Book Blitz: The Helping Heart by Annie M. Ballard

 

The Helping Heart
Annie M. Ballard
(Sisters of Stella Mare, #4)
Publication date: March 15th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Women’s Fiction

Helen comes home and everything should be wonderful. Even if she’s returning due to a divorce. But there is more…

The Madison sisters, once close, are suddenly alienated as oldest Helen returns to Stella Mare. Her desire to help everyone includes keeping them at a distance, so her own secrets stay private. Her plan backfires, making her persona non grata and upsetting her father. To keep the peace with Dad, she suggests a group activity: the four sisters will hike the Fundy Footpath, an iconic and challenging backpacking trip along the Bay of Fundy. Why not? They’re young, they’re strong, and besides, they’re Madisons.

Despite each sister’s reservations, the desire to reconnect pulls them into this adventure. The hike is arduous and not for the faint of heart. Daunting cliffs, deep forests, rushing rivers and unpredictable tides accompany the gorgeous views, stunning sunrises, and the sheer power of nature. The challenges, though shared, fracture things further, and even Helen’s campfire confession doesn’t heal the breach. But when crisis happens, Helen is called to rise to the occasion and be the sister they need her to be.

Returning to Stella Mare was hard. Regaining her place in the family was harder. Come home to Stella Mare with Helen, as she, Rett, Evie and Dorie learn once again how to be sisters.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

“Time to burn some of those calories,” Helen called out. “Let’s get going.”

Evie cast her a curious gaze. “Is there something we’re hurrying for? You should let us know, Helen.”

She narrowed her eyes. “We need to get going. We’re like sitting ducks here.”

Rett laughed. “We’re nobody’s target. We started early, we already did the tidal crossings, so we are not worried about tides right now, and we have time to take a break if somebody is vomiting. Really.”

Helen shook her head and walked away toward the tree line. Where was that wolf? And why couldn’t her sisters take direction?

Annoyed, she kept gazing into the woods, though she kept an ear tuned toward the conversations behind her. Soon enough, everybody got ready to go again, and Evie called to her. “We’re all set, Helen.” She huffed a little as she headed back, chin held high.

Evie started off beside Dorie, the two easily chatting. Rett waited for Helen. “Tone it down a bit,” she advised.

“Are you bitching about me, too?” Helen snapped.

“Like that,” Rett said noncommittally. “Take it down a notch.”

“You’re so helpful,” she sniped. “Like anybody even notices me.”

“Everybody notices you.” Rett’s tone was correcting. “Especially when you’re being a royal pain in the neck. Tone it down. Nobody’s here to make a fool of you.”

Helen, shocked, took the impact of those words on her chest. Nobody’s here to make a fool of you. She had nothing to say.

Rett nudged her with an elbow. “Come on. Let’s make it a good day for a hike.”

She nodded tightly and followed.

Hiking made her brain run faster. Rett’s words rang in her memory. Nobody’s here to make a fool of you, Helen.

I don’t need anyone to do that. I’ve done it myself, more than once. A lot more than once.

Despite her tired body, her mind was super-charged as thoughts, memories and feelings flooded her. She couldn’t outrace them, and even the challenging terrain didn’t distract her, though after a series of switchbacks, landing at the brook felt like an accomplishment. Or at least a break from her thoughts.

Author Bio:

Annie M. Ballard writes about women and family ties in the small villages that feel like home. With one foot in the Canadian Maritimes and the other in New England, she digs deep into the lives of her characters. When she’s not writing, she’s happily baking, gardening, powerlifting and trying to make friends with every dog in her neighbourhood.

Annie’s stories include strong women living real lives, good men trying to do better, and always a happy ending.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

Excerpt Reveal: The Helping Heart by Annie M. Ballard

 The Helping Heart

Annie M. Ballard

(Sisters of Stella Mare, #4)

Publication date: March 15th 2024

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Women’s Fiction

Helen comes home and everything should be wonderful. Even if she’s returning due to a divorce. But there is more…

The Madison sisters, once close, are suddenly alienated as oldest Helen returns to Stella Mare. Her desire to help everyone includes keeping them at a distance, so her own secrets stay private. Her plan backfires, making her persona non grata and upsetting her father. To keep the peace with Dad, she suggests a group activity: the four sisters will hike the Fundy Footpath, an iconic and challenging backpacking trip along the Bay of Fundy. Why not? They’re young, they’re strong, and besides, they’re Madisons.

Despite each sister’s reservations, the desire to reconnect pulls them into this adventure. The hike is arduous and not for the faint of heart. Daunting cliffs, deep forests, rushing rivers and unpredictable tides accompany the gorgeous views, stunning sunrises, and the sheer power of nature. The challenges, though shared, fracture things further, and even Helen’s campfire confession doesn’t heal the breach. But when crisis happens, Helen is called to rise to the occasion and be the sister they need her to be.

Returning to Stella Mare was hard. Regaining her place in the family was harder. Come home to Stella Mare with Helen, as she, Rett, Evie and Dorie learn once again how to be sisters.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

“Earth to Helen! Come in, Helen,” Evie said, in good humour.

Startled, she jumped and snapped, “What?”

“We’re just checking in. See how everyone’s doing.” Evie’s voice stayed even, unperturbed.

“I’m fine,” she snapped again. Her sisters gazed her way. The fire popped, and a frog started singing up the creek.

“Helen —” Rett began. 

Helen interrupted. “Sorry. I’m fine, really. Except I didn’t get much sleep last night, and today has been really long. Really long.” She took a long shuddering breath, shocked to find tears forming. Rett moved closer on the log.

The frog abruptly quieted. Into the silence, the sound of ragged breathing came with intense pressure on her chest. Darkness closed in fast, until all she could see was the licking flame of the campfire.

“Helen!” Her shoulder got a rough shake. “Come back,” Rett said.

Turning her head to look at her sister restored her vision, eased the pressure. She drew a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m here. I’m okay.”

“Are you gonna tell me what just happened?” Rett was in no-nonsense mode.

Hell, no, she wasn’t. “I told you, I’m just tired. More than I expected because of no sleep. I should hit the hay now. You guys should consider it, too,” she said precisely, and got up.

As she headed away from the fire, she listened hard. What would they say about her? It didn’t matter, really. Everything was fine, her, the hike, all of them. Fine.

“

Author Bio:

Annie M. Ballard writes about women and family ties in the small villages that feel like home. With one foot in the Canadian Maritimes and the other in New England, she digs deep into the lives of her characters. When she’s not writing, she’s happily baking, gardening, powerlifting and trying to make friends with every dog in her neighbourhood.

Annie’s stories include strong women living real lives, good men trying to do better, and always a happy ending.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub

Book Blitz: Sea Stars Christmas by Annie M. Ballard

 

Sea Stars Christmas
Annie M. Ballard
Publication date: October 10th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Mackenzie and Declan need a miracle. Or two.

Mackenzie wants to belong – to Declan, her boyfriend, and to Stella Mare, her new Canadian home. Putting on the village’s first-ever Sea Stars Festival at Christmas will help, but it must be perfect. She can’t risk making a mistake.

Declan can’t commit – except to his writing career. Much as he loves Mackenzie and teaching at the high school, he dreams of moving to the city as a successful novelist. In the meantime, he’s producing his first-ever play.

Pulled in different directions, a distance grows between them as the play and festival near. Emotions flare amid twinkling lights while personalities clash, equipment fails, and people fall short. They need a miracle. Or two.

Crusty villagers with a past, problem principals, an errant Santa all do their part as Christmas spirit blooms in the village. Come home to Stella Mare, as Mackenzie and Declan explore what it means to belong – to a village and to each other.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Mackenzie yanked open the car door, barely noticing the cold metal on her hands. This place. Why did she still feel like an outsider? It didn’t help to have local business owners griping about her. Well, to be fair, it was only a few, but they were loud.

Of course things felt unfamiliar when you start over, especially moving to Canada as she had, but she thought it would get better. Getting a job, a house and her dear boyfriend Declan hadn’t given her a place in the wider community. People still made comments and she couldn’t feel her roots. Sometimes it even felt like her life wasn’t real. Right this minute, though, she felt entirely real and entirely stressed. Difficult meetings did that to her. She sat in her cold car, gripping the wheel as she stared into space. Was this new project even possible?

What a stupid idea.

Okay, it was her idea. That didn’t mean it wasn’t stupid. She’d dreamed it up, a holiday festival to highlight the little village she loved. She imagined visitors marveling at the architecture, the charming shops, and the excellent restaurants, all wrapped in Christmas cheer. Magda Allen, chair of the Village Marketing Group, had run with the vision. Despite the naysayers, the group voted it in. Now it was up to Mackenzie to make it happen. In three weeks. Yes, a stupid idea.

A shiny Volvo swept up and Magda grandly gestured for her to put her car window down.

“Good job getting folks on board!” her sort-of boss said cheerily.

Mackenzie wrinkled her forehead. “Who? You heard the complaints. Those people don’t like outsiders. Estelle and Josiah especially.”

“Well, maybe,” Magda admitted, “but most people really liked it. The hotel people, the chocolate guy. The restaurant folks.”

“I guess.” Mackenzie tended to remember the negative bits.

“Some people don’t like change. Don’t worry about it,” Magda advised.

“When they complain about people from away it’s hard not to take it personally,” she said darkly.

“Estelle doesn’t like anybody,” Magda confirmed, “so it’s not about you. Besides, they voted, and you got a green light.”

“We did, not me. I’m an online marketer,“ she reminded her. “I don’t do in-person, talk-to-people-I-don’t-know stuff.”

“You’ll do fine,” Magda enthused. “It’s going to be fun and bring in business. The Sea Stars Festival will be the best festival ever in Stella Mare.”

“Because it’s the first,” Mackenzie objected.

“And that’s good enough,” Magda said. “Keep connected. Let me know what I can do.” Arm waving merrily out the window, she drove off.

Mackenzie could hardly fathom such confidence. If she did, then she could imagine Water Street full of lights and greenery, a parade with floats, bands, even Santa, and happy families watching. Maybe it wasn’t such a reach.

It was even possible organizing this festival could help her get connected to this community. Hope bloomed in her chest, but then she recalled the grim faces of the naysayer and her heart sank again. She wasn’t Magda, endlessly optimistic.

Remembering Josiah’s glare didn’t help, so she tried to shake it off while heading home. She wished she could unload her worries on Declan, but he was always busy. Teaching, writing, and, now, producing his play at the high school consumed his time. Besides, he was at work. She’d have to wait her turn for his attention.

Author Bio:

Annie M. Ballard writes about women and family ties in the small villages that feel like home. With one foot in the Canadian Maritimes and the other in New England, she digs deep into the lives of her characters. When she’s not writing, she’s happily baking, gardening, powerlifting and trying to make friends with every dog in her neighbourhood.

Annie’s stories include strong women living real lives, good men trying to do better, and always a happy ending.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

Excerpt Reveal: Sea Stars Christmas by Annie M. Ballard

 Sea Stars Christmas

Annie M. Ballard

Publication date: October 10th 2023

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

It was a good thing Santa was last in line. That gave her a little more time to pitch the story of Santa’s cousin Sammy the Sailor. She hoped the kids would buy it. She was halfway down the line of floats when she heard Kevin calling her. Turning, she saw him at the head of the line with two older men. Her Santa – now Sammy – had arrived.

“I tole you she was a cute lil’ one,” Billy slurred. The other man was Russ Johnson who’d originally told her where to find Billy. Billy was leaning heavily on Russ.

“Hi, Billy. Hi, Russ.” She didn’t say more. Russ planted his feet more firmly and looked sideways at Mackenzie. 

“So. Seems like we might have a little situation here,” Russ said quietly. “Sorry about this, Mackenzie.”

Silence reigned as Mackenzie, Russ, and Kevin looked at Billy. Wobbly despite Russ’s firm grip, their would-be Santa gazed at the festive scene. “Looks like Chris’mas here.” He stepped away from Russ to fish a silver flask from his back pocket. “Merry Chris’mas. We jus’ need a little snow.” He gazed into the distance.

“Oh, Russ.” Mackenzie groaned. “Oh, no.”

“I know,” Russ said. “He wanted to come down here. I figured it was better for me to bring him than him try to drive.”

Mackenzie sighed as she approached Billy. “Hey, Billy. How are you?”

“What?” Billy squinted as he turned to her voice. “Hey, lil’ girl. Yeah, I’m good, I’m good.” He took another swig from the flask. “Almos’ Chris’mas, ain’t it?”

“Yes, it is,” she agreed. “A few more days. How do you feel, Billy?”

“Me? M’okay,” he said, gazing away from her. “Maybe a little tired.”

She turned a questioning gaze on Russ.

“I think he should go home,” Russ said. “He’s not at his best.” 

“Yeah. I can see that.” Her heart had dropped at Billy’s first word. His bleary eyes confirmed the worst, but she was unwilling to concede defeat. “He’s only got to sit in the wagon. He doesn’t have to do anything. Or say anything.”

“You don’t want a sloshed Santa.” Kevin shook his head.

At that moment, Billy lurched toward Kevin, slung his arm around the other man’s shoulders and leaned into him. “Hey, Kev, how’s that woman of yours? She’s some fine, ain’t she?” 

Kevin leaned under the man’s weight, and Russ stepped in to help keep Billy upright. Mackenzie could imagine the headline in tomorrow’s news: Sloshed Santa Makes Waves at Sea Star Festival. She sighed from the bottom of her feet. 

Excerpt 4 (at the parade)

370 words

“Santa’s coming, right, Daddy?” The tall girl said. “We’re going to see Santa.”

“Santa!” the toddler in his arms shouted. “Santa.”

Mackenzie’s stomach plummeted again. All the tweets in the world wouldn’t prepare every child for this ultimate disappointment.

The crowd cheered as the police cruiser eased past Market Square toward the hill leading to the high school. Cheers rang out for each of the floats. The firetruck got gasps of awe from the kids. When firefighters in uniform walking alongside handed out candy canes, enthusiasm grew.

Mackenzie was counting floats. The wagon was last, and its arrival meant time for the speech, the draw for the giveaway basket and, worst, facing the disappointment about a missing Santa. 

Oh, her edits! The speech needed to include Josiah and the food drive. Should Magda apologize for Santa’s absence? She scribbled on her tablet in the dim light under the streetlamp. 

The wave of sound intensified as the parade neared the end. The pipe and drum band marched by in kilts, shivering but loud. The high school climate change float was next, the last float before the Frankel’s wagon. Cheers and shouts accompanied the teens and their massive papier-mâché Earth. Loud recorded music played from their float. She heard them go by as she was finishing her changes.

She looked up to see the draft horses tossing their manes, bells jangling from the harness. Old Mr. Frankel drove the wagon, looking like something out of the seventeenth century. The kids near her were squealing. “Santa! Santa!”

Heaving a sigh, she glanced over to see their disappointed faces, but all three kids were glowing. She followed their gaze upward to the back of the hay wagon, past the lighted fir tree, past Young Mrs. Frankel and her daughter tossing candy canes to see somebody else. Another person sat in the wagon, a big person with a red suit and a long white beard. Waving his gloved hands at the crowd. 

She gasped. There was Santa, firmly in place on a bale of straw. How could it be? Shaking her head and smiling as if her face would crack, her tears were close. Maybe Christmas miracles did happen. Just never to her. Until now. 

Author Bio:

Annie M. Ballard writes about women and family ties in the small villages that feel like home. With one foot in the Canadian Maritimes and the other in New England, she digs deep into the lives of her characters. When she’s not writing, she’s happily baking, gardening, powerlifting and trying to make friends with every dog in her neighbourhood.

Annie’s stories include strong women living real lives, good men trying to do better, and always a happy ending.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub