Spotlight

Spotlight & Giveaway: Wendy’s Pirates by Rebecca Varnell

Introducing a new fun read from debut author, Rebecca Varnell! Her Award-Winning Romance Novella Retelling of Peter Pan, WENDY’S PIRATES, is now available for purchase and on Kindle Unlimited! Enter the giveaway to win a free paperback copy!

About the Book

Title: Wendy’s Pirates
Author: Rebecca Varnell
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Eagle Gate
Release Date: November 1, 2021

In 1817, Wendy Darling returns from London to her family in Devon, where she meets Captain James Hooke, a dashing naval officer who both infuriates and intrigues her. But Wendy is hiding a dark secret—and running from a past that makes it impossible for her to trust the incorrigible captain. And James has secrets of his own, secrets he’s afraid will interfere with his desire to win Wendy’s heart.

When the Darling family takes in a young orphan boy named Peter, the two newcomers in Wendy’s life help her learn to open her heart and begin to trust again. But when a gang of pirates sails into port in search of Peter, will trust be enough to save Wendy and those she loves from danger?

Varnell takes J. M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan characters and introduces them to risks and romance that go far beyond the average fairy tale. As Wendy and Hooke fight for new beginnings, they learn that happy endings aren’t always guaranteed.

Purchase your copy here or read on Kindle Unlimited

About the Author

Emerging young writer Rebecca Varnell has always had two great literary loves: fairy tales and Jane Austen. In her debut novel, Wendy’s Pirates, the two come together in perfect harmony. When Rebecca isn’t writing or snuggled up on the couch with her nose in a book, she can most often be found baking extravagant cakes or enjoying nature walks and losing dreadfully at pickleball.

Rebecca also has a penchant for travel. She spent over a year living in Thailand and adores the culture and people who live there. She has also traveled to several countries in Europe and is inspired by old castles and Roman architecture—even more so with her architect husband around. One day she wants to live in permanent eighty or ninety degree weather, but until then you will find cozy, over-sized sweaters to be a year-round staple in her wardrobe.

Tour Giveaway

WIN a PAPERBACK copy of Wendy’s Pirates by Rebecca Varnell

a Rafflecopter giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0ae98b8a290/

My Review

Wendy’s Pirates
by Rebecca Varnell
Rating: 4/5

If you’re a fan of Peter Pan and Jane Austen, you will fall in love with this sweet regency rom-com. This debut from the author is beautifully written and full of fun characters. Reinventing the classic Peter Pan characters with a more fleshed out, unique background was genius and well done. The romance and chemistry between the Captain and Wendy is electric and the reader can’t help but root for the presumed villain.

“His was the smile that made her feel that if he weren’t destined for piracy, she might have been very much at risk of falling in love with him.”

This retelling was so inventive with the way that the author incorporated the original Peter Pan characters in a Jane Austen setting. All the callbacks to Peter Pan were tastefully woven into this entertaining story that you won’t want to miss! Full of adventure, romance, and pirates, Rebecca Varnell’s debut novel is a wonderful addition to any library!

Highly recommend if you enjoy Peter Pan and Jane Austen with clean, sweet romance and comedic adventures.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

November 22, 2021 by Kim Giveaway Spotlight

CelebrateLit Epic Book Launch: A Warrior’s Heart by Misty M. Beller

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

About the Book

Book: A Warrior’s Heart
Series: Brides of Laurent Book #1
Author: Misty M. Beller
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: August 31, 2021

Brielle Durand still feels haunted by the massacre that killed her mother a dozen years before. Vowing to never let it happen again, she’s risen to be the key defender for her people’s peace-loving French settlement living in hidden caves in the Canadian Rockies. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret homes, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. But now, what to do with this man who looks at her in a strange way and insists he can be trusted?

Hoping to escape past regrets, Evan MacManus ventured into the unknown, assigned to discover if the northern mountains contain an explosive mineral that might help America win the War of 1812. Despite being taken prisoner, Evan is determined to complete his mission. But when that assignment becomes at odds with his growing appreciation of the villagers and Brielle, does he follow through on the promise he’s made to his government or take a risk on the path his heart is leading him down? Either choice will cause harm to someone.

Brielle and Evan must reconcile the warring in their hearts, if they’ve any hope to find the peace the seek.

BOOK EXCERPT FOUR

He could investigate which tribe had made the weapon later. If he survived this attack. At the moment, he had to find a way to ensure he didn’t get a more personal introduction to whoever shot him.

No movement flashed in the morning light beyond the trees. Only a cluster of scraggly bushes marked the other side of the trail. But the warrior had likely been shooting from farther ahead, maybe even from the bend in the path, where the bases of two mountains met to form a narrow opening between them. The gap created a natural gateway where an enemy could find cover and wait.

A spasm seized Evan, doubling him over as he fought to stifle a groan. He had to keep breathing, or this lightness in his head would take over.

“To the ground. Now,” barked a voice behind him. The tone held an accent, but not any Indian tongue he’d ever heard.

Evan twisted, biting back a grunt as he tried to focus his wavering vision on the figure standing not five strides behind his horse, bow and arrow at the ready. He had no doubt that second arrow would find its way into his flesh if he didn’t obey the order.

MISSED ANY EXCERPTS, GO HERE:

Excerpt One
Excerpt Two
Excerpt Three
Excerpt Four (mine)
Excerpt Five
Excerpt Six
Excerpt Seven

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Connect with Misty: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub

August 12, 2021 by Kim Spotlight

Spotlight: The Rubber Band Stretches – Rocky’s Story by Christy Hoss

About the Book

Book: The Rubber Band Stretches – Rocky’s Story
Author: Christy Hoss
Genre: Middle Grade Novel
Release date: May 8, 2021

Foster kid Rocky “Roadkill” Espinosa, drummer for the Rubber Band, chooses Elvis for his 4^th grade living biography report. With little money to create a costume, Rocky believes he’ll be the worst Elvis impersonation ever, destined to fail.

When his ex-con father Eduardo, sneaks into his life demanding attention, Rocky’s best friend and lead guitar for the band, Eddie, comes to his rescue. Eddie involves the entire band in Rocky’s protection to be “secret service” and comedic chaos erupts.

After the Rubber Band performs its first set at the mayor’s 50^th birthday party, Rocky mysteriously disappears. The band realizes it’s no longer about fun and games. Friends and family are what matter most in life. The bond of the band demands that secrets be revealed.

Will friends, foster or blood family win the battle for Rocky’s future?

BOOK EXCERPT ONE

Principal Haymaker insists on making a big deal about our victorious debut by bringing the band up to the front of Monday morning’s all-school assembly.

“Wildwood Elementary, let’s welcome The RUUUBBBBER BAAAND!”

Principal Haymaker tries to imitate a radio announcer, but I think he should just stick to being a principal.

The five of us walk up front and stand facing the entire student body applauding and cheering, as they sit crisscross applesauce on the floor before us. I fix my eyes on the basketball hoop at the other end of the multipurpose room. Becca is enjoying the spotlight. The rest of the band is smiling while I hope this will be over soon.

When the noise calms down to a quiet whisper, Principal Haymaker puts us on the spot. “Sunday’s newspaper featured these talented students after they took second place in the Sun Valley Talent Contest on Saturday.”

More applause as he holds up the front page, displaying the photo of me drumming.

“I had no idea our little school hid such a talented band.”

I lose interest in the basketball hoop. Instead, my eyes fix on Mr. Dubrowski, the school’s band director.

READ ALL THE EXCERPTS

Excerpt One (Mine)

Click here to get your copy! The book is also available on Kindle Unlimited.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christy caught the writing bug in second grade after winning a prize for a five-page story about her dog, Noodles. Mrs. Olson told her she was destined to be a writer and that dream never left her thoughts. After teaching elementary school for fifteen years, Christy fulfilled her childhood dream with her debut novel, The Rubber Band. She substitute teaches to support her writing career, deriving writing inspiration from the students and situations she encounters.

At age twenty-five, she was diagnosed with type-one diabetes but refuses to let it limit her. Her diabetic alert dog, Aiden, has saved her life uncountable times and will appear in future installments of The Rubber Band. Christy lives by this equation:

Living + diabetes = LIVE-abetes.

Christy is a freelance editor and writes children’s Bible stories for Focus on the Family ClubHouse magazine and has written articles for Guideposts. She is a featured speaker for conferences, retreats and special events.

Christy lives in Northern California with Kevin, the love of her life. They have three grown children.

The Rubber Band Stretches, Rocky’s Story is the second book in The Rubber Band middle grade novel series by Christy Hoss.

Connect with Christy Hoss: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

May 20, 2021 by Kim Spotlight

Inside the Wong Mind: Reading is my therapy

Hello. This blog is all mine and I will do my best to post what interests me and what books I read with honest reviews. I am a lover of good Christian fiction with a touch of romance, mystery, intrigue, humor, fun, etc. I invite you to join me as I read my way through books and life. I am currently pursuing my residency training as a family medicine physician!!! I have to carefully choose what I want to read for fun. My name is Kim and you are entering the Wong Mind.