Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Search by Shelley Shepard Gray

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Search

(Avon Inspire; Original edition - June 19, 2012)

by

Shelley Shepard Gray


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold over thirty novels to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Harlequin, Abingdon Press, and Avon Inspire. She has been interviewed by NPR, and her books have been highlighted in numerous publications, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.


Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for HarperCollins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Her recent novel, The Protector, the final book in her “Families of Honor” series, hit the New York Times List, and her previous novel in the same series, The Survivor, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Shelley has won the prestigious Holt Medallion for her books, Forgiven and Grace, and her novels have been chosen as Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/Literary Guild Book Club. Her first novel with Avon Inspire, Hidden, was an Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two children in college, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and currently leads a Bible study group, and she looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.

When she’s not writing, Shelley often attends conferences and reader retreats in order to give workshops and publicize her work. She’s attended RWA’s national conference six times, the ACFW conference and Romantic Times Magazine’s annual conference as well as traveled to New Jersey, Birmingham, and Tennessee to attend local conferences.

Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In the second book in her Secrets of Crittenden County series, New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray delivers another page-turning romance set in Amish country.

The serenity of the quiet Amish community of Crittenden, Kentucky is disrupted when Abby Anderson discovers the body of Perry Borntrager in an abandoned well. Perry had been missing for months. Everyone figured he had left the order during his rumspringa. As friends and family reel from this news, and are faced with the first death by mysterious circumstance to occur in their small town in over 20 years, a homicide detective arrives to help solve the crime.

Before Perry disappeared, Frannie Eicher and Perry had been secretly courting. Now that it’s common knowledge that he was murdered, it’s up to Fannie to decide whether or not to tell everyone about the secrets he told her.

After much deliberation, she decides to tell Luke Reynolds, the visiting police officer, what she knows. At first, the two meet only on the context of discussing Perry’s death. Then, Luke begins to feel more and more at home, both with Frannie, and in Marion. The only problem is that he feels a romantic pull toward Frannie. Frannie feels that same attraction toward Luke, but is afraid to give her heart to him. After all, she doesn’t want to leave her faith.

As Luke uncovers more secrets about Perry and the case draws out, his time in Marion runs out. He has to decide whether to go back to his job with the Cincinnati Police Department…or stay in Marion.

If you would like to read the Prologue of The Search, go HERE.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Spring Reading Thing 2012 Wrap-Up





I had this grand plan to catch up on my book reading goal for the year (ten books a month) when I started SRT 2012 and in an effort to keep my head above water, I put 30 books on my list. I read a number of books on my original list and added a few others that I just couldn't pass up. Due to the busyness of school activities, reunions, and weddings, my time seemed to slip away much too quickly and I was only able to read 26 books. I hope you all fared much better than I did.

I enjoyed all of the books I read and here are my recommendations:

If Suspense thrills you, definitely read Critical Care, Medical Error, Relentless Pursuit, The Chase, and Cooking the Books.

If Romantic Comedy tickles your fancy, don't pass up Sandra Bricker's Always the Designer and Always the Wedding Planner.

Historical Fiction that's worth your time: The Key on the Quilt and Love in Disguise (there's a bit of mystery and romance in this one), and if you like a bit of a western flair, definitely read Stuart Brannon's Final Shot.

If you think Amish Fiction is "wunderbar gut", then The Fiddler, Missing, and Her Restless Heart are for you.

For those of you who are young at heart, check out these Young Adult titles: The Wishing Pearl (High School Age) and Theodore Boone: The Accused (Middle Grade).

Books finished from original list:


Stuart Brannon's Final Shot - Stephen Bly and family
Missing - Shelley Shepard Gray
The Chase - DiAnn Mills
Cooking the Books - Bonnie Calhoun
Always the Designer, Never the Bride - Sandra Bricker
The Fiddler - Beverly Lewis
Her Restless Heart - Barbara Cameron
Critical Care - Candace Calvert
The Half-Stitched Amish Knitting Club - Wanda Brunstetter
Relentless Pursuit - Kathy Herman
Theodore Boone: The Accused - John Grisham
Medical Error - Richard Mabry
The Wishing Pearl - Nicole O'Dell
Accused - Janice Cantore
Red, White, and Blue - Laura Hayden
Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride - Sandra Bricker
The Key on the Quilt - Stephanie Grace Whitson


Bonus Books:


Titanic Trivia - David Downs/Ken Beck
Dispatches from a Bitter America - Todd Starnes
The Jerk Magnet - Melody Carlson
The Best Friend - Melody Carlson
Interrupted: Life Beyond Words - Rachel Coker
My Stubborn Heart - Becky Wade
Annie's Truth - Beth Shriver
Reckless Heart - Amy Clipston
Love in Disguise - Carol Cox

Have a great summer...see you all at Fall into Reading 2012!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Love in Disguise

(Bethany House Publishers - June 1, 2012)
by

Carol Cox


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Native Arizonan Carol Cox has an abiding love for history, mystery, and romance. The author of more than 25 books, she believes in the power of story to convey spiritual truths. Carol lives with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where deer and antelope really do play--within view of the family's front porch.

A word from Carol:

As a native of Arizona, I have a longtime interest in the Southwest and its history. My family shares my love of the Old West, as evidenced by this photo taken back in the halcyon days before my son turned to a life of crime and started robbing trains for a living...

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When costume-maker Ellie Moore suddenly finds herself out of a job in the middle of a bleak Chicago winter, she uses her knowledge of theatrical disguise to secure a position as an undercover operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her assignment: find the culprit behind the theft of silver shipped from the mines near Pickford, Arizona.

Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie begins her investigation. Soon she finds she must also pose as the dazzling young Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love in Disguise, go HERE.