Welcome to the Autumn 2014 Scavenger Hunt.
You have arrived at Stop #17. The hunt begins at noon (Mountain Time Zone) on October 17, 2014. You may have arrived here before the start which could mean all of the sites aren’t ready quite yet. Once the official start has begun, you should go to Stop #1 (www.robinleehatcher.com) and then work your way through the sites, gathering clues and entering bonus giveaways, until you reach the final stop which will also be on the site of Robin Lee Hatcher.
The hunt ends on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at one minute before midnight (Mountain). That means you have all of the weekend to finish it, so take your time. Enjoy reading the exclusive content the authors have prepared for you. You will collect a CLUE IN RED at each stop. Write them down as you go. At the end of the hunt, you will enter the clues into a Rafflecopter form. (The answer will make sense, even if you aren’t familiar with the quote.)
The hunt is open to international entries. The grand prize is a Kindle Fire HDX. Two runners-up will receive a new release from each of the participating authors.
IN CASE YOU FIND A BROKEN LINK…
Robin Lee Hatcher has prepared a “cheat sheet” with direct links to each author’s post in case a site goes down or a link gets broken. We hope there will be no such issues, but just in case, please make note of the URL for the Participating Authors & Stops page so you can check back and be able to complete the hunt: http://www.robinleehatcher.com/autumn-2014-scavenger-hunt-participating-authors-stops
Now to the fun stuff!
I’m excited to host and introduce Missy Tippens! Missy writes romance for Love Inspired, and who doesn’t love a good romance? Missy Tippens, a pastor’s wife and mom of three from near Atlanta, Georgia, is the author of eight books for Harlequin Love Inspired and was nominated for a Romance Writers of America 2013 RITA® Award. Her most recent release from Love Inspired is The Guy Next Door. Visit Missy at www.missytippens.com, @MissyTippens on Twitter and www.facebook.com/missy.tippens.readers.
Before we hear from Missy, here’s a little about her latest release:
From Friend to…Fiancé?
Stalwart and steady, Darcy O’Malley has been by Luke Jordan’s side since childhood. She has seen him through trials and tragedies, romances and breakups. They’ve been everything to each other—except boyfriend and girlfriend. Why ruin a good thing? What Luke can’t explain, however, is why suddenly Darcy’s presence is making his heart beat so hard. Something has changed since he left Appleton, and it’s making him uneasy. Is it possible his best friend is meant to be something more? Dare he risk their perfect friendship in the hopes of finding his perfect wife?
Stalwart and steady, Darcy O’Malley has been by Luke Jordan’s side since childhood. She has seen him through trials and tragedies, romances and breakups. They’ve been everything to each other—except boyfriend and girlfriend. Why ruin a good thing? What Luke can’t explain, however, is why suddenly Darcy’s presence is making his heart beat so hard. Something has changed since he left Appleton, and it’s making him uneasy. Is it possible his best friend is meant to be something more? Dare he risk their perfect friendship in the hopes of finding his perfect wife?
Purchase this book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, and other retailers.
Real Life Influencing Stories
by Missy Tippens
From the time I started writing, one thing I heard over and over was to write what you know. I’m thrilled to have a new release from Harlequin Love Inspired, The Guy Next Door. This story is special to me because I finally got to write a story about a character
who works as a microbiologist in a hospital laboratory—my career before having children.
While planning the story, I recalled an event where I was able to help identify the bacteria making a co-worker’s mother seriously ill. However, I hadn’t worked in a lab in over 20 years! So I contacted an old friend, a classmate who still works in the field, to help me on accuracy.
Little did I know how much microbiology has changed! From disposable lab coats to molecular testing. I had quite a time figuring out how to use my actual past experience in a present day story, yet make it believable to anyone familiar with the illness. It proved challenging.
Ultimately, due to revisions and editing, I actually ended up moving the hospital scenes from the opening to later in the story. (It fit better with the new, revised plot.) Then I had to balance using enough details of setting to bring the story to life without overdoing the medical aspects. My critique partner was invaluable in pointing out areas that needed tweaking. I was thankful for her input!
No matter the career of my character or level of medical details included in the story, I had a lot of fun throwing together Darcy and Luke, best friends, and watching them try not to fall in love. Now, if you read The Guy Next Door, you’ll know the background for those hospital scenes! I hope you’ll let me know what you think.
The Scavenger Hunt Skinny
Thanks so much for stopping by my site and participating in the new Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt. Before you move on to Stop #18, which is Missy Tippen’s site: http://lifewithmissy.blogspot.com/2014/10/scavenger-hunt-stop-18.html to pick up your next clue, be sure to write down this Stop #17 clue: “I SUGGEST THAT
But Before You Go
you may enter to win a unique prize package from this site! One winner will receive the 2 volume set of A Cup of Christmas Cheer, fictional short stories of Christmas past and present, along with a small carry-all caddy from Thirty-One. (see pictures in the rafflecopter graphic)
Also, please note: Many of the authors use Rafflecopter for their giveaways. Rafflecopter requires JavaScript to work. If you can’t see the form, please turn JavaScript on in your browser in order to enter. Rafflecopter sometimes doesn’t work on mobile devices. If you are on a mobile device and can’t see the entry form, then you’ll need to find a computer.
It won’t load so that I can enter.
Hi, Cheryl,
The Scavenger Hunt won’t be open to entries until 1pm Central time. My particular giveaway doesn’t open until 10am Central time. Likely that’s why it isn’t loading yet. The sites needed to be live earlier than that to check all the links and things. Sorry about that! Hope you try again in a little while! 🙂
Hi Anne, there is no image to pin to pinterest.
Very strange! I just checked the picture links on Rafflecopter and they are correct! It should go to the Scavenger Hunt graphic to pin.
There wasn’t a pic to pin…so I pinned about the scavenger hunt…then put that as my pinterest link. I hope that is ok.
Thanks, Rachael. I have that Scavenger Hunt image as the go to graphic link. Not sure why it isn’t working!
Hi Anne! Thanks so much for participating in the Scavenger Hunt and for the chance to win this fantastic prize package!!
Thanks, Britney! So glad you stopped in !
Really enjoyed Playing By Heart. Thanks for the book giveaway chance. 🙂
Aw, thanks, Karen! That’s always so nice to hear! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for participating!
Thank YOU for participating, Amy! This is fun for us because we love readers! 🙂
I love Christmas Stories! Thanks for the chance to win these two holiday books. 🙂
Christmas stories are so fun! So glad you enjoy them, too. I was excited to have one included in the Tales of Christmas Present volume of this set! 🙂
Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks for stopping in, Arletta!
I enjoy Ann Mateer’s books very much! Thanks for the contest.
Thanks, Sharon! So glad you stopped by!
i loved Playing By Heart. Review coming soon!
Bless you, Marianne!
Thank you for giveaway. I love your books !
Aw, thanks, Jackie! Hope you find some new fun authors on the hunt!
I just want you to know that A Home For My Heart is one of my favorite Christian fiction books, it resonated with me.
Bless you, Molly! I love hearing that. It was a very special book to write. 🙂
I just finished Playing by Heart and loved it. It is nice to find your blog. 🙂
Thanks
Becky
Yay! Thank you, Becky! I hope you’ll come back by here after the hunt is over!
Thank you! I will be.
Becky
Thanks for the chance to win these awesome books!!
You are very welcome! Thanks for “hunting”! 🙂
A Playing By heart was a great story, I really enjoyed reading it 🙂
Thank you so much! I love hearing that!
Hi Ann, having fun today checking out the authors, most I have read -love your books. thanks for intro to Missy who needs no intro with me, another one of my authors. Thanks for the giveaway and for doing the scavenger hunt.
Thanks, Pauline! You’re so sweet.
Hi Anne!
You are a new to me author. I am excited to read your novels. I absolutely looove Christmas stories year round! Missy is a new to me author as well. Thank you for sharing about her and her book! 😀 Thank you also for the chance to win the Christmas stories and small caddy! I hope you have a wonderful evening! ~Mippy/Sabrina 🙂
So glad you found new authors, MIppy/Sabrina! 🙂
Thanks so much for the Scavenger Hunt, Love it!
Love your books!
So glad you are having fun with it!
Thanks for the scavenger hunt and giveaway, Anne! And for sharing how your real life fits into the stories you write. Who knew authors were real people 🙂
You are welcome. Isn’t it fun?
I am having a great time on this scavenger hunt. I read Playing by Heart and really enjoyed it. I think one of my favorite aspects is the growth in Lula’s character. I look forward to reading more of your books.
Bless you for your kind words! So happy you enjoyed Playing by Heart. I hope you’ll check out Missy’s books, too!
I can’t wait to read this book! Thanks for joining the hunt!
Doesn’t it look good? I can’t wait to read it, either!
LOVE anything Christmas!!
Me, too! 🙂