"Waiting On' Wednesday"

Melody Carlson is such a versatile writer, and it seems as if she's always coming out with a new book (which is perfectly fine with me). This one sounds quite compelling and I'm really looking forward to reading it.

About Limelight:

Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone.

Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fioré questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it’s too late to change.

Limelight is published by Multnomah and is scheduled to release in October 2009.

Be sure to check out Melody Carlson's website.

"Waiting On' Wednesdays" is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. So join in - what are you Waiting On?

Fatal Illusions by Adam Blumer

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Fatal Illusions
(Kregel Publications - March 5, 2009)
by
Adam Blumer


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adam Blumer lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with his wife, Kim, and his daughters, Laura and Julia.

He works full-time as a freelance writer and editor. A print journalism graduate of Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC), he served in editorial roles for fourteen years at Northland Baptist Bible College (Dunbar, WI) and Awana Clubs International Headquarters (Streamwood, IL).

He has published numerous short stories and articles. Fatal Illusions released by Kregel Publications (Grand Rapids, MI) is his first novel.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

An amateur magician, an unassuming family . . . a fatal illusion.

Haydon Owens wants to be the next Houdini. He has been practicing his craft and has already made four women disappear. All it took was a bit of rope and his two bare hands.

The Thayer family has come to the north woods of Newberry, Michigan, looking for refuge, a peaceful sanctuary from a shattered past. But they are not alone. Little do they know that they are about to become part of Haydon's next act. Time is running out and already the killer has spotted his next victim. Who will escape alive?

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

“Fatal Illusions is an engaging, fast-paced read with a captivating storyline that grabs you from page one and doesn't let go. Highly recommended!”--Mark Mynheir, homicide detective and author of The Night Watchman

“An awesome ride!”--Rosey Dow, Christy Award winning author of Reaping the Whirlwind

“Adam Blumer tells a fast-paced story that weaves together a serial killer, a physically wounded pastor and his spiritually wounded wife. The twists and turns will keep readers guessing.”--Rick Acker, author of Blood Brothers

Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman

About Plain Pursuit:

When Carley Marek takes a hiatus from her job, she leaves Texas and visits her friend, Lillian, in Amish Country, Pennsylvania. Carley isn't there long when she meets Lillian's charming-but shunned-brother-inlaw, Dr. Noah Stoltzfus.

When Lillian's stepson is stricken with a life-threatening disease, Noah is forbidden to intervene, but he resolves to do whatever it takes to save the boy's life. Carley finds herself caught in the middle of her feelings for Noah and her loyalty to Lillian. And to further complicate matters, everyone around her is talking about God--a God she doesn't know and who appears to be punishing her for her past mistakes.

When her hiatus is up, Carley must make a life-changing decision: stay and face the path that is set before her, or flee and leave the only love she's ever known.

My thoughts:

I was quite impressed with the first book in this series, Plain Perfect, and was anxious to see where Beth Wiseman would go with this next book. She doesn't disappoint with another strong story full of characters you yourself would enjoy knowing (Noah and David were my favorites); an emotionally intense journey through an Amish family's struggle with shunning and the consequences thereof; and a conclusion, that while a bit predictable, was still satisfying. I am looking forward to reading the third book (Plain Promise) when it releases in September.

Be sure to check out Beth Wiseman's website.

See my thoughts on Plain Perfect (Book 1) here.

Stay tuned for the third book in the series, Plain Promise, due out in September 2009.

"Waiting On' Wednesday"

I have read Denise Hunter's other Nantucket Love Stories and really enjoyed them, so I'm looking forward to reading this one as well.

About Seaside Letters:

Their letters could lead to lasting love . . . or expose Sabrina's mortifying secret.

Sabrina Kincaid didn't intend to fall for Nantucket native Tucker McCabe, the man she serves coffee to every morning-a man tied deeply to a past she deeply regrets. But she has. And she's fallen hard.

But she's kept this a secret from her handsome customer. And now Tucker wants to hire Sabrina to help locate his friend "Sweetpea"-the mysterious woman he's falling in love with online. Sabrina is not inclined to help, but if Tucker hires someone else, it could spell disaster. Because if someone else sifted through the emails and figured out the truth-then Tucker would discover that the person he's trying to find is . . . her.

Seaside Letters is published by Thomas Nelson and is scheduled for release in October 2009.

Be sure to check out Denise Hunter's website here.

"Waiting On' Wednesdays" is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. So join in - what are you Waiting On?

Exposure by Brandilyn Collins

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Exposure
(Zondervan - June 1, 2009)
by
Brandilyn Collins


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Brandilyn Collins is an award-winning and best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline "Don't forget to b r e a t h e . . ."® Brandilyn's first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is now working on her 20th book.

In addition to Exposure, Brandilyn’s other latest release is Always Watching, first in The Rayne Tour series—young adult suspense co-written with her daughter, Amberly. The Rayne Tour series features Shaley O’Connor, daughter of a rock star, who just may have it all—until murder crashes her world.



ABOUT THE BOOK:

When your worst fear comes true.

Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? Everyone knows she’s a little crazy. Kaycee’s popular syndicated newspaper column pokes fun at her own paranoia and multiple fears. The police in her small town are well aware she makes money writing of her experiences. Worse yet, she has no proof of the threats. Pictures of a dead man mysteriously appear in her home—then vanish before police arrive. Multisensory images flood Kaycee’s mind. Where is all this coming from?

Maybe she is going over the edge.

High action and psychological suspense collide in this story of terror, twists, and desperate faith. The startling questions surrounding Kaycee pile high. Her descent to answers may prove more than she can survive.


To read the first chapter, go HERE.

“More twists and turns than a Coney Island roller coaster! Highly recommended.” ~CBA Retailers

“Mesmerizing mystery…authentic characters…a fast-paced, twisting tale of desperate choices.” ~TitleTrakk

“Brandilyn Collins is a master of suspense, and Exposure is her best book yet!” ~Dianne Burnett, Christianbook.com

Mom NEEDS Chocolate by Debora M. Coty

About Mom NEEDS Chocolate:

What's a rundown, run-ragged mom to do? Her spirit yearns to soar, but her feet---and faith---are stuck in the diaper-by-diaper mud of everyday responsibilities. How can she de-muck when she's chronically exhausted and relentlessly robbed of abundant life by the joy-sucking dully-funks? This offbeat glimpse of reality with a tangy twist pitched in to help busy mothers get in touch with rejuvenating joy and empowering faith! In mom-to-mom, smile-eliciting style, humorist Debora Coty doesn't lolly gag around the hot topics such as enduring marriage, embarrassing children, defeating depression and grossfully (er, gracefully) aging. Unique insights and outrageous coping tips are shared alongside sisterly hugs and warm encouragement. Mom Needs Chocolate is a veritable grocery list of mud-between-your-toes issues, tackled with witty frankness and wild abandon. Young-at-heart mothers of all ages will enjoy hilarious and heartwarming stories that apply Scripture to real life and remind them how to hear God's still, small voice about blathering kids, howling pets and snarling traffic!

About Debora M. Coty:

Debora M. Coty is a woman on a mission. Since answering God’s call to write six years ago, Debora has published over 80 articles in international magazines, newspapers, and anthologies, and signed 11 book contracts! Her latest, Mom NEEDS Chocolate, just released from Regal Books and is endorsed by legendary funny ladies Martha Bolton and Patsy Clairmont.

My thoughts:

Moms don't just need chocolate, moms need this book! Filled with short, easy to read chapters full of wit and wisdom, it's perfect for the start or ending of any mom's busy day. Debora uses the lessons God has taught her in just the everyday life experiences she's had - some good, some not so good - as a way to spread her message of mirth as Godly medicine. So when life is doing all it can to make you bitter, pick up this book, read a chapter or two (or more), and let Debora show you how God is right there with you through it all and that by focusing on Him can make for a much sweeter life.

Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Love's Pursuit
(Bethany House - June 1, 2009)
by
Siri Mitchell


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.

But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.

A Constant Heart was her sixth novel. Two of her novels, Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door were Christy Award finalists. She has been called one of the clearest, most original voices in the CBA.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

In the small Puritan community of Stoneybrooke, Massachusetts, Susannah Phillips stands out both for her character and beauty. She wants only a simple life but soon finds herself pursued by the town's wealthiest bachelor and by a roguish military captain sent to protect them. One is not what he seems and one is more than he seems.

In trying to discover true love's path, Susannah is helped by the most unlikely of allies, a wounded woman who lives invisible and ignored in their town. As the depth, passion, and sacrifice of love is revealed to Susannah, she begins to question the rules and regulations of her childhood faith. In a community where grace is unknown, what price will she pay for embracing love?

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

Winner of Never the Bride...

...According to the random sequence generator which gave me this result:

18, 3, 5, 15, 9, 13, 8, 17, 11, 16, 1, 10, 2, 4, 6, 12, 7, 14

Kristen @ dancing in the margins coincides with #18, so congrats to her on winning the book. I sincerely appreciate all the comments, and a pat on the back goes out to all of you for including your contact information. That makes it so much easier when it's time to pick a winner.

Blessings all...and happy reading!

"Waiting On' Wednesday"

I count James Scott Bell as one of my favorite authors, and his Ty Buchanan series is one I have really enjoyed. I just love the character of Sister Mary Veritas - who wouldn't love a basketball-playing nun - in this series and can't wait to see what kind of trouble comes to her and Ty in this book.

About Try Fear:

For Ty Buchanan, defending a suspected drunk driver named Carl Richess seems routine enough. But when his client ends up dead, an apparent suicide, there's nothing routine about it. Because the cops suspect it's murder, and arrest Eric Richess, Carl's brother, for the crime. Now Ty, at the desperate urging of Eric's mother, agrees to defend him. But it won't be easy. Because there's DNA on the gun that matches Eric's, and a history of conflict between the brothers.

Then Ty, assisted by Sister Mary Veritas, begins to uncover tentacles of corruption that reach into the citadels of city power. But he's being watched. Because somewhere in the dark labyrinth of LA is someone who will do anything to keep from being found out, someone who believes that when warnings don't work, try fear.

Try Fear shows a release date of 6/24/09 at christianbook.com, and a 7/16/09 release date at amazon.com. It is published by Center Street.

You can read the first chapter here.
Be sure to also check out James Scott Bell's website.

Shepherd's Fall by Wanda Dyson

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Shepherd's Fall
(WaterBrook Press - April 14, 2009)
by
Wanda Dyson


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Wanda Dyson lives with her severely autistic teenager on a busy farm with horses, chickens, dogs, cats, rabbits, and the occasional fox, deer, groundhog, and snake. She could seriously live without the snakes, but that's life in the country.

After writing three critically acclaimed suspense novels, she was asked to write the true story of Tina Zahn (Why I Jumped), which was featured on Oprah. Readers characterize her books as "riveting" and "Packed with twists and turns."

Wanda serves on the board of several writers conferences across the country including the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, and the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference.

Wanda has finished the second in this series called Shepherd's Run,that will come out in 2010. And she's hard at work on the third and final installment of the Prodigal Recovery Series - Marti's story -- tentatively called Shepherd's Quest.


ABOUT THE BOOK:


Bounty hunter Greg Price is fearless when it comes to chasing down criminals. It's his difficult ex-wife, rebellious teenage daughter, and dysfunctional siblings that keep him awake at night. In charge of the family business, the Prodigal Recovery Agency, he thinks of himself as a shepherd of sorts. When his "flock" is out of his control, Greg's well-ordered universe falls into chaos.

Prodigal Recovery's search for Zeena, a prostitute on the run, leads to a faulty arrest, complicating Greg's business. He is thrown together with Zeena's twin, the beautiful Annie, and the two find themselves on a desperate search. The stakes significantly increase when Greg's daughter is kidnapped. Now, to save someone he loves, Greg must risk everything.but will it be enough.

If you would like to read a Prologue excerpt from Shepherd's Fall, go HERE.

The Firstborn by Conlan Brown

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Firstborn
(Realms - May 5, 2009)
by
Conlan Brown


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in 1984, Conlan Brown was functionally illiterate until the fifth grade, when he learned how to read and write, as well as a love of story, from his grandmother. Conlan went on to start college at the age of sixteen, and now holds a Master's degree in Communication, which taught him the academic principles needed to write Firstborn.

Conlan lives on Colorado's Front Range where he is working on his next book. He enjoys video editing, film scores, and developing high octane, thought provoking fiction that turns pages and excites the senses.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

Three supernatural gifts. Two thousand years of division. One moment of truth.

Hannah's head hung, long brown hair in her eyes. Her face felt pasty with cold and fatigue and pain. Arms behind her back, she sat in a chair, wrists and ankles tied to the wooden frame, chair legs bolted to the floor. A cold car. A gun. Horror. Pain. Grief. Screaming. A windshield blistering with holes. Darkness.

It all came over her like a flood. A pouring out of pictures in her mind. But then there was one more thing. Not an image, but a feeling--that half a continent away someone else had felt it all happening too.

The Firstborn, those gifted with Foresight, Hindsight, and Insight at the time of Christ's death are divided between themselves. And when an Islamic holy man is murdered outside of his mosque it becomes apparent that one of the Firstborn was to blame. Now, with the threat of a terrorist attack on an unspeakable target the Firstborn are spiraling out of control. Leaders are dying, members are being kidnapped, and unity is being forced. Three heroes, differently gifted and divided must work together to thwart those who would go too far.

Their breakneck race against time plunges them into a world of danger and through a gauntlet across the United States. From the Riverwalk of San Antonio, where Devin Bathurst, John Temple, and Hannah Rice must protect one another from assassination, to the gritty streets of Washington DC, a paramilitary compound in Pennsylvania, and ultimately back to our nation's capital, the Firstborn must unite to prevent an impending atrocity from becoming reality.

Watch The Trailer



If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of The Firstborn, go HERE.

Spring Reading Thing 2009 Wrap-up

How many books did I read in the last three months? I had really been out of it with my book reading at the beginning of this year so I decided to start the challenge with a VERY conservative list. So without further delay, here are my results...

My original list...

#Turning the Paige by Laura Jensen Walker
#Deceived by James Scott Bell
#She's in a Better Place by Angela Hunt
Last Mango in Texas by Ray Blackston
Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
Picket Fence Promises by Kathryn Springer
The Secret by Beverly Lewis
Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Jones Gunn
Ghostwriter by Travis Thrasher
Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman
Nothing but Trouble by Susan May Warren

Spring Reading Thing 2009

Powered by Goodreads.com

In addition to my original list, I also finished these:

My Son, John by Kathi Macias
The Bossy Bridegroom by Mary Connealy
Four Little Blessings by Merrillee Whren
The Cowboy Takes a Bride by Debra Clopton
Bundle of Joy by Robin Lee Hatcher
#Age Before Beauty by Virginia Smith
Eight Little Faces by Kate Gosselin
The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter
#Shame by Greg Garrett
Play it Again, SAHM by Meredith Efken
Lost in Las Vegas by Melody Carlson
So Not Happening by Jenny B Jones
#The Night Watchman by Mark Mynheir
#Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay/Rene Gutteridge
#Breaking Up is Hard to Do by Anne Dayton/May Vanderbilt

Additional Books Read

Powered by Goodreads.com

I started out with my original list of eleven, then added fifteen more books that I read during the challenge. I had a few on the original list that I had been waiting on the library to receive their ordered copies, and much to my dismay, the library still hasn't gotten the Susan May Warren book, so I did have to get a copy of that on my own (which I didn't do until Thursday). One thing I figured out about myself during these challenges is that I don't want to let myself down by not getting to all the books on my list.

The books I deemed as some of my favorites are indicated above with a # sign, and I did find a couple of 'new to me' authors whose books I really enjoyed - Mark Mynheir and Greg Garrett.

I am definitely looking forward to participating in the next challenge in the fall. A big thanks to Katrina at Callapidder Days for being such a great hostess.

Never the Bride Bonus Spotlights

You've still got time (til midnight 6/23) to enter my giveaway for Never the Bride, but I just wanted to steer you in the direction of some great extras about this book from some of my friends here in the blogosphere.

Head over to Relz Reviewz for a great character spotlight on the lead character in the book, Jessie Stone. If you happen to be from AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND, you still have until June 28th, 2009, to enter for a chance to win a copy at Relz Reviewz.

Jen at So Many Books...So Little Time! has a couple of super interviews with the authors of the book, Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge that you do not want to miss.

Have a great weekend everyone...and happy reading!

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay & Rene Gutteridge

About Never the Bride:

Jessie Stone has spent thirty-five years fantasizing about marriage proposals, wedding dresses, and falling in love. She’s been a bridesmaid eleven times, waved dozens of couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember.

But shopping in the love-of-her-life department hasn't been quite as productive. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her. The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best…well, crushing. And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.

So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that God has a better love story than one of the thousands she’s cooked up in her journals? Will she trust Him with her pen when it appears her dreams of being the bride are forever lost?

A romantic comedy with a spiritual twist, Never the Bride is what it means to lose control—and getting more than any woman could ever imagine.

About the authors:

Cheryl McKay is the co-author (with Frank Peretti) of the Wild and Wacky, Totally True Bible Stories series, which has sold nearly 200,000 copies, and the screenwriter of the award-winning film The Ultimate Gift.

Rene Gutteridge has published thirteen novels including Ghost Writer, My Life as a Doormat, the Boo Series, the Occupational Hazards Series, and the Storm Series. Together, McKay and Gutteridge are the authors of The Ultimate Gift, a novelization based on the feature film and popular book by the same title.

My thoughts:

Never the Bride takes a serious subject, finding your life's partner, and turns it into an uproarious adventure as Jessie tries to shed her 'Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride' persona. A story that goes to show you that when God shows up, you never know what will happen. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll want to read this book again and again.

Would you like a chance to win a copy of this book?

I have the privilege of giving away one copy of Never the Bride, thanks to Waterbrook/Multnomah. If you'd like to win and you're a US resident, please leave a comment that INCLUDES YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION (you at yoohoo dot com) by midnight Tuesday (June 23rd, 2009), and I will announce/contact the winner on June 24th.

"Waiting On' Wednesday"

Whoo-hoo - I just found this on amazon! I really enjoyed the first two books in this series, and can't wait to read this one.

About Becca by the Book:

Adventurous and fun-loving Becca Daniels loves the rush of new experiences and is constantly pushing the envelope—trying everything from extreme sports, to wild hair colors, to skydiving. So when a broken leg grounds her temporarily, Becca doesn’t take the interruption well.

Grumpy, restless, and at loose ends, Becca bristles one day when some of her Getaway Girls Book Club friends tease her about being commitment-phobic. To prove them wrong, Becca impulsively promises to accept a date with the next guy who asks her out; and to date him for three months or twenty-five dates—whichever comes first.

Unfortunately, the first invitation comes from Ben—too “churchy” and definitely not Becca’s type. Determined to win the bet, however, the two embark on a hilarious series of dates that plunge the outspoken, purple-haired Becca into a sea of church potlucks and prayer meetings.

Ultimately, the dating experiment opens Becca’s eyes to a new perspective on her life’s purpose and a new understanding of who’s directing her path—an epiphany that could lead to her biggest adventure yet.

It's release date is January 2010 and it's published by Zondervan.

"Waiting On' Wednesdays" is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. So join in - what are you Waiting On?

Winner of Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes...

According to the random sequence generator, which gave me this result:

3, 11, 10, 4, 2, 13, 15, 8, 5, 14, 6, 7, 1, 9, 12

Gail's name corresponds with #3, making her the winner. I sincerely appreciate all of you taking the time to stop by and entering yourselves in the giveaway.

Blessings all - and happy reading!

A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Bride In The Bargain
(Bethany House - June 1, 2009)
by
Deeanne Gist


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Deeanne Gist, the bestselling author of A Bride Most Begrudging and The Measure of a Lady, has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People magazine, Parents, and Parenting. With a line of parenting products called "I Did It!® Productions" and a degree from Texas A&M, she continues her writing and speaking. She and her family live in Houston, Texas.

Since the debut of those novels, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, two RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Wedding Is All Planned...
Someone Just Needs to Tell the Bride

In 1860s Seattle, redwoods were plentiful but women scarce. Yet a man with a wife could secure 640 acres of timberland for free.

Joe Denton doesn't have a wife, though. His died before she could follow him to Seattle and now the local judge is threatening to take away his claim. In desperation, he buys himself a Mercer bride--one of the eastern widows and orphans brought to the Territory by entrepreneur Asa Mercer.

Anna Ivey's journey west with Mercer is an escape from the aftermath of the Civil War. She signed on to become a cook--not a bride. When she's handed over to Denton, her stubborn refusal to wed jeopardizes his land. With only a few months before he loses all he holds dear, can he convince this provoking, but beguiling, easterner to become his lawfully wedded wife?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bride In The Bargain, go HERE.