Hanging out with a Texas Buddy

Hey y'all! Today I'm over on Lena Nelson Dooley's blog sharing about Win, Love, or Draw, hanging out with commenters, and giving away a copy of my book. Would love to "see" you there! =D

Merry Christmas - The Best Story Ever

Howdy y'all! Merry Christmas Eve!

I hope the rest of your week is superb and you get lots of blessings---presents and otherwise. :)

Today I'm over on Stitches Thru Time sharing about The Best Story Ever. Hope you can join me.

Spread the Christmas Joy #Giveaway

It’s Mine! Ever seen it? People scrambling, fighting over unwrapped presents? Bartering, trading, begging? Oh, yeah, anything goes. :...

Howdy y'all! Follow the link below to read the rest of the tale of a party from Christmas past. I'm guesting on Emilie Hendrix's blog and giving away a copy of Win, Love, or Draw to one of those who comment there. Merry Christmas!!!

Thinking Thoughts: Crystal L. Barnes | Spread the Christmas Joy

I'm Sale-lebrating!

Sale-lebrate with me! Dec 9th-11th Win, Love, or Draw will be on sale on Kindle for only $0.99! Be sure to spread the word and grab a copy or two. http://amzn.to/1U0lAz9

What am I sale-lebrating? Why, Book 2 - Love, Stock, and Barrel is now available for preorder on Kindle!!!! (yes, there will be a print-version available prior to the launch date) http://amzn.to/1U0lQ15


Love, Stock, and Barrel by Crystal L. Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved writing this tale. Dinah and Russell's story all developed from a what-if -- What if there was a shotgun wedding with the rifle pointed at the lady instead of the man?

View all my reviews

Where am I?

Howdy y'all! Today you'll find me on Jodie Wolfe's blog, sharing some of the heart behind Win, Love, or Draw. Won't you join us?
http://www.jodiewolfe.com/#!Guest-Blogger-Crystal-Barnes/c1ghk/56548aa70cf2b6a6e930d5b0

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!!

Today I'm over on Castle Gate Press's blog sharing a bit of what I imagine a perfect Thanksgiving would be and how I used that in my story Win, Love, or Draw. Would love to have you stop by and share what you're thankful for today.

http://www.castlegatepress.com/cultivating-an-attitude-of-gratitude-by-author-crystal-l-barnes/

Bonus Day

Today has been a day of bonuses and blessings.

1. First thing this morning, I found out I be on Andrea Boeshaar's blog tomorrow--Everything Writerly. Yay!
2. I got an opportunity to be interviewed on Old Coots and Young Wiseguys. (Link to come--hopefully this weekend). Double Yay!
3. My first shipment of author copies for Win, Love, or Draw arrived, safe and sound. Snoopy dance!!!
4. And I got to try out a new BookBub feature. My book is now listed on their website. Have you checked out BookBub.com ? If not, it's a great place to find deals on tons of novels.

How about you? Have you seen God's blessings in your life today?

One Hour and Counting. Don't Miss Out!

Howdy y'all! We're less than an hour away from the Win, Love, or Draw Facebook Launch Party! Don't miss out on the fun or the giveaways! Come on by!

Behind the Scenes

Howdy y'all! Happy Release Day! Want to hear some behind-the-scenes tidbit about Win, Love, or Draw? Today I'm being interviewed on Stitches Thru Time and answering questions, having lots of fun. :) Won't you come join us? Stitches Thru Time: Crystal's Big Day

Look Who Shared!

Howdy y'all! Look who let me share on her blog today....Janice Thompson. She's such a sweetie. :) And if you haven't read her books, you should. They're lots of laughs and great messages to boot. Here's the link to my post (Hang on for the Ride) on her blog. Be sure to check out her other goodies while you're there. :)

Loving This Whole Series

The Lady and the Mountain Promise by Misty M. Beller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great read by Misty Beller. I'm loving this whole series. The preacher's story is a wonderful installment in this collection and picks up right where book 3 leaves off. Curious about the cafe's cook? You'll learn about her too. And of course an insightful biblical message included in the mix. Definitely a novel I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian historical romances.

I received this novel free in exchange for my honest review.

View all my reviews

Don't Miss Out on the Fun!

Facebook Launch Party coming your way! Don't miss out on the fun!

Monday, Nov 16th @ 7pm Central (mark your calendars!) 

Howdy y'all! I'm throwing a FB party to celebrate the release of my first full-length novel Win, Love, or Draw and you're all invited! Did I mention I'm giving away gifts? :) Click to join the group and don't forget to invite your friends. The more the merrier!

I'm in Two Places

Howdy y'all! You can find me in two different places today. Well, three if you count my house. :)

I'm sitting down with Virginia Smith on Stitches Thru Time today. She's giving us a behind the scenes look at A Kiss is Still a Kiss, a collection of short stories and a sneak peek or two at some of the stories. Did I mention I have a story in the mix? No? Well, I have a short story in the mix called "Let's Make a Deal." The officially book releases on Sunday, and I'm super excited.

You can also find me today on the Writers on the Storm blog sharing some writerly, branding-type tidbits with those who stop by. Would love to see you there. :)

Want to Win a copy of Win, Love, or Draw?

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Win, Love, or Draw

by Crystal L. Barnes

Giveaway ends November 11, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Two Recommended Reads

A Refuge at Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love history? Love romance? Then A Refuge at Highland Hall is right up your alley. Carrie Turansky brings England during WWI to life and has you rooting for her hunky fighter-pilot hero and sweet-n-strong Penny Ramsey. This last installment in the Edwardian Brides series ties up all the loose ends and leaves you with a smile on your face. Another book by Carrie Turansky I'd definitely recommend.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Lady and the Mountain Fire by Misty M. Beller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful series by Misty M Beller. Each one a hit! The Lady and the Mountain Fire will keep you turning pages. Claire Sullivan doesn't know what she's getting into when she leaves her home in South Carolina to help her blind grandmother in Montana Territory, and she definitely didn't expect a man like Doctor Bryan Donahue to cross her path. A great read. I definitely recommend.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

View all my reviews

Help Pick My Cover

A Most Peculiar Circumstance - Honest Review

A Most Peculiar Circumstance by Jen Turano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jen Turano has given us another great read. Lively characters. Believable romance. Page-turning mystery. The only part that saddened me was the description of one of the villains; it felt like one of the Criminal Minds episodes had dropped into my make-believe world, my escape from reality. I don't watch that show, and it saddened me to find something like that in such a wonderful story. I'd still recommend the book; it's a good novel. I look forward to reading her next story, but I'm hoping it doesn't have a similar type of character.

View all my reviews

In a Pit - Recommended

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars by Mark Batterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've read this book at least 3 or 4 times now. I would definitely recommend it. In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is a wonderful book aimed at helping Christians reach their full potential and run after what God wants them to do. A must-read.

View all my reviews

We're Tattling on Ourselves Today #Giveaway

Have you ever made a craft or some other DIY that went awry? Ever sewn your skirt to the tablecloth or burned the carpet with an iron? No?Well, then stop over by Stitches Thru Time today to here us tattle on ourselves about these DIY mishaps and more. :)

What's Your Earliest Memory?

Who's two? Well, Stitches Thru Time. That's who. Howdy y'all! Yes, today we're continuing our birthday bash over on Stitches Thru Time.

Curious how I looked when I was two? Drop on by and come see. :) We'd love to have you, and we're giving away lots of gifts this month to celebrate.

Stitches Thru Time: Who's TWO?

Book Review: A Change of Fortune

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an enjoyable cast of characters! A Change of Fortune is a wonderful read that I devoured in a day. Lots of humor, action, and sweet romance to keep the pages turning. You don't want to miss this one.

View all my reviews

Sharing Waters

Hey y'all! I'm sharing some more pics from my trip to Yellowstone over on Stitches Thru Time today. These all show God's wonderful weaving of waters through His creation. Care to take a peek? Click here to see more.

Photo Fun

Hey y'all! I'm over on Stitches Thru Time today sharing some of the fun photos of my trip to Yellowstone National Park. Would love to have you drop by.

(P.S. Those who leave a comment are entered into a drawing for a book by one of our STT authors. :) )

Telephones, Carousels, & Cabins

Howdy y'all! Do you know what telephones, carousels, and cabins have in common? I got to visit a place recently that had all three and more. Thought I'd share some fun pics from my visit to the Dickinson Co Museum in Abilene, Kansas.

There was a switchboard you could fiddle with, plus an old phone booth.










For $2 you can ride a steam-powered carousel built back at the turn of the 20th century.

I chose to ride one of the horses. Notice, there's no poles, only stirrups and reins to help you hold on. And they rocked! Literally. Just a like the gait of a real horse. So cool.

You could also wander through an old log cabin, complete with wood stove, dry sink, and even a washing machine. (That's what I'm sitting beside on the porch.)

One last thing we toured was a barn full of old stuff.

All in all, the hour or so spent at the museum was well worth it.

What was the last museum you toured?

P.S. I've shared a bit more about the carousel on my group blog Stitches Thru Time. 

How Green Be Ye?

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

I'm chillin' over on Stitches Thru Time today, having a great time seeing where people fall on my green meter. :) Come see where you land.

http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-green-are-ye.html

On Stitch Thru Time with Fay Lamb Today

Happy Weekend y'all! I've got Fay Lamb in the hot seat over on Stitches Thru Time today tattling about herself and her new intriguing story Storms in Serenity. Come drop by and see what she's got in store for us.

http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/2015/03/fay-lambs-in-interview-chair.html

What Do You Know?

I learned two things--okay, make that three--this weekend. One, I can still do back flips and front flips on the trampoline. Yay! Two, I learned how to crack a bull whip. (Thank you, Mama. :) ) Three, I learned, yet again, that with God nothing is impossible. With Him, I can do anything. Even crazy writing goals.

I set some of those this weekend, and honestly, part of me thought them impossible, but God reassured me with Him I can do all things. With Him, nothing is impossible. So let me encourage you this lovely Monday morning. If you have a problem, a goal, a situation that's too big for you, it's not too big for God. Give it to Him and see what y'all can do together. :)

P.S. I'm learning one more thing as I write this---it's very interesting trying to type with one jammed finger in a splint. Yep, sometimes learning involves a little pain or inconvenience.

What have you learned lately or even today? Are you facing a challenge? How can I pray for you?

How Well Do You Know Me?

In my first ever author interview on Stitches Thru Time today, I'm sharing a fun fact about yours truly, plus a bit about my upcoming short story Husband Hunting in the anthology Out of the Storm coming out February 3rd. Would love to see you there!

My First Guest Post!

Another first for me today. :) I'm getting to guest blog on Janet K Brown's site.

Click here if you'd like to check it out. I'm sharing a bit about how Out of the Storm came to be.

It's Here! It's Here!

The Year of our Lord 2015 is here! How are you planning to use this new year? Have you made resolutions? Goals perhaps? However you spend your days, please spend them wisely. Here's a poem I read yesterday by an unknown author that made me stop and think. Hope it touches you too.

This is the beginning of a new day.
I have been given this day to use as I will.
I can waste it or use it for good,
but what I do today is important,
because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever,
leaving in its place something I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain, and not loss;
good and not evil;
success and not failure;
in order that I shall not regret the price I have paid for it.

What plans do you have for the New Year?