Monday Mixup: What’s cooking with Matt Lawson

Matt Lawson loves to cook. Want to know his favorite recipe? Read on to find out!

Welcome to Monday Mixup!

In this series, we’ll be featuring notable characters from Anaiah Press books. Today, Sara Beth Williams is sharing a favorite recipe from Matt Lawson, the hero in Anchor My Heart:

Read on to find out why Matt enjoys his homemade barbeque rub.

If you’ve read When Hearts Collide, where we first meet Matt Lawson as a side character, you’ll notice throughout that he loves to cook. In When Hearts Collide, he helps cook dinner on Christmas Eve at Lacey’s, barbeques chicken for Jay’s birthday party, and in A Worthy Heart, he hosts an Easter dinner for all his friends.

As a musician, Matt is a creative soul. Cooking comes naturally to him. He also loves community. Not large gatherings with way too much noise, but small, intimate gatherings with his close friends. He loves to bring his friends together and cook for them. I…

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From the Heart Friday: A Worthy Heart

Happy Friday! I wanted to share with you the first chapter of A Worthy Heart for FREE! If you’ve not had a chance to check out this story, now is your chance.

Keep reading below for this sneak peak.

A Worthy Heart is free on Kindle Unlimited or you can purchase it directly from Amazon. Enjoy!

Anaiah Press

Are you looking for a heartfelt weekend read?
Take a peek at this week’s From the Heart editor’s choice.

A Worthy Heart

Title: A Worthy Heart
Author: Sara Beth Williams
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Paperback and eBook

Description

Joel Bennett has always known Serena Hayes as his sister’s gregarious best friend. In the three years since Lacey began college, Serena became a regular houseguest, but lately, she’s absent more than not. When Joel discovers she’s in an abusive relationship, protectiveness from within roars to life.

With only a part-time job to support her and nowhere to go, Serena fears leaving her current relationship would jeopardize her chances of graduating college. After a brutal attack leaves her no choice, she courageously moves out. On her journey toward regaining confidence, self-worth, and independence, Joel falls in beside her, encouraging her. The way he emulates Godly love and compassion draws her close—not…

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It happens to the best of us (+ giveaway)

Have you ever messed something up?

So……. I messed up on the forms that I created for my launch team – in hopes of making things easier for myself, I inadvertently created more hassle. Well, you live and learn. As I like to say, it happens to the best of us.

So I’m sending this quick note out because I need your help.

If you want to review an ARC of Anchor My Heart, please fill out this form again – I’ve fixed it so it will collect your email so I can contact you. As an alternative, you may also contact me here.

Even if you think you filled it out earlier in the year, please fill it out again so i can collect an accurate count of those who want to read an ARC copy.

The deadline to fill out this form is MARCH 8TH.

If you haven’t heard about the giveaway going on – I’m doing a preorder prize pack giveaway! Check out all what’s up for grabs!

THREE winners will win something. One grand prize winner will win a complete set of my 3 books, signed, plus bookmarks.

Another winner will win a paperback of their choice. (of my 3)

Another winner will win an ebook of their choice (of my 3)

ALL winners will be invited to hang out with me on zoom!

The giveaway ends at 11:59 PST the day before launch. So March 16th is my launch date. Due to shipping costs, physical prizes only available to those with a U.S. address. All information requested through forms is never shared with anyone and ONLY used for communication purposes between winner(s) and myself.

After you Preorder Anchor My Heart, save a screen shot, fill out this form here. and attach the screen shot, and you’re in!

However – that form apparently doesn’t cooperate with everyone – specifically attaching photos or files. So, if you have preordered Anchor My Heart and the form is not cooperating and you want the chance to be entered into the giveaway, you may contact me via the form here and we’ll work it out together.

Don’t worry – I’m planning to give out more giveaways as we go through March and April, AND there will be multiple giveaways going on around the internet in conjunction with the release of Anchor My Heart. Please follow me on social media so you don’t miss what’s going on!

Cover Reveal: Anchor My Heart

It’s finally time. I am SO excited to share my cover with you all! It’s absolutely gorgeous. I sincerely hope the characters on this cover come to life for you through these pages as much as they have for me.

But first, the official summary.

About Anchor My Heart

Worship leader Matt Lawson has every blessing in life he could ever ask for—a dream job, a woman he can’t wait to spend the rest of his life with, and his God-given musical talent. In one tragic night, the future he’d so carefully planned out for himself crumbles at his feet. In the aftermath, a debilitating past affliction roars back to life and leaves him reeling in despair, unable to face the reality that he has lost everything he held dear.

Tara Pierce has spent the last five years crushing on everyone else’s man. Now, she’s about to graduate college. It’s time to put past infatuations aside and focus on her career goals. At her sister’s urging, the two come together to brainstorm what could be just the jumpstart Tara needs in her Child Development career. When Matt’s grief causes him to isolate himself from everyone he knows, she refuses to stand idly by and do nothing. She has traversed similar terrain before. No one deserves to travel that road alone.

Unexpected attraction flares as Tara reaches into the sea of Matt’s grief and helps ground him in reality. Warning bells clang within and Matt holds back, but their shared experiences only heighten the magnetism between them. Still, Tara senses he’s not ready to give himself away again. Risking her heart and their friendship, she is forced to put distance between them and let God step in to heal where she can’t.

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From the Heart Friday: A Promise to Keep

Anaiah Press

Are you looking for a heartfelt weekend read?
Take a peek at this week’s From the Heart editor’s choice.

A Promise to Keep by Melony Teague

Title: A Promise to Keep
Author: Melony Teague
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Paperback and eBook
Print ISBN: 978-1-947327-72-6

Description

Research librarian Savannah Sanderson wants nothing more than to escape into her happily-ever-after novels with their larger-than-life fictional heroes. But a promise to her late husband has her attending her dreaded twenty-year high school reunion, drinking ghastly punch, and taking desperate measures just to keep her vow, even if she has to hide behind the décor to do it.

Before the night is over, a pact…

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Book Birthday Bash: A Promise to Keep

As part of the A Promise to Keep Book Birthday Bash we’ll be celebrating the 1-year anniversary of the book’s release by Melony Teague.

I have to tell you – I’m halfway through this right now – and I LOVE it. Teague’s writing, the heartwarming romance, the intensity of the characters, is a breath of fresh air. I’m so excited I could join in to celebrate this book birthday bash!

Make sure you enter to win a $5 Amazon gift card. The giveaway will run from Jan 18 – Jan 22, and the winner announced the week of Jan 25^th. Giveaway entry link at the end of this post.

There are many stops on this tour, so be sure to check out the full schedule link posted at the end of this post.

Below, Melony Teague gives us a glimpse into her research process.

Let’s Party!

Thanks for having me on your blog, Sara Beth!

In some ways, the research part is the fun part. And not for the reasons you might think.

First, as an extrovert, (yay another extrovert! – sorry for interrupting, Melony – sorry go ahead – ahem) any excuse to go out and meet people is welcomed. (Especially nowadays when we can’t be doing that.) Second, I am an innately inquisitive person, so I love asking all sorts of questions that I otherwise would not be able to ask. Writers and journalists get to ask weird questions, ya’ll! It’s such fun!

However, I wrote A Promise to Keep before the pandemic, so I was able to meet with people and travel to settings. I’m sure we all long for those days again, and they will return.

Michael McCann, my hero is a technical rescuer (so swoony by the way) so I needed to consult with a technical rescuer or firefighter about probable scenarios that he might deal with. I wanted to get inside the mind of a first responder. What might they be thinking? What factors would cause them to choose one action over another?

I was fortunate to have local Firefighter, John Catoul, help me out on the rescue situations. When the book was published, I was able to visit the station and take him a copy. That was quite memorable and great fun.

Medical questions were directed to Dr. Bill Etzkorn, and it was funny because when I was talking to him, I explained that the victim in question needed to be rescued in a mountain rescue. I’ve known Dr. Etzkorn for many years and his reply was, “I used to do mountain rescue when I was in med school.”

Well, I nearly fell off my chair! I had no idea. It was like I was meeting just the right people for what I needed.

Much of the setting for Michael and Savannah’s escapades take place in Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake, both of which are popular tourist destinations in Canada.

In preparation for these scenes, my family took a day trip to Niagara falls and we did the “journey behind the falls” experience. I’d been on the boat before, so we didn’t do that.

My daughter and I went to the butterfly conservatory and my son wanted to go to a war museum. It was a full day of adventure, as well as education. Niagara Falls is a fun place to explore. In the book, Michael takes Savannah to Bird Kingdom, because he knows how much she loves birds. He, on the other hand, isn’t a great fan, but he puts her needs above his own.

The only part of their story that you can’t visit, because it is fictional, is their hometown of Point. It doesn’t exist. You can visit it through the experiences and eyes of Michael and Savannah as they step back into a time when they were high school friends in A Promise to Keep.

Nothing like a dreaded high-school reunion to set the sparks flying.

I hope you enjoyed the settings and story in A Promise to Keep.

If you could armchair travel to anywhere in a book, where would you like to go?

LISTEN TO AN EXCERPT OF CHAPTER ONE of A PROMISE TO KEEP HERE

“With charm, wit, and romance, Teague’s debut novel takes readers on a journey of second chances, grace… and a trusty fern. Hope and humor blend throughout the story, balancing deep emotions with lighter moments and a sweet romance besides. A bright new voice in Christian fiction!”
—Carrie Schmidt, ReadingIsMySuperPower.org

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BOOK DEPOSITORY

BARNES & NOBLE

About the Book

A Promise. A High School Reunion. And a pact that proves harder to keep.

Once a reckless troublemaker, Michael McCann fled town after graduation. Now a professional technical rescuer, he’s back for the reunion, but on his trip down memory lane, he soon comes face to face with unresolved issues, namely Savannah. Before the night is over, a pact between these two old friends will lead them on an adventure into uncharted emotional territory where Michael must confront his past regrets and find the courage to reveal the truth. But can Savannah fly from her sheltered nest and risk her heart on a real-life hero?

About the Author

Melony Teague is a freelance writer who believes everyone has a story to tell. As co-author of As the Ink Flows, she loves to inspire and motivate others through her written words. With foamy lattes in-hand, she writes Contemporary Romance with a dash of humor. Though she has no hobbies outside of reading, writing, and eating chocolate, she is a member of ACFW and The Word Guild. She teaches seniors in her community to write their memoirs. She confesses with no shame that she has a strong belief that pumpkin pie is an acceptable breakfast food since it’s mostly vegetables. Her Fiction Debut, A Promise to Keep, released in Jan 2020. Melony was born in South Africa and now lives in Toronto with her husband, their two teenagers, and two cats who think they’re humans.

You can connect with her here

ENTER TO WIN THE GIVEAWAY HERE

Find the full blog schedule with other fun posts here.

Book review + Giveaway: Her Merriweather hero

Welcome to the blog tour for Her Merriweather Hero through Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Her Merriweather Hero

Author: Rachel Skatvold

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 27, 2020

He just wanted a place to rest and recuperate.

She only needed a repairman to help fix up her beach house.

For marine sergeant, Tyler Banner, nothing could be further from the memories of his time in Iraq than the slow, easy pace on Merriweather Island. Taking up a job as a physical trainer serves to keep him in shape while he enjoys a little downtime. Making friends with the local vet—veterinarian, that is—on his morning jog is just a bonus.

When Kendall’s sister tricked her into recruiting Tyler’s help one day, she didn’t fortify herself against a breach to her heart. Making friends with the marine was easy, but helping him overcome the PTSD that holds him captive isn’t. As she picks her way across a minefield of memories and horrors Tyler endured, Kendall begins to hope he could be the man she’s prayed for.

Falling in love wasn’t in Tyler’s orders, but a new deployment to Iraq is. How can he convince Kendall not to go AWOL when she hears? What can he do to convince her that they’ll make it… together?

This “Merriweather book” is the fourth in a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

Click here to get your copy!

My thoughts

I’m excited about this island series, as it is a unique idea, to write a series of novellas with interconnecting characters and even interconnecting storylines.

The island sounds like a fun place to be. The setting, and the idea of a vet clinic, sounded fantastic. It’s not often you meet characters with pets, and it sounds like, in general, this series may incorporate characters with pets as we continue on through the series. That’s awesome.

I also admired that the hero had a physical disability in the form of a prosthetic, but I wanted to see more from him about what it’s like to have a prosthetic. The way he maneuvered and handled himself was a little bit unrealistic in my opinion. I however did find all of his mental anguish over his injury and the death of his friend believable. He was a great hero.

The heroine fell flat for me in the beginning, but her character improved significantly as the story progressed. I like the dynamic between the sisters as well. I loved how faith was woven into the lessons they all learned about life and love.

About the Author

Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing inspirational romance and encouraging blogs. Rachel completed her first series, the Riley Family Legacy Novellas in 2014 and is now working on the Hart Ranch Series, set in the Montana wilderness and the Ladies of Ardena Series, set in medieval times. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming, Brides of Pelican Rapids and Independence Island Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons. You can find more information about Rachel and her books on her website: www.rachelskatvold.com.

More from Rachel

Her Merriweather Hero has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding stories I have written. Often when I am starting a new book, I immerse myself in the world-building process, which involves a lot of research and notetaking. This time around, I had the amazing opportunity to work with Celebrate Lit and the authors in the Independence Islands Series to map out these beautiful island stories. It has been an exciting journey so far.

This story was inspired by my parents who met through letters while my dad was in the Marine Corps. They both came from different backgrounds, with my mom being from Massachusetts and my dad from a small town in Iowa, but their differences didn’t stop them from falling in love. For Her Merriweather Hero, I used themes of opposites attracting, New England, and the Marine Corps from my parent’s love story.

Kendall is a young veterinarian who moves to the Independence Islands with her sister to start a new mobile clinic. There, she meets Sergeant Tyler Banner who is on medical leave after a tour overseas. She tries to avoid Tyler at first, determined to concentrate on making her business a success, but over time she can’t ignore the handsome military guy who keeps ‘accidently’ crossing her path. It doesn’t help he lives a few doors down from her fixer-upper beach house. Can she continue to try to ignore him or is it true that opposites attract?

This romantic island tale is also inspired by the verses from Hebrews 6:18-19 which describe God as our anchor. The characters feel tossed around by waves of difficulties at certain parts of the story, but He is always the anchor who keeps them secured.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 16

Daysong Reflections, November 16

Texas Book-aholic, November 17

lakesidelivingsite, November 17

Inklings and notions, November 18

21st Century Keeper at Home, November 18

Joanne Markey, November 18

For Him and My Family, November 19

Emily Yager, November 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 20

deb’s Book Review, November 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 21

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 21

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, November 21

Artistic Nobody, November 22 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Rebecca Tews, November 22

Ashley’s Bookshelf, November 23

The Cafe Scholar, November 23

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 24

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 24

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 24

Aryn The Libraryan 📚, November 25

She Lives To Read, November 25

Simple Harvst Reads, November 26 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Livin’ Lit, November 26

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 27

Rebekah Reads, November 27

Connect in Fiction, November 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 28

Life, Love, Writing, November 28

Blossoms and Blessings, November 29

Batya’s Bits, November 29

Godly Book Reviews, November 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/103a0/her-merriweather-hero-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wish Upon a Star: Book Review

Wish upon a Star by Tabitha Bouldin

Contemporary Christian Romance

SynopsisB

Bryce Masters had everything he needed…or so he thought. His six-year-old daughter, Anna, would disagree. They were going home, moving back to Jingle Junction where Bryce would take over the local bookstore just in time for Christmas. Losing his wife, Molly, during the birth of their daughter six years ago was tragic, but Bryce has no idea just how much it weighs on young Anna’s heart until she confesses her deepest wish. What Anna wants for Christmas is a mother, but Bryce’s heart is not ready to love again. Only God can give Bryce the desire to make Anna’s wish come true. Only He can heal the hurt and open Bryce’s heart to the power of love. But Bryce will have to be willing to listen. And when the perfect woman reveals a secret that could devastate them all, will Bryce be able to look beyond what was and accept what might be?

My Thoughts

Tabitha has a unique voice, and has written a beautiful and romantic Christmas story. The child’s adorable-ness in her mission brings this heart warming and touching story to life.

I loved the sweetness of the child. It’s also interesting and unique to have a romance novel in a male POV, but i thought it nicely done. I’d have loved a dual POV, to see what our heroine was thinking and feeling.

The small town setting was quite charming and presented some unique characters who will likely return.

If you enjoy small town romances, you’ll enjoy this charming little Christmas story.

Book Review + Giveaway: Secret Beach Boyfriend

I’m excited to review this new Independence Island series through Celebrate Lit! Read on to find out my thoughts on Secret Beach Boyfriend, and don’t forget – there’s a giveaway!

About the Book

Book: Secret Beach Boyfriend

Author: Kari Trumbo

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: September 29 , 2020

She met Rafe on the beach when she was just five and it seemed like fate tied them together. When a chance encounter returns him to the islands twenty years later, Annie finds her beach friend has grown up and now needs her help.

Damaged and scarred from a past that still hasn’t healed, Annie needs help of her own. True to character, Rafe comes up with a perfect solution, but a temporary island romance does not fit into his agenda at all.

Will an offer to be her secret boyfriend give her heart a second chance? How can it turn into something more and prove there’s power in prayer and that love can triumph over a painful past?

He was Annie’s hero long ago, but can the man he has become save her now?

Secret Beach Boyfriend is the third “Merriweather book” in a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Island Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click here to get your copy!

My thoughts

Kari’s writing doesn’t disappoint. I enjoyed this cute beachy read, perfect for right at the end of summer. For me, this was the first read of mine in the independence island series, but I’ll be reading more of them as I find them. There are six so far if I am not mistaken. What’s not to love – the beach + romance = the perfect combination.

The author handled some really tough topics of mental health and I appreciated that she included such topics in her story as a prominent plot point. That’s not something I see in much of Christian Fiction and I admire those who tackle mental health in writing.

While the characters had believable flaws and behaviors, there were things Annie did that I didn’t agree with at all, and a particular revealing plot point at the end of the book that shocked and angered me. I won’t reveal it or complain about it as it’s a major spoiler.

That said, it’s still a well written, heartwarming story that readers will enjoy.

About the Author

Kari Trumbo is a bestselling author of Christian historical and contemporary romance novels. Her books are known for characters who feel real, settings you could move to, and faith woven between the pages. She makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband of over twenty years, two daughters, two sons, and never enough time.

More from Kari

Have you ever hunted for seashells on the beach?

This sweet story actually starts twenty years before the moment you open the front cover. Years before, on a solitary beach, a little boy comforts a girl he finds crying by offering to help her find seashells. He doesn’t know why she’s crying, just that he can help. Even though he knows his mother will be angry with him.

You see, Rafe (that’s the little boy) has a mother who has minor OCD and doesn’t let him go on the beach. But when Annie (that’s the little girl) is obviously heartbroken, he can’t leave her sitting there and not do anything. At that moment, a hero is born.

It’s the little things that make a hero. That moment in time when he made a choice to put Annie above his own discomfort created a past for them both, an anchor they could both look back on. It was pivotal enough for them both that they remembered it years later. Rafe, because he hid the shells and cherished the one time he got to collect them. Annie, because she was going through something no child of five should have to. His kindness was a glimmer of hope.

Fast forward twenty years and these two meet again, but don’t realize right away they are the people they’ve been thinking about on-and-off for most of their lives. Interestingly enough, that part of my story is true. I had a friend I met at a local beach when I was too young to recall names or anything else of great significance other than the feeling that it was the best day ever. She made me her best buddy for the day, and that stuck with me.

When I think of this story beyond the printed page, where Annie and Rafe live on in my mind, I have to wonder if shells will continue to be a theme in their lives.