A Playlist Fit for a King: The Music That Shaped The Sparkle King by Patrick A. Roland

Music is a very powerful force and can be absolutely inspiring. Many authors will tell you that they rely on certain songs and/or artists to help them craft their tales. Today, author Patrick A. Roland shares the list of songs that helped him create his book The Sparkle King. What do you think of it? Let him know your thoughts and share some of your most inspirational songs in the comments section. Then be sure to follow the tour to learn even more about him and his book, plus have bonus chances to enter the giveaway.

The Sparkle King

In 2014, Patrick lost his partner, Pack, suddenly and without warning. As he struggled to come to terms with this, he was faced with homophobic prejudice from his partner's family. In horrendous emotional pain and feeling desperately lonely and depressed, he started to use recreational drugs heavily and hit rock-bottom whilst on a trip to Las Vegas.

After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and getting clean from drugs and alcohol, Patrick thought his fight was over. However, this was not the case. Life had many other obstacles in store for him but this time, he knew how to be strong and he knew he had God on his side for support.

This inspiring and emotive true story shows how anyone can overcome the hurdles life presents them with, if they just have faith and focus on their inner strengths.

Read an excerpt: 

I’ve been sober for nearly four years now. It is here that I have stepped into the power of who I really am. I now allow myself to sparkle. It is in this space of love and light that I’ve fallen in love with the man I really am. And that means I protect myself from pain. Yes, it still finds me. Life is life. Life is hard. Pain is an unavoidable byproduct of it. But it is not allowed to ruin me anymore.

Because I now stand firm in the power and strength of my sparkle, I get to work on pain the minute I feel it start to seep into my body. I used to let it hang out, take over and basically encompass me. Now I let it in just enough to feel it. That way I am reminded that I need to heal it, so that I can move on and keep growing in the direction of my dreams. Pain gets in; light comes out.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t get overwhelming. For a few weeks at the end of last year, it seemed like everything was falling apart: a dishonest publicist stole money from me and almost ended my literary career. But the power of my dream and my desire to share the gift of my sparkle overruled his act of sabotage. It just made me work harder.

Available on Amazon US / UK

A Playlist Fit For a King: The Music That Shaped The Sparkle King
By Patrick A. Roland

For several years, the little voice from within that I call my whisper told me I would write a book one day and all of its titles would also be song titles that evoked the theme of the chapter. When I wrote The Sparkle King last spring, my whisper became reality as my intuition gave birth to a book that celebrates both myself and the music that has helped me become who I really am. Here are some of the songs that shaped that truth.

1) I Had a Dream - Kelly Clarkson

This book started with a poem I wrote in peer support class. We were asked to write something inspired by the great Martin Luther King, Jr. This book is my dream.

2) Higher Love - Whitney Houston

This song makes me feel ebullient joy and the promise of a love from a Higher Power that any of us in a 12-step program seek from God. It’s about the promise that we can move through fear if we have more faith. It’s about darkness becoming our light. It’s about the greatest love one will ever have; the love of God.

3) End of Time - Beyoncé

I debuted the Sparkle King to this song as I was pushed through an audience at a New Years Eve dance on a throne while people danced around me. It was crazy, overwhelming and a little weird, but it was definitely memorable.

4) I Want to Know What Love Is - Mariah Carey

This chapter is about real love and how in sobriety we get the opportunity to have it shown to us by the people God puts into our life.

5) Coming Out of the Dark - Gloria Estefan

This is about all the darkness that shaped my life and how I find myself now in sobriety pushing my way out of it because I know that what once broke me actually made me become who I really am: The Sparkle King.

6) I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - U2

This is my favorite chapter in the whole book. It’s about the beginning of a beautiful friendship and being able to live in the moment and acceptance of it that after years of abuse at the hands of men, I get to be treated better by them because I know my worth.

7) Poker Face - Lady Gaga

Sometimes people lie to you and betray you. We can’t always see it because they are good at it, but that doesn’t mean we have to remain bitter. Instead, we should realize that person is sick and pray for them because hurt people hurt people.

8) How it Feels to Fly - Alicia Keys

After years of misery at a corporate job that left me unfulfilled and depressed, I gathered the strength to quit this job at chase my dreams. I didn’t have a plan but I did have enough faith to believe God was going to carry me if I took the leap. I like to say I finally climbed the corporate ladder my jumping off of it.

9) Bang, Bang - Ariana Grande, Jessie J. & Nicki Minaj

Dating after finding the love of my life dead five years ago has been challenging, but even though I thought I had found my match, I also learned that I am not willing to put up with abuse today. This was a huge shift for me because I used to let men treat me however they wanted because I felt like I had to have one.

10) Ambitions - Joe McElderry

At the beginning of our relationship, my now deceased partner Pack used to play this song for me. I was unemployed and very depressed about it, but he always believed in me. It was that early support, which shaped the way he nurtured and took care of me, that shaped the love of my life. It says: “if someone is gonna make it, that someone oughta be you.” With these books, I want him to know I made it; and that I thank him for believing in me when no one else did.

11) Cherry Pie - Jennifer Lopez

A couple Christmases ago, my dad bought a cherry pie that needed to be cooked in the oven. I knew something was off about my mother because she was aloof, distant and sometimes blatantly mean, but as I watched her her struggle to remember how to turn the oven on and not be able to, I realized our journey with Alzheimer’s was beginning.

12) Dance With My Father - Luther Vandross

I’ve always had a difficult - and distant - relationship with my father. But that changed when I made a real amends to him in which I finally apologized for spending my life not really liking him that much because he wasn’t nice to me when I was a kid. That truth - and finally copping to it - opened us up to shift our whole relationship and begin the work we needed to do to actually have one.

13) I Was Here - Beyoncé

I keep learning that when I show up for the people I love, the learnings and blessings from it are life changing. You can’t take care of anyone else if you can’t take care of yourself, but once you can, the magic you create by being present for your loved ones is nothing short of a miracle.

14) Hold Up the Light - BeBe & CeCe Winans

I am an overweight, gay, bipolar drug addict widow who was bullied and abused by men for 40 years. I am grateful for all of that darkness because in it, I created my light. It is because of all of that pain that I created my power; and it is also because of all of that awfulness that I get to sparkle on and on and on and become the real king that I am. This chapter is all about that gratitude.

15) Turning Tables - Adele

Sometimes bad things happen to make us push through and fight to become who we really are. It’s in those storms - like losing a job - that wash away what no longer serves us so that we can manifest an even more beautiful harvest. In that beauty, we get to have relationships with friends that help us help others, which really helps us help ourselves out of the darkness.

16) Like a Prayer - Madonna

When my partner Pack died in 2014, his homophonic family decided to kick me out of our home and forbid me from attending the funeral. Several years later, my best friend took me home to meet his family and their instant love and acceptance of me made me realize a beautiful truth: “I’ll never again long for the ones I didn’t get because God gave me the ones I was supposed to have.”

17) Heart of the Matter - Don Henley

The answer to everything is forgiveness. It makes no sense to hang on to the darkness caused by others. We don’t have control over other people, places and things. We can only control our reaction to them. Save yourself a lot of pain and forgive. It’s not for them, it’s for you. Because you deserve to be happy and move on to the gifts of life and joy waiting for you on the other side of fear.

18) Life Is Beautiful - Sixx:A.M.

Though I now own them which helps me take my power back, I still struggle with many of the things I am - overweight, gay, bipolar, drug addict, widow, abuse survivor - but I also know there is a beauty that comes out of turmoil that no one can take away from you: “Life is beautiful. It can hurt, it can be strange, it can be awful, it can be hard, it can be dark, and it can be scary—but I promise you, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s never over until it is. And if there isn’t light yet, that is a sign it is not over.”

About Patrick A. Roland:

Patrick A. Roland is a gay, bipolar, ex-drug addict, widowed abuse survivor and the author of three great books. His first, Unpacked Sparkle: a Story of Grief and Recovery, kicks off his journey of sobriety and self-love following the death of his partner, Pack, in January 2014. This book was published by Az Publishing and is available on Amazon.

His second book is a children’s book called Sparkle On! This book is about a gecko who is constantly constant bullied but chooses to fight this with love.

His new book, The Sparkle King, keeps the sparkle flowing as Patrick finds his way through several fear-inducing experiences by constantly choosing faith to overcome them in long-term sobriety.

Patrick lives in Phoenix, Az. He is a peer support at a mental health clinic, where he helps others just like himself. He’s also earning a Master’s in Addiction Counselling at Grand Canyon University and is taking care of his elderly, terminally ill parents. He wants you to know you can do anything you decide to do if you love yourself.


Publisher Link  https://www.wallacepublishing.co.uk/patrick-a-roland.html

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/unpackedsparkle/?ref=bookmarks

Twitter  https://twitter.com/unpackedsparkle?lang=en

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16153061.Patrick_A_Roland

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/the_sparkle_king/

Websites
https://patrickarolandauthor.weebly.com/

http://unpackedsparkle.com/

Patrick A. Roland will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Read an excerpt from Flight of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse


On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Welcome to the book tour for Flight of the Raven, the second book in The Ravenwood Saga by Morgan L. Busse! Today I have an exclusive excerpt to share with you before you download your own copy. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour, too, for more excerpts and reviews and then some. Plus there's a great giveaway at the end! 

Flight of the Raven

(The Ravenwood Saga #2)

By Morgan L. Busse

Christian Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 352 Pages

April 30th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

Selene Ravenwood, once the heir to House Ravenwood, is now an exile. On the run and free of her family's destiny, Selene hopes to find the real reason her family was given the gift of dreamwalking. But first she must adapt to her new life as wife to Lord Damien Maris, the man she was originally assigned to kill. 

While adjusting to her marriage and her home in the north, her power over dreams begins to grow. As the strongest dreamwalker to exist in ages, her expanding power attracts not only nightmares but the attention of the Dark Lady herself.

With a war looming on the horizon and a wicked being after her gift, Selene is faced with a choice: embrace the Dark Lady's offer, or search out the one who gave her the gift of dreamwalking. One path offers power, the other offers freedom. But time is running out, and soon her choice will be made for her.

Goodreads│Amazon
Barnes & Noble│Book Depository

Read an excerpt:

Lady Ragna placed her hand on one of the stone ravens that flanked the throne and gazed out over the men. Her hair was pulled over her shoulder and her gown followed her curves. She raised her dark eyes and spoke. “House Maris has taken my daughter and fled. Lady Selene must be brought back at all costs.” 

Captain Stanton glanced up. “And what if the water-wall has been raised between our lands?” 

“See if there is a weakness or a place where you can cross. They are over two days ahead. If you can cross, you can reach them before Lord Maris makes his way back to Nor Esen.” 

“And what do we do if we catch up to Lord Maris?” 

She narrowed her eyes. “Whatever you must to get Lady Selene back.” 

“Anything?” 

“He has broken faith with our house and our people.” 

Captain Stanton bowed in acknowledgment. “And if we can’t cross?” 

“Then set up a patrol along the entire Hyr River. Lord Damien is young and inexperienced. He can’t keep the wall up forever. The moment it comes down, send a message by raven.” 

Captain Stanton pressed a fist to his chest and stood. His men stood with him. “Yes, my lady.” He shouted out a command, and the men turned around and started for the double doors in the back. Amara stepped deeper into the shadows and watched from beneath the hood of her cloak as the men departed. 

When the last man left and the doors closed, Amara turned to approach her mother when another man appeared from the left side of the throne. She paused beside one of the stone columns, just out of sight, and frowned. What man had the privilege to approach her mother unannounced and unbidden? 

“You don’t really believe Lord Maris took Lady Selene, do you?” the man asked, dark humor in his voice. 

“No. It is she who led Lord Maris away from the castle through the underground tunnels. And she will pay for that.” 

Amara’s body stilled. Selene betrayed their house? She blinked, hardly believing what her mother had said. Selene? The heir of Ravenwood? The one destined to bring their house to greatness? 

Her mother continued to speak to the stranger, but Amara could not hear their words above the pounding of her own heart. What had possessed her sister to do such a thing? Not that she loved Selene, but never did she think her sister was capable of such duplicity—and to leave with House Maris of all families? What was Selene thinking? 

To betray their mother . . . 

A burning hope sprang up within her heart. Amara lifted her hand and stared down at her palm. With Selene gone, this could be her chance. Her gifting would arrive any day now, and when it did, she could become what her sister had thrown away.

Other Books in the Series

Mark of the Raven

(The Ravenwood Saga #1)

By Morgan L. Busse

Christian Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 352 Pages

November 6th 2018 by Bethany House Publishers

Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person’s dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate.

As she discovers her family’s dark secret, Selene is torn between upholding her family’s legacy–a legacy that supports her people–or seeking the true reason behind her family’s gift.

Her dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations, but who will also bring about the downfall of her own house.

One path holds glory and power, and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and execution. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository

About the Author

Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series and the steampunk series The Soul Chronicles. She is a Christy and INSPY Award finalist and won the Carol Award in 2018 for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│
Instagram│Pinterest│BookBub

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive print copies of Mark of the Raven, Flight of the Raven, and a $20 Amazon gift card

- 2 winner winners will receive print copies of Mark of the Raven and Flight of the Raven

- US only

- Ends June 7, 2019

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Unmasking Prejudice: Silencing the Internal Voice of Bigotry by Dr. Melodye Hilton

Unmasking Prejudice

Prejudice is a word that is often associated solely with race. However, the truth is that we pre-judge all the time based upon countless factors, including gender, age, race, beliefs, politics, or any other infinite number of minute differences; it is a common habit for all of humanity to form an opinion without facts, firsthand experience, and without empathy and value for our fellow man. What if these habits changed? What if our default response was first to love, to learn, and to listen?

In 'Unmasking Prejudice: Silencing the Internal Voice of Bigotry', Dr. Melodye Hilton thoughtfully addresses:

• The many faces of prejudice and bigotry;
• Pre-judgment and assumption as societal stumbling blocks;
• The dangers of gossip, rumors, and slander;
• The personal pain of prejudice through real-life stories; and
• Our responsibility as humans to stop devaluation by representing a restorative influence.

'Unmasking Prejudice: Silencing the Internal Voice of Bigotry' invites all of us to recognize and remove the hidden masks of prejudice so that we can have a hand in changing the cultural narrative and bringing healing to our land.

Available on Amazon

Yes, this is my affiliate link. That just means I will make a few pennies if you make a purchase through it, and it will not cost you anything extra. Thank you for supporting my websites!

About Dr. Melodye Hilton

Dr. Melodye Hilton has developed a unique and personal approach to consulting and coaching that creates a positive and sustainable impact. With years of leadership experience, she works with individuals and teams around the globe as a leadership consultant, behavioral analyst, and executive team and personal coach. Her passion is in the development of people, as she believes that each person has a unique, valuable, and necessary contribution to bring to the table. As individuals develop the internal soft skills of leadership, their ability for both personal fulfillment and organizational productivity exponentially increases.

Dr. Melodye’s recognition extends throughout all ages, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds through her work in corporate and local business, government, and not-for-profit organizations, as well as public and private educational sectors. She is a Master Certified Trainer for Taylor Protocols, Inc., training people to discover their Core Values Consciousness in pursuit of personal excellence and happiness. In addition, she has served as vice-president of a not-for-profit corporation for over 35 years and founded the International Training Center for the development and equipping of leaders. Dr. Melodye's core passion for justice (power used for good) led her to establish the Voice of Justice Foundation to aid in the rescue and care of orphans, trafficking victims, and others in need of hope, vision, and purpose.


Social Media Link
https://www.facebook.com/DrMelodye/

Author Website
https://drmelodye.com/

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Lawfully Chased (A US Marshall Lawkeeper Romance) by Ginny Sterling

Lawfully Chased

When Emma Browning chooses to remain in the wilds of Oklahoma, she discovers a freedom that comes from being an independent woman. Unfortunately, the men in town have other ideas for her. How can a young lady remain unmarried with so many single men nearby? Why is she endangering herself by teaching the less fortunate? After repeated offers of marriage – the one man she finds herself interested in… couldn’t care less about her!

Marshal James Reed has always been shunned due to his heritage. Growing up half-Indian and half-Tejano – his exotic looks have caused him to stand out and he’s struggled to make a name for himself. Now, he is in the Indian Territory after an outlaw when he spots the most beautiful distraction ever: Emma.

When James reveals a secret he’s kept close to his heart, can Emma find a way to reach the man that seems so very untouchable? Suddenly the idea of having a someone special in her life is quite tempting… but can the marshal capture his prey, and her heart, without endangering himself?

Available on Amazon

99 cents for a limited time!

Yes, this is my affiliate link. Should you make a purchase through it, I may earn a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my websites!

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this book with you. I only share those books that I feel are of interest to my readers. 

Review of Sweet on You (Bradford Sisters #3) by Becky Wade



On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Welcome to the book tour for this lovely Christian contemporary romance, Sweet on You by Becky Wade. I had the opportunity to read and review this book and am sharing my thoughts with you below. Please remember to follow the rest of the tour to find out what others had to say about it. And of course, there's a great giveaway at the end of this.

Sweet on You

(Bradford Sisters #3)

By Becky Wade

Christian Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages

April 30th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

Britt Bradford and Zander Ford have been the best of friends since they met thirteen years ago. Unbeknown to Britt, Zander has been in love with her for just as long.

Independent and adventurous Britt channels her talent into creating chocolates at her hometown shop. Zander is a bestselling author who's spent the past 18 months traveling the world. He's achieved a great deal but still lacks the only thing that ever truly mattered to him--Britt's heart.

When Zander's uncle dies of mysterious causes, he returns to Merryweather, Washington, to investigate, and Britt is immediately there to help. Although this throws them into close proximity, both understand that an attempt at romance could jeopardize their once-in-a-lifetime friendship. But while Britt is determined to resist any change in their relationship, Zander finds it increasingly difficult to keep his feelings hidden.

As they work together to uncover his uncle's tangled past, will the truth of what lies between them also, finally, come to light?

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Book Depostiory│ChristianBook│BAM│iBooks│Kobo
Affiliate links are included here. Should you make a purchase through one, I earn a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my websites!

**My thoughts**
I found this book to be absolutely delightful. I already love stories of best friends falling in love with each other. Knowing that Britt was a chocolatier was appealing, because I just love stories of characters who work in the food industry. You get some great recipes and inspiration for dishes to try at home. And of course there is the mystery aspect, revolving around the truth of his father's past and the setting just outside of Seattle.

The development of the relationship between Britt and Zander is intricately woven with their investigation into Zaner's Uncle Frank's past, in a perfect blend of the two types of stories. You have just enough intrigue without all of the drama. I felt a maturity in the storytelling that was refreshing to read. It felt like the author had really taken her time and given a lot of thought into every aspect of the story. Previous books are alluded to, but not necessary to have read in order to appreciate this one. I will say that I need to read the other ones, though, because now I want to know the stories of the other sisters and people in this book. 

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

Becky’s a California native who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and settled in Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market before putting her career on hold for several years to care for her three children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. She loves writing funny, modern, and inspirational contemporary romance! She’s the Christy Award and Carol Award winning author of My Stubborn Heart, the Porter Family series, and the Bradford Sisters Romance series.

Website│Blog│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│Instagram

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE:

• Tote bag highlighting Britt’s chocolate shop, Sweet Art
• Paperback copy of Sweet on You
• $100 Visa gift card
• 1 pound box of See’s chocolate truffles
• Set of chocolate scented soap
• Box of colored pencils
• “Tattoo” coloring book

Enter on Becky's website HERE

Win $150 in Amazon Cash with @homejobsbymom Giveaway Ends 6/6

Whether you're looking for self-help books, religious enrichment, or something more universal, Amazon has a ton of great resources. And you can go beyond just the books to get all kinds of products to help you become the best version of yourself. What would you buy if you won this giveaway?

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Prize: $150 Amazon Gift Card

Hosted & Sponsored by: Home Jobs By Mom

Rules: Use the Giveaway Tools form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 06/06 and is open worldwide. Entrants must be 18 years old to enter. Winner will be notified via email.

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A Snapshot of Who I Am Today Guest Post by Amber Lea Starfire, Author of Accidental Jesus Freak

A Snapshot of Who I Am Today

By Amber Lea Starfire

Memoirs are about the past — stories of challenges and triumphs, family secrets, decisions made, and lives changed. Accidental Jesus Freak is about my journey into, and out of, a fundamentalist evangelical sect. It depicts what it’s like to live within and emerge from a dualistic and patriarchal mindset, where there is only right or wrong, good or evil, salvation or damnation. Where there is little understanding of and even less compassion for the simple condition of being human, particularly if you are female.

It is also a love story. Of a young woman who falls so far under the spell of a charismatic man, she is willing to follow him anywhere. But one day she wakes up from that spell. She looks around, sees that she has given up her freedom and even her sense of self, and realizes that it’s time to find her power and take it back.

You might wonder: What became of that woman after she made that choice and after her epilogue? What was her journey back to self like, and who is she today? These are the questions I attempt to answer in this article.

When I woke up from that deceptive, religious spell, I began exploring what life had to offer. Over time, I created a professional career, investigated other spiritual paths, expressed myself through photography and art and dance, and began writing again. I felt a great sense of urgency. I felt as though I had lost more than a decade of my life. And yet, my experience has given me a greater understand of and compassion for others who have locked themselves into rigid belief systems, who are ruled by fear, and who have subjugated themselves to those beliefs — and the “gurus” they have given themselves over to.

Today, I have a rich and fulfilling life. I am at peace with myself and do not feel the need to “believe” in anything in particular. I have a professional career (my day job) in a creative field for which I write curriculum, create videos, educational materials, and online e-learning modules. Outside my day job, I write, edit, and teach writing. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction to encourage and help others who also want to write their stories. I’m learning how to play the piano. I walk outdoors every day. My children are grown, I have six wonderful grandchildren (though I don’t get to see them very often), and I have a life partner who treats me as his equal and supports me in my creative endeavors.

And I write.

Writing, in all its forms (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and essay) allows me to express myself and explore life and what it means to be human in all its strangeness and wonder and complexity.

Who are you today? Do you write or express yourself creatively through some type of artistic work? Tell me about yourself in the comments below.

Accidental Jesus Freak

In 1973, Linda was a flute player and music major at a California community college, until she met and fell madly in love with a charismatic piano player, plunging into his world of music-making and drug-fueled parties. When, just three weeks after their wedding, he reveals that he's been "born again," Linda makes the spontaneous decision to follow him into his new religion and, unwittingly, into a life of communal living, male domination, and magical thinking.

With unflinching candor, Amber Starfire chronicles her journey as Linda Carr into the evangelical church culture, where she gives up everything for her husband and their music ministry. But in the process, she loses her most valuable assets: her identity and sense of self-worth. It is only when Linda returns to live with her birth family and faces her complicated relationship with her mother that she finds new purpose and the courage to begin to extricating herself from the limiting beliefs of her past.

Accidental Jesus Freak is the story of one woman, one marriage, and one kind of fundamentalism, but it is also the story of the healing that is possible when we are true to ourselves. Both a cautionary tale and celebration of personal empowerment, Accidental Jesus Freak is a powerful reminder for anyone who seeks to live a life authentic to who they truly are.

Read an excerpt:

By spring we were behind on rent and utility payments and were running out of food. Paul was deep into one of his depressions, so the Beulah Band wasn’t practicing or performing. Without the focus provided by our music and without Paul’s guidance, the commune began to erode at the edges, crumbling into the sea of reality. One by one, people drifted away, most moving back to Portland to take up residence with family or friends. Soon there was just a core of us left: three families, including Paul and Barney’s, two married couples without children, and a few young bachelors.

I remember quite distinctly the day we gave up. The group had exactly $20 remaining in our coffers—not enough to pay any of our bills. Not even enough to buy food for dinner. So, in typical throw-it-to-the-wind fashion, we traipsed up the street to the local Dairy Queen and bought $20 worth of banana splits to share. It felt reckless and fitting to celebrate the demise of our grand communal experiment in this fashion.

I have a polaroid taken that day outside the Dairy Queen. Fourteen adults and five children smile and squint into the sun like one big happy family. Eric and I stand at the back of the group, round-faced in our youth, his hand placed protectively on my arm. I remember feeling both relieved and sad. I was tired of the strain of trying to keep food on the table, tired of the squabbling, the lack of privacy, and feeling shut out by the men. I was ready to live like a normal married couple, just Eric and me on our own. Yet there was a bitter-sweetness to those banana splits.

Buy links

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About Amber Lea Starfire

Amber Lea Starfire MA, MFA, is an author, editor, and creative writing coach whose passion is helping others tell their stories. She has published two memoirs: Accidental Jesus Freak: One Woman’s Journey from Fundamentalism to Freedom (2017) and Not the Mother I Remember: A Memoir — finalist for both the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the 2013-2014 Sarton Women’s Literary Awards. She has also published several books of non-fiction, including Journaling the Chakras: Eight Weeks to Self-Discovery, and Week by Week: A Year’s Worth of Journaling Prompts & Meditations. Amber is co-editor of the award-winning anthology, Times They Were A-Changing: Women Remember the '60s & '70s. Her creative nonfiction and poetry have appeared in numerous anthologies and literary journals.

Website and Social Media Links:

http://www.writingthroughlife.com

https://writingthroughlife-onlineclasses.teachable.com/

https://www.facebook.com/writingthrulife/

Amber Lea Starfire will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Sing a New Song by Candee Fick Book Tour Grand Finale and Giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for

Sing a New Song

By Candee Fick

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

I’m so excited to finally get to share Gloria’s story with the world. This series started at The Wardrobe Dinner Theater when an orphaned dancer and a photographer-turned-actress were two of many auditioning for roles in the upcoming season. During the audition, they met Gloria—the resident star—who quirked a finely plucked eyebrow and issued the challenge to “try to keep up.” Needless to say, the pampered diva was not happy to share a company apartment with the two newcomers nor thrilled when the spotlight later shifted. . .

An indie Adventure - Excerpt

Friday, Mid-February

Gloria Houghton turned away from the list and faked a smile as her castmates congratulated her on another supporting role. She forced herself to take a deep breath, and then one more, as she squeezed through the crowd of actors outside the dressing rooms at The Wardrobe Dinner Theatre.

Yet the light-headed feeling remained. What would it take to regain her status as the leading lady? Then again, who was she kidding? She’d hoped for a bigger part this time, but she also knew that her surgically repaired knee couldn’t take the beating. Oh, she could keep living on pain pills and ice packs and try not to limp through the season. The only other alternative was to tell the owners that she needed to take more time off—for what, physical therapy? Another surgery?

Locks, Hooks and Books - Review

"Sing a New Song is the first book I have read by Candee Fick and it definitely will not be the last. I loved this book. Gloria and Nick’s are so very sweet, fun and delightful."

Jorie Loves A Story - Excerpt

“I’m stuck in the ensemble again. While Evan’s already flirting with his new costar. Ever since I hurt my knee, nothing’s gone my way around here.” A clumsy fall in her kitchen had torn her knee and ripped the starring role from her grasp, leaving behind the pain of dashed dreams and the nagging fear that she would never regain the spotlight.

“Nothing?” Liz gestured to the stage around them. “You’re about to be Milly.”

“A lot of good that will do, because the future isn’t looking so bright.”

“Some things are more important than the spotlight.”

“Well, I guess I haven’t found them yet.” Gloria looked around the stage area. Had it always been so small? “And I’m not sure I’ll ever find them here.”

Among the Reads - Review

"If you haven’t read the other books in this series, don’t let that stop you. Sing a New Song stands on its own. Then again, Candee Fick writes such good stories, it just makes sense to get all of the books and read them from the start."

The Power of Words - Excerpt

Maybe it was time for her to say goodbye to musical theater too and focus on singing instead.

“I hope you find what you’re looking for.” Liz smiled and then drifted away toward one of the wings, leaving Gloria alone at center stage.

Her voice could be her magic ticket to the future. But where?

She didn’t necessarily want a solo act, so those television audition shows to find the next voice were out of the question. And while actresses flocked to Hollywood or New York City, most singers usually ended up in Nashville—only to get lost in the crowd of hopefuls.

Britt Reads Fiction - Review

"Sing a New Song was a really good book! It is the first book that I have read by this author and will definitely not be the last. The characters in this story felt like real people! . . . Their romance was really well written. I look forward to reading more by this author."

underneath the covers - Excerpt

If only her new beginning didn’t depend upon a flawless first impression.

Gloria applied another layer of lip gloss and fluffed the curled blond hair around her shoulders. With one last rehearsed smile in the mirror, she stashed the makeup in her purse and exited Sherwood Theater’s restroom.

After a long-distance audition and weeks of rehearsing the music on her own, the time had come to meet the rest of the singers in the brand-new “Rockin’ the Decades” show debuting soon on the strip in Branson, Missouri.

Showtime.

Jennifer Silverwood Blog - Review

"Not every book makes it onto my five-star radar, but occasionally I read something that truly makes me think alongside the hero. Flick has done an amazing job of carrying the reader on Gloria’s journey in a way that makes it personal. A tenderly crafted story about the real magic behind the lights, about what is true instead of what we pretend to be, Sing a New Song is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page."

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt

Nearing the backstage area, she scanned the map on her phone to locate the rehearsal room.

Almost there. Gloria glanced up just in time for her foot to slip out from under her on the wet floor. Her weak knee buckled, and the concrete floor came rushing toward her. Reaching for anything to break her fall, her fingers grazed the edge of a rolling bucket of mop water, tipping her phone into the liquid a moment before it—and the mop—toppled over. She landed hard on her right shoulder an instant before a flood of water soaked the upper half of her body.

Ouch. That would leave a bruise.

Splashes of Joy - Review

"This is a really good and well written book! A first for me from this author and I want to read more books from Candee Flick. I enjoyed following Gloria on her journey of finding a life more important than what she has previously lived. . . . I encourage you to grab a copy of Sing A New Song for your own enjoyment. You will find a story of love, forgiveness and redemption. A story of the importance of family."

Uplifting Reads - Review

"The spark between the two of them is a slow burning flame that is refreshing to get in a romance novel these days. I felt like they also were able to teach each other a lot about life. And of course they were helped out a lot by Granny, who is the wisest one of them all. . . . once I got into it, I greatly enjoyed reading it. Again, I am interested in checking out the rest of the series now."

Colorimetry - Excerpt

Gloria swiped the mess away from her face in time to spot two dark-haired men exiting a nearby room—her destination. They elbowed past the janitor and helped her to her feet, one on each side.

While taking a moment to regain her balance, she eyed her handsome rescuers. Ah, yes. Thanks to her online research, she recognized them as members of the famous Sherwood clan, the family who was the headline act for this theater but also owned both the hotel down the hill and the cheesy tourist shop next door.

In the dim light, it was hard to tell which one was Gavin and which was Tyler. Still, the twins were even cuter in person, with black T-shirts hugging muscled chests and faded blue jeans encasing long legs.

remembrancy - Review

"I especially appreciated the way Candee Fick made Gloria more relatable and likable in Sing a New Song. The challenges thrown at her from her entry into the theater in Branson are immediate and keep on building until she’s brought to her lowest point and something has to change. And a change of character starts with a change of heart. Gloria is making changes for the better. leaning into the Father she can always count on. . . . This book is an excellent addition to the series that shows that change and growth are possible for those you sometimes doubt the most."

Fiction Aficionado - Excerpt

After an unsuccessful search in the supply room, Nick led her into the adjacent office. “Have a seat there while I look around.” He bypassed the desk and its cushioned chair, instead deliberately pointing to a five-gallon bucket of something as he made his way across the room.

Lovely. Did he think to punish her for falling, interrupting his work, and making a mess? Well, she didn’t have to stoop to his level of pettiness. At least not today.

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

The twins were her ticket to stardom in Branson, and she needed to make a better impression. Starting with what she could control. Like her hair.

A quick squeeze of the wet half sent a stream running down her arm before she fluffed the strands with her fingers. Even after it dried, the contrast between the curled and non-curled sides would look ridiculous. Unless…

“Sorry, Princess, but I don’t keep any mirrors or curling irons in here.” Nick bit his lip as if trying to hold back a smile.

Hallie Reads - Review

"Seeing Gloria’s growth over the course of Sing a New Song is a delight, plus the romance she finds is entirely heartwarming. It’s the first of Fick’s books I’ve read, but I enjoyed it so much that I know it won’t be the last."

Singing Librarian Books - Excerpt

Conscious of the passing time, Gloria scrambled out of her wet shirt and slipped into the gigantic dry one. She rolled up the sleeves, then gathered the mid-thigh-length fabric and tucked it into the waistband of her damp jeans. After wringing out her T-shirt into an empty bucket in the corner, she left the office behind and carefully retraced her steps toward the rehearsal room.

Late, damp, and in an oversized mechanic’s shirt.

What kind of impression would she make now?

Reading Is My SuperPower - Review

"Sing a New Song is a love song to music shows (a la Branson or Gatlinburg), family, grace, and of course God who rejoices over us with singing. Gloria and Nick have a simmering chemistry right from the start and it only gets better from there! I’ve loved all the books in this series so far, and I think this one is the best yet!"

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

At the front of the room, Gloria took a place next to Brittany, who wrinkled her nose at Nick’s monogrammed shirt.

Brittany leaned closer. “Just so you know, there’s only room for one Carrie Underwood look-alike here.”

“I’m not really a fan of country music.”

“And you’re hoping to make it in Branson? Good luck with that.”

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post, if you haven't already...

Sing a New Song
(The Wardrobe Series #3)
By Candee Fick
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 275 Pages
May 1st 2019 by Bling! Romance

The pampered diva is about to meet her match

Songbird Gloria Houghton has always needed to be the center of attention, but the spotlight has shifted. Seeking fame and a fresh start, she finds a new stage in Branson, Missouri…only to risk being replaced by a manipulative rival. If Gloria can’t be the star, who is she?

Jack-of-all-trades Nick Sherwood is just one leaf on a vast family tree that includes a restaurant chef, hotel owners, and even the headline act at a family-owned theater. He’s seen how fame can blind a person with jealousy and is more than content to stay in the background thank you very much. If only he wasn’t so fascinated--and irritated--by the newest addition to the staff.

After a disaster of a first impression and financial difficulties land Gloria in the humblest of jobs—with Nick as her boss—it might be time for her to learn to sing a new song.

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Other Books in the Series

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About the Author

Candee Fick is a multipublished, award-winning author. She is also the wife of a high school football coach and the mother of three children, including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome. When not busy writing, editing, or coaching other authors, she can be found cheering on the home team at sporting events, exploring the great Colorado outdoors, indulging in dark chocolate, and savoring happily-ever-after endings through a good book.

In addition to writing clean faith-based romance novels and inspirational non-fiction, Candee coaches other authors with their marketing plans and offers content editing to aspiring novelists. She is a member of both American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network. Her fiction has semi-finaled, finaled, and won the ACFW Genesis Contest and Selah Awards.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│Instagram

Tour Giveaway


- One 1st prize winner will receive: the complete set of The Wardrobe Series (ebook only if international winner, otherwise print copies) plus a $25 Amazon gift card
- One 2nd prize winner will receive: Copy of Sing a New Song (ebook only if international winner, US winner can choose ebook or print) plus a $10 Amazon gift card
- Ends May 15, 2019

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Wise Millenial by Peter Noble Darrow

Welcome to the book tour for Wise Millenial by Peter Noble Darrow! Please enjoy an excerpt from this self-help memoir and then download your own copy. Be sure to leave the author comments and questions and then follow the tour for plenty of chances to win the giveaway at the end!

Wise Millennial

In “Wise Millennial” (April 2019) Peter Noble Darrow asks Millennials to think deeply about their parents’ expectations for their lives and find their own paths, instead. Rather than aiming to reveal failings to grow up, or on the other hand, defensively praising his peers, Darrow chooses to speak to this audience on a deeper level—the book points millennials toward growth from the inside out. Darrow presents an even-keeled approach to helping his generation find meaning and purpose, accepting mistakes and learning from them along the way.

Read an excerpt:

At some point, you really have to ask yourself what’s more important,
the cookie-cutter way you envision your child’s future, or their happiness?
Because sometimes there’s not a correlation between the two. You can send
them to all the private schools you want. You can make them work hundreds
of hours to kick ass on their SATs. You can push them into a posh junior position
at your friend’s Upper East Side law firm. But at what point in all this intense
parental planning do you stop and ask yourself the most basic questions:
Does this make them happy? Is this what they want, or what I want?
I can’t tell you how many of my wealthy family friends are depressed.
Money does not buy happiness. Happiness comes from within. These
high-rolling partners, CEOs, and veritable Facebook fanboys may be
making fortunes, but fortunes can’t buy an end to their own inner turmoil.
The specter of their parents’ expectations still haunts them like their own
shadow, following them everywhere they go. Perhaps in their depression—
their feelings of inadequacy—they’ve resorted to drugs and alcohol. The
more money they have, the easier it is to fuel their addictions—and the easier
it is to hide them.

Perhaps this hypothetical, now-miserable CEO had grown up with
aspirations to become a painter. Not even a famous one, just a painter.
He grew up with a supreme love of drawing, which later evolved into an
obsession with oil paints that, just shy of eating them, would have put Van
Gogh to shame. It was his dream. His passion. Remember what my father
said? You’ll only be successful at the things you’re passionate about. The
lawyer has several million dollars in his bank account, but if he’s not happy
doing what he does, he’s not successful. This path didn’t start when he
graduated college and entered the workforce. It likely started back when he
was a young child, watching his parents plot his own future for him.

Buy on Amazon

About Peter Noble Darrow

Peter N. Darrow is a Millennial, a native New Yorker, an entrepreneur, and an expert at learning from his mistakes. After earning an MBA in entrepreneurship from Babson College in 2014, Peter founded Darrow’s Farm Fresh restaurant in Union Square in NYC. He is the current founder of Veggie Dust, first ever vegetable seasoning for kids. A health and wellness entrepreneur with a passion for helping people, Peter has already seen much in the way of success and failure, and speaks to the challenges facing his generation, and dispels myths about what it’s like to supposedly “have it all.” Find out more about Peter at www.wisemillennial.com.

Links:

Website: www.wisemillennial.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/wisemillennial/

FB: http://www.facebook.com/WiseMillennial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wise_Millennial

Peter Darrow will be awarding one copy of Wise Millennial, US only to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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