New sweet niece pictures! These are the cutest ever!

The giveaway for Divine by Karen Kingsbury begins today!

Hurry and comment before Sunday and your post will be entered into the hat. You may win!

Divine by Karen Kingsbury


Book description:
A riveting tale of tragedy and redemption! The child of a drug-addicted mother, Mary Madison moves from a life of prostitution to juvenile detention. But her praying grandmother never stops interceding. When Mary is sent into community service at a mission center, she meets a very special man---and those prayers are answered dramatically!

Spirit of Sweetgrass by Nicole Seitz is up on the CFBA tour!

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

SPIRIT OF SWEETGRASSIntegrity/Thomas Nelson (March 6, 2007)by

Nicole Seitz

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

NICOLE SEITZ is a South Carolina Lowcountry native and freelance writer/illustrator published in South Carolina Magazine, Charleston Magazine, House Calls, The Island Packet and The Bluffton Packet.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Journalism, she also has a bachelor's degree in illustration from Savannah College of Art & Design. Nicole is an exhibiting artist in the Charleston, South Carolina area where she owns a web design firm and lives with her husband and two small children.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Essie Mae Laveau Jenkins is a 78-year-old sweetgrass basket weaver who sits on the side of Hwy. 17 in the company of her dead husband, Daddy Jim.

Inspired by her Auntie Leona, Essie Mae finally discovers her calling in life and weaves powerful "love baskets," praying fervently over them to affect the lives of those who visit her roadside stand.

Relations are strained with her daughter Henrietta, who thinks Essie belongs in a retirement center. If Essie can't pay $10,000 in back taxes to save her home, she may have no choice. More tensions: her grandson EJ wants to marry a white girl, Essie discovers that a handsome man she's trying to find a girl for is gay, and her daughter carries a hidden secret.

When she's faced with losing her home and her stand and being put in a nursing home, Daddy Jim talks her into coming on up to Heaven to meet sweet Jesus-something she's always wanted to do.

The SPIRIT OF SWEETGRASS shifts less successfully to the afterlife, where her Gullah-Creole ancestors surround her; but soon, her heavenly peace is disrupted, for she still has work to do. Now Essie Mae, who once felt powerless and invisible, must find the strength within her to keep her South Carolina family from falling apart. Together, with Daddy Jim, they team up to return to Earth and battle two spirits conjured up by Henrietta's voodoo that threatens to ruin an attempt to save the sweetgrass basket weaving culture.


My thoughts on this book so far:

I love this story! It's unique and it's riveting and Essie Mae is a hoot to read about. I love the voice and the story is interesting and even a bit weird (in a Southern way) which is what I find particularly enjoyable about it. I know for certain I'll finish this book because I just started it Monday and I'm already up to Chapter 16 (page 96) and it's been a fun ride so far. No kidding!

***

Man, there are just WAY too many great books out there to read!

I just got a copy of Going for Broke by Melanie Dobson in the mail and I'm dying to start reading it after checking out the back cover. She was my roommate at the ACFW conference in Dallas in 2006 and she's a fabulous writer. I have a feeling I'm going to love it. It was just released so you need to hurry and get your copy while you can. I think this story is going to be a big hit!



Doesn't this blurb sound fabulous???

The first time Leia pulled the lever on the slot machine she hadn’t felt much, other than maybe a twinge of guilt, knowing how much her husband despised any kind of gambling. After all, she’d just been killing time while nursing a busted leg at the slopes. Several months, thousands of clicks and tens of thousands of dollars later, she’d long since replaced the rush of adrenaline that came with a win with the roiling realization that she’d gone too far. The last time she pulled the lever, she hung on for dear life, knowing that without a win, a very big win, her life as she knew it was over.

I also got a copy of The Restitution by M. L. Tyndall today! I'm whooping for joy here, but that story isn't released until August so I have to set it aside for a little while, but not too long because I love her series!!! And ironically as I'm typing this very post I hear a bang on my door and when I open it I find another book delivered by Fed Ex (hey, they actually came to the door! I'm impressed.) Anyway, it was another book, The Song Weaver by BJ Hoff. I love her stuff. So see what I mean? SO many good books, so little time!

Vote on the next book you want to see reviewed!

I added a bunch of novels on my shelf to the "coming up next" list and want to know what you all want to see me add next to my list of "what I'm reading." So scroll down and give me your two cents and that may just be the next book I read (btw, I have hundreds more, so I'll be adding more later.)

My review of Crime & Clutter by Cyndy Salzmann...

Book Description:
A storage unit, a 1963 Volkswagen minibus, and tattered letters...reveal shattering secrets from the 1960s.

It has been a year since Mary Alice lost her father, the father she never really knew. Now she is stuck cleaning out his rubbish from a storage unit. Just when she would rather it all go away from her well-ordered life, her long-held secret is discovered by the feisty Marina, one of the six members of the Friday Afternoon Club. When these friends make it their mission to help Mary Alice tackle her stash, they arrive at the storage unit, prepared to clean. But what they discover takes them on a riotous ride through the crime and clutter of the sixties, the angst and betrayal of those caught in The Revolution, and the forgiveness that can only come through acceptance of a different kind of Cause.

Includes fun, easy, and tantalizing recipes!

My review:

Crime & Clutter has a totally unique plot, just like Dying to Decorate, the author's first book in the series. It's not often that I find a novel that entertained me as much as this one, yet also had the ability to also keep my attention on both ends. I enjoyed the portions of the story about the hippie experience from the 60's, but really got into reading about the current time as well. And the deep theme of forgiveness in this story will really tug on your heart. Very well done.

Salzmann is great with tongue-in-cheek thoughts and humor. She can get you laughing about what seem like the most mundane things, but she shows you them in a humorous light. In short, I couldn't stop reading this book. It's full of life, has "flavor" and depth, and I savored every page. The recipes were also pretty tasty-sounding. I'm sure my husband, who is the cook in our family, will want to try some of them.

I also appreciated delving into the mindset of the 60s and how that influenced our culture at the time. My husband remembered being in Haight-Asbury at the same time as one of the real-life events that occurred in the story. The author sprinkled just enough history and lingo from that era into her novel to really bring it to life. It was so fun to read, I might even devour it again. If nothing else, it's incredibly practical because the recipes alone make it a keeper. Highly recommended.

Crime & Clutter was published by Howard/Simon & Schuster and released in April 2007.

Who won a copy of Crime & Clutter? Could be you!

And the winner of this fabulous book is.......................




Margo Carmichael!!! See, if you keep playing eventually you will win! And Margo, I know you will TOTALLY love this book 'cause I'm almost done with it and it's right up your alley.

My "baby" boy graduated from the 8th grade last night!!!

Presenting to you... an 8th grade graduation story in pictures! Sigh...

Doesn't my son look thrilled? He didn't even dress up. He had a 4.0 GPA, but still...

He's standing on top of a rock (next to his brother) so his
5'5" doesn't look so short next to his brother's 6' 2" height!

Okay, so even if he's not all that proud of himself, I have enough pride for both of us!

Can you tell that his dad dressed him? I came straight home from work and
found my son looking super casual. You can see that as he stands by a friend.

We went out for pizza to celebrate and this is the smile I get for the camera! Teenagers! :)

The boy says, "If you take one more picture of me I'll have to kill you!"

My review of Defiant Heart by Tracey Bateman...

From the Publisher:
In Book One of the Westward Hearts series, orphans Fannie Caldwell and her two young siblings have spent the last three years as indentured servants under a cruel master. Desperately wanting a better life for her brother and sister, Fannie devises a plan to secretly join a wagon train heading west. Her plan immediately runs into trouble when the handsome yet bullheaded wagon master Blake Tanner refuses to allow an unmarried woman on the train. But Fannie's determined—she'll escape and go west with or without help.

As life on the trail tests everyone's endurance and faith, Fannie soon realizes the perils of being a single woman on the frontier. Witnessing Fannie fending off one scare after another, Blake slowly recognizes how much he cares for this alluring young woman. Will Blake sacrifice his own dreams and guide Fannie to safety? Or will Fannie's stubborn independence keep her from finding true love?

My review:
This was probably one of the most riveting prairie novels I've ever read. I finished it quickly. The tension was great throughout the story. And Fannie was the strongest heroine I've ever come across, though her stubborn streak got her into an awful lot of trouble. On occasion, that stubbornness made her a bit unlikeable, but given her past, her guarded behavior made total sense. Plus, she never would've captured Blake's attention any other way. There were some pretty sad situations in this story, many of which were extremely realistic for those times.

Honestly, the only weakness I saw was the POV switching without warning at times. At first I thought it was that the printer missed the section break, but then realized that probably wasn't the case as the switch happened about twenty times. At any rate, that wasn't a huge issue for me, but did confuse me a bit. Still, I highly recommend this book. It has a nice ending, but there is obviously going to be a sequel, which I assume will be just as wonderful as this story.

Defiant Heart was published by Avon Inspire and released on May 8, 2007.

My review of That Wilder Boy by Kim Vogel Sawyer...

From the Publisher:
Carrie Mays knows that to whom much is given much is required. That's why she has to figure out what to do with the large inheritance she's about to receive. She doesn't want people to look at her and see dollar signs; she just wants to be loved for being Carrie. But when she is rejected because of her money, she doesn't like that either. She has to surrender to the Lord and allow Him to bring her all that she needs. Rocky Wilder has always dreamed of having money. But now that he is a Christian all he wants is to follow the path the Lord has a laid out for him, and it looks like that's becoming a landscaper. But he needs the funds to get his business up and going. Can he find a way to follow the Lord and not hurt people along the way? Has Rocky really changed, or is he still that Wilder boy?

My review:
This was a cool "Cinderella" type story, only in reverse. Carrie was not poor like the real Cinderella, but had the opposite problem. She was beautiful and rich. Plus, she was tired of being used. Her parents thought money was everything, so she almost despised it.

So when she met Rocky she thought she'd finally found someone who would see her for who she really was despite the trust fund. Rocky made a whole lot of mistakes and got himself in a pickle several times that I wondered if he could even get out of. But inside he was a great guy despite his humble dwelling, yet super-hunky bod. Rocky seemed like the ultimate hero.

At any rate, I enjoyed this love story. It held my interest through to the end, and that's all it takes for me to enjoy a book. This is the first novel I've read by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Now I'm thinking I'll be reading several more.

That Wilder Boy was published by Heartsong and released in August 2006.

Snitch by Rene Gutteridge is now up on the CFBA this week, too!

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

SNITCH
(The Occupational Hazards)(WaterBrook Press May 15, 2007)
by

Rene Gutteridge

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rene Gutteridge is the author of several novels, including Ghost Writer (Bethany House Publishers) The Boo Series (WaterBrook Press) and the Storm Series, (Tyndale House Publishers. She will release three novels in 2006: Storm Surge (Tyndale) My Life as a Doormat (WestBow Press, Women of Faith)Occupational Hazards Book #1: Scoop (WaterBrook Press).

She has also been published over thirty times as a playwright, best known for her Christian comedy sketches. She studied screenwriting under a Mass Communications degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Oklahoma City University, and earned the "Excellence in Mass Communication" award. She served as the full-time Director of Drama for First United Methodist Church for five years before leaving to stay home and write. She enjoys instructing at writer's conferences and in college classrooms. She lives with her husband, Sean, a musician, and their children in Oklahoma City.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Old School meets New School meets Homeschool

Just shy of retirement and a well-earned pension, Las Vegas Police Department Sergeant Ron Yeager's definition of "active duty" involves shifting his bad leg into a more comfortable position. But when he's requested from his mind-numbing desk job to head an undercover auto theft task force, the former narcotics officer determines to prove he's still got the right stuff.

That is...until he meets his unlikely team of officers.

As Yeager soon finds out, not all the crazies are on the street. An undercover rookie, the audaciously honest Mackenzie "Mack" Hazard sends Yeager's blood pressure skyrocketing by wearing her faith like an ever-present badge. Then there's Jesse Lunden, a maverick undercover officer who refuses to learn anything from an old guy with a cane. Can this tangle of egos and eccentrics be trained into a lean, mean, crime-fighting machine...even while they are being drawn into something much bigger and more dangerous than anyone imagined?

In her trademark style, Rene Gutteridge blends zany, original characters, sincere faith, and surprising plot twists into one hilariously addictive read.

"Snitch is an engaging crime novel, balanced between sheer whimsy and genuine human drama."
....CHRIS WELL, author of Tribulation House

"A wonderful, fully developed ensemble cast makes Snitch an entertaining, engaging read. Rene's flair for a comedic, well-turned phrase shines here. Snitch is worth snatching."
...SUSAN MEISSNER, author of Widows and Orphans

My Thoughts on this book:
Well, I read the first four chapters and I have to say it's pretty cool. Their are some interesting interactions between characters, especially the undercover cop and the thief/burglar. Hilarious! Reminds me of Tribulation House by Chris Well so far. I think I'll finish this one.

Announcing the Genesis Contest finalists for ACFW 2007!

Contemporary Romance (includes romantic comedy)
Jennifer Lynn Cary
Audra Harders
Catherine Hershberger
Roxanne Sherwood
Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Historical Romance
Linda Fulkerson
Audra Harders
Pam Hillman (double finalist in Historical Romance)
Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Romantic Suspense
Sally Bradley
Marci J. Burke
Dineen Miller
Dani Pettrey
Suzan Robertson

Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Allegory
Sally A. Apokedak
Valerie Comer
Rebecca Grabill
Shannon McNear
Chris Mikesell

Historical Fiction (not romance)
Yvonne Anderson
Marcia Gruver
Tina Helmuth
Carla Stewart
Erica Vetsch

Young Adult
Sally Apokedak
Leigh DeLozier
Linda Fulkerson
Charlene Glatkowski
Rachael Phillips

Contemporary Fiction
Michael Ehret
Jennifer Griffith
Kathy Harris
Myra Johnson
Angie Poole

Women's Fiction
Lynne Gentry
Ane Mulligan
Kristine Pratt
Kathleen Sprout
Ginger Vaughan

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Martha Pope Gorris
Gina Holmes (double finalist in Mystery/Suspense/Thriller)
Jane Robertson
Janet Rubin

Chick/Mom/Hen/Lady Lit
Georgiana Daniels
Annalisa Daughety
Sabrina Fox-Butcher
Carrie Padgett
Jenness Walker and Tracy Bowen

Congratulations to all the 2007 Genesis finalists!

For more information on the contest, check out the 2007 ACFW Genesis guidelines here.

Before any of you ask me, I didn't enter the contest and have never entered it because I've always had my best work tied up with publishing houses. Just thought I'd toss that out there up front. So you don't need to check with me on this. :)

Pics of my niece. She's so cute! I haven't seen her in the flesh since she was born. Wah!

For you lovers of not yer average novel...

Ever wonder what a pirate packs for a voyage on the high seas? The checklist includes a favorite sword or dagger, an eye patch (as needed), gold earrings, a bracelet and that fabulous red scarf, pieces of eight, sun block, hand lotion, hair and beard conditioner, and a good book.

While pirates and other adventure seekers no doubt look forward to Friday’s Disney release of Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End with wacky Captain Jack Sparrow, there’s another daring character in town, and his exploits are truly legendary. The Hand That Bears the Sword by George Bryan Polivka (July) is a story filled with pirates, bravery, honor, and even romance.

Guarding their rediscovered love, Packer and Panna Throme are once again thrust into high adventure, matching wits with the evil intentions of pirate Scat Wilkins as the hearty Trophy Chase sets sail for deep waters once again. But will Packer survive the diabolical designs of a powerful warrior race on not just himself, but on the entire Kingdom of Nearing Vast? At home, Panna must await Packer’s hopeful return while imprisoned by the lecherous Prince Mather.

read more about Legend of the Firefish

This book is currently available in advance galley form for review.

Here’s what Publishers Weekly had to say about The Legend of the Firefish (March), first in the Trophy Chase Trilogy:

[Firefish is a] “…world filled with action, where chivalry is alive and well, and sword fights are frequent…”

“Packer Throme—a failed seminarian turned master swordsman—sets out on a great quest, but not in search of fame. He hopes to honor God by stowing away on (former) pirate Scatter Wilkins's ship Trophy Chase, convincing its captain and crew to seek the legendary firefish—a feat that could raise Packer's fishing village from poverty and win the heart of his longtime love, the beautiful Panna Seline… [Firefish is] a tale almost entirely of pirates, warriors, stormy seas and battles with monsters…” (Jan).

Think that good fiction is the only treasure left in the world? Check out this news story on 17 tons of gold and silver coins found in the Atlantic in May: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/18/treasure.ship.ap/index.html

Also, an intriguing story from Fox News and MovieMinistry.com on whether or not Pirates of the Caribbean contains a Christian message: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,203549,00.html

Win a free copy of Crime & Clutter by Cyndy Salzmann

I'm taking entries all week and will close the contest on Sunday and draw a name. I will be giving away one book for each blog! So someone for sure will win a copy on this blog. If you've already said you wanted Crime and Clutter then you don't have to enter your name again. Since your book choice was selected you are considered already entered. If you haven't voted for this book and want to be entered into the contest, just post a comment on this blog and that will be your entry!

Crime and Clutter by Cyndy Salzmann (Shoutlife Member)



Book Description:
A storage unit, a 1963 Volkswagen minibus, and tattered letters...reveal shattering secrets from the 1960s.

It has been a year since Mary Alice lost her father, the father she never really knew. Now she is stuck cleaning out his rubbish from a storage unit. Just when she would rather it all go away from her well-ordered life, her long-held secret is discovered by the feisty Marina, one of the six members of the Friday Afternoon Club. When these friends make it their mission to help Mary Alice tackle her stash, they arrive at the storage unit, prepared to clean. But what they discover takes them on a riotous ride through the crime and clutter of the sixties, the angst and betrayal of those caught in The Revolution, and the forgiveness that can only come through acceptance of a different kind of Cause.

Includes fun, easy, and tantalizing recipes!

Defiant Heart is up on CFBA this week!

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Defiant Heart(Avon Inspire May 8, 2007)
by

Tracey Bateman

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracey Bateman lives in Missouri with her husband and four children. Their rural home provides a wonderful atmosphere for a writer'simagination to grow and produce characters, plots, and settings.

In 1994, with three children to raise, she and her husband agreed that she should go to college and earn a degree. In a freshman English class, her love for writing was rekindled, and she wrote a short story that she later turned into a book.

Her college career was cut short with the news of their fourth baby's impending arrival, but the seeds of hope for a writing career had already taken root. Over the next several years she wrote, exchanged ideas with critique partners, studied the craft of writing, and eventually all the hard work paid off.

She currently has over twenty-five books published in a variety of genres. Tracey Bateman believes completely that God has big plans for his Kids and that all things are possible to anyone who will put their hope and trust in God!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Will Fannie be able to keep her family...and her heart, safe and find a new life on the frontier?

Book One of the Westward Hearts series, orphans Fannie Caldwell and her two young siblings have spent the last three years as indentured servants under a cruel master. Desperately wanting a better life for her brother and sister, Fannie devises a plan to secretly join a wagon train heading west.

Her plan immediately runs into trouble when the handsome yet bullheaded wagon master Blake Tanner refuses to allow an unmarried woman on the train.

But Fannie's determined...she'll escape and go west with or without help!

As life on the trail tests everyone's endurance and faith, Fannie soon realizes the perils of being a single woman on the frontier. Witnessing Fannie fending off one scare after another, Blake slowly recognizes how much he cares for this alluring young woman.

Will Blake sacrifice his own dreams and guide Fannie to safety?
Or will Fannie's stubborn independence keep her from finding true love?

My thoughts on this book:
So far it has grabbed my attention. I started it last night. The fact that the man the heroine is indentured to is such a sick, mean jerk intrigues me. I want to find out how she gets away. To see how she survives and cares for her siblings. I want to watch the relationship between her and Blake develop, especially since they clashed when they first met. Great beginning. Pulls you right in.

Closing the survey. Here are the results...

I'll be doing one giveaway a week for the next four weeks and the books will be given away in the following order based on combined votes from both of my blogs....

1) Crime & Clutter by Cyndy Salzmann 13 votes
2) Divine by Karen Kingsbury 6 votes
3) It Happens Every Spring by Chapman et al. 3 votes
4) Orchard of Hope by Ann Gabhart 2 votes

Thanks for voting everyone. Come back in a few days and enter your name for the giveaway. For those of you who already voted on Crime and Clutter there is no need to enter twice. Your names will already be put in the hat. :)

Vote on the next giveaway! Which book would you choose?

Here is your chance to decide the next giveaway! Which book do you want to see me give away next! Cast your vote now!


Divine by Karen Kingsbury


Book description:
A riveting tale of tragedy and redemption! The child of a drug-addicted mother, Mary Madison moves from a life of prostitution to juvenile detention. But her praying grandmother never stops interceding. When Mary is sent into community service at a mission center, she meets a very special man---and those prayers are answered dramatically!


It Happens Every Spring by Gary Chapman and Catherine Palmer



Book Description:
Word travels fast at Patsy Pringle's Just As I Am beauty shop. So when a simple homeless man appears on Steve and Brenda Hansen's doorstep during a thunderstorm, the entire town is set abuzz, especially when Brenda lets him sleep on their porch. But that's not all the neighbors are talking about. Spring may be blooming outdoors, but an icy chill has settled over the Hansens' marriage. Steve is keeping late hours with clients at the country club, and the usually upbeat Brenda is feeling the absence of her husband and her college-age kids.


Crime and Clutter by Cyndy Salzmann



Book Description:
A storage unit, a 1963 Volkswagen minibus, and tattered letters...reveal shattering secrets from the 1960s.

It has been a year since Mary Alice lost her father, the father she never really knew. Now she is stuck cleaning out his rubbish from a storage unit. Just when she would rather it all go away from her well-ordered life, her long-held secret is discovered by the feisty Marina, one of the six members of the Friday Afternoon Club. When these friends make it their mission to help Mary Alice tackle her stash, they arrive at the storage unit, prepared to clean. But what they discover takes them on a riotous ride through the crime and clutter of the sixties, the angst and betrayal of those caught in The Revolution, and the forgiveness that can only come through acceptance of a different kind of Cause.

Includes fun, easy, and tantalizing recipes!


Orchard of Hope by Ann H. Gabhart



Book Description:
Nothing will be the same after the summer of 1964.

Drought has gripped the quiet Kentucky town of Hollyhill, and the town seems as if it is holding its breath--waiting. Jocie Brooke is nervous about starting high school. Her sister Tabitha is experiencing the weariness of waiting for a new baby. Her father David is feeling the timidity of those first steps toward true love. All of these pivotal steps in life are awaiting the Brooke family.

Cast your vote by posting a comment and naming the book!

My thoughts on what I'm reading this third weekend in May 2007...

The book that has me the most hooked right now is That Wilder Boy by Kim Vogel Sawyer. It's a Heartsong and incredibly romantic. I've had the book since September so it's a shame I'm just now reading it. But what can I do? I plan to start Tracey Bateman's story Defiant Heart tonight as it's going to be up on the CFBA blog tour this week and I like to at least start the featured books before they are posted. I haven't read Ransomed Dreams by Amy Wallace since last week. I just haven't been in a suspense mood lately. I did start Captives and Kings by Craig and Janet Parshall and it's really good! I plan to start Widows and Orphans this week, too. I am a huge Susan Meissner fan and I've neglected her books because of so many others coming in and now I'm way behind. Same with Trish Perry's Too Good to Be True. I have to start her book this week. Some way, some how, I've gotta read some of these before Siri Mitchell's book comes in the mail. It's called Moon Over Tokyo and she's one of my favorite authors of all time. So many good books, so little time!

My Celebrity Look-alikes

http://www.myheritage.com

My review of Remember Me by Maureen Lang...

From the Publisher:
Josef von Woerner is a wanted man, only he doesn't know it. Raised to love Germany above everything else, Josef once had few qualms about taking any action necessary to deprive the Allies of essential armaments. In this dramatic sequel to Pieces of Silver, again set during World War I, Josef falls in love with one of the most patriotic women in America,who would surely have nothing to do with him if she knew his past.

My review:
This story was fantastic! Like Tricia Goyer, Maureen Lang can get you to fall in love with the characters and their stories and make you sad when the story ends. Yet, there is always a satisfying conclusion that will make you smile. I am a total fan of Lang's historicals. She had me cringing several times over the descriptions which were vivid and realistic to the point where I felt that lump forming in my throat. War is so devastating. At any rate, the main focus of the book was not so much the war as the story of two people fighting for what they believed. The court scenes were fabulous and the devastation of the flu epidemic was well done.

I don't want to give away some of the high points of the story because that will give away what happened, but I feel I can share that this story gives you a strong sense of patriotism and that glow you feel about American history. Overall, this story kept me on the edge of my seat. I really didn't know what would happen next. I detest a predictable story. Oh, and I was mentally living in 1917-1919 during WWI, also known as The Great War. It was that good. In fact, I can't think of a single weakness in this story. It made my heart sing. And this author is a master at dragging out the tension and building it until you want to either scream or cry with the characters. Fabulous historical fiction!!!

Remember Me was published by Kregel and released in February 2007.

Something to make you smile...

Orchard of Hope by Ann H. Gabhart is up on CFBA this week!

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

ORCHARD OF HOPE
(Revell March 1, 2007)
by

Ann Gabhart

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Ann H. Gabhart has published a number of adult and young adult novels with several different publishers. The author of The Scent of Lilacs, Ann and her husband live a mile from where she was born in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. She is active in her country church, and her husband sings bass in a southern gospel quartet.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Nothing will be the same after the summer of 1964.

Drought has gripped the quiet Kentucky town of Hollyhill, and the town seems as if it is holding its breath--waiting. Jocie Brooke is nervous about starting high school. Her sister Tabitha is experiencing the weariness of waiting for a new baby. Her father David is feeling the timidity of those first steps toward true love. All of these pivotal steps in life are awaiting the Brooke family.

Into this cloud of tense anticipation, a black family from Chicago, the Hearndons move here to plant an orchard outside of town. Fresh off the Freedom Train, Myra Hearndon is sensitive to what the color of her skin may mean in a Southern town. Her family will have to contend with more than the dry ground and blazing sun as they try to create their ORCHARD OF HOPE.

Jocie finds herself befrending a boy that some townspeople shun. Due to unspoken racial lines in this southern town, the presence of these newcomers sparks a smoldering fire of unrest that will change Hollyhill..and Jocie...forever.

In this close-knit community, everything is about to change.

Let this riveting novel take you along to experience unexpected love, new life, and renewed faith amid life's trials.

My thoughts on this book so far...

While I'm only on page 49, I can tell this is a book that I'll finish. The author's voice is unique and engaging and the plot sounds strong. Plus, I have this impending sense that something bad is going to happen. So while I want to know, I have a feeling it will yank my emotional chain so I may not finish it right away, but it's clearly interesting and well-written from the get-go. Makes me think of Coldwater Revival by Nancy Jo Jenkins or Watching the Tree Limbs by Mary DeMuth. You just know it's going to be good, yet intense, ya know?

55,961 words...

I am SO getting there. :) And amazingly enough, the story hasn't dragged for one minute. I know this is true because I've had several people tell me they couldn't stop reading (to the extent that their own deadlines weren't getting met) and then they were mad that I hadn't finished the story. So for all of my friends out there who want to know the ending...relax, you won't have to wait long. :)

Getting closer and closer...

I wrote another chapter today. I'm up to 53,864 words! Whoo hoo! I'm shooting for between 80 and 85K, which is the standard length for the type of book I'm writing. I'm getting so close, and the tension just keeps building and building. :) I like this story. It's called Truth and Consequences. Don't be surprised when you see it in the bookstore in the next year or two. :)

My review of Chocolate Beach by Julie Carobini

Book Description:
Bri Stone has it all: the man of her dreams and their surf-riding teenage son, a chocolate-loving best pal, an adorable beach bungalow, and a kicky job as a Southern California tour bus host. She also has a few things she did not ask for: a know-it-all friend, a snobby mother-in-law, and a Fabio-meets-Dilbert boss. All three of them seem eager to share their strong opinions and suspicions about Bri's relationship with her husband, Douglas.

My review:
Well I finally finished Chocolate Beach. It had a light-hearted fun theme, but a dragging plot. I loved the dialog and quirkiness of the character Bri, but at the same time wasn't sure where the story was heading. In the end I'd say I enjoyed the book, but felt it was lacking in action. There was plenty of activity going on in the story and fun incidences, but no real conflict unless you consider the weirdo boss and the nightmarish interior decorator. That was pretty hilarious.

The characters were all well done, but I never got to know them very well. Maybe that was limited by the first person POV. I'm not sure. At any rate, this is a nice, calm read with some cute humor, but the plot was lacking. Bri worried too much, and because of his behavior, her husband ended up being not that likable and was pretty much absent for the majority of the story. I felt bad for Bri.

Chocolate Beach was published by Bethany House and released in February 2007.

The cacti in our yard (outskirts of Sierra Vista, AZ) are in bloom...

I haven't posted a "funny" in awhile. Check this one out...

Amber Miller - Inspirational Author, Writer & Web Site Designer

Amber Miller - Inspirational Author, Writer & Web Site Designer

Michelle Sutton's Edgy Inspirational Author blog.

My review of The Ex Files by Victoria Christopher Murray...

Book Description:
There are four ways a woman can handle heartbreak. She can fall apart, seek revenge, turn cold, or move on. The Ex Files is the story of these four women:

When Kendall Stewart finds her husband and her sister in bed together, she vows to never let anyone get that close again. But when she is faced with saving the life of the woman who destroyed hers, will she be able to forgive?

When an NBA superstar tells his mistress, Asia Ingram, that he's decided to honor his marriage vows, her shock quickly gives way to revenge...but her decision may come back to haunt their five-year-old daughter.

Every night Vanessa Martin wonders why her husband committed suicide. Even worse, she contemplates joining him in eternity. Will Vanessa be able to gather the strength to live again?

Sheridan Hart is finally finding her way after a lie destroyed her seventeen-year marriage. Her new love is ready to get married, but will she commit to this younger man or is her ex-husband taking up too much space in her heart?

When their pastor asks Kendall, Asia, Vanessa, and Sheridan to meet weekly for prayer, they can't imagine they will have anything in common. But then a devastating tragedy strikes and these strangers are forced to reexamine their choices. Will they find true friendship, or will prayer -- and their union -- fail them?

My review:

The uniqueness of this story really pulled me in. Each woman had their own drama and were mismatched as friends, but after some seriously hard times came upon each of them, they learned to reach out to each other and seek God for strength. The Ex Files is like a soap opera with four stories going at the same time, yet they intersect on occasion. The cool thing about the plots in this book were that they were all equally compelling. Usually I want to take one character's plot and dive ahead to the next place where they are featured in the book. But I was never tempted to do that with The Ex Files because none of the stories were dull or unlikable.

The conflict was real, the emotion went deep into the character's lives, and the best part about these four ladies lives was that none of their ultimate choices were predictable. In fact, each ending turned out differently than I had anticipated. Also, the author did an amazing job of taking an unlikeable characteristic such as selfishness and still managed to make me care about the women in the book. Each had issues that centered around their own needs and how they dealt with their problems was so realistic and well done. The faith element was perfectly incorporated as well. I just love the ingenuity and creativity in this author's novels. I'm going to have to read everything she publishes from now on. I don't want to miss a thing!

The Ex Files is published by Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group and will be released in July 2007.

Ransomed Dreams is up on CFBA this week!

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

RANSOMED DREAMS

(Multnomah April 16, 2007)
by

Amy Wallace

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amy Wallace is a member of the CFBA and an avid Blogger. A self-confessed chocoholic, this freelance writer is a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy and serves as the liaison for the training division of the county police department. Amy is a contributing author of God Answers Moms' Prayers, God Allows U-Turns for Teens, Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes, and A Cup of Comfort for Expectant Mothers. She lives in Georgia with her husband and three daughters.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Drama. Tragedy. Thriller. Romance. Can these four actually go together? Amy Wallace's meaty first book of the Defenders of Hope Series, RANSOMED DREAMS, has successfully united these genres.

It is one of those books that after you read a little and put it down, the desire to see what will happen next is so strong that it will occupy your thoughts, compelling you to make the time to finish. But watch out! It is best consumed where no one will hear you cry because, if you have children, it will hit you like a stab in the gut and wrench you with a twist of the knife.

Although the subject at first depresses, the characters are so real and likable that you need to see what will become of them.

This book will NOT bore you.

BACK COVER COPY:

Chained To Yesterday

When tragedy struck and Gracie Lang lost everything, her faith crumbled, and nothing but the drive for justice propelled her forward. But after two years of dead-end searching, the truth Gracie seeks is the very thing her stalker will stop at nothing to hide.

Forgiveness Unlocks the Future

An FBI agent in the Crimes Against Children Unit, Steven Kessler spends his days rescuing other people’s children and nights caring for his son. He’s through with God, embittered by his ex-wife who abandoned them both, and definitely doesn’t expect what’s coming next.

The Past Is the Key

A plot to kidnap a British ambassador’s daughter dangerously intersects Steven and Gracie’s worlds–a collision that demands a decision. But are they willing to pay the high ransom required to redeem dreams and reignite hope?

ENDORSEMENTS:

Steeped in police intrigue and rich characters, Ransomed Dreams entertains, educates, and captivates. Amy Wallace is a fresh, vibrant voice in the Christian market

~Mark Mynheir, Homicide Detective and Author of The Void

Ransomed Dreams had me hooked from the start and didn't let go until the deeply satisfying ending.

~Kristin Billerbeck, Author of What a Girl Wants

My thoughts so far...

The beginning of this story was pretty intense and emotional. Imagine losing your whole family in an instant and seeing it happen before your eyes. Needless to say the beginning will tug at your heart. You'd have to be dead to not feel something. But then things slowed down a bit. I'm staring chapter 13 and things are starting to pick up again. I'll let you know what I think when I finish the story.

My review of Temptation by Victoria Christopher Murray...

Book Description:

"Kyla and Jefferson Blake count their sixteen years together as a wonderful blessing from God. Their marriage is passionate, their daughter is a joy, Jefferson's medical career is prospering, and they have loyal friends.

Kyla knows her newly divorced and lifelong friend, Jasmine, is desperately unhappy and no amount of prayer or encouragement seems to help. Yet what Kyla doesn't know is that Jasmine has a plan to move her life forward with the type of man she feels she should have married in the first place.

A man like Jefferson.

Alexis Ward, Kyla's best friend, is single and successful and willing to wait for the right man for all the right reasons. But when "Mr. Right," Dr. Brian Lewis, finally appears, she finds herself facing a new challenge. Does she really have to walk away from what she believes in order to have a man in her life?

As people who love God, Kyla, Jefferson, and Alexis discover, each in their own ways, what happens when they truly allow God to be first in their relationship.

My review:

This story rocked! It sucked me in to the drama from page one. Even though I have plenty of other books to read I kept wanting to read this one. The characterization is fabulous and the emotion is deep. The marital stuff is very well done and the temptation is believable. I particularly enjoyed the spiritual element of this novel. It was very detailed and comprehensive, yet it perfectly fit the story without feeling like a sermon. Probably because the main characters were all Christians. There were some POV issues, but the realistic and emotional depth in this story made up for the small stuff. Highly recommended.