by admin | Sep 19, 2012 | Books, Medical, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingA Heartbeat AwayDavid C. Cook (September 1, 2012)byHarry Kraus
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Word from Harry:
I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife’s urging: “Now doesn’t seem the right time for this dream.”
My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I’d written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn’t until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the “rules” without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I’d have made faster progress if I’d have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.
I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you’ll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When a brilliant surgeon undergoes a heart transplant, her life transforms as she begins experiencing memories of a murder she never witnessed.
The residents worship her. Nurses step out of her way. Her colleagues respect and sometimes even fear her. But surgeon Tori Taylor never expected to end up on this side of the operating table.
Now she has a new heart. This life that was formerly controlled and predictable is now chaotic. Dr. Taylor had famously protected herself from love or commitment, but her walls are beginning to crumble.
And strangest of all, memories surface that will take her on a journey out of the operating room and into a murder investigation.
Where there once was a heart of stone, there is a heart of flesh. And there is no going back.
If you’d like to read the first chapter excerpt of A Heartbeat Away, go HERE.
by admin | Sep 17, 2012 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
After the death of her father, Willow’s family and friends are concerned that her fragile emotions might send her back to the asylum where she spent time after the death of her husband. Determined to prove that she is no longer the same weak girl they knew, Willow sets out to find a job in order to show them and herself that she is a strong woman. When she answers an advertisement for someone to colorize photographs or paint portraits from them, she soon proves to the citizens of Cripple Creek that a woman is certainly capable of doing a job usually relegated to a man. To their surprise, Willow and her new employer Trenton find their professional relationship developing into something more.
I enjoyed going back to Cripple Creek once again and renewing my acquaintance with characters from the earlier novels of this series as well as getting to know some new ones. Mona’s style quickly drew me into the story and made me feel like one of the family. Her cast of characters was varied and vividly described and the plot moved at a leisurely pace with touches of drama, humor, and a few surprises in addition to the expected romantic angle. I loved the author’s portrayal of both Willow and Trenton as they grew both personally and spiritually.
I am a bit sorry to see the series come to an end but look forward to the next one by this author. I recommend “Twice a Bride” as well as the entire Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group Blogging for Books program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Packed with heart and faith, Twice a Bride will thrill and inspire historical romance readers who love to lose themselves in the untamed beauty of nineteenth-century Colorado.
Willow Peterson is at a crossroads. Standing alone over her father’s fresh grave, she ponders the question she’s seen etched on everyone else’s face. Will this loss send her over the edge too, as her husband’s death did? She has come back once from the devastating effects of loss, started fresh in Cripple Creek, Colorado, and might find her second chance at love working as a portrait artist for photographer Trenton Van Der Veer. With help of the spirited Sinclair Sisters, can Willow embrace God’s plan to overcome her past and provide a home for her?
Praise for The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series
“A beautiful tale. Intriguing. Inviting. Inspiring.”
-Cindy Woodsmall, author of The Hope of Refuge and When the Soul Mends
“It’s always a joy to read a historical novel that isn’t afraid to let its women escape the farm. Cripple Creek’s cast of colorful characters play host to a new romance, as well as pulling back the curtain on a local family tragedy. This
sequel does more than simply tell the “next” story; it revisits the characters we’ve already come to love and creates a complementary depth to an entertaining new tale.”
-Allison Pittman, author of Stealing Home and The Bridegrooms
“Ida believes her future is secure in a man’s world. After all, she has drive and determination. But what happens when she meets a man who makes a withdrawal from her heart? Author Mona Hodgson makes discovering the answer to this question a rich, rewarding adventure.”
-DiAnn Mills, author of A Woman Called Sage and the Texas Legacy Series
“All the ups and downs of a romance with a delightful dose of history, with characters that will sneak into your heart and take up residence. More, more, we want more.”
-Lauraine Snelling, author of No Distance Too Far and the Daughters of Blessing Series
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mona Hodgson is the author of Two Brides Too Many, Too Rich for a Bride, and The Bride Wore Blue. Mona’s writing credits also include nearly thirty children’s books, including Real Girls of the Bible: A Devotional, Bedtime in the Southwest, and The Princess Twins and the Tea Party. One of Mona’s favorite things to do, besides writing or eating dark chocolate, is to speak at women’s retreats and conferences. Mona lives in Arizona with her husband, Bob.
by admin | Sep 17, 2012 | Books, Historical, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingUnending DevotionBethany House Publishers (September 1, 2012)byJody Hedlund
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jody has written novels for the last 20 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), became a best seller and has won multiple awards.
Her second book, The Doctor’s Lady, released in September of 2011, and her third book, Unending Devotion, is out now. She’s currently busy researching and writing another book!
Jody has been married for twenty years to her college sweetheart. Jody has five children ranging in ages from 15 to 6, with a set of twin daughters in the mix to make things more lively.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
High-Stakes Drama Meets High-Tension Romance
In 1883 Michigan, Lily Young is on a mission to save her lost sister, or die trying. Heedless of the danger, her searches of logging camps lead her to Harrison and into the sights of Connell McCormick, a man doing his best to add to the hard-earned fortunes of his lumber baron father.
Posing during the day as a photographer’s assistant, Lily can’t understand why any God-fearing citizen would allow evil to persist and why men like Connell McCormick turn a blind eye to the crime rampant in the town. But Connell is boss-man of three of his father’s lumber camps in the area, and like most of the other men, he’s interested in clearing the pine and earning a profit. He figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters.
Lily challenges everything he thought he knew, and together they work not only to save her sister but to put an end to the corruption that’s dominated Harrison for so long.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Unending Devotion, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Loosely based on actual historical facts, “Unending Devotion” is the story of Lily Young, a young woman dedicated to finding and rescuing her younger sister from a life of prostitution. As she searches northern Michigan in the late 1800?s with her foster father Oren as his photographic assistant, Lily manages to free other girls from the same lifestyle. Unfortunately, she has yet to locate her sister. When she and Oren land in Harrison for awhile, her impetuous nature places Lily in more than one dangerous situation and stirs up unwanted trouble for herself and some of her new found friends. Although Connell McCormick is a bit wary of Lily and her unbridled enthusiasm to right wrongs, he nevertheless feels compelled to protect her.
I really liked the characters of Lily and Connell. Lily is one of those rare people who did not assume that the “soiled doves” chose their profession and deserved whatever happened to them but viewed them as victims who needed to be saved. Connell was a young man who was raised to respect and protect women and treated them accordingly. Although not in agreement with Lily at first, he gradually opened his eyes to the truth and realized that there are times that people must take a stand for what is good and true no matter the cost.
With a plot that moves at a good pace, well-developed characters, a nice mixture of drama, suspense, humor, and romance, “Unending Devotion” is laced with historical fact and Biblical principles. I thoroughly enjoyed and story and the fact that it left me with plenty to think about. I would definitely recommend this novel.
by admin | Sep 15, 2012 | Books, Historical, Romance, WWII
MY REVIEW:
“With Every Letter” is another captivating historical WW2 novel from Sarah Sundin that opens her new Wings of the Nightingale series. A unique romance that develops through an anonymous correspondence between Mellie, a flight nurse and Tom, an army engineer. For very different reasons, both Mellie and Tom have suffered rejection by their peers for most of their lives and each also harbors unforgiveness toward a deceased parent. As they continue to exchange letters, Tom and Mellie find that they can share the secrets of their hearts that have been hidden from everyone else. In due course, as one would expect, a romance develops between them but it is not without its ups and downs.
Well developed characters, a steady plot, interesting historical background, lots of drama and a sweet romance kept me turning the pages and the story ended much too quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed “With Every Letter” and observing the changes made by both Tom and Mellie, most of which could be directly attributed to the influence of the other’s encouragement through their letters. The story is an excellent example of how we tend to believe that others see us the way we see ourselves and that the rejection we receive is usually because we set ourselves up for it. “With Every Letter” clearly illustrates how we need to see ourselves the way God sees us.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Book 1 in the Wings of the Nightingale series
Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she’s never met–even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence–he’s been trying to escape his infamous name for years.
As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other’s true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?
Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing–and true love.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah Sundin is the author of “A Distant Melody”, “A Memory Between Us”, and “Blue Skies Tomorrow”. In 2011, “A Memory Between Us” was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.
Learn more about Sarah and her books on her website. www.sarahsundin.com
Win a Kindle or Nook from @SarahSundin and RSVP for “With Every Letter” Facebook Party 9/27!
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- Handmade With Every Letter First Aid Kit
- With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 26th. Winner will be announced at the “With Every Letter” Author Chat Facebook Party on 9/27. Connect with Sarah, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!
So grab your copy of With Every Letter and join Sarah on the evening of the September 27th for a chance to connect with Sarah and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
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