lighthouse-academy

Vanish in Plain Sight

2012-02-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

Title: VANISH IN PLAIN SIGHT
Author: Marta Perry
Publisher: Harlequin
May 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-77576-7
Genre: Amish mystery

Marisa Angelo’s mother left when Marisa was only five years old. Marisa was told that her mother decided to go back to her Amish family, that she missed her faith too much. Marisa never questioned that, until she gets a phone call from the police, stating that her mother’s suitcase was found inside a house that was being renovated.

Marisa immediately drops everything and returns to her hometown to learn the truth—the situation was investigated all those years ago—who investigates a wife leaving her husband—but now, with limited evidence, the police grudgingly agree to look into it, though they doubt they’ll solve the case—if there is one.

Marisa is desperate for answers, but no one, not even Marisa’s Amish relatives can explain what happened to her mother. But someone will do anything to make sure the truth remains hidden.

VANISH IN PLAIN SIGHT is the second Amish mystery by Marta Perry I’ve read. It is full of detail, I could almost smell the dust as the men torn the drywall down in the house they were renovating, I could see the blood stains on the suitcase, and I could feel Marisa’s fear when she went to the house where the suitcase was found. It made me curious why Marisa felt as she did about the house. Had she witnessed something she was repressing?

I never did get a firm grasp on Marisa. She seemed distant in this story, like she didn’t want the reader to get too close. As a result I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I would have liked. I did solve the mystery fairly early on, even though there were plenty of red herrings planted. Maybe because I know how a writer’s mind works.

If you are looking for an Amish mystery to read, VANISH IN PLAIN SIGHT is a good choice. $7.99. 376 pages.

I purchased this book. No review was expected or required.

The Accidental Bride

2012-02-12T05:27:00.000-08:00

Title: THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE
Author: Dennis Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
January 2012
ISBN: 9781595548023
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary romance

Shay Brandenberger is raising her twelve year old daughter in Moose Creek, Montana, on her childhood ranch, but that is soon to be a distant dream. She’s behind on all her bills, her husband—make that ex-husband—is dead and she has no hopes of hanging on to her home. She agrees to play the part of a bride in a reenactment the town is doing, but the groom is safe, the boyfriend of another woman in town.

Travis McCoy is Shay’s high school sweetheart. When they were eighteen they ran away to get married, but Travis lost his nerve and abandoned Shay on the courthouse steps. He went on to win numerous rodeo awards, but he never stopped loving Shay. He never returned home because he heard Shay married another man on the rebound. But now, she was free—and he was full of hope.

When Travis is asked to play the part of the groom in the reenactment he agrees, but somehow the whole reenactment becomes very real when he gets the marriage license that he and Shay signed fourteen years ago in the mail and learns that is valid. Are the events orchestrated by God or is it just a preacher’s blunder? Will Shay learn to trust the man who’s already hurt her more than he knows?

THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE is the second book in Ms. Hunter’s A Big Sky Romance series, but it easily stands alone. I wasn’t too sure what I thought of Shay in the first book A Cowboy’s Touch but I quickly fell in love with her in this book. I’m looking forward to the third book in this series.

Travis, oh my, he is a dream come true. No wonder Shay fell in love with him as a teenager. I would have too! He is very real, very giving, making it very plain from day one that he was still in love with her—even though she was less than forgiving. I highly recommend this book and this series. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $15.99. 320 pages.

Little Mercies

2012-02-11T07:27:00.000-08:00

Title: LITTLE MERCIES
Author: Lynn Coulter
Publisher: Broadman & Holman
April 2011
ISBN: 978-08054-4935-8
Genre: Inspirational/Christian Living

Most Christians know the Psalm “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” But—how can we be happy when we are living in a broken, fallen world. Sometimes we have so much bad news (not necessarily all in the media) that we just want to stick our heads in the sand and hide.

In LITTLE MERCIES, Ms. Coulter answers that we can be glad in Jesus. Even if we’re sitting in the radiology department in the hospital and learn that there’s a suspicious tumor and you need a biopsy. Even if your son feels like arguing and makes you want to scream, you can choose to look for the little mercies that God has given you.

Ms. Coulter is an acclaimed essayist, and she has written sixteen thoroughly engaging essays with titles like “Fly Fishing”, “Singing Behind the Plow”, and “Making Biscuits.”
She uses humor and talent to remind us about the grace of God who is in the details. The one who appears when we ignore some of the clamor around us.

I read through most of LITTLE MERCIES when I was sitting at the hospital today, waiting for blood work and other tests. I finished the rest of the book after I got home. Normally, I drag my way through nonfiction, taking several days—sometimes weeks—to work my way through it. But I can say that I read and was engaged by LITTLE MERCIES enough to want to keep reading it.

If you are looking for a pick-me-up, a reminder that God is good, that He is in the details, and that He knows the plans He has for you, then pick up a copy of LITTLE MERCIES today. You will be glad you did. 192 pages. $14.99.

Interview with Fay Lamb and giveaway!

2012-02-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

As far as writing goes, I like stories with twists, plots layered in to give a reader a surprise here and there. It keeps the writing exciting for me.

But I write because I want to glorify God, to provide stories that offer hope and light for individuals who don’t know God or who have walked away from Him. My hope is that someone reading one of my stories will say, “It’s never too late to live my life according to God’s plan for me.”

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day I eloped with my husband and my sons to Kingsland, Georgia, and we began our wonderful journey of marriage together.

How has being published changed your life?
Oh, my goodness. I’m busier than I have ever been. My husband and I both work at home. He has an office on one side of the house and mine is on the other. We usually get started working right after breakfast around 8:00 a.m., and except for catching a meal mid-day, we barely see each other.

What are you reading right now?
I’m reading Medical Error by Dr. Richard Mabry, and I’m enjoying it very much.

What is your current work in progress?
Well, I’m actually going back to the drawing board on a contemporary romance called Charisse. A wonderful editor provided me some very good advice for the story, and I’m working my way through it so that I can get it into her hands again.

What would be your dream vacation?
Actually, my husband and I are talking about renewing our dream vacations and spending some quality time on one of our favorite island towns, Cedar Key. It’s a sleepy little fishing village on the Gulf of Mexico. We rent a condo on the Gulf and hang out by the pool reading or we walk into town or ride our bicycles out to the small airport. It’s just a place where we connect.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
My settings have to be somewhere of interest to me. Most of my locations are fictitious but they are all based upon real places whether it’s a small island town in the Gulf of Mexico or the mountains of Western North Carolina.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who
would it be and why?
The fellows behind the screenplays Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous. I love what they do. I love the fact that their movies touch so many lives, and well, I might have a story or two for them.

What three things about you would surprise readers?
Let’s see:
1. I’ve learned you really can grow out of shyness. I used to tell folks I’m shy—and I was, but I can’t honestly say that now. I’m pretty social, whether online or in person. That’s a God-thing and an answer to prayer.
2. I collect salt and pepper shakers. I have 500+ pairs throughout my house. At one point, after handing my dear mother-in-law a Morton salt box one night at dinner, she declared, “Let me get this right. All of these salt and pepper shakers in this house, and not one of them as salt in it?”
3. I love to pick on my husband. It’s my favorite pastime. Of course, anyone who follows my antics on Facebook knows that I live to torment him. He’s such a good sport about it, and one of the many reasons I love him so much.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
Tatting. I love to create tatted lace. It was with great difficulty and the determination of a lovely-ninety-year-old woman that I learned this dying art. It’s very relaxing to me, something I can do when I just can’t think or write another word.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it
Time. I find myself pulled in a hundred different directions—wonderful directions, opportunities I wouldn’t miss for the world, but I sometimes forget that the opportunities have come to me because of my writing.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Don’t give up. Don’t let anyone take your dream away. However, don’t harden your heart to honest criticism of your work. Nine times out of ten, the person offering the advice wants only the best for you. Take the time to look at it objectively, and take what you can use, but always move forward. Never move backward.

Tell us about the book.

Because of Me was birthed when the hero, Michael Hayes, came onto the stage of my imagination and said, “There’s a young boy, Cole. I’m not his father, but he’s definitely on this earth because of me. I allowed something horrible to happen to his mother, but I still love her. I despise the kid, though. I’ve forgiven another for so much more, and Cole’s only fault is that his father is the man who took everything from me. How can I learn to love this child and protect his mother from the man who can again take her from me?”
Michael’s story captivated me, and when it was all said and done, I realized that Romans 8:28 permeates the pages of this story. All things, both the good and the bad, are used by God for our good.

What do you want readers to take away from the book?
That God is always in the details of our lives. No matter how far we walk from Him, no matter the mess we make, God is able, and He can create beauty out of the ugliest happenings in our life.

What one question would you like us to ask your readers?

Michael Hayes, the hero of Because of Me, holds Job 13:15 as his life verse: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him, but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” What does this verse say to you?

Tell us about the giveaway you’re offering.

The giveaway is for either an autographed print copy of Because of Me or an e-Book edition of the book, winner’s choice.

Because of Me:

Issie Putnam’s life took a detour the night she was raped at gunpoint in front of her fiancé, Michael Hayes. Instead of marrying Michael, a promising young investigative reporter, Michael, along with the man who attacked her, and the man who held the gun on Michael, are imprisoned for conspiracy to assassinate the local district attorney—a crime Michael was trying to expose but had no intention of committing. Issie’s name is ruined, she lost her perfectly-planned future, but she gained Cole, her son—born of that rape.
On the eve of her attacker’s parole, Michael, already released from prison, follows through on his plan to return to the small town of Amazing Grace and protect Issie from the madman who promised to seek revenge. There, he meets Issie’s seven-year-old son for the first time.
Can Michael learn to love the child Issie holds so close to her heart? Will Michael be able to protect the woman he loves from the man who will stop at nothing to destroy them all?
Purchase the book at: http://www.amazon.com/Because-of-Me-ebook/dp/B00722KIME/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327670357&sr=8-1

Fay Lamb works as an acquisition/copyeditor for Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing and Harbourlight Books), offers her services as a freelance editor, and is an author of Christian romance and romantic suspense. Her emotionally charged stories remind the reader that God is always in the details. Because of Me, her debut romantic suspense novel is soon to be released by Treble Heart Books/Mountainview Publishing.
Fay has a passion for working with and encouraging fellow writers. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she co-moderates the large Scribes’ Critique Group and manages the smaller Scribes’ critique groups. For her efforts, she was the recipient of the ACFW Members Service Award in 2010.
In 2012, Fay was also elected to serve as secretary on ACFW’s Operating Board.
Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren.

February 9th is "Read in the Bathtub" Day

2012-02-09T02:26:00.000-08:00

February 9th is "Read in the Bathtub" Day

Take a Break
By Linda Gilden

I held the dripping book by one corner. Water poured from between its pages. How could that have happened? Until this moment I had never even gotten a cover wet.

For years the bathtub has provided my favorite literary getaway. Preparation for bath time means gathering the essentials: a glass of cold water, one towel for drying, a small one for drying hands occasionally, a flashlight, eyeglasses (a fairly recent addition to the list), and a good book.

You may not be a bathtub reader but finding a daily time for yourself is important and reading enhances that special, individual time. Making the effort to have personal time each day has great benefits.

Keeps you grounded. The best way to start every day is with a personal time of devotion. Making a connection with God when you first get up gives you a solid foundation for the day. This time may include Bible reading, your favorite devotional book, and a time of meditation and prayer.

Recharges your “batteries.” We were not created to go and go and go. We need a break. Life is busy if not frantic for most of us and burnout lurks just around the corner. A few minutes away from the family, workplace, and the demands that go along with them gives you new strength, energy, and perspective to face your day.

Provides a time for enjoyment. Everyone needs to have a little fun every day. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes. So relaxing with a good book, whether in the bathtub, under a tree, or wrapped in a blanket in the recliner gives me a few minutes of enjoyment and entertainment.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Linda Gilden is an author, speaker, editor, and writing coach. She has written hundreds of articles as well as the Love Notes series, Mommy Pick-Me-Ups, and has ghostwritten or contributed to over three dozen books. Directing the CLASS Christian Writers Conference in Abiquiu, NM, she encourages others to clearly communicate God’s love to the world. Linda lives in SC with her family – a great source of speaking and writing material!

In March, the CLASS website will release news of the 2012 Christian Writers Conference: www.classeminars.org. Come meet Linda and the rest of the CLASS faculty there!

The Lover and the Madman

2012-02-08T01:37:00.000-08:00

Title: THE LOVER AND THE MADMAN: Memoirs of Joe K.
Author: Joe K.
Publisher: Sabre e-Books
November 2011
ISBN: 978-061554967-5
Genre: Memoir/Biography

Okay. Let me just preface this by saying I don’t like memoirs. I don’t care who the person is, I don’t care for them at all. So I probably was the wrong person to review the book. Second of all, I have no idea who Joe K. is. Someone in the music industry, I gather from reading the book. And third of all, I generally only read Christian books. So a book that includes drinking, smoking, cuss words, and other such things…

Joe K was named Kay William Klingersmith when he was born, but his dad fought hard and won with the result that his name was changed to Joel when he was a week old. Joe shares the memories of his life, his travels, his family, and his friends, well punctuated with pictures in the pages of this book. Some of the events were a bit interesting.

Joe K’s book is endorsed by his family members and friends, introducing their uncle, or their grandpa. This is a book that relatives of Joe K would love, friends would enjoy, and his fans will eat up. I’m none of the above.

That said—you might be one of the people who would love this book. If you have any foggy idea who Joe K (Klingersmith) was before I mentioned him in this review and want to know more about him, then look for a copy of THE LOVER AND THE MADMAN. If you are reading this review because you follow my blog and want the latest and greatest in Christian fiction/nonfiction… this is not it—although the book does end with Joe giving credit to his Creator, and offering gratitude to Him. $17.95. 352 pages.

I received this book in return for review from the publicist.

Katy's Debate

2012-02-07T00:58:00.000-08:00

Title: KATY’S DEBATE
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: Zondervan
May 2010
ISBN: 978-0-310-71923-6
Genre: Inspirational/teen

Katy Lambright has joined the debate club in her public high school, and she’s looking forward to her first debate. So far she’s learned how to keep score, and now she’s learning how to judge. Katy is keeping copious notes so she’ll succeed when it’s her turn.

Things are great, except that since Katy managed to get in trouble when she started attending public school, her dad and family believe that she needs a mother to keep her in line. So her dad has started courting a woman that Katy refuses to accept.

Katy must send this woman packing so she devises a plan to get her out of her life permanently. But who will she hurt in the process? Will Katy learn anything about life in this real-time debate?

KATY’S DEBATE is the second book in Ms. Sawyer’s Katy Lambright Series, set in a Mennonite community near Salina, Kansas. Katy is unlearning most of the traits of the Mennonites in this book, getting what some homeschoolers would call “the public school influence.” I didn’t think very highly of Katy’s actions in this book, she was quite hateful, disrespectful, and obnoxious at times. But she did learn a valuable lesson by the end of the book—not only about interfering in adult relationships, but also about her relationship with some of her peers.

If you are looking or a teen book (or series) for your teenager, then the Katy Lambright series would be a good set to pick up. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $9.99. 206 pages.

Interview with Regina Jennings

2012-02-06T01:11:00.000-08:00

Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I write the type of books that I like to read. My goal is that they would have a compelling conflict, a humorous voice, and that they would be blatantly romantic. I can’t imagine writing anything besides historical romance. There are so many eras and cultures out there that I’d hate to limit the stories to the here and now.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Since I’m a romance writer I should say my wedding day, but I tend to think of happiness in terms of moments. Some happy moments include sitting on the porch with my husband in the evenings and watching the bats swoop, singing hymns in Mexico while the rest of the congregation is singing in Spanish, and floating in inner-tubes down the Gasconade River with family members of all ages.

How has being published changed your life?
I’m busier than ever, I have a huge circle of new friends and co-workers who share my love for books, and now strangers know way too much about me.

What are you reading right now?
The Hunger Games books. Somehow I got the impression that the first book ended differently than it did. I don’t want to talk spoilers, but I was convinced I’d hate the book, only to find out that I’d misunderstood. I’m glad I gave it a chance.

What is your current work in progress?
We are staying in Caldwell County for the next book so we can watch as Molly Lovelace struggles against her parents’ expectations and her own misguided sense of adventure to find lasting love.

What would be your dream vacation?
A tour of the great libraries of the United Kingdom. I’d love to see the French, Italian, German, etc., but I couldn’t read the books so I’d be content to stay in Great Britain.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Sixty Acres and a Bride takes place in two actual Texas towns—Lockhart and Prairie Lea. The story needed a place along the Chisholm Trail and the name Prairie Lea caught my eye. It sounds idyllic and also contains my middle name—Lea, not Prairie. I started researching and found several events in Prairie Lea that made their way into the story—a fire that destroyed all 17 stores in town, a bustling sawmill and families that left to find a better life in Mexico after the Civil War. I’d struck gold. And when Rosa had to pay her property tax, she would’ve gone to the courthouse in Lockhart. Go ahead, Google “Caldwell County Courthouse.” Have you ever seen a prettier courthouse? True, it wasn’t built until a decade after this story, but Rosa and Weston went to the dedication service, I’m sure.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I’m not going to waste this wish on someone that I could see on any old day, so I’m going to say Princess Kate Middleton or the Duchess of Cambridge as she likes to be called. She seems nice. I would love to know what her life is really like and I could sell my story for lots of money to trashy gossip magazines. (Please don’t tell her that’s my plan.)

What three things about you would surprise readers?
I hate to shop. I’d rather go to the dentist than the mall. (Does that count as one or two?) In High School I was named “Best Rising Political Star”. It was a new category of Senior Favorites made up for an ambitious young man and they needed a girl to crown, too. I haven’t run for office yet. Third, my music of choice is usually Gilbert & Sullivan’s operettas, anything by Andrew Lloyd Weber, and bluegrass.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I relax by playing the piano and I like to travel.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Lack of time and an abundance of guilt are my obstacles. When I’m in a crunch I feel guilty that I’m short-changing my kids because I’m not spending enough time with them. Then I remind myself that as a home-schooling Mom my children spend more time with me than they want, and I stop pestering them and let them go outside and play.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Join a knowledgeable critique group. You might think you know all the rules of writing, but until someone carves up your manuscript, you don’t know if you’re applying them correctly.

Tell us about the book.
Sixty Acres and a Bride is a historical romance set in Texas in 1878. It’s about a good man trying to recover from a personal tragedy and a beautiful, Mexican widow who finds herself in a desperate situation. While Weston’s family welcomes Rosa, he isn’t prepared for his reaction to her. Rosa needs a hero. To what lengths will she go to catch one?

8 Tips for Building a Marriage that Thrives

2012-02-05T01:13:00.000-08:00

8 Tips For Building a Marriage That Thrives

The mega-millions spent by Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries, and Katy Perry and Russell Brand, on their lavish and exotic weddings failed to guarantee a long and blissful union. But they are not alone. Recent statistics show a decline in couples getting married and staying married for more than a few months or years.

Can marriages survive in today’s culture? Long-wedded author, Poppy Smith, says “Yes.” Here are Smith’s tips for building a marriage that not only works, but thrives:
Readjust your expectations. You didn’t marry your clone. Naturally, your partner will view some things differently. Be willing to flex and accept their right to be themselves.
Appreciate your different strengths. Analyze your personalities, your backgrounds, and what’s important to each of you. Identify each other’s strengths and affirm what these add to your relationship.
Learn to communicate so you’re heard. Women tend to explain and expand. Men tend to edit. To be heard, communicate according to your spouse’s desired style, not yours.
Understand each other’s feelings about money. Does money signal fun? Symbolize success? Guarantee security? Or ensure power? Knowing what it means to both of you helps in settling money battles.
Practice a conflict resolution style that works for both. Clarify what the conflict is about. Listen to each other’s reasoning and feelings without interrupting. Then decide what best builds your relationship.
Recognize the emotional needs of your mate. Both men and women want to be valued, admired, respected, and listened to. Discover what makes your spouse feel loved and special, then find ways to meet that need.
Prioritize romance and sexual intimacy. Sex matters. It gives physical and emotional pleasure, strengthens love, and deepens commitment. Make time to play or be silly or sensuous in bed. It pays rich dividends.
Share your Dreams. What is it each of you longs to achieve? Are there some dreams you want to accomplish together? Be encouragers to each other and discuss steps you can take now toward your goals.
About the Book:

Why Can't He Be More Like Me?
9 Secrets to Understanding Your Husband

“What do you and your husband have in common?”
“We got married on the same day.”

Do you find yourself nodding in agreement with the answer to that question? You want your marriage to be happy and honoring to God, but you wonder how when your husband baffles and sometimes irritates you. You may even wonder if you made a terrible mistake.

Poppy Smith offers you hope in this upbeat, empathetic, and biblically grounded book. Why Can’t He Be More Like Me? will help you better understand areas of conflict in your marriage as you consider your different backgrounds, expectations, needs, and reactions on a variety of topics from communication styles to finances and sex.

Each chapter provides practical tools to help you learn to accept and enjoy your mate. The result will be a stronger, happier marriage as you grow to understand and even find delight in your differences.

Endorsements:
“Poppy Smith cares about relationships! Her astute insights, garnered from time spent living in numerous locations around the globe, brings a wealth of advice packaged with her upbeat warmth and wisdom.”
—Pam Farrel, speaker and author of over 30 books, including best-selling Men Are Like Waffles—Women Are Like Spaghetti

“This book will help you love your husband even when you don’t understand him.”
—Leslie Vernick, counselor, coach, speaker, and author of How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong and The Emotionally Destructive Relationship

Why Can't He Be More Like Me
by Poppy Smith

Harvest House Publishers
ISBN-10: 0736943331
ISBN-13: 978-0736943338
Paperback: 224 pages
Release Date: April 1, 2012
Retail Price: $12.99

About Poppy Smith:
With her fun personality and passion for communicating life-changing truths, Poppy Smith inspires believers to thrive spiritually and personally. Poppy’s practical how-to messages (in print or in person) uses colorful examples from her own struggles to be more like Jesus. She encourages others to grow in every kind of situation—whether joyful or painful! Poppy is British, married to an American, and has lived in many countries. She brings an international flair seasoned with humorous honesty as she illustrates Bible truths. A former Bible Study Fellowship lecturer, Poppy’s teaching challenges women to look at their choices, attitudes and self-talk. As a result, God’s speaks, changing hearts, changing minds, and changing lives. Watch for Poppy's upcoming book release, Why Can't He Be More Like Me: 9 Secrets to Understanding Your Husband.

Four Letter Words and interview with Bill Giovannetti

2012-02-04T05:15:00.000-08:00

Title: FOUR LETTER WORDS
Author: Bill Giovannetti
Publisher: Endurant Press
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9836812-6-7
Genre: Christian Living

When the questions are hard and the answers unpopular, will you stay devoted to Christ?

Are you ready to speak the truth even when your friends roll their eyes, take offense, or walk away?

The core beliefs of the Christian faith have become today’s four letter words. Annoyed by the Christ-follower’s “narrow-mindedness,” our politically correct culture enforces a highly selective tolerance: fist-bumping any philosophical fad and moral deviation as long as it’s not in harmony with Grandma’s leather Bible.

The four letter words addressed include (but are not limited to):

 True: Its unreasonable to believe the Bible has the monopoly on truth
 Know: Science contradicts the Bible
 Pain: If God is real, He’d stop the pain
 Evil: Good and evil don’t really exist—Christians are judgmental
 Damn: Hell isn’t real
 Wait: Sex isn’t a sin

FOUR LETTER WORDS is a great resource for small groups and Bible studies, college groups, personal study, anyone wanting to know Jesus, youth groups and retreats. Discussion guide is included at the end of every book.

FOUR LETTER WORDS is one of the first fully interactive, QR enabled books on the market. You can use your smartphone to scan the codes throughout this book for more resources.

We live in a world that hates Christians. Everything is tolerated except Christianity. And when we ask for our views to be respected, people scream intolerance. This is a much needed book. Uncompromised. $13.99. 207 pages.

About Four Letter Words:

Thou shalt tolerate every opinion... except the Christian's. Today's postmodern "prime directive" leaves many followers of Jesus tongue-tied. In the global village, isn't it unreasonable, and even dangerous, to suggest that the Bible has a monopoly on truth?

The church needs a new breed of Christ-follower. We need Christ-followers who are alert to today's touchy ideas, the truths that fire up more heat than light. We need Christ-followers who can make a clear case for the Bible's worldview; who are ready to help our friends think through their beliefs; who can recognize inconsistencies and challenge them; and who can do all of this with humility, confidence, humor, and love. For more information visit http://fourletterwords.org.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/8FbUq

About Bill Giovannetti:

Dr. Bill Giovannetti is a professor at A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary and the senior pastor of Neighborhood Church of Redding. An experienced speaker and author, Bill informs the mind in ways that touch the heart. He enjoys life with his wife and two kids in northern California. For more information about Bill and his other books, visit http://maxgrace.wordpress.com and http://fourletterwords.org.

About the Giveaway:

Bill is celebrating the new Kindle edition of Four Letter Words (for only $4.99)! He’ll be traveling coast to coast over the next few weeks on this virtual book tour and he's celebrating by hosting a great giveaway!

Click here (http://fourletterwords.org/2012/01/contest-giveaway) to find out how you can win two gift certificates to Amazon (in the amount of $50 and $25) and free downloads of his yet-to-be-released title, Recession-Proof: Living a God-Blessed Life in a Messed Up World.

The whole scoop here: http://fourletterwords.org/2012/01/contest-giveaway/

Blog Tour Schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13453469.

What's Four Letter Words about, and where did you get the title?
Four Letter Words is about defending your faith in Christ. If you've ever felt
tongue-tied standing up for Jesus, this book can help.
Even though our culture claims tolerance as a virtue, that tolerance stops at
Christianity's front door: witness the hostility directed toward a sincere Christ-
follower like Tim Tebow. Judging by reactions to him, you'd think he just cussed
out his grandma when all he did was say a word for Christ. Speaking God's truth
and living your faith is quickly becoming today's profanity. Tougher days are
coming; we need to get ready.
There has never been a truth-system more satisfying, consistent, logical and
beautiful than Christianity. I wanted to help God's people rise up and say so.

What four letter words do you write about?
True: who says your truth has to be my truth too? Know: how do you know God
is real? Pain, Evil, and Ouch: why doesn't God stop the bad stuff? Damn: how
can a loving God send people to hell? Word: What makes the Bible so special?
Wait: isn't it unreasonable to expect today's people to live by biblical standards of
sexuality? Hope: what good has Christianity done in the world?
The book has ten chapters, discussion questions (in the book and downloadable
from the website), and 208 pages.

Did you ever struggle with your faith? How did you work through that?
Even though I've been a pastor for a long time, I struggle with my faith a lot. My
earliest struggles – back in high school days – centered on scientific stuff, like
evolution. In the book I tell the story of how I made peace with faith in a Creator
God and how I fit together science, logic, and the gospel in my own heart.
Now that I'm a bit older, my struggles come more out of pain and suffering. Why
does God let people hurt? I cover those topics too.
Struggles are normal – we just can't let them overwhelm our faith or uproot our
joy. It's super-important for us to know every question raised against Christianity
has an answer. I try to provide some of those answers along with simple talking
points for everyday conversations.

Who is this book for?
This book is for anyone who either struggles with faith or who wants to help
friends who struggle with faith. I wrote to strengthen faith and equip believers
to share faith. Our church has used this book with high school students, young
adults, and senior citizens—it's been really well received across all age groups.
Other churches are using it in small groups and youth groups.
I would love to see this book in the hands of every high school graduate and new

college student: they need to be inoculated from the anti-Christian venom they're
going to experience.
Toward the end, Four Letter Words invites readers to faith in Christ so it can be
resource for evangelism too.
Discussion questions are included.

What's with the QR codes?
Part of my geek credentials, I suppose. As far as I know, Four Letter Words is
the first QR-enabled book for the general market. QR codes are those postage-
stamp sized boxes with indecipherable patterns inside – Quick Response codes. I
wanted to make the book an interactive experience: just scan the codes with any
smartphone and you'll go straight to relevant videos, audio .mp3's, and websites.
Each chapter has a lot more resources on the website (www.fourletterwords.org)
which you can reach either through the QR code or just by visiting the site. The
geek-tech stuff in no way overwhelms the written word; it just supplements it. I
hope readers like it. What did you think?

If I read this book, what will get out of it?
I wrote Four Letter Words with three simple goals in mind:
1. Clarity: Know what you believe.
2. Confidence: Know why you believe.
3. Courage: Know what to say when you don't know what to say.

So what do you do when you're not writing?
I'm the husband of one incredible wife and dad to two amazing kids. My main
calling is as a pastor to the Neighborhood Church of Redding, a small-town
church of over 2,000 set amid the snow-capped peaks and pristine lakes of
northern California. I love preaching and teaching—spreading out a rich feast
of God and his grace and digging deep into God's Word. I also serve on the
faculties of A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary and Simpson University. I like
watching mindless action movies, reading, hanging with friends, bass fishing,
woodworking, good coffee, and Chicago sports teams. Go Bears!
Italian food is my love language.

Do you have any other books around?
My earlier book helps readers get a grip on their inner mess. If you read it, you'll
meet your Inner Thug, Inner Brat, Inner Legalist, and the rest of the motley crew
lurking in your soul. It's called How to Keep Your Inner Mess from Trashing
Your Outer World (Monarch/Kregel, 2009). I have a couple more books in the
pipeline, including a fiction book on the global political scene.

What's your spiritual background? How did you get started with Jesus?
I was reared in a tiny Chicago gospel church. I was loved. I was cared for. I was
taught the Bible. That church was my second family. They introduced me to
Jesus. I received him when I was young and devoted my life to him. But it wasn't
until young adulthood that I began to appreciate how much Jesus was devoted to

me. That discovery rocked my world. I shifted from rules to relationship and from
guilt to grace. I dedicated my life to encourage instead of tear down. I strive to
free others from guilt, shame, and legalism, and to help people discover life and
love through God's amazing grace.

How did you pick the four letter words for each chapter?
I had a great team working with me to pick the topics. The young adult leadership
team from my church hung out with me for a few coffee-shop meetings. We
brainstormed ideas. We asked what questions kept surfacing in their relationships
with seekers and what issues kept tripping up their conversations about Christ.
The topics came from them. Each chapter grew out of the real-life struggles of
real people in my church. I think this is why the book has connected in some
pretty deep ways with readers.

Would you say that Christians are persecuted?
Not so much in the U.S., but persecution is definitely coming. It's not that
Christians are changing; it's that culture is running from God so fast that
yesterday's normal is becoming today's weird. Christians will be increasingly
marginalized. Tell a typical college student he needs to be celibate till marriage
and he'll look at you like you're Amish. Why don't you hop in your buggy and trot
along. A generation ago, our culture would have supported that value. Today,
culture attacks it. It's going to get tougher to stay strong for Jesus.
We need a new breed of Christ-follower: alert to the beliefs that tick people
off, and ready to fire the weapons of truth and grace with courage, compassion,
humor, and love.

There are so many books on the gospel message, do we really need another one?
Thank God for a lot of excellent books out there to defend your faith. Four
Letter Words stands out because it is written for the everyday Christian. You
won't need advanced degrees to understand its message. I wanted to go deep,
but keep it really clear. I also made sure to include "Talking Points" after each
chapter. That's where I pull the chapter's themes into a handful of memorable
and repeatable truths. These take-aways can help you engage your friends in
solid conversations about Christ. While many other apologetics books focus on a
single topic, Four Letter Words deals with common topics that often make the
average Christian feel tongue-tied. Consider it your one-stop shop for equipping
in apologetics.

FUN QUESTIONS

If aliens landed in front of you and, in exchange for anything you desire, offered you any
position on their planet, what would you want?
Definitely the Minister of Space Exploration. I dig science fiction and it's
my secret dream to pilot an alien spacecraft through a wormhole into another
dimension. I want to boldly go where no one has gone before. Plus it would be

cool to see first hand how Jesus gets glorified on the far side of Jupiter and to hit
a baseball on Pluto and see how far it goes. As Minister of Technology, I'd restore
Pluto's status to that of planet instead of asteroid; I feel sorry for the little guy.

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
There's this guy on the TV show Alphas named Gary Bell who can literally see
the entire electromagnetic spectrum: radio waves, phone texts, television signals,
digital transmissions, and the Internet. He sees it in the air around him. I want
that. Is that enough to renew my geek-card?

Name one movie you consider wildly under-appreciated.
That's easy: Tremors. Yes, the one with Kevin Bacon fighting giant worms that
eat people. Creepy comedic genius. My wife loves it so much she rolls her eyes
and leaves the room every time I turn it on.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/tF3L3M
Direct from the Author (signed copies) http://maxgrace.1freecart.com
Website: http://www.fourletterwords.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BillGiovannetti
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/billgiovannetti
Blog: http://www.maxgrace.com

The Irish Healer

2012-02-03T05:38:00.000-08:00

Title: THE IRISH HEALER
Author: Nancy Herriman
Publisher: Worthy publishing
April 2012
ISBN: 978-1-936034-78-9
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Rachel Dunne has fled Ireland, accused of murdering a child under her care. Rachel is a healer, but she vows never to sit at another sickbed since she no longer trusts her ability—or God’s mercy. Even though she is found innocent in Ireland, she still must leave because there are those in the community that believe she’s guilty, that justice wasn’t done. Afraid for her family, Rachel takes a job as a servant in a London physician’s household, categorizing his books.

Doctor James Edmunds is moving to the country to become a gentleman farmer, at his father’s deathbed request. He isn’t sure he wants to go, but feels he must since someone else is raising his poor motherless daughter. He never expects to be attracted to a mere servant girl, an Irish one at that, in his employ.

With the British disliking the poor Irish as much as they do, Rachel doesn’t find a friendly reception in Dr. Edmund’s household. She is attracted to the handsome doctor, but shies away from his every request for her to help him with patients. James doesn’t understand why since he’s seen her care for injured street urchins with great attention and care. When the truth about Rachel is revealed, will her position be lost? Or will James be able to forgive her and offer her something more?

THE IRISH HEALER is Ms. Herriman’s debut novel, the runner-up in the historical fiction category in the ACFW Genesis contest. This book truly did deserve these honors as it was gripping in it’s plot line with realistic characters that we couldn’t help but fall in love with.

This book isn’t releasing until April, but it is definitely one that historical fans will want to have on their wish lists! Two medical personalities, with guilts and demons of their own to face, doubting God’s grace. I wanted them both to find that loving and trusting God might be the answer to their disillusions. This is a book you won’t want to miss. $14.99. 320 pages.

Mornings With Jesus and giveaway

2012-02-02T06:31:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment (with contact information) to be entered into a drawing for a copy of this book

Title: MORNINGS WITH JESUS 2012
Authors: Multi
Publisher: Guideposts
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0824945046
Genre: Inspirational/Devotions

“Be still and know that I am God”

MORNINGS WITH JESUS 2012 is a daily devotional with 366 days of scripture and devotions for each day of this leap year.

Each devotional starts with scripture, followed by the devotional, and then the application. They are only a page or less in length, so don’t take much time to read. Just a few minutes of time to get your focus on God, and start the day off right.

This is not a detailed Bible study for the serious scholar, or for the fifteen minutes of Bible study that the maturing Christian should have. However, it is an excellent way to begin each day by focusing on God.

The devotions are written by some of our favorite fiction authors such as Judy Baer, Tricia Goyer, Camy Tang, and some that are known for their other devotions, like Keri Wyatt Kent.

I enjoyed reading through this devotional and using it with my family each day. I highly recommend this devotional as an excellent start to the day. 377 pages. Available in kindle, hardcover, and paperback.

About the book:
"Be still and know that I am God.” is one of the most beautiful verses from the Bible, but it’s not easy to practice in this busy world. Mornings with Jesus will help you do just that—“be still” in Jesus’ beautiful and powerful presence. For those who are seeking a deeper experience in their relationship with Christ, Mornings with Jesus offers a fresh perspective of who Jesus is (the Healer, the Son of God, the Comforter, the Good Shepherd) and what that means for day-to-day life. With a warm and friendly voice, 365 short devotional writings on the character and teachings of Jesus encourage readers to greet each day by drawing near to Him and inviting His presence into their day. Spend time with Jesus at the beginning of each day and experience His nearness and peace in a new way throughout the year. Each day’s selection includes: • a Bible verse • an entry based on Jesus: His words, miracles, and parables; His wisdom, compassion, and comfort; His mystery, power, divinity, and humanity • a “faith step” that will inspire and challenge readers to apply the day’s message to their lives

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/8BbyO

Blog tour schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13452857)

Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees

2012-02-01T01:24:00.000-08:00

Title: GIVE MY LOVE TO THE CHESTNUT TREES
Author: Beverly Varnado
Publisher: WestBow
September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4497-2360-6
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction

In 1988, Mary Helen Reynolds discovers that her mother has breast cancer. Against her wishes, she is sent to stay with her Aunt Laney, an eccentric artist, while her mother goes through breast cancer treatment.

Aunt Laney is actually a great aunt, a relation to the father that Mary Helen never knew. And she lives in St. Simons Island, Georgia. Aunt Laney loves to paint by the marsh, and goes crabbing. Mary Helen understands little about her way of life, all she knows is she misses her friends and her mother.

But then Mary Helen meets Ben. Ben has a passion for the island that opens Mary Helen’s mind to new possibilities and sends her on a journey of self-discovery. Will Mary Helen embrace the changes in her life? Or continue to cling to the familiar?

I have to say that as a rule I avoid self-published books because you just never know what they’ll be like. But GIVE MY LOVE TO THE CHESTNUT TREES intrigued me by the blurb I saw and so I decided to take a chance on it. I have to say that this is a wonderful book! Partially written in present time and mostly written in the view point of the fourteen year old Mary Helen, it had me crying by the time I finished the book. I fell in love with Mary Helen and St. Simon’s Island. This is coming-of-age story that will live on in my heart and memory. I’m passing my copy on for my daughter. GIVE MY LOVE TO THE CHESTNUT TREES is highly recommended. You will not be disappointed by this book. $17.95 paperback. 217 pages.

The Farmer Next Door

2012-01-31T05:01:00.000-08:00

Title: THE FARMER NEXT DOOR
Author: Patricia Davids
Publisher: Love Inspired
July 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-81557-9
Genre: Inspirational/Amish

Adrian Lapp has lost his wife shortly after childbirth, and his young son a few years later when he was hit by a car. He swears he’ll never marry again. But that is until Faith Martin moves in next door. Faith also lost her husband and twin daughters, but she had an unhappy marriage and she doesn’t want to be beat by a man again.

Faith raises alpacas for their wool to spin into yarn. But when they get into Adrian’s beans he is less than happy. Still, he offers to help Faith get the animals properly enclosed so they don’t escape and eat up his beans.

Faith’s English brother died and she hopes to adopt his son as hers but the social worker is less than enthusiastic about letting an Amish woman adopt an English boy. Faith is the boy’s only living relative so she has to give her a chance but she keeps finding things to knit-pick about, including the fact that she is Plain. Will Faith get to keep her nephew and find love in the process? Or will she lose both the boy and Adrian?

THE FARMER NEXT DOOR is part of Ms. Davids Brides of Amish Country series. It is kind of simplistic and gives a lot of information that avid readers of Amish fiction already know, but if someone is new to the genre then the information is good to have. I enjoyed reading this sweet romance and getting to know Faith and Adrian and learning more about alpacas (which are kind of like llamas). This was an interesting book and it held my attention, though I think that not all the adoption facts are accurate. I didn't research though, so I don't know. I hoped both Adrian and Faith would find happiness and that Faith would be able to keep her nephew. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $6.50. 280 pages.

The Sound of Red Returning

2012-01-30T04:55:00.000-08:00

Title: THE SOUND OF RED RETURNING
Author: Sue Duffy
Publisher: Kregel
December 2011
ISBN: 978-0825425745
Genre: Inspirational/suspense

Liesl Bower is an accomplish pianist, playing for audiences around the world. She is no stranger to the White House or for playing for presidents—but she is unaccustomed to finding scary, scowling faces in the audience. The face of a man she’d seen threatening her music mentor fifteen years earlier, shortly before he was murdered.

Now, it seems as if something has happened to set both Russian and CIA agents on her heels. Intelligence suggests that Liesl possesses a coded message critical to a resurgence of Soviet power.

The Russians are in a frenzy to find the code before the Americans. But Liesl doesn’t have any idea what she possesses, she only finds herself on a run for her life—a run that will take her through the wounds of her past, the love of man she never thought could be hers, and the prevailing power of God.

THE SOUND OF RED RETURNING is the first book I’ve read by Sue Duffy. It is book one in the Red Returning trilogy, and a very nice start. The book did begin rather slowly, but did pick up about midway. There are flashes in time period from present time to fifteen years earlier, and back, and I found the jumps a bit jarring. I did fall in love with Liesl, and innocent bystander, so to speak, thrust into an international spy ring and fleeing for her life without knowing for sure why and what they were after.

I did enjoy reading THE SOUND OF RED RETURNING despite its slow start and the confusing ending. I will look for Ms. Duffy’s other books in this series. If you like political suspense then you will want to look at THE SOUND OF RED RETURNING. 288 pages. $14.99.

Read an excerpt here: http://www.sueduffybooks.com/#!vstc1=books

About the author:

Sue Duffy is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Moody Magazine, The Presbyterian Journal, Sunday Digest, and The Christian Reader. She is the author of Mortal Wounds (Barbour, 2001) and Fatal Loyalty (Kregel, 2010). Sue has also contributed to Stories for a Woman’s Heart (Multnomah). She and her husband, Mike, have three grown children.

Find out more at www.sueduffybooks.com.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/8B9HT

About the giveaway and party:

Sue and her publisher, Kregel Publications, are giving away a “Red Returning” prize package worth over $200 to one lucky winner!!!! (1/23-2/11)

Enter the Sue Duffy’s Giveaway today and you could win:

* A brand new Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
* The Sound of Red Returning by Sue Duffy

To enter click one of the icons below. But, hurry! The giveway ends on 2/11. Sue will be announcing the winner of the “Red Returning” Giveaway on February 13th on the Litfuse website!

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Blog tour schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13452833

Summer of Promise

2012-01-29T02:05:00.000-08:00

congratulations to Margaret for winning a free download of K. Dawn Byrd's book

Title: SUMMER OF PROMISE
Author: Amanda Cabot
Publisher: Revell
January 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3459-6
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

Abigail Harding left her job in Vermont, anxious about her sister Charlotte who married a soldier and relocated to the Wyoming territory. Charlotte’s letters have sounded increasingly melancholy and yet she claims nothing is wrong. Abigail decides to head west to see for herself.

Abigail’s first impression of Wyoming is that it’s boring. Nothing but a clear blue sky to see. Yet, when her stage coach is attacked by bandits, it proves to be anything but boring. Lieutenant Ethan Bowles saves the stage coach from robbery—and worse.

Abigail plans to marry Woodrow when she returns to Vermont, but as the summer passes she finds herself drawn to both the land and a certain soldier. Will Abigail go back east, as planned, or will she stay for a new love?

SUMMER OF PROMISE is the first book in Ms. Cabot’s new series Westwood Winds. So far, it is proving to be as captivating a series as Ms. Cabot’s previous one Texas Dreams Series.

The setting was decribed so vividly that I could almost see the endless and cloudless blue eyes, the vast planes with nothing growing on them except cactus and bushes, and the lack of trees. I could feel the lurching of the stage coach, and hear the endless pratter of her fellow passengers. I was glad that the trip west wasn’t dragged on and that the story continues on when they reached the fort.

I couldn’t help but fall in love with the characters and can’t wait to read more in this series. SUMMER OF PROMISE is a book that Ms. Cabot’s fans and historical romance fans will not want to miss. I’m looking forward to Ms. Cabot’s first Christmas novella coming this fall from Revell—as well as the continuation of this series coming next year. $14.99. 410 pages.

The Rose of Winslow Street

2012-01-28T06:56:00.000-08:00

Title: THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET
Author: Elizabeth Camden
Publisher: Bethany House
January 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0895-9
Genre: Inspirational/historical fiction

Michail Dobrescu has migrated from Romania to America in search for safety for his family. He has the deed to a house on Winslow Street, in Colden, Massachusetts, but someone else has been living in the house. Michail doesn’t know who, except the person had odd tastes. He expects a fight will break out over the ownership of the house—but the battle begins sooner than he expects when the neighbors notice him move in and call the sheriff to investigate.

Libby Sawyer leads a quiet life, but she is stunned when she learns that a stranger has a shocking claim to her father’s house. This immediately alienates him from the community, and Libby is outraged! She’s lived there all her life and isn’t afraid to fight for ownership of the house.

Michail changes his name to Michael to better fit in with the Americans and he won’t be thwarted by an illiterate woman’s claim to the house on Winslow Street. But as the court’s decision is pending, the mysteries surrounding Michael’s past are unveiled and Libby’s loyalties are tested in ways she never imagined.

I read and enjoyed Ms. Camden’s first book The Lady of Bolton Hill and loved it. THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET was entirely different as this book seemed to be more of an epic instead of Victorian Romance.

Michael starts THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET as a jerk, not caring too much who he stomps on so long as he gets his way. But he had gallant reasons. But my opinion of him changed as I continued reading the book. I felt for Libby. She is ashamed of things about her past and tries to hide them, but of course they all come to light in the story.

I did enjoy reading THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET, but in a very different way than I loved The Lady of Bolton Hill. If you enjoy epic historicals then you won’t want to miss THE ROSE OF WINSLOW STREET. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $14.99. 342 pages.

Beyond Molasses Creek

2012-01-27T04:30:00.000-08:00

Title: BEYOND MOLASSES CREEK
Author: Nicole Seitz
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
January 2012
ISBN: 978-1-59554-505-3
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction

Ally is a former flight attendant. She was forced to leave the job when her back went out and she dumped a cup of coffee on a passenger. She never wanted to get back on a plane—but now she has, to fly to the Lowcountry to bury her father—and the past. Her old best friend, Vesey Washington, is still living across the creek—but this is the south; Vesey is black, she is white. And despite the attraction between them, there can’t be anything more.

On the other side of the world, a young slave woman, Sunila Kunari, is wondering why she was born white in a family of black. She believes there’s more to her story that she’s told, so she escapes her life of slavery in the rock quarries of Nepal. A sketchbook tempts Sunila to follow the truth wherever it may lead…

BEYOND MOLASSES CREEK is the first book I’ve read by Nicole Seitz. Written in first person of the three different characters, each point of view is easily identified by a name at the top of the chapter.

The story starts out extremely slow and never really picked up. I figured out where it was going once one certain thing was revealed and I wasn’t mistaken. I was disappointed that there was no romantic happy-ever-after-ending, though there is a happy-ever-after-ending of another sort.

Vesey was a wonderful male character, and I loved him. He was strong and faithful and loving. Sunila’s story is horribly sad. I felt so bad for her. This isn’t really what I expected. It was an okay read, overly sad for me, but others might enjoy it.

If you are looking for a women’s fiction, then you might be interested in BEYOND MOLASSES CREEK. $15.99. 320 pages.

Interview with Denise Hunter

2012-01-26T02:42:00.000-08:00

Author Denise Hunter explores the flaw in seeking favor with others

Do the opinions of those around us really matter? Should we live our lives based on what others might think? In her latest release, The Accidental Bride (Thomas Nelson), award-winning author Denise Hunter explores these questions as she deftly leads her readers to discover the One whose favor should always be sought. Skillfully creating a love story that beautifully reflects God’s grace, Hunter uses the pages of The Accidental Bride to bring to light preoccupation with caring what others think. Using complex characters, an enticing backdrop and an almost palpable range of emotion and conflict, Hunter draws her readers to a new awareness of how much more simple life becomes when we aim to please God instead of man.

The Accidental Bride
by
Denise Hunter
Thomas Nelson/January 3, 2012
ISBN 978-1-59554-802-3
304 pages/trade paper/$15.99
www.ThomasNelson.com
www.DeniseHunterbooks.com

In the interview below, Denise Hunter shares more about her latest release.

Q: In The Accidental Bride, your main character, Shay is continually concerned with what others might think. Worrying about the opinions of others is a common malady in today’s society. What made you decide to write about it?

As you say, it’s so common to be worried about what others think of us. I love that quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, “You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” So true! Shay needed to realize that it’s God’s opinion that really matters. When we focus on pleasing people, we tend to make poor decisions.

Q: This isn’t your first novel based on the cowboy lifestyle. What drew you to this particular lifestyle as the backdrop for your writing?

I’m drawn to the rugged appeal of the cowboy lifestyle. Even though I live in a city, I’m a country girl at heart, and I especially love the mountains; that’s why I was drawn to Montana for this series. There’s something simple and beautiful about living off the land that I think appeals to readers right now. Things are tough for so many people—and though the cowboy lifestyle is a hard one—it’s also very organic, a back to our roots kind of thing.

Q: The premise of The Accidental Bride is both interesting and unique. What inspired your decision to involve your hero and heroine in an “accidental” marriage?

I was watching a TV movie in which the actors were getting married, and I wondered, “What if the actor playing the preacher was an ordained minister? Would the couple be legally married?” Turns out, it’s not quite that simple to become accidentally married. There’s the matter of a marriage license that the pastor has to sign and mail to the proper government agency. So the good news is, it’s not likely to happen to you or anyone you know. But it sure was fun instigating such an event in a novel!

Q: Before she could forgive him, Travis had to rebuild Shay’s trust. Is this a necessary step, or do you believe we should forgive even those who may never be trustworthy again?

Trust and forgiveness are two different things. Forgiveness is something God commands us to do—regardless of circumstances like whether or not the offender is apologetic or has changed, etc.

Trust is different; it’s earned. And unfortunately, it takes a long time to build trust and only one bad decision to wreck it. We forgive the offender, but if he or she doesn’t change, we aren’t required to trust the person again. It’s the offender’s responsibility—if he or she wants to be trusted again—to earn back that trust.

Q: As an award-winning romance novelist you are, no-doubt, a role model for many would-be writers. What advice would you give to those who dream of one day being published? What’s an absolute must for a great romance?

First of all, I recommend aspiring writers to study and practice. Writing is a craft to be honed, and no matter how much natural talent you have, it takes both of those things to become a good writer.
Also, write the book you want to read. If you want to read that kind of book, there will be others who want to read it too.
Study the market, not so that you can jump on every trend, but so that you know how your story fits into the market.
Join a writers group so you can meet other writers—iron sharpens iron.
Once you have a marketable manuscript, go to conferences. The American Christian Writers Conference is the best out there in my opinion (www.acfw.com). At conferences, you will learn from some of the best in the industry and get a chance to pitch your work to agents and editors.
E-publishing is becoming huge, but don’t put a sub-par manuscript out there where it will only flounder. Hone the craft, write the best story you can, and learn to re-write. Then hire an editor. Every published author has one for a reason!
Getting published can be a long, uphill climb, but persistence pays off.

Denise Hunter is the award-winning author of eighteen romance novels, including The Convenient Groom, Surrender Bay, Driftwood Lane and the first book in the Big Sky Series, A Cowboy’s Touch. Struck by the brevity of life following her grandfather’s passing, Denise began writing in 1996. As a young stay-at-home mom she used the brief time while her children were napping each day to pursue her dream of being a writer. Two years later her first novel was published. She then continued her naptime writing schedule to complete four more novels. Today she encourages other young mothers to pursue their writing dreams, pointing out that writing only one page a day for a year will result in a completed manuscript. Since beginning her career, Hunter’s work has earned her the Holt Medallion Award, the Reader’s Choice Award and the Foreword Book of the Year Award. She has also been a RITA finalist. Hunter lives in Indiana with her husband and their three teenaged sons. Along with writing and spending time with her family, she enjoys reading, traveling and playing drums for her church’s worship team.

Interview with Carl Kerby

2012-01-25T01:28:00.000-08:00

An interview with Carl Kerby, author of
Reasons for Hope in the Mosaic of Your Life

“The two most important pieces of information I will take away from this book: stay bold and be prepared to give a defense of your faith. This book will inspire Christians to do just that. Your story, from your checkered childhood to your resistance to God’s path for you, is a strong reminder that God has a plan for us all. Your explanation of how the Bible fits into the modern-day world, tackling issues such as evolution and race, is crucial to today’s Christian.”

~ Rich “Ace” Franklin, three-time UFC MMA Champ

Life is often not picture-perfect, and difficult times can make it hard to see a plan or purpose for our lives. In this inspiring story of one man’s journey, you will learn to see life from a different perspective. No matter what your circumstances, God can gather up the broken pieces and random elements of your life and form them into a beautiful mosaic—making you a useful vessel for His glory.

Reasons for Hope
In the Mosaic of Your Life

by
Carl Kerby

Genesis Publishing Group
December 15, 2011
ISBN: 978-1933591094
208 pages/paperback/$14.99

Q&A with Carl Kerby

Q: In what ways are our lives like mosaics?

To me, a mosaic is a fitting illustration of the way God can take the broken pieces of our lives and create something beautiful from them. My life has been filled with boulders and broken stones. Yet God, in His grace, has put those stones together in a mosaic to make me into a useful vessel for His glory.

I once saw a large mosaic but was too close to understand the design, so I backed up to get a better view. Just as the mosaic picture didn’t make sense until I got a broader perspective, I had to do the same thing with the struggles I’ve encountered. As I look back over my life from a different perspective, I can see why God has allowed me to undergo some of the challenges I’ve had.

I also realized that the more broken pieces in the mosaic, the more beautiful the picture and the greater its value. The more we’ve gone through, the more amazing the picture our lives can be when we have God’s perspective.

Q: How can Christians use the mosaic of their life to bring hope to others?

People are often encouraged by my story, when they realize that God can use anyone to do His work—even the messed-up son of a professional wrestler who ended up earning his livelihood as an air-traffic controller and then a public creation speaker. Growing up I struggled with a lot of things other people do: an absentee father, my parents’ divorce, alcohol and drugs, run-ins with the law, even being homeless at one point.

No matter our background, we can all share our own life stories, our mosaic, to tell others how God has taken the broken pieces of our life and made something beautiful and valuable. Those rocky areas in our life can be steppingstones for sharing the love of Christ with others.

Q: You address the topic of racism in Reasons for Hope. Why was that issue important to include?

Sadly, evolutionary teaching promotes the idea that people are divided into different “races” with some “races” better than others, leading to all sorts of prejudice, hatred, and bloodshed. I know I was wrong in my racist attitudes when I was young, and many still believe the same way I did. That’s why I take such a strong stand on this issue today.

Ultimately, the issue of racism comes down to this: where did humans come from? When you reject what the Bible says about man’s origin, you will end up with all kinds of wrong beliefs. But biblically and scientifically, there is only one race of people—Homo sapiens—all made in the image of God. So we need to abandon the term “races” and instead talk about “cultures” or “people groups.”

We have to teach people the truth about racism, but what bothers me the most is that the church has dropped the ball on this issue. In fact, the church (in some instances) is one of the last bastions of racism and prejudice in America. And if we, as Christians, cannot grasp the need to eradicate racism, how can we expect the world to do that?

About the Author: Carl Kerby is president and founder of Reasons for Hope (rforh.com), founded in 2011 as a response to a calling from God to proclaim the authority and authenticity of the Bible. He was previously a founding board member at Answers in Genesis for ten years and served there for over fifteen years. Before that he worked as an air-traffic controller at O’Hare International Airport. Kerby’s love for Jesus fuels a passion to engage the minds and hearts of youth and adults so that they can know the truth of God’s Word. He is a sought-after speaker both in the United States and abroad. Yet his most cherished accomplishment is his 29-year marriage to his wife, Masami, and his roles as father to his children, Alisa and Carl, Jr., and as grandfather to Trey.

Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa

2012-01-24T08:56:00.000-08:00

Title: LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA
Author: Melanie Dobson
Publisher: Summerside Press
June 2011
ISBN: 978-1609361358
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Amalie Wiese is traveling from New York to Iowa to join the new Amana communities as a head cook. She’s also engaged to marry Friedrich, another man in the Amana community. It takes five weeks of brutal travel by wagon train to reach Iowa, and Amalie’s train is almost stopped by Rebel soldiers burning Yankee cities and towns and running the wagon train travelers off in to the forest where who knows what evil waits.

When Amalie arrives in Amana, she is anxious to see Friedrich. But he is no where to be found. Then she learns that he went off, against the wishes of the community, to fight in the War Between the States. Friedrich’s best friend, Matthias is still there, but he’s distant and cold.

When Matthias also leaves for the battlefront, war rages in Amalie’s heart. Who will claim the victory?

LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA is set thirty years earlier than Ms. Dobson’s Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa which is also set in the Amana communities. I loved the book in Homestead, Iowa, and was looking forward to reading this one. A friend of mine actually received this book for review but she hated it, and passed it on to me to review instead.

LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA is a slower paced story, dragging at times, and Amalie at times seems a cold and uncaring heroine, but that is only because she cares so deeply she’s afraid to let herself feel—she might violate the rules of the community. Friedrich is also a caring man. Deeply in love with Amalie, but also hating the war that is raving between the states, and what it is doing to the oppressed people. Matthias himself is torn by the war, but he is above all, obedient to his leaders and if they say no, the answer is no. I cared for all these people, and had to keep reading to find out what happens, but the story is very slow, enabling people to put it down and not forcing them to keep reading. I’m giving it 4.5 stars. $12.99. 315 pages.

I received this book in return for review from Christian Bookworm Reviews

The Jerk Magnet

2012-01-23T05:36:00.000-08:00

Title: THE JERK MAGNET
Author: Melody Carlson
Publisher: Revell
January 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8007-1962-3
Genre: Inspirational/teen fiction

Chelsea Martin is a geek, and invisible. She is looking forward to getting out of school for the summer when she finishes her Sophomore year, so she can get away from all the cruelty at high school. But then her dad drops a bombshell on her. He’s getting married to a hot woman he used to work with and they are moving to California.

Chelsea’s new step-mom-to-be takes control over Chelsea’s wardrobe, taking her shopping and getting her makeovers. Soon Chelsea doesn’t even recognize herself. She’s blond, fashionable, and gorgeous.

But on the move west, Chelsea starts attracting male attention and she isn’t sure how to respond. By the time she arrives at her new school in California, she has the attention of all the guys and that doesn’t make her BFF material for the girls.

When a great guy catches Chelsea’s eye, he’s the only one who doesn’t give her a second glance. Can Chelsea get his attention? Or is her new look ruining everything?

THE JERK MAGNET is Ms. Carlson’s latest release for teen girls. I enjoy reading her books, but find that a lot of them deal with really tough/sensitive issues, which makes them iffy-reading for a teen girl in a really conservative family.

This book is about how clothes and attitude make the girl and it really has some good advice about how to behave as if you’re confident when you’re not. It also has some good ideas about how to be friendly around others and make friends if you’re shy. But it also deals with the impression that clothes make the girl--and enforces the less-modest point of view that most of America has—if you want to attract male jerks. $12.99. 218 pages.

Where Wildflowers Bloom

2012-01-22T03:57:00.000-08:00

Ann Shorey is sponsoring a contest and would love to have you enter and spread the word about it! http://www.annshorey.com/contest.html

Title: WHERE WILDFLOWERS BLOOM
Author: Ann Shorey
Publisher: Revell
January 2012
ISBN: 978-0800720742
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Faith Lindberg lost her father and brother to the Civil War—maybe. They hadn’t shown up on the casualties list, yet, but she is left alone with her grandfather. She also dreams about another soldier, Royal Baxter, a man who took her hair ribbon and her heart, five years ago.

Now Faith’s grandfather is ailing. He is leaving her in charge of their mercantile, but Faith wants to get away from her haunting memories and start a new life in the Oregon territory. But business is failing, losing many customers due to the fact that a woman is running it. The older customers especially think it is shameful.

Curt Saxon has demons of his own, facing war-time nightmares when his memory fails him and he’s fighting an invisible enemy. He knows he’s in no place to court a woman, but he does befriend Faith’s grandfather and helps them out when he can. Still, he hopes someday to be in a position where he can speak to Faith.

When Royal come home, Faith allows herself to dream that they’ll finally wed. But does he truly love her? Or will Curt claim her heart?

WHERE WILDFLOWERS BLOOM is book one in Ms. Shorey’s new series Sisters at Heart. I love Ms. Shorey’s historical romances and couldn’t wait to settle down and read WHERE WILDFLOWERS BLOOM. I wasn’t disappointed. I could feel Faith’s worry over her grandfather who was becoming increasingly unstable both mentally and physically, and her frustration when the townsfolk won’t support her grandfather’s business because she is forced to run it.

Curt too was heartbreakingly real. I’ve read about other men who battled post-war disorders (I can’t remember what its called) but it is a very real disease. I hoped he’d find peace with his demons and be able to embrace a normal life.

I thoroughly enjoyed WHERE WILDFLOWERS BLOOM and highly recommend this book. $14.99. 328 pages.

**comment from Ann: The post-war syndrome from which some soldiers suffer is now called PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). In WWII, it was called "battle fatigue," and in WWI it was "shell shock." The name after the Civil War was "soldier's heart." I love that term! Probably more information than you needed, but I was fascinated when I did the research to see how the terms changed, but the suffering didn't.**

ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY:
In Where Wildflowers Bloom, Book 1 in author Ann Shorey’s brand new Sisters at Heart series, Faith Lindberg wants nothing more than to escape her small Missouri town, and the graveyard of painful memories left by the Civil War. She plans to sell her grandfather’s mercantile, and join a wagon train bound for Oregon. But her grandfather, and a handsome stable man have other plans!

To celebrate the story, author Ann Shorey and Revell Books are proud to announce the MERCANTILE MEMORIES giveaway, featuring three incredible prizes.

GRAND PRIZE:
Our Grand Prize winner will receive an heirloom chess set, handmade from 1830s chestnut & cherry wood, just like the one Judge Lindberg and Curt use in their chess battles.

SECOND PRIZE:
Our Second Prize winner will receive a deluxe, Missouri-shaped box of mercantile goods from the Missouri Mercantile company. The box features an assortment of items just like those stocked by Faith in Lindberg’s Mercantile.

THIRD PRIZE:
Our Third Prize winner will receive a Memoirs Gift Set. Write your memoirs just like Judge Lindberg does in the story! The set includes the bestselling Writing the Memoir book, and a $30 gift card to Blurb, to create and print your story.

Chasing Mona Lisa

2012-01-21T03:43:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Susan Mason for winning a copy of The Story Template!

Title: CHASING MONA LISA
Authors: Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey
Publisher: Revell
January 2012
ISBN: 978-0800720469
Genre: Inspirational/historical fiction

In August of 1944 Paris is on the cusp of liberation. The soldiers of the Third Reich are fleeing the Allied advance, but enroute they steal countless pieces of irreplaceable art. Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring will stop at nothing to claim the most valuable piece of all, the Mona Lisa.

Swiss OSS agents Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler are on a mission to rescue the valuable French pieces of art – but can they save them not only from the ravages of war, but also from German hands?

CHASING MONA LISA is a book that I hoped I would love. I loved all of Ms. Goyer’s historical fiction set during World War II and before, but this book left me cold.

Loosely based on a true story, about how people tried to protect the famed Mona Lisa, this book had potential. But it is written in a style that left me skimming, with lots of art information and historical facts tossed in, as well as overly descriptive accounts of the landscape and other sights.

Unfortunately, CHASING MONA LISA read like it tried to be authentic with the many facts, but there was no real story line which left me hopelessly confused and bored. However, I see many reviews across the board equally balanced between 3 and 5 stars so don’t take my word for it—this is only my opinion. You might totally love this book. I don’t. $14.99. 322 pages.

About the authors:

Tricia Goyer is the coauthor of The Swiss Courier as well as the author of many other books, including Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, both past winners of the ACFW's Book of the Year Award for Long Historical Romance. Goyer lives with her family in Arkansas. For more about Tricia and her other books visitwww.triciagoyer.com

Mike Yorkey is the author or coauthor of dozens of books, including The Swiss Courier and the bestselling Every Man's Battle series. Married to a Swiss native, Yorkey lived in Switzerland for 18 months. He and his family currently reside in California. For more about Mike and his other books visit www.mikeyorkey.com

Link to buy the book: ow.ly/8sRzd

About the giveaway and party:
Win an iTouch SPY Pack in the Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway from @triciagoyer
@mikeyorkey!

Chasing Mona Lisa is the
continuing tale of Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler (first introduced in The
Swiss Courier). This time the due are on a relentless quest to save the most famous
painting in the world - the Mona Lisa. You can help Gabi and Eric
with your very own spy pack when you enter The Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway!

FileItem-188291-CML_300x250.gif" />

One passionate protector will receive:

iTouch (The must-have device for any spy. Camera, Maps & Music.)li>
Starbucks Gift Card (For all those late nights.)

Moleskin Notebook (For those important notes.)

Invisible Ink Pen (Don’t want anyone reading those important notes.)

Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey (Great
handbook and intriguing tale for any spy-in-training!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends
at noon on January 31st. The winner will be announced at the Chasing Mona
Lisa Facebook Party on 1/31. Tricia and Mike will be hosting an author chat

(on Facebook and Live from Tricia's website) and giving away their
books and a Book Club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group
or book club AND a LIVE Author Chat for your group with Tricia and Mike.)

So grab your copy of Chasing Mona Lisa and join Tricia and Mike on the
evening of the 31st for an author chat, spy training (do you know how to pick a lock?
) and lots of giveaways.

alt="Enter via E-mail" height="48" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uZ-
Jn9hhgco/TXqYObD7J_I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/nG5ci6jgwFg/s1600/email_icon.png"
title="Enter via E-mail" width="48" /> height="48" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZBHv5uije28/TXqYfJCLMkI/
AAAAAAAAAiU/AVPqG6Tv5W4/s1600/Facebook_icon-300x300.png" title="Enter
via Facebook" width="48" />height="48" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-m-99VSwns4U/TXqYmf0klHI/
AAAAAAAAAiY/VwREnY_u7TA/s1600/Twitter_button.png" title="Enter via Twitter"
width="48" />

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends
via target="_blank">FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of
winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!
Chasing Mona Lisa is the continuing tale of Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler (first introduced in book one in this stand alone series, The Swiss Courier). This time they are on a relentless quest to save the most famous painting in the world - the Mona Lisa. You can help Gabi and Eric with your very own spy pack when you enter The Chasing Mona Lisa Giveaway!

One passionate protector will receive:

iTouch (The must-have device for any spy. Camera, Maps & Music.)
Starbucks Gift Card (For all those late nights.)
Moleskin Notebook (For those important notes.)
Invisible Ink Pen (Don’t want anyone reading those important notes.)
Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey (Great handbook and intriguing tale for any spy-in-training!)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on January 31st. Winner will be announced at Chasing Mona Lisa Facebook Party on 1/31. Tricia and Mike will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from Tricia's website) and giving away copies of Chasing Mona Lisa and The Swiss Courier and a book club prize pack (10 copies of the book for your small group or book club AND a LIVE Author Chat for your group with Tricia and Mike).

So grab your copy of Chasing Mona Lisa and join Tricia and Mike on the evening of the 31st for an author chat, spy training (How much do you know about WWII?) and lots of giveaways.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

Blog tour schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13449999)

Interview with K. Dawn Byrd and giveaway of her book

2012-01-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment to possibly win a free download of this book--include contact information.

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I write for the simple joy of placing words on the page. Writing is more than a hobby, it's a passion. I write the kinds of books I do because I enjoy writing them.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The happiest day of my life is when I married my husband. We've been married sixteen years and our love is still going strong.

How has being published changed your life?

Being published has changed my life by making me much busier than I've ever been. Marketing takes a lot of time.

What are you reading right now?

Actually, I'm not reading anything because I'm knee deep in writing my June release, the second book in the Zoe Mack Mystery Series.

What is your current work in progress?

As I stated above, I'm working on the second book in the Zoe Mack Mystery series. It's called Fatal Attraction. Please keep an eye on my website for updates.

What would be your dream vacation?

I'm not much of a traveler. I don't like to step too far outside of my comfort zone. We vacation two times in a year in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and I absolutely love it.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

First, I develop a plot and my characters. The setting seems to come naturally out of this knowledge.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

The author, Lisa Jackson because I love her suspense novels.

What three things about you would surprise readers?

1) I own two hairless Chinese Crested dogs.
2) I used to ride a Harley, but sold it to have more time for writing.
3) I'm an aquarist and raise a variety of tropical fish.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Painting in watercolor and oils. Walking my dogs. Taking long rides through the country as a passenger in my husband's Corvette Stingray.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

My most difficult obstacle is finding the time to write. I work full-time and also at least one day of most weekends on call. I overcome this by mapping out my daily word count on a calendar and sticking to it. If I write 2,000 words a day, I'll have 60,000 words at the end of most months.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Don't write for fortune or fame because it may never come. Write as I do, for the simple joy of placing words on the page.

Tell us about the book.

Here's my cover blurb: Zoe's cousin Emma thinks she's the recipient of some sick joke when an old boyfriend she thought dead shows up on the internet. Can Zoe solve the mystery that's causing Emma so much pain when her attraction to the town bad boy is so distracting?

When Zoe Mack moves in with her grandparents to start college, she's thrown into more mystery than she bargained for. Her cousin, Emma, is terrorized by a stalker who breaks into her house and leaves a photo-shopped image of Emma hanging from a tree. Nothing is as it seems and Emma soon learns that even the man she thinks she can trust is suspect.

Zoe can't wait to reunite with Nate, the bad boy who doesn't talk about his feelings much, but the passionate kiss he gave her last summer had to have meant something. When she arrives back in town and discovers that he's in trouble with the law, she must take matters into her own hands in order to clear his name. She has her hands full with a needy Emma, a cop who gives her the creeps, and Nate, the guy she desperately wants to call her own. Can Zoe solve the mystery, clear Nate's name, and make him fall in love with her?

What do you want readers to take away from the book?

I want readers to simply enjoy the mixture of romance and mystery. They're seldom found together. The primary focus of this book is to entertain readers with a smart, spunky, young heroine who is a good role model.

What one question would you like us to ask your readers?

Zoe Mack is afraid of two things. Crickets and blood, which makes her faint. What are you afraid of?

Tell us about the giveaway you’re offering.

I'm giving away a gift card for a free download.

Bio:
K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance and romantic suspense with five books published so far. Recently, she tried her hand at young adult fiction and found that she really enjoyed writing it. Three books in the Zoe Mack Mystery Series are scheduled to release January, June, and December 2012. Shattered Identity, the sequel to Mistaken Identity, will release in April.

K. Dawn Byrd is an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com, most of which are signed by the authors. She's also the moderator of the popular facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444.

When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.

Links:
Website: www.kdawnbyrd.com
Blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com and www.zoe-mack.blogspot.com
Twitter: kdawnbyrd
Book trailer on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1aJrlR0fd4&context=C37a6c3aADOEgsToPDskI03937RSubxSN3pzKZqfrl

Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland

2012-01-19T07:02:00.000-08:00

Title: LOVE FINDS YOU IN ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND
Author: Roseanna M. White
Publisher: Summerside Press
December 2011
ISBN: 978-1609363130
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

Lark Benton has been engaged for two years now to her love, Emerson Fielding. But Emerson seems to care not a whit for her, giving her gifts his mother picks out—even if they are the family jewels, and even if he is displeased she is getting them. But he refuses to be forced into picking a wedding date, until Lark threatens to call off the wedding. Then he rashly agrees to marry her in two months, but instantly regrets it.

When Lark’s cousin, Penelope, comes to visit, she is quick to approach Emerson, and she isn’t there but one evening when Lark and her brother catch her and Emerson in a close embrace. Lark is furious and instantly calls off the wedding, fleeing to Annapolis to recover from her broken heart.

Emerson refuses to accept the news of her calling off the wedding. He may not love Lark, but he doesn’t want the disgrace of a broken engagement—especially once he figures out Penelope’s true personality and motives. But does he have any hope of winning back Lark’s love when he killed it so thoroughly?

LOVE FINDS YOU IN ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND is a historical romance set just after the Revolutionary War ends. The betrothal was set on class, and not on love, but for some reason Lark did love Emerson. I can’t figure out why, because he was a cad and treated her absolutely horribly in the beginning. I had the misfortune of being engaged to a man like that, and am eternally grateful that relationship ended and I married a man who loved me.

Perhaps that event colored my opinion of this story, but I would have liked it if Lark had kicked Emerson to the curb and never gave him the time of day after that. But even in the note returning her engagement ring and his family jewels, she was as sweet and unassuming as she was elsewhere. A true heroine. My heart broke for her. It was a pleasure watching as Emerson tried to redeem himself and grow into the hero he should have been at the start. By the end of the book I was cheering for this couple.

Ms. White’s writing style is true to the time period she chose, using the historical method of speech and not the more modern terms used in some historical fiction. She has an engaging voice, one that keeps the reader captivated whether she likes the hero in the beginning or not. If you are looking for a good historical romance with characters that make you care, then LOVE FINDS YOU IN ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND is a book you should consider. 313 pages. $12.99.

The One Who Waits for Me

2012-01-18T08:12:00.000-08:00

Title: THE ONE WHO WAITS FOR ME
Author: Lori Copeland
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
August 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7369-3018-5
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Three men, Preach, Pierce, and Gray Eagle are returning to their homes after the war between the states. One is Indian, but the best learned of the trio. Pierce was a Yankee soldier, and the other two fought for the confederate side. They are anxious to get back to their respective homes, dreaming of hot food and soft beds.

Beth and her sister Joanie had just lost their parents to a serious illness and are desperate to escape the clutches of a wicked uncle and cousin. So Beth sets fire to their home but she and Joanie are overcome with smoke before they could escape. Preach, Pierce and Gray Eagle ride in to the rescue, but things rapidly go from bad to worse.

Before they can make their escape, Joanie dies and a third woman, Trella, gives birth in the middle of the road. The men save Joanie’s life and deliver the baby, but what else could possibly go wrong before they get home?

THE ONE WHO WAITS FOR ME starts out with a prologue in the men’s point of view that really sets the stage for the story. This prologue is necessary and must be read to be able to understand why these three men are traveling together and where they are going. The first chapter starts with a death (a prerequisite for a historical) and Beth setting fire to her house. But in trying to escape everything that possibly can go wrong does.

Some of the events that happen really feel contrived and forced, but the reader has to keep reading to see what happens and how the situations are resolved. The three men are truly heroes, between the three of them to know how to fix almost anything. This is a nice change from the weak heroes and the super powerful heroines that most historical romances prefer, but on the other hand…well…it wasn’t completely realistic. Still, if you are looking for a historical romance that is different than the usual War-Between-the-States-Ending then THE ONE WHO WAITS FOR ME is the book you waited for. $13.99. 320 pages.

I received this book in return for review from the publicist.

Christmas in Sugarcreek

2012-01-17T06:22:00.000-08:00

Title: CHRISTMAS IN SUGARCREEK
Author: Shelley Shepard Gray
Publisher: Avon Inspired
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0-06-208976-2
Genre: Amish

Judith Graber has long been the responsible one. When no one else in her family was available or could be counted on, she could be. Now, with one brother newlywed, one brother courting, she is the only one to run the store. She’s been working long hours alone and staying late to get the job done.

Ben Knox is the “bad boy” of Sugarcreek. He left town years ago and only came back now to spend one last Christmas in town and to put his family’s house up for sale. He has no pleasant memories of Sugarcreek, just a bunch of nightmarish thoughts.

When Judith’s father hires Ben to help out in the store during Christmas, Judith is initially upset. But being around Ben day in and day out couldn’t be good for her…not when she had a crush on him ever since she can remember. Will God be able to work a miracle and keep Ben around? Or will he be long gone as soon as Christmas is over?

CHRISTMAS IN SUGARCREEK is based on the characters of Sugarcreek, and is part of the Seasons of Sugarcreek series. Readers will want to read the series first to find out the stories behind Gretta and Joshua, Lilly and Richard, and some of the other characters. I enjoyed getting to know Judith and Ben, and I have to say that their part of the story was my favorite parts of this book to read. I fell in love with Ben. My heart went completely out to him.

If you are looking for a good book to read, or if you’ve read the other books in Ms. Gray’s Seasons of Sugarcreek series, then you’ll definitely want to read CHRISTMAS IN SUGARCREEK. Attractively done in a hardcover, this book will also make a wonderful Christmas gift, even for next Christmas. A great book for your Amish collection or a friends. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $16.99. 239 pages.

The Mercy

2012-01-16T07:11:00.000-08:00

Title: THE MERCY
Author: Beverly Lewis
Publisher: Bethany House
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0764206016
Genre: Inspirational/Amish

Two Amish sisters are struggling to find their places in life…

Hen continues to care for her husband, blinded in a car accident when he was going to file for divorce from her. Hen knows that when his sight returns their marriage is over, but yet she hopes and prays that he’ll heal. She embraces her former Amish lifestyle, raising their young daughter, Mattie Sue, to be Amish as well.

Rose Ann is still struggling from when her beau left her for another love. She finally meets someone at a meal with her brother, but her heart isn’t completely engaged. Will she find her forever love?

THE MERCY is the final book in Ms. Lewis’ The Rose Trilogy. Readers will want to read the first two books in the series The Thorn andThe Judgment before reading The Mercy as the books do not stand alone.

I didn’t find THE MERCY up to Ms. Lewis’ usual spell-binding style. I found myself skimming a lot, and some of the story seemed to just drag on. But I had to keep reading to find out a couple things I wondered about since book one. Such as, what really did happen to Christian? I found the ending rather rushed. This is my least favorite series of Ms. Lewis, but she hasn’t lost me as a reader. $14.99. 306 pages.

I received this book in return for review from the publisher.

Small Space Organizing

2012-01-15T05:57:00.000-08:00

Title: SMALL SPACE ORGANIZING
Author: Kathryn Bechen
Publisher: Revell
January 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8007-2028-5
Genre: Self Help

More Americans than ever are choosing small homes. Some, due to economic reasons, some due to circumstance. And some just because of the “green” movement causing them not to take up more than their fair share of space. Whether you live in a cozy cottage, an apartment or a miniscopic dorm room, you need ideas for storing your stuff so that your home doesn’t look cluttered.

SMALL SPACE ORGANIZING is the book for you. Ms. Bechen is a self-proclaimed small space living expert, who started out her married life in a small house only twenty feet by twenty feet. This book is a self-help book that will assist you in knowing what you want, what you need, and how to organize it. At the end of each chapter are questions for you to answer, and a section included for notes.

There are suggestions included on how to down-size, going from room-to-room. Such as, throw out anything in the laundry room that is empty or fell behind the washing machine. In the garage, get rid of the mower, and yard tools, and keep only a hammer and a few nails. In the bedroom, get rid of anything that is dated, etc. Of course, if you’re moving someplace with a yard, you might want to rethink keeping outdoor tools.

Then the book talks about storage things such as a coatrack, that you can use to hold umbrellas and coats. No closet required! And dishes—you can eliminate all special china plates and use only white all-purpose dishes and clear glassware that will be good for everyday and entertaining. It gives suggestions for keeping clutter cleared, such as hanging your keys in the foyer, processing mail in the kitchen by the trash can, and storage.

Really, if you have no idea how to organize your clutter, this is the book for you. If you are looking for a tip on what you might consider eliminating, this book will work. If you are moving from a super-sized mansion to a tiny nursing home room, well, just eliminate everything. (smile) And Ms. Bechen uses some of her storage tips as decorating tips as well. A book that any small space dweller (or soon to be one) will need. $12.99. 234 pages.

The Writer's Template

2012-01-14T01:51:00.000-08:00

The author is generously offering a copy of this as a giveaway. Leave a copy (with contact information) for a chance to win

Title: THE STORY TEMPLATE
Author: Amy Deardon
Publisher: Taegais Publishing, LLC
July 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9818997-3-2
Genre: Writing/plotting/writer’s block

Most people say they want to write a novel or a screen play. But they don’t have any idea where to begin. They write some words, maybe a chapter or two, then they don’t know where to go from there. If you are that person, then THE STORY TEMPLATE is a book you should consider.

THE STORY TEMPLATE is a writer’s conference in one book. It takes you from the beginning, using the plotting method, of planning your novel. Who are your characters? What do they do? What do you want the underlying message of the story to be? Where will it be set? What time period? What do you envision when you think of that area? And it gives you writing exercises, where you describe what you are “seeing,” and what you’re wanting to convey.

With THE STORY TEMPLATE you can:

 Ascertain the four foundational story pillars, and use the “secret weapon” of the story template to structure your story
 Build character depth with believable change
 Create subplots to raise tension while you deepen and contrast story themes
 Review writing techniques that shape your ideas into a compelling manuscript

THE STORY TEMPLATE is a product of Ms. Deardon’s extensive research when she started writing. It is an invaluable tool for the beginning writer, or even a more accomplished one who is suffering from writers block—or finding themselves facing a tight deadline with no idea where to start. If you are a writer, at any level, then you’ll want a copy of Ms. Deardon’s THE STORY TEMPLATE. $15.95. 239 pages

When All My Dreams Come True

2012-01-13T04:48:00.000-08:00

Title: WHEN ALL MY DREAMS COME TRUE
Author: Janelle Mowery
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
February 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7369-2807-6
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Bobbie McIntyre lost both her parents within a short span of time. Dislocated and orphaned she is sent to work as a ranch-hand for Jace Kincaid. But when she arrives on Jace’s ranch, she is shocked to find Jace and his man threatening to hang her for stealing cattle. She managed to talk him into hiring him on, and trying to break in his prized stallion. But one mistake and she’s out of there…

Jace Kincaid has trouble. Not only is someone rustling his cattle, but his neighbor thinks he’s a young fool, and a man he thought was a friend sent Bobbie—a nineteen-year-old Jace thought was a male—to work for him. Not only that, but Bobbie has dreams of owning her own ranch someday—could she be after his? And worse, it doesn’t take long for Jace to have dreams of his own, regarding Bobbie. What will it take to make their dreams come true?

As soon as I opened the cover and started reading WHEN ALL MY DREAMS COME TRUE, I was thrust into non-stop action—and instant caring for the characters, even though they are not the type I usually like reading about.

Bobbie is as tomboyish as her name implies. She dresses in men’s clothing and handles a gun better than some of Jace’s ranch hands. Jace considers ranching a ministry, taking on troubled teens and teaching them to be real men…a woman coming under his employ under guise as a man leaves Jace unsure how to react and where to turn. And not only that, but she leaves him spinning, physically and mentally. If you are looking for a historical romance that will leave you gasping for breath and on the edge of your seat, then WHEN ALL MY DREAMS COME TRUE is a book to consider. Ms. Janelle Mowery is an extremely talented author you’ll want to watch. $13.99. 304 pages.

The Keeper - and giveaway

2012-01-12T02:47:00.000-08:00

Title: THE KEEPER
Author: Suzanne Fisher Woods
Publisher: Revell
January 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8007-1987-6
Genre: Inspirational/Amish

Julia Lapp’s father is dying—unless he has a heart transplant. But Amos Lapp won’t consider a heart transplant since it means that someone must die in order for him to live. Julie is struggling with life in general, trying to care for her ill father, get the fields planted, manager her brother and sisters, keep house and marry her long time boyfriend, Paul Fisher. But then everything changes.

Julia’s uncle hires, sight unseen, a woman named Fern to come keep house and care for Amos. Fern soon takes over managing the family and bossing them. And then the Bee Man arrives and that means the end of the relationship with Paul. Paul seems to envy the Bee Man’s free, encumbered life and having “no responsibilities”.

Julia decides she wants Paul back, and under no circumstance will she take no for an answer. She makes the Bee Man decidedly unwelcome, giving him the cold shoulder. Can Julia get the life she’s always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

THE KEEPER is the first book in Ms. Fisher’s newest series, Stoney Ridge Seasons. This is the story of a family with multiple point of views, from the youngest daughter, M. K., to the sole son, Menno, to the father, the housekeeper Fern, and of course, Julia, Paul, and the Bee Man’s.

I was hooked from the beginning in this series. I did substantial research on bee keeping for a novel of my own and Ms. Fisher got the information right. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $14.99. 316 pages.

I'm excited to let you know that the author is sponsoring a special promotion for this book, including a Facebook Party and an iPad Giveaway! Here are the direct links for the promotions:

The iPad giveaway: http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/183799 Running now until January 17th
The Facebook Party: http://www.facebook.com/events/209723589116292 Party is on January 17th, and the winner of the prize package will be announced there.

I hope you’ll participate in the fun!

Creative Slow-Cooker Meals

2012-01-11T02:44:00.000-08:00

Title: CREATIVE SLOW-COOKER MEALS
Author: Cheryl Moeller
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
February 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7369-4491-5
Genre: Crockpot cooking / recipes

As a busy writer on a tight deadline, and a busy mom of five, sometimes it is hard to come up with time to cook meals. I use my slow-cooker a lot, but mainly for things like soups that can simmer all day long. I’ve been looking for a good recipe book to make other things in slow-cookers so I could use it for something other than soup. This is the book I’ve been waiting for!

In this recipe book, recipes aren’t divided up in the traditional way—as in meats here and vegetables there. Instead they are paired, so if you own two crock pots then you can cook two different things at once for a delicious home cooked meal.

Recipes are included for things such as:

 Meatball Submarine Sandwiches and Triple Pepper Roast
 Hot Turkey Sandwiches and Apple Cider Punch
 Frozen Cranberry Salad and Minnesota Wild Rice Soup
 Chicken Pitas and Greek Green Beans in Tomato Sauce
 Peanut Wings and Asian Scallop “Stir Fry”
 Spaghetti Squash Tacos and Black Beans & Rice

I tried a few of the recipes out already (I only have one slow-cooker) like Black Beans & Rice, Cooked Apple Slices, and Sausage-Shrimp Jambalaya and they turned out wonderful. I’m looking forward to trying more of these recipes—and getting another slow-cooker so I can do both suggestions at once!

The book does includes selections for breakfast, different nationality foods, simple meals, parties & barbecues, vegetarian and vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free as well as an index so you can find specific recipes easily. Highly recommended by this family of seven.

The Donkey No One Could Ride

2012-01-10T00:27:00.000-08:00

Title: THE DONKEY THAT NO ONE COULD RIDE
Author: Anthony DeStefano
Illustrator: Richard Cowdrey
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
February 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7369-4851-7
Genre: Inspirational/children’s Bible stories

Christians are all familiar with the verses in Luke 19:28-38 about Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday - where He was greeted with Hosannas and praise.

THE DONKEY THAT NO ONE COULD RIDE is loosely based on these scriptures, telling the story of why the author thinks possibly the donkey couldn’t be ridden, how the donkey felt about it, and the miracle that God wrought in the donkey’s life.

Written in poetic style, this book is great for a parent or other adult to read to young children or even for readers to read for themselves. The colorful images kept my daughters’ attention, while the story had them riveted. Even my teen son cheered when he heard part of the story, and made sympathetic sounds during the sadder parts.

THE DONKEY THAT NO ONE COULD RIDE is a charming addition to any child’s library. A wonderful tale that will emphasis stories they hear in Sunday School or church, and will bring the story of Palm Sunday and THE DONKEY THAT NO ONE COULD RIDE to life. Recommended. Perfect for children ages 2 – 6. $15.99 hardcover. 32 pages.

A Garden of Love

2012-01-09T01:48:00.000-08:00

Title: A GARDEN OF LOVE
Author: Thomas B. Clarke
Publisher: Bible Discernments, division of Prayer Gardeners
December 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9816213-2-6
Genre: Inspirational/gardens and flowers/devotions

A GARDEN OF LOVE is a book dedicated to the ministry of Faith Chapel, where they have a Gethsemane Prayer Garden. In this one acre of land with (in 2009) nine flower beds including fifty different perennial flower varieties and up to forty different shrub and tree species and subspecies.

Tom Clarke has been the primary garden caretaker for a number of years with other volunteers from his church (and area) and the garden is open to the public. It is located outside Syracruse, New York, and a map with directions is included in the book.

A GARDEN OF LOVE begins with the author’s thoughts about the particular plant he’s writing about, along with a beautifully done photographs. It gives a short description about the plant, when it blooms, and its fragrance.

It is followed by a couple verses, a short prayer and thoughts about the verses and how the flowers relate to it, then a short application for us to remember as we go about our day. Each devotional is short, only one page—two pages if you count the photograph leading up to it, and doesn’t take long to read.

If you or someone you know is an avid gardener, then you’ll want to get a copy of A GARDEN OF LOVE for yourself or your loved one or friend. This is a perfect book for perusing, can be used for a devotional, and gives information about the flowers. I recommend this book. $19.95. 82 pages.

Live Reflectively

2012-01-08T18:40:00.001-08:00

Title: LIVE REFLECTIVELY: Lessons from the Watershed Moments of Moses
Author: Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose
Publisher: David C. Cook
November 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7814-0593-5
Genre: Bible Study

LIVE REFLECTIVELY is a twenty-minutes-a-day study of the watershed moments of Moses. Conveniently divided up into daily readings, each day begins with a “Lift Up” which is a prayer for God’s guidance as you start the days study.

Then the book goes into a “Look At” section which is a brief introduction to the scripture verse or passage that you’ll be reading. Following that is a series of questions for you to answer (with room to answer, if you want to write in the book) and more scripture verses for you to look up, read, and answer the questions about.

The “Live Out” section has some activities for you to follow, such as more verses to journal about, words for you tow journal about, prayers of thanksgiving to write, and activities “good deeds” for you to do.

It is followed by more thoughts about the lesion and an inspirational quote by someone.

There is also a “Learn About” section in the side margins that includes definitions, thoughts and explanations that deal with things in the lesson.

LIVE REFLECTIVELY is a book that you can use to study the life of Moses on your own, or in a small group. If you are the leader of a small group there are suggestions for the leaders to follow.

I highly recommend this study as it is a deep detailed study of scripture and you’ll come out of it with a deeper understand of each verse or passage. This is not a quicky-devotion, but one with a bit more meat on it for the believer who wants to delve deeper into scripture. $17.99. 287 pages.

Common English Bible

2012-01-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment (with a contact email) and you might win a copy of this Bible

Common English Bible Is a Bestselling Translation in Record Time
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NASHVILLE, TN (December 20, 2011) — The new Common English Bible (http://CommonEnglishBible.com) is #10 on the CBA Bible Translation Best Seller list for the month of December. Since the list is based on actual unit sales in Christian retail stores in the United States through Oct. 29, 2011, the Common English Bible (Twitter @CommonEngBible — http://twitter.com/CommonEngBible) achieved this status after being in stores less than three months.

"We're delighted the Common English Bible is receiving such early overwhelming support and acceptance," says Paul Franklin, PhD, associate publisher. "We see this as confirming our decision to create an academically rigorous yet naturally understandable translation for 21st century English readers; a translation from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that's built on common ground."

The best seller achievement comes at the same time the completion of the Common English Bible after four years of translation work was named one of the top 10 religion stories of 2011 as decided by leading religion journalists in the 30th annual Religion Newswriters Association survey.

The Common English Bible is a collaboration of 120 Bible scholars and editors, 77 reading group leaders, and more than 500 average readers from around the world. The translators — from 24 denominations in American, African, Asian, European, and Latino communities — represent such academic institutions as Asbury Theological Seminary, Azusa Pacific University, Bethel Seminary, Denver Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, Seattle Pacific University, Wheaton College, Yale University, and many others.

The Common English Bible is written in contemporary idiom at the same reading level as the newspaper USA TODAY — using language that's comfortable and accessible for today's English readers. More than half-a-million copies of the Bible are already in print, including an edition with the Apocrypha. The Common English Bible is available online and in 20 digital formats. A Reference Bible edition and a Daily Companion devotional edition are now also available. Additionally, in 2012, Church/Pew Bibles, Gift and Award Bibles, Large Print Bibles, and Children's Bible editions will be in stores, joining the existing Thinline Bibles, Compact Thin Bibles, and Pocket-Size Bibles, bringing the total variety of Common English Bible stock-keeping units (SKUs) to more than 40.

More than 140 international bloggers are currently participating in the three-month long "Thank You-Come Again-I Promise" blog tour (from November 2011 through January 2012). The tour's Twitter hashtag is #CEBtour (http://twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/%23CEBTour). The complete tour schedule, and information about joining the tour, is available at CommonEnglishBible.com/CEB/blogtour (http://www.CommonEnglishBible.com/CEB/blogtour).

Visit CommonEnglishBible.com to see comparison translations, learn about the translators, get free downloads, and more.

The Common English Bible is sponsored by the Common English Bible Committee, an alliance of five publishers that serve the general market, as well as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (Chalice Press), Presbyterian Church (USA) (Westminster John Knox Press), Episcopal Church (Church Publishing, Inc.), United Church of Christ (The Pilgrim Press), and The United Methodist Church (Abingdon Press).

Common English Bible

2012-01-06T07:29:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment *with contact information* and you might win a copy of this Bible!

Common English Bible Named Among Top Religion Stories of 2011
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NASHVILLE, TN (December 15, 2011) — The completion of the new Common English Bible (http://CommonEnglishBible.com) translation is among the top 10 religion stories of 2011 as decided by leading religion journalists in the 30th annual Religion Newswriters Association survey.

The Common English Bible (Twitter @CommonEngBible — http://twitter.com/CommonEngBible) is newsworthy for several reasons:

• Its objective: the Common English Bible uses a natural English vocabulary to clearly and freshly communicate the ancient sacred text in a world where 9,000 new words & meaning revisions are added yearly to the English lexicon.
• Its speed: the Common English Bible took only four years to accomplish — a phenomenal feat when compared with other recent modern English Bible translations that took 10-17 years to complete.
• Its efficiency: the Common English Bible was able to be completed so rapidly due to the translation process using an online project management database that permitted more than 200 collaborators (translators, editors, and field testers) to communicate immediately. The project was constructed in a workflow matrix with more than 400 overlapping parts.
• Its breadth: the Common English Bible is a collaboration of 120 academic scholars and editors, 77 reading group leaders, and more than 500 average readers from around the world who joined together to clearly translate the Bible's original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek languages directly into 21st century English.
• Its balance: the Common English Bible translators — from 24 denominations in American, African, Asian, European, and Latino communities — represent such academic institutions as Asbury Theological Seminary, Azusa Pacific University, Bethel Seminary, Denver Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, Seattle Pacific University, Wheaton College, Yale University, and many others.
• Its understandability: The Common English Bible is written in contemporary idiom at the same reading level as the newspaper USA TODAY — using language that's comfortable and accessible for today's English readers.
• Its uniqueness: the Common English Bible is the only translation to combine highly respected ecumenical biblical scholarship necessary for serious study with field-tested responsiveness to 21st century clear communication requirements for comprehensive clarity.
• Its contractions: the Common English Bible is the only translation to extensively use contractions where the text warrants an engaging conversational style (although contractions are not used in divine or poetic discourse).
• Its cartography: the Common English Bible is the only translation that includes exclusive, detailed color maps from National Geographic, well known for its accurate topographical map making.
• Its acceptance: the complete Bible, including an edition with the Apocrypha, released in August 2011. More than half-a-million copies of the Bible are already in print. It's also available online and in 20 digital formats. A reference Bible edition and a daily companion devotional edition are now also available.

More than 140 international bloggers are currently participating in the three-month long "Thank You-Come Again-I Promise" blog tour (from November 2011 through January 2012). The complete tour schedule, and information about joining the tour, is available at CommonEnglishBible.com/CEB/blogtour (http://www.CommonEnglishBible.com/CEB/blogtour).

Visit CommonEnglishBible.com to see comparison translations, learn about the translators, get free downloads, and more.

The Common English Bible is sponsored by the Common English Bible Committee, an alliance of five publishers that serve the general market, as well as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (Chalice Press), Presbyterian Church (USA) (Westminster John Knox Press), Episcopal Church (Church Publishing, Inc.), United Church of Christ (The Pilgrim Press), and The United Methodist Church (Abingdon Press).

# # #

Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

2012-01-05T06:42:00.000-08:00

Title: LOVE FINDS YOU IN LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Author: Annalisa Daughety
Publisher: Summerside Press
July 2011
ISBN: 978-1-60936-212-6
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary romance

Caroline DeMarco has made a mistake. She married a professional ballplayer, and when he unfortunately dies, the surprising number of affairs he’s had—a woman in every state—emerge, then Caroline finds herself on the cover of every tabloid and reporters parked outside her doors. Desperate to get away and regroup, Caroline changes her appearance and flees to the last place she’ll be found…Amish country.

Lydia Ann Raber has twin six-year-old daughters and a thriving quilt shop in Charm, Ohio. But when a tornado wipes away her business, Lydia takes the opportunity to visit her father who’s relocated to Lancaster County, and acquaint herself with his new bride.

When Lydia Ann and Caroline meet and find common ground, they decide to go into business together. But Caroline’s secrets are discovered—has the man she’s attracted to told the press? And the man Lydia Ann is drawn to has secrets of his own…secrets that could destroy Lydia Ann’s hope of happiness.

LOVE FINDS YOU IN LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, has two romances set in Amish country. Two sets of heroes and heroines, one Amish, one not, make this book unique. I’ve enjoyed all of the Love Finds You books that I’ve read so far, and this one is no different. I had to keep reading to find out what happens.

Ms. Daughety did a phenomenal job in bringing these four characters to life, and making the reader care about them. Even though Caroline and Michael got most of the attention, readers still cared about Lydia Ann and Simon. Readers who love Amish fiction as well as those who like contemporary romances will both love LOVE FINDS YOU IN LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. $12.99. 330 pages.

7 Money Rules for Life

2012-01-04T04:40:00.000-08:00

Title: 7 MONEY RULES FOR LIFE
Author: Mary Hunt
Publisher: Revell
January 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8007-2112-1
Genre: Inspirational/personal/finance

Mary Hunt is the founder of Debt-Proof Living and an expert when it comes to money management. But Ms. Hunt wasn’t born with money smarts. Like most of the rest of us, she learned her lessons the hard way. She hadn’t been taught about budging and when she went off to college and got her first account, she went on spending sprees. She didn’t learn her lesson until many years later when she was the bread-winner in the home and faced the hard facts that their spending out weighed their income.

Looking at her bills and the amount of income they had to work with, Ms. Hunt penned down some thoughts that later became the basis for her 7 MONEY RULES FOR LIFE.
These thoughts are:

 Spend less than you earn
 Save for the future
 Give some away
 Anticipate your irregular expenses
 Tell your money where to go
 Manage your credit
 Borrow only what you can pay

I was raised by a mother who budgeted and she made sure I learned these basic rules as I was growing up. But even knowing and doing is a challenge. Like most of America, I live from paycheck to paycheck. And anticipating your irregular expenses—can you really anticipate a two thousand dollar car repair bill or an eight hundred dollar water leak in the same season? Still, there are basic facts in here that every household can take and work with. Even those that are hit hard with the unanticipated irregular expenses.

If you aren’t familiar with budging then this book is a lesson in itself. Ms. Hunt teaches you everything you need to know, including offering suggestions on on-line services that will help track your spending. This book is an invaluable tool for anyone. Recommended. $17.99 hardcover. 200 pages.

Smitten

2012-01-03T05:10:00.000-08:00

Title: SMITTEN
Authors: Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
December 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4016-849405
Genre: Inspirational/novella/contemporary romance

Smitten, Vermont has hit a rough patch. After years of service, the lumber camp—and main source of employment for the men in the town—has declared bankruptcy and closed. The people of Smitten are stunned and shocked. With no job for the men, the town will shrivel up and die.

But four women in the town are determined to fight for their town. Natalie is raising her sister’s little girl and is desperate to provide stability in the little girl’s life. She comes up with a brilliant plan to make the town a romantic getaway for couples. A country star seems to be on board with her plan when he hears about it and schedules his wedding in Smitten. That gets most of the town on board with the plan. But some of the people can’t seem to get the backing needed for their ideas. Is the town doomed to die?

SMITTEN is a collection of four novellas that are all tied together by four very close friends who are all working together to save the town and find romance on the way. Even though the four authors in this collection are all award-winning authors in different genres they work well together and this collection of novellas is head and shoulders above their competition. All four of the stories were stellar and all were penned by some of my favorite writers.

If you are looking for a contemporary romance novella collection then look no further. This is a book that you’ll read and put on your keeper shelf. I can’t wait for the second novella collection coming in December 2012. There are plenty of extras included at the end of the book too, such as an interview with the authors, recipes, exercise tips, facial hints and more. Highly recommended. 5 stars. $15.99. 422 pages.

That's My Girl

2012-01-02T05:29:00.000-08:00

Title: THAT’S MY GIRL
Author: Rick Johnson
Publisher: Revell
January 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3383-4
Genre: Inspirational/parenting

Fathers shape their daughter’s future. They impact every part of their daughter’s life. How you treats your wife, your daughter, will impact her relationships with men—whether you show her what healthy love and affection is, or if you don’t. Most importantly, you set the standard for how your daughter feels she deserves to be treated by men.

Rick Johnson is a parenting expert and a sought after speaker. He’s spoken at many large parenting and marriage conferences and has authored several other books on the subject of marriage and parenting. In THAT’S MY GIRL, Rick Johnson shows you how to develop a close relationship with your daughter that you’ll both crave. He writes with common sense, humor, and confidence, giving sound parenting advice that will encourage you to change your daughter’s life.

THAT’S MY GIRL gives advice on the following topics:

 Her father’s influence
 Communicating with the female species
 Bonding with girls
 Protecting her
 The truth about boys
 She’s becoming a woman!
 Character training
 And more!

This is a book that fathers will read and refer to many times whether their daughter is in her terrible two’s, her early elementary school years, or in high school. Full of useful information, this is a book that every father needs to read, and it should be in church libraries and pastor’s libraries. Discussion questions are included, making it ideal for small groups. Also notes for further study. Recommended. $12.99. 200 pages.

Live Abundantly

2012-01-01T02:49:00.000-08:00

Title: LIVE ABUNDANTLY: A Study in the Book of Ephesians
Author: Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose
Publisher: David C. Cook
November 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4347-0330-9
Genre: Bible Study

LIVE ABUNDANTLY is a twenty-minutes-a-day study of the book of Ephesians.
Conveniently divided up into daily readings, each day begins with a “Lift Up” which is a prayer for God’s guidance as you start the days study.

Then the book goes into a “Look At” section which is a brief introduction to the scripture verse or passage that you’ll be reading. Following that is a series of questions for you to answer (with room to answer, if you want to write in the book) and more scripture verses for you to look up, read, and answer the questions about.

The “Live Out” section has some activities for you to follow, such as more verses to journal about, words for you tow journal about, prayers of thanksgiving to write, and activities “good deeds” for you to do.

It is followed by more thoughts about the lesion and an inspirational quote by someone.

There is also a “Learn About” section in the side margins that includes definitions, thoughts and explanations that deal with things in the lesson.

LIVE ABUNDANTLY is a book that you can use to study the Book of Ephesians on your own, or in a small group. If you are the leader of a small group there are suggestions for the leaders to follow.

I highly recommend this study as it is a deep detailed study of scripture and you’ll come out of it with a deeper understand of each verse or passage. This is not a quicky-devotion, but one with a bit more meat on it for the believer who wants to delve deeper into scripture. $17.99. 302 pages.

Who is the Antichrist?

2011-12-31T00:52:00.000-08:00

Title: WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST? Answering the Question Everyone Is Asking
Author: Mark Hitchcock
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
August 2011
ISBN 978-0-7369-3995-9
Genre: Prophecy

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV)

I believe that Mark Hitchcock may have had this verse in mind as he was writing WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST?. Cutting through layers of confusion concerning the antichrist, author, pastor and teacher Mark Hitchcock provides a primer for the end-times scholar. In a skillful, engaging manner the author addresses such topics as: whether one can accurately identify the antichrist before he rises to power; the signs of the times of the antichrist; the significance of the number of the beast; the scope and sphere of the antichrist’s influence; and whether the antichrist is living among us today. Furthermore, Pastor Hitchcock makes a very strong case for the importance of studying about the antichrist. First, “the sheer volume of information about the antichrist in Scripture is reason enough for us to understand who he is and what he will do.” (p. 18) Second, knowing the ultimate end of the antichrist will strengthen one’s relationship with the God of the universe, who has the antichrist’s future in his hands. Thirdly, knowledge of the antichrist will help “inform” us as we see current events setting the stage for his “coming.” Finally, knowing about the antichrist will help us to recognize error and apostasy in the world in which we are now living.

Though small WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST? will serve as a firm foundation for studies concerning the antichrist and the end times. 198 pages. $13.99.

A Widow's Hope

2011-12-30T05:19:00.000-08:00

Title: A WIDOW’S HOPE
Author: Mary Ellis
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
March 2009
ISBN: 978-0736927321
Genre: Inspirational/Amish Romance

Hannah Brown has sold her farm to her brother, Thomas, after the death of her husband. She wants to stay on the farm, but can’t rely on her elderly parents to care for her, and so she offers to help out her sister, Julia, who is suffering from arthritis. But Julia’s husband, Simon, doesn’t like Hannah, doesn’t like her sheep, and finds Hannah extremely vexing.

Seth Miller is needing to find another cash crop for his farm so he can care for his mute daughter, Phoebe, more adequately. He thinks sheep, like Hannah raises, might be his answer. But when he approaches Simon with the idea of letting Hannah’s sheep live on his property so that he might better learn about them, he’s stunned when Simon vehemently refuses.

But Hannah is independent and willful, and Seth is equally so. Plus Simon doesn’t want his brother to have anything to do with this vexing widow. Is it possible for Hannah and Seth to move past their difficulties and find a lasting love?

A WIDOW’S HOPE is the first book in The Miller Family Series. I had read the other books in this series but had missed this one, so I got this book so I could read the beginning book. Hannah is very well developed, as are the other characters. Simon and Seth both seem to be main point of view characters as well. I couldn’t understand why Simon disliked Hannah so very much, but Hannah didn’t exactly jump when he said jump.

If you are looking for a good Amish series to read and had missed this one (as I did) then be sure to pick it up. It is a good start to an excellent series by a talented author. $13.99. 300 pages.

Princess Stories

2011-12-29T05:58:00.000-08:00

Title: PRINCESS STORIES: Real Bible Stories of God’s Princesses
Written by: Carolyn Larsen
Illustrated by: Sergey Eliseev
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
December 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4143-4811-7
Genre: Nonfiction/Bible Stories

Girls love princesses. They dream about them, play dolls with them, and pretend they are one. And your little princess will love reading this book about the “Princesses” in the Bible.

In this cute, pink, hardcover book, your favorite little princess will learn about the loyalty of Ruth, the wisdom of Deborah, the courage of Esther, the honor of Elizabeth, the sharing of the Sunammite Woman, and so many more.

Each story starts with a scripture reference for your daughter to look up and read (or for you to read with her) in your preferred version of the Bible, then the story retold in first person, so it sounds more like the woman is telling the story. It ends with a Bible verse for your little girl to memorize, and then several questions for her to think about and answer.

My nine year old and six year old both loved listening to stories in this book and learning more about Bible Princesses. This is a great book that will help teach Bible stories to your daughter (niece, granddaughter, etc) and help to teach good values to them as well. Highly recommended. $14.99 hardcover. 120 pages.

I received this book in return for review from Tyndale House Publishers.

A Log Cabin Christmas - review 3

2011-12-28T03:15:00.000-08:00

Title: A LOG CABIN CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Authors: Various
Publisher: Barbour Books
September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61626-478-9
Genre: Historical/Christmas/romance

Love is the best Christmas Gift for the American Pioneer. This book is a collection of several stories but I am going to be featuring a few stories on different days this week to give you a taste of the book.

The Dogtrot Christmas by Michelle Ule – Molly Faires’ brother is building a dog trot cabin on land he bought. Luis Vasco de Carvajal has been off to war. Now he returns to find out that his brother-in-law, Manuel, has sold off his property to Anglos and his family all believes he was dead. Now, Luis wants his land back and the settlers gone. But the blond blue-eyed woman living on his land has won his attention. Will they be able to settle the differences between the white man and the Mexicans?

A Grand County Christmas by Debra Ullrich – Awnya O’Crean is starving to death. Her father has died, leaving her alone and now she is reduced to hunting for wild life in a blizzard to survive. But when she finds a deer just waiting to be shot, Amadeus Josef stops her, claiming that’s his pet. But then Amadeus takes Awnya to his home to give her meat since he kept her from getting game. Amadeus has three children and his mother to care for, but he wants a wife. Within an hour after meeting, Amadeus is praying that God will make Awnya his bride for Christmas which is mere weeks away. But what will it take to convince Awnya that he is serious?

Christmas Service by Erica Vetsch – Beth Sorensen has her future all mapped out. She wants to marry a preacher like her grandfather and her father and serve God along side her husband in the church. Todd Rambek is a blacksmith, but he likes Beth and wants to spend his life with her by his side. What will it take to convince Beth that you don’t have to be a preacher to serve God?

These are just three of the nine stories in this best selling collection of stories by nine different authors. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these stories and know that this book will become a treasured Christmas reading tradition for me and many other people for years to come.

If you are looking for a great Christmas book for a gift or for yourself, then you can’t go wrong with A LOG CABIN CHRISTMAS. A fantastic book. $14.99. 442 pages.

A Log Cabin Christmas - review 2

2011-12-27T05:45:00.000-08:00

Title: A LOG CABIN CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Authors: Various
Publisher: Barbour Books
September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61626-478-9
Genre: Historical/Christmas/romance

Love is the best Christmas Gift for the American Pioneer. This book is a collection of several stories but I am going to be featuring a few stories on different days this week to give you a taste of the book.

A Star in the Night by Liz Johnson – Cora Sinclair has finally returned to the small cabin she shares with her grandfather after the War Between the States. The last thing she expects is to find a wounded Yankee Captain on her land. She and her grandfather nurse Jed Harrington back to life after his wound, but he is adamant he must leave to transport important papers back to Washington. But if he leaves—will he return?

The Courting Quilt by Jane Kirkpatrick – Mary Bishop owns a struggling mercantile, struggling more now that her husband has died and two more stores have opened up across the river. When salesman Richard Taylor comes in to sell thread to her, she is quick to offer him another job, selling the thread and her material in a circuit route so the women won’t need to come to town to buy supplies. Richard agrees, but has he bitten off more than he’s bargained for when every unmarried woman on his route plans to marry him?

Under His Wings by Liz Tolsma – Adie O’Connell has imagined her perfect farm home in her mind a thousand times. It would have a log cabin and a big stone fireplace and it would be a far cry from the small lumber camp cottage she shared with her pa. But when her pa died, Adie has no one to protect her from the uncouth lumberjacks she cooked for. No one, that is, except Noah Mitchell, a man who only worked at the camp to save enough money to go to seminary in order to train to be a preacher. Noah offers to marry her for protection, in name only, and Adie agrees only after it becomes clear that she can’t care for herself. Will Noah and Adie get their wish for Christmas?

These are just three of the nine stories in this best selling collection of stories by nine different authors. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these stories and know that this book will become a treasured Christmas reading tradition for me and many other people for years to come.

If you are looking for a great Christmas book for a gift or for yourself, then you can’t go wrong with A LOG CABIN CHRISTMAS. A fantastic book. $14.99. 442 pages.

A Log Cabin Christmas - review 1

2011-12-26T03:41:00.000-08:00

Title: A LOG CABIN CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Authors: Various
Publisher: Barbour Books
September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61626-478-9
Genre: Historical/Christmas/romance

Love is the best Christmas Gift for the American Pioneer. This book is a collection of several stories but I am going to be featuring a few stories on different days this week to give you a taste of the book.

Snow Angel by Margaret Browning -- Maddie Parker is a school teacher in Texas. During this particular winter day, she decides to keep three students over at school to practice their lines for the Christmas play. While they are at the secluded school house, a blizzard blows in leaving them unable to get home. Sheriff Brad Donovan goes out into the woods during the blizzard to rescue the children, but he ends up getting stranded there as well. The five people are left in the drafty cabin with little food and no hopes of getting home for Christmas. Can God provide a Christmas miracle?

The Christmas Secret by Wanda E. Brunstetter – Elizabeth Canning is excited about her upcoming wedding to her beau, David Stinner. But while cleaning the cabin they plan to live in after they marry, she discovers a journal written by her maiden aunt. When reading the pages of the journal, Elizabeth discovers a terrible secret. David’s father is really her father and they can’t marry because they are siblings! Hurt and upset, Elizabeth breaks off the engagement without telling David why and runs away to hide. David is desperate to find Elizabeth, and to find out why she wouldn’t marry him—but will he find her? And if he does, how can they work out this impossible situation?

Christmas Traps and Trimmings by Kelly Eileen Hake – Wilhemina Montrose is desperate to flee to America from England to escape a loveless marriage. She tricks her solicitor into giving her funds for a non-existent trousseau to have money for the escape. Sam Carver lives in Kentucky and needs to earn a living as a trapper to keep from slinking home to England in shame. When Mina arrives on Sam’s doorstep claiming that he’s her guardian, he’s less than thrilled, especially when he can’t think of anything else to do with her and her nurse. He’s furious when she destroys months of hard work, in a single day. When Mina and Sam are together, sparks fly. But will one of them catch ignite?

These are just three of the nine stories in this best selling collection of stories by nine different authors. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these stories and know that this book will become a treasured Christmas reading tradition for me and many other people for years to come.

If you are looking for a great Christmas book for a gift or for yourself, then you can’t go wrong with A LOG CABIN CHRISTMAS. A fantastic book. $14.99. 442 pages.

Love Finds You On Christmas Morning

2011-12-25T02:52:00.001-08:00

Title: LOVE FINDS YOU ON CHRISTMAS MORNING
Authors: Debby Mayne and Trish Perry
Publisher: Summerside Press
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-60936-193-8
Genre: Inspirational/romance

Love Finds a home on Christmas morning in two holiday stories set in Cary, North Carolina.

Deck the Halls by Debby Mayne: Lillian Pickard’s family is struggling since her dad’s injury. He hasn’t been able to work and so Lillian is forced to go work at the local Five and Dime to put food on the table. The money doesn’t always stretch far enough so they live on a lot of potatoes and onions. But when wealthy William Tronnier starts paying attention to Lillian her family is wary and warn her away. Is William after only “one thing”? Or is it possible that he’s planning a proposal that she can’t refuse?

‘Tis the Season by Trish Perry: Nikki Tronnier is the granddaughter of William Tronnier, and moved back to Cary and works as a chef for a billionaire in the hopes of saving enough money to buy the family home. But as soon as she earns enough money to make a downpayment, someone else buys it from under her. Drew Cornell loves old houses, and he felt something special about the old Tronnier home. He plans on remodeling it to its historic beauty. Will that beauty also include a new bride?

LOVE FINDS YOU ON CHRISTMAS DAY is a charming addition to the Love Finds You line – I’ve read all the books I could get my hands on so far in this collection and am keeping tabs on what is coming out so I don’t miss a story (I hope). I love Christmas stories and Trish Perry’s books so I was especially looking forward to this novella collection.

Deck the Halls is a historical, and William is a dream come true. I found Lillian quite bitter and she treated William very ugly. I honestly didn’t understand what kept him coming around. But the story was very well written and I did keep reading, mainly because I loved William and his family. It did end well. ‘Tis the Season is in true Trish Perry style. A contemporary, it is fun and sassy and involved food. I thoroughly enjoyed this last story and rooted for both Nikki and Drew. There is a cookie recipe included in between the two stories. This is a fun holiday read. $12.99. 315 pages.

Ransome's Quest

2011-12-24T01:31:00.000-08:00

Title: RANSOME’S QUEST
Author: Kaye Dacus
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
August 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7369-2755-0
Genre: Inspirational/historical/pirate/romance

Charlotte Ransome is outside with her intended, but she doesn’t want to marry him, having found out that he’s only after her fortune. She breaks up with him, sending him away amidst threats, and then agrees to marry Ned Cochran. But they barely seal their agreement with a kiss when they are set upon by strangers and Ned is left bleeding and helpless on the lawn while Charlotte is spirited away.

Captain Salvador is a pirate—and he didn’t intend to kidnap Charlotte. Instead, he’d planned to kidnap Commodore William Ransome’s wife—not his sister. The plan work work enough to lure William Ransome out and possibly to his death, but most of Captain Salvador’s plans were toward William’s father-in-law. A man who would have no interest in someone like Charlotte. But Salvador has no other option at this point but to sail away to avoid what is likely to be a bloody battle until he figures out how to put his original plan back into motion—and kidnap the right woman.

But someone else has a vendetta against the Ransome’s. And both the pirates and the other party are determined to win…

RANSOME’S QUEST is the third and final book in the Ransome Triology by Ms. Dacus. It easily stands alone, but readers might want to read the first two books so they are up to date with stories of all the Ransome’s family. Fast paced and engaging, this historical series is clearly a time period and story that the author is passionate about as there is a life and liveliness in it that was absent in the contemporaries she’s penned.

Charlotte is no fainting female, instead she is smart, sharp-witted, and quick to take care of herself. The male characters pale somewhat in comparison, but they are still well developed. RANSOME’S QUEST is a very interesting story, and I hope to see more historicals along this nature by Ms. Dacus. $13.99. 352 pages.

God Makes Lemonade

2011-12-23T02:11:00.000-08:00

Title: GOD MAKES LEMONADE: True Stories that Sweeten & Inspire
Created by: Don Jacobson
Publisher: Lemonade Books LLC
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-578-08221-9
Genre: Inspirational/True stories/s self help

Do you need some encouragement or know someone who does? Then this book is for you.

GOD MAKES LEMONADE is a collection of true stories that take us through the worst events that change life for the better. Such as the couple that was headed for divorce, yet when he developed cancer, it saved their marriage. Or the grandparents who faced the heartbreak of having a newborn grandchild given up for adoption, yet twenty-three years later met her and are now a part of her life.

Mr. Jacobson is the former owner of Multnomah Publishers and believes (rightly) that the country is desperate for hope. He says that this will be the first book in a series of hope filled books and the proceeds are going to help single mothers and their children through the LemonAid Foundation.

If you are looking for a book full of encouraging stories about how God can turn bad situations to good, then GOD MAKES LEMONADE is a great book to consider. It will note only warm your heart but it will also strengthen your faith in that “God works all things together for good…” Highly recommended. $14.99. 319 pages.

Faith's Reward

2011-12-22T00:04:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Terri O'Hara for winning a copy of The Hidden Gifts of Helping!

Title: FAITH’S REWARD
Author: Tammy Barley
Publisher: Whitaker House
January 2011
ISBN: 978-1-60374-110-1
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

1985 is almost a nightmare year for Jessica and Jake Bennett. Even though they are thrilled to be expecting their first child, they are facing ongoing battles with their cattle ranch. The previous summer they had to fight to save the cattle from draught, but now they are in danger of freezing to death. Even worse, Jake contracts pneumonia and must watch his health, putting more of the burden on Jessica.

When Jessica and Jake are forced to sell off their cattle, they discover that all Jessica’s money, which she thought was safely in the bank, has gone missing! When investigating her missing inheritance, she discovers a link between the banker and Unionists who target southerners even though the war is over.

As the conspiracy runs deeper, Jessica must put her life—and the life of her unborn child—at risk to stop the thieves and regain her rightful inheritance.

FAITH’S REWARD is the third and final book in Ms. Barley’s The Sierra Chronicles series. It was nice to get reacquainted with Jessica and her new husband, Jake, and to see some of the struggles they faced as they tried to eek out a living in the wild west.

Filled with plenty of action, drama, and suspense, FAITH’S REWARD will keep you on the edge of your seats as you cheer for Jessica and Jake even while you want to shake them for taking risks with the life of their baby. A good read that will encourage you to keep going and keep trusting God, even when situations make it difficult. $9.99. 312 pages.

Naomi's Gift

2011-12-21T07:05:00.000-08:00

Title: NAOMI’S GIFT
Author: Amy Clipston
Publisher: Zondervan
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-310-32735-8
Genre: Inspirational/Amish/Christmas

Naomi King has had her heart broken twice and she is the laughing stock of her Amish community the way she has chased men. Now she is ashamed and wants to change her ways, determined she’ll stay single rather than make a fool out of herself over a man again. She is working at her family’s quilt booth, selling quilts and is trying to find her way, despite being ashamed to be out in public.

Caleb Schmucker and his daughter Susie are visiting family for the holidays. His wife has died two years prior and Caleb maintains he is not ready to move on despite his family’s attempts to match make. He notices the beautiful Naomi as soon as his daughter discovers her but despite attempts to get near her at community events, Naomi tries to avoid him. Not only that, but his family warn him away from her, saying that she’s bad news and inappropriate.

Susie has fallen in love with Naomi and seems determined to find her at every event. But Caleb’s family continue to warn him away. Will they back off enough to let Caleb and Susie find their own wife/mother? Or will they ruin any chance Caleb and Naomi have?

NAOMI’S GIFT is Ms. Clipston’s latest Christmas novella. It is a real cute story about a widower finding a second chance at love at Christmas time. Naomi is a realistic heroine who’d made a few mistakes and as a result was judged harshly by the community for every move she made. Caleb is still hurting and mourning his much loved wife, and he doesn’t want to be forced into another relationship when he’s not ready.

If you are looking for a new Amish Christmas novella to read then NAOMI’S GIFT is a good book to pick up. Short enough to be read in one sitting, but easy to put down if you need to go back a dozen cookies or wrap gifts or entertain unexpected guests. Discussion questions and a recipe are included at the end of the book. $14.99 hardcover. 180 pages.

The Christmas Singing

2011-12-20T06:44:00.000-08:00

Title: THE CHRISTMAS SINGING
Author: Cindy Woodsmall
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0-307-44654-1
Genre: Inspirational/Amish/Christmas/Romance

Mattie Eash has loved Gideon Beiler ever since they were children and best friends. She’d always imagined she’d grow up to marry Gideon, but he had one major fault. He couldn’t be faithful. She was always seeing him getting out some English woman’s car, but he always had a ready excuse—at least until the day Mattie caught him with Ashley. Then, he broke up with her.

Gideon had his reasons for breaking up with Mattie, but they weren’t what she believed. He wanted to set her free to protect her from something he believed was the worst fate. Now, he’s not sure how to act once Mattie’s back on his turf, due to situations out of their control.

Mattie has moved on since Gideon cut her free and she’s been seeing a calm, quiet Amish man named Sol. One who is content to let Mattie live her life while he lives his. But does he hold her heart? Or while Gideon win back her love in time for the Christmas Singing.

THE CHRISTMAS SINGING is the second Amish Christmas book by Ms. Woodsmall and I loved it just as much as I did The Sound of Sleighbells. Set in Pennsylvania Amish country, it is complete with snow, sleighs, and sweets.

Mattie is a very strong woman, capable of carrying on despite difficulties, but others seem to want to protect her from what they deem the rougher side of life, leaving her frustrated. Gideon had been down a very rough road, one where certainty is not part of the vocabulary, and was a hero I definitely could relate to due to my own life experiences. He returned a changed man. Sol too was a hero that the readers could care about, a man that made you want to root for him, due to his kindness, his attitudes, and his own insecurities.

Ms. Woodsmall is a writer with a gift of bringing her characters to life and making them living breathing people that you can’t help but love. Plus the end of the book has some yummy sounding recipes provided by a mutual friend of Ms. Woodsmall and I, Sherry Gore. If you are looking for a Christmas book, then THE CHRISTMAS SINGING is definitely a book you’ll want to read. Stellar. $14.99 hardcover. 189 pages.

Holy Stable

2011-12-19T01:18:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Deb Ragno for winning the Christmas giveaway!

Title: HOLY STABLE: Celebrate the Miracle (story.music.nativity play)
Author: Heidi Hanseen
Publisher: Devout Press
August 2010
ISBN: 978-0-578-06315-7
Genre: Nativity play

HOLY STABLE is a complete guide to a nativity play for your church, homeschool group, other organization, or family to perform during the holidays.

The booklet includes the words for the narrative reading and songs, along with a cd with a first section that has readers, singers, and music so your actors can just do the motions without worrying about memorizing the lines.

The cd also includes a second, shorter section that is a musical version without additional hard interludes.

The third section is an instrumental background for your own vocals and actors.

The fourth is also the instrumental background with cues added to simplify the timing for your narrator.

Practice tracks are included at the end so the chorus and descant may be learned, without using any instruments.

You can also get a downloadable script by going to www.HolyStable.com.

HOLY STABLE is a cd and play set that will help you share the gift of Jesus’ love and will help you experience the story of Jesus’ birth as never before. Beautifully done, and appealing. Great for churches, homeschoolers and other religious organizations. $17.95.

The "What's For Dinner?" Solution

2011-12-18T00:08:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book review following is not a part of this giveaway.*

Title: THE “WHAT’S FOR DINNER?” SOLUTION
Author: Kathi Lipp
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7369-3837-2
Genre: Woman’s issues/cooking

“What’s for dinner?” It’s four o’clock. You’re on your way home from work. Do you know where your dinner is?

For many people, dread turns into panic when four o’clock comes around. They don’t have anything planned, forgot to set out meet to defrost, and don’t remember what they have in their refrigerator or pantry. So they make an emergency stop at a fast food restaurant or at the grocery store and try to plan something edible real fast.

Sound familiar?

In THE “WHAT’S FOR DINNER?” SOLUTION, Ms. Lipp provides a full kitchen approach to getting dinner on the table every night. She will teach you how to:

. save time—with bulk shopping and cooking
. save money—no more last-minute phone calls for pizza delivery or take-out
. save your sanity—forget the last-minute nightly scramble and know what you’re having for dinner.

This book includes directions on organizing your kitchen and recipes, foods that you must keep as staples in your pantry, food that she recommends buying canned, and a plan for you to organize your menu for a month in advance so you can shop weekly or monthly and only pick up perishables such as milk more often if needed.

Included in THE “WHAT’S FOR DINNER?” SOLUTION are recipes that are quick and easy, directions for prepping other meals in advance, and tips on using a slow cooker, freezer, and pantry. Highly recommended for a busy working woman, a mom of preschoolers, or someone who just hates to cook every day. $12.99. 208 pages.

The Survivor

2011-12-17T07:01:00.000-08:00

Title: THE SURVIVOR
Author: Shelley Shepard Gray
Publisher: Avon Inspire
August 2011
ISBN: 978-0-06-202063-5
Genre: Inspirational/Amish/romance

Mattie Lapp has survived breast cancer. Now, she wants to reenter the world of the living. Since her long-time love, Graham Weaver is dating Jenna Yoder, Mattie asks Graham to set her up with some of the men he works with at his job. But Graham is strangely reluctant. He finally agrees, but none of the young men seem to fit.

Graham has been dating Jenna since Mattie doesn’t seem to be as interested in him as he’d like and he’s trying to move on. But he soon realizes that he and Jenna don’t suit, so they break up. Unfortunately, Jenna isn’t as ready to move on. She tells everyone that she’s pregnant and insists that the baby is Graham’s. Graham denies it vehemently, claiming he never even kissed Jenna, but that doesn’t stop his family from taking Jenna in and insisting that he do the right thing…

Jenna knows she’s lying and she knows who the real father is, but she believes that admitting the truth would be worse than the lie she’s spreading. Will Jenna’s lies tear Mattie and Graham apart and keep them from admitting to each other the love they’ve always felt? Or will she do the right thing, and admit to the truth?

THE SURVIVOR is the third and final book in Ms. Gray’s Families of Honor series. The series is about the brothers in the Weaver family and how they all find love. I would recommend reading the books in order so you know all the stories in whole, but if you don’t have the earlier books, or if it’d been awhile since you’ve read them, THE SURVIVOR has enough back story in it to keep the reader from guessing what is going on.

Mattie is a character I can deeply relate to as I’ve been where she’s been and traveled those same roads. I wanted her to find a man to love her for herself, and not a relationship based on physical appearance. It’s hard to feel beautiful when you’ve had a mastectomy and are bald. Graham is a stellar hero who’s been with Mattie, taking care of her every need since she was first diagnosed, and I was glad he argued that he really wasn’t the father of Jenna’s baby. I wanted to encourage him to stay strong, even when the pressure mounts. I recommend THE SURVIVOR and the other books in this series. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $12.99. 294 pages.

A Simple Winter

2011-12-16T02:38:00.000-08:00

Title: A SIMPLE WINTER
Author: Rosalind Lauer
Publisher: Ballantine Books
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0-343-52671-7
Genre: Amish/romance

Remy McCallister is forced to drop out of college when she starts having seizures and her father pulls the plug on her education. Yet, going home is the last thing she wants to do. Remy doesn’t have a good relationship with her father and dreads being there with him and his new girlfriend, who seems to only think Remy exists to beg money from her dad.

Adam King left the Amish years earlier, during his rumschpringa and started a business making furniture. He is doing very well, but he’s forced to return home when his parents are murdered outside their buggy on a winter night, leaving Adam the sole caretaker of his ten younger brothers and sisters.

A year later, Remy is a budding journalist and eager to prove herself. Investigating an unsolved crime, Remy goes to Lancaster County. She’s never forgotten Adam, but has little hope he’d remember her. Remy investigates and grows to love the King family while she’s there, but the killer still roams free. And the only witness knows more than he’s saying. When it’s time for Remy to go, does she dare reveal the killer, knowing it’d destroy the friendship she’s developed?

A SIMPLE WINTER is a sweet romance between an unlikely couple. A man who left the Amish faith, but due to circumstances beyond his control must return, and a woman who has everything money can buy but is searching for more. Remy is a hurting heroine, wanting to earn her father’s love and respect, but not sure how to do it. Adam also is hurting, wishing he’d done things differently so he could have been right with his parents before they died.

As Remy investigates the story behind the murder of Adam’s parents she learns some disturbing things. She faces a monumental decision as the story goes on. There is a lot of detail included about the Amish faith in this book, so if you aren’t familiar with the Amish culture this book will include tons of explanations. If you are more familiar the telling does drag the story down considerably. An excerpt of A Simple Spring is included at the end of the book. $15.00. 416 pages.

The Harvest of Grace

2011-12-15T02:30:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book review following is not a part of this giveaway.*

Title: THE HARVEST OF GRACE
Author: Cindy Woodsmall
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
August 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4000-7398-6
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary/Amish

Sylvia Fisher loves Elam, but she isn’t sure she wants to marry when Elam thinks they should. She has taken over her dad’s dairy cow business and it is beginning to show a profit. But Elam wants to marry in the fall and has already signed a business agreement with Sylvia’s dad, making him co-owner of their farm. Elam plans for him and Sylvia to live in Sylvia’s grandfather’s house—which was deeded to Sylvia when her grandfather died. But Sylvia balks, wanting to wait a bit. She asks Elam for a few weeks to decide. But then Elam does the unthinkable and turns to Sylvia’s sister, Rachel, and asks her to marry him instead.

Aaron Blank has been in rehab since due to his hateful crimes and drunkenness he basically murdered his own sister. Now he’s sober and returning home to talk his parents into selling out their dairy farm and moving to town where Aaron has put a down payment on a shop. The first thing Aaron does when he gets home is go out to the cabin on the property to board it up and get rid of his drunken friends who hang out there. But he is stunned to find a woman living there instead!

Sylvia flees her father’s house to get away from Elam’s inappropriate advances after he marries her sister, but her father disowns her due to this decision. She takes a job on the Blank farm, running their dairy business and beginning to turn a profit there. But Aaron and Sylvia are at odds. He wants to sell out—but his father refuses to believe that Aaron has changed and loves Sylvia as a daughter. Will Aaron and Sylvia find common ground?

THE HARVEST OF GRACE is the satisfying conclusion to the best selling An Ada’s House series. The books are tied together with characters from different stories all having points of views and continuing bits in their stories, so readers will want to read the books in order to get the full story. However, if you don’t have The Hope of Refuge or The Bridge of Peace, then there is a brief synopsis of both stories included at the front of this book that will help.

I couldn’t help but feel for Sylvia, losing everything she loved and held dear to get away from her sister’s husband and I wish her father would have been more understanding to her plight. Aaron was this absolutely insufferably horrific character from The Bridge of Peace that I can’t believe became the hero in this book, but Ms. Woodsmall did a stellar job of transforming his abominable characteristics in book two into someone well actually loved and rooted for in THE HARVEST OF GRACE. If you like Amish fiction, then you want to read this series. A glossary is included at the back of the book. $13.99. 337 pages.

Humbug: A Christmas Carol

2011-12-14T05:38:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *This book isn't included in the giveaway.*

Title: HUMBUG A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Author: Lee Baker
Illustrators: Kienan Lafferty and Andrew Young
Publisher: Sandman Studios
September 2010
ISBN: 978-0-615-33839-2
Genre: Children’s/Christmas

Winterton is a frozen town with frozen hearts and frozen people. No one speaks to one another, no one smiles, and everyone keeps to themselves. Worse, Santa has forgotten this little town, hidden between two mountains, and hasn’t been there in years.

Mimi is a little orphan girl who’s been passed from orphanage to orphanage over the years. Her only friend in the world is a little humbug. She is sent to live in Winterton, but the orphanage there has no room for her! Mrs. Sleet sticks her up in the cold and frozen attic, but the humbug starts humming there, bringing cheer to Mimi.

Eventually, Mimi and her humbug begin to thaw people’s hearts but when the mayor decides that no one can really hear the humming, the hearts freeze over—including Mimi’s. Can the humbug still manage to bring Santa to Winterton? Or will their hearts remain frozen forever.

HUMBUG A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a real cute book for older children about the magic of Christmas. There is a foreword included by Ebenezer Scrooge, which says pretty much what you imagine it might.

Some of the drawings/illustrations in this story were kind of scary looking, but I think they were intended to be. Otherwise, they were engaging, and helped to draw the reader into the story. My nine year old thoroughly enjoyed this story and read it herself, without waiting for me, but my six year old couldn’t sit still long enough to listen to it. If you are looking for a unique book about Santa and bringing the magic of Christmas to a forgotten village, then HUMBUG A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a book to consider. $15.95. 38 pages.

I received this book in return for review from the publicist.

A Marriage for Meghan

2011-12-13T05:54:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book review following is not a part of this giveaway.*

Title: A MARRIAGE FOR MEGHAN
Author: Mary Ellis
Publisher: Harvest House
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7369-3010-9
Genre: Inspirational/Amish/Women’s fiction

Meghan Yost has dreamed of becoming a school teacher all her life. When the current teacher must resign because she is expecting a baby, Meghan begs for the job. But her father, the bishop, is hesitant to hire her because Meghan is young and flighty, spending more time playing with children than engaging in more womanly activities.

Her father finally agrees to let Meghan have the job of assistant teacher if her sister takes the main teaching position. Meghan is thrilled. But then a string of hate crimes against the Amish occur. Her brothers are beaten, the school is vandalized, fences cut, and crops destroyed. Since the local police believe that the Amish are targeted, they call in the FBI to investigate.

Thomas Mast is sent to do the work in Amish country. As the low man in the FBI totem pole he gets the jobs no one else wants. But the Amish refuse to press charges, and with little to nothing to go on, Thomas doesn’t know how he can solve this mystery. Meanwhile, the hate crimes continue, getting more vicious and hateful each time. Will Thomas find the guilty party? Will Meghan prove her worth as a teacher?

A MARRIAGE FOR MEGHAN is the second book in Mary Ellis’ The Wayne County Series set in Ohio. Meghan is a teenager, active, and impulsive, and anxious to find her own way, even hurting those who get in her way. There are other points of view included in this story – Thomas Mast, who has a secret of his own; The bishop’s, who is making some controversial decisions; Meghan’s sister, Catherine, who is the new head teacher and had to leave her beau to do so…

A MARRIAGE FOR MEGHAN is a great read. It does start out a little slow but it quickly picks up. I couldn’t put this book down. The ending isn’t all neatly tied up, so I think Meghan’s story will probably be continued as a secondary character in the third book of this series. Fans of Amish fiction won’t want to miss A MARRIAGE FOR MEGHAN. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $13.99. 290 pages.

Christmas at Barncastle Inn

2011-12-12T06:57:00.000-08:00

This book is included in the big Christmas drawing on December 19 along with other great prizes. Leave a comment and a way to contact you if you win. Void where prohibited by law.

Title: CHRISTMAS AT BARNCASTLE INN
Authors: Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, Janelle, Mowery, Lynette Sowell
Publisher: Barbour Books
September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-41626-438-3
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary romance

Four couples find romance at Barncastle Inn in Vermont.

Love Comes to the Castle by Susan Page Davis: Jayne Barncastle has earned her MBA in marketing and has a job offer in Boston. But when she visits her parents she learns they are hoping to retire in the New Year and sell the inn—if she doesn’t take over. Jayne has some big ideas, but will they work? Luke Gilbert’s wealthy in-laws want to rent the inn for a Christmas gathering—if Luke’s six year old son likes it. Luke agrees to take Andy up and visit for the weekend, but he doesn’t expect to be attracted to the pretty hostess. But with her considering a big city job and the fate of the inn in his in-laws hands, things could go bad very quickly.

Christmas Duets by Lynette Sowell: Sean McSweeney has “kidnapped” Marcella Goudreau’s grandfather, destroying what Marcella perceived as a happy marriage. She invests her life’s savings into renting the inn for a week so her grandmother and grandfather can get back together. But when her grandfather brings Sean along, Marcella sees her plans for reuniting her grandparents dying. But Sean isn’t want he seems. Is there hope they might by able to save their grandparents’ marriage?

Where Your Heart Is by Janelle Mowery: Stephanie Minter is a nanny to two young children and she agrees to accompany the family to Barncastle Inn when they go for their Christmas vacation. But the last person she expects to see there is her former love, Matthew Raynor, at the inn. Matt has been hired as a set designer at the Inn. He’s not overly thrilled to see Stephanie there, and harbors a lot of hurt over their breakup. Is there any hope that the two of them will get beyond their past and find a future?

First Christmas by Darlene Franklin: Waverly Coe is an unwed mother, working as an assistant to veterinarian Alex Ross. When the Barncastle Inn is rented out for a rendition for the first Christmas, Alex and Waverly work together to care for the live animals at the manager scene. With both of them facing difficult circumstances, will they find their way clear for love?

BARNCASTLE AT BARNCASTLE INN is a four-in-one collection with a unique twist. Set at Barncastle Inn in Maine, it is the story about four couples that find romance at the inn at Christmas time. This is an excellent read, with three of the four stories completely engaging me. The stories were well plotted, with interesting and engaging characters and situations that left me cheering for the couples.

These stories are easy to read in one sitting, making it an ideal book for the holidays when you don’t have tons of time to read. One of the better four-in-one romances I’ve read recently by award winning authors Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, Lynette Sowell and Janelle Mowery. $7.99. 343 pages.

The Gospel Story Bible

2011-12-11T03:17:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book review following is not a part of this giveaway.*

Congratulations to Marilyn for winning a copy of My Favorite Bible!

Title: THE GOSPEL STORY BIBLE: Discovering Jesus in the Old and New Testaments
Author: Marty Machowski
Illustrator: A. E. Macha
Publisher: New Growth Press
December 2011
ISBN: 978-1-936768-12-7
Genre: Children Bible story book/ devotional

THE GOSPEL STORY BIBLE is a wonderful addition to your day. I am using it as a devotional for my nine-year-old to do daily. It starts out with a scripture reading (your child looks it up in your preferred Bible version), and then it tells the story in a simple story form, which will make the Bible reading come to life. It also includes an application—how your child can apply it to their own life—and two or three questions for your child to answer. I have my daughter answer them out loud. The pages and illustrations are brightly colored and hold the child’s attention.

If you don’t have an elementary age child, then THE GOSPEL STORY BIBLE can be used as a story book for preschoolers or beginning readers. My six-year-old cuddled in my lap while I read her a page out of this Bible each day.

There are 158 stories in THE GOSPEL STORY BIBLE designed to present God’s plan of salvation in Christ—from the beginning story in Genesis, to the final story in Revelations.

THE GOSPEL STORY BIBLE is even ideal for highschoolers who might not have been raised in church, or just want to get back to the basics of the Bible with stories they might not have heard for a long time.

I’m a homeschool mom and can see getting a lot of use out of THE GOSPEL STORY BIBLE. My daughter read through a Bible school book in a short time and this book is designed to take slower, a story a day, for the elementary age student. She loved it.

According to the flyer I received with this book, the author is also developing a companion devotional and Sunday school curriculum (February 2012). This Bible would be a great addition to church libraries, Sunday school classes and Christian schools, in addition to being invaluable to homeschoolers. Highly recommended. $24.99 hardcover. 328 pages.

The Hidden Gifts of Helping: Do Good Things for Others This Holiday Season (giveaway)

2011-12-10T04:40:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment for a chance to win both this book and my big Christmas giveaway. Drawing on December 19

The Hidden Gifts of Helping:
Do Good Things for Others This Holiday Season
Article by Stephen G. Post,
Author of The Hidden Gifts of Helping,a Wall Street Journal bestseller
(www.StephenGPost.com/HiddenGifts)

Ebenezer Scrooge begins in The Christmas Carol with a “Bah humbug!” He is both miserly and miserable. As the story unfolds, he eventually discovers the “giver’s glow,” as I like to term it. He is dancing on the streets in the enduring joy of his newfound generosity of heart. I compare the giver’s glow to a glow stick that children get at parades and fairs. These are the translucent plastic tubes containing substances that when combined make light through a chemical reaction. After the glass capsule in the plastic casing is broken, it glows. The brokenness is part of the process. Give and grow, give and glow. Scrooge discovered this before it was too late.

Human beings are wired to give of themselves for noble purposes, regardless of circumstances. Recently, I delivered a sermon in an African-American Baptist church in Coram, New York. The subject was how we benefit when we love our neighbor. Afterwards, a wonderful elderly woman, who was full of vitality, said to me, “You know, that giver’s glow is how we African Americans have been getting through hard times for two centuries!”

On the inside cover of a copy of The Book of Common Prayer, given to me in 1986 by the Rev. William B. Eddy of Tarrytown, New York, is an accumulating memorial list of twenty people I have known closely as models of kindness and generosity over the years. To get on the list a person must have passed on and, by all accounts, remained generous even in their final days. These are people who understood that happiness is not to be found just in the getting, but in the giving, and they taught by example. Have you noticed the warm glow in your heart that comes when you act kindly? They had a deep sense of common humanity, and they all had a certain happiness about them—a sort of gaiety that comes with a life well-lived and rightly inspired.

In my most recent book, The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion, and Hope Can Get Us Through Hard Times (Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Imprint), I describe a bit of an upheaval in my own life, and how helping others got me and my family through the inevitable tough times that come everyone’s way.

“After twenty years of being ‘at home’ in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights, my job disappeared. Maybe we were too attached to Cleveland, and maybe God wanted us to move on. But as a family we never anticipated just how challenging up-rootedness is, especially when it is not something that you would have opted for in better times. So in June of 2008, we sold the house and moved east on Route 80 from Ohio to the George Washington Bridge, landing in Stony Brook. What a great place! But still, we just had not quite imagined how stressful such a move would be and how hard we would have to work to find renewed peace of mind and heart.

“Suddenly cut adrift from friends and community, we felt painfully uprooted—out of place, stressed out, disoriented and at odds with each other. Most movers suffer from a lack of companionship and intimate friends, at least temporarily, and doing this repeatedly is really tough. Fortunately, we had those twenty good years in Ohio. We struggled to find our footing with the move, determined to recreate the good life of community and friendships we all so keenly missed. The key turned out to be something we knew quite well, but learned to remember daily in our upheaval: the healing power of helping others. The medical prescription is this—Rx: Helper Therapy.

“Simply put, helping others helps the helper. Research in the field of health psychology, as well as all the great spiritual traditions, tells us that one of the best ways to get rid of anger and grief is to actively help others. Science supports this assertion: Giving help to others measurably reduces the giver’s stress; improves health and well-being in surprising and powerful ways; renews our optimism about what is possible; helps us connect to family, friends and lots of amazing people; allows the deep, profound joy of our humanity to flow through us and out into the world; and improves our sense of self-worth. These are valuable gifts anytime and particularly in hard times. If there is one great secret to life, this is it.”

After all was said and done, this move worked out. My wife found a grade school where she could continue her work as a teaching assistant for especially needy children, my son Drew volunteered at the hospital and I started working with families of individuals with autism. We eventually realized that wherever we are, we are at home when we can contribute to the lives of others. We got back in touch with the things that matter most, and maybe that is what hard times are for. We helped others in ways that we felt called to, we used our strengths so as to feel effective and we shared our experiences with family, faith community and like-minded others.

Eventually, of course, everyone stumbles on hard times, and no one gets out of life alive. Today, even those who had considered themselves protected from hardship are being touched and their lives changed by volatile economic markets, job uncertainty and the increasing isolation and loneliness of modern life.

Here are four things to keep in mind. First, as Washington Irving put it so well: “Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.” Second, love often does beget love, just as hate usually begets hate, and so good givers need to be good receivers. Third, we should never count on reciprocity because this is sure to be frustrating and ultimately small-minded. Better to take joy when those upon whom our love is bestowed do not “pay it back” to us, but rather “pay it forward” to others as they move through life remembering our good example. Or to bring this to the kitchen table, as I heard one Italian mother in Cleveland tell her son, “Love and forget about it!” And fourth, in I Corinthians Paul linked “faith, hope and love,” and he proclaimed that “love never fails.” What is faith but having confidence that no matter how harsh a particular scene in the drama of our lives or of history might be, it is love that wrote the play and love that will be revealed in the final act.

Do a little good this holiday season. The 2010 Do Good Live Well Survey,released by United Healthcare and VolunteerMatch (www.VolunteerMatch.org), surveyed 4,500 American adults. 41 percent of Americans volunteered an average of 100 hours a year. 68 percent of those who volunteered in the last year reported that volunteering made them feel physically healthier. In addition:

89% reported that “volunteering has improved my sense of well-bring”
73% agreed that “volunteering lowered my stress levels”
92% agreed that “volunteering enriched my sense of purpose in life”
72% characterized themselves as “optimistic” compared to 60% of non-volunteers
42% of volunteers reported a “very good” sense of meaning in their lives, compared with 28% of non-volunteers

How wise it is to do what one can to contribute benevolently to others!

Some individuals on my The Book of Common Prayer list were well known and others lived quiet lives out of the limelight. Some were appreciated and some not. We might prefer to think that loving servants of goodness would, after a long and successful life, die peacefully in their beds and all people would speak well of them at their funerals. But this is too simplistic. Everyone on my list experienced an enduring joy as a by-product of their generosity. Thus, the motto of my independent Institute for Research on Unlimited Love (www.unlimitedloveinstitute.com), founded with the help of Sir John Templeton (who happens to be on my list!), is “In the giving of self lies the discovery of a deeper self.”

Words

2011-12-09T07:23:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book review following is not a part of this giveaway.*

Title: WORDS
Author: Ginny L. Yttrup
Publisher: Broadman & Holman
February 2011
ISBN: 978-14336-7170-8
Genre: Inspirational/general/contemporary

Kaylee Wren is almost ten years old, but she doesn’t speak. Abandoned by her mother, she lives with her mother’s boyfriend, an alcoholic who sexually abuses her. Kaylee is fascinated by words, and even though she can’t speak she reads her mother’s dictionary cover-to-cover, beginning to end, over and over again. Memorizing words and meanings.

Sierra Dawn is an artist and alone. Twelve years ago she was addicted to drugs and the rough lifestyle associated with it and ended up accidentally killing her baby girl. She still mourns the loss of her child. Trying to help her become clean, Sierra’s parents spend their savings renting an ocean-front cabin far away from the city Sierra lived in, breaking her from her friends, from her sources, from her drugs.

On the twelfth anniversary of her baby’s death, Sierra drives out to the cabin, and there she sees Kaylee for the first time. She thinks she’s imagining her, but still tells her best friend, Ruby, about seeing the child. Sierra’s world begins to crumble but she still reaches out to Kaylee when she sees her again. Can God help these two hurting souls to heal?

WORDS is a powerfully written story about two hurting individuals who came through the ugly side of life and survived. Dealing with tough subject matter, this is not a book for those who prefer to read “feel good stories”. This is a book that will make you think, that will make you want to reach out to the druggie on the street, to the hurting child in an abusive home, and help them find God’s love in the midst of their private Hell.

If you like reading books that deal with the gritty side of life then you will want to read WORDS. This is written in first person, both Kaylee’s and Sierra’s, but it is easy to tell who’s point of view your in. Recommended. $14.99. 352 pages.

The Silent Order

2011-12-08T06:35:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book review following is not a part of this giveaway.*

Title: THE SILENT ORDER
Author: Melanie Dobson
Publisher: Summerside Press
November 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60936-019-1
Genre: Inspirational/historical romantic suspense

Dark secrets bind the notorious Cardano Family together. Detective Rollin Wells is close to exposing them. He witnesses a vicious murder, with his partner, but they don’t have enough backup to take down the Cardano Family at that time—still, he is determined he will win this war against them.

Katie Lehman is an Amish woman with a young son. She has a beau, wanting to court her and willing to wait for her answer, but Katie hesitates, hoping to someday feel something.

When Rollin travels to Sugar Creek to investigate why the Cardanos are in Amish country he is determined to find out who is collaborating with them. He hides out in an Amish home—but as Rollin gets to know the Amish he is attracted to the beautiful Katie, a woman who reminds him of a woman he once loved.

But Katie has secrets of her own—and these secrets could get herself, her son, and Rollin killed…

THE SILENT ORDER is a different sort of Amish story, centered around the mafia in Cleveland, and then moving to Amish country where suddenly things that earlier didn’t seem to have any bearing on anything else became glaringly clear. I had to keep reading to find out what happened.

If you like stories where two very different words collide, then you’ll want to read THE SILENT ORDER. $12.99. 343 pages.

This was my own copy of this book – no review expected.

Baby's Little Bible

2011-12-07T06:36:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book review following is not a part of this giveaway.*

Title: BABY’S LITTLE BIBLE
Retold by: Sarah Toulmin
Illustrations by: Kristina Stephenson
Publisher: Lion Children’s
November 2011
ISBN: 978-0745962719
Genre: Inspirational/children’s story Bible

BABY’S LITTLE BIBLE is a collection of Bible stories, simply told with colorful images, that is sure to hold your baby’s interest while you read him or her some of the Bible stories.

The book, which comes in either a blue cover or a pink cover, is divided up into Old Testament stories and New Testament stories, just like the real Bible. It starts with creation, then Noah and the ark, Abraham and Sarah having Isaac, Joseph and the coat of many colors, and other well-known Old Testament stories.

The New Testament includes stories such as: Baby Jesus’ birth, Jesus calling his disciples, the hole in the roof, the good shepherd, and bread and fish, among others.

Both of my little girls (no longer babies) enjoyed reading through the BABY’S LITTLE BIBLE copy that I got for review. They read the stories and thought they were very interesting and well done. My nine-year-old says she’d give it five stars. My six-year-old wants to give it six stars. This Bible will be the perfect gift for a baby shower or a new baby at Christmas time. Highly recommended. $9.99 hardcover. 160 pages.

Christmas Belles of Georgia

2011-12-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

This book IS included in my Christmas giveaway. Leave a comment to win.

Title: CHRISTMAS BELLES OF GEORGIA
Authors: Jeanie Smith Cash, Rose Allen McCauley, Jeri Odell, Debra Ullrick
Publisher: Barbour Books
September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61626-480-2
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary/romance

Four sisters, identical quadruplets, find out they are adopted and heirs to a historical plantation.

Christmas in Dixie by Jeanie Smith Cash—Holly Davenport is shocked when she receives a letter in the mail sharing the news that she’s adopted and an heiress. She travels to Monticello, Georgia, to get some answers, but while there she suffers an appendicitis attack and ends up in the hospital. Dr. Grayston Brockman is her attending physician, but quickly becomes more to her than just a doctor. What will it take for Grayston to convince her to stay in Georgia?

Nick’s Christmas Carol by Rose Allen McCauley—Carol Peterson is an only child, but she always dreamed of having a large family. When she is almost twenty-five she learns that she’s one of a set of quadruplets, she’s thrilled, but he won’t reveal any more information. Nick Powers tries to help Carol cope while she waits. They work together to help make Christmas happy for others—but will they find their own happiness?

Starry Night by Jeri Odell—Starr Evans loves the California surf, sea, and sand. Camden Brockman goes to California to let her know about her adoption, but they are instantly attracted to each other. But he has deep roots in the south. Will they be able to find a place to build a life together?

Love Stetson by Debra Ullrick—Noel Brady knew she was adopted, but she didn’t know she was part of a set of quadruplets. When she learns of that fact she shares it with her father’s ranch hand, Stetson Laramie. She loves Stetson, but isn’t sure how he feels about her. Her big news only seems to push him further away. When Noel learns about Stetson’s secret past will she continue to love him?

CHRISTMAS BELLES of GEORGIA is a set of four novellas written by four different authors regarding the four quadruplets in this story. All four must come to terms with their adoption, being part of a suddenly large group of siblings, and being heiress to a historical plantation.

I enjoyed all the stories, but as per usual one of them stood out more than the rest. This is a really sweet collection of Christmas romances, that don’t take long to read. This will make a good Christmas gift for a romance lover on your life. $7.99. 352 pages.

Anna's Gift / Family Blessings

2011-12-05T05:40:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book reviews following are not a part of this giveaway.*

Two Amish romances for your consideration.

Title: ANNA’S GIFT
Author: Emma Miller
Publisher: Love Inspired
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-87699-0
Genre: Inspirational/Amish/romance

Anna Yoder never expects to marry. Anna has six pretty, petite sisters, and Anna is big, overweight, and plain. Even her mother tells her so. Anna is accepting of her future, even when the handsome widower she’s long admired appears to be calling on her mother. She’s not sure how she feels about him being her step-dad, but she accepts it.

Samuel Mast is only eight years younger than Anna’s mother, but it’s not her mother he’s calling on, though everyone thinks it is. It’s Anna. No one is more surprised than Anna when Samuel announces his intentions to marry her so she could be a step-parent to his five children. Anna is flattered, but sure it’s a misunderstanding. After all, handsome Samuel has his choice of pretty brides.

When Anna finally becomes brave enough to share with a few friends about Samuel’s surprise proposal, no one believes her. They all think Anna is making up Samuel’s interest. Anna’s already low self-esteem takes a beating. Will she ever accept Samuel’s proposal as real, and take the love that is offered?

ANNA’S GIFT is one of the better Love Inspired books I’ve read recently. I enjoyed getting to know Anna and Samuel and the secondary characters in this book. The story is well written and the plot line is believable, even though Samuel is quite a few years older than Anna.

ANNA’S GIFT is the third book in Ms. Miller’s Amish series Miriam’s Daughters but it easily stands alone. Amish romance fans won’t want to miss this book. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.75. 217 pages.

This is my copy of the book, no review was required or requested.

***

Title: FAMILY BLESSINGS
Author: Anna Schmidt
Publisher: Love Inspired Historicals
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-82888-3
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

Pleasant Obermeier has been raising her four step-children since her husband died. Her sister-in-law helps out with the children some, but she is still overwhelmed with running the bakery, the farm, a home and four children. She is doing okay in her bakery, though is sticking mostly with baking rye bread and rolls and a few cookies, since the Amish community they are in doesn’t believe in frivolous things.

Jeremiah Troyer has just moved down to the area from Ohio. His grandfather is the Bishop, and he plans to open an ice cream shop in the store next door to Pleasant’s bakery. He discusses with her the option of making cones for the ice cream. Pleasant reluctantly agrees, but she steadfastly refuses when Jeremiah offers to hire her twelve-year-old stepson to help in the ice cream shop.

Pleasant is unkind to Jeremiah, but she finally does agree to allow her stepson to help—free of charge—saying that is what the community is all about. But will Jeremiah’s continued offer of friendship remain rebuffed? Or will he break down the walls that Pleasant has erected.

FAMILY BLESSINGS is the second in Ms. Schmidt’s Amish Brides of Celery Fields series, but it easily stands alone. I didn’t care much for the first book, and wondered at my wisdom in buying this book, but it was better than the first. The female characters (heroine and secondary) are still very bitter and unkind, complaining a lot, but Jeremiah’s kindness made up for it. The ice cream shop made for an interesting twist.

It isn’t too often one reads a historical Amish romance, so if you like historicals and Amish, you might like this book. Also, at this point, it is the only Amish series set in the celery fields of Florida. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.75. 281 pages. 3 stars.

The Stranger in Your House

2011-12-04T06:46:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book review following is not a part of this giveaway.*

Title: THE STRANGER IN YOUR HOUSE
Author: Gregory L. Jantz, PhD
Publisher: David C. Cook
October 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4347-8622-9
Genre: Parenting

He’s in his room for days at a time and barely responds when I talk to him…

She’s emotional every day, one minute demanding I tend to her needs and the next minute demanding I leave her alone….

What is going on with your teenager? Is it just the ups and downs of adolescence or is it something more?

If either of the above scenarios sound familiar to you, then THE STRANGER IN YOUR HOUSE is a book you need to pick up.

Dr. Gregg Jantz, PhD is the founder of the Center for Counseling and Health Resources, a health-care facility near Seattle that specializes in whole-person care. He has years of experience counseling parents and adolescence and shares his knowledge in this book.
He answers hard questions, such as:

How do hormones affect my teen’s behavior?
Is this “just a phase” or is it “clinical depression”?
How can I get help when I see the warning sign of suicidal thoughts?
How can I be source of peace in my child’s life, especially when I feel stormy too?

This is a book that I needed to read when my first son reached his adolescent years—and then the second son—and then my daughter… some days I wondered if I would go completely insane! With stuffed animals being stabbed and mutilated, temper displays, crying spells and such, I wondered if I’d survive their teen years, let alone my teen! I began to wonder if perhaps Mark Twain was right when he said something along the lines of putting your teen in a barrel until they outgrow their attitudes and behavioral issues. (I don’t remember the exact quote.)

If you have a teenagers—or soon to be teen—then THE STRANGER IN YOUR HOUSE is a book you *must* read. This includes a section on cutting and other dangerous behaviors. $14.99. 224 pages.

I received this book in return for review from the B&B Media Group

My Favorite Bible and GIVEAWAY

2011-12-03T01:04:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book review following is not a part of this giveaway --however this IS a separate giveaway. Leave a comment here, you'll be entered for both.*

Leave a comment to win a copy of this Bible for kids - perfect gift for your favorite child! Drawing on December 14. Include your email address so we can contact the winner!

A couple details: A couple of details - questions raised:
· We are willing to mail the book international
· If you would like to view the inside of the book, you can view it on Amazon
· This is not a children’s Bible. It is a Bible story book that includes key verses and parent pages called “Family Talk” and “Family Fun” to assist adults in discussing the stories with children.

Long Blurb:

With the vibrant illustrations and engaging text in this Bible storybook, you can enjoy sharing the best-loved stories of the Bible with the children in your life and encourage a life-long love for the Word of God. My Favorite Bible is a book of exciting Bible stories and activity pages that guide children through the foundational truths of Scripture.

Each story is fully illustrated and includes a simple narrative full of things kids love: repetition, rhythm, and energy, along with a key biblical theme, a key Bible verse, and discussion questions to help adults introduce children to the Bible.

The colorful illustrations will capture the imaginations of children ages 4–8, and the stories will help adults to pass along the most important truth in life—the Gospel. Families will cherish this time as they read, listen, learn, and love, growing closer to one another even as they grow closer to God.

Short Blurb:

My Favorite Bible is a book of exciting Bible stories and activity pages that guide children ages 4-8 through the foundational truths of Scripture.

Each story is fully illustrated and includes a simple narrative full of things kids love: repetition, rhythm, and energy, along with a key biblical theme, a key Bible verse, and discussion questions to help adults introduce children to the Bible.

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck

2011-12-02T06:11:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from December 1st until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book review following is not a part of this giveaway.*

Title: THE INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE OF CHARLOTTE BECK
Author: Kathleen Y’Barbo
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
June 2011
ISBN: 978-0-307-44482-0
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

Charlotte Beck has just reached the age where she’s ready to be presented to society. She is taken to Victorian England for her debut, and at one of the social gatherings, Charlotte, unable to breath due to the restraints of her corset goes over to the window and manages to fall out. She is caught by Alex Hambly and suddenly, everything changes.

Alex Hambly is an astronomer, and the last thing he wants is a romantic entanglement—or any entanglement with an American heiress. Alex is responsible for his parents finances and a brother who lost his mind in the war, and he doesn’t need or want any more responsibility.

Even though Alex and Charlotte don’t like each other at all, somehow they keep finding themselves together! Alex begins to think of Charlotte as a nuisance and a menace. Charlotte’s opinion of Alex isn’t much higher. But what happens when they are forced to wed to save Alex from financial aid, and to give Charlotte her heart’s desire—college.

THE INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE OF CHARLOTTE BECK is the third book in the Women of the West series, but it easily stands alone. I enjoyed getting to know the spoiled tomboy, Charlotte, and the reluctant Viscount, Alex. Charlotte reminds me strongly of one of my aunts. Very used to getting her own way, demanding, and complaining about everything and anything. Alex was a strong hero, surprisingly able to control Charlotte to some degree, and yet sweet, kind, and loving.

I thoroughly enjoyed the tension between the two in the first half of the book. The second half dragged a little at first, but soon picked up again. If you are looking for a different sort of historical romance, then THE INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE OF CHARLOTTE BECK will be an excellent choice. Recommended. 335 pages. $13.99.

I didn’t receive this book in return for review. This is my own copy. No review was expected.

The Christmas Quilt / Hannah's Journey

2011-12-01T06:07:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment on any blog from today until the 19th to be entered in for the Christmas drawing. Details on my author page on facebook - Author Laura V. Hilton *Please note: the book reviews following is not a part of this giveaway.*

Title: THE CHRISTMAS QUILT
Author: Patricia Davids
Publisher: Love Inspired
December 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-81588-3
Genre: Inspirational/Contemporary Romance/Amish

Gideon Troyer left his Amish community years ago after his long-time lover, Rebecca Beachy, rejected him. He fulfilled his dreams of becoming a pilot, and made more money than he knows what to do with. But returning home is the last thing on his agenda—until he sees a television broadcast about a quilt auction to help fund a surgery to hopefully restore sight to a blind Amish woman—Rebecca Beachy.

Rebecca is attracted to the unseen English man who appears at her side at the auction, and feels that he is familiar, but she can’t place why. She is stunned to learn that he buys her quilt and hurries to thank him. He says he’s leaving, but an ice storm keeps him stranded at the same hotel she’s staying at. The next day, Rebecca and Gideon spend the day together, but she still doesn’t realize who he really is.

Will Gideon be able to give up his planes and freedom and return to life as an Amish man? Will Rebecca ever forgive him for leaving her and taking her heart?

THE CHRISTMAS QUILT is a beautiful Christmassy story set in Ohio. It is the fifth book in Ms. Davis’ Brides of Amish Country series, but it easily stands alone. I enjoyed getting to know Gideon and Rebecca.

I haven’t read all of Ms. Davids’ books, but out of the ones I’ve read, I liked this one the best. It was a good way to spend the day after Thanksgiving, relaxing and reading. I enjoyed the characters and the setting and of course, the romance. If you are looking for a good Christmassy Amish romance, then THE CHRISTMAS QUILT is a good book to consider. Discussion questions are included at the end. $6.50. 280 pages. 4.5 stars.

***

Title: HANNAH’S JOURNEY
Author: Anna Schmidt
Publisher: Love Inspired Historical
May 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-82868-5
Genre: Inspirational/historical/romance/Amish

Hannah Goodloe is an Amish woman, desperate to find her eleven-year-old son, Caleb. Caleb had visited a circus the day before and that night had vanished. Hannah believes he ran away to join the circus, so she gathered her courage and went to visit the owner of the circus, Levi Harmon, to request that he return her son.

Levi is a bit confused by the Amish woman’s request and questions her as to why she believes that Caleb would have joined his circus. He can’t be bothered to find the boy himself, and knows his managers would locate him and return him if he has indeed stowed away on the train, but he tells Hannah that she must go on the trip with him and see to her son herself. To his surprise, Hannah, her father-in-law, and her sister-in-law, show up at the train station at the designated time.

Will Hannah find her son on that train? Will Levi unlock the doors to his past and open his heart?

HANNAH’S JOURNEY is a different type Amish story, in that it’s historical. Hannah is taken out of her world and thrown into one that is vastly more opulent than what she was accustomed to. But this unassuming woman quickly became assuming, making demands on Levi that things should be downgraded to her standards. Levi catered to every complaint she made, though she covered them all saying they were for her father-in-law and or sister-in-law’s comfort.

I can’t really say I enjoyed this book. The conversation was stilted, I couldn’t relate to the characters, and I found some of the things unbelievable. This is the first of several books in her Celery Fields Series, set in Sarasota, Florida. Or, in this case, a circus train traveling cross-country from Florida to Wisconsin. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.50. 278 pages. 3 stars.

Hallie's Heart

2011-11-30T06:08:00.000-08:00

Title: HALLIE’S HEART
Author: Shelly Beach
Publisher: Kregel Publications
January 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2436-6
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary

MoNa VanderMolen owns a struggling antique store and most weekends find her out scouting for rare finds. Life isn't easy in the antique business. She discovers that dealers often outbid her at auctions. Now, someone has offered to buy her out. But Mona's a fighter and she will survive—she hopes.

When Mona goes to her beach house to escape from some problems she is shocked to discover her fifteen year old niece, Hallie, already there. Mona and Hallie’s relationship was shattered over a year ago when Hallie’s mother blames Mona for something and refuses to allow Hallie and Mona to see each other. But now Hallie is trying to teach her mom a lesson—but Mona wants to try to break down the barriers and win her nieces love and trust again. Is that possible? Or will the earlier tragedy destroy the family relationship for good?

HALLIE’S HEART is Ms. Beach’s debut novel—though I’m not really sure why I received it in the fall of 2011 to review...four years after it’s release. Looking on Amazon I see Ms. Beach has had other books released since then. But they appear to be nonfiction. I’ve never read any of her books.

Mona and Hallie are both realistically developed. I loved the beach setting on Lake Michigan. Some of the dream sequences were a little hard to follow, and the story did drag in spots. But all in all, it was a nice read. $12.99. 240 pages.

Benny's Angel and giveaway

2011-11-29T03:53:00.000-08:00

leave a comment to be entered for a giveaway. drawing on Dec. 9

Title: BENNY’S ANGEL
Author: Laura Allen Nonemaker
Publisher: Tate Publishing
November 2011
ISBN: 978-1-61346-009-2
Genre: Children’s

God’s special animal creations are all happily living in God’s Special Garden. It is perfect there, and beautiful, and they are all perfectly happy… at least until someone steals all the flowers.

All the animals that live there are disturbed, and blaming the wicked Count Slime. But they can’t prove that he took them. The flowers don’t come back, and all the animals are beginning to stress about them. Finally they think to pray and God sends an angel down to solve the mystery of what happened to all the flowers…

BENNY’S ANGEL is a book in God’s Special Garden series by Ms. Nonemaker. It is a tale that is easy to read. My daughter swiped it as soon as I took it out of the package and read it. I asked her what she thought of it and she said “It’s Adam and Eve and the story of the Garden of Eden, but Adam and Eve isn’t in it and Satan is named Count Slime.” So, that is my nine-year-old’s take on the story.

My nineteen-year-old sat down to read it to his six-year-old sister and she was a bit more impressed with it. She loved the colorful pictures, and the story, and I think she worried about the flowers along with the animals.

The book has a good message about continuing to give thanks, even in adverse situations. A really cute book for young children. $7.99. 24 pages.

Author Bio

Laura Allen
Nonemaker
Laura Allen Nonemaker’s desire to write took root as a child in Bermuda. Since then, Laura has written in a variety of genres and her work has appeared in Essence Treasury: Celebrating the Season, Alive! and Kentucky Monthly Magazine.

Laura has been involved in short-term missions, including trips to Russia, Poland, and the University of the Nations in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Three years ago, her interest in the arts motivated her to join the planning team for Artful Missions, which conducts juried art shows and donates to outreaches in the U.S. and India to rescue women and children from human trafficking.

Feel free to contact Laura at lauranonemaker@gmail.com

Connect with Laura at These Social Networking Sites:
facebook: Laura Allen Nonemaker
twitter: @DigInGodsGarden
Linkedin: Laura Nonemaker
Blog: www.diggingingodsgarden.com

Q & A with Laura:
Why did you write Benny’s Angel?
Benny’s Angel was the result of an occurrence in my “secret garden.” While seated on my garden bench praying, I noticed a rabbit hopping through the garden. The Benny’s Angel scenario came to me. I sensed it was significant and in about ten minutes, I developed the basic storyline.

Why do you think reading is important for parents to emphasize with children, both by reading to them and fostering a healthy reading appetite as they develop their own reading skills?
I believe the time to instill a love for reading in children is when they are toddlers and beginning to experience the power of communication in their relationships. Children are ready to absorb whatever they see and hear going on around them, whether it is good or bad. It is important to read them stories that ignite their imagination and plant the seeds of sound moral principles.

What issues do you address in Benny’s Angel, and why do children need these sorts of stories to help them through life?
In the story of Benny’s Angel, the animals in God’s Secret Garden encounter a problem. They are unable to solve it themselves and pray to God for an answer. God answers their prayer by means of an angel. Benny’s Angel teaches the importance of prayer and of trusting God to answer our prayers. These principles filter naturally through the storyline and without the need for sermonizing. Children will face all kinds of problems and challenges as they grow up and stories based on sound biblical principles lay a strong foundation for their future.

Tell us about the next book you have coming out after Benny’s Angel.
The next book in the God’s Secret Garden Adventure Series is about a little frog. Through some misadventures, he learns the importance of obedience.

Grand Prize Giveaway

$85.87 Value
1 Vivitar Camcorder with Camera and 2X Zoom
1 Benny's Angel Picture Book
1 Benny's Angel 3-D Book
1 Benny's Angel Coloring Book
1 Benny's Angel Audio Book
1 Benny's Angel T Shirt
1 Benny Christmas Ornament
1 Marietta Christmas Ornament
1 96-Count Crayola Crayons

Love on the Line

2011-11-28T04:23:00.000-08:00

Title: LOVE ON THE LINE
Author: Deeanne Gist
Publisher: Bethany House
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0764204098
Genre: Inspirational/historical/romance

Georgie Gail is a rural switchboard operator, and proud of her independence. She may live in a man’s world, but she does a man’s job…or at least she did, until the telephone company sends out Luke Palmer to look over her shoulder.

Luke Palmer is more than just an employee of the telephone company. He is a Texas Ranger, sent there to apprehend a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with the tempestuous telephone operator is the last thing he wants to do.

But when his stake-out puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is one the line.

LOVE ON THE LINE is the latest high-powered romance by bestselling author, Deeanne Gist. I have read almost all her books and have loved almost all of them, including this one. I absolutely love the tension between the hero and heroine.

Georgie and Luke don’t exactly make good impressions on each other on their first meeting…nor the second or the third. Readers will root for this unlikely hero and heroine. Be prepared for some unexpected surprises. The author’s note at the end of the book is interesting as well. $14.99. 368 pages.

High Treason and giveaway

2011-11-27T01:07:00.000-08:00

leave a comment to win a copy of this book

Title: HIGH TREASON
Author: Samuel Oakes
Publisher: Horizon Books
ISBN 978-0-9787987-5-8
Genre: Futuristic Political Thriller
Reviewed by: Steve Hilton
330 pages
$14.99 US

How should we then live? This is a question (with apologies to Francis Schaeffer) that has been burning in my mind since I started reading HIGH TREASON. Regina Owens is a young, liberal, black, female minister who is not content with leaving well-enough alone. But this book is not about a young, liberal, black, female minister. Enos Yoder is a young Amish man whose world has been completely obliterated by death, mayhem and destruction. Yet this book is not about a young Amish man.

Instead, this book is about how every person who claims the name of Christ is to live in a society where corruption, violence and anarchy are the order of the day. It strikes at the very foundation of one’s faith, and challenges you to ask the really hard questions, such as, “Does God still care?” and “If God does still care, where is He now?” This book will either strengthen your faith, or cause you to question it. And if you are questioning your faith, this book will not leave you alone until you’ve settled the questions, once and for all. I found myself repeating, over and over to myself, as I read this book, “God is holy, because He said He is holy. God is righteous, because He said He is righteous. God is merciful, because He said He is merciful.” I said these things because the just shall live by faith. And the world described in this book will require a lot of faith just to keep on living.

I know this sounds extremely negative. To the contrary. Because I’ve been driven back to my roots, I’ve come to realize, all over again, how deep, and vital, and strong, those roots actually are. And I’m ready to start living, instead of merely existing. If you are ready to be challenged, if you are ready to be transformed, if you are ready to take the next step in your walk with The God Who Is There, then this book is for you. Samuel Oakes has done me a wonderful favor, and I’ll be eternally grateful, and eternally in his debt for having done so.

Falling to Pieces

2011-11-26T04:16:00.000-08:00

Title: FALLING TO PIECES
Author: Vannetta Chapman
Publisher: Zondervan
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0310330431
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary/mystery

Deborah Yoder is an Amish woman, married, with five children. But she has two friends who are both needy. One has lost her husband, and is relying on the community for support and care, the other has a seriously ill child and needs a lot of money for medical care. Deborah and her friends start stitching quilts which they sell locally at Daisy’s Quilt Shop. But then the unthinkable happens and Daisy dies of a heart attack while tending her garden.

Callie Harper has inherited her aunt’s quilt shop and that inheritance turns her life upside down. Already reeling from losing her husband and the death of her baby, Callie doesn’t want a quilt shop in the middle of Shipshewana, Indiana. She needs to start looking for a new job where she belongs—in Houston, Texas. Callie has no intentions of reopening her aunt’s store, and Deborah has no intentions of taking no for an answer.

But then, due to circumstances out of her control, Callie learns she’ll sell faster if it’s open. Deborah talks her into selling the quilts on eBay. And that move has several in the community upset. But then a murder occurs and Deborah and Callie try to set aside their differences and try to solve the mystery…

FALLING TO PIECES is the first book in Ms. Chapman’s Shipshewana Amish Mystery series. Technically, this is not an Amish fiction since the main character is English, not Amish, but there are Amish in there—such as Deborah (and her friends.) I love the setting. I had the opportunity to briefly visit Shipshewana once, and would love to go again sometime.

Ms. Chapman has a unique idea here, using the popularity of a Amish tourist attraction as a setting for her cozy mysteries. She did keep me guessing with whom the murderer might be, which is a good thing. If you are looking for a mystery to read, then pick up FALLING TO PIECES. Don’t judge this book by it’s cartoonish cover. An excerpt from her second book in this series, A Perfect Square, is included at the end. $12.99. 332 pages.

An Amish Christmas

2011-11-25T03:34:00.000-08:00

Title: AN AMISH CHRISTMAS
Author: Cynthia Keller
Publisher: Ballantine Books
October 2010
ISBN: 978-0-345-52378-5
Genre: Amish

Meg Hobart seemed to have everything. A successful husband, a huge, expensive house, three children, and unlimited spending money. But her husband, James, has been becoming increasingly distant and grouchy. When he starts whining about money, Meg doesn’t know what has gotten into him, and James refuses to tell her anything.

When Meg finally learns the truth, she is stunned. James has lost his job, squandered their savings, leaving them homeless and destitute with no where to go, except to her parents’ home, and they hated each other.

But after liquidating their home and belongings, another twist of fate leaves the Hobart family taking refuge with the Amish. And this could change their lives….

AN AMISH CHRISTMAS is a book that caught my attention when I first heard of it. It has an absolutely beautiful cover and the backcover blurb indicated it’d be something I’d enjoy.

I wasn’t expecting this book to be what it was. The teenagers were very selfish and materialistic and rude—I’m so thankful I’m blessed by teens that don’t act that way! And Meg was very unforgiving toward her husband, not rallying by him during his time of need. There were also some language and use of the Lord’s name in vain, but the Amish/English part of the book was good, where the Amish family bent over backwards to help. Lots of good detail. 3 stars. $16.00. 239 pages.

Interview with Suzanne Hartman & Giveaway

2011-11-24T02:08:00.000-08:00

AUTHOR BIO
Suzanne Hartmann is a homeschool mom of three and lives in the St. Louis area. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Composition & Linguistics from Western Illinois University. To relax, she enjoys scrapbooking, reading, and Bible study. She began writing fiction when her children were young, and four of her short stories were published in a Milliken Publishing reading workbook. PERIL: Fast Track Thriller Bk. #1 is her debut novel.
On the editorial side, Suzanne is a contributing editor with Port Yonder Press and operates the Write This Way Critique Service. Through her blog, Write This Way, she has become known as an author who can explain writing rules and techniques in easy-to-understand terms. Her popular Top 10 series of articles formed the basis for her e-book on the craft of writing, Write This Way: Take Your Writing to a New Level

Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I love books full of unexpected twists and turns I don’t expect. I want to write the type of book I would like to read, so that’s the kind of book I write.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Marrying my wonderful husband, Steve. God blessed me more than I could have known when he drew Steve and me together more than 23 years ago. I always think our marriage can’t get any better, but it does every year.

How has being published changed your life?
The main difference so far is that it has added a lot more to my to-do list. Besides homeschooling, writing, networking, and blogging, I am now marketing my book as well.

What are you reading right now?
I just finished reading James Patterson’s Alex Cross novel, London Bridges and am starting a pre-published novel by a friend and fellow ACFW St. Louis writer, Phyllis Wheeler.

What is your current work in progress?
I am writing the sequel to PERIL, titled CONSPIRACY, due out in the summer or fall of 2012. This novel picks up where PERIL leaves off. Joanne’s life falls apart around her as she deals with a family tragedy and unfounded accusations against her and her boss George regarding Lady Anne’s assignments. When the attempt to discredit George fails, someone frames him for selling secrets to foreign governments. Joanne determines to do whatever it takes to find the truth even as Stuart helps her pick up the pieces of her personal life.

The third book in the Fast Track Thriller series is REVENGE. The man behind the conspiracy in book two isn’t content to sit in jail. He vows revenge. Joanne must fend off his attempts to expose her deepest secrets while testing a possible cure for the life-threatening illnesses stealing the lives of those with enhanced abilities. When Stuart’s life is threatened during a race, will she trade her secrets in order to save him?

What would be your dream vacation?
I have always wanted to visit Australia. In recent years, an e-pal emigrated from S. Africa to New Zealand, so I have added to that dream visit a jaunt over to visit Jeanette and her family as well.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
I choose a setting that will fit with the plot. For example, in PERIL, one of the main characters received the gift of a suite at the Talladega Superspeedway. I chose that one because it is one of the most well-known and popular NASCAR tracks and hosts exciting races. For their second visit to a NASCAR track, I needed it to happen within a certain timeframe, so I was limited on which tracks I could choose from.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
As I mentioned above, I would love to visit my e-pal Jeanette. We’ve known each other for many years, but never had an opportunity to meet in person. Meeting her would be like getting together with an old friend. We would talk and talk (and drink more than a cuppa or two) and bask in the joy of our friendship.

What three things about you would surprise readers?
a) I have had both knees replaced.
b) I’ve never had the chicken pox, measles, or mumps .
c) Short of physically putting a book together, I have worked in every area in every broad aspect regarding books: at a library, at a bookstore, as a publisher representative (Usborne), as an author, and as an editor (with Port Yonder Press).

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love to read, of course. I also enjoy doing Bible studies. My favorite form of relaxation, though, is scrapbooking. Something about the creativity, working with pictures, and physical manipulation of laying everything out has a calming effect on me.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it
I am probably my own worst enemy. I allow myself to get distracted way too much and take too many breaks to check e-mail and social media. If I recognize that I need regular brain breaks, I can use them to my benefit by forcing myself to write for a certain amount of time, then rewarding myself by doing something else (often scrapbooking) which offers the break my brain needs. Then I can come back to the story fresh.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
a) My husband gave me this advice when I struggled to finish the first draft of PERIL and it kept me from spinning my wheels and getting stuck: Just finish the book.
b) Be willing to learn. Read about the craft of writing. Attend writing conferences. Be open to errors other writers point out and to their suggestions.
c) Be persistent. Keep writing, keep revising, keep querying. Eventually your writing will improve enough to catch the eye of an agent and/or editor.

Tell us about the book.
PERIL: Fast Track Thriller #1 is a Christian suspense novel with a NASCAR twist and is about a top secret agent with enhanced strength, who must use her extraordinary abilities during several high-profile assignments, from the White House to NASCAR tracks, while escorting the first Muslim king to convert to Christianity. When unwanted publicity and the attention of a NASCAR champion threatens to expose her secrets, she becomes a terrorist target with danger surrounding her on all sides.
VIEW THE BOOK TRAILER (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-G_LzhD4zE)

What do you want readers to take away from the book?
First of all, I hope they enjoy the story and consider it to be a good read. Beyond that, there are some important themes in the book. I hope readers take away the fact that we need to follow God’s promptings even when they don’t make sense. There is also an undercurrent about honesty, and how important it is in relationships.

What one question would you like us to ask your readers? (this is the one that they answer to win what you’re giving away IF there is a giveaway, if not, ignore.)
What do you like best about reading suspense novels and thrillers?

Tell us about the giveaway you’re offering.
I am giving away a signed copy of PERIL to one lucky commenter.

I also have a give-away that is open for the duration of my blog tour (until Dec. 16)

KINDLE GIVE-AWAY
To celebrate the release of my debut novel, I am giving away a Kindle to one lucky winner!
The contest will be open from the release date (Nov. 18) through the end of the blog tour (Dec. 16), and I will announce the winner on Sat. Dec. 17.
To enter, click here: WIN A KINDLE (http://fasttrackthrillers.blogspot.com/2007/01/kindle-give-away.html)

Where can people find your book on-line?
OakTara Publishing (http://oaktara.com)
Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Peril-Suzanne-Hartmann/dp/1602903069/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321304203&sr=8-1)
Barnes & Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/)
Christian Book Distributor (http://christianbook.com)
At my website: Fast Track Thrillers (http://fasttrackthrillers.blogspot.com)

Where can people find you on-line?
My Website – FastTrackThrillers (http://fasttrackthrillers.blogspot.com)
My Blog - Write This Way (http://Suzanne-hartmann2.blogspot.com)
Facebook – Suzanne Hartmann – Author http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Suzanne-Hartmann-Author/45955180933
Twitter - @SuzInIL (http://twitter.com/#!/SuzInIL)

Thank you so much for hosting me here, Laura. I have enjoyed answering your interview questions and look forward to interacting with your readers.

Healing Your Marriage When Trust is Broken

2011-11-23T06:29:00.000-08:00

Title: HEALING YOUR MARRIAGE WHEN TRUST IS BROKEN
Author: Cindy Beall
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
August 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7369-4315-4
Genre: Inspirational/marriage

“We have to talk…” When Cindy Beall’s husband of eighteen years spoke those words, Cindy’s life changed forever. She was stunned when Chris—a pastor—confessed that he had been unfaithful—with multiple women—and that one of them was pregnant with his child. When she asked why, his answer was “I’m addicted to pornography.”

With the support of their church, the Bealls waded through the hurt, the emotions, the questions, with the ultimate result that Chris is still serving as a pastor, and Cindy is a respected marriage counselor.

But not all women have the support system that the Bealls had. Some of us can’t admit—due to pride—that our husband’s have violated our trust in the worst possible way. And with no where to turn for answers, they have to work through it on their own. Do I stay, or do I go? And if I stay—for the sake of the children—will I ever be able to trust him again?

The answer is no. You can’t. But, you can begin to heal your marriage. And if you have no support system, then possibly Cindy Beall’s book HEALING YOUR MARRIAGE WHEN TRUST IS BROKEN is a book for you to pick up.

Cindy and other women (and men) share their stories in raw honesty, and each chapter ends with questions for you to answer, and includes plenty of space to write your answers—if you don’t mind writing in books. If you would rather keep your answers more private, then you might want to consider picking up a journal and writing your answers and thoughts in that in there instead.

This book is an invaluable tool for any woman (or man) who’s spouse has been unfaithful—especially if you have no support system to get through it. And even if you do have a support system, this book will give you a bit extra. $12.99. 203 pages.

I received this book in return for review from Harvest House Publishers.

A Marriage Carol

2011-11-22T06:04:00.000-08:00

Title: A MARRIAGE CAROL
Authors; Chris Fabry & Gary Chapman
Publisher: Moody Publishers
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0802402646
Genre: Inspirational/Fiction/Christmas/Marriage

Marlee and Jacob are headed to the lawyer to sign the divorce papers on a snowy Christmas Eve—their twentieth wedding anniversary. They are tired of fighting, and Marlee is pulling away, Jacob seems to be a the “whatever stage” where he just let her rant and paid her no mind.

When the highway is crawling with traffic, Jacob pulls off to take a shortcut. Marlee is upset about that, but Jacob does what he wants. A semi comes over a hill and broadsides them, knocking their car into a ditch.

When Marlee comes to, Jacob is missing, gone from the vehicle. There’s no sign of the truck. She’s all alone. But what happens next may just change their future…

A MARRIAGE CAROL is a short, easy to read Christmas story about the importance of fighting for a marriage. I could see little things in there that Marlee was doing, things that was pushing Jacob away, and his responses to it.

I am the mother of five children, and my husband and I decided long ago, we’d never say “I quit.” That marriage is worth fighting for. We’ve been married twenty-five years ago this year. I’m not going to say it’s always been easy. But I am saying that we’re still fighting for our marriage. And I encourage everyone to read this book—it will change your life. $14.99 hardcover. 128 pages.

Remembering You and interview with Tricia Goyer

2011-11-21T01:09:00.000-08:00

Title: REMEMBERING YOU
Author: Tricia Goyer
Publisher: Guideposts
November 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8249-4812-2
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary/general

Ava Ellington has just broken up with her boyfriend, Jay, and her job is quickly going south. Fearing she’ll be fired, Ava promises to come up with a news story that people will want to see, not turn the channel. But she doesn’t know what it is—at least until her mother falls and breaks her leg, and Ava is asked to accompany her elderly grandfather to Europe to visit all the World War II battle sites and concentration camps. She plans to video tape the men talking about their memories and the battle fields.

When Ava and her grandfather get to Paris, plans go awry. First, Ava is shocked that her grandfather’s best friend, Paul, is accompanied by his grandson, Dennis—Ava’s first love. Secondly, their tour guide cancelled and they were going to skip all the battlefields but go straight to the concentration camp. Ava’s and her grandfather decide to break off from the tour and go on their own, but then Ava learns that Dennis and his grandfather are breaking off too. They decide to travel together.

But traveling with two elderly men and an old flame isn’t easy—still, Ava hopes that she’ll be able to reconnect with her grandfather, keep her job—and possibly stir up the embers that once connected her and Dennis.

REMEMBERING YOU is another “World War II” book from Ms. Goyer. Not exactly like the ones I loved (From Dust to Ashes, etc) but instead this one is contemporary with a modern day hero and heroine, and the war heroes of the day telling their stories. As a result, the book is more telling, as the men looked at the fields and talked, but it is still quite interesting. I think I would have liked to have seen pictures.

If you like contemporary romances with a large helping of history, then Tricia Goyer’s REMEMBERING YOU will be perfect. It might also be perfect for the WWII veteran on your Christmas gift list. Fascinating notes from the author are included at the end of the book, as well as discussion questions. $14.99. 311 pages.

I received this book in return for review from Litfus.

About the book:
35-year-old Ava Andrews' dream job is interrupted by an unusual request--fulfill her 84-year-old grandfather's last wish by joining him on a battle site tour of Europe. Ava is sure her boss will refuse her request. But, instead, he gives her a directive of his own--to videotape the tour and send it back as mini-segments for the show she produces.

As if juggling these two things isn't hard enough, Ava is soon surprised again ... twice. First, Ava and Grandpa Jack arrive in Europe, only to discover the tour is cancelled. Unwilling to let down her grandfather or her boss, Ava and Grandpa Jack head out on their own. Then, while they're on their way, the pair soon meet up with Paul, her grandpa's best friend, and his grandson Dennis. The same Dennis who just happens to be Ava's first love.

Before she knows it, Ava and Dennis are swept down memory lane as they visit the sites that are discussed in the history books. And even though Ava's videotaping old soldiers, she can see their youth, their hopes and fears, and their pride in their eyes. Soon Ava learns the trip isn't just for them ... it's for her too--especially for her heart.

Read an excerpt, watch a video and find out more here. http://www.triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#RememberingYou

About Tricia:

Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. On Tricia's weekly radio show, Living Inspired, she shares stories of inspiration and encouragement. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

For more about Tricia and her other books visitwww.triciagoyer.com

Link to buy the book: http://www.triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#RememberingYou

Blog tour schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13439289)

Giveaway:

Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her novel, Remembering You, with a KINDLE Touch Giveaway for you ... and for the friend of your choice. Then on 11/29 she'll be wrapping up the release of Remembering You with a Book Chat Party!

During the first half of the party Tricia will be chatting, sharing a sneak peek of her next book, and giving away a ton of great stuff. Then she'll head over to her website for a Live Chat! Readers will be able to chat with Tricia via video or text.

Don't miss your chance to win a Kindle Touch for yourself ... and to "remember" a friend this holiday with a Kindle Touch for them!

One grand prize winner will receive:
A Brand New Kindle Touch and a Kindle Touch for a Friend (winner's choice!)
A copy of Remembering You by Tricia Goyer for each
Enter today. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 29th. Winner will be announced at Remembering You Facebook Party on 11/29. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away copies of her other WWII books and gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com. So grab your copy of Remembering You and join Tricia on the evening of the 29th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How much do you know about WWII?) and lots of giveaways.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

***
1. What inspired you to write Remembering You?

In 2000 I was on vacation with friends when I heard an heart-breaking story. For those familiar with World War II history, concentration camps such as Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen are well discussed. But there are also many lesser-known concentration camps. One of them is Mauthausen, named after the nearby village.

As early as 1940, prisoners started arriving at the small train station at Mauthausen. A full two years before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, this once peaceful community was already experiencing the horrors of war. And by January 1941, the Mauthausen-Gusen camps became the only 'Category I' camps in Third Reich history, meaning "camp of no return." The first American US GIs at the camp were the 41st Recon Squadron, 11th Armored Division, Patton's 3rd Army. The men opened the gates and brought the prisoners what they never expected—freedom—followed by food, clothes and the care of medics.

When the camp’s historian, Martha, told me about these men, I knew I wanted to meet them and to hear their stories.You see, my grandfather was also a WWII veteran, but I'd never taken time to sit down with him and hear his stories. I was afraid the stories would upset him. I didn't want him to have to think about those times any more. It was hard for me to connect my sweet grandfather with someone who fought in war so long ago. What I forgot was that he was young once, and his fight helped secure my freedom.

Meeting the men of the 11th Armored Division, I was given a second chance. I saw their tears and quivering chins as they told me the stories of battles in Bastogne and the Siegfried Line. I saw their drooped shoulders and heavy hearts as they explained what they lived through when they liberated Mauthausen and its subcamps. I'd lost my grandfather, but God gave me 100 more grandpas. What a gift. And because of my relationship with them I knew I wanted to share that in a book. Ava's story in Remembering You came out of that. Her growing relationship with her grandfather is similar to my relationship with the men I interviewed.

2. Give us a brief overview of the plot-line and main characters in Remembering You. Did you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

35-year-old Ava Andrews' dream job is interrupted by an unusual request--fulfill her 84-year-old grandfather's last wish by joining him on a battle site tour of Europe . Ava is sure her boss will refuse her request. But, instead, he gives her a directive of his own--to videotape the tour and send it back as mini-segments for the show she produces.
As if juggling these two things isn't hard enough, Ava is soon surprised again ... twice. First, Ava and Grandpa Jack arrive in Europe , only to discover the tour is cancelled. Unwilling to let down her grandfather or her boss, Ava and Grandpa Jack head out on their own. Then, while they're on their way, the pair soon meet up with Paul, her grandpa's best friend, and his grandson Dennis. The same Dennis who just happens to be Ava's first love.
Before she knows it, Ava and Dennis are swept down memory lane as they visit the sites that are discussed in the history books. And even though Ava's videotaping old soldiers, she can see their youth, their hopes and fears, and their pride in their eyes. Soon Ava learns the trip isn't just for them ... it's for her too--especially for her heart.
As for a special character, I especially loved Grandpa Jack. In so many ways he reminds me of my grandpa who passed away in 1999.

3. In what ways do you think this book speaks to those with loved ones serving in the military or who have served?

So many times we don't know how to relate to those who served. We care but we're afraid to ask too many questions. We are worried we're going to stir up bad memories. The truth is that those memories are there. I hope it will encourage family members to sit down and ask questions. I hope it helps family members relate to each other. I think it'll speak to their hearts because they can relate.

4. You mention you've interviewed hundreds of World War II Veterans about their experiences in preparation for writing this novel. What were some of your most memorable interviews?

The very first interview I did was with Arthur and Charlie. They wanted to be interviewed together. As they talked they finished each other's sentences. They only saw each other ones a year--at their reunion--but their friendship was still strong because of what they experienced together 60 years prior. I also enjoyed meeting Robert Winter. I was traveling the country doing interviews of men from the 11th Armored Division and one of my husband's co-workers said, "I think that was my Grandpa's division. He lives here in town." Sure enough, it was his division. He lived only 5 miles from me. When I went to his house I said, "I had no idea someone from the 11th Armored lived so close. Robert had read about my interviews in his divisions newsletter. He just nodded, smiled and said, "I knew you'd figure it out sometime." I thought that was great!

5. Did you discover anything about World War II when you were researching the book that surprised you?

I was surprised by how much I misunderstood German citizens. I met a man who grew up as a child outside of Gusen concentration camp. He talked about how his family tried to help the prisoners but a Nazi officer put a gun to his head and said if they didn't stop he'd kill their whole family. They stopped feeding the people but they didn't stop caring or praying. It made me realize that many German citizens were victims too. This is something I didn't understand until I started interviewing many who lived through the horror.

6. At the beginning of the novel, Ava wrestles with her own desire to get a good story for her network versus her Grandpa Jack's more private quest to reconcile some of his memories. Did you feel this tension yourself between wanting to research a good story while respecting the privacy of some of the veterans you interviewed?

Great question! I absolutely feel this way. In my mind I know what type of information I want to hear and sometimes the veterans want to talk about other things. What I've discovered is that I just need to be patient and listen. These veterans aren't there for me to get gritty stuff or fact for my novels, rather I am there for them. God wants me just to listen and care. Sometimes the veterans share things I can use. Sometimes they won't share the really hard stuff because there is too much pain. I listen and I use what I can in my novels, but mostly I just become a friend to them.

7. In your "Author's Note" at the end of the novel, you include a wonderful narrative about a girl named Hana. Would you share it with us? How is this an example of some of the themes that thread through "Remembering You?"

After I wrote From Dust and Ashes I got an email from a woman named Hana who was looking for a US medic who saved her during the war. I only had the contact information for one medic, but I passed his name and phone number on, hoping LeRoy would be able to connect her with the right man. Well, it turned out LeRoy WAS the medic who saved her life! How amazing is that?! This reunion inspired one of the threads in Remembering You. The theme of "remembering" ties into all the character's journey. There are fellow soldiers we remember, and past loves, but there are also those we impact and wonder, "What ever happened to her ..."

8. What message do you hope your readers will take away from "Remembering You?

I hope first they've be entertained and be swept away in its pages. I also hope that readers will be encouraged to listen to those God places in their lives. We don't truly understand until we listen, and we can't love completely until we understand.

Truth & Dare / Triple Dog Dare One Year Devotions for Girls and Boys

2011-11-20T06:37:00.000-08:00

Title: TRUTH & DARE: One Year of Dynamic Devotions for Girls
Author: Ann-Margaret Hovsepian
Publisher: David C. Cook
October 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4347-0208-1
Genre: Nonfiction/Devotionals

Dare to put your faith in action!

TRUTH & DARE is a great new devotional for tweener girls, ages 9 – 12. It will help your favorite tweener to discover the secret to life that sparkles for God. This devotional just for preteen girls will help you with God’s wisdom for everything from friendship and serving others, to getting along with your parents and worshiping God.

Every day, there is a short section of scripture to look up and read, then a devotional to read, some short questions to answer or consider, and a challenge to live it out. There is even some fun quizzes included. At the end of every daily devotional is a small journaling section with lines included for thoughts, prayers, and recording what you learned and how the challenge went.

Weekends have a slightly longer scripture reference to read, with questions to answer about it, and a bigger journaling space for more thoughts.

If you have a daughter, granddaughter, or favorite tweener girl, then TRUTH & DARE is a devotional to consider. Just for girls, it has a great girlie cover, kinda pale pink and sparkly, and it will bring the girl into word and get her used to having devotions. I’m going to give my copy to my nine-year-old for Christmas. I know she’ll enjoy it. This will make a great stocking stuffer for a girl you love. $14.99. 384 pages.

***

Title: TRIPLE DOG DARE
Author: Jeremy V. Jones
Publisher: David C. Cook
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7814-0457-0
Devotional for boys

TRIPLE DOG DARE is a devotional for young boys and tween boys. The glittery-gray cover is filled with robots, sling-shots, dogs, and other boy stuff that make it instantly appealing to a boy. My twenty-one year old son was even attracted to the cover. The inside pages kind of look like a bad copy from a Xerox machine, with blotches and marks, but even that is kind of appealing to a male.

This is a year-long devotional is not dated, so you can pick it up at any time of the year. But the devotions are divided by week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. Each one starts with a verse or a couple verses for your son to look up, then it has the short devotional that has something to do with life and the verse. On the side of that is a Triple Dare where it gives suggestions for your boy to follow. And under that is a section with lines for your son to record his thoughts about what he learned and hopes to apply to his life.

At the end of the week is a section to tie the weeks worth of devotions together, more scripture for him to read and answer questions about, and a page to record his thoughts.

If you are looking for a devotional for your favorite tween or young boy, then TRIPLE DOG DARE would be a great book to stick in their stocking this Christmas. I don’t really think teen boys would like this book much, my twenty-one year old liked it better than my nineteen year old, but that depends on your son I think. My nineteen year old wanted more focus on Bible study and less on stuff. So that is something to consider there as well.

All in all, I think it’s good for younger boys – and I’ll give it 4 stars. $14.99. 432 pages.

The Protector

2011-11-19T01:33:00.000-08:00

Title: THE PROTECTOR
Author: Shelley Shepard Gray
Publisher: Avon Inspire
June 2011
ISBN: 978-0-06-202062-8
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary/Amish romance

Ella Hostetler’s mother has passed away, and now Ella is all alone on a farm she can no longer afford to take care of. She reluctantly holds an auction and sells off everything but the bare necessities, and notes that a neighbor, Loyal Weaver, buys the farm and most of the furniture and farm equipment. Ella is hurt that her memories are going for a song, but she’s determined to move on in life.

Ella rents a duplex next door to her long time librarian friend, Dorothy, who also helps her get a job at the library. Ella loves her new job, but she’s not so happy with Dorothy who is acting more and more possessive, and making disparaging comments about Ella’s other friends.

When Loyal starts coming around to show Ella what he’s done with the farm and the house, they develop a quick friendship. Ella’s always had feelings for Loyal, yet she realizes that friendship is all they’ll ever have…after all, Loyal’s never paid attention to her before. Eventually, Ella is faced with a choice…protect her heart—or come out of her shell and risk everything…

THE PROTECTOR is book two of Ms. Gray’s Families of Honor series, but it easily stands alone. I did read the first book in the series The Caregiver and both the hero and heroine make appearances in this book so readers might want to read that book first. Also, there are some continuing stories in this book with some of the secondary characters that are going from book to book.

Readers of Amish fiction will want to read THE PROTECTOR and any of Ms. Gray’s other Amish books. They are full of characters that’ll you’ll love and cheer for. I wanted Ella to find happiness and the family she longed for, and wished she’d see Dorothy for what she was… Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $12.99. 295 pages.

My Salon Doll and GIVEAWAY

2011-11-18T01:04:00.000-08:00

Follow the steps below to be entered into the giveaway:

My Salon Doll... these dolls are unlike any other dolls on the market. They have real human hair and their hair can be curled with a curling iron, straightened, crimped and blown dry. The dolls are vinyl and can go in the tub. They have pierced ears and can wear real earings.

A young girl and her doll quickly develop a fast and lasting friendship. This new relationship will provide hours of creativity, imaginary play, dress up and YES hair styles.

My Salon Doll delivers a real treat! Uniquely designed, each doll is manufactured with real human hair. Their hair can be curled with a curling iron, straightened, crimped and blown dry. What ever you can imagine you can create.

My Salon Doll’s are vinyl; this design makes it possible to join her best friend everywhere… places like the pool, sprinklers, or tub are no longer off limits. Every moment with My Salon Doll is memorable and enjoyable. Another fun feature from My Salon Doll are her pierced ears, making it easy to add glam with real earings and other accessories.

Currently My Salon Doll has three dolls available Brynn, Malaree, Kendrey with a rapidly expanding product line. Each girl has her on personality, hobbies, and talents. The adventures are just waiting to begin! While exploring the website, visit the Styles and Smiles link. This is a fun place where you are taught different things like styling your My Salon Doll’s hair, special techniques, and safety tips. Styles you can recreate on your own hair!

My Salon Doll is hosting a Christmas giveaway.
Enter to win a your very own, MY SALON DOLL.
The First and Original Doll with Real Hair.

TO PARTICIPATE: For a chance to win you must complete the following three (3) steps below between November 7, 2011 and December 15, 2011 to qualify;

Step 1: Visit www.mysalondoll.com and get to know the three different dolls: Brynn, Malaree, and Kendrey. Then decide if chosen, which doll you’d like to win.

Step 2: Send an email to contest@mysalondoll.com with your first name, last name, email address, doll of your choice, and share where you heard about the contest.

Step 3: “Like” the My Salon Doll Facebook page

CONTEST DATES: The contest will be active from November 1, 2011 through December 15, 2011.

GIVEAWAY RULES: Open to USA and Canadian residents, age 18+ to enter, one entry per household. Winner announced on Facebook on December 16, 2011. No purchase necessary. Thanks for entering and good luck! Winner selected through random.org and notified by email.

Blog, Tweet or Share on Facebook about the giveaway and be entered twice in the contest. Make sure you leave a message on the My Salon Doll facebook page letting us know that you’ve done this.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2011-11-17T03:48:00.000-08:00

Title: BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE
Author: Susan May Warren
Publisher: Summerside Press
September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-60936-215-7
Genre: Inspirational/historical/romance

Dottie Morgan made a mistake. The blessing was that she had a son. But now her son, a high-school football champion, is dead, killed in WWII, and Dottie is in mourning. She wonders if she’ll ever survive the loss.

Violet Hart went to serve in factories, installing wheels on the vehicles that were used in the war. She came home with everyone seemingly blaming her for putting the boys in the line of danger, blaming her for the deaths of the boys that didn’t come home, because she did a man’s job. She fell in love with another soldier, Alex, but now the Christmas card she sent him was marked “return to sender.”

Dottie has few food supplies in her house when a storm blows in. Violet goes out to her farm to try and borrow a star from Dottie and rescues Dottie from certain death. But she’s involved in an accident on the way out of Dottie’s yard. And two more join them as the evening progresses, all stranded by the storm. Will this holiday be more than a parade of memories? Could it bring hope?

BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE is set in the aftermaths of WWII, after the boys who were returning had returned. When those who loss someone were still mourning. And when all were trying to find the strength to go on.

Dottie was bitter, hurt and upset for things that happened to her. So much so that she couldn’t see what was right in front of her eyes. Violet wants to open the town of Frost, Minnesota up to living again—restarting the Christmas story hour, hanging the star, and reviving other old traditions—ones that Dottie holds captive in her bitterness. But each of these women have someone in the background—someone they never realized was there. This is a really good Christmas story and includes a recipe at the end of the book. $12.99. 314 pages.

I received this book in return for review from Litfuse.

Race Against Time

2011-11-16T01:30:00.000-08:00

Title: RACE AGAINST T IME
Authors: Kimberley and Kayla R. Woodhouse
Publisher: Broadman & Holman
November 2011
ISBN: 978-14336-7117-3
Genre: Inspirational/suspense

Zoya Naltsiine is thirteen years old. While out running the dogs that her mother breeds and sells in the kennels, she witnesses a murder. The killers see her and make an attempt on her life, but she gets away with only a flesh wound.

Anesia is desperate to protect her daughter from these unknown killers, but doesn’t know where to turn or who to trust. When someone breaks into her house while Zoya is still in the hospital and leave a threatening note. She needs full time help at the kennel, but now, foremost in her mind is the attempted murder of her daughter…would any of the men she interviews be the murderer come to finish the job?

Sean Connelly is fleeing his own demons. He’s in awe of Alaska and is offered the job at the kennels after the police detective assures Anesia he’s clean. But then Sean discovers macro-chips bearing secrets implanted in the Naltsiine Kennel’s dogs.

Could the macro-chips be related to the murder? Could strange accidents be more attempts to ‘silence’ Zoya? And what is Zoya disobeys the stiff rules her mother puts in place to attempt to keep her daughter safe?

RACE AGAINST TIME is the sequel to No Safe Haven. I love the Alaskan setting and that the book starts in the middle of the action and the suspense is able to grip you from page one and doesn’t let go. I would recommend reading No Safe Haven before reading this book, as the characters in that book are major secondary characters in this book, and the mystery in book one is referred to several times at the beginning, so readers will want to be up-to-speed with what happened.

I enjoyed getting to know Zoya, Anesia, and Sean. Sean was an especially interesting character. The typical hero, good, kind, considerate, and polite. Anesia and Zoya were both very strong heroines, both determined that things would be done their way—“You do it my way, no highway option.” If you are looking for a good suspense novel to read, then RACE AGAINST TIME is one to consider. It involves murder, suspense, action, and dog sled racing, and is set in Alaska. A wonderful combination. $14.99. 352 pages.

An Amish Wedding

2011-11-15T03:58:00.000-08:00

Title: AN AMISH WEDDING
Authors: Kelly Long, Kathleen Fuller, Beth Wiseman
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
December 2011
ISBN: 9782595549211
Genre: Inspirational/Amish/romance

Priscilla’s upcoming wedding is stirring up trouble—and romance—in Paradise. A collection of three Amish novella’s connected to one larger story.

A Perfect Secret by Kelly Long—Rose Bender has always known she’d marry her long time best friend Luke Lantz. But there is a thief in their Amish neighborhood and when Rose catches a glimpse of the English thief he seems so much more intriguing than her intended. Luke is harboring a secret too. One that could cost him his good standing in his Amish community, not to mention rip Rose from his arms forever.

A Perfect Match by Kathleen Fuller—Naomi King has been hurt once, when her beau, David, left and married another. Zeke Lapp is waiting for the right girl. When Zeke goes to visit his cousin Chester for his wedding, he is quickly attracted to the lovely Naomi. But Naomi isn’t interested and tries to match him up with her friend, Margaret. Zeke isn’t interested in Margaret, nor her in him, but how can he make Naomi take notice?

A Perfect Plan by Beth Wiseman—Priscilla King and Chester Lapp’s wedding is quickly approaching and everything is going wrong! Priscilla wonders if maybe God doesn’t want her and Chester to marry. Chester has lost his job, Priscilla’s little sister cut up her wedding dress, her best friend has poison ivy, the cake decorator quit, and the groomsman had to return home and not be in the wedding. What else could go wrong? And how will they work through all these trials?

AN AMISH WEDDING is a novella collection centered around Priscilla’s wedding and the preparations for it—and how two couples found love during the preparations. It is a really cute collection, and gives a lot of information about Amish weddings and even Amish cooking.

Kelly Long is getting a reputation as being an edgier Amish writer, and I have to admit that I do love the passion she has in her stories. They are clean, but there is a lot of sexual tension, and she does that so very well. Kathleen Fuller has well planned out stories that take hurting characters and help them heal in the process. Beth Wiseman’s story neatly wrapped up the wedding. Discussion questions and some wonderful sounding Amish recipes are included at the end of the book. $15.99. 400 pages.

A Vision of Lucy

2011-11-14T01:39:00.000-08:00

Title: A VISION OF LUCY
Author: Margaret Browning
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
June 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59554-811-5
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Lucy Fairbanks wants a job as a photographer for the newspapers. Her father thinks she ought to give up her dream and get married like any good woman, but Lucy has landed the reluctant promises of the local newspaper that he’ll publish her photos if she gets a picture of an elusive white wild stallion. Lucy gives it a fair shot, but unfortunately, a stagecoach is robbed under the tree she’s hiding in, and in her attempt to get a picture of the robbery, she falls from the tree.

That isn’t all—the horses, scared by the woman falling, take off on a run and Lucy is on the luggage rack. She hangs on for dear life, but the robbers catch up with her, and are on the verge of shooting her when the wild man everyone in town is afraid of comes to her rescue, not once, but thrice, even delivering her safely back to the original scene of the robbery.

The newspaper editor fires Lucy on the spot for failing to provide the picture of the robbery or the stallion, and to save her job she promises to get a picture of the wild man. Who isn’t so wild. But David Wolf has reasons to keep the town unaware of his presence. And thus, a big reason to keep Lucy Fairbanks away.

A VISION OF LUCY is the third book in Ms. Browning’s A Rocky Creek Romance series, but it easily stands alone. I liked this book the best of all three of them, and I remember loving the second book. So, the best only got better.

Lucy is a talkative, feisty character, career-driven in a day when women are expected to stay home and raise a family. David is a kind, considerate hero, despite his recluse-tendencies. I couldn’t help but fall in love with both of them, and loved the sparks between them that were evident from the moment they met. A great read. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $14.99. 330 pages.

I received this book in return for review from the publicist.

Remembering Christmas

2011-11-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

Title: REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS
Author: Dan Walsh
Publisher: Revell
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8007-1979-1
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary/Christmas

Rick Denton is an accountant, who lives his life on his own terms. He works hard, plays hard, and answers to no one. He is planning on going skiing with his friends close to Christmas when his mother calls. Rick’s step-father, Art, had suffered from an apparent stroke and she needed him.

Rick wasn’t real happy, but he’d be a bad son if he didn’t go to his mom at this time. He plans to stay for only the weekend, but his mother, needs him to work in their bookstore. It is Black Friday, the day the store comes out of the red and into the black.

Andrea is part time help, but due to Art’s illness is stepping up to do more at the store. She can tell that Rick is overwhelmed by the store and everything that is happening. Rick’s mother continues to need him, so he stays longer, but as Christmas nears, Rick’s old life beckon, the hurt from his past loom, and his decisions will determine more than where he spends Christmas Eve.

I fell in love with Mr. Walsh’s writings, when I read his debut novel, The Unfinished Gift, and REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS didn’t disappoint. The writing style draws me into the story and I want to find out everything about the colorful characters that fill the pages of this book.

If you are looking for a great Christmas story to read this holiday season, then REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS is one you’ll want to pick up. A note from the author is included at the end of the book. $15.99 hardcover. 263 pages.

Hope Underground

2011-11-12T00:51:00.000-08:00

Title: HOPE UNDERGROUND
Author: Carlos Parra Diaz
Publisher: Imago Dei Books
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9869799-5-8
Genre: Inspirational/faith/miracles

HOPE UNDERGROUND is the true story of the thirty-three miners caught in a mine in Chili when it collapsed. Most of the whole world was spellbound, watching the television for news of these men, praying for them, and hoping that they’d be found alive. I say most, because some (like me) don’t have a television, but even I checked online occasionally to see if they’d been found, and after they had been, anxiously waiting for news of the rescue.

Carlos Parra Diaz is a Seventh Day Adventist pastor and one of the original fifteen pastors called up to the camp to minister to the miner’s families. After that, and following the guidance of the Lord, Carlos Parra Diaz miraculously supplied seven centimeter Bibles small enough to go down into the mine.

In the center of the book are pictures taken of Carlos Parra Diaz, the families, mayors, miners and others.

HOPE UNDERGROUND is a truly amazing story, one that those who prayed for the miners and workers will want to read to get one persons perspective of the miracles that were worked in the lives of the miners, families, and workers. $14.99. 191 pages.

Freezing Point / The Christmas Witness

2011-11-11T05:37:00.000-08:00

Two romantic suspense books for your reading pleasure

Title: FREEZING POINT
Author: Elizabeth Goddard
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-44463-2
Genre: Inspirational/romantic suspense

Casey Wilkes has fled to her aunt’s beach house in California to escape from a crazed man in Oregon who wants to kill her for ruining his life. Once in California, Casey, an investigative reporter, goes into the newspaper office to look for a job. She is told she’ll be hired if she gets an interview with the ice sculpture that is entering a competition. Fortunately, this ice sculpture works for her uncle, and Casey uses that method to get past the barriers in place to talk to the sculpture.

Jesse Mitchell isn’t really an ice sculpture. He’s really a homeland security agent, undercover as an ice sculpture to bust a drug running ring that operates out of the warehouse. Unfortunately, Jesse is friends with the drug runners…equally unfortunately, he finds Casey on the loading dock about the time a deal is about to go down, and he has to steer her to safety. But, this has brought Casey to the attention of the bad guys. Not only that, but she’s still in fear of the man who tried to kill her in Oregon.

Jesse knows that Casey could mess up his whole operation and that he needs to stay away from her. Unfortunately, someone has a target set on Casey. Saving her could blow his cover—but how can he leave her unprotected?

FREEZING POINT is the newest romantic suspense by Elizabeth Goddard. I like the unusual aspect of having an undercover agent as an ice sculpture. That really made the story interesting. Jesse is a very sweet understand hero, kind to everyone, and good. Casey is running scared and of course, everything is against her and everyone is after her.

If you are looking for a new and different romantic suspense, then be sure to pick up FREEZING POINT today. It is a good read. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.75. 214 pages.

***

Title: THE CHRISTMAS WITNESS
Author: Susan Sleeman
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
December 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-44471-7
Genre: Inspirational/romantic suspense

Years ago, Megan Cash identified a criminal who held her at gunpoint when he robbed the bank she worked at. Now, he’s out of prison and not only wants to kill Megan, but also her daughter, Ella.

Reid Morgan is a former FBI-agent, and he was on the case when Megan identified the criminal. But they got involved in a relationship and he ended up choosing his career over her. She married another man on the rebound, and he also fell into another relationship. But years later, the sparks are still there.

Reid pulls on all his FBI and law enforcement contacts to protect Megan, but with the killer playing with her and leaving no proof of his involvement, what the PD and FBI are allowed to do are limited. Still, Reid breaks his promise to his daughter about no carrying a weapon, and decides to do what it takes to keep Ella and Megan safe from a crazed man who wants them both dead before Christmas.

THE CHRISTMAS WITNESS is the third book by Ms. Sleeman, a sequel to Behind the Badge, though the story stands alone and is not marketed as part of a series. I enjoyed getting to know Reid, a very realistic, protector hero, and Megan, a woman who is running scared, but can’t go very far due to her daughter’s health issues.

Neither Megan nor Reid had anytime to relax in this book. With almost superhero speed, the villain stays one step ahead of them, always off the scene by the time they arrive. If you are looking for a romantic suspense with plenty of twists and turns and enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat, then THE CHRISTMAS WITNESS is one you’ll want to read. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.75. 216 pages.

I received these books from the authors in exchange for review.

Captain Jack's Treasure

2011-11-10T02:19:00.000-08:00

Title: CAPTAIN JACK’S TREASURE
Author: Max Elliot Anderson
Publisher: Port Yonder Press
August 2011
ISBN: 978-1-935600-14-5
Genre: Juvenile fiction

Sam Butler lives right beside the ocean on the Treasure Coast of Florida. And all he has heard about since he moved there has been about the fabulous treasures that have been found—and those that are still waiting to be discovered.

Sam and his two friends are convinced they will be the next to find a big treasure. Especially when Sam is given a top of the line metal detector for his birthday. When they meet a crusty old sea captain named Jack, they’re told that Jack knows all there is to know about treasures. So the boys try to get to know Captain Jack.

Captain Jack has purchased an old boat that is hardly seaworthy. And he hires on Sam and his friends to help him fix up the boat. The three boys dream of going out treasure hunting on Captain Jack’s boat…but what is Captain Jack’s secret he seems to be hiding/ And does he really know anything about treasures?

CAPTAIN JACK’S TREASURE is book two in the Sam Cooper Adventure series by Max Elliot Anderson. Mr. Anderson is an adventure writer for boys—especially boys that are reluctant readers. I can vouch that his books make reluctant readers sit up and take notice—and that they will read these books from cover to cover. I had two reluctant readers when they were young, and now both of these boys are in college and they both still enjoy Mr. Anderson’s books. My oldest son tells me, “They’re exciting, Mom.” And my youngest son says, “These are books that once you start them you can’t put them down, you have to keep reading.”

I read this book for purpose of review, and it is a very exciting story. The boys are looking for fun and adventure, and they find it. Not only that, but Captain Jack is full of tales of pirates and treasures and phantoms haunting ships and lighthouses.

CAPTAIN JACK’S TREASURE is a book that will appeal to juvenile boys and older. Girls will like these books too. If you have a reluctant reader, be sure to pick up any of Max Elliot Anderson’s books. You’ll be glad you did. Instructions are included tying sailors’ knots. $9.95. 177 pages.