Out of Darkness by Erynn Newman + giveaway on tour with Celebrate Lit

To purchase your copy, click here.

About the Book

Click to purchase

Book title: Out of Darkness

Author: Erynn Newman

Release date: May 18, 2017

Genre: Romantic suspense

Elisabeth Allen gave her heart to Jesus as a little girl and to Drew Marek as a teenager. When their wedding day finally arrives, it’s the happiest day of her life–until a car bomb transforms her dream come true into a living nightmare.

As Best Man at the wedding, Gabriel Di Salvo promises Drew–his best friend and CIA partner–he’ll look after Elisabeth, but he never dreams it will become necessary so soon. As Elisabeth struggles to put the pieces of her life back together without Drew, Gabe becomes her rock, and as they share their grief and begin to heal, their friendship gradually deepens into something more.

Three years later, Gabe and Elisabeth are planning a future together when he receives a shocking call from the one man who can upend his happiness: Drew. Suspecting someone at the CIA is behind his abduction, Drew refuses to come home. Instead, he asks Gabe to bring Elisabeth to him. Now Gabe just has to figure out how to let her go.

Drew and Elisabeth race across Europe, dodging international arms dealers and attempting to reclaim what was stolen from them. But years of captivity and torture have left their mark on Drew. He is no longer the same boy Elisabeth fell in love with, but he is still her husband, and she’s determined to build something new and leave her relationship with Gabe in the past, if her heart will get the memo.

When their enemies close in and the threat of a terrorist attack escalates, Gabe may be the only person they can trust. Drew, Elisabeth, and Gabe are thrown into a fight for their lives–one that will test their loyalties to God, country . . . and each other.

About the Author

Erynn Newman is a pastor’s kid, raised in churches all over the Eastern Seaboard. Since earning her degree in Christian Studies, she has traveled the world and served as a missionary, a counselor, an ESL teacher, and a nanny. Though she has never worked with the CIA, her DVR contains a veritable Who’s Who of international spies. She is a Carolina girl, a wife, and Mama to a very busy little boy, two cats, and a gaggle of characters that live inside her head.

20 Facts About Out of Darkness

1. I write novels while the rest of the house sleeps. That’s also when I do most of my editing work and social media stalking. During the day, I get to hang out with an awesome 4-year-old who is the reason I get up in the morning (both because he’s my heart and because he’s staring into my soul asking me to make pancakes).
2. I don’t like wine or coffee. My writer fuel is partially frozen Cherry Pepsi.
3. It took me a long time to realize I was a writer. I thought that everyone made up imaginary people and back stories for them and imagined the lives they lived and sometimes talked to them in traffic. Turns out no. Fortunately other writers found me and helped me figure it out.
4. My greatest nemeses are also my greatest inspirations. Facebook and Netflix. Finding the balance of hanging out with other writers and readers and being inspired by great story telling and actually doing the work is the hardest thing for me.
5. I am obsessed with casting characters. Finding the perfect actor/actress or model who embodies my characters is one of my favorite parts of the process. I also do this for every single book I read.
6. So, of course now you want to know who I chose for Drew, Elisabeth, and Gabe. I’m glad you asked.
   • Drew is based on Matt Bomer’s portrayal of Bryce Larkin in the show Chuck (there are quite a few nods to this show hidden throughout Out of Darkness).
   • Elisabeth is partially based on a character from a show I watched when I was in college (also a waitress and artist), but she looks like this model.
   • Gabe is based not that loosely on (young) Anthony DiNozzo from NCIS.
7. Our house has a really great office with a nice desk and comfortable chair that looks out on our wooded back yard. But I work almost exclusively while sitting on the couch with my laptop propped up on the back of it. My uniform is yoga pants and an old t-shirt. The author life is G.L.A.M.O.R.O.U.S.
8. I got my start writing fan fiction. Most of it has been obliterated from the interwebs, but there may still be a few Star Wars stories floating around out there (I owe this to my love for Ewan MacGregor and my hatred of Annakin Skywalker). Fan fiction is also the way I found my very first critique group. And our leader, Susan Kaye Quinn, best-selling author and real life rocket scientist, helped me realize I could be a real author. And later she taught me how to publish. I want to be her when I grow up.
9. Speaking of fan fiction, the original idea for Out of Darkness was a fan fiction based on that character from that show I talked about above. The waitress/artist who lost her first love and then fell for someone else. And then when her love returned, he was… recast. And terrible. And she forgot who she was and made every wrong decision. And everyone was miserable ever after.
   And I was like, what even IS this show?!?! So I started writing my version of how it should have gone.
   But then a surprising thing happened. My characters took on lives of their own, and I fell in love with ALL of them, and I knew I had to tell their story. So I started creating a different back story for them (and I introduced them to Jesus), and then they became their own characters and started telling me what to do. And I’m a little insane now, but I’m not even mad because I love what this story has turned into (and turned ME into).
10. I started writing Out of Darkness in its earliest form in 2006. I stopped and restarted several times. I wrote other things that may or may not ever see the light of day. I learned that I was writing all wrong, and I ripped it apart, started over and stitched it back together piece by piece. In fact, my original chapter one is now chapter FOURTEEN. And all of that is after the first fifty pages that now comprise First Light, the prequel novelette that tells the story of how Drew and Elisabeth met and fell in love.
11. Of all the exotic locations mentioned in Out of Darkness: Venice, Italy; Paris, France; Cordoba, Spain; Trim, Ireland; and even Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland, I have been to two—Baltimore and Paris.
    Google Maps Street View and Wikipedia are an author’s best friends.
12. Music inspires me to write, but I can’t write to music. I often hear a song that makes me think of a scene or helps me get the emotion right. And I add those to my play list, but when I write, I prefer quiet (or instrumental music).
13. I want the Gospel to be front and center in every story I write (including my own), but there were two scenes in particular that I really felt like the Holy Spirit guided me in writing. One is when Drew finds his Bible in the backpack Gabe packed for them, and the other is Gabe’s argument with God when he decides to let Elisabeth go. In both instances, I feel like God really led me to the right Scriptures and gave me the words in a way I didn’t experience with any other scenes.
14. The hardest scenes were all of the ones with Drew and the gas. Both because I don’t like to torture my characters (contrary to what you may believe) and because the science behind the weapon is way above my head. I worked with a couple of microbiologists to get it at least to plausible/possible, but I’m sure there are still some issues with my science there.
15. I cried several times while writing this book. Elisabeth and I grieve much the same way, so I saw a lot of myself in her moments crying out to God—especially in the ones where she just wanted to feel Him and couldn’t. I cried when Drew fell apart reading his Bible, and I cried at the end when I wasn’t sure who would live or die.
16. Gabe was the biggest surprise of the writing process. He was supposed to be out of the picture after chapter sixteen. He was just supposed to be a supporting character in the first half of the book, but at every turn he was tapping me on the shoulder and telling me, “there’s so much more to my story.”
17. A few scenes didn’t make it into the final book. Two of them are in the outtakes section of my website, but don’t read those until after you’ve read the book. Seriously.
18. After being told by one agent that Out of Darkness would never sell because it didn’t fit neatly into a genre category, I signed with my current agent in 2012, and we submitted it to several publishers. I received lots of compliments on my writing, but ultimately, people didn’t seem to like the fact that both of my leading men were good guys, and there was no one to root against. One even suggested that I make Gabe complicit in Drew’s abduction. And one suggested I kill Drew (again!) so Elisabeth and Gabe could end up together. Both interesting ideas, but neither were the story I wanted to tell. In the end, I decided to indie publish, which has been really challenging, but I’m so happy with the way everything turned out. We all got the ending we were supposed to have.
19. Speaking of endings, the one in the final version is very different from the original. I’ll try not to be too spoilery, but let’s just say that the original ending was far less happy, but I felt like it was the only way out. One of my characters made a choice that I couldn’t see any way around. And I thought that a happy ending would be too fake. I didn’t want to tie everything up with a pretty pink bow and say “they all lived happily ever after,” because after everything they’d been through, that wouldn’t be real life. But a very good friend of mine convinced me that I could instead tie everything up with a frayed knot. It’s still messy and difficult and a little raw, but I think it’s real… and full of hope and possibility.
20. So what’s next, you ask? There’s more to explore here perhaps, but I honestly don’t know what comes next for these characters. That’s something I’m still thinking about.
    The story I’m working on right now also begins in D.C. but takes place mostly in the Pacific Northwest. It’s the story of an ex Army Ranger who has to protect his three little brothers when the youngest witnesses their parents’ murder. And there may also be a girl involved.

My Thoughts.

First and foremost, Wow. Like, seriously wow. My heart was pounding the entire time through out this book. I could not click the next buttons on my kindle fast enough. Love, Mystery, suspense, all in a clean book. This author is new to me, and I can't wait to read more from her. These characters were so well written it was like I knew them. The way the author crafts her words had me able to visualize the story as it unfolded. Elisabeth is very likable, reminds me of an all American Girl, or the girl next door. I hope that you pick this up and read it as much as I did!

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program, all opinions are my own 

Blog Stops

August 17: A Baker’s Perspective

August17: Genesis 5020

August18: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

August 18: Reading Is My SuperPower

August 19: Fiction Aficionado

August 19:Inklings and notions

August 20: Reflections from my Bookshelves

August 20: Blossoms and Blessings

August 21: History, Mystery & Faith

August 21: Blogging With Carol

August 22: Faithfully Bookish

August 22: Mommynificent

August 23: Just the Write Escape

August 23: Moments Dipped in Ink

August 24: Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting

August 24: 100 pages per hour

August 25: Carpe Diem

August 25: Christian Bookaholic

August 26: J.E. Grace Bog

August 26: Karen Sue Hadley

August 27: God’s Little Bookworm

August 27: Back Porch Reads

August 27: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

August 28: Margaret Kazmierczak

August 28: Daysong Reflections

August 29: The Fizzy Pop Collection

August 29: The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate

August 29: Remembrancy

August 30: Avid Reader Book Reviews

August 30: Henry Happens

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erynn is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of Out of Darkness, a signed copy of First Light, The Joy Eternal~A Sweet and Bitter Providence CD, a $10 Starbucks gift card, and Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Creme Cookies.!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/beac

Super Hero Kids Giveaway with David C Cook!

DOES YOUR CHILD LOVE COMIC BOOKS? HOW ABOUT SUPER HEROES?

Now is your chance to have DC and Marvel illustrator Sergio Cariello make your child's dream come true!

Parents!

David C Cook is proud to introduce the newest book in the Action Bible collection: The Action Storybook Bible (coming October 2017). Pre-order The Action Storybook Bible from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or ChristianBook.com to reserve your copy today. Plus click the graphic below to enter to have a chance to win an illustration of your child as a super hero by Action Bible artist Sergio Cariello (who has also illustrated comics for DC and Marvel!).

The giveaway is open until September 11, 2017, 5:00pm MST. Your entry must be received by then to be eligible. Five winners will be chosen at random from eligible entrants.

---

{THE ACTION STORYBOOK BIBLE}

Families see the Bible in motion and put their faith into action! The Action Storybook Bible invites families with young children to explore God's redemptive story together. An entry point into the world of The Action Bible, it tells of the amazing creation story, powerful kings who reigned over ancient Israel, God's miraculous gift of eternal life through Jesus, and more! God's promise for the world is displayed throughout every page. Discover your family's place in God's incredible story and together put your faith into action! Interactive features include:

• Fifteen key episodes from God's Word-each one loaded with several stories along with over 350 brand-new illustrations throughout.
• Short and easy readings-for children ages eight and under with rich, colorful images.
• Life, Faith, Action! features-conclude every episode and invite families to talk about how God moves in the stories, how to see God in life today, how to put faith into action, and how to easily talk to God with a suggested prayer.
• Hall of Fame visual index-the place to look up favorite Bible characters by discovering their icon connections and finding them in the stories.

Learn more and purchase a copy here.

Book Review: A Letter from Lancaster County By: Kate Lloyd

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Letter from Lancaster County(Harvest House, July 2017)

Two sisters get a second chance at life and love

Angela—Her mother’s untimely death, a struggling marriage, a strained relationship with her sister, Rose, and regrets over what might have been haunt her. Despite being a wife and mother, she feels she has little to show for her life.

Rose—Still single, she longs for a husband and children. But Angela has all that and still isn’t happy. Rose wants to be closer to her older sister, but she and Angela couldn’t be more different. Both strong women, will their sibling rivalry ever end?

* * *

When a letter arrives from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Angela and Rose decide to visit Aunt Silvia, their mother’s Mennonite sister, in the heart of Amish country. This vacation could provide the opportunity both sisters need to sort out their issues. And yet instead of finding a new way of connecting with each other, Angela and Rose discover surprising family secrets that add to their strife and threaten Rose’s romance with a new beau.

Through it all, the two sisters must find the faith necessary to face their personal problems and allow God to restore hope and healing to their hearts and relationship as only He can.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
KATE LLOYD

Kate Lloyd is a bestselling novelist whose books include "A Portrait of Marguerite" and the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy. A native of Baltimore,she enjoys spending time with friends and family in rural Pennsylvania and is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. She now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.

My Review: 

 Letter from Lancaster County by Kate Lloyd is book one in the Lancaster Discoveries series. Love, faith, longing and sibling rivalry and so much more are found in this book. I have 3 sisters and we are all very different. I could relate to the sibling rivalry. The author has a good story line - and real feeling characters. It's set in the heart of Amish Country - and the descriptions made me feel like I was there.  I enjoyed reading this book. I am looking forward to the next installment. 

I was provided a copy of this book through the Litfuse Blogging Program --- all opinions are my own. 

DOLLAR TREE BAKING and REVIEW!!! Betty Crocker Brownies

Hey friends!

Today I want to write about/review some products from Dollar Tree.

I started watching some you-tubers  lately and one goes to Dollar Tree and reviews some of her purchases.

This got me thinking. I have avoided DT in the past because the ones in Ohio were always dirty, unorganized etc.

Well, after watching Nicole Burgess (Link for YOUTUBE channel: HERE)

I decided to go to my local DT and try some stuff out for myself.


I will occasionally start reviewing some Dollar Tree products here - and quite possibly jump to my own you tube channel - but for now - I will blog about it.

Today, I made DT Brownies!!!

We were 30 minutes from home today - and decided to stop at one of their DT and see what they had to offer. Selection can change from store to store.

Well, I stumbled upon some Betty Crocker Brownies (made with dutch cocoa)

I snagged a bag! (Publix usually carries them for $1.50)

I also needed some vegetable oil - so I picked up a small bottle.

Here are some of the pics during the preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees



Both the Brownies and the Veggie oil are from DT.

After adding: 1 egg, 1/3 c of veggie oil and 2 TBSP of water and mixed for at least 50 strokes - you pour it into a 8x8 baking dish (I sprayed mine with cooking spray) 

My oven baked it perfectly after 21 minutes

Final Taste Test: LOVED!!! They are all gone. 

They did not last long in our house. 

Have you tried any of the baking products at Dollar Tree? If so what are your favorites. 

Book Review!!!!  His Guilt (The Amish of Hart County #2) by Shelley Shepard Gray 

About the Book: 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray delivers the next novel in her Amish of Hart County series—a suspenseful tale of an Amish man who will risk all to protect the woman he loves.

Mark Fisher has returned home to Hart County, determined to put the past behind him. Two years ago, after being wrongly accused of assault, he left the Amish community, though never forgot his home. When the one person who had helped him through his rough times asks for help, Mark returns. But it is pretty Waneta Cain who makes him want to stay...

Neeta is one of the few people in Hart County who doesn’t believe Mark is guilty of hurting anyone. However, his worldliness and tough exterior do make her uneasy. As she begins to see the real man behind all the gossip and prejudice, she wonders if he is the man for her. 

Just when Mark starts to believe a new life is possible, a close friend of Neeta’s is attacked. Once again, everyone in the community seems to believe he is guilty.  But what hurts most is Neeta’s sudden wariness around him. When another woman is hurt, a woman who is close to both Neeta and himself, Mark fears he knows the real culprit. And time is running out. Will Mark be able to find him before Neeta becomes his next victim.

About the Author: 

I live in southern Ohio with my husband, two teenagers, and two dogs. My days are filled with busy activities like most any other mom and housewife. But I also love to write books.

Each morning, after my kids go off to school, I sit at my desk, look out my window, and dream of other places. The hours fly by as I make up people and places and drink way too much coffee.

Writing for Avon Inspire has truly been a dream come true. Being able to spend my days in my make-believe world of the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast is a true blessing. I have enjoyed getting to know more about the Amish culture and tapping into my faith as I show each character’s progression toward a personal relationship with our Lord.

Before becoming a full time writer, I taught elementary school in Texas, Arizona, and Colorado. A job transfer to Ohio led my husband to encourage me to finally give writing a try. After all, I had notebooks full of made up stories.

I’ll never forget that first book I typed in our unfinished basement. It was exciting to make up a story, but also very scary. I was also so embarrassed, sure someone would come out of the woodwork and point out that I wasn’t a ‘real’ writer. But I persevered, and sold my third manuscript.

Things have changed a bit. Now I have a real office of my own. (think old guest bedroom!) My walls are painted pink, and more than a couple of book covers decorate my walls. But my days are still the same. I wake up, dream about other people, and do my best to type out stories.

MY REVIEW: 

This is the second book in the Amish of Hart County series, and just like the first book, this one is JUST as amazing. I love how Shelley crafts raw and real situations. This book had me keep turning the pages. The story is refreshing to know that even though the Amish live separate from us, sometimes we can't outrun our past. God is always there. I loved the twists and turns through out this book. This can be read as a standalone - but I highly recommend reading in order. They are BOTH really good. 

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author --- all opinions are my own. 

Work at Home MAMA! Ways tomake some extra Cash -- SURVEY Edition

I have been asked a lot about different activities that I do to make some extra cash while I am home with my two little guys.

Today I want to visit some of the survey companies that I use regularly.

One thing to remember - the following list will NOT make you rich. Some months It's an extra $50, some months $400. But in my opinion --- every little bit helps!

SURVEYS

I love giving my opinions - when I first started started really looking at ways for extra income this was a way that kept popping up in my searches.

Now some of the links that I will be sharing will give me credit for you signing up - but I am only recommending those that I have legit made money on (see some of my screen shots)

1. Pinecone Research

I have been with Pinecone Research for a few years. Sometimes my survey participation slows down.

I generally get 1-2 surveys a week. The good thing that I love about this company is that you generally only get sent surveys that you qualify for.

Here is my cash out for the last year and half. This adds up to about $150 dollars.

For this company - the surveys pay $3 each.   A lot of times I get qualified for full size products to test and then you get a follow up survey (another $3!!!) I usually collect via pay pal - but you can get items in their catalog or gift cards.

Currently I have about $12 that I have not cashed out - I am trying to wait and cash out each month so it's easier on our budget.

Sign Up Here: HERE

2. You Gov

I discovered this site in the past 6 months. It's a bit different then some of the other sites that I have signed up with. It asks a lot about political views. Every survey they send me - I qualify for.
I took a break from working on this company around the election - but have been working on it throughout the last few weeks. Cashout is usually around 25000 points - and you can get a variety of gift cards.

Here are some of my points that I got through out my time with them.

Sign Up: HERE


3. My Soap Box 

I signed up with this company recently - and I love the variety of surveys they have available. I get survey invites every day. I am working on getting better at visiting their site daily. I am ALMOST to cash out - and I have been with them 2 months maximum.

Cashout is 25000 points (on average you can get 500-1250 per survey)

Sign up: HERE

4. Inbox Dollars

I love this site. It's easy to use and has a lot of ways to make some extra money. You can take surveys, print coupons and get credit for every one you use, sign up for free offers, and so much more. Cash out is $30. You also get a FREE $5 for signing up!!!
If you don't qualify for the surveys you get a "spin to win" that you can get cash, sweepstake entries, etc for.

I have been signed up with them for about 2 months and I am ALMOST to cash out.
A lot of places that I print my coupons at are affiliate links - so I print them through Inbox dollars. I get .10 for each coupon that I redeem. It takes a little bit for credit - but like I said: Every bit helps!

Here is some of my recent activity.

Sign Up HERE

5. Global Test Market 

This one I love since I can cash out for gift cards. We have androids - so we cash out for money towards the google play store.

I get several survey notifications daily -- the downside for this one is that you may not always qualify for their surveys.

Sign up: HERE


The next post I will talk about mystery shopping (WHICH IS LEGIT)

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Check back! There are other companies I just signed up with and I am testing them out :)

Happy Book Release Day Deep Waters (The Security Specialists #1) by Jessica R. Patch

Book Summary:

DUTY TO PROTECT

Thirty feet underwater when her oxygen tank fails, Caley Flynn fears it's been sabotaged--and she'll be the next to die. Her intern's already dead, her home breached and something's amiss at her Florida marine-life rescue center...but no one believes she's in danger. Except Shepherd Lightman. When Caley's brother asked him to check on her, the marine turned security specialist hoped it would be a case of calming down a nervous veterinarian. But the threats are all too real. Rescuing Caley and remaining alive isn't easy, but resisting his boss's sister is where the real danger lies. Because with his heart in the balance, he'll do whatever it takes to stop a killer who's desperate to keep a secret hidden.

About the Author: 

Jessica is the author of the contemporary romance series Seasons of Hope and several Love Inspired Suspense novels. No matter what genre she’s writing in, you’ll always find romance, adventure, some laughs, and a heap of hope. Check out her book club page for bonus features and extras, and don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter to stay “Patched In.”

Jessica lives in the mid-south with her handsome husband, her college bound daughter and her middle-schooler son.

Visit her website: HERE

My Review: 

Oh My Gravy! This book gets the action going right out of the gate. It has twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Meet Caley and Shep who are so likeable and real that you just want to reach out and touch them. The one thing I love about Ms. Patch's books is all her characters have flaws. They have a past, they have true issues that every day people deal with. It's nice to read a character that you can relate to.  Caley works with sea turtles, who now I just want to learn so much more about. Shep a friend of her brothers who comes and tries to help Caley sort out all the madness around her. 

If you have not read anything from Ms. Patch yet, grab this book up today. It's the start of a new series and you will NOT be able to put it down. 

*I received a complimentary copy from the author. I was not obligated to leave a positive review and all opinions are strictly my own. * 

Enter to win a copy of the book on Goodreads: HERE