{note} +part of the same series as Love’s Promises!
Converse via Twitter:#LovesPromises, #ChrisFic,
#cleanromance, & #inspirationalfiction
Genres: Fiction | Inspirational Fiction
Romance | Contemporary
Acquired Book By:I had originally intended to read “Love’s Promises” for review on the blog tour earlier in the Spring, however, at that point in time the novel was only going to be released in Ebook format rather than print edition. Through my participation on the tour, I received the good news that a print edition was viable and would be put into action. I received a complimentary copy of the book direct from the author Sandra Leesmith, in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Inspired to Read:
I am always keen on reading the books I highlight and spotlight on Jorie Loves A Story, and this novel in particular caught my attention when I was first offered to participate on the original blog tour hosted by Amber Stokes and her Editing Through the Seasons publicity company. I appreciate being what I consider a ‘hybrid reader’ as one who reads both mainstream and inspirational markets for fiction and non-fiction. I talk about this a bit under “My Bookish Life” and hinted about it on the note that proceeded this book review when I explained why posting this took a bit longer than originally expected due health and life reasons occurring at a pace that simply exhausted me. I always aim to feature novels through Guest Author & Book Features that will key into the diverse variety of books I appreciate reading overall.
I was originally going to only focus on books in print, but then I re-considered when I noted that many ebooks I would dearly love to read eventually end up in print editions. This can take anywhere from a few months to a full year or longer depending on the publisher, author, and body of work. I decided to stand firm in being a traditional reader but to yield as a book blogger to highlight books first released into an electronic version that I would one day hope would go into a print run as well. In this way, I am opening my mind to a wider net of authors and stories but remaining true to who I am as a reader and as a blogger at the same time. I am thankful that my path crossed with Ms. Leesmith and with Ms. Stokes, as I might not have stumbled across this particular novel nor the lovely series it is a part of.
My original showcases on Leesmith’s behalf was a heap of joy for me, as it encouraged me to re-examine where the publishing world is currently with a green-minded focus on publishing and printing practices (a bit of an on-going personal research topic of interest) as much as it gave a strong impression on having an open discussion on where writers and readers alike stand on the position of being green-minded and being voracious readers. For me, it confirmed that you can be environmentally conscience and read print books without having to concede to ebooks and ereaders. Notwithstanding of the fact that not all of us can use ereaders nor read ebooks in any format due to our vision and the way in which we process information.
My participation led to a healthy itch to read “Love’s Promises” and I felt blessed that I had the opportunity to tuck inside the story of how a novel went into print format when it was originally only scheduled for one type of release. The further blessing was discovering the other two books in the Love Promises series are already released in print, and are on my ‘next reads’ list of books to acquire!
Book Synopsis:
For Monica Scott, building her late father’s house at Lake Tahoe isn’t an option—it’s a necessary distraction from confusing memories and an uncertain future. But a handsome planner working for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is keeping Monica from moving forward with the project. Never mind that he’s young and charming with a great sense of humor. No one is going to stop Monica from making her father’s dream—and her own—a reality.
All Greg Linsey wants is for his work to mean something. His job at TRPA gives him the opportunity to fight for the environment he loves and make a difference in his small corner of the world. But with the sophisticated Monica Scott’s arrival, his dedication is tested as never before, especially when Monica turns to his unscrupulous nemesis for assistance. As Greg and Monica’s animosity turns into something far sweeter, can they learn to accept each other’s promises and avoid the growing danger to their lives and hearts?
Author Biography:
SANDRA LEESMITH loves to travel in her RV and explore all of nature’s beauty, discover America’s history, and fellowship with the wonderful people she meets while on the road. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, swimming, and pickleball. Learn more about Sandra and her books at sandraleesmith.com.
Book Cover Designer Biography:
LENA GOLDFINCH writes fantasy and romance for teens and adults. She’s a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it’s a novel, novella, or short story, young adult or adult, fantasy or realistic, contemporary or historical. Elements of romance, fantasy, and mystery have a way of creeping into her writing, even when she’s writing something light and contemporary like her latest releases, Haunting Joy and Take a Picture. Lena has been a finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests. She lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. Learn more about Lena and her books atlenagoldfinch.blogspot.com.
Romance, Thirty-somethings, & the Environment:
I shall never discredit the timing of a book in hand nor of the story at the heart of the novel’s message to be consumed at a particular moment in time as this particular one has reached my eyes and mind! I cannot deny that I am a thirty-something myself nor a singleton who oft thinks about her own life, her chosen path, and where the pebbles of her path shall lead her next. Each of us is living a life of worth and it is not always measured in events and incidents that the masses experience but in smaller steps and graces which take us to where we are being led to traverse. I love stories of the heart as much as the human condition, to knit inside the small fragments of time wherein we cross-examine our own hearts, spirits, and desires of will — to understand where we have been as much as where we are going next. I had to nearly chuckle to myself whilst realising a bit of the cheeky humour Leesmith placed inside her two lead characters, as both Monica and Greg are within a farthing of a distance in age from each other, and experiencing the same self-exploration and questions of the heart that neither wants to admit possible.
I think thirty-somethings have a lot of ground to cover in today’s fiction, especially in the Romance side of the ledger. To oft writers focus on someone either in college or thereafter or even settle inside the years of the twenties, but few root out the early years of being twentyten and thirty-something; the decisive age for most singletons either in want of finding someone to walk through life with or to walk alone. It is a unique perspective to give in fiction, as the veins of narrative can go in so many unique and different directions. Whilst in the opening bits of Love’s Promises, what I especially liked is how the path Leesmith chooses to take is not quite predictable nor is it contrite. She breathes a bit of life into the characters and gives them enough realism and free will to keep you in suspense of what their choices will be the further you walk inside their story.
The environment is nearly a third character in the story, as the natural environment is beautifully highlighted as the backdrop and setting for Love’s Promises. I appreciated the care and attention the advocacy and conservation on the Lake Tahoe Basin were given throughout the story, as it illuminates one small fraction of how over building and overusing our natural resources is becoming a larger problem as a whole. There are too many loosely controlled environmental protections on building permits and on maintaining natural habitats. I’ve even witnessed where previously protected land was sold to the highest bidder and commericalised for consumer use; at the determent of the wildlife and ecosystem. There needs to be a better balance between sustaining the ecological habitats already thriving where developers and residents want to intercede on their right to build. I celebrate the small successes such as non-chemical pest control by water sources, walkways and green paths in urban developments that do not deter from the natural ecosystems, and a recognition of local bird and wildlife habitats being protected by watchful observations by local groups working for preservation and conservation of their lands. I commend the research Leesmith knitted into her novel, as she is tackling a very difficult issue and a controversial topic laced with politics on all levels.
I was quite excited ahead of the weekend to set-up a Book Review for “Love’s Promises” on behalf of Sandra Leesmith, of whom is an author I’ve hosted twice before in the Spring. However, that is prior to a few personal difficulties such as being bitten by a spider multiple times and having a power surge lead to a power outage of over 16 hours this weekend. The allergy attack from the bites I sustained earlier in the week did not fully consume me until a few days after I was bitten, which led me to having cold-like symptoms and an sense of unwellness wash over me completely. The weekend did not go as I expected as I was resting when I was not dealing with the power outage. Therefore, my book review for “Love’s Promises” will post late on Monday rather than early, as I simply did not have the ability to finish the novel nor the review ahead of time.
I wanted to post a note to everyone who might be visiting me for the first time via Seekerville, which is a lovely group blog by a host of writers who are quite lovely in their ability to reach out to those on the writer’s path and guide them towards publication. If you came through a link in their weekend edition newsletter, let me share a bit about who I am and what I enjoy blogging about! Kindly leave a note to let me know you stopped by and I hope you will return lateron when my review goes live in the evening hours.
I do apologise I have not been in the best of health this weekend to greet you with the review itself instead. The news of my review went into the weekend edition prior to the power outage and hence why I felt posting a note would be best in case quite a few were expecting to see my thoughts on the novel Monday morning and were not greeted by a note to explain my absence.
Jorie @ Jorie Loves A Story will be hosting Sandra Leesmith on Monday, 28 July 2014 whilst she reviews her novel “Love’s Promises” which continues the showcase Jorie began earlier in the Spring. On 14 March 2014, Jorie hosted a Book Cover Reveal & Book Spotlight highlighting her release, the cover art designer, and the books in the series. On 22 April, 2014 Jorie hosted an Author Interview with Ms. Leesmith whilst showcasing a green-minded sense of where publishing is currently heading by greening their practices for print production and their mindfulness approach to the environment on a whole. This showcase also was featured during Earth Day on Twitter, which ignited short conversations with the green resources she found and provided links for on the Interview post. The Interview questions were poised to speak to the heart of the novel as well as to the writer behind the pen.
Kindly visit jorielovesastory.com ahead of Monday’s Book Review to gather a sense about Jorie and Ms. Leesmith, and the changing climate of the publishing industry. This showcase inspired Jorie to start seeking out which novels are stamped with FSC and other designations alerting her and other readers of the green practices implemented in their creation. Tags for green publishing, etc are starting to populate her blog. One of the publishers Jorie regularly hosts book reviews and Special Author Features is ChocLitUK – an independent green publisher of Romance novels whose stories are knitted together not only by love but centered on relationships. They are one of a growing group of publishers who are not printing novels from old growth forest resources. And, that is something for everyone to celebrate, especially if a reader like Jorie cannot read novels electronically and can only read their print editions. A greener approach is not only healthy for our Earth’s biosphere but is a healthier way of appreciating how we read and the stories which alight in our imaginations.
To learn more about me, please read my page entitled “My Bookish Life” or click over to my About.Me page. If you appreciate reading Romance novels and engaging in friendly chatter about what you are reading, discovering, and enjoying join Jorie on Saturday mornings at 11am NYC / 4pm London for ChocLitSaturdays by following the tag: #ChocLitSaturdays or by logging into the channel on tchat.io. (http://www.tchat.io/rooms/choclitsaturdays) The entire gambit of Romance is openly conversed about from mainstream and inspirational markets, as Jorie is a hybrid reader herself. The chat was originally inspired by ChocLitUK, click for more details.
Comments via my book blog are always encouraged to inspire conversations and convos via tweets are a delight to this joyful tweeter! My blog is CAPTCHA-free with only comment moderation in place to prevent spam. You can leave comments on any blog post, book review, or Special Author Feature which interests you. Easily comment via Email, WP, Facebook, or Twitter. My Story Vault archives each book I blog about whereas my Bookish Events page is a full archive of Scheduled Events arriving on Jorie Loves A Story.
I look forward to visiting with each of you lateron tonight when I am able to finish composing my thoughts as I read through the rest of the novel! If you have already started to read the series “Love’s Promise’s” is a part of, I encourage you to leave a comment on either this announcement OR one of the previous showcases on behalf of Ms. Leesmith. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the themes she explores in her Romances.
{SOURCE: Blog News badge provided by Parajunkee to give book bloggers definition on their blogs. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination.}
One of the happiest moments for a book blogger is eagerly going to their postbox & seeing what delightfully wicked print books have arrived for their reading pleasure! I have always held a keen interest in postal mail, being a long-term postal letter correspondent which has given me such a heart of joy seeing envelopes & bundles of love arrive from dear friends around the world. Imagine my new excitement in seeing the books I am reviewing arriving by publisher, author, publicist, or literary agent! Such an exciting new chapter in postal splendor!
I have been wanting to blog about my excitement about being placed on certain blog tours and/or in receiving books for review direct from authors, publishers, or publicists. I originally came across a weekly meme on Mondays entitled Mailbox Monday and you could say, that my new feature on Jorie Loves A Story is an extended idea from the original! Except to say, with one minor switch-up! Although I attempt to write down when books arrive by Post, I am never quite as certain when the books arrive as I am always reading the next book in hand! Therefore, please join me as I get excited about the books on my shelf which are next in line to read!
As I outlined in my Interview with Ms. Anderson the best joy any book blogger can have prior to reading a novel is being clued into the process the writer took towards publication! In this way, I feel double-blessed to not only be a part of my first Author Street Team to help get the word out about their novels and writing style, but to have watched the genesis of Anderson’s journey as aspiring writer to published author! As I start to soak into Chain of Mercy, I will be reflective of how I learnt about her blog as much as how I started to get to know her through the blog posts she shares with the world. In her debut novel, she tackles hard-hitting circumstances that start to have a ripple effect on the people who are involved and engaged in the drama. What I appreciated is finding out that she does not back down from writing about topics and subjects that others might shy away from as I always felt that one thing inspirational fiction sometimes misses the boat to include are honest & real story-lines with characters facing real-life issues in an endearingly honest way. Everyone is going through something at some point in their lives but I believe that if writers stitch in the ability to see that all of life is possible with faith, than a greater good is being served than only writing stories which gloss over the more poignant of narratives.
The book cover of Chain of Mercy is matte not glossy finish, and I like that as it has a different texture to most softcover editions! When I first pulled the book out of the parcel it arrived in I had thought the book cover might have been off-setted to appear as a sepia photograph. There is a Discussion Guide & Acknowledgements section in the back of the novel as well as a Dedication in the front. To me the image on the front of the cover makes me curious a bit more about the phrase of the title ‘chain of mercy’ and how a simple chain with a key fits into the heart of the story?
When Seventh Star Press (an Indie Publisher I regularly review for through the blog touring & social media promotion company: Tomorrow Comes Media; of whom I highly recommend any reader to look into reviewing for as they offer a review to read programme) sets to mind to create an anthology they never fail to impress me with their ability to bring together cutting-edge writers with stories that alight in the imagination of a reader’s soul. My first fantasy anthology read and reviewed (coincidentally!) was on behalf of Chronicles of Ave by Stephen Zimmer. In this selection of mine to read next, after having appreciated a short story by Michael Cross in another Indie Press anthology I chose to focus on my love of faeries & fey folk! (note to the Editor Sandridge, I never did know the right way to have spelt ‘faeries’ so I thank him for the Foreward!) I am not sure how there is a misunderstanding about the personalities of the fey or of how they are not always as endearing as Tinkerbell as let’s face it, she was one particular kind of faerie but not the norm by a long shot! What I appreciate about the fey is there ability to transform our understanding of their culture and habits by presenting their uniqueness through the different writers who pen their stories.
I love seeing the cover art illustrations and designs of Seventh Star Press book covers as they always include full illustrative covers as well as illustrative plates within their releases; with the exception of this anthology which does not have plates inside to correlate with the shorts.
I have truly undertaken reading the Reincarnationist series a wee bit late in the game as far as my book review for The Collector of Dying Breaths is concerned, but I am a determined optimist who believes that as long as their are hours left to read there is time enough to drink through a series which has bewitched my attention for several years now! When I first took note that this particular book was going to go on tour, the only thing I had to sort out was if I could read the entire series in time to tour with France Book Tours OR with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours — I chose the latter as the time schedule fit my reading schedule a bit easier! I am thankful to tour with such beautiful blog touring companies who give their book bloggers & readers the ability to not only discover unknown writers but to review for well-established writers we are just on the brink of knowing ourselves! In this, my gratitude is always theirs for giving us these opportunities! What sparked my interest is the aspect of reincarnation stitched into the series as a whole as I used to collect books on reincarnation when The Reincarnation Library was still in existence, which was a small publisher who curated titles which had fallen out of print and then, re-issued the books in such lovely editions as cloth-bound hardback copies! The titles were both non-fiction and fiction dealing with as many different aspects of reincarnation as you could be happenstance to stumble across! In the series Rose has created, the idea of coming across tools to add one’s memory of past lives is more than tempting to explore!
Ever since I first heard of this particular tale arriving via Seventh Star Press in late 2013, I have been on pins awaiting its release! I had no idea what to expect since I first read the premise of the tale inside its covers, so when I saw the book emerge out of the book parcel I received (as all three of these SSP titles arrived together!) I was pleasantly surprised by the cover art & the girth of the story! I am always happily surprised to pull a book out of its package and finding rather joyfully that the depth of length is far longer than I had predicted! I love long stories as I love to get to know characters and spend a proper age visiting with them! With fantasy stories, you truly need the length in order to soak into the author’s breadth of work, and I do not think I will be disappointed by Drown’s début! I love the suspense of the shot you find yourself looking into,… from the bloke on the left casting his sights out to sea, and how the lighthouse reflects the light whilst the moon is clearly visible in the upper left corner? Tall ships and a story shrouded in myth! What more could you hope to find in a début novel? I still remember the first Imaginairum Twitter Party in November 2013 when we all came together to chat about writing, creativity, and the pending celebration of a new kind of bookish convention centered on the joy of story-telling in all its mediums. It was in this Twitter Party I had the pleasure of interacting with the author, and sadly I have not seen another Twitter Party engaged with the convention at the time of this writing. I think it would be a great resource to unite writers who want to attend the convention but also with getting in touch with fellow writers, book bloggers, and readers. Conversations always open doors and on that level, I am thankful it opened the door for me to discover a new author of high fantasy!
I am not sure about you but whenever I find a genre-bender author who is going to put together two seemingly diverse methodologies of story-telling together I get all giddy with excitement at the prospect of reading their stories! In this particular case, around the time I learnt of A Mage of None Magic, I caught wind of a Press Release for Awesome Jones! And, lucky me this makes my third blog tour with TCM within the same week of hosting the anthology! If all bodes well, in a new-future installment of this feature I will be chattering about Hero’s Best Friend! (the latest fantasy anthology I signed up to tour!) Although I like to dig below the superficial level of all stories, you have to admit: Awesome Jones is a strong spitfire sounding name that begs to have a heroine worthy of Lara Croft OR James Bond! I am an appreciator of old-school comics and action heroes. Think Burt Ward, Adam West, and Christopher Reeves. Subtract every Bond except for Roger Moore, Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, or George Lazenby and you know how I roll with my smashingly strong heroes! You could even backtrack through my SFN (Sci-Fi November/Month) posts and see a thread of connection between the iconic pop cultural attachments I am passionate for and the particular bent on original contributions therein that I stand by and defend. As soon as I freed this book from its parcel I *had!* to take a peek into its covers!! I held the breath of excitement Lois Lane from The New Adventures of Super-Man might have held captive as she exhaled a glimpse inside,… comic illustrations beseeched me eyes and an adventurous narrative glistened in reflective light!
Normally when I seek out an author I am going to review a book of on Twitter, I am curious to know a bit more about them as a person, as a writer, and technically to see what they tweet about in general! I think that is simply human nature to be ‘curious’! What I happily found whilst visiting the feeds of Ms. Thornton is that she’s a fellow Whovian who *gets my passion!* for Doctor Who! We were exchanging regular tweets in an on-going conversation about all things Whovian, until my personal life started to interfere with my blog life and thus, my tweets started to disappear in regularity! I am hoping she did not think I stopped the conversation full-stop for any other reason, as when I saw The Day of the Doctor (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special) arrive via my local library, she was one of two people I wanted to tell! (Violet Patterson being the first!) However, since its arrived I have not even had a free moment to watch it and very well could boomerang back into my hold queue! Hence the reason I have not tweeted as I did not want to disappoint either one of them! Meanwhile, this beautiful book arrived which an Egyptian gracing the cover who made me wonder why I ever decided ‘not’ to study Egyptology (until of course I remember what happens when you explore tombs…)! I have been wanting to break out of my rhythm of reading Victorian & Regency historical novels and sink my teeth into eras and epochs of history which used to whet a strong palette of interest as a child and as a young adult. This selection I made is my way of saying there is no time like the present to discover an author who has the knack for bringing the past forward into the present in a visceral way as to leave you wanton for more! And, perhaps I can pick up our Whovian convo as soon as I discover what happens between my beloved Matt Smith and my newly beloved David Tennant! (come now! I cannot be the first Whovian who lost her heart to one Doctor only to be taken by surprise by another?) And, can I just say the Egyptians would *love and adore!* all the Whovian’s who chatter endlessly about which Doctor they prefer over the other and of whom has won the best affection overall!
I positively love receiving books straight from authors in exchange for honest reviews, and the three books I am about to mention next hold a special place in my heart, as two of them were previously only released in e-book format and one I was scheduled to review for a follow-up tour of the first novel which was unfortunately cancelled. Never one to give up hope when one is determined to read a book, I always light a candle that one day all the lovely stories I hope to read will one day alight in my hands. Here is a story of three such stories:
Artwork Credit: Lena Goldfinch
I hosted Ms. Leesmith on my blog for a Book Cover Reveal (E-book ahead of Print Edition) as well as for a lovely Green Publishing Author Interview focused showcase where I researched green-minded publishing practices and knitted together the theme of thinking green within the context of the story which contains environmental conservation, preservation, and green building practices. Imagine my pure joy in finding out that the book not only went to print, but I had a spark of inspiration for the author to re-consider the book going into print publication! Seeing the book arrive by Post was a true blessing all the way around, and I cannot wait to soak into the story now that I have felt as though I have followed it from e-book debut to print edition unveiling! I was even blessed with the author’s whose quotation about the novel is featured on the back-cover (Ms. Julie Lessman) to have made a stop during her time on my blog! I had not known of their connection to each other or to Seekerville which is an author group blog that I used to frequent! Thankfully, included in the back pages of this edition are the titles of Ms. Leesmith’s back-list which blessedly are all available in print editions! Including the two books which are connected to this one in a series: Love’s Refuge & Love’s Miracles! The book cover is matte and I must confess I am starting to love the texture differences between glossy & matte! The colours are brilliantly brought to life and I did not notice any variance between the e-book cover & the print edition as the book looks exactly as I thought it would once it was in my hands!
I have equally spent quite a lot of time with Portals, Passages, & Pathways as I was given the lovely opportunity to host the author for both a Guest Post on his inspiration for creating the world of Magnanthia as much as host a Book Spotlight Announcement to get the word out about this in-depth debut fantasy novel! I felt a connection to the premise as it was given to me in consideration for hosting the author on my blog, and from that moment forward I have felt like I took a journey with this book as much as I had with Ms. Leesmith’s! This novel was originally intended only to be released in e-book format, but thankfully made it into print edition, which is why I am ever so thankful to have received a copy for review! The cover art illustration is even more eye-popping in person, and you quite literally feel as though you could just ‘jump through the portal’ and join them! A Table of Contents helps get you oriented a bit, but the best bit of all is the girth: 470 pages! One of the best moments for me as a book blogger is when I can start to become a book cheerleader on an author’s behalf! Where I get excited about their journey & their experiences towards publication as much as being able to rally behind them as they take their first tentative steps out into the world of readership and audience! Which leads me to my next book I want to feature today as it has a story about how it arrived by Post as well!
My review will post in mid-to-late July!
I participated in the first book (The Pact) of the Canaanshade Journeys series blog tour with TLC Book Tours and was scheduled to participate in the sequel The Dragon’s Pawn tour as well. Except to say the tour was unexpectedly cancelled, and although tours have become cancelled in the past, this was one of two books I recently contacted the author personally to see what might have caused the cancellation. The other book is Uncovering Cobbogoth in which I will host & review for the publisher Cedar Fort Publishing & Media. On behalf of The Dragon’s Pawn I was first compelled to request this sequel due to a note which was left in the comment threads by the author himself of my original review. There were bits and bobbles of the story as far as general scope, layering, and back-story I was not privy too nor able to deduce from my readings of the first installment to make a clear impression of where the book series was heading or why certain elements of the first book were necessary to be included. From the author’s response I felt compelled as a reader and as a book blogger to request a reading of the sequel, so that I could continue to read the next in the series as a way to become better acquainted with the author’s vision and thereby perhaps reforming my original perceptions therein. The Dragon’s Pawn by Mitchell S. Karnes, is the sequel to The Pact which I reviewed for TLC Book Tours earlier this year, and for which I am blessed to have received to review as it truly is one book that I am especially grateful has come back into my life. Sometimes we find the stories within the books are only half of the message and sometimes certain books need a second reading to better understand their heart.
Cross-posted with Mailbox Monday (a weekly meme) on Monday, 12th of May where book bloggers & readers alike share their inbound books for review, newly purchased books, or otherwise added to their shelves to read. Conversing via: #MailboxMonday My feature was inspired by Mailbox Monday, however as I am always in throes of reading books for review and/or borrowing books from my library, I am never quite as certain which week the books have arrived!
A Must Read: The Reincarnationist Series by M.J. Rose via Book Candy Studios
{SOURCES: Jorie Loves A Story badge created by Ravven with edits in Fotoflexer by Jorie. Chain of Mercy book cover was provided by Brenda S. Anderson for both review and promotion; used with permission. A Chimerical World: Tales of the Seelie Court, Awesome Jones, & A Mage of None Magic book covers were provided by Tomorrow Comes Media for promotion and review; used with permission. The Collector of Dying Breaths & Daughter of the Gods book covers were provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for promotion and review; used with permission. Love’s Promise book cover was provided by Editing Through the Seasons & Sandra Leesmith for promotion and review; used with permission. Portals, Passages, & Pathways book cover provided by JKS Communications & B.R. Maul for review and promotion; used with permission. The Dragon’s Pawn book cover provided by Mitchell S. Karnes for review and promotion; used with permission. The book trailer for The Reincarnationist series via Book Candy Studios had either URL share links or coding which made it possible to embed this media portal to this post, and I thank them for the opportunity to share more about this novel and the author who penned it. Tweets embedded due to codes provided by Twitter.}
Today, it is a pure honour and joy to welcome back to Jorie Loves A Story, Ms. Sandra Leesmith! Of whom was featured previously in a Book Cover Reveal post as on the 14th of March, “Love’s Promises” was not yet on a blog tour but being revealed to the literary world as its cover was ready to make its début!
I was quite excited to participate in my first event hosted by Ms. Amber Stokes of Editing Through the Seasons, and I could not have hoped for a better day! The conversations which ignited in the comment threads simply warmed my heart, as I am always striving towards making Jorie Loves A Story a happy hearted place for readers and writers to alight, whilst conversing about books, bookish culture, and the authors we appreciate discovering!
This was a particularly joyous day as an author I dearly appreciated also dropped by for a quick visit, Ms. Julie Lessman! (author of the Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Heart in San Francisco series) When I was asked by Ms. Stokes to participate in the blog book tour for “Love’s Promises” I was simply overjoyed I could ask to Interview Ms. Leesmith and by a suggestion of Ms. Stokes to focus a bit more on the snippets of a larger conversation her and I had only just touched the generalities on during her Cover Reveal!
Let me share what I am referencing:
INSPIRATION BEHIND MY INTERVIEW:
{14 March, 2014}
Ms. Leesmith: I really do like having print copies so probably will do it. Lately though even at book fairs, (I was recently at the Chocolate Affair in Glendale, AZ) most of my sales were kindle. Young people especially want to use their e-readers and I guess they are better for the environment. The old publishing paradigm was such a waste. At least with print on demand, you don’t have more books printed than are being used or bought.
So keep positive. A print copy might sail your way after all. smile
Jorie: I am hearing murmurs to that effect in some regions (as far as young adult readers seeking digital copies) but then, in other regions in the States I am learning that there is a falling back to reading traditional books; as the culture of the Indie bookshoppe is undergoing a Renaissance where readers are appreciating the ability to converse and gather! I find this to be both humbling and uplifting, as it goes back to how I grew up appreciating the interactions at bookshoppes! In regards to the environment, I have been proactive in seeking how publishers can lower the footprint of carbon in the making of books as well as the footprint of distribution. Some of my findings are already out there and known; such as using non-old growth forest paper, Eco-friendly inks (ex. vegetable ink), and of course, I have a few personal ideas about how to make hardbacks more environmentally sound. I love how some publishers (esp Indies) are going carbon-neutral for production by implementing green energy on behalf of their printing side of the ledger! Renewable energy sources excite me for their ability to shift traditional industries into an era of new green freedom! I don’t believe the old paradigm is dead completely, because I do believe in print books being alleviated to a new level of green by changing how we focus on book production and the ‘ingredients’ in which go into book printing! :) And, that *excites!* me!! :)
Ms. Leesmith: Okay okay, you talked me into it. I was on the fence about printing the book and have several friends who prefer the print. So I will contact Lena and she will get it going. She does a fantastic job so I can’t complain there.
And yay for you on promoting the “green”. The old paradigm was CRAZY. I mean printing 100,000 books and throwing away what didn’t sell. yikes. That just breaks my heart to think of all those books burning away. And the waste. But you are right. The changes are not complete, but they are on their way and that is a good thing.
Jorie: Oh, my dear stars, seriously!? I feel rather chuffed then! I hadn’t expected to alter your stance on this, but felt encouraged to broach how I think publishing is making strides towards change which can be not only be more efficient but positive for our collective futures! :) Yes, I do agree one of the downfalls of discarding the books is that they were never put into the hands of those who could benefit by reading them! :( I felt there was a disconnect between waste and recycling the books into programs and charities for literary outreach! A bit like how restaurants and grocery stores had to shift their thinking towards day-old bread and pastries!? I get excited about where positive progress in the 21st Century is leading all of us! :)
Ms. Leesmith: And yes, what a concept to recycle and use what was formerly thrown away. I love the changes coming about with new ideas and new ways of thinking. Seriously we have to think about these things. Waste is not God’s plan is it? We are so blessed so we should take care not to lose those blessings.
For Monica Scott, building her late father’s house at Lake Tahoe isn’t an option—it’s a necessary distraction from confusing memories and an uncertain future. But a handsome planner working for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is keeping Monica from moving forward with the project. Never mind that he’s young and charming with a great sense of humor. No one is going to stop Monica from making her father’s dream—and her own—a reality.
All Greg Linsey wants is for his work to mean something. His job at TRPA gives him the opportunity to fight for the environment he loves and make a difference in his small corner of the world. But with the sophisticated Monica Scott’s arrival, his dedication is tested as never before, especially when Monica turns to his unscrupulous nemesis for assistance. As Greg and Monica’s animosity turns into something far sweeter, can they learn to accept each other’s promises and avoid the growing danger to their lives and hearts?
Author Biography:
SANDRA LEESMITH loves to travel in her RV and explore all of nature’s beauty, discover America’s history, and fellowship with the wonderful people she meets while on the road. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, swimming, and pickleball. Learn more about Sandra and her books at sandraleesmith.com.
Book Cover Designer Biography:
LENA GOLDFINCH writes fantasy and romance for teens and adults. She’s a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it’s a novel, novella, or short story, young adult or adult, fantasy or realistic, contemporary or historical. Elements of romance, fantasy, and mystery have a way of creeping into her writing, even when she’s writing something light and contemporary like her latest releases, Haunting Joy and Take a Picture. Lena has been a finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests. She lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. Learn more about Lena and her books atlenagoldfinch.blogspot.com.
Hi Jorie, and thank you for inviting me to join you on your wonderful blog.
You have some very intriguing questions.
I have been environmentally conscience about our footprint on Earth since I was a young child, which took on a new height of awareness when I met an Environmentalist in the 5th grade who spoke about the plight of the natural resources with a focus on the Amazon in Brazil. Coincidentally, this was the same year I saw the motion picture “Medicine Man,” which had a deep impact on me. What were the roots and impetus of your own heart’s focus on the environment?
Leesmith responds: Interesting question, and I love hearing how your journey began. My parents used to take us camping every year, and they instilled in me a love of animals and their habitat. I grew up in California where moderate temperatures year round allowed me to spend most of my free time outdoors. Add my marriage to a biologist who spends every spare moment outdoors, and it becomes clear how my love for nature and the environment formed naturally.
What was the seedling idea that inspired you to etch out a thread of narrative with a focus on preservation and conservation within “Love’s Promises”?
Leesmith responds: My husband and I purchased a house at Lake Tahoe—a fixer-upper. When we began projects to renovate, we ran into the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. The agency caused a setback to our projects, but we both were intrigued and impressed with the purpose and goal of the agency to preserve the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe.
I write romance and I try to find interesting occupations to bring a refreshing element into the basic plot of boy-meets-girl. It is even more fun when the occupation can add to the conflict. The people at the TRPA were very helpful in helping me develop conflict and plot.
As you first started to feel the ink slip out of the pen and create characters living inside worlds of your own imagination, did you find yourself drawn to knitting together stories which had a social action awareness or was this something that developed organically?
Leesmith responds: I’ve always enjoyed books that have a subtle social message. I think that is why I end up writing stories with a social message. Maybe it’s the teacher in me. I don’t purposely set out to write a social message, but social issues are what interest me, so I end up including them in my writing. So I guess you would have to say I develop them organically.
I have noticed a shift towards more environmentally sound building practices (green building), retrofitting renovations, and a more plausible shift towards offering green building supplies & materials. Did you incorporate these into your back-story, or were these part of what inspired the focus on a low impact build within the story? Do you feel that as we move forward green building supplies will become more affordable rather than cost prohibitive?
Leesmith responds: The policies set forth by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency were revolutionary in the early eighties when I encountered them for the first time. Their innovative ideas inspired me to focus on the low impact build within the story. I am not an economist, but I would imagine if green building supplies are required and consequently mass-produced, they would come down in price.
Extending from here, when I hosted your Cover Reveal, we started to talk about the changing tides n the publishing industry to have a focus on creating environmentally sound books within the trade. At the heart of the conversation we were each murmuring a nod towards how encouraging this practice is for those who do not want to negatively affect our fragile world. Have you found resources to drop the impact from a self-published author’s point of view, or is it still limited to publishers who can implement the changes? (either independent or mainstream)
Leesmith responds: Personally, I think the change in the publishing world is long overdue. It is a struggle at this time because of the extreme paradigm shift going on. It is difficult to not only change the paradigm for the publishers and authors, but the readers need to shift also. For example, readers used to go into bookstores and see physical books, read the back covers, and then decide which ones to purchase. With the advent of e-pubbing, the reader isn’t quite sure where to look for new books or new authors. Blogs featuring reviews have blossomed. GoodReads is a source for those who know about it and understand it. But it takes awhile for the general public to shift their buying paradigm.
It has been much easier for the publisher and author to shift to print on demand and e-book publishing. These are so cost-effective and, as you pointed out, low impact on the environment—specifically trees—that the shift to actually produce a book using these new methods has become relatively easy. What is difficult is the seller-buyer relationship. How do these publishers and authors make their product known? This shift is in constant flux and change, which is both frustrating and extremely exciting. There is so much change going on it makes one’s head spin to keep up.
What inspires my heart towards the changes that are upcoming, is that we do not have to become a completely digitalised world of readers. There are key steps to take to either become carbon-neutral, or by making smaller changes such as tree-neutral or non-old growth forest sourced papers, vegetable dye inks, and non-off gassing glues for binding purposes. Do you see more readers starting to pay attention to how books are produced and feeling celebratory when they find publishers who are taking a stand for a new green-minded publishing platform? Or, do you feel this is limited to writers and publishers who see a healthier way to produce print books in a more environmentally ethical way?
Leesmith responds: Well as much as I would love to think publishers, readers, and authors are thinking of these issues, I doubt that most even know it is an issue to consider. Most authors and publishers are trying to figure out how to market their work and frankly, I don’t think offering environmental friendly products means much to them. I could be wrong and sincerely hope I am, but in my experience, the environmental issues just don’t resonate with most people, especially if they impact their pocketbook or their plans.
Do you think the mind-set has been that if its not digitally published it is not green? And, if this is true, how then, can we as readers and as writers lead the movement forward by championing green practices for print books? Especially considering that not every reader is physically able to read digital books?
Leesmith responds: Hmmm great question. I imagine that just like with every aspect of awareness of the environment and our responsibility to care for this planet—our life support system—we need to continue to educate the public. Maybe when a reader becomes aware that there are such things as green practices for printing books, they might try to be more supportive of the practices.
What kinds of stories enlivened your heart first as a child and then as an adult? Which branches of literature do you find yourself leaning towards? Whom would you consider your favourite authors and the books they penned which still leave you ruminative!?
Leesmith responds: I skipped most books that children read and went right to my mother’s books, which were mostly romance and historical. My favorites though of the children’s books were animal stories like Black Beauty, White Fang, Old Yeller, etc.
For me, I started to notice that my path towards being a reader was directly hinged to being a voracious reader from a young age. Do you think most writers feel an intuitive inclination to write whilst wrapped up in the happiness of reading? What do you think guides us in this direction, or what do you feel guided you?
Leesmith responds: I do believe that most writers are or were voracious readers. They are easily caught up in a world of make-believe or into a quest for knowledge. I also believe that most voracious readers were so from an early age. Reading is an important source of information, entertainment, and joy.
Writing on the other hand is a gift. Not everyone is cut out to write, and it can be quite painful. It is a craft that can be learned, but getting into the true grit of characterization and creation of a story is in my opinion a gift we are born with. I enjoy good music, but I can’t carry a tune to save my life. I enjoy good art, but I can barely draw stick figures. But I can dream up stories in my head. I’ve been a daydreamer from as far back as I can remember. I consider it a gift and am thankful to have it.
The setting for “Love’s Promises” is situated in Lake Tahoe, which is known for needing a pulse of attention on its growth and development which will allow its residents to be stewards of the land rather than consumers who hurt its natural beauty. In your research, did you find the general populace was in agreement with protecting the natural resources, or did you find them to be a bit indifferent? I ask as I tend to find most areas of natural beauty are caught between the balance of protection and living in the moment for what works for the majority.
Leesmith responds: I think many visitors are indifferent to the environment issues. However, any tourists who are interested in the outdoors and participate will be educated. Most hiking trails post signs with instructions on preserving the environment. Many of the roadside rests and points of interest have displays showing the environmental issues. So people who stop to read these informative brochures, posters, information boards, etc., will become aware.
Anyone who lives in the Lake Tahoe area or tries to build will definitely learn and be concerned about the issues. They will be like Monica, who was forced to learn what impact her plans would have and which plans would be allowed.
What do you feel is Lake Tahoe’s greatest blessing? And, what is their greatest concern?
Leesmith responds: Lake Tahoe’s greatest blessing and their greatest concern are the same. The environmental beauty with all of the features that attract tourists are what blesses the area. But damage to the delicate eco-system and preserving the natural beauty is their biggest concern.
Despite the overwhelming odds to bring more green into the world of publishing, what has been one observation of positive change that you have thus far seen?
Leesmith responds: When I go to books festivals and book sales, I find I sell fewer and fewer print books. Most people smile and tell me they read from their Kindle or e-reader. I don’t think this change is because of environmental concerns though. I think they are just easier to manage and books are cheaper. Economics still drives production.
You appear to live in harmony with the natural world each chance you can. Do you enjoy walking out in nature? What are your favourite species of birds and/or wildlife to encounter whilst you’re in their living habitats? Do you take a camera with you as I do?
Leesmith responds: I love nature and the outdoors. I get rather grumpy if I can’t get outside for at least part of my day. I am blessed to have lived in temperate climates where this is possible all year round. I love to hike and walk in mountains, the desert, the valleys, the beach—wherever I am. I am delighted beyond measure when I spot the local wildlife. While at Lake Tahoe we saw black bears, deer, coyotes, foxes, squirrels, and chipmunks. There were many species of birds and raptors to enjoy, however you surely won’t miss the raucous noise of the Steller’s jays. Their bright blue color and silly antics are very entertaining.
What is your greatest joy as a writer!?
Leesmith responds: I think my greatest joy as a writer is the ability to get lost in another world and make things come out with a happy ending—something we can’t always do in real life. My family all tell me it’s because my characters are the only people who listen to what I say. (Being the oldest child and a teacher, I’ve been known to be rather bossy. However, what they all fail to tell you is they all are great at ignoring me.) This makes me chuckle anyway. I’m sure it goes deeper than that. My husband likes me writing stories because then I’m not writing him a honey-do list.
You’re quite welcome, Ms. Leesmith! It was an absolute pleasure having you back whilst having the ability to carry-on a conversation which was a bit in-progress since we last conversed! I welcomed the chance to get to speak to you about green publishing practices and green-living principles. So much in fact, that it sparked a renewed interest in re-seeking out all the lovely links I had saved on my computer which has been in the graveyard since late 2013! I had a special folder I was keeping updated for green publishers and information on how publishing was starting to enact greener practices as well as how revolutionary the printing & inking sources were starting to be reflective of keeping our books environmentally friendly! I was overjoyed finding that there are far more websites and publishers making headway towards a green future for the bookish soul in all of us with an environmental conscience! And, the best part of all is that everything I have uncovered has lead me realise that my own heart’s dream of finding a way to keep books in print format has already arrived!
How thankful I am that my tour stop today is hosted on *Earth Day!* A day in which my heart overflows with the hope of what lies ahead in the future as each of us endeavours to grow in mindfulness & chooses to seek out those who are like-minded and astute towards environmental protection and change of conscience in commerce practice! Happy Earth Day, dear hearts! Go out and hug a tree! Listen to it whisper a ‘hallo’! And, remember to continue to love books in print format for there are changes on the horizon which will give us the ability to print them in a kind way which has no impact on the trees which grant us life! Rescue out of print books and previously read books from used bookshoppes! Spread the love and give books as gifts! And, remember, always find a bookish ear to sit alongside whilst enjoying a cuppa tea and chatting merrily about what you’ve recently read!
Kindly note: in addition to this short list of resources for green-minded practices & the champion of eco-friendly resources in publishing & printing of books, I have also included two additional resources: the last two links are green building & business contacts as much as in the Related Articles are hand-selected published documents which continue the conversation forward. Including finding mainstream publishers who are adverting their Sustainability & Green practices which are already in effect. Kindly know each post I include “Related Articles” those were not selected by a computer, they were hand-selected by me! I read each one & felt it was necessary to include the links for reading after you had concluded my own blog post.
Previously I hosted “Love’s Promises” Book Cover Reveal. And, I look forward to reviewing Love’s Promises when the novel is released in a print edition!Stay tuned!
Similar to blog tours, when I feature a showcase for an author via a Guest Post, Q&A, Interview, etc., I do not receive compensation for featuring supplemental content on my blog.
I am curious to learn what your thoughts and impressions are on how publishing is making strides towards greening the publication and printing of books? Have you started to notice the labels and badges of certification of green printing practices like I have started to see included in print editions? (i.e. ChocLitUK novels carry the badge for FSC certification) Do you feel like I do that there is plausible hope that we can continue to read print books in a world in which being more environmentally conscience is part of how we can carry the torch for being economically tree-neutral? I have also started to research finding which publishers and/or printers are aligning their companies to adopt carbon-neutral practices by implementing green energy for their production. I find it to be quite the exciting time in publishing and I welcome your thoughts, observations, and conversation in the comment threads!
Kindly share sites and links for both mainstream & indie publishers whose green practices I might not have highlighted in this Post. As well as any other green-minded websites you think would be of interest to me! I will be updating my linkage in my sidebar once I compile all the links together! Thank you in advance!
{SOURCES: Cover art of “Loves Promises”, author & illustrator photographs, book synopsis, and publicity badge were all provided by Editing Through The Seasons and used with permission. Author Interview badge provided by Parajunkee to give book bloggers definition on their blogs. Dividers provided by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com. Tweets were embedded due to the codes Twitter provided.}
{ I keep a Press & Publishers List via Twitter; green or otherwise, as this is an on-going methodology of change happening right now in publishing. All change requires patience. IF I have been remiss & you know of a publisher I might enjoy keeping a tab on, please include their twitter handle & the reason why you think it would be a good fit for me to check out in the comment threads! Likewise, if you’d like to subscribe to my list on twitter, please do! }
@JLovesAStory@SLeesmithAuthor love to. I noticed you included me in your tweet. Thanx, I started 24 years ago, 20th anniversary of Earthday — Greg Barber (@GreenPrinter) April 22, 2014
I have an exciting announcement to make today, for my dedicated readers of Jorie Loves A Story and new visitors alike, I have the absolute pleasure of announcing Ms. T.S. Krupa will be dropping by JLAS at 5:30pm Monday, 24th of March 2014 for a *LIVE!* Author Q&A! The entire blog event will be taking place underneath her Author Interview which will post earlier in the morning of the 24th! Readers and visitors are encouraged to leave their Questions for Ms. Krupa in the comment threads which will be actively monitored and accepted as each Question, Comment, or Thought is posted to Jorie Loves A Story!
Although comments are moderated by Jorie, comments are captcha-free and can easily be added by using your Email and/or WP, Google+, Facebook, or Twitter accounts to converse openly and freely during the event! I never believed in hindering a reader’s ability to leave a comment, and only moderate the comments to prevent spam! I will be present throughout the event making sure each comment goes live and that everyone has a great time interacting with Ms. Krupa!
Ms. Krupa will then start to respond to each comment she finds starting in the early evening giving you the opportunity to chat with her about her Indie début novel “Safe & Sound”!
This beautiful blog event banner badge was created by Caitlin O’Brient Bauer of http://www.royalsocialmedia.com!
When great love is lost forever, what does it take to find the courage to move on?
When Jill met Jay Greenfield she knew she found her forever love. Together their lives were perfect. But when a tragic accident takes Jay’s life, this young bride is left to pick up the pieces. With support from her two childhood best friends, Lanie and Stella, Jill attempts to piece her life back together.
Meanwhile, in the process of settling the estate, Jill learns that her husband was not quite the man she thought he was. She finds herself transported to the small beach town of Oak Island, North Carolina. But the fairy tale ending she envisioned no longer exists. She must face the reality that Jay is gone as she finds herself having a chance at love one more time.
Safe & Sound follows the yearlong journey of love, loss, friendship, and conquering the unexpected.
I will be reviewing this lovely book on Friday, 28th March, 2014! Therefore, this is an opportunity to get to know the author personally before I reveal my thoughts and impressions of Safe & Sound!
Kindly help spread the word via your social media connections online & through your network of bookish friends offline!
I am looking forward to this *exciting new way of connecting readers with authors* on Jorie Loves A Story! This particular blog event was inspired by the serendipitous conversation spun around Cover Reveal “Love’s Promises”!
{Sources: Promotional badge/banner for Live Author Q&A with T.S. Krupa created by Ms. Krupa’s social media publicist Caitlin O’ Brient Bauer of Royal Social Media; used with permission for cross-promotion of blog event. Book Synopsis provided in the Press Kit via Ms. Bauer. Post dividers were provided by Fun Stuff for Your Blog by Pure Imagination.}
Author Biography: 
romance for teens and adults. She’s a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it’s a novel, novella, or short story, young adult or adult, fantasy or realistic, contemporary or historical. Elements of romance, fantasy, and mystery have a way of creeping into her writing, even when she’s writing something light and contemporary like her latest releases, Haunting Joy and Take a Picture. Lena has been a finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests. She lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. Learn more about Lena and her books at lenagoldfinch.blogspot.com.
