Thursday, April 30, 2009

Nothing But Trouble by Susan May Warren


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Nothing But Trouble

Tyndale House Publishers (May 1, 2009)

by

Susan May Warren



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. Her favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota is where she met her husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living.

The north woods easily became the foundation for her first series, The Deep Haven series, based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. Her first full-length book, Happily Ever After, became a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.

As an award winning author, Susan returned home in 2004, to her native Minnesota after serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries with SEND International in Far East Russia. She now writes full time from Minnesota's north woods and the beautiful town that she always dreamed of living in.

You can sample a chapter of each and every one of Susan's novels, on her website, HERE.



ABOUT THE BOOK

PJ Sugar knows three things for sure:

1) After traveling the country for ten years hoping to shake free from the trail of disaster that's become her life, she needs a fresh start.

2) The last person she wants to see when she heads home for her sister's wedding is Boone-her former flame and the reason she left town.

3) Her best friend's husband absolutely did not commit the first murder Kellogg, Minnesota, has seen in more than a decade.

What PJ doesn't know is that when she starts digging for evidence, she'll uncover much more than she bargained for-a deadly conspiracy, a knack for investigation, and maybe, just maybe, that fresh start she's been longing for.

It's not fair to say that trouble happens every time PJ Sugar is around, but it feels that way when she returns to her home town, looking for a fresh start. Within a week, her former teacher is murdered and her best friend's husband is arrested as the number-one suspect. Although the police detective investigating the murder—who also happens to be PJ's former flame—is convinced it's an open-and-shut case, PJ's not so sure. She begins digging for clues in an effort to clear her friend’s husband and ends up reigniting old passions, uncovering an international conspiracy, and solving a murder along the way. She also discovers that maybe God can use a woman who never seems to get it right

If you would like to read the first chapter of Nothing But Trouble, go HERE

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

What I learned from Brandt Dodson, and more...

Tuesday night I was battling sinus/allergy problems, had a viewing to go to for a family friend that had passed, and I wanted to go to my WORD meeting (That's the GA ACFW Chapter). Of course I worked that day... everyone is looking at me funny and I know they're wondering IF I have swine flu and if so, I should be at home.

Nevertheless, I stayed at work, left early for the viewing and headed over to the WORD meeting (after I stopped by RITE AID to get a large Kit Kat and Vitamin Water (The new cure for sinus/allergies, if you didn't know.... well, it's under the test phase right now).

Brandt Dodson was speaking. He writes suspense and was talking about character development. Brandt's an interesting chap himself. Once an FBI agent, he now is a podiatrist and Suspense author. Bet you never thought you'd see those three descriptions in one sentence. One day, I'd like to interview Mr. Dodson and find out how his paths wound the way they have... but for now, I'm talking about my silly little world....

On the coat tails of Amy Wallace's book signing the Saturday before, and Brandt speaking at our local Lifeway bookstore, the WORD classroom was full. I rushed in late and took a seat toward the back.

Brandt offered some advice on character development. Here are some of my notes:
  • Go by your gut.
  • Take your time to think your characters through.
  • Give a description of your character that is interesting to the reader. (This may not be what you would assume - Its beyond brown hair, blue eyes. Brandt suggests reviewing some memorable characters like Stephen King's Carrie - Check out how Master King describes Carrie in the opening scenes.

Brandt also talked about Assumption, Dialogue, Bad Guys/Villains, and suggested some good tools and reading material for writers wanting to get better. That's all of us, I'm sure. Here's what I jotted down:

  • Creating Dynamic Characters - Nancy Kress
  • Beginnings, Middles, & Ends - Nancy Kress
  • The Plot Thickens - Noah Lukeman

All of this information I'm sharing with you was interesting and helpful to me. I listened diligently through annoying sneezing spells and wondering if I was ever going to shake this allergy/sinus-whatever-it-is illness. During this time some of our new members posed some really great questions and shared their frustrations as well as asked Brandt's opinion and the other published authors with us that night about self-publishing. Sometime in the midst of this discussion, Brandt shared a story about how he became published AND he shared a story out of the Bible, 2 Kings 6:8-23.

This is about Elisha being surrounded by the Syrian army, under attack. Elisha's servant saw the army and in fear asked Elisha, "What shall we do?" Elisha responded, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then he prayed for the Lord to "open his eyes that he may see," and the Lord did. The young servant saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire, God's army forming a hedge all around Elisha.

Brandt offered his story of publication with this advice to those of us not yet published. He told us not to look at the problem right at hand. It seems impossible. We've met with editors and agents and been rejected by the ones we thought were right for us. But we need to open our eyes. God's plan is greater than these troubles and challenges before us. It happened for Brandt and now this full time 60 hour a week podiatrist is churning out 2 books in a year. He writes about 3 hours at night after the kids are in the bed and on the weekends.

He's writing 2 books a year.

I was inspired. I work a little under a 40 hour work week and I can't stay up past 10 or get up very much past 6 on some mornings. When I hear a story like Brandt's I realize, what's my excuse? I can do this. I can succeed. These days we can't shuck our full time job. We can work our full time job and have our dream.

In closing, this is the most important thing I wanted to share with you. Well, it is to me because it happened to me. I have been lax in my bible study. I'd been doing so well rising every morning and spending the first part of my day reading from the bible and then praying. As you all know, challenges and troubles rise and the important things like quiet time with the Father get wadded up with the dirty laundry and left for another day.

This morning, following our WORD meeting last night, I woke up, still feeling all sneezy and congested, but I managed to pick up my bible and plopped down on the couch. I couldn't remember where I'd left off in study because so many weeks had passed that I hadn't picked up my bible except to go to church.

So I opened it randomly.

I opened it to 2 Kings 6 - and to the story of Elisha praying that his servant's eyes be opened.

I realized my Father never left me. As a matter of fact, He just dropped a big old whopping hint in my lap.

All I could do was close my eyes and ask Him, Okay Lord, what are You trying to tell me?

Lord, I'm listening.

Are you listening to Him?

Monday, April 27, 2009

A Vote Of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Vote Of Confidence

Zondervan (April 2009)

by

Robin Lee Hatcher



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd's Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon


ABOUT THE BOOK

In A Vote of Confidence, the stage is set for some intriguing insight into what it was like during 1915 to be a woman in a “mans’ world.”

Guinevere Arlington is a beautiful young woman determined to remain in charge of her own life, For seven years, Gwen has carved out a full life in the bustling town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, where she teaches piano and writes for the local newspaper. Her passion for the town, its people, and the surrounding land prompt Gwen to run for mayor. After all, who says a woman can’t do a man’s job?

But stepping outside the boundaries of convention can get messy. A shady lawyer backs Gwen, believing he can control her once she’s in office. A wealthy newcomer throws his hat into the ring in an effort to overcome opposition to the health resort he’s building north of town. When the opponents fall in love, everything changes, forcing Gwen to face what she may have to lose in order to win.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Vote Of Confidence, go HERE

Sunday, April 26, 2009

The Way to Get Published...

... is to SUBMIT!

As I stood by Author Amy Wallace at her booksigning yesterday, I realized this very fact. The only way to get published is to submit my work. The only way to get an agent or editor's attention is to finish that manuscript and actually mail or email it!

But please adhere to the publishing house or agent office guidelines. The agents and publishing corporations post them for a reason, you know.

I've been sitting on a manuscript with a request for a while. Though I've been considering submitting it to the requesting Agent and Editor, I've revised... Revised... Revised some more...

I have a request for 2 partials and 1 full. Well, the full isn't ready. The partial, I can deliver. I've heard of authors submitting entries to contests and even submitting to the requesting editor or agent and not having their work completed. I've also heard of them rushing to finish when the editor/agent requested the full!

What are some of the things you've done? What was the outcome? I'd love to hear the good and bad and that may help me make my decision.

And, have you submitted anything lately? I'd love to hear about it and cheer you on!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Lemonade Stand Award



Angela Breidenbach nominated me for the Lemonade Stand Award. Thank you so much Angie! Now it is my turn to nominate!

1. Post the logo on your blog
2. Nominate blogs with great gratitude/attitude
3. List and link your nominees
4. Alert them of their nomination on their blog


My nominees for The Lemonade Stand Award are (in no particular order):
Haley Padgett
Julie Padgett
Tami Brothers
Joanne Allison
Kimi Radich

Friday, April 24, 2009

Elisha's Bones by Dan Hoesel


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Elisha's Bones

(Bethany House March 1, 2009)

by

Don Hoesel



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Don Hoesel was born and raised in Buffalo, NY but calls Spring Hill, TN home. He is a Web site designer for a Medicare carrier in Nashville, TN. He has a BA in Mass Communication from Taylor University and has published short fiction in Relief Journal.

He lives in Spring Hill with his wife and two children.

Elisha's Bones is his first novel.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Every year, professor of antiquities Jack Hawthorne looks forward to the winter break as a time to hide away from his responsibilities. Even if just for a week or two. But this year, his plans are derailed when he's offered almost a blank check from a man chasing a rumor.

Billionaire Gordon Reese thinks he knows where the bones of the prophet Elisha are--bones that in the Old Testament brought the dead back to life. The bones of the prophet once raised the dead to life... but they vanished from history in a whisper.

Bankrolled by a dying man of unlimited means, Hawthorne's hunt spans the globe and leads him into a deadly conspiracy older than the church itself. A born skeptic, Jack doesn't think much of the assignment but he could use the money, so he takes the first step on a chase for the legendary bones that will take him to the very ends of the earth.

But he's not alone. Joined with a fiery colleague, Esperanza Habilla, they soon discover clues to a shadowy organization whose long-held secrets have been protected . . . at all costs. And he soon discovers those sworn to keep the secret of the bones will do anything to protect them. As their lives are threatened again and again, the real race is to uncover the truth before those chasing them hunt them down.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Elisha's Bones, go HERE

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Enduring Justice by Amy Wallace

Are you like me? Have you followed Amy Wallace's Defenders of Hope Series? If so, you read Ransomed Dreams with your nails dug into the pillow, wondering how Gracie and Steven were ever going to escape the madman? And you read through a veil of tears to find out if Clint and Sara could take any more trials in Healing Promises?

I enjoyed both journeys every step of the way. Yet there was one item I pondered once I'd read the last words of each book and that was...

What about Hannah and Michael?



ABOUT THE BOOK:

Secrets Can’t Last Forever

A PAINFUL PAST

Hanna Kessler’s childhood secret has remained buried for over two decades. But when the dark shadows of her past threaten to destroy those she loves, Hanna must face the summer that changed her life and the man who still haunts her memories.

A RACIALLY-MOTIVATED KILLER

As a Crimes Against Children FBI Agent, Michael Parker knows what it means to get knocked down. Difficult cases and broken relationships have plagued his entire year. But when the system fails and a white supremacist is set free, Michael’s drive for retribution eclipses all else.

A LIFE-ALTERING CHOICE

A racist's well-planned assault forces Hanna and Michael to decide between executing vengeance and pursuing justice. The dividing line is the choice to heal. But when the attack turns personal, is justice enough?


Good Links:
**Buy the book at Amazon by clicking here.
** Read the first two chapters of Enduring Justice
** Sign up for the Dark Chocolate Suspense Newsletter.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amy Wallace is a wife, homeschool mom, author, speaker, and avid chocoholic. She loves crafting high-action suspense that delves deep into heart issues, but who she really is can be summed up in a few short words: Amy is a daughter of the King learning to live and love with laughter.Amy is also the author of the Defenders of Hope series: Ransomed Dreams, Healing Promises, and Enduring Justice, a contributing author of Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes, and God Answers Moms’ Prayers. Visit Amy at www.amywallace.com and join the Dark Chocolate Suspense newsletter http://www.amywallace.com/Newsletter.html


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

This book is definitely one I recommend. The characters are flawed. They are real. No paper doll types you think you may find in Christian Fiction. No, modeled after real life people, these characters are trying to live up to what God wants but they still fail. Sound familiar?

Michael still deals with his promiscuous bachelor past while trying to constantly prove his dedication to Hanna and find a racially motivated lunatic. Hanna's challenges in reliving her past will clench your stomach. The situation reminds you how difficult it is to trust anyone and the consequences when things go wrong. And if those challenges aren't enough, we are thrust into the mind of the murderer behind the plot that is threatening Hanna, Michael and their friend's lives.

I am amazed again at what a sweet spirit I know Amy is, how she manages to make the bad guys so darn bad. I guess she's just that good at this writing gig.

If you're in Georgia, here's a special invitation from Amy:
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 25th - Come celebrate the launch of Enduring Justice, the third Defenders of Hope story, with an awesome book launch party! The Enduring Justice launch party will be held at the Lifeway Christian Bookstore near the Mall of Georgia from 11 am to 2 pm. Please join us for great food (including a chocolate fountain), door prizes, and the chance to win a huge and very cool treasure chest stuffed with books from many beloved authors and lots of Defenders of Hope merchandise. I hope you’ll be able to join us!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Reluctant Cowgirl by Christine Lynxwiler


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Reluctant Cowgirl

Barbour Publishing (April 2009)

by

Christine Lynxwiler



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Chrisitine lives with her husband and two precious daughters in the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains in her home state of Arkansas. Her greatest earthly joy is her family and, aside from doing God’s will, spending time with them is her top priority.

She recently took a break from writing romance to pen a Christmas story with a twist. Her Mom Lit novella, My True Love Gave to Me, is part of a 2 in 1 anthology from Barbour entitled All Jingled Out. It’s also included in Simply Christmas, a 4 in 1 Barbour anthology. One of my holiday highlights was seeing Simply Christmas at Sam’s Club a few weeks before Christmas.

She has written two other novellas, both romance, which are included in Barbour anthologies, City Dreams, and Prairie County Fair and a serial for the Heartsong Presents book club newsletter – The Carousel Horse. The Carousel Horse can be read in its entirety on the Heartsong website, and you can read excerpts from all of her other books on her website, HERE

In 2003, Christine was honored by being voted #2 Favorite New Author by the Heartsong Presents Book Club members!



ABOUT THE BOOK

Actress Crytal McCord gave up the closeness of her big family in order to make a name for herself on the New York City stage. But when life in the Big Apple turns sour, she follows a country road back to her parents Arkansas ranch.

The last thing she expects to find in cowboy country is a new leading man. Still, she can't help but imagine handsome rancher Jeremy Buchanan in the role.

Unfortunately, Jeremy's been burned by Crystal's type before. Or has he? Every time he thinks he knows her, the multi-faceted woman surprises him. Will the reluctant pair allow their hearts to guide them, or will their common stubborn pride keep them miles apart?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Reluctant Cowgirl, go HERE

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing


Boneman's Daughters

Center Street (April 14, 2009)

by

Ted Dekker




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.

After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.

Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. Dekker's body of work encompassing seven mysteries, three thrillers and ten fantasies includes Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blessed Child, A Man Called Blessed, Blink, Thr3e, The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White), Obsessed, Renegade, and Chaos.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Would you kill an innocent man to save your daughter?

They call him BoneMan, a serial killer who’s abducted six young women. He’s the perfect father looking for the perfect daughter, and when his victims fail to meet his lofty expectations, he kills them by breaking their bones and leaving them to die.

Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, on the other hand, has lost all hope of ever being the perfect father. His daughter and wife have written him out of their lives.

Everything changes when BoneMan takes Ryan’s estranged daughter, Bethany, as his seventh victim. Ryan goes after BoneMan on his own.

But the FBI sees it differently. New evidence points to the suspicion that Ryan is BoneMan. Now the hunter is the hunted, and in the end, only one father will stand.


If your an avid Dekker fan, and would like wallpaper and counters for your blog, go HERE.

You can listen to an audio clip HERE

Watch the VIDEO:




If you would like to read the first chapter of Boneman's Daughters, go HERE

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The Secret by Beverly Lewis


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Secret

(Bethany House May 1, 2009)

by

Beverly Lewis



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Not until her own children were well into middle school did Bev seek to publish her work, first in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Dolphin Log, and Guideposts for Kids. Her first book followed in 1993—Mountain Bikes and Garbanzo Beans—presently retitled Big Bad Beans (book #22 in the popular CUL-DE-SAC KIDS series of chapter books—see list of Bev's children's books).

Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, THE HERITAGE OF LANCASTER COUNTY, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Bev's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and playing with their three grandchildren. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."






ABOUT THE BOOK

In the seemingly ordinary Amish home of Grace Byler, secrets abound. Why does her mother weep in the night? Why does her father refuse to admit something is dreadfully wrong? Then, in one startling moment, everything Grace assumed she knew is shattered.

Her mother's disappearance leaves Grace reeling and unable to keep her betrothal promise to her long-time beau. Left to pick up the pieces of her life, Grace questions all she has been taught about love, family, and commitment.

Heather Nelson is an English grad student, stunned by a doctor's diagnosis. Surely fate would not allow her father to lose his only daughter after the death of his wife a few years before. In denial and telling no one she is terminally ill, Heather travels to Lancaster County-- the last place she and her mother had visited together.

Will Heather find healing for body and spirit? As the lives of four wounded souls begin to weave together like an Amish patchwork quilt, they each discover missing pieces of their life puzzles--and glimpse the merciful and loving hand of God.

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

Monday, April 13, 2009

Deadlock by Robert Liparulo


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Deadlock

Thomas Nelson (April 2009)

by

Robert Liparulo



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Robert Liparulo is a former journalist, with over a thousand articles and multiple writing awards to his name. Readers of his action-thrillers were not surprised when his visual storytelling style caught the eye of Hollywood producers. Currently, three of his novels for adults are in various stages of development for the big screen: the film rights to Comes A Horseman were purchased by the producer of Tom Clancy’s movies; and Liparulo is penning the screenplays for GERM and Deadfall for two top producers. He is also working with the director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Holes) on a political thriller. Novelist Michael Palmer calls Deadfall “a brilliantly crafted thriller.” March 31st marked the publication of Deadfall’s follow-up, Deadlock, which novelist Gayle Lynds calls, “best of high-octane suspense.”

Liparulo’s bestselling young adult series, Dreamhouse Kings, debuted last year with House of Dark Shadows and Watcher in the Woods. Book three, Gatekeepers released in January, and number four, Timescape, comes out in July. The series has garnered praise from readers, both young and old, as well as attracting famous fans who themselves know the genre inside and out. Of the series Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine says, “I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?”

He is currently working on his next thriller, which for the first time injects a bit of the supernatural into his gun-blazing stories. The story is so compelling, two Hollywood studios are already in talks to acquire it—despite its publication date being more than a year away. After that comes a trilogy of novels, based on the critically acclaimed short story he contributed to James Patterson’s Thriller anthology. New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry calls Liparulo’s writing “Inventive, suspenseful, and highly entertaining . . . Robert Liparulo is a storyteller, pure and simple.” He lives with his family in Colorado.


ABOUT THE BOOK

John Hutchinson thinks it's no coincidence that Brendan Page runs this modern Praetorian Guard, and that the billionaire military industrialist must have had something to do with the atrocities his son Declan committed in Canada. The Canadian and U.S. Justice departments disagree, but Hutch has been digging for dirt ever since.

Brendan Page has some dirty not-so-little secrets. he's built an empire on supplying futuristic weapons and highly trained soldiers to the world's most powerful armies. But he's saved his most destructive weapons for himself.

When Hutch discovers the secret of Page's success, Page decides to teach him a lesson. But the operation goes terribly wrong, and Hutch's son is kidnapped. While a lone man stands little chance against the best black op soldiers ever issued M-16s, Hutch manages to survive longer than Page anticipated. As far as Hutch is concerned, high-tech helmets, machine guns, and hand grenades are nothing compared to a man determined to save his son. It's a lesson he sets out to teach Page-and one that he can only hope works as well in the real world as it does in his heart.

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

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Chasing Charity by Marcia Gruver

Christy here: Have you ever heard of the saying that patience is a virtue? It applies to reading, I promise. You see, when I first picked up this book, I was enthralled by the story line and knew this would be a book I'd enjoy. I like lighthearted stories and I love, love stories. Yet, when I opened this book, Chasing Charity, I must admit, I wasn't grabbed and enthralled by the first pages of this book. However, something kept me interested and I continued to read.


I'm glad I did.


Ms. Gruver's southern drawl is explicit in her characters and I simply loved it. When you read this book you are transported back in time to Humble, Texas and I could picture the townsfolk milling around the streets. This story is filled with people trying to do the right thing, people doing the opposite and those in the middle lying and stirring up commotion. It's entertaining and has my curiosity piqued for the rest of the books in the series. I'm dying to know what happens in Emmy's Equal.


Also, this is Book 2 in the Texas Treasures series, but I wasn't at a loss. This book easily stands alone and was very enjoyable. Well Done!



If you'd like to receive my gently used, and some pages dog-eared copy -- Free -- leave me a comment.





This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Chasing Charity

Barbour Publishing (April 2009)

by

Marcia Gruver



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marcia Gruver is a full time writer who hails from Southeast Texas. Inordinately enamored by the past, Marcia delights in writing historical fiction. Her deep south-central roots lend a Southern-comfortable style and a touch of humor to her writing.

Awarded a three book contract by Barbour Publishing for full-length historical fiction, Marcia is busy these days pounding on the keyboard and watching the deadline clock. Diamond Duo, the first installment in the trilogy entitled Texas Fortunes, is scheduled for release in October 2008.

Marcia won third place in the 2007 ACFW Genesis contest and third in the 2004 ACFW Noble Theme contest. Another entry in 2004 finished in the top ten. She placed second in the 2002 Colorado Christian Writer’s contest for new authors, securing a spot in an upcoming compilation book. “I Will Never Leave Thee,” in For Better, For Worse—Devotional Thoughts for Married Couples, was released by Christian Publications in January 2004.

She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Fellowship of Christian Writers, and The Writers View—and a longstanding member of ACFW Crit3 and Seared Hearts, her brilliant and insightful critique groups.

Lifelong Texans, Marcia and her husband, Lee, have one daughter and four sons. Collectively, this motley crew has graced them with ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter—so far.


ABOUT THE BOOK


When, in full view of family and friends, Charity Bloom's fiance leaves her stranded at the altar and takes off with her best friend, Charity is humiliated. How will this raven-haired beauty ever recover from losing both her betrothed and best friend on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life?

When tall, handsome roughneck Buddy Pierce finds oil on Charity's mama's land, he hopes to free the Blooms from their poverty-stricken state. But will Buddy find the real treasure lies above ground-in Charity herself?

Ruing the day he left his fiancee for Emily Dane, Daniel Clark is determined to recapture Charity's affection. But can he remove the three things that stand in his way-a manipulative mama, a spurned lover, and the stranger at his ex-fiancee's side?

When Daniel re-stakes his claim on Charity's heart, tongues wag and minds speculate amid schemes and scandals in Humble, Texas. Whom will she choose-the handsome roughneck or the deceitful rouge?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Chasing Charity, go HERE

Monday, April 6, 2009

My Son, John by Kathi Macias


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

My Son, John

(Sheaf House Publishers April 2009)

by

Kathi Macias



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathi Macias is an award-winning author of more than twenty fiction and nonfiction books. She has also ghostwritten and collaborated on books for a number of well-known individuals. She is a staff member for The Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and a member of The Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network, Christian Authors Network, American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Writers Fellowship International, Advanced Writers/Speakers Association, for who she serves as membership chair, and orange County Christian Writers Fellowship. She is the 2008 winner of AWSA’s Golden Scroll Award.

A Former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Macias is a credentialed minister and served as an associate pastor at a large church in Southern California, where she did biblical counseling, trained small group leaders, and oversaw support/recovery ministries. She is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and has appeared on several radio and TV programs.



ABOUT THE BOOK


Murder.

Could there be a more chilling word?

Could it be any more horrible than to have a loved one killed, brutally and heartlessly, without obvious reason or motive?

When Liz Peterson's elderly mother is found viciously beaten to death in her home, Liz and her husband, Charles, along with their grown son, John, and teenage daughter, Sarah, are horrified beyond words. Their previously predictable, respectable lives seem to have vanished without a trace, as they struggle to make sense of a senseless act.

And then a second blow-more devastating, if possible, than the first-rocks them to their core. John is arrested for his grandmother's murder. As what's left of the Peterson family begins to crumble under the weight of loss and accusation, the Petersons' longstanding Christian faith is put to the test in a way they could never have imagined, and unconditional love is stretched to its limits. Will family ties and relationships withstand such a crushing blow, or will evil succeed in dividing and conquering this once close and inseparable family?



If you would like to read the first chapter of My Son, John, go HERE

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Transformation


picture courtesy of When We Get There




In my devotional for this morning, it talks about transformation and relates it to the metamorphosis of a butterfly. As Christians, we know that because of Christ we are taken from death to life the moment He becomes our Lord. Still, this is not an easy thing. As Christians, we are not perfect. We struggle. We sometimes know we should comfort others but something happens and we fail. We say the wrong thing, we don't do as others "expect" us. Transformation in our Christian life takes more than showing up at Church for an hour on Sundays. Its all a part of being in the Word daily. I fail at this. And I can admit to you when I don't start my day in the Word, I miss it and I feel it to the center of my soul. It affects every word I speak and every action I take.

The same goes for writing. If we aren't consistent in planning our stories and working deligently on them, the end product is lacking. A good novel isn't produced over night. An excellent novel comes after years of learning the craft and putting what we've learned to work.

Read more on FAITH...

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Angel of Wrath by Bill Myers


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Angel Of Wrath

FaithWords (April 8, 2009)

by

Bill Myers



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Well, one thing led to another and even though I got C's in my one writing class in college (and told God I could do anything for him but write) I got my first writing job for a TV series. And then another and then some directing jobs and finally some books. (I think I've written and/or directed a few dozen films and about 60 books). The projects have won about 40 awards, I get to travel all over the world, and I'm having the time of my life. I often think that none of this would have happened if I lived my life my way. I would have never chosen writing and directing for a living. Instead, I might be in somebody's mouth this very minute drilling away as a dentist. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being a dentist, it's just not what I was designed for. So, everywhere I go, I encourage people to say yes to God, no matter how foolish it may feel, because by doing that, they'll be in the center of His will and living a cooler life than they'd ever dreamed possible. It's not always easy and it can be a little scary…but it's anything but boring!

Today I live in California, not too far from Hollyweird (where I'm still trying to make a difference) with two cats, two kids, one dog and one wife.

Another Faithword book by Bill Myers is The Voice.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Thirteen-year-old Jazmin, her ex-Special Ops uncle Charlie, and former FBI agent Lisa are reunited in the second of the Voice of God series to stop a an assassin driven to murder members of a megachurch led by Lisa's brother. This assassin has drawn in a coven of teens toying with satanic practices to support his efforts. The naive youth engage in ceremonies that appear to usher in the death of each of his victims. When their rituals open a portal into the spiritual realm, a terrifying and mysterious entity crosses over to our world.
The battle culminates with the capture of Lisa's father as the next target and a Black Mass requiring both their deaths as a sacrifice. The team will, once again, have to rely on all their wits, strength, and faith to survive in this action-packed, unearthly warfare.

If you would like to read an excerpt from Angel Of Wrath, go HERE

Finalist!

I've always enjoyed reading historical novels. As a child I actually imagined living in the mid 1800s. My grandmother fed my imaginatio...