Writer Wednesday: Guest Author/Publisher Shannon Taylor Vannatter (Contest and giveaway!)

I’m very excited to bring author Shannon Taylor Vannatter back to my blog! She’s not only a good friend, but she’s now c0-owner of the publishing house who has the rights to my Southern Breeze Series!

Be sure and read to the end for your opportunity to enter a writing contest with Scrivenings Press LLC, AND a chance to win a copy of Shannon’s book!

Shannon Taylor Vannatter

As God is my witness, I will write again! With that said, let’s talk about what’s keeping me from writing right now. Books, lots of them. I’m now co-owner, acquisitions/content editor, and author development facilitator for Scrivenings Press. While my partner, Linda Fulkerson is the business manager, graphic designer, and line editor.

In May, we bought most of Mantle Rock Press, including the backlist of titles, and future contracted books. Since then, the books just keep coming. Since we kept most of the publish dates for current contracts, over the last two months, we’ve had a bottleneck of editorial needs due to the transition.

It’s starting to calm down and I actually took the day off today, had lunch with my husband, and went flea marketing. In another few weeks, I think I’ll have some writing time. But that’s not why I’m here today. At Scrivenings, we publish clean and/or Christian titles in the following genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Women’s Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction (may have a romantic subplot), Mystery,  and Speculative (under our Expanse Books Imprint)

Let’s talk new and upcoming releases for Scrivenings Press:

Kokopelli’s Song by Suzanne J. Bratcher – August 2020

Three teens race against a waxing moon to prevent an ancient evil from tipping the universe into chaos.

Kokopelli’s Song: Book One of Four Corners Fantasy Folklore

New Mexico

When seventeen-year-old Amy Adams finds her father’s family and a lost twin brother on the Hopi reservation in Arizona, she stumbles into a struggle between shamans and witches that spans a thousand years. After Mahu is attacked and a Conquistador’s journal stolen, Amy and her new friend Diego set out on a dangerous quest to find and perform the ceremony that can stop ancient evil from entering our world.

But Amy and Diego are not alone as they race against time measured by a waxing moon. Kokopelli’s song, the haunting notes of a red cedar flute, guides them along the migration route sacred to pueblo peoples: West to Old Oraibi, South to El Morro, East to Cochiti Pueblo, North to Chimney Rock, and finally to the Center—and the final confrontation—in Chaco Canyon.

Hostage by Cindy Bonds – September 2020

   Her confidence shot, Agent Macy Packer desperately wants to go back to her regular life, before she was taken hostage. To forget the pain, the fear and forget the man that helped her through all of it, then disappeared.

Kane Bledsoe is finally healed, his scars serving as a reminder of his time in captivity. But all he can think about is the blue-eyed woman that saved him. She had saved them all and left him with a burning hope.

A chance meeting and an attack prove Macy is still in danger. Kane pushes himself into the investigation, doing what he can to provide protection.

The enemy is clear, he wants Macy.

Kane will have to decide just how far he’s willing to go to protect her. Can he sacrifice himself when the time comes?

Succession by Brent Armstrong – October 2020

The heir must prove his worth–or die trying.

Son of the Northern Realm’s Defender, raised among the dwarves of Ordumair, Meredoch was anticipated to succeed his father. Some whispered he would bring the longed-for peace between Ordumair and their ancient foe, Ecthelowall. All of that changes when Ordumair’s Thane is killed and Meredoch and his family are exiled. From prestige to poverty, the young boy must chart a new course.

As the years pass and the idol that was his father’s legacy tarnishes, Meredoch’s past resurfaces. An artifact of immeasurable worth to Ordumair is found. If recovered by the wrong hands, disaster would befall those Meredoch serves and cares about. Battling creatures believed only myths and racing against evil toward the prize, Meredoch must face the truth of his place in the world and claim his right of succession.

Saving Grace by Amy R. Anguish – October 2020

Michelle Wilson’s one goal in life was to become a top journalist at the local paper back in her hometown of Cedar Springs, AR. But on the way to bringing that dream to reality, a life-changing wreck interrupts Michelle’s plans and adds an orphaned baby into the mix. Now, she has tough decisions ahead—did God put her in that accident to save baby Grace? And if so, why is it so hard to convince everyone else she should be the baby’s new mommy?

Greg Marshall has been Michelle’s best friend his whole life. He’s thrilled she’s moving back home, but not so sure about her sudden desire to be a single mom. His feelings for her have grown through the years, but she’s never seemed to notice. Can he help Michelle with the adoption and grow their relationship at the same time?

Scarred Vessels by Elaine Marie Cooper – October 2020

In a time when America battles for freedom, a man and woman seek to fight the injustice of slavery while discovering love in the midst of tragedy.

In 1778 Rhode Island, the American Revolution rallies the Patriots to fight for freedom. But the slavery of black men and women from Africa, bartered for rum, is a travesty that many in America cannot ignore. The seeds of abolition are planted even as the laws allowing slavery in the north still exists.

Lydia Saunders, the daughter of a slave ship owner, grew up with the horror of slavery. It became more of a nightmare when, at a young age, she is confronted with the truth about her father’s occupation. Burdened with the guilt of her family’s sin, she struggles to make a difference in whatever way she can. When she loses her husband in the battle for freedom from England, she makes a difficult decision that will change her life forever.

Sergeant Micah Hughes is too dedicated to serving the fledgling country of America to consider falling in love. When he carries the tragic news to Lydia Saunders about her husband’s death, he is appalled by his attraction to the young widow. Micah wrestles with his feelings for Lydia while he tries to focus on helping the cause of freedom. He trains a group of former slaves to become capable soldiers on the battlefield.

Tensions both on the battlefield and on the home front bring hardship and turmoil that threaten to endanger them all. When Lydia and Micah are faced with saving the life of a black infant in danger, can they survive this turning point in their lives?

Dreaming of Tomorrow by Michelle De Bruin

Love leads them to a lifetime of commitment where the dreams they have held onto for so long start to come true.

Popular and eligible, Logan De Witt must convince the women in town that he is engaged to be married. A quiet, simple ceremony is what he has in mind for his wedding day, but when the date and time of his bride’s arrival is published in the newspaper, the whole town joins in the celebration proving to Logan and his new wife their sincere friendship and support. Added to the excitement of Logan’s marriage is the question of what the congregation should do with the unexpected donation of an orchard.

Karen Millerson is counting the days until her long-distance engagement comes to an end and she may travel to Oswell City to marry Logan. More than anything, she wants to share in his life as a help and support, but keeping a house and finding her place in the community requires much more work than she ever expected.

Learn, laugh, and love with Karen and Logan as they start a new marriage and work together ministering to the citizens of their small town.

Death of an Imposter by Deborah Sprinkle

Rookie detective Bernadette Santos has her first murder case. Will her desire for justice end up

breaking her heart? Or worse—getting her killed!

Book Two of the Trouble in Pleasant Valley series.

Her first week on the job and rookie detective Bernadette Santos has been given the murder of a prominent citizen to solve. But when her victim turns out to be an imposter, her straight forward case takes a nasty turn. One that involves the attractive Dr. Daniel O’Leary, a visitor to Pleasant Valley, and a man harboring secrets.

When Dr. O’Leary becomes a target of violence himself, Detective Santos has two mysteries to unravel. Are they related? And how far can she trust the good doctor? Her heart tugs her one way while her mind pulls her another. She must discover the solutions before it’s too late!

Of these 7 books, I’ve edited four so far and acquired one. Our backlist is pretty impressive as well, including titles by my host, Regina Rudd Merrick. I hope you’ll browse our website at Scriveningspress.com and learn more about our books.

Do you want to be a WRITER?

Also, if you or anyone you know dreams of being a published author, Scrivenings Press LLC, a publisher of clean and Christian fiction, is accepting entries for two writing competitions between now and November 30, 2020.

The Get Pubbed contest is open to both published and unpublished writers who have a completed fiction manuscript. The Grand Prize winner will be awarded a traditional publishing contract with Scrivenings Press; paid registration to the company’s annual retreat to be held April 2021 in Hannibal, Missouri; a thorough critique of up to 25 manuscript pages by our senior editor, Shannon Taylor Vannatter, a multi-published, award-winning novelist; and a $50 Amazon gift card. Additional prizes will be awarded to the highest-scoring entries of each genre.

The Novel Starts contest is open to writers who have not been traditionally published in fiction. The Grand Prize winner will be awarded free access to the Scrivenings Press video-based writing course; an invitation to bypass the slush pile and submit a manuscript for consideration by Scrivenings Press once it is finished; a thorough critique of up to 25 manuscript pages by Linda Fulkerson, line editor/marketing director of Scrivenings Press, a multi-published author in both fiction and nonfiction; and a $50 Amazon gift card. Additional prizes will be awarded to the highest-scoring entries of each genre.

All entries will receive feedback from contest judges. There is a $25 entry fee for each submission. Multiple submissions will be accepted. Entry deadline is 11:59 PM (Central Time), November 30, 2020. For more information, visit https://scriveningspress.com. Details and entry forms for each contest can be found in the dropdown menu below the Contest tab on the website’s main menu.

By submitting to the Get Pubbed contest, your manuscript gets a direct trip to the top of our slush pile and a reserved slot on our calendar for release in June 2021. It’s a great opportunity since our 2021 publishing calendar is almost full. You can learn more at scriveningspress.com.

The Giveaway!

Even though I’ve had a season of not writing, I’ve enjoyed helping authors dreams come true. Now just for fun, I’ll give away a copy of Sweetheart Reunion, a two in one which includes my title Reuniting with the Cowboy and Tina Radcliffe’s Rocky Mountain Cowboy. Answer this question to get in the drawing: What is your favorite genre and why?

Sweetheart Reunion: Hearts Reunited in Cowboy Country

Reuniting with the Cowboy by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

The Cowboy Next Door

A charming cowboy moving in next door shouldn’t be bad news. But veterinarian Ally Curtis knows Cody Warren—she’d never forget the boy who left her when she needed him most. Cody is doing everything he can to show his beautiful neighbor he’s not the wild bull rider he once was, from helping her find homes for her beloved strays, to protecting her when her business is threatened. But Cody has a secret that keeps him from fully reaching out. Yet as they continue to work together to promote her shelter, he can’t keep himself from hoping that Ally might have a home for him…in her heart.

Rocky Mountain Cowboy by Tina Radcliffe

A Cowboy’s Second Chance

The last person cowboy Joe Gallagher thought he’d see on his ranch was high school sweetheart Rebecca Anshaw Simpson. Twelve years after she married another man, she’s back as his physical therapist. But healing his body is nothing compared to guarding his heart from the woman he never forgot. There’s much the single mom would rather forget, but Becca won’t let regret and a surly rancher get in the way of her job and the chance to start over with her little girl. She has only a few weeks to make peace with her past. But Becca never expected she’d fall all over again for her first love.

Purchase Link: https://www.christianbook.com/sweetheart-reunion/9781335007827/pd/007827

About Shannon

Award-winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does.

She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.

Connect with her: Shannon’s Website, Shannon’s Blog, Shannon’s Facebook, Shannon’s Goodreads, Shannon’s Pinterest, Shannon’s Twitter, Newsletter Archives, Shannon’s Amazon Author Page, and Shannon’s Bookbub. Sign up for her newsletter to get a free e-book, recipes, behind the scenes info, & enter exclusive giveaways: Shannon’s Newsletter

Recently, Shannon joined Scrivenings Press as co-owner/acquisitions/content editor.

Thanks, Shannon! I hope someone here will enter the contest AND enter to win a copy of Sweetheart Reunion!! Answer this question to be in the drawing:

What is your favorite genre and why?

I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Have a great week! It’s finally September!

The Southern Breeze series with Scrivenings Press LLC

Heart Restoration: RenoVations, Book 1, with the Mosaic Collection