“A Scoop of Love” Release Day Blitz & Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

You know how every once in a while you’re really in the mood to curl up with a sweet love story? I’m talking about one of those tender books that leave you with a sigh and a smile. Well, if you’re in that kind of mood, have I got a treat for you! Read on to get all the deets about the latest release by an author who’s mastered the art of literary romance.

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Title: A Scoop of Love

Author: Unoma Nwankwor

Released: January 30th 2015

Publisher: KevStel Group LLC

ASIN: B00RPI2616

Genre: Christian Romantic Fiction

About The Book

The oldest of the Danjuma brothers, Rasheed was a self-made man. He’d learned at an early age that love and commitment brought with it complications he didn’t want to deal with. His single-minded focus had paid off. He was able to step into the shoes of his absentee father by taking care of his mother and twin brothers. But just when he thought he could stop carrying the weight of his family on his shoulders, he gets a call that could change the trajectory of Rasheed’s life.

Ibiso Jaja, a professional caterer, had gambled on the love of a man and lost. Through the redeeming love of God, she had picked herself up and was now living her dream as the owner of Bisso Bites, a bistro in the heart of Abuja. However circumstances conspire to threaten the bistro and bring her face to face with the type of man she has vowed to avoid. The attraction is instant.

Once again, Rasheed is forced to do something he has done all his life – put the needs of his family ahead of his own. This time however, he crosses path with the sassy, independent, Jesus-loving caterer who is bent on making him see the power of forgiveness and God’s love. Just when Rasheed lets his guard down, a deadly sabotage causes old demons to rise. Will Rasheed continue to pursue power and success or surrender to the light of God’s love?

About The Author

Unoma Nwankwor is a self- proclaimed romantic. She is passionate about telling stories that are uplifting and life changing sending the message of faith, hope and love. Her readers are in love with her unique way of telling stories that capture the essence of her present home base; Atlanta Georgia and her Nigerian culture. Her stories which center on forgiveness, faith and hope have been described as a fusion of faith, romance and African spice.

Unoma is also the published author of An Unexpected Blessing (2013) , The Christmas Ultimatum(2013) and When You Let Go (May,2014).

Social Links

Website: http://www.unomanwankwor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNwankworAuthor?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/unwankwor

Buy Links

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1BwlGpJ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1CxctyI

Faith Simone says: One of the aspects I enjoy most about Unoma’s books is the glimpse she gives into African culture! Are you a fan of multicultural fiction? Do you often read books with settings and characters of other cultures and races?

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Unoma is giving away Two (2) $10.00 Gift Card from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Two winners will be randomly chosen via rafflecopter.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Hosted by Write Now Literary www.wnlbooktours.com

Follow The Tour http://wnlbooktours.com/a-scoop-of-love/

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Unoma Nwankwor and is hosted and managed by Paulette from Write Now Literary Book Tours. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Paulette @ pharperjohnson@gmail.com

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Book Review: The Stolen Girl by Renita D’Silva

It’s been a while since I posted a book review, but trust me it isn’t because I haven’t been reading up a storm! I finished this little gem of a book months ago. Forgive me for not sharing it with you sooner!

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Title: The Stolen Girl

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Description:

‘Your mother has been arrested. She stole you.’

For as long as thirteen-year-old Diya can remember, it’s always been just her and her mum, Vani. Despite never staying in one place long enough to call it home, with her mother by her side, Diya has never needed anything else.

Then, in an instant, Diya’s fragile world is shattered. Her mother is arrested, accused of abducting Diya when she was a baby…

Vani has spent a lifetime looking over her shoulder, determined to make the best possible life for her daughter. Now she must fight for her child, re-opening the door to her own childhood in India and the woman who was once as close to her as a sister.

Told through the eyes of Diya, Vani and Aarti, this is a heart-breaking story of friendship and betrayal, love and motherhood, which asks the question; how far would you go to protect your only child?

The Stolen Girl is an emotional, culturally rich and utterly compelling read from the new must-read name in women’s fiction—Renita D’Silva.

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My Review: 

The Stolen Girl is classic women’s fiction done right. I don’t know why women have such an overwhelming fascination with stories about kidnapped children, but we do. Write a book or make a movie about it, and we show up front and center every single time. D’Silva takes a classic story line and revamps it by telling it from three different perspectives: the mother, the thief, and the child.  Don’t get me wrong, while it’s a classic story, it’s far from predictable. The author pulls you into the expertly woven fabric of these ladies live’s and you walk away with a clear understanding of why they made the choices they did.  There’s an element of suspense to the story and the descriptive language is rich and layered. All in all, it’s a great read when you’re in a sentimental mood.

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Any thoughts on why people have such a fascination with kidnapping? Do you watch movies or read books about it? Have you read a book that you thought would be utterly predictable, but it surprised you?

** I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which I freely give.**

My View of Dr. King’s Dream

I spent this past weekend in the small town of Mound Bayou, MS with some of my extended family. With it being MLK weekend, I couldn’t help but to think about the many sacrifices made by people just a few generations before me for the sake of civil rights. My heart warmed as I watched two little girls, one black and one white, share a church pew and play together. The sight of them, sitting with their heads touching as they played a game on an Ipad, confirmed what I already knew: Dr. King’s dream has become a reality. I’m so glad I’m alive to see it.

I hope you all have a wonderful day remembering Dr. King’s legacy!

I’m going to see Selma later this evening. What are your plans for MLK day? Did you participate in any community service this weekend?

 

Author Spolight: Adrienne Thompson!!!

I’m beyond thrilled to feature author Adrienne Thompson today! One reason is that she’s a prolific writer with fifteen published works under her belt. Color me super impressed. The other reason is that she comes across as an awesome and authentic person. Read on to learn more about Adrienne and her latest release!

What’s your name or pen name?

My name, pen and/or legal, is Adrienne Thompson.

What are your genres?

I write Edgy Inspirational Women’s Fiction and Romance. I also recently released a short devotional.

What have you written?

I have written and published a total of 15 books, including the Been So Long, Bluesday, and Your Love Is King series.

When did you begin your writing career?

I wrote my first novel in 2009, but have been a writer of poetry my whole life. I’ve also always been a very animated verbal storyteller.

Are you a full-time or part-time writer? How do you make time to write?

I quit my RN job in 2012 and have been a full time writer ever since. Making time to write has never really been an issue. I love writing and it’s almost second nature for me. The problem I have is deciding what to write. I always have several works in progress at the same time and a few more stories playing in my head.

What’s your writing process? (Number of days you write per week, a.m. or p.m., specific music you play while writing, or anything else that you feel is a vital part of your creative process.)

Music always helps inspire me. No particular music, just whatever moves me at the moment. I don’t really require any certain space or environment. I’m the divorced mother of three children, so I’ve mastered the art of tuning things out—maybe a little too well, lol. I try to write every day, but I don’t beat myself up if I miss a day or two. I try to work an 8-4 workday (I don’t write all of those hours. I also do promo and other writer stuff.), but sometimes, inspiration will hit me in the middle of the night, and I’ll right then. There’s really no rhyme or reason to the way I work, but it works out well for me.

Do you keep a journal? If so, for how long? Do you find it helpful for your professional writing?

I write in a prayer journal when I’m prompted to. It helps me in every area of my life.

What’s your inspiration?

Brokenness, healing, love, acceptance, and the inherent goodness of people.

What kind of legacy do you expect your writing to leave?

I just hope that something I’ve written blesses people for years to come.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Trust your voice, be authentic, and never give up.

What’s on your bookshelf or in your e-reader library?

Wow, that’s a loaded question! Well, too many to name, really. I’m not only a writer and reader, but I’m a horrible book hoarder.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working to perfect my January release, Ain’t Nobody, a women’s fiction novel.

Latest release and book blurb?

My latest release is Better, the follow-up to Your Love Is King. Here’s the blurb:

First, her marriage fell apart, then her life fell apart. She’s been through hell. He just wants to make things better… but will she let him?

Carla Foster is still reeling from what she calls “the ultimate betrayal” of catching her husband in the midst of his infidelity. Now, seemingly stuck in marital limbo, she finally decides to move on with her life only to find herself face-to-face with a monster. As her life begins to crumble, she wonders if things will ever get better. Will Carla be able to find healing and eventually, love?

Tell us about your main character? What actress or actor would you cast to play him or her in a movie about your book?

Carla is a seemingly strong woman plagued by some serious, life-altering issues. She is a fighter, but finds herself sinking fast. I’m honestly not sure who I’d cast to play her. I always have a picture of who the characters are in my head, and they are real people to me. It’s hard for me to choose an actress. Maybe Nia Long?

How can we purchase your work?

My books are available at:

Amazon: http://ow.ly/fxVXG

Kobo Books: http://ow.ly/fxW6V

Barnes and Noble: http://ow.ly/fxW4y

Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/miFUU

How can we stay in touch with you?

Website: http://adriennethompsonwrites.webs.com/

Blog: http://authoradriennethompson.blogspot.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH3qpX69quIi2_O1A-c84XQ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrienneThompsonWrites?ref=bookmarks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_H_Thompson

Instagram: http://instagram.com/ahthompsn

Tumblr: http://authoradriennethompson.tumblr.com/

Bio: Married at sixteen, a mother twice by seventeen, and thrice a mother and divorced by twenty-four, Adrienne Thompson is no stranger to adversity. Not your typical teenage mother, she went on to complete her college degree and to earn her nursing license. She attributes God’s faithfulness as the catalyst for her success in life. Now, having raised two children as a divorced mother, with a third fast-approaching adulthood, she is sharing a long hidden talent and passion with the world. Using the lessons that life has so expertly taught her as a guideline (betrayal, abusive relationships, self-esteem issues, witnessing the deteriorating effects of drug abuse), she has created stories that will both entertain and inspire the reader.

Adrienne currently resides in Arkansas with her daughter. Formerly an RN, she now writes and publishes her stories full time. She is also a motivational speaker.

Faith Simone says:

Ok, so I now officially have a new author to stalk. Those answers were amazing. I particular connected with Adrienne’s advice to new writers: “Trust your voice, be authentic, and never give up.” And her personal story of triumph reads like a novel itself. Ms. Adrienne is one to watch, and an author I plan to have on my bookshelf for years to come!

Ever read any of Adrienne’s work? How do you feel when you discover a new author? Do you binge read their work, or pace yourself?

4 Ways Blogging Has Made Me a Better Writer

Blogging consistently over the last year has been a challenge, but it’s one that I’m glad I took on. Most writers know that blogging is something that they should do and it’s easy to treat it like another task to check off of your to-do list. But what if I told you that instead of viewing blogging as another writing requirement, you should view it as one more way to hone your overall writing skills? If you’re a writer who doesn’t blog, you’re missing out on some great advantages. If you’re a new aspiring writer, I strongly encourage you to keep reading.

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Here are 4 benefits I gained from becoming a blogger.

• I got used to working under deadlines. Sure they’re self-imposed deadlines and there’s plenty of flexibility but they forced me to transition from writing on a particular topic when the mood struck, to writing because I had a commitment to keep. Staying true to posting at least once a week wasn’t easy, but it brought home the lesson that writing is craft I have to choose to do, even when I don’t particularly feel like it. In other words I went from casually flirting with the idea of being a writer to being fully married to it. I gotta say that some days I absolutely love it and can’t imagine my life without it. Other days I question what in the world could I have been thinking when I decided to go ahead with this writing thing in the first place. See, it’s just like a real marriage!
• It changed the way I view the world. Ok, maybe I’m being a little melodramatic. But seriously, once I started blogging I began to measure many of my life occurrences and thoughts by asking myself, “Is this blog worthy?” or “How can I incorporate this absolutely brilliant philosophical revelation into a relevant post?” In other words I began to think like a writer. I viewed my everyday life and thoughts through a filter geared towards sharing them with an audience through writing. I really got into the whole life is art and art is life thing.This way of looking at things translated into my novel writing as well.
• It increased my confidence as a writer. For years I was the kind of person who only showed my poems, short stories and other works in progress to close family members and friends. Like most artists, I’m sensitive about my creations. Blogging helped me get over the excessive fear that my writing wasn’t good enough. Putting myself out there by sharing my writing on the internet shoved my fears to the backseat. I’ve mostly had great feedback, and for that I’m grateful. But even if someone came along and made it their business to tell me that they think my writing sucks, I wouldn’t be phased. I’m far from perfect, but I’m confident in my God-given talent.
• I’ve ‘met’ a lot of amazing authors. The blogging community is awesome. I’ve had the pleasure of networking with talented and gracious writers simply because I blog. Iron sharpens iron and participating in the blogging community gives me the opportunity to interact with other people walking the same path as me. Being new to the literary scene, I have a lot to learn and what better way to do that than to study those who are already mastering the lesson?

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I could keep going with all the many ways blogging has made me a better writer including improving my organization, planning and time management skills. The bottom line is that you won’t know for yourself until you take the plunge and put yourself out there! So what are you waiting for?

Ever thought about starting a blog? What’s holding you back? Have a blog already? How do you keep yourself motivated to continue?

Photo credit: Mexicanwave / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND