Author Interview: Love Overboard by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Love Overboard by Shannon Sue Dunlap, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Love Overboard
Series: Love Overboard #1
Author: Shannon Sue Dunlap
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: May 21, 2024
Genre: Christian Romcom

A snort-laughing, cruise ship romance takes readers into topsy-turvy waters. 

When a group of four quirky friends retire on a neverending round of cruises, their attire consists of more than floral shirts and gaudy skirts. Armed with walkie-talkies and battle plans, these relationship experts--who've dubbed themselves the "Shippers"--target hostess Lacey Anderson and director Jonathan King in their romantic schemes. But the young couple refuses to cooperate. They've been on the "love boat" together before, and it went down in flames. 

Boss matchmaker Emily Windsor has orchestrated multiple romantic successes, and these two upstarts certainly won't get the best of her. The chemistry between Lacey and Jonathan is obvious, but the couple rebuffs every outlandish plot and "coincidental" meeting, forcing the matchmakers to chart a new course to true love--all while inadvertently thwarting drug smugglers threatening to ruin their floating home on the ocean. 

This laugh-out-loud rom-com features loveable characters, over-the-top situations reminiscent of 1950s sitcoms, and a dash of mystery. The toe-curling romance will push the reader overboard and all in with Shannon Dunlap's new series.

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

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About the Author

Lacey froze at the familiar sound. She recognized that voice.

Maybe it was a coincidence. There were lots of people on this deck.

Lacey moved again, at a cautious pace this time.

No need to be paranoid. The sweet- but- salty meddler couldn’t possibly know where she was. Lacey had avoided Emily Windsor ever since she recognized the gleam in the lady’s eye. She used to laugh at the incorrigible woman’s matchmaking schemes, but now that they were focused on her, Lacey’s stomach quivered like a lifeboat in a hurricane.

Romance wasn’t on her to- do list. Ever.

Static crackled, and Lacey heard the whispered words she feared.

“Target located.”

She fought the urge to run. It wouldn’t be dignified for a Monarch Cruises employee. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t take evasive maneuvers.

She swung on her heel and skulked away.

The shiny faux- wood doors of the ship’s cabins zoomed by as she hurried through the connecting corridor that led to the parallel hallway.

The heels of her navy pumps sank in the carpet and slowed her progress. Lacey glanced over her shoulder and saw a flash of floral print coming into view.

Not today!

(pg9)

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About the Author

Shannon Sue Dunlap writes books with a dose of laughter and a spoonful of love. One of the greatest compliments you can give her is saying her stories made you laugh-out-loud. She loves traveling around the world, singing tunes from classic musicals, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Shannon is a die-hard fan of happy endings and believes God has designed one for each of us.

Connect with Shannon at shannonsuedunlap.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Love Overboard?

Shannon: I saw a report on TV about a woman in her 80s who skipped the nursing home and retired on a cruise ship. The image of her smiling and dancing with the cruise director stayed with me, and my mental wheels started to churn. What if there wasn’t just one woman? What if there were four? And their secret mission in life was to help the poor, clueless youngsters find love!

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

Shannon: *Insert teary, laughing emoticon here.* Honestly, I’m not sure. The process goes something like this: You “finish” the book chapter-by-chapter as your critique group suggests changes. You “finish” it again and an author or agent you meet at a conference offers advice. You “finish” it again and a publishing house picks it up and sends it through four or five editors. I’m guessing from start to final finish may have been six or seven years.

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

Shannon: That cruise ships have a jail and a morgue. They truly are floating cities. As I researched the different aspects from the tiny worker accommodations to how they restock all that food for the buffets, the details can be fascinating.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Love Overboard?

Shannon: That would probably come from the big-hearted, unfiltered, hug-first-and-ask-later golden girl, Althea. “You sound like someone set your Spanx on fire.”

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

Shannon: While growing up, I loved to read but didn’t really consider being an author. Books were such precious things that it seemed like you had to be a genius to create them. I didn’t decide to be a writer until I was getting close to finishing my college degree studying music. I think I was 20.

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

Shannon: I can drive a stick-shift Combi (small passenger van) on the British side of the road with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle. It comes from the school year I spent teaching in Botswana, Africa.

Q: What are you currently reading?

Shannon: A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures: A Novel by Angela Bell. Part romance, part historical fiction, and part steam punk. It’s delightfully unique. Funny, poetic, and thought-provoking all at once. I highly recommend it.

Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Shannon: Traveling. The red clay beaches of Prince Edward Island, the Austen-esque homes of England, the Biblical sights of Israel, the crashing waters of Victoria Falls, and the exciting bustle of Seoul, South Korea. I recharge my spirit through travel. I hope, like my cruising septuagenarian characters, to keep exploring this big, beautiful world God created until the day I pass from this life to the next.

Q:What is your favorite season and why?

Shannon: Autumn. It’s grown more precious to me since I moved from Virginia to Houston. Here the seasons aren’t as distinct, and I rarely get to see the leaves change as I did on the east coast. This last winter, for some reason the weather differed and we got to see the riot of reds and oranges and yellows on the trees. It fed my soul.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a signed copy of Love Overboard plus character-themed items for each matchmaker!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 20, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 27, 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!

Epic Book Launch: Scandals and Mercies by Kathleen Rouser

About the Book

Book Title: Scandals and Mercies

Author Name: Kathleen Rouser

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 23, 2024

He’s a reporter determined to uncover the truth, but the secrets he finds could crush her family—and their second chance at love.

Taken from her family’s farm to be raised by her wealthy aunt and uncle, Nora Armstrong has accepted that not only will she never realize her dream of becoming a teacher, she’d also rather be a spinster than submit to her cruel aunt’s society selection of a suitable husband. The one man who caught her eye betrayed her best friend. And she’s got enough on her hands, hiding her sister’s shameful secret from her aunt.

When the local home for unwed mothers burns down, the arson investigation brings big-city reporter James Cooper back to Stone Creek—and back into Nora’s life. James also has a meddling aunt who raises more questions than she answers about his past. Not to mention, he can’t figure out why Nora constantly rebuffs him. When his reporting casts aspersions on the local church and lays the blame for the fire and a series of robberies at the wrong feet, he risks losing his new position at the paper.

As they seek to unravel the town’s mystery, rescue endangered mothers and children, and navigate their own family secrets forced to light, James and Nora increasingly turn to each other for help. But can they overcome James’s lack of faith and the disapproval of Nora’s guardians to find a second chance at love?

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Book Excerpt

“Come on, Cooper, we need more hands,” Reverend Ian McCormick yelled. Soot streaked the minister’s face and white shirt. His nostrils flared. His expression dared James to take part in the rescue efforts.

“Right.” He ground his teeth. Helping put out the fire was, no doubt, the most important task. But did anyone in this sleepy town understand the importance of a reporter getting the news to its citizens as well? He removed his coat, throwing it onto the back of a wagon, and rolled up his sleeves.

“Let’s go. We need relief in the bucket brigade.” Ian turned to his wife. “Sophie, we have someone to take your place. The women need you.”

The bright blaze silhouetted a line of men from town. They pumped water from the well into buckets, passing them along toward the fire and doing their best to help beat back the flames. He took the spot Sophie left empty, taking a sloshing bucket from the local carpenter, Mack Frost, who already appeared weary. How long had they been working?

Smoke rose in an ominous cloud. When they tamped it in one place, the bright orange flames ate up the wood in another.

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About the Author

Kathleen Rouser is a multi-published, award-winning author of historical and contemporary Christian romance. She is a longtime member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Faith, Hope and Love Christian Writers. She resides in southeast Michigan, a location which she often uses in her novels, with her hero and husband of forty-some years and two sweet cats who found a home in their empty nest.

Book Spotlight: Healing of the Heart by Heidi Gray McGill

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Healing of the Heart by Heidi Gray McGill, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Healing of the Heart
Series: Discerning God's Best #4
Author: Heidi Gray McGill
Publisher: Heidi Gray McGill Books LLC
Release Date: May 10, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Romance, Post-Civil War, Inspirational Fiction

He’s sworn to heal others, but at what cost to himself? 

Step into the bustling streets of post-Civil War Philadelphia, where cultural injustice and class disparity run rampant. Amidst this chaos, Thomas, an aspiring doctor from the wilds of Missouri, struggles to find his place in a society to which he is unaccustomed. But when he meets debutante Emmaline Whitaker, she teaches him more than the social graces - she holds the key to his future. Only it is the independent, fun-loving Theodora Morse who holds his attention. 

As Thomas navigates the complexities of high society, he must also confront his inner turmoil. When devastating news comes from home, Thomas is forced to use his waning faith to determine the desire of his heart. Will Thomas stand by his convictions and fight against the malaise of those around him, or will he choose the safety and comfort of his new life? 

In this powerful Christian historical fiction, award-winning author Heidi Gray McGill weaves a poignant tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption in the City of Brotherly Love. 

 For Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford fans, this standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series will capture your heart and leave you breathless. You’ll love this book if you enjoy gripping historical drama and compelling characters. Binge-read the entire series on Kindle Unlimited.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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More Books in This Series

     

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Excerpt

Louisa wiggled in her seat. “So, did he ask you?”

Emmaline wiped her pursed lips. “Ask me what?” Innocence was not a characteristic she wore well.

“Emmaline Whitaker, you know perfectly well what I’m talking about. You’ve attended every event this season without a beau on your arm. Not that many haven’t tried. Will you be attending the New Year’s Eve soirée with Thomas Shankel?” Louisa’s tone was terse.

Emmaline flashed a mischievous smile. “Ah, the resident sleuth. Perhaps I should start addressing you as Miss Pinkerton. As for Thomas, well, my dance card remains delightfully open.”

Teddy felt like her eyeballs would fall out with the exercise they were getting. It would have been easier to turn her head with the volley.

Caroline lifted her cup in a mock salute, but she could not break the tension building between the two girls. “You’ve been taking lessons from your aunt.”

Emmaline’s steely gaze moved from Louisa and settled on Caroline, who broke eye contact and took a sip from the raised cup.

“I’m keeping it a mystery for your own good. None of us should settle. Mother warned me men can keep their secrets for only so long before showing their true colors. Besides, Caroline, unlike Adeline, who’s had her sights set on Jimmy Reeves since primary school, you’d have loved and lost six men by this point. I’m merely keeping you from heartache.”

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About the Author

Heidi Gray McGill is a distinguished author acclaimed for her impactful Christian fiction works. Her Discerning God’s Best series has earned numerous awards. Despite facing challenges, such as blindness, Heidi has authored eight compelling books, showcasing her versatility as both a traditionally and independently published author of both historical and contemporary fiction. Heidi’s writing is purposeful, skillfully interweaving God’s love and wisdom into relatable characters and captivating narratives. Based in a charming town near Charlotte, NC, Heidi shares her life with her devoted husband of over three decades. Beyond her literary pursuits, she finds joy in cherished moments with family and immersive adventures through the pages of books.

Connect with Heidi at heidigraymcgill.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $20 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of Healing of the Heart!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 14, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 21, 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 for print. If winner is outside the US, an ebook will be provided instead. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Book Spotlight: Darkness Calls the Tiger by Janyre Tromp

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Darkness Calls the Tiger by Janyre Tromp, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Darkness Calls the Tiger: A Novel of World War II Burma
Author: Janyre Tromp
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: May 14, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Imperial Japan devours the southern portion of Burma, intent on taking over mainland Asia. Unaware of the coming darkness, Kailyn Moran drifts in her role as the only daughter of a widowed missionary. 

As whispers of war snake through the Kachin mountains, Kai's father is convinced God will protect the mission. He entrusts the village to her and the kind yet inexperienced new missionary, Ryan McDonough, while he makes routine visits to neighboring villages. 

War descends like a tempest upon the mountain peaks, and an unbreakable bond forms between Kailyn and Ryan as they unite to provide solace to both villagers and the flood of refugees. Despite their tireless efforts, a brutal enemy shatters almost everything they love, pushing Kailyn to embark on a path of unrestrained vengeance. 

Afraid he's losing the woman he loves, Ryan fights to protect Kai from the deadly consequences of her choices. But in the face of destruction, can he convince her of the power and freedom of forgiveness? 

"Evocative and transportive, filled with nuance and spiked with the violence of war, Darkness Calls the Tiger is a story of redemption in the midst of hopelessness." --Tosca Lee, New York Times best-selling author

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

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Excerpt

Somehow the villagers smothered the fire licking the dry grasses, and Papa eased my hands, legs, body off the branch, tucking me in his arms. His heart beat slow and steady against my cheek, not quite drowning out the whispers of the villagers.

Over Papa’s shoulder, I watched a group dragging the dead tiger down the mountain. They would skin it and give me the pelt—a reminder of conquering the beast. Of defeating the king of the jungle—a tiger.

Papa sat me in front of our home’s chief fire pit, a blanket over my shoulders. Mama set a bowl of water in front of me and wiped away the tiny streams of blood covering my body. I stared at my reflection in the bowl, my teardrops battering the water’s surface. Everyone knew the only animal who could face a tiger and survive was another tiger.

I touched the surface of the water, shattering my image.

Mama had promised there was no truth in the legend of the sharaw. But I’d stood against the tiger and won.

Perhaps the jaiwa had been right. I shivered under the heavy blanket.

“You are safe, little tiger,” Mama whispered into my hair. “There is no great darkness in you or this world.”

I laid my ear against Mama’s giant belly, her dark hair tangling in my own. Her stomach tightened, and Mama groaned, bending against the obvious pain.

It had been the first and last time Mama was wrong.

(pg 16-17)

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About the Author

Janyre Tromp is a developmental book editor who has worked in the publishing industry for more than twenty years, spending time in both marketing and editorial. She's the author of Shadows in the Mind's Eye and contributor to It's a Wonderful Christmas, a Christmas novella collection with other award-winning authors, including Julie Cantrell and Lynne Gentry. When she isn’t writing, she’s a Bible study leader, writers conference speaker, ACFW member, wife, and mom of two kids and their menagerie of slightly eccentric pets.

Connect with Janyre at janyretromp.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a signed copy of Darkness Calls the Tiger, a bookmark, and other book-themed goodies!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 13, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 20, 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!

Author Interview: Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin by Dennis Conrad

About the Book

Book: Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin

Author: Dennis Conrad

Genre: Christian Children’s Picture Book

Release date: October 30, 2023

Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin is an exciting adventure in the Ancient Roman Empire at the time of Christ. Eight-year-old Marcus and his father are on a mission for the Emperor and visit a mine and a mint where coins are made. Marcus himself makes a denarius, a coin with the emperor’s image.

Marcus goes to Jerusalem where he sees Jesus hold a denarius saying, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” What will seeing Jesus mean for Marcus, and will he ever be the same again?

Click here to get your copy!

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About the Author

A former coin collector for over fifty years, Dennis combines his love for the Bible, children’s literature, and sharing stories about the history behind coins.

Dennis retired as a professor of speech communications from Barstow Community College. He and his wife served as English and public speaking teachers ten summers overseas.

Dennis became a sustaining member of the Numismatic Association of Southern California in 1979. He is also a life member of the American Numismatic Association.

Dennis is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and a Fellow of the National Writing Project.

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More from Dennis

How to Turn a Penny into a Teachable Moment

Dennis Conrad

Connect with your child or grandchild by starting a coin collection.

Start with the penny, also known as the Lincoln Head Cent. The coins were first minted in 1909 because it was the 100^th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

Use the coin to help your child make the connections with who Lincoln was, what he did, and when he lived. Reasons why Abraham Lincoln is featured on a coin include the following:

1. Lincoln is often at the top of the list of America’s greatest presidents.
2. He helped to preserve the Union during the American Civil War.
3. His Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves.
4. The Gettysburg Address ranks as one of the best speeches of all time.

Now, Look On the Back (the Reverse)

Go through change to find the different images on the backs of pennies.

There are wheat ears (1909-1958) and the Lincoln Memorial (1959-2008).

To celebrate the 200^th anniversary of his birth, the U.S. Mint issued coins with four different images on the back. The Lincoln Bicentennial (2009) coins include a log cabin, Lincoln sitting on a log, Lincoln standing in front of the state capitol of Illinois, and an unfinished U.S. Capitol Building (the way it was when he was president.) For the past several years, there has is a shield on the back representing the preserved union (2010-Present).

Add one of each reverse to the child’s collection.

Don’t forget to mention the words, the date, and the mintmark.

The words include “One Cent,” “In God We Trust,” “Liberty,” “The United States of America,” and “E Pluribus Unum” which means “Out of many, one.”

Also, look for and find the year minted and the mintmark.

Find and add a coin from the child’s birth year to the child’s collection.

Look at the mintmark. It is a letter on the front of the coin under the date. The “D” is for Denver, the “S” for San Francisco, and the absence of a mintmark means the coin was minted in Philadelphia.

Add coins with the different mintmarks to the child’s collection.

Keep the collection safe in a small box or a Ziploc bag. Have fun. Add to the collection as time goes by.

Free Resources

Want to encourage the child in your life to learn more about coins? Sign up at https://dennisconradauthor.com so your child can become a Junior Coin Collector. Receive free, monthly activity sheets like a crossword puzzle. There is a Coin Hunt section where children can search for and find coins in change for their collection, and a Vocabulary Builder section with coin collecting terms.

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Author Interview

Q: What was the inspiration behind this children’s picture storybook?

Dennis: One morning, I took a manuscript about Bible coins to my eight-person critique group. After I read my story, the leader of the group was blunt. “I don’t like this story. There is no conflict. Why don’t you focus on the one incident where Jesus holds up a coin, and says, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

I thought long and hard about what he said, and I finally took his advice. I am glad I did. Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin became an Amazon bestseller in two categories and won First Place in Carolina Christian Writers Conference, Children’s Book Category, Kudos Awards.


Q: How long did it take you to write this children’s picture storybook?

Dennis: I had spent months revising the story for my critique group. Then, I worked closely with my editor at Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. for a little over three months.

Q: What was the most surprising thing you discovered while researching and writing this children’s picture storybook?

Dennis: I learned there is a lot of information about ancient Roman coin production. It was fun to find books, YouTube videos, and online articles related to this subject.

Q: Do any of the children’s picture storybook’s characters hold a special place in your heart?

Dennis: I like Marcus. He is a young boy who is a bit clumsy. I was glad to show him to be more mature by the end.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from this children’s picture storybook?

Dennis: The following quotations show Jesus’s comment and Marcus’s reaction.

Jesus’s voice boomed over the crowd. “Give to the emperor the things that are his, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Marcus frowned, “What?”

Marcus has to figure out what Jesus meant.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from this children’s picture storybook?

Dennis: I hope children and other readers will relate to Marcus and realize they, too, can have a mission. Also, family members can have the salvation conversation with the next generation.


Q: If the children’s picture storybook was made into a movie, who would like you to see play the main characters?

Dennis: I have already created a short video using the illustrations. Watch here:

https://dennisconradauthor.com/book-collection/

As a movie, Tom Hanks would be a good father, and I would pick an unknown child actor to play Marcus. I don’t have anyone in mind for Jesus.


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

Dennis: My wife, Diane, and I will have been married thirty-four years this June. In October 2019, Diane fell, had a brain bleed, and brain surgery. She now has dementia. I have been her caregiver until recently when her condition worsened. She is now living in a senior community with memory care. I see her every day.

Q: In what setting do you enjoy writing the most? 

Dennis: I do some of my best thinking and writing after having breakfast at a restaurant or having coffee at a coffee shop. I write on a yellow legal pad for the early drafts. Once I have the overall story in mind, I like to write dialogue.

Q: What are you reading now?

Dennis: I just finished reading several children’s and young adult books set in 300-325 A.D. for my next book. For example, I read nonfiction accounts about Constantine the Great and what life was like in ancient Rome. I also read a fictional story written for middle graders about a boy living during this time.

Q: How many bookshelves are in your home?

Dennis: This is embarrassing! My wife and I are retired college professors, and we have fifty-nine shelves of books. Yikes! We have several Bibles; faith-based, Christian books (nonfiction and fiction); teaching English as a second language books; English, public speaking, and cross-cultural communication textbooks; craft of writing books; a large collection of pamphlets; business books; Shakespeare; biographies; travel guides; and on and on. (Now that I counted the number, I think it is time to donate some of these books.)

Q: Who is an author you would recommend to anyone and everyone?

Dennis: Jerry Jenkins writes well and tells a great story. I liked Left Behind and the series.

Q: What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

Dennis: My wife, Diane, and I have been married thirty-four years this June. In October 2019, Diane fell, had a brain bleed, and brain surgery. She now has dementia. I have been her caregiver until recently, when her condition worsened. She is now living in a senior community with memory care. I see her every day.

Q: Where can readers find out more about you and your children’s picture storybook?

Dennis: Readers can visit https://dennisconradauthor.com.

Children can become Junior Coin Collectors and get free Activity Sheets (like a crossword puzzle) each month. There is also a “Coin Hunt” section that encourages young people to search for and find coins in change, and a “Vocabulary Builder” that teaches words related to coin collecting.

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Blog Stops

Lots of Helpers, May 8

Artistic Nobody, May 9 (Author Interview)

BookZone Reviews , May 9

Vicky Sluiter, May 10

Texas Book-aholic, May 11

Beauty in the Binding, May 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 13

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 14

Hannahbandanarama, May 15

Guild Master, May 16 (Author Interview)

Lights in a Dark World, May 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 18

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 19 (Author Interview)

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 20

Labor Not in Vain, May 21

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Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Dennis is giving away the grand prize package of a $100 Amazon gift card and a signed hardback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Link for giveaway: https://promosimple.com/ps/2b7c8/marcus-and-the-emperor-s-coin-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Spotlight: For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer

About the Book:

Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever--no matter the cost.

In 1692, they live and work in their father's tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother's mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives--or be their undoing.

In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents' orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.

The sisters have already decided which timeline they will choose, but an unthinkable tragedy complicates the future they planned for themselves. As their birthday looms, how will they determine the lives--and loves--that are best for both of them?

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Excerpt:

Our mother in 1912, Maggie Cooper, was a time—crosser and had passed the gift on to us. Hope and I had been born with Mama’s mark on the backs of our heads that sent us between 1912 and 1692. When we went to sleep in 1692, we woke up in 1912, and when we fell asleep in 1912, we woke up in 1692 without any time passing while we were away. On our twenty—fifth birthday, October twelfth, we would choose which path to keep and which to forfeit forever.

We both knew we would not stay in 1692, but Hope had always wanted to leave early, and the only way to do that would be to knowingly change history in 1692. If we did, we would forfeit our lives here. Our physical bodies would die in 1692, and our conscious minds would stay in 1912.

But it was much too dangerous. It would be easier—­and safer—­to bide our time.

“We cannot change history,” I whispered as I clutched the bundle of food. “It could set into motion events that are not supposed to happen. We could cause wars or famines—­or worse. It’s not worth it, Hope. Not when we only have seven and a half months left to endure.”

She let out a weary, frustrated sigh. “Fine—­but if anyone accuses me of witchcraft, you won’t be able to stop me.”

My heart fell at her words, opening the gaping darkness inside me.

I could never tell Hope that it would be me who accused her one day. I had foolishly allowed my curiosity to get the best of me four years ago in my other path. While studying the witch trials, I saw words that had haunted me ever since. Hope Eaton, daughter of the ordinary keeper Uriah Eaton, was yet another casualty of the Salem Witch Trials when her sister, Grace Eaton, became her accuser.

How could I ever call my sister a witch? It was unfathomable, but history did not lie.

Or did it?

I had slammed the book closed before I could learn more. What had it meant by “yet another casualty”? I couldn’t bring myself to look, and I vowed I would never search for answers again.

“Don’t talk like that,” I whispered, trying to cover the anxiety in my voice. “You know what people already think about us.”

I stepped past Hope and walked through the connecting door into the main room of the tavern. It was past the noon hour, but there were several men and women sitting at tables with their pints of ale. The weather had made all outside work impossible, so people had come to the ordinary to visit, hear the latest gossip, and stay warm.

John Indian, Reverend Parris’s enslaved man, was tending the bar today for Father. He worked at the ordinary several days a week and kept an eye on things when Father was away. John glanced up at me and nodded toward the crackling hearth, where Sarah Good stood with her back to the room. Her worn and tattered dress had probably not been washed in a year. She carried her young son on her hip, while her four-­year-­old daughter, Dorothy, clutched her mother’s skirts. Neither of the children were properly clothed for the February weather.

I acknowledged John and moved toward Sarah and her children. Hope followed me out of the kitchen.

Several people in the room were watching Sarah, whispering to each other. Salem Village was a small agricultural community about five miles north of Salem Towne. With fewer than a thousand inhabitants, almost everyone knew everyone else’s business. Surely they all knew of the afflicted girls and the rumors swirling about bewitchment.

When Sarah saw me approach, she turned and snatched the bundle out of my hands, grumbling under her breath. “Is this all?”

Her unwashed body and sweat—stained clothing sent off a putrid smell. It was well known that her husband, William Good, had abandoned her. She and the children were left to the charity of neighbors, but they were cast out of one house after the other because of Sarah’s foul mood.

“’Tis all we can spare,” I told her. “Stay and warm yourself as long as you need.”

“All you can spare?” Sarah snorted. “You aren’t so high and mighty as you think, Grace Eaton. They may be whispering about me, but they’ve been whispering about you and your sister much longer.”

Hope took a protective step forward. “We’ve given you what we can—”

“You’ve given me nothing but leftovers,” Sarah spat.

The other patrons quieted, and John stepped out from behind the bar.

Sarah looked between Hope and me. “’Tis the likes of you who should be begging. With those strange marks of yours and the mysteries surrounding your birth. The only reason no one questions you is because your father owns the ordinary.” She took a step closer while Dorothy tripped along. “Do you ever wonder about your mother? Why no one knows her name or where she came from?”

Hope drew closer to me, and I inhaled, lifting my chin.

“You should leave,” I said. “We’ve given you what we can.”

Sarah snarled at me and then turned and left the ordinary, Dorothy trailing behind her.

Chapter 1, pages 13-16
Excerpt from For a Lifetime, by Gabrielle Meyer © 2024, published by Bethany House Publishing

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Author Bio:

Gabrielle Meyer (GabrielleMeyer.com) is an ECPA bestselling author. She has worked for state and local historical societies and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides along the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota with her husband and four children. By day, she's a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and nonfiction filled with hope.

X: @MeyerGabrielle @bethany_house @austenprose

Instagram: @gabrielle_meyer @bethanyhousefiction @austenprose

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