Living the Write Life

Lexi's Heart, A Romance for Mothers

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:49:00 +0000

LEXI’S HEART

by Delia Latham

COTT’s Image Creator, Delia Latham, is excited to announce a new e-Novella in the ongoing Heart’s Haven collection she co-writes with three other Pelican Book Group authors: Tanya Stowe, Marianne Evans and Mary Manners.

First in a collection of four Heart’s Haven Holiday romances, LEXI’S HEART is the Mother’s Day feature. Follow-up holiday stories will include Independence Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Here’s a blurb:

Forty-three-year-old Lexi Carlisle’s abusive marriage ended three years ago. Deeply scarred by the experience, and helplessly watching her beloved mother succumb to Alzheimers, Lexi is devastated. After selling her fancy home, she rents a cottage in Heart’s Haven, a special place unlike any other. Slowly learning to live again, she despairs of ever delivering the message of love that burns within her heart for her ever-worsening mother. But Mitch Gaynor, a handsome Christian author, reminds Lexi that with God all things are possible, planting within her battered and distrustful heart the seed of hope for a miracle. But can she open her fortressed heart to God? And is Mitch a part of His plans for her future?

Her Heart. His faith. Love Reborn.

The Heart’s Haven Collection started last October with Delia’s book, Jewels for the Kingdom, followed by Evans’ Operation Breathless, Stowe’s Leap of Faith, and Manners’ Dance with Me.

Each Heart’s Haven e-Book is set in Angel Falls—a lovely but fictional small town in East Texas. More specifically, all stories focus on the tenants of Heart’s Haven, a one-of-a kind cottage-rental complex owned by a crotchety old guy named Andrew Hart. Folks ‘round those parts believe old Hart actually sees and speaks with angels, and that Heart’s Haven is a favorite hangout for the heavenly creatures. The taciturn gentleman has never come right out and corroborated that rumor. ‘Course, he hasn’t come right out and denied it either.

But then, lots of things are said about Heart’s Haven. Some folks think the place makes folks fall in love. And to add grist to that rumor mill, each little cottage on the property sports a sign hanging over the gate, carved with the sweet blessing: May love find all who enter here.

Thing is, it usually does.

You’re invited to hang out with the Heart’s Haven gang any time. Come on over and find out who’s falling in love with whom, and what the angels are up to around Angel Falls, Texas. We’re not hard to find—Angel Falls isn’t big enough to get lost in. If you don’t find us kicking back in the rec room at Heart’s Haven, we’re probably having a barbecue…or wedding…or something else we came up with so we could all get together at one of the following places:

Heart’s Haven Blog

Heart’s Haven Facebook Page

We love company, so don’t bother to knock—just come on in!

Born and raised in a place called Weedpatch, DELIA LATHAM enjoys multiple roles as a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, but especially loves being a princess daughter to the King of Kings. She’s got a “thing” for Dr. Pepper and absolutely loves hearing from her readers. Delia writes inspirational romance, and is currently contracted through White Rose Publishing and Vinspire Publishing.

You can contact her at an of the following locations:

Her website

Her blog

Facebook

Twitter

Guest posting with Shannon Taylor Vannatter

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:35:00 +0000

I'm guest posting today on Shannon's blog, sharing the true life romance of my brother and his wife. Come on over and join us - you'll enjoy their love story. :)

Featuring the Latest in Christian Historical Fiction

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:30:00 +0000

CAPTURED BY MOONLIGHT

Prisoners to their own broken dreams...

After a daring rescue goes awry, the parched north of India grows too hot for nurse Laine Harkness and her friend Eshana. The women flee to the tropical south…and run headlong into their respective pasts.

Laine takes a new nursing position at a plantation in the jungle, only to discover that her former fiancé is the owner…and that Adam has no more to say to her now than he did when he crushed her years ago.

Eshana, captured by her traditional uncle and forced once more into the harsh Hindu customs of mourning, doubts whether freedom will ever again be in her future, much less the forbidden love that had begun to whisper to her. Is faith enough to live on? Or is her Savior calling her home?

Amid cyclones and epidemics, clashing faiths and consequences of the war, will the love of the True Master give hope to these searching hearts?

PURCHASE ON:

AMAZON

B&N

KOBO

* Review by Top Amazon Reviewer, Diana Flowers--"I have ten authors who are my favs...with Shadowed in Silk--Book One and Captured by Moonlight--Book Two, Christine Lindsay has made it into my top five!"
* Award-winning author Catherine West—"Christine Lindsay's attention to detail, witty prose and moving story line all blend together to create a treat for the senses, leaving the reader satisfied and completely satiated by the end."
* Award-winning, multi-published Author Jeanette Windle—"A worthy sequel to acclaimed debut novel Shadowed in Silk."

About the Author:
Irish-born Christine Lindsay writes award-winning historical novels. In Shadowed in Silk and Captured by Moonlight, Christine delights in weaving the endless theme of God’s redemptive love throughout stories of danger, suspense, adventure, and romance. The Pacific coast of Canada, about 200 miles north of Seattle, is Christine’s home.

Visit Christine’s website

Subscribe to Christine’s blog for inspiration 3 times a week

Drop by and ‘like’ Christine’s Author Facebook Page

Follow Christine on Twitter

Swap pictures with Christine on Pinterest

Desperately Seeking Home

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:25:00 +0000

Well, we're home. In California. Got back toward the end of March, and it's wonderful to be here with family - and with friends I've known absolutely forever.

But we're still looking for a place to live.

We need to be in Tehachapi, up above the grimy San Joaquin Valley, so Johnny can breathe. Dirty air is not a good thing for someone with COPD. Thing is, housing in a California mountain town isn't exactly cheap, so the places we're finding in our price range are either in a state of disrepair or buried so far back in the hills a person could forget how to be civilized.

My brother and his wife are so great about allowing squatters in their home, but seriously...at some point they'll have to regretfully push us out into the cold...or hot, I guess, since summer's right around the corner. And a Bakersfield summer is not a walk on the beach. More like a trudge through the Sahara.

So what's a poor girl to do? lol

Hey...I don't suppose you know of a little dollhouse in Tehachapi we could move into without giving up any arms or legs...?

Yeah, I know. I sound desperate. I'm appropriately embarrassed. But still...can't blame a desperate gal for trying, right? :)

A Special Mother's Day Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Sun, 05 May 2013 06:09:00 +0000

LEXI'S HEART

by Delia Latham

Book One, Heart's Haven Holidays Collection

AVAILABLE NOW!

Her Heart. His faith. Love Reborn.

Download Lexi's Heart to your Kindle

Release date approaches for Lexi's Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Wed, 01 May 2013 08:52:00 +0000

LEXI'S HEART, book one in the Heart's Haven Holidays collection, is featured this week on Shirley Kiger Connolly's blog, A Pen for Your Thoughts. Come on over and leave a comment for a chance to win a Kindle or Nook copy of Jewels for the Kingdom, the first book in the original Heart's Haven collection.

Also, you are invited to join Tanya Stowe, Mary Manners, Marianne Evans and me for a Facebook book launch party on Friday, May 3, to introduce my new Heart's Haven tale, LEXI'S HEART - book one in the Heart's Haven Holidays collection. You'll get sneak peeks into a number of our books, and we'll share some favorite Heart's Haven recipes with attendees. We'll also be giving some books away, as well as a couple of really special prizes.

Don't miss all the fun!

COTT: Get a Load of These Fab New Releases!

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:30:00 +0000

Summer's just around the corner, which means you, dear reader, need to be thinking about which books you're going to get lost in while lounging at the pool. Today, Clash of the Titles offers you a few excellent suggestions.

Fresh from the editor's desk, these five new titles are some of our favorites this month. They're hugely diverse. Set in exotic locations such as India and Brazil, and ranging in time period from the 1800's to present-day, at least once of them is bound to catch your fancy!

So have a quick virtual browse, then vote on which you think will most likely make it into your beach bag.

How do you start a new life when you don’t know who you are? Lydia doesn't have a clue, but when she discovers the man who identified her in the train wreck has been lying, she must decide whether to listen to her heart, or her head.

Wings of Glass tells the story of Penny Taylor, a young wife who feels trapped in an abusive marriage until two women from two very different worlds help open her eyes to the truth of who she is, what she deserves and lend her a backbone until she can find her own.

Two women, one Indian, one English, flee to the tropical south of India only to be captured and imprisoned by their respective pasts—Eshana by her traditional Hindu uncle for her faith in Christ, the other, Lieutenant Laine Harkness by her former fiancé who crushed her heart years ago. Amid cyclones and epidemics, tigers and tiger cubs, clashing faiths and consequences of war, will the love of the True Master give hope to these searching hearts?

For Ellie O'Brien, finding the perfect partner for other people is easy, but now the townsfolk of Peppin want to return the favor by matching her with Lawson Williams who Ellie deems least likely to court a tomboy with a guilty secret. Lawson doesn't see marriage with anyone in his future, but what if his childhood friend has become the woman who can chase away the clouds of his past?

After witnessing the death and destruction caused by the Civil War, Colonel Blake Wallace is eager to leave his once precious Southern homeland for the pristine shores of Brazil and the prospect of a new utopian community. Harboring a dirty secret, Widow Eliza Crawford seeks a fresh start and passage on Wallace’s ship, but will dangers from the sea and from man keep them from the peace and love they long for?

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New Release: Terri by Sharon Srock

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Allow me to introduce you to Sharon Srock, a fellow Pelican Book Group author (one I had the distinct pleasure of meeting before I left Oklahoma).

Sharon Srock lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday School teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. She is a member of the ACFW and currently serves as treasurer for her local chapter. Sharon’s debut novel, THE WOMEN OF VALLEY VIEW: CALLIE released in October 2012. The second offering in the series, THE WOMENOF VALLEY VIEW: TERRI is a brand new release this month.

Connect with Sharon here:

Blog

Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Today, we're featuring TERRI, book 2 in Sharon's Women of Valley view series. Take a look at this beautiful cover!

Now tell me you didn't smile... Oh, yes, you did! :) Want to know what it's about? Here's the blurb:

Despite a bustling day care center and a new foster child, Terri Hayes hungers for a family of her own. Then a plumbing mishap leaves her homeless and questioning God’s plan. Steve Evans’s gracious offer of his basement apartment as a temporary solution is an answered prayer.

Steve is a successful writer and a good father, but Terri is horrified when Steve’s book research leads him to a harsh confrontation with the parents of her foster child. She needs to distance herself from Steve, but her efforts fall short as his two scheming daughters plot to make Terri their new stepmother.

Will harsh words and sneaky plans drive Kelsey’s family further apart and put a wedge between Terri and Steve? Or does God have another plan in store?

Admit it, you're hooked, and you're dying to know more...well, I'm easy like that. Here's an excerpt from TERRI:

Terri Hayes chewed her bottom lip and prayed. Outside her windows on this sunny Friday afternoon, the Oklahoma summer persisted in spite of the September date circled on her calendar. Her hands sweated, and she clasped them behind her back. She would have raked them through her hair, but she wanted to telegraph calm and collected, not the nervous anticipation churning like ocean waves in her stomach. The weeks of preparation, the evenings spent in class, the hours of prayer, all came down to this.

The curly black head of her visitor disappeared under the kitchen sink. Terri heard grunts and clanks as the woman shifted and examined the contents of the cabinet. Her visitor stood and yanked the top of her crisply tailored suit back into place, her stern face thoughtful as she scribbled notes on a clipboard.

Despite Terri’s desire for calm, her lip chewing graduated to nail biting. Had she missed something? “Ms. Wilson, I…”

Cindy Wilson held up a hand. “Please, Ms. Hayes, I prefer to conduct my investigation uninterrupted. We’ll discuss my findings when I’m done.”

Terri swallowed her comments with a nod and trailed behind the imposing African-American woman whose job it was to poke and prod into every corner of Terri’s home. She ran through her own mental checklist as they proceeded from room to room. Outlets covered, medicines locked away, cleaning supplies stored out of reach, covers on all of her trash cans. A second perusal of Ms. Wilson’s expression produced no further insight. Pass or fail? Terri shook her head. I wonder if this woman plays poker.

Terri opened the door to the larger of her two spare bedrooms. The odor of fresh paint drifted out to greet them. This was the pride of her summer. She motioned her guest inside, aching to point out the highlights of what she’d worked so hard to accomplish, but she held her peace in the face of Ms. Wilson’s strident and silent inspection. More notes on the clipboard, murmurs, and hums. Approval or disapproval? How can I tell?

Inspection completed, Terri followed her visitor back to her sunken living room and made an effort to gain some control over the situation. “Have a seat, Ms. Wilson. I have iced tea or soda if you’d like something to drink.”

“No, thank you.” Ms. Wilson sat on the sofa and studied her notes. Her pen tapped an annoying beat as she read. Terri took a chair across from her and waited in helpless anticipation.

“It says here that your decision to apply to our program was motivated by a television show. Can you clarify that for me, please?”

Terri clasped white-knuckled hands in her lap. “It was a documentary. I cried for the whole hour. It broke my heart to see so much to be done and so few people willing to make a difference.”

“So this is an emotional decision on your part?”

“Yes…I mean no. I—”

Sounds amazing, doesn't it? I know you want your own copy, so...here's where you can get your hands on both CALLIE and TERRI.

Click on the covers to go to
the Amazon purchase page.
Links to other online booksellers
are listed below the covers.

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book

Spotlight on Historical Romance Favorite, Lena N. Dooley

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:14:00 +0000

Prolific author Lena Nelson Dooley has done it again! She's released yet another stunning historical romance. The COTT Blog Alliance is honored to feature her latest work, Catherine's Pursuit. It is book three in the McKenna's Daughters series and follows Maggie's Journey and Mary's Blessing.

"A heartwarming tale filled with history, adventure, faith, and love." --Lisa Wingate, bestselling and award-winning author of Dandelion Summer and Firefly Island

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Raised by her father, Catherine McKenna has never lacked for anything, surrounded by people to take care of her every need. On her eighteenth birthday she discovers that not only did her mother die when she was born, but she has two identical sisters. Although her father vowed not to look for his daughters, Catherine made no such promise. Setting out on her own with one clue and her maid in tow, she's determined to find her sisters.

Collin Elliott has seen better days. After losing his ship to a violent and unexpected storm, he is trying to recover--physically and emotionally. When Angus McKenna sends him to find, follow, and protect his daughter, he wants nothing more than to finish his task and return home. Can he help her find her sisters?

And will the discoveries they make along the way teach them both what's most important in life?

PURCHASE ON:

AMAZON

CBD

NOOK

A Blogger's Review of the Catherine's Pursuit:

What a great book! As Lisa Wingate says on the front cover, it is indeed a “heartwarming tale.” The story is fully satisfying (once you reach the end) and provides a complete conclusion for the McKenna’s Daughters series. While I still haven’t had the chance to read book 2, Mary’s Blessing, I did read and greatly enjoy book 1, Maggie’s Journey – incidentally, I think #1 had my favorite cover…but this one is a close second. They’re all so neat! Anyway, back to Catherine…this book isn’t a stand-alone, but even though I’ve missed book 2, I didn’t have trouble following (though there were a few parts that weren’t clear because I hadn’t read it yet). Moral of the story – read both of the first ones before this one if at all possible. There are some series where you would be totally lost if all you read was book 3, but that’s not quite true here. Catherine was a lovely girl and made for a gutsy heroine. I loved the historical detail that seemed to be worked into each scene throughout the book, especially the travel scenes. This is a fascinating story and one I think you’ll enjoy!
-Charity at http://austenitis.blogspot.com

A bit about Lena:

Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 700,000 books in print.
Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with over 20 signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books.

Check out Avon's "Viva" cologne by Fergie

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:15:00 +0000

Live by Your Own Rules: "Viva is fresh and unexpected. A sexy daring blend of notes that brings out the duality of a woman. The Viva woman is powerful, yet seductive. She lives life by her own rules."
- Fergie

COTT's Five Fab Feb Releases

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:30:00 +0000

We have contestants in all five corners of the ring!

Welcome to another thrilling contest brought to you by your friendly neighborhood Clash of the Titles. This showdown features books released in February 2013. Each is prepared to duke it out for the top spot in this all-out, no-holds-barred, literary sparring match. (Okay, okay, there are a FEW rules. Like no strikes below the belt, no brass knuckles, no slipping poison into the well water. But you get the idea.)

Below are each of the five contenders, listed in no particular order. Please vote for the one most likely to grace your nightstand first. Click on the images to purchase on Amazon:

Good, Clean, Murder: A Plain Jane Mystery by Traci Hilton

Living on her own for her first time, Bible school student Jane cleans houses to make ends meet. But being independent brings big trials, like falling for a handsome professor, dealing with an obnoxious roommate, and then there's the dead bodies...

Catherine's Pursuit by Lena Nelson Dooley

In book three of the McKenna’s Daughters series, Catherine McKenna begins a journey to find her lost sisters that turns into a spiritual journey for the entire McKenna family and leads her to the love of her life.

Wounded Heroes Book Three: Betrayal by Anne Patrick

Army veteran Drew Presley will stop at nothing to find the answers behind his wife's murder. But will those answers destroy the life he's made for him and his son?

Nothing Good is Free by Matthew Horn

The last thing Jeff Scott wants is to end up like his vigilante predecessor, Jim, by letting a life of violence and evil get the better of him. So, in a pursuit to find the path less traveled, he seeks the truth about Jim and the life he led before the two joined forces.

Love's Journey Home by Kelly Irvin

Love’s Journey Home is the story of how the families of Bliss Creek’s Amish community learn to be still and listen for the Lord’s direction and then act on faith that His plan will lead them to a long awaited new life.

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What do you think of this month's selection? Have you already gotten your hands on one of these and have something wonderful to share about it? Leave a comment and let us (and the authors) know! We love interacting with readers. It's what we're all about. Hope you enjoy our site. Make it a great day!

Come back next week to find out who will stand victorious.

COTT Features Staff Titles

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Clash of the Titles adores featuring new releases from Christian authors all over the world, but we'd be remiss to forget the authors on our very own doorstep. COTT is run by a bevy of talented writers--several of whom are published. In fact, in the last year alone, COTT staff has celebrated the release of no less than seven novels!

And here they are...

A miracle of love lurks within the branches of a solitary aspen tree.

****

School teacher Judy Winters sets out to solve the mystery surrounding her only living relative’s murder.

****

Her past isn't pretty, but it can't be changed. Will it destroy any possibility of a future with the man she loves?

****

Death in rural Wisconsin is only the beginning to new chaos in Robertsville. What do a stolen piece of revolutionary agricultural equipment, a long-buried skeleton in the yard, and an old quilt with secrets have in common?

****

Simon Hale finds the reclusive Rosetta both beautiful and intriguing, but when she seeks out the truth behind Shadow Bay Hall’s unexplained happenings, he is torn between hope for the future and his need to protect a dangerous secret.

****

When Ivy Preston roots up her entire life to start over in Apple Grove at the urging of her cat-loving friend, the mayor, and meets the love of her life, True Thompson, can their romance survive the sudden rise in crime?

****

She needs a temporary husband. He wants a forever love. Can even Solomon's Gate find a way to join these two hearts?

Song of the Tree--An Inspiring Contemporary Allegory

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 08:30:00 +0000

This week, Clash of the Titles is featuring a rare genre--

contemporary allegory.

If you've been itching for something different, this one should do it! The Song of the Tree contains a message that applies to each of us at some point in our lives. It moves the God-seeker from fist shaking stance, down to knees before the throne.

PURCHASE THE BOOK ON AMAZON

About The Song of the Tree:

Despite promises of eternal joy given by the Tree of Life, a privileged young woman loses everything in a brutal war. Her husband disappears; her family is murdered; her home is burned to the ground.

Desperate, starving, and burdened with an unwanted child, she now despises and rejects the Tree she once worshiped. Ripped from her land and people, forced into survival immigration, she becomes a lowly refugee, a servant in the homes of the rich. Her unusually gifted child thrives, but is an ever present reminder of ultimate loss and betrayal.

Two women: one broken, the other rooted in bitterness, continue to be drawn towards the song of a Tree that will not let them go. Along roads of degrading poverty and equally destructive wealth, each much wrestle with the siren call of perfect love, and its altar sacrifice of perfect trust.

About the author, Lotis Key:

Lotis Melisande Key has lived a life of wide travel and curious variety. She’s raised horses in the Australian outback; skied the Alps; run tours through a tropical jungle; bought & sold antiquities. She’s been a restaurateur; a breeder of show cats; a third world church planter. She’s worked in an orphanage, and run a ministry that puts children through school.

After a professional theater début at the age of twelve, she subsequently starred in over seventy five feature films for the Asian market. She’s also hosted numerous television and radio shows. Upon settling in the United States, she signed with Chicago, New York, and Minneapolis based talent agencies, expanding into American on-camera and voice over narration, industrial videos, trade shows, professional theater, television, and radio commercials.

Retiring from secular work, she founded MESSENGERS, a Christian theater arts group based at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis (themessengersfeet.org). As artistic director, she toured the company throughout the US, Canada, and Asia.

Vice-president of the Minnesota Christian Writers Guild, Lotis is a passionate storyteller. Her work focuses on the mystery of God, and His incomprehensible love for the unattractive, wayward parts, of His otherwise perfect creation.

COTT: Featured new release, THE KNITTING FAIRY

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Before we introduce this week's featured new release, COTT would like to extend a quick, yet heart-felt congratulations to our first annual Olympia Award winner, Author Laura McClellan and her manuscript, Do No Harm. More on Laura and her exciting win next month. Stay tuned!

And now, our featured novel...

****

About The Knitting Fairy:

Molly Stevenson rather expected her new job at Crabapple Yarns to be deadly boring... but somehow she just didn't expect the "deadly" part to be quite so literal. After all, what could possibly be more sweet and innocent than a yarn store and a bunch of ladies knitting?

As a librarian, by trade and by nature, Molly really ought to have known better. And, worse, she broke the first rule of librarianship - never, ever judge a book by its cover. Sadly, some of us have to learn the hard way. Perhaps that is why Molly didn't exist long as Assistant Librarian at Springgate Library.

The new job at Crabapple Yarns seemed like the only sensible thing to do at the time - until she could find something better of course.

But, working at a yarn store really didn't fit into her Life Plan.

She never expected to become a knitter.

Molly never expected her sweet little boss to be hiding the fact that she was receiving threats.

She never expected to discover a Knitting Fairy.

And, she most certainly never expected a Knitting Fairy to try to kill her either.

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

What others are saying about The Knitting Fairy:

What do you get when you combine a novice to the world of fiber working in a yarn shop with the owner, a mysterious, fairy-tale inspired character? You get Jaime Marsman's magical, whimsical story of "The Knitting Fairy" which is sure to be enjoyed by knitters everywhere. --Penny Sitler, Executive Director of The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA), tkga.com

Amidst the characters, humour, and mystery is the fun of witnessing a non-knitter's assumptions and observations turn to affection and obsession. It made me wish to be a new knitter again! --Sally Melville, sallymelvilleknits.com

A page turning mystery with yarn shops and knitting - what else could you ask for! --Carol Feller, Author of Contemporary Irish Knits

A heartwarming and witty novel, guaranteed to make you smile. Molly Stevenson's new found love of yarn brings her comfort and friendship but leaves her with many unanswered questions. Appealing to the non-knitter as much as the knitaholic, this wonderful and enthralling mystery detailing the weird and wonderful goings on in Crabapple Yarns knitting store, will have you totally hooked. --UK Hand Knitting Association, ukhandknitting.com

About the author, Jaime Marsman:

Since the age of three, Jaime Marsman has long been fascinated with the simple shifting of letters to create different words, thoughts, and sentences. As a knitwear designer for Live.Knit.Love, she has found the same thing to also be true of yarn. Perhaps that would explain the joy she feels every time she picks up her pen or her needles. Inspiring others with her work is one of Jaime's fondest goals and dreams. She wants people to realize the joy of creating and following their dreams in their own special ways. Jaime is so grateful to God for His love and guiding hand in her life. She prays that everyone comes to have the joy and peace of knowing Him.

Kristen Lamb: 7 Things Confident Writer's DON'T Do

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:39:00 +0000

LOVED this post! Kristen Lamb lays it on the line about seven things that, "in a world full of wannabe best-sellers," confident writers DON'T do.

A powerful little punch of wonderful information and straightforward truth. (Thank you so much to Susan Hollaway for sharing it with me.)

Writers...you want to
read this article
by Kristen Lamb,
author of
We Are Not Alone.

Guest blogger: Patty Froese

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Eye of the Beholder

by Patty Froese

How beautiful are you? If you were to rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10, where would you land?

I don't think anyone is terribly comfortable with that exercise. We've been trained by the media to criticize ourselves. A droop, a sag, a blemish... Those are inexcusable. Actresses are publicly mocked for having gained a little weight or having some "cottage cheese cellulite" on their thighs, exposed by the prying lenses of unwelcome cameras.

Women have babies and are judged by their "bounce back" time, ridiculous as that may be.

A woman's value is not based on something as fickle as Hollywood ideals, but the constant battery of messages coming from the media would have us believe something else. Companies want us to believe that tubes and vials will make us beautiful, that certain styles will help us maintain our youth, that dyes will make us feel lovely. From diets to exercise machines, clothing lines to skin creams, the woman in this modern age is bombarded by messages that she just isn't enough, and she needs some help. Big time.

So when we look at ourselves in the mirror, what do we see? I always joke that it isn't fair to judge me only on my looks, because when you add in my personality, I get at least a three point lift on that number. And while I'm only joking around when I talk like that, there is truth under the laughter.

Beauty is more than skin deep.

But how much more?

Would you still feel beautiful if you had to wear unflattering clothing? Would you feel beautiful if all your hair fell out? Would you feel beautiful if scars covered your face and distorted your smile?

And if you stopped feeling beautiful, would you feel loved?

Where does our beauty come from?

In Eye of the Beholder, my heroine loses her looks in a freak accident. She goes from stunningly beautiful, capturing the admiration of everyone around her, to scarred and pitied. Doors no longer fly open for her, and the face in the mirror seems to belong to a stranger. When she goes up to the autumn woods to try to make peace with what she cannot change, she's faced with more than the reality of her new looks--she's faced with a man from her past who lost more than she ever knew.

When a woman loses her looks, what is there left to love?

Blurb:

Tricia Hunter was an extraordinary beauty...before a horrible bus accident left her irreparably scarred. In an effort to accept the things she cannot change, she heads to her uncle's cabin for some time alone.

Forest ranger Jesse Reynolds recognizes Tricia the minute he sees her, but nothing flickers in her eyes. That's fine by him. The same accident that stole her good looks killed his fiance, and he simply can't bring himself to feel sorry for Tricia like everyone else in her life seems to do.

Thrown together in the autumn woods, they are faced with the past, an uncertain future, and a struggle to find out why God allows terrible things to happen.

Purchase links:

Pelican Book Group

Amazon

About Patty Froese:

Patty Froese started writing seriously after she graduated from her English degree. She lived in a tiny bedroom apartment, worked the bare minimum to keep herself fed and wrote the rest of the time. Her first published novel came out of that experience, and ten years later, she's still writing. Eye of the Beholder is her tenth published novel.

http://pattyfroese.com/

Romance and Mystery with COTT: January New Releases

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:28:00 +0000

Until Wednesday, February 20th, at midnight, Clash of the Titles will be featuring three, brand spanking new inspirational novels. Each of the below novels has been on bookstore shelves for less than a month. Which one is calling your name? Take a moment to browse, then, using the voting box below, let us know which you're most likely to read first. Happy browsing!

Groom By Arrangement
by Rhonda Gibson

Eliza Kelly thought her humiliation was complete when she identified the wrong train passenger as her mail-order groom. Jackson wonders if Eliza's mistake was his good fortune, between caring for an orphaned youngster and protecting Eliza, Jackson feels whole again, if only he can persuade Eliza to marry him, her reputation will be saved…and so will their long-buried dreams of forging a real family.

Mystery of the Heart
by Jillian Kent

Lady Mercy Grayson longs to be a physician like her older brother, however, society would never tolerate a female physician, so Mercy takes matters into her own hands, disguising herself as a man to get through medical school. Lord Eden is intrigued by Lady Mercy Grayson’s secret, but how can he hope to gain her heart if he is forced to betray her?

Claiming Mariah
by Pam Hillman

In light of her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold.

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"The Q Manifesto" -- A Christian Thriller You Don't Want to Miss!

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 07:35:00 +0000

Clash of the Titles presents...

The Q Manifesto by Alan Schleimer.

A new Dead Sea Scroll stuns the world. Is it a forgery or the end of Christianity?

Not long ago, experts announced that an ancient papyrus referred to Jesus Christ as having a wife. It caused quite a stir before being quickly discredited. But what if an even more explosive papyrus was found that showed the gospels were faked and that document passed every modern test for legitimacy? That is the premise for The Q Manifesto.

The story centers on Jay Hunt, who quit a lucrative Wall Street career to become a backcountry tour guide. Soon after, an ancient manuscript is uncovered that reveals the Gospels were an orchestrated fiction. Though its revelation stuns the world, Jay ignores it until his father, a retired Dead Sea Scrolls expert, gets in over his head investigating the scroll. Chased by assassins, Jay soon learns that the world’s only chance to survive Armageddon depends on him deciphering a cryptic trail of clues in his quest for the truth.

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

An Unlikely Prospect as an Author

Alan Schleimer wasn’t always a writer. In fact, he says that he was the least likely candidate to become a published author. About ten years ago, he was enjoying a career in the corporate world. The former energy trader and business development professional with a finance MBA claims he struggled writing a two-paragraph business letter. “I kept getting these cool ideas for a book. I thought some day, if I ever retired, I would write it. Well, I noticed that these ideas came more frequently while I was spending my quiet time meditating. Eventually, I became convinced it was a calling from God, and I began writing full-time. The story that started it all was a Christian fiction fantasy. It was a great learning process filled with numerous rookie mistakes. I took writing classes and attended writing conferences until deciding to write the kind of fiction I liked to read—mystery/suspense/thrillers.”

Police Academy

Besides studying writing, Alan is a graduate of Sugar Land’s Citizen Police Academy. He describes it as “A great program for anyone, but it was an ideal introduction for me to police procedures. You can read about police work, but the Academy brings to life the daily risks and snap judgments police officers must make to keep us safe.” Besides his Academy participation, he has studied martial arts, finance, and what he calls the divine source of all truth—the Bible.

Evidence that the Police Academy and other studies have enriched Alan’s writing is reflected in one reader’s review, which praised it as a “magnificent debut whose stunning depths, pivotal settings and tangible descriptions manifested themselves in imagery akin to an HDTV movie.” His storyline was cited as a “masterfully crafted, full-immersion thriller written with intelligence, heart and virtue, brilliantly plotted, and played out at machine gun pace.” Pleased that his book is categorized as Christian fiction, Alan prefers to think of it as a family-friendly wild ride with a message of hope and a challenge to anyone’s faith.

Awards

The Q Manifesto was named the top inspirational/religious novel of 2012 by the national website Daily Cheap Reads. Previously the story garnered the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis award in the mystery/suspense/thriller genre. Schleimer’s debut novel is a suspense thriller and has been compared favorably to Dan Brown’s "Da Vinci Code" for its masterfully-executed twists and turns.

Connect with Alan

The Q Manifesto is available as an eBook at Amazon and by month’s end at most online booksellers in a print edition. You can connect with Alan through his website www.alanschleimer.com and “Like” him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AlanSchleimer.Author.

How did you meet the love of your life?

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 06:50:00 +0000

How did you and your spouse or significant other meet? Was it particularly romantic? Funny? Embarrassing? Inquiring minds want to know! :)

I have committed to writing a guest blog post about just such a circumstance, so I'm putting out a plea:

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO SHARE YOUR
"HOW I MET MY HONEY" STORY?

If so, please send it to me via e-mail. Don't worry about spelling, grammar, or using impeccable writing skills. Just tell me about it in your own words - as if you and I were sharing a cup of coffee, cuddled up in our snuggie blankies in front of a cozy fire.

I'll choose a story from the ones I receive and write my post around that romance.

If I choose to use your story, I'll send you a FREE copy of your choice of my novels.

If your story is not chosen for this project, I'll send you an autographed bookmark as a thank you for participating.

Who knows? Your story could end up in one of my novels someday (with your permission, of course). Wouldn't that be FUN?

Can't wait to see what everyone sends! :)

COTT's December Release Champ

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:30:00 +0000

The Champion of the December New Releases Clash is:

A Promise to Protect, by Liz Johnson

Her novel takes the honors but it went up against some formidable competitors:

The Song of the Tree, Lotis Key

Mind of Her Own, Diana Brandmeyer

Counterfeit Cowboy, Lacy Williams

The Knitting Fairy, Jaime Marsman

Thanks to all for showing up and playing with COTT this week. The voting was amazingly close for a few days, and we had well over 200 voters. Congratulations to our readers and supporters!

A few of the comments from the survey say:

I absolutely love inspirational fiction. Thank you all for your books... I seem to always find one that speaks to my needs.

Keep on creating and inspiring.

ALL of the titles sound fabulous! It was a tough decision. Thank you for writing such awesome books!

Anything about our Seals is a definite buy!

Sometimes it seems unfair to have to choose. All the books look interesting. But I picked the one that I would pick up first.

What a wonderful list of books! Great job, everyone!

The books all look very interesting and well worth checking out. It was very difficult making a choice and all 5 authors should be encouraged for doing a great job.

Liz Johnson is one of my favorite authors. I love how she develops her characters in such a way that I not only want to know what happens in the story but I am emotionally invested in the characters.

About the Book:

Navy SEAL Matt Waterstone knows about keeping people safe. When his best friend’s sister is attacked, Matt promises no harm will come to Ashley Sawyer–not on his watch. But Matt’s not the only protective one. Ashley will do anything to safeguard the residents of the battered women’s shelter she runs. She’s sure she can handle the threats she gets in return. What she can’t handle is the way Matt scales the walls around her heart. Yet when she falls prey to a crime web more sinister than she’d realized, trusting Matt could be the only way to survive.

Buy the book on Amazon, or Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

Liz Johnson graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a degree in public relations and works as an editorial and marketing manager at a Christian publisher. She is a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Promise to Protect is her fourth novel with Love Inspired Suspense. Liz makes her home in Nashville, TN, where she enjoys theater, exploring the local music scene, and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her two nephews and three nieces. She loves stories of true love with happy endings.

Keep up with Liz's adventures in writing at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com, Twitter @LizJohnsonBooks, or http://www.Facebook.com/LizJohnsonBooks.

Upcoming book news: Ashley's brother, Tristan, gets his own story in SEAL Under Siege, which will release in September of this year.

Heroines with Heart Blog Tour & Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Heroines With Heart is a massive blog tour that runs throughout 2013, that features books with strong female protagonists. We have authors from several different genres, including young adult, mystery/thriller/suspense, romance, sci-fi/fantasy, and Christian fiction. We are also giving away fun digital prizes and sharing new and noteworthy books throughout the year. Want updates?

For readers: http://heroineswithheart.com/attendees/
For bloggers: http://heroineswithheart.com/for-bloggers/
For authors: http://authors.heroineswithheart.com/

ALCATRAZ: THE LOST PEARL
by Aleshia Robinson

ABOUT ALCATRAZ THE LOST PEARL:

Fifteen year old Alcatraz is being chased. Born and raised in a loving family, she suddenly finds herself fending for her life on the streets of Los Angeles. Consumed with anger, hurt and confusion, Alcatraz turns to the spiritual realm to find life’s answers. While experimenting with pagan spells, Buddhist chants, and yoga sutras, she continually encounters a spirit who claims He is God. The Truth she learns from this spiritual quest introduces her to the unexpected world of divine healing, acceptance and unconditional love.

EXCERPT:

“Why don’t we flip for it?” Henry suggested reaching into his pocket pulling out a nickel. “If it’s heads we get the Apple Tart. Tails we get the Key Lime Pie.”

“That sounds like a fair deal to me,” Dad said.

“No, I don’t want to do heads or tails with you, Henry, ’cause you know how to manipulate the coin to do what you want. Let’s do paper, scissors, rock,” I said.

“That’s fine. Paper, scissors, rock it is,” Natalie said, putting her book down and turning around to the back, facing me.

“Well, if you guys are doing paper, scissors, rock then I want in.” Henry said, throwing down his video game to join the circle.

“That’s not fair. You shouldn’t have a say.” Natalie whipped around from me to face the front. “Dad, Henry is trying to order dessert when he knows it’s not his turn.”

“Henry, let this be between your sisters now. Play fair.”
“Alright, fine. I’ll let the losers decide, but if I don’t like your choice then I get to choose the next two times we go out to eat.”

“Whatever,” Natalie and I simultaneously dismissed Henry and turned to face each other. The stage was set for paper, scissors, rock. A game where, no doubt, I was the undisputed champion. Being able to intuitively strategize my opponent’s hand I somehow repeatedly won with scissors. But since I knew Nat was aware of my wins with scissors, I set up the trap with paper because I knew she would start with rock.
“Are you ready?” Henry said, umpiring the round.

“Yep, I am,” I said confidently, knowing she was about to go down.

“Me too,” Nat replied.

“Alright, losers. Get your hands ready.”

“Henry,” Mom snapped sharply. “Stop calling your sisters losers. Now you apologize.”

“What?” Henry shrieked. “Seriously, I’d rather give up my Steak Pizza at Hi Life than apologize to these two annoying brats.”

Mom turned her whole body around but stopped halfway by Dad’s laughter, “Hey, that’s not a bad idea, honey. We could stand to save an extra thirty dollars.”

“Thomas Allen Boydstein! I know you are not laughing at your son!”

“What?” He shrugged, still chuckling. “Cindy, the boy can eat. I say we invest his food money in an emerging growth fund and pay off his college tuition.”

“Oh my goodness, Tommy.” Mom now broke out into laughter. “I don’t know what I am gon-”

BANG! was all I heard before our Yukon swerved around to the right. Something blew out the front passenger tire and my dad lost complete control of the vehicle. As he mercilessly tried to jam on the brakes and avoid moving traffic, a U-Haul yielding onto the expressway slammed into the passenger door by Natalie and caused us to flip over several times down Interstate 5. I don’t quite remember all the details, but I do recall screaming, crying, and flying.

Both Natalie and Henry unfastened their seatbelts in order to turn around and play paper, scissors, rock with me. So, as the truck flipped down the freeway, they flew from the ceiling to the floor along with the ice chest, food, video games, book bags, and my sketchbook. Once we flipped over the side rail our car finally came to a halt, upside down.
I wasn’t knocked unconscious, but I wasn’t fully present, either. My eyes opened long enough to see through shattered glass the smoke and fire coming from under the hood. Nobody moved. Natalie lay face down with her upper body outside the window and her legs inside the vehicle pigeon toed. Henry landed in the fetal position to my right. I strained my neck to look for my parents but could see them from where I lay. I was stuck.

Amazon purchase page

ABOUT ALESHIA ROBINSON:

Aleshia Robinson is a lover of truth and freedom. Jesus freak. Sex trafficking activist. Missionary. Yoga and Pilates junkie. Wheatgrass fanatic. Decoupager. A spa, salon and restaurant enthusiast. Coffeehouse snob. Hotel hopper. Spanish lover. Latin dancing queen. Music worshipper. She also enjoy writing edgy Christian fiction that awaken souls to the true heart of God. Also, visit her at http://www.lovegodandtattoos.com/.

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Heroines with Heart Blog Tour & Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:30:00 +0000

For readers: http://heroineswithheart.com/attendees/
For bloggers: http://heroineswithheart.com/for-bloggers/
For authors: http://authors.heroineswithheart.com/

A THREAD UNBROKEN
by Kay Bratt

Chai and Josi share a bond that transcends ordinary friendship. While Chai has always been Josi’s protector—ever since they were toddlers, growing up together in a small Chinese village—she finds herself helpless when they are both abducted from their families and sold to faraway strangers. In their new home, with the family of the fisherman who bought them, their old lives are torn away piece by piece. But Chai knows she must stay strong if they’re to have any chance of escaping.

That same tenacious hope guides Chai’s father, Jun, who fights to find the girls and bring them home, despite seemingly insurmountable odds and a corrupt legal system. The days since the girls were taken soon stretch to weeks and months, but Chai’s spirit remains unbroken and Jun’s resolve unwavering.

Set against the backdrop of modern day China, A Thread Unbroken is an inspiring story of remarkable courage, indefatigable hope, and the invisible ties that hold people together, even when everything around them is falling apart.

EXCERPT:

Chai leaned over to whisper to Josi, “You shouldn’t have told her where we live, and I don’t think we should walk with her. If we do, it’s going to take much longer to get back.” Chai thought she knew everyone from the village, and she didn’t remember seeing this woman, but it wasn’t unusual for people to live in the city and visit their family homes in the village on weekends or holidays.

“But Chai, she seems nice, and she needs our help. We’ll hurry,” Josi whispered back.

The woman overheard their conversation. “If you’re in a hurry, I know a shortcut to the village. Follow me.” She turned the next corner and quickly led the girls down an unfamiliar side street. A few blocks later, she turned again, then again. Soon, both girls were completely confused about which way to go.

Chai stopped and called to the woman, who walked quickly ahead of them. “Qing wen, excuse me, but this is taking much longer than we thought. Can you lead us back to the main road so we can go the way we know?”

The little boy was also getting impatient; he had tired of walking and wanted one of the girls to carry him. The woman did not offer to hold her own son, just let them continue caring for him.

She finally turned around. “Mei guan xi! Don’t worry. Because you’ve both been so nice to help me, I want to buy you each a new dress.”

The girls looked at each other, hesitant to accept such an offer but also interested in the prospect of having something new to wear. Their families were very poor, and new clothes didn’t come along often.

Chai looked at Josi, who answered her unspoken question in a whisper. “I think we should let her buy us a dress.”

“But Josi, I don’t know what Baba would say. And he told us to go straight back home; he might be angry if he finds out we’ve been shopping.” She leaned in closer to Josi’s ear. “Don’t you think it’s weird that she wants to buy us a dress just for helping her with her son?”

Josi sighed. “Please, Chai. Some people are just nice like that. Don’t be so suspicious. You know I’ll never get another dress any other way—and you might not, either.”

The woman watched the girls debating her offer. “It will only take a few extra minutes, and then we’ll be on our way, girls. Please let me do this. I only have a son and I’ve always wanted to shop for girls.”

Josi squeezed Chai’s hand, looking at her pleadingly.

“Fine. We’ll let her buy us a dress. But then we have to hurry, and we aren’t going to have time to swim today. We need to be back at home before Baba.” Chai readjusted the boy on her hip, impatient to get moving again. The entire situation was bordering on surreal, but she didn’t want to disappoint Josi, and maybe she was too suspicious after all.

By the big smile on her face, Josi obviously thought a dress was a great trade for swimming; Chai wasn’t so sure. But they did have the rest of the summer to get into the canal—and an opportunity to make Josi so happy might not come along again. Chai knew the truth was she was much more likely to get new things than Josi, so she decided to hold her tongue and just let go and have fun for the day.

The woman smiled and led the girls down another alley, farther from the main road and even farther from their path home.

Amazon Purchase Page

Kay Bratt grew up in the Midwest as the child of a broken home and later, a survivor of abuse. Facing these obstacles in her own life instilled in Kay a passionate drive to fight for those that had been dealt an unfair hand. Upon arriving in China on an expatriate assignment with her husband in 2003, she was immediately drawn to the cause of China’s forgotten orphans. Moved beyond tears by the stories of these children, she promised to give them the voice they did not have. In 2008, she self-published her memoir Silent Tears: A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage to do just that. With the help of her readers, Kay continues to raise awareness and advocate for at-risk children. In China, she was honored with the 2006 Pride of the City award for her humanitarian work. She is the found of the Mifan Mommy Club, an online organization which provides rice for children in China’s orphanages, and is also an active volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for abused and neglected children. Kay currently resides in Georgia with her husband and daughter. Also, visit her at http://kaybratt.com/.

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Review & Interview: Marianne Evans with Search and Rescue

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Sal's Place Series, Book 1
by Marianne Evans

Search and Rescue is an upcoming release from Marianne Evans, my fellow author in the Heart's Haven collection as well as a treasured friend. I'm thrilled to offer my review of this unforgettable book, which will be available for purchase on February 8th.

Marianne graciously took time to answer a few of my questions. Be sure to take in that mini-interview following the review.

REVIEW:

Marianne Evans has done it yet again. This author consistently delivers poignant storylines that grip the heart, and captivating characters so real you wish they’d walk off the page and into your life. She is second to none when it comes to making a setting or situation incredibly realistic through the use of outstanding descriptive skills. I’m a speedy reader as a rule, but I always spend an inordinate amount of time between the covers of her books—and that doesn’t mean I’m not turning pages as fast as I can. But I keep stopping to jot down some beautiful turn of phrase that gave me spine tingles. Consider this line: “Something about a tough-guy cop turning timid stroked a gentle fingertip against her soul.” Could there even be a better way to say that?

Both hero and heroine in this story have heavy crosses to bear, with life situations that would crush a lot of people. When the story begins, Jennifer Foster has almost reached that point. She fits two physically demanding jobs in between frantic situational clean-up behind a bi-polar mother and—perhaps most exhausting of all—dealing with the emotional frustration that goes along with that never-ending task. Ryan Douglas walks into her life and refuses to walk back out, no matter how hard she tries to push him away. She’s every bit as attracted to the handsome police officer as he obviously is to her, but she’s not about to drag any man into the chaos of her life—especially a man like Ryan. His gentle persistence is enough to melt any heart. This guy is not only easy on the eye, he’s also brave, sweet, sensitive, generous and giving. Simply put, he’s the ultimate hero, and yet his own life is no bed of roses. His faith is his strength, and he’s determined to share that blessing with Jenny, even if she never accepts the heart he’s so ready to give.

This may well be my favorite Evans masterpiece to date. Jennifer and Ryan certainly give the series a running start. And yet, I have no doubt this author will find a way to make book two every bit as compelling. She always delivers excellence…and never more so than in Search and Rescue (Sal’s Place, #1). Way to make an impression, Marianne!

INTERVIEW:

Welcome, Marianne! Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me. First, I'm curious about what prompted you to write a series based around an independently owned restaurant (Sal's Place)?

::giggles:: I was hungry. J Actually, the DH and I have a favorite mom-and-pop style diner we frequent after Mass on Sunday's. There's something about the atmosphere and 'verve' of walking into that place that is like nothing else. We're regulars, so the waitresses always say hello and there's just a wonderful vibe to spots like this. Naturally, my writing angel kicked into gear and dreamed me up a lovely ol' place by the Detroit Riverfront, run by a delightful chef with a heart of gold—and Sal's Place was born. Additionally, I loved the idea of throwing a spotlight on places that aren't franchised (not that franchises are bad...). Neighborhood spots like Sal's Place should never, ever become extinct!

I completely agree—there’s nothing like them for real, cozy, “feel-at-home” comfort.

Search and Rescue kicks off the series, and spotlights Jennifer Foster, one of Sal’s waitresses. Jenny's life is complicated by the unpredictable actions of a mother who suffers from bi-polar disorder. You handled the portrayal of Mom's condition as well as its effect on Jennifer and her father with such grace and finesse! How much and what kind of research was involved on the subject?

First of all, thank you so much for the lovely compliment! I'm glad you responded to Jenny's character! I did considerable research on the topic of bi-polar disorder with physicians (guess that's one of the perks of getting to know your doctor better and better as you get older and older...) and via the Internet. There were sites in particular that I focused on wherein stories were shared by people who live with the disorder, and those who care for them. Their journeys depicted such strength of character and beauty of heart—which is precisely what I wanted to show in Jenny. At the same time, her mother needed to be multi-dimensional, not just a device used to complicate her life. I wanted to make her real. Jenny's mom is deeply loved, and tries to live with her disease, but at times, it gets the better of her...like it would ANY of us.

So true. I have dear family members whose lives are complicated by bi-polar disorder, and even though I don’t actually live with the situation, I have witnessed the devastation it can bring about. It’s heartbreaking, for everyone involved.

I have to hand it to you, Marianne. You turn a phrase to perfection like no one else! I want to just sit at your feet and learn. LOL For example, the one I mentioned in my review simply took my breath away: “Something about a tough-guy cop turning timid stroked a gentle fingertip against her soul.” Do you just walk around spouting this kind of word music? And if not, please...clue me in! Give a nutshell version of what goes into creating the perfect way to phrase something that's been said over and again by authors down through time...and make your reader feel like it's the first time she ever really heard that particular emotion/situation/setting, etc., described.

WOW! Delia, that's such high praise coming from an author I admire and respect as much as you. Thank you! Let me de-swell my head a second here.... OK, I'm back now. LOL! All kidding aside, the author is God—I'm simply His scribe. I will say that as I dive into a scene, and into my character's heads and hearts, I find that I literally "feel" what they feel. Yes, that's right, I crack up with them, I roll my eyes at their mis-cues, and I cry with them when they mourn. Literally. I also feel that rush of awareness and loving promise as my hero and heroine connect. The fact that you sense that in my writing is, I kid you not, the highest praise an author can receive. So, again. THANK YOU. ::blush::

Well, I meant every word. And I gotta tell you, I had an “Ooooh, Lord, that’s so cool!” shiver when you referred to yourself as “God’s scribe.” That’s exactly the way I define my role as a writer. (In fact, may I insert a quick aside to my readers here? I recently guest posted about exactly this subject. Readers, if you’d like to read that post, here’s a link. But don’t go anywhere until I finish chatting with our guest. We’re looking forward to you joining the conversation in the comment section.)

Sorry about that little sideways jig, Marianne. Back to the subject…

This series is different in tone and feel from your Woodland books. Is it too soon to know which series you most enjoyed writing, and why?

That's such a tough question! I enjoyed writing both Woodland and Sal's Place very much—though for very different reasons. Woodland was my 'entree' into Christian romance, as well as my first time creating a series, so it will always be the precious "first." Sal's Place challenged me to create something completely different in location and tone yet continue to dig deep and discover characters with real-life issues and create the world in which they will find hope, God's truth and mercy, as well as a forever-love that will leave readers feeling uplifted and affirmed, no matter what tribulations might be happening in their own lives.

Well, you did an amazing job on the Woodland Series, and I’m already loving Sal’s Place. Both sets of stories clearly and beautifully portray “real” characters in very real situations, loving and becoming closer to a very real God. So I’d say you’re succeeding in both goals. Isn’t it wonderful what God can do with the gifts He gives us when we give them back to Him? J

Now, I promised to keep this interview short. So tell us where to find your books, and how to find you on the web.

No worries, Delia, I could hang out here all day!! My books are available at Amazon.com—here's a link to my author page there which should point folks in the right direction.

Readers can also connect with me at the following places:

My website (Marianne Evans - Faith-affirming Fiction™)

My Blog (A Minute with Marianne)

My Facebook page

Twitter

MARIANNE EVANS is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create.

Evans’s novel, Hearts Communion, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors in the Romance category and readers have lauded her work as: ‘Riveting.’ ‘Realistic and true to heart.’ ‘Compelling.’ Evans has also won acclaim in such RWA contests as The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence where she has been a finalist twice, the Ancient City Romance Writers Heart of Excellence contest where two of her novels earned distinction as finalists and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence contest.

A lifelong resident of Michigan, Evans is active in a number of a number of Romance Writers of America chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. She’s also active in American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.

Delicious December New Releases--Clash in the New Year with COTT!

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Over the following week, Clash of the Titles is featuring five, brand spanking new inspirational novels. Each of the below novels has been on book store shelves for about a month; each is a slightly different genre. Which one calls you? Take a moment to browse, then, using the voting box below, let us know which you're most likely to read first. Happy browsing! VOTE from Now until next Wednesday - tell your friends - then come back and see which book is this month's champion!

The Song of the Tree by Lotis Key

Despite promises of eternal joy given by the Tree of Life, a privileged young woman loses everything in a brutal war. Her husband disappears; her family is murdered; her home is burned to the ground.

Mind of Her Own by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

Who knew making dinner could change your life? Louisa Copeland certainly didn’t.

Counterfeit Cowboy by Lacy Williams

From the moment Jesse Baker collides with Erin O'Grady on a Boston train platform, he faces a dilemma. For once, Jesse doesn't want to lie about who and what he is.

A Promise to Protect by Liz Johnson

When his best friend's sister is attacked, Navy SEAL Matt Waterston promises no harm will come to Ashley Sawyer—not on his watch. Threats are a regular part of Ashley's life as the director of a battered women's shelter, but when she and Matt uncover a crime ring more sinister than anyone imagined, trusting Matt could be the only way to survive.

The Knitting Fairy by Jaime Marsman

Librarian Molly Stevenson rather expected her new job at Crabapple Yarns to be deadly boring… but somehow she just didn’t expect the “deadly” part to be quite so literal. After all, what could possibly be more sweet and innocent than a yarn store and a bunch of ladies knitting?

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Review: Heart's Haven Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Delia Latham) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 03:07:00 +0000

I'm still so excited about the Heart's Haven Collection, and so honored by the opportunity to share this wonderful journey with my three cohorts on this project: Marianne Evans, Tanya Stowe, and Mary Manners.

The final book in this introductory collection of Heart's Haven stories released Jan. 20th with DANCE WITH ME by Mary Manners. Caught up in all the hoopla, I decided to go back and re-read all four books, now that they've gone through the editing process at Pelican Book Group. I'm so glad I did. I knew the stories were good. But I think I was more blown away by them on this second reading than I was the first time.

My reviews of the other three authors' books are below. Maybe they'll help you make that decision to READ THIS SERIES. :) You won't be sorry you did.

Can't review my own book, JEWELS FOR THE KINGDOM, but here's a link to a wonderful review by Nancee Marchinowski.

OPERATION BREATHLESS

by Marianne Evans

Susanna Daniels isn’t looking for love. She’s sitting on an East Texas park bench minding her own business and shedding a few tears, when a very big dog slides to an awkward stop right at her feet…dragging his handsome owner behind him on a leash. Gabe Peretti is a burned out cop looking for new purpose, but he’s not immune to a pretty woman’s tears. The two get unexpectedly chummy there in the park, before they even discover that Gabe just moved into Heart’s Haven, the cottage-rental complex where Susanna already lives. Steeped in legends of love and rumored to be occupied by angels, Heart’s Haven is far from your everyday rental community, and Gabe and Susanna have just taken the first step into a wonderful journey of love, healing and a little touch of heaven.

Marianne Evans grabs the reader from the first page of OPERATION BREATHLESS (Book 2, Heart’s Haven collection) and refuses to relinquish her hold until the last riveting word. She has an impressive ability to find a God-thing in every situation and to shine a revealing light on it for her readers without ever slowing the pace or making the reader feel manipulated and preached to. A powerhouse of stellar writing and impressive storytelling skills, Evans does not disappoint. Ever.

Highly recommended.

LEAP OF FAITH

by Tanya Stowe

Zoe Wyndham has a gift. A free spirit holdover from the flower power era, she sees angels, is highly empathetic, and somehow just knows things that others don't know. In short, Zoe's "different"...and she knows it. She's accepted who she is. Being a bit "apart" from everyone else isn't a problem for a woman who's heart is set on missionary work in Haiti.

Enter handsome computer programmer Zack Manning. He thinks Zoe's weird, but quickly discovers she's wonderfully so. But his feet are firmly planted on the high road to a successful career in technology.

Their paths clearly head in different directions. But as residents of Heart's Haven--an East Texas cottage-rental complex that's steeped in legends of love and surrounded by God's own emissaries--their little human plans don't stand a chance.

I love this story...love it! Zoe is such an amazing, kooky, wonderfully unique character. She grabbed me by the heartstrings and held on tight to the very end. Her journey to love winds its way through a tumultuous terrain of uncertainty, misguided notions, and plain old human stubbornness. All Zack can do is hang on tight and try to survive the ride...and maybe learn a thing or two about life, love, and giving up to God's will on the way.

Tanya Stowe is superb at creating believable characters with wonderful quirks and foibles and endearingly different personalities. LEAP OF FAITH is a fun tale with a fine thread of faith that never overpowers the storyline. It's a well-written, wacky and wonderful addition to the Heart's Haven collection. Kudos to the author on a job very well done!

DANCE WITH ME

by Mary Manners

DANCE WITH ME is like the perfect, plump cherry on top of the triple scoop of Heart’s Haven tales that preceded it. The collection is made perfect—and perfectly irresistible—by the addition of this wonderfully sweet romance.

High school English teacher Kaci James is gun-shy when it comes to romance, but then, being left waiting at the altar for a groom who never shows will do that to a girl. She treasures Patrolman-turned-Resource Officer Ryne Calvert’s friendship, but that’s all she’s open to…just friendship.

Ryne’s got more than that in mind. He’s crazy about Kaci, but has no idea how to take things to the next level. So he accepts a friend’s dare to ask advice from Love’s Lessons, the local advice column, completely unaware that Kaci IS Love’s Lessons.

My heart was lost to Ryne from the get-go. He’s the man every woman dreams of: strong, handsome, sweet, sensitive, and not afraid to show his lady love that she makes his world go around. And the dance at the end? Well, let’s just say Mary Manners knows romance. This author turns it into a ballet of the heart.

Read DANCE WITH ME. It’s wonderful. Sweet red cherry wonderful. Can’t get any better than that!

(Note: Clicking on any of the book covers above will take you to that book's Amazon sell page.)

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