It's Midsummer! Time for the Clean Indie Reads Christmas in July eBook Sale & Giveaway July 21-28

Summer is upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere, and a few Clean Indie Reads authors are keeping cool by thinking of Christmas. Reads, that is. There's something sweet and sentimental about Christmas stories, don't you think? And in the heat of summer, reading about Christmas, winter, snow, ice, and sleigh rides might cool you off. So we're happy to present the 2018 Clean Indie Reads Christmas in July eBook Sale.

Starting today we're offering 21 titles in a variety of genres - novels, novelettes, short stories, Christian, historical, mystery, YA, and sweet and paranormal romance - sale-priced from FREE to 2.99. As always, all titles are "flinch free," meaning they're free of graphic sexuality and violence, and objectionable language. Stock up to read on your summer vacation, or save them for the holiday season. You'll definitely cool down with one (or two, or more!) of these reads. Sale ends July 28.

Note: please check all prices before clicking the "BUY" button. Each individual author is responsible for ensuring the correct sale price for her book(s).

Christmas at Blue Hydrangeas

By Marianne Sciucco

Novella; contemporary and women's fiction

Download for free

(This book is not yet published.)

It’s Christmas Eve, and as Sara waits for her husband and son to arrive home to Blue Hydrangeas, their Cape Cod bed and breakfast, a blizzard threatens to close the bridges, leaving all Cape-bound travelers stranded. As she prepares for the holiday, unexpected visitors arrive, and Sara is determined the storm will not spoil Christmas, and that Santa will find his way to two fatherless children far from home. Prequel to Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer's love story.

The River Girl's Christmas

By Angela Castillo

Christian Historical Fiction

Buy now for .99 ( reg. price 2.99)

Christmas on the Texas frontier can be exciting . . . maybe even dangerous.

The Little White Christmas Lie

By Kristy Tate

Holiday, sweet romance

Buy now for .99 (reg. price 2.99)

Neither Carson or Millie know that their lives are about to spin out of control thanks to a patch of black ice, a cow, and a little white Christmas lie.

Truth or Dare

By Julie Coulter Bellon

Contempoary Romance

Buy now for .99 (reg. price 2.99)

Wounded war veteran Jonah Harrison comes home for Christmas and ends up stranded with Kami Jackson, the girl who once knew him best. Kami has a wounded heart of her own, though, and it might take a miracle---or at least two matchmaking dogs---for them to find the healing they both long for and the courage to reach for a chance at love.

Baby Blue Christmas

By Kristy Tate
Holiday, sweet romance
Buy now for .99, (reg. price 2.99)

As Christmas nears, Sophie and Luke’s love for Baby Jamison draws them together, causing them to rethink their plans for the future and redefine their ideas family.

The Christmas Switch

By Laura L. Walker

Western Historical Romance

Buy now for .99 (reg. price .99)

The rancher takes a wife - When two school boys decide to switch places on a local schoolmarm and rancher, they don't plan on a severe winter storm stranding them during Christmas. But love and a new family might just be the best Christmas gift ever!

The More the Merrier

By Li Wen Ho

Contemporary

Download for free through 7/25, then .99 (reg. price .99)

Two best friends must convince everyone they're in love, an act which may (or may not) be easy to pull off, thanks to the magic of some mistletoe.

The Redemption of Evalisa Trooge: A Christmas Carol Story

By Lauren M. Flauding

Inspirational Romance

Download for free through 7/25, then .99 (reg. price .99)

Evalisa Trooge is the 33-year-old embittered and stingy owner of Victorian Village, a Christmas-themed park which she inherited from her parents. But on Christmas Eve, when she's on the verge of selling the park, she endures a long night of visits, memories, romantic revelations and bizarre events, and discovers the courage to save the park, find love, and change her life.

Christmas Morning

By Roma Brooks

Women's Fiction

Buy now for .99 (reg. price 2.99)

Feel good romance of second chances that will get you in the holiday spirit.

Christmas with the Franks

By Leena Clover

Cozy Mystery

Buy now for .99 (reg. price 2.99)

Christmas dinner turns deadly when the millionaire host is shot dead.

Snowdrift

By Debra Erfert

Romance

Buy now for .99 (reg. price 2.99)

A woman crashes off a deserted highway during a Wyoming blizzard while driving to reach her dying mother. A handsome sheriff rescues her, leaving her trapped at his ranch for the week leading up to Christmas, along with his two young daughters, a protective mother-in-law, and a bitter memory of his dead wife. Can she protect her heart from falling in love with him?

Christmas at Dumpster Corral

By Irene Onorato

Holiday Romance

Buy now for .99 (reg. price 2.99)

When Noel Dupree’s estranged father undermines her recently-deceased mother’s will, he takes away her childhood home and the florist shop her mother left to her. An unforgettable Christmas experience ensues when fate steps in and leads her to an unlikely place, an uncertain destiny, and the love of a lifetime.

Red Boots

By Kate Willis

Contemporary, Short Story

Download for free

A pair of shiny red boots bring unexpected Christmas joy to a shopkeeper and a little girl.

Ino's Love 

By Marianne Sciucco
Contemporary, Short Story
Download for free

Elderly Ino prepares a delicious Italian Christmas Eve feast for her successful CEO son, but when he's too busy to spend the holiday with his mother she shares her dinner and gifts with her home health aid. A heartwarming story about giving and forgiveness.

First Christmas

By Heather Karn

Paranormal Romance

Buy now for .99 (reg. price 2.99)

Life at the North Pole is never dull with Ice Dragon Shifters around, especially when Vixen meets her mate. He knows nothing about Christmas, so it's up to her to teach him all she knows.

Cookie Christmas

By Heather Karn

Paranormal Romance

Buy now for .99 (reg. price 2.99)

When Holly is asked to head up the new bakery in NYC, she's unsure about her ability to lead such a daunting project, at least not until she meets her handsome assistant. Can a group of bakery elves use their skills to spread Christmas Spirit, and a little romance, around the world in time for Christmas?

An All-Consuming Fire, book 5 The Monastery Murders

By Donna Fletcher Crow

Mystery

Buy now for .99 (reg. price 2.99)

A Christmas wedding in a monastery—idyllic. If the bride can escape the murderer stalking the Yorkshire moors.

Glastonbury, the Novel of Christian England

By Donna Fletcher Crow

History

Free through 7/27 then .99 (reg. price 2.99)

Experience a Medieval Christmas in the midst of a 1500-year quest for the Holy Grail.

Where Love Restores, Where There is Love 4

By Donna Fletcher Crow

Historical Romance

Free through 7/27 then .99 (reg. price 2.99)

Can the delights of Christmas in an English stately home overcome the scars of the past? A true story of love and faith.

Misty Winter

By Linda Rawlins

Cozy Mystery

Buy now for .99 (reg. price 2.99)

The police search for Megan Stanford when the local veterinarian is shot right before Christmas.

Christmas Party: A Short Story (Avery Barks Cozy Dog Mysteries)

By Mary Hiker

Mystery

Download for free

Avery Barks is excited about the search and rescue team's annual Christmas party. The holiday event is packed full of friends and fun for both the SAR dogs and their humans. Everyone is having a ball... That is, until a stranger crashes the party in the most surprising way.

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New Release Spotlight: Fact-Based Historical Fiction from Vicki Tapia - Maggie, A Journey of Love, Loss, and Survival

This new release comes from my very good friend and AlzAuthors co-founder Vicki Tapia.

Maggie: A Journey of Love, Loss and Survival

Historical Fiction

Set in a time when women had few rights, this compelling narrative chronicles one woman’s tenacious journey from abuse to independence. This is a #MeToo story that has waited over a century to be told.

Mt. Clemens, Michigan 1887. Seventeen and headstrong, with marriage on her mind, Maggie is sure she has found her one true love. But when she collides head-on with betrayal, overwhelming loss, and ill-treatment, her life unravels.

Maggie rises above adversity through rare determination and grit, becoming an independent woman ahead of her time. Yet before she can truly find peace, one heartbreaking, life-altering decision remains.

Inspired by her great-grandmother’s life, the author explores intergenerational relationships between parents and children, husbands and wives, and sisters. She weaves a timeless story of survival and courage set against the backdrop of late 19th century Michigan and the prairies of eastern Montana at the turn of the twentieth century.

Cover Reveal! "All Things Beautiful" by Keely Brook Keith

I'm excited to announce the newest release in Keely Brook Keith's Uncharted Beginning's Series: All Things Beautiful, Book 3. Enter to win an autographed copy hot off the press!

Here's a peek at the cover by the talented Najla Qamber.  

I wonder what she's thinking and what she's looking at from that window. What do you think?

Keely's genre-bending stories of the undiscovered settlement of  Good Springs are captivating, original, and unique. Skillfully combining historical, romantic, and paranormal fiction, the Uncharted Series and Uncharted Beginnings will keep you mesmerized. All Things Beautiful is coming April 17, 2018 from Edenbrooke Press.  If you're an audiobook lover, hang tight! The talented Amy Marie Smith is currently recording the audio version.

Some thoughts from Keely: "While I wrote All Things Beautiful, I wanted to express how important it is to use the talents God has given us. I was brought to tears many times as the Lord met me on the page, and I pray He blesses you through Hannah and Henry’s story too."

Clean Indie Reads Back to School eBook Sale September 1-8

Here we go again! Another school year is about to begin. After you get the kids ready for reading, writing and 'rithmetic, treat yourself to some new eBooks to keep you entertained through fall. Here are 21 discounted titles from Clean Indie Reads authors, all with a high school or college theme. Many genres: romance, sports, new adult, YA, coming of age, fantasy, paranormal. Priced FREE through 2.99. Sale ends September 8. Note: please check all prices before clicking the "BUY" button. Each individual author is responsible for ensuring the correct sale price for her book(s).

Valentine's Day Romance eBook Sale February 10th-14th

In honor of Valentine's Day, that special day celebrating all that's romantic, I've teamed up with fourteen romance authors  for an ebook sale. Choose from all kinds of new and not-so-new releases, from your favorite romance genres: time travel, historical, billionaire,  new adult, contemporary, and romantic suspense. Some are sweet, some are steamy, and some are just 99c, including Blue Hydrangeas, which was recently added to Kindle Unlimited.

 Sale runs February 10 through the 14th

New Release: USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield's World War II Romance "Garden of Her Heart"

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield joins us with 

her latest release, a sweet World War II romance.

 

 

Can forbidden love blossom  

amid the constraints of war?

The moment the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, life shifted for Miko Nishimura. Desperate to reach the Portland Assembly Center for Japanese-Americans, she’s kicked off the bus miles from town. Every tick of the clock pushes her closer to becoming a fugitive in the land of her birth. Exhausted, she stumbles to her grandparents’ abandoned farm only to find a dying soldier sprawled across the step. Unable to leave him, she forsakes all else to keep him alive. After crashing his plane in the Battle of the Atlantic, the doctors condemn Captain Rock Laroux to die. Determined to meet his maker beneath a blue sky at his family home, he sneaks out of the hospital. Weary and half out of his mind, he makes it as far as a produce stand he remembers from his youth. Rather than surrender to death, Rock fights a battle of the heart as he falls in love with the beautiful Japanese woman who saves his life. A poignant, sweet romance, Garden of Her Heart proves love can bloom in unlikely places even under the most challenging circumstances.

Don't miss out on this beautiful happy ever after. 

Get your copy today!

 Available on:

 

 

Excerpt: 

“Please, Miko? Would you at least consider marrying me?”

She shook her head and tried to pull away from him, but he drew her closer, wrapping his arms around her and holding her. His breath tantalized her ear as he bent his head near hers. 

“Please?” 

“I can’t, Rock. I don’t want to be the cause of you missing out on the love of a lifetime.” She turned her head to the side and pressed it against his neck. Unintentionally, she heightened the yearning that already pulsed between them. Forcibly, he relaxed his hold on her. 

“Miko,” he whispered. “Look at me, sweetheart.” 

Unhurried, she tipped her head back, drawn into the bright warmth of his eyes. 

“Miko, if I didn’t want to marry you, I wouldn’t offer. I rather like the idea of spending my future with you. We have more going for us than many couples who wed. There is no doubt in my mind at all about your ability to be a good wife. Me, on the other hand…” His cocky grin brought an amused light to her eyes. “It might be challenging to be married to someone like me.” 

A smile curved her mouth upward and Rock tamped down the desire to kiss her again, even with the pastor watching their every move.  

 About the Author
 

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.” Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, this hopeless romantic is out to make it happen, one story at a time. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. 

Find Shanna’s books at: Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple | Audible Shanna loves to hear from readers. 

Follow her online at: ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Newsletter | Pinterest | Goodreads | You Tube | Twitter

Guest Author: Andrew Joyce on Researching His Historical Novel "Yellow Tail"

Today's guest author conducted painstaking research into his three novels and shares his methods here for anyone aspiring to write a historical novel or any novel which has its basis in reality. I have done the same research myself for both of my novels. I am a stickler for accuracy, and although I trusted my knowledge on Alzheimer's disease and competitive swimming, I still spent months researching these topics. The last thing a writer wants to  learn in a review or reader mail is that she messed something up. It damages your credibility and takes the reader out of the story. I'll let Andrew Joyce tell you more about this.

***

My name is Andrew Joyce and I write books for a living. I would like to thank Marianne for allowing me to be here today to promote my latest, Yellow Hair, which documents the injustices done to the Sioux Nation from their first treaty with the United States in 1805 through Wounded Knee in 1890. Every death, murder, battle, and outrage I write about actually took place. The historical figures that play a role in my fact-based tale of fiction were real people and I use their real names.Yellow Hair is an epic tale of adventure, family, love, and hate that spans most of the 19th century. 

Through no fault of his own, a young man is thrust into a new culture just at the time that culture is undergoing massive changes. It is losing its identity, its lands, and its dignity. He not only adapts, he perseveres and, over time, becomes a leader—and on occasion, the hand of vengeance against those who would destroy his adopted people. 

Now that the commercial is out of the way, we can get down to what I really came here to talk about: the research that goes into writing an historical novel or an action/adventure novel that uses an historical event as a backdrop.

I want to say that I learned the hard way how important proper research is. But it wasn’t really that hard of a lesson. In my first book, which takes place in the last half of the 19th century, I made two mistakes. I had the date of an event off by one year and I had my hero loading the wrong caliber cartridge into his Winchester rifle. I would have gone blissfully throughout life not knowing how I had erred if not for my astute fans. Both mistakes were quickly pointed out to me in reviews of the book. One guy said he would have given me five stars if not for the wrong caliber bullet mistake. I had to settle for only four stars. Lesson learned!

Before I get into telling you about the year-long research I did for Yellow Hair, I’d like to tell you how I researched my second and third books and describe what that research entailed.

My second book was a western and the protagonist was a woman. The research took about three months. I had to know everything from women’s undergarments of the late 19th century to prison conditions for women in those days. (I sent my heroine to jail.) That kind of research was easy. Thank God for the internet. But then I had to do some real research. Molly (my protagonist) built up her cattle ranch to one of the largest in Montana, but she and her neighbors had nowhere to sell their beef. So Molly decided to drive her and her neighbors’ cattle to Abilene where she could get a good price. She put together the second largest herd on record (12,000 head) and took off for Abilene.

That’s when I had to really go to work. I wanted my readers to taste the dust on the trail. I wanted them to feel the cold water at river crossing. I wanted them to know about the dangers of the trail, from rustlers to Indians to cattle stampedes.

This is how I learned about all those things and more. First of all, I found old movies that were authentic in nature. I watched them to get a feel for the trail. Then I read books by great authors who had written about cattle drives to soak up even more of the atmosphere of a cattle drive. That was all well and good, but it still did not put me in the long days of breathing dust and being always fearful of a stampede.

That’s when I went looking for diaries written by real cowboys while they were on the trail. After that, I found obscure self-published books written by those cowboys. Then it was onto newspaper articles written at the time about large cattle drives. That’s how I had Molly herd the second largest cattle drive. I discovered that the largest was 15,000 head, driven from Texas to California in 1882.

My next book took place in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897. Here new elements were added such as wolves and the extreme weather as adversaries. Dogsledding was also involved. I have seen snow only three times in my life and I have never dogsledded. I knew even less about wolves. I had to learn about those things. I had no idea what it was like to travel across a wilderness on a dogsled at seventy degrees below zero. I also had to acquire knowledge about the dogs themselves, especially the lead dog. I learned about all that by doing the same things I did for my second book. The old diaries were the most helpful. As to the gold rush, there was plenty of material in the form of self-published books by some of the participants. Some were never even published, but I found copies of them in the archives of universities and historical societies. Again, newspaper stories printed at the time were very useful. Concerning wolves . . . I read everything I could get my hands on about wolves—their habits, the pack hierarchy, the alpha male, and the different jobs or tasks the males and females have while hunting.

Now we come to Yellow Hair. As I mentioned above, the book is about the Sioux Nation from 1805 to 1890. I had to know both points of view, the white man’s and the Sioux’s. Getting to know the whites’ take on things was easy. There are many, many books (non-fiction) that were written at the time. I even found a book written by Custer detailing his strategy for wiping out the Sioux entirely. That was hard reading. And, again, there were universities and historical societies whose archives were a great help.

As to the Sioux’s point of view, there are a few books that were dictated to newspapermen years later by the Indians that took part in the various battles that I weave into my story. I found a lot of material from Native American participants of the Little Big Horn, written twenty to thirty years after the fact.

But I wanted to immerse myself in the Sioux culture and I wanted to give them dignity by using their language wherever possible. I also wanted to introduce them by their Sioux names. So, I had to learn the Lakota language. And that wasn’t easy. There is a consortium that will teach you, but they wanted only serious students. You have to know a smattering of the language before they will even deign to let you in. I had to take a test to prove that I knew some Lakota. I failed the first time and had to go back to my Lakota dictionary and do some more studying. I got in on my second try.

I’m running out of space, so I reckon I’ll wrap it up. I hope I’ve given you a little insight into the research process. It’s time-consuming and sometimes frustrating. But it is also a blast. Every new discovery is like finding the motherlode.

I’d like to sign off with another commercial. The three books I alluded to above are:

• Redemption: The Further Adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer

• Molly Lee

• Resolution: Huck Finn’s Greatest Adventure

I would like to thank Marianne once again for having me over and you good folks for tuning in.

Andrew Joyce

 About the Author

Andrew Joyce left high school at seventeen to hitchhike throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. He wouldn’t return from his journey until decades later when he decided to become a writer. Joyce has written five books, including a two-volume collection of one hundred and fifty short stories comprised of his hitching adventures called BEDTIME STORIES FOR GROWN-UPS (as yet unpublished), and his latest novel, YELLOW HAIR. He now lives aboard a boat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his dog, Danny, where he is busy working on his next book, tentatively entitled, MICK REILLY.