by admin | Mar 19, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe Dog That Talked To GodAbingdon Press (March 2012)byJim KrausABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jim Kraus grew up in Western Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He attended the Paris-American Academy in 1971 and has spent the last twenty years as a vice-president of a major Christian publishing house. He has written more than 20 books and novels (many with his wife, Terri). His book, The Silence, was named as one of the top five releases in 2004 by the Christian Book Review website. He is also an award-winning photographer. He and his wife and 14-year-old son live outside of Chicago with a sweet miniature schnauzer and an ill-tempered Siberian cat.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A wonderfully quirky, heart-breaking, heart-warming and thought-provoking story of a woman’s dog who not only talks to her, he talks to God.
Recently widowed Mary Fassler buys a miniature schnauzer, Rufus, and her world is turned sideways in the midst of her grief. It seems that Rufus speaks. And not just to her. He also talks to God.
Mary has no choice except to believe Rufus, the miniature schnauzer, who claims to speak to the Divine.
The question is: Will Mary follow the dog’s advice, and leave everything she knows and loves? Is this at the urging of God? Or is it something else?
Will Mary risk it all or ignore the urgings of her own heart?
If you would like to read a chapter excerpt from The Dog That Talked To God, go HERE.
by admin | Mar 15, 2012 | Books, Colonial America, England, Historical, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingBefore The Scarlet DawnAbingdon Press (February 2012)byRita GerlachABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rita Gerlach lives with her husband and two sons in a historical town nestled along the Catoctin Mountains, amid Civil War battlefields and Revolutionary War outposts in central Maryland.
“Romantic historical fiction that has an inspirational bent, is one way people can escape the cares of life and be transported back to a time of raw courage and ideal love,” she says. “The goal of my writing is to give readers a respite, and inspire them to live fully and gratefully.”
In many of her stories, she writes about the struggles endured by early colonists, with a sprinkling of both American and English history. Currently she is writing a new historical series for Abingdon Press entitled ‘Daughters of the Potomac’. See her ‘Novels In Progress’ page on her website to learn more.
There are other novels on her list to be published, and a proposal for another book series.
She was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in a large family in the Maryland suburbs. Her family claims that storytelling is their blood, handed down from centuries of Irish storytellers. Rita believes there just may be something to that theory.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father’s estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar’s daughter,
Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.
Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward’s path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it’s a temporary reprieve. Hayward
joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Before The Scarlet Dawn, go HERE.
Learn more about Rita and her books on her Website.
Watch the book video:
MY REVIEW:Even as I begin this review, I am not entirely sure how to go about it. Before The Scarlet Dawn is not your usual historical romance, in fact there is very little true romance in it. After reading it I was left with very mixed feelings about what happened in the story and wondered if that could be exactly what the author intended.
Before The Scarlet Dawn was very well written with descriptive language that drew me into the story. I could almost feel and hear the cold winds of a fierce winter blizzard and experience the hardship and loneliness of two women trying to survive in the frontier wilderness without a man. Characters were well defined – well enough that I thoroughly disliked at least one of them. The story abounds with unexpected twists and turns and some moments when you just want to shake one of the characters.
Before The Scarlet Dawn is a story filled with emotions that range through love, hate, lust, compassion, desperation, depression, and grief to mention but a few. It is a story about choices and the effects those choices have on each person involved. It is a story about dependence on God and the power of His forgiveness. It is also a story that will leave you wanting more. Thankfully, two more installments will be forthcoming in this series that should help wrap up some of the loose ends.
by admin | Mar 13, 2012 | Books, Colonial America, Historical, Nautical
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingPrize of My HeartBethany House Publishers (March 1, 2012)byLisa NoratoABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A life-long New Englander, Lisa Norato lives in a historic village with homes and churches dating as far back as the eighteenth century. She was born into a close-knit Italian family that hungered as much for the things of God as they did for lasagna. After church, the family spent Sunday afternoons gathered in fellowship around a never-ending feast that featured her grandmother’s homemade spaghetti and pizza.
From the time she learned to read, her mother impressed her with the joy of getting lost in a good book. She passed novels along to her as early as age thirteen, but it wasn’t until many years later that Lisa felt compelled to write one herself.
She first discovered a love of writing when assigned to write and illustrate a children’s book at the art college she attended. She balances writing with a career as a legal assistant specializing in corporate law. When not creating stories, she enjoys domestic pursuits like precious time with her dog and family, cooking, baking and eating vegan, reading, her Bible, her favorite television shows and crocheting.
Lisa is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Rhode Island Romance Writers (RIRW) and American Colonial Christian Writers.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
An unsolved mystery separates ex-privateersman Captain Brogan Talvis from his lost son–his only living relation, his only family. Shortly before her tragic demise, his wife abandoned their infant to strangers, refusing to reveal the child’s whereabouts. Now, three years later, Brogan has discovered the boy at the home of a shipbuilder’s daughter, Lorena Huntley.
Lorena guards a dark secret about her young charge. She finds herself falling for the heroic captain who has come to claim his newly built ship, unaware his motive for wooing her is to befriend the boy he plans on reclaiming as his own–until the day anothers evil deceit leaves her helplessly shipbound, heading toward England.
As the perfect opportunity to reclaim his son unfolds, Brogan is haunted by thoughts of Lorena in her dire circumstance, and he is forced to make a heartrending choice between his child and the woman who has begun to capture his heart. But only his unselfish sacrifice can win him the greatest prize of all–love.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Prize of My Heart, go HERE.
Learn more about Lisa and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
by admin | Mar 13, 2012 | Books, Historical, Romance, Tennessee
MY REVIEW:
“Beauty for Ashes” is a historical romance with a post Civil War setting. Childless widow Carrie Daly finds her well ordered world turned upside down when the brother she has lived with since losing her husband marries a demanding woman with two naughty and disrespectful sons. Her good friend Nate has encouraged her to set a date for their own wedding but Carrie’s uncertainty keeps him at bay. Then a stranger, Griff Rutledge comes to town and despite the disapproval of most of the town, Carrie finds herself irresistibly attracted to him.
In some books I’ve read, the beleaguered Carrie might be portrayed as a perfect angel with no faults who is taken advantage of by everyone. While people in “Beauty for Ashes” do tend to take advantage of Carrie’s good heart and generosity, she is by no means perfect. She reacts to situations much as the rest of the real world does with hurt, anger, and even a small tantrum or two. Why she even slapped someone when provoked! So one thing I really liked about this novel is that the characters were portrayed realistically and actually demonstrated some spiritual growth as the story progressed.
With excellent characters, a great setting, a captivating story, and a touching romance, “Beauty for Ashes” has just about everything a lover of historical romance would require. My only complaint would be that one situation was left unresolved – but I suspect a sequel might just take care of that.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She’s a beautiful young widow. He’s a Southern gentleman with a thirst for adventure. Both need a place to call home.
After losing her husband in the Civil War, Carrie Daly is scared she will never have the family she longs for. Eligible bachelors are scarce in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, but Carrie has found love. Not the weak-in-the-knees kind, but something practical. Still, she isn’t quite ready to set a wedding date with Nate Chastain.
Griff Rutledge is a former member of Charleston society, but has been estranged from his family for years. He’s determined to remain unattached, never settling in one place for too long. But when asked to train a Thoroughbred for an upcoming race in Hickory Ridge, he decides to stay awhile.
Despite objections from the townsfolk, and her fear that true happiness has eluded her, Carrie is drawn to Griff’s kindness and charm. It will take a leap of faith for them to open their hearts and claim God’s promise to give beauty for ashes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Before returning to her writing roots in historical fiction, Dorothy Love published twelve novels for young adults. Her work has garnered numerous honors from the American Library Association, the Friends of American Writers, the International Reading Association, the New York Public Library, and many others. The Hickory Ridge Novels mark her Christian fiction debut.
For more about Dorothy visit her website, www.dorothylovebooks.com or friend her on Facebook.com/DorothyLoveBooks.
Purchase a copy of “Beauty for Ashes” HERE.
See what other bloggers have to say about “Beauty for Ashes” HERE.
GIVEAWAY AND PARTY:
Dorothy Love’s Beauty for Ashes Kindle Fire and a Sapphire Ring Giveaway! Enter Today & RSVP for 3/20 Facebook Author Chat Party!
We’re thrilled to announce the fun giveaway Dorothy is hosting! First, she’ll be giving away a Kindle Fire (3/1-3/20), then on the evening of the 20th she’s inviting everyone to her Facebook Author Page for a fun Author Chat party! Don’t miss a minute of the fun … sigh.
One beautiful winner will receive:
- A Brand new Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
- Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love
- Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love
| Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/20/12. Winner will be announced at Dorothy’s Facebook Author Chat Party on 3/20. Come for an evening of chat, trivia, and a sneak peek at the next book in Dorothy’s Hickory Ridge series – bring your friends! She’ll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books and a stunning sapphire ring! |
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So grab your copy of Beauty for Ashes and join Dorothy and friends on the evening of March 20th for an evening of fun.
Don’t miss Dorothy’s delightful giveaway and party. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!
