Diane Craver Award-Winning Author

Review for THE PROPOSAL!

8/29/2016

5.0 out of 5 stars
A Proposal worth receiving
By Marilyn R
(Posted on Amazon! - Thank you, Marilyn!)

It was wonderful to read The Proposal by Diane Craver. This novella was a quick lighthearted read to remind you that life doesn't happen as you might be imaging. Jacqueline Andrews was so sure of Brad's love for her. However, Jacqueline still considered Tyler Jordan as her closest friend since they grew up together but went their separate ways when he left town to attend college. Tyler returned to his home town to be a physician's assistant and with feelings for Jacqueline still. Can you picture the shock on Tyler's face when Jacqueline informed him she believed she would be receiving an engagement ring from Brad for her birthday? There are some unexpected twists and turns in this tale that is filled with regrets, forgiveness, hurt, love and second chances.

Diane Craver mastered a full story into this quick read. Will Jacqueline's brother, Alex, have a part in bringing about the right young man for her? I encourage readers to pick up a copy of The Proposal for a fun relaxing read. 5 stars for The Proposal. I appreciate how Diane weaved a true to life tale into a charming story.

Buy links:
Amazon
Apple

Barnes and Noble

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Summer Sale!

8/14/2016

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The following books are now on sale for 99 cents and will be through August 22nd! Their regular price is $2.99.
Here are the links for each market:
Amazon
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

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FRIDAY SUMMER FUN GIVEAWAY - #6 AMISH WEDDINGS!

8/3/2016

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UPDATE: FRIDAY SUMMER FUN GIVEAWAY WINNER FOR THIS WEEK! First of all, I couldn't choose one person with the wonderful comments posted, so I had my daughter Amanda draw the winner! She drew Janet's name. I need to focus on writing and family things so won't have another Friday Summer Fun contest this month, but will have more blog giveaways in the future. ON Monday, August 8th, I'll be giving away a print copy of AMISH BABY SNATCHED, when I'm on Cheryl's Blog - https://cherylbbookblog.wordpress.com/ Hope to see you next week and thanks for all the comments during the six weeks I had the Friday Giveaways this summer - it's been fun!

Some Amish weddings might be held on a Tuesday or a Thursday in late autumn, after the harvest is in. However, with many Amish families now having cottage businesses instead of depending only on a farming income, their weddings might happen in other months. The groom wears his suit, shirt, and vest with a bow tie. The bride wears a new dress but it won't be white. Her dress is usually blue or purple with a white apron. The bride wears no makeup, and will not receive an engagement or wedding ring because the Ordnung prohibits personal jewelry. A gift from the groom to his bride might be a clock, china set, or something else that is practical. The marriage ceremony itself may take several hours, followed by a community reception that includes a banquet, singing and storytelling. An evening meal is provided too.

The attendants are not married.

Several websites mention that celery is an important part of the wedding meal. Other sites suggest that celery may even be used as a decoration in place of flowers.Growing celery for Amish weddings seems to be something mentioned in many Amish romances, but Jerry Eicher, who was raised Amish, said that he had never heard of the custom. He also said, "It sounds like the practice is related to Lancaster, which is an Amish world of its very own."

Here is a wedding excerpt from FLEETING HOPE, Book 3 in my Dreams of Plain Daughters Series:

Before going downstairs to breakfast, she wanted to look at the tent in the backyard. She still couldn’t believe that Bishop Amos had given permission for them to rent a tent for their wedding. He’d said, “Well, you’re having a June wedding and that’s not common in our district, so you might as well have a tent too. From what I’ve heard your wedding is going to be the biggest we’ve had in our community, so I think the tent is more of a necessity.”

She couldn’t stop gazing at how beautiful the yard looked with all the flowers they’d planted in May. Red, pink and white petunias and impatiens were blooming. With the blue sky and sunshine, it was a perfect day for her wedding.The tables were covered with white cloths and each table had a lavender runner. Miriam and Katie had sewn the runners. Vases filled with purple and white hyacinth flowers would be on the tables. One of her former scholars had offered to do the flower arrangements. Amish brides never carried a bouquet of flowers or walked down the aisle, but having flowers on the tables were fine. Church members had bustled around yesterday getting everything ready for the wedding. The tables already outside would quickly be moved to the tent once the wedding service ended, but other tables were in the house.

Because of the large number of guests, portable propane stoves were rented to prepare the immense amount of food that was customary wedding day feasts. The stoves were under a small tent. The wedding guests would eat in shifts, but the bride and bridegroom would eat first, along with their wedding party. Their table would be in a U-shape with her attendants to her left, and David’s attendants would be seated to his right. She felt blessed to have many freinden and relatives helping to make this day special for her.

Tonight I’ll be sharing this room with my husband, she thought, glancing at her room from the doorway. They were going to stay here instead of at David’s house. They wanted to help with cleaning and putting everything away after the wedding. It was customary to stay at the bride’s house after an Amish wedding because of all the work involved. She hoped they could get all the cleanup done tomorrow, on Friday.

~~~~~~~~~
Amish Wedding Punch
Mix all together. Add ginger ale just before serving.
Serves 75 people. (Amish receptions might have as many as 300-400 guests.)
6 pkg. Tropical Punch Kool-Aid
1 large can pineapple juice
1 large can grapefruit juice
2 (12 oz.) cans frozen lemonade
5 c. sugar
1 qt. ginger ale
12 qt. water

FOR THIS FRIDAY'S (August 5th) GIVEAWAY, answer this question: What do you find most interesting about an Amish wedding? Or comment on my excerpt! Everyone who comments will be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card, winner chosen randomly and will be posted here on FRIDAY EVENING!

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The love of my life!

8/2/2016

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Our 41st wedding anniversary is today! We left on Sunday to stay at Natural Bridge State Park in Kentucky. We had a great time and are thankful to our daughter, Emily, for staying with our two daughters with special needs. They enjoyed being with their sister and went to a movie. We went on the sky lift and loved the rock formations we saw. We went on several trails but didn't take any long ones. We never got to go swimming because it rained yesterday and the pool closed at 6. We had a flat tire on the way there, so were tired and didn't bother with swimming on our first day there.

Amanda took the picture of us before we all went to Applebee's this evening.

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Vote for my book in the Long and Short Reviews Poll!

7/31/2016

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I am pleased that recently Long and Short Reviews gave 4.5 stars to my AMISH BABY SNATCHED! Because my story was reviewed by LASR, it is up for Book of the Month honor this Month (voting runs from Monday, August 1st through Tuesday, August 2nd) The winner will be announced on Wednesday, August 3rd.

If you would like to vote for AMISH BABY SNATCHED, here is the link,
http://wp.me/p2ZcT9-eXG You can find the information on this link on August 1st.

If you click the link now or before then, the post won’t show. Please, be patient and wait until August 1st. A Big Thanks and your support is always appreciated!

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FRIDAY SUMMER FUN GIVEAWAY - # 5 (Guest Author)

7/25/2016

FRIDAY SUMMER FUN GIVEAWAY WINNER IS LAUREAN BROOKS! For an extra bonus giveaway, Regina will forward an ebook of SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE to each person who commented this week on her post. In return Regina earnestly requests that you post a review of SPOTLIGHT on LOVE on Amazon or Goodreads etc on her behalf - reader reviews are essential to an author's success. It does not have to be long, just speak from your heart.

Next week's post will be about Amish weddings so hope you return here for it on Wednesday, Aug. 3! There will be another giveaway!

A resident of Providence, RI, Regina grew up in nearby Barrington. After graduating from Providence College she attended the University of Delaware, eventually earning her Master’s Degree in American Civilization from Brown University. She is inspired by anything to do with nature, and she and her husband enjoy visiting nearby Cape Cod. Regina’s hobbies include Travel, Museums, Theater, Classical Music, Choral Singing and Gardening. She is a radio host for In-Sight, an association dedicated to providing services to the visually impaired of all ages.

Welcome to my blog, Regina. Please tell us about your new book, Spotlight on Love.

This is a World War II romance with a timeless message of love. The walls close in around the hero and heroine on December 2, 1941 – Pearl Harbor Day. The hero, Red, is in the US Postal Service and is commissioned by the Army to serve in Africa. The heroine, Helen, is a nurse who decides to serve her country at this terrifying time. Here is the story blurb:

“Ever-dutiful, Nurse Helen Middleton is a successful Emergency Room Supervisor at Rhode Island Hospital in December, 1941. To help her family through tough economic times, she has sacrificed her dreams of a singing career for steadier employment.

Things change when she meets William ‘Red’ Williamson, a dynamic and compelling man she finds irresistible. As they to get to know each other, Helen considers following her musical dreams and a new world of romance and song seems to be opening up to her.

Then, the horrors of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 change the world and throw Red and Helen into the danger and chaos of wartime. Will Helen’s dreams be shattered by World War II or will the power of love triumph over all the obstacles in their way?”

Where did you get your inspiration for this historical romance?

I am so glad you asked me that question, Diane. SPOTLIGHT on LOVE is actually based on my parents’ love story. My mother was a nurse in World War II and my father coordinated the Postal Service in Algeria during the war. As a child (and older!) I listened to their stories over and over again.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

Many of the details about the war and the Army that my father and mother had relayed to me were historically accurate, but I had to check them out. Also, the medical care at that time had to be researched and I had to check into the geography, culture and climate of Africa. However, this is not a biography -- it is a work of fiction, so that provides some leeway with authenticity, and readers, I hope, will keep that in mind.

Do you consider your female characters to be strong and determined or meek yet spirited?

It takes a lot of courage to put your dreams on hold for the good of others. Putting yourself second is one of the strongest, bravest things a woman can do. For that reason, my leading female characters are strong and determined. Helen Middleton, I think, is a perfect example of this strength and determination.

Thank you for having me visit your blog! Next releases are DESTINY’S DESIGNS, IN GOOD FAITH and a brand-new work, book five in the Sterling Lakes Series: REFLECTIONS of LOVE. Look for them soon!

Where can my readers find you online?

Website: www.reginaandrews.com

Writers-Exchange Author Page:
Author Page: http://www.writers-exchange.com/Regina-Andrews.html

SPOTLIGHT on LOVE:
Link to site:
http://www.writers-exchange.com/blog/archives/855
Spotlight on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1TPtkY8
Spotlight on Writer’s Exchange:
http://www.writers-exchange.com/Spotlight-on-Love.html
Spotlight on Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/62145

FOR THIS FRIDAY'S (July 29th) GIVEAWAY: Comment on Regina's interview!
Everyone who comments will be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card, winner chosen randomly and will be posted here on FRIDAY EVENING!

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Review for THE PROPOSAL!

Summer Sale!

FRIDAY SUMMER FUN GIVEAWAY - #6 AMISH WEDDINGS!

The love of my life!

Vote for my book in the Long and Short Reviews Poll!

FRIDAY SUMMER FUN GIVEAWAY - # 5 (Guest Author)

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