The amazing Readers Appreciation Giveaway (put together by 10 of your fave authors) started yesterday – and WOW! What an incredible response! But the FUN continues ….
Each day, from now until the giveaway ends on May 29th, I will be featuring one of those authors as well as a special note from her about how much she appreciates her readers … and more chances to enter the giveaway!
I honestly don’t even know where to begin in expressing my appreciation for readers. Getting to write stories and hang out with characters is so very creatively gratifying for me…but the joy of then getting to share those characters with readers? Immeasurable. Like, we’re all getting excited about and invested in fake people together–it’s just way too much fun! But even more than that…while I think perhaps I come off as slightly bonkers sometime, writing is actually a pretty vulnerable and serious thing for me. There’s very little in my life that has challenged me–spiritually, emotionally, even physically–the way writing has. Every book feels like a journey with God. And it’s amazingly cool to know that journey doesn’t end once I type “The End.” To know that readers, too, are participating in that journey in some way. I’m especially grateful to readers who take the time to interact with me online or send sweet notes. I can’t tell you the number of times an encouraging note has come at just the right time. God is so good like that…and readers are so awesome like that. I’m truly grateful.
One of the books that someone will win in the Reader Appreciation Giveaway is Melissa’s latest novel Like Never Before.
Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley’s haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But her new life as a newspaper editor is shaken when the small-town paper is in danger of closing. Her one hope: A lead on an intriguing story that just might impress the new publisher…if only she new who he was.
After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker now has the chance of a lifetime–a spot on a presidential campaign. But his plans are interrupted when he finds out he’s inherited his hometown newspaper. He travels home intent on selling the paper and spending some much-needed time with his young daughter before making the leap into national politics.
But instead of a quick sale and peaceful break from his hectic career, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She’s scrappy, but wounded. He’s dependable, but lost. They may butt heads more than expected, but a series of leads on Maple Valley’s quirky unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.
Melissa Tagg is a former reporter, current nonprofit grant-writer and total Iowa girl. She’s also a multi-published novelist. Her latest book, Like Never Before, was named by Publisher’s Weekly to their spring 2016 “Religion and Spirituality” Top 10 list. Upcoming books include Keep Holding On (Sept 2016) and a sequel to last year’s One Enchanted Christmas, releasing in late 2016. Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as retreats and workshops. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever–not that she’s biased–watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.
Aww…Melissa you are so sweet! I had such fun reading Like Never Before! I consider myself a booknerd and read pretty much a lot, but I’m so surprised by all the new authors I’ve discovered since blogging. You being one of them and I LOVE it!and authors like you makes it great! Thanks!
Yay for a fellow book nerd. 🙂 I actually have a coffee mug that says book nerd on it. 🙂
Melissa, I don’t think you come off as “bonkers” at all. You have always been so sweet to me on Facebook. I love getting invested in “fake” people and going on that journey with you and all authors. I don’t think I could ever express my gratitude to you and all the other authors I read for taking me away from my daily life. You give my brain a rest from stress. I have so enjoyed getting to know you and your characters.
Carrie, Thank you for doing this!
Andrea, you are so welcome! Isn’t it fun?!? 🙂
Haha, good, I’m glad I don’t come off as too bonkers. LOL! And I love that we can get invested in fake people together…and get to know each other online…and man, it is just so awesome to hear that stories give your brain a rest from stress. I’m so grateful for other authors’ books that do the same thing for me!
hey now – you mean Logan isn’t real???
It’s nice to be appreciated for reading books. I love to read and am an avid reader. Thanks for the giveaway and good luck everyone.
Yep, I often wonder to myself, “Do readers have any idea what an impact they make on me just by reading my stories?” I’m grateful!
Melissa Tagg,
I love your zest for life even if once in a while it makes me scratch my head. You can’t help but being the amazing girly, fangirly type that gets excited. God made you that way for a reason. Love your books, the way you tell stories is amazing. Always continue to be who God created you to be.
Thank you so much for that encouragement, Halita, to be who God created me to be. That’s encouragement I think we all need to hear regularly in our lives…God makes us the way we are with purpose!
This is something that I had many many years of learning to do. For the longest time I dealt with low self-esteem and just trying to figure out who I was. God broke through the darkness and reminded me that I am His Princess. I will continue to pray that God will show you that you are amazing in His sight and that He loves you Princess Melissa. Keep on writing and inspiring us all. Love you sister.
that’s so sweet, Halita!! <3
MELISSA!!! I love your books. The Walker family is my fav!
Aww thanks! Not gonna lie…they’re pretty much my fave too. LOL!
Melissa, thank you for sharing your journey. I so appreciate authors that strive to bring Him glory and honor through the talents He gave them. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family! 🙂
Thank you, Caryl! And thank you for all the fun interaction online. I <3 readers so much!
Aww, we love you too, Melissa!! 😀 You make me laugh all the time with your posts on facebook and makes me feel like I am getting to know the real Melissa – which, in all honesty, makes me feel more connected to your characters. All in all, awesome! 🙂
Melissa, I love reading you books so much!! I know I’ve told you many times, but, it’s so fun to read something and think…yep, that happened at our farm, or that’s so Melissa! It’s like hanging out with you for the day, and I love it so much! You are so super talented!!
Awww thank you, Heather! And I’m so glad we really did get to hang out just recently. We must do it again!
Thank you so much, Megan! It’s fun to think that people connect my characters with me because really, there are pieces of me in every single character. Thanks bunches!
So…will NEEDTOBREATHE ever show up in your books? 😉 Or NED??? Haha!! Seriously, I love your books and can’t wait to finish up my current book so I can read all about this Logan you’ve obsessed over (can I call it obsessing?). <3
hahahaha! Oh MIKAL!!! Yes! You MUST read Like Never Before ASAP! Logan <3 and the closet kiss ... all the bubble hearts!
A #closetkiss ????? Oh dear. I already swoon.
Oh yes…
NEEDTOBREATHE has totally shown up in my books! 😀 It happened unintentionally at first, but in Three Little Words, about halfway through writing it, I realized that two of my characters shared names with the band members. So then I went back and changed two other character names. So now, all four of the band members have someone named after them. LOL!!!
And yes, you can totally call my Logan love an obsession. There’s really no denying it at this point. hehehe!!
LOL!!!! Ohmygoodness, that’s so FUNNY! I don’t actually know their names, just their songs (I apparently need to increase my devoutness). You’re such a RIOT.
Melissa,you are awesome and incredibly talented. You need to come to Florida so we can have coffee on the beach. ???
Oh man, Cindy, I would love that so much! I was actually just talking with a couple author friends about a retreat in Florida. Maybe it’ll really happen!
Love this post! Thanks for sharing.
isn’t Melissa so fun?!?? 🙂
Thanks a bunch, Jill!
Melissa, I enjoy your stories so much! You are a lot of fun and I love following you on Facebook. One of the things I like best about your books is that I get to share them with friends. We count down to release dates together, discuss as we read, and debrief our likes (and rare dislikes 😉 ) after we’re done. I just love it. 🙂
I have friends in Des Moines and next time I’m up that way I would love to see if we could meet for coffee or tea. Also the book I’m close to finishing now – Here To Stay – features a reference to Silver Dollar City. I live close to SDC (in fact, I’m headed there in just a few minutes for a first-day-out-of-school celebration!) and you’ll have to let me know if you are ever in the area.
I’m kind of sad to be reading Here To Stay because that means I’ll now have read all your published works. :seriously sad face: I guess I’ll just appreciate the Beckett book all the more when it comes out! 🙂
Awww I love that you do countdowns with friends. That is TOO fun. And it makes me happy to know I’m not the only one counting down to release day. 🙂
Yes, please do let me know next time you’re in Des Moines. I’d love to hang out!
And yay for Here to Stay. That book was so fun to write. And happy news about Beckett’s story, you won’t have to wait nearly as long for his as usual. 🙂
I don’t think you are bonkers, but maybe that just because we all are. I love that you see God guiding your path and leading you in your writing and life. It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we put trust in him!
Thank you so much, Becky…and that last line of your comment: YES!!
I loved Like Never Before! Actually, I haven’t read a book by you that I haven’t enjoyed, Melissa. 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks so much, Sarah!
Love your books Melissa! Love the basket auction that was inspired by Gilmore girls! My fav!
Yessss the basket auction!! That was so totally Gilmore-inspired. I’m getting so pumped for the reboot…I wish they’d hurry up and announce when it’s going to air!
great giveaway, thanks for the chance!
Thanks for entering, Danielle.
Love your books! The first one I ever read was Three Little Words and you had me hooked from there. I’ve read From the Start and One Enchanted Christmas. Then Like Never Before came out and you had been swooning like crazy over Logan 🙂 and I was desperate to read it! But I didn’t have the moolah at the moment to purchase the book, SO I entered every giveaway I could find, and FINALLY, I won one of them last week. So I just finished reading Like Never Before this week! It was great and Logan was definitely swoonworthy! Thanks for the chance to get to know both Amelia and Logan better! Can’t wait to read the books you have coming out and the others you have out that I haven’t had a chance to read yet. Your stories make me smile and I love the little teaser scenes you let us see on Facebook as you’re writing them.
PS-I also love old movies, too! We had a movie store in the town where I grew up that had an awesomely huge section of old movies and I rented as many as I could as often as I could!
PS-I also love old movies! We had a movie store in the town where I grew up that had an awesomely huge section of old movies and I rented as many as I could as often as I could!
Oh Julie, I LOVE that you won the book. That is too fun!! And I’m glad to hear you liked it too…AND that Logan made you swoon. I don’t know what it is about that guy…actually, scratch that. I DO know what it is about that guy…he is totally a listener and is kind and compassionate and basically everything I love. LOL!
And he has crinkly eyes!
Melissa, hello from a book lover in “next door” Nebraska! As someone who has worked for non-profits most of my career and wrote grants for many of those years, I can relate to your current job and wish you great success with your proposals … and your books! Obviously writing is one of your key spiritual gifts – thanks for sharing it with others.
Oh thank you, Valerie…yay for another grant-writer!
Oh,Melissa, you are bonkers – but that’s why we love you! Haha! 😉
But seriously, you are one of my very favorite authors and I love how honest and real you are. You share your heart with us readers and give us the gift of allowing us tag along on the journey of writing. Thank you for that. 🙂
Hahaha! I am bonkers…I mean, I like to think all of us are in our own ways. LOL! But thank you so much, Sarah. I really do think getting to connect and share my heart with readers is one of the biggest blessings of this writing journey.
Reading is a superpower!
I’d always adored “Like Never Before”‘s book cover, but after reading the book, it totally fits the story, making me love it even more!!! #bookcoverlove
Yes!!
YAY thank you! Man, I love that cover…ahem, or perhaps more accurately, the guy on that cover…lol!
It was so fun to read your post, Melissa. It’s enlightening to know that our favorite authors also have insecurities and challenges in their lives. I love the way that you can put that out on social media and we can relate to what you’re saying!I also love your bubbly, fun personality and your willingness to communicate with your readers. I have loved all your books that I’ve read. You have such an amazing talent. I haven’t read Like Never Before yet. I keep hoping I’ll win a copy, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to break down and buy one. (big sigh!) It’s just too enticing, and I’ve heard so many awesome things about it, plus—Logan! and that gorgeous cover!
Oh, thanks so much, Winnie! I soooo very much love the fun relationships that can develop over social media. So grateful for it…and you!
It is fun to get to know more about authors. One time there was news of an active shooter situation in another state and I was trying to figure out which of my Facebook friends was from there so I could check in with them…..and then I remembered my “friends” were from a book!
Ha!! That may or may not have happened to me before too 🙂
That is hilarious! Not the fact that there was an active shooter situation, of course, but that your first thought was of fictional people. LOL!
Wow what an amazing giveaway! Love all these authors, fingers crossed on this one!
😀 good luck!!
From following you on facebook Melissa you totally remind me of Lorelai from Gilmore Girls 😉
Oh thank you, Heidi. I hugely take that as a compliment. 😀
Melissa, love following your FB and IG post! Your books are great! I can’t wait for the next one!
Thanks so much, Emilee!
I am so excited to read this newest Walker family novel. Thanks for sharing your gift with us, Melissa!
Thanks, Kerri!
As a book reviewer, I enjoy reading Melissa Tagg’s works.
I so appreciate reviewers!
My moment would most resemble Kara Isaac fangirl moment. Complete and total inability to speak or think coherently.
Lol!
Oops I got my answers and my days confused. Love Melissa Tagg and her books!
lol no problem 🙂
😀 😀 😀
Melissa, I just love how much you love to interact with your readers. You have been so encouraging to me in my own writing journey and it also shows how much you really do appreciate your readers by interacting with them. I love how much of you is in your books too. From the Gilmore Girls references (the no cell phones sign in Coffee Coffee had me laughing out loud as did the basket auction) or NEEDTOBREATHE character names, it just makes it so much fun! Feeling like you know a little about the person who writes the books you love to read just makes it that much for fun to read them. Thanks for this giveaway Carrie, it is super fun!
it IS super fun!! Yay! 😀 And you’re welcome… but I’m really just the host. These fab authors put it all together 🙂
Aww thanks, Krystina. I love interacting with readers…feeling like we’re truly somehow in some way a part of each others’ lives. And man, that’s the power of story…it pulls people together…knits hearts. I love it! <3
Melissa’s is the first one that I’ve read, so hard to answer that question. I think that if I ever get the honor of meeting one of the fabulous authors I have come to know and love, thanks to Facebook, I might possibly act like a crazy teenage girl! I keep trying to get them to come to Boise, Idaho right, Melissa?! 😉
Thanks for the chance to learn even more about some great authors, Carrie! Summer is upon us, which equates to even more reading time for me!
yay for more reading time!!
Boise or bust! Someday…someday… 😀
What an amazingly awesome giveaway!!! So many wonderful authors here! I am excited to learn more about Melissa’s books. I have seen them floating around, but have yet to get my hands on a copy. But they are definitely in my growing TBR pile. Maybe some day I will unburry myself. LOL!! 🙂
If you do, let me know how you did it!! Lol!
Sydney, I’m afraid they’re just going to find me dead someday, buried under my piles of books! Aaarrrggghhh! Must. Read. Faster!
And thanks, Carrie, for hosting (hostessing???) this fun giveaway! I hope it’s not doing you in trying to keep up with it all! Hugs!!
LOL what a way to go, though 😉 HUGS back 🙂
Haha I know that buried feeling. So many good books. So not enough time. LOL!
Love the Walker Family and An Enchanting Christmas has me itching for Like Never Before!
You will looooooove it!!
😀 😀 😀
I’ve been following Melissa’s blog for awhile (I think it might have been her love for old movies that first drew me in) but I haven’t yet read any of her books. It’s probably about time for me to do that. There’s just so many good books!
Oh yes you should! 🙂
I agree, Pam…sooooo many good books. You know that saying about someone’s eyes being too big for their stomach? I feel like my reader eyes are too big for my time. LOL!
Carrie, where do I begin with this amazing giveaway. The ten books are a great giveaway on it’s own,but the $100 Amazon gift card is a BONUS. Thank you for this super giveaway!
Thank the authors! I am just the host 🙂
Even though your fans may not always let you know how much your books touch our lives, they do. They continue touching everyone who reads your books.
Oh thank you, Jan!
I’ve never read anything by Melissa Tagg before, but I want to read both Walker Family books this summer – they look great!
they ARE!!!
Hope you enjoy them if you have a chance to read them, Elizabeth. 😀
I consider Melissa Tagg my Needtobreathe buddy. She is the only person I know crazier for them than myself. I know this, because I discovered her books and then her blog where she lets us all know how much she loves the band. 🙂 And I am so excited, because they are finally coming to Seattle in September!!!
Whooohooo!!!
YAAAAAAY Needtobreathe!! I love them so much…so much that I’m seeing them twice in one weekend this fall. LOL! Love love love!
Melissa – I was touched by your comment about writing being a pretty serious and vulnerable thing for you. I have often marveled at the courage it must take for writers to pour themselves into writing, digging deep, and then lay it open to the world. What a personal thing and a gift to your readers. I will be honest that I have not read any of your books yet, but I have From the Start on my list and am really looking forward to it!
Oh thanks so much, Cara! And yep, for me it is sometimes a terrifyingly vulnerable thing…mostly because sooo often my characters end up saying things I’m not entirely brave enough to say in real life…and the things they’re dealing with are often things God is working on in me…so it does feel very much like I’m putting myself out there through my characters. It’s cool but scary at the same time…but also a huge privilege.
I loved Like Never Before. I can see why you loved Logan. Since I am still single I better not make comparisons with real men and fictional ones. Although some of Logan’s traits can show up in a man and I would not mind at all.
LOL!
Hahaha! You know, I have had a lot of discussions with people about fake men versus fictional men. And the thing is, I know there are books out there where the hero is sooooo perfect that no real man could ever live up to it. But I love books where we don’t only get to see awesome traits in a fictional man…but also weaknesses. That’s what makes characters like Logan feel both real and relatable to me. All that to say, I’m super convinced there are real life Logans out there. 😀
Melissa,
I enjoy reading your books. Keep writing, you’re doing a great job!
Thanks, Marylin!
I love reading Christian fiction! I love the books that make it seem as though you are the fictional character in the book. Thanks for this giveaway!
Thanks, Donna! And I love reading Christian fiction for the exact reason you stated.
I love your FB posts…so fun! Also love the old movies post!
Thanks, Rachael! I have fun with the old movie posts. I’m glad people are willing to play along!
Melissa, Thanks for bringing us the Walker family! Can’t wait to meet Logan.
Thanks, and I hope you love Logan as much as I do. Although I’m not entirely sure that’s possible because my love is slightly over the top. LOL!
I’ve only ever heard fantastic things about Like Never Before! I cannot WAIT to read it!
Thanks, Bekah!
Melissa, I haven’t read your books just once, I have read them all (but the latest) twice! . . . . and I will probably read them again! Thank you for your wonderful stories!
Awww thank you, Rebecca. I’m so grateful to and for you!
Thanks for a great intervire. You are a new author to me and I look forward to reading your books. It’s nice that you appreciate your readers.
Thanks, Dianne. And yes, I definitely appreciate readers…so much!
Thanks for the great blog post! Can’t wait to read the next Melissa Tagg book!!
Blessings!
Thank you, Joy!
I adore old movies. I can’t imagine a better way to feel closer to God than to be reading Christian fiction. What type of reporting did you do?
I was a small-town reporter…so I basically did EVERY kind of reporting. LOL! I loved it, though. In fact, I’m constantly telling younger people who are interested in writing novels that one of the best jobs to prepare you for life as a novelist is small-town reporting…because you’re forced to learn and write about sooooo many different and interesting things…from interviewing presidential candidates to biopharmeceutical (sp?) CEOs to llama farmers. 🙂 Plus, it teaches you to really listen to how people speak…which then translates into writing realistic dialogue for your characters!
I love that you did it all! Being a small town reporter certainly could be difficult.
I love where Melissa said that each book is like a journey with God. Those are my favorite kinds of books.
And such a wonderful–if stretching and challenging–journey it is!
New is not the same as knew.
that’s very cryptic, JJ lol
I am going to add this book to my “to be read” pile. 🙂
oh yes – you must!
😀
I was so blessed to be able to read and review Like Never Before. I am definitely Melissa’s fan!!
Me too!
Awww, thanks, Connie!
This is a great giveaway!
I think so, too. I wish I could enter myself. LOL!
I really enjoyed your book “From the Start” and can’t wait to read “Like Never Before”. It just sounds so good!
Thanks so much, Ellen!
Melissa, I really like how you put this:
“To know that readers, too, are participating in that journey in some way.”
I never really thought of it that way, but it’s true. We’re on the same book journey as our authors; we feel the same things about our characters, the scenery, all the sights, sounds, feelings, etc that you are! 🙂 I like to picture that in my mind, walking beside you experiencing the same things at the same time….now I have goosebumps…haha! 😉
Yay for goosebumps! But it’s so true…it’s a journey we take together, crazy as it sounds. And I love that! I especially love it because it makes the writing journey so much less about me or the stuff swirling around in my head and more about what God is doing in multiple hearts. And I love that he can do it through made-up people and made-up places!
Hey, Melissa I loved being an advanced reader for From the Start for you. Loved. Have a blessed day.
Thanks so much, Lucy!
I’ve read all of Melissa’s books! I enjoy going on a journey with her on social media – she’s so real and fun! And then, ultimately, I get the books to read! And of course, she has an awesome name!
Thanks so much, Melissa. And also: Melissas of the world unite! lol!
So excited to read your books! Yes..I got the first one! And I will always remember our mutual hatred of chickens when I read it bahahaha! <3
Hahaha! Chickens = Noooooo! Actually funny story: I was just playing with my one-year-old niece the other night and she has this plastic farm set with a fence and a bunch of little animals. One is a chicken so I was showing it to her and saying, “This is a chicken. Chickens are weird. We don’t like chickens!”
hahahahahaha!!! i love it!
I have met so many authors that I now have about 100 new books to read! I love seeing the God-given creativity in each author’s books!! I love being pulled into a book so much that I can’t put it down! I love having authors share with the readers what God is teaching them.
100 new books to read! That sounds like heaven. 🙂
Your book looks good! I appreciate all you authors for having these giveaways. I love to read and my list is forever growing.
Thanks a bunch, Brenda. And I know what you mean about your list forever growing. 🙂
Love the cover – sounds like a great read! Thanks for a chance!
I love to see writers who really make it about the character’s journey with God. Love, love the cover! Even when I’m still waiting for one of your books I seriously just look them up to stalk the gorgeous covers! 😛
I totally fell in love with your books when I read Made To Last…. Now I just need to read this delightful sounding new one.
Blessings!
Jasmine
Nice covers.
I’m from a small town an I love to read small town papers. This sounds like it will be a great read. The cover is beautiful.
I am really looking forward to reading this new book. Sibling series are always fascinating. If I read about cool supporting characters in the first book I want to read about them again. A supporting character having his own book is much preferable to a secondary plot line running through another person’s book. Neither couple gets enough page time in that case. I’m glad each of these siblings gets his own novel.
nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com
This looks like an interesting novel. I would love to read it.
Can’t wait to read your latest this summer
Love reading your books!
I’m going to put Like Never Before on my wishlist and I can’t wait to read it.
I’ve read all of Melissa’s books. Loved them all! And love her humor too!