In That Certain Spark, the reader once again visits Gooding, Texas where a few of the characters from earlier books make brief appearances. The town has just welcomed (well half-way welcomed) their new doctor and veterinarian, twins Enoch and Taylor Bestman. Unfortunately they expected the twins to be brothers and Taylor turned out to be (horrors) a woman! Needless to say, at that point in history, women doctors were fairly unusual and mostly unwelcome, especially in small town Texas so Taylor had a nearly impossible task to prove herself capable of the job.
Taylor’s first patient is Karl Van Der Vort who is one of the most adamantly opposed to a woman doctor. When she saves his life and leg, Karl becomes her self-appointed protector while letting her know at every opportunity that he is not in favor of women serving in her profession. And independent Taylor certainly didn’t particularly appreciate a stubborn bodyguard.
Filled with Hake’s trademark humor and witty dialogue, a touch of suspense, and keen spiritual content, That Certain Spark certainly lives up to its title. Be sure to pick up a copy and watch as the sparks fly.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
As Pride Meets Attraction Head-On, Sparks Begin to Fly!
Gooding, Texas, is about to gain a double blessing–a veterinarian and a doctor. But when siblings Enoch and Taylor Bestman arrive, the discovery that the long-awaited doctor is in fact a woman has the town up in arms. Karl Van der Vort is no exception, though he becomes Taylor’s first patient…against his will.
Karl finds he can’t deny Taylor’s doctoring skills, but he also can’t come to terms with her unladylike occupation. Taylor, on the other hand, wants only to prove that doctoring is her life’s calling, despite the town’s opposition. But when her practice–and Taylor herself–are threatened, Karl’s protectiveness flares into a different emotion altogether.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
As a child, Cathy Marie Hake had an imaginary playmate. Now “grown up,” she indulges in a host of imaginary friends as she writes. She teasingly says she decided if those voices in her head were talking, she might as well write down what they said and make a living by doing it. She met her sweetheart in the High School department at church and married him after finishing nursing school. They live in Southern California and have two children and two dogs (one of them even moos – one of the dogs that is, not the kids). Faith in God, a loving family, and a wacky sense of the ridiculous keep her going.
Known for surfing across the kitchen on a dropped dill pickle slice, waterskiing on sea anemone spit, and using Right Guard® as hair spray; she considers herself living proof that God does, indeed, possess a healthy sense of humor.
Cathy loves classical music, romantic getways with her husband, and Diet Pepsi Free®. “I need chocolate to survive, love my friends, and enjoy a deep personal relationship with the Lord. Although an extrovert, I’m very conservative on a personal level.”
In her writing, Cathy attempts to capture a unique glimpse of life and how a man and woman can overcome obstacles when motivated by love. In her inspirational pieces she enjoys the freedom of showing how Christ can enrich a loving couple’s relationship.
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 70 novels. She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.
Ephesians 1:18 has become a cornerstone verse for a new non-fiction book she’s been working on — its also become a cornerstone in her life. The verse reads, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”
Tracie and her family live in Belgrade, Montana.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Newly widowed Lydia Sellers discovers that through an unforeseen fluke, she is the sole recipient of her husband’s fortune. But instead of granting her security, it only causes strife as her adult stepchildren battle to regain the inheritance for themselves.
Lydia, longing to put the memories of her painful marriage behind her, determines to travel to Alaska to join her aunt. Lydia’s arrival in Sitka, however, brings two things she didn’t expect.
One is the acquaintance of Kjell Bjorklund, the handsome owner of the sawmill. Second is the discovery that she is pregnant with her dead husband’s child. What will this mean for her budding relationship with Kjell? And what lengths will her stepchildren go to reclaim their father’s fortune? Lydia soon finds her life–and that of her child’s–on the line.
Learn more about Tracie and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
Dawn’s Prelude is another fine example of why Tracie Peterson quickly became one of my must-read authors. Her writing flows in such a way that I find her books difficult to put down. Her characters have a depth as well as a familiarity – they could be someone you know and/or love. The story contains many of the vital elements that I find essential to a good book. It has action, drama, danger, suspense, some humor, and a sweet romance. The good characters are not Pollyannas nor are the bad ones 100% evil but are well balanced enough to be realistic. In Dawn’s Prelude, Peterson has touched on some difficult issues including domestic abuse, ethnic prejudice, and loss of faith. The spiritual dialogue is natural without being preachy.
All-in-all, Dawn’s Prelude is a wonderful read with plenty of excitement and romance in a historic Alaskan setting. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good historical romance with a touch of suspense. If you haven’t read any of Tracie’s other novels, Dawn’s Prelude would be a good place to start. You won’t be sorry.
I have one copy of You Were Born For This to give away today. To enter the drawing, leave a comment on this post by Wednesday, September 16. I will announce the winner on Thursday, September 17.
His New York Times phenomenon The Prayer of Jabez changed how millions pray.
Now Bruce Wilkinson wants to change what they do next.
MY REVIEW:
You Were Born For This (subtitled “7 Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles”) is a book about what my pastor might call “intentional living”. In his newest book, Bruce Wilkinson lays out a plan that teaches the average believer how to partner with God and the Holy Spirit to impact others through everyday miracles.
You Were Born For This is written in an almost conversational style that is easy to read and follow and is separated into sections with points that is reminiscent of common sermon styles. Mr. Wilkinson fleshes out his teaching with narratives of the experiences of himself and others who have followed these keys.
Don’t let the word “miracles” throw you. This book is not about showy miracles such as instantaneous healings where the blind see, the deaf hear, or the lame walk (not to say that couldn’t happen); but instead seems to illustrate what some might call divine appointments or words of knowledge that make a difference in the other person’s life. Usually the miracle is that God will send a believer who is particularly equipped to answer a specific need or prayer for someone else.
Why are experiences of the miraculous so rare for most people?
What if God wanted you to experience them on a regular basis?
What if ordinary people like you and me are invited to partner with God to deliver them to others?
So if you have ever wondered why God is not using you more or would like the answers to the above questions (from flyleaf), I would recommend that you purchase your own copy of You Were Born For This. You just might be like me and be eager to try these keys out yourself. Mr. Wilkinson makes so much sense and his keys are so simple that you will wonder why we have never learned this before now.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Anyone can do a good deed, but some good works can only happen by a direct intervention from God. Around the world these acts are called miracles—not that even religious people expect to see one any time soon. But what would happen if millions of ordinary people walked out each morning expecting God to deliver a miracle through them to a person in need? You Were Born for This starts with the dramatic premise that everyone at all times is in need of a miracle, and that God is ready to meet those needs supernaturally through ordinary people who are willing to learn how Heaven works.
In the straightforward, story-driven, highly motivating style for which he is known, Wilkinson describes how anyone can help others experience miracles in such universally significant arenas of life as finances, practical help, relationships, purpose, and spiritual growth.
You Were Born for This will change how readers see their world, and what they expect God can do through them to meet real needs. They will master seven simple tools of service, and come to say with confidence, “I want to deliver a supernatural gift from God to someone in need today—and now I know how!”
To learn how to purchase your own copy of You Were Born For This click here.
For more resources and to download the first chapter of Your Were Born For This, go to the website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
One of the world’s foremost Christian teachers, Bruce Wilkinson is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller The Prayer of Jabez. He is also the author of numerous other bestsellers, including A Life God Rewards, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. Over the past three decades, Wilkinson has founded several global initiatives, including organizations that recruited and trained thousands of Americans to address hunger, AIDS, and poverty in Africa. Bruce and his wife, Darlene, have three children and six grandchildren. They live outside Atlanta.
David Kopp has collaborated with Bruce Wilkinson on over a dozen bestselling books, including The Prayer of Jabez. He is an editor and writer living in Colorado.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Award-winning author Shelley Adina wrote her first teen novel when she was 13. It was rejected by the literary publisher to whom she sent it, but he did say she knew how to tell a story. That was enough to keep her going through the rest of her adolescence, a career, a move to another country, a B.A. in Literature, an M.A. in Writing Popular Fiction, and countless manuscript pages.
Shelley is a world traveler and pop culture junkie with an incurable addiction to designer handbags. She writes books about fun and faith–with a side of glamour. Between books, Shelley loves traveling, playing the piano and Celtic harp, watching movies, and making period costumes.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Finals week is approaching and Mac is still undecided on where to spend the holidays. Normally she’d go home to Scotland, but spending two weeks alone in the castle with her dad isn’t as appealing as it used to be. So she invites Carly, Lissa, Gillian, and Shani to join her for the holidays!
Mac is determined to make this the best Christmas ever. She even decides to organize the traditional Hogmany dance for New Year’s Eve. If she can get her mother involved in the dance, maybe her parents will finally get back together.
But when Mac and the girls arrive in Scotland, they are faced with bad news: the castle is falling apart and Mac’s parents are struggling financially. Not only that, but Shani is in big trouble with Prince Rashid’s royal family. Can the girls find a way to celebrate the holidays, get Mac’s parents back together, save the castle, and rescue Shani from her relentless pursuers? There’s only one way to find out…
Tidings of Great Boys is book number five in the All About Us series. This installment is written from Mac’s point of view and finds her and her private school friends Carly, Lissa, Gillian and Shani preparing for and celebrating their winter vacation at the Scottish castle belonging to Mac’s family. With plenty of humor, drama and of course fashion, Tidings of Great Boys covers real life issues from a teen’s viewpoint. As in the previous books, Adina handles these issues with tact and wisdom and hopefully leaves the reader better prepared to handle life’s realities. I only wish these had been available when my daughter was a teen. I give Tidings of Great Boys and the entire series an A+.
Michelle Sutton, otherwise known as the Edgy Inspirational Author, is Editor-in-chief of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, a member of ACFW, a social worker by trade, and a prolific reader/book reviewer/blogger the rest of the time.
She lives in Arizona with her husband of nineteen years and her two teenaged sons. Michelle is also the author of It’s Not about Me (2008) and It’s Not About Him (Sheaf House 2009). She has nine other titles releasing over the next three years.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Upon her fiancé’s death, Laney became a recluse who only left her home for emergencies. She managed to survive – barely – on food delivery service and her work-at-home job. When she tries to move on from her grief, the commemorative meal she orders is ruined. However, it leads to an unlikely friendship with an attractive man, Bojan, who speaks little English.
As he befriends Laney he continually says the wrong things, but he doesn’t give up trying to win her trust. Meanwhile, she has this strange feeling of being watched and wonders if she’s losing her mind.
Complicating things further, every time she leaves her house something bad happens, confirming that she is safer at home. Can Bojan convince Laney she’ll be safe with him, or will his presence put her in further danger? Will he be able to protect the woman he loves before it’s too late?
Danger at the Door is a quick read filled with suspense, humor, and just the right amount of romantic tension. The story moves at the perfect pace with mishaps spaced at ideal intervals to keep the suspense building. Danger at the Door also contains a strong spiritual element that enhances rather than detracts from the storyline. All-in-all, Danger at the Door is an excellent book that would be great to curl up with over the weekend.
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As a child, Cathy Marie Hake had an imaginary playmate. Now “grown up,” she indulges in a host of imaginary friends as she writes. She teasingly says she decided if those voices in her head were talking, she might as well write down what they said and make a living by doing it. She met her sweetheart in the High School department at church and married him after finishing nursing school. They live in Southern California and have two children and two dogs (one of them even moos – one of the dogs that is, not the kids). Faith in God, a loving family, and a wacky sense of the ridiculous keep her going.
I have one copy of 
Anyone can do a good deed, but some good works can only happen by a direct intervention from God. Around the world these acts are called miracles—not that even religious people expect to see one any time soon. But what would happen if millions of ordinary people walked out each morning expecting God to deliver a miracle through them to a person in need? You Were Born for This starts with the dramatic premise that everyone at all times is in need of a miracle, and that God is ready to meet those needs supernaturally through ordinary people who are willing to learn how Heaven works.
One of the world’s foremost Christian teachers, Bruce Wilkinson is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller The Prayer of Jabez. He is also the author of numerous other bestsellers, including A Life God Rewards, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. Over the past three decades, Wilkinson has founded several global initiatives, including organizations that recruited and trained thousands of Americans to address hunger, AIDS, and poverty in Africa. Bruce and his wife, Darlene, have three children and six grandchildren. They live outside Atlanta.
Award-winning author Shelley Adina wrote her first teen novel when she was 13. It was rejected by the literary publisher to whom she sent it, but he did say she knew how to tell a story. That was enough to keep her going through the rest of her adolescence, a career, a move to another country, a B.A. in Literature, an M.A. in Writing Popular Fiction, and countless manuscript pages.
