Woohoo! We survived the summer. And I mean that literally since a gas can exploded on my husband and me. I’m back at my desk, and although I have to set my alarm for 6:00 each morning, I’m ready for a routine. I spent most of the summer on our boat and visiting friends and family. I still haven’t finished unpacking, my house is a mess, and we’re about to start construction on a screened porch. However, I feel good about the day. Unlike my summer schedule, when everyone in the house sleeps in, I got up early this morning and started on laundry. I even prepared some Cajun red beans and rice in the slow cooker. (So yummy!)

I always listen to music while driving long distances. I wish I could listen to audiobooks, but that would put me to sleep. It has to be music, and it has to be music I’m in the mood for at the moment. This summer called for a lot of driving, and I spent most of it listening to the soundtrack for the Alissia Roswell Series. (You can find the songs for each book on their Pinterest boards.)

Some of the songs describe Alissia in general, while most of them go with certain scenes. At the moment, I have three songs for Unexpected Legends, and when I hear them, I clearly visualize the scenes I plan to write. Like the book itself, the scenes are intense. Wish I could share the songs with you now, but it’s not time and gives away the mood of the book. I usually release a Pinterest board a couple of months before the release of each book.

I’ve heard from some of you about Unexpected Beginning and am loving the feedback. If you get a chance, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. It really helps.

It’s been a wild summer! From the end of May until the end of July, I lived out of my suitcase, and although I enjoy traveling, I’m so happy to be home. There’s just nothing like sleeping in my own bed and sipping on my favorite hot teas throughout the day while sitting at my desk (or outside when it’s not so hot). I also miss my own cooking and am burned out on eating out. I haven’t ground my own flour since May, and my body needs it. I feel really unhealthy right now and need a detox.

We left a few days after the children got out of school and returned a week before they begin again. Everyone in this house is ready for a sense of routine–even if it means waking early to the sound of an alarm.

We left our sailboat in South Carolina, where it’s about to get pulled from the water. We’re having it delivered to Mississippi on a truck instead of trying to sail it home. We bought it in Florida, and the weather didn’t cooperate for us to try to sail it home over the summer. Here’s a tour of it, if you haven’t seen it already.

As for the gas can exploding on us, the boat isn’t damaged, and my husband is recovering from surgery. I came out with only minor burns, and the children weren’t even on the boat with us. I’ll do a blog post on it soon, as I want everyone to know the dangers of those red plastic gas cans. We came out VERY blessed!

Alissia’s adventure continues! One more book in the series, and you’re going to love it. I should have everything unpacked and be ready for work at my desk on Tuesday when the children go back to school. I expect life to return to its normal chaos with more house renovations and our usual daily activities. Until then, I have a messy SUV to clean and a massive pile of unpacking to do. Oh, and I guess I need to take the children school shopping as well.

Coming in November!

A New Book by A Favorite Author!!

My Brother’s Bride by Rachael Anderson

Abigail Nash leads a lonely existence. Her mother died giving birth to her, her father’s business dealings took him away more often than not, and her ailing great-aunt, unable to provide much in the way of companionship, was a lack-luster guardian at best. So when her dear friends offered to launch her into London society, it appeared Abby’s life was taking a turn for the better, with suitors and social engagements aplenty. When she marries a proclaimed darling of the ton, it seems she will at last settle into the life of her dreams.

But appearances aren’t always what they seem, and dreams often become disappointments.

Just months into her marriage, Abby finds herself widowed, penniless, increasing, and determined to never hope again. But when her late husband’s brother, the Earl of Brigston, attempts to thaw the numbness surrounding her heart, Abby must decide if she has it in her to risk another chance at happiness, knowing the odds are not in her favor.

Author Rachael Anderson

A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

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$25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in Paypal Cash

Ends 8/31/18

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Amish Acres: The Celery Patch by Samantha Bayarr

When a celery patch mysteriously crops up overnight in the Yoder’s field, it attracts some unwanted suitors competing for Naomi’s hand.

Someone has grown an oversized patch of celery in Naomi’s family field and now she’s being accused of trying to “catch” a husband.

Will rumors spread by a jealous friend damage her reputation and threaten her chances of marrying the man she loves?

Amazon

5 Star Praise for Amish Acres: The Celery Patch

This book keeps you guessing. I loved it. If you love to try and guess what’s going to happen, and you find yourself talking to the characters in your book, then you’ll love this story. I can’t wait to read the next book. Samantha Bayarr is a gifted author. I would recommend all of her books. ~ Fred Coenen, Amazon Customer

This book was such a wonderful read! The characters were interesting and the storyline was fun. This read was one I could not put down from start to finish. The interaction between the characters kept me guessing who planted the celery and who would wind up together and getting married. I highly recommend reading this book for a relaxing and enjoyable evening! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!! ~ Hope W, Amazon Customer

Great book. Very good storyline. Loved the characters, even the not so nice one! The ending holds a nice surprise, not the one I expected! ~ Beba Wildes, Amazon Customer

Naomi and Jeremiah’s story was an enjoyable read. It was well written with a well developed plot and characters. It contained jealousy, mystery, suspense, romance and enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages. I highly recommend this book! ~ Judith Tulloch, Amazon Customer

Excerpt

“I’m getting married this wedding season, too!” Naomi Yoder blurted out before she could stop the words from pouring from her lips.
Her sister, Ruthie, sucked in her breath and covered her mouth, then quickly recovered from the shock.
Her best friend, Katie Troyer, squealed and pulled Naomi into a hug. “So he asked you, then?” Katie gushed, a giggle exploding from deep within her.
Not exactly!
Ruthie sat across from them. “Who asked you? Jeremiah?”
Naomi nodded, enjoying the attention she was getting over her fake announcement.
Annie Lapp, who’d walked over to their house to discuss a community quilt project, sank into the wicker chair nearest the swing where Naomi and Katie sat. “I don’t believe you, Naomi; you’re a liar!”
Naomi felt her blood run cold despite the heat of the morning sun beaming across the covered porch; her heart drummed against her ribs like a team of horses galloping at full speed. Of course, it was a lie, but she didn’t have much experience with lying the way Annie did; was it possible the girl’s bad habits were rubbing off on her? She hadn’t meant to say it, especially in front of Annie, who was the biggest gossip in the community. If only Katie hadn’t made her jealous with her own wedding news to Benjamin Mast. Not only had it made her worry that she was the last to make such an announcement from her age group, but Naomi just couldn’t take another minute of Annie’s or her sister’s teasing.
Hearing the word spinster coming from her own sister’s mouth had caused her to overreact, and now it was too late to take it back. Not only would Annie tell the entire community about her lie, but she would also add her own lies to make the situation worse. Annie annoyed her with her constant invasive prying, just so she’d have something to gossip about. Well, this time, Naomi had gone and given her plenty to wag her tongue about.

Author Samantha Bayarr

Samantha Bayarr, a former Paralegal, became the first Independent Author of Amish Fiction when she published Little Wild Flower on paperback in 2005. Since then, she has written over 130 Christian Fiction Books in Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, Western & Cowboy Romance, Amish Romance, and Amish Suspense.

She lives in an historic home in a small town in Florida with her husband, John Foster, who writes children’s books. Samantha illustrates her husband’s books, the first in the series entitled: Walla Walla and the Great Pirate Adventure.

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$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 8/12/18

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Want a tour of our boat? It’s a 2010 Gemini 105 MC. We bought it back in May and hopped on it immediately after the children got out of school that month. Our first plan was to sail it home to Mississippi this summer, but the weather didn’t help us. We ended up heading north and spending time in Georgia and South Carolina. At the end of this month, we’re having it pulled from the water and loaded onto a truck so that it can be hauled to Mississippi.

July and August aren’t the months to live on a boat in the South, where it’s hot and humid. Though I’ve enjoyed spending time with friends and family in this area and love to travel, I’m ready for school to start. I guess I like a sense of routine, along with gardening and baking. My house sitters/guests haven taken great care of the new trees I planted, but weeds are taking over all my unfinished garden beds. We also still have renovations going on throughout the summer and plan to start a new project when we get home. (I finally get my dream screened in porch. It will go perfectly with the massive oak tree in our back yard.)

Life has definitely changed since we moved from Atlanta last year. Downsizing and getting a boat–we’re spending more time outside. We still haven’t learned to slow down, but that’s a work in progress.

Forgive the bad editing. I did it yesterday morning before heading out for my flight, and that’s only because I woke up an hour earlier than my alarm (thanks to my restless leg syndrome). This morning I’m back on the boat, and we’re rushing to get it moved to a new location before more storms come in.

How many sailors are reading this? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!

Look what just arrived! It’s here. It’s finally here! The fourth book in the Alissia Roswell Series is now ready for signing. I’m loving the cover and already can’t wait for the fifth (and last) book in the series. They look awesome together.

Many of you already have one from Amazon, but I plan to mail out signed copies as well. I’ll do a blog post about it after things settle down from all the travel. School starts the first week of August here, and although it means waking at 6:00 in the morning, I’m ready for a schedule. I guess I’m starting to like a sense of routine.

I’ve heard from some of my readers online, and the feedback for Unexpected Beginning is highly positive. If you get a chance, please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon. Not only will it let me know you enjoy my writing, but some days I need the encouragement. I have teenagers. I definitely get discouraged!

At the moment, the eBook (of this book in the series) is only available at Amazon, but it’s coming soon to Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Kobo. Living on a boat for the summer and visiting family and friends have delayed those outlets.

What do you think about the covers now that they’re together? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

It’s hot in the South! July and August are NOT the best months for an outdoor lifestyle when you’re dealing with high temperatures and humidity. With the children staying at our friends’ house for a few weeks, I decided to leave the boat and take some time away to myself. No children. No husband. Just me, myself, and I. It’s a dream come true!

And if you’re like my mother (thinking I’m silly for not taking this time without children to romance my husband), I spent last week alone with my man. For the record, I may write romance, but my main characters are loners and aren’t exactly very romantic. Love and romance are two separate things.

What am I going to do with all this time alone? Well, let the writing begin! It’s time to dive into Unexpected Legends, and it’s an intense one. I can’t wait to share the final book with my readers.

I did take a video of the inside of the boat and plan to upload it soon. I just have to clean up my hard drive a bit before I can work on pictures and videos. My Mac is cluttered, and I need to free up some space.

I’ve heard back from some of you about Unexpected Beginning. So happy to hear the feedback. If you get a chance, please leave a review on Amazon. It helps a lot. Hope you’re enjoying your summer. Stay safe and take care in the heat!