Edgy Inspirational Romance

Do you lean towards loopy on Valentine's Day?

noreply@blogger.com (Joy Tamsin David) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

It’s way easy to get swept up in the romance of Valentine’s Day. Flowers, chocolate, love notes. And here’s a radical truth: not one of those things is bad. God loves a good love story, so there’s no shame in enjoying flowers, chocolates and sweet nothings. The problem only comes when we go overboard, when we compromise our values or give ourselves away or put all of those things above the one who loves us most.

So what can we do to keep ourselves grounded while enjoying the good things of Valentine’s Day?

Start with keeping your first love straight. Get swept off your feet by his love. Since God is the author of romance (shoot, he IS romance), let yourself get lost in him. After all, he loves in brilliant color, he writes love notes in the stars and paints sunsets for your pleasure.

Love him first. Then if someone catches your eye or presents you with roses, chocolate caramels and mushy words, you won’t go loopy and make decisions you’ll regret. You’ll be able to enjoy the moment, return the kindness and stay perfectly grounded.

And if you’re still worried – or you’re one to be overly wooed by wildflowers, then bring in some accountability. Ask a friend, parent or sibling to help keep your feet on the ground. It also helps to plan ahead. Don’t put yourself in a position where you’re spending hours alone smooching or steaming up car windows.

Use good judgment, enjoy the day and if you’re weak, surround yourself with strength.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Your friend,

Elsa

Elsa Kok Colopy is passionate about purity. As a Mother of Preschoolers (MOPS) author and former editor for Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family magazine, Colopy understands the profound impact of teen purity on the hearts of young women and on the health of their future families. Colopy is the author of five books, including 99 Ways to Fight Worry and Stress and The Single Mom’s Guide to Finding Joy in the Chaos. She and her husband live in Colorado Springs, CO and are the proud parents of four adult children.

www.elsakokcolopy.com
purelovepurelife.com

Want to know more about Elsa's book?

Some facets of today’s society are hard to ignore, especially for those growing up. In our celebrity-driven, media-dominated world, teens are constantly exposed to temptation. Pop culture’s influence—with the likes of party-hearty Katy Perry and the reality show stars of the minute—may leave the impression that sin is in and wholesomeness is so last season.

But in Elsa Kok Colopy’s new book, PURE LOVE, PURE LIFE: Exploring God’s Heart on Purity, the well-known author uses an honest approach to help young women embrace a pure and unadulterated life by strengthening their relationship with God—demonstrating purity encompasses more than staying abstinent before walking down the aisle.

The book has realistic, heartbreaking, and often humorous anecdotes submitted by real teenagers. Through autobiographical tales of her own rocky teenaged journey, Colopy eloquently shows readers that purity should not be seen as a series of don’ts—don’t think that way, don’t look that way, don’t act that way—but is instead as a positive, God-centered approach to making the right decisions.

“Real purity is not just about virginity—it’s a whole life transformation and commitment that doesn’t have to mean living like a character on Little House on the Prairie,” Colopy writes in the book.

Colopy equips readers with real-life tools for dealing with emotions, dating and relationships, lust, marriage, broken choices, painful setbacks, and second chances.

By ending each chapter with a series of journal-ready discussion questions, Colopy further encourages readers to examine their own values and make connections from the book’s stories to their own lives. Colopy also suggests teen girls gather in a group to read PURE LOVE, PURE LIFE as a way to challenge each other, instill a sense of accountability, and open lines of communication. A rousing addition to any teen girl’s library, this book helps to answer the tough questions that many young women face about sex, love, and purity, as well as give readers a new, freeing view on life.

Valentine Abbey

noreply@blogger.com (Joy Tamsin David) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:39:00 +0000

Because these were too cute not to share....

(I first saw these at Ruth's Booktalk and More, who got them from Rachel, who I think got them directly from Chad)

Interview with DENISE HUNTER author of THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:23:00 +0000

Denise Hunter began writing in earnest after the loss of a family member prompted her to live each day to its fullest — and to chase after her dreams. Since then she has published more than 20 novels and several novellas. Her latest release, The Accidental Bride, takes place in Montana. It is the second book in her Big Sky Romance series.

Serena: A lot of romance novels end with a wedding — but The Accidental Bride starts with one! Did you giggle just a little bit when you got the idea to build a romance … backward?

Denise: I have to say, I had a ball writing The Accidental Bride! Readers love a marriage-of-convenience story because the hero and heroine are in close quarters for much of the story, ratcheting up the tension. The "accidental marriage" is my twist on that, and since I love a story in which the hero and heroine have a rich, complicated history, I added that element also.

Serena: Shay likes to dance, but she tenses up at certain song lyrics. If Travis and Shay's relationship had a theme song, it might be …

Denise: Definitely "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts

Serena: Your series often introduce new main characters in a series-familiar locale. In those cases, do you begin the series with each book's protagonist in mind, or does a particular minor character from one book capture your heart and demand her own story along the way?

Denise: Originally A Cowboy's Touch (the first book in the Big Sky Romance series) was supposed to be a stand-alone. Then single-mom Shay popped onto the page all spunky and begging for a hero, and … the Big Sky Series was born. Shay quickly wormed her way into my heart and became a favorite of mine. She's strong and feisty, and a mite stubborn, especially where cowboy Travis McCoy is concerned.

Serena: How much time do you generally spend in a particular location doing research before you feel ready to let your characters live there?

Denise: Usually several days. I'd love to linger longer, but with teens at home, it's hard to get away. Researching settings has become a thing my hubby and I do together. We had a blast gallivanting all over Montana for the Big Sky Series.

Serena: Of all the locations you've visited and/or written about, which are you most likely to return to for a pleasure trip?

Denise: I always choose places that I think my readers would like to visit — after all, they actually are going there in their imagination (and so am I!). I tend to gravitate toward small mountain towns like Moose Creek, Mont. — the setting for the Big Sky series. I've also had stories in North Carolina; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; Nantucket; Vermont … I couldn't possibly choose between them!

Serena: The Big Sky Romance series features several horse-loving characters. Are you a horse lover? Do you ride … or, like Travis in The Accidental Bride, do you rodeo?

Denise: I do love horses, but frankly, I'm pressing my luck just to stay in the saddle. I wanted to get it right for the series, though, so for all those horsey details, I turned to a Montana rancher and his wife, Billy and Marci Whitehurst. They were so kind to explain the daily workings of a ranch to this greenhorn city girl.

Serena: Travis and Shay's love life takes an interesting turn when chores morph into a literal roll in the hay. Do you look at barns differently now (LOL) than you did before writing that scene?

Denise: Well, admittedly, a barn is an unusual place to consummate one's vows, but sometimes passion flares when (and where) we least expect it. But in all seriousness, I do like to leave these things to the reader's imagination by closing the, er, barn doors.

Serena: Your husband claims to be the inspiration for the strong romantic element in your books. Do any other friends or relatives inspire other story elements (or characters) in your novels?

Denise: "Claims" being the key word there (smiles). One of my relatives once said, "I hope no one thinks all this comes from our family!" LOL. Almost everything in my books is straight out of my imagination. Almost.

Serena: Describe the place in which you write.

Denise: I have a lovely office. It's large, nicely lit, with a built-in desk, and is beautifully decorated in my favorite colors. Do I write there? Of course not. I kick back on the living room sofa.

Serena: You've contributed to several anthologies/novella collections, such as the recently released Smitten (written with Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, and Diann Hunt). Do you find it easier or more difficult to pen a shorter story?

Denise: The thing I love about writing novellas is that I can write them quickly. A book is a long-term commitment — usually about six to seven months for me. Of course, there are challenges with a shorter format, such as realistically building a love relationship in 100 pages. Smitten was especially fun, because it was written with three friends. We had such a blast, and now it's a series, so there are more good times coming. You can read more about Smitten, hear the song written just for the book, and sign up to win free stuff at SmittenVermont.com.

Serena: What writing project is next on deck for you?

Denise: I just turned in the third book in the Big Sky Series, The Trouble with Cowboys (October 2012). It features a heroine who's contracted to write a lovelorn column — only problem is, she's never even been in love. When she turns to the town Casanova for answers, she ends up with more trouble than she bargained for.

Serena: Sounds like fun! Did you always know you wanted to be a writer, or was it a desire/calling brought about by a specific event or time in your life?

Denise: I've always been an avid reader, but I didn't start dreaming of writing a novel until I was in my early 20s. By then I was busy with young children, and I put it on the back burner. It wasn't until my grandfather's passing that God pricked my heart with the truth: No one is guaranteed another day on this earth, and a dream worth dreaming requires a plan of action. I started my first manuscript the next week, writing while my boys napped. It was later published as Stranger's Bride (Barbour Publishing).

Serena: Have you had any formal training as a writer/novelist, or have you picked up skills along the way?

Denise: I actually majored in commercial art in college. Once I decided to take the plunge and write my first story, I must've read 100 library books on the subject. I still read books on writing and attend conferences. There's so much to learn. Writing is a craft to be honed, and I never tire of finding new ways to tell a better story.

Serena: Do you ever have two (or more) projects competing for supremacy in the battle for your time and/or imagination?

Denise: Oh, yes! Especially now that I'm writing a book every nine months and a novella (for the Smitten series) every year for Thomas Nelson. Which one wins? The one with the nearest deadline! But I'm actually thinking about multiple stories all the time. I'm often jotting notes on paper napkins, on the backs of church bulletins, or typing them into my iPhone.

Serena: As a mom, how do you structure your day to balance writing and family time?

Denise: I need quiet to write, so I get my work done while the boys are in school. Summers are a little more challenging — I find myself writing in the car during sports practices or holing up in the bedroom for a few hours. But somehow, it all gets done.

Serena: Do you read much outside of the inspirational market and, if so, what sort of books do you read?

Denise: I read in both markets. In the inspirational market I tend to read romance/women's fiction like Francine Rivers, Jenny B. Jones, Rachel Hauck and Susan Meissner. Reading in the general market helps me keep up with trends, so mostly I read best sellers like The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

Serena: Is there one writer from your childhood or teen years who sticks out as a particular inspiration for your own storytelling?

Denise: The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder initially got me hooked on reading. I always had my nose in a book when I was a kid. Still do, in fact.

Serena: Are you a holdout to traditional books or have you converted to e-book reading?

Denise: I'm a convert! I own a Nook and read almost exclusively on it now. I say almost because sometimes when I'm browsing in a bookstore, a beautiful cover woos me, and I have to take it home.

Serena: Valentine's Day is just around the corner. How do you celebrate the Day of Love?

Denise: My hubby usually gets me chocolates, the really good stuff. But then, he's often bringing home little treats for me. I say spread the romance out a little — why confine it to one day?

Serena: Oh, I agree — one day isn't nearly enough! So where do you see yourself and your career 10 years from now?

Denise: When I started writing 15 years ago, my goal was simply to finish a full-length manuscript. I had no clue that God's plan for me would include 20-plus published novels. His dreams are bigger than mine (and infinitely better), so I'm just going to keep plugging away, writing the best novels I can, and leave the rest up to him.

I'm so grateful to my readers for trusting me with a few hours of their time. It's a privilege I don't take for granted. I love keeping in touch with my readers, so I'm active on Facebook and Twitter. I often have giveaways there and on my website for those who are signed up for my newsletter. You can also read the first chapter of The Accidental Bride there.

(This interview originally posted at USA Today's romance fiction blog, Happy Ever After)

Review: ROSE'S PLEDGE by Sally Laity & Dianna Crawford

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:02:00 +0000

Saturated with vivid historical detail,Rose's Pledge introduces readers to Rose Harwood, the eldest of three British sisters who sell four years of their lives into indentured servitude in the colonies. Co-authored by Sally Laity and Dianna Crawford, Rose's Pledge is the first book in the Harwood House series.

HERE'S THE SITCH:

Rose Harwood has always been the most responsible member of her family. It is no surprise that Rose takes it upon herself to rescue her family from ruin when one of her father's business deals goes awry. To save her home — as well as her father's business and reputation — Rose Harwood sells herself into indentured servitude in the American Colonies.

Unwilling to be separated from the sister who helped raise them, Rose's two younger sisters join her in the trip across the Atlantic. Assuming their indenturing papers will be purchased to serve the same family, Rose is distraught when each Harwood sister is sent in a different direction. So consumed with concern for her sisters, Rose gives little thought to the danger she will face heading into the uncivilized frontier with Eustice Smith, the grizzled old trader who, desiring a talented cook for his ailing belly, purchases her bond papers.

Nate Kinyon loves his life of freedom, working as a trapper alongside his half-Indian friend, Black Horse Bob, in the wilderness. When his path crosses with Smith's caravan of goods, he is drawn to Rose, feeling an unusual — and a tad unwelcome — drive to protect this dainty but determined young woman. Nate devises a plan to buy Rose's bond papers from Eustice — but can he see her settled in a more civilized location without having to "settle down" with her himself? The more Nate feels his heart tugged toward Eustice's gentle and beautiful cook, the more he wonders if, even if he is willing to give up his commitment-free lifestyle, will he ever be good enough for the lovely but pious Rose?

HITS & MISSES:

Rose loves her father very much and holds him in high esteem, but as a reader I found it exceptionally difficult to respect — let alone feel any affection for — a man who would allow not one, but all three, of his daughters to be shipped off to the Americas to help settle his debts. From his first appearance, Mr. Harwood came off as weak — and the brief explanation of how Lily and Mariah came to cross the Atlantic with Rose did nothing to improve my opinion of him. Instead, it expelled a fairly large hiccup in my suspension of disbelief and seemed like a device by which the authors could more easily turn their story into a multinarrated series.

On a positive note, once the girls were auctioned off, the story took on a much more authentic feel, focusing on Rose's experiences in this strange new land. The locales and details of this historical romance seemed very well-researched and were portrayed in a believable way. And, although Nate's thoughts were voiced in a little more refined vocabulary than that by which he spoke, overall the characters' voices were easily identifiable and remained constant throughout the story.

TO READ, OR NOT TO READ?

The authors do a good job of growing Rose's affection for her bondsman, as well as her more romantic feelings toward Nate. Although there are times when the story lags and the passage of time is a bit unclear, the authors have penned a pleasing, if not entirely believable, historical romance.

Rose's Pledge is sure to entice historically inclined inspirational romance fans to follow the Harwood sisters through the rest of the Harwood House series.

This review first appeared at USA Today's romance fiction blog, Happy Ever After)

SERENA'S RATING:

REVIEW: FIRST DATE -- new YA from Krista McGee

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:37:00 +0000

When I first read the premise for First Date, a new romance for young adults, it seemed a little bit silly and a whole lot done. As in, "Yes, I've seen three different versions of that Disney Channel movie" done. But what I thought would be a tired, comic romp through the White House turned out to be a tender teen tale of love, friendship and faith -- set against the backdrop of a reality TV show. And, like the scores of viewers who tune into reality television each week, it took barely any time at all before I was utterly addicted to Krista McGee's version of the First Family Teen Romance.

HERE'S THE SITCH:

Addy Davidson is a good student who works hard in hopes of earning a scholarship to an Ivy League school. She's got friends, but Addy is certainly not the most popular kid in school. She's just … normal. So why, out of all the outgoing, beautiful cheerleader-types at Addy's school, did her principal pick her to go on a new reality TV show? She has no desire to compete for a chance to go to senior prom with Jonathan Jackson, the son of the president of the United States, but regardless of her protestations, she's on her way.

The show is being filmed at a historic mansion near Nashville and when Addy, the 97th of 100 contestants, arrives she is even less happy to be there than she was reluctant to come in the first place. Tired and irritable, she meets Jonathan Jackson at the door of the mansion, like all the other girls, with the cameras rolling. But whereas the other contestants have concocted clever phrases to impress the president's son, Addy just wants the quickest ticket home – and she tells him as much, once she recovers from coming face-to-face with Jonathan's movie-star good looks. And the cameras catch every rude word.

Addy is sure that, come decision time, she'll be sent home, but her honesty backfires. America, of course, falls in love with "everygirl" Addy -- and Jonathan? Well, he's a little intrigued, too. Rather than fulfilling Addy's wish to go home, Jonathan pushes her through to the next round. But as much as America seems to like Addy, the other contestants do not. Her only ally is Kara, whose quick Long Island tongue and loyal friendship help to insulate Addy against the attacks of the catty, grasping contestants out to win their place at Jonathan's side.

As Addy moves forward in the competition, her attitude toward Jonathan – and the competition – changes. But when new enemies arise, will she be brave enough to stand up for what she believes in? Or, win or lose, will she go home having thrown away the opportunity to accomplish something of significance to God?

HITS & MISSES

The author makes it very clear that Addy's school is a struggling, tuition-based Christian school. Keeping that in mind, it seemed a little off to me that the principal of the school would not only endorse a reality TV dating show, but would see it as an acceptable tool to help increase enrollment for the next year. But once I got over that little hiccup in my suspension of disbelief I found this story so darn addicting that that momentary squirm in the beginning was barely a twitch compared with the smiles the rest of the story gave me.

McGee handles issues of Christian hypocrisy, anti-God sentiment, and inter-faith friendships with a light but steady hand, avoiding preachy passages for the most part while still making her characters' faith and feelings clear. Teens will appreciate the trueness of McGee's main characters and will identify with the difficulty Addy faces in being honest about her faith after having displayed a less-than-Christ-like attitude her first few days on the show.

TO READ, OR NOT TO READ?

Other than that brief moment of squirm at the very beginning, I found this book to be a touching, fun, edifying, campy, quick and downright delicious teen read. First Date is a great debut from an author who's sure to make a splash in the inspy YA market.

If you're not a fan of YA romance, or if you're looking for something deep to stretch your brain, this may not be the book for you. But if you're in need of a pure escapist read that sings with tender teen honesty, you'll fall in love with Krista McGee's Addy Davidson -- and her First Date.

(This review first posted at USA Today's romance fiction blog,Happy Ever After)

Review: LOVE LIFTED ME by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:01:00 +0000

Country music superstar Sara Evans has once again teamed up with award-winning inspirational fiction author Rachel Hauck for the final installment of their Songbird series. Introducing a few new characters into the cast of well-crafted familiars, Love Lifted Me moves the troubled Benson family into a new setting that tests their faith and resolve.

HERE'S THE SITCH:

Jade Benson's life looks pretty good from the outside. Her vintage clothing store is about to be featured in a magazine, she lives in the beautiful home of her dreams, and she finally has a child to hold in her arms. But not all is what it seems. Her husband, Max, is addicted to prescription drugs and has been away for months at a residential rehab in Texas. The little boy Jade is raising is not her biological son, but the result of a one-night stand Max indulged in right before their wedding, and Jade's own past is littered with pain. Theirs is not a fairy tale romance.

Max has now completed the rehab program and is ready to come home and resume his life, but Jade isn't sure what to expect. She wants her marriage to survive, but trust is something that must be earned – and love, once damaged, must be proved true before she can let herself believe in it again.

When Max receives an unexpected offer to take over a troubled football program at a Texas high school, Jade is torn. She doesn't want to abandon the Tennessee town she has grown to love, nor the business she has fought to build, but she knows she must surrender her heart to God – and eventually to her husband – if her little family is going to survive. Texas – and football – might be the fresh start Jade and Max need to fall in love again.

HITS & MISSES:

The story is told from alternating points of view of Max and Jade, allowing the reader to empathize with both characters' struggles, failings and fears. Hauck and Evans don't pussy-foot around issues of relational dysfunction and pain, nor do they pour glitter over the results of their characters' past mistakes. Instead, the authors get into the head and heart of betrayal and shame to carve out a timid path toward forgiveness. The result is a touching and emotive love story that sizzles with passion even while the characters remain believably gun-shy about fully giving their hearts – whether it be to each other or to a calling.

This story is fine as a stand-alone novel, but readers will have a much better appreciation for the rutted road that split Max and Jade apart if they read the preceding Songbird novels (The Sweet By & By and Softly and Tenderly) before diving into this one.

TO READ, OR NOT TO READ?

With echoes of Remember the Titans and We Are Marshall resounding throughout the well-written football scenes, Hauck and Evans engage even the most football-illiterate of readers into the relational metaphor of overcoming the past by fighting for a fresh win. Love Lifted Me is a beautiful story of hope tackling betrayal and love manning up to win the game.

(This review originally appeared at USA Today's romance fiction blog, Happy Ever After)

*************************************

STAY TUNED AS WE CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE "RACHEL HAUCK WEEK"

with an interview and, of course,

A GIVEAWAY!

One lucky winner will win a copy of Love Lifted Me -- autographed by both Rachel Hauck AND country music superstar Sara Evans!

--- DETAILS TO COME!---

Serena's rating:

Author Interview with RACHEL HAUCK

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:04:00 +0000

Rachel Hauck published her first novel in 2004. Since then she has become an award-winning (and best-selling) author of 11 more novels — with more to come. Her latest novel, co-written with country music superstar Sara Evans, is Love Lifted Me — the final novel in the duo's Songbird series.

I recently caught up with Rachel to talk about vintage clothing, Texas football and, of course, her latest book.

Serena: How did you and Sara Evans initially hook up to write the first Songbird novel?

Rachel: Our publisher, Allen Arnold at Thomas Nelson, approached us separately with the idea of writing together. First, Sara — to see if she was willing to take on a fiction project. Then me — to see if I wanted to work with her. I was at a place in my career where a partnership sounded fun and challenging so I gladly took on the project. Sara was working on a new album and gearing back up to be on radio, but had enough time to give initially to the book series.

Serena: The working relationships of co-writers look as different as the writers themselves. What does your co-writing relationship look like?

Rachel: Sara and I have a great partnership. From the beginning we knew our roles in this journey. She fed me ideas and I developed them. Sara has great story-telling instincts. It was my job all along to be the writer. It was, and is, hers to be the voice and the face of the series.

Serena: You've written about the costs of the writer's life, one of which is the necessity of leading a fairly solitary existence. Have you found the co-writing life to be more (or less) socially fulfilling?

Rachel: Writing is writing. With a co-writer or not, it's solitary. To develop characters with heart, the world has to be shut off. If I had questions or ideas that I needed Sara's input on, I'd e-mail her. We'd go back and forth for a bit and then settle on what we wanted to do. But most of the time it's me, in my office, backside in the chair, writing.

Serena: Solo vs. co-writing: Overall, which do you prefer?

Rachel: Great question. The lazy part of me says "co-writing." Why not have a constant partner to bounce ideas off of and get input? I'm envious of television writing teams who gather in a war room and hash out ideas together. I have a writing partner I call, Susan May Warren, when I need help. I'm blessed to have her. But we live many states apart!

The creator part of me says "solo." Novel writing is so much about pulling the emotions and creativity out of "you," the author, that it would really be hard to partner as a full-time process. Sara and I are blessed to have clicked from the beginning. A lot of partnerships don't fare as well as ours. We've been blessed.

Serena: Some reviewers are touting Love Lifted Me as a stand-alone member of the Songbird series. Do you see the novel that way, or do you think new readers could be confused if they haven't read the preceding two books?

Rachel: We wrote the novel to be stand-alone, but certainly readers will gain more of Jade and Max's perspective, and develop a deeper affection for them, if they've read the previous books. But readers will not be confused if they read Love Lifted Me first instead of third.

Serena: The Songbird series hits on a lot of touchy subjects for the inspirational genre, such as adultery, abortion, substance abuse and divorce. What made you want to tackle the relational fallout of these issues?

Rachel: Life. People deal with weighty topics every day — either in their own lives or of someone they know. Just because my characters may be Christians doesn't mean they don't have serious issues to face. So, instead of shying away from sin or shame, we jumped in so we could show the power of true hope in God.

I've experienced pain in my own life, much like my characters, and my faith and hope in Jesus rescued me. So that kind of inspiration and epiphany is a natural outcome of my writing.

Sara has also experienced God's grace in her life. She wants other women to know there is true and real hope.

Serena: Your books don't shy away from showing physical desire as part of a healthy (or unhealthy) romantic relationship. Have you taken any flack from more conservative readers? Or do you find that the inspy audience is becoming more open to this "edgier" content?

Rachel: No fallout that I know of, but I don't read all the reviews. If readers are upset, I'm unaware. I've had many readers write to say they appreciated real emotion and true desire shown in a palatable way. The reader gets what's going on sans the in-depth details.

The inspirational audience seems to be divided on the kind of content they expect in a CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) book. My goal is to write emotion and desire that's true to the story. Not every book will have the passion of Jade and Max. But for this story, a married couple reuniting, I felt that sexual tension was fitting.

Serena: Texas football plays a pretty big role in Love Lifted Me. Are you a football fan?

Rachel: Both Sara and I are football fans. She roots for the Crimson Tide, while I support my Ohio State Buckeyes.

Serena: Have you always been a football fan, or was that something that developed over the course of writing the novel?

Rachel: Longtime football fan. I was really excited to write a football kind of story.

Serena: Was any AstroTurf harmed in the writing of this book? LOL

Rachel: LOL. None whatsoever. All real grass and AstroTurf is safe!

Serena: You and Sara did a great job of making the football scenes come alive. My football vocabulary consists of about four words: touchdown, cheerleader and halftime show. I'm not much of a football fan (truth be told, I was something of a band geek back in my high school days), but I found myself engaged in the Warriors' fight for a win. How much high school football did you watch in order to write those scenes with such energy and still manage to make them accessible for the football-challenged readers like me?

Rachel: Football is a universal sport to me. It speaks to life: winning, losing, triumph, failure, working as a team to achieve the goal. Football is about growing up. It's about leadership and effort. We see in the character Tucker how wrecked his confidence was until he was forced by his coach to man-up and learn to kick the ball. We watched him fail. Then we finally watched him succeed and he started to change. I actually teared up at that scene when I was going over the final galley. Football is about "doing it" even on the hard days and staying true until results are achieved.

Don't we all want that kind of success? I apply this thinking to my own writing life. If you took those football scenes and made them about … riding, a spelling bee, the debate team, writing a novel, or even about being in the marching band, the truths and emotions of those characters would still apply. At least that was our goal! I hope it worked! Football was more of a setting than a "sport."

Serena: Jade, the main character of the Songbird series, operates a vintage clothing shop. Are you a fan of vintage duds? And, if so, what's your favorite piece?

Rachel: I am a fan of vintage, but I am a horrible shopper so I don't find as many pieces as I'd like. I loved the vintage thread in this story because it was really a reflection of Jade, her heart and character. It was her way of creating a past she could live with.

Serena: The moment Jade discovers that Chanel LBD is priceless. Do you have a cherished shopping memory you drew from to write that scene?

Rachel: I wanted to BE Jade in that scene. Are you kidding? Ha! I just imagined what it would be like to find a real, true Chanel Little Black Dress. The more I researched the history of the dress, the more Jade's scene came alive to me. I drew completely from Jade's point of view. What a find!

Serena: Will there be any more novels in the Songbird series?

Rachel: Love Lifted Me is our swan song in the Songbird series. We are working on a fourth book, though — and the premise is super fun!

Serena: Do you prefer writing series or stand-alone titles? What are the pros and cons?

Rachel: Every title is a stand-alone to me, but if I find a thread in a story that would make a sequel, then I go for it. We hear all the time "series don't sell well," yet readers seem to love visiting characters and settings over and over. It's like being with good friends.

What I loved about this series with a continuing character is the emotional attachment I had to the cast. I knew them so well it was easier than normal to write their story. The con to that is you must be consistent with the story across the novel series. You're locked in!

The pro of writing stand-alone is you can do whatever you want, and when the book is done, it's done. The author is free to create something completely new. That's exciting. But the story and character development start all over again.

Serena: What is the weirdest/oddest/coolest research you've attempted in the process of writing a novel? Was it a success?

Rachel: I believe in research, even for contemporary novels. I try to travel to my settings. I call people for the tiniest bit of information. For Softly and Tenderly, the second Songbird novel, I researched and researched old Cadillacs to find out where the convertible top release was positioned. I know, crazy. But the top played a role in the story and I wanted to know if Jade reached to the right side of the steering wheel or the left to release the top. And I found a guy in California who gave me my answer.

For one of my books, Love Starts with Elle, I had an artist friend help me paint a picture because Elle was an artist. I've sat in kitchens to learn the restaurant business. For Love Lifted Me, I called up a high school football coach for an interview. He was running PE classes so I followed him around asking questions.

It's fun …

Serena: The face of publishing and book promoting is changing. How much time do you allow yourself per (day/week/etc.) for promoting your work?

Rachel: I am online constantly with e-mail or social media. When a book comes out, I just make the required time needed to do promotion. I think the real question for me, and for some authors, is, "How much time do you allow yourself in a day to actually write!?" LOL.

Serena: With all the possible e-venues added to the standard physical book signing and personal appearance opportunities, do you find you are needing to spend more time promoting your work now — or has the increase of social media streamlined the process for you?

Rachel: Authors must be on social-media platforms. I'm not sure anyone can get away from it these days. I'm good friends with a very successful, nationally known author and this year she got on Facebook. Social media is about a dialogue. I can't just promote myself or I'll lose ground in the social-media arena. I have to join the conversations that are happening, as best I can, and gain readers or followers that way.

I use a promotional company in tandem with my publisher to promote my books when they come out. But on a day-to-day basis, with Facebook and Twitter, authors have to be "on" at least a few minutes each day. If I don't have anything worthy to share, I try to share the news of author friends.

Serena: What's your favorite part of writing and/or promoting a new novel?

Rachel: My favorite part of writing is having had written a book. It's done. Turned in! Finished. I love that feeling! My favorite part about promotion is connecting with readers, talking about the story and the characters, hearing what impacted them or not, discovering how they might have interpreted a situation in the story that I never even considered. I love talking about writing and books, so promotion is always fun!

Serena: How do you "get away from it all"?

Rachel: Is there a get-away-from-it-all? Just kidding … I ride my bike. Watch a movie with my husband. Read. Lunch with friends. I love a good prayer and worship meeting too!

Serena: Are you making any New Year's resolutions this year?

Rachel: Pursue love.

For more about Rachel Hauck and her books, visit her website, RachelHauck.com.

(This interview originally appeared at USA Today's romance fiction blog, Happy Ever After)

RIP Picnik.com

noreply@blogger.com (Joy Tamsin David) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:21:00 +0000

Bloggers, how are you going to edit images now that Picnik is closing shop? Just about every picture we post on this blog is manipulated in some way using Picnik's internet software. I'm not sure can blog without them. What am I going to do now? Quick someone talk me off this ledge...

Review: THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE by Denise Hunter

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:40:00 +0000

Inspirational romance author Denise Hunter writes novels with settings bold enough to almost be considered characters within the story. Her latest novel, The Accidental Bride, takes place in Moose Creek, Montana, a small town along the Wyoming border. It is the second book in the Big Sky Romance series.

HERE'S THE SITCH:

Bad luck seems to follow Shay Brandenburg – especially when a wedding is involved. But when her doll-making elderly friend, Miss Lucy, asks her to play the bride in Moose Creek's annual Founder's Day re-enactment, she can't weasel out of it. No one can say no to sweet old Miss Lucy.

Abandoned by one man at the altar, then married to – and divorced from – another, Shay wonders if even a fictional wedding can go off without a hitch if she's involved. Against her better judgment, Shay slips into the historical wedding gown and begins her walk down the aisle toward her fictional groom. Standing by the preacher, however, is not the man she expected to play the part of the groom, but Travis McCoy, her first love – and the man for whom she bought her first wedding dress.

Fourteen years ago Travis McCoy suffered an attack of cold feet that pressed his truck's accelerator all the way to the Texas rodeo. He loved Shay, but he knew marrying her would trap him in Moose Creek forever. Shay would never leave the third-generation ranch on which she was raised. Travis had bigger dreams than eeking out a living in Moose Creek and, in a split-second decision to drive away from his wedding, he chose his rodeo dreams over Shay.

Travis achieved both wealth and acclaim on the rodeo circuit, but all his success can't make up for the empty places where memories of Shay still occupy his heart. When temporary circumstances allow him to return to Moose Creek for an extended visit, Travis hopes to reconcile with his past mistakes. He wants to earn back Shay's trust and love, but the well-deserved disdain he receives from her when they cross paths leaves Travis with no idea where to start.

A last-minute upset to the Founder's Day celebration places Travis in the role of groom opposite Shay. And when an old piece of memorabilia – he and Shay's original marriage license – is mistakenly signed and filed by the absent-minded preacher, Travis sees his accidental-but-legal marriage to Shay as an opportunity to right his wrongs and prove his love is not only true, but that it has matured enough to stay.

After what she's been through, Shay has no faith in any man's staying power – least of all Travis McCoy's. But his help could help save her ranch from foreclosure – at least for a little while, so she agrees to keep up the farce of their marriage for a trial period. But living with Travis underfoot isn't as easy as she thought it would be. And keeping her distance from the handsome, sexy, grown-up version of her first love may prove impossible.

HITS & MISSES:

As with the setting of her Moose Creek community, Hunter's characters are clearly drawn and each voice is unique to its owner. Shay is a strong woman whose wounds have made her skittish and insecure; still, she knows what she is about and, though stubborn to a fault, Shay is uncompromising on what she believes to be true. Travis' upbringing and success have given him a cocky sort of confidence that is offset by the tender and humble way he tries to woo Shay back. On the other hand, he has a weaker will than Shay and, once discouraged, it takes awhile for Travis to recover his mojo. Their interactions are entertaining, to say the least, and the physical attraction between the two sizzles with desire.

I would have liked to have seen a little bit more from eccentric Miss Lucy, whose presence serves as the plucky comic relief. Who doesn't like a character who asks her dolls for advice? Call me crazy, but I wanted more Miss Lucy; not necessarily because the story needed more to move forward, but just because she's such a quirky character. And I'm a glutton for quirk.

TO READ, OR NOT TO READ?

The Accidental Bride is one of those books that plants a smile on your face and draws your heart into even the most farcical aspects of its plot. A fun weekend read with equal parts spunk and spice, Denise Hunter's The Accidental Bride will keep readers lassoed up tight 'til the cows come home.

(This review originally appeared at USA Today's Romance Fiction blog, Happy Ever After)

Review: The Wishing Pearl by Nicole O'Dell

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:02:00 +0000

New YA from Nicole O'Dell

THE WISHING PEARL: A Diamond Estates Novel

Popular Christian author, speaker, and teen radio host Nicole O'Dell's latest novel introduces readers to the fallout of mishandled loss. Telling the story of Olivia, a talented musician who longs for the day when she will go to college and get away from her unhappy home, The Wishing Pearl, A Diamond Estates Novel, is written for teens.

It should be noted that Olivia, the novel's main character, is a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather and that her quest for escape leads her to experiment with alcohol and drugs. As a mom, however, I found NO ISSUE with the real, yet careful way O'Dell portrayed these sensitive subjects and I have no qualms about recommending this book to teens.

Here's the sitch, from the back cover:

Sixteen-year-old Olivia Mansfield dreams of a land far, far away... A land far away from her stepfather's abuse and torment. A land far away from her mother's blind eye. A land far away from the haunting memories of her past.

But then reality sets in, and Olivia knows she must make the best of her dire situation -- at least until her high shcool graduation. But when poor choices lead Olivia to the brink of a complete breakdown and she finds herself dealing with the unexpected death of her best friend, she comes to a crossroads.

Will Olivia find the path to ultimate hope and healing that her heart longs for Or will the demons from her past prove too much to bear?

My Take On It:

Emotively written in a teen-appropriate manner, The Wishing Pearl tackles sensitive subjects without gratuitously over-detailing the icky parts -- yet, at the same time, O'Dell does not gloss over the heartbreaking results of its characters' actions. Well done.

The Wishing Pearl has a spare bit of boy attraction-action, but the romantic subplot is not the main thrust of this book -- it's more about the complexity of relationships when abuse is present in a person's life; and about chasing the hope that feeds a hungry, hurting soul.

My thanks to Nicole O'Dell and Barbour Publishing for sending me a copy of this novel. My fourteen-year-old, high school freshman daughter read The Wishing Pearl also -- and this review comes with both of our recommendations. Not only did we both enjoy it, we are also looking forward to the next Diamond Estates Novel.

Serena's Rating:

Review- The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

noreply@blogger.com (Joy Tamsin David) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen is fun, light romance and a pleasant way to spend a lazy afternoon. I enjoyed reading about life below stairs for the servant class, the setting reminded me a little of Deeanne Gist's Maid to Match in that way.

The plot line requires some suspension of disbelief. Margaret seems to think a pair of spectacles, a wig, and an inconsistent accent are enough to disguise her from the man who once proposed. But she's not fooling Nathaniel (and how she ever fools herself is the unbelievable part).

Like Nathaniel, the reader waits to see how Margaret's little charade will play out, amused by the process along the way. And the payoff is worth the buildup, because sparks fly when Nathaniel finally confronts his former flame with the truth.

Fans of historical romance can't go wrong with Julie Klassen, she delivers every time.

Want more info? Here's the book blurb:

Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt--and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall?

Observing both brothers as an "invisible" servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding?

On her journey from well born lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of "serve one another in love."

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, go HERE

My rating:

Gratuitous Fozzy Photo

noreply@blogger.com (Joy Tamsin David) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Joy and Serena's Faves of 2011 (the general market edition)

noreply@blogger.com (Joy Tamsin David) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

This may be a Christian fiction blog but Serena and I both love a good mainstream market read, so we're breaking character today and giving you a list of our faves from outside the CBA. Don't worry CF fans, we'll return to regularly scheduled programming tomorrow!

1. Favorite book read -- it's unanimous! (or duo-naminous, anyway!)

Joy: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Serena: Divergent by Veronica Roth

2. Most Powerful Book

Joy:The Help by Kathryn Stockett (I could easily put this in favorite book read too).

Serena: I didn't read a whole lot of "powerful books" this year (I got The Help for my birthday in December, but haven't had the chance to crack it open yet!), but I have to admit that I found The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente to be powerful in an unconventional sort of way. I was utterly delighted with this book and with "the classic storyteller" way it fabled its way through an entirely original moral tale.

3. Brilliantly Funny

Joy: Eh, Jenny B. Jones was funnier than anything I read in the general market this year.

Serena: Skulduggery Pleasant: Scepter of the Ancients by Derek Landy
(pub. in 2007, this one was new to me, but not the rest of the world, in 2011). This book reads like the best kind of buddy-comedy action movie, except the buddies are a middle school girl and a hundreds-of-years-old detective -- who just so happens to be a skeleton with mad ninja skills and a wicked collection of sarcastic one-liners. Brilliant.

4. Best ache-y, break-y tear jerker read:

Serena: Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (this is CBA, actually, and was released in 2010, but I'm counting it because I didn't read it until 2011 and I was utterly moved to tears by the story!)

5. Best rainy day comfort read:

Joy: After historical inspy, the celeb memoir is my go to genre for a comfort read. I consumed Rob Lowe's Stories I Only Tell My Friends in one afternoon from a comfy chair in Barnes and Noble, and it was delish!

Serena: These aren't new, but as when one visits Narnia, I find the richness of the tales grow as I do, so it is not uncommon for me to reach for: the Harry Potter set, in order -- but if I have to pick my faves for a rainy day, they would be: 1, 3, and 5. (Of course this only works if you have a string of rainy days, you understand!)

6. Adrenaline fueled un-putdownable award:

Serena: I'd have to say... Divergent by Veronica Roth, again. I think I read it the day I downloaded it.

Joy: I agree. I read this one on my cruise and there were times I'd rather be in my room reading it than out enjoying myself.

7. Beautiful Prose Award:

Joy: Linger and Forever by Maggie Stiefvater. Stiefvater is a master of writing subtext, her characters frequently discuss life altering issues without ever actually talking about them at all. Sam, Grace, Isabel and Cole's personalities are so deep and complex, writer wannabes like myself should take notes.

Serena: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente (see picture under #2). This might seem an odd choice for a beautiful prose award, but I loved the voice of the narrator, the symbolism, and the beautiful nuggets of truth hidden within the text. (There's even a character whose name is Truth. She is made of soap.) This is one I got from the library but plan to purchase, highlight, and read aloud to my girls -- even the highschooler (you're never too old to listen to a great book!) It's just a lovely, lovely story.

8. Most vivid, atmospheric setting:
Serena: Again, Divergent by Veronica Roth. Even now, I can see that world-gone-wrong in my head.

9. Most Haunting story:

Serena: Kindred by Tammar Stein. There is no pretty-bow ending on this unusual tale of spiritual warfare -- told from the point of view of a contemporary Jewish teen -- but the ending is not only satisfying, but thought provoking; and in that way, it is haunting.

10. Had no idea I would love this so:

Joy: Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. When I posted a list of 5 titles to read in the event of a zombie apocalypse, my blogging buddies chimed in with a bunch of zombie romance recs. Equal parts disturbing and engaging, they left me grasping for more. I finished Ryan's entire series and now I'm looking for the next zombie author I can sink my teeth into.

11. Wanted to love it but it didn't do it for me:

Joy: Bossypants by Tina Fey wasn't nearly as funny as I hoped it would be.

Serena: The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell. I loved the cover and sometimes the story almost lived up to its gothic, otherworldy beauty, but... not enough to make me rush out for the sequel.

12. Best Plot Twist/Revelation:

Joy: Minny's Terrible Awful from The Help.

Serena: The ending of Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren. I know this one is considered CBA, but... it's so crossover that I have no qualms listing it among general market titles. There is a serious "Oh no you did NOT just leave me hanging like that!" at the end of that book -- and it was beautiful and unexpected and opened all kinds of worm cans for the next book(s?!) in the series.

Joy: Oooh, I agree, great cliffhanger on that one.

13. Best love triangle:

Joy: I have a love/hate relationship with the love triangle. But I would have been happy with Gabry and either Catcher or Elias in Carrie Ryan's The Dead Tossed Waves.

Serena: Cassia/Xander/Ky in Matched, a dystopian YA by Ally Condie (the triangle continues, I believe, in Crossed, which was just released and is sitting in my house waiting for me to read it!)

Joy: Good choice! I finished Crossed this week and I'm still not sure if I'm Team Xander or Team Ky.

14. Favorite couple:

Joy: Isabel and Cole from Forever by Maggie Stiefvater. These broken side kicks stole the show.

15. Favorite Cover Art:

Serena: Entwined by Heather Dixon. If I could buy a print of this and hang it in my office, I totally would. I love this cover. And for a former-little-girl who dearly loved the story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, I'd have to say: the book was pretty doggone good, too.

And as for a cover that was perfect for the book? I'd have to go with Matched by Ally Condie (see pic above)-- it got the dress right (so many covers are a poor reflection of what the character is supposed to look like according to the text!) and it captured the essence of Cassia's existence. Perfection.

Special thanks to Inkcrush for creating such a neat book blogging meme.

Joy and Serena's Best Inspy Romances of 2011!

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:04:00 +0000

I love the reading wrap ups bloggers post at the end of the year. I keep those posts bookmarked and refer back to them when I'm looking for something good to read next.

If you're looking for some inspirational romance recommendations, you've come to the right place. Of the 59 books I read in 2011, 30 were inspy romance. Instead of choosing a third of them and doing a top 10 list, I decided to whittle the pile down to five (Serena read way more romance than me, so her list is longer).

In no particular order, the top five inspirational romances I read this year are:

1. Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones.

Snarky humor and a hot hero, wish all my books came this way.

2. Waterfall by Lisa Bergren.

Props for originality! And I'm a sucker for teen-aged angst.

3. Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long

An edgy Amish. Who knew?

4. Yesterday's Tomorrow by Catherine West

Completely unlike anything I've seen in Christian romance before. Gritty, powerful, and oh-so-romantic. It's easy to see why this one took the 2011 INSPY award for romance.

5. The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

Really good kissing (and the story's well done too).

Serena's Top 10 List: Fave Inspy Romances of 2011

okay, I cheated a little. I had a "tie" -- but, hey, I read a lot.

(click on the book title to link to my review!)

10. Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie -- I thought I was done with sexy vampires. I was wrong.

9. TIE! Protection for Hire by Camy Tang AND The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson -- PFH is a new romantic suspense series with the flavor of chick lit that I love so much. Looking forward to the next books in the series! And TMD is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast that is fresh and lovely.

8. A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billerbeck -- a killer soundtrack and a "my book boyfriend" who wears a fedora on a regular basis? I'm in.

7. A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander -- "Belmont, hail my alma mater..." It was so much fun to see the history of Belmont Mansion & its lady come to life!

6. To Die For by Sandra Byrd -- The writing in this book was just. so. GOOD. Sandra drew my heart into the story of Meg and her friend, Anne Boleyn. Can't wait for the next book in the series (June 2012!)

5. Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones -- still snorting. Ex-football hero turned politician needs a fiancee to up his rating in the polls? Pick me! Pick me!

4. Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren -- ahhhhhhhh. The sequel to Waterfall. The prequel to Torrent. I cannot believe how much I adore this series. I ahhh-dore it. BTW: Marcello, Luca: call me. I miss you.

3. There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones --- It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me want to go to Ireland with a vampire (actor)

2. Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren -- I've got two words for you, ladies: LORD GRECO.

1. Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren -- This is the book that started me on a mild (some could argue the "mild" part) obsession with Italian knights. I could gush about this book for hours. Hours. Or I could just stare off into space and imagine my hand fitting the impression inside an Etruscan tomb and then traveling through time where I -- ahhhh -- land in Marcello's arms....

Oh, you're still here? Seriously? When you could be downloading these books?

I hope your reading adventures were as wonderful as mine were in 2011 -- and Joy and I wish you the very best in 2012!!!!

Interview with CAMY TANG

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:07:00 +0000

Camy Tang, a Stanford-educated biologist researcher-turned-novelist, writes "romance with a kick of wasabi." Her novels feature Asian-American characters, dysfunctional families and plenty of sarcastic humor. Camy's latest book, Protection for Hire, is the first installment of a new romantic suspense series starring an ex-Japanese Mob enforcer and a transplanted Louisiana lawyer. (SEE: MY REVIEW)

Born and raised on the island of Oahu, Camy Tang now lives in San Francisco, where many of her novels are based. I recently got together with Camy to discuss ninja skills, her new novel and why Mendocino, California is so special to her this time of year.

Serena: Romance with a kick of wasabi, eh? Care to elaborate?

Camy: Wasabi is a very hot (sinus-clearing) Japanese radish condiment used to give a clean-tasting little spice or kick when eating sushi or any raw seafood (my dad LOVES this stuff). Most of my stories have romance in them, and wasabi, with its Asian origin, refers to my Asian characters, that "kick" of sass in my contemporary romance, and that "kick" of danger in my romantic suspense.

Serena: What made you decide to tackle the Japanese Mafia? (Oh, wait … if you tell me, do you have to kill me?)

Camy: LOL! I've always been fascinated with the Japanese Mafia because I grew up watching Japanese movies (subtitled!) with my father. A friend of mine, Danica Favorite, mentioned Mafia to me as a story idea and it seemed the perfect opportunity to write about the yakuza. I've also enjoyed the TV series The Sopranos (well, I enjoyed the humorous family scenes, not the violent ones) and wanted to write my own take on a crime family.

Serena: What kind of research did you do in preparation for writing Tessa's fight scenes? That girl's got some mad ninja skills.

Camy: My husband is a huge mixed martial arts fan, so I grilled him on some of the fighting moves, watched mixed martial arts training videos, and also watched a lot of live fights to see the rhythm and flow of an actual fight. Most movie fights are scripted, but they also tend to have better flow and so my fight scenes are somewhat scripted to give them better pacing on the page.

Serena: You have Mob characters named Fred and Itchy (short for Ichiro). Fred, while seemingly odd and dull for a Japanese mobster, suits the character so very well and Itchy definitely puts a level of swanky smarm in that character's persona. Do your characters "name themselves" as the story develops or do you go through a specific process to pick their names?

Camy: Itchy and Fred were names that grew out of the characters. I think originally I named them character A and B, to be honest! Then later, after I'd written a few of their scenes, they were changed to Itchy and Fred.

Serena: Most of your books feature strong female leads who come from backgrounds with dysfunctional (and often quite hilarious) family dynamics. Do you ever worry that your family and friends will see themselves in the pages of your books — and be offended?

Camy: I deliberately do not write any of my family members in my books. All my characters are personalities I come up with on my own or perhaps an idea suggested by a newspaper clipping or magazine article. I'm rather lucky because my own family is not that dysfunctional — quite boring, actually.

Serena: Before you began writing full time you were a biologist researcher. Do any of those research skills come into play when creating a new novel?

Camy: I have a scientific mind-set so when I'm plotting the mystery thread, I tend to go about it like a scientific study and bring my logic to the table. I've had two biologist heroines, Trish from Only Uni and Rachel from Formula for Danger, but I don't intend to make a habit of writing biologist heroines. I can write about pharmaceutical espionage only so many times before it gets old.

Serena: In your new novel, the romantic lead, Charles, refers to a wife-beater using a word that is not frequently found in inspirational fiction — some readers might even consider it mildly profane. How hard did you have to fight to include that word in your final draft?

Camy: While I and my publishers don't condone swearing, I do try to make my characters realistic, and because of Charles' abusive father and the scars from his past, he wasn't going to refer to another wife-beater as a "bad man." I think my editors understood that. I don't intend to offend anyone, I simply wanted to show Charles' intense emotion at the time.

(**Note to readers: see comments section of the review for more info!)

Serena: If Hollywood snatched up Protection for Hire and asked you to cast any three characters, which three would you pick — and who would play those characters in a feature film?

Camy: I've always visualized Jessica Alba as Tessa because I think she's gorgeous and because I loved her independent, kick-butt character in the TV show Dark Angel. Bradley Cooper would be a good match for how I envisioned Charles to look like, if Bradley had a syrupy Southern accent. And Charles' Mama is most like Betty White in The Golden Girls, sweet and a little dingy sometimes.

Serena: What is your favorite scene in Protection for Hire?

Camy: Hands down, the Fat Boy scene. I remember hooting and laughing to myself as I wrote it. My husband looked in on me in my office with that strange, "I'm not sure what's wrong with you, but let's hope it's not contagious" look on his face.

Serena: That was a good one! Do you intend to continue this new series straight away, or will you begin something new in between titles?

Camy: My next title for Zondervan will be the second book in the Protection for Hire series, and I just got the title: A Dangerous Stage. It'll release in late 2012.

Serena: When you receive a manuscript back from your editor (the first time) your knee-jerk reaction is to …

Camy: Eat chocolate. LOTS of chocolate. I'm serious. I don't even open the file for a couple days after I get it. I have to work up to the challenge of edits, get into the right mind-set, which is usually more logical and less creative.

Serena: If Tessa Lancaster (the lead character in Protection for Hire) met you, she would describe you as …

Camy: Cheerful and a little clueless. LOL

Serena: But Charles, the romantic lead, might say you are …

Camy: Intelligent but a little clueless.

Serena: Which of your characters from your past work is the most like you?

Camy: To be honest, a little bit of me is in all of them. I have the slightly manic character of Lex from Sushi for One?, the ditziness of Trish fromOnly Uni, and the organizational freakazoid-ness of Venus from Single Sashimi. Tessa is probably the least like me — she's the kind of capable woman I would like to be.

Serena: I've never been to San Francisco, but I've always wondered: Is the trolley an efficient way to get around town — or just cute?

Camy: Just cute. I actually got sick on the trolley. There, I have confessed my big embarrassing secret.

Serena: You work with teens at your church. Any plans to write a YA novel or series?

Camy: I've thrown around some ideas and I've prayed about it, but so far, I haven't gotten anything I'd really want to work seriously on. But who knows what might happen in a few years?

Serena: You seem pretty passionate about helping aspiring authors to hone their craft. Who helped you to develop as a writer?

Camy: Sharon Hinck (The Restorer series) befriended me at Mount Hermon Christian Writers conference and became my unofficial mentor for several years. She and I were both unpublished when we became friends, but she was a few years ahead of me in terms of craft and knowledge of the publishing industry. I also have to credit Randy Ingermanson, Brandilyn Collins and Meredith Efken for giving me guidance in terms of what books to read, how to perfect my craft, and how to learn about the market.

Serena: What are you reading this month?

Camy: I'm re-reading an oldie but goodie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Serena: Do you have any unique holiday traditions you'd like to share with our readers?

Camy: My wedding was in December, and my wedding cake was artfully crafted as a Christmas tree. Around the cake, my mom put Hawaiian-themed ornaments to decorate the cake table, and I took those ornaments home with me. For Christmas the following year, I got a (fake) wreath and put all my wedding ornaments on it, along with a short string of lights, and I hang this up in my window every year. It makes me happy because it reminds me of my wedding and also my family.

Serena: Besides your wedding, what is your most romantic holiday memory?

Camy: For Thanksgiving the year after we got married, my husband and I took a trip to Mendocino, Calif., to celebrate our first wedding anniversary a few weeks early. It was an amazing trip. We stayed at the Albion River Inn with a glorious view of the ocean and had fantastic food from award-winning restaurants in the area. We had a terrific time and since then, Mendocino has always had a special place in my heart.

Serena: Thanks, Camy! To find out more about Camy Tang, you can visit her website, CamyTang.com.

(This interview originally appeared at USA Today's romance fiction blog, Happy Ever After)

REVIEW: PROTECTION FOR HIRE by Camy Tang

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:02:00 +0000

In Protection for Hire, author Camy Tang injects dry humor into an inspirational tale of romantic suspense, dysfunctional families and … the Japanese Mob.

HERE'S THE SITCH:

In the world of organized crime, loyalty is everything. Tessa Lancaster's loyalty to her uncle, the head of the San Francisco Yakuza, is fierce. Seven years ago she went to prison for a crime she didn't commit in order to protect him. When Tessa finally exits her incarceration she is a changed woman and, despite her uncle's generous offers, she refuses to go back to her lucrative life as an enforcer for the Yakuza.

Uncle Teruo can't understand why Tessa's newfound faith should keep her from returning to her duties, but Tessa is determined to find a way to support herself without help from the Japanese Mob. As an ex-con and an ex-Yakuza, however, it's awfully hard to find a job. Volunteering at a local battered women's shelter helps her to pass the time as the rejected job applications stack up, and it is there that Tessa meets Elizabeth, a wealthy Southern belle who is hiding from an abusive husband.

Elizabeth doesn't share the other residents' fear of Tessa. In fact, not only does she befriend the former Mob enforcer, she hires Tessa to be her bodyguard. Elizabeth believes her husband wants her dead and that Tessa can keep her safe until her money and freedom are secured. But Tessa can only do so much. To truly get Elizabeth free from her husband, they need legal help.

Charles Britton is an up-and-coming lawyer. When his mother, Elizabeth's godmother, calls to enlist him in helping in Elizabeth's plight, Charles thinks it will be a quick and easy pro bono case to pad his portfolio and push him closer toward partnership. When he discovers that Elizabeth has hired not only a convicted killer, but notoriously violent Tessa Lancaster to be her bodyguard, however, he is more than a little disturbed. Aware of the details of Tessa's trial, as well as her violent past, Charles can't help but doubt that Tessa has really changed. Has she really left the Yakuza? Is that even possible?

As danger encroaches, Tessa and Charles are drawn together not only by their common goal to protect Elizabeth and her young son, but by an attraction that defies their every attempt to remain aloof.

Elizabeth's case isn't as simple as it first appears and her ex-husband, while a true danger to his family, might turn out to be the least of Tessa's worries.

HITS & MISSES:

Charles is a handsome, success-driven guy who doesn't want to rock the boat. In fact, there are times he seems so uptight that you almost wish someone would prescribe that boy an enema. Be that as it may, however, he is a perfect foil for Tessa.

A volatile personality with the skills to back up her anger issues, Tessa is beautiful, smart, and an expert at mixed martial arts. Since opposites do tend to attract, the chemistry between Tessa and Charles is practically combustible. As they fight against their own natures and learn to respond to challenges in healthier ways, a sweet humanity and depth are realized that make the attraction spark to life.

I would have liked to have seen the violent Yakuza underbelly exposed a little more directly, but I must admit that Tessa's fight scenes, though brief, were pretty awesome. Even though this novel is not afraid to plant its fist in gritty girl power, it still allows Tessa to discover the allure of her own long-hidden femininity. Tessa Lancaster is a heroine who, even at her most vulnerable, stays true to character.

TO READ, OR NOT TO READ:

Protection for Hire has a colorful cast, a lot of action, and enough sarcasm to keep the author's chick-lit audience in the palm of her hand. Ending the novel with a satisfyingly bow-free lead into the next book, Camy Tang has built a strong foundation for a kick-butt new series.

(This review originally appeared at USA Today's romance fiction blog, Happy Ever After.)

Serena's Rating

PS: don't you just love the cover of this book??? -- it's creating quite a buzz!

Review: The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:26:00 +0000

Whether found on TV shows such as Grimm and Once Upon a Time or in movie theaters, where 2012 will see two new versions of Snow White, fairy tales are showing up everywhere. Regardless of how trendy classic fairy tales may or may not be in a given year in Hollywood, however, they never stray too far from our bookshelves.

In her latest novel, author Melanie Dickerson puts an inspirational spin on the classic story of Beauty and the Beast, creating a medieval tale in which the power of love overcomes the prejudice of outward appearance.

HERE'S THE SITCH:

Once wealthy merchants, the Chapman family lost their fleet in a storm and their patriarch to illness. Now, because of her mother's and brothers' unwillingness to work alongside those they see as inferior, Annabel and her family have become reviled within the village and must stand trial to repay their debts.

Annabel's older brother wants her to marry the town bailiff, a vile, older man who has promised to pay the Chapmans' debt in exchange for her hand. But Annabel has long dreamed of becoming a nun. Serving a life sentence as wife to the lecherous bailiff is too high a price to pay for her family's neglect of their duty. She refuses, which angers both her family and the bailiff, a man prone to violence.

Unable to pay their debt, the Chapmans are sentenced to send one member of their family to serve three years of indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf le Wyse. It is rumored that the new lord is a terrifying beast of a man who wanders the woods at night, howling like the wolf who scarred his face, took his eye and left one of his hands disabled. Everyone fears Lord Ranulf, but faced with the choice between the unknown lord and the evil bailiff, Annabel sees servitude as the lesser sentence.

The more Annabel interacts with Lord Ranulf, however, the more she sees the gentle, wounded man beneath his fierce facade. When her dream of reading a real Bible — the main reason she longs to be a nun — is realized through him, Annabel is torn between her long-cherished plans and the growing feelings she has for Lord Ranulf.

When a violent interaction with the bailiff throws Annabel, a dear friend, and Lord Ranulf under suspicion, her dreams could protect her — or they could be what breaks her heart.

HITS & MISSES:

Annabel is young and vulnerable. Scarred by circumstance, religion and a family who devalues her, Annabel's greatest need is to feel secure and protected. Taught by the village priest that all women are temptresses and that her very feminine existence is responsible for the lustful advances of Bailiff Tom, she believes safety and security can only be found cloistered away from men.

Ranulf is older, but his heart was trampled by his late wife. Although he hides it with heavily bearded scowls, her betrayal left him even more vulnerable than Annabel. Ranulf believes that he can protect himself from hurt only by avoiding beautiful women, and he does his best to guard his heart. After all, a beautiful woman like Annabel could never love a beast like him.

Of course, these two are made for each other.

The romance is restrained on both sides, but the author injects just the right balance of insecurity and desire to keep the reader engaged. Rather than driven by lust, these two are moved toward love by righteous indignation and the desire to protect the other from danger. Theirs is a sweet romance and feels true from its inception.

There were several occasions the author could have given her characters a Scripture-induced "easy out" to a conflict — but she didn't. Avoiding a straight-line plot, Dickerson inserts unexpected twists that keep the story — and the romance within it — both original and compelling.

TO READ, OR NOT TO READ:

Dickerson gives subtle nods to other Beauty and the Beast retellings (including the popular Disney movie) without damaging the originality of this more "historical novel" take on the classic romance. Unlike most other retellings, however, The Merchant's Daughter has no fantasy element or sorcery (and, lest the cover deceive you, there is no magic mirror). The historical detail of the time period's superstitions are portrayed in such a way that they give the tale an otherworldly and truly magical feel without including a spell-caster at the heart of the story.

This novel is being marketed as an inspirational novel for teens and, although there are passages of Scripture included, this is not a "preachy" book that only Christians — or teens — will enjoy. Some readers may, in fact, be bothered that the heretical priest, with his antagonism toward women, does not reap his just reward; but keeping within a more historically accurate retelling, Dickerson does not attempt to change the priest's message — she simply ensures that Annabel's self-image is no longer imprisoned by it.

This book will find a ready audience among the Christian teens at which it is aimed, but it should be expected to comfortably move beyond that limited demographic. Like the classic on which it is based, this romance should appeal to anyone — of any age — who loves a good fairy tale.

(This review originally appeared at USA Today's romance fiction blog, Happy Ever After)

Serena's Rating

Stalking Melanie Dickerson

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:18:00 +0000

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer's Apprentice, an award-winning retelling of the classic fairy tale, The Sleeping Beauty. Her latest novel is also a fairy tale, retold. The Merchant's Daughter is Melanie's inspirational interpretation of Beauty and the Beast. Released at the beginning of December, it is getting rave reviews from teens and adults alike. (Stay tuned! My review will post soon!)

I recently caught up with Melanie to ask her a whole lot of silly (and a few mildly serious) questions so you can get to know this fairy tale lover -- and writer -- a little bit better.

Serena: I hate to get serious right off the bat, but there is a very pressing matter I must get to the bottom of (and I'm craving me something yummy) so: which ice cream flavor is your favorite?

Melanie: Vanilla with cherries and chocolate chips.

Serena: Yum! That sounds both delicious and pretty. Before we move to the lighter fare, our readers must know: do you eat that lovely ice cream -- even in the wintertime?

Melanie: Yes, ice cream is too good and life is too short to only eat it in the summer!

Serena: You know that's right! So while we're on the subject of treats, let's say you've just come in from a walk in the falling snow. Coffee, tea, or cocoa?

Melanie: I usually go for hot tea when I'm cold, but cocoa is great on a snowy day.

Serena: I'm a cocoa girl, all the way!-- with whipped cream and sprinkled nutmeg on top. It's so easy to do with instant cocoa and Cool Whip, but it makes me feel like I've just been pampered by the staff of a luxury ski resort. *tangent alert*(I've never actually been to a luxury ski resort -- and the thought of skiing conjures visions of snapping femurs to mind, so... I'll stick to dreaming of Greek Isle sunsets during my cold Iowa winters -- and drinking my instant cocoa when I come in from the cold!)

So, Melanie: what's the top destination on your dream vacation list?

Melanie: Germany, especially the Rhine region, because I've always wanted to visit the castles and castle ruins along the Rhine River.

Serena: Oooh. That sounds awesome -- and the perfect place for a fairy tale girl to spend some quality time! Whether traveling to Rhine castles or just to White Castle for a burger (sorry, it was there.), is there one item you insist must be present in your car (or purse) at all times?

Melanie: Lipstick. I really don't wear a lot of makeup, but I don't feel right without lipstick when I go somewhere.

Serena: I usually have clear lip balm in my pocket, but never go anywhere without hand sanitizer in my purse. I also keep a squirt bottle of it in my cup holder. But before I go all germophobe on you, I'll move to safer, less-bacteria infected ground: What are you reading these days?

Melanie: What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool, research for my new book!

Serena: Sounds interesting! While I'm reading, I like to have soft music playing in the background. Lately I've had Christmas music playing 24/7. What is your favorite Christmas carol?

Melanie: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Serena: If you could live in one fairy tale for a month and be any character within it, which tale and character would you pick?

Melanie: I love fairy tales! But most of them are rather grisly, in their original form! My favorite is Beauty and the Beast, so I suppose I'd like to be Beauty, falling in love with a gentle, though tortured soul in a magical castle.

Serena: That sounds good, but I think I'd prefer the Beast after his magical-makeover! LOL. I don't mind kissing my goateed husband (I rather prefer the goatee to the sandpaper burn alternative, actually!) but I draw the line at slobbering fangs. (reader please note: the beastly character in The Merchant's Daughter has none of that Disney-esque animal appearance, so he fits the hero bill just fine! -- he's quite a looker under that beard and eye patch.)

So I have to ask: What is your definition of "beauty"?

Melanie: Beauty is fleeting and charm is deceptive, the Bible says, and I love the saying, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." (The Beholder was the original title I gave to The Merchant's Daughter.) Inner beauty is what really matters, really draws people in and makes them fall in love. Outward beauty is rather meaningless when you think about it. It doesn't last, and if a person has no inner beauty, we cease to think of them as beautiful anyway. But the truth is, humans are attracted by a pleasing appearance. What is beauty? That's a good question!

Thanks, Melanie for letting me stalk you and for answering even my silliest questions with flair!

For more information about Melanie and her books, visit her website -- and make sure you stay tuned to Edgy Inspirational Romance! I'll be posting my review of The Merchant's Daughter, as well as a more in-depth interview with Melanie, later this month!

Meet Fozzy (waka, waka, waka)!

noreply@blogger.com (Joy Tamsin David) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

I am now the proud owner of an elderly poodle named Fozzy.

The boys have been begging for a dog for more than five years and I promised when the youngest started kindergarten we'd get one. But Kindergarten came and went, and so did 1st and 2nd grades. And the boys have reminded me in increasingly less subtle ways that I'm waaaay overdue on my promise.

So I scoured Petfinder, Craigslist, and the local newspaper for a month looking for just the right animal to fit our family's lifestyle (that's code for house-broken and hypoallergenic). Since three out of five of us have pet allergies, each candidate needed to pass the sniff test. Not unlike checking the armpits of the tween-sized shirts I find lying on the floor, the sniff test involved burying my nose in the dog's fur to see if my eyes swell up like golf balls.

I met a cockapoo. Fail.

I met a shih-tzu. Double fail.

(The only excuse I can think of for allowing my husband to take this photo is I must have sensed a blog post in the making).

Then last week, the local animal shelter listed this little guy online and I ran down Saturday to check him out.

He's 9 years old but I'm pretty lucky I found him. Purebreds are rare at the animal shelter, and this one has such a great personality. I rubbed my face in his neck for an hour without so much as a sniffle.

So the boys have a dog and Fozzy has a home just in time for Christmas. And judging from the holiday outfits I'm collecting for this animal, I see lots of frou-frou poodle photos in your future.

You've been warned.

How Much is Too Much? by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

noreply@blogger.com (Joy Tamsin David) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:09:00 +0000

For many avid romance readers, Christian romance is an oxymoron due to the conservative guidelines set forth by CBA industry. True, these publishers adhere to the requests of their readership, and that’s a good thing. I’ve said numerous times and I’ll say again: Anything that gives God glory deserves to be praised!

On the other hand, inspirational fiction – especially the edgy sort – seems to be gaining more and more popularity with a large portion of the Christian audience as well as Christians who read secular romance because they are dissatisfied with CBA books.

As a reader I love a good romance novel, but there are also times when I crave a sweet read that simply makes my heart sigh.

When I began writing nearly thirty years ago I wrote romance…plain and simple, flat-out romance. The type of romance I read – steamy and satisfying with fully developed love scenes. Nearly ten years after penning my stories in five-subject notebooks, I recommitted my life to Christ and committed my writing to Him but I still wrote steamy, sensual, fully developed love scenes. At that time I had no idea there was a CBA market much less what they required or didn’t allow in their books. I simply expounded on the characters’ faith as a natural part of their lives. And then came the guidelines...Although I did my best to adhere to the rules of writing Christian romance, I couldn’t seem to tone down my novels enough to fit in the conservative box and thus my writing was tagged, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™

For instance – CBA publishers want the emotional side of love not the physical – Excuse me, but personally I can’t have one without the other! I have male friends whom I love dearly but the lack of sparks between us makes it impossible to think of them as anything but friends. On the other hand, I know men who make my pulse race and blood pound but to whom I would never entrust my heart unless I wanted it back in shreds.

And then there are topics which are taboo in Christian books….divorce – uh, excuse me again but the divorce rates among Christians are higher than that of secular couples. And what about domestic violence and child abuse? These things happen as often, if not more often in Christian homes.

Here’s a news flash for you: Christians are human with the same wants, needs, and temptations as non-believers!

So why are so many afraid to accept this and allow authors of Christian fiction to explore not only the pitfalls of our human nature – but the awesome power of God’s love, grace and mercy to heal and save, guard and guide?

True, reader demands have encouraged publishers to allow edgier writing and that too, is a good thing, but how much is too much? When do we cross the line or close the door on the issues plaguing the entire human race? Do we show domestic violence and child abuse in all its ugliness or hint at it but gloss over the sordid truth with pretty words?

Which would be more effective in reaching those closed off to God as a result of their mistreatment?

Wouldn’t a more realistic picture of the dark side of life also portray the reality of God’s grace and power?

I think so, which is why I write “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ Romantic Women’s Fiction that is “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

My latest novel, The Visionary deals with just such issues. Twins, Taylor and Trevor Forrestier share more than a successful business. The two share a childhood wrought with lies and deceit and the kind of abuse that’s disgustingly prevalent in today’s society. Can the love of God and the awesome healing power of His grace and mercy free the twins from their past and open their hearts to the good plan and the future He has for their lives? Find out in…The Visionary ~ Where the awesome power of God’s love heals the most wounded of souls. Available now through your local bookstore or online @ Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

*This post is part of a month-long virtual book tour where 4 autographed copies of The Visionary will be given away. Follow the entire tour (list of stops on my blog http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com/) and leave a comment on each one because the more times your name goes in the hat, the more chances you have to win!

Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Website: http://pamelathibodeaux.com/
Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com/

Here's an excerpt from The Visionary:

“Thank you for taking such good care of me.”

“I’m not through yet,” he mumbled, then slid off the couch and swung her up in his arms.

Fear snuck in, darkening her eyes. She stiffened and opened her mouth to protest. He brushed his lips over hers and silenced her objections.

“I just want to hold you,” he whispered and laid his forehead against hers. “That’s all. I promise,” he added, unable to camouflage the need in his voice.

***

He’d offered her another step to relinquish her fear and trust him. Triumph lit his expressive eyes when she wrapped her arm around his neck, smiled, and whispered, “Okay,” then snuggled her face against his shoulder and let him carry her to the bedroom.

With exquisite tenderness, he laid her on the bed, crawled up beside her, and took her in his arms. Taylor felt the strength of his need in the heat and tensed against the hardness of his body. He eased his grip and propped up on one elbow beside her. His eyes pleaded for grace when he stroked the hair off her face and said in a soft, husky voice, “Please don’t be afraid of me; please trust me. I will never force or even persuade you to give more than you’re ready to.”

They gazed at each other for a long, tender moment. She cupped his cheek in her hand, brushed her thumb over his mouth, then curled her fingers in his hair and urged his head down to fasten her lips to his. A low moan escaped his throat, yet he held himself taut.

Taylor ran her hand over his shoulder and back in a soft caress then wrapped her arms around his waist. “Hold me, Alex, I trust you.”

The emotions reflected in his tone caressed her heart when he thanked her in that beautiful velvety-rough voice. He rolled onto his back, pulled the covers over her, and held her while she slept.

Author Interview: TAMERA ALEXANDER

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:20:00 +0000

A mother of two grown children, award-winning inspirational romance author Tamera Alexander navigated the corporate world before she began writing full time. Tamera is the author of eight novels, and her home near Nashville gives her great access to the history surrounding Belmont Mansion, the setting of her current series. A Lasting Impression, her eighth book and the first in this new series, came out in November.

Serena: Welcome, Tamera! Your novels are consistently nominated for awards in the inspirational market. Do you have any plans to cross over into the general market?

Tamera: I'd love for my novels to "cross over" into the general market, so to speak, and to be placed alongside other general market historical fiction on the shelves, but that's really the call of the individual bookseller. And going "general market" wouldn't change what I write. I write historical fiction/romance novels from a Christian worldview because I'm a writer who's a believer in Christ. Reader's consistently tell me that they appreciate the "subtle" faith thread in my novels, and I appreciate the same in what I read as well.

People read novels to be swept away into another world and to take journeys vicariously through the characters in those stories, not to hear a sermon. Authentic spiritual growth must stem from the character's choices and mistakes, from their character arc and journey. It must be organic. In the end, I always take steps closer to Christ as I write, and my greatest hope is that readers will do the same as they read.

Serena: What does a typical writing day look like for Tamera Alexander?

Tamera: I typically check e-mail and work on the administrative and marketing side of writing for the first couple of hours then dive into writing. I'm definitely writing no later than 10a.m. But my most productive hours to write tend to be 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., so my schedule varies, which is a great thing about writing. But it also demands discipline, too. Deadlines sneak up faster than Christmas!

Serena: Your favorite activity to indulge in on a day off is ...

Tamera: I love, love, love going to movies, and I don't mind going by myself either. I typically skip the popcorn but always grab a drink. And sometimes I indulge in DOTS. (I know … but I love them.) Something else I love doing, but don't do often enough, is antique shopping. Finding those neat little off-the-beaten-path antique shops and scouting out something old (but new to me) to treasure.

Serena: When you're on a deadline or stuck in your writing what helps push you through "the wall"? Music? Snacks?

Tamera: I love Adele, Mandisa, Alison Krauss, The Band Perry, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Downhere, etc. … so my music tastes vary, but when I'm stuck I usually go for a walk or head upstairs to the elliptical. I used to make myself sit there at my desk and stare at the blinking cursor until something came to mind, but I've learned how self-defeating that is for me. So, like the Sundance Kid (in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) who said, "I'm better when I move," I've found that I am, too. Movement tends to break the bottleneck and feed the muse.

About snacks: I rarely eat at my desk and if I do, then it's a controlled portion. No "whole bags" of anything because the bag will be gone and I'll be thinking, "Who ate all those Peanut M&Ms?"

Serena: You've written two other trilogy series, but since your protagonists in A Lasting Impression got their Happy Ever After, it makes me wonder if the next books will move us forward (or backward) in time to introduce new characters. Any details you can share without risking a spoiler?

Tamera: The three novels in the Belmont Mansion series – A Lasting Impression being the first – will be far more "stand-alone" in nature than my previous series in order to capture more of the real history surrounding the mansion. We'll see glimpses of characters from previous books, of course, but each novel will have a new male and female protagonist. And, of course, Adelicia Acklen will be in all of them. She wouldn't have it any other way.

Serena: From reading the novel it is clear that you have a fondness for Belmont's history, as well as its famously controversial Lady Adelicia Acklen. What was the most surprising thing you learned in the course of your research for this novel?

Tamera: Two things immediately come to mind. Though, being a student of history, I can't say the issues were "surprising" to me. The first pertains to the inequality between the sexes. As a widow, Mrs. Adelicia Acklen (mistress of Belmont) could sign her own legal documents. But once she remarried, she had to have her husband sign her court papers for her, even though she had a marriage contract stating that all the property she brought into the marriage would remain hers.

The second issue is much graver – that of slavery and the recently emancipated slaves. Writing about this topic always brings a deep sense of unrest. As well it should. And that unrest only escalates when one realizes that global slave trading is even more prevalent today than it was back then. To quote Not for Sale by David Batstone (2010), "More slaves live in bondage today than were bartered during the four centuries of trans-Atlantic slave trade." And the majority of these today are children. It's heartbreaking.

Serena: If Adelicia Acklen stepped out onto her balcony to survey the modern landscape, what do you think her impression of what Belmont has become, and of Nashville in general, would be?

Tamera: Adelicia was a forward-thinking woman, but she was also a woman of the Victorian era who worked to "color within the lines" of propriety while also working to get what she wanted and to keep what was hers. She was fiercely loyal to family, appreciated her privacy, and most definitely enjoyed the finer things of life. I think she would be amazed at the growth of the city of Nashville since her passing in 1887, but I also think she'd be quite disapproving of the manner in which society as a whole has declined in relation to morality and ethics. Of course, you have to balance this with the fact that she owned slaves. Social norms often blind us to our own inequities and injustices, don't they?

Serena: How do you think she would react when she saw the modern skyline of downtown Nashville (especially the "BAT TOWER" – LOL)?

Tamera: Great question! Understanding how much Adelicia loved the centuries-old cathedrals and castles of Europe, I have a feeling she might be slightly less impressed with Nashville's infamous Bat Tower. However, understanding how she loved to shop (and she did!), I think she'd highlyapprove of Nashville's new Nordstrom.

Serena: I've heard it rumored that at one time there were tunnels beneath the gardens at Belmont – and some that may still be in use by the university's maintenance staff. Did you "unearth" any truth to these rumors?

Tamera: I'm actually working to "unearth" those rumors now, for the second Belmont novel. So let's just say that where there's smoke, there's fire. And I'll also add: I definitely do NOT like cramped, dark spaces!

Serena: Claire, the protagonist in A Lasting Impression, is an artist who can identify certain artists' work on sight. Are you also an artist or art aficionado?

Tamera: I wish. I love art, always have. But winning at Pictionary is my greatest claim to fame in the drawing sense. And that's being generous.

Serena: Have you developed any new artistic interests or hobbies as a result of research you've done for this (or any other) novel?

Tamera: I fell in love with the five statues Adelicia purchased on her Grand Tour of Europe in 1866, along with the artists of that period as I researched the history of the Belmont Mansion. I had a similar experience with the history of photography as I wrote From a Distance (part of the Timber Ridge Reflections series), which chronicles the journey of the first female photojournalist in America and how she set west with her glass plates and chemicals to capture the beauty of the Rocky Mountains in 1870s Colorado – something unheard of for a woman at that time. The story in From a Distance is based largely in the early history of women who served as pioneers in the field of photography in America.

Each book in the three-book Timber Ridge Reflections series all deal with "women firsts" in America (first female photojournalist, first female college professor, and first female rancher in Colorado).

Serena: Would you care to share a favorite line or scene that didn't make the cut for your final draft?

Tamera: Understanding that I cut almost 20,000 words from the final manuscript, you'd think something would immediately come to mind. But it doesn't. I can tell you that I usually don't lose "whole scenes" in a rewrite. But I DO pare them down considerably.

Serena: In the Author's Notes at the end of the novel, you mention a kinship with Claire's hard-won conviction that she would continue to paint even if God were the only one for whom she would ever paint. Are there any specific practices (or people) you include in your writing life to help keep pride at bay?

Tamera: In September, I co-taught at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference (ACFW.com) with my writing critique partner Deborah Raney, and I was asked a similar question. Oddly enough, "pride in writing" is not an issue for me. On the contrary, the stories that finally make it to the printed page of my books don't ever seem to be as good as the story that was "inside of me," if that makes any sense. Which always leaves me wanting to do better the next time and to make the next book better than the last.

I've written eight novels so far and, while they've garnered industry acclaim, I realize I'm still very much an apprentice at this craft and have a lot yet to learn. But that's part of the joy of writing. AND the frustration (smile).

Serena: Who are the contemporary authors whom you most esteem? And why?

Tamera: I'd rather not name specific authors I esteem most since there are too many to list. That said, I greatly appreciate the talent of Francine Rivers (especially her Redeeming Love) and I adored Kathryn Stockett'sThe Help. Incidentally, The Help audio book is the best audio book I've ever listened to. It's fabulous! I found Randy Alcorn's Safely Home to be a life-changing novel, and The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis is an annual read for me and has been since college days.

Serena: How do you feel about the future of the print book and traditional publishing?

Tamera: The only thing I'm certain about is that nothing in today's publishing world is certain, and that challenges (and thereforeopportunities) abound. I believe readers will continue to want to read and that there will be plenty of choices out there for them, but the venues through which we buy books (and find the authors we like – which is huge) has changed. And continues to, daily, it seems. It's definitely an exciting time to be in publishing!

Serena: What are you most thankful for this year?

Tamera: For the hope found only in Christ. And for family and friends. Always, always.

Serena: The holidays are approaching – does your family have any literary-inspired or unique traditions?

Tamera: I love the holiday season and the opportunities it brings to spend extra time with family and friends. I always look forward to Christmas Eve; even as a child that was a favorite time. On Christmas Eve we'll attend one of the candlelight services at church, which is always meaningful. Then we'll head home to enjoy a pot of chili and a pan of cinnamon rolls warm from the oven before diving in to play cards and then maybe watch a movie. We just enjoy being together. Oh! And we'll open gifts. We traditionally do that on Christmas Eve.

Serena: Anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

Tamera: I enjoy keeping in touch with readers so if you've read A Lasting Impression or another of my books, I'd l love to hear from you (tameraalexander@gmail.com). We can also stay connected via my website (http://www.tameraalexander.com/), Twitter (@tameraalexander), and Facebook. I also host monthly giveaways on my website. No catch. Just enter for a chance to win free autographed books. It's my way of saying thanks!

(this interview originally appeared at USA Today's romance fiction blog, Happy Ever After)

Blog Tour Review: BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE by Joyce Magnin

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:04:00 +0000

If you were to combine the characters from a Stephanie Plum novel and a Gilmore Girls episode, spray them down with sanitizer and plant them all in a small town in Pennsylvania, you'd have some idea of what sort of folks inhabit Bright's Pond, Pa., the setting of Joyce Magnin's latest novel.

Blame it on the Mistletoe is a delightful holiday read full of memorable characters, small-town quirk and … pie.

Here's the sitch:

At 43, Griselda Sparrow is still trying to earn her wings. Having spent much of her adult life caring for her house-bound and morbidly obese sister, Agnes, Griselda is tasting freedom for the first time. Agnes has been moved (by forklift) to Greenbrier Nursing Home to be on a controlled diet regimen. Finally, Griselda has the house – and a good portion of her life – to herself. But now that she's free, Griselda doesn't know what she wants: the easy, comfortable relationship with Zeb Sewickey, her on/off boyfriend since high school, or the more adventurous future offered by her debonair flight instructor, Cliff Cardwell. There's more than romantic drama going on in Bright's Pond, however, and Griselda is about to be stuck in the middle of a mystery.

Griselda visits Agnes regularly and can't help but notice the odd things going on at Greenbrier. There's a new energy in the atmosphere of the nursing home and many of the elderly residents are acting downright kooky – riding tricycles in the halls and making out like teenagers in the newly constructed gazebo. She begins to worry for the residents' – including Agnes' – safety.

Joining forces with Mildred Blessing, the town's overzealous police-force-of-one, Griselda is determined to discover what is making the old folks so loopy. Could someone be drugging them? Could it be Leon Fontaine, the strange little Don Quixote-quoting man who built the nursing home's new gazebo? And what is all this talk about Leon having discovered the Fountain of Youth – in the Paradise Trailer Park? Mildred Blessing is itching to slap some handcuffs on the funny little guy, but as events unfold, Griselda can't decide if Leon is a menace – or a miracle worker.

Before Griselda can solve the mystery of Leon Fontaine and his Fountain of Youth, she must first help her friends pull off a Thanksgiving luau and plan the town Christmas festivities, prepare to test for her pilot's license, attempt to overcome the crippling co-dependent relationship with her needy sister, and decide between the two men chasing her heart. If she manages all that, she may not only figure out Leon's game, but she might just be the first person in Bright's Pond to have a wedding cake made out of pie.

Hits & misses:

The characters in this novel easily captured my heart. This is a romantic book (in the classical sense of the word), but the romance itself is a little on the cool side. As handsome, adventurous, kind and alluring as Cliff may be, his pursuit of Griselda isn't all that zippity-do-dah-day. But compared with Zeb, Griselda's longtime suitor, Cliff Cardwell is a Romeo of the First Order. In fact, there were times I wanted to hit Zeb in the head with his own frying pan and tell him to get a clue. I really, really,really wanted one of the guys to sweep Griselda off her feet, but (sigh) Zeb and Cliff are typical, small-town men in their 40s. They didn't.

Strangely, however, that is part of the charm of this book. These characters are so laughably – and realistically – quirky that you just can't help but love them as they leap off the page and into your heart.

What made me squirm:

I'm a latecomer to this series (Blame it on the Mistletoe is Book 4), and although most aspects of this novel make it a fine stand-alone title, I felt a little lost as to the story's place in time. I would have liked to have had more than rare context clues to let me know in which decade of the mid-20th century I was vicariously living.

To read or not to read:

Blame it on the Mistletoe pretty much pegs the clean-o-meter on romance, so it's a safe gift to stick in your conservative auntie's stocking. The characters are so odd and flawed that you can almost smell them. And, P.S.: They smell like pie.

With laugh-out-loud moments and beautiful metaphors hidden within the subtext, Joyce Magnin has written a comfy novel that will fill your happy holiday heart with warm fuzzies.

(This review originally appeared at USA Today's romance fiction blog, Happy Ever After)

SERENA'S RATING:

Review: A STRANGER'S GIFT by Anna Schmidt

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 08:03:00 +0000

As a lover of contemporary rom-coms I don't often reach for books that straddle the fence of time, sticking buggies and horses next to modern convenience. Yes, I'm speaking of that great-selling, over-published subgenre of the inspirational market known as: Amish fiction.

I'm not (usually) a fan.

The new series by award-winning author Anna Schmidt, however, doesn't fall into the tidy Lancaster County box we've come to expect from cardboard-cutout Amish romances. In A Stranger's Gift, Book 1 in The Women of Pinecraft series, Schmidt has broken new ground by creating intelligent, original characters and setting her novel in Sarasota, Fla., within the Conservative Mennonite and Amish community of Pinecraft (yes, it is a real place!).

Plain folk on the beach? I did not see that coming.

Here's the sitch: Banned from his Amish community in Indiana for clinging to his Thoreau-inspired beliefs, John Steiner moves to Florida to experience his own version of Walden. Grieving the loss of his mother – as well as his community – he has become bitter in the two years of his stubborn seclusion. As Hurricane Hester approaches, John battens down the hatches and prepares to wait out the storm, but when the scowling – but quite attractive – local director of the Mennonite Central Committee arrives at his door and none-too-gently urges him to seek shelter further inland, John refuses to believe the storm will be as bad as she predicts. He is wrong.

Hester Detlef did not succeed in persuading that stubborn man to seek safety, but for some reason, she can't seem to get John Steiner off her mind.

After the hurricane, John is found injured. His property, however, is a total loss. Hester's heart goes out to him – but only intermittently; the man is absolutely unreasonable and, as a leader in the disaster recovery effort, Hester has more important things to do than to soothe an Amish man's ego. As determined in her cause as her namesake storm was in creating the havoc, Hester can't understand why just the thought of John Steiner distracts her so – especially since the entire Pinecraft community expects her to soon marry another man.

Hits & misses: Anna Schmidt's fresh Florida setting breathes new life into this tired but incredibly popular subgenre. Thanks to a hurricane, a (somewhat) integrated community of faith, and a little bit of literary inspiration (a la Henry David Thoreau's Walden) what could have been just one more "bonnet book" became something interesting and accessible – even for someone like me who shudders at the thought of reading Amish romance.

It took a little bit too long to get to the romance for my taste, but when John Steiner finally makes his move, he moves. Hester's reaction, however true to her character, lacked a bit of the passionate spark I had hoped to see revealed in her, but her feelings were clear and, although subdued, they were well-played.

To read or not to read: As you can imagine, I was more than surprised to find myself enjoying this book from the first page. Schmidt's characterization is precise and her plot well-constructed. Apart from one or two iffy time transitions, the pace of the story flows as smoothly as a hot cup of coffee follows a heaping slice of shoofly pie.

The romance is between older innocents, which is unusual – and that touch makes a simple, unexpected kiss almost scorch the page. In a way, the fun romantic tension between John and Hester mirrors that of Benedick and Beatrice in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Everyone seems to know that Hester and John belong together – except Hester and John. And, although their arguments are much more subdued than those of the Bard's famous pair, they are all kinds of fun.

It's clear that the author has done her research into the Pinecraft culture and community and, although I wouldn't want to live there (my current hairstyle would not rock a prayer kapp), it was a surprisingly nice place to visit.

(This review originally appeared at the USA Today romance fiction blog, Happy Ever After)

Serena's rating:

Review: A LASTING IMPRESSION by Tamera Alexander

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:39:00 +0000

Taking place shortly after the Civil War, A Lasting Impression by Christy Award-winning author Tamera Alexander is the first novel in a new series set against the backdrop of Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion.

Here's the sitch: Claire Laurent is a talented artist, but her future is being compromised by her father's greed. Forced to take over her late mother's job painting forgeries for the family's side business, Claire knows what she is doing is wrong, but she can't see a way out until fate, in the form of a violent robbery at her father's art gallery, sends her suddenly northward to Tennessee.

Arriving in Nashville with little more than the clothes on her back, Claire finds her prearranged living situation dangerously unsuitable. After thwarting her "caretaker's" advances, she escapes by sneaking through the unlocked back door of a nearby church. Awakening the next morning upon the padded pew on which she spent the night, Claire overhears a conversation between two young parishioners. Through her unintentional eavesdropping, she learns that Mrs. Adelicia Acklen of Belmont is seeking to hire a personal liaison to assist with her social obligations. Seeing the information as providential, penniless Claire wonders if she could apply for the position. Before Claire can learn more about the mysterious Mrs. Acklen, however, she is discovered in a somewhat compromising position – by a devastatingly handsome visitor to the church.

Sutton Monroe does not trust the beautiful young eavesdropper he found in the church. When he arrives at Belmont to find that Claire is interviewing with his employer, he becomes even more suspicious. An attorney who lost his father – and his family's land – to the war, Sutton is entrusted with protecting Mrs. Acklen's interests. He worries that Claire is out to swindle his employer and advises Mrs. Acklen against hiring her. But true to his employer's independent nature, Mrs. Acklen goes with her gut and hires the young woman – provisionally.

Sutton's suspicion wears on Claire – especially because she knows it is well-founded. But little by little, the attraction between them turns into a stronger emotion. When Claire learns that Sutton's law firm is building a case against a suspected ring of art forgers, she knows she must come clean about her past – to both Sutton and Mrs. Acklen. But how? Each time she tries to tell Sutton the truth, something happens to forestall her confession. And just as Claire's first taste of artistic success is in reach, her past comes to call. Will Claire and Sutton be able to move beyond the past? Or will their future together become just one more casualty of their mistakes?

Hits and misses: To put it simply: This book is a full-on HIT.

Belmont's history is fascinating and provides a rich setting for historical romance. The author has placed a diverse palette of colorful characters within her heady setting, but among them none is quite as vibrantly drawn as The Lady of Belmont herself, Mrs. Adelicia Acklen.

Smart, wealthy, outspoken, and thoroughly savvy, Adelicia could be considered a minor character in this book, but I'm pretty sure The Lady of Belmont doesn't do minor. Born before her time (how many antebellum women do you know of who had prenups?). Adelicia didn't allow the constraints of Southern femininity to limit the mark she would leave on history. Cast in the part of employer to both Claire and Sutton, Adelicia plays an understated role in bringing the couple together romantically, but even though her role in the romance is slight, it is her example of strength and resilience that greases the wheels that help Claire come into her own.

The two women are very much alike: driven, competitive, talented, and desperate for acceptance in the circles of society at which they aim. But whereas Adelicia's great wealth gives her the means to gradually buy her way back into society's good graces, Claire's poverty, combined with her checkered past as a forger, limits her ability to achieve the (artistic) acclaim she so desires.

I love the counterplay of the two women, especially when viewed through Sutton's point of view. Without being blind to her faults, Sutton's respect for Mrs. Acklen is clear and, as his attraction to Claire deepens, it is that comparison that adds the necessary ingredient of respect to the love relationship.

To read or not to read: A steady thread throughout the book, the romance between Claire and Sutton builds without flagging at the midpoint. Claire's maturing sense of self enhances the believability of the love story aspect of the tale, and Ms. Alexander's thorough research and evocative scene-setting move the plot forward with a vibrant tension that could only be topped by reading the novel inside the mansion itself.

As a graduate of Belmont University, I was a bit skeptical that the author's depiction of my beloved alma mater's history would do Adelicia Acklen's legacy justice – but I needn't have worried. A Lasting Impression paints Belmont Mansion – and its famous Lady – with a careful, loving hand. I knew about Belmont Mansion and Adelicia Acklen before reading this book – now I feel that I know them personally.

Although this novel is marketed to a Christian audience, fans of both inspirational and general market historicals will find A Lasting Impression to be a refreshingly unpreachy romance with carefully wrought characters that transcend their place in time.

(This review originally appeared at the USA Today romance fiction blog, Happy Ever After.)

Serena's rating:

Review: TURNABOUT'S FAIR PLAY by Kaye Dacus

noreply@blogger.com (Serena Chase) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:02:00 +0000

What happens when a group of meddling but well-intentioned senior citizens decide to become under-the-radar matchmakers for their single grandchildren? That's the premise behind The Matchmakers series from inspirational romance author Kaye Dacus.

Turnabout's Fair Play is the third novel in this humorous series and even if you haven't yet read the preceding novels (I haven't either!), you won't have any trouble catching on to the story. Once you're in, you're sure to fall in love with the charmingly dorkilicious main characters in this funny romance.

The sitch: Flannery McNeill is a hardworking senior editor at a Nashville publishing house. Tall, blond, and in her mid-30s, Flannery has sworn off dating good-looking men, believing them all to be shallow heartbreakers. Setting her sights on finding a wholesome but dorky guy to marry someday, she dedicates herself to her career. But with her two best friends now happily in love, Flannery is feeling all alone, wondering if her knight in shining pocket-protector will ever appear.

A gorgeous sports advertising hotshot, Jamie O'Connor is everything Flannery despises. But when she and Jamie become the target of their grandparents' matchmaking schemes, she discovers that Jamie might just have enough geek within him to fit the bill. As each uncovers the hidden dorkiness within the other, the attraction between them grows.

The more time Flannery and Jamie spend together, the clearer it becomes that a flirtation has developed between their wannabe-matchmaking grandparents. Suddenly, the matchmaking tables turn and Jamie and Flannery start inventing opportunities for their grandparents to spend time together. After all, there's no expiration date on the ability to fall in love.

Hits & misses: The story begins in the point of view of Jamie's 84-year-old grandmother, Maureen "Cookie" O'Connor. It is clear that Cookie is attracted to Flannery's grandfather, Kirby McNeill, from the moment he walks into the senior center on his granddaughter's arm. I wasn't sure how I felt about reading an octogenarian romance, but Cookie is charming, clever, funny, and believably girlish. I quickly grew to like her, but I was relieved to find the scenes from her point of view to be brief and limited. The many scenes from Jamie's and Flannery's points of view are worth the short side roads between them.

Although the author spends a little bit too much time on minutia in certain sequences of dialogue (driving directions, anyone?), having lived in Music City myself several years ago, I was quite familiar with most of her detailed locale. For me, it personalized the tale; but readers who are unfamiliar with the Nashville metro area might find themselves skimming through some passages. That being said, there's so much to like about this book that I'm smiling just thinking about it. Full of humor and unique, visual characters,Turnabout's Fair Play is just plain fun reading.

What made me squirm: The title.

When I first read the title, the word "Turnabout's" seemed like it should be a possessive proper noun. I assumed it to be a character's (odd) name. But "Turnabout" is not a proper noun, and the apostrophe is not meant to make it possessive. "Turnabout's" is a compound word.

Awk-ward.

I wasn't crazy about the title before the context of the story explained it to me, but even after my "ahh …" moment, I found it somewhat clumsy, as titles go. The publisher could have easily clarified the meaning by un-compounding the word (Turnabout Is Fair Play) or by letting the word Turnabout stand alone on the cover. Sure, it's a little thing as fiction hang-ups go, but there it is: I really liked the story, but I don't like the title. It made me squirm.

To read or not to read: Kaye Dacus has written a humorous tale of 2-for-1 matchmaking gone right. Turnabout's Fair Play is a sweet, fun, dual romance -- with just the right touch of "dork" to make you smile long after you've turned the final page.

(This review originally appeared at USA Today's Happy Ever After, a romance fiction blog)

Serena's Rating: