Joy on the Back Roads

A Giveaway by Carrie Fancett Pagels

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Sun, 12 May 2013 21:49:00 +0000

Carrie Fancett Pagels

Have you ever been asked to join with other writers to work on a serial story or an anthology? Carrie joins me on Seriously Write this week to discuss the differences, pros and cons with writing serials and anthologies. See below for information about her lovely notecard giveaway.

Carrie Fancett Pagels writes “romantic” historical fiction. Carrie’s debut release Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance, a Kindle Civil War best seller, is part of a multi-author anthology headed up by Murray Pura. She is a contributor to a nonfiction anthology God’s Provision in Tough Times by Cynthia Howerter and La-Tan Murphy, releasing in June 2013. Her short story Snowed In: A Northwoods Christmas will appear in Guidepost Books “A Christmas Cup of Cheer” in 2013. Carrie is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency and is owner/administrator of two group blogs: “Colonial Quills” and “Overcoming With God.” Carrie was a psychologist for twenty-five years. She lives in Virginia with her family.

Giveaway Info:
Like Carrie's Amazon author page on Amazon then go to her Shirley Plantation discussion page, click on Reply to this Post and put “CFP” in your reply. You’ll be entered for a pack of beautiful Clark Goff notecards from Shirley Plantation in Virginia.

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GoodReads

Wounds by Alton Gansky -- My Review

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:05:00 +0000

About Wounds
A man’s lifeless body is found in the fresh soil of San Diego’s botanical garden. Cause of death is asphyxiation, an easy call for the medical examiner. More mysterious, however, are the tiny drops of blood on the victim’s skin, resulting from hundreds of punctures. A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death. Motorcycle riders racing along the empty streets of an abandoned military base stumble across another man’s corpse, its skin revealing long, red-purple marks of a thrashing given with wood dowels. The numbers mount. Each week another victim and another mysterious clue in a game of mass murder the police don’t want to lose. The solution rests with Dr. Ellis Poe, a religious professor who only wishes to be left alone with his books and classes. But evil must be faced, and the choice is no longer his own.

About Alton Gansky
Alton Gansky is an American novelist in the Christian fiction genre. He has written 6 non-fiction books and 23 novels, three of which were co-authored with former Army Ranger Jeff Struecker. In 2012 Gansky and Struecker's Fallen Angel was honored as the American Christian Fiction Writers' "top thriller" of that year.*

My Review
Wounds is the ultimate crime fiction. Carmen Rainmonde is a strong heroine with deep wounds. But she also has thick scars to protect her. No one's getting close to her on her watch. She takes her mission to protect and serve very seriously. When a serial killer strikes in her town, it's up to her handle it with, or perhaps in spite of, the efforts of her partner, Bud Tock.

Dr. Ellis Poe is a very unlikely hero. He's a seminary professor, quiet, studious, greatly disturbed by the evil he sees in this world. Yet, he and Carmen have more in common that you would think, for both were victims of the same crime. And both are still dealing with the trauma.

If you're a fan of crime drama like Criminal Minds and Law and Order, you'll love Wounds. It's gritty, it's dark, it's even a bit grisly, but it still has an uplifting Christian message. It's a police procedural that offers the reader hope.

Many thanks to the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

*Wikipedia

Wounds by Alton Gansky

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:28:00 +0000

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Wounds B&H Books (May 1, 2013) by Alton Gansky
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alton L. Gansky is the author of 24 novels and 8 nonfiction works, as well as principle writer of 9 novels and 2 nonfiction books. He has been a Christie Award finalist (A Ship Possessed) and an Angel Award winner (Terminal Justice) and recently was award the ACFW award for best suspense/thriller for his work on Fallen Angel. He holds a BA and MA in biblical studies and Lit.D. He lives in central California with his wife. In addition to his own writing, Alton Gansky has consulted and provided editing/ writing services to several CBA publishers and written copy, video scripts, and other works for the general business market. Through Gansky.Communications he has consulted with publishers and agents, as well as provided editing services. He is “the go to guy” for co-writing having been selected by Penguin, Waterbrook, Broadman Holman, and other publishers to work with their top tier authors. Gansky is in frequent demand at writer’s conferences having taught and keynoted in California, Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina, Delaware, Washington, and Canada. He has also been guest lecturer on suspense writing at Taylor University in Indiana.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A man’s lifeless body is found in the fresh soil of San Diego’s botanical garden. Cause of death is asphyxiation, an easy call for the medical examiner. More mysterious, however, are the tiny drops of blood on the victim’s skin, resulting from hundreds of punctures. A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death. Motorcycle riders racing along the empty streets of an abandoned military base stumble across another man’s corpse, its skin revealing long, red-purple marks of a thrashing given with wood dowels. The numbers mount. Each week another victim and another mysterious clue in a game of mass murder the police don’t want to lose. The solution rests with Dr. Ellis Poe, a religious professor who only wishes to be left alone with his books and classes. But evil must be faced, and the choice is no longer his own.

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

Be sure to come back tomorrow for my review!

Catch a Falling Star by Beth K. Vogt

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:02:00 +0000

ABOUT THE BOOK
Is life about accomplishing plans . . . or wishes coming true . . . or something more? Dr. Kendall Haynes's plans to have it all-a career, a husband, a family-are eluding her. Now that she's thirty-six, she needs to stop wishing upon a star and face reality: Some dreams just never come true. Air Force pilot Griffin Walker prefers flying solo in the air and on the ground-until a dangerous choice ejects him from the cockpit. His life becomes even more complicated after the sudden death of his parents makes him the guardian of his sixteen-year-old brother. When their lives collide during a near tragedy, Kendall and Griffin must decide if they can embrace the unexpected changes God has waiting for them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Beth met her husband Rob when he knocked her down at a karate studio. They’ve been married for 34 years. They have four children, ranging in ages from 30, 27, 25 and – thanks to a funny thing happening on their way to the empty nest—a 12-year-old. The Vogt Team, which now includes a “daughter-in-love” and two “sons-in-love,” enjoys hiking and camping in Colorado.

MY REVIEW

Kendall is smart, spunky and independent -- just the kind of heroine you want. Kendall's also a medical doctor who's a wee bit older than most heroines. She's to that point in her life where she wonders if "having it all" is ever going to be an option for her because she's in her mid-thirties and single. Could it be that God's plan for her doesn't include a husband and family?

The hero, Griffin, is the strong, silent type -- an Air Force pilot, wounded by a previous marriage who finds himself raising his teenaged brother after his parents are killed in a plane crash. And to top it all off, he has a health problem that he's definitely not sharing with anyone. Love is out of the question. But God hasn't forgotten him either.

Can you tell that I really related to these characters? I love it when the characters of a book are so real that I miss them when the book ends. In fact, I made myself read this book slowly so that I would have more time with them. Is that wrong?

Beth Vogt is a consummate story-teller. I lost myself in her characters, the setting and the story. Kendall's issues with her mom came a little too close for comfort and I laughed at Kendall's quirky dog, Sully. I fell in love with Griffin, the hero. Even Kendall's receptionist, Evie, and her adopted son, Javan, broke my heart. And after all that, Vogt pulls all these compelling characters together in a truly satisfying happily-ever-after. Sigh.

Many thanks to Howard Books for providing a copy in exchange for my honest opinion. But even though I got a free advance copy, I still pre-ordered another copy to give away. That's how much I loved this book.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?
The official release date for Catch a Falling Star is May 7th, but while you're waiting, check out these links to the story behind Beth's dedication to a courageous young man named Ian:

DUCHESS BY SUSAN MAY WARREN & KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:01:00 +0000

Author: Susan May Warren

Welcome to the campaign launch for the epic conclusion of Susan May Warren’s Daughters of Fortune series. Romantic Times says ofDuchess, “The golden era of Hollywood comes to life for readers in Warren’s third Daughters of Fortune novel. Warren writes from her heart, adding some intrigue, sins of the past and some twists and turns readers won’t see coming.”

Susan is celebrating the release of Duchess with a Kindle Fire Giveaway.

One “glam” winner will receive:

A brand new Kindle Fire
Signed copies of Duchess, Baroness and Heiress

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 4th. Winner will be announced on 5/7/13 at Susan’s blog.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS VIA FACEBOOK OR TWITTER AND INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

{MORE ABOUT DUCHESS}

Book Three in the Daughters of Fortune series.

When her country needs her, will she have the courage to surrender her glittering world and her one true love?

The golden age of Hollywood is in the business of creating stars. Rosie Worth, now starlet Roxy Price, has found everything she’s wanted in the glamour of the silver screen. With adoring fans and a studio-mogul husband, she’s finally silenced the voices—and grief—of the past. Her future shines bright…until the fated Black Friday when it all comes crashing down. When Roxy loses everything, she finds herself disgraced and penniless. Her only hope is to join forces with Belgian duke Rolfe Van Horne, a longtime film investor. But Rolfe is not who he seems, and he has other plans for Roxy and her movies—plans to support a growing unrest in Europe, plans that could break her heart and endanger her life. Find out more about the series by clicking on these links. Heiress. Baroness.

Purchase a copy here.

{MORE ABOUT SUSAN MAY WARREN}

Susan May Warren is the bestselling, RITA Award–winning author of more than forty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking, canoeing, and being involved in their local church. Several of her critically acclaimed novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. Five of her books have been Christy Award finalists. In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women’s events about God’s amazing grace in our lives. She also runs a writing community for authors. Visit MyBookTherapy.com to learn more. For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com

Find out more about Susan May athttp://www.susanmaywarren.com/.

MY REVIEW
I wrote this over the weekend after all the horror, suspense and small sense of triumph following the Boston Marathon bombing. After such an emotional couple of days, it was bliss to retreat into a wonderful book like Duchess by Susan May Warren where good always triumphs.

Duchess took me away to the glitter of Hollywood -- a place where things are not always as they seem. And things are not as they seem in Duchess' life, either: a starlet is actually a society lady, a stuntman is a duke and a movie is a cover for a ... well, I better not say too much more about that.

Rosie/Roxy is not a Christian for most of the book, so she acts as a non-Christian would during the roaring twenties -- a time when "anything goes." Although she always has reasons for her actions, she follows her own heart and gets deeper and deeper in trouble as she and her movie company falls on hard times. But author Susan May Warren makes sure that God has a plan for Rosie's life.

Rolfe also has plans: plans to rescue Jews from the atrocities of Hitler's troops. As an honorable nobleman, he pushes his feelings aside for Rosie and focuses on his humanitarian mission -- at least he tries.

My favorite part? I'd have to say it was the plot, the settings the character arcs and the romance, especially the romance. While Rosie grew from a vain, shallow performer to a warm, caring woman who understood her true calling in life, I grew with her. And the romance between Rosie and Rolfe is a sizzling push-pull that carried me away with it. Then, there were the exotic locations: glamorous Hollywood and picturesque Paris. But the chapters that affected me most were the scenes set in war-torn Europe. I could feel the heartbreak and terror -- the same I felt this past weekend for those affected by the Marathon bombing.

As a writer, I study Warren's writing to learn how to develop my own characters. But as a reader, I read her books to be swept away to another world and another place where I can escape my everyday life to spend a few pleasant hours in exotic locations and romantic times. This is where she shines.

DISCLAIMER
I'd like to thank Litfuse Publicity for my copy of Duchess in exchange for my honest review.

Winning the Lottery: Our Every Day Blessings

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:56:00 +0000

Image Courtesy of James Barker
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

"... I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2b

Have you ever played the "What If" game? It's something that writers do a lot when they're stuck at a particular plot point. Usually we try to think about what's the worst thing that could happen to our character to make the story more dramatic or move it along and keep it interesting.

Sometimes my husband and I play the "What If We Win the Lottery" game. (I know, you have to buy a ticket to win, so we'd never really win, but it's still fun to pretend.) When we heard that last week's Powerball was the sixth largest in lottery history, we just had to dream a little about how we'd spend the money if we won.

Have you ever considered that any blessings we receive are so that we will be a blessing to others? We're supposed to use our talents, our gifts, our homes, family, and all the other blessings that God has so graciously given us to bless those around us.

So when an unexpected windfall comes our way, we should try to think about how we can bless others with it.

Win a book in a giveaway? After you read it and bless the writer with a nice review, pass it along to someone else who might like it.
Find some extra money in an old purse or on the sidewalk? Look around your circle of friends (or even a stranger) for someone who needs the extra funds.
See a gorgeous flower blooming on the side of the road? Pick it (with permission, if applicable), put in a vase and take it to a shut-in.

And the great thing is by doing the above, you'll be doubly blessed because there's no feeling like helping someone else.

Have you been blessed recently? Got any great ideas of how we can bless others? Please share them with us.

National Unique Names Day: Creating Your Characters*

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:08:00 +0000

After nineteen years of marriage, my mother gave birth to her only child, whom she thought was "an angel." (Stop laughing!) She thought she was giving me a unique name, but when she registered me for first grade there were two other Angela's in my class!

Names go in and out of favor, depending on celebrities, the economy and well, popularity. As an writer, I'm always trying to find unique names for my characters. And I know several people who were named after characters in a book. In fact, I'm naming one character in my current work-in-progress, Spenser after the 16th century English poet because his mother enjoyed reading poetry (not after the fictional 20th century private investigator).

There are several places to get unique character names, but one of the best places may be your own family tree. In our tree, I found these names:

Ascenith
Chrone
OC (not initials, that was her name)
Partha (another aunt)
Emmer (Pronounced E-mer with a long "e.". Her real name could have been Emma with the "r" sound was added as a regional dialect. Not sure.)
Worth
Vilma
Pinckney (Uncle Pink, named after one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence)
Sion (early 19th century, could this be an early spelling of Sean?)
Cordelia
Uriah
Joab and his dad,
Moab

Then among my friends are these names:

Faysoux (Most folks called him Soux, pronounced, Sooks, the double-o's like yahoo)
Gendron (French huguenot name passed down through seven generations.)
Stewart (A female friend's middle name, after her mother's maiden name)
Lavon (female)
Pinkney (Different spelling of the above. As an adult, he used his initials, "P.J.")
Garnet
Hannah Brown (Brown was her middle -- and a family -- name, but she was called by both names)

And then names of acquaintance or those I've found on rolls:

Odyssey - After her mom's favorite perfume (thank goodness it wasn't My Sin!)
Lurline
Talmadge
King David (Yes, that's what he's called.)

There are several places to find unusual names for your characters. Behind the Name is always a good place to start and so are the Social Security Administration's Most Popular Names site and genealogy sites like Ancestry.com. If paper resources are more to your liking, you can always check the obituary section of the newspaper and the phone book.

How about you? Do you have or know someone with an unusual name? Or, do you have a source for finding names for your characters that you'd care to share?

NOTE: Comments are moderated and I'm in and out today, so be patient: if your comment's not spam, it will show up.

Can't wait to hear from you!

*Many thanks to Edie Melson and her The Write Conversation post today for the blog post topic.

Iscariot by Tosca Lee

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 20:15:00 +0000

Iscariot by Tosca Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is amazing. What a writer and what a book. It's taken me a while to read it because I can only read a few chapters of it at a time. In most books, that's a bad thing, but not this one. I can only read a bit at a time because this book breaks my heart every time I read it.

Suppose -- just suppose mind you -- that Judas Iscariot wasn't the wolf in sheep's clothing that we always thought he was. Suppose he was someone who loved Jesus as much as any of us or perhaps even more? What if his story didn't end in betrayal and suicide?

And yet it does end that way (no spoiler there, she starts the novel with his death). That's what makes this story so heartbreaking. So how does she make Judas a sympathetic character and yet keep the ending believable? Because Tosca Lee is an amazing storyteller. Ah. Maz. Zing! For this is not only Judas' story, it's a story of Jesus as well.

If you want to explore how much you love Christ, read this book. If you think you bear no resemblance at all to Judas Iscariot, read this book. It will open your eyes and yes, probably break your heart.

Thanks to The DeMoss Group for providing a copy for me to review.

View all my reviews

Lemon Chess Relationships

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:21:00 +0000

Today is my in-laws' wedding anniversary and I wanted to share a story about one of them. Several years before she died, my mother-in-law asked me to name my favorite Bible story. I told her it was the story of Ruth. Not too many moments before we'd been having a heated argument about something insignificant – not a unique experience. My answer, the Bible story chronicling the love between a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law, left her speechless – definitely a unique experience!

By the time I'd married her youngest son, she'd been a widow for more than a decade. Her husband, a handsome Naval officer, died at age 54 after a series of heart attacks that began when he was just 32-years-old. So, as her friends were making travel plans with their retired spouses, my mother-in-law was learning to live alone for the first time in her life. In the eyes of those around her, she grew stubborn and hard-to-please. She was just as Naomi must have been to have changed her name to Mara … bitter.

My mother-in-law was a typical Southern woman, accustomed to a rigidly-structured, matriarchal society. There were strict rules: "when ironing a dress shirt start with the sleeves first" or "homemade pie crusts are best." As a newlywed and her next-door neighbor, at first I would quietly listen and then do whatever I pleased. (Someone had to keep the dry cleaners and grocery stores in business!) But later, I grew more confident. If she had a strong opinion on a topic, I had an equally-strong-but-opposite opinion. We argued about everything from careers to wall colors. (My poor husband!)

When she developed cancer, I was given "the opportunity" to help care for her. I took that opportunity with much fear and trembling. As I watched her valiantly win that long battle against cancer, my attitudes changed. What I thought was stubbornness was actually courage and tenacity. What I took for offensiveness really meant she trusted me enough to be candid. Five years later, when she lost her battle to congestive heart failure, I realized that being able to care for her had been a gift from God. She had become my friend.

I still miss her. I even miss our arguments. As I write this, I wonder, could Ruth have been strong enough to make it in a foreign land without Naomi? I don't think so.

Here is my mother-in-law's recipe for lemon chess pie. A little sour, a little bitter, but oh-so-sweet and worth the trouble!

Lemon Chess Pie

1 cup of sugar
½ stick of margarine or butter
Juice and grated rind of 1 lemon
Pinch of salt
Unbaked pie crust

Cream butter and sugar in mixer. Add unbeaten eggs, one at a time.
Then, add juice and rind together with salt. Pour into pie crust and bake slowly for 20 – 30 minutes at 300 degrees. Makes one pie.

What about you? Do you have any Lemon Chess Relationships?

Those Nagging Thoughts by Jamie Britt

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:09:00 +0000

Jamie Britt

"You are your own worst enemy." Ever hear that quote? How many times have you talked yourself out of doing something new? How many times have you kicked yourself for not doing it? Today on Joy on the Back Roads, Jamie Britt shares how she and a special friend stop those nagging thoughts. ~ Angie

They will fight against you,
But they shall not prevail against you.
For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.” (Jeremiah 1:19, NKJV)

The thoughts swirled around in my head. It was as if the enemy had been given a pass that gave him the freedom to get inside my mind and take over!

"I don't feel like writing. I don't feel worthy. I'm not as good as you." The enemy was having a field day with me that night. I was comparing myself to another writer. I was told, "write anyway. And yes you are worthy...because God gave you the call." Edie Melson helped me put things into perspective that day. My mind also goes back to a time when she forced me to turned to her and repeat the words, "I am a writer." When she responded with "you're a writer because Edie Melson said so," that changed my life. Ladies, are the thoughts spinning around in your head? Are they telling you how much you're not worthy of the call God has placed on your life? Are you comparing yourself to another? My sweet sister, Satan is a liar! He's here to kill, steal and destroy. Let's stand up and refuse to let him!

Father, thank You for friends that will give us the perspective we need to have. Thank You Lord for giving us each an indevidual call on our life. Help us each to use it effectively for You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

About the Author

About Jamie, in her own words:

My journey in life hasn't been easy. Since birth, I've been totally blind. Although it's been hard, I know that in the end it will be worth every struggle and hardship.

I feel God has called me to reach people in pain and heartache. I want them to know that they can still find hope in the midst of pain and despair. We can completely and without reservation trust our sovereign and holy God.

My prayer for this blog is that all who visit will find strength, hope and encouragement for their trials of life. I want women to realize that no matter what you go through in life, there's still hope.

Please don't give up! Whatever you go through, God has a purpose in it all. You may not see it at the moment, but He will reveal it to you in His perfect time. I can promise you, spending eternity with God will be worth it.

Connect with Jamie on her website, Encouraging Women.

One Word for a New Year: Grace

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:13:00 +0000

Sunrise in South Carolina

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1, ESV

Each year, instead of making resolutions, I pray for the Lord to show me a special word on which to focus. For 2012, it was, fear not. (Yes, I know that's actually two words, but that fits what the Lord was "telling" me better than the word, courage.) Because of focusing on that one word, I made some special friendships in the writing world, attended a writers conference, got a wonderful mentor (Beth Vogt - squee!) and signed with Upon The Rock Speaker's Bureau. I never would have been able to do all that if I had not been focusing on opportunities to step out of my comfort zone.

This year, my word is, grace. The definition of grace is unwarranted (or unearned favor). For example, Jesus' mother, Mary, was in a state of grace when she was chosen to give birth to Him. She did nothing to earn that honor (although at the time, it probably felt more like a disgrace in the eyes of the world). The Lord chose Mary for His own reasons -- reasons we cannot understand on this side of Heaven.

Romans 8:1 talks about the grace we receive because we belong to Christ Jesus. Just like Mary, we did nothing to earn it -- we were chosen by Him for His own reasons. But because we are His, we are not condemned for our sin. By focusing on grace, I hope to remember that it's not up to me to judge God's people.

But I also want to learn to extend God's grace to myself. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul -- the epistle writer, missionary, and theologian -- reminds us that he prayed for his own physical disability to be taken away. The third time he prayed about it, God answered him by saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

In that, God tells Paul that being chosen by Him is enough. Paul had great gifts, but because of his disability, God received the glory for Paul's ministry -- as it should be.

I pray that 2013 will be a wonderful year for each of you -- a year where your own life will glorify God as never before.

Do you have a word for 2013? Please share it with me in the comments.

She Came to See the Snow by Mary Annslee Urban

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:05:00 +0000

ABOUT THE BOOK

Haley Blackwell travels to Colorado with plans to relive her favorite childhood memories—including a snowy Christmas. When she meets her grandparents’ neighbor, she finds herself yearning for more than a white Christmas, but trusting men has never been easy for Haley.
After a failed marriage, and the death of his ex-wife, Tate Rivers is determined to concentrate on raising his preschool daughter, Ashlyn, and to stay clear of another relationship. He doubts he can ever trust his heart to another woman—until he meets Haley.

Despite the weather forecast that does not include snow on Christmas Day, Ashlyn prays that God will give Haley the desires of her heart. Will Haley realize Tate isn’t a man who will abandon those he loves, and will they be able to push aside the past and step forward together in love—the way God desires?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Annslee Urban is an author of Inspirational Romance. She writes stories that stir the heart about love, honor and God's grace! Her debut book, Tapestry of Trust, White Rose Publishing, was released June 2012. Her second book, She Came to See the Snow~A Colorado Christmas Romance, is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2012. Mary has also been a freelance writer for newspapers and has had articles published in magazines as well as online publications. She served as co-president of Carolina’s Christian Writers and is a member of ACFW. A North Carolina resident, Mary and her husband have five children and 3 grandchildren. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, traveling, Bible Studies, long walks and anything chocolate!

MY REVIEW
All she wanted for Christmas was to see a fresh blanket of white as she visited with her grandparents. But God had other plans ...

This is a sweet holiday story that doesn't forget the reason for the Holy Day. I laughed, I giggled and I cried -- all my emotions jam-packed in one little novella.

A perfect read to get you in the mood for Christmas!

Still Life in Shadows by Alice J. Wisler

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:13:00 +0000

About the Book
It's been fifteen years since Gideon Miller ran away from his Amish community in Carlisle, Pennsylvania as a boy of fifteen. Gideon arrives in the Smoky Mountains town of Twin Branches and settles in at the local auto mechanic's garage. He meets a host of interesting characters -the most recent acquaintances are Kiki, an autistic teen, and her sister Mari. Known as the "Getaway Savior" he helps other Amish boys and girls relocate to life in modern America. One day the phone rings. On the other end is his brother Moriah calling from Florida. Of course Gideon welcomes his brother to stay with him and offers him a job. But Moriah is caught in a web which ends in his death and forces Gideon to return to the town of his youth, with his brother's body in the back of a hearse and Mari and Kiki at his side. He must face not only the community he ran away from years ago but also his own web of bitterness. Will he be able to give his anger over to God and forgive his father?

About the Author

Alice was born in Osaka, Japan in the sixties. Her parents were Presbyterian career missionaries. As a young child, Alice loved to walk down to the local stationer's store to buy notebooks, pencils and scented erasers. In her room, she created stories. The desire to be a published famous author has never left her. Well, two out of three isn't bad. She's the author of Rain Song, How Sweet It Is, Hatteras Girl and A Wedding Invitation (all published by Bethany House) and Still Life in Shadows (River North/Moody). Her new devotional is Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache (Leafwood Publishers).

Alice went to Eastern Mennonite University after graduating from Canadian Academy, an international high school in Kobe, Japan. She majored in social work and has worked across the U.S. in that field. She taught ESL (English as a Second Language) in Japan and at a refugee camp in the Philippines. She also studied Spanish at a language institute in San Jose, Costa Rica.

She has four children – Rachel, Daniel, Benjamin and Elizabeth. Daniel died on 2/2/97 from cancer treatments at the age of four. Since then, Alice founded Daniel's House Publications in her son's memory. This organization reaches out to others who have also lost a child to death. In 2000 and 2003, Alice compiled recipes and memories of children across the world to publish two memorial cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle.

Alice presents online writing courses – Writing the Heartache – and other workshops across the country. She also has a line of remembrance cards and thank you cards. She is a contributing writer at Open to Hope where she writes on grief and loss. Her three blogs are Writing the Heartache, Alice's Patchwork Quilt and Broken Psalms. Alice met Carl on the Internet and they were married in Vegas on 2/7/2009. They live in Durham, NC with kids and dogs. You can reach Alice at: info@alicewisler.com.

My Review
A man runs away from an abusive father and struggles to make his way in a foreign land. He uses the lessons he learns to help others in his situation, but remains a bit of a recluse, because he just doesn't feel that he fits in. Sounds like an "American abroad" story, doesn't it? But it's an Amish story!

When Gideon runs away, it's like leaving his homeland. But he's blessed to have the help of an old man who runs a garage – a man who shows Gideon what the role of a father should be.

I love the fact that Gideon is not perfect. He's a bit ornery and set in his ways, but he also has a soft side that's endearing. I love the growth between him and Kiki, a special needs child. He's not always patient with her and she's not always the vos savant angel as most disabled children are portrayed. The characters are real and that makes the interaction between the two even more special.

You may also want to check out Alice Wisler's post tomorrow on Seriously Write as she discusses how to Walk Over Your Work, how taking a break and taking a walk can refresh your mind and help refresh your writing.

If you have difficult family members ... if you struggle with your past ... if you have a hard time believing that you deserve a happy future, then this book is for you. If you decide to read this book (the ebook is free tonight on Amazon.com), please leave a comment below. I hope you like it as much as I did.

Double Blind by Brandilyn Collins

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:43:00 +0000

ABOUT THE BOOK
Desperate people make desperate choices.

Twenty-nine-year-old Lisa Newberry can barely make it through the day. Suddenly widowed and a survivor of a near-fatal attack, she is wracked with grief and despair. Then she hears of a medical trial for a tiny brain chip that emits electrical pulses to heal severe depression. At rope’s end, Lisa offers herself as a candidate.

When she receives her letter of acceptance for the trial, Lisa is at first hopeful. But—brain surgery. Can she really go through with that? What if she receives only the placebo?

What if something far worse goes wrong?

Written in the relentless style for which Brandilyn Collins is known, Double Blind is a psychological thriller with mind-bending twists. Lisa faces choices that drive her to the brink, and one wrong move could cost the lives of many.

"Collins keeps coming up with fascinating, unique plots … fantastic twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the very end." —RT BookReviews

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline "Don't forget to b r e a t h e . . ."® Brandilyn's first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn's awards for her novels include the ACFW Carol Award (three times), Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice.

Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). The Writer magazine named Getting into Character one of the best books on writing published in 2002.

MY REVIEW
I've been reading Brandilyn Collins' novels for ages. In fact, the first one I read was Eyes of Elisha, way back in 2001. And I've come to expect certain things from her Seatbelt Suspense®.

I need to begin reading the book early in the day, because I will have to finish it before I go to bed.
I will be on edge the entire time.
I will surprised, shocked and surprised, again. And finally,
I will love it.

Double Blind is chock-full of nail-biting intrigue. Lisa Newberry is desperate for help after her husband dies suddenly. Her desperation drives her to sign up for a medical study. But instead of getting relief, finds herself clinging to small bits of sanity when visions of murder assail her memory. She has limited resources, in the form of her friend, her mom and her faith. Is that enough for her to get to the truth without losing her mind?

Double Blind cost me much of one night's sleep because I started reading it later than usual. Since I'm dealing with one of the "invisible diseases," (Brandilyn has in the past also), I was curious to see how she was going to turn her character's struggle with depression into a suspense thriller. I didn't need to worry. She did a marvelous job of making Lisa's struggle with her health believable without slowing down the action. I loved it!

Review of Deadly Additive by Donn Taylor

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 21:31:00 +0000

ABOUT THE BOOK
To soldier-of-fortune Jeb Sledge, the assignment seemed simple: Rescue an heiress and her journalist friend from Colombian guerrillas and collect a sizable paycheck for his troubles. But things rarely go as planned.

After stumbling upon a mass of dead bodies, Kristin Halvorsen isn't about to leave Colombia without the proof she needs for the story of a lifetime, and Sledge soon finds himself ensnared in a chemical weapons conspiracy that involves civilians, guerillas and high-ranking government officials.

But neutralizing the factory isn’t enough. Where are the weapons that have already been fabricated? Who are the intended targets? How potent and far-reaching are the effects?

A pursuit through South America, the U.S. and the Caribbean embroils Sledge and Kristin in a mission to prevent a catastrophic attack—and leaves Sledge fighting to save both their lives.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donn Taylor led an Infantry rifle platoon in the Korean War, served with Army aviation in Vietnam, and worked with air reconnaissance in Europe and Asia. Afterwards, he completed a PhD degree at The University of Texas and taught English literature at two liberal arts colleges.

He and his wife live near Houston, Texas, where he writes fiction, poetry, and articles on current topics.

MY REVIEW
Even though I rarely read military action adventure novels, when Donn Taylor put out the call for people interested in ARC's (Advance Reader Copies), I jumped at the chance. I met Donn at a couple of conferences and was familiar with his dry wit, so I knew this would be a good one. I was not disappointed.

This adventure is full of intrigue and romance as Jeb Sledge butts heads with journalist, Kristen Halvorsen. The suspense suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat with South American drug lords, chemical warfare and greedy American capitalists. If you want an inspiring action-filled read, Deadly Additive is the one for you.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

“An edge-of-the-chair plot in prose that reads like satin, with a nails-tough hero who still has time for introspection.”
-Donna Fletcher Crow, author of A Darkly Hidden Truth, The Monastery Murders 2

“I loved Deadly Additive! In this wonderfully written story, Donn Taylor offers up a perfect blend of suspense, intrigue, humor, romance, and inspiration. I savored every page and didn’t want it to end.”
-Ann Tatlock, award-winning author of Traveler’s Rest

“Donn Taylor continually thrusts his two leading characters into impossible situations, but their escape is always believable. His characters are well drawn, authentic. You find yourself physically trying to help them out of a certain-death trap. I recommend it without reservation.”
-James Callan, award-winning author of Cleansed by Fire

BOOK TRAILER

Proof by Jordyn Redwood

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 10:44:00 +0000

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingProofKregel Publications (June 1, 2012)byJordyn Redwood
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jordyn Redwood has served patients and their families for nearly twenty years and currently works as a pediatric ER nurse. As a self-professed medical nerd and trauma junkie, she was drawn to the controlled chaotic environments of critical care and emergency nursing. Her love of teaching developed early and she was among the youngest CPR instructors for the American Red Cross at the age of seventeen. Since then, she has continued to teach advanced resuscitation classes to participants ranging from first responders to MD’s.

Her discovery that she also had a fondness for answering medical questions for authors led to the creation of Redwood’s Medical Edge at http://jordynredwood.com/. This blog is devoted to helping contemporary and historical authors write medically accurate fiction.

Jordyn lives in Colorado with her husband, two daughters, and one crazy hound dog. In her spare time she also enjoys reading her favorite authors, quilting, and cross-stitching.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Dr. Lilly Reeves is a young, accomplished ER physician with her whole life ahead of her. But that life instantly changes when she becomes the fifth victim of a serial rapist. Believing it's the only way to recover her reputation and secure peace for herself, Lilly sets out to find--and punish--her assailant. Sporting a mysterious tattoo and unusually colored eyes, the rapist should be easy to identify. He even leaves what police would consider solid evidence. But when Lilly believes she has found him, DNA testing clears him as a suspect. How can she prove he is guilty, if science says he is not?

Endorsements:

“Jordyn Redwood makes quite a splash with her debut novel. PROOF is a hard-edged mix of medical thriller and crime chiller that grabs you on the first page and doesn’t let go until the end. This one will keep you up way past your bedtime.”
—Rick Acker, best-selling author of When the Devil Whistles

“From the very first chapter, the first page even, Jordyn Redwood pulls the reader into a story that won’t let go. PROOF is proof enough for me that Jordyn is the real deal: an author who knows how to weave a tight story, write descriptive, authentic prose, and deal with some pretty hefty issues. I’m a fan!”
—Mike Dellosso, author of Frantic and Rearview (a 7 Hours story)

“Debut novelist Jordyn Redwood has used her experience as an ER and ICU nurse to craft a blend of medical thriller and police procedural with twists and turns to keep fans of either genre turning pages.”
—Richard L. Mabry, MD, author of Lethal Remedy and the Prescription for Trouble series

“A rollercoaster of a story. Jordyn Redwood’s PROOF has everything you could want in a thriller—believable characters, a villain who makes your skin crawl, a touch of humor, and a twisting plot—all bound by fascinating medical and scientific details. What a fabulous debut!”
—Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of the Wings of Glory series

“Jordyn Redwood may be new on the scene, but she writes like a seasoned pro. PROOF is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time with well-drawn characters including a villain I despised and a hero and heroine I rooted for. I thought I would just take a peek at the first chapter and finish the story later. I thought wrong. I read late into the night, lost sleep, and put off my own writing to finish this book. I’m eagerly awaiting Jordyn’s second book and will be first in line to purchase it the day it releases.”
—Lynnette Eason, best-selling author of The Women of Justice series

“I love a great medical thriller and I’m glad to add another author to my list. Jordyn Redwood writes like the medical insider she is. A gripping tale laced with realism, sleep-robbing excitement, and something every reader loves: hope.”
—Harry Kraus, MD, best-selling author of The Six-Liter Club

“PROOF by Jordyn Redwood is a gripping medical thriller written with vivid detail from an author who knows her subject firsthand. A serial rapist is at large in the town—in the hospital, even? Can Lilly trust anyone? Even her closest friend? And just when you think you can relax, the stakes get even higher.”
—Donna Fletcher Crow, author of The Monastery Murders

“Jordyn Redwood’s debut novel is a page-turner with an ingenious premise and solid Christian values. A satisfying read.”
—Frank J. Edwards, Medical Director, Delphi Emergency Physicians,
author of the medical thriller Final Mercy

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

Dying to Read by Lorena McCourtney

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:14:00 +0000

About the Book
Cate Kinkaid's life is . . . well, frankly it's floundering. Her social life, her career, her haircut--they're all a mess. Unemployed, she jumps at the chance to work for her PI uncle, even though she has no experience and no instincts. After all, she is just dabbling in the world of private investigating until she can find a "real" job.

All she has to do for her first assignment is determine that a particular woman lives at a particular address. Simple, right? But when she reaches the dark Victorian house, she runs into an hungry horde of gray-haired mystery readers and a dead body. This routine PI job is turning out to be anything but simple. Is Cate in over her head?

About the Author
Lorena and her husband Jim live on rural acreage in southern Oregon. They do some traveling in their motorhome, but more often they just like to go over to the Oregon coast, which is a favorite setting for Lorena’s writing. She enjoys reading, hiking and beachcombing.

My Review
Cate is a young woman trying to find her place in this world -- and stumbling. When her uncle takes pity on her, she decides to help him out a little until someone answers one of the flurry of resumes she's submitted.

But, things get messy fast. Instead of a quick skip trace, Cate finds murder and a whole host of suspects including a ladies book club, a rich power couple and a particularly handsome handyman. Can she make her uncle proud or will she fail miserably at this, too?

Lorena McCourtney is a very gifted writer. And this cozy mystery drew me in from the first page and kept me reading until the end. Cate is quirky, likable and I'm afraid I identified a little too closely with her bumbling -- but tenacious -- efforts to complete her mission.

McCourtney's works always have a redeeming storyline, too. They are the ultimate feel-good cozy. In fact, I've read books from her Ivy Malone and her Andi McConnell series and loved them, too. If you like cozies, you'll love Dying to Read.

The Next Big Thing

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Karin Kaufman, author of the Anna Denning mystery series, has invited me to participate in a blog event: The Next Big Thing (TNBT). The event consists of 10 questions about an author’s current WIP (work in progress.)

Here’s the plan:
A. Answer the ten TNBT questions listed below about your current WIP.
B. Tag five other writers and link their blogs so we can all hop over and read their answers.

So ... here are the questions:

1. What is the title of your book/WIP? The working title is, One for Sorrow.

2. Where did the idea for the book come from? I dreamed the whole book one night, but it's had several reincarnations.

3. What genre would your book fall under? It was originally a mystery, but now it's being revised so that there's more romance in it. So, I'm calling it romantic suspense.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? As I write, I picture Katie Amanda Keane as the heroine and Dermot Mulroney as the hero.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

6. Is your book published or represented? I am represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency.

7. How long did it take you to write? LOL, I've been working on this book for several years. As I said, it's been through several reincarnations.

8. What other books within your genre would you compare it to? The Secret Heiress by Terri Reed, Bayou Betrayal by Robin Carroll, and Beyond a Doubt by Colleen Coble -- all writers I greatly admire.

9. Which authors inspired you to write this book? Elizabeth George (the British mystery writer), Mary Stewart, Anne Rivers Siddons (I know, that's a wide mix, but it's what I enjoy reading.)

10. Tell us anything else that might pique our interest in your book. One for Sorrow is set in a small Southern town and is a mix of romantic suspense with a touch of gothic thrown in for good measure.
And did I mention it's Christian fiction, too?

So Karin, thanks again for tagging me. I'm going to tag some of my fellow Carolina Christian Writers:

Myra Johnson

Sandra Ardoin

Debbie Lynne Costello

Marie Coutu

Mary Urban

Here is the full list of TNBT questions for you to copy and paste to your blog along with your answers. Just tag five awesome writers and add their links so we can all follow along.

1. What is the title of your book/WIP?2. Where did the idea for the book come from?
3. What genre would your book fall under?
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
6. Is your book published or represented?
7. How long did it take you to write?
8. What other books within your genre would you compare it to?
9. Which authors inspired you to write this book?
10. Tell us anything else that might pique our interest in your book.

Life in a Small Town

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:29:00 +0000

Living in a small town can be a challenge. There are nosy busybodies on every street corner. You have to travel at least ten miles to get fast food. And did I mention that everyone knows your business? It took a little bit for me to get used to small town life, but once I did, I loved it. Because, for every trial there's at least two benefits

Nosy Busybodies
Take the nosy busybodies, for instance. One day I got a call saying my mom had fallen in her front yard. I called her right away and she answered just as she was walking in the front door. We're both blessed that she was okay, but if she had been hurt, that concerned neighbor could have saved her life.

No Fast Food
Okay, if I wanted to get a McDonald's hamburger, I'd have to travel to the next town. But my small town has four diners. Who wants a McDonald's hamburger when I can have a big, juicy made-to-order burger with fantastic service? And while we're talking about the businesses, our town is so small, the business district is one block long. For that matter, the entire town is one square mile. You can ride a bike or take the golf cart anywhere you want to go without breaking a sweat (unless it's July or August).

Everyone Knows Everyone Else's Business
Yes, everyone knows everything about everybody. But, because of that people help each other. For example, our church is doing a missions project next weekend to help a family in need with home repairs. Members of our church will be replacing siding, installing gutters, repairing the sewer line and cleaning up the yard in the sweltering Southern sun. (Can you say, "lots of sweet tea, please?") This wouldn't be happening unless someone had told someone else about this need.

Yes, life is a small town can be exasperating at times, but living in a small town is like having an extended family. Everyone is flawed, but everyone cares. It may take a bit of extra effort to get some things done, but that extra effort is worth it. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Do you live in a small town? What aggravates/blesses you about small town living?

Carolina Christian Writers Multi-Author Book Signing

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:35:00 +0000

I'm getting excited about participating in the Carolina Christian Writers multi-author book signing! If you're in the vicinity of the Concord, NC, KMart on July 14, 1-3 p.m., stop in to meet the following authors:

Dora Hiers

Amy Clipston

Lynette Eason

Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Jennifer Fromke

Mary Urban

and Myra Johnson!

Carolina Christian Writers (CCW) is hosting this multi-author book signing in participation with the 2012 Magnificent Hope Tour project to benefit Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network. In addition to the book signing, CCW will be collecting various items on CVAN's wish list.

Tapestry of Trust by Mary Annslee Urban

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:46:00 +0000

About the Book
Isabelle had always envisioned Charlie Hamilton as the hero depicted in the romantic tapestry hanging in the Hamilton home. Then Charlie abandoned her to make decisions no one should make alone. Now, six years later, Charlie's back, and despite Isabelle's best efforts, she can't ignore the longing his presence reignites. Charlie wants a second chance, but can Isabelle trust the man he's become? Can she surrender her threadbare heart long enough for God to weave Isabelle's own happily-ever-after tapestry?

About the Author
Mary Annslee Urban’s debut novel, Tapestry of Trust, White Rose Publishing, came out June 15, 2012. Her second book, She Came to See the Snow: A Colorado Christmas Romance, will be out this fall.

Mary has also been a freelance writer for several area newspapers, has contributed to magazines, Upper Room Devotionals and online websites. She and her husband reside in North Carolina. They have five children, three grandchildren, two dogs and three cats. When Mary isn’t writing, she works part-time as a Registered Nurse. She enjoys travel, cooking, long walks and anything chocolate.

My Review
Isabelle is a wounded woman -- wounded by the past, wounded by love, and wounded by her family. She sees Charlie as the source of her pain. How can she possibly forgive him for what he's done? And how can the Lord ask her to do the one thing she can't bring herself to do?

This book is not just a contemporary romance between a man and a woman, it's a romance between the characters and God. Throughout the book, Urban asks, "what if the past you remembered was a lie?" Tapestry of Trust answers that question with this lovely romance.

Although I won't reveal Isabelle and Charlie's secrets here, I will say that there is a deeply satisfying happily-ever-after that you will love. To read about Mary's journey to publication, check out her Seriously Write post July 3, 2012.

Connect with Mary
Mary Annslee Urban, Writer
Facebook

Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar - My Review

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:21:00 +0000

Tessa Afshar has a new fan. Well, I was actually a fan before I read her book. That's why I jumped at the chance to read and review it as a member of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance.

Why was I a fan? Because I already knew the story behind the story. When I saw that Harvest of Rubies was being released, I contacted Afshar to ask her to submit a post to Seriously Write, my team blog. The article she wrote, Writing in a Vacuum, detailed how the Lord led her to write Pearl in the Sand at a time when no one was publishing biblical fiction.

Afshar's newest release, Harvest of Rubies, is about the a talented young female scribe, Sarah, who, much like Esther, finds herself in a Persian court for "just such a time as this." This book has it all: mystery, suspense, romance (of course) and spiritual truth. In Sarah's mind, her worth is her work. She is a bit of an ugly duckling because of this and I don't think I'm spoiling it to say that she becomes a lovely swan in the end.

Afshar knows how to draw her reader in with her descriptions of the Persian court, the ornate styles of dress and elaborate settings. The clash of wills between Sarah and Darius, a Persian nobleman, is a tight match, they are both equally flawed and equally stubborn -- but, not enough to make you say, "enough already." This is a great vacation read, but it's deep enough to make you think, too.

I really enjoyed this novel and I think you will, too. Thank you for the opportunity to review it!

Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:14:00 +0000

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Harvest of Rubies River North; New Edition edition (May 1, 2012) by Tessa Afshar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

TESSA AFSHAR was voted "New Author of the Year" by the Family Fiction sponsored Reader's Choice Award 2011 for her novel Pearl in the Sand. She was born in Iran, and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She moved to England where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She has spent the last thirteen years in full-time Christian work.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Remarkable Talent Threatens to Cloud a Life

The prophet Nehemiah’s cousin can speak several languages, keep complex accounts, write on tablets of clay, and solve mysteries. Her accomplishments catapult her into the center of the Persian court – working long hours, rubbing elbows with royalty, and becoming the queen’s favorite scribe.

Not bad for a woman living in a man’s world: so why does Sarah feel like a failure?

A devastating past has left Sarah with two conclusions: that God does not love her, and that her achievements are the measure of her worth – a measure she can never quite live up to.

Darius Pasargadae is accustomed to having his way. A wealthy and admired aristocrat, the last thing he expects is a wife who scorns him.

Can two such different people help one another overcome the idols that bind them?

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

For MY REVIEW, come back here on Wednesday.

-Angie

Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Tue, 29 May 2012 00:10:00 +0000

The Book
Allison Denman is supposed to get married in five days, but everything is all wrong. The huge wedding. The frothy dress. And the groom. Still, kissing the groom’s brother in an unguarded moment is decidedly not the right thing to do. How could she have made such a mistake? It seems Allison’s life is nothing but mistakes at this point. And pulling a “Runaway Bride” complete with stealing, er, borrowing her best friend’s car doesn’t seem to solve her problems. Can Allison find her way out of this mess? Maybe she just needs to stop orchestrating everything. Allison prefers being the one in control, and giving it up is not going to be easy. But to find her way again, she will have to believe that God has a plan for her and find the strength to let Him lead.

The Author
Beth K. Vogt provides her readers with a happily ever after woven through with humor, reality, and God’s lavish grace. She’s a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Beth has discovered that God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She writes contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily ever after than the fairy tales tell us.

The Review

From a writer’s standpoint, Wish You Were Here is a wonderful study in character development. For example: one of the main characters didn’t even appear on-scene until page 21 and yet, by then I knew that he was controlling, manipulative and obsessed with perfection. And that’s how Vogt excels: by showing character traits through other’s actions and reactions.

The heroine, Allison, was a very complex character, like all of us. As she grew and changed, I grew to love her more and more. And there were so many twists and turns in the plot that revealed so many layers of Allison’s life.

I guess my favorite part of the book (besides the love story, of course) was the postcards at the beginning of some of the chapters. It foreshadowed a little of what was going on in the background. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but when a postcard mentions Class 5 rapids, things are about to get bumpy!

Wish You Were Here was a wonderful story of forgiveness and redemption – a reminder that we have to forgive others in order to be forgiven. Loved it!

Cooking the Books by Bonnie S. Calhoun

angie@angelaearndt.com (Angela E. Arndt) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:21:00 +0000

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Cooking The Books Abingdon Press (April 2012) by Bonnie S. Calhoun

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.

MY REVIEW
This was a fun cozy starring spunky Sloane Templeton at the super IT sleuth who inherits her mother's bookstore. I love the characters in this mystery. I love Fifi's book saavy snappy comebacks to keep Sloane in line. And Aunt Verline's habit of substituting ingredients in her recipes for whatever's handy (or cheap) hit very close to home. (Maybe that's why my cooking skills aren't the best in the world. Hmm ...)

And since I'm someone with a CWP (concealed weapons permit -- remember, I live in the woods), I love, love, love the Granny Oakleys. They are such a diverse cast of characters, Sloane can't help but become involved with the pistol-toting, city-living book lovers. What a hoot!

I think you'll enjoy riding along with Sloane as she learns more and more about the bookstore's treasures and herself in this fast-paced story. Can't wait for the next one, Bonnie!

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