Interviews & Reviews

Murder in Hum Harbour

2012-01-26T10:49:00.000-05:00

Murder in Hum Harbour by Canadian author Jayne E. Self features a cast of suspects that will keep you guessing until the end.

Set in Nova Scotia, in the fictional town of Hum Harbour, the author has created characters that all have a secret to keep, making this novel a page turner. Gailynn MacDonald, our main character, is out for a stroll on the beach when she comes across a boat that has run aground. When she goes to investigate, she discovers newly retired Doc Campbell lying face down in a pool of water - dead.

Turns out that Doc has a past and a problem with drinking, so right away the police assume his death is an accident. But not Gailynn, she immediately suspects murder and then proceeds to investigate Doc's death on her own, eventually convincing her brother, one of Hum Harbour's three police officers, that she might be right.

Gailynn was a fun character because she found a suspect in just about everyone in the small town of Hum Harbour and all of her reasons are quite plausible. The author has done a great job of fleshing her out and giving her an inquisitive nature. Unfortunately for Gailynn, this nature soon gets her into trouble as she starts to ruffle the real murderer's feathers.

A great whodunit that will keep you turning the pages. I give Murder in Hum Harbour 4 stars.

No Innocent Affair - Making Right the Wrong of Adultery

2012-01-16T14:30:00.000-05:00

Are you a Christian who has divorced your spouse while your other spouse is still alive? According to Edward F. Mrkvicka Jr., author of No Innocent Affair - Making Right the Wrong of Adultery, there is no hope for you - you are going to hell.

Strong words and ones I struggled with while reading this book. Not because I am a divorced Christian. No, I have been happily married for 30 years this July. No, I struggled because I know many Christians who for one reason or another divorced their spouses. Some entered into divorce because their spouse was unfaithful. Others remarried because they just couldn't stand the thought of remaining with the same man for the rest of their lives. Some divorced due to abusive situations. Almost all of them remarried and according to the author, they are now unrepentant adulterers destined for hell.

Citing scripture after scripture, the author takes a "no repentance=no forgiveness" stand. In other words, if your spouse isn't dead and you remarry, you are an adulterous unrepentant sinner and you have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit. You have sealed your fate, because blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. Of course, Mrkvicka's definition of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is stretching it a little. In his view, if we as Christians ever sin we are committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I have yet to meet a Christian who hasn't sinned after believing in Jesus as their Saviour. We are after all, only human. Which means, according to Mrkvicka, a lot of "born again" believers who think they are heaven bound - are not.

The author goes on to point out that if you call yourself a Christian and you commit adultery, then you are fooling yourself, because no "true" Christian would deliberately sin. He quotes scripture to back that statement up and it's convincing, so convincing in fact, that halfway through the book you begin to ask the question - but what about forgiveness? What about Jesus? Where is the hope for someone who has committed adultery and wants to make his relationship right with God? For that matter, where is the hope for a Christian who has sinned in another way? Will God forgive them at all? Well, according to the author, if you don't repent and you marry the person you have committed adultery with, your relationship with God is eternally severed. Likewise, if you are a Christian that is continually sinning, you too have severed your relationship with God.

If you have ever committed adultery, divorced and remarried, this book will scare you. If you have ever sinned at all since coming to Christ, it will have you shaking in your boots, because if you don't repent of your sins you are, as the author suggests, unrepentant and destined for hell. This book will not only stimulate discussion, it may cause many to reconsider how they are currently living in regards to honouring God. I guarantee you will be disagreeing with the author, but you will also have your eyes opened to the holy life a Christian is supposed to be leading.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

2012-01-09T01:59:00.001-05:00

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is another delightful novel from author Julie Klassen.

Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid to escape a scheme by her stepfather to marry her off to a scoundrel. Margaret knows he wants control of her inheritance which she will come into on her next birthday. Unfortunately, Margaret knows nothing about the duties of a housemaid and is in for a rude awakening. Even worse, the man she is hired to work for knows her and if he recognizes her, he might turn her in because she once rejected his proposal of marriage and she is positive he has bad feelings towards her.

I loved the way Klassen takes a character who is uppity and puts her in her place! Not only does Margaret learn how to become a housemaid, she becomes aware just how boorish she was towards her own servants and learns a thing or two about respecting others in the process. The behind the scenes look at the life of a maid in the 19th century was very interesting as well. Klassen has done her research and it makes you feel as if you have stepped into the pages of the book.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall brims with danger, romance and humour. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Rose of Winslow Street

2012-01-06T14:50:00.001-05:00

The Rose of Winslow Street by author Elizabeth Camden will keep you turning pages well into the night.

Michael Dobrescu has just arrived in America with his two children and his sister. They are intent on settling down in the small town of Colden, Massachusetts. The only problem is that he is determined to settle in Libby Sawyer's house! While she is at her beach house with her father, Michael breaks into her home and takes it over, refusing to budge. What audacity! But, as Libby soon finds out, Michael Dobrescu, may have more of a claim to the house than her father does, even though they have lived there for over 20 years.

This book keeps you guessing right up until the very end. At first you are angry and you hate Michael and his family for thinking they can just march right in and take over someone's home. Then your anger turns to shock as Libby starts to fall for the guy! Yet, believe it or not, you will fall for him too before you finish reading the book.

The author has created vibrant characters that leap off the page and a story that has much more to it than just evicting squatters. The love that develops between the two main characters (who should be enemies) is perfectly believable and the message of loving your enemies is clear.

I give this book 5 stars!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Woman of Worth

2012-01-02T00:58:00.000-05:00

Woman of Worth is the first bible study in a four lesson series by author and radio talk show host Ruth Coghill.

This series focuses on Psalm 139 and is an excellent series for your bible study group or even for personal study. Ruth begins by sharing her experiences with depression and how it affected her life, resulting in the loss of her job and her self-esteem. The label of being mentally ill made her feel like a loser and her depression escalated, until one day she begged God to make her well and while that took many months, she learned to lean on God and confess her sin of living life her own way. She made a conscious decision to make God's Word a priority in her life and the result changed her perception of herself and helped her to see that she was indeed a Woman of Worth.

Each book has four lessons and uses Psalm 139 as its focus. Ruth shares personal experiences in each chapter that will not only help the reader relate to the author, but it will also help you as you relate to Scripture. The first book covers the following topics:

God Knows Me
God is With Me
God Created Me
God Defends Me

If you need a boost in how you perceive yourself or how you think God views you, this book will lift you right up and help you to see that you are indeed a Woman of Worth!

You can listen to Ruth's show Word to Inspire every Thursday night at 9:00 pm on Faith Fm 94.3

Top 10 Historical Fiction for 2011

2011-12-27T22:50:00.000-05:00

It was very hard to narrow down my list of favourite historical fiction for 2011, but I did. These are all books I have reviewed this year. So, if you are surprised that a book is missing, it is because I didn't review it, but I love recommendations! So, if you think there is a book I should read and review, leave a comment. I always love to read a good book!

1. The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

2. The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund

3. Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

4. Angel Sister by Ann H. Gabhart

5. Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

6. The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

7. The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher

8. The Damascus Way by Jannette Oke and Davis Bunn

9. Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer

10. The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser

An Interview with Tom Blubaugh

2011-12-20T13:13:00.000-05:00

Today I have the author of Night of the Cossak, Tom Blubaugh visiting today. You can read the first chapter of his book at http://nightofthecossack.com/

Who are your favourite authors from your childhood?

I’m sure this will sound strange, but I don’t have any. I don’t remember being encouraged to read. I remember having to write a book report for a grade school class. I didn’t really read the book. I read just enough of it to get the gist of the story and wrote my report on that. I may have read Black Beauty and Huckleberry Finn.

What prompted you to start writing?

I’ve thought about this and I’m not really sure. I have a vague memory of my mother sitting at a typewriter writing stories. She was a very private person and she didn’t share her writings with me or my siblings that I remember. She may have influenced me on a subconscious level.

When did you realize you could write?

I suppose it was in my early teens. I apparently wrote poems and gave them to girls. I don’t remember this, but was told by a classmate a few months ago, that she has a poem I wrote for her tucked away in a book. I’m guessing I did this because I was too shy to say what I felt in person. I was sexually molested when I was twelve, which had a drastic affect on my self esteem and self worth. When I was a freshman in junior high, Elvis came on the scene and rock and roll hit the airwaves. I would read comic books and find ads in the back asking for poems that they could convert to lyrics for singers. I would write poems and send them off to the companies only to get a response that they would publish them for money. I didn’t have any so that dream evaporated, but my fantasy of being a rock and roll singer still surfaces occasionally. LOL!

In my mid twenties, I enrolled in some college courses of which one was creative writing. The instructor was a recent graduate from Kansas University. In the beginning class, he told us to write the way we talk—that communication was the most important thing. I had never heard this before. I started applying this in business letters and I liked the results.

In 1973 I took two term papers and put them together in a manuscript. I personally took my script to a person I knew who was the editor of a denominational magazine and asked him to publish it. He said he would look it over and consider it. He didn’t respond for a year. I wrote him and asked him about it. Three months later I received a letter stating he had lost the manuscript. Talk about emotions. This was before computers and even copy machines so I did not have a back up. A few weeks later, he found it and sent it back to be with a rejection letter. I self-published the book in 1974 and sold copies at seminars I held for churches. After that, I wrote nonfiction articles for two denominational and two business magazines. Two years ago I co-wrote a book, under contract, for Barbour Publishing.

Your recent book is fiction. When did you make the change from nonfiction?

In 2005 my mother passed away. The reality of me being the oldest in my family weighed on me. In 2004, I had a massive heart attack and came face to face with my mortality. Barbara and I have six children and fourteen grandchildren and the realization that I had very little heritage to pass down made me stop and think. Both of my grandfathers died before I was born and I knew very little about either of them or any of my ancestors. There was only one of my mother’s siblings still living and I met with her to find out as much as I could about my ancestors. It was surprisingly very little. I started digging into the genealogy of father’s side and found a fair amount of information about them, thanks to a cousin who had already done a lot of work. I developed a family website with hundreds of pages and links so my heirs would have a heritage. When I finished, I still had a big hole because I had practically no information about my maternal grandfather. I did know he was born in Russia and that he was a Cossack soldier. I began researching these soldiers and became interested in their history. A story started to develop in my mind. I found myself creating my grandfathers life for myself. As I continued to write I found I was writing also for my heirs. When I was well into the manuscript and shared it with a published writer online and she encouraged me to continue.

Did you find fiction harder to write than nonfiction?

Yes I did. Both require research, but fiction requires much more creativity.
Your novels was published this past April (20ll). How did you find a publisher?
The answer to this question is very interesting. I was about seventy-five percent finished with the manuscript when I received and email from a client asking me to help him develop a website. I had previously developed a website for his ministry http://seekandsvethelost.com for him a year before. He said he and his wife were starting an independent Christian publishing company and wanted to meet with me. I didn’t think about sharing my manuscript with them as I wasn’t writing a Christian novel. You can read his story Why We Published Night of the Cossack on my blog. This is not your normal publishing story.

What has been the reception of your novel?

Both my publisher and I have worked very hard at marketing. We are not setting the woods on fire, but sales are steady. I have been heavily involved in building a platform. I have received mail from readers age twelve through eighty-six expressing their enjoyment. My novel has a five star rating from forty-six reviews on Amazon and it is rated in the top thirty historical fiction and action and adventure based on reviews and comments. We’re hoping the sales will reach that level.

What is your vision for your book?

The first part of my vision is that it will open doors to speak to young readers, especially those at risk. This is already happening. I’m setting up speaking engagements for 2012. The second part is that it will be accepted by the homeschool arena. Theresa Franklin wrote a ten-day study guide of my novel for homeschool. This is now on Amazon as an ebook.

Why are you interested in homeschooling?

There are a lot of discussion points in my novel dealing with moral dilemmas. In my vision I can see homeschool moms and dads discussing my story at length and I can see it making a difference in the decision process of young adult readers. This is something I didn’t have as a child. I can only think of one teacher that cared enough to confront me when I was way off track in my senior year. I was a felon by time I was fifteen and on probation. She worked hard to bring to the point of being able to get my high school diploma. I remember the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” I want to help young people before they get in trouble.

What are your writing plans for the future?

Several readers have asked me for a sequel. I’m working on that now, but I’m going slow. I want to develop my platform more thoroughly before I publish another novel. It is evident that the ebook version is outselling the paperback ten to one so we will probably publish the sequel as an ebook. If the demand develops for a paperback then we’ll deal with that.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Whatever your vision is, be persistent. Don’t give up. Everything you do, including writing, can be an act of worship if you do it for the Lord.

The Names of God Bible

2011-12-17T23:27:00.001-05:00

I am a big fan of Ann Spangler, author of Praying the Names of God. I was first introduced to her through the book Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, which she co-wrote with Lois Tverberg. So, I was very intrigued when I heard she had Bible coming out called The Names of God Bible.

Beautifully designed, The Names of God Bible is the God's Word Translation which was produced by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. It has been translated directly from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.

This bible features all the names of Yahweh throughout the Old Testament, but also includes many more, plus the names are featured by the author with explanations as to their meanings. For example, in Genesis alone we have these names and their meanings:

Yahweh – LORD

El, Elohim – God

Ruach Elohim – the Spirit of God

El Elyon – God Most High

Adonay – Lord

El Shadday – God Almighty

El Olam – the Everlasting God

El Roi – the God Who Sees Me

Yahweh Yireh – the LORD Will Provide

What I appreciate about this Bible is that the creators have kept these names as they appeared in the original text, instead of just using "God, Father or Lord". The scripture takes on a whole new meaning when you have the original names and what they meant.

For example, Genesis begins: "In the beginning Elohim created heaven and earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep water. The Ruach Elohim was hovering over the water." Yes, it is easier to understand why earlier translations of the Bible switched these words to English. I would not know what the Ruach Elohim was if Biblical scholars had not shown me and translated it to "the Spirit of God". But now, as I grow older in my faith, it is nice to discover these names of God and how they relate to the text surrounding them.

This Bible is one that I will treasure and use often and I know would make any student of the Bible thrilled to receive it this Christmas.

Bible has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

40 Ways to Get Closer to God

2011-12-13T22:10:00.000-05:00

40 Ways to Get Closer to God by Jerry MacGregor is a nice little book to add to your daily devotionals.

MacGregor admits he does not have it all together, but he has noticed that he is closer to God than he used to be. So he wrote this book with you in mind. He asks you to try some ideas and do some work. I originally thought this book said 40 Days to Get Closer to God, so I tried to meet a challenge a day. I soon learned that wasn't what the author intended. Some challenges take longer than others. But, I still tried to use the book in my daily devotionals, checking off the challenges when I was done.

Offering first some words of wisdom and what he has learned, MacGregor then puts forth a challenge. When you have completed the challenge he asks you to check it off. There is room for taking notes as well.

Don't let the idea of challenges scare you. The first one was simple enough - serving someone in a practical way. Like shovelling the snow from your neighbour's driveway, or taking a meal to a family with a chronically ill child. Other challenges are fasting, memorizing scripture, singing worship music and praying for your best friend. Of course, there are 40 challenges and I've named only a few.

A wonderful way to begin the new year right - 40 Ways to Get Closer to God makes no promises, but certainly gets you off to a good start!

I received my review copy from Bethany House Publishers.

Taste and See First Chapters

2011-12-11T18:32:00.000-05:00

Now this is the way to shop! If you like Christian books and have an eBook you will love this. Taste and See First Chapters a Sampling by the John 3:16 Marketing Network Authors has over 50 first chapters of fiction and non-fiction books. The authors are traditionally published and self-published. The selection of books is incredible and covers both fiction and non-fiction from all types of genres. There are even picture books for kids in this book!

This eBook was published by the John 3:16 Marketing Network and was edited by founder Lorilyn Roberts. It was published with Smashwords, something many authors seem to be using these days as it offers a few options for downloading to your Kindle, Sony Reader, Kobo, etc. You can also read it directly on your computer screen. The best thing about this book? It is FREE until December 31, after that you have to pay for it, but even then the price isn't that bad - only .99 cents.

After each chapter you will find a link that will take you to Amazon for the book you want to purchase. I've already found a few I'm going to order. This is a wonderful way to shop this Christmas and I suspect more and more authors will be jumping on this unique way to promote their books.

There is only one thing tiny little thing that I noticed with Smashwords. If you decide to read the book online the links to the titles in the book don't work. However, when viewing it on my Kindle I find no such problem. A minor glitch for a sweet deal!

Get your FREE copy while you can at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/104475.

The Promise of Deer Run

2011-12-01T09:12:00.000-05:00

Today, I'm pleased to have author Elaine Marie Cooper with us as she launches her latest book The Promise of Deer Run. Elaine is part of the John 3:16 Network and she will be offering free gifts (just in time for Christmas) to anyone who buys The Promise of Deer Run today on Amazon. What kind of gifts? You will have to go here http://deerrunsaga.com/ to find out. So without further ado - here's Elaine!

Elaine, is there a story behind this novel?

The story behind The Promise of Deer Run began when I was writing the first book in the saga, The Road to Deer Run. When describing the nightmares from war that the character Daniel experienced, I began to think about all the soldiers on both sides that had residual emotional scars from battle. Then I thought about all the soldiers of today who suffer from some sort of post-traumatic stress related to war. It made me decide to share the focus of this sequel with both the love story of Sarah and Nathaniel (a veteran) and the after-effects that he experienced due to the terrible memories from being a soldier on the front lines in the American Revolution. I think it is a story that many veterans and their families can relate to today.

Sounds fascinating! What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

I so enjoy the true tales of those who led interesting lives, especially in history. I read the biography of Bob Dole called One Soldier’s Story as part of my research for this current book. Very inspiring. I also love novels. I just finished a delightful contemporary women’s fiction entitled A Summer in Oakville by Lisa Lickel and Shellie Neumeier. And I always love the classics! Looking forward to picking up Jane Eyre again—a novel that I have not read since childhood. So many books...so little time!

If you were a style of music, what style would you be?

Either Celtic or Colonial American Music. I know, I know...you’re all lining up to hear my CD’s, aren’t you!! LOL!

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

It’s a pretty embarrassing story! Years ago when I was a Nursing Assistant, I was working in a post-op unit. It was Christmas time and they were playing holiday tunes over the intercom. Elvis’ song, “Blue Christmas” came on—a song that I find pretty annoying! (Forgive me, Elvis fans!) I was working at the nurse’s station so I started doing my worst possible Elvis impression to make it sound ridiculous. Unbeknownst to me, the intercom at the desk was on, so my horrendous Elvis impression was being broadcast all over the floor! One of the nurses rushed up to me and said, “EVERYONE is listening to your song—and now they’re all REALLY sick!” I was mortified! But I can laugh about it now!

LOL! Too funny! If I had been a patient there I probably would have blown a few stitches from laughing so hard. And I must admit, you are not alone, I can't stand that song either (sorry Elvis fans but I agree with Elaine)!

Elaine, can you share a verse or Scripture passage with us that is special to you?

One of my favourite verses is Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” The first time the Lord used this verse to encourage me was after I took my nursing boards to complete my R.N. I just knew in my mind that I had failed the exam and was feeling downtrodden. The next morning as I was doing my devotions, I opened to Philippians and read these words. It was a truly uplifting moment. And when I received my official notification that I had passed my nursing boards five days later (a record time for being notified), all I could do was thank my Lord Who had carried me through the long, arduous nursing program. Now that I am an author, God continues to use these same words to encourage me. I often add the verse to my signature at book signings.

How encouraging! Remember everyone, stop by http://deerrunsaga.com/ today and pick out a free gift when you by a copy of The Promise of Deer Run.

About the Author: Elaine Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts but now lives in the Midwest with her husband, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet grandchildren who are now one and a half years old. Elaine’s only daughter, Bethany, passed away in 2003 from a brain tumour.

The Road to Deer Run, was a finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, received an Honourable Mention in the 2011 Los Angeles Book Festival, and was a Clash of the Titles Champion for “Most Romantic Moment.”

The sequel, entitled The Promise of Deer Run, is now available.

Elaine Marie Cooper can be reached on FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000997223171 or visit her websites at: www.PromiseofDeerRun.com or www.DeerRunBooks.com

America’s war for freedom from England has been over for seven years, but the wounds of that conflict still plague the minds and hearts of the residents of Deer Run.

Young American veteran Nathaniel Stearns, suffering from the memories of war that haunt him in the night, has withdrawn to a life of isolation. He still awaits his father who never returned from the war—a mystery that haunts him.

He is brought out of his self-imposed exile by a near-tragedy in the woods that brings him face-to-face with nineteen-year-old Sarah Thomsen, someone he had long admired but he assumed had eyes for another. This chance encounter opens a crack into the door of his heart as mutual affection quickly blooms.

But slander and lies soon mar the budding romance, rendering both Sarah and Nathaniel wounded and untrusting as their faith in both their God and each other is shattered. Set in 1790 and filled with rich detail of the era, this book continues the story of the Thomsen and Lowe families as they struggle to survive in the aftermath of the war that birthed the United States.

The Promise of Deer Run is Book Two in the Deer Run Saga. Book one is entitled, The Road to Deer Run.

The Christmas Shoppe

2011-11-29T11:21:00.000-05:00

The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson is a sweet little novella that is a perfect read for this time of year.

Matilda Honeycutt has just moved to the town of Parrish Springs and she's already made a few people angry. Not only does she buy a building out from under the nose of city councilman George Snider, but she seems to be having an unusual effect on the people who visit her store. After naming her store The Christmas Shoppe, everyone is expecting a unique store that will brighten the downtown core and bring in more business, but when her store opens the whole town is in an uproar when they discover what she is selling.

We often miss treasures that are staring us in the face and the character of Matilda Honeycutt helps those who visit her store to discover that truth. I liked the simplicity of this book and the way one little woman seems to affect an entire town. A great read for a cold day! Grab a cup of hot chocolate, snuggle up under a warm blanket and get lost in Parrish Springs!

The Gospel of the King of the Jews

2011-11-26T18:13:00.001-05:00

From the back cover: "The Gospel of the King of the Jews brings to life the characters and their background in a new version of ‘the greatest story ever told’. It depicts Judas as a simple shepherd, who is tricked by the High Priests into leading them to his Master. This fascinating portrayal, separating the Christ of faith from the Jesus of history, is founded on vast erudition and thorough scholarship of the Jewish, Christian, Roman and Greek milieu. It will stimulate and excite all those genuinely interested in Jesus and his life and times."

The Gospel of the King of the Jews by author Ralph Thorpe is a 700 page plus epic that is far removed from the Gospel we find in the Bible. It did stimulate me - to anger - and made me want to throw the book in the trash.

Full of distorted truths, blasphemies and lies about our Saviour I was sickened by what I read. At first I was not going to write a review, but then I thought - I must! What if someone picks up this book, thinking it is historically accurate and well researched as it claims? They would not only be led astray by falsehoods, they would have wasted their money.

The author admits that he went "seeking the meaning of life" and you can tell by all the new age mysticism in this book that he still hasn't found it. It broke my heart to have Jesus depicted as a student of an Indian Seer who urges Jesus to see that "all are one" and that Jesus had to go to him first to be able to know God and find Him. On top of that, Thomas marries Mary Magdalene, who later (in this story) commits adultery. Judas Iscariot is for whatever reason Jesus' best friend and as innocent as the day is long. Jesus also denies that his mother was a virgin! That was the last straw for me and I could not read any further.

I will say this - the author is an imaginative writer, but he has obviously taken his beliefs from Indian gurus, Shinto priests and Zen Masters and neglected to thoroughly research Christ's life using the one book that matters - the Bible.

Christmas Belles of Georgia

2011-11-23T00:33:00.003-05:00

I am pleased to have author Rose McCauley with us today. Rose is one of the authors in Christmas Belles of Georgia. Four Christmas stories from four different authors! How great is that? And guess what? If you purchase Christmas Belles of Georgia anytime between November 21-27, Rose will give you a free e-cookbook called Novel Morsels. You can find out more details here http://www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com/ for now, let's get to our interview!

Rose, can you tell my readers what your new book is about?

The idea for Christmas Belles of Georgia was first formed in the imagination of Jeanie Smith Cash. Then she asked me and Deb Ullrick and Jeri Odell to join her. We each wrote the story of one of the sisters and then Jeanie wrote the epilogue where they all came together on their birth day.

Here is the back cover blurb on the book:
Surprised by Life—and Love—at Christmas

Four letters are mailed from Monticello, a small antebellum town in Georgia. Sisters once, now heirs to a historic plantation, each young woman must come to terms with the circumstances of her birth. . . .

When she learns in a letter she’s adopted, Holly feels betrayed by her parents—and she books a flight out of Missouri immediately. Will she ever be able to love again?

Raised in a wealthy, loveless home, Carol rushes to Monticello from college in Atlanta when she receives her letter. She’s searching for family, but finds instead a boy she once mistreated. Will he remember her? . . .forgive her?

In one year, Starr has lost her parents, boyfriend, and job, so she’s sure her letter is more bad news. When the attorney flies to California to offer proof, Starr takes a second look—at the message and the man.

Noelle always knew she was adopted—and she’s always loved the foreman on her father’s Texas ranch too. But he’s so distant. . .perhaps a trip to Georgia is the break in life she needs.

Will the sisters receive a traditional Christmas gift. . .of love?

Sounds exciting! What type of books did you like as a child? Any favourites?

Hmm. That is a hard question I have never asked myself before, so I will have to think. I loved the Bobbsey Twins and Nancy Drew and other series books as a child and love series to this day. The Mitford series by Jan Karon is one of my favourites as well as Karen Kingsbury’s Redemption series and Francine Rivers’ Mark of the Lion series…

What is your favourite Scripture?

Eph. 3:20 and 21: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Do you also have a favourite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?

The verse above has been true in every aspect of my life, including my writing.

If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?

Any place with a beach, so Hawaii would be my first choice since it has lots of beaches!

As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?

I’ve had to open myself up to others. Now in the marketing of my book, I’ve had to put myself out there and ask people to take a look and even buy my book. I find that much easier to do if it is for a friend’s book instead of my own!

What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?

Join ACFW and keep reading and writing and praying and persevering!

Surrender the Dawn

2011-11-19T15:56:00.001-05:00

Surrender the Dawn is the third book in the Surrender to Destiny series by MaryLu Tyndall and it didn't disappoint.

The war of 1812 is still raging and Cassandra Channing must find a way to support herself, her mother and two sisters when her father and brothers leave to fight the battle. They have not heard from them in months and have no idea if they are living or dead. As with all girls during that time period, it seems the only solution is to get married to a rich man. Fortunately, Cassandra is her own woman and refuses to bow to her mother's wishes.

Along comes Luke Heaton, the captain of a broken down ship and a gambling, booze-addicted, womanizing privateer. When Cassandra offers him enough money to fix his ship, he sees this as an opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of society. Not to mention the fact that he gets to help a beautiful damsel in distress! Things go well until his ship is captured with his only brother on board. Now Luke is being blackmailed by the British to provide not only food supplies but ammunition to fight against his own people. When Cassandra starts to suspect he is up to no good and running off with her money, she tries to catch him in the act - only to be caught up in a massive British invasion.

Arrgh! I love me a good pirate book! Well...not a pirate exactly, but close enough. This book had it all and was the perfect ending to this series. Tyndall managed to include the characters from the other two books and it was wonderful to see how she wrapped everything up and tied it all together.

The only thing that surprised me was the same story line was used in regards to the "nefarious suitor" who will do anything to win Cassandra. He was exactly the same character with a different name, from her second book in this series, Surrender the Night. He was creepier than the other guy though, so take it as you will, it doesn't detract from the book and I still give it 5 out of 5 stars! It was way too fun to be given anything less.

Love on the Line

2011-11-15T08:29:00.001-05:00

Love on the Line by author Deeanne Gist was a fun romantic novel that I found hard to put down.

Lucious Landrum is a Texas Ranger who goes undercover in Brenham, TX to uncover the hideout of the famous train robber Frank Comer. Unfortunately for Lucious, Frank has endeared himself to the surrounding population of Brenham as he has become somewhat of a folk hero. Think Robin Hood.

As Lucious takes on the persona of Luke Palmer, troubleman for Southwestern Telegraph & Telephone Company (SWT & T), he not only has to deal with finding Frank, but he also has to deal with feisty Georgie Gail, (the telephone operator) who is fiercely independent, and annoyed that some man can come into her home and give her orders on how to do her job.

I really liked the characters in this novel and the growing romance between Georgie and Lucious. It was a fun book to read because of the constant clashes between the two. The growing romance between them was always at question as well because of these clashes, which made for an interesting relationship. The added bonus of the Comer Gang and the danger they posed to Georgie because of Lucious' undercover activities made for a very interesting read.

The only thing that I was surprised about in this book, was the lack of a Christian message. It was disappointing really, since the author is a well-known Christian writer. God seemed to be an afterthought. Now, if this book were being marketed in the secular industry (which I think it should have been), I wouldn't expect any mention of God at all. But it is coming from the Christian book industry and because of that I believe (and this is my own personal preference) that God shouldn't be "tagged on" just to make it "Christian". There is no theme, no underlying lesson, no spiritual development in the characters at all. It is just a fun, very well written novel. Again, this doesn't take away from the book at all, it just begs the question - why bother to market it as a Christian book if God is just an afterthought?

**ALERT** I just received an extra copy of Love on the Line in the mail. The first person to leave me their name and email address will win it!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Blame it on the Mistletoe

2011-11-11T14:48:00.000-05:00

Blame it on the Mistletoe is the third book in the Bright's Pond series. I have never read any of the other books in the series, so as I started reading this one I was quite taken aback by how quirky the characters were. Not to mention the entire town of Bright's Pond - they've all gone haywire!

Griselda Sparrow lives alone in her parents house (which used to be a funeral home). Her sister Agnes used to live with her but Agnes lives in a nursing home now because she weighs 700 lbs. and Griselda can't take care of her. Greenbrier Nursing home seems like a good place to lose weight, but the residents are all acting a little strange. One of them is riding up and down the halls on a tricycle, two others are making out in the gazebo outside, and another one thinks it's okay to climb trees! What is going on with the elderly at Greenbrier? Well, some suspect it has something to do with the water and a strange little man who claims he has discovered the Fountain of Youth.

As Griselda and the chief of police try to figure out what is going on, plans get underway for the Christmas pageant, parade and a Christmas wedding. There is a lot going on in Bright's Pond and it's people are all straight out of Mayberry!

Sit back, relax and be prepared to laugh a lot at this offering from author Joyce Magnin.

Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN#: 978-1426711626
List Price: $14.99

Then Came A Hush

2011-11-09T00:50:00.000-05:00

Canadian Author Ruth Waring shows how talented a writer she truly is in this sequel to Come Find Me. From the first page of Then Came a Hush I was hooked. While the main character Evelyn Sherwood continues to struggle with her love/hate relationship with God, it is the character of Abby Waters, (introduced in the previous book) that will pull at your heartstrings.

After enduring a beating that causes her to finally defend herself, Abby is shocked when her husband Jake hits his head and is knocked unconscious. Afraid of what he'll do to her when he wakes up, Abby runs for her life.

Meanwhile, Evelyn Sherwood is enjoying her time with her son Rob and grandson B.J. who now live with her. She is also growing quite fond of Levi and his mother Christina. The two of them do everything they can to help her understand how much God loves her, despite what she has done in the past.

Filled with surprising twists and turns, Then Came a Hush will take you on a journey that will lead you straight into the arms of God. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

First Wild Card Tour - Mercy Come Morning

2011-11-07T21:51:00.000-05:00

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Lisa T. Bergren

and the book:

Mercy Come Morning

WaterBrook Press; Reprint edition (August 16, 2011)

***Special thanks to Laura Tucker of WaterBrook Press for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

LISA BERGREN is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than thirty books, with more than two million copies sold. A former publishing executive, she now splits her time working as a freelance editor and writer while parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of the family’s next visit to Taos.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

There are no second chances. Or are there?

Krista Mueller is in a good place. She’s got a successful career as a professor of history; she’s respected and well-liked; and she lives hundreds of miles from her hometown and the distant mother she could never please. It’s been more than a decade since Alzheimer’s disease first claimed Charlotte Mueller’s mind, but Krista has dutifully kept her mother in a first-class nursing home.

Now Charlotte is dying of heart failure and, surprised by her own emotions, Krista rushes to Taos, New Mexico, to sit at her estranged mother’s side as she slips away. Battling feelings of loss, abandonment, and relief, Krista is also unsettled by her proximity to Dane McConnell, director of the nursing home—and, once upon a time, her first love. Dane’s kind and gentle spirit—and a surprising discovery about her mother—make Krista wonder if she can at last close the distance between her and her mother … and open the part of her heart she thought was lost forever.

“A timeless tale, to be kept every day in the heart as a reminder
that forgiveness is a gift to self.”
—PATRICIA HICKMAN, author of The Pirate Queen

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press; Reprint edition (August 16, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307730107
ISBN-13: 978-0307730107

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

“She’s dying, Krista.”

I took a long, slow breath. “She died a long time ago, Dane.”

He paused, and I could picture him formulating his next words, something that would move me. Why was my relationship with my mother so important to him? I mean, other than the fact that she was a patient in his care. “There’s still time, Kristabelle.”

I sighed. Dane knew that his old nickname for me always got to me. “For what? For long, deep conversations?” I winced at the harsh slice of sarcasm in my tone.

“You never know,” he said quietly. “An aide found something you should see.”

“What?”

“Come. I’ll keep it here in my office until you arrive. Consider it a Christmas present.”

“It’s December ninth.”

“Okay, consider it an early present.”

It was typical of him to hold out a mysterious hook like that. “I don’t know, Dane. The school term isn’t over yet. It’s a hard time to get someone to cover for me.” It wasn’t the whole truth. I had an assistant professor who could handle things on her own. And I could get back for finals. Maybe. Unless Dane wasn’t overstating the facts.

“Krista. She’s dying. Her doctor tells me she has a few weeks, tops. Tell your department chair. He’ll let you go. This is the end.” I stared out my cottage window to the old pines that covered my yard in shadows. The end. The end had always seemed so far away. Too far away. In some ways I wanted an end to my relationship with my mother, the mother who had never loved me as I longed to be loved. When she started disappearing, with her went so many
of my hopes for what could have been. The road to this place had been long and lonely. Except for Dane. He had always been there, had always waited. I owed it to him to show. “I’ll be there on Saturday.”

“I’ll be here. Come and find me.”

“Okay. I teach a Saturday morning class. I can get out of here after lunch and down there by five or six.”

“I’ll make you dinner.”

“Dane, I—”

“Dinner. At seven.”

I slowly let my mouth close and paused. I was in no mood to argue with him now. “I’ll meet you at Cimarron,” I said.
“Great. It will be good to see you, Kristabelle.” I closed my eyes, imagining him in his office at Cimarron Care Center. Brushing his too-long hair out of his eyes as he looked through his own window.

“It will be good to see you, too, Dane. Good-bye.”

He hung up then without another word, and it left me feeling slightly bereft. I hung on to the telephone receiver as if I could catch one more word, one more breath, one more connection with the man who had stolen my heart at sixteen.

Dane McConnell remained on my mind as I wrapped up things at the college, prepped my assistant, Alissa, to handle my history classes for the following week, and then drove the scenic route down to Taos from Colorado Springs, about a five-hour trip. My old Honda Prelude hugged the roads along the magnificent San Luis Valley. The valley’s shoulders were still covered in late spring snow, her belly carpeted in a rich, verdant green. It was here that in 1862 Maggie O’Neil single-handedly led a wagon train to settle a town in western Colorado, and nearby Cecilia Gaines went so
crazy one winter they named a waterway in her honor—“Woman Hollering Creek.”

I drove too fast but liked the way the speed made my scalp tingle when I rounded a corner and dipped, sending my stomach flying. Dane had never driven too fast. He was methodical in everything he did, quietly moving ever forward. He had done much in his years since grad school, establishing Cimarron and making it a national think tank for those involved in gerontology. After high school we had essentially ceased communication for years before Cimarron came about. Then when Mother finally got to the point in her descent into Alzheimer’s that she needed fulltime institutionalized care, I gave him a call. I hadn’t been able to find a facility that I was satisfied with for more than a year, when a college friend had shown me the magazine article on the opening of Cimarron and its patron saint, Dane McConnell.

“Good looking and nice to old people,” she had moaned. “Why can’t I meet a guy like that?”

“I know him,” I said, staring at the black-and-white photograph.

“Get out.”

“I do. Or did. We used to be…together.”

“What happened?” she asked, her eyes dripping disbelief.

“I’m not sure.”

I still wasn’t sure. Things between us had simply faded over the years. But when I saw him again, it all seemed to come back. Or at least a part of what we had once had. There always seemed to be a submerged wall between us, something we couldn’t quite bridge or blast through. So we had simply gone swimming toward different shores.

Mother’s care had brought us back together over the last five years. With the congestive heart failure that was taking her body, I supposed the link between us would finally be severed. I would retreat to Colorado, and he would remain in our beloved Taos, the place of our youth, of our beginnings, of our hearts. And any lingering dream of living happily ever after with Dane McConnell could be buried forever with my unhappy memories of Mother.

I loosened my hands on the wheel, realizing that I was gripping

it so hard my knuckles were white. I glanced in the rearview mirror, knowing that my reverie was distracting me from paying attention to the road. It was just that Dane was a hard man to get over. His unique ancestry had gifted him with the looks of a Scottish Highlander and the sultry, earthy ways of the Taos Indians. A curious, inspiring mix that left him with both a leader’s stance and a wise man’s knowing eyes. Grounded but visionary. A driving force, yet empathetic at the same time. His employees loved working for him. Women routinely fell in love with him.

I didn’t know why I could never get my act together so we could finally fall in love and stay in love. He’d certainly done his part. For some reason I’d always sensed that Dane was waiting for me, of all people. Why messed-up, confused me? Yet there he was. I’d found my reluctance easy to blame on my mother. She didn’t love me as a mother should, yada-yada, but I’d had enough time with my counselor to know that there are reasons beyond her. Reasons that circle back to myself.

I’d always felt as if I was chasing after parental love, but the longer I chased it, the further it receded from my reach. It left a hole in my heart that I was hard-pressed to fill. God had come close to doing the job. Close. But there was still something there, another blockade I had yet to blast away. I would probably be working on my “issues” my whole life. But as my friend Michaela says, “Everyone’s got issues.” Supposedly I need to embrace them. I just want them to go away.

“Yeah,” I muttered. Dane McConnell was better off without me. Who needed a woman still foundering in her past?

I had to focus on Mother. If this was indeed the end, I needed to wrap things up with her. Find closure. Some measure of peace. Even if she couldn’t say the words I longed to hear.

I love you, Krista.

Why was it that she had never been able to force those four words from her lips?

Excerpted from Mercy Come Morning by Lisa Tawn Bergren Copyright © 2011 by Lisa Tawn Bergren. Excerpted by permission of WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Surrender the Night

2011-11-02T21:40:00.000-04:00

Surrender the Night by MaryLu Tyndall is the sequel to Surrender the Heart and while it doesn't take place on a ship this time, it is still just as exciting.

Rose McGuire has had a difficult and traumatic life and things don't look like they are going to change very soon. It is 1812 and British soldiers have invaded Baltimore. Alone on her family farm Rose is assaulted by a British soldier, but in the middle of the attack she is rescued - by another British soldier, Alexander Reed. Now, in the aftermath, her rescuer is wounded and Rose is faced with turning him in or hiding him.

This was another adventure that kept me glued to the pages. I love that I can read a fictional book and still learn a little something about history, especially when the author does her research so well. Granted the characters aren't real, but the way the author weaves actual events into this story make me believe they were!

With plenty of danger, suspense and romance this book gets 5 out of 5 stars from me!

Martha

2011-10-31T15:06:00.002-04:00

Martha, by Diana Wallis Taylor offers a peek into the lives of Mary, Martha and Lazarus before Jesus arrived on the scene and afterwards.

I found this book quite by accident recently and picked it up for two reasons: I love biblical fiction and my book Come to Me received an award in the same category as Martha with Reader's Favourite. So, naturally I was curious.

I was delighted as I started to read, because the author didn't portray Martha as a grumpy old maid who only wanted to cook and boss her sister around, but as someone with a past that had been forced to step up and do what needed to be done. I loved that both Martha and Mary had love interests and it was particularly intriguing that Wallis Taylor brought in the persecution of Lazarus after Jesus raised him from the dead.

The characters are well-defined and it is clear the author has done her research on the era. An excellent read and one I highly recommend!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Recently named “Writer of the Year” by the San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild, Diana Wallis Taylor has been writing since the age of 12 when she sold her first poem to a church newspaper. She presently is working on her fourth novel of Biblical Fiction for Revell, has won first place in the San Diego Book Awards for her short story, “Phipps and the Jay”; First place in Fiction for her book Smoke Before the Wind. And second place this year for Martha in the Reader’s Favorite Book Review and Award Contest.

Diana lives with her husband Frank in San Diego, California. Between them they have six grown children and ten grandchildren. She enjoys speaking and sharing her heart with women of all ages. In addition to her speaking and writing, she serves on the Board of the San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild, the Board of her church, sings on the worship team, and is active in Professional Women’s Fellowship.

PUBLISHER: Revell

ISBN#: 0800734653

LIST PRICE: $14.99

An Interview with Amanda Stephan

2011-10-28T12:42:00.000-04:00

Today, I am pleased to have author Amanda Stephan here to talk about her new book Lonely Hearts. Amanda has a special treat for her readers. If you purchase Lonely Hearts from Amazon on November 1, you can win lots of free e-books and the chance to win a Nook, Kindle or IPOD shuffle! I'll tell you more about that later. For now, lets get on with the interview!

Amanda, tell us about your new book.

My new release, Lonely Hearts, is a sweet Christian romance about one lonely mother, two matchmaking kids, and three eligible bachelors. Oh yes. And apple pie!

When Becky Callis moves to a new town, she had no intention of becoming romantically involved. Her children, on the other hand, think she’s been lonely far too long, and decide to take matters into their own hands.
Choices range from handsome cowboy, Scott Boone; local preacher, Jack; or rough around the edges rancher, Pearce Morgan. It doesn’t take long before her children find thatTrue love is harder than it looks!

Have you published anything previously?

Thank you for asking! Yes, Lonely Hearts is my second romance novel. My first, The Price of Trust, was released in May 2010. If any of your readers are interested, they can get a sneak peek here.

When did you know you wanted to write?

To be one hundred percent honest, I’ve just always written. I never thought or even considered writing professionally as it was something I just loved to do. When I finished my first, full length book, The Price of Trust, I was excited and told my husband about it. He asked what I was planning on doing with it, and I said printing it out and hiding it away until our kids were older. He asked me to try to have it published, and the rest is history. Since then, I’ve been hooked!

What made you decide to write romance?

I am an incurable romantic. There’s just something about reading how a couple come together that makes me sigh and dream. But, with that said, I’m not one for edgy or graphic books. I’m super picky about what I read, so if it’s inappropriate for my children to read, it’s not in my house.

Do you keep a writing schedule?

I suppose I’m rather eclectic in that matter. I find my best writing comes when everyone is in bed and I can let my imagination run free.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I’m either homeschooling our children, sewing, or reading a book to review.

Name your three favourite books.

My three favorite books would have to be Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, and 101 Dalmatians. When I was growing up, I absolutely tore my paperback copy of 101 Dalmatians up.

Name your three favourite authors.

Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, and C.S. Lewis. Just to name a few…

What’s coming up in your writing future?

My Christian romance/suspense series was just picked up by TreasureLine Publishing, so we’re super excited about that! At this point, it’s a three book series, but a fourth is possible.

The first book in the series, Choosing to Love, is about a young woman that is tricked into marrying the wrong man. Book Two continues the saga in – Intent to Harm, and Book Three – Death by Obituary wraps up the story.

How can readers connect with you?

You can find me lurking almost everywhere, but here are the places a frequent the most:

Facebook: author page
Twitter
Website
Book blog
Personal blog

Now, as I said at the beginning, if you purchase Lonely Hearts from Amazon.com on November 1^st you could win a Kindle or a Nook! To find out how to win, visit www.booksbyamanda.com

Behind the Veils of Yemen

2011-10-27T13:46:00.000-04:00

Behind the Veils of Yemen by author Audra Grace Shelby is an interesting look at the life of a Christian woman and her family who left their home in America to live in the anti-Christian area of Yemen.

I was instantly drawn into this book which I found unique and hard to put down. The author (whose name has been changed to protect friends still in the middle-east) had a remarkable story to tell. She and her husband took their very young children to a country hostile toward Christians and proceeded to bring the light of Christ to a people who lived in darkness.

Many thoughts came at me as I read this book. For example, the author was still nursing her baby and thinking of taking off to a country where the water could make them sick and the laws for preaching the gospel could kill them. I wondered if I would have the courage to do that, to submit my children to that kind of lifestyle. When Shelby described the heat and the burka she had to wear, I questioned whether I would have the stamina for something like that. I wondered how she did it - how she found the courage to take her babies somewhere like that. As I read further, I realized it wasn't courage that propelled her forward, it was the love she had for the Muslim people and the Lord. It was her willingness and love for the Saviour that gave her the strength and courage to journey into the unknown. I can't say how much I admired her and her husband for that.

The mission life is clearly not easy as described in this book, but the good times they experienced, the victories, far out-weighed their suffering. If you want to be inspired, to be encouraged and if you want to learn what life is truly like behind the veil, I encourage you to pick up this book.

The Book of Ruth: A Story of Love and Redemption

2011-10-24T13:32:00.000-04:00

The Book of Ruth: A Story of Love and Redemption is a daily bible reading from author Deborah H. Bateman.

The scripture used throughout this devotional is the King James Version. I was very glad the author had provided a detailed commentary on each chapter because sometimes the King James Version can be a little daunting to read and understand. Those new to the KJV will appreciate this.

Each day the author gives a detailed account of the events of Ruth and and Naomi, making this an excellent commentary to add to your study. The book of Ruth is one of the best stories in the old testament on the meaning of a Kinsman Redeemer and how it applies to the sacrifice Jesus made for us. With a prayer and a meaningful question at the end of most daily readings, The Book of Ruth: A Story of Love and Redemption, will guide the reader to the feet of Christ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deborah H. Bateman is an author, Christian blogger, and website designer. She is the founder of Christian Daily Resources a Christian Online Ministry, dedicated to “Sharing God’s Word. She enjoys studying the Bible and sharing it with others. She wrote this book so other people could experience the joy of studying the book of Ruth as she has. She hopes you have enjoyed this study and have learned some valuable lessons about God’s marvelous provision for us.

Deborah is a wife, mother of two beautiful daughters, and grandmother to five precious grandchildren. She is an active member of her church.

A Necessary Deception

2011-10-17T16:20:00.002-04:00

A Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes weaves a tale of deception so complex that you will be wondering who the "bad guy" is right up until the end.

A young English widow by the name of Lydia Gale is caught in a game of espionage against her country during a time of war. She thinks she is doing a good service to her dead husband when she seeks the release of the French prisoner who had given her husband aid before he died. She never dreamed she would see the man again. Yet, as the London Season gets underway, the man presents himself to her in her parlour. He seeks her help once again, but she doesn't know if she can trust him. Especially, when a previous encounter with another man casts suspicion on the Frenchman's loyalties.

In addition to this intrigue, Lydia is in charge of seeing her youngest sister properly prepared for entering Society, unfortunately her sister is such a handful that she makes the bad guys look good! The only thing I didn't buy in the whole book was the romance. It fell rather flat, however it was still a page-turner with an incredible knowledge of the time period. I'm still wondering why the ladies wore masks when they went out in public. Could someone enlighten me please?

Descriptive and plays like a movie, A Necessary Deception is a "necessary" read!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.