Book Review: Saved by the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund

About the Book:

After her annulment is finalized, Enya Shanahan finds herself caught in a web of scandal and obligation while carrying a secret that threatens to shatter her family's reputation. Determined to find a suitable marriage for Enya, her father turns to a wily matchmaker to save them from their circumstances.

Sullivan O'Brien, a steamboat captain committed to aiding enslaved people on their path to freedom, is faced with an ultimatum from his father. Forced to marry or lose his livelihood, a marriage of convenience seems to be the only solution. As he and Enya face the trials of their pasts and a city consumed by fire, they must confront their deepest fears and learn to trust in love, even when darkness threatens to engulf them.

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My Thoughts:

Saved by the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund is primarily a romance, and an edgy one at that. The historical events, the characters’ spiritual growth, and Sullivan’s abolition efforts were present and enjoyable, but they played second fiddle to the physical attraction, romantic tension, and relational development between Enya and Sullivan. Some readers may be put off by the strong romance while others may embrace it. Personally, I gobbled up the story with delight.

Saved by the Matchmaker took the familiar marriage-of-convenience trope and applied it to Sullivan, a man of strong morals, and Enya, a woman broken by a man of poor morals and her own past decisions. The beautiful way that Sullivan loved Enya allowed their physical attraction to be on display without feeling lusty and overbearing. In the formation of their relationship, the story cast out the idea that “obligation sex”– a practice that the church has perpetuated and caused much harm with – is appropriate. Rather, Hedlund chose to have Sullivan love and support his wife until she was ready for the physical expression of their love for each other. This healthy view of marriage and sex is the opposite of what the church taught me as a young wife, and I applaud Hedlund for her courage in addressing the topic.  

Saved by the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund lands as the second book in the Shanahan Match series but read well as a standalone. Four stars for this edgy romance with a wily Irish matchmaker, sizzling romantic chemistry, and an enjoyable story. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

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About the Author:

Jody Hedlund (JodyHedlund.com) is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels and is the winner of numerous awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle.

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Book Review: Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart by Lysa TerKeurst and Team

About the Book:

What lies heaviest on your heart as you lay your head on your pillow? Are paralyzing fear and anxiety stealing tomorrow's peace? Listen to this invitation from Jesus: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28 NIV). 

Experiencing this kind of rest won't come from escapism, more vacation days, or stuffing our feelings. Jesus Himself provides rest to our weary souls. While He may not always fix everything right away, we can fix our thoughts on His Word. In doing this, we can sleep at night with ease knowing that God has it all under control.

Through the pages of Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart, written by New York Times best selling author Lysa TerKeurst and her friends at Proverbs 31 Ministries, you will be equipped to:

• Quiet fearful and anxious thoughts that always seem to be the loudest before bedtime by incorporating the Bible into your nightly routine.
• Find relief from the stress of daily obligations and pressures through 50 encouraging devotions and guided prayers written by women like you.
• Release the heaviness you feel about hard situations in your life so you can wake up refreshed and walk into the next day with courage.

Learn more or buy now at: https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/clear-mind-peaceful-heart/

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My Thoughts:

In Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart, Lysa TerKeurst and the Proverbs 31 Ministries Team have given us 50 devotions to be read at bedtime. Most of the entries take under five minutes to read, which is helpful when I’m tired. Each devotional thought is followed by a prayer. Content wise, the devotional is split into four sections: (1) Balancing Daily Obligations and Pressures, (2) Confronting Fear and Uncertainty, (3) Navigating Family Concerns, (4) Trusting God in Difficult Times. The topics covered within those sections are diverse. I appreciated the honesty and authenticity of the women sharing their experiences. I found the devotionals to be positive, comforting, and encouraging.

I intend to keep my copy of Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart: 50 Devotions for Sleeping Well in a World Full of Worry for future use. It’s the type of book I could use repeatedly and glean new thoughts from with each read. I think this devotional would make a lovely gift for a Christian woman of any age. The hardcover book holds a gift notation page and a sewn-in ribbon bookmark.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Many thanks to Harper Collins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

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Giveaway:

Enter to win a $5 Starbucks gift card by commenting below with the answer to this question: Would you like to read Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart? Must leave full name and email address for entry to be valid. US only. Giveaway closes 08/05/2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Book Spotlight: Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Cold Vengeance 

Series: Ryland & St. Clair #3 

Author: Nancy Mehl 

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 

Release Date: July 16, 2024 

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

When a renowned crime podcaster vanishes without a trace, former FBI behavioral analysts turned private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are called upon to track her down. As they wade through the evidence she left behind, they unearth a startling connection--she may have discovered the existence of an unknown serial killer, and he will stop at nothing to carry out a deadly plan. 

As the pair delves deeper, they soon find themselves the target of a relentless enemy determined to silence them. With their lives--and hearts--on the line, can they confront the evil that threatens them before it consumes them both? 

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Mehl brings her Ryland & St. Clair series to an explosive close with a pulse-pounding story where the stakes are high and silence is deadly.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

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More Books from this Series:

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Excerpt

Rather than looking repulsed, she reached out for his hand. After a brief hesitation, he put his hand in hers.

“If I ever did anything that put you in danger again, I couldn’t live with myself,” she said softly.

“But if you left and something happened to you, I couldn’t live with that.”

River sighed deeply. “You have a way of making things more complicated than they should be. But in the end, you always seem to be right. I . . . I guess we should stick this out together.”

He nodded and withdrew his hand. Then he went back to his desk, trying desperately to contain his emotions. With his head turned, he quickly wiped his eyes with his fingers and sat down. He was still trying to compose himself when the door to their office opened and a young man stepped inside. He was short but athletic looking with longish blond hair and wide blue eyes. He wore jeans and a Tommy Hilfiger quilted jacket. He seemed nervous and looked back and forth from River to Tony, as if unsure which one of them he should address.

“Can we help you?” Tony asked, hoping to ease his discomfort.

“Yeah. . . . I mean, I hope so,” he said. “I . . . I need help finding someone.” He blinked several times. “I thought she might be dead, but now I think it’s possible she could still be alive. Do you think you could help me?”

© 2024 by Nancy Mehl
Published by Bethany House Publishers

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About the Author

Nancy Mehl is the author of more than fifty books, a Parable and ECPA bestseller, and the winner of an ACFW Book of the Year Award, a Carol Award, and the Daphne du Maurier Award. She has also been a finalist for the Christy Award. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson.

Connect with Nancy by visiting NancyMehl.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive the complete paperback set of the Ryland & St. Clair series and a $15 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 24, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 31, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Author Interview: Ambush in the Mountains by Mary Alford

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Ambush in the Mountains by Mary Alford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Ambush in the Mountains
Author: Mary Alford
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: July 23, 2024
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Innocent lives at stake… 

Can a former soldier and his canine save them? 

Helping a pregnant woman he comes across in a mountain storm puts Axel Sterling right into the path of ruthless human traffickers. Now it’s up to the ex-soldier and his dog to keep Summer and her unborn baby safe from the abductors she’s finally escaped. But between the icy wilderness and the armed gunmen following them at every turn, one wrong move could cost Axel and Summer their lives.  

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

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Excerpt

The door flew open. Summer shot up from her chair, the knife poised as a weapon.

Axel stood in the open space, watching her wield the knife.

She sank back down, relieved.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. The wind blew the door from my grasp.”

Summer willed her heartbeat to return to normal. “No, it’s okay. You didn’t...” But he had and the tremor in her voice mocked her words.

Axel slipped into the rocker beside her and petted Camo absently.

The frown on his face had her worried. “Something happened.”

He turned slowly. “Yes.”

Summer’s grip tightened on the arms of the rocker while she waited and prayed their location hadn’t been exposed.

“There was a car on the road.” Axel told her about the window being down and the light searching around the darkness for signs of them. “They mentioned my name, Summer. They obviously ran my plates and know that I live somewhere down this way. Hopefully, with the weather and the fact that I don’t have a mailbox on my property, they won’t be able to find us.”

But she could tell he wasn’t sure. He couldn’t give her the guarantees she desperately craved. Could they take that chance?

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About the Author

Mary Alford is a USA Today bestselling author who loves giving her readers the unexpected, combining unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots that result in stories the reader can't put down. Her titles have been finalists for several awards, including the Daphne Du Maurier, the Beverly, the Maggie, and the Selah. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two cats and one dog.

Connect with Mary at maryalford.net to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Ambush in the Mountains?

Mary: The inspiration for Ambush in the Mountains came about after I read so many heartbreaking accounts of innocent victims who have survived the growing epidemic of human trafficking. It’s something that I’ve covered briefly in previous books, but when I set out to write Ambush in the Mountains, I knew I wanted the heroine to be on the run from her traffickers. Summer is not only courageous enough to risk escaping at eight months pregnant, but she is also determined to help those who are still left behind.


Q: How long did it take to write this book?

Mary: Ambush in the Mountains took a little over a month to create the rough draft. During the rough draft process, I give myself the freedom to just write the story and not worry about fixing mistakes. After the rough draft is finished, then the real work begins. The next stage of my editing process is where I layer in more details about the hero and heroine and flesh out the storyline. For me, this is the hardest part of the writing process.


Q: What surprised you while researching/writing this novel?

Mary: A couple of things surprised me. First, in researching human trafficking, the sheer numbers are staggering. It’s estimated 49.6 million people are in modern slavery worldwide, and 12 million of them are children. And secondly, the stories of those who escaped are heartbreaking and reveal the courage and the will to live of the women who have survived this nightmare. It makes me want to do everything in my power to shine a light on this atrocity.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Ambush in the Mountains?

Mary: Like Summer, Axel Sterling, the hero of the story, has his own past he’s trying to overcome. He lost the woman he loved in a military battle and has lived with that loss for years. This is a quote from Axel’s point of view that shows his growth since believing in God.

 
Axel’s hands tightened around his coffee cup. When he thought about what Summer had been through at the hands of the man she called Ray, all the anger he thought he’d buried with the man he’d once been resurfaced. He wanted to do bad things to this person who’d caused her so much pain.
But that was the old Axel. Now he prayed and trusted God to fight his battles.


Q: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Mary: Honestly, it is hard to pinpoint an exact time—I think probably after I read my first Nancy Drew book and wanted to create my own adventures just like the ones Nancy went on. I didn’t actually try my hand at writing until I was a pre-teen when I wrote my first book.


Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know?

Mary: Most readers may not know that I’m a huge, huge, huge, Longmire fan. This is the TV series that was out a few years back based on the books by the same name written by author Craig Johnson. It’s one of my favorite series. I’ve watched every episode multiple times.


Q: What are you currently reading?

Mary: I’ve been on a bit of a thriller kick lately. I’m currently reading Her Dying Secret by Lisa Regan. So good.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Mary: I love anything romantic suspense, but I’ve branched out to thrillers now so that opens up a whole new group of books to read. I’m loving it.


Q: What is your favorite hobby?

 
Mary: Other than reading, I’d say gardening, though I must confess, I’m terrible at it and I DO NOT have a green thumb at all. Still, it’s digging in the dirt and planting—hopefully watching new life sprout from the ground—that’s what I find most enjoyable.


Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Mary: Fall wins out hands down. After the long months of summer here in Texas, I’m always excited for fall and the cooler weather. Plus, the trees are changing colors. I can wear sweaters again. And of course, pumpkin everything from pie to latte.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $50 Amazon gift card and a print copy of Ambush in the Mountains!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 22, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 29, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Epic Book Launch: The Luck of the Draw by Kate Darroch

About the Book

Book: The Luck of the Draw

Author: Kate Darroch

Genre: Humorous British Detective Story

Release Date: August 9, 2024

Hunt’s back in court – as the defendant! Why is our suave hero in hot water? Can his friend and colleague Genie-Penny save him yet again? Will she want to? Or is Hunt playing a deep double game? Find out in The Luck of the Draw.

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Book Excerpt

My use of her real name signals that the fun and games are over.

She puts her teacup down on its saucer, carefully, and swivels in my direction. She even stops typing. Whatever this is about, it’s serious.

“Sir NAME has an assignment for you, Hunt.”

Gina sees that I have opened my mouth to refuse, and hurries on, “Don’t bother saying that you won’t do it, Hunt. You know you’ll do whatever John asks you to do.”

Ask? John never asked me to do anything in his life. He orders, and I obey. Like everyone else in the known universe.

“So quit playing around.”

Gina turns back to her screen and starts typing again.

I could demur, but I won’t. Because she’s right. The reason I’m back in the IT department is that John came to Upper Shrewsbury for the express purpose of hauling me out of my local, The Bird in Nest (where I had been quietly enjoying a G&T when he appeared) and putting me to work. Nobody says ‘No’ to John. Not if they want to keep the use of their fingers.

Our Operations Controller rushes on, “It’s two weeks in Las Vegas, Hunt. Well, maybe a bit longer. You know you’ll have a wonderful time there.”

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All Excerpts:

Excerpt One: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/the-luck-of-the-draw-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Two: https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-luck-of-draw.html

Excerpt Three: https://lakesidelivingsite.wordpress.com/2024/07/16/the-luck-of-the-draw-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Four: https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2024/07/epic-book-launch-luck-of-draw.html

Excerpt Five: https://www.guildmaster97.com/posts/the-luck-of-the-draw-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Six: https://www.fictionbooklover.com/posts/the-luck-of-the-draw-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Seven: https://www.amoderndayfairytale.net/2024/07/the-luck-of-draw-epic-book-launch.html

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About the Author

Twice Indie Spotlighted by Publishers Weekly; the 2022 and 2024 winner of the Incipere Award for Christian Fiction, 2022 winner of the Readers Favorite Gold Medal for Humor, and of many mystery book awards, Kate hopes that her readers will enjoy her Màiri Maguire Cozy Mysteries.

Kate also writes Sweets by The Sea, a series of Second Chance for Lasting Love novels that combine the themes of forgiveness, redemption and recovery, set in sleepy Welcombe Bay on the gorgeous Devon coastline. Kate’s readers say these love stories are even sweeter than her Cozies. Thanksgiving in Welcombe Bay, the first book in the series, took First Place in the 2024 Incipere Awards for Christian Fiction and Clean Women’s Fiction; and in the Pencraft Christian Fiction Awards.

Yet it is when writing the Huntingdon Hart Investigates series that Kate has the most fun. Hunt’s story has not been accorded any accolades, but he takes that in his stride – a prophet is never appreciated at home. Although, as Hunt modestly points out, he’s not a prophet, just a genius! A smidgin of prescience, together with skills honed by his earlier service in MI5 and MI6, make Hunt a force to be reckoned with. But not in the eyes of his beloved, the divine Sophia, twenty years his senior and younger than spring, who refuses to take Hunt’s pursuit of her seriously.

Author Interview: Suddenly Rural Girl by Dann & Kennedy Hurlbert

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Suddenly Rural Girl by Dann and Kennedy Hurlbert, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Suddenly Rural Girl: Facing Life, Death, Mean Girls, and Cute Boys in Rural America
Author: Dann & Kennedy Hurlbert
Publisher: Kirk House Publishers
Release Date: February 1, 2024
Genre: Young Adult & Middle Grade Contemporary Christian Fiction

After her dad is tragically killed, Dakota Moore’s mom moves her to northern Minnesota where Dak discovers an outcast classmate may be a reclusive miracle worker. She thinks she found him too late. The truth is, she met him just in time. Will Dak discover the miracle worker’s secrets before the next tragedy strikes? 

Now, tucked into a secluded A-frame near a beaver-infested creek with her strong Sioux mom and her lisping little brother, Dak faces a new school and a trio of mean girls. Seemingly alone, she buries herself in a design app and self pity until an old blind man, his curly-haired horse named Eyeballs, a quirky dragon-doodling classmate, and a strawberry blonde with delicious sun-kissed freckles give her four reasons to keep on living. Then she decides to do more than just survive; Dak intends to thrive. When tragedy strikes again, she confronts the intriguing and repulsive miracle worker, but he doesn’t help their mutual friend. Learning why will change her life. 

Suddenly Rural Girl is a friend and faith-finding journey, featuring a strong, female, multiracial protagonist and is loaded with laugh-out-loud characters and gorgeous northern Minnesota beauty. The magnificent landscapes haunt like William Kent Kreuger’s Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land, and the quick-witted dialogue is reminiscent of Jenny B. Jones’ There You’ll Find Me and In Between books. The combination makes it an excellent YA read with cross-over into Contemporary Christian audiences. The novel also has a companion study guide full of plot-related questions for classrooms and theme based discussion prompts for book groups!

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop

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Excerpt

THE QUARRY, CHAPTER 16

"Hey!!!" Someone yelled from the crowd down below. "You gonna jump or what?!"

"Yeah! Jump!" Another voice echoed. I scanned what had been a short line in front of us; the old couple, the college students, and the prepubescent girls must have already taken the leap. A few more voices eagerly picked up the chant.

"Jump! Jump! Jump!" the chorus and my uneasiness both crescendoed.

Liam looked me through the eyes. Not in the eyes, into my eyes, and then he asked sincerely, "You ready for this? ‘ Cuz you don't have to." I glanced briefly at Mary. She smiled and winked. Liam extended his hand, perhaps an offer to hold hands and jump with me?

"I got this," I said, turning away from Liam's hand and stepping toward the edge. If a girl's gonna make something of herself, she can't do it holding hands with some boy—no matter how cute he is. My stomach was a mess of nerves, eggs, and applesauce, but I wasn't going to be some damsel in distress with both Mary and Liam wondering if I needed saving. I curled my toes over the lip, offered a terrified smile to the chanting crowd, and pushed off. Almost as an afterthought, I started a quick prayer: Dear God, please—

Freefall is what happened next. The whole drop took less than two seconds, but I heard the crowd cheer in those two seconds. I counted no fewer than thirty-one innertubes on the lake. I saw Liam's blue eyes and freckled face in the back of my mind, and I decided I would let that boy kiss me someday. Then I heard Taylor yell, "Feet together, girl!!!" before jerking my knees and toes together.

Splash!

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About the Authors

Dann Hurlbert has BSED in English and Theater Education from the University of South Dakota, an MFA in Digital Cinema from California’s National University, and has spent many years as an educator and professional actor and director. He currently serves as a Media & Design Specialist at Minnesota’s Carleton College. He’s a sucker for the Great Outdoors, Caribou Coffee, and his beautiful wife, and three impressive kids.

Kennedy Hurlbert is a cheerful and creative teenager who inspired much of the SRG story and corrected all her dad’s teen lingo. She enjoys being with friends, whipping up sweet and tasty desserts, and spending time at the lake. Any lake. She loves lakes. Especially the Boundary Waters. But any lake will do. She also likes sports and cuddling with the family Golden Retrievers.

Connect with Dann at dannhurlbert.com to follow him on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Suddenly Rural Girl?

"My English teacher gave us a writing prompt, so I wrote a one page short story about a scary day in the woods . . . and then asked my dad if we could turn it into a full book. My story became the first chapter of our book, and then we kept going from there!" --kennedy


Q: How long did it take to write this book?

"It took us about two years to write, but because of our busy schedules, we were mostly only able to write on Saturday mornings together. That became a neat routine. Kennedy and I would wake up early, go to a local coffee shop, and brainstorm, and research, write, and watch our story develop!" --dann


Q: What was the co-writing process like?

"I started with a lot of enthusiasm, but it was taking a lot longer than I thought. Plus, I had soccer and other activities some Saturdays, so my dad kept going when he had time. He'd ask me lots of questions about characters, and he'd ask me to write passages or letters between the two characters, while he kept the plot moving. Then he asked me to review all his writing--especially the texting, to be sure it sounded like something teens would say or text." --kennedy

Q: What surprised you while researching/writing this novel?

"The research and writing was a lot of fun. We learned a bit more about horses, and Minnesota foliage and wildlife, and about how long and slow writing a full-length novel can be. But, I'm really glad Kennedy proposed the idea of working on it together. That, by itself, was really rewarding. We also learned a lot about things like Beta Readers, Publishers, Querying, and now we're learning more about the distribution and marketing process. Living is learning, and it's been a fun process . . .and I'll apply lots of what we learned to book #2!" --dann


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Suddenly Rural Girl?

There are lots of great quotes in Suddenly Rural Girl. Here's one of our favorites from our protagonist, Dak:

"I got this,” I said, turning away from Liam’s hand and stepping toward the edge. If a girl’s gonna make something of herself, she can’t do it holding hands with some boy–no matter how cute he is."

Here's another quote about Dak's new neighbor, and the owner of the horse Dak begins to ride and care for:

George Washington Young was old, blind, and a pocketful of kindness. He was the kind of treasure you didn’t know you needed but can’t imagine living without. And it was all wrapped up in a pair of faded overalls and a smile.

Here's a quote that captures one of the themes in our novel, everyone carries some hidden struggle:

Taylor’s lips parted into a genuine smile, and the melancholy girl next to me was transformed into a beaming teenage girl—who was missing her front left tooth. My eyes shifted briefly to the small dark rectangle where the tooth should have been, and her wide grin immediately vanished. Taylor pulled in her thin lips, drawing them into a flat line where her smile had just been.

Aaaaannnd, there are some passages that we love, too! Here's one that carries the reader into some danger that Dak needs to overcome:

I had to give back. His dad helped me, and now his dad might be in trouble.

"Mary," I said firmly, turning Eyeballs toward her. "I need you to call the police. Tell them to head to the Redrickson house on Mill Creek Lane."

"OK."

"Then, can you run a couple miles back to my house?"

"Can I run a couple of miles?" She smiled like Joan of Arc. "I was born for this."

"I mean, can you find my house?"

She pointed. "That way, over the bridge, turn left." Then she realized what I was asking. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to help Jackson find his dad."

"Ok," she said, pulling her phone out of her pocket.

The sun was a sickle now, shaving the horizon, and I knew it would slip into the dark's sheath in no time. I also knew Mary could run like the wind, and she'd have no problem finding our house again. What I didn't know was how my horse would react to letting Jackson climb on his back—or if Jackson would be interested or able to. I leaned forward, clicked my tongue, and Eyeballs and I were galloping after Jackson.

And here's a favorite passage about Ms. Bousta, an important teacher Dak comes to appreciate:

Bousta's leg-sized arm shot forward and pointed toward the door. The flab under her arm swung like an oversized flesh cocoon. Without turning around, Ms. Bousta sweetly added, "Dakota, I'd like you to tippytoe along with us, too. I imagine Principal Arpan will be interested in hearing how your first day is going."

Sophia swung around on her heels and stormed out, exasperated.

"Ugggh!" She plowed between Makayla and Teagan, flicking her hands free of the remaining spuds.

Bousta quietly whispered "OK" to herself, relieved at having prevented a bigger scene. Then, she took a fateful step directly into Sophia's lunch.

What happened next can only be described as something between incredible contortion and amazing performance art: Ms. Bousta's size fifteen shoe slipped forward on the grease, leaving her enormous torso with nothing to support it. As her shoulders and head fell backward, she made a quarter turn and planted her right hand on the tile while simultaneously swinging her left leg over—spinning her chest-down in mid-air. But she didn't faceplant! She somehow tucked her head and left arm like a gymnast doing a roll onto her shoulders, flinging her legs above her head and into a spin like some helicopter move you'd see in a breakdancing movie! Her massive body rotated like a top three or four times on her upper shoulders before she kicked out of it, landing comfortably on the floor with one leg extended and one hand behind her head like a plus-plus-sized supermodel posing on the beach.

It happened in the blink of an eye. But no one blinked. Everyone in the lunchroom had just seen potatoes thrown at point-blank range miss their mark. Then they all witnessed Ms. Bousta flip what could have been a terrible flop into a legendary dance move.

"Whooo!" Ms. Bousta exclaimed after a shaky breath. "I haven't done that one in a while."


Q: What are you currently reading?

Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther. --kennedy

I Cheerfully Refuse by Lief Enger --dann


Q:What is your favorite genre to read?

YA Christian novels with a female main character --kennedy

Contemporary or Historical Fiction with some moral truths woven throughout --dann


Q: What is your favorite hobby?

I love playing soccer. --kennedy

I need a creative outlet. That's taken the shape of writing and directing plays and musicals, designing and manufacturing a teleprompter, creating videos, and now writing novels.! --dann


Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Summer. We both love the summer sun . . . and lakes. --dann & kennedy

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will win a signed paperback copy (or ebook) of Suddenly Rural Girl!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 16, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 23, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!