It’s been an all-around awesome month. I hope you’ve been enjoying yourself as much as I’ve been enjoying myself.
Earlier this month, Skye released (with a bit of a cover makeover). You may remember it from last year when it was in the Cherish box set. I talked about how Skye came into being last January and shared an excerpt with you last summer. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, I hope you’ll give it a try. I might be biased, but it’s one of my favorite stories. Sunny’s story should be out later this year, and Rose’s story is all but written in my mind. I just need to get it down on paper. ^_^
You can find Skye on Amazon and discover how love can develop between a woman who hides from her problems and a man who has never considered backing down.
On top of the fun of Skye’s release, Once Upon a Laugh came out last week, and it’s full of fun — and sometimes funny — romance. My book, Definitely, is in the mix. I had a magnificent time writing that story. I laughed at poor Annie more times than is strictly polite, and I hope everyone who reads her story will get at least a chuckle or two out of it, too.
Here’s a peek at the eight stories you can look forward to in Once Upon a Laugh:
Jane by the Book by award-winning author Pepper Basham
She lives by the plans. He talks to imaginary characters. Can they team up to solve a family mystery?
Crossed Out by USA Today bestselling author Christina Coryell
Ruth Erickson always spends her morning break doing the crossword puzzle. Tate Darrow just messed it up. What’s that old saying about love and war?
If She Dares by Mikal Dawn
He’s a board game champion, but can he win her heart?
Definitely by award-winning author Heather Gray
Dating isn’t on her to-do list. Dating a pastor? Definitely not.
Under the Honey Moon by Jessica R. Patch
A honeymoon cottage reunites a pair of childhood friends. Can it offer them a future filled with happily-ever-after?
A (wildly) Wonderful Wedding by Krista Phillips
They may be the worst maid of honor and best man in the history of weddings…
Save the Last Word by award-winning author Betsy St. Amant
When conventional meets creative, who will get the last word?
The Long Game by award-winning author Laurie Tomlinson
Whoever said all is fair in love and war never dealt with small-town football…
And just for fun, an excerpt from Definitely…
Annie Flamingo was late.
Again.
Not just for any committee meeting, either.
Oh, no. Not her. She wouldn’t settle for doing things halfway.
If Annie was going to be late, she would do it up right. She would be late to a meeting for a committee on which the pastor was serving.
Pastor Larkin had been with Trinity Community Church about a year. He didn’t know her at all. They’d never had more than a passing how-are-you-today conversation. Not that she’d been intentionally avoiding him. It had been subconscious. Definitely subconscious.
What could she say? The man… unsettled her. And she hadn’t been able to put her finger on the why of that yet.
Her foot nudged the gas pedal down closer to the floor.
She could hear the upcoming Sunday sermon already. Being on Time for God. Uh-huh. Sounded like a winner. And everyone on the committee would be giving her the evil eye during the entire sermon.
Not that God-fearing Christians gave the evil eye. They had a look, though. It was a mix of she’s-getting-what-she-deserves, bless-her-heart, and thank-goodness-it’s-not-me.
The diner was finally in view. Time to think happy, cheerful, spiritually enlightened thoughts.
After all, this was the day the Lord had made. She could choose to rejoice and be glad in it.
Even if she was late.
Rushing through the front door, Annie looked toward the big tables and didn’t see anyone from church. After eyeing the whole diner twice, she finally noticed the pastor sitting by himself at a table along the windows.
The rest of the committee couldn’t be late, too… could they? Or had they all stood him up?
Oh no. The meeting had been canceled, and she was the only one who didn’t know. That was almost worse than being late.
Great! Now she was both the dunce who wasn’t in the loop and the one who was late. She deserved the prize for worst ever almost-first impression.
Oh well. There was no hope for it. The pastor had spotted her.
“Rejoice. Be glad. Rejoice. Be glad.” Hopefully, she was still far enough away that he couldn’t hear her muttered pep talk.
He stood as she approached. Such a gentleman.
“Pastor, sonicetoseeyou. Sorrytobelate. Whereiseverybodyelse?”
He stared at her, a dazed look in his coffee-colored eyes.
Click to find Once Upon a Laugh on Amazon.
And now it’s time for a giveaway!
One commenter will be randomly selected to win a $5 Amazon gift card.
So tell me…what have you been reading this summer?
Heather Gray loves coffee, God, her family, and laughter – not necessarily in that order! She writes approachable characters who, through the highs and lows of life, find a way to love God, embrace each day, and laugh out loud right along with her. And, yeah, her books almost always have someone who's a coffee addict. Some things just can't be helped. Despite their different lives and situations, Heather’s characters have something in common. They're all flawed...but loved anyway.
So much great reading to be had. Thank you.
Hi Heather, thanks for sharing more about your books. My TBR pile is accumulating on my Kindle, but I have enjoyed the Tuscan Legacy Series, the Arcadia Valley series, to name a couple, plus many others.
Blessings:)
Hi Heather! Early summer I finished both the Tuscan Legacy series and the Arcadia Valley series. This month I started rereading Skye, an inspiring romance. Skye’s name stuck in my mind because of the unusual spelling and I enjoyed the unique characters of the Rainbow Girls. So while I do not usually reread stories, I wanted to find out why I enjoyed the story so I can write a review. But unfortunately I was side tracked with other required reading – two mysteries (one for the monthly library book club and an ARC cozy mystery by Hope Callaghan). I also started reading Pepper Basham’s Jane, because I definitely need some laughs to keep my sanity while watching my 4 grandchildren (ages 13, 10, 4, & 18 months) Monday thru Thursday. The grandkids make me laugh. They only come to Oma and Opa’s to receive tons of love and for the delicious food. They never are fed over the weekend at home. Good line for a book. Thanks for your generous give away. Will be writing reviews for your new releases soon, when I have a sane moment. Best wishes. Enjoy your summer. Happy writing and reading.
I have thoroughly enjoyed A Tuscan Legacy this summer!!!
Thanks for the excerpt from your novella! I had pre-ordered it but haven’t gotten a chance to read it. Now I must push the collection up higher on my TBR list!
So many books and not enough time to devour them all. Have a blessed day.
Sounds good.
Here are some of my favorite recent reads: A Tuscan Legacy series, Team Hope series by Susan May Warren, The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel, If You Believed in Love by Staci Stallings, and Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof. Most of these I rated 5 stars which is unusual since I save that rating for only my very best favorites. I’m currently reading Once Upon a Laugh. I just finished Definitely last night. I have to tell you it’s my favorite so far. I’ll be reviewing it once I’m finished with the set but I have to take notes as I go since sometimes I have trouble remembering my own name! Here’s my notes for Definitely:
5 stars!
Oh my goodness! I loved this story! I loved the pastor for his patience. I loved Annie for her crazy sense of humor. I loved Beatrice for her honesty. It made me laugh out loud so many times. I can relate to Annie so much. I can just imagine how I would have felt in her shoes. Date a pastor? No way!
thanks for sharing about these books. this summer i have read: Always and Forever, Back in the Saddle, Chasing the Wind, Who the Bishop Knows, A Light on the Hill, The Weavers Daughter, Amish Sweethearts, Their Daring Hearts, Keturah, Mail Order Brides Collection, A Moonbow Night, Love by the Letter, and others. I have left reviews for all.
Phewww, I have been busy. I look forward to what the fall will bring.
I’ve been reading A Tuscan Legacy this summer as well as several other books. I’m excited to read Definitely! The excerpt definitely hooked me!
Thanks for this info! soo many books I want to read!
I’m actually reading more than usual. I’m shocked! In the past month I’ve read The Saturday Night Super Club, Darkwater Secrets, and The Indentured Queen. I probably read a couple more back in June, but I don’t recall what they were.
I’m glad you could stop by today Mary!
My TBR pile is never-ending, so I know what you mean! :-)
It sounds like your hands are more than full! I’m glad you’re having a fulfilling summer!
I’m so glad to hear that Paula! All the authors appreciate your kind words.
Oh yay! I’m glad to hear that! I hope you enjoy all the fun books in the set!
So true! :-)
Thank you for stopping by today Kim!
You put a huge silly grin on my face Sherri – thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the story. I’m working on the second book now (Lucas needs a happy ending). :-)
Ha! I love that you not only love to read,but also that you have the time to do it! Enjoy every moment!
You have good taste Melynda! And I hope you enjoy Definitely!
Thanks for stopping by today Jackie! I hope you have a blessed day!
Yay for time to read! That’s always a good thing. :-)
I can hardly wait to read Sunny & Rose’s story! Definitely was a great story and I laughed a lot! Because of my increased responsibilities on FB, I don’t read like I used to (and I don’t visit here very often). But I have read Once Upon a Laugh, Dancing in the Rain, A Time for Every Matter, Christmas Love Year Round, the Tuscan Legacy books, Timeless Love, Love is Patient, and so many more…
This sounds like a fun series, Heather.
Thanks for the excerpt. I’m currently reading Jane. Also sewing dresses for my granddaughters and going to the pool with them and my daughter. Enjoying being close to them.
It sounds like you’ve had a great summer of reading. Now that I only have 2 1/2 weeks before I’m back @ school, I feel summer slipping away with still too many books unread.
Thank you for stopping by Shannon!
How fun! Going to the pool with kids is always an adventure! I’m glad you get to spend that time with them.
I volunteer in the Church Library and have for almost 40 years.
Unfortunately, I’ve been too busy to read but I do enjoy reading mystery/suspense books.
You have definitely piqued my curiosity with this excerpt.
I have been reading a lot of books this summer and this one sounds like a great read Thank you Heather!
I loved the collection. Pepper Basham’s was my favorite. I have been enjoying my time off to read as much as possible.
Love the excerpt! I have my copy and am looking forward to reading it.
If I am not too late, I am reading “A Defense of Honor” by Kristi ann Hunter and also “jimmy”, by Robet Whitlow, among others.
I love finding about all the wonderful new books!