Projecting A

CFBA: Chameleon by Jillian Kent

2012-05-18T23:24:00.000-05:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: We've Got Tonight by Phillip Phillips

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
Chameleon Realms (May 15, 2012)
by
Jillian Kent

MY TAKE:

Lady Snoop. What a great character endearment. :) Lady Victoria, as the rest of London knows her, is ready for her big adventure and can't help but find herself drawn into a rather gruesome murder mystery. The author did a great job of balancing the bleak tones of asylums, murder and revenge with a lighthearted sense of humor and romance. Victoria is the perfect window to see the story through, her insight and wisdom gained from years being ill and learning to read people serve her well. Her innocent and compassionate heart glow like light in a dark, cynical world; illuminating both the good and bad in those around her.

The witty bantering between Victoria and her paramour Lord Witt is well done, and I loved the addition of Victoria giant horse of a dog. Animals are people too, as we say in our family, and Lazarus was a perfect example of that.

Chameleon is book 2 in the Ravensmoore Chronicles. I didn't realize that when I optioned to review this one, but thankfully I didn't feel like I was lost in the story. It stood up well as a novel on it's own. I do recommend reading Secrets of the Heart first however, I would have given the chance. There are references to it and I know I would have enjoyed it as well.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

How much can you really know about someone?
Lady Victoria Grayson has always considered herself a keen observer of human behavior. After battling a chronic childhood illness that kept her homebound for years, she journeys to London determined to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Jaded by his wartime profession as a spy, Lord Witt understands, more than most, that everyone is not always who they pretend to be. He meets Victoria after the Regent requests an investigation into the activities of her physician brother, Lord Ravensmoore.

Witt and Victoria become increasingly entangled in a plot targeting the lords of Parliament. Victoria is forced to question how well she knows those close to her while challenging Witt’s cynical nature and doubts about God. Together they must confront their pasts in order to solve a mystery that could devastate their future.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Chameleon, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jillian Kent is a busy writer and the alter ego of Jill Nutter, a full-time counselor.

Jill spent the first semester of her senior year of college at Oxford studying British Literature, where she fell in love with England. During this season, she came to appreciate the written word, the rich imagery of romantic poetry like The Highwayman, and historical novels of many types, including Jane Austen and all things Regency.

Jill received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Bethany College in West Virginia, and her Masters Degree in Social Work from WVU, and she brings her fascination with different cultures and societies into her writing.

Jill has always been a romantic at heart, so readers will find a good dose of romance woven through each of her novels. Jill, her husband Randy, and children Katie and Meghan are animal lovers. They currently own two dogs, Boo-Boo and Bandit and a menagerie of cats, Lucky, Yuma, Snow, and Holden. Critters of all assortments make their appearance in her stories.

CFBA: My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

2012-05-16T17:38:00.005-05:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: Don't Take the Girl by Tim McGraw. Oddly enough, this one got stuck in my head in the middle of the night, BEFORE I started reading this book and it hasn't let go yet. Turned out to be a perfect song for this story in a lot of ways.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing: My Stubborn Heart Bethany House Publishers; Original edition (May 1, 2012) by Becky Wade

MY TAKE:

Okay, Becky Wade, I'm telling you the same thing I tell my sister every day... Get out of my head! :) Angel and I have our neural wi-fi set on the same frequency. We put a whole new meaning to being on the same wavelength. Ms. Wade just hacked my neural wi-fi. It's the only logical explanation for why Kate and I connected so much. (Swap the skinny for the 'full figured' and I felt like Kate could be me.)

I loved Kate and Matt's story, the humor was spot on, the romance was toe curling and Matt was the hottest man I've never seen. More than that though, the story goes above and beyond in telling a story of true love. She could have ended the story with Kate and Matt happily ever after in Redbud, PA. It would have been a good happy ending - and we would all have missed out on the true romance and passion that comes in the end. A VERY happy ending. I couldn't put it down. It left me all dreamy and happy and wishing I had another Becky Wade book waiting for me. Can't wait to see what comes next.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A Sensational CBA Debut in Contemporary Romance!

This summer author Becky Wade makes her CBA debut with a fun -- and funny -- contemporary romance. Amidst the light-hearted banter and laugh-out-loud moments is a compelling spiritual journey of one woman's choice to listen to God and wait on him. Filled with humor and authentic romance, My Stubborn Heart is shaping up to be the hit of the summer.

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When Kate's grandmother asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Yet, she discovers a different kind of project upon meeting the man hired to renovate the house. ;Matt Jarreau is attractive and clearly wounded -- hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Kate can't help but set her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light... whether he likes it or not.

If you would like to read the first chapter of My Stubborn Heart, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas.

CFBA: Submerged by Dani Pettrey

2012-05-11T14:33:00.000-05:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing: SubmergedBethany House Publishers; Original edition (May 1, 2012) by Dani Pettrey

MY TAKE:

Unfortunately, my copy hasn't arrived yet, but as soon as it has a review will be posted. In the mean time, take a look at this weeks book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves--the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters' faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.

Just in case you’re curious…The real Dani does love traveling. She’s been to some amazing places (Greece, Hawaii, the Keys) and there are many more she hopes to visit in the future.

And while she’s not quite up to sky-diving, cave diving or heli-skiing (too high, too enclosed, too cold!) she and her family love hiking, canoeing, wave jumping and a ton of other outdoor adventures a little further down on the risk scale.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers.

Yancey, Alaska was a quiet town . . . until the truth of what was hidden in the depths off the coast began to appear.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a small town. She's returned to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash and is determined not to stay even an hour more than necessary. But then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can handle the deep-sea dives and helping the police recover evidence. He can even handle the fact that a murderer
has settled in his town and doesn't appear to be moving on. But dealing with the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge.

She broke his heart, but she is not the same girl who left Yancey. He let her down, but he's not the same guy she left behind. Can they move beyond the hurts of their pasts and find a future together?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Submerged, go HERE.

CFBA: The Sound of Red Returning by Sue Duffy

2012-04-27T23:00:00.001-05:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: Celebrity by Brad Paisley... Old Man River... Big Girls Don't Cry by Frankie Valley... Can she bake a cherry pie, Billy Boy?... It's been a rather odd music shuffle in the old bean today.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing: The Sound of Red ReturningKregel Publications (December 9, 2011) by Sue Duffy

MY TAKE:

The title is very appropriate, a foreshadowing of what's to come. I thought Russian spies went out with the coldwar, but Sue Duffy has definitely proved me wrong. It's a little like a flashback to a well loved and comfortable story, with a nice fresh update. Just proves the somethings in life never change. Politics and greed for example. Thankfully, the other things that are just as immovable are Jesus' love for His children and the hope we find in that promise. A nice cozy read.
ABOUT THE BOOK:

After losing everyone she loves, concert pianist Liesl Bower has nowhere to go but to escape into her music. Searching for the peace she usually finds in her concertos and sonatas, Liesl can't shake the feeling that she is being haunted by her past . . . and by someone following her. When she spots a familiar and eerie face in the audience of a concert she's giving for the president in Washington, DC, the scariest day of her life comes back to her with a flash.

It has been fifteen years since Liesl watched her beloved Harvard music mentor assaulted on a dark night in Moscow and just as long since the CIA disclosed to her that he'd been spying for Russia. She had seen that man-that eerie face-the night Professor Devoe was attacked. And now he's back-and coming for her.

ENDORSEMENTS:

“Sue Duffy has mixed the mayhem of political intrigue with the melody of romance.” —Dick Bohrer, author, editor, and former journalism professor

“Intrigue and suspense come together in an incredible story of love and betrayal, commitment and courage, power and danger . . . and a God who controls it all. Sue Duffy is a wonderfully gifted writer and this book is a must-read.” —Steve Brown, founder and president of Key Life and host of Steve Brown Etc.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Sound of Red Returning, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sue Duffy is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Moody magazine, The Presbyterian Journal, Sunday Digest, and The Christian Reader. She is the author of Mortal Wounds (Barbour, 2001), Fatal Loyalty (Kregel, 2010), and The Sound of Red Returning (Kregel, 2011). Sue has also contributed to Stories for a Woman’s Heart (Multnomah). She and her husband, Mike, have three grown children.

CFBA: Moonblood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

2012-04-18T23:56:00.004-05:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Moonblood

Bethany House Publishers (April 1, 2012)

by

Anne Elisabeth Stengl

MY TAKE:

Moonblood has been a highly anticipated book for me. I love fairytales and fantasy of all sorts, but the author doesn't write just any old fluff, her stories are meaty and full of deeper meanings. Not quite Grimm Brothers, but so much more than Disney. I love Disney, I think I've seen more princess movies than my nieces, but the Tales of Goldstone Wood series has stood out from the rest with its depth and color. So very alive and three dimensional. My only wish is that I could have read them all back to back rather than waiting between publishing dates. I find that my poor memory has a hard time retaining so many details when I read as much as I do between releases. It all came back as I was reading, but I know it would have been even more incredible if I could have imersed myself in that world from begining to end. Which I will probably do at some point down the road - a long weekend with Anne Elisabeth Stengl and dark chocolate.

For those of you that are new to the series, you have an advantage. Be sure you have all 3 books on hand and dive in.

You can see my reviews for the other books in the series by following the links:

Book 1: Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Book 2: Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Moonblood Draws Near, and Soon the Dragons Will Wake

Desperate to regain the trust of his kingdom, Prince Lionheart reluctantly banishes his faithful servant and only friend, Rose Red. Now she is lost in the hidden realm of Arpiar, held captive by her evil goblin father, King Vahe.

Vowing to redeem himself, Lionheart plunges into the mysterious Goldstone Wood, seeking Rose Red. In strange other worlds, Lionheart must face a lyrical yet lethal tiger, a fallen unicorn, and a goblin horde on his quest to rescue the girl he betrayed.

With the Night of Moonblood fast approaching when King Vahe seeks to wake the Dragon's sleeping children, Lionheart must discover whether or not his heart contains courage before it's too late for Rose Red . . . and all those he loves.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Moonblood, go HERE.

DOWNLOAD BOOK ONE: Heartless on Amazon Kindle for FREE!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she enjoys her profession as an art teacher, giving private lessons from her personal studio, and teaching group classes at the Apex Learning Center. She is married to the handsome man she met at fencing class and lives with him and a gaggle of cats. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. Heartless is her debut novel.

Anne Elisabeth is also the author of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, a series of fantasy adventure novels told in the classic Fairy Tale style.

CFBA: Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

2012-04-11T23:46:00.004-05:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: All by Myself by Celine Dion

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Always The Designer, Never The Bride

Abingdon Press (April 2012)

by

Sandra D. Bricker

MY TAKE:

There is a Troll that works in my local post office, who's recently become a book lover. I only know this because he's chosen to keep the books I've requested to review rather than have them delivered. I hope he's enjoying them. I also hope he learns a few lessons about love and sharing and decides to forward them on when he's done, because I'd really like to read Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker. *sigh*

I waited until the last minute to post in hopes it would still come and I could at least start the book, but no such luck. In the mean time, here are the details. If you've read it, please let me know what you thought. If the Troll ever sends on my copy, I'll return the favor and post a full review.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It’s taken Audrey Regan years to establish herself as a wedding dress designer, and to date she’s been roped into creating dresses for nine of her girlfriends. Request #10 follows her vow to “Just say no!” and comes from her very best friend. She can hardly turn Carly down!

Audrey arrives in Atlanta early to perform all of her maid-of-honor duties along with final fittings for a one-of-a-kind dress. But Carly’s wedding is nothing short of an event, complete with Prince Charming, and the festivities make Audrey question whether there’s a prince of her own anywhere in her future.

Enter the groom’s brother and best man. Shaggy-haired, tattooed bad boy J.R. Hunt couldn’t be any more different from Prince Charming if he rode in on a Harley Davidson. Oh, wait. He actually did ride in on a Harley!

If you would like to read an excerpt of the first chapter of Always The Designer, Never The Bride, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

The Big 5-OH! was released by Abingdon Press in the Spring of 2010, and the novel was very well-received, garnering a couple of nibbles from Hollywood.

Always the Baker, Never the Bride was released by Abingdon Press in September 2010. With its phenomenal reviews, the novel spawned a series of three more books based on the popular cast of characters at The Tanglewood Inn, a wedding destination hotel in historic Roswell, Georgia. The series cemented Sandie's spot in publishing as a flagship author of Laugh-Out-Loud romantic comedy for the inspirational market.

"Being allowed to combine my faith and my humor with my writing dream," says Bricker, "well, that's the best of all worlds, as far as I'm concerned!"

CFBA: The 13th Tribe by Robert Liparulo

2012-04-06T23:47:00.010-05:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: You're The Inspiration by Chicago - currently playing on my Journey channel on Pandora

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

The 13th Tribe

Thomas Nelson (April 3, 2012)

by

Robert Liparulo

MY TAKE:

I have so many conflicting thoughts about this book. Is it interesting, intriguing, well written and entertaining? Yes.

But... you knew that was coming right? There's a growing trend in the Christian Market to take Biblical stories and add a twist. They present it as Speculative Fiction. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't. Such as the recently reviewed book Wayward Son by Tom Pollack with Jim Alves and John Loftus where we read of Cain being cursed to live as an immortal and survives the flood by being a stowaway on Noah's ark among other things. My question? Is this a wise trend?

In The 13th Tribe, the author proposes that a small group of Israelites (men, women and children) who took part in the worship of the golden calf while Moses was on the mount receiving the Law, were saved from the mass slaughter that the Lord commanded. Rather than being put to death with the rest of the 3,000 some idolaters, they were instead given immortality, cursed to live on earth forever, never to see the face of God. Now in the 21st century they're a small band of terrorists that see it as their God given call to kill any evil man or group they can, regardless of casualties or the fall out that follows. Their hope is that one day, they'll have killed enough evil, to earn God's forgiveness and be welcomed home to Heaven. Of course through the novel we learn that you can't earn forgiveness or salvation. The characters learn and grow in faith and belief.

I'll admit, I find it ridiculous to believe that God would allow this evil group to remain here on earth to spread more evil and murder. We have plenty of that by the choices that mortal men make. I don't see any scriptural grounding that says God would reward a few out of those sentenced to death, to live immortally. It just doesn't make sense. I chose to try to suspend my logical side in order to enjoy the story for it's entertainment value. There is a positive message wrapped up in an intriguing concept. Positive to those who know their Biblical history and the Word of God. We know that a 13th tribe never existed. But what of those who are new to the faith who aren't grounded in scripture yet? Will they be confused or even mislead innocently into believing something that isn't truth? What of those who aren't Christians, the very ones we're reaching out to witness to? Will they be turned off by what they believe is just one more crazy Christian message that doesn't make sense to them?

As a writer and story lover, I know the value of creative freedom and expression. I'm not suggesting we begin censoring our creativity and stifle it in the process. There is a place for the what ifs. I love SciFi and Fantasy. We can be as creative and imaginative as we want and still spread a strong message of faith and truth. We can do that without distorting the scriptures or rewriting the Bible to suit that creativity. It's one thing to retell a Bible story and fill in the blanks with historically accurate detail and imagined conversation that stays true to the history of the Bible story. There are so many great examples of this, such as the book I reviewed called A Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar.

More than anything I still remain a fan of Robert Liparulo's books. His DreamHouse Kings series was phenomenal. He's a fantastic and entertaining writer, and I'm sure I'll excitedly check out his next offering. For me though, this book fell a little short.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Their story didn't start this year . . . or even this millennium.

It began when Moses was on Mt. Sinai. Tired of waiting on the One True God, the twelve tribes of Israel began worshipping a golden calf through pagan revelry. Many received immediate death for their idolatry, but 40 were handed a far worse punishment-endless life on earth with no chance to see the face of God.

This group of immortals became the 13th Tribe, and they've been trying to earn their way into heaven ever since-by killing sinners. Though their logic is twisted, their brilliance is undeniable. Their wrath is unstoppable. And the technology they possess is beyond anything mere humans have ever seen.

Jagger Baird knows nothing about the Tribe when he's hired as head of security for an archaeological dig on Mt. Sinai. The former Army Ranger is still reeling from an accident that claimed the life of his best friend, his arm, and his faith in God.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The 13th Tribe, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Best-selling novelist Robert Liparulo is a former journalist, with over a thousand articles and multiple writing awards to his name. His first three critically acclaimed thrillers—Comes a Horseman, Germ, and Deadfall—were optioned by Hollywood producers, as well as his Dreamhouse Kings series for young adults. Bestselling author Ted Dekker calls The 13th Tribe, released in April 2012, “a phenomenal story.” Liparulo is currently working with director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, The Guardian) on the novel and screenplay of a political thriller. New York Times best-selling author Steve Berry calls Liparulo’s writing “Inventive, suspenseful, and highly entertaining . . . Robert Liparulo is a storyteller, pure and simple.” Liparulo lives in Colorado with his family.

Visit Robert Liparulo's Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/LiparuloFans, or at Twitter @robertliparulo.

CFBA: Cooking the Books by Bonnie S. Calhoun

2012-04-04T00:42:00.004-05:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Cooking The Books
Abingdon Press (April 2012)

by

Bonnie S. Calhoun

MY TAKE:

I wish I could share my take. Unfortunately, due to postal gremlins, my copy didn't arrive and I am so sad. I really wanted to read this one. Bonnie has been a dream to work with in these blog tours and I'm so excited that she's getting to tour HER book now. I have high hopes that my copy will be unearthed at some point and arrive in my box, hopefully no worse for the wear. When I do, I'll be sure to come back and post My Take.

In the mean time, check out the info below. Heck, go for it. Read the book and give me YOUR take. It will give me that much more to look forward to.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As the Owner/Director of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Bonnie has helped use the 220+ blogs of the Alliance to promote many titles on the Christian bestseller list. She also owns and publishes the Christian Fiction Online magazine which is devoted to readers and writers of Christian fiction. She is the Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). At ACFW she was named the ‘Mentor of the Year,’ for 2011, and she is the current President of (CAN) Christian Authors Network. Bonnie is also the Appointment Coordinator for both the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference.

In her spare time she is an avid social media junkie, and teaches Facebook, Twitter, Blogging and HTML as recreational occupations. She also has a novel coming out in the Abingdon Quilts of Love series. Her novel Pieces of the Heart will publish August of 2013.

Bonnie and her husband Bob live in a log cabin on 15 acres in upstate area of Binghamton, New York with a dog and cat who consider the humans as wait-staff.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

After her mother dies from a heart attack, Sloane Templeton goes from Cyber Crimes Unit to bookstore owner before she can blink. She also "inherits" a half-batty store manager; a strange bunch of little old people from the neighborhood who meet at the store once a week, but never read books, called the Granny Oakleys Book Club; and Aunt Verline, who fancies herself an Iron Chef when in reality you need a cast iron stomach to partake of her culinary disasters. And with a group like this you should never ask, “What else can go wrong?”

A lot! Sloane begins to receive cyber threats. While Sloane uses her computer forensic skills to uncover the source of the threats, it is discovered someone is out to kill her. Can her life get more crazy?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Cooking The Books, go HERE.

Watch the book video:

If you'd like to read interviews with Bonnie, try these:

Everbody Needs A Little Romance

A Christian Writers World

Novel Rocket

ACFW - Fiction Finder

B4B: Not This Time by Vicki Hinze

2012-03-26T19:12:00.006-05:00

Today I'm touring on behalf of WaterBrook/Multnomah:

Not This Time

Vicki Hinze

MY TAKE:

I wish I had known this was the third book in a series. That's my only complaint. When I opted in I was hooked by the premise of the suspense, but nowhere did it indicate a series. Once I had the book in hand, neither the front cover or spine indicated a series, it wasn't until I was several chapters in and feeling as if I was missing something, did I find it notated on the cover page that it is book 3 in the Crossroads Crisis Series. Had I known it was a sequel, I would have purchased and read books 1 and 2 first. It would have been worth it. And I tell you that so you have the opportunity to enjoy this book in the order it was intended, because it is worth the effort.

Ms. Hines did a fantastic job with the characters and the intrigue. Just when I thought I had it figured out another clue would rock my hypothisis. Which of course makes the intrigue truly suspenseful because you spend a good portion of your reading time hoping that this character or that person isn't going to be evil after all. It's a great read with strong Christian characters that share their faith in their daily living. Fantastic book. Now I'm off to find the first two books, Forget Me Not and Deadly Ties.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Small town scandal. International terrorist attack. Who among them is the traitor?

Sara and Beth have built a multi-million dollar business together, but their once solid friendship is now strained. Beth is leery of Sara’s husband, and when he is kidnapped, authorities consider Beth their prime suspect.

Then, their small town of Seagrove Village is rocked by an act of terrorism, and Beth doesn’t know who to trust. Someone she knows is linked to the attack, but who? Is there a connection to Crossroads Crisis Center? In the midst of the confusion and fear, Beth finds herself attracted to a man from her past. She knows she shouldn’t fall in love with him, but she can’t resist or even explain their bond. As her world unravels around her, she wonders, is it possible to be beyond redemption?

To read an excerpt click HERE, or BUY NOW

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vicki Hinze is an award-winning author of multiple novels including Forget Me Not and Deadly Ties. Hinze’s willingness to take risks in writing and genre has earned her a reputation for trail-blazing skill. She holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and a Doctorate in Philosophy, Theocentric Business & Ethics and served as vice president on the International Thriller Writers Board of Directors. She lives in Florida with her husband.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."

CFBA: The Chase by DiAnn Mills

2012-03-26T18:29:00.005-05:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: Over the Rainbow by Israel 'IZ' Kamakawiwo'ole

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing: The ChaseZondervan (March 27, 2012) by DiAnn Mills

MY TAKE:

Other than the fact it took me a while to figure out how to pronounce the main characters names, (Not sure if I did, I just settled on what sounded okay to me and stuck with it. I chose CARE-iss and TEE-go.) I love the book. It was fast paced, the suspense and action were steady and had me holding my breath a few times. I appreciate the author's message to protect our children. I know this cold case was set in Texas, but we had a Precious Doe case in our area that drew the whold city's prayers and attention. Sadly, I'm sure many cities do, and it made it all the more identifiable.

This is the first book in a new series, and I knew that from the begining. My impatient nature wanted the romance angle to have more resolve at the end of the book, but I know I'll be glad there is still more to tantalize and draw me in as the series progresses. I found it hard to put down and I look forward to the next book.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

To the FBI it's a cold case. To Kariss Walker it's a hot idea that could either reshape or ruin her writing career. And it's a burning mission to revisit an event she can never forget. Five years ago, an unidentified little girl was found starved to death in the woods behind a Houston apartment complex. A TV news anchor at the time, Kariss reported on the terrifying case. Today, as a New York Times bestselling author, Kariss intends to turn the unsolved mystery into a suspense novel. Enlisting the help of FBI Special Agent Tigo Harris, Kariss succeeds in getting the case reopened. But the search for the dead girl's missing mother yields a discovery that plunges the partners into a witch's brew of danger. The old crime lives on in more ways than either of them could ever imagine. Will Kariss's pursuit of her dream as a writer carry a deadly price tag? Drawing from a real-life cold case, bestselling novelist DiAnn Mills presents a taut collage of suspense, faith, and romance in The Chase.

Watch the book video!

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Chase, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DiAnn Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in 2010.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops.

DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/diannmills

CFBA: Before the Scarlet Dawn by Rita Gerlach

2012-03-14T16:29:00.006-05:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Before The Scarlet Dawn
Abingdon Press (February 2012)

by

Rita Gerlach

MY TAKE:

I was drawn to Before the Scarlet Dawn, in part for it's romantic angle, but also for the time period. The American Revoloution doesn't seem to be as common a time period to romantacize, not like the Civil War for example.

The story may begin in England, but soon the couple finds themselves on the bank of the Potomac in Virginia, just south of where so much of the war is being fought. Most of the war action happens behind the scenes and serves mostly as a catalyst or backdrop for Eliza's story. Hayward Morgan abandons his new wife and baby girl shortly after arriving to join the Patriots and fight the Glorious Cause. For five years, Eliza pines for him while caring for their mill with only the help of a couple of servants. She has no one around to protect them other than the bachelor neighbor who is falling in love with Eliza.

I hate spoilers and don't like to ruin a story for anyone, so I won't list any of the big plot twists. But I have to say, the book wasn't what I expected. The story was well written, but I have a hard time saying I enjoyed it. Which makes me feel terrible, because it was a very good book. I find entertainment and enjoyment in love that overcomes all things, in finding hope and happiness at the end of the novel. For me, Eliza's story was a drama that began with the loss of her father and her homeland, followed by every other thing she loved or held dear. Her faith is encouraging as she clings to Jesus through it all, and that was for me the only happy satisfaction to be found. The ending is positive, but not the kind of happy I was hoping for and that in itself was a little bit of a let down.

I freely admit though, had I realized this wasn't truly a romance in the sense I'm accustomed to, I would have read it with different expectations and might have found it less dissatisfying. So I encourage you to check out the book with a more open mind and decide for yourself whether Eliza truly finds her happy ending.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father’s estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar’s daughter,

Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.

Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward’s path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it's a temporary reprieve. Hayward

joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Before The Scarlet Dawn, go HERE.

Watch the book video:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rita Gerlach lives with her husband and two sons in a historical town nestled along the Catoctin Mountains, amid Civil War battlefields and Revolutionary War outposts in central Maryland.

"Romantic historical fiction that has an inspirational bent, is one way people can escape the cares of life and be transported back to a time of raw courage and ideal love," she says. "The goal of my writing is to give readers a respite, and inspire them to live fully and gratefully."

In many of her stories, she writes about the struggles endured by early colonists, with a sprinkling of both American and English history. Currently she is writing a new historical series for Abingdon Press entitled 'Daughters of the Potomac'. See her 'Novels In Progress' page on her website to learn more.

There are other novels on her list to be published, and a proposal for another book series.

She was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in a large family in the Maryland suburbs. Her family claims that storytelling is their blood, handed down from centuries of Irish storytellers. Rita believes there just may be something to that theory.

CFBA: Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato

2012-03-13T16:52:00.002-05:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Prize of My Heart
Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2012)

by

Lisa Norato

MY TAKE:

Due to my busy schedule, I accidently mixed up the order of books to review and read Before the Scarlet Dawn before Prize of My Heart. BAD ME! I have started Prize of My Heart and I have to say, Ms. Norato has a gift for description. I've never been able to picture a character more clearly and that says a lot to me, since I tend to have a movie projector like imagination when I read. Once lost in the words, I no longer see letters, I'm watching it play out in my mind in technicolor. I was fully hooked by the first chapter and can't wait to finish and give you all a full review. :)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

An unsolved mystery separates ex-privateersman Captain Brogan Talvis from his lost son--his only living relation, his only family. Shortly before her tragic demise, his wife abandoned their infant to strangers, refusing to reveal the child's whereabouts. Now, three years later, Brogan has discovered the boy at the home of a shipbuilder's daughter, Lorena Huntley.

Lorena guards a dark secret about her young charge. She finds herself falling for the heroic captain who has come to claim his newly built ship, unaware his motive for wooing her is to befriend the boy he plans on reclaiming as his own--until the day anothers evil deceit leaves her helplessly shipbound, heading toward England.

As the perfect opportunity to reclaim his son unfolds, Brogan is haunted by thoughts of Lorena in her dire circumstance, and he is forced to make a heartrending choice between his child and the woman who has begun to capture his heart. But only his unselfish sacrifice can win him the greatest prize of all--love.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Prize of My Heart, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A life-long New Englander, Lisa Norato lives in a historic village with homes and churches dating as far back as the eighteenth century. She was born into a close-knit Italian family that hungered as much for the things of God as they did for lasagna. After church, the family spent Sunday afternoons gathered in fellowship around a never-ending feast that featured her grandmother's homemade spaghetti and pizza.

From the time she learned to read, her mother impressed her with the joy of getting lost in a good book. She passed novels along to her as early as age thirteen, but it wasn't until many years later that Lisa felt compelled to write one herself.

She first discovered a love of writing when assigned to write and illustrate a children's book at the art college she attended. She balances writing with a career as a legal assistant specializing in corporate law. When not creating stories, she enjoys domestic pursuits like precious time with her dog and family, cooking, baking and eating vegan, reading, her Bible, her favorite television shows and crocheting.

Lisa is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Rhode Island Romance Writers (RIRW) and American Colonial Christian Writers.

CFBA: Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson

2012-03-07T18:20:00.006-06:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Chasing The Sun

Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2012)

by

Tracie Peterson

MY TAKE:

Hannah is my kid of woman, I love her courage and passion. She's spunky without being a spitfire. The spitfire is her little sister Marty. Love that child. Every laugh out loud moment in this book involved her and her brother Andy. The humor was a nice balance to the drama involved with a truly snake in grass lawyer set on controlling Hanna at all costs.

Tracie Peterson has again pulled me into a historical setting that was both somewhat familiar and completely new at the same time. There was much about the state of Texas and their position during the Civil War that I didn't know. The well drawn background served as a perfect backdrop to the this story about loss, love and ultimately faith.

A really great book, can't wait to see the sequel. I hope at some point we get little Marty's story, I can only imaging the kind of woman she'll grow to be.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When her father disappears in war-torn Mississippi, Hannah Dandridge finds herself responsible not only for her younger siblings but for the ranch her father recently acquired on the Texas plains. Though a marriage of convenience could ease her predicament, she determines to trust God for direction.

Wounded soldier William Barnett returns to his home only to discover that his family's ranch has been seized. Though angry and bitter at this turn of events, he's surprised to discover that it is a beautiful young woman with amazing fortitude who is struggling to keep the place running.

Hannah, desperate for help, and William, desperate to regain his family's land, form an uneasy truce. But nearby Comanche tribes, the arrival of Confederate soldiers, and a persistent suitor all threaten the growing attraction that builds between them. Will they be able to set aside their own dreams and embrace the promise of a future together?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Chasing The Sun, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.

She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.

In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.

She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.

Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.

Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books.

Keep Your Faith Amid the Storm

2012-03-05T00:23:00.002-06:00

Despite the many devestating storms that have hit the midwest, there has still been a lot of beautiful days announcing that spring is coming. While we pray for those that have suffered loss and terror these last few days, remember "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God..." Romans 8:28 I.V.

This video was shared with me as a celebration of spring and the beauty of creation. Lately we've seen more of the power and severity of nature. But this reminded me of the scripture in Luke. After seeing the video, I hope it reminds you to keep your faith in Jesus strong and focus on your ministry for Him. He will take care of all the rest. Whether you are homeless from a storm or helping those that are, please keep this image in your mind.

The Life of flowers (Жизнь цветов) from VOROBYOFF PRODUCTION on Vimeo.

"And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
For the life is more than meat, and the body than raiment.
Consider the ravens; for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; nevertheless God feedeth them. Are ye not better than the fowls?
And who of you by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit?
If ye then be not able to do that which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
Consider the lilies, how they grow; they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast in the oven; how much more will he provide for you, if ye are not of little faith?"

- Luke 12:24-30 I.V.

CFBA: Ruby Dawn by Raquel Byrnes

2012-03-02T19:10:00.003-06:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Ruby Dawn White Rose Publishing (January 27, 2012) by Raquel Byrnes

I requested to review this book, but unfortunately, never received a copy for review. I still think it looks like a good read, so I'm posting it anyway for your pleasure. If my mailman ever takes pity on me and brings me this book, (I think he hates me for all the packages I make him deliver...) I'll be sure to post my thoughts. Otherwise, enjoy and let me know if you've read this one what you think of the story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Raquel married her college sweetheart seventeen years ago and you can still find them spending time together chatting over a cup of coffee like when they were first dating.

Her husband is her biggest fan and most ardent supporter. He encourages her to take time for writing as often as he can. He regularly gives her gift cards to her favorite coffee house so that she can go there to write and relax.

He has been known to whip up his famous chicken quesadillas complete with guacamole and brownies for dessert.

Raquel has written books for more than a decade. She loves to do research and has taken private detective courses, gun classes, and underground tours to get every detail right for her novels. She writes romantic suspense with an edge-of-your-seat pace. Stories filled with faith, love, and adventure.

In 2009 she signed with agent, Terry Burns, at Hartline Literary. Terry worked to get her Shades of Hope series sold and in 2010, White Rose Publishing purchased the three-book series.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A painful past. A love returns A desperate plan.

Former street kid, Ruby now reaches out to runaways through her medical clinic in the worst part of the city, but her escalating battle with a gang leader puts that in jeopardy.

Cavalier, a risk-taker, charming… Ruby’s first love is now on the right side of the law and the center of a dangerous DEA sting involving her clinic. Tom’s disappearance ten years ago broke her heart and rattled her faith. As their romance relights, memories of what it costs to love him flood her with fear.

Ruby’s battle with the gang ignites a firestorm of danger, and a pattern of lies from within her own camp emerges. With Tom’s life in the balance and her world cast in shadows, can Ruby trust God as she once did…or has she strayed too far, for too long to ever return?

Watch the book video:

If you would like to read the first chapter of Ruby Dawn, go HERE.

A Darkly Hidden Truth by Donna Fletcher Crow

2012-02-24T18:45:00.011-06:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: Sigh No More from the Much Ado About Nothing Soundtrack

Today I'm touring a book for Kregel Publications

A Darkly Hidden Truth

Donna Fletcher Crow

MY TAKE:

I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing A Very Private Grave in 2010, the first book in the series, and was excited to have the opportunity to review it's sequel. After tearing through it, I assure you it's as exciting as the first. A Darkly Hidden Truth has as many twisty turns and secrets as the many ruins and historical sights would suggest. I also enjoyed seeing inside a world that's foreign to my everyday life, both in religious practice and culture. Curl up with your favorite cuppa tea and prepare to be whisked across the Pond to a whole new world.

WHAT THE AUTHOR HAS TO SAY:

Welcome, Donna, to ProjectingA. Thank you for being here and answering my questions.
1. Here at ProjectingA.blogspot.com, music is like air, it's necessary for life. Do you have a favorite song or style of music? How does it fit into your writing life, does it inspire you?

Donna: Fortunately, April, I love English choral music, especially church music, and the earlier the better— Gregorian chant, for example. I say fortunately, because that’s what Felicity hears a lot of in her life as a student at The College of the Transfiguration. Even Felicity, who had little church background when she came to life in this “parallel universe,” quickly learns to love the ethereal melodies, the echoes rising to the vast vaulted ceilings and the sense of peace she never found in the outside world.

2. A Very Private Grave introduced Felicity and Father Antony to your fans and gave us a unique glimpse inside the monastic life. What led you to write about a modern woman wanting to become a nun?

Donna: Well, the old saw of “write what you know” holds true here. I had wanted to tell the stories of ancient English saints for many years, but I never found the right avenue until our daughter, who studied classics at Oxford found she didn’t like teaching school in London and went off to study in a theological college run by monks in a monastery in Yorkshire. Sound familiar? Other than that background, Felicity isn’t at all like our Elizabeth, but visiting her gave me an opportunity to get to know and appreciate this very unique expression of Christianity— an experience I wanted to share with my readers.

3. Your stories are so well researched, The Monastery Murders are so detailed, many times it felt as if I had stepped back in time with the characters. What do you love most about research? What was the most exciting part of A Darkly Hidden Truth to research?

Donna: Thank you, April! That’s exactly what I hope to achieve— giving my readers a sense that they are there. The on-site research is always the most fun. In 2008 I was able to visit all the settings for A Darkly Hidden Truth: The headquarters of the Knights of St. John in London, the cell of Mother Julian in Norwich, and those soggy, boggy Norfolk Broads where a body could just sink into the ooze. I invite your readers to take a look at my research album and pick a favorite spot for yourself: http://www.donnafletchercrow.com/book2.php since I could never decide which was the best.

4. You've revived the English mystery genre and made it fresh and exciting for everyone, combining all the historical charm with modern day suspense and conflicts. Is there an author or book from your past that made a genre new and exciting for you?

Donna: The many excellent writers working in the clerical mystery subgenre really opened my eyes to the possibility of combining church life and mysteries. Kate Charles, Julia Spencer-Fleming and Phil Rickman are some of my favorites, but I think the very best clerical mystery is P. D. James: Death In Holy Orders and I was privileged to meet Baroness James when she spoke about writing that book at the Community of the Resurrection which serves as the model for my Community of the Transfiguration.

5. What are your future plans for Felicity and Father Antony? Are there more adventures to come?

Donna: Absolutely! Thank you for asking, April. I’ve just completed the rough draft of Book 3 An Unholy Communion. Felicity joins Antony in leading an ecumenical youth pilgrimage across Wales. Felicity was reluctant, but Antony promised her a time of peace and quiet in a beautiful landscape. If I tell you that the theme is the reality of evil you’ll get some idea that it didn’t exactly work out that way.

Life never works out the way we want, but it never fails to amaze me that no matter the evil in the world, Jesus and the beauty that He created is always there. Many times I stop and think, this may not be what I planned, but praise God I'm here! His plan was so much better!

Thanks again for sharing, and especially your travel album link. What beautiful pictures, Donna. They also prove just how well you describe these scenes. I felt like I recognized several of them. :)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Felicity can't possibly help Father Antony find the valuable missing icon. She's off to become a nun. And then her impossible mother turns up unexpectedly. And a good friend turns up murdered...

Breathtaking chase scenes, mystical worship services, dashes through remote water-logged landscapes, the wisdom of ancient holy women, and the arcane rites of The Knights Hospitaller keep the pages turning. Will Felicity choose the veil - or Antony?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Donna Fletcher Crow is the author of 36 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning Glastonbury, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history, is her best-known work. A Very Private Grave, Book 1 in the Monastery Murders series, was her reentry into publishing after a 10-year hiatus. Book 2, A Darkly Hidden Truth, is now available, and she is at work on Book 3, An Unholy Communion, scheduled for 2012.

I received a free copy of the featured book from the publisher. I receive no compensation for my review.

CSFF: The Realms Thereunder by Ross Lawhead

2012-02-22T18:45:00.007-06:00

Song Stuck on the Head: Heavy In Your Arms by Florence and the Machine

Today I'm touring with CSFF:

The Realms Thereunder

Ross Lawhead

MY TAKE:

I was so excited to see Ross Lawhead listed on the tour, I just knew the son of Stephen Lawhead must have inherited his dad's talent right? WOW did he. After this book, I won't need to remind you who his famous dad is, his writing stands up on it's own two feet and knocks a solid punch.

The Realms Thereunder, is his debut novel and the first in a series. Suspenseful entertainment mixed with the right balance of intelectualism and heart. It left me counting the days until September 2012 when the sequel releases. The story is a blend of the fantastic myths and legends of the Brittish Isles with present day danger and turmoil. Dragons and Trolls in modern day Scotland. Sleeping knights hidden in caves awaiting the day they're called forth to fight for righteousness. Freya and Daniel's tale is told in masterful blend of story threads from past and present. The descriptions are so clear, I'm thinking Ross might actually have seen the underground city. He certainly set the bar very high for other writers in his genre.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Ancient legend tells of an army of knights that will remain sleeping until the last days.

The knights are waking up.

A homeless man is stalked by a pale, wraithlike creature with a mouthful of needle-sharp teeth. Maimed animals and a host of suicides cluster around a mountain in Scotland. And deep beneath the cobbled streets of Oxford, a malicious hoard besieges a hidden city.

Freya Reynolds is a university student with a touch of OCD and an obsession with myth and folklore. Daniel Tully is living rough on the streets of Oxford, waging a secret war against an enemy only he can identify. Years ago, they found themselves in a world few know is real. They have since gone their separate ways and tried to put that adventure behind them.

But the mythical world is now bleeding into our reality-a dark spiritual evil that is manifesting itself in forgotten corners of the British Isles. Alex Simpson is a Scottish police officer who specializes in hunting mythical creatures. Together, they must confront the past, the present, and points beyond to defeat the ultimate threat to humanity.

Nothing they've seen so far prepares them for what awaits . . . in The Realms Thereunder.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ross Lawhead comes from a literary household. He has collaborated with his father, Stephen R. Lawhead, on a trilogy of speculative fiction, written and illustrated a graphic novel, and published two volumes of “awful” poetry in a series called “The Colour Papers.” He lives in Oxford, England and this is his first full-length novel. For more of Ross’s musings on comics, movies, books, and culture, visit rosslawhead.com/blog/

Check out the other tour members blogs:

Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Jeff Chapman
CSFF Blog Tour
Theresa Dunlap
Emmalyn Edwards
Victor Gentile
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Rebekah Loper
Marzabeth
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Joan Nienhuis
Crista Richey
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Shane Werlinger
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

CFBA: Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

2012-02-14T17:23:00.006-06:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: Bits and Pieces by The Dave Clark Five.

This one is truly an LF Syndrome moment, I have no clue where this one came from, but it's truly catchy and has stuck around.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing: Sixty Acres and a BrideBethany House (February 1, 2012) by
Regina Jennings

MY TAKE:

The story of Ruth and Boaz seems to be popular this month, although it wasn't intentional. I've already posted my review of Ruth's Redemption earlier. I knew that one was intended to be a homage to the Bible story. Although good, I didn't sense a strong connection between the two tales.

However, after reading Sixty Acres and a Bride and I can say that Regina Jennings did an awesome job of reimagining the story of Ruth. The book blurb doesn't even hint at that, but it was clear from the first chapter that Ruth and her mother Naomi were an inspiration for this Texas set historical novel. It was so well done too. It wasn't a traditional retelling by anymeans, but the framework from the Biblical tale was strongly set and was a great setting for Rosa's story of moving to a new country as an outcast and finding a home and true love.

Rosa is strong and a little naive at moments, but never stupid. I love her gumption. Weston is easy to fall for, a man who's so willing to give his all to protect and care for those he loves. Every woman dreams of that to some degree. Regina takes these two idealistic characters, has them fall in love and then show honestly how they aren't so perfect and that fear is a weakness we all suffer. You may want to throttle one or both or our lovers before the tale is said and done, but it's so worth the emotional investment.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to Texas and the family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have only three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa can't keep herself from falling in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. Learning the American customs is not easy, however, and this beautiful young widow can't help but catch wandering eyes. Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, to what lengths will Rosa go to save her future?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Sixty Acres and a Bride, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Regina:

See me laughing. That’s what I do when someone calls me an author. Yes, it’s always been my dream, but I still can’t keep from giggling over it.

Other things I am – a Christ-follower, a wife, a homeschooling mother of four, a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, and a voracious reader.

Getting reading time isn’t easy. Seems like my family does more than our share of traveling. My husband is an insurance adjuster (I know, save the hate mail) and travels with the catastrophe team often. That’s allowed us to see a lot of the United States. True many times it’s in the middle of a hurricane or blizzard, but after spending three weeks in a hotel room with six people, you’ll brave anything to get out and see the sights – no matter how damaged they might be.

We also serve on the Missions Team at an amazing church, so we break out the passports frequently. Highlights include singing at a leper colony in India, holding church inside a Mexican prison and showing the Jesus film to a tribe in Senegal who’d never heard the gospel.

But I don’t have to go far away for unusual. My family provides plenty of colorful material with their love for practical jokes, pithy observations and strong agricultural roots. Because of the family business, a significant chunk of my life has been spent at sale barns and auctions – often behind the scales where I weigh pigs. I like to think of myself as a “redneck bluestocking” but I brought an entire marketing team’s discussion to a screeching halt when I said those words, so you didn’t hear it from me.

When I have spare time I love to talk books and quirky characters (real and fictional).

CFBA: Blue Moon Bay by Lisa Wingate

2012-02-10T23:57:00.004-06:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles. Heard it while watching Fringe tonight, and it's been with me ever since. Good song. :)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
Blue Moon BayBethany House (February 1, 2012)
by
Lisa Wingate

MY TAKE:

Blue Moon Bay may be a sequel, but it reads more like a stand alone novel, which IMO is good in a lot of ways. Moses Lake in a way is a character of it's own, so revisiting the lake area and it's residents is comforting, like coming home after a very long vacation, or traveling back to a favorite childhood memory of a family vacation. The story and main characters are new, only connecting to book one by the thread of location. But that works really well here.

Heather and her family have a lot of baggage. Her last year of high school is a tortured memory and she's shut down her ability to connect with people. Her mom and brother seem flighty and unreliable, irresponsible even. And Heather feels like the only one that can fix it all. She finds, like most of us do, that not even on our best days can we control our family or the events around us. That's a God thing. That never stops her from trying and the ensuing drama, mystery and love that abounds in the story is entertaining and also enlightening. Serving as a good reminder to all of us that God works in mysterious ways and that the truth isn't always what we want it to be. But happiness is still possible if you open up your heart.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Heather Hampton returns to Moses Lake, Texas, to help facilitate the sale of a family farm as part of a planned industrial plant that will provide the area with much-needed jobs. Heather's future fiance has brokered the deal, and Heather is in line to do her first large-scale architectural design--if the deal goes through.

But the currents of Moses Lake have a way of taking visitors on unexpected journeys. What was intended to be a quick trip suddenly morphs into Valentine's week--with Blaine Underhill, the handsome banker who just happens to be opposing Heather's project. Spending the holiday in an ex-funeral parlor seems like a nightmare, but Heather slowly finds herself being drawn into the area's history, hope, and heart.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Blue Moon Bay, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Wingate is an award-winning journalist, magazine columnist, popular inspirational speaker and a national bestselling author of sixteen books. Her first mainstream novel, Tending Roses, is in its eighteenth printing from Penguin Putnam. Tending Roses is a staple on the shelves of national bookstore chains as well as in many independent bookstores.

Recently, Lisa’s Blue Sky Hill Series, set in Dallas, received national attention with back-to-back nominations for American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award for A Month of Summer (2009) and The Summer Kitchen (2010). Pithy, emotional, and inspirational, her stories bring to life characters so real that readers often write to ask what is happening to them after the book ends.

Lisa is one of a select group of authors to find success in both the Christian and mainstream markets, writing for both Bethany House, a Christian publisher, and NAL Penguin Putnam, a general market publisher. Her bestselling books have become a hallmark of inspirational fiction. Her works have been featured by the National Reader's Club of America, AOL Book Picks, Doubleday Book Club, the Literary Guild, Crossings Book Club, American Profiles and have been chosen for numerous awards.

When not busy dreaming up stories, Lisa spends time on the road as a motivational speaker. Via internet, she shares with readers as far away as India, where her book, Tending Roses, has been used to promote women's literacy, and as close to home as Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the county library system has used Tending Roses to help volunteer mentors teach adults to read. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life.

What would the stethescope play for you?

2012-02-09T00:09:00.004-06:00

A friend sent me this video and I loved it. It's a commercial, but you probably won't be able to guess what it's advertising until the very end. Be sure and watch to the end, it really made me smile.

CFBA: Song of my Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

2012-02-08T23:56:00.004-06:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: Sitting on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding... cue whistling...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Song of My Heart
Bethany House (February 1, 2012)

by

Kim Vogel Sawyer

MY TAKE:

Kim did a beautiful job painting the relationships in this book, especially between Sadie and her Papa, the man who adopted her as his own when he married her mother. The scene in the beginning as she and her parents discuss her moving to Kansas for work was especially moving. It made me remember my father and our time together. It felt as if that scene could have been my family, had we lived over a 100 years ago.

Sadie's father is always in her heart and her mind as she faces the tough decisions. A remembered word of council or a shared scripture from memory. The example is there to also remind us that regardless of our relationship with our earthly fathers, we all have a Father in Heaven that loves us with that same devotion and acceptance.

I also loved how she showed mercy and forgiveness don't always mean no consequences, but that even the consequences can be made for a blessing if its all turned over to God.

The story is fun, full of lighthearted romance and a little bit of mystery. All told on a solid message of faith. I really enjoyed it.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can't work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent--though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job.

Thad McKane comes to Goldtree at the request of the town council. The town has been plagued by bootlegging operations, and Thad believes he can find the culprit. After he earns enough money doing sheriff work, he wants to use it to pay for his training to become a minister.

Thad is immediately attracted to the beautiful singer who performs in Asa Baxter's unusual opera house, but when he hears her practicing bawdy tunes, he begins to wonder if she's far less innocent than she seems. And when Sadie appears to be part of the very crimes he's come to investigate, is there any hope the love blossoming between them will survive?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Song of My Heart, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of fifteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and numerous grandchildren.

CFBA: In Too Deep by Mary Connealy

2012-02-03T23:55:00.002-06:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: Merlin tv series theme song

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

In Too Deep

Bethany House (February 1, 2012)

by

Mary Connealy

MY TAKE:

In Too Deep is Mary's follow up to Out of Control, the first book in the Kincaid Brides series. I loved book one, the suspense and humor mixture always hooks me right in, but I was anxious to read Ethan's story, because as much as I enjoyed Rafe, Ethan was the one that really intrigued me.

Ethan may be clueless about women, but he's a good hearted soul looking for healing and validation as a man. Audra has been beaten down by pushy men her whole life and she's had enough. Both want to be seen for the strength inside of them, but struggle to stand their ground with bossy Rafe and Julia always making choices without consulting anyone else. That's how Ethan and Audra end up married in the first place. But their good for one another, they see each other for who they really are and together are stronger. I loved watching them find their true feelings for one another.

And of course it wouldn't be a Mary Connealy book without a lot of humor and action to go with it. One of my favorite lines in the book is where Audra is describing Ethan at a moment when she's frustrated with him. "Ethan looked like six full feet of stubborn and another few inches of dumb." :)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In 1866 Colorado, Ethan Kincaid agrees to a marriage of convenience with the same casual disregard he gives every decision. Audra Gilliland, young mother of two, accepts his proposal because she wants to stop being a burden to her newly married stepdaughter. And suddenly both of them are in far deeper than they'd planned.

Ethan doesn't expect Audra to affect him so profoundly, and when she begins to, he's terrified of the pain he's felt before when someone he loved was seriously injured on his watch. He's determined that his new wife will do as he says so he can keep her safe from the dangers that lurk on their ranch. Audra has been cared for all her life by one man or another--and they've done a poor job of it. Now she's planning to stand up for herself. And her new husband had better agree or get out of her way!

What will it take to transform two wayward hearts fearful of getting in too deep into two trusting hearts ready to risk falling deeply in love?

If you would like to read the first chapter of In Too Deep, go HERE.

Watch the book trailer:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Christy Award Finalist, a Carol Award Finalist and an IRCC Award finalist.

The Lassoed in Texas Series, Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon and Gingham Mountain. Petticoat Ranch was a Carol Award Finalist. Calico Canyon was a Christy Award Finalist and a Carol Award Finalist. These three books are now contained in one large volume called Lassoed in Texas Trilogy.

The Montana Marriages Series, Montana Rose, The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride. Montana Rose was a Carol Award Finalist.

Cowboy Christmas—the 2010 Carol Award for Best Long Historical Romance, and an Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Finalist.

The Sophie's Daughters series. Doctor in Petticoats, Wrangler in Petticoats, Sharpshooter in Petticoats.

She is also the author of; Black Hills Blessing a 3-in-1 collection of sweet contemporary romances, Nosy in Nebraska, a 3-in-1 collection of cozy romantic mysteries and she's one of the three authors contributing to Alaska Brides with her Carol Award Winning historical romance Golden Days.

CFBA: Ruth's Redemption by Marlene Banks

2012-02-01T23:13:00.005-06:00

Song Stuck on the Brain: NCIS theme song. We're watching season 2 on dvd. Love NCIS, and it's a real toss up who's the favorite character. Gibbs is probably the best looking, but McGee is geekalicious. :) Even Ducky has a special spot in my heart.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Ruth's Redemption

Moody Publishers/Lift Every Voice (February 1, 2012)

by

Marlene Banks

MY TAKE:

I've read a lot of civil war era fiction, some did their best to shine a light on the reality for African Americans at that time, but none presented it as well or realistically as Marlene Banks did in Ruth's Redemption.

Although there are some surface attempts at connecting it to the Bible story of Ruth and Boaz, such as character names and a few well timed phrases, I didn't really see it as retelling of the story of Ruth. And I was perfectly fine with that, because the story of Ruth I did get was just as compelling. The author doesn't avoid any of the 'ugly' that was reality for slaves. It's not sugar coated or watered down, neither is it crass or gratuitous. The vernacular and setting sends you back in time and although it's not always a comfortable place to be, the story of redemption make it worth the trip. Ruth isn't the only one finding redemption either. Bo finds healing as well and their journey together provides a love story that shines all the brighter for the ugliness they over come.

The story provoked very strong emotions for me, anger, disgust, fear and finally compassion. Be prepared to walk more than a mile in Ruth and Bo's shoes in the dusty lanes of Virginia.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Set in the 1800s, Ruth's Redemption, is an unusual depiction of the lives of slaves and free blacks in pre-Civil War America. Bo, a main character, was educated while a slave. He was given his freedom and now owns a farm buying slaves for the sole purpose of giving them their freedom.

Bo is also a man of God and widower whose life is destined to change when he meets the proud and hard-hearted slave girl, Ruth. Ruth has known nothing but servitude and brutality since being separated from her mother at age thirteen. Purchased and sold primarily for breeding, Ruth struggles to adjust to life outside of bondage. She wants no part of Bo's Godly devotion. Yet Bo is unlike any man she's known and her experiences with him will leave her forever changed.

A gripping slave era novel, Ruth's Redemption is a story of love, forgiveness, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of the Nat Turner Rebellion in Tidewater, Virginia, this novel shines the light of God's unconditional love in the darkness of a culture's cruel socially accepted inhumanity.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Ruth's Redemption, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marlene Banks has worked 30+ years combined in nursing and the business arena. Her goal as a writer is to create inspiring, gripping and realistic stories with an emphasis on African American literature. She believes her gift and desire to write is from God and desires to use it to fulfill His purposes. Marlene lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she is a member of Bethel Deliverance International Church.

The Crossing by Serita Ann Jakes

2012-01-25T16:00:00.005-06:00

The Crossing

by

Serita Ann Jakes

MY TAKE:

This is the first book I've read by Mrs. Jakes, and it was a very pleasant surprise. The story is told through several of the character's points of view. The shifting between characters was really well done and I think it was an important writing decision, because the story is so much richer for it. Claudia and Casio both suffer from PTSD and emotional trauma from the accident 10 years before. Reading their thoughts and seeing how they rationalized their choices was enlightening and heartbreaking. I think one of the most interesting character point of view we're shown, though, is that of the Victim. As the young teach lays dying on the school bus floor, unable to speak or respond to those around her, we see her coming to terms with her life. Facing her sins, accepting responsibility and forgiveness. Feeling the transition from a mortal life to immortal grow within her as the love of Jesus fills her spirit. It was a beautiful thread woven through the story. Mrs. Jakes shows pain and horror, then the path to finding healing and acceptance. It's not all happy endings and sunshine, but it is very moving. I highly recommend it.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In 2000, a horrible unsolved crime is committed on a Texas school bus. At the time, Claudia Campbell was the beautiful head cheerleader, a hopeful girl who idolized her slain teacher. Now ten years later, Claudia's secret life threatens to destroy her marriage and possibly her very life.

Casio Hightower, now a prominent member of the community and a police officer, was a superstar quarterback and tapped by several colleges as their next golden boy. Casio's rages are tearing him apart and are close to landing him in jail.

The only way to move forward with their lives is to readdress the crime of their past, with the help of God and his perfect grace.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Serita A. Jakes has been involved in Christian ministry all of her adult life and has served alongside her husband, Bishop T. D. Jakes, throughout their entire marriage of nearly 30 years. As an insightful speaker, she draws heavily from her education and background in theater and mass communications. A soft-spoken woman offstage, First Lady Jakes, as she is affectionately referred to by The Potter’s House congregation, possesses the rare ability to reach and stir her audiences as she works to complement her husband’s ministry.

In August 1999, she released her first book, The Princess Within, which to date has sold more than 200,000 copies. The book, which is a poignant and revealing autobiographical reflection of encouragement and victory over pain, trauma, and abuse, is scheduled for re-release spring 2011. Serita wrote the book as a vehicle of encouragement for hurting women who want to break the silence surrounding their secret pain and obtain healing from it. In November 2003, Warner Faith published First Lady Jakes’ second book, Beside Every Good Man: Loving Myself While Standing By Him. It challenges women to explore the seasons that shape their views of male influence in their eyes.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

CFBA: Love Blooms In Winter by Lori Copeland

2012-01-17T00:09:00.001-06:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Love Blooms in Winter

Harvest House Publishers (January 1, 2012)

Lori Copeland

MY TAKE:

Runaway trains, a batty neighbor with more dogs than sense, an elephant and a love story. Who would have thought that all of those could wind themselves together in a story that would make sense? Lori Copelad did, and she added a whole lot more, only if I listed it, you wouldn't believe me. Plus, it kind of ruins all the surprises. That was half the fun of reading this book. The romance was fun and sweet and the message of faith is strong, but the people really do make the story come to life.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A romantic new book from bestselling author Lori Copeland that portrays God’s miraculous provision even when none seems possible.

1892—Mae Wilkey’s sweet next-door neighbor, Pauline, is suffering from old age and dementia and desperately needs family to come help her. But Pauline can’t recall having kin remaining. Mae searches through her desk and finds a name—Tom Curtis, who may just be the answer to their prayers.

Tom can’t remember an old aunt named Pauline, but if she thinks he’s a long-lost nephew, he very well may be. After two desperate letters from Mae, he decides to pay a visit. An engagement, a runaway train, and a town of quirky, loveable people make for more of an adventure than Tom is expecting. But it is amazing what can bloom in winter when God is in charge of things.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Blooms in Winter, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lori lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband Lance. Lance and Lori have three sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. Lance and Lori are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.

Lori began her writing career in 1982, writing for the secular book market. In 1995, after many years of writing, Lori sensed that God was calling her to use her gift of writing to honor Him. It was at that time that Lori began writing for the Christian book market. To date, she has had over 100 books published.