Stop the Rain Cover Reveal Tour!!

YOU. GUYS. 

IT'S FINALLY HERE.

Man, I love this book so much already and I've only read snippets. Many snippets.

Kassie was working on Harley's story while I worked on Nathan's. Harley reminded me of several of my characters, and my heart went out to this poor, broken adult kid. He's basically become my nephew. No joke.

I cannot wait to read this book. Even though I know it will tear me apart even worse than Tattered Wings and O To Be Like Thee did. 

So anyways, here's the book.

THAT COVER THOUGH. THAT COVER. 

And here's the...

Synopsis 

He left his entire world in Iraq. So why did the war follow him home?

Harley Keane and his best friend Nigel were just kids when 9/11 rocked their world and changed their lives forever. When they’re finally old enough to join the Army, all their childhood dreams seem about to come true. But war wasn’t supposed to be like this. A kid’s dream isn’t supposed to become a living nightmare. Fellow soldiers aren’t supposed to bleed out in front of your eyes.

Back home, safe and unwounded, Harley feels anything but. Why would God spare him when so many others were taken? Why won’t the nightmares stop, even when he’s awake? And how long can he hide the truth that threatens everything he has left? When Harley’s invisible scars refuse to stay hidden, will he let anyone close enough to help? And how do you go on with life when “okay” isn’t okay at all?

Coming November 11, 2020

A PTSD awareness novel – no one fights alone

*cries*

Author Bio

Kassie Angle is a teenaged Christian author, cowgirl, therapy dog trainer, stereotypical INFJ, and Army girl to the core. Her first love, i.e. debut novel, O to be Like Thee, swept her unexpectedly into the world of indie authors. She tries to use her stories to fill the silences in literature, helping more people understand the world of the Army and showing how God heals the broken-hearted. You can find her and more of her writing at SoldierGirlStories.com.

*NOTE: KASSIE’S DOMAIN HAS LAPSED AS OF 2022 AND BEEN TAKEN OVER BY ANOTHER COMPANY. DO NOT GOOGLE IT*

Instagram: @saving_grace_and_a_blue_sky

So, yeah. There you go. It's coming. Get ready. 

'Cause this book needs to be read. 

Thanks, Kassie. Thanks so much.

Author Interview with Kassie Angle // Tattered Wings Book Release Blog Tour

EEEEEEEPS!!! You guys, I'm sooooo excited!!! This beauty is fiiiinally released!!! 

If you've read the book, you know why I love it so much. If you haven't... please do. Because it's amazing. Perhaps you have no idea really what I'm squealing about. In which case I apologize for the overexcited intro. XD

Today is the start of the release tour for.... *dramatic drum roll & fanfare of trumpets* 

Some scars can't be seen. And some can't be hidden.
Layla Trent's life is pretty much perfect, except for the little matter of a dog of her own--and maybe a brother. So why does a random nightmare of a princess dress, a hospital, and a stranger who's definitely not her daddy feel more like an aching wound? And can a broken, glassy-eyed puppy somehow help her release the pain she didn't even know she was carrying?
Corporal Andrew Reyes has proven he has what it takes to be the best--a US Army Ranger. But when a double tragedy rocks his world, his resolve is shaken to the core. What's left for a man to live for when he's lost everything he ever wanted to be? And is the sudden appearance of a teenage girl with a three-legged therapy dog a cruel joke or a divine appointment?
Some scars can't be hidden. But some don't need to be.

You guys. This book is amazing. Kassie's debut novel was amazing too. But this one is even more amazing. <33 

My review will be posting on Old-Fashioned Book Love on Saturday, so be sure to go check it out! The book releases on the 28th, but you can preorder it on Amazon now! Here are all the links...

Goodreads | Kindle (U.S.) | Kindle (CA) | Paperback

And now, an interview with the lovely author. <33 

When did the idea for TW come to you? 

Literally, driving home from the commissary singing “Stubborn Angels” and making a music video in my head, because I’m such a daydreamer. There’s a line that says “Now you need to walk the walk and maybe run a few stop signs,” and at that line I pictured this scene with a double amputee running with a three-legged dog. That was the seed of the idea—I wanted to write a story where I could include that scene. Let me warn you, that’s quite the way to try to write a story…but hey, it worked! ;)

Oh wow! That is a crazy cool idea story! 

Did you cry while writing this book? When? ;P

Oh yeah, of course I did! Specifically the scene where Layla sees her dad cry for the first time. If all my characters are crying, I’m gonna melt. And then my last three chapters, but that’s total spoilers. XD

Pretty sure I teared up some time in this book too... 

Which character was the funnest to write? 

Well, with the rollercoaster I put them on… Even still, I loved writing Isaiah, through all the ups and downs. He’s the steady one and at the same time he’s my rowdy Alabama boy. (ROLL TIDE!) Every scene with him was just, my heart. <33 And I loved writing the scenes with the Reyes boys in Arizona, just being normal kids.

(Yessssss. Isaiah is amazing.)

Did you have difficulty naming characters??? (Because I get stuck every. single. time.)

Honestly…no?? There are two side characters in Tattered Wings whose names are chosen at random. Everyone else is named after someone I wanted to include in the story somehow. Layla’s and Andrew’s names were kind of instant choices, and beyond that it was just a matter of figuring out who would be tied to who. 

That is amazing. <3 I love that. 

Any special people that this book makes you think of (because they helped in some way, because they inspired the story in some way, etc...)?

Well, I sorta already hinted at this. X’D Yes—my characters’ namesakes. The soldier/Marine/SEALs Andy, Dakota, Kyle, and Danny are named after. Family stuff snuck into names. Little things that mean a lot to me. And things that didn’t end up so obviously in the story but which I will always know are there. So yeah, I totally didn’t answer that, but…yes. This book is wrapped around a lot of special people. And I’m keeping them special by just leaving them hidden in the story.

I love that so much. <33 

How many drafts did TW have? 

Something like two and a half. I completely scrapped the original draft a few chapters in and started from scratch, and then I wrote in two separate documents and pieced it together, with scenes written ahead floating all over the place waiting to see if they’d make the cut. It was messy but I learned to love it.

See, guys, scrapping isn't bad! ;) That's such a cool writing process. 

What lesson did this book teach you? 

Don’t quit. I only wanted to write on O to be Like Thee. I didn’t want to be committed to another story just because I’d started writing it. I didn’t want to get down in it, work out the kinks, get the story flowing. But I didn’t quit, and I watched God take a story I didn’t like further than I had ever dreamed. And that’s only one of the things I’ve taken away from Tattered Wings.

Wow... that's good. 

What do you hope this story teaches others? Or, how do you hope it touches them?  

Our soldiers have sacrificed a lot, and that hits hard in places you won’t see, whether or not that seems obvious. They deserve our thanks. So do our police officers. Working dogs are heroes and deserve to be treated right. God answers prayers. You never know who’s trying to make a hero proud.

Ahhhh!! Yessss!! Just a few of the amazing lessons of this book... <33

Thanks for joining me for this interview, Kassie! I can't wait to read your next releases. XD 

Kassie Angle is a teenaged Christian author, cowgirl, therapy dog trainer, stereotypical INFJ, and Army girl to the core. Her first love, i.e. debut novel, O to be Like Thee, swept her unsuspectedly into the world of indie authors. She tries to use her stories to fill the silences in literature, helping more people understand the world of the Army and showing how God heals the broken-hearted. You can find her and more of her writing at SoldierGirlStories.com.

*NOTE: KASSIE’S DOMAIN HAS LAPSED AS OF 2022 AND BEEN TAKEN OVER BY ANOTHER COMPANY. DO NOT GOOGLE IT*

And now... pop over to Kassie's website to see the other posts for today! Consider subscribing--I promise it's well worth your time. Her posts are always so amazing. ^_^

Remember the CHRIST in Christmas + A Gift For You // 12 Days of Christmas Blog Party

Today is Christmas morning. The day we set aside to remember the birth of Christ Jesus--the Son of God who came to earth in human form, to die upon the cross for our sins. The ultimate gift. He came to give life to those who were dead. He came to bring light to they who wander in the darkness. He came to give healing to the broken. He came to bring joy to the grieving. He came to give hope to the hopeless. He came to give peace to all.

This is the reason why we celebrate Christmas. We celebrate the amazing love of our God. We celebrate His power. We remember what Christmas means and what Christ brings.

That time has come

With its tinsel and lights,

It’s hurry and getting

From morning ’til night.

That time comes again

With its sleigh bells and pine,

With the lies about Santa,

And the song and the wine.

With no thought of Jesus,

God’s babe in the hay

Who was sent down from Heaven

That wonderful day.

“CHRISTmas” they call it,

But CHRIST they forget—

All the wonder and beauty

Of that awesome event.

~Gertrude Grace Sanborn,

With Tears in my Heart,

The Old Paths Publications, Inc

posted with permission

The most wonderful part of Christmas must not be forgotten or taken for granted. Every year, we have a chance to be awed again by the miracle of Christ's birth and by His amazing love. And I pray that we choose to do this, every year. 

I've only ever written one Christmas poem, but it has that theme, though it's French. So I'm posting it here, with a translation. 

VOICI NOËL

Luc 2:7-14

Voici Noël,

Avec tous ses cadeaux,

Ses lumières, ses réveillons,

Et ses joyeux festivaux.

Voici Noël,

Avec tous ses festins,

Ses cartes, ses cantiques,

Et ses jolis sapins.

Voici Noël—

Un étable avec un cadeau

Dans la crèche :

Jésus, le Divin Agneau.

Voici Noël—

Des troupeaux et des anges,

Des bergers couchés,

La gloire de Dieu, et des louanges.

Voici Noël—

Voici Émmanuel,

Dieu est venu

Sauver les perdus.

HERE IS CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:7-14

Here is Christmas,

With all its gifts,

Its lights, its réveillons,*

And its happy festivities.

Here is Christmas,

With all its feasts,

Its cards, its hymns,

And its pretty Christmas trees.

Here is Christmas—

A stable with a gift

In the manger:

Jesus, the Divine Lamb.

Here is Christmas—

Some flocks and some angels,

Some reclining shepherds,

The glory of God, and some praises.

Here is Christmas—

Here is Emmanuel.

God has come

To save the lost.

*réveillon: staying up till midnight to see in Christmas Day. No idea what you'd call that in English! 

Amidst all the rejoicings, remember Who and what we are celebrating. <3

And now, in honour of Christmas Day, I'd like to make you a gift of my Christmas story. 

An 

Old-Time Christmas  

No one should be forgotten at Christmas...

★

The approaching holiday season brings no joy for Elenora

Gregory. Isolated and forgotten, she ekes out a meagre

existence for herself and her mother, but with no money

for even ordinary comforts, a Christmas celebration is far

beyond her reach. How can others have so much

when her life is so empty?

★

Amid the whirl of holiday preparations, Edwin Langton

can't forget the face of the girl in the red cloak. Enlisting

the help of his siblings, he quickly discovers the truth of

her need. Can they find a way to make Christmas brighter

for the lonely little family?

★

As the Langtons prepare their surprises, Elenora resigns

herself to another cold, lonely holiday. But will their presents

 be the greatest gift she receives on Christmas Day?

Click here to download the PDF, mobi, & ePub. 

Joyeux Noël, mes amis. <33 

Merry Christmas, my friends.

Giveaway winner being announced on Faith's blog today, so make sure you pop over.

8 Favourite Christmas Books | 12 Days of Christmas Blog Party

Well, friends, here is the 10th day of the 12 Days of Christmas Party. Today I will be sharing eight of my favourite Christmas books. I love Christmas stories, so if you have any recommendations, drop them in the comments. I love checking out new books!!

Without further ado, let's get started.

(Yeah, I know, so cliché, but... you run out of leading-up-to-the-post sentences after a while ;P) 

Click the links to read my reviews & read more of my thoughts on the books!

1. Wind Chimes by Victoria Minks. Okay, so this book is a debut and it does have some flaws. But the stories totally make up for it. They are so sweet and beautiful and Christmassy. Absolutely perfect to curl up with on Christmas Day. ^_^

2. Christmas Delays by Rebekah A. Morris. This is a compilation of three short stories. I love every single one of them!! They're all set in WWII and they all include soldiers... ;) ;) 

3. The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggins. This is my absolute favourite Christmas story. It is so, so beautiful... I cried the first two times I read it. This time I didn't and I felt so cheated. XP 

4. The Christmas She Wanted by Rebekah A. Morris. Ahhh! This author nails her settings and I love it. This was such a Christmassy read!! And it has a good message too. ;) 

5. Beasley's Christmas Party by Booth Tarkington. This book is really funny and really sweet. That's basically the only way to describe it! It deals with a smiling, silent man, a sick child, and imaginary friends... and a romance. ;) 

6. First Christmas in America by Rebekah A. Morris. Okay... this book was just sweet. It captured the family relationships perfectly. <3

7. Noelle's Gift by Amanda Tero. This little story made me cry with sheer happiness. It is so, so sweet!!! (Yes, I keep saying that, but these stories are all sweet!) 

8. Home for Christmas by Rebekah A. Morris. A discontented little girl... a snowstorm... and an amazing cousin. <3 This story holds such a good message. :) 

~ / / ~
Okay, so we have a little different ending today. xP

I just had my first guest post on Saturday! Run over to Kassie's to read it.

*NOTE: KASSIE’S DOMAIN HAS LAPSED AS OF 2022 AND BEEN TAKEN OVER BY ANOTHER COMPANY. DO NOT GOOGLE IT*

 You know the drill... Now hop over to Faith's! ;)

There's also a 12DoC giveaway this year! There’s two prizes, and each winner will receive a paperback copy of Behold by Faith Potts, a pair of fuzzy Christmas socks, a Christmas ornament, and a few other small goodies (magnet, candy, something like that). The giveaway will open on the 14th at 12am and close at 12am Christmas morning. Winners will be announced in Faith's post on Christmas Day. Click here to enter! 

Have you any Christmas recommendations? I'm always on the lookout for Christmas books & stories! :) 

Reflections on the Wise Men // 12 Days of Christmas Blog Party

I was recently reading the account of Christ's birth in the gospel of Matthew, and the journey of the wise men stood out to me. I think the wise men is a part pf the Christmas story that we seldom really think about.

Let's see what the Bible tells us about them.

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

So far we know that the wise men came from the East. That's... vast and vague. Still, we know they came from a good distance away. These men were obviously people who knew about God and the Messiah. And they were searching for the Messiah.

I'm going to read verses 7 & 16.

"Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. ... Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men."

According to these scriptures, it seems to me that the wise men were two years upon the road, because Jesus had been on earth for two years when they finally made it to Bethlehem. That's... a long time. More than likely, they journey through mountains and desert. It was inconvenient, hot, long, tiring, dangerous... not easy or fun. But they chose to do it--and stick to it, too.

I'm going to go back to verse 9 now.

"When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was."

I just love this verse. Because it tells us that God brought these men all the way from their country, all the way into Israel, all the way to the house in Bethlehem. He led them straight and exactly to where Christ was. They didn't have to worry or wonder. When we seek Christ, God always leads us to Him.

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

Now, I am not an expert in these things, but it's obvious that these are rich gifts and fit for a king. The wise men brought their best--their treasures.

Now I'm going on to verse 12.

"And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."

 When God told them to do something, they obeyed Him. They didn't send a message to Herod; they didn't try to sneak past; they just changed their plans to obey God and avoid Herod.

I don't know about you, but these thoughts made me ponder. Am I willing to undergo trials to follow Jesus? Am I willing to undergo trials for a long time? Do I trust that God will lead me right where I need to be? Am I willing put aside and rearrange my plans arriving to what He says? Am I willing to bring Jesus my treasures and give them freely? Do I give Him my best?

This Christmas, let's ponder these things and keep them in our hearts for the coming years.

Head over to Faith's to see the rest of today's posts. 

15 Free Christmas Stories // 12 Days of Christmas Blog Party

Hello, everyone! One week 'till Christmas!! :)

Today I have a list of 16 Christmas short stories that you can read for FREE! (<< Isn't that a lovely word? ;P) 

These stories were written by L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott, respectively. There's way more Montgomery ones, but that's because I binge-read some Montgomery short story collections this year and I only read one of Alcott's. XP The stories are in several different collections on Gutenberg, so I will be providing the links to the books and you will be able to find the stories in the table of contents. Sometimes you’ll be able to click on them & be taken right to the story; but I think sometimes you’ll have to scroll down through the book to find the stories. Sound good? Let's get started! 

*Please note I may not agree with everything in these stories. 

1. The Falsoms' Christmas Dinner by L.M. Montgomery. This is a funny, heartwarming story about estranged friends, a stolen dinner, and a rich uncle. ;)

2. A Christmas Inspiration by L.M. Montgomery. This is such a sweet little story about five young girls sharing some Christmas cheer with a lonely, discontented woman.

3. Aunt Cyrilla's Christmas Basket by L.M. Montgomery. This is my very favourite of all these stories. It was so sweet and funny and full of amazing characters. Just beautiful. <3 

4. A Country Christmas by Louisa May Alcott. Romance, logging, excellent characters, and a wonderful piece of advice for authors. I really enjoyed this story! 

5. The Josephs' Christmas by L.M. Montgomery. Sweet and funny story of a poor family in the Canadian prairies. ^_^

6. A Christmas Mistake by L.M. Montgomery. Oh, this story was hilarious!!! The schoolteacher is just too funny. I loved the characters and the reconcilement. But really, the schoolteacher was the best part!! XD 

7. The Christmas Surprise at Enderly Road by L.M. Montgomery. Sweet and funny story about two big boys decorating a schoolhouse to fulfil the dream of a little girl they don’t know. <3 

8. Tilly's Christmas by Louisa May Alcott. A story about the true meaning of Christmas. Very short, but sweet. 

9. Clorinda's Gifts by L.M. Montgomery. Ahh, I loved this one! It’s a perfect story to read as you prepare your gifts this Christmas. <3 

10. The Osbornes' Christmas by L.M. Montgomery. This one made me think of The Birds’ Christmas Carol a little bit. ;) The rich Osborne children are discontented in the midst of their Christmas splendour until their aunt suggests a plan. 

11. The End of the Young Family Feud by L.M. Montgomery. This plot is hilarious and I love it, even if it recurs more than once in Montgomery’s writing! I can’t say anything for fear of spoilers, but... it includes a cross, rich old uncle, three kind-hearted sisters, and a Christmas dinner. 

12. The Unforgotten One by L.M. Montgomery. This was a sweet, sad story... I really loved it. Little Nanny thinks her dear Miss Avis has been forgotten by her family... but have they? 

13. Tessa's Surprise by Louisa May Alcott. This was a sweet story (yeah, I say that all the time, but they’re all sweet, okay?!) about a hardworking big sister who dearly wants a Christmas for the little ones. 

14. Christmas at Red Butte by L.M. Montgomery. Ahh, I loved this story. Theodora’s brother was amazing... and I really related to her. When Theodora sacrifices her dearest treasure to be able to get a Christmas for her cousins, what will her reward be? 

15. Patty's Place by Louisa May Alcott. A little story about a hardworking orphan girl longing for love... and how it came to her at Christmastime. 

~ / / ~

There you are! I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I did! :) Now head over to Faith's to see the other posts of the day! :)

There's also a 12DoC giveaway this year! There’s two prizes, and each winner will receive a paperback copy of Behold by Faith Potts, a pair of fuzzy Christmas socks, a Christmas ornament, and a few other small goodies (magnet, candy, something like that). The giveaway will open on the 14th at 12am and close at 12am Christmas morning. Winners will be announced in Faith's post on Christmas Day. Click here to enter!