Two days only – 99c for Award Winning Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby

Posted on October 15, 2013 by fundinmental

Spare Change was the first book I read of Bette Lee Crosby’s and I never looked back. I am eager to begin reading her latest, Jubilee’s Journey, which is Book II of the Wyattsville series.

Her stories are full of love and the characters could be your family, friends or neighbors.

I hope you will take this opportunity to get acquainted with Bette Lee Crosby’s work.

Paperback, 280 pages

Published September 27th 2011 by Bent Pine Publishing (first published September 2nd 2011)

ISBN

0983887918 (ISBN13: 9780983887911)

edition language

English

series

Wyattsville #1

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Literary Awards

Reader Views Literary Award for South-East Region (USA) and General Fiction (1st Place tie) (2011)

Royal Palm Literary Award (2010)

Jack Eadon Award for Best Comtemporary Drama

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SYNOPSIS

A Woman who is Superstitious to the Core…

A Boy who claims his Parents are Dead…

A Murderer who wants to Silence the Truth of What Happened.

Olivia Westerly knows what she knows — opals mean disaster, eleven is the unluckiest number on earth and children weigh a woman down like a pocketful of stones. That’s why she’s avoided marriage for almost forty years. But when Charlie Doyle happened along, he was simply too wonderful to resist. Now she’s a widow with an eleven-year-old boy claiming to be her grandson.

Spare Change is a quirky mix of Southern flair, serious thoughts about the important things in life, the madcap adventures of a young boy and a late change of heart that makes all the difference in an unusually independent woman.

With a foul mouth, dark secrets and heavily guarded emotions, Ethan Allen Doyle is not an easy child to like. He was counting on the grandpa he’d never met for a place to hide, but now that plan is shot to blazes because the grandpa’s dead too. He’s got seven dollars and twenty-six cents, his mama’s will for staying alive, and Dog. But none of those things are gonna help if Scooter Cobb finds him.

To get your copy of Spare Change or any of Bette’s books, simply click on the covers below.

To see my Review of What Matters Most, go HERE.

To see my Review of Spare Change, go HERE.

To see my Review of Cupid’s Christmas, go HERE.

To see my Review of Cracks In The Sidewalk, go HERE.

To see my Review of The Twelfth Child, go HERE.

My Collection of Bette Lee Crosby’s books by Sherry Fundin

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Tag Team Event – Giveaway and Review of The Twelfth Child by Bette Lee Crosby

Posted on August 30, 2013 by fundinmental

This Tag Team Event is to enable Laura, at fuonlyknew, and I to share our love of Bette Lee Crosby’s books with all our readers and followers. Go HERE to find out what Laura has to say and another chance to win.

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The Twelfth Child by Bette Lee Crosby is only one of her amazing, award-winning books.

My Collection of Bette Lee Crosby’s books by Sherry Fundin

It took me two hours to get this shot. I went from room to room looking for a place that wouldn’t leave a glare on the photo.Then I waited until the sun moved away from the back of the house. I finally chose this shot, taken on the pew in the kitchen. Enjoy these beauties, then choose one for yourself.

“Magic happens inside our heads, people can’t see magic.”

1900’s

Abigail Anne was more than capable of helping her papa but he only had eyes for William, his son. She was the twelfth born child in a family where girls were expected to do “girl things” and get married by the time they were sixteen. But Abigail’s dreams far surpassed what her father expected from her.

After her mother, died she would remember her saying, “Someday Abigail Anne, someday, every girl with an adventurous heart will be able to follow her dreams”.

Seventy years later

Destiny entered her life. She was a giving, happy, optimistic, hard working girl, who had raised herself. Abigail thought it was wonderful to have a neighbor like Destiny and everything was better when she was around. She was always there, whenever Abigail needed a helping hand, and neither expected nor asked for anything in return.

Abigail’s nephew, Elliot, had only one thing on his mind, her money, and he would do whatever it took to get it. Abigail would never forget what he said, when she first met him. “So, ‘this’ is Abigail Anne….the twelfth child of William Lannigan….my grandmother was the ‘first’.”

When a million dollars comes up missing, Elliot is quick to blame it on Destiny. With no one to help, what would become of her?

Image courtesy of dream designs at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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The book cover conveys the feeling of the 1900’s. I love the old time look of it. I find her covers are full of emotion and portray the stories that will be told between the pages.

I should know by now, whenever I read one of Bette Lee Crosby’s books, I need to have a box of tissues handy. The range of emotions her writing evokes in me go to every extreme. I feel tears in my eyes as I am writing this. The anger and disgust over the disrespect for girls and women is far outweighed by the sadness I feel. To think it is not going on today, is to deny reality. There are still plenty of male chauvinists around, in every walk of life.

Bette Lee Crosby’s characters are richly developed and read as if they are the people next door. Destiny was such a good person, it was so wrong that she was subjected to all the things she went through.But, no one every said life was fair. I felt her pain and wondered how The Twelfth Child could end up with a happy ending.

The things people do for money knows no bounds. Greed is alive and well. I can only hope the cliches are true “what goes around comes around.”

I always find myself engrossed in her books from beginning to end, unable to put them down. I read The Twelfth Child until the wee hours of the morning. The writing is excellent and swept me along. I had to know what Destiny’s destiny would be.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

It doesn’t really matter to me whether Bette Lee Crosby expects a review from me or not. Her books speak so loudly to me, that I feel I will always have to share them. She kindly gave me a signed paperback that holds a prominent place in my bookshelf, next to her other books.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bette Lee Crosby’s work was first recognized in 2006, when she won the National League of American Pen Women Award for unpublished fiction with What Matters Most. Her novel, Cracks in the Sidewalk, received the 2009 Royal Palm Literary Award and then went on to win the 2011 FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal. In 2011 Spare Change received the Reviewer’s Choice Awards and it garnered a second Royal Palm Literary Award. Her books have earned numerous five-star ratings with readers acclaiming them as heartwarming and captivating.

Most recently, Bette completed a memoir written for Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as The World’s Longest Living Quadriplegic.

To see what Bette Lee Crosby is up to, follow the links below.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

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GIVEAWAY

Bette Lee Crosby is offering for the Giveaway:

1 Signed Paperback of The Twelfth Child – US ONLY.

1 ebook of The Twelfth Child – International.

Easy entry as always, just leave your email address with your choice, PB or ebook and answer the question:

Do you believe in Destiny?

Giveaway ends FRIDAY, September 13, 2013.

Friday the 13th is not always a bad thing.

Go HERE to find out what Laura has to say and another chance to win.

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Bette Lee Crosby has a new release that I would love to share with you. Bette’s covers seem to convey strong emotions in me. They are so sweet and true to life. They speak to me. Do you feel the same?

SYNOPSIS

When tragedy strikes a West Virginia coal mining family, two children start out on a trek that they hope will lead them to a new life. Before a day passes, the children are separated and the boy is caught up in a robbery not of his making. If his sister can find him, she may be able to save him. The problem is she’s only seven years old, and who’s going to believe a kid?

Jubilee’s Journey is Book Two in the Wyattsville Series. This story of discovering lost family and finding love reconnects readers with Ethan Allen and the other heart-warming characters of the bestselling novel SPARE CHANGE

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If you would like to purchase a copy of Bette Lee’s books, click on the cover below.

To see my Review of What Matters Most, go HERE.

To see my Review of Spare Change, go HERE.

To see my Review of Cupid’s Christmas, go HERE.

To see my Review of Cracks In The Sidewalk, go HERE.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Giveaway and Review of Cracks In The Sidewalk by Bette Lee Crosby

Posted on January 30, 2013 by fundinmental

“This novel is based on a true story of losing hope and finding forgiveness. The book was the 2011 Winner of the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal and it took First Place in the Royal Palm Literary Award Competition. It is a story that will touch your heart and leave you with a feeling of inspiration.’

The Words of Bette Lee Crosby

Cracks in the Sidewalk

Add to Goodreads

How can you look into those gorgeous blue eyes and not want to wrap your arms around the child and fill his life with love and happiness? The emotion this cover evokes almost overwhelms me. It’s as if he is pleading with me to make it all better.

I received a letter and immediately sat down and wrote a letter in return. I hadn’t seen my grandchildren in 20 years. My dreams had always been of a large family, always together. I was an only child, but I didn’t know it. I filled my life with an imaginary family, to take the place of my cold and unloving parents.

Charlie and I could only have one child, but I filled Elizabeth’s life with playmates. When she married Jeffrey and they said they were going to have a houseful of kids, I was ecstatic.

Elizabeth told us of her first pregnancy twenty-two years ago. That’s when I told her of my imaginary family of kids. We joked and laughed about how we both could picture their faces.

When Elizabeth became pregnant with their third child, she knew something wasn’t right, I did too. J. T. rode her hard and criticized her at every turn. Elizabeth knew it was because of his own failure, but she loved him and made allowances.

Funny how you think you know someone, but they are totally different. They have kept it hidden, but something like money problems exposes their weakness. Elizabeth’s dad, Charlie, wouldn’t give J.T. any more money. So, in an attempt to blackmail him and extort more money from him, he wouldn’t let them see the kids. He didn’t care who he hurt.

As Elizabeth’s health deteriorates, no one sees J.T.’s next move coming, until it is too late.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

Bette Lee Crosby’s covers always portray such a mix of emotions, foretelling the roller coaster ride inside the pages of the book. How can you look into those gorgeous blue eyes of the child on the cover and not be overcome with a desire to protect and love. I just know something bad is coming by the look in his eyes, the pain I see there.

A very sad and tragic story. As I read, I became very angry. I can’t say much about why, but when you read the book, you will know what I mean. No words can tell how upsetting parts of the book were, while others were so uplifting. Whenever a child’s heart breaks, the mothers breaks also. Whenever a child’s heart soars, so too does the mother’s. Our children are always a child to us parents.

Elizabeth was a good and kind person. When she was a little girl, she brought home every stray she found, feeling it necessary to care for them and give them a loving home. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would respond – a mom. She loved being a wife and mother. I remember my own mother’s answer when I asked her if she ever regretted staying at home and being a wife and mother. She said no, she loved every minute of it. Elizabeth would do almost anything for her husband and kids. She was a loving daughter, insightful and forgiving. Everyone loved her, except for, maybe, her husband.

J. T. was a mean, selfish, self-centered and vindictive adulterer. Because of his inability to accept blame for his failures, he had to blame them on someone else. So he picks the one person who loved him most, to become his whipping post. If I could have leaped into the pages of the book and punched his lights out, I would have.

Claire was a wonderful, loving and caring mother. She would do anything for her daughter. Sacrifice anything. She ached for her daughter’s pain. A heartbreaking vigil.

“Nothings perfect, life is like a sidewalk leading to heaven, we’re bound to come across a few cracks in it.”

“They’re Gods way of moving aside life’s cement. He’s giving us a chance to let something new grow.“

Bette Lee Crosby’s writing evokes such a wide range of emotions, I am continually surprised at how deeply her books affect me. Bette s books are so well written and the stories are so heartfelt and realistic, that you cannot help but respond to them. I couldn’t put the book down, as I read the blurred words through the tears in my eyes, until I reached the last word and closed the book.

I received this book in return for an honest and unbiased review. That is never a problem with Bette’s books, because they do not disappoint.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Most recently, Bette completed a memoir written for Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as The World’s Longest Living Quadriplegic.

To see what Bette Lee Crosby is up to, follow the links below.

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

To purchase any of Bette Lee Crosby’s books from Amazon, simply click on the cover below.

To see my Review of Spare Change, go HERE.

To see my Review of Cupid’s Christmas, go HERE.

GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos Bette Lee Crosby is offering for the Giveaway

US – 2 (two) Paperbacks

International – 1 (one) ebook.

Easy entry as always, just leave your email address and answer the question:

What is a good memory you have as a child growing up?

Giveaway will run from 1/30 – 2/13, 2013 .

CLOSED. WINNERS are — PB Margie – PB Cindy Hamilton – Ebook Pragya.

Follow me by email to keep up on all the latest news, reviews and giveaways, not required.

Tweet and let your friends, family and followers know what’s going on, not required.

The Twelfth Child (irenewatson.typepad.com)

A GIFT FROM BETTE

Posted on November 26, 2012 by fundinmental

. Christmas Pictures, Images and Photos

Get ready for Christmas and some fun love…CUPID’S CHRISTMAS is going to be a FREEBIE for all Bette’s Kindle Friends, but it will be ONE DAY ONLY!

Be sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 27th, then stop by Amazon and grab a FREE copy of this fun holiday romance.

TO SEE MY REVIEW, GO HERE.

There’s enough love to go around, so be sure to share this invite with your friends and book buddies.

Cupid will definitely make your holiday merrier!

Simply click on the cover to get your free copy.

Happy Holidays To All

Giveaway of Love Travels Forever by Jaye Francis (fundinmental.wordpress.com)
WINNERS!!! of Cupid’s Christmas (fundinmental.wordpress.com)
Giveaway and Review of Cupid’s Christmas by Bette Lee Crosby (fundinmental.wordpress.com)

Giveaway and Review of Cupid’s Christmas by Bette Lee Crosby

Posted on November 5, 2012 by fundinmental

This book has a new cover and title.

Click on the cover below to see.

Hello, my name is Cupid.

Love doesn’t just happen. I get my orders from Upstairs, then I proceed to make it happen, or try to.

I have spent centuries dealing with humans, but Lindsay Gray was a puzzle. She was so unpredictable and impulsive. She can’t seem to tell love from lust. If I can’t help Lindsay, she’ll end up being classified as Love-Challenged.

After losing her job and deciding to go home, she was in for a rude awakening. She envisioned home as if nothing had changed, as if time had stood still. She thought her friends and family would all be the same, just waiting for her to come home and pick up where she had left off.When she got home, she realized she never came back because it reminded her of her dead mother and she wanted to avoid any unhappy thoughts. But she soon settled in as if she had never left.

If I didn’t create a diversion for her, she would ruin more lives than her own. Cupid thought – dog – distraction.

Bugs Bunny Sleigh Taz Tasmanian Devil Daffy Duck Slyvester Tweety Pie Roadrunner Merry Christmas Emoticon Emoticons Animated Animation Animations Gif Pictures, Images and Photos

4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others

Bette Lee Crosby’s stories and writing style are of the highest caliber. They grab me from the beginning and don’t let go, even after the last sentence is read.

Cute, warm, Christmasy cover. When you near the end of the book, the choice of the cover becomes clear. The title is appropriate. The story is as much about Cupid as it is Lindsay, maybe even more so.

A feel good love story – romance, full of the hills and valleys, highs and lows, roller-coaster ride… that love entails.

Cupid – I loved how he talked about manipulating humans. True love is a lot more subtle than people think, that is why they sometimes miss the moment. Humans thought they actually controlled their lives, but he knew better. All they do is muck it up. It makes you wonder why he cared so much. Even Cupid has faith. I guess he has to?

As he described us and our failings, I would find myself laughing.

Lindsay – so intent on her losses, she couldn’t see what was right in front of her. She was so gullible. She was very impulsive and unpredictable. You wanted her to go right, so you could bet your … she was going to go left. To me she seemed so selfish, that I really didn’t like her and never would have spent any time with her. I thought she needed a good slap up side the head. lol Do you think she will change? Is she going to find what she has been looking for?

I loved when Amanda talks to Lindsay and describes Phillip. “Phillip is nothing more than a gift box, gorgeous on the outside, totally empty inside.”

I received this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT THE DOG

Taken from the back of the book, in Bette’s own words.

The dog featured on the front cover is Katie, a rescued Bichon who has been with us for over nine years. We adopted her when she was just under a year old and at that time, she was terribly underweight, her hair tangled and knotted and her skin covered with fleas and ticks. The day we picked her up, she was trembling like a frightened rabbit.

All that changed. Over the years she learned the joy of tummy rubs and treats. She became my constant companion and spent most of the afternoon sitting in my lap as I worked at the computer. At times she was also my muse. In the novel Spare Change, the name Scooter Cobb was taken from Katie’s boyfriend, another bichon who visited Katie often and spent a fair bit of time at our house.

Katie was the inspiration for this book and the picture used on the inside pages was taken by Heavenly Acres Rescue on the day they picked her up. It’s hard to understand by anyone would neglect a sweet little dog like this, but the sad truth is it happens.

As the book goes to press, my heart is heavy because our sweet angel has been diagnosed with an inoperable carcinoma on the underside of her tongue. I know our days with her are numbered and it is breaking my heart. This book is my final tribute to the sweet little girl who has been such an important part of our life. I will always love her.

In an effort to help other rescue dogs find their forever people, a portion of the proceeds from this book will go the Treasure Coast Humane society to support their no-kill shelter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Most recently, Bette completed a memoir written for Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as The World’s Longest Living Quadriplegic.

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos

Giveaway – Bette Lee Crosby is offering for the giveaway:

International – 2 ebooks of Cupid’s Christmas.

US and Canada – 1 signed paperback.

As always the entry is easy. Leave a comment – What is your favorite part of the Christmas holidays? – and an email address. Contest ends on November 19, 2012.

My favorite time of any giveaway is announcing the winners. So without further ado, the winners of Cupid‘s Christmas by Bette Lee Crosby are: