Special message to blogger buddies here, and small request!

 http://healingheartsseries.blogspot.com/

If the idea of fiction being used to heal hurting hearts appeals to you, then you might want to check out my new blog that focuses specifically on that subject. For me writing is a way to reach people's lives for their benefit. So peek at my new blog, tell me what you think, of if interested please follow my blog. This will be different from my other sites because it will deal strictly with fiction speaking to the hearts of hurting women.


http://healingheartsseries.blogspot.com/

Litfuse blog tour stop for A Memory Betweeen Us by Sarah Sundin with contest info and a bonus review!

My review:

A Memory Between Us is WWII era fiction at it's best. The romance, the setting, the dialog, and the little details the author included throughout the story had me firmly planted in the 1940s. I loved the realism of the combat, the scenes of pilots flying missions where some made it and some didn't, and the whole scenario regarding the nurses and their unpleasant pasts. The romantic tension between characters was breathtaking, too. This author really knows how to turn up the heat while at the sam ...more A Memory Between Us is WWII era fiction at it's best. The romance, the setting, the dialog, and the little details the author included throughout the story had me firmly planted in the 1940s. I loved the realism of the combat, the scenes of pilots flying missions where some made it and some didn't, and the whole scenario regarding the nurses and their unpleasant pasts. The romantic tension between characters was breathtaking, too. This author really knows how to turn up the heat while at the same time providing substance to her story. My eyes teared up more than once as I grieved and celebrated with the characters through some of their trials.

My favorite fiction always has edgy content, and this story had some amazingly realistic scenes that really drew me in. The heroine's flashbacks were flawlessly executed and well-written. Because they were so full of emotion, I understood the helpless feeling Ruth experienced when she was attacked, and how it negatively influenced her ability to trust everyone, including God. Shame is a powerful weapon that the enemy uses to keep us from knowing true peace and joy. I loved how the author brought both the hero and the heroine through their own individual trials to show that only God can give each of us what we need in our lives in order to grow.

When Ruth revisited painful memories, the transition was seamless every time. Both women had believable histories of abandonment, especially Ruth. Her perspective on what happened and that she somehow deserved it rang true for me. I was a bit disappointed with Jack's reaction, but because he was still a bit self-righteous and prideful, it made sense. God hadn't finished working on softening Jack's heart.

I loved that the author showed how many times Jack's motivation toward Ruth was wrong. His outreach to her was often more about building himself up, meeting his goal, winning the struggle for her heart, etc. Ruth was right when she said God had to be first and that Jack's interference was keeping her from growing in the Lord. So true.

Both the hero and the heroine were complex characters. They had numerous internal and external conflicts that needed to be worked through before they would be whole enough to love each other the way they both needed to be loved. The author left no stone unturned, and I loved that. She was not afraid to make her characters suffer. Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, they did.

A Memory Between Us was the perfect title, too, because it summed up the main barrier between them. Ruth had to work through some of those issues on her own in order to heal. So did Jack. I loved how she triumphed over her greatest fears, and Jack overcame his, too. This was an incredible story, and though a bit long, I enjoyed it very much.

***This book was provided for review by Revell, the publisher, and they did not compensate me in any way for my review or opinion.


Sarah Sundin presents The Movies and Memories Giveaway in honor of book 2 in the Wings of Glory series. A Memory Between Us is available for purchase wherever fine books are sold. From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.




To celebrate Sarah is giving one lucky winner A Movie and Memory Prize Package! One grand prize winner will receive:

* Make-your-own-photo book from Mypublisher.com (Capture your own Memories)

* Netflix Subscription (New or Nostalgic Movies delivered right to your house)

* Starbucks gift card (To keep your engine revvin’)

*Gourmet chocolate (A favorite in the 1940’s and now)

* British specialty teas in carved wooden box (Timeless tradition)

* Miniature model of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber & C-47 cargo plane (Everyone needs a few toy planes)

*Big Band music CD (Break out your dancing shoes)

* WWII authentic poster playing cards (Cards – a perfect game for two)

* Keep Calm and Carry On (Uplifting sayings WWII, a boost for troubled times)

To enter simple click on the icons below (contest runs 9/27 - 10/17!)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Can they overcome the past to find a brighter future together?

Major Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge--until he meets army nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. When Jack lands in the army hospital after a plane crash, he makes winning Ruth's heart a top-priority mission. But he has his work cut out for him. Not only is Ruth focused on her work in order to support her orphaned siblings back home, she also is determined not to give her heart to any man.

As the danger and tension of World War II rise to a fever pitch, Jack and Ruth will need each other more than ever. Can Jack break down her defenses? Or are they destined to go their separate ways?

From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.

A Memory Between Us is the second book in the WINGS OF GLORY series, which follows the three Novak brothers, B-17 bomber pilots with the US Eighth Air Force stationed in England during World War II.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah Sundin is an on-call hospital pharmacist and holds a BS in chemistry from UCLA and a doctorate in pharmacy from UC San Francisco. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. This is her second novel.  For more info please visit her website at www.sarahsundin.com!

LOVE THE BOOK?

Don't forget to post a review on Amazon, CBD or B&N!

LINK TO BUY THE BOOK:

http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Between-Us-Novel-Wings/dp/080073422X/ref=sprightly-20

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE!

Find your name below and mark your calendar to post on that day! If you need to change your date, email amy@litfusegroup.com  

When you post your review, please email amy@litfusegroup.com with the link so we can put it on Litfuse for people following the blog tour!

Sept. 27^th – Oct. 16th

9/27

Michelle at Edgy Inspirational Author              

http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/2010/09/litfuse-blog-tour-stop-for-memory.html

Charlene at Quintessentially Quilly                   

http://quilldancer.com

                                       

Ruth at Book Talk & More

http://booktalkandmore.blogspot.com

Martha at Our Family's Adventures                                                          

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Martha/

9/28

Linda at Mocha with Linda

http://mochawithlinda.blogspot.com                                                      

Holly at 2 Kids and Tired Book Reviews

http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com     

Carman at A Sequence of Continuous Delights             

http://continuousdelights.blogspot.com/

Sarah at Mommy's Minute                                                          

http://mommys-minute.blogspot.com

9/29

Susie QT Pies at Scraps of Life

http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com

                                       

Alex at Remember the Moments

http://alihsee.blogspot.com               

                                       

Aimy at The Random Ramblings of Miss Aimy Michelle              

http://aimymichelle.blogspot.com

9/30

Lisa at Heritage Homestead and Homeschool Academy

http://www.teachthemhisways.blogspot.com

Marcy at Ben and Me

http://locustpointeacademy.blogspot.com/

                   

Amy at The 160 Acrewoods                

http://www.the160acrewoods.com

10/1

Mindy at A Room without Books is Empty   

http://detweilermom.blogspot.com

                   

Chelle at Chasing the Divine               

http://www.chelled.blogspot.com

                   

Shelly at The Attic Girl                                                

http://atticgirl.blogspot.com

Carol at Carol's Corner                           

http://www.fleisherfamilyfun.blogspot.com

10/2

Mandy at To Read Or Not To Read                     

http://readornotread.blogspot.com/

Nancy at Bookfoolery and Babble                                           

http://bookfoolery.blogspot.com/

Jamie at Intentionally Living...                              

http://jamibalmet.blogspot.com

10/4

Rundpinne                                  

http://www.rundpinne.com

Christine at Sticky Fingerprints                                                

http://stickyfingerprints.com

Deb at Debs Here                                                           

http://debshere.blogspot.com/

10/5

Leticia at My Daily Trek                                              

http://leticiasworld.blogspot.com

Melissa at Real Heart Prints                

http://www.realheartprints.com     

Christy at Christy's Book Blog           

http://christysbookblog.com             

10/6

Erin at Connected2Christ

http://connected2christ.com/theblog/                                

Heather @ Mommy Of 1 and Counting

http://www.heatherandavery.blogspot.com

Meg at Morning Cup With Meg                            

http://www.morningcupwithmeg.com

10/7

Elizabeth A Nut in a Nutshell

http://www.anutinanutshell.com                                                               

Libby at Libby's Library News                               

http://www.libslibrary.blogspot.com

Stephanie at The Creative Side of Me               

http://thecreativesideofsteph.blogspot.com

10/8

Kathie     at My Kozy Korner                                    

http://www.mykozykorner.blogspot.com

Maura at My Daily Life as Mom and Wife       

http://mauraprelich.wordpress.com

Cara at Law, Books & Life                                         

http://carasmusings.blogspot.com

10/9

Julia at Dark Glass Ponderings          

http://www.darkglassponderings.blogspot.com

Pattie at Fresh-Brewed Writer          

http://freshbrewedwriter.blogspot.com

                   

Andrea at Ponderings by Andrea    

http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com

10/11

Tammy at Bluerose's Heart                 

http://www.bluerosesheart.blogspot.com

Janie at Colloquium                                  

http://www.jhsiess.com

Kathleen at Bags, Books & Bon Jovi                   

http://bagsbooksandbonjovi.blogspot.com/                  

10/12

Nora at Finding Hope Through Fiction            

http://www.psalm516.blogspot.com               

Carla at Carla's Writing Cafe               

http://www.carlastewart.blogspot.com

Amber at Seasons of Humility                               

http://www.seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com

10/13

Lauren    at 5 Minutes for Books

http://5minutesforbooks.com

Nancy at Amusing Reviews

http://www.amusingreviews.blogspot.com

10/14                          

Amy at Girlfriends Get Real                                                         

http://girlfriendsgetreal.blogspot.com

Christina at Reading Extensively                                             

http://reading-extensively.blogspot.com

Tracy at Tracy's Book Nook                                                         

http://www.tracysbooklet.info

10/15

Michelle at Life in Review                                         

http://michellevsblog.blogspot.com

Rel at Relz Reviewz

http://www.relzreviewz.blogspot.com

New Giveaway! Now I'm giving away Under a Maui Moon by Robin Jones Gunn!

For a chance to have your name entered into the drawing for this book simply read the description below and answer this question... What intrigues you most about this story? The fact that the woman doesn't feel that her husband can be trusted, or the fact that she thinks she has found love with someone else while still married to her husband, who is many miles away? The second part of this question is this... how many couples have you known that divorced after their children left the "nest?" I will select a winner using the randomizer program next Sunday. However, if you don't leave contact info, you won't be entered for a chance to win. I don't have time to chase people down if they don't have an e-mail address posted with their entry.



About the book:

Carissa doesn't know who she is anymore. She and her husband, Richard, are recent empty nesters; Richard is spending more and more time at work counseling his volatile clients and less time at home with his wife; his clients are starting to show up at the house at night causing Carissa to feel scared in her own home; and to top it all off, Carissa's boss informs her that she's been "let go." She wonders where God is in all of this since He doesn't seem to be around to protect her - and she's already stopped trusting her husband. In the midst of her world tilting off center, she's offered time at a hideaway on Maui. Hiding seems like the best way to respond to life's overload, and the thought of being alone sounds like just the right balm to soothe her wounded heart. The languid Hawaiian sun, white beaches, and warm-hearted people bring respite, but meeting handsome Kai causes Carissa to toy with the idea of being romantically involved with him. Then, under a Maui moon, she looks to God for guidance and hope for the future. That's when she discovers His hand still is on her life, and that love is closer than she ever realized.

My thoughts:

I have this book somewhere under my stack. I love the back cover info and the cover is gorgeous! I will dig it out after I finish Her Daughter's Dream and review it, but unfortunately it will be after the giveaway.

My review of A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman and pit stop for Revell blog tour here!

About the book:

The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman--smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jake fits all of her criteria for a husband--good-looking, well-connected, wealthy, and head-over-heels in love with her. But when she is forced to spend the summer of 1929 with Luke McGee, the bane of her childhood existence, Katie comes face to face with a choice. Will she follow her well-laid plans to marry Jake? Or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever?

My review:

A Hope Undaunted was an emotional roller coaster that kept me guessing! I love a book that makes me feel such strong emotions that I have tears streaming down my face as I'm reading. This book did that for me. In fact, I think all of Julie's books have had places in them where I've felt genuine grief for the characters, and they aren't even real people! The characters in A Hope Undaunted were so multi-dimensional that they felt real, so I hurt when they hurt. Kind of like the O'Connor family is special, these books remind me of Karen Kingsbury's Baxter family. As a reader and "fan," you want their stories to go on forever and ever. You can't get enough. I loved how I worried about these fictional people and their situations. My heart pounded right along with theirs because the author pulled no punches with them. I love it when I learn some of those hard-earned lessons with the characters, and when I think about a story long after I finish it. Here is what made this story special to me...

Katie Rose needed to learn a lot of things that only God could teach her. I loved how the author set up each situation in such a way that Katie had to learn to love the Lord first. Sometimes getting your heart broken again and again can knock the stubbornness right out of a woman. And the brokenness and beauty that is left when the fallout is cleaned up is often breathtakingly sweet. I loved how the author showed that humility and patience is beautiful, and how women really do want strong men in their lives, not pushovers. My pastor is a great example of that, and people respect him because he doesn't bend with every wind that blows through the church.

I adore stories that include sacrificial love themes as well as tough love. This story has both. Real love, the kind that comes from God, seeks another person's good over their own will. Nothing gets the waterworks going for me quicker than sacrificial love in a story. That's why the story of Christ's redemption is so powerful and emotional. It is a rare and beautiful thing when people find this kind of love that "seeks not its own way" with each other.

My husband exemplifies this kind of love in my life. He's like my Patrick, my Collin, my Brady, my Mitch. God has been deeply involved in my life as well as my husband's, and God has shaved off the rough edges to bring us to that deep kind of love that we share as husband and wife to this day. It's an O'Connor kind of love, filled with deep emotion, passion, loyalty, friendship, and trust. This story illustrates to all women who are single that the right man (the one God has in mind for you) is worth waiting for. It also speaks to the hearts of married women, that love is give and take, and that there is a time to disagree...but it should never be in front of the children. ;) And passionate kisses? Don't get me started. I absolutely love that Julie's books are full of them!

Bottom line is I love all of Julie Lessman's stories so picking a favorite is incredibly hard. This story ranks near the top for sure. It's making my best fiction list for 2010...no question about that.

Thank you Revell, for providing a copy of this book for me to review! This book was released Sept. 1, 2010.



Blew me away

Check out this fabulous opportunity on Facebook. My review will be posted later today!

Visit Julie Lessman in the Technology and Romance KINDLE Giveaway! Book 1 in The Winds of Change series, A Hope Undaunted, is her latest and greatest so don't miss out on the fun!

To find out more about Julie's books go here.

Enter The Technology and Romance KINDLE Giveaway!

One Grand Prize winner will receive a KINDLE preloaded with Julie Lessman's latest title. The Prize Pack (valued at over $150.00) includes:

* A brand new KINDLE, with Wi-Fi

* A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

To enter, click on the icons below to fill out the entry form. Tell your friends about the contest, too.

  The winner will be announced on October 7th.

Not only is Julie hosting this KINDLE giveaway, but also a FACEBOOK  PARTY!

Are you ready for a chance to win more PRIZES??? Then come to her Facebook Party!

How about a gift certificate and a signed book given away EVERY 10 minutes during an hour-long Facebook party. Sound good? On October 7th at 5pm PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST, & 8:00 EST) Julie is inviting you to attend the A Hope Undaunted Facebook Party! She'll announce the winner of the KINDLE and in addition to prizes every 10 minutes. In addition, she'll be giving away great prize baskets filled with even more Romance and Technology (such as Netflix, Starbucks, Amazon.com, Champagne body Lotion, Pearls, & more!) Whoa! That's my kind of party!

WAIT … there’s more.  If you participate in the Book Bomb on October 7th you’ll be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com. All you need to do to participate is buy a copy of A Hope Undaunted on October 7th and send your receipt (just transaction number from store, store name & date) to mailto:amy@litfusegroup.com?subject=I bought a
copy of A Hope Undaunted! Each book purchased equals one entry, so if you buy 10 books you get 10 entries!

All this fun begins with Revell’s blog tour SEPTEMBER 19-25, when 122 blogger/reviewers will post reviews about A Hope Undaunted, followed by the Book Bomb and Facebook Party!

So mark your calendars with these important dates:

September 19-25: A Hope Undaunted will be making an appearance on blogs across the country (and beyond!) in Revell's blog tour!

September 20th: The Technology and Romance KINDLE Giveaway launches (contest runs 9/20 - 10/6)

October 7th: Book Bomb Day (where everyone is encouraged to buy the book online at the same time!) and Facebook Party - meet and chat with Julie, win some great prizes & find out who won the KINDLE!

Help us spread the word about all this fun and be entered to win a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate.

Share Julie's Giveaway on Facebook, Twitter or your blog and we'll enter your name into our random drawing to win 50 bucks to be used on Amazon.com!

Once you've tweeted, posted on Facebok or added the button to your blog/website - simple email Amy and let her know you helped spread the word. Easy.

Here is a sample post for both Twitter/Facebook:

Tweet This: @JulieLessman is giving away a KINDLE and tons more during her giveaway extravaganza! Details here: http://ow.ly/2Czbn Pls RT

Share on Facebook: Julie Lessman is celebrating her new release, A Hope Undaunted by giving away a KINDLE, having a Book Bomb & Facebook Party! Prizes Galore - don't miss the fun! http://ow.ly/2Czbn

Also, add this button to your blog or website! Simply copy and paste the code in the box into the HTML screen of your blog or website. Then email Amy and let her know you did!

<a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=143920688983543&index=1"><img alt="A Hope Undaunted Facebook Party" width="125" src="http://www.litfusegroup.com/images/stories/party_bomb_facebook_button.3.gif" height="125" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=143920688983543&index=1">A Hope Undaunted Facebook Party</a>

Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr is up on CFBA!

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Love's First Bloom

Bethany House; Original edition (September 1, 2010)

by Delia Parr


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Delia Parr, pen name for Mary Lechleidner, is the author of 10 historical novels and the winner of several awards, including the Laurel Wreath Award for Historical Romance and the Aspen Gold Award for Best Inspirational Book. She is a full-time high school teacher who spends her summer vacations writing and kayaking. The mother of three grown children, she lives in Collingswood, New Jersey.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Ruth Livingstone's life changes drastically the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow and quietly secludes herself until her father is acquitted of a crime.

But with the emergence of the penny press, the imagination of the reading public is stirred, and her father's trial stands center stage. Asher Tripp is the brash newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist.

Ruth finds solace tending a garden along the banks of the Toms River--a place where she can find a measure of peace in the midst of the sorrow that continues to build. It is also here that Asher Tripp finds a temporary residence, all in an attempt to discover if the lovely creature known as Widow Malloy is truly Ruth Livingstone, the woman every newspaper has been looking for.

Love begins to slowly bloom...but is the affection they share strong enough to withstand the secrets that separate them?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love's First Bloom, go HERE.

My thoughts:

I haven't had time to read this book. It released the same week I had several other books due and the ACFW conference on top of that. I hope to read it sometime in October when I get a chance to catch up some.

Pics of me with my Desert Breeze Girls Deb Kinnard and Michelle Levigne at ACFW

We were all exhausted (especially me) but regardless, we had these pictures taken after our Free to be E (E-publishing Late Night Chat) on Saturday night. Aren't we something???

My final final copy of the cover for Letting Go (with logo and "a novel" added!)

New Giveaway! Now I'm giving away Whisper on the Wind by Maureen Lang!

To enter your name for a chance to win a copy of this book, simply post a comment regarding the first world war. It can be anything. For example, my comment is that my grandfather (born in 1896 and died in the 1970s) was in the first world war. I don't know the details, just that he's a vet and served his country in the war. I will draw a winners name using the Randomizer program on Sunday. Best wishes!



About the book:

In Brussels at the height of WWI, a small, underground newspaper is the only thing offering the occupied city hope—and real news of the war. The paper may be a small whisper amid the shouts of the German army, but Edward Kirkland will do anything to keep it in print. Meanwhile, Isa Lassone, a Belgian-American socialite whose parents whisked her to safety at the start of the war, sneaks back into the country to rescue those dearest to her: Edward and his mother. But Edward refuses to go, and soon Isa is drawn into his secret life printing the newspaper . . . And into his heart.

My thoughts:

The ACFW 2010 annual conference kinda got in the way of this review so I haven't finished the book yet. I am about 1/4 into the story and really enjoying it. You should expect to see a review within the next few weeks. :)

Congrats to the ACFW 2010 Carol Aaward Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Carol Awards!

Contemporary Novella -

The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren

Tyndale House, Karen Watson, Editor

Historical Novella -

Christmas Bells for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad

Steeple Hill, Tina James, Editor

Short Contemporary -

A Texas Ranger's Family by Mae Nunn

Steeple Hill, Melissa Endlich, Editor

Short Contemporary Suspense -

Evidence of Murder by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Steeple Hill, Emily Rodmell, Editor

Short Historical -

The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh

Revell, Andrea Doering, Editor

Young Adult -

So Not Happening - Jenny B. Jones

Thomas Nelson, Amanda Bostic/Jamie Chavez, Editors

Long Contemporary -

The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry

Moody Publishers, Paul Santhouse, Editor

Long Contemporary Romance -

Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones

Thomas Nelson, Natalie Hanemann/Jamie Chavez, Editors

Mystery -

The Case of the Mystified M.D. by A.K. Arenz

Sheaf House, Joan M. Shoup, Editor

Suspense/Thriller -

Intervention by Terri Blackstock

Zondervan, Sue Brower/Dave Lambert, Editors

Long Historical -

Stealing Home by Allison Pittman

Multnomah, Alice Crider, Editor

Long Historical Romance -

Cowboy Christmas by Mary Connealy

Barbour Publishing, Rebecca Germany, Editor

Speculative -

Eternity Falls by Kirk Outerbridge

Marcher Lord Press, Jeff Gerke, Editor

Women's Fiction -

Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge

Waterbrook Press, Shannon Marchese, Editor

Debut Author -

The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh

Revell, Andrea Doering, Editor

Autumn's Promise by Shelley Shepard Gray is up on CFBA!

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Autumn's Promise Avon Inspire (August 3, 2010)

by

Shelley Shepard Gray



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold twenty-six novels to numerous publishers. She has written a seven book contemporary series for Avalon books. She also published The Love Letter, a western for Avalon. Five Star Expressions published Suddenly, You in February of 2007. This novel is a historical western set in the mountains of Colorado.

Shelley has written nine novels for Harlequin American Romance. Cinderella Christmas, her first novel with them, reached number six on the Waldenbooks Bestseller list. Her second book with them, Simple Gifts won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice award for best Harlequin American Romance of 2006. The Mommy Bride, was chosen by Romantic Times Magazine as one of their TOP PICKS for May, 2008.

Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for Harper Collins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. HIDDEN and WANTED the first two novels of her ‘Sisters of the Heart’ series, were chosen to be Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/ Literary Guild Book Club. FORGIVEN, book 3, has received glowing reviews. Avon Inspire is releasing four novels by Shelley this year.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelors and masters degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two teenagers, and is an active member of her church.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Some promises are meant to be broken...


Until Robert Miller met Lilly Allen, his world had been dark. A widower after only two years of marriage, he'd been living in a haze, feeling that, at twenty-four, his life was already over.

But thanks to his friendship with Lilly, he now has new reasons to wake up each day. He knows his connection to her doesn't make sense. She's only nineteen, with a past the whole town talks about. Even more, she's not Amish, like Robert. A marriage between the two of them could never happen.
Lilly's heart is drawn to Robert, not to his faith. No matter how much she admires his quiet strength and dependability, she doesn't think she could ever give up her independence and reliance on the modern world. Is their love doomed before it even begins?

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

My thoughts:

I wasn't able to read this book before the tour but I plan to review it soon. :) I have enjoyed all of the books I've read by this author so far...

My review of The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson!

About the book:

Two Hearts. One Hope.Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her---a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

My review:

This debut novel by Melanie Dickerson carried me off into an enchanted world that I didn't want to leave when the story ended. The Healer's Apprentice was a real page turner and will make any romance lovers heart beat a little bit harder as they read along. After seeing the book video trailer I knew I had to read it. Boy am I glad I did! I adore historical fiction. It's my favorite genre. I also love the Middle Ages time period. This story had those elements and they were both done very well. The author clearly knows how to write with emotion and how to firmly establish the setting so that readers like they are living in that time period.

This was a beautiful love story and I can see this being a teen favorite (though I'm way past my teen years and was totally enthralled with this book.) The kisses were heavenly and the romantic tension was beyond awesome. I had a hunch about where things were headed early on and was glad when situations firmed up what I suspected was coming. There were so many good messages in this book. There is a difference between feeling adored and enjoying it and actually loving the person who is flattering you. It's not love, but manipulation. The author showed how actions by handsome young men can be very persuasive to girls who feel unloved by their families and long for affection.

The author also showed how doing the right thing is always best. Making decisions based on emotions can be disastrous, but doing the right thing for the right reasons is often God's perfect and pleasing will. So if we trust God, He will make things known to us in due time. Taking situations into our own hands will usually mess things up even more. I also loved the message that the name of Jesus is more powerful than any darkness. His name is stronger than any other. Very inspiring message! This story was so well done and enthralling that I nearly read it straight through. In fact, all I wanted to do was read this book and will be eagerly awaiting future books from this author. The Healer's Apprentice is making my best fiction of 2010 list.

The Healer's Apprentice was published by Zondervan and released in Sept 2010. Zondervan provided a copy of this book for me to review. This book staying on my keeper shelf because I may actually read it again!

Blog tour stop for Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad with bonus review!

 

Spirited Heroine Will Win Readers’ Hearts in New Series

Set in 1895, readers will be whisked away to the adventures and romance of Lake Manawa

About the book:

When spunky Marguerite Westing discovers that her family will summer at Lake Manawa in 1895, she couldn't be more thrilled. It is the perfect way to escape her agonizingly boring suitor, Roger Gordon. It's also where she stumbles upon two new loves: sailing, and sailing instructor Trip Andrews. But this summer of fun turns to turmoil as her father's gambling problems threaten to ruin the family forever. Will free-spirited Marguerite marry Roger to save her father's name and fortune? Or will she follow her heart--even if it means abandoning the family she loves? Author Lorna Seilstad's fresh and entertaining voice will whisk readers away to a breezy lakeside summer holiday. Full of sharp wit and blossoming romance, Making Waves is the first book in the LAKE MANAWA SUMMERS series.

My review:

Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad is a delightful historical romance in a unique setting. I enjoyed the sailing theme and the sexy sailing instructor, Trip, in particular. I found the details about the lake were just enough to make me feel the spray of water hitting my face and the heat of the sun warming my back. This author has a way with words that really pulled into the setting.

The theme about truthfulness in the story was well done. I appreciated the way the author showed all levels of dishonesty and how they can damage relationships. Even the tiniest of white lies. I smiled numerous times while reading this novel because some of the scenes were so poignant. This was a sweet romance with just enough sizzle and heart-pounding moments to keep me anticipating the next scene. And the next. And the next.

Trip was an awesome hero. He had his lovable, protective moments, and he also had his stereotypical male moments when he reacted to what he saw as rejection, which made him even sexier to me. I could sense the attraction between Trip and Marguerite developing and felt it sparking when they were close to each other.

I loved how Marguerite responded to each situation. She was spunky and adorable, and overall a very likable heroine even with her flaws. I also enjoyed the hint of mystery to the story and couldn't stop reading when things started coming to a head and getting slowly exposed. Bottom line... this was a fantastic read. I am definitely reading more books by this author in the future.


I have had a real stroke of luck lately when it comes to good books. So many good ones out there, and it seems like most of them I've read this month!

About the author: 

Lorna Seilstad is a history buff, antique collector, and freelance graphic designer. A former high school English and journalism teacher, she has won several online writing awards and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in and draws her setting from Iowa. This is her first novel.

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For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com. 

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet. 

                                              

Blew me away

Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker is up on CFBA with giveaway and bonus review by hubby!

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Immanuel's Veins Thomas Nelson (September 7, 2010)


by Ted Dekker



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ted Dekker is a New York Times best-selling author of more than twenty novels. He is best known for stories which could be broadly described as suspense thrillers with major twists and unforgettable characters, though he has also made a name for himself among fantasy fans.

Early in his career he wrote a number of spiritual thrillers and his novels were lumped in with ‘Christian Fiction’ a surprisingly large category. His later novels are a mix of mainstream novels such as Adam, Thr3e, Skin, Obsessed and BoneMan’s Daughters, and fantasy thrillers that metaphorically explore faith. Best known among these is his Circle Series: Green, Black, Red, White and The Paradise Books: Showdown, Saint, and Sinner.

Dekker was born to missionaries who lived among the headhunter tribes of Indonesia. Because his parents’ work often included extended periods of time away from their children, Dekker describes his early life in a culture to which he was a stranger as both fascinating and lonely. It is this unique upbringing that forced him to rely on his own imagination to create a world in which he belonged.

After leaving Indonesia, Dekker graduated from a multi-cultural high school and took up permanent residence in the United States to study philosophy and religion. Upon earning his Bachelor’s Degree, he entered the corporate world and proceeded to climb the proverbial ladder. But his personal drive left him restless and, after many successful years, he traded corporate life for wide range of entrepreneurial pursuits that included buying and selling businesses, healthcare services, and marketing.

In the early nineties while visiting a friend who had just written a book, Dekker decided to pursue a long held desire to be a novelist. Over the course of two years he wrote two full length novels before starting from scratch and rewriting both. Now fully enamored by the the process and the stories, he realized that storytelling was in his blood and a new obsession to explore truth through story gripped him anew.

He sold his business, moved his family to the mountains of Western Colorado and began writing full-time on his third novel. Two years and three novels later his first novel, Heaven’s Wager, was published.

Now, Dekker’s novels had sold over 3.4 million copies worldwide. Two of his novels, Thr3e and House, have been made into movies with more in production. Dekker resides in Austin, Texas with his wife Lee Ann and two of their daughters.


ABOUT THE BOOK

This story is for everyone--but not everyone is for this story.

It is a dangerous tale of times past. A torrid love story full of deep seduction. A story of terrible longing and bold sacrifice.

Then as now, evil begins its courtship cloaked in light. And the heart embraces what it should flee. Forgetting it once had a truer lover.

With a kiss, evil will ravage body, soul, and mind. Yet there remains hope, because the heart knows no bounds.

Love will prove greater than lust. Sacrifice will overcome seduction. And blood will flow.

Because the battle for the heart is always violently opposed. For those desperate to drink deep from this fountain of life, enter.

But remember, not everyone is for this story.


If you'd like to read the first chapter of Immanuel's Veins, go HERE.


Watch the book trailer:




My answer to the question... What is sacrificial love?

It's the kind of love that comes from God and that Jesus came to the earth to show mankind. It's the kind of love that is more precious than gold. It's the kind of love that is willing to give up everything for the one he or she loves. According to my husband who read this book before I could...it's what Dekker's book Immanuel's Veins is all about.

Here is a picture of me wearing the tee shirt and holding the book that will be given away this week!  To be entered to win the shirt AND the hardcover book, make sure to enter a comment that answers this question... What is sacrificial love? If you don't answer the question, you won't be entered for a chance to win the prizes. I will draw the name of the winner using the Randomizer program next Monday night when I return (9-20-10) from a conference. Oh, and I saved the best for last...my husband reviewed this book (posted below.) My son is begging for it next (and the tee shirt) so he will get my shirt and can show it off at NAU. It's great advertisement, right? 20,000+ students and one handsome freshman (my son) wearing a Dekker shirt around campus. Sweet!

Hubby's book review:

This latest book by Dekker was profound. As Romans 11:33 says... "Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God: How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out!"

No matter how far the human soul can sink, God's Love can bring us healing. Dekker's book Immanuel's Veins has shown this so powerfully! What an awesome novel! You will be thinking about the story long after you put the book down. The difference of what the enemy wants for us and Christ wants for us is vastly different. Satan came to destroy, but Christ has come to give us abundant life.

Hebrews 2:14 says... "For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death , that is the devil."

*Now that he's finished with the book, it's my turn, then I mail it to my son at college. He's begging for it.*

Thank you Thomas Nelson for the book to review and for the awesome giveaway!

Litfuse blog tour stop for A Memory Betweeen Us by Sarah Sundin with bonus review!

About the book:

Major Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge--until he meets army nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. When Jack lands in the army hospital after a plane crash, he makes winning Ruth's heart a top priority mission. But he has his work cut out for him. Not only is Ruth focused on her work in order to support her orphaned siblings back home, she carries a shameful secret that keeps her from giving her heart to any man. Can Jack break down her defenses? Or are they destined to go their separate ways?

My review:

A Memory Between Us is WWII era fiction at it's best. The romance, the setting, the dialog, and the little details the author included throughout the story had me firmly planted in the 1940s. I loved the realism of the combat, the scenes of pilots flying missions where some made it and some didn't, and the whole scenario regarding the nurses and their unpleasant pasts. The romantic tension between characters was breathtaking, too. This author really knows how to turn up the heat while at the same time providing substance to her story. My eyes teared up more than once as I grieved and celebrated with the characters through some of their trials.

My favorite fiction always has edgy content, and this story had some amazingly realistic scenes that really drew me in. The heroine's flashbacks were flawlessly executed and well-written. Because they were so full of emotion, I understood the helpless feeling Ruth experienced when she was attacked, and how it negatively influenced her ability to trust everyone, including God. Shame is a powerful weapon that the enemy uses to keep us from knowing true peace and joy. I loved how the author brought both the hero and the heroine through their own individual trials to show that only God can give each of us what we need in our lives in order to grow.

When Ruth revisited painful memories, the transition was seamless every time. Both women had believable histories of abandonment, especially Ruth. Her perspective on what happened and that she somehow deserved it rang true for me. I was a bit disappointed with Jack's reaction, but because he was still a bit self-righteous and prideful, it made sense. God hadn't finished working on softening Jack's heart.

I loved that the author showed how many times Jack's motivation toward Ruth was wrong. His outreach to her was often more about building himself up, meeting his goal, winning the struggle for her heart, etc. Ruth was right when she said God had to be first and that Jack's interference was keeping her from growing in the Lord. So true.

Both the hero and the heroine were complex characters. They had numerous internal and external conflicts that needed to be worked through before they would be whole enough to love each other the way they both needed to be loved. The author left no stone unturned, and I loved that. She was not afraid to make her characters suffer. Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, they did.

A Memory Between Us was the perfect title, too, because it summed up the main barrier between them. Ruth had to work through some of those issues on her own in order to heal. So did Jack. I loved how she triumphed over her greatest fears, and Jack overcame his, too. This was an incredible story, and though a bit long, I enjoyed it very much.


Meet Sarah!
Sarah Sundin is an on-call hospital pharmacist and holds a BS in chemistry from UCLA and a doctorate in pharmacy from UC San Francisco. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. This is her first novel. 
 For more info please visit her website at www.sarahsundin.com!

Blew me away