by admin | Feb 19, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
For Love of EliAbingdon Press (February 1, 2013)
by
Loree LoughABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With more than FOUR MILLION copies of her books in circulation, Loree has 98 books (fiction and non-fiction for kids and adults; four novels optioned for movies; more books slated for release between now and 2014), 68 short stories, over 2,500+ articles in print, and over 19,000 letters from fans!
Loree loves sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry, and her comedic approach makes her a favorite (and frequent) guest of writers’ organizations, book clubs, private and government institutions, college and high school writing programs both here and abroad.
A writer who believes in “giving back,” Loree dedicates a portion of her income to Soldiers’ Angels, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and other worthwhile organizations.
She splits her time between a tiny home in the Baltimore suburbs and an even tinier cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, and shares both with her real-life hero Larry, who rarely complains, even when she adds yet another item to her vast collection of “wolf stuff.”
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When unspeakable tragedy leaves young Eli an orphan, two families are devastated. But Taylor, Eli’s aunt and legal guardian, vows to help him remember his parents by creating a Memory Quilt. As she begins piecing together the moments of his parents’ lives, the story of the young family emerges and Taylor and Eli begin to heal. But Eli’s uncle Reece is slow to let go of the past and still blames Taylor’s brother for his sister’s death. So, although he has long been attracted to Taylor, Reece keeps a safe distance away. Can their shared love for Eli pave the way to forgiveness or will Taylor and Reece be separated by pain?
If you would like to read a first chapter excerpt of For Love of Eli, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
For Love of Eli is a quickly read, contemporary Christian romance that is one of the novels featured in the Abingdon Press Quilts of Love series. In this simple but engaging tale, Taylor finds healing for her grief as she stitches together a memory quilt for her nephew Eli who has lost both parents prematurely. And as Eli’s uncle Reese witnesses Taylor’s sacrificial love toward both Eli and himself, he gradually finds his resentment turning to something more.
I found it gratifying to observe Reese’s change of attitude as the story progressed. Not as strongly romantic as many novels of its genre, For Love of Eli is nevertheless an entertaining story with a strong message of faith for the reader.
by admin | Feb 13, 2013 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
DaybreakAvon Inspire; Original edition (February 12, 2013)
by
Shelley Shepard GrayABOUT 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.
Learn more about Shelley and her books on her Website.
Check out Shelley’s Facebook Fan page
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Viola Keim starts working at a nearby Mennonite retirement home, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with resident Atle, whose only living relative, son Edward, is living as a missionary in Nicaragua. Viola understands the importance of mission work, but she can’t imagine leaving her father in the hands of strangers. Even though her family is New Order Amish, it’s not the Amish way, and though she doesn’t know Ed, she judges him for abandoning his father.
But when Ed surprises his father with a visit, Viola and Ed both discover an attraction they never expected. Despite her feelings, choosing Ed would mean moving to a far-off country and leaving her family behind. She can’t do that. Her twin sister, Elsie, is going blind and will need someone to care for her all her life. Her family is reeling with the recent discovery that her grandmother hid her past as an Englischer. Her father seems forgetful and distracted—and to be harboring some secrets of his own.
Does Viola dare leave them all behind and forge her own life? Or will family ties mean her one chance at love slips away?
If you would like to read a first Chapter excerpt from Daybreak,go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Family secrets and family ties, ugly confrontations and reconciliation, lost love found and new love with difficult decisions to make – these are but a few topics the reader will find in Shelley Shepard Gray’s new novel Daybreak. Gray’s characters come alive as they wrestle with and resolve common problems with which many can relate, especially the family dynamics.
As the Keim family come face-to-face with difficult family secrets and wounds from their past, each of them must decide whether to forgive and grow in their faith and relationships or to let bitterness take over. An enjoyable and easily read novel, Daybreak also contains some valuable life lessons that are certain to leave most readers with food for thought about their own lives.
by admin | Feb 11, 2013 | Alaska, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
ShatteredBethany House Publishers (February 1, 2013)
by
Dani PettreyABOUT THE AUTHOR:
In real life, Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of one’s faith and plenty of romance. She’s a huge fan of dark chocolate, is always in search of the best iced mocha and her dream is to one day own a little cottage on a remote stretch of beach. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.
Just in case you’re curious…The real Dani does love traveling. She’s been to some amazing places (Greece, Hawaii, the Keys) and there are many more she hopes to visit in the future.
And while she’s not quite up to sky-diving, cave diving or heli-skiing (too high, too enclosed, too cold!) she and her family love hiking, canoeing, wave jumping and a ton of other outdoor adventures a little further down on the risk scale.
Dani is the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage, which includes her bestselling debut novel Submerged and latest release Shattered. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.
Learn more about Dani and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Piper McKenna couldn’t be more thrilled that her prodigal brother, Reef, has returned to Yancey, Alaska, after five years. But her happiness is short-lived when Reef appears at her house covered in blood. A fellow snowboarder has been killed–but despite the evidence, Reef swears he’s innocent. And Piper believes him.
Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he’s also sworn to find the truth. Piper is frustrated with his need for facts over faith, but he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth may mean risking Landon’s career.
With Piper waging her own search, the two head deep into Canada’s rugged backcountry–and unexpected complications. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Shattered, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
When her brother is arrested for the murder of a young snowboarder and the evidence looks to be overwhelming, Piper McKenna refuses to believe in his guilt and is determined to prove his innocence. Deputy Landon Grainger has been in love with Piper for some time and even though he believes she doesn’t feel the same, he takes a leave of absence from the Sheriff’s Department to make sure she has the protection she needs during her pursuit of the truth. Their leads take them into Canada and then into California but many seem to be dead ends. Can they find the real murderer in time to stop Reef’s trial and will the truth about their own relationship ever be revealed?
Dani Pettrey takes her readers on another suspense-filled adventure featuring the McKenna family and close friends. Although danger and drama follow closely on their heels, more than one member of the family just might have a bit of romance brewing in Shattered. In fact, I suspect that the stage has been set for at least one more installment to the Alaskan Courage series. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and their combination of strength, faith, determination, and vulnerability. I am looking forward to more novels by this talented author.
by admin | Feb 8, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Redeeming GraceLighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas;
1st edition (February 28, 2013)
by
Ward TannebergABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ward Tanneberg is a pastor/writer/novelist who has given more than 50 years to evangelism, youth, college and pastoral ministry, including two Pacific Northwest churches and 23 years as the senior pastor at Valley Christian Center in Dublin, CA. In 2008, he was named President/Executive Director of The CASA Network. Ward speaks extensively at 50+ retreats and ministry leadership events in the USA and elsewhere. When at home he meets weekly with a group of business and professional leaders. He and Dixie have 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and a great grandson.
Learn more about Ward and his books on his Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Seven years ago, Grace Grafton died in a boating accident while partying on the Georgia, South Carolina coast. Was her death the result of alcohol and drugs or something more sinister? Nobody knows: her body was never recovered. Now years later, a woman reads in disbelief the note addressed to her: Hello Grace, did you think we wouldn’t find you?
Those nine chilling words end Grafton’s self-imposed sanctuary of witness protection. Now she and everyone she loves are in grave danger. Long believed dead, she has a secret that can change the world. She knows the man running for president is guilty of a double murder! But who will believe her?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Redeeming Grace, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
When my copy of Redeeming Grace arrived in the mail, I took one look at the sheer size of it and wondered how I would ever get it read in addition to all the other books I had committed to review. But I knew that if I could read “War and Peace” when I was in high school, I could probably get through this one also. It has taken me a bit longer to read than my average review book but it has been worth every minute.
Ward Tanneberg has written a riveting novel about what can happen when wealthy and powerful men become corrupted and indifferent to others, especially when they become involved in politics. Redeeming Grace features Grace Grafton, a young woman who narrowly escaped with her life due to one careless decision and has had to assume a new identity in order to protect herself and others who knew what happened that fateful evening. Just as she thinks that she may be safe and looks forward to a happy future with the man she loves, the past catches up with her. What follows is a story filled with action and suspense and a dismal outlook for a happy ending.
I liked the characters and the way many of them rallied to help Grace despite the fact that she meant nothing to most of them. I especially loved the story of her “Good Sam” and the bonds that were formed between such disparate individuals. Although the events in Redeeming Grace are fictional, I have to wonder just how often similar instances take place in the lives of the men who lead our nation and if we really have any idea who really holds those positions.
Redeeming Grace is a novel well worth reading if one can overlook its size. Not only is it an excellent suspense novel but it offers some food for thought and the reminder that God is with us even in our darkest hours.
by admin | Feb 8, 2013 | Books, Historical, Romance
February, 2013
Dear Readers,
I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone by since I signed the contract with Abingdon Press for this series in 2010. So many of my readers have been in touch with me about this next book, expressing their anticipation to find out what happens next and how I conclude the series. I think Beyond the Valley is my favorite out of the three. Sarah seemed to resonate with me on so many levels. She is a wife and expectant mother, a loyal friend, a grieving widow. Her faith is shown in a way relevant to the times she lived in, not just a Sunday Christian, but a virtuous woman whose daily walk with God required ultimate trust, though her trials cause her to question. I hope for those who have read books 1 and 2 in the series will read Beyond the Valley to discover how Sarah came to River Run and the many trials she faced and the love she finds in a compassionate physician, Alex Hutton.
Visit Rita’s Website HERE.
Join Rita on Facebook HERE.
Beyond the Valley, the final book in The Daughters of the Potomac series.
When Sarah Carr’s husband Jamie drowns, her young life is shattered and takes a turn that she never expected. Pregnant and widowed, she reaches out to Jamie’s family for help, but they are unwilling. Instead they devise a plan to have her kidnapped through deception and taken to the Colonies to live a life of servitude.
In Virginia, Sarah is auctioned to a kindly gentleman to serve his eccentric wife. After she meets Dr. Alex Hutton, and is loaned to him to help with his orphaned nieces,hope comes alive he will find a way to free her. But when The Woodhouses go bankrupt and sell off all they own, Sarah is sent away. She faces hardships in the wilderness, and is soon surrounded by a family’s whirlwind of secrets, praying the young doctor she loves will find her again and bring her freedom.
Praise for ‘Beyond the Valley’
Beyond the Valley is a delightful escape of adventure and romance and a sweeping saga of tragedy and hope that you won’t want to miss!(5 Stars) MaryLu Tyndall, author of the Surrender to Destiny Series
Creating characters with intense realism and compassion is one of Gerlach’s gifts. Her books typically involve dramatic situations, giving her characters a chance to rise above their adversity. Beyond the Valley is a shining example of that, reminding us that we are never forsaken. This is the third in the Daughters of the Potomac series. Sarah’s character was introduced in the first novel, Before the Scarlet Dawn, and now she has her own heart-wrenching story that takes us from England to Virginia and Maryland. The historic setting is vividly descriptive, bringing the story to life, almost becoming a character unto itself. You may shed some tears, but you’ll come away with deep contentment and satisfaction of a story well told. (Review in RT (Romantic Times) Book Reviews Magazine – 4 stars)
Book 3 in the Daughters of the Potomac series, ‘Beyond the Valley, is available in ebook and paperback in all fine bookstores.
Purchase a copy of Beyond the Valley at AmazonHERE.
Buy the entire series from Christianbooks.com HERE.
