HIS WYOMING BABY BLESSING by Jill Kemerer, #Interviewed and Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

“His priority was ranching. Her priority was her unborn child.”

These two are at opposite sides of the coin, she wants the forever kind of love she didn’t have with her late husband and he’s always shied away from marriage. Though they’ve known each other since childhood, the grown-up years are vastly different from that idealistic world.  Wade could lose his beloved ranch and Kit could lose her precious babe. Seems God has placed them in each other’s lives again for a purpose neither one could see, now how will He convince them of that?

Jill Kemerer writes stories that tug at your heart and always makes me feel every emotion possible. I also appreciate that she doesn’t sugar coat the messy side of life, making her characters more real to me. Kit and Wade struggle with internal doubts and fears just like the rest of us do. And just like us, have to learn to lean closer to the One who understands and can calm those fears and dispel those doubts.   

These two are good for each other, once they begin to realize it for themselves. Wade can give Kit unconditional love and acceptance, she can give him the belief and confidence in himself he once had. I loved seeing this story play out on the pages and definitely rooted for their happily-ever-after! Wholesome and heartfelt, faith-filled and soul satisfying, you don’t want to miss “His Wyoming Baby Blessing”.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own. *

TRIXI'S INTERVIEW WITH JILL:

Trixi: I've read many of your Love Inspired books and enjoyed them so much! What first sparked the Wyoming Cowboys series?

Jill: I was browsing through a magazine in a waiting room, and I came across an article about a man who’d been swindled out of his property. It was so sad! I knew I had to write about a cowboy who’d lost his ranch. That character became Clint Romine in the first book, The Rancher’s Mistletoe Bride. I’d also been reading a lot of memoirs at the time, and one of them was Jimmy Wayne’s Walk to Beautiful: The Power of Love and a Homeless Kid Who Found the Way. It’s a powerful story. The group foster homes he described sounded awful, so I decided to create a fictional one that was actually good. It’s where the heroes in this series originally became friends.

Trixi: Was there any particular character (hero or heroine) in this series that really stood out to you?

Jill: Yes, Amy Deerson in the second book, Reunited with the Bull Rider, just broke my heart. I cried so many times writing her story! I felt so bad for her. When Nash reentered her life with his neglected little sister, Amy was forced to make difficult decisions, and I admired how her faith pushed her to help Ruby. I don’t think I would be as generous as she was!

Trixi: Tell us what kind of research you did for this series? Did you travel to or visit any place for your book setting? 

Jill: No, I was unable to travel, unfortunately. Most of my research was done from home. I read historical books and blogs about Wyoming and ranching. I also read a few memoirs written by people who’d lived there. Before Google+ shut down, I found a terrific group of people from Wyoming who shared gorgeous photographs and were willing to answer questions I had. A lot of my research involved tracking down information on the internet.

Trixi: How did you first start writing for Love Inspired?

Jill: I’d submitted to Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense several times before taking a few years off to concentrate on writing single-title books (they’re the longer books). In 2014, Love Inspired held a contest to find new authors. I figured, why not? The contest allowed you to choose which editor you thought you’d be matched best with, and I saw a name I didn’t recognize. Shana Asaro’s wish list matched the types of books I liked to write. I signed up for a pitch and ended up getting my first contract. That’s why I always recommend entering these types of contests.

Trixi: This is a two-in-one question. What is the least favorite part and most favorite part of writing for you?

Jill: The least favorite part of writing for me is the first ten minutes each day when I’m writing a first draft. I have to force myself to sit there and start typing. It’s so intimidating! Those first ten minutes, boy, they are rough!

My favorite part of writing? I love the moment when I know I’ve revised and polished a book to the best of my abilities. Getting a box of advance copies is super cool. Seeing my books on store shelves? The best! And I love reader mail. I also enjoy brainstorming and playing around with ideas.

Trixi: Was there a person in your life who first encouraged you to be a writer (family member, friend, etc)?

Jill: No, I never really considered being a writer. I’d written for fun most of my life, and when I was twenty, I began playing around with actually writing a novel. But it didn’t occur to me I could write novels for a living until I was in my mid-twenties.

Trixi: What message do you want readers to get out of your stories? 

Jill: I want readers to be strengthened in their faith and to be inspired in their own lives. So many times I’ve read a book where the heroine had to make hard choices, and her courage motivated me to be braver. I want that for my readers, too.

Trixi: Lastly, tell us more about yourself outside of writing; family life, pets, hobbies or interests, etc.

Jill: I married my high school sweetheart, and we have two almost-grown kids. Our son is a junior in high school, and our daughter is a junior in college. We also have a mini-dachshund, Sophie, who lives on my lap. I’m a small-town girl and love being outside, walking in the local parks or just soaking up some sun. My favorite thing to do is read, and I love baking, too. You could call me a coffeeholic and a chocoholic, and you wouldn’t be wrong!

Thanks so much for having me today. I enjoyed it!

*

Jill Kemerer is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of inspirational romance novels for Harlequin Love Inspired. She loves coffee, M&Ms, a stack of books, and long walks outdoors. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown children. Please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, and sign up for her newsletter.

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BackCover Blurb:
She’s pregnant on his doorstep…
Saddle up for this Wyoming Cowboys novel

When his childhood friend Kit McAllistor shows up, widowed and pregnant, rancher Wade Croft offers her a place to stay…but he can’t offer her his heart. As old feelings begin to surface, past tragedies force Wade to ignore them. But on the brink of losing his ranch, will he also risk losing the woman he’s beginning to love…or can he cowboy up in time?

Available in two sizes of paperback and digital ebook:
Buy His Wyoming Baby Blessing at Amazon
Buy His Wyoming Baby Blessing at Christianbook.com

Tax Day Funnies

https://goo.gl/images/LLe7UD

Are you groaning this tax day, American friends? I am--so I thought we might as well groan over some bad jokes I found online instead of our tax bills. I could use a laugh today; maybe you can too!

Enjoy!

• “The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has.” –Will Rogers
• An IRS agent is walking through the park when a mugger jumps out and yells “Give me all your money!” The IRS agent says, “You can’t do this, after all I work for the IRS.” At which point, the mugger yells: “OK, give me all MY money!”
• A couple of weeks after hearing a sermon on Psalms 51:2-4 (knowing my own hidden secrets) and Psalm 52:3-4 (lies and deceit), a man wrote the following letter to the IRS: "I have been unable to sleep, knowing that I have cheated on my income tax. I understated my taxable income, and have enclosed a check for $150. If I still can't sleep, I will send the rest."
• For every tax problem there is a solution which is straightforward, uncomplicated and wrong.
• People who complain about taxes can be divided into two classes: men and women.
• “One difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.” –Anonymous
• I hate junk mail . . .and that includes the tax forms they send me. 
• What the present income-tax form needs is a section which would explain the explanations. 

***

Susanne Dietze paid her taxes on time. She is also the author of over a dozen romances. Please visit her on her website, www.susannedietze.com

CONVERGENCE by Ginny Yttrup, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Convergence by Ginny Yttrup is a psychological thriller.

The voice is first person, which I tend to find difficult to read. But in this case it is a good vantage point since the author chooses to mete out information slowly. We get to see the story unfold through the eyes of the main character and we are kept guessing about real motives.

The story is intriguing. It also shows the emotions of Denilyn Rossi as she works through a trauma that happened 8 years in the past. It is interesting that this psychologist and professor is seeing a therapist. I like that Deni has a great support group in her mother and friends.

It is hard to say more without giving away too much information.

If you like an intense page turning puzzle to work out, I recommend this great book by Ginny Yttrup.

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher, Barbour. I was not expected to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

BackCover Blurb:
A psychologist paralyzed by fear.

A mother propelled by love.

A stalker bent on destruction.

Psychology professor Dr. Denilyn Rossi contends that the past is either a shadow that haunts us or a force that propels us. The choice is ours, she tells her students. What she doesn’t tell them is that her own past is a shadow she can’t seem to shake. Fear has immobilized her and is taking a costly toll.

Adelia Sanchez, however, has embraced Dr. Rossi’s teaching. She is ready to confront fear and render it powerless—using the trauma of her past to propel her to entrap the man who stalked and brutally attacked her.

As Denilyn’s past and Adelia’s present converge at the Kaweah River, a dangerous man bent on destruction threatens them both. Will he uncover the secret Deni and Adelia have fought so hard to protect?

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and library binding:
Buy Convergence at Amazon
Buy Convergence at Christianbook.com
 
 

Simply Susan -- the new blog home of Reviewer Susan Snodgrass! #GIVEAWAY

We're bidding a sad farewell and wishing Susan Snodgrass much success as she moves on to host her own blog SIMPLY SUSAN!  This prolific reviewer will now be able to post ALL her reviews, as well as host authors and share her photography and faith.

"I started reviewing books mainly because I wanted others to see what great books I read.  It just seemed natural to me to do that since I love reading so much.  I talked about the book already to anyone who would listen.  I thought about blogging for a long time before I started my own.  Then I put the thought aside and made it a matter of much prayer.  I knew that I wanted to review books there, but I also wanted to share spiritual insights.  I love Jesus and I wanted Him to be part of this journey.  So I took off with it and I hope it might be a blessing to someone in some way."

 

So, do what I did and go visit Susan and sign up to receive her posts!
https://simplysusan.home.blog/ 

Don't forget that you can search our posts by specific terms or names. Check out the many reviews Susan did with us over the last year! And help us wish her much success!

TO CELEBRATE, Susan is giving away a paperback of SECRETS OF CEDAR COVE by Colleen Coble.

To be eligible for this random giveaway, comment here or on her blog by April 20th and confirm that you are now following her blog! (Winner needs to reside within the contiguous 48 states, due to cost of mailing.)