Jody has written novels for the last 18 years (with a hiatus when her children were young). After many years of writing and honing her skills, she finally garnered national attention with her double final in the Genesis Contest, a fiction-writing contest for unpublished writers through ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).
Her first published book, The Preacher’s Bride (2010 Bethany House Publishers), hit the CBA Best Seller list on two different occasions and has won multiple awards.
Her second book, The Doctor’s Lady, released this September. She has completed a third book which will be released in 2012. She’s currently busy researching and writing another book!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Priscilla White knows she’ll never be a wife or mother and feels God’s call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.
Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God’s leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.
Learn more about Jody and her books on her Website.
Watch the book trailer:
MY REVIEW: The Doctor’s Lady may be one of the best historical novels of the year. With well developed characters, a well paced plot, drama, adventures, and romance, this story has something for everyone.Featuring Priscilla and Eli who both feel a strong call to be missionaries but each of them have run into a huge obstacle. The missions board will not accept unmarried missionaries. Although Priscilla had her heart set on India, she reluctantly agreed to Eli’s persuasion to marry him in name only and go west with him to the Oregon Territory to minister to the natives. Their seven month trek over what is now known as the Oregon Trail was a grueling adventure that pitted them against raging rivers, blazing sun, torrential downpours, disease, unfriendly tribes, and dishonest guides. Priscilla’s naivete and lack of preparation for the hardships of the mission field were tempered by her zeal and determination. Her situation was so typical of how even today we see missionaries who are sent to foreign lands with very little idea of what they will really encounter.
Eli doubted Priscilla’s ability to withstand the rigors of the trail but he grudgingly learned to respect her persistence and grew to love her in spite of his plans to remain single. In turn, Priscilla grew to care for Eli as she came to depend on his strength and tenderness. Each privately longed for a true marriage but neither of them could overcome their own self-doubt enough to totally trust the other. Only their faith and the Lord could ultimately bring them together as man and wife.
I truly enjoyed The Doctor’s Lady and highly recommend it to lovers of historical fiction. This is one book you need on your keeper shelf.
While I have been writing for what feels like my whole life, I began seriously studying the craft in 2000. Since then I have completed five novels, had several pieces published in local periodicals, attended six writing conferences and managed to final in ACFW’s Genesis contest in 2006, 2008, and 2009. My first historical novel, Wings of a Dream, will be released in September 2011, with another historical novel to follow in 2012. But writing is only a piece of my life.
I am mostly just a woman trying to live her life in a manner pleasing to the Lord. That involves being a wife to Jeff and a mother to my three teenagers–neither role coming easily but both roles stretching me, requiring me to press in closer to Jesus. And because of this, Jesus has taken an insecure, fearful, sometimes angry girl and is turning her into a more trusting, peaceful, grace-filled woman. At least some of the time. There is still such a long way to go!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Rebekah Hendricks dreams of a life far beyond her family’s farm in Oklahoma, and when dashing aviator Arthur Samson promised adventure in the big city, she is quick to believe he’s the man she’s meant to marry. While she waits for the Great War to end and Arthur to return to her so they can pursue all their plans, her mother’s sister falls ill. Rebekah seizes the opportunity to travel to Texas to care for Aunt Adabelle, seeing this chance to be closer to Arthur’s training camp as God’s approval of her plans.
But the Spanish flue epidemic changes everything. Faced with her aunt’s death, Arthur’s indecisiveness, and four children who have no one else to care for them, Rebekah is torn between the desire to escape the type of life she’s always led and the unexpected love that just might change the dream of her heart.
Learn more about Anne and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
Wings of A Dream was an enjoyable historical romance that I breezed through in a day. Ann Mateer’s writing style flows so naturally that it is easy to lose oneself in the story. Her characters are fully developed with many that I loved and others that I really, really disliked.
I thought the author’s portrayal of Rebekah was excellent. Her attitude varied from one chapter to the next which is so common for a young woman of her age. Although her original motive in going to help her aunt was mostly selfish, Rebekah passed the test when difficulties arose. Her love and dedication to the motherless children revealed her true heart and the way she naturally took charge of the household and farm showed a maturity beyond her years. Even so, there were times when Rebekah fell back into her old habit of thinking only of herself. I liked the fact that each time that happened, Rebekah learned from it and grew up a little more. And in the end, she realized that even though true love and God’s plan for her life were not exactly what she had planned for herself, it was the perfect plan.
Rebekah’s story resonated with me because of similarities to my own life. I grew up in a small town/rural area and all I could think of was moving to the city once I was old enough. I never dreamed I would marry a farmer and move even further out in the country. Now I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
I really enjoyed Wings of A Dream and recommend it to anyone who loves a sweet historical romance with a few unexpected surprises.
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels. She received her first book contract in November, 1992 with Barbour Publishings’ Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. In 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers. She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests. Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family–especially her three grandchildren–Rainy, Fox and Max.
Judith Miller’s first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when she was commuting sixty miles to work each day. She wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. Through a co-worker, she was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from her. Having never met Tracie, Judith was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history. Since that first encounter many years ago, Judith has been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, she and Tracie had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, they have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy. ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Audrey Cunningham’s father proposes that they move to Bridal Veil Island, where he grew up, she agrees, thinking this will help keep him sober and close to God. But they arrive to find wealthy investors buying up land to build a grand resort on the secluded island–and they want the Cunninghams’ acreage.
Contractor Marshall Graham can’t imagine why the former drinking buddy of his deceased father would beckon him to Bridal Veil Island. And when Boyd Cunningham asks him to watch over Audrey, Marshall is even more confused. He has no desire to be saddled with caring for this fiery young woman who is openly hostile toward him. But when Audrey seems to be falling for another man–one who has two little girls Audrey adores–Marshall realizes she holds more of his heart than he realized. Which man will Audrey choose? And can she hold on to her ancestral property in the face of overwhelming odds?
Learn more about Tracie and her books on her Website.
Learn more about Judith and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
Summoned by Boyd Cunningham, an old friend of his deceased father, Marshall Graham reluctantly accepts a position overseeing the construction of a new exclusive resort for the wealthy on Bridal Veil Island. Both Marshall and Boyd’s daughter Audrey share unhappy memories as a result of their fathers’ alcoholism. In fact, Audrey believes that Marshall shares his father’s weakness and wants nothing to do with him. As time passes Marshall proves himself to be an honorable man and Audrey gradually begins to trust him. Despite numerous misunderstandings the pair find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. Delays, mishaps, and apparent sabotage plague the construction site and a sense of danger increases daily. Marshall attempts to find answers to the disruptions and Audrey’s efforts to help soon places her at risk.
Set in post Civil War Georgia on the idyllic fictional island of Bridal Veil, To Have and to Hold is a captivating tale filled with remarkable characters. Supporting cast includes one feisty, larger-than-life, shotgun wielding, elderly Aunty Thora who has never gotten over the “War of Northern Aggression”. She adds a touch of levity throughout the book. Vivid setting descriptions cause the reader to almost feel the sticky humidity and southern breezes among the live oaks of the island. A well paced plot is filled with drama, action, touches of mystery and suspense and a satisfying romance. A spiritual lesson primarily about trusting the Lord is woven unobtrusively throughout the narrative.
To Have and to Hold is just one more example why both Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller are longtime favorite authors of mine. If you enjoy historical romance or books about the south, To Have and to Hold should be on your to-read list.
Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of fifteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women’s fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and numerous grandchildren.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Ostracized by her tribe because of her white father, Lizzie Dawson lives alone in the mountains of Alaska, practicing the ways of her people even as she resides in the small cabin her father built for her mother. She dreams of reconciling with her grandparents to fulfill her mother’s dying request, but she has not yet found a way to bridge the gap that separate her from her tribe.
Clay Selby has always wanted to be like his father, a missionary who holds a great love for the native people and has brought many to God. Clay and his stepsister, Vivian, arrive in Alaska to set up a church and school among the Athbascan people. Clay is totally focused on this goal…until he meets a young, independent Indian woman with the most striking blue eyes he’s ever seen.
But Lizzie is clearly not part of the tribe, and befriending her might have dire consequences for his mission. Will Clay be forced to choose between his desire to minister to the natives and the quiet nudging of his heart?
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Whisper of Peace, go HERE.
Learn more about Kim and her books on her Website.
Sarah Sundin’s captivating novel Blue Skies Tomorrow is a fitting conclusion for her Wings of Glory series. Taking place on American soil, an English Air Force base and in the war torn fields and skies of Germany, this story plumbs the depths of human emotions. It reveals the masks people wear as they endeavor to keep hidden the secrets of their lives.
Helen Carlisle, a young war widow with a small son, has managed to hide the truth about her troubled marriage in order to protect her son. When forced to move in with her in-laws, she soon realizes just how deep the secrets have been buried.
Ray Novak, an Air Force trainer finds himself reassigned to a position in “supply” because the trainer jobs should be for the heroes who have actually flown in combat. Although all he really wants to do is be a pastor, he soon feels that he is less than a man because he is not actively involved in fighting the enemy.
Helen and Ray renew their acquaintance after many years. Although Ray’s memories of Sarah are from when she was little more than a child, he soon realizes that he cares deeply for her. Unfortunately, their past intrudes and the two end up oceans apart.
Blue Skies Tomorrow is a page turner that is filled with action, suspense, and romance. It had characters I loved, characters I despised, and a couple I wanted to shake some sense in. It was fun to renew acquaintances with characters from the first two books of the series. Although dead, Helen’s husband managed to control her life for much of the book. Although there were many crooks and turns, the finale was satisfying. I won’t say more because I fear spoiling the story for other readers.
If you enjoy historical fiction, especially that set during World War II, be sure to pick up Blue Skies Tomorrow and the first two books of the Wings of Glory series. They are all excellent.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
War Widow Fights The Past, American Pilot Fights For The Future
Award-Winning Author Delivers an Emotion-Packed,
Gripping Tale of War, Intrigue and Love
The country is still at war in Blue Skies Tomorrow (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3423-7, $14.99, 448 pages, August 2011) by award-winning author Sarah Sundin. It is 1944 and America longs for the war to be over so their boys can come home. This war has taken too many lives and made too many widows, orphans, and broken hearts. However, the homeland continues to pull together and buy bonds to support the troops, and Helen Carlisle has become the town’s war widow heroine. Doing her part with her son, she faithfully appears at community events asking people to support the troops. But deep down she is troubled. How much longer can she do this? Is she living a lie? Was her dead husband a hero? How can she live with the past?
Lt. Ray Novak prefers to follow his calling into ministry rather than the cockpit. But his current position offers him the luxury of a personal life since he is stateside training B-17 pilots. His interest in Helen, the young war widow, grows, but he knows she is hiding a painful past under a frenzy of volunteer work. Ray is called to fly a European combat mission at the peak of the air war. Their romance is tense because Helen is afraid, but Ray cannot help because he is in Europe. As Helen tries to make ends meet and confronts the past, Ray encounters a deadly enemy of his own. Will they find the courage to face their challenges? Will the truth come out? Will hope and redemption ring true for Helen?
The great era of World War II in Blue Skies Tomorrow is brought to life by Sundin in this emotion-packed novel.
Sarah Sundin received the 2011 Writer of the Year Award from the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and her second novel, A Memory Between Us, is a finalist for an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. She is the author of A Distant Melody and A Memory Between Us. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. For more interesting information about Sarah visit: sarahsundin.com
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