AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT ON: AMY LILLARD

Welcome Amy to the blog! Her latest book was released on July 28, 2015.

Amy loves nothing more than a good book. Except for her family...and maybe homemade tacos...and nail polish. But reading and writing are definitely high on the list.

Born and bred in Mississippi, Amy is a transplanted Southern Belle who now lives in Oklahoma with her deputy husband, their genius son, two spoiled cats, and one very lazy beagle. Oh, and don't forget the stray kitty that has taken up residence on her front porch. ^..^

When she's not creating quirky characters and happy endings, she's chauffeuring her prodigy to guitar lessons and orchestra concerts. She has a variety of hobbies, but her favorite is whatever gets her out of housework.

Amy also writes contemporary romances under the pen name Amie Loullen.

An award winning author, Amy is a member of RWA and ACFW. She loves to hear from readers. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. For links to the various sites, check her website: www.amywritesromance.com.

Amazon author page is here: http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Lillard/e/B0088FX7FY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Book blurb:

Welcome back to Wells Landing, Oklahoma, the tranquil Amish community where still waters run deep and a brave young woman sets out to discover her faith, her family, and herself...
 
Lorie Kauffman is grief-stricken when her father passes away unexpectedly. But her heartache quickly turns to bewilderment when she discovers he'd been leading two lives—one of simplicity and hard work in Wells Landing, and one fraught with painful ordeals in Tulsa. As she starts digging into her family's past, Lorie finds herself torn between the Amish world and the Englisch world—and she's no longer certain where she belongs...
 
Lorie knows that if she leaves Wells Landing, she may never be able to return. But what if her destiny lies in the outside world—the world her father knew so well? Change is never easy, but with a bit of courage and the help of a handsome and kind-hearted Englischer, she just may find the peace, acceptance, and love she's been longing for...

Buy links:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Lories-Heart-Wells-Landing-Book-ebook/dp/B00P53BXMQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1439561676&sr=1-1&keywords=lorie%27s+heart

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lories-heart-amy-lillard/1120138002?ean=9781420134575

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lories-heart/id936555092?mt=11

Kobo:https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/lorie-s-heart

Find Amy here!

http://amywritesromance.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-Lillard-Author/177732292332322?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/AmyWritesRomnce

https://www.pinterest.com/amyl918/

Amy is represented by Julie Gwinn

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: JENNIFER BECKSTRAND

This week's spotlight is on Jennifer Beckstrand!

Jennifer Beckstrand is the bestselling Amish romance author ofThe Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer has been nominated for the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award and the RITA® Award, and Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for Inspirational fiction. Both Huckleberry Hill and Huckleberry Christmas appeared in Examiner.com list of top ten inspirational books for 2014. 

Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a background in editing. She and her husband have been married for thirty years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and three adorable grandsons, she spoils rotten.

Book blurb for Huckleberry Harvest: Mandy Helmuth doesn’t like Noah Mischler. Not one little bit. First he breaks her best friend’s heart, and then he has the nerve to chastise her for being a busybody. She feels quite justified in her dislike until Noah does something heroic, like save her life, and she’s forced to bestow her grudging respect even as she determines to keep her distance. But when she unwittingly stumbles into his family troubles, she catches a glimpse of the person Noah so successfully hides from others. Will Mandy be able to look past Noah’s rough and unyielding exterior to see the man she is destined to love?

Much to Noah Mischler’s annoyance, uppity Mandy Helmuth thinks she has the right to tell him how to live his life. If he weren’t helping Mandy’s grandfather install a stove and fix his roof, Noah wouldn’t be within a mile of Huckleberry Hill or that nosy girl who gives him a lecture every time she opens her mouth. But when Mandy discovers the horrible truth about his father, Noah is forced to reveal humiliating secrets that he’s never shared with anyone. He trusts her with his secrets, but can he trust her with his heart?

Connect with Jennifer here!

jenniferbeckstrand.com

Twitter: JenniferBeckstr1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbeckstrandfans

Jennifer is represented by Mary Sue Seymour

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: PEPPER D. BASHAM

This week’s blog post highlights one of the Seymour Agency’s authors: 

Pepper D. Basham. 

Pepper writes inspirational fiction and her book, The Thorn Bearer released in April, 2015.

Have a look!

 Amazon- The Thornbearer (Penned in Time Book 1) - Kindle edition by Pepper Basham. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

B&N - The Thorn Bearer

Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=The+Thorn+Bearer

 The Thorn Bearer- May 2015

Ashleigh Dougall is running away.

When her fiancé leaves her eight months before their wedding, the unexpected blow ignites a battalion of insecurities stemming from her father’s intimate betrayal. Her worst fears are confirmed – who could ever love a soiled woman?

In an attempt to escape her shame, Ashleigh boards the ill-fated Lusitania to cross the war-torn waters of Europe. Much to her dismay, she isn’t traveling alone.

Sam Miller is always making up for his best friend’s mistakes. Determined to help his childhood friend, Ashleigh, he offers his compassion and companionship as she ventures across a perilous sea. With the faint hope of renewing his lost love for Ashleigh’s sister, Sam never expects to find the woman of his dreams in the love of his childhood friend.

As they travel across the Atlantic, neither is prepared for the life-altering and heart-breaking journey of their friendship.

When the truth of Ashleigh’s past explodes in the middle of a hospital in England and Sam rejects her, Ashleigh must decide if God is enough – or if the double weight of her betrayal and past will crush her life forever.

From the decks of the ill-fated Lusitania to the hospitals of the English countryside, Ashleigh must choose between the forgiveness of her past, life in the present, and a Savior who can rescue her from them all.

Pepper D. Basham

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She’s a native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a mom of five, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate. She enjoys sprinkling her native Appalachian culture into her fiction whenever she can. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she works with kids with special needs, searches for unique hats, and plots new ways to annoy her wonderful friends at her writing blog, The Writer’s Alley. She is represented by Julie Gwinn and her debut novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in April 2015. 

You can connect with Pepper on her website at: www.pepperdbasham.com, Facebook-  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pepper-D-Basham 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pepperbasham

Take Care,

Kathleen

Kathleen S. Allen

Literary Assistant

SPOTLIGHT ON: KATHLEEN S. ALLEN

SPOTLIGHT ON:

 

Kathleen S. Allen-Literary Assistant

Greetings All,

This week’s spotlight is on, well, me. I’m the newest addition to the Seymour Agency’s staff as  a literary assistant and I’ll be maintaining the weekly blog spotlighting authors among other duties yet to be determined.

Who am I?

Like many of you, I’m a writer and a reader. I’ve been reading since I was three and I’m a quick reader. I try and read five to seven novels in a week but it doesn’t always work out. I’ve been known to read a novel in two hours. 

I grew up reading science fiction and fantasy first then moved onto other genres. When I was fifteen I decided to  use the list of 100 classics from my local library and read those. It took me a while but I’m proud to say I made it through their list.

One of my favorite authors is Anne McCaffrey, a SF/F author who wrote The Dragonriders of Pern among others. Her Harper Hall Trilogy is one of my faves.

I write young adult and adult speculative fiction. I’ve dabbled in MG and picture books but YA is my favorite genre both to read and write. However, I do love to read cozy mysteries and have written two. I am published with small presses and self-published. I am seeking representation.

I’m a pop culture fanatic and a Whedonist. I’m also a Whovian (Tennant is my Doctor), am Sherlocked and Hiddlestonian.  My fave TV show at the moment is iZombie. Past TV shows I’ve loved: Veronica Mars, Wonderfalls, Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, Dark Angel, Being Human (the BBC version), Broadchurch (of course), Wire in the Blood, Inspector Lynley, Endeavour, Inspector Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Robin Hood, Ripper Street, Musketeers, Doctor Who. Torchwood—pretty much most BBC dramas.  

I have two cats, one is a new kitten who’s still getting the lay of the land and one is an older cat who thinks the kitten is annoying and has too much energy (she does).

I have a Master’s in Children’s Literature with an emphasis on creative writing for YA. 

I’m on Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Facebook and I have a website (see links below). Feel free to reach out to me on social media.

I’m excited to be one of the excellent staff at Seymour!

Take Care,

Kathleen

Find Kathleen here:  
Twitter: @kathleea
Tumblr:  kathleea.tumblr.com
Pinterest: pinterest.com/kathleea
Website: http://www.kathleensallen.weebly.com
Storybird: http://storybird.com/books/caseys-red-shoes/

Wattpad stories: http://www.wattpad.com/51224789-birthright-entire-book?utm_source=web&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_reading&ref_id=2023464

http://www.wattpad.com/myworks/36805866-stalking-death

My mantra

Literacy Matters 2014

Only one more week before you can show your support for #literacymatters and bid on these fabulous items!

Online auction will run September 1 - September 30, 2014.

The auction items are listed below as individual blog posts. In the right sidebar, you can see the individual posts and click to bid. Thank you for your generosity! Our goal is to raise $1,000 for Literacy Council Gulf Coast, and with bidding starting at just $5, we're hopeful every item will sell and people who don't have books in their lives will get them.

Here's your sneak peek at what will be available:

- Alex Logan, senior editor with Grand Central/Forever, donated a prize pack of Forever contemporary romance books

- Alvina Ling, executive editorial director with Little, Brown Children's, donated a 30-minute phone chat

- Amy Lillard, Jennifer Beckstrand, Isabella Alan, Kelly Irvin, Mary Ellis, and Vannetta Chapman, award-winning Amish authors, donated two gift baskets with signed copies of their Amish fiction work

- Annslee Urban, Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense author, donated a first chapter critique plus a 20-minute phone chat with the winner

- Ashlyn Chase, author, donated an audiobook (a downloadable MP3 audiobook on a CD) of Flirting with Fangs

- Becky Nesbitt, VP and Editor-in-Chief for Howard Books, donated Karen Kingsbury's Angels Walking and Tosca Lee's Sheba

- Caryl McAdoo, Christian romance author, donated a first chapter (up to 25 pages) critique - 1 of 3

- Caryl McAdoo, Christian romance author, donated a first chapter (up to 25 pages) critique - 2 of 3

- Caryl McAdoo, Christian romance author, donated a first chapter (up to 25 pages) critique - 3 of 3

- Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon, authors, donated a Doon prize pack including signed copies of books 1 & 2, customized bookmark, and signed poster of Destined for Doon

- Casey Layne, author a.k.a. contemporary romance author Casey Crow, donated a signed hardcover of Back Alley Pupsters

- Cecy Robson, author, donated a 3-page critique in urban fantasy, new adult, or contemporary romance

- Cecy Robson, author, donated a signed copy of Cursed by Destiny, bookmarks, and magnets

- Christopher Loke, executive editor with Jolly Fish Press, donated 5 separate query critiques

- Christopher Loke, executive editor with Jolly Fish Press, donated a limited hardcover of Dissension by Adrienne Monson

- Christopher Loke, executive editor with Jolly Fish Press, donated a limited hardcover of Fairy Godmothers, Inc. by Jenniffer Wardell

- Christopher Loke, executive editor with Jolly Fish Press, donated a limited hardcover of Blood Moon by Teri Harman

- Christopher Loke, executive editor with Jolly Fish Press, donated a limited hardcover of Pitch Green by The Brothers Washburn

- Dana R. Lynn, Love Inspired Suspense and Astraea Press author, donated a 15-minute phone chat on how she became a LIS author

- Debra Holt, romance author, donated one book bag containing one journal plus a present from the Lone Star State, plus one phone call with Debra Holt on any questions they have about writing/getting published/etc.

- Dennis Hillman, publisher with Kregel Publications, donated one short book critique for one non-fiction book

- Devi Pillai, editorial director with Orbit, donated an edit/give notes back on a partial manuscript

- Devi Pillai, editorial director with Orbit, donated a box of varied Orbit UF books

- Diane O'Key, author, donated a signed copy of Cherish the Knight

- Diane O'Key, author, donated a "relax" bag including flavored coffee, shower gel, lotion, and a candle

- Diane O'Key, author, donated a critique of the first 20 pages of a manuscript

- Don Pape, VP/Publisher with NavPress, donated three copies of The Message, including a Catholic/ecumenical edition

- Jaime Rush, New York Times bestselling author, donated a critique of a proposal (5-page synopsis and first three chapters)

- Jane Haertel, Crazy Diamond Editing owner, donated a critique or editing package, winner's choice

- Jen J. Danna, forensic crime author, donated signed hardcover copies of Dead, Without a Stone to Tell It and A Flame in the Wind of Death, as well as an ARC for Two Parts Bloody Murder

- Jennifer Beckstrand, Amish author, donated a 25-page critique

- Jennifer Fusco, Market or Die founder, donated a marketing plan evaluation and critique

- Jessica Lemmon, contemporary romance author of billionaires and bad boys, donated a 25-page critique plus a follow-up email for answering questions

- Julie Gwinn, agent, donated a critique of the synopsis and first three chapters

- Kait Ballenger, HQN paranormal romance author, donated signed copies of all three of her Execution Underground books

- Kate SeRine, author, donated a 10-page critique plus Transplanted Tales swag including a signed copy of one of Kate's Transplanted Tales novels (winner's choice)

- Kathryn Albright, Harlequin historical author, donated a critique of the first chapter (up to 20 pages) from an unpublished author

- Kate Meader, contemporary romance author, donated a digital gift basket containing an e-copy of Feel the Heat, All Fired Up, and Hot and Bothered (all three books in her Hot in the Kitchen series)

- Kim Moore, Harvest House, donated a phone conversation

- Krystal Wade, author, donated a signed copy of Charming and a signed copy of Shattered Secrets

- Lane Heymont, literary assistant and author, donated a 50-page critique

- Laura Simcox, Amazon bestselling contemporary romance author, donated a signed paperback copy of Various States of Undress: Carolina plus fun swag (will mail worldwide)

- Laura Simcox, Amazon bestselling contemporary romance author, donated a first chapter critique in any genre

- Lea Griffith, author, donated a 5-chapter critique

- Lea Griffith, author, donated a picnic basket with trading cards, a wine sleeve, bookmarks, a signed copy of Bullet to the Heart, a set of No Mercy wineglasses, some chocolate, and a key chain

- Leslie Shumate, editor with Little, Brown Children's, donated a critique for a synopsis and partial manuscript

- Leslie Wainger, editor-at-large with Harlequin, donated a read-and-critique of a first chapter (up to 25 pages in standard MS format)

- Leslie Wainger, editor-at-large with Harlequin, donated a signed copy of her Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies

- Lisa Brown Roberts, author, donated The Colorado Collection - An Eclectic Book Assortment by Colorado Authors (YA, mystery, romance, steamy romance, and fantasy)

- Lynnette Hallberg, author, donated 3 separate 1-chapter critiques

- Lynnette Hallberg, author, donated 3 separate signed digital or print copies of Someone Like You

- Marisa Cleveland, author, donated a critique of a proposal (synopsis and first three chapters) with a 30-minute phone chat

- Mary Altman, editor with Sourcebooks, donated a critique of a query letter, synopsis (2-3 pages) and the first 10 pages of a manuscript

- Mary Ellis, Amish author, donated two historical romances set during the Civil War

- Mary Sue Seymour, founder of The Seymour Agency, donated a handmade Amish quilt and home made pot holders

- Nick Harrison, senior editor with Harvest House, donated a 15-minute phone consultation about a writer's career or specific project - any genre welcome, though CBA-oriented material preferred

- Patricia Bradley, romantic suspense author for Revell, donated a first-chapter critique up to 5,000 words and a signed copy of Shadows of the Past

- Raela Schoenherr, Bethany House editorial team, donated 5 books to the auction

- Reese Monroe, author, donated a 25-page critique plus a 30-minute online chat about the pages

- Reese Monroe, author, donated a signed copy of Forged by Fate plus a 30-minute Q&A with reader, friends, book club, etc.

- Scarlett Dunn, Kensington historical inspirational romance author, donated a 30-minute phone chat or a critique of a romance query and synopsis, winner's choice

- Shaina Turner, fiction acquisitions with Tyndale House, donated a prize pack containing the following Tyndale House books: Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers, The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg, The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate, The Midwife by Jolina Petersheim, Driftwood Tides by Gina Holmes, Firewall by DiAnn Mills, When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren, and The Advocate by Randy Singer

- Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, donated an assortment of six books from 'Shelley Shepard Gray'

- Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, donated a 25-page critique

- Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, donated a meeting with the winner at RWA or ACFW in 2015

- Sonya Weiss, author, donated a 1-chapter critique

- Sonya Weiss, author, donated a gift of Lindt chocolate plus a $20 Amazon gift card

- Stephanie Lurie, editorial director with Disney-Hyperion Children's, donated signed copy of Rick Riordan's The Son of Neptune, valued at $100

- Tamara Mataya, author, donated a query critique

- Tamara Mataya, author, donated a signed copy of Just Breathe, plus a swag pack

- Teri Anne Stanley, Entangled suspense author, donated a 25-page critique

- Tonya Kuper, Entangled Teen author, donated a swag pack for her November 4th release of Anomaly including a signed copy of Anomaly, bookmarks, pens, and buttons

- Tonya Kuper, Entangled Teen author, donated a critique of the query and first chapter plus a 30-minute winner's choice: Google hangout OR phone call

- Whitney Ross, editor with Tor, donated a 10-page manuscript critique and a 15-minute phone chat

- Cocktails with The Seymour Agency authors at RT2015! Julie Ann Walker, Kate Meader, Tamara Mataya, and Teri Anne Stanley

- Justice donated a minute-long book trailer with one round of edits

Be sure to Follow by Email or Google Friend Connect so you don't miss any new items posted throughout the month.

Thanks for your time and generosity!

Bidding starts at $5.00.

Auction closes: September 30, 2014 at 11:59 p.m.

Please bid in $5.00 increments in the comment section.

Bid example: [$10.00 lane@theseymouragency.com]

Payment will be collected via PayPal after auction closes.

By bidding, you confirm that you have read, comprehend, and agree with the Auction Terms.

~The Seymour Agency