Five Glass Slippers Tour ~ Elisabeth Brown Interview

Welcome to the First day of Author 

                 Interviews/Reviews of the 

                                 Five Glass Slippers.

But before we get started here is a tantalizing 

           tidbit about the book as a whole:

About the Collection

ONE BELOVED STORY, 
    FIVE EXCITING WRITERS
        A COLLECTION TO CHERISH

What happens when Cinderella is so 
painfully shy that she cannot bear the 
idea of attending the royal ball? Or when 
the slipper fits . . . but on the wrong girl? 
  What happens when Cinderella is determined to oust an impostor prince 
  from her rightful throne? Or when she is a cendrillon miner working from 
  a space station orbiting a cthonian planet? What happens when Cinderella, 
  a humble housemaid, is sent with a message for a prisoner trapped in a 
  frightening fairy circus?

Here is Cinderella as you have never met her before, wearing glass slippers 
and off on unforgettable adventures!

Available now in paperback and Kindle formats!

And during this tour The Five Glass Slippers collection will be on sale for only 
$.99 in Kindle format for the duration (June 23-28) of the tour!

Today's Cinderella of the Day is Elisabeth Brown author of
                                                                        What Eyes Can See.

My interview with Elisabeth

Q)  When you wrote What Eyes 
Can See do you have a favorite 
scene that just popped out at 
you and made you go This 
is my story?

A)  Hullo, Meagan! Without giving 
away too much, I think one of my 
favorite scenes is a moment toward 
the end of the story when Drusilla, 
the eldest stepsister, goes to visit a poor family with sick children. It’s a very small and 
relatively unimportant moment—that’s basically all the longer it is—but I like it because it 
shows the “ugly stepsister” as someone loving and loved, not as someone hateful and 
hated. Regardless of our circumstances, we can have joy...that’s the story I need to tell 
and to hear.

About Elizabeth Brown:
Elisabeth Brown has always loved words. The third of seven 
children, she enjoyed being homeschooled through her senior 
year of high school, and is now studying piano performance at 
Appalachian Bible College. When she’s ignoring the fact that 
she should probably be practicing more or doing Greek homework, 
you’ll find her sewing, baking, reading, singing along to basically 
any musical ever created, hiking through the woods, or laughing 
at incredibly silly puns.

What Eyes Can See is her first published story, but she also 
rambles at www.metaphoricalcello.wordpress.com.

About What Eyes Can See: 


Painfully shy Arella begs her stepmother 
to let her stay home from the prince’s ball. 
But kindly Duchess Germaine is determined 
that her beautiful stepdaughter should be 
presented at court along with her own two 
daughters. So, dressed in a gorgeous gown 
and a pair of heirloom slippers, Arella catches 
the eye of the crown prince . . . and finds her 
life suddenly far more complicated than she 
ever desired.

My thoughts:

Arella is considered the beauty of the family but she is a shy girl who
hates the spotlight that is placed on her because of her outer appearance.
No one seems to understand Arella's reluctance to attend the ball, no one
except her older step-sister Drusilla.

When Arella's beauty catches the Prince's eye, her life and the life of
her family is suddenly changed.  But only Drusilla can she the strain the
constant attention from the Prince is putting on Arella.

Can Drusilla help Arella realize her happily ever after and find her own too?
With a Prince calling every day it must be love at first sight!  But does anyone
see beneath the surface?  This is story in which appearances are important, but
only if you truly see with your eyes.

Five Glass Slippers Giveaway:


Here’s your chance to be Cinderella of 
the ball! 
One lucky winner will receive a paperback 
copy of Five Glass Slippers, several 
Cinderella-themed items (including 
a bookmark crafted by Belle on a Budget, 
a journal, and a DVD copy of the Disney 
movie), as well as special gifts handpicked 
by a few of the collection’s authors (a 
glass slipper cookie cutter with recipe, 
freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and 
an Apple Tree Inn cup and saucer). 

This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Monday, June 23^rd | Cinderella of the Day: Elisabeth Brown

·         Blooming with Books + Review Click here to read my review

·         Books, Cats, and Whimsy

·         Fictionally

·         Historical Heartbeats

·         i blog 4 books

·         J.L. Mbewe

·         Not All By My Lonesome

·         Rina’s Reading

·         The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls

·         To Be A Person + Review

Tuesday, June 24^th | Cinderella of the Day: Emma Clifton

·         A Curious Thrill

·         A Writer’s Heart

·         Fictionally

·         Flowers of Quiet Happiness

·         Jaye L. Knight

·         Jenelle Schmidt

·         Not All By My Lonesome

·         Tales of Goldstone Wood

·         The Wonderings of One Person

·         The Writer’s Window + Review

Wednesday, June 25^th | Cinderella of the Day: Rachel Heffington

·         A Writer’s Heart

·         Blooming with Books

·         Flowers of Quiet Happiness

·         i blog 4 books

·         Jaye L. Knight

·         Jenelle Schmidt

·         Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima

·         Rina’s Reading

·         The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls

·         Tialla’s Tellings

·         Vonnie’s Reading Corner + Review

Thursday, June 26^th | Cinderella of the Day: Stephanie Ricker

·         Books, Cats, and Whimsy + Review

·         Home of the Shabby Elf

·         Rina’s Reading

·         Scribbles of Catholic Sisters

·         The Lore-Mistress

·         The Wonderings of One Person

·         The Writer’s Window

·         Tialla’s Tellings

·         Vonnie’s Reading Corner

·         Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

Friday, June 27^th | Cinderella of the Day: Clara Diane Thompson

·         A Curious Thrill

·         Blooming with Books

·         Fictionally

·         Flowers of Quiet Happiness + Review

·         Jenelle Schmidt

·         Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

·         Tales of Goldstone Wood

·         The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls

·         The Wonderings of One Person

·         Vonnie’s Reading Corner

Saturday, June 28^th | Giveaway Winner Announced at Seasons of Humility

The Five Glass Slippers Blog Tour ~ Review

Welcome to the First day of the 

                           Five Glass Slippers blog tour.

But before we get started here is a tantalizing 

           tidbit about the book as a whole:

About the Collection

ONE BELOVED STORY, 
    FIVE EXCITING WRITERS
        A COLLECTION TO CHERISH

What happens when Cinderella is so painfully 
shy that she cannot bear the idea of attending 
the royal ball? Or when the slipper fits . . . 
but on the wrong girl? What happens when 
Cinderella is determined to oust an impostor prince 
from her rightful throne? Or when she is a cendrillon 
miner working from a space station orbiting a cthonian planet? What happens 
when Cinderella, a humble housemaid, is sent with a message for a prisoner 
trapped in a frightening fairy circus?

Here is Cinderella as you have never met her before, wearing glass slippers 
and off on unforgettable adventures!

Available now in paperback and Kindle formats!

And during this tour The Five Glass Slippers collection will be on sale for only 
$.99 in Kindle format for the duration (June 23-28) of the tour!

My Review of Five Glass Slippers

Five Glass Slippers from Rogglewood Press is a delightful mix of five 
"Cinderella" stories. Gleaned from a contest that took place in the 
second half of 2013. And the winning titles are:
WHAT EYES CAN SEE by Elizabeth Brown
BROKEN GLASS by Emma Clifton
THE WINDY SIDE OF CARE by Rachel Heffington
A CINDER’S TALE by Stephanie Ricker
THE MOON MASTER’S BALL by Clara Diane Thompson

With stories as varied as their titles the Cinderella thread can be found 
throughout each story whether the story takes place in a traditional 
setting or in a futuristic one. With unique twists each story will keep 
you enraptured as these five authors weave their spells with the magic 
of words.

A refused prince. A glass slipper mix-up. A prince who's throne is about 
to be stolen. A mining colony. And a circus. There's a story sure to appeal 
to everyone. Curl-up with a nice cup of tea and be prepared to be swept 
away as 5 "Cinderella's" meet their prince!

I was provided a digital review copy of this book by the publisher in 
exchange for my honest review.

Check-out my review/interview with today's Cinderella Elisabeth Brown here

About What Eyes Can See by Elisabeth Brown: 

Painfully shy Arella begs her stepmother 
to let her stay home from the prince’s ball. 
But kindly Duchess Germaine is determined 
that her beautiful stepdaughter should be 
presented at court along with her own two 
daughters. So, dressed in a gorgeous gown 
and a pair of heirloom slippers, Arella catches 
the eye of the crown prince . . . and finds her 
life suddenly far more complicated than she 
ever desired.

About Broken Glass by Emma Clifton:

The slipper fits . . . but on the wrong girl! 
Rosalind never once danced with Prince Marius 
at the ball, for she is in love with his brother 
Henry. If only Rosalind and Marius would stop 
bickering long enough to invent a scheme, perhaps 
the three of them can find the real mystery lady. But
they must work quickly, for dark deeds are afoot, and 
the kingdom is poised on the brink of disaster.

About The Windy Side of Care by Rachel Heffington: 

Alisandra is determined to have her rights. 
She knows that she is the king’s secretly 
dispossessed daughter, the true heir to the 
throne. Prince Auguste is an impostor, and 
if she plays her cards right, Alis will prove 
it to the world! That is, if charming Auguste 
doesn’t succeed in winning her heart before 
she gets her chance . . .

About A Cinder’s Tale by Stephanie Ricker:

It’s a dangerous life, yet Elsa wouldn’t trade this 
opportunity to work at Tremaine Station, mining 
cendrillon from the seething surface of planet Aschen. 
Nevertheless, when a famous deep space explorer and 
his handsome son dock their starcraft at the space station, 
Elsa finds herself dreaming of far galaxies beyond Aschen's 
blistering heat. There is no time for dreaming, however, 
when danger threatens the space station, and Elsa and her 
fellow miners are tested to the limits of their courage.

About The Moon Master's Ball by Clara Diane Thompson: 

After her terrifying experience there several 
years ago, the one place young housemaid Tilly
longs to avoid is Bromley’s Circus. But when 
kindly Lord Hollingberry begs her to deliver a 
message to the mysterious Moon Master hidden 
away among the circus dwellers, Tilly can’t 
refuse . . . and finds herself ensnared in a web 
of enchantment cast by the loathsome Mrs. 
Carlisle and her beautiful goddaughter.

Five Glass Slippers Giveaway:


Here’s your chance to be Cinderella of 
the ball! 
One lucky winner will receive a paperback 
copy of Five Glass Slippers, several 
Cinderella-themed items (including 
a bookmark crafted by Belle on a Budget, 
a journal, and a DVD copy of the Disney 
movie), as well as special gifts handpicked 
by a few of the collection’s authors (a 
glass slipper cookie cutter with recipe, 
freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and 
an Apple Tree Inn cup and saucer). 

This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Monday, June 23^rd | Cinderella of the Day: Elisabeth Brown

·         Blooming with Books + Review

·         Books, Cats, and Whimsy

·         Fictionally

·         Historical Heartbeats

·         i blog 4 books

·         J.L. Mbewe

·         Not All By My Lonesome

·         Rina’s Reading

·         The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls

·         To Be A Person + Review

Tuesday, June 24^th | Cinderella of the Day: Emma Clifton

·         A Curious Thrill

·         A Writer’s Heart

·         Fictionally

·         Flowers of Quiet Happiness

·         Jaye L. Knight

·         Jenelle Schmidt

·         Not All By My Lonesome

·         Tales of Goldstone Wood

·         The Wonderings of One Person

·         The Writer’s Window + Review

Wednesday, June 25^th | Cinderella of the Day: Rachel Heffington

·         A Writer’s Heart

·         Blooming with Books

·         Flowers of Quiet Happiness

·         i blog 4 books

·         Jaye L. Knight

·         Jenelle Schmidt

·         Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima

·         Rina’s Reading

·         The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls

·         Tialla’s Tellings

·         Vonnie’s Reading Corner + Review

Thursday, June 26^th | Cinderella of the Day: Stephanie Ricker

·         Books, Cats, and Whimsy + Review

·         Home of the Shabby Elf

·         Rina’s Reading

·         Scribbles of Catholic Sisters

·         The Lore-Mistress

·         The Wonderings of One Person

·         The Writer’s Window

·         Tialla’s Tellings

·         Vonnie’s Reading Corner

·         Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

Friday, June 27^th | Cinderella of the Day: Clara Diane Thompson

·         A Curious Thrill

·         Blooming with Books

·         Fictionally

·         Flowers of Quiet Happiness + Review

·         Jenelle Schmidt

·         Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

·         Tales of Goldstone Wood

·         The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls

·         The Wonderings of One Person

·         Vonnie’s Reading Corner

Saturday, June 28^th | Giveaway Winner Announced at Seasons of Humility

Blind Trust ~ Review

Blind Trust 

Port Aster Secrets #2

By Sandra Orchard

Kate Adams is in trouble again and is once again caught up in another of Detective Tom Parker's cases when she passes counterfeit money. The only question in Kate's mind is is this an attempt by GPC or Molly Gilmore to discredit her.  

But nothing links the counterfeit money to either of Kate's suspects. But Kate manages to become the talk of Port Aster yet again when the local paper runs with the story.  And the only link to all the counterfeit money seems to be Kate's elderly neighbor Verna Nagy.  But Verna couldn't do something like this, and this something Kate is certain of.  But when Verna starts to show signs of dementia Kate fears someone is taking advantage of her neighbor's declining health.   

Someone is threatening Kate and they are leaving messages for Detective Parker saying as much. The only question is is this connected to the counterfeit money, Daisy's murder, or Kate's opposition to GPC.   Can Tom and Kate work together to discover the truth?  Or will Kate's stalker have the final word?

Blind Trust has several unexpected twists and turns.  And we also learn more about Kate's father as she probes into his death while in police custody.   There is also a link that ties Kate's dad to something from Tom's past.  This is one book that will keep you guessing and it could also make or break any chance Kate and Tom have at a future together.  

If you liked Deadly Devotion you won't be disappointed in Blind Trust.  I can honestly say I'm looking forward to whatever comes next in the Port Aster series.  This is another winner from Sandra Orchard. 

 I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

 About the Book:

Kate's not sure how deep this deception goes--but she'll do whatever it takes to find out.

Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money and can't believe that it came from her sweet elderly neighbor. Or that it has landed her in the middle of another of Detective Tom Parker's investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor's innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation--and one that strikes too close to home for comfort.

As family secrets come to light, her world--and her budding romance with Tom--begin to crumble. To Kate, it's clear that she won't be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster's secrets. But then will it be too late for her and Tom?

Sandra Orchard is the award-winning author of several novels, including Deadly Devotion, book 1 in the Port Aster Secrets series. She is a two-time winner of the Canadian Christian Writing Award for romance, winner of the 2012 Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times, and winner of a Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. Her debut novel, Deep Cover, was recognized as one of the top five novels of the year by Family Fiction magazine. She lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband. Learn more at www.sandraorchard.com.

Annie's Stories ~ Review

Annie's Stories
A Ellis Island Novel
By Cindy Thomson

Annie Gallagher has a problem with trust, but after her father's death her trust in others severely damaged at the hands of those she should have been able to put it in.  Fortunately she was rescued from the situation in which she found herself, and Ireland is far away from New York.  But home is also far away, but not just because of distance.  

Can Annie ever find "home" ever again?  After all family means home and Annie's parents are gone.

Stephen Adams works for the the Post Office, making deliveries to Hawkins House. Stephen Adams is delighted that he and Annie share a fondness for books and the new book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a delightful book that they both love. 

Before her father died, he wrote out the stories that he created for Annie.  This last act of love means the world to Annie.  These stories represent the happiness of home, family, and Ireland to Annie.  When Stephen gets a glimpse of the stories he is delighted with them and he thinks Annie should publish them.  But Annie doesn't want to share her stories, her father with the world.  But these stories could prove to be the answer to Annie's dreams.

But trouble is lurking just around the corner and Hawkins House could be shut down when accusations against the newest boarder are threatened to be exposed and Annie's prayers seem to have no affect at all. And everyone seems to be keeping secrets, secrets that are of importance to Annie.  

Annie's Stories brings to life the plight of those coming to America seeking a better life.  The characters that we were introduced to in Grace's Pictures are back in this latest offering from the pen of Cindy Thomson. As the characters work to create the lives they dream of we are drawn to America of 1901.  We often refer to "simpler times" but the struggles of living were and are the same we face today.

Prepare to be delighted as you step into Annie's world and discover with Annie the importance of trusting in others.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author/publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

About the Book:
The year is 1901, the literary sensation The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is taking New York City by storm, and everyone wonders where the next great book will come from. But to Annie Gallagher, stories are more than entertainment—they’re a sweet reminder of her storyteller father. After his death, Annie fled Ireland for the land of dreams, finding work at Hawkins House.

But when a fellow boarder with something to hide is accused of misconduct and authorities threaten to shut down the boardinghouse, Annie fears she may lose her new friends, her housekeeping job . . . and her means of funding her dream: a memorial library to honor her father. Furthermore, the friendly postman shows a little too much interest in Annie—and in her father’s unpublished stories. In fact, he suspects these tales may hold a grand secret.

About the Book:
Though the postman’s intentions seem pure, Annie wants to share her father’s stories on her own terms. Determined to prove herself, Annie must forge her own path to aid her friend and create the future she’s always envisioned . . . where dreams really do come true.

Cindy Thomson

Cindy Thomson is a writer and an avid genealogy enthusiast. 

Her love of history and her Scots-Irish heritage have inspired

 much of her writing, including her new Ellis Island series. Cindy 

is also the author of Brigid of Ireland and Celtic Wisdom: Treasures 

from Ireland. She combined her love of history and baseball to co-author 

the biography Three Finger: The Mordecai Brown Story, which was a 

finalist for the Society for American Baseball Research's Larry Ritter Book Award. 

In addition to books, Cindy has written on a regular basis for numerous online and print publications and is a 

mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. She is also a member of American Christian Fiction 

Writers and the Historical Novel Society. Cindy and her husband have three grown sons and live in central Ohio. 

Visit her online at www.cindyswriting.com.

Out of the Depths ~ Review

Out of the Depths
By Edgar Harrell, USMC
 with David Harrell

An unforgettable WWII story 
      of survival, courage, and the sinking of
                                        The USS Indianapolis

Out of the Depths is a true story.  This is one man's recollection of the events surrounding the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in July 1945.

This was a time of war, but the USS Indianapolis was assured the waters were safe and so was sailing the South Pacific unescorted.  But assurances were of little value when your ship comes under attack by a Japanese submarine.

As Edgar Harrell put it he was face-to-face with my mortality (pg 67) and he prayed because there was no one to help him, no one but the Savior of his soul.  And as the security of the ship slipped away he turned to God.  So began a 5 day struggle as he and his fellow shipmates struggle to survive the dangers of both the ocean and the elements

This is one story that will leave an impact on your life.  There are pictures from the time of the book throughout adding to the reality the author portrays with his words.  And there remarks and remembrances from other survivors every few pages.  This book will move you to tears at places it is that powerful.

Sometimes it is hard to comprehend the truth of despair those who survive might have felt, but this book helps one grasp some of these feelings.  It is amazing how many said this time of trial made them cry out to God in prayer for deliverance.

This would be an excellent addition to any library.  It would also make for an interesting Book Club discussion title.

I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

About

The Inspiring Story of a World War II Hero's Miraculous Survival at Sea
July 30, 1945--The USS Indianapolis and its 1,196-man crew is making its way toward a small island in the South Pacific. The ship is sailing unescorted, assured by headquarters the waters are safe. It is midnight, and Marine Edgar Harrell and several others have sacked out on deck rather than spend the night in their hot and muggy quarters below. Fresh off a top-secret mission to deliver uranium for the atomic bombs that would ultimately end World War II, they are unaware their ship is being watched. Minutes later, six torpedoes are slicing toward the Indy . . . 

For five horrifying days and nights after their ship went down, Harrell and his shipmates had to fend for themselves in the open seas. Plagued by dehydration, exposure, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks, their numbers were cruelly depleted before they were miraculously rescued. This is one man's story of courage, ingenuity, and faith in God's providence in the midst of the worst naval disaster in U.S. history.