by Thoreau’s advice to simplify, she explored self-sufficient living. Deborah learned to identify and forage for edible plants and medicinal herbs, gaining confidence that she could survive in the wild as long as there were woods, and the weather wasn’t too cold. She attended the University of Life where she came to cherish those who prefer truth. She raised four children and cobbled together a living by selling paintings and freelance articles, copyediting and translating Italian, selling plants and designing gardens, working on radio documentaries and a kids’ educational TV series, teaching piano lessons, college students and adults with emotional and mental illnesses. . . and eventually earned a PhD in Intercultural Communication from Howard University and taught at a small liberal arts college. Her family and friends near and far live with her in her heart. Sylvie Denied is her first novel.

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Book Tour & Giveaway ~ Taming Wild Horses by Mila Nicks

 

Book 2 of Wild Horse Ranch Series

Contemporary Romance

Date Published: January 29th, 2021

He’s ready to be a better man…

Chase Collins started the summer a brooding, broken man. He was content keeping to Wild Horse Ranch, where he could tend to horses and stew in peace. When Samara Grant reentered his life, she changed everything, and now he wants to prove to her—and himself—he can be the good guy he always hoped to be. What he doesn’t know is that it’s darkest before the dawn…

She’s done running from the past…

Only a summer in Lutton, Texas. That’s what Samara Grant told herself when she arrived. Now months into living in the small town, she’s carved out a life for herself managing her grandma’s B&B, riding horses and falling in love for the first real time in her life. After so many years spent running, she wants happiness, but unfortunately her tragic past is back to haunt her…

He’s not letting things go that easily…

Reed Ward is supposed to be the guy who has it all. He comes from the most prestigious family in Lutton. He’s handsome. He’s charming. He always gets the girl—so why is it that he’s on the sidelines watching his life go up in smoke? His family’s torn apart, his ranch is no longer his, and the woman that’s supposed to be his wants his best friend. One things for sure: he’s not going down without a fight…

Excerpt

Samara opened her eyes to spot Reed across the room.

But he wasn’t approaching her to give an update as she had hoped. He was headed for the door marked Exit with a lighter and pack of cigarettes in his hand. Samara followed him.

“What’s going on?” She came up from behind at a fast stride and stopped in front of him for the opportunity to glare. “How are you out here smoking when Gramps—”

“You handle stress your way. I’ll handle it my way.” Reed lit up, one hand cupped around the side of his mouth as the other lit the cigarette. He spent a second inhaling, closing his eyes as if savoring the feel, touch, and taste, and then blew smoke. “Gramps had a stroke. The doctors are still with him. It’s not looking good.”

“What does that mean—not looking good?”

“It means what it sounds like it means. It means the docs haven’t told me shit. Nothing but vague pleasantries,” snapped Reed. Irritation was scribbled on his face, his skin unusually pale with splotchy red on his cheeks. “So here I am—out here trying to keep a hold on my sanity. Might want to think next time you jump to conclusions.”

Samara frowned, her glare softening. “Sorry. I shouldn’t’ve… It wasn’t my… I’ll go.”

She had no clue where she was headed as she turned and moved toward the nearby parking lot, but far away from Reed seemed like a good idea. For once not because he’d pissed her off or disgusted her; for once because she’d been wrong about him. Reed was worried about his grandpa and she felt like shit for thinking anything different. 

A hand enclosed around her elbow and held her back from taking more than a couple of steps. Reed had reached out and grabbed her to keep her from leaving. When she glanced at him from over her shoulder, another look she had never seen from him was on his face. His brows were knitted and he had a sober expression on his mouth, his eyes pinning hers. 

“Gramps would want you here. You should stay.”

“Gramps is unconscious right now.”

“Then I want you here,” he said. He hadn’t let go of her arm. “Remember all that ’bout getting through this together? I meant it.”

Samara slowly nodded, unable to think of anything to say, an odd buzzing in her ears. Reed seemed to know what she needed to calm her nerves. He held up his half-full pack of cigarettes and she obliged, taking one and lighting up.

About the Author

Mila Nicks is on a mission to pen heartfelt and entertaining love stories featuring women of color.

When she isn’t writing diverse love stories, you can find her globetrotting, sampling new cuisines, and spending quality time with her spunky pet Chihuahua, Zayden.

For more on Mila, including news on upcoming releases and story freebies, check out her website and subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.milanickswrites.com/

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Book Tour ~ Hope Endures by Emily Stalder Johnson

Book Two in the Series of Hope

Christian literature & fiction, Action & adventure fiction

Date Published: Jan 12, 2021

Publisher: Clay Bridges Press

Life for 17-year-old Dublin Caldwell has been filled with peace and love since 1878 when he went to live with his adoptive father, Andy Caldwell. However, terrifying events soon begin to unfold, leaving Dublin wounded and both their faith tested. Their safety is threatened, and all they can do is trust in God.

Their friendship with an unlikely character forms, only to result in betrayal and danger. Will Dublin and Andy be able to escape with their lives?

Excerpt

Guilt flashed through Fallon’s heart and soul. Andy didn’t have to say it. He knew he was the cause of the teenage boy’s distress. He knew it. And he felt remorseful. 

“I’m sorry, Andy. I’m sure this is my fault,” Carter said forlornly and with much resignation. The melancholy in his voice did not go unnoticed. 

Andy felt overcome with sympathy for this man. “Now, Carter, Dublin is going to be just fine. But I think maybe the two of you need to have a brand-new perspective on each other, a new and improved introduction. I mean, you have to know he didn’t deserve the punishment you were about to give him one day a few years ago. Am I correct?” Andy gave the man holding on to his son rather tenderly and concernedly a stern and reproving look. 

Fallon bowed his head shamefully. Though he wouldn’t meet Andy Caldwell’s gaze, he did respond with a slow, nearly imperceptible nod. He sighed. “Yes, I realize that.” 

“Good. Then maybe a bit after he awakens, you might consider apologizing to him. You really ought to know that this boy is as kind and respectable as they come, and he’s not ill-mannered in any way. You might even like him if you get to know him,” Andy replied, his voice trailing off but still holding a certain firmness. 

Andy said a quick, silent prayer that the man would find peace in whatever way or ways he needed and some much-needed joy in his life.

About the Author

Emily Stalder Johnson is an emerging author who is passionate about writing Christian fiction to inspire and encourage her readers. An avid reader and writer for most of her life, she also enjoys creating Christian contemporary song lyrics and selling them. Emily lives in Lancaster, Ohio with her husband and roommate (who is much more like a brother to her), and their little zoo consisting of three cats and two dogs.

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