Loving The Book Presents: #Valentine #CountdownBlitz, #NowAvailable, #OutNow, #99Pennies, #Giveaway

Laura L. Walker grew up in a large family in the beautiful Gila Valley of southern Arizona. From the time Laura was young, she spent hours
drawing characters on paper and fantasizing about their adventures. Life became more serious, however, when Laura met her own hero and they eventually became the parents of six children. In between spurts of grocery shopping, sewing costumes or quilts, transporting kids to practices, and making dinner, Laura still enjoys putting her imagination to good use. She is the author of four contemporary romances.

Connect with the Author here: 

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"All Penny Merrill wants to do is run her own bakery shop, but her money-thirsty mother and conniving stepfather are making it nearly impossible to keep her dream alive. When Penny finds a clipping advertising a Valentine's Day contest for Arizona's cutest couple, with the winnings being enough for her to hold on to her floundering business, she comes up with an idea that might just work--if she can find the right man for the job.

Commercial contractor Preston Ames is starting to develop feelings for Penny, and even though he's been through enough heartache to know that he should avoid her at all costs, he can't keep himself from visiting her sweet shop everyday. When Penny asks him to participate in a crazy scheme so that she can overturn her stepfather's underhanded business ploy, Preston is tempted to run the other way. But one look into her soulful blue eyes and he's a goner. Little does he know that his calm, orderly world is about to unravel--and that just one picture will turn Penny into his sweet valentine! "

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Q&A With The Author:

1) Tell us about things you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction besides writing?

Traveling, when I can, and meeting new people.

2) What is the thing you struggle with the most while writing? And how do you defeat it?

I'm a pantser (a writer who writes by the seat of their pants) so plotting in general is hard for me. I'm becoming a better outliner, but I still get stuck from time to time. That's when I go back to old-fashioned pen and paper. Somehow my eyes just "see" the overall picture better and then I'm able to fill in the blanks.

3) What are your future projects?

I'm currently working on Book #2 in my When Love Happens series (LDS romances) and then I plan to write the second installment in this series, which is Holiday Contests, although I haven't decided which holiday I will focus on next.

4) What is the “message” of your writing?

My series, When Love Happens, is geared toward a religious audience so my messages will be much different than the lighter toneand overall message I convey in my rom-coms. In my inspirational fiction, I try to convey the idea that God loves us and everything will work out if we have faith. For my rom-coms, my main message will be that love conquers all.

5) Are your characters/stories/scenes, etc. based on anything in real life?

Some of my stories contain incidents from my own life. My second novel, The Matchup, was largely based on my experience as a mother to an autistic child. However, The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine is pure fantasy on my part, and I suspect as I write more rom-coms that this pattern will continue.

6) Have you done anything writing-related, besides actually writing your books, that seemed to get a lot of positive response? Something that encouraged you?

I'm fortunate to have found wonderful mentors who have shown me how to navigate the writing and publishing world. I've attended a few writing conferences that have been very beneficial. I also met in person a blogger who had participated in one of my earlier blog tours while I was at a book signing. She came just to support me. That was a great experience. I've also formed a fun street team on Facebook where we talk about bookish things. Members of my street team also get to read my newest releases for free, and in turn give a shoutout on social media for my books. 
If you would like to join, here is the link: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1493800594035114&ref=content_filter  

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Loving The Book Presents #Christmas #Countdown, #Blitz, #OutNow, #99Pennies, #Giveaway

Laura L. Walker grew up in a large family in the beautiful Gila Valley of southern Arizona. From the time Laura was young, she spent hours
drawing characters on paper and fantasizing about their adventures. Life became more serious, however, when Laura met her own hero and they eventually became the parents of six children. In between spurts of grocery shopping, sewing costumes or quilts, transporting kids to practices, and making dinner, Laura
still enjoys putting her imagination to good use. She is the author of four contemporary romances.

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~
~ Goodreads ~ Facebook Group ~

1890 Nebraska

For schoolmarm Amanda Cordell, Christmas Eve means getting through the special program she and her pupils have put together for the townsfolk in Langdon. And even though she has vowed to not set eyes on handsome Calvin Hunsaker, it becomes inevitable when his incorrigible son needs her
help. Everyone knows how bitter Calvin is over his wife's sudden death, and somehow Amanda senses that he sees her the same way, as the spineless, helpless socialite she used to be.

Calvin Hunsaker is determined to ignore the feeling of attraction stirring inside him for the new schoolmarm, even if she is the most
beautiful woman he's ever seen. But she's here to pick up the pieces after her brother and sister-in-law's untimely deaths and raise their two youngsters, not bedazzle him with the same charms his first wife possessed. Better to bundle up and head out of this one-room schoolhouse the second the program's ends.

But a winter storm and two mischievous boys have other plans, and Amanda and Calvin's plans to avoid each other go awry when Calvin is stranded at Amanda's house over the Christmas holiday. Will there be joy and thanksgiving in their future or will the winter blues descend on them once
again?"

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Snippet: 

            She had just finished conversing with Mrs. Winters when she came face to face with none other than Johnny’s taciturn father. Once again, those stark eyes of his bore down into hers, as if searching her innermost thoughts. Heat crawled up Rachel’s neck and she barely resisted the urge to tug her white collar with its tied bow away from her throat. “Mr. Hunsaker.” She nodded politely.

            “Miss Ambry.” His responding nod was even shorter, and his deep voice carried a note of pride. Keeping one hand on his sidearm, he tipped his Stetson. “Mighty fine program. I’m obliged for your good care over Johnny these past months. I know he can be a handful.”

            Rachel glanced over to the boy in question. He was currently entertaining a small group of children who, no doubt, had gathered around to listen to his tall tales. “He may be a bit more high-spirited than most children at times, but he has a good heart.”

            A reluctant smile pulled at his lips. “Yes, I know what you mean. He has big ideas.”

            “That will serve him well someday,” she countered.

            When it seemed they had nothing more to offer each other, Calvin tipped his hat once again and back out of the way, calling out to his son, “Bundle up, Johnny. It’s time to go.”

            Johnny’s animated face, which had been so terrified before, now contorted into a frown.  “Ah, do we hafta, pa?”

            “It’s Christmas Eve. Time to get you into bed if you want a certain visitor to come.  And besides, I can hear a storm brewing outside. Let’s beat it home so we can feed the livestock.”

            Johnny turned toward the others. “I hafta go. See you all later. Merry Christmas!”

            “Merry Christmas, Johnny!”

            Rachel caught her nephew’s eye and motioned for him to grab his heavy coat and scarf as well. Clark followed behind Johnny, absently noticing they both wore pants that were similar in style and color.

            A few more parents called out to their children. In the flurry of buttoning coats and pulling on hats and scarves, followed by several adults bustling out the door, Rachel was waylaid by the last few parents who offered one final word of praise over the afternoon’s success. Struggling to remain calm on the outside while listening to the wind that had picked up, Rachel started to panic inwardly. She had felt the icy air through the doorway of the schoolhouse when some of the parents left. She, Clark, Abigail, and Genevieve lived two miles south of town. They needed to hurry and beat the storm or else they might get stuck along the way. She shuddered at the thought. No one should be stranded on Christmas Eve.

            She couldn’t imagine a worse fate.

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Loving the Book Presents: The Matchup by Laura L. Walker; #SummerCountdown & #Giveaway

Having been raised in Arizona, Laura L. Walker and her husband whom she met at Northern Arizona University think it's a great place to raise their six children. Laura and her family enjoy camping on beautiful Mt. Graham, reading, and learning history together. At the end of the day, Laura loves to curl up with a good book or write one of her own. The Matchup is her second novel.


Q&A With the Author:

1.    
How do you spend your free time?

I like to sew, although I don’t do a whole lot of that these days. I also cook and clean and run kids around to various activities…oh, this is supposed to be about my free time. Oops. I read. I read A LOT to calm my jangled nerves at the end of the day. Or else I daydream and write what I daydream. But I usually don’t have time for both, so I have to decide which activity I’m most in the mood for.

1.        
          What is the thing you struggle with the most while writing? And how do you defeat it?

See answer for #2.

5.    What is your favorite part of writing?

Connect with the Author here: 

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The last thing Valerie wants is to work for Gage Logan. But Valerie's husband walked out on her and her children. Now she needs a job. Gage, on the other hand, has just taken custody of his four-year-old son and is swamped trying to balance his career, be a daddy, and fix past mistakes. Together they discover that when it comes to their faith and each other, it's all about second chances.

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Snippet:

              Valerie smiled wanly. “You can go inside, if you’d like. We’re going to be here for a while.”

              Leaning against a post and crossing his arms like he had all the time in the world, Gage replied, “No, I’m good.” The truth was, he was concerned about Valerie. A few seconds ago, she’d
given the impression that she was indifferent to her child’s needs. Upon closer inspection, however, she appeared to be on the verge of tears.

              “Please, Gage? I need a few minutes alone with my son.”

              Yep. Her voice was definitely shaky. Pushing himself off against the post, he came closer and crouched down in front of her. “Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked softly.

              She shook her head, keeping her gaze down. Something about the way she rubbed Justin’s back while simultaneously cradling his head in her arms touched a place in Gage’s heart
that had long been dead.

              “Valerie,” he said softly.

              She lifted her eyes to him. Gage’s heart constricted at the sorrow he found there. Who would have imagined when they were young that they’d both be single parents? He’d always teased her so
that he could see a flare of indignation light her gaze. That fire had apparently been extinguished a long time ago.

              He’d have to see if he could ignite it.

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