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Sara Ella

June 15, 2015

Happy Book Birthday to Rachelle Rea!

Plus, enter to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of The Sound of Diamonds!

I’m tickled pink to present this week’s featured author! Rachelle Rea is such a doll and her debut, The Sound of Diamonds, releases today. Please wish her a happy book birthday in the comments below. Oh, and don’t miss your chance to enter the giveaway. Details at the bottom of this post!

aboutauthor11295851_1051272448217959_1515458105337505338_nRachelle Rea plots her novels while driving around the little town she’s lived in all her life in her dream car, a pick-up truck. As a freelance editor, she enjoys mentoring fellow authors in the craft. A homeschool graduate and retired gymnast, she wrote the Sound of Diamonds the summer after her sophomore year of college.

 Follow Rachelle Online

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads |

aboutbookThe-Sound-of-Diamonds-333x500Her only chance of getting home is trusting the man she hates.

With the protestant Elizabeth on the throne of England and her family in shambles, Catholic maiden Gwyneth seeks refuge in the Low Countries of Holland, hoping to soothe her aching soul. But when the Iconoclastic Fury descends and bloodshed overtakes her haven, she has no choice but to trust the rogue who arrives, promising to see her safely home to her uncle’s castle. She doesn’t dare to trust him…and yet doesn’t dare to refuse her one chance to preserve her own life and those of the nuns she rescues from the burning convent.

Dirk Godfrey is determined to restore his honor at whatever cost. Running from a tortured past, Dirk knows he has only one chance at redemption, and it lies with the lovely Gwyneth, who hates him for the crimes she thinks he committed. He must see her to safety, prove to the world that he is innocent, prove that her poor eyesight is not the only thing that has blinded her but what is he to do when those goals clash?

The home Gwyneth knew is not what she once thought. When a dark secret and a twisted plot for power collide in a castle masquerading as a haven, the saint and the sinner must either dare to hold to hope…or be overcome.

giveawayhead

To celebrate the release of The Sound of Diamonds, Rachelle Rea is giving away a fun little prize pack. One lucky reader will win:

  • A $20 Amazon Gift Card
  • A copy of The Sound of Diamonds

Enter via the Rafflecopter by following this link. Hurry! Today is the last day to enter!

Happy reading!

bpsign

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. To learn more, please read my full policy. I have not read the book featured in this post.

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2 Comments

« Birthday Post! 30 Fun Facts About Me
Siren’s Fury by Mary Weber | Review »

Comments

  1. Rachelle Rea says

    June 16, 2015 at 7:37 am

    Thank you so much, Sara! I love this spotlight post–and your blog in general, as always. 🙂 I so appreciate your support. 🙂

    Reply
    • Sara Ella says

      July 17, 2015 at 8:47 am

      You deserve it girl 🙂 Happy to help any time 🙂

      Reply

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Sara Ella
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1st Place ~ ACFW Genesis Contest 2014 ~ YA Category

1st Place ~ ACFW Genesis Contest 2014 ~ YA Category

1st Place in the Young Adult Category for 2013!

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About Me

Once upon a time, Sara Ella brought dreams to life as a Disney cast member, wishing for the day she’d find her prince and live in a castle of her own. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it's almost Christmas (even if it's only January). Sara is the award-winning author of The Wonderland Trials, Coral, and the Unblemished trilogy. She is old enough for fairy tales and believes happily ever after is never far away. Read More…

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🌷If you’re wondering why I’ve been quiet this year 🌷If you’re wondering why I’ve been quiet this year, I promise I’ve had a good reason.

Last year I shared that I miscarried twins, and shortly afterward, my father-in-law passed away. The year before, my husband lost his job right after we moved into our dream home. With so much loss in such a short amount of time, we grew tired and wary. But through it all, God has remained good and faithful.

With spring in full bloom, I passed the 20-week mark of this unexpected miracle high-risk pregnancy. 🐣 And with every doctor appointment, a world of emotions arise. What if my baby’s heart stops beating? I waited to share the news publicly because I felt so uncertain. The truth is, only God knows how this pregnancy will end. We are praising Him for this little life, and trusting Him with all the unknowns.

It’s a season of new beginnings for our family. I certainly didn’t expect to be a new mama again at 41. My 40s are going to look different than I imagined, but God is sovereign. I know His plans and ways are far better than mine. 

My husband also didn’t expect to be starting a new career. After hitting many dead ends in his previous vocation, he’s starting from the bottom of his new profession and working his way up. I am so proud of how hard he works to provide for our family, and I am beyond grateful for the man I get to call mine. 💕

We are preparing to pack up and say goodbye to the dream home we built. 🏡 It’s a sad ending we didn’t anticipate, but we also know it’s not the end. God will use us wherever he puts us, whether that’s in our dream home or a little apartment. 

And with all this change, we have found ourselves in need. I’ve been reluctant to share more details regarding our personal story, but several dear friends encouraged me to open up, and they reminded me of the kind community I have surrounding me here.

If you’d like to read more about our story or feel led to contribute, we’ve set up a GoFundMe. You can find the link in my Stories and bio. Thank you to everyone who has prayed, supported, and encouraged us through each trial. No matter what happens, God is in the details of our story. Soli Deo Gloria. Psalm 115:1

https://gofund.me/8a9431331
💪 What motivates you to get moving? Little known 💪 What motivates you to get moving?

Little known fact about me: I do not enjoy exercising. Not for the sake of it anyway. But I do love going on walks. I love soaking up vitamin D and taking an hour for myself to catch up on voice memos from friends, listen to podcasts or audiobooks or Scripture, or even just turn on some tunes. 🎧

I’m not kidding when I say that my go-to soundtrack when I walk has been the music of Disneyland. There’s just something about it that makes me want to walk even in the record high heat we’ve had in March this year in AZ.  Maybe I’m tricking myself into thinking I’m rope dropping Space Mountain. Whatever works, right? 😂🎡

I’m going on 3 months of walking 2-3 miles a day, 5 days a week. There’s been a lot happening around here lately, and I do have more personal life updates to share. For now I wanted to share this because walking consistently has improved my mood and helped me keep up my strength and energy. Plus I can get a tan at the same time! (A farmer’s tan, at least. 🤦‍♀️)

I know I’ve been quiet on here this year. I promise I have a good excuse! If you haven’t read my spring newsletter on Substack yet, my biggest life update can be found there. If you’d rather wait for the announcement here, that works too. ❤️

More on that soon, I promise. Until then, go outside (or stay inside) and get moving today. A little Disney music goes a long way. 😘

#mickeyandminniesrunawayrailway #nothingcanstopusnow #unstoppable #walkingeveryday
🗓️ MARK YOUR CALENDARS! I have a full lineup of b 🗓️ MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

I have a full lineup of bookish events this spring! I’d love to see you at one or all of these:

@storyconusa | Salt Lake City, UT | February 27 & 28 | Workshops + Interrogate an Author + Book Signings

@tucsonfestivalofbooks | Saturday, March 14 | 10:00–1:00 | Indie Author Pavillion 

@pvpllibrary Book Fest | Saturday,
May 2 | Workshop + Panel + Book Signing

#saraella #saraellawrites #enclavepublishing #storycon #tucsonfestivalofbooks
🍪 Food is my love language. Whenever we go out of 🍪 Food is my love language.

Whenever we go out of town, I’m already looking at menus ahead of time, planning what yummy things I want to eat.

Themed food is my favorite. Call a honey latte a Pooh Bear Latte and I’m sold! Serve me a cup of the most delectable potato soup I’ve ever had and call it Samwise Soup? I’m there! 

If I’m going to Disneyland, I’m planning my day around which new cold brew I want to try and where I want to eat lunch. And if I’m going to a writing conference? You’d better bet I’m on the hunt for a Vanilla Coke and the best hotel cookies yet!

Yummy food just makes everything a little more magical. Can you relate? What’s your favorite food, drink, or dessert?

#favoritecharacter #favoritecharacters #funnyreels #onlyhereforthefood #bookcharacter
🥳 Happy Birthday, @nadinebrandes ! There aren’t m 🥳 Happy Birthday, @nadinebrandes !

There aren’t many people in this world who tackle hardship with joy the way you do. You are a true example of what it means to “count it all joy” amidst trials. Even on your toughest days, you find ways to bless others and see God’s sovereignty.

I don’t know what I did to deserve you as my best friend all these years. But I do know that God brought you into my life because He knew my life would be richer and fuller and just all around better with you in it. He knew I would need someone to walk alongside me in good times and bad. Someone to encourage me during discouraging years like this one has been.

I have been so blessed to see you so much in 2025. Although we are states apart, when we are together it feels like no time has passed at all.

Here’s to the woman who inspires me as an author, speaks truth into me as a wife and mom, and reminds me that God never leaves us and that His plan and timing are perfect. I love you, Bestie! Many happy returns for the rest of 2025 and the year to come! My life is better because I know you.

#nadinebrandes #saraella #bestfriends
You know I’m always behind on the trends, but I co You know I’m always behind on the trends, but I couldn’t resist doing this one for Disneyland. 

I’m definitely dreaming of a Disneyland Christmas this year. 🎄 If anyone knows of someone giving away free tickets for a family of 5, send them my way! 😂

Fun fact about this date: December 18, 1971 was the first ever Candlelight Processional held at Magic Kingdom. 🕯️

I’m dreaming of more Disney days in 2026. Christmas is my favorite season to visit the parks. They are just extra magical this time of year. ✨

Are you staying home or traveling for Christmas this year? 

#disneylandchristmas #dreamingofdisneyland #disneylandpark #disneylandcalifornia
🚫GIVEAWAY CLOSED! The winner is @the_disney_reader 🚫GIVEAWAY CLOSED! The winner is @the_disney_reader ! 🎉

🎄CHRISTMAS PAINTED EDGES GIVEAWAY! 

Did you see my unboxing reel for the painted edges of Glass Across the Sea? These editions are extremely limited as they are hand-painted by the very talented @hilltop_art . 🎨

For Christmas, I’m giving away one of these painted edges editions, plus a bookish Glass Across the Sea candle 🕯️ from @lamplighterliterary and mini cookie mix from @story.crumbs ! 🍪

Today is the LAST DAY to enter this giveaway. I’ll be putting all entries together tomorrow and sending them through a randomizer to pick a winner!

Entry rules and details are all in the caption of my unboxing reel. Enter there to win this dreamy Christmas gift! 🎁 

#paintededges #paintedbooks #handpainted #paintededgesbook #handpaintedbooks #christmasbookgiveaway #bookgiveaway #christmasgiveaway
🚫GIVEAWAY CLOSED! The winner is @the_disney_reader 🚫GIVEAWAY CLOSED! The winner is @the_disney_reader ! 🎉

🎨 Painted Edges Unboxing & GIVEAWAY 🎁

I’m so thrilled to finally be holding these beautiful painted edges for Glass Across the Sea in my hands. Bethany @hilltop_art made my vision for the most beautiful lighthouse come to life! And the details are even more stunning in person. From the lighthouse to the fireflies and cherry blossoms, I couldn’t be more in love!

I want to give one of these gorgeous limited editions away for Christmas, along with some other goodies! 🎄

🎁 One U.S. winner will receive:

📖 A hardcover of Glass Across the Sea with Painted Edges

🕯️A Prince Dante candle created by @lamplighterliterary 

🍪A mini Noelle cookie mix created by @story.crumbs 

✅ To Enter the giveaway:

➡️ Follow @saraellawrites and @hilltop_art 

❤️ Like this Reel

💬 Comment & tag a friend who might love this giveaway too

↗️ Share this Reel to your stories and tag me @saraellawrites for a BONUS entry

🏷️ Save this Reel for a BONUS Entry

Enter to win through Monday, December 8th at 11:59 p.m. PST. U.S. Only. Instagram only. Winner will be announced Tuesday, December 9th and tagged in my stories and on this Reel. Winner will be contacted via direct message for shipping address from this account only. Void where prohibited. Prize will be mailed in time to arrive by Christmas.

#saraella #glassacrossthesea #yafantasy #cinderellaretelling #paintededges #paintededgesbook #bookgiveaway #winabook #christmasgiveaway #christmasgiveaways
✍️ When did you first start writing? This is a c ✍️ When did you first start writing? 

This is a common question I’ve received in various settings over the years. The easy answer is, “I’ve always been a writer.” And it’s true. English was my favorite subject all through school, and I’ve never not loved reading.

But when did I actually start taking novel writing seriously? When did I really begin believing that I could pursue it and reach my dreams of having a published book in my hands?

That happened in my 20s. When I had a baby on my hip, and my mom’s health began to rapidly decline. She’d always said I was a writer. It’s why my first book, Unblemished, is dedicated to her. But the truth goes deeper than that.

My mom’s lifelong dream was to open a coffee shop. I suppose it’s part of why I love this beverage more than any other. She wanted to create a place where people could fellowship, eat, laugh, and, of course, drink all the yummy coffee. But she passed away before that dream became a reality. 

She had always put off her own dreams for us kids. She sacrificed everything for us. As a mom of 3, what she did for us holds so much more meaning now. But she didn’t want me to wait. She said I could do both. That if I put off writing a book until I had time or my kids were grown, I never would.

I don’t know if that’s true. Lots of people write books later in life and are highly successful. But her hope for my future stuck with me, and so, after she passed, I made a promise to myself that I would write a book and get a publishing contract by my 30th birthday.

Many of you know the story—3 days before my 30th, I got the call. My dream publisher at the time wanted my trilogy. 🥹 And the rest is history!

Now I have 7 YA fantasy and fairy tale novels on the shelf, I have the most amazing family at @enclavepublishing , and I’m blessed with encouraging readers and writers all around me.

If you’re holding back from pursuing the thing you are passionate about, I’d encourage you to go for it.  Take the leap! My mom always said I’d write a book, and as always, she was right. ❤️

#writeabook #ihaveadream #timecastaspellonyou #writerswrite #authorsofinstagram📚 #authorcommunity #listentoyourmom #enclavepublishing
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