{{contact.first_name}} Here's this week's Fab Fiction Friday
Nov 17, 2023 4:11 pm
HELLO ,
Here is the rundown of what you'll find in today's email:
- Writing update
- Meet the character: Rhett Stryker
- Books for your TBR
- Book feature of @tawnisbookshelf
- Reminder about my Reader Group
Welcome back to Fab Fiction Friday where I share books and authors I think you'll love as well as update you on my writing journey!
WRITING UPDATE
Since the last time I shared an update with you, Rhett has developed amnesia which has turned into a big part of the plot. Which means that I--the author--has to figure out what to do with all of that. As someone who isn't very good at planning her books, this has become a fun challenge that is still helping me get words on the page. So..silver linings?
MEET THE CHARACTER
RHETT STRYKER
Rhett Stryker is a man who...doesn't remember.
As we learned in When Forever Comes Rhett was the lead tennis instructor at West's resort and had an interest in Dana Swann.
His past is hidden and also he...forgot everything about himself. So we discover who he is as he does through his memories gradually coming back to him.
He comes from a unique background that unfolds more and more as you flip each page, but her is a quick list of more fun facts:
- He has no memory of who he is.
- Even though he doesn't remember anything about his past--he knows he needs Dana.
- He has a raven tattoo across his back.
- He likes to surf (but we're not sure how well)
- He lives in a hut.
Lastly, I'll share his theme passage: Psalm 32
BOOKS FOR YOUR TBR
I may or may not have read these books, but you can always count on them to be clean!
SWEET CHRISTMAS ROMANCE NOVELLA
One of my best friends, Latisha Sexton, is releasing this sweet Christmas novella on December 4! I got to read an early copy and it is SO CUTE! Dex and Millie have the best banter and I love the peeks into their pasts. Latisha did such an amazing job with this and I can't wait to have it on my bookshelf 😍
Sometimes life takes a detour...
Millie Jane Brooks’ dream of stardom falls apart when she can’t catch a break in Nashville. With her tail between her legs, she sulks back home to spend a few days at her best friend’s vacant house before facing the truth—she might not be cut out for a singing career. But Millie Jane isn’t the only one seeking solitude and when her high school enemy crashes her perfectly laid plans of escape, she's faced with more than just her current failures.
Dex Hart is looking forward to a quiet recovery at his step-sister’s house after a season-ending injury halts his hockey career. With questions about his future looming over him, he’s hoping to find clarity over the holidays. But when he gets snowed in with Millie, the girl who got away, old feelings rise to the surface, stealing any chance of rest.
Millie Jane's heart is guarded after Dex’s betrayal years ago, but Dex has missed her sassy remarks and sparkling eyes too much to let the past ruin this second chance at love. Dex is determined to help her see that God might have another plan for her life... and his.
Can Dex break the walls around her heart in time for Christmas? Or will she shut him out and run away like she did all those years ago?
CHRISTIAN ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Kendra Warden is a new author who is breaking into the Christian romantic suspense world. So if you're someone who enjoys Christian romantic suspense, be sure you keep an eye out for her. Here is a little more about her!
Kendra Warden lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband, three young children, two cats, and a whole lot of books. She's passionate about (very) early mornings, long walks, and buffalo sauce. She loves to write exciting suspense stories that encourage readers to trust in the protection and love of Jesus.
You can snag her novella Forged in Darkness for free when you sign up for her newsletter!
The gang is her family now…
Lauren Ortega has served the Iron Prophets faithfully for years, but when her boyfriend pushes her to take part in a major drug smuggling job, she knows it’s finally time to get out. With the help of a childhood friend in law enforcement, she meets a man who offers her a chance at freedom–but walking away from her past is not going to be easy.
For security professional Reilly Forge, there is no gray area when it comes to right and wrong. Risking an undercover informant’s life for the greater good is just part of the job. But when he meets Lauren, he realizes that the line between criminal and victim isn’t always as clear as he once thought.
As deadly enemies close in on all sides, can Reilly protect the troubled woman who has shattered his assumptions and stolen his heart?
Serve. Protect. Redeem.
Each book in the Forge Brothers Security romantic suspense series can be read as a standalone. Forged in Darkness is a complete, novella-length story, with a happy ever after and no cliffhangers.
SNAG A FREE BOOK
This year, I have partnered with several other sweet/clean/Christian romance authors where I will be sharing links to their free books! All you need to do is sign up for their newsletter and boom, you get a free book sent over to your kindle or preferred reading device!
This month's author is Jodi Basye!
I read Jodi's book Redeeming the Prodigal earlier this year and absolutely LOVED it! Find out more about it and read my review below in the featured section!
Morgan Cross is avoiding his family. Rachel Sanders just wants hers back.
Amidst the bustling county fair, Morgan's path collides with a hard-working, spitfire of a young woman who vanishes after a single dance. When he discovers her stranded in a downpour, he learns she’s knee-deep in trouble. He'll do anything to keep her safe, but the question remains: Can she trust a perfect stranger to protect her and the past she's so desperately clinging to?
This riveting romance novella is a captivating tale of loss, faith, and finding family, that weaves together a modern Cinderella story with the rugged charm of the Wild West.
@TAWNISBOOKSHELF SPOTLIGHT
In here I will choose a book to highlight and share it with you! Every book I share here has been personally read and vetted by me.
This week's book is:
Redeeming the Prodigal by Jodi Basye:
A soiled dove at rock bottom. A mountain man broken and lonely. Can an unexpected encounter be their second chance at love?
Jo Bradford never thought she’d end up a fallen woman in a mining-town brothel.
But after running away from a family who love her and falling into the clutches of a sinister outlaw, Jo found herself left with a devastating choice between starvation and prostitution. After a brutal attack leaves her with an ugly scar, she’s cast out of the Parlor House, her only sanctuary from the outlaw gang she escaped from.
Gideon Cross blames himself for his pa’s disappearance.
When he decided to search for his father, he left Jo behind with hopes of returning for her. News arrived that she was missing, and Gideon was left broken-hearted. After years of grieving, he is finally ready to move on and start the family he’s always wanted, even if it isn’t with Jo.
When a twist of fate brings Jo and Gideon face to face again, can the grace of God mend their broken pieces and lead them to reclaim love or will their past failures be too much to overcome?
This gripping saga, full of heart-pounding adventure, will take you on an emotional journey of love and redemption in the majestic Rocky Mountains.
MY REVIEW
Jo and Gideon's story was powerful. The path to redemption was rocky for Jo, but well-worth the climb. The romance between her and Gideon beautifully unfolded as they were unexpectedly reunited and learned how to interact after the years and darkness that kept them apart.
I love when redemption books have side characters who make a profound impact on the main character (and the reader) and this book does just that in Abigail. One of the lines I highlighted and still stands out to me is when Abigail hands Jo a worn Bible and says, "This book is God's love letter to you. Whether you want it or not, keep it close. When all light has gone out in this world, it will light your path."
I am 9 months out from reading this book and it remains in a top spot of my favorite 2023 reads, and will probably remain one of my favorite reads of all-time.
The faith is heavy, strong, and authentic. The romance is slow building, sweet, and tender. The reader becomes a part of the story as it unfolds and you can't help but hurt for Jo and all she's been through.
I highly recommend this book, so much so that just two weeks ago, I recommended it to a total stranger when she told me she liked Christian romance!
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Have a fabulous weekend!
Have you read all my books?
Secrets, Lies, and Deadly Ties
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