“After September” is an easy-to-read contemporary novel about divorce recovery. Of course it is much more than that. You could also say it is a novel about self-discovery as well as about how the plans we make are not necessarily the plans the Lord has for us. At least that is what Rose Davis found out.
I enjoyed reading about Rose and how she pretty much burned all her bridges before purchasing a cottage in the Caribbean. Although her primary intention was to heal from a sudden and unexpected divorce, Rose soon learned that God had different plans for her life and the life of her daughter also. As is often the case, the road to God’s best for Rose was not particularly a straight and smooth one and she had to overcome some major obstacles along the way but her reward was a new and better love and a renewed and improved relationship with the Lord. What could be better?
“After September” is the first book I’ve read by Stephanie Smith but I plan to keep my eyes open for more of her work in the future.
A free copy of this book was provided for review by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
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From the outside, Rose Davis had the perfect life: a long marriage to a successful politician, two grown children away at college, and respect within her community. When she suddenly finds herself divorced, she turns her back on God.
In an effort to reclaim her life and pride, she spends the summer in the Caribbean. Her plan does not include meeting Patrick, the charismatic local doctor with a tragic past who ignites a passion both unexpected and thrilling.
As she begins to open up to love, doubt and fear creep in. Once again she finds herself broken hearted, left on her own to pick up the pieces. It’s only when she experiences the unmistakable love and grace from the very One she turned away from that Rose realizes what she needed most was there waiting for her all along.
Stephanie’s love of the written word began long before she could read. As a child she would hold a newspaper in hand and move her fingers along the page, pretending to read along.
By the time she was a teenager, she dreamed of writing stories that would touch people’s lives, much like hers had been by so many authors.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest and enjoys listening to Christian rock music while she writes, spending time with her family, watching British television, or reading YA fantasy novels.
GUEST POST FROM STEPHANIE SMITH:
I’m so excited to work with Sandra and Celebrate Lit to launch my debut novel AFTER SEPTEMBER which I’ve come to see as a labor of love and trust in the Lord.
You see, becoming a published author has always been my dream, but every time I’d try to write a novel, the inner critic would kick in and stop me in my tracks. I’d write a few paragraphs before giving up, unhappy with all my written imperfections. So, I continued my day job and the idea of writing a novel, let alone publishing it, became less and less realistic. For some reason I never lost that kernel of hope that it might happen one day. God was speaking to me then, I just didn’t realize it.
In 2010 I was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After six months of intensive chemotherapy, I was in remission and had the strongest desire to write a novel. At first, the idea was to write a fictional story based on my experience. As I started to write, it just didn’t feel right. I then switched to writing a memoir, but that too fell flat. Frustrated, I gave up on writing once again.
Fast forward to 2013 and the idea of AFTER SEPTEMBER came to me. The premise was about a woman who goes through a divorce, spends a summer in the Caribbean and has a summer fling. The idea was so strong I began to write. I couldn’t help but write. As the story spoke to me, I kept this mantra in my head: “Just write. Just write.” I was finally able to quell my inner critic and nine months later, completed the first draft. Boy did I feel accomplished! Well, the feeling didn’t last very long. After getting feedback from a few beta readers, I re-wrote the entire story in a different point of view.
When I finished I realized I had to put this story in a box. A genre box. Was it women’s fiction? A romance? Christian or secular? After reading more about these genres I realized I’d made a big mistake. I hadn’t identified my brand from the get-go and the story didn’t really fit in any genre. Too secular for the Christian market; too Christian for the secular. It makes sense to me now why the first round of agent queries were declined.
I began to pray in earnest, seeking God’s will for this story. I felt He’d led me to write Rose’s story and realized my agenda had gotten in the way. Why would God have me write a story with pre-marital sex? The answer is He wouldn’t. Once my heart was satisfied I knew the direction He wanted me to go, I was back to the drawing board. Once again, I re-wrote AFTER SEPTEMBER. This time I kept my Christian viewpoint in mind and after the third re-write the final version was born.
Well, life has a funny way of stopping you in your tracks. I’d begun querying agents for the second version, and in June 2014 my cancer came back. You’ve got to be kidding me!
Okay, Lord. I trust you. I put my faith in You.
Another six months of intensive chemo put me back in remission. PRAISE GOD! I resumed my agent query and again met with rejection after rejection. This didn’t stop me. By this point I was bound and determined AFTER SEPTEMBER would be released. My hopes were raised when a small publisher I’d have given anything to work with wanted to read the entire manuscript. With baited breath I waited. When the disappointed rejection came, I nearly gave up. But God had other plans. See, when I placed my trust in Him, I had to accept His will, not mine. His time, not mine.
The last on my list to query before going the self-pub route was Desert Breeze Publishing. I submitted my story with the expectation of another rejection. Around January 1st of 2016 I received THE e-mail I’d dreamed about: an offer for a contract. I was in shock. THANK YOU LORD!! Nine months later, AFTER SEPTEMBER has been published. I want to pinch myself. I feel it’s all a dream and I’ll wake up.
A dream that began in my early teens took until my mid-forties to come to fruition. What I’ve realized is writing isn’t a dream but a calling. God knew this and remained patient with me as I finally figured that out. A calling to give women hope while reading a romance novel. Such became my tagline: “stories of life…love..hope”
What I’ve learned from this is to never give up on your dreams. Never stop believing God has something in store for your life, even when it seems like you are living one struggle after another. He is faithful to His promises!
Over the years I have read many novels about pioneers who travel west by wagon train but “Mattie’s Pledge” is the first one I’ve encountered that features the Amish. I found their story to be interesting, especially the contrast in their views from other settlers toward protecting themselves and their property.
When Mattie’s family decides to move west to a new settlement in Indiana, she was eager to go. Mattie had a good case of what many might call wanderlust and felt that if she could just see what was over the mountains, the emptiness in her soul would be filled. Jacob Yoder, Mattie’s childhood friend, and his family are part of the group of travelers. All Jacob wants is a home of his own and hopefully Mattie as his wife. Although they care for each other, neither of them quite understands the other’s dreams. The Amish travelers’ trail is dogged by a group of men who are intent on stealing their horses and one of them has his eyes on Mattie. Danger seems imminent but only Jacob seems to discern the threat.
Overall, “Mattie’s Pledge” was an enjoyable story but I did grow frustrated with Mattie and her sometimes foolish actions. I was also disappointed that the author did not take the opportunity to illustrate that the emptiness Mattie felt could only be filled by the Lord. Nevertheless, I believe that most fans of Amish fiction should love “Mattie’s Pledge.
A free copy of this book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When she feels the pull of both home and the horizon, which will she choose?
Mattie Schrock is no stranger to uprooting her life. Even as her father relocated her family from one Amish community to the next, she always managed to find a footing in their new homes. Now as the Schrock family plans to move west from Somerset County to a fledgling Amish settlement in Indiana, she looks forward to connecting with old friends who will be joining them from another Pennsylvania community–friends like Jacob Yoder, who has always held a special place in her heart.
Since Mattie last saw Jacob, they’ve both grown into different people with different dreams. Jacob yearns to settle down, but Mattie can’t help but dream of what may lie over the western horizon. When a handsome Englisher tempts her to leave the Amish behind to search for adventure in the West, will her pledge to Jacob be the anchor that holds her secure?
Tender, poignant, and gentle, Mattie’s Pledge offers you a glimpse into Amish life in the 1840s–and into the yearning heart of a character you’ll not soon forget.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jan Drexler brings a unique understanding of Amish traditions and beliefs to her writing. Her ancestors were among the first Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren immigrants to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Their experiences are the basis for her stories. Jan lives in South Dakota with her husband, their four adult children, two active dogs, and a cat. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking the Black Hills and the Badlands. She is the author of the Love Inspired novels The Prodigal Son Returns, A Mother for His Children, and A Home for His Family (September 2015).
Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal is a colorful little book with a hardboard cover. Inside the reader will find devotional sections that begin with a prayer and scripture then includes a section to record her thoughts. Almost every page has outlined images to color. Some areas already have touches of color added.
This little book would be perfect for the weeks approaching Thanksgiving. How appropriate it would be to spend some quiet time with the Lord to prepare your heart for the holiday season ahead. This sweet book would also make a nice gift for friends and family – perhaps even an older child or teen.
I have read and have been encouraged by the prayers and scriptures and hope to find more time to relax and color in the midst of my demanding review schedule.
A free copy of this book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal invites you to bring creative journaling and the calming act of coloring into your quiet time with God. This beautifully designed interactive prayer book from Tyndale’s Living Expressions collection helps guide your thoughts as you pray about concerns such as health, overcoming stress, personal relationships, and more. Gratitude gives you a way to celebrate and give thanks to God for the many blessings he provides. Filled with over 100 designs to color, plenty of space for journaling and sketching, and 40 needs-based prayers, Gratitude helps you express your devotion to God with your whole heart!
So what happens when one falls in love with the person they want to see punished? Dani Prescott finds out when she encounters Brett Somers, the man who destroyed her mother’s reputation. One encounter leads to another – Dani can’t seem to escape the man. And as she learns more about him, her compassionate nature softens her heart toward him.
Yes, Brett is the character from “Where She Belongs” that I really didn’t like. Fortunately, since he is the hero of “When Love Arrives”, my heart softened toward him much as Dani’s did. I really enjoyed the banter between Dani and Brett and liked watching their relationship develop despite the secrets both held close. I found myself totally immersed in their story and was sorry to reach the last page.
“When Love Arrives” is an emotionally charged story of forgiveness and restoration with a strong dose of romance. I have loved this series thus far and am eagerly looking forward to the next installment.
A free copy of this book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Dani had planned to spy on Brett–so how did she end up on a date with him?
Dani Prescott can’t believe the lie Brett Somers is trying to sell to the media. During an interview about the plane crash that killed his parents, he blamed Dani’s mother. But the crash killed her as well. Vowing to restore her mother’s reputation, Dani has been following Brett and taking photos, hoping to find something she can use to discredit him. But when she catches his eye instead, she quickly finds herself agreeing to a date. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something–but he’s got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is?
Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides and Where She Belongs. Johnnie is an accomplished essayist and poet whose work has appeared in the Guideposts anthology A Cup of Christmas Cheer. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and taking road trips. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee.
I have come to look forward each year to Melody Carlson’s annual short Christmas novel. I know I will open its pages to find a heart-warming story that is perfect for the holiday season and I know that within its pages I will also find encouragement and inspiration. “The Christmas Angel Project” thoroughly lived up to my expectations.
Several women meet together to discuss books each month but when their unofficial group leader dies unexpectedly, its members fully expect the group to fall apart without Abby. When each member receives a personalized handmade angel from Abby, they decide to honor her memory with one last special project. To their surprise their project knits their hearts together and has a far greater impact on their lives than they could have imagined.
“The Christmas Angel Project” is beautifully written with just the right characters and circumstances to touch the reader’s heart. I loved how each woman’s special project brought unexpected surprises and blessings to her and others. Another beautiful Christmas book from Melody Carlson that could be a great start for your own Christmas tradition!
A free copy of this book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own..
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Abby Wentworth is the glue that holds her book club together. So when she unexpectedly passes away on the cusp of the Christmas season, the rest of the women in the group are stunned, saddened, and sure that, without her, the group can’t continue.
They gather “one last time” to open gifts Abby left behind, little knowing how it will change each of their lives–forever.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington’s, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, the Life at Kingston High series, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. She is the winner of a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. Melody and her husband live in Oregon.
For more information about Melody visit her website at www.melodycarlson.com.
Mike Nappa was an unknown author to me when I chose to review “Annabel Lee”. That particular novel was a bit more violent than what I usually read but the story was so clever and compelling plus I loved Trudi and Samuel that I couldn’t help but agree to review “The Raven” also. I really wanted to catch up with the Coffey and Hill team. I was not disappointed.
In the latest installment with a nod to Edgar Allen Poe, a young street magician known as the Raven finds himself in over his head with the Ukrainian Mafia. Samuel is sent to find out if there is any truth to something big might be going down soon – something rumored to have the code name of “Nevermore”. Then there is Mama Bliss who has connections because of her business and seems to know everything going on in her neighborhood. Everyone knows she still grieves her grandson but Mama Bliss has some secrets that would surprise most people. Somehow all these people interconnect in one way or another to the point that it is sometimes difficult to tell exactly what is really going on. But by the end, everything comes together and makes a bit more sense.
“The Raven” is not nearly as violent as “Annabel Lee” but it does have its moments. I really felt for poor Raven even though he probably asked for some of what he got. Despite his sticky fingers, he was actually a likeable fellow. And even with their past history, I can’t help but hope Trudi and Samuel will end up back together.
Mike Nappa, you have captured my imagination with your Poe themed books and I will have to read each and every one of them in this series. Superb writing and unique stories come together to make several hours of intense reading. If you enjoy good suspense novels, take a chance on both “The Raven” and “Annabel Lee”.
A free copy of this book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
As part of his street performance, a deception specialist who goes by the name The Raven picks his audience’s pockets while they watch. It’s harmless fun–until he decides to keep the wallet of a prominent politician, hoping for a few extra bucks. When he finds compromising photos of the councilman and his “personal assistants,” The Raven hatches a plan to blackmail the man. However, he quickly finds himself in over his head with the Ukrainian Mafia and mired in a life-threatening plot code-named “Nevermore.”
Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill must scramble to sort out the clues to rescue The Raven from a wild card bent on revenge.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mike Nappa is an entertainment journalist at FamilyFans.com, as well as a bestselling and award-winning author with more than one million books sold worldwide. When he was a kid, the stories of Edgar Allan Poe scared him silly. Today he owns everything Poe ever wrote. A former fiction acquisitions editor, Mike earned his MA in English literature and now writes full time.
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Stephanie’s love of the written word began long before she could read. As a child she would hold a newspaper in hand and move her fingers along the page, pretending to read along.
Jan Drexler brings a unique understanding of Amish traditions and beliefs to her writing. Her ancestors were among the first Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren immigrants to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Their experiences are the basis for her stories. Jan lives in South Dakota with her husband, their four adult children, two active dogs, and a cat. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking the Black Hills and the Badlands. She is the author of the Love Inspired novels The Prodigal Son Returns, A Mother for His Children, and A Home for His Family (September 2015).
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington’s, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, the Life at Kingston High series, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. She is the winner of a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. Melody and her husband live in Oregon.
Mike Nappa is an entertainment journalist at FamilyFans.com, as well as a bestselling and award-winning author with more than one million books sold worldwide. When he was a kid, the stories of Edgar Allan Poe scared him silly. Today he owns everything Poe ever wrote. A former fiction acquisitions editor, Mike earned his MA in English literature and now writes full time.
