Saturday, July 1, 2017

The Weekend Edition


  






If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them here. It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and phone number to claim prizes. Send to Seekers@Seekerville.net

Weekend Edition Winner of a P&P tote with a Mary Connealy No Way Up book tucked inside is Molly's Cafinated Reads.


Monday: Aussie Carolyn Miller joined us with her post, "From Down Under to Awed Wonder." We packed our bags for a whirlwind trip to visit London and Jane Austen. Cindy Regnier is the winner of an e-copy of either The Elusive Miss Ellison or The Captivating Lady Charlotte.


Tuesday: We welcomed award-winning mystery/suspense author Nancy Mehl today, as we continued Ruth Logan Herne's series about writing who-done-its! Winner of "Dark Deception" is Debbie Wilder!


Wednesday: Seeker Tina Radcliffe brought you "The Stoic's Guide to Emotions." So you're not a Drama Queen--more like a Mr. Spock? No worries. Tina provided tips to bring out your inner angst, whether you like it or not. Winners of their choice of a mousepad or a Carol Award finalist book of choice are Connie Mann and Lara Hitchcock.


Thursday: We welcomed four of the ladies responsible for the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, on August 12th this year in Cincinnati! Amazing bloggers Carrie, Annie, Beth Erin and Rachel have begun an annual tradition that brings authors and readers together in one place. They offered four delightful books as a prize package and the name picked out of the candy dish was Katherine Good!





Monday: "Daring to Dream Big." That's Monday's topic. Come prepared to share your dreams with Seekerville on this day before a holiday. Tina Radcliffe is your hostess. 

Tuesday: Happy Fourth of July. Seekerville is closed to celebrate America's Independence Day.


Wednesday: Seekerville is delighted to welcome Harlequin Heartwarming author Kate James to our dog house, with her post, "Oh no, my books are going to the dogs!" Don't miss this fun day, and do bring a picture of your furry friend to share. Kate also brought a few fabulous giveaways, including her latest release, Home to Stay (San Diego K-9 Unit).


Thursday: Rhonda Starnes joins us in Seekerville with a timely post (pun intended), "What Teacher Writers Can Teach You About Time Management." Rhonda brought a wonderful motivational giveaway, too! Save the Date! 


Friday: Welcome to The Best of the Archives: a post from our past. Comments are closed as we catch up on our reading and writing.








Myra Johnson's historical romance Castles in the Clouds (Flowers of Eden book 2) is a finalist in the  Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements category of the Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for Excellence! Also awarded Honorable Mention in the Catholic Press Association Book Awards, this is the 4th honor the book has received this year!


And Ruthy Logan Herne's "Home on the Range" is also a finalist in the Maggie Award of Excellence Contest.  Ruthy also took third place in the Catholic Press Awards Novel category with her 5 star-rated novel "More Than a Promise."





 ISLE OF HOPE ON SALE FOR ONLY 99 CENTS ALL OF JULY! If you haven't  read my 5-star, Family Fiction magazine's Best of 2015 ISLE OF HOPE, book 1 in the Isle of Hope series, now is the time! 99-CENT DOWNLOAD HERE! 



Book 2 in Julie Lessman’s Isle of Hope series, EVERLASTING LOVE, has a 5-star rating on Amazon and is NOW on sale at almost 50% off! BUY HERE! 


Book 3 in Julie Lessman’s Isle of Hope series, HIS STEADFAST LOVE, is NOW available for PREORDER!!  And good news! Pre-ordering 
gives you extra points in Julie's contest below! PRE-ORDER HERE!

CONTEST! Julie Lessman is kicking off the launch of His Steadfast Love with a new contest where you can win a character named after you in both the e-book and paperback versions, a signed copy, plus your choice of a $50 Amazon gift card OR a box of 10 top CBA books, so here’s the link:   JULIE’S CONTEST!
























Thanks for the link love.

The Weight of the Undone (Writer Unboxed) 💗💗💗 A must read!

PRO TIPS FROM INSTAFREEBIE ON FINDING YOUR NEXT FAVORITE AUTHORS (Instafreebie)

Learn What Irony (Really) Is and How To Use It (Reedsy)

Fiftieth Anniversary Edition of Christy Heralds New Publishing Partnership (Kregel Publishing)

 Gilead Publishing, Kregel Partner on Fiction (PW)

Email Marketing Tips: How to Get Your List to Buy Your Book (The Write Life)

The Importance of Secondary Characters in Your Manuscript (The Write Conversation)

How To Create Immersive Worlds For Science Fiction And Fantasy (The Creative Penn)

Overcoming Negativity Bias (Writers Helping Writers)

Worn-Out Words and Phrases: 2017 (Data Grammar Book)

CREATESPACE VS KDP PRINT (Kindlepreneur)

Use Cheat Sheets & Checklists to Entice, Engage Readers (The Book Designer)

Why a Thank You Matters (BookEnds Literary)

 


Let's throw a few books in a box and send them to a weekend commenter. Let us know you want your name in the firecracker box. 🎆Have a safe holiday weekend. Keep reading and writing!



Winner announced in the next Weekend Edition.

87 comments :

  1. I am the first commenter???? FIRST??? WHERE IS EVERYONE????

    Great WE and huge congrats to the winners from this past week... and thank you to our lovely guest bloggers, what a pleasure it was to work with all of you in this delightful and crazy biz!!!!

    And Myra, this is like old times, finaling in contests together.... Laughing and fist bump!!!!

    I got up extra early today to gain some writing time. Busy little feet in our house fill the days with laughter and fun, so I'm sneaking in extra overnight time.

    But still can't believe I'm first!!!

    Have a blessed and wonderful holiday weekend... awash in prayer and patriotism!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Back at ya, Ruthy!

      Enjoy those "busy little feet" while you can! Can't believe our kids will be moving out in less than a month. Honestly, I'll miss them terribly, including the noise and chaos, but a teensy (okay, not so teensy) part of me is looking forward to regaining control of my house and work time!

      Delete
    2. Don't you just love the holidays?

      Delete
  2. Hoping everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend with lots of writing and reading and eating hot dogs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And watermelon. And homemade ice cream!

      Delete
    2. Yes, hot dogs for sure. And homemade potato salad. yum I'm getting hungry.

      Delete
  3. Another terrific WE edition Tina.

    Congratulations to all the winners this week as well! I can hardly wait to come back and spend time going through the links. I always learn something new.

    Please put my name in the firecracker box, I could use some new books to read. :) Thank you for the chance.

    May you all have a safe and wonderful 4th. Celebrate the independence of our wonderful country and God bless America!

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just want a firecracker box!!!! #celebrate :)

      Delete
    2. Yes, God has blessed America and we are thankful. smile

      Delete
  4. Great WE, Tina! I appreciate all of the links.
    Congratulations to all of the winners and a special congrats to Ruthy and Myra! Nice!
    Wishing everyone a safe and special Independence Day. God bless America!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jill! BTW, I just started reading your book last night! Already falling for Jackson!

      Delete
    2. Yes, Safe and fun. And many blessings. smile

      Delete
  5. Congrats to all the winners...and to all those who received awards for their stories!

    Wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July extended celebration. Safe travel to all who are on the road. ATL was gridlocked yesterday! Praying for open highways to all our traveling Villagers.

    God bless the USA!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you have a fun and safe weekend, Debby!

      Delete
    2. Yes, safe travels to all traveling. Thankfully we are here and staying put. smile

      Delete
  6. Happy reading to all the book winners this week!
    And to Myra and Ruthy for their book finaling and awards!

    Please throw my name in the firecracker box (and I wouldn't mind it if Myra's Castle in the Clouds was in it ;)

    Happy 4th yall! It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 😍Thanks, Tracey! Happy Fourth!

      Delete
    2. Thanks Tracey and yes we are blessed to be able to praise God in this country. Freedom is a precious gift that a high price tag.

      Delete
  7. An excellent WE. Congratulations to both Myra and Ruthy. I have read both books and they deserve it.
    Please enter me in the drawing.
    Taking a short break from the actual writing today, working on contest entries, chapter for my crit partner and writing a couple of reviews.
    Feeling encouraged, and more aware of God's grace than usual.
    Best,
    KB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, KB! Glad you are getting to work on something writing-related today. I will be doing the usual Saturday chores and possibly bathing dogs who have been wandering through poison ivy. 😱

      Delete
    2. Yay KB. You are writing. Yay. I haven't been so good. sigh. Hang in there.

      Delete
  8. Thanks for a great WE and congratulations to the prize winners. Also kudos to Myra and Ruthy for their very well-deserved recognition. I hope everyone has a safe and happy July 4th and please throw my name in the firecracker box.
    Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Connie! Watch out for exploding firecrackers!

      Delete
    2. Happy Fourth back at you Connie.

      Delete
  9. Special congrats to Myra and Ruthy! Thanks, Tina, for another great WE! I would love to have my name in the firecracker box!
    Happy 4th to all!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jackie! Hope you have a fabulous Fourth!

      Delete
    2. Jackie, you are in! Happy Fourth!

      Delete
    3. Thank you, Jackie! It's so fun to final with Myra (and three other great ladies....) honestly, that's the best, the win is subjective.... so is finaling, but it's fun to get that far sometimes.... and to do it with Myra makes it that much sweeter! Old times for us!

      Delete
  10. Congratulations to Ruthy and Myra on the contest finals! Great WE. Everybody enjoy your Fourth. #ILoveMyCountry #America

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pammers, Yes we do love our country and our fellowship that extends across it.

      Delete
  11. I want to be in the firecracker box. :-) Congratulations to the winners. Also to Myra Johnson and Ruth Logan Herne for their awards.
    Enjoy the weekend.
    Becky B.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Becky, you are in!

      Delete
    2. Becky, thank you! We appreciate it.... and this award-winning author has been mowing THICK lawn and building a chicken coop and changing diapers. :) My life is nothing if not eclectic!!!! Enjoy your weekend!

      Delete
    3. Hi Becky, Hope you are enjoying the weekend also.

      Delete
  12. Congratulations Myra and Ruthy! Awesomesauce all around!!!

    And Happy Canada Day -- it's our 150th -- and pouring rain where I am! :-( Hopefully it will brighten up in time for the fireworks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Canada Day to you Canadian youngsters.

      Delete
    2. Waving Kav and yes, it is Canada Day today. Happy holiday to you. Hope your day brightens nicely.

      Delete
  13. Happy 4th of July Weekend, Seekerville! Happy Canada Day for our friends north of us! The rain has stopped here and the sun is shining.

    I'm looking forward to our annual picnic on Tuesday. This will be the 47th year for this gathering. Hard to believe I was a young mama then. Now I'm a young grandma. At least in my mind. LOL What do you do to celebrate our Nation's birthday?

    Congratulations, Myra and Ruthy, on the contest finals! Congrats to our weekly winners! I'm looking forward to the week ahead. How will Villagers post doggy pictures? Via a link? I'm techy challenged.

    Janet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janet they will post them on her author FB page.

      Delete
    2. Oh Wow. I love picnics. Wish I was close enough to stop on by and get a hug.

      Delete
  14. Congratulations to Myra and Ruthy on the Maggie finals

    I hope everyone will have a wonderful and happy 4th of July.

    Please put me in the dish for the box of books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Wilani! Are you off house arrest yet?

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Wilani! How's your summer season going down there? And how is the rebuilding going? You guys went through a lot last year.

      Delete
    3. Hi Wilani, Happy fourth of July to you also.

      Delete
  15. "Be Careful What You Pray For...You Might Get It"


    What a pretty picture it makes: those two chairs at the edge of the sea. And yet what do two empty chairs mean when resting so close to the water that the next high tide will pull them into the abyss?

    Do we just assume that there are two lovers in the water enjoying the day or have they quarreled leaving the chairs to their own fate?

    Is it sunset or sunrise? Are the chairs waiting for their lovers to return or has all hope been lost?

    Does the mist signify flying blind into the future? Why would such a beautiful shell be left to be repatriated by the sea?

    Are we looking at paradise found or paradise lost?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vince I can always count on you for a good laugh. Hahaha

      Delete
  16. Weekend Heads Up
    For K-9 Fans!


    Right now, Kate James', "When I Found You" (San Diego K-9 Unit Book 3), is on sale as Kindle, for just $1.99! I just downloaded my copy. This is part of a four book series. Kate will be the guest blogger on Wednesday. "Oh,no, my books are going to the dogs."

    BTW: Indie authors might want to check Amazon to view how the four covers of this series look like part of a series while being different enough to be remembered as individual books. This is hard to do making it a fine example.

    Can't wait for Wednesday -- K-9 Romances are an auto-buy for me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I downloaded it too, Vince! Yes. I can't wait for her visit!!

      Delete
    2. I'm with you Vince. I love any story with a pup in it. Movies too. Hubby is same way. In fact, I think he's a bigger sucker than me for an animal story. smile

      Delete
  17. Happy Independence Day! I'm looking forward to catching up on my review books this week while I recover from shoulder surgery. Tina, I've got one of yours on my list :)

    Congrats Ruthy and Myra and everyone who participated in the contests!

    Please put my name in the firecracker box :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I thought it was your husband who had the shoulder surgery! Prayers for continued recovery.

      Delete
    2. Heidi, just don't overdo.... not too soon, anyway! And thank you so much!!!

      Delete
    3. Praying for fast recovery. Shoulders--not fun. But hang in there. Its worth it.

      Delete
  18. Bookmail is the best. Throw my name in for the Firecracker Giveaway please! Today we cleaned our church and are now relaxing. Sunday we are attending church and Monday I am driving to my parents' with my children to attend a parade Tues. morning. We have been going for years and my sons love it. It is in a small town but the parade is known for being good. I hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laura Waltz! Thrilled to have you in Seekerville. WE LOVE SMALL TOWN PARADES!

      Delete
    2. I love parades. Especially small town parades. They are so fun. Have a great time, Laura.

      Delete
  19. Congratulations to all the winners and authors!

    May God bless all of Seekerville!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right back at you, Phyllis.... And God bless America.

      Delete
    2. Thank you Phyllis and God bless you also.

      Delete
  20. Ohmigosh, ohmigosh, ohmigosh! This from the article about "The Weight of the Undone" is fantastic: The work that I have done while on the rollercoaster is messy, but far better than the work that I never did finish while waiting for the ride to be over.

    Okay, just had to share that. Now to go read the other links and comments ...

    Nancy C

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know. I want to tattoo that on my meager chest.

      Delete
    2. Nancy, you are tooooo funny. Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  21. Oh! And Happy Canada Day 150!!

    Nancy C

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congrats to all the winners. Yay. Another great WE. I love weekends. Must be from all those years of working a day job. smile And holidays. Oh yes. Love those also. Happy Fourth of July to all of you and happy Canada Day to our lovely neighbors up north.

    Super congrats to Myra and Ruthy for the Maggie Award Finals. Woohooooo!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congrats to all the winners!

    Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks again for inviting us to share this week, Seekers! Congratulations to the winners and toss my name in the box, I love a good giveaway! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are in, Beth Erin. Thanks for joining us this week.

      Delete
  25. Remember When?

    Remember when you bought that book with such high hopes? Remember how you put it into your TBR pile with the same warm satisfaction of depositing a large sum into your bank account? And remember how those shiny new objects came out later and distracted you away from those older gems that still populate your ever-growing TBR pile?

    Eureka!

    There's gold in them there piles. Mine some today!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually, you are right. I could get stranded on a desert island with electricity for a year and still have a book to read every four days on my Kindle.

      Delete
  26. Big Dreams in Many Small Packages

    Is dreaming big, dreaming better? Is it better to have one big dream that fails or a hundred small dreams that all come true? Is bigness actually a sugar coating for future failure?

    Aim high? But if your aim is to jump the Grand Canyon on a motorcycle and your result is getting 95% of the way over, is that still not a failure? Even if you fly further across than anyone ever got before you: splat?

    And yet, isn't dreaming big still better? Of course it is -- if it works and it doesn't deprive you of a lifetime of blessings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Uh, oh. I'm in trouble. A dream big devil's advocate in our midst.

      Delete
  27. HAPPY 4TH, SEEKERVILLE!!

    Hope everyone is having as beautiful weather as we are at Lake of the Ozarks!! This place is BUZZING with life and laughter, but the waves out there could rival a tsunami, so Keith and I are laying low with swimming at the pool, biking and kayaking rather than boating this weekend!!

    SUPER CONGRATS TO RUTHY & MYRA for all the contest accolades -- you guys ROCK!!

    Great article, Tina, on The Weight Undone! I want to tattoo this line: That means that the way to live is to make the time, not wait for it.

    And, Sandra, I love weekends,too, even though I haven't had an official M-F job for YEARS and basically have a "weekend" schedule all week long. Weekends are STILL special to me and always will be.

    HUGS AND HAPPY WEEKEND, ALL!!
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wishing everyone a joyful, safe, spirited 4th of July weekend! Congrats to Ruthy and Myra...joy, joy!!

    Tears in my eyes after reading The Weight Undone! Here's to writing on the rollercoaster....I'm on it!

    Please throw my name in that firecracker box! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are in Kate. Wasn't that article stupendous??

      Delete
  29. Congratulations Myra and Ruthy! Very exciting.

    Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I have been busy and just now checking in.

    I am feeling very grateful today. I had an email from my dad saying that earlier this morning a deer crashed through the window of my mom's room at the nursing home. She was still in bed and glass was everywhere but she did not get hurt. God was definitely watching out for her. Very bizarre.

    Please put my name in the drawing.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Happy weekend everyone. I'm kind of sad to see this week end because my two youngest brothers had VBS, but now it is over. Sigh, I will miss those hours of quietness.

    Please enter my name in the firecracker box.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Congratulations to the winners! And woo hoo Ruthy and Myra - so happy for you! Thanks for the info on Julie's new book and contest! Great WE, Tina! Off to read the links.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Happy WE everyone! Hope you all have a safe 4th.

    Congrats to the winners, Ruthy and Myra included on the book awards!

    Please add my name to the firecracker box, thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm late! Almost missed the WE. I hope you all had a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Also meant to once again congratulate Myra and Ruthy!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sorry I didn't get back to visit over the weekend, but I wanted to pop in one more time and thank everyone for the kind words about my Maggie final! It really is a thrill, and I'm in such good company!

    Happy Fourth, Seekervillagers!

    ReplyDelete