Journal Jots – Blog

Welcome to the 

LAST DAY OF

❤️ IT’S TIME TO FALL IN LOVE ❤️

Treasure Hunt! 

 

Ready for today’s treasure hunt? Good!

Just read the blog below and answer the question

in the Rafflecopter box at the end of this post.  

New to the hunt? No worries!

Details on what you can win and how

can be found HERE. 

 

Welcome to my Journal Jots Blog!

Okay, this is it — our very last day of the “It’s Time to Fall in Love” promo AND the day you get to enter your treasure-hunt sentence into the Kindle Rafflecopter below, so GOOD LUCK!!

First of all, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who joined us this month during the promo and I hope you were inspired to read both Debbie Lynne’s and MaryLu’s new books because they are two of my favorite authors!!

Secondly, I want to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you who voted for Isle of Hope in the Family Fiction magazine’s Top 15 Books of 2015 because WHOO-HOO — Isle of Hope MADE THAT LIST!!

And now, for our final day of the promo, I am going to show you my very favorite spiritual scene from Isle of Hope because these are words straight from my heart, and I hope from yours too.

Here’s the spiritual clip. Just read it to find the final answer to the final question in the first Rafflecopter box below, and your are entered into my invidual contest.

THEN …insert the 15-word treasure-hunt sentence (gleaned from clues on each of the blogs throughout the hunt) into the second Rafflecopter below for a chance at the grand prize of a Kindle Fire and GOOD LUCK!! Winners will be announced here and on Debbie’s and MaryLu’s blogs this Friday, March 4th, so be sure to come back, okay?

❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️

        His body quivered with a depleting sigh before he rose and walked to the far edge of the dock, hands buried in his pockets while he stared at the river. “Once it happened,” he whispered, “I swore it would never happen again, but of course it did, brick-walling my pride more and more just to keep out the guilt. Until everything came crashing down …” He turned toward Jack with a slump of shoulders and a glimmer of pain. “I lost my wife, my family, my friends, and my church. The only way my pride could cope, Jack, was to cling to the lie that Karen and I belonged together, to believe that I was the one to deliver her from her troubled marriage and she from mine.” He inhaled sharply, releasing it again in a slow, tenuous breath. “So we left.”

        “You mean ran away with your tail between your legs.” Jack’s words hissed in the air.

        “Yes,” his father said calmly, “I ran away like the coward I was.” The aura of peace and calm Jack had sensed before settled over his father’s shoulders again like the mantle of moonlight that broke through the clouds. “It took losing everything, Son, including my life, to finally understand what I was too blind to see. Everything to liberate me from the same pride that lost Lucifer his soul. And that is—God alone is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the beat of my pulse. He is the strength in my bones. He is my beginning and my end, and there is no hope in anything—” His father took a step forward, an almost ethereal glow of faith in his eyes like nothing Jack had ever seen, “anything … except Him.”

        Unable to speak, Jack couldn’t move a muscle, eyes locked on the father he’d considered shallow and weak. The same man who now radiated a strength and peace that seemed to envelop Jack as well. His father gave an awkward shrug as he approached, hands deep in his pockets and smile sheepish. “Sorry—I get a little carried away at the magnitude of Who He is, Jack, and just how much He loves us. Enough to allow us the freedom to choose. And enough to allow those choices to strip us of everything that stands in the way of our ultimate happiness—Him.”

         His smile faded into sobriety while his gaze bonded to Jack’s. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, Son,” he said quietly, “anymore than I deserve God’s, but I’m asking for it all the same.” He peered up at the sky, as if drawing strength from the shaft of light that split the billow of dark clouds overhead. “I don’t deserve it, Son, but you do. I don’t want to see you make the mistake I made, choosing pride over God. I learned the hard way that pride is man’s greatest weakness. It felled Lucifer at the beginning of time and it will do the same for anyone who relies on his or her own strength rather than God’s. It will rob them of God’s blessings and steal their hope and their future.” He studied Jack’s face in a silent plea. “And it will rob us of the ability to forgive if we let it, so I’m asking you, Jack, please—” He paused, grasping Jack’s shoulder in a firm hold. “Don’t. For your sake as well as your mother’s.”

        Eons passed, it seemed, as Jack stared, feeling the battle within to forgive or to turn him away. This was the man he’d loved and revered most of his life. The man of God who’d inspired him. The father who’d taught him to fish and swing a bat. The parent who’d nurtured and encouraged him. His eyelids lumbered closed. And the hero who’d disappointed him, falling from his sky like Lucifer, flinging his family into the abyss.

         And yet, here he stood, a man on the precipice of eternity, giving the greatest gift of all.

         The truth.

❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️

 

OKAY … to enter my contest for a $50 GIFT CARD, A COPY OF A GLIMMER OF HOPE,  A COPY OF ISLE OF HOPE, AND A CHARACTER NAMED AFTER YOU IN MY NEXT BOOK, just answer the question for February 29 in the Rafflecopter box below.

NEXT … before you go, make sure you WRITE DOWN THE FOLLOWING  WORD CLUE in our 15-word sentence that you’ll need to enter the Kindle giveaway Feb. 29–March 3.

WORD CLUE #14:  WOMEN

THEN HEAD ON OVER TO DEBBIE’S AND MARYLU’S BLOGS FOR MORE CLUES AND PRIZES.

Happy Treasure Hunting & Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome to the 

❤️ IT’S TIME TO FALL IN LOVE ❤️

Treasure Hunt! 

 

Ready for today’s treasure hunt? Good!

Just read the blog below and answer the question

in the Rafflecopter box at the end of this post.  

New to the hunt? No worries!

Details on what you can win and how

can be found HERE. 

 

Welcome to my Journal Jots Blog!

Today, you get a quick glimpse into my good friend MaryLu Tyndall’s brand-new release, Charity’s Cross, and I have to tell you that I have this book on my Kindle, and it’s KILLING me not to be able to read it since I am reading Rita books on deadline. But as soon as I am done, MaryLu’s is next up and trust me when I say, this woman is on my auto-buy list, so if you like my writing — I promise you will like hers too!!

❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️

 

Here’s the book blurb for Charity’s Cross:

Suspected of killing her husband, Charity Westcott flees on the first ship leaving England. Loathing all men after her abusive marriage, she hopes to reunite with her family in Charles Towne, but the ship ends up in Nassau. Chased by her husband’s brother, who is intent on seeing her hang, Charity is forced to accept the help of a missionary, Elias Dutton. But Elias is on a mission to rescue his sister in Barbados, one he cannot fail. Pirates, storms, shipwreck, and betrayal threaten to delay the couple in their journey even as they fight their growing attraction. Elias believes he has finally found a woman with a pure heart. Until he discovers she is a murderer and is now faced with two choices: letting her go or turning her in to the authorities. 

 

MaryLu’s Bio:

Christy Award nominee and best-selling author MaryLu Tyndall describes herself as an introvert, patriot, the neighborhood cat-lady, tall ship enthusiast, friend of pirates and mermaids, obsessive compulsive control freak, history lover, hopeless romantic, and a sword wielding princess-warrior of the King of Kings. Her books are filled with adventure and romance guaranteed to touch your heart! She has published over seventeen novels and currently lives in California with her husband, six kids, 3 grandkids and several stray cats.

 

MaryLu’s Post and Question:

MaryLu Tyndall here! Today we are playing a fan-favorite game of mine called “Guess what the character will say next?”  I usually do this for every new release and it ends up being a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy it too.  Below I have posted a small excerpt from my new release, Charity’s Cross. It contains a brief dialogue between the hero and heroine. At the end I give you a multiple choice question in which you get to choose what you think the character will say next.  It’s just a fun way to get to know the characters.  If you didn’t read my post on the hero and heroine of this story, click HERE to go read up on them so you’ll be able to choose wisely.

So here we go:  Elias the hero is speaking first:

“Which are you then, mermaid vixen? Foolish, mad, or desperate?”

She grabbed a tangle of hair and tugged on it, eyes narrow and defensive as if she feared he’d assault her any moment. “I‘ll admit to all three, Sir.” Her gaze lowered to the knife sheathed at his belt. “In truth, because you rescued me from the bay, I assumed you might be a decent man.”

“You certainly didn’t treat me as such in town.”

“I am sorry for that.”

Feet pounded above as shouts echoed over the ship.

Elias leaned back against the bulkhead and crossed arms over his chest. “You mean you don’t always jump over the railings of perfectly good ships? And you don’t always pretend to be married to a man so he’ll pay for your passage?”

She gave a sarcastic huff, a slight tilt to her lips. “Only on Sundays.”

He wanted to smile but didn’t. “You’ve nothing to fear from me, Miss.”

“Then why agree to my charade? There must be something you want.”

He shrugged. “You seemed terrified, in need of help.”

“Nobody helps someone for nothing.”

Her hopeless, defeated tone saddened him. Yet, if she truly believed that, then why put herself in harm’s way?

The creak and groan of wood filled the silence as water purled against the hull.

She picked at the lace drooping at her cuff. “My father has land in Charles Towne. He’s an admiral in the Royal navy. He will pay you for your help.”

“Hmm. You are aware that you boarded a ship to Barbados?”

She made no reply.

Elias pushed from the bulkhead. “I have no desire nor need of your money, mermaid.”

“Stop calling me that.” She wrapped arms around her belly, her eyes aflame. “’Tis all I have to give you, Mr. Dutton.” Her gaze traveled to the knife at his hip again, and he wondered if she intended to stab him with it. Ludicrous. This frightened mermaid wouldn’t be so daring. Though she was plenty foolish. Elias had seen enough foolish women to last a lifetime—trusting women, naïve women who threw themselves into dangerous situations. Two of his sisters still paid for such careless behavior.

The deck canted. She gripped the edge of the cot and seemed about to fall. Elias headed toward her, but she jumped to her feet and backed away, glancing around the room as if just noticing where they were. “You can’t stay in here with me.”

“Miss, if I do not stay in here, our ruse will be forfeit, and the crew will assume you are ripe for the plucking.”

“Surely not!”

“You don’t know sailors, Miss.”

“And you do?”

He did. More than she realized. “I know men,” he responded.

She looked away, her cheeks reddening. “Well, you needn’t worry, Mr. Dutton. I can take care of myself.”

“Apparently not or we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

She frowned and narrowed her eyes.

Elias sighed. Surely, God must be testing him—testing his patience, his resolve to control his urges, to do the right thing, to help a woman in need and protect her from whomever or whatever she was running from.

He took another step toward her, hands raised. “I call a truce, Miss Mermaid. Why don’t we—”

 

What is Charity’s response? (This is your RAFFLECOPTER Question of the day)

A. “Both stop talking and you leave this cabin at once!” 

B. She plucked the knife from his belt and held the sharp tip to his chest. “Touch me and I’ll gut you.”

C. She grabbed his knife and waved it before his face. “I will only agree to a truce if you allow me to keep this knife.”

D. Charity touched his arm and nodded. “I agree. Forgive me. You’ve been most kind.”

 ❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️
 

OKAY … to enter my contest for a $50 GIFT CARD, A COPY OF A GLIMMER OF HOPE,  A COPY OF ISLE OF HOPE, AND A CHARACTER NAMED AFTER YOU IN MY NEXT BOOK, just answer the question for February 26 in the Rafflecopter box below.

NEXT … before you go, make sure you WRITE DOWN THE FOLLOWING  WORD CLUE in our 15-word sentence that you’ll need to enter the Kindle giveaway Feb. 29–March 3.

WORD CLUE #11:  AND

THEN HEAD ON OVER TO DEBBIE’S AND MARYLU’S BLOGS FOR MORE CLUES AND PRIZES.

Happy Treasure Hunting & Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PLEASE NOTE: ENTRY FOR THE FOLLOWING KINDLE GIVEAWAY

DOESN’T BEGIN UNTIL FEBRUARY 29 AFTER ALL BLOGS HAVE BEEN

VIEWED AND WORD CLUES COLLECTED.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome to the 

❤️ IT’S TIME TO FALL IN LOVE ❤️

Treasure Hunt! 

Ready for today’s treasure hunt? Good!

Just read the blog below and answer the question

in the Rafflecopter box at the end of this post.  

New to the hunt? No worries!

Details on what you can win and how

can be found HERE. 

Welcome to my Journal Jots Blog!

Today, you get a quick glimpse into Debbie Lynne Costello’s brand-new release, Shattered Memories, and I DARE you not to be intrigued!! I planned on reading Debbie’s book anyway because I love her work, but this blurb just hooked me in like nobody’s business, so I hope it does the same for you! Here it is:

Shattered Memories

by Debbie Lynne Costello

Olivia Macqueen wakes in a makeshift hospital, recovering from a head injury. With amnesia stealing a year of her memories, she has trouble discerning between lies and truth. When her memories start returning in bits and pieces, she must keep up the charade of amnesia until she can find out the truth behind the embezzlement of her family’s business while evading the danger lurking around her.

Doctor Drew Warwick frantically searches through the rubble left by the Charleston earthquake for the lady who owns his heart. He finds her injured and lifeless. When she regains consciousness, the doctor’s hopes are dashed as he realizes she doesn’t remember him. But things only get worse after he discovers she believes she’s still engaged to the abusive scoundrel, Lloyd Pratt. Now Drew is on a race with the wedding clock to either help her remember or win her heart again before she marries the wrong man.

I don’t know about you, but both the picture of Drew and the blurb above make me want to get to know him better, so Debbie provided an interview — which contains the answer to today’s question — to help you do that!

❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️

Debbie Lynne Costello’s Interview with Drew

I’m happy to have Drew Warwick from Shattered Memories with us today. Drew, thank you for coming.

Glad to be here today.

So let’s get started and let these readers get to know you a little better.

What impression do you make on people when they first meet you? I think when people first meet me, and I’m talking out of my medical job, they first see me as perhaps a stick in the mud or perhaps even someone who is a bit stuck on themselves. I don’t mean to come across that way. It’s hard to step out of my roll as a doctor and to just relax. And that’s one of the things I love about Olivia. She helps to bring that part of me out.

How about after they’ve known you for a while? After people have known me for a bit they get to know the real me and I can’t really say why but when I’m able to relax with people I become the less up-tight Drew.

What’s your idea of a good marriage?

A marriage like my parents. My father is definitely the leader in their marriage, but my mother’s opinion and thoughts weigh heavily on all of his decisions. They take time out of their busy weeks to spend together— just the two of them. They do a lot of laughing, hugging and giving each other knowing looks that say ‘I love you’. I know that’s a lot to ask for in a marriage because my parent’s marriage seems nearly perfect.

Do you think that’ll happen in your life? I do if I can ever get Olivia to remember what we once had.

Do you think you’ve turned out the way your parents expected?

Sometimes I think I disappoint my father. I have a more difficult time than him in turning all my problems over to the Lord. Even as a doctor I sometimes disappoint him because I do let my emotions get involved. It’s hard because I respect my father so much. He’s been a huge influence in my life. My mother looks through rose colored glasses when it comes to her children, or most people. She sees the best in people so I think for her yes, I turned out how she had hoped and expected.

Tell me about your best friend.

My best friend is Simon. I won’t think of him in the past until I have proof of his death even though I know the chances of him still being here with us are slim. Simon and I have been friends since we were kids. I’m not sure if he got me into trouble or I got him into trouble or if it was just the combination of the two of us but we were always doing something. I loved to pick on his little sister and he was always happy to be a part of that. He makes me laugh, although since we’ve gotten older he also can aggravate me at times because now he likes to pick at me since I’ve fallen in love with ‘that little sister’ of his.

What would you like it to say on your tombstone?

As a doctor, I think: Absent from the body, present with the Lord. No more sickness no more pain.

What do you see as your greatest flaw?

I want to fix everything. I have a hard time not being in charge and in control of situation.

What influence do your ancestors have on your life/attitude/faith?

I am assuming you are talking about Royce and Brithwin. I’d love to have a story that would pass down through history like theirs did—a love for the Lord that each generation would strive to reach and love for my wife that would bring out the romantic in everyone.

What’s the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?

My relationship with the Lord and Savior is the most precious thing in my life and I value the most. But if we are talking about earthly things, it would be Olivia. She brings me so much joy and fulfillment in my life.

Thanks for coming on today and giving us a deeper glimpse of who you are.

It was nice visiting with you. I hope your readers will come see me in Shattered Memories.

❤️💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️

 

OKAY … to enter my contest for a $50 GIFT CARD, A COPY OF A GLIMMER OF HOPE,  A COPY OF ISLE OF HOPE, AND A CHARACTER NAMED AFTER YOU IN MY NEXT BOOK, just answer the question for February 19 in the Rafflecopter box below.

NEXT … before you go, make sure you WRITE DOWN THE FOLLOWING  WORD CLUE in our 15-word sentence that you’ll need to enter the Kindle giveaway Feb. 29–March 3.

WORD CLUE #8 — EDIFY

THEN HEAD ON OVER TO DEBBIE’S AND MARYLU’S BLOGS FOR MORE CLUES AND PRIZES.

Happy Treasure Hunting & Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PLEASE NOTE: ENTRY FOR THE FOLLOWING KINDLE GIVEAWAY DOESN’T BEGIN UNTIL

FEBRUARY 29 AFTER ALL BLOGS HAVE BEEN VIEWED AND WORD CLUES COLLECTED.

a Rafflecopter giveaway