#SaturdaySpotlight is on Hywela Lyn & The Matchmakers Mare!

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I absolutely LOVE books about horses and today's guest has a doozy for us!

Good Morning, Friends and welcome to the last edition of Saturday Spotlight before we get into our "All Christmas thru Christmas" Feature beginning next weekend. 

Hwyela Lyn is brand new to our blog (don't know how that happened as I've known her for years!) with her book, The Matchmaker's Mare, so tighten your cinch and let's get a peek into this novel.

Thanks for joining us Hywela, tell us why you wrote The Matchmaker's Mare and what makes it special...

My previous books for the Wild Rose Press, who have published all my books to date, are fantasy and futuristic romances, so this story, set in my native Wales, mainly in the present time, is a little different. As a Christian, I try to incorporate Christian values into my stories, hopefully without being ‘preachy’, but I do think love and marriage, honesty and fidelity are qualities to be valued in an ever-changing world, and I’ve tried to incorporate all these in this little tale of friendship, love and second chances. 

I’ve had a passion for horses for as long as I can remember. The Matchmaker’s Mare evolved from a short story I wrote years ago, although it has changed considerably from the original. I usually manage to sneak a horse or pony into all my stories somewhere, and this one allowed me to indulge my love of horses more fully.

When I left school, I saved up for five years to purchase Flicka, my first horse, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge several years ago and is also featured in The Matchmaker’s Mare, along with Flying T’pau (aka TipTop) although the actual ‘Star’ (Seren) was a gentle 15.2 hands high bay mare I bred myself from Flicka, rather than a feisty little chestnut pony, but she did have a perfect star in the middle of her face! Although horses are important in this story, I hope it will appeal not only to horse lovers, but to anyone who enjoys a gentle, uplifting  romance with a touch of mystery – not to mention a couple of friendly ‘otherworldly’ spirits.

Oh wow, what a beautiful reason to write this one, Hywela. Give us more please...

Here you go...

Blurb: When Megan Johnson inherits an old cottage in the Welsh countryside, she seizes the opportunity to cut ties with her past life, after a broken romance. Her nearest neighbour, a horse trainer, is also something of an enigma. Single dad Glyn Phillips does his best to balance his love of horses and hard work, with his devotion to his son. When he meets his new neighbour, he knows he should resist any attraction. A feisty pony mare which mysteriously appears on his land adds to his problems, but another, larger problem lies ahead. Two matchmaking spirits find their carefully laid plans may not go as smoothly as they hope.

Excerpt: The memory of Glyn Phillips’ smile stayed with Megan all the way home. The handsome, quietly spoken horse trainer she’d just met was so charismatic. He obviously doted on his son, and she could understand him being worried about him handling the wild little mare, even though she’d seemed to calm down for the boy. 

She could not help wondering about the boy’s mother. The village shopkeeper had informed her Glyn Phillips and his son moved into the farm about three years ago, but made no mention of anyone else. Well, it wasn’t really any of her business. She would hate to be thought of as a typical ‘nosy neighbour.’ Still, it was difficult not to feel a bit curious. 

By the time she drew up outside Ty Gwyn, the daylight had faded, and a young moon filtered through the grove of trees next to the cottage. The newly whitewashed walls which gave the cottage its name, reflected back the gentle moonlight. She couldn’t help a little rush of pride. All the time and effort she’d spent on the cottage over the last weeks had been worth it! 

She gave a sudden start. Was that a shadow moving in the darkened window of the kitchen? She left the car and fumbled in her bag for her keys, her hands shaking a little.  She needed to invest in a sensor light. Apart from the practicality of having such a light, she always felt a little nervous in the dark. Of course the moonlight played funny tricks sometimes, but she couldn’t shake off the feeling of someone watching her.

THANK YOU! Now tell us more about yourself and where we can find you AND get a copy of The Matchmaker's Mare...

Sure, Pam, below are my official bio and social media links...

Award-winning U.K. author, Hywela Lyn spent most of her life in Wales, whose beautiful landscapes and wealth of myths and legends inspired her to write. A horse and dog lover, she weaves fantasy romances set in her native Wales, and romantic Science Fiction adventures set in the future. She loves dreaming up characters who overcome the odds, and go on to find deep and enduring love. However difficult the journey, in the end love will always win. She hopes her stories will truly take you 'out of this world' and beyond. 

She is a member of The Romantic Novelists' Association and her local writing group, Chiltern Writers. Beloved Enemy, the third book in the Destiny Trilogy, was shortlisted in the Paranormal category of the prestigious Romantic Novelists Association RoNA awards and was a Runner up in the U.S. RONE Awards in 2017. Circumstances prevented her writing since the Release of Beloved Enemy and she is excited to now be able to announce the release of her new novel The Matchmaker’s Mare, featuring her other great love, horses, and the area in Wales where she grew up.

When she is not writing or reading, she can usually be found enjoying the outdoors with her rescue dog Choccy, who rules the house and keeps her sane (nearly) anything involving horses or dogs, or just eating chocolate!

Website:   https://Hywelalyn.co.uk

Blog:         https://Hywelalyn.blogspot.com

Blue Sky:  https://bsky.app/profile/hywela-lyn.bsky.social

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

‘X’:            https://x.com/Hywela_Lyn

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1422651.Hywela_Lyn

You can get The Matchmaker's Mare at Amazon UK and US and through other online retailers HERE.

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight as much as I do, Friends! This book is definitely on my wish list! 

Until next week, take care, God Bless and...

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Kris Spisak and her Baba Yaga books!

Good Morning and Welcome, 

Today's guest is brand new to our blog so please give Kris Spisak a huge SW Louisiana... 

... W-E-L-C-O-M-E!

Hey there, Kris, please give us a little background on why you write and then tell us about your books.

Thanks, Pam.

The words we use and the words we digest have a profound impact. Ergo, I've made it my mission to empower voices and perspectives, writing books both to sharpen storytelling and communication skills and to introduce lesser-known histories and perspectives that have something to say about the moment we live in today. Emboldening others, as writers or as thoughtful readers, is my favorite part of what I do.

In my debut novel — dual timeline, multigenerational fiction, The Baba Yaga Mask (Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, 2022; Tantor Audio, 2023) — I had the opportunity to tell the story of my Ukrainian roots, a country's fight for independence, and a World War II perspective I had always sought but never found in fiction prior. When I signed my publishing deal in 2021, I had no idea how timely this book would be upon its launch only weeks after Russia's invasion in 2022. Now, more than ever, its backdrop focused upon the many ways women can be strong, amid war and amid motherhood, is one I'm proud to share.

When their grandmother is lost after a trans-Atlantic flight, two Ukrainian-American sisters are swept into a quest across Eastern Europe to find the woman who always told more tales than truths. From Poland to Slovakia to Hungary and beyond, Larissa and Ira navigate the steps of Ukrainian folk dance, the cliff-side paths of Slovak Paradise National Park, and the stark realities of love and war. Larissa and Ira’s journey is cross-stitched with their grandmother’s narrative of survival within the epic panorama of World War II in Western Ukraine, where her coming of age echoes a country’s fight for identity and independence. For teenage Vira in 1941 and her modern-day granddaughters, understanding their family’s roots means everything. Their grandmother’s obsession with the wisdom and ferocity of Baba Yaga folktales is only the beginning of what they uncover. 

As I spoke with (and continue to speak with) book clubs, at libraries, and other events around this novel, I've been honored to shape humanitarian aid donation drives around these book talks, speaking not only about Ukrainian art, culture, folklore, and history, but helping collect winter socks, diapers, and more for people in need today. Please connect with me if you'd like to be a part of this effort: https://kris-spisak.com/humanitarian-aid-ukraine/

Following The Baba Yaga Mask's publication, I realized that more needed to be said about the Slavic folklore "witch" at the core of my novel. I was overjoyed to return to nonfiction with Becoming Baba Yaga: Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods (Red Wheel / Weiser, 2024; Tantor Audio, 2024), which has been described as Yuval Noah Harari meets Brené Brown, with a touch of the macabre. 

Book Summary: 

Darkness, fear, and instability sometimes inundate our daily lives, but folktale figures like Baba Yaga speak to the dichotomy of our existence—the hope and the horror, the magic and the mundane. Stories that linger have something to teach us, and Baba Yaga’s tales don’t disappoint. Understanding ourselves, our complex world, and our place within history are only a matter of turning to a boney-legged old woman who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs deep in the Eastern European woods.

My publications are varied but always return to the simple idea that well-written words and well-told stories have the ability to change the world. 

How wonderful, Kris! Thanks for sharing. You have a few more books don't you?

Yes, I do! 

The Novel Editing Workbook is designed for new and established writers alike. This step-by-step guide to self-editing will help you transform your story into the book you want it to be.

Written for those who hate grammar, Get a Grip on Your Grammar is a writing resource filled with quick answers and a playful style—not endless, indecipherable grammar jargon. 

And, The Family Story Workbook contains 105 prompts and pointers for writing your family history that is sure to bring pleasure for those who read it!

NICE, Kris! Now please give us the lowdown on you and tell us where your books can be found...

LOL! Pam, here is my bio and links...

Author Kris Spisak, a graduate of the College of William and Mary (B.A.) and the University of Richmond (M.L.A.), wrote her first three books—Get a Grip on Your Grammar, The Novel Editing Workbook, and The Family Story Workbook—to help writers of all kinds sharpen their storytelling and empower their communications. Her award-winning debut novel, The Baba Yaga Mask, was inspired by her family’s experience in the post-WWII Ukrainian diaspora and has been called “A complex, poetic tale” by Kirkus Reviews and “edu-tainment at its best” by the Historical Novel Society. Her fifth book, Becoming Baba Yaga: Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods, described as “A delicious read” by Atlas Obscura, is a nonfiction exploration of the complex origins of this Slavic folktale character and her lingering lessons for empowering us all. Kris is an active speaker, workshop leader, and literary historian.

All of the books can be found at Amazon and other online retailers listed on my Website (linked in bio).

Thank You, So Much, Kris for sharing with us today! We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings on all of your work.

Hope you enjoyed Kris's visit as much as I did friends, and that you'll check back weekly for another edition of Saturday Spotlight where I bring you great authors and their books.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Winona Bennett Cross & Rebecca's Journey

Good Morning and Welcome back to another edition of Saturday Spotlight!

It is my pleasure to have Winona Bennett Cross return with her Oregon Trail Historical Romance, Rebecca's Journey.

Tell us, Nona, why you wrote this book and what makes it special to you...

Thanks for having me back in the spotlight, Pam. As with Dianne's Destiny, the reason behind Rebecca's Journey is very personal. You see, I never thought about writing until I became disabled from a fall. When the fog of not being able to work as a nurse again lifted, I found myself thinking about writing. I always enjoyed writing assignments in school and college. One morning I was "surfing" and came across a free writing course. I registered. I wrote some really bad stuff. But I learned bit by bit.

The idea for an Oregon Trail came into my head. Why? Because in 1968 during American History class my teacher, Mr. Haynes, taught about the Oregon Trail and Westward Expansion in such a way that I loved it. I didn't know that interest in, and love of, the Oregon Trail had settled in my heart until I needed it.

So, I started scribbling notes, doing research, and prepared to write. After many years, stops, and starts Rebecca's Journey finally came to fruition. I wrote about her, the emigrants, the hardships, and the perseverance it took to walk for six months among danger, changing landscape, hunger, fatigue, illness, and unseen challenges to reach an unknown land. The dream was there for the emigrants. 

Rebecca Pierce is an 18-year-old girl traveling with her mother. She's stubborn, knows what she wants, becomes a leader, and falls in love despite vowing never to do so. She's set in her ways, independent, and confident. Almost a girl out of time in 1845. 

By the way, I posthumously dedicated Rebecca's Journey to Coach Jerald Haynes. 

Oh how wonderful! Give us more please...

Sure!

Here's the Blurb: Determined to keep a vow made to her dying father, independent eighteen-year-old Rebecca Pierce sets out on a wagon train on the Oregon Trail in 1845 with her mother. Rebecca is strong and takes on a leadership role.

Zachary Miller is traveling alone with nothing more than what he can carry and his horse. He is assigned to help Rebecca and her mother from the first day on the trail. Zachary falls fast for Rebecca but she is conflicted about her growing feelings.

When Rebecca is kidnapped by an obsessive man, she is left injured, in pain, depressed, and losing the belief she had in herself.

Zachary is angry and wants revenge. He feels like there is nothing he can do to help Rebecca although he tries to do all he can.

Will their newly developed relationship recover and allow them to regain their growing love?

And an Excerpt: Rebecca allowed him to pull her so close she could feel his heartbeat. She wanted to close every gap between them. 

“Have you ever been kissed, Rebecca?” 

Zachary’s fingers on her cheek tingled in a pleasant, but different, way, leaving unexpected warmth. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Shaking her head, she confirmed that she had never been kissed. 

Zachary chuckled. “Let me fix that.” 

When Rebecca first felt the soft, tentative touch of his lips she knew kissing him was the right thing to do. He kissed her lips, her cheeks, her eyelids, and her lips again. The kiss deepened yet remained soft. She kissed him back without worry, shame, or guilt. Everything about Zachary felt comfortable. She didn’t know what to do or say when the kiss ended, so she got her shawl from the saddle and spread it on the grass.

Aww...Everyone LOVES that first kiss. How sweet! Please share your bio and links to connect with you...

Winona Bennett Cross (Nona) lives in Wichita Falls, Texas. She recently moved from Durant, Oklahoma. She has two sons and two granddaughters. Angus, a finicky and nosy gray tabby cat, shares her home.

Nona's heart lies in the desert and oilfields of west Texas and New Mexico where she was raised. In 1969 she graduated from Lovington High School, New Mexico.

Nursing was the lifelong dream Nona achieved in 1985 from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. A fall in the hospital ended her career. She specialized in Labor and Delivery, Women' Health, Community Education, Perinatal Bereavement, and Nursing Education at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Nona is a member of the Central Region Oklahoma Writers (CROW), the Oklahoma Romance Writer's Guild (OKRWG), the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. (OWFI) and Women Writing the West (WWW). Find and connect with her on her Website, Facebook, FB Author Page and Instagram.

Thank you SO much, Nona, for sharing with us today! We wish you the Best of luck and God's blessings with Rebecca's Journey and all of your work!

Hope you enjoyed Nona's visit as much as I did, Friends. Rebecca's Journey is available at Amazon for Kindle and in Paperback AND at B&N.

Check out Nona's previous visit and the story behind her book, Dianne's Destiny, HERE.

Until next time take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Me!

Good Morning Friends,

Every now and then I like to share what's going on with my books and career with you. I normally do this through my newsletter, but since my scheduled guest could not be here, I thought this would be a good time and place to catch you up with what's going on with me.

Let's start with the fact that A Hint of Romance is now available in audio and right now, you can get an Audible subscription for only $0.99 cents for the first 3 months! Offer ends Dec. 16th and you can cancel anytime.

What better way to try something new, right?

Speaking of trying new things, Kindle Unlimited has a free 30 day trial OR 2 months for only $0.99cents! Great deals for book lovers, don't'cha think? Sign up HERE.

I also have a few codes for a free audiobook in exchange for a review. Leave a comment if you want one. Be sure and give me your email address in the request!

A Hint of Holiday Romance is in production and will be available in audio early next year. 

Next up on the book front, I'm participating with NN Light's Book Heaven's Holiday Gift Guide. 

This feature runs from today through December 31st.With nearly 100 books in every genre and format, you're sure to find something for every reader on your Christmas list. Check it out HERE!

Speaking of Christmas gift lists, if you're in the mood for something handmade with love, check out The Kozy Knot!

The other news I'd like to share with you is that I've set up 2 YouTube channels.

CoachingInPJs ™ where I'll be sharing tips, tricks and hacks that, when implemented, can help you live a more fulfilled life. AND A Novel Lunch ™ where I'll be sharing everything I know and have experienced as a professional writer and published author. I also plan to interview other life coaches and authors on these channels. Please like and subscribe to both. TIA!

Next week we'll resume with our Saturday Spotlight guests and on November 29th, we'll begin our "All Christmas thru Christmas" feature.

Guess that's about all for now, Friends. Please be sure to check out our new Featured Author this month as well as the promotional opportunites here on this blog as well as those offered in my collaboration with Keuka Roots.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT