Character Café is the last stop on a CelebrateLit tour! Stay tuned until the end for an incredible GIVEAWAY opportunity!

Ally, it is so good to have you here at Character Café!  To be honest, I didn’t have much faith that you were going to survive the scary incident in Lake Surrender.  I was sitting on the edge of my seat biting my lip for a few pages.  So glad you are okay!

Thanks, Amy.  Yeah, I don’t want to dole out any spoilers of what happened that day, but suffice it to day, it took me several days to recover physically and emotionally.  And it happened at time when I was already under such pressure.

Tell us about the pressures you are facing.

Well, as readers of the first novel about my life know, I am pretty newly engaged.  I love Will so much.  He is the full package of what any woman would want in a man.  But I just don’t know if I will be able to hold onto him.  My new job as a news reporter eats up so much of the time we used to be able to spend together. 

That is hard.  Especially since he seemed to love having you would with him at the campground.

Yes.  I don’t know how well he is dealing with that change.  And then there are my children.  Kylie, my teen…. Well, she is giving us both such attitude.  She is so loyal to her father, even more so since he passed away.  I don’t think she will ever give Will a fair chance.

Oh, I know.  Teens can be tough.  I hate to say it, but especially girls during those years.  How about your son?

Oh, he loves Will.  Maybe too much.  I don’t know if you realized, but Benjie has autism – and it is quite challenging.  I don’t think Benjie will ever be able to live on his own.  Does Will really realize that there will always be three of us?  Until the day we die?  Does Will really know what he is getting into if he marries me?

Ally.  It is obvious the man adores you.

I thought so too.  But he asked for some space.  And I just don’t know if we will still be engaged when he comes back from helping his brother.

Oh honey, it must be hard to not see him for a while and not know what is running through his head.  But I am sure it will work out.  Maybe a nice cup of hot tea and a goody from the menu will perk you up.  What would you like?

Oh, how funny! Your special today is Apple Dumplings.  I just did an interview with the owner of McDermott’s Apple Orchard!  Gus was a man of few words.  He said the key to the popularity of the orchard’s apple dumplings was the use of lard.

I am sure he is right.  My mother-in-law says she yearns for some of her mother’s baking – and that everything baked with lard was so much better.  But I think you will love ours.  Want to give them a try?

Yes.  And I might as well try the Apple Dumpling tea as well! 

You won’t be disappointed.  Thank you for stopping by Character Café, Ally!  It was so good to have you with us.  I can’t wait to read more of your story.  I have a feeling that the suspense is just beginning, with a title like Deep End of the Lake.

Unfortunately, I think you are right. 

Deep End of the Lake is the 2021 Golden Scroll Award Winner!  Here is more about the novel:

Ally Cervantes has all she wants in life—an upcoming wedding, a chance to prove herself with a writing gig, and two great kids. But her life turns for the worse when the unexpected happen and she soon finds herself struggling with a rebellious teen daughter, a shaky job, and a shakier engagement. With her newfound faith acting as a life preserver, Ally discovers if you’re in the deep end of the lake, you’d better learn how to swim.

Although fiction, Deep End of the Lake, is written from the authors’ personal compassion for families who have the privilege and responsibility to care for a child with a disability. Having worked with autistic students, Carol has seen first-hand the stress and demands these parents face and wanted to capture in a story those pressures, all while providing the encouragement that a beautiful hope and faith can bring into the struggles.

Even though I have not read the first book in the series, Lake Surrender, I was able to identify with the characters right away.  The author sucked me right in, and before the first chapter was over, I felt like Ally was a dear friend – I was worried about her and I was rooting for her.  Carol Grace Stratton has a charming narrative style.  Her dialogue is realistic and engaging.  Her characters are diverse and interesting.  I look forward to reading more of her work!

Here is the purchase link for this lovely novel:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Q8L7ZB9/

Here is a scrumptious version of apple dumplings from Tastes of Lizzy T:  https://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/amish-apple-dumplings/

And here is a tea that I cannot wait to try from BerTeas: https://www.berteas.com/products/dads-apple-dumpling-black-tea-2oz-bag

Woohoo! There is an amazing GIVEAWAY!!!

To celebrate her tour, Carol is givig away  the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of Deep End of the Lake!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/22671/deep-end-of-the-lake-celebration-tour

Here are all the other blog stops, just in case you want NINE EXTRA ENTREES:

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 7

Texas Book-aholic, November 8

Inklings and notions, November 9

Beauty in the Binding, November 10 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, November 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 11

She Lives To Read, November 12

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 14

Spoken from the Heart, November 15

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 16

Blogging With Carol, November 17

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 18 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 19

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 20 (Author Interview)

And this amazing blog tour was brought to you by CelebrateLit.com — “Celebrate Lit is a ministry whose goal is to bring great Christian Authors’ work into the hands of readers. It is our sincere prayer that you will find books within our “pages” that will bless you and meet new authors that will inspire you in your faith.” Check out their website to discover some more incredible books!