author – Page 3 – Tricia Mingerink

7/7/7 Writing Challenge

July 14, 2015July 14, 2015triciamingerink9 Comments

I was nominated by Lauren Gunter to participate in the 7/7/7 Writing Challenge. It looks like fun, and I think you all will enjoy it!

The rules of the 7/7/7 Challenge are:

Go to page 7 of your WIP
Scroll down to line 7
Share the next 7 sentences in a blog post.
After the excerpt, tag 7 other writers to continue the challenge.

I’m actually working on three works-in-progress right now. Um, yeah. Not doing too great on my whole stick to one project until I finish it resolution. In my defense, all the projects are at least in one series. That’s an improvement from where I was at a few years ago.

Currently, I’m editing Deny (Book 2), writing the first draft of Book 4 (title yet to be released), and *drum roll* I started on a prequel short story that I hope to release as an ebook sometime in August (to tide you guys over until Deny releases).

I’ve decided to give you guys TWO sneak peeks: a seven-line snippet of Deny and a peek at Deal, the prequel short story.

First up, seven lines from Deny:

Jamie stretched out, keeping his feet planted as far from Leith as possible, while he helped Leith remove the bandage. Jamie bit his lip only once, as if puzzled. Had he realized the bandage was neater than Leith would have been able to manage by himself with only one arm? Was he questioning how Leith had gotten the bandage on if he couldn’t get it off without help? Thankfully, the boy was only a trainee. He wouldn’t dare say those questions aloud, especially not to the First Blade.

As they reached the final layer, Leith gritted his teeth.

Anyone excited yet?

Next up, a sneak peak at Deal:

Orn turned to the dealer, but the man just shook his head. “Sorry, Torren. You’ve already used the limit on your tab tonight.”

The stranger’s fingers drummed a rhythm on the table and the inside of Orn’s skull. “Do you call or do you fold?”

“No, I…” He scanned the crowd for someone—anyone—who would loan him some money.

The fingers stopped tapping. “You have a son, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Worthless brat that he was.

Can you guess what is happening in this sneak peak? 😉

My nominations for the challenge:

E. Rawls

I Met My Character The Other Day

July 7, 2015July 7, 2015triciamingerink1 Comment

I met Brandi.

Not literally. You might think I’m going crazy if I claimed to have literally met one of my fictional characters. But I came close the other day.

I was at a fairgrounds the other night and had just claimed a spot on a ride called the Sea Ray, a big metal swinging boat. Of course I picked the seat far on the end. While I don’t like the dropping feeling, I’d watched this ride for a while and it didn’t seem to go too high or anything. I thought it would be fun.

Shortly after I sat down, this young girl and her father approached the ride. They glanced at the two open seats next to me, and the little girl hesitated.

I smiled at her. “I don’t bite.”

She grinned, clambered onto the ride, and plopped into the seat next to me. “What’s your name?”

“Tricia.”

She repeated my name and smiled.

Since her dad didn’t look too worried about her chatting with a complete stranger, I asked, “What’s your name?”

“Charlotte.”

“That’s a pretty name.” I told her, earning myself a huge grin.

When no one else approached the ride, the operator walked over. There was only the three of us on our bench and one other person all the way on the other side. The operator looked at Charlotte. “Do you want to go easy or go all the way up?”

“All the way up!” She shrieked and bounced in her seat as the operator nodded and pushed the buttons to lower the bar across our laps.

That’s when I started to get worried. The bar didn’t lower very far. I had to sit on the edge of my seat to brace myself against the footrest because I’m so short. How far was all the way up? We didn’t even have decent seat belts in this thing.

The ride began swinging back and forth. Higher and higher. Faster and faster. Until we left our seats at the apex of each swing, hung in the air a moment, and fell down.

I clung to the bar and squeezed my eyes shut. This was too much. Too much dropping. Too much falling.

“Higher!” Charlotte yelled next to me.

“No!” The word squealed from my throat. I could only imagine how terrified I must have looked, braced in my seat, my fingers white knuckled on the single bar holding me in place, my feet braced under the lip of the foot rest so tightly I gave myself a pair of bruises.

Still we whooshed up and up until our noses were level with the center pole from which the ride hung. Down we fell, a free fall lasting long enough to toss my stomach into my chest. I screamed.

Finally the ride began to slow. As we eased to a stop, I pried my fingers from the bar, swiped my hair from my face, and tried to pretend I had not just panicked on a kiddie ride at the fairground.

I turned to Charlotte and stuck out my hand. “It was nice to meet you.”

She took my hand, gave it a firm shake, and grinned. “Nice to meet you too.”

Then we all turned, left the ride, and never saw each other again.

(Picture from http://carnival-rides.com. If I’d seen this ride go this high while I was watching, I probably wouldn’t have picked it!)

A Letter to My Future Self

July 1, 2015triciamingerinkLeave a comment

Dear My Future Self,

For one of the first times in my life, I’m not in a hurry to be you. I’m content to be me right now, right here. I still have dreams I’m waiting for, goals I’m working towards, but I’m not in a hurry to grow up into you.

You have to deal with the consequences of the decisions I’m making. Please know that I didn’t make them lightly. Perhaps the one I regret the least now are the ones you regret the most. Or you regret not doing something that it never occurred to me to do.

I pray you are content. I pray your faith has grown and matured.

Hopefully you’ve learned to learn from the mistakes I’m making now. Perhaps by the time I become you, I will be better at facing failures and picking myself up afterwards.

I hope my dreams are everything you thought they’d be. Or perhaps you have moved on to a new dream. I hope you haven’t gotten too cynical to dream.

Most of all, I hope you’ve learned to worry less. Perhaps you have. You know all about me, but I know nothing of you. Still, I worry about you and where you’ll be all the time.

Sincerely,

The Current Me

Fiction Friday – A Dream Not Imagined

June 26, 2015June 26, 2015triciamingerink1 Comment

I was supposed to post this book recommendation a couple of weeks ago but hadn’t been able to until now. Enjoy!

I wasn’t sure what to think when I picked up Shantelle Hannu’s debut novella A Dream Not Imagined. I’d had some interaction with Shantelle online, and she’d even agreed to be a part of my blog tour for Dare when neither of us had read each other’s books at that point.

I shouldn’t have worried. I blew through the book in a matter of hours. 🙂

About the Book

A MAID, a PRINCE, and a DUKE. A STEPMOTHER, a GARDENER, and a secret…

Ellie Abbington, a beautiful yet unassuming young woman, quietly longs for her life to change. Too privileged to associate with the servants—too underprivileged to associate with her own family; she dreams a dream of a prince and a happily ever after.

But it could be that her own stepsisters, conniving Dezmarie and easily-influenced Adelaide, are dreaming the same dream…of the same prince.

In the end, are dreams even all they’re made out to be? Especially with deep and long-hidden secrets about to be unearthed?

My recommendation

I’ve read a number of Cinderella adaptions so it’s rare for me to run across one that actually surprises me. This one did. At the start, Ellie seems like your normal Cinderella, complete with nasty stepmother and stepsisters. There’s the glimpses of the prince, the upcoming ball, the servitude, and then…

Then things get interesting. Cinderella arrives at the ball in a different manner than you’d expect. The ball doesn’t exactly go as expected either. I gasped out loud in one part, the twist leaving me floored because I thought I’d known exactly where this novella was going.

Turns out I was wrong. That’s the beauty of this novella. It draws you in with the seemingly normal Cinderella tale, then turns it on its head.

Once the main twists were completed, I did guess the twist at the end, and how the book would be resolved. But that was okay. The second major twist isn’t so much a twist but a secret that the reader and author share with giggles and whispers while waiting for the reveal at the end. It’s the kind of twist that leaves the reader gratified that they’d figured it out.

I also really loved the take on the evil stepmother. She’s still evil. Still a baddie. Yet, she does have a reason for it (not a reason most sane people would actually implement). She isn’t just mindlessly torturing Cinderella for no apparent reason. She has a purpose to Cinderella’s servitude.

Overall, it’s a sweet Cinderella story about waiting for God’s timing in your life.

Amazing Grace Blog Tour – Book Spotlight

June 22, 2015triciamingerink1 Comment

This spotlight is going up a little later than I meant to. A crazy weekend (fun, but crazy) meant I barely turned my laptop on the entire weekend.

While I have yet to read any of Faith Blum’s Hymns of the West, she graciously was a part of my blog tour for Dare. I also recently learned she’s a big Louis L’amour fan, so now I have to check out her books. 😉

So without further ado, here is a spotlight on Faith Blum’s recent release Amazing Grace.

About the Book

Caleb hurried to the post office. He had to get in and out before his sister finished at the general store. “Any mail for the Stuarts?” he asked the postmaster.

The postmaster took a lazy look at him over the top of his eyeglasses and gave a heaving sigh as he turned around to check. “Yep. Somethin’ from Ohio and somethin’ from Montana.”

Tapping his foot, Caleb waited until the large man put the letters lazily in his hand. As he left he wondered why Anna had written someone in Montana and who she knew in Montana. It was really none of his business, but he was still curious. He folded the Ohio letter in half and stashed it in his back pocket. It would get wrinkled, but at least Anna wouldn’t know about it.

As Caleb struggles through some inner battles, he secretly starts a correspondence with a widow and her daughter. Their unabashed faith in God convicts him and increases his inner struggles.

Unable to find a steady job, Maggie places an advertisement to become a mail-order bride. Her daughter, Rachel, is her motivation and encouragement, but if Maggie doesn’t find a job or husband soon, Rachel might not survive through the next year.

Can Caleb learn to trust God despite his past? Can Maggie and Rachel hold onto their faith despite all their trials? What will happen when they meet in person?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TUJTWQK

Excerpt from the Book:

Rachel waited outside the schoolhouse with James while their teacher talked to John and Tobias. Neither of them spoke, even in sign language.

They waited almost a half hour before John stepped out the door.

“What happened?” Rachel asked. “Are you in trouble?”

“Nah,” John said. “He just told me to watch my attitude and I shouldn’t be so willing to pick a fight, even if I was defending a girl.”

Rachel let her breath go rushing out of her nose. “I’m glad. I wouldn’t have wanted you to get in trouble because of me.”

John looked at her with confusion in his eyes. “Even if I would’ve gotten into trouble, it would’ve been my own fault because I knew exactly what would happen when I stepped in. I would have gladly taken a punishment if it meant he wasn’t hurting you. Speaking of which, how’s your arm?”

Rachel shrugged. “I’ll live.”

“You should have your ma check it when you get home.” He looked up at the sky. “And you’d better hurry home before she starts to worry sick about you being so late.”

Rachel put her right hand to her hip and glared at John. “What are you trying to be? My conscience? Mum will be fine.” She spun on her heel and looked over her shoulder. “See you two tomorrow.”

John watched her stride away with her nose slightly in the air and grinned. It was so easy and fun to get her mad. He looked over at James who was staring at him. “What?” he asked.

“Why do you treat her like that?” James signed.

John’s grin grew. “I dunno. It’s fun. Race ya home!”

John waited two seconds to give James a head start before he tore off after his brother.

About the Author

An avid reader, Faith Blum started writing at an early age. Whether it was a story about the camping trip that summer or a more creative story about fictional characters, she has always enjoyed writing. When not writing, Miss Blum enjoys reading, crafting, playing piano, Captaining on the Holy Worlds Historical Fiction Forum and playing games with her family (canasta, anyone?).

As a history enthusiast who has been fascinated for years with the Old West, Faith has endeavored to create a clean, fun, and challenging Western story. Faith lives with her family on a hobby farm in the Northern Midwest, where she enjoys the many cats they have.

You can find Faith on her Website, Blog, Facebook, and Twitter

If you’d like to check out the rest of the tour (please do, all the interviews have been awesome!), here’s the tour schedule:

April 27………Faith Blum……………….Introducing the Tour

April 30………Jess Strong……………….Book Spotlight

May 4…………Annie Douglass…………..Character Interview

May 7…………LeAnne Douglas…………Book Review

May 11……….Shanna Hatfield………….Character Interview

May 14……….Dee Strawbridge…………Book Spotlight

May 18……….Dawnita Fogleman………Book Review/Author Interview

May 21……….Elizabeth Kaiser…………Author Interview

May 25……….Emily Kopf………………Book Review

May 28……….Kathryn Fogleman……….Author Interview

June 1…………Raechel…………………..Author Interview

June 4…………Faith Blum……………….Novella Cover Reveal

June 8…………Carlene Havel……………Book Spotlight

June 11……….Amanda Tero……………Book Review/Author Interview

June 15……….Jaye L. Knight……………Character Spotlight

June 18……….Claire Banschbach………Author Interview

June 22……….Tricia Mingerink…………Book Spotlight

June 25……….Karilyn Putt………………Book Spotlight

June 29……….Morgan Huenke…………..Book Review/Author Interview

July 2…………Faith Blum………………..The Wrap Up

Favorite Screen Characters Tag

June 16, 2015June 16, 2015triciamingerink6 Comments

I was tagged by Jaye L. Knight for the Favorite Screen Characters Tag. Narrowing down to 10 Favorite Screen characters is hard! Not to mention, I pretty much wanted to say ditto to every character on Jaye’s list. So here is my list (In no particular order).

Eowyn (Lord of the Rings)

While Aragorn has a very special place in my heart, I decided to feature Eowyn here since Aragorn was already featured in Jaye’s post. Eowyn is a horse-riding, sword-fighting maid of Rohan, and what’s not to like about that? Plus, her hair! Seriously, I want her no-frizz product. Somehow she goes through a full-tilt gallop, falling off her horse, and fighting the Witch King and somehow her curls remain in beautiful waves. I step out in the rain for two seconds and my hair starts to look like I touched an electric fence.

But what really clinched her as one of my all time favorite screen characters was the scene in the extended edition where Eowyn attempts to make soup (if you haven’t seen the extended editions, the extended edition of The Two Towers is worth watching just for that moment!) I’m an awful cook myself, so I can totally relate to this moment in the movie! The sequence below doesn’t capture the look on Aragorn’s face when he tries to swallow a mouthful.

Westley/Dread Pirate Roberts (The Princess Bride)

Dread Pirate Roberts, The Princess Bride

Before Pirates of the Caribbean and Once Upon a Time‘s Captain Hook, Westley/the Dread Pirate Roberts is to blame for my crush on pirates. After all, he’s like pirate meets Zorro. Totally awesome! Plus the whole not-staying-dead-thing? Yep, he’s my first love when it comes to on screen pirates.

Captain Hook/Killian Jones (Once Upon a Time)

While we’re talking pirates, I couldn’t help but include Killian Jones/Captain Hook on this list. That grin! And those intense eyes! Argh! There are times I just want to slap Emma and tell her to get with it girl and not let a guy like Killian get away.

Captain America (Captain American: The First Avenger, etc)

Just to make sure you guys weren’t getting too worried with my obsession with pirates and bad boys, here’s a really good guy to make the list. I might be in the minority, but Captain America has been my favorite Avenger since the first film with him. He’s just such a nice, old-fashioned, principled guy. His principles are tested, and his struggle is in trying to live out his principles in a complicated world. His personality actually reminds me a lot of Shadrach Alistair in my recent release Dare.

White Witch (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe BBC version)

Okaaaaaaay, so what does that have to do with Frozen?

I’d like to include a villain on this list. The White Witch in the old BBC version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the ultimate villain. The White Witch in the new Disney version can’t come close to capturing the truly scary White Witch that the old BBC version had. No one does a witch the way Barbara Kellerman did in that movie!

Maximus (Tangled)

You had to know this one was coming, right? I absolutely adore Tangled! Flynn Rider is awesome and Rapunzel is so sweet! But, Maximus makes my list mostly because I own Maximus. Don’t believe me? Compare the pictures below:

Maximus is soooo cute too.

Looks aren’t the only things that are similar. Let’s just say I’m keeping my horse well away from my sword…

Merida (Brave)

... young merida appeared in brave brave stories merida 01 02 2512 views

Because, well, she has a horse, she can out-shoot just about everybody, and that hair! Rocking those curls! Plus I love the mother-daughter story line. Both the mother AND the daughter have to change, which shows the complicated relationship that a lot of mothers and daughters have. On top of that, she’s a princess and she ends the movie single, which (being single myself) I can appreciate.

Maria (The Sound of Music)

I love The Sound of Music! It is based on a true story, though the movie does change a few of the details. I actually did read the book that the real Maria Von Trapp wrote because I loved the movie so much.

Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables)

Anne of Green Gables Anne & Gilbert

Another childhood favorite. Since I knew I wanted to be a writer, I always connected with Anne. And her mishaps! As I grew older, I began to appreciate the love story part with her and Gilbert. So adorable! I heard people are talking about doing a remake, but I fear Megan Follows will always be Anne to me!

Gilligan’s Island

Okay, I’m cheating. I’m picking the entire cast of the old TV show Gilligan’s Island. My family watches of a lot of the old TV shows, and Gilligan’s Island was always a favorite. Yes, it’s a little corny and you have to suspend disbelief. But the jokes are actually funny, not just body jokes masquerading as humor.

It’s a show where very different characters always came together in the end. They always stuck together as a family in spite of their differences (and whatever problem Gilligan caused to keep them still stuck on the island).

So there’s my list of ten of my favorite on screen characters. I could keep going, but I’ll have to cut it off at 10 otherwise this could get to be a really long blog post.

I think this is the point where I’m supposed to tag ten more bloggers. Looking through the list of people that have already been tagged for this post, it looks like the bloggers I know who’d want to be tagged have already been tagged…so I’m going have to pass on tagging more people.

What about you? Who would your Favorite Screen Characters be?

Dare Blog Tour Wrap Up

June 10, 2015triciamingerink6 Comments

Wow, this has been a crazy week! A lot of fun, but crazy.

I’ve realized that a blog tour is a little bit like being Cinderella at the ball. You’re the center of attention, and your head is buzzing with all the excitement and adrenaline, but you’re also overwhelmed because you’ve never been the center of attention like this before, and you’re stammering and hoping you’re saying the right things to all the people coming up to say nice things to you.

I’m beyond thankful to all the authors and bloggers who participated in the blog tour. It was like having a whole group of fairy godmothers!

And of course all the readers who have contacted me on my blog or Facebook to say they are excited to read the book, and especially those who went out and bought the book, read it, and then reached out to let me know they loved it.

A special thanks to Kim Moss who came up with this snappy line in her review and gave me permission to use it. This new header is already up on Facebook, and I love how it looks!

But the fun isn’t over quite yet! The Facebook party is tonight, and it is going to be a blast! I hope you all can make it, even for a few minutes!

In case you missed any of the stops, the full list of the blog tour can be found here.

Today is also your last chance to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway if you haven’t already. The winner will be announced at the Facebook party tonight! I can’t wait to chat with all of you there!

Fiction Friday – Adventures and Adversities

May 15, 2015May 15, 2015triciamingerink1 Comment

Today’s Fiction Friday spotlight is Adventure and Adversities by Sarah Holman.

About the Book

One day Alditha is content living with her family, the next she is taking her friend’s place to serve at the king’s castle. Her father’s final instructions, to keep smiling and to do what is right, will be harder to live out than she ever imagined. She will face a royal nephew who delights in making people miserable, an angry servant girl who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, and noblemen who plot murder. Will she be able to keep the promise she made to her father? Will she find the faith she longs for during all her Adventures and Adversities?

My Recommendation

I got this book a while back on my kindle and didn’t get around to reading it for a while. When I did, I was browsing my kindle books and reading the first couple pages of a few books to see what one grabbed my interest. I’d already tested a few books and was prepared to do the same with this book. Then I realized it had been half an hour and I was already well into chapter five.

Although this book doesn’t have a ton of high action like most books I enjoy, it is very compelling. It has scenes of action sprinkled with day to day life of the main characters that is so well-written that I found myself unable to put the book down. Alditha, the main character, reminded me a lot of Anne of Green Gables or Elsie Dinsmore in that the other characters change because of her example. But, this doesn’t mean Alditha isn’t a dynamic character. She does change as she learns that trusting God doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be stoic. I really enjoyed that she was such an inspirational, motivating character. She’s such a good role model for readers, and it is rare to find a character than can both be a role model and interesting.

The setting is also interesting since it is set in a make-believe medieval kingdom, but still tied to real history and a real time period. The research was well-done, and I felt like I was actually living in Taelis with Alditha.

About the Author

Sarah Holman is a not so typical mid-twenties girl: A homeschool graduate, sister to six awesome siblings, and author of five published books and counting. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it is because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined.

Have you read anything by Sarah Holman? Do you like characters that are role models?

Fiction Friday – Mardan’s Mark

May 8, 2015May 7, 2015triciamingerink2 Comments

I’m hoping to start a new feature on Friday’s where I showcase a book or series I’ve really enjoyed. It’s not a book review. More like my random, fangirl gushing about books I absolutely adore.

I’d like to start with Mardan’s Mark and Healer’s Curse by Kathrese McKee.

Mardan’s Mark

About the book

Srilani is second in line to the throne, and she’s always known what is expected of a princess — bring honor to her family and marry well. Aldan has been a pirate’s slave for as long as he can remember, and all he wants is to be free. The Twin Kingdoms have been sister nations for centuries, but now their unity and existence are threatened by enemies both inside and outside their borders.

After pirates abduct Srilani and her three siblings, they are stranded behind enemy lines and across the Great Gulf. As the eldest, Srilani is faced with the dangerous task of bringing her father’s heir home. She convinces Aldan and his two fellow slaves to share their journey to freedom. These unlikely allies — seven young captives — must defeat the web of lies, murder, and betrayal tearing the kingdoms apart.

My Recommendation

Read this book! Seriously! I heard lots of good things about it and was expecting a good book, and it still blew me away.

The characters are excellent. Srilani is a tough girl who can fight her way out of trouble but also has a vulnerable heart. Too many books and movies don’t get that balance. Either the girl is an almost heartless, kick everybody’s butt kind of girl or she needs saving all the time. Sometimes in Christian fiction, the tough girl is the one who needs to be softened until by the end of the book she’s totally given up her tough girl attitude. Srilani is none of those things. She both saves the guy and needs to be saved. She finds a way to be vulnerable but without losing her fighting edge.

Not only was Srilani awesome, but her male lead was also amazing! Aldan can hold his own with her and doesn’t fall into the helpless male sidekick stereotype.

Best of all, several of the other characters also got their own points of view in the book. The character voices were all distinct, so I was never confused.

I also adored the setting. Too many fantasy books fall into the trap of basing their setting only on Europe. It’s fantasy. It can be set anywhere. The setting in Mardan’s Mark is based off the Gulf Coast area of the United States, which gives it a flavor not found in many other fantasy novels.

Finally, the cultures of the different kingdoms are well-done. I could see parts of all kinds of cultures, but I never felt they were directly based off any one culture in the real world. The Christian aspect of the culture is well-done, and feels like an Old Testament kind of faith, which is neat.

Healer’s Curse

About the book

Was this my curse? To lose everyone I loved?

What good is Elilan’s gift of healing if she can’t save those she loves? Elilan must risk failing once again or turn her back on her calling—and the stranger she’s learned to love—in Healer’s Curse.

My recommendation

After reading Mardan’s Mark, I wasn’t sure how Healer’s Curse could compete. The novella follows the events that are happening at home during the events of Book 1. I wasn’t disappointed. I could see how this novella was setting things up for book 2, but it also managed to be it’s own story. Elilan was strong like Srilani, but also vulnerable and I couldn’t help but root for her. And the main guy? Well, he gave Aldan a run for his money. I’m really looking forward to seeing all these characters together in the next book!

In the interest of full disclosure, I was given a copy of Healer’s Curse in exchange for my honest review/recommendation. I bought Mardan’s Mark myself.

Cover Reveal – A Dream Not Imagined

April 25, 2015April 25, 2015triciamingerink1 Comment

Today I’m taking a break from my own book launch to host a cover reveal for fellow indie writer Shantelle Mary Hannu. Her debut novella releases in June.

About the Book

A MAID, a PRINCE, and a DUKE. A GARDENER, a STEPMOTHER, and a secret…

But it could be that her own stepsisters, conniving Dezmarie and easily-influenced Adelaide, are dreaming the same dream…of the same prince.

In the end, are dreams even all they’re made out to be? Especially with deep and long-hidden secrets about to be unearthed?

A Dream Not Imagined is a non-magical fairytale novella based loosely on the classic tale of Cinderella.

About the Author

Shantelle Mary Hannu was born in the mountainous west, spending her golden childhood years there. Since then, she has relocated time and again with her parents and seven siblings, making cherished memories in both the South and Central United States.

A Christian homeschool graduate, Shantelle has a passion for writing and all things books. From a young age she’s been penning tales with a hope of sharing with the world adventurous and soul-stirring stories that bring glory to God.

A Dream Not Imagined, a fairytale novella, will be her first published book. She’s currently preparing a full-length fantasy novel for publication as well, and working on its sequel.

Shantelle blogs at A Writer’s Heart: http://shantellemaryh.blogspot.com/ about her stories, favorite books and movies (with reviews), healthy wheat-free recipes, and hosts fellow authors, among other things. One of her joys is connecting with fellow writers and readers! You can also find her on:

Facebook: Shantelle Mary Hannu, Author (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shantelle-Mary-Hannu/1622068488014168?ref=aymt_homepage_panel),

Twitter: @shantellemary (https://twitter.com/shantellemary),

Goodreads: Shantelle Mary Hannu (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13804303.Shantelle_Mary_Hannu),

Google+: Shantelle H. (https://plus.google.com/101772131563789927466/posts), and

Pinterest: Shantelle H. (https://www.pinterest.com/h0160/).

About the Illustrator

Natasha H. is an aspiring photographer and also loves drawing and painting. A Dream Not Imagined is the first book she has drawn the cover picture for.

Learn more about her work at her blog: http://tashahphotography.blogspot.com/

Bloggers Participating in the Cover Reveal

Hayden Wand at The Story Girl

http://everystory-storygirl.blogspot.com/

Claire Banschbach at Claire M. Banschbach – Thoughts and Rants

https://clairembanschbach.wordpress.com/

Amber Stokes at Seasons of Humility

http://seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com/

Ghost Ryter at Anything, Everything

http://ghostryter.blogspot.com/

Deborah O’Carroll at The Road of a Writer

https://deborahocarroll.wordpress.com/