Spotlight on 'Tales from the Matthewsburg Manse' by Kate Tompkins

Happy Wednesday Bookworms!

I am very excited that you're here with me today and am also excited to shine the spotlight on this sweet novel. I hope you enjoy the except from the book and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Tales from the Matthewsburg Manse JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Tales from the Matthewsburg Manse by Kate Tompkins, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Tales from the Matthewsburg Manse
Author: Kate Tompkins
Publisher: ‎ The Matthewsburg Manse
Release Date: October 26, 2023
Genre: Short stories/Poetry, Christian fiction, general fiction, rural fiction, wholesome fiction

When city girl Viv's husband Mark accepts his first pastoral charge in rural Matthewsburg, she wonders what to expect, and what will be expected of her. This collection of connected fiction stories, some humorous, some suspenseful, some even romantic, explores Viv's new life as she tries to find her place in the community while dealing with local gossip, old rivalries, suspected murder, sabotaged car shows, and more. Who says life in a small town is boring?

"This book entertains us with our own humanity, we laugh at human foibles, nod our heads in the mutual pains of life's adventures. Interspersed are poems expressing poignant moments. These provide a place to rest, ponder and even smile before we are once again taken on the life journey of being a spouse in a small town parish. I found myself laughing out loud on occasion. This book is a wonderful read and leaves us with the feeling that life is good." - Nita Kotiuga, retired pastor, Director of Spiritual Formation at Bakke Graduate University.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Excerpt from 'Finders, Keepers'

As they walked the last half-block to the bus shelter, Merry noticed the downpour had

become a light drizzle.

Closing his umbrella, Sam shook the rain from it. “Can you hold this a minute while I find

my tickets? I’m going east from here. I don’t suppose you’re going the same way?”

“North,” Merry said, with real regret.

“Too bad.” The screech of air brakes and a blast of exhaust announced the arrival of a

bus. “Oh, that’s mine. Gotta run. Goodbye, Merry, nice meeting you.” He climbed the bus steps,

handed over his ticket, then inched his way past a group of women carrying shopping bags. As

the bus pulled away, he waved from a side window.

Raising her hand to wave back, Merry realized she was still holding Sam’s umbrella.

She held it all the way home, smiling as she remembered the way he spoke, with just a

hint of drawl, his warm brown eyes flashing when he laughed, his hand, firm but gentle on her

elbow as they walked down the street, the drumbeat of the rain matching the pounding of her

heart. You’ve got it bad, Meredith, she chided herself. You don’t even know his last name.

She propped the umbrella up in a corner of the hallway to dry. I could put it in the lost

and found at the community centre, I suppose. Or maybe the head of the volunteers knows who

he is. I’ll have to ask around. After all, I have to make sure he gets his umbrella back. If I just

happen to meet him again in the process, who knows?

About the Author

Kate Tompkins lives in Montreal’s West Island, where she shares a small house and a big backyard with her husband and the latest in a series of very spoiled cats. She writes short stories, poetry (yes, the non-literary, rhyming kind), and the occasional essay. When not hanging out with her church’s writing group or getting lost down an internet rabbit hole, she can be found trying out recipes from old cookbooks for her cooking blog, Kate’s Virtual Kitchen, or outside keeping the flowerbeds in order.

Connect with Kate by visiting katetompkinsbooks.ca to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 11, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 18, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!