Showing posts with label Seeds of Summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seeds of Summer. Show all posts

Miss Rodeo America 2014

The main character for my second book, Seeds of Summer, is a former Miss Rodeo Kansas. Even though my research for this book is over, I still enjoy keeping up with current rodeo queens. I thought you might enjoy reading a news release from the 2014 pageant held in Las Vegas this past December.

Lawrence, Mississippi is home to Paige Nicholson, Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2013 and Miss Rodeo America 2014. Paige is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Information Science. She plans to obtain a Law Degree from the University of Mississippi and pursue a career that allows her to be an advocate for agriculture and protect the western way of life.

When time allows, Paige enjoys: Horseback Riding, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, Fishing, Boating, Working on her family's Beef Cattle and Row Crop Farm, and writing for Cattle Business in Mississippi Magazine. Paige has served as a volunteer for the 4-H horse project, Relay for Life, and assisting as a special needs horse show instructor. “Volunteering has allowed me to build connections in several communities in my state. Service fosters camaraderie and fellowship in groups of volunteers while giving hope and support to recipients.”

“It will be an honor to officially represent an organization whose values so closely resemble my own. I believe families should always look out for each other, and that developing and educating the next generation is our greatest responsibility in life. Miss Rodeo America is an outstanding example of a young lady, a cowgirl, and a person who is strong in character. It is my wish that each person I meet becomes a true rodeo fan, and that I can tell the story of agriculture and the western way of life with knowledge and enthusiasm.”


If you haven't read Seeds of Summer, you may read about it HERE. 

Seeds of Summer Thursday Promotion


Here is another picture for you taken by our youngest daughter. This is the last week I'll post my Thursday promotional links. Thanks to everyone who hosted me on their blog this summer with an interview, promotion, or review. I really appreciate the help in getting the word out about my books!

This week on the web:

For writers: Be sure to check out my guest post on Scheduling Your Own Blog Tour at We CAN Market Our Books

Seeds of Summer Thursday Promotion


As we head into the dog-days of summer, I wanted to share with you a picture of one of my roses. With temperatures bordering on triple digits, it's nice to be able to stay cool in the air-conditioned house. Please keep me in your prayers as I head into the last two weeks of my extended deadline for Blades of Autumn. I'm looking forward to sharing more about this book with you in the near future.
If you are a member of the ACFW Book Club, Seeds of Summer is being voted on for their December selection--along with many other great titles. If you're not a member, you may join this book club for free here: http://www.acfw.com/bookclub.shtml (Then be sure to cast your vote!)
Here are this week's promotions for Seeds of Summer:
Book Review by Merrie Hansen (Scroll down to On My Favorites List)

Seeds of Summer Thursday Promotion

I missed attending the Barnes & Noble book signing last weekend in Wichita due to sciatic back pain but wanted to share with you a few of the pictures taken of the day. It looks like everyone had a lot of fun.


It appears my books made it, though I failed to.
Quite a line-up: Arlene Graber, Deborah Raney, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Patricia Davids and Nancy Mehl. (Sorry, I don't know the two on each end.)
Kim Vogel Sawyer and Patricia Davids with a Star Wars Stormtrooper who guarded the book table. Too fun!

Here are this week's blog interviews with one book giveaway. Be sure to visit Lisa's site to enter your chance to win Seeds of Summer.

Barnes & Noble Book Signing, Interviews and Reviews

This Saturday, I'll join several Christian authors for a book signing in Barnes & Noble, Bradley Fair, Wichita, from 2-5:00 PM. If you're in the area, stop in and say hello!


Every now and then, I happen upon a lovely review. Here's one I found on Amazon by Amanda Stanley for Seeds of Summer that reads like a book itself. Great writing and such a nice compliment. Thank you, Amanda, for sharing your review.

Deborah Vogts first captured my attention with her debut release of "Snow Melts in Spring", book one in her Seasons of the Tallgrass Series. Just a few pages into it I knew that this was going to be a ride to remember and an author whose work I'll be keeping an eye out for! I'm not a big fan of contemporaries, but for Deborah, I'll make an exception!

Her second book in this series, "Seeds of Summer," does not disappoint! I love her writing style- the emotions are real and natural and acutely felt by the reader; the scenery is ruggedly breathtaking, immersing you in the sights, smells and sounds of the Kansas Flint Hills; and faith is portrayed in a very genuine and powerful way, showing its struggle to grow and persevere in the midst of pain and hardships. Her characters are authentic and believable, revealing the depths and layers of the human soul.

Natalie Adams, who we're briefly introduced to in SMIS, is a young, beautiful former rodeo queen, with a broken heart in more ways than one. Her dreams come to a screeching halt, when reality hits like a physical blow and responsibilities heavy weight is thrust upon her unprepared shoulders. She's strong though, but for a good portion of the story she relies on her own strength, which only gets her so far. She's hurt, confused and feels abandoned by those she has loved and trusted, including God. But throughout the story, we see the gradual change that takes place in her life, as the seeds of faith and trust and hope are planted within her heart and allowed to grow. And what (or who) helped to bring about this change and diligently worked to break up the fallow ground of Natalie's heart, so seeds such as these could take root?

Jared Logan, is a young, handsome, pastor, fresh out of the city. He has a good heart and a selfless nature, but he is not without spot or blemish. This city boy turned cowboy has lessons of his own to learn and tightly held past disappointments that need to be laid down. However unintended, he has taken on Natalie and her family as a mission project, reaching out to them, yet, not expecting to become so deeply intertwined in their lives. Jared keeps pointing her to Lord, gentle and persistent in his witness, but ends up losing his heart in the process. Natalie sees something in him that gives her a glimmer of hope that there are good people out there, even good men, and the wall she has built around her heart begins to crack allowing the love of not only Jared, but God to shine through. But is it the Lord's will for this love to bloom? Can hearts be healed and dreams reformed? Or will the past, and the present, stand in their way? I promise the answers are well worth the read!

Cover to cover, this book is fantastic! The supporting characters are wonderful and their diverse personalities add so much. I was also pleasantly surprised that Deborah added quotes by some beloved poets throughout the story, as well, truly lending this romance a poetic beauty. I encourage you to take your time and savor this book, for as a seed should not be rushed to bear its fruit, "Seeds of Summer" should not be rushed in its reading.


Here are this week's online interviews and reviews:

BOOK GIVEAWAY & Guest post at A Pen for Your Thoughts
Interview & Review - Net's Book Notes

Seeds of Summer Thursday Promotion

I always enjoy meeting new people at my book signings. Many times, I learn that I'm distantly related to someone. Here's a photo with distant relatives on my Grandpa Swiler's side of the family who I met at the book signing at Richey's Rexell Drugstore last week during the Old Soldiers & Sailor's Reunion.



Follow the links below to this week's reviews, interviews and blog posts about Seeds of Summer. Some are offering book drawings, so be sure to stop by and leave a comment!

Seeds of Summer Thursday Promotion

Tomorrow I'll be signing books at Richey's Rexall Drug Store, Erie, KS from 2-4:00 PM in celebration of the Old Soldiers & Sailors Reunion and Bean Feed. If you're in the area, please stop by for a visit and cool off with some refreshments.

Pictured here at the Parsons Library with Delores March (librarian) and Peggy Weidert, owner of The Mustard Seed bookstore

Here is a listing of this week's interviews and reviews. Be sure to visit these blogs to say hello.

Kansas Book Signings & Book Giveaways

This weekend, I will be signing books and answering questions with fellow Kansas authors, Deborah Raney & Kim Vogel Sawyer at the following places. I'd love to chat with you!

Friday, July 9 (7:00 - 9:00 PM) Thee Bookstore, Hillsboro, KS
Saturday, July 10 (9-11:00 AM) The Well, McPherson, KS
Saturday, July 10 (1-3:00 PM) Faith & Life Bookstore, Newton, KS




Here are this week's interviews, reviews and guest posts for Seeds of Summer.

Also, on Monday, July 12, I'll be giving a presentation and signing books at the Public Library in Parsons, KS at 6:30 PM. Hope to see you there!

Interviews and Reviews

Here are a few pictures from last week's book signings as well as this weeks' reviews and interviews:


A few people from the Erie Library Event


Some Pictures from the Feathered Nest Book Signing


Reviews & Book Signings

Last weekend I participated in two blog tours given by Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and First Wild Card Tours. Below is a list of those who offered reviews:
  1. Tina's Book Reviews
  2. Relz Reviewz
  3. Pam - Daysong Reflections
  4. Pamela Meyers - A Writer's Journey
  5. Nora Laurent - Finding Hope Through Fiction
  6. Review of Snow Melts in Spring by Molly - Book Reviews
  7. Kim at Window to My World
  8. Kathleen - Heart 2 Heart
  9. Camy's Loft
  10. Brittany - A Book Lover
  11. April - Projecting A
  12. Review of Snow Melts in Spring by Michelle V
  13. Review of Seeds of Summer by Michelle V
  14. Janet - Along the Way
  15. Stacey - Word up!
  16. Rachel - Pebbles in My Pocket
  17. Nancy - Sunny Island Breezes
  18. Carly - Carlybird's Home
  19. RAnn - This That and the Other Thing
  20. Renee - Black -n Gold Girl's Book Spot
  21. Quilly - Quintessentially Quilly
  22. Rachelle - Sojourner's Journey
  23. Cafe Lily
  24. Jennifer - A Spacious Place
  25. Everyday Mom of 1 Reads
  26. Missy - An Incurable Disease of Writing
  27. Charity - Giveaway Lady
  28. Jennifer Unsell - Adventures in Unsell Land
  29. Mindy - A Room Without Books is Empty
  30. The Not So Perfect Housewife
  31. Molly - Book Reviews
  32. Winter Peck - Rodeo with a Twist of Suspense
  33. Martha - Our Family's Adventures
  34. Jenny - Ausjenny

Take 5 Interview with Jennifer AlLee
Author Guest Post at Linda Clare's Writing Tip Blog

This past weekend, my family returned to Cottonwood Falls, KS for their Flint Hills Folklife Festival. Below are some pictures from my book signing at Jim Bell & Son's Western Store.



Gotta love cowboy hats!



Pictured here with lovely daughters & "Bob" the Buffalo.

Tonight I'm giving a presentation on my research for Seasons of the Tallgrass at the Erie Public Library at 6:30 PM. On Saturday, I'm scheduled to sign books at the Feathered Nest in Chanute. If you are in the area, I'd love to visit with you.

Book Giveaways, Author Interviews & Reviews

Here are a few new author interviews and book reviews for Seeds of Summer. Be sure to enter the two book giveaways listed below.



  • Word-Up-Studies - lovely book review by Stacey Dale
  • In My Little World - a sweet review of Snow Melts in Spring by Valerie Comer
  • Relz Reviews - sincere book review for Seeds of Summer by Rel Mollet
  • Word Vessel - Author interview by Cathy Bryant about favorite scenes, book research and author tips. (Be sure to leave a comment for Cathy to enter the book giveaway.
  • Jennifer AlLee blog - Interesting interview with Jennifer about dream vacations, deserted islands and embarrassing moments. (Again, leave a comment for Jennifer to enter the book giveaway.)
  • Topeka Capitol Journal article about Seeds of Summer.

Here are a few pictures from my book signing last week at the Chanute Public Library.

Pictured here with good friend, Lisa Goins.

Also for anyone in the Cottonwood Falls area, I will be signing books this Saturday for the Flint Hills Folklife Festival from 10:30 - 2:30 at Jim Bell & Son's Western Store on Broadway. Hope to see you there!

Author Guest Posts

Author Guest Posts today on the Web:


Other News:

This Saturday, I'll be holding my first book signing for Seeds of Summer in Fort Scott, KS at the Country Cupboard. Here is an article about it from the Fort Scott Tribune. If you live in the area, I'd love to visit with you!


Also, this is your last chance to enter the big book drawing at Country Magazine where they are giving away TWENTY books from my Seasons of the Tallgrass series. The contest ends May 31. Be sure to enter today!

My Second "Baby" Has Arrived

Last week, my second "baby" arrived by way of a large brown UPS truck. It is wonderful to hold Seeds of Summer in my hands. Yesterday I received the rest of my books to sell. So exciting!


This week, I was the Featured Author on ACFW. Read the interview for that here.

Here is a guest post I did at Novel Journey on Researching a Contemporary Novel.

Last but not least, here is a post on the CAN blog about my book. If you write books, be sure to spend some time here and look at the many posts on writing and marketing. Wonderful stuff here from lots of authors.

Seeds of Summer Book Drawings & Author Interviews

If you haven't done so already, be sure to visit the following blogs and get in on the free book drawings for Seeds of Summer, releasing the end of this month. These ladies came up with some terrific questions that really made me think! I hope you'll enjoy them.

  • See what actors could play Natalie and Jared in my Interview with Trish Perry
  • Learn what relaxing activities I enjoy in my author Interview with Elizabeth Ludwig at The Borrowed Book

  • Read about my dream vacation in my Interview with Lena Nelson Dooley
Snow Melts in Spring is still being offered on Amazon as a Free Kindle download for a few more days. This is a great opportunity to read my first book in the Seasons of the Tallgrass before the second one comes out.

Here's a picture taken last month at an author event at the Town Crier Bookstore in Emporia, KS. The Town Crier will be handling the book sales for my book launch at the Flint Hills Rodeo on June 4 & 5. Stay tuned for more information about this fun event.

Author Interviews & Guest Posts

May has finally arrived and with it comes the start of my book promotion for Seeds of Summer, Book #2 in the Seasons of the Tallgrass series (set to release the end of this month).

SPECIAL NOTICE: Right now Amazon is running a promotion where you may download Snow Melts in Spring (Book #1) for FREE as a Kindle E-book. This special will not last forever, but I think it will be going on for another week. Visit the store link here.

Here are a few places you may visit me online this week: