Book 2 Title & Cover Reveal!

Hello, friends!

I am so very excited to be sharing this post with you today! I’ve been keeping almost everything about this story under wraps, and I’m about to burst!

So, I’m so glad to be able to reveal to you the title and cover for this book, which releases February, 1, 2022!

This story includes so many of my favorite facets of Ireland: the legend of the Claddagh Ring, Galway city and county, the Irish people, their War for Independence, and the underlying tension between the Irish and British. Of course, there is plenty of the Irish culture and charm woven into this story, and I hope you love it as much as I do!

In 1920 Galway, amid the Irish War for Independence, the daughter of a British landlord becomes an apprentice jeweler to the descendent of the creator of the famed Claddagh ring. As the two learn to work together and see each other in a new light, they start to uncover the true meaning of love, loyalty, and friendship.

Without further ado, I am pleased to introduce you to The Lady of Galway Manor.

About the story:

In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy’s father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family–descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.

Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family’s jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the lies the Claddagh Ring promises.

Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the “other side” isn’t quite as barbaric and uncultured as they’d been led to believe–and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner’s fire.

Preorder The Lady of Galway Manor!

Baker Book House

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

I am so happy that Annabeth, Stephen, and their friends are heading your way, and I’d love to have your help spreading the word! Below are a couple of graphics that you are welcome to save and share to your social media! If you share, please be sure to tag me!! And if you like using hashtags, feel free to use #theladyofgalwaymanor #claddagh #jenniferdeibel in any of your posts as well!

Thank you all for coming along with me on this journey!

Blessings,

Jen

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #27

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #27

Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all the stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 5 grand prizes!

The hunt BEGINS on 3/18 at noon MST with Stop #1 at LisaTawnBergren.com.

Hunt through our loop using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer).

There is NO RUSH to complete the hunt—you have all weekend (until Sunday, 3/21 at midnight MST)! So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way; our hope is that you discover new authors/new books and learn new things about them.

Submit your entry for the grand prizes by collecting the CLUE on each author’s scavenger hunt post and submitting your answer in the Rafflecopter form at the final stop, back on Lisa’s site. Many authors are offering additional prizes along the way!

Hi there! I’m Jennifer Deibel–a former-expat-turned-middle school-teacher now living in Arizona. I write historical fiction, currently set in Ireland. You can connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and through my monthly newsletter. My debut novel, A Dance in Donegal, just released on February 2, and I’m so excited to share it with you! Here’s a little bit about the book:

All of her life, Irish-American Moira Doherty has relished her Irish mother’s descriptions of her homeland. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira accepts the challenge to fulfill her mother’s wish that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the homeland village in Donegal, Ireland.

After an arduous voyage, Moira arrives to a new home and a new job in an ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira’s mother are unspoken in her presence, but threaten to derail everything she’s journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends—and the strength of an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced. While Moira learns to trust Sean and his intentions, she struggles to navigate a life she’d never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.

I lived in Ireland for 6 years, and I fell head over heels in love with the land and her people! Two of those years were spent in Donegal, so I thought I’d share with you My Top 5 Places In (and Around) Donegal!

#5. The Bloody Foreland

Rugged, wild, and absolutely gorgeous. This is an amazing place to watch the sunset, enjoy the ocean view, or look out over the valley behind you. Just make sure you hold onto your hat–it is almost always crazy windy here! Photo credit: Gareth Wray

#4. Bad Eddie

This shipwrecked boat on the beaches between the sister villages of Derrybeg and Bunbeg is a local iconic landmark. I love that when the tide is out, you can go right up to it and look inside. There are several legends about how this ship landed here, but it’s just fun to explore! Photo credit: Gareth Wray

#3. Assaranca Waterfall

These gorgeous falls are tucked away off the beaten path. They are absolutely stunning, and they look different every time you visit. It’s especially lovely in the fall, when the trees around it are changing. Photo credit: Gareth Wray

#2. Slieve League (Sliabh Liag)

The tallest sea-cliffs in Europe, the Slieve League cliffs are a close second for my most favorite place in the county. Now a booming tourist destination, it was once a hidden gem. The fabled home of the giant Finn McCool, vistors can hike the trails, and even go across the highest point–wide enough for only one person to traverse at a time. In the water, you can see Finn’s desk and chair–all that remain from his fortress. Photo credit: Gareth Wray

#1. The Poison Glenn

Easily one of the most gorgeous places in the county, The Poison Glenn is home to several of my favorite haunts: Mount Errigal, Glenveagh Castle and National Park, and this roofless church near Dunlewey Lake. Photo credit: Gareth Wray

Here’s the Stop #27 Basics:

If you’re interested, you can order A Dance in Donegal at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD or at your local bookstore!

Clue to Write Down: slip

Link to Stop #28, the Next Stop on the Loop: Tracy Higley’s site!

But wait! Before you go, I’m offering an exclusive A Dance in Donegal sticker, a hand-crocheted sheep, and a print of The Lord’s Prayer in English and Irish! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter! (USA Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win a Copy of A Dance in Donegal!

Hello again, friends! Can you believe we are already back to January?? I feel like 2020 both slowed to a snail’s pace, but flew by at the same time!

I’m even MORE excited because A Dance in Donegal releases ONE MONTH from today! And to celebrate, Revell and Goodreads are hosting a giveaway of 15 copies of A Dance in Donegal!!

If you’ve already preordered (Thank you!!), you can still enter, and gift a friend if you win! 🙂

https://www.goodreads.com/…/show/313342-a-dance-in-donegal

You can find all the information and enter here.

And if we aren’t already connected there on Goodreads, be sure to follow me so you don’t miss any updates!

If you haven’t pre-ordered yet, but would like to, you can do that here.

12 Days of Christmas **Giveaway!**

Welcome to the 11th day of the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway!

The prizes are building, and today’s winner will receive a copy of A Dance in Donegal, and some yummy chocolates from me!

And

The Painted Castle by Kristy Cambron

Coral by Sara Ella

Cold Case Christmas by Jessica R. Patch

The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel

Literature and Lattes by Katherine Reay

Until I Met You by Tari Faris

The Light at Wyndcliff by Sarah Ladd

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

The Cowboy’s Christmas Blessings by Jill Kemerer

A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson

It’s not too late to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below by following some of your favorite authors on social media and signing up for their newsletters. We draw a new winner every day, from December 1-12, 2020, and on December 12th, we’ll give away a $100 Amazon Gift Card in addition to all the other great prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don’t forget to stop by Liz’s blog tomorrow to see what prize is added then. 

Join the Launch Team for A Dance in Donegal!

Calling all book-lovers! Love Ireland? Even better!

I’m looking for enthusiastic readers to help get the word out about the release of my debut novel, A Dance in Donegal.

Here are the deets about the book itself:

A Dance in Donegal is a Christian historical romance novel set in Ireland in 1921. It releases from Revell Publishers on February 2, 2021.

What the book is about:

All of her life, Irish-American Moira Doherty has relished her Irish mother’s descriptions of her homeland. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira accepts the challenge to fulfill her mother’s wish that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the homeland village in Donegal, Ireland.

After an arduous voyage, Moira arrives to a new home and a new job in an ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira’s mother are unspoken in her presence, but threaten to derail everything she’s journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends—and the strength of an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced. While Moira learns to trust Sean and his intentions, she struggles to navigate a life she’d never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.

I am so very humbled and excited about the release of this book! And I need your help! If you’re interested in applying for the launch team, keep reading for what would be expected of you, what you can expect, and the link to apply!

What would be expected of you if you’re accepted?

  1. Follow Jennifer Deibel on at least 2 social media accounts
  2. Read the book and leave an honest review on at least 2 major retail websites (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook, etc.)
  3. In addition to the two items above, you agree to doing at least SIX of the following action items between January and February 15:
    • Add A Dance in Donegal to your GoodReads.com to-read list
    • Review on GoodReads.com
    • Feature A Dance in Donegal on your blog/website/podcast (this could be a review, an author interview, character interview, etc.)
    • Post a photo of A Dance in Donegal on social media (in a bookstore, of you reading it, at a coffee shop, with your dog/kids, etc.)
    • Ask your local public library to order A Dance in Donegal
    • Buy a copy of the book for a friend
    • Share various memes on social media (memes you make, or share the memes/share squares I will provide)
    • Suggest it as a pick for your book club

What can you expect if accepted?

Launch team members will receive a free copy of the book, and the opportunity to join a private Facebook group with exclusive giveaways.

Spots on the team are limited, and this application will only be open for 1 week! So, if you are interested, click the link below to fill out the application!

Are you Irish or Irish-at-Heart?

When we left Ireland, part of what was so painful about it all was feeling like we’d lost our tribe. The Irish are an amazingly warm, welcoming lot, and our friendships there were some of the best, deepest, most gratifying of our entire lives. So, to have to leave that behind was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever had.

When we moved back to Arizona, I sort of tried to forget Ireland for awhile. It was just too painful to let the memories come. But slowly, bit by bit, my walls cracked. I just couldn’t keep Ireland out anymore. I finished my book–which is set in Ireland near where we first lived. And I reconnected with the Irish Cultural Center here in Phoenix.

I attended their first ever Women’s Conference with a friend, and immendiatley felt like I’d found a second (or fifth LOL) home. I was surrounded by Irish ladies (and lads) who had moved to Arizona–as well as those who are more Irish-at-heart. The lilting voices and the proper tea sucked me in hook, line, and sinker.

The Irish Cultural Center is a place of community, education, and connection for the massive Irish (and wannabe Irish) here in Arizona. So many share stories of how the ICC gave them a foundation–a support system–when they came to this new, very, very dry place.

And since the Irish did that very thing for me when we moved to that new, very, very damp place across the pond, I was excited to be offered the chance to participate in the first ever Rose of the I.C.C. contest as a fundraiser to support the center.

Inspired by the famous Rose of Tralee Festival (which would be going on as I type this, if it weren’t for the ‘Ronas), the I.C.C. tweaked the rules and several Arizona ladies with celtic roots are in the running to be crowned the first ever Rose of the I.C.C.!

Below is the link to watch my video (this is where it gets really fun). For my “party piece,” I’m reading an excerpt from my debut novel, A Dance in Donegal, which doesn’t release until February! You can watch my video for free, and then if you feel so moved, I’d love for you to consider casting a vote. Votes are $2 each, or $10 for 6, and all the money goes to keep the I.C.C. running so they can continue to serve our community.

Cover Reveal!

Hello my dear reader friends! I am so sorry it has been so long since you’ve heard from me in this space. I have been most active over on my Instagram account. So, if you want to hear more from me, make sure you’re following me there!

But, I had to dust off ye olde blog to share some crazy exciting news with you–the cover to my debut novel, A Dance in Donegal!

But first, here’s a little bit about the book:

All of her life, Irish-American Moira Doherty has relished her Irish mother’s descriptions of her homeland. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira accepts the challenge to fulfill her mother’s wish that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the homeland village in Donegal, Ireland.

After an arduous voyage, Moira arrives to a new home and a new job in an ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira’s mother are unspoken in her presence, but threaten to derail everything she’s journeyed to Ballymann to do.Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends—and the strength of an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced. While Moira learns to trust Sean and his intentions, she struggles to navigate a life she’d never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.

I cannot believe what a phenomenal job the design team at Revell did with this cover. They took my ideas and ran with them, and came up with something better than I could have envisioned. I hope you enjoy it, too!

Without further ado, I present to you the cover of A Dance in Donegal:

A Dance in Donegal releases February 2, but is available for pre-order now! Don’t miss out! When you pre-order, your book ships as soon as it’s available, and in some cases you get it even before release date!

Preorder at any of these places:

Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/0800738411

Baker Book Househttps://bakerbookhouse.com/products/235823

Books-a-Millionhttps://www.booksamillion.com/p/Dance-Donegal/Jennifer-Deibel/9780800738419?id=7932129264040&_ga=2.52288044.465696534.1593212930-125113959.1593212930#

IndieBoundhttps://www.indiebound.org/book/9780800738419

More ordering sites to come!

And if a new book isn’t in your budget right now, ask your library to order it! 🙂

I can’t wait for you to journey to the wilds of Donegal with Moira and the gang!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway–Day 11

Welcome to the 11th day of the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway!

The prizes are building, and today’s winner will receive ALL of the below!

I am so excited to get to participate this year, and share Day 11 with one of my favorite authors– Sarah Sundin! Today’s winner will receive these prizes from me and Sarah: The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin & an adorable book-stack ornament from me!

Not only will today’s winner get those, but they will also get EACH of these prizes below:

Coral by Sara Ella

ARC The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel

Her Cowboy Till Christmas by Jill Kemerer

The Painted Castle by Kristy Cambron

Recovered Secrets by Jessica Patch

A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson

The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah Ladd

Her Last Chance Cowboy by Tina Radcliffe

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

AND

You Belong with Me by Tari Faris

It’s not too late to enter in the Rafflecopter giveaway below by following some of your favorite authors on social media and signing up for their newsletters. We draw a new winner every day, and on December 12th, we’ll give away a $100 Amazon Gift Card in addition to all the other great prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don’t forget to stop by Liz’s blog tomorrow to see what prize is added then. 

Are We There Yet?

Another lifetime ago, we lived overseas. And during that time, we were able to take a family trip to London. On that trip, one thing stood out to my children above all others. Bigger than the London Eye, more impressive than the Crown Jewels, even more memorable than the mac’n’cheese at the Hard Rock Cafe.

The walking.

We walked everywhere. And we walked for ages, and ages. At least in their little minds, and to their little feet, we did. Now bear in mind, at the time, we lived in a small village in rural Ireland. There just wasn’t that much within walking distance, and if you did walk somewhere, you were likely taking your life in your hands because there were either no sidewalks, or they were really, really narrow. So, needless to say, we drove just about everywhere we had to go.

This trip was before we moved to Vienna and utilized public transport everyday, so I was worried about how they would fare navigating the underground, hopping on and off buses and trains, being schlepped here, there and everywhere by their well-meaning parents who were going to “show them some history.” However, there’s apparently something highly exotic and exciting about getting to go somewhere with no seatbelt and standing up! Exotic and exciting aside, there was often just One thing they wanted to know:

Are we there yet?!?

I couldn’t blame them, really. Sometimes the question was asked out of excitement. Take, for instance, the Crown Jewels. Having watched the royal wedding, and nearly every Disney princess movie known to man, they were giddy with excitement about seeing the queen’s crown. So, the hour long tour we took before entering the jewel house was, to them, nothing short of medieval torture. Other times, it was asked from sheer exhaustion. Like when we walked for over half an hour in the wrong direction towards our dinner destination, only to have to retrace our steps and cross the city and then still have to wait nearly two hours for a table.

In either case, every time they asked the question, I tried to point out all of the great things we were seeing along the way. But they just weren’t interested. They had their eyes on the “prize”, and nothing was going to distract them.

It was sometime during one of these lovely little exchanges with my wee cherubs that it hit me like a ton of bricks. I might as well have been a pot trying to get the attention of my two little kettles. My entire life flashed before my eyes (only not in that weird pre-death sense).

A good chunk of my life has been spent riding the “are we there yet?” underground train. I hop on the train, wait for that one thing – an engagement ring, the wedding, a baby, the book contract – and then surface just long enough to see my destination. Then I submerge again until the next thing. In the meantime, how many wonderful things do I miss out on along the way because I just want to be there?

I think, if only I can get there, I’ll be happy and can enjoy the journey. The only problem is, there never feels like there! There will always be another there. Another tooth to break through, another grumpy teacher to deal with, another pound to lose, another medical battle to fight.

And these days, following the signing of my very first book contract, it is so tempting for me to wish for the next there. The title to be finalized. The cover to be set and revealed. The book to be done and in my hot little hands already!

Meanwhile, I’m missing out on life. You see, it was in those two hours in London waiting for a table that we had some of the best conversations with the people we were with. It was on those long walks between sights that I got to hold my daughter’s hand, or carry my son, and listen to their stories and questions and songs. The best parts of my vacation happened between all of the “must sees.” And it was in the years of waiting for this contract that I built incredible relationships with unbelievably kind people who helped me learn invaluable lessons I needed before I could even be ready for a book! I just need to take a lesson from London and experience and enjoy the journey as much as the destinations along the way.

*****************
What about you? What is your “there” right now? Are you missing out on things you could be enjoying?

This post is an updated version of one that appeared on this blog back in 2011.

The Curse of Misty Wayfair — Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway!

If you follow me at all on social media, then you know I have an obsession with Jaime Jo Wright and everything she writes. Her first two books, The House on Foster Hill and The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond, are on my Top Ten All Time Favorite Reads List. The list of awards for The House of Foster Hill just keeps growing, and I cannot find adequate words to express how much of loved her latest release, The Curse of Misty Wayfair.

I honestly don’t know how Jaime Jo Wright does it. The three books I have read by her have all been excellent–each one better than the last, in fact. And each one with its own distinct style, tone, and message.

The Curse of Misty Wayfair is a haunting, intense journey exploring identity, grace, and the stigma surrounding mental illness. Wright expertly and sensitively navigates the ragged history of mental illness care and “treatment,” while keeping the integrity of the truth.

The Curse of Misty Wayfair is dark and creepy, yet laced with hope and grace. Definitely creepier than her previous two novels, it is not so dark as to lose the strong element of faith that ties both timelines together.

When I had to tear myself away from this book to tend to my responsibilities, I found myself aching to return to the story–as if by my presence I could protect Heidi and Thea from the haunting and mystery shrouding their lives as they fight to uncover the truth–the truth they aren’t sure they truly want to know.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Wright is a master storyteller with honest and flawed characters that display God’s grace and compassion through their imperfect search for purpose and identity.

Now, I have something very special for you. I used my super-secret, marketing savvy and was able to get my hands on an excerpt just for you guys! And by super-secret marketing savvy, I mean…the publishers made it available and I jumped at the chance to share it with you. 🙂
Just click here to get access to it. You’ll be hooked and need to run right out and buy it because you’re going to love it so much!

About The Curse of Misty Wayfair:

Left at an orphanage as a child, Thea Reed vowed to find her mother someday. Now grown, her search takes her to Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin, in 1908. When clues lead her to a mental asylum, Thea uses her experience as a post-mortem photographer to gain access and assist groundskeeper Simeon Coyle in photographing the patients and uncovering the secrets within. However, she never expected her personal quest would reawaken the legend of Misty Wayfair, a murdered woman who allegedly haunts the area and whose appearance portends death.

A century later, Heidi Lane receives a troubling letter from her mother—who is battling dementia—compelling her to travel to Pleasant Valley for answers to her own questions of identity. When she catches sight of a ghostly woman who haunts the asylum ruins in the woods, the long-standing story of Misty Wayfair returns—and with it, Heidi’s fear for her own life.

As two women across time seek answers about their identities and heritage, can they overcome the threat of the mysterious curse that has them inextricably intertwined?

About Jaime Jo Wright:

Professional coffee drinker & Daphne du Maurier and Christy Award Winning author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing spirited romantic suspense stained with the shadows of history. Coffee fuels her snarky personality. She lives in Neverland with her Cap’n Hook who stole her heart and will not give it back, their little fairy Tinkerbell, and a very mischievous Peter Pan. The foursome embark on scores of adventure that only make her fall more wildly in love with romance and intrigue. Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures atjaimejowright.com

 

Now you can enter to win your very own copy of The Curse of Misty Wayfair!

Just comment on this blog post and let me know if your favorite genre to read, and your drink/snack of choice while reading. That’s it! I will randomly choose a winner from the commenters on Saturday, February 9.

***Giveaway open to U.S. Residents only.***